Day Three Hundred Forty-Three: Sushi Burrito

I have been wanting to try a sushi burrito basically since I heard there was such a thing, and today I finally had my chance. It was delicious but super-filling!

Day Three Hundred Thirty-Four: Bío-Bío Market

Today, we visited the Bío-Bío Market, which is a rabbit warren of shops and stalls, spread out over several blocks. There is everything from fresh produce, meats, and cheeses to homegoods and clothing all intermingled, sometimes in nice enclosed spaces and sometimes out in the open. It was somewhat similar to other markets we've visited in the world but still retained its uniqueness. Some of the most interesting finds of the day were a bin of various broken pastas, a cat cleaning itself in a produce bin, right next to the avocados, and a stack of eggs crammed in next to cheap house shoes. It's definitely a different shopping experience than you would ever find in the States, but it's so fun!

Hodgepodge pasta bin

The fuzzy ones aren't good to eat!

Walmart has nothing on Bío-Bīo!

We were mesmerized by the
 beautiful revolving cake display!

Day Two Hundred Sixty: Homemade Taco Seasoning

I wanted to make "avotacos" for dinner, but I didn't have any avocados, so I ran to the store and picked some up. When I got home, I realized I didn't have any taco seasoning either. So, I made homemade taco seasoning, which I had been wanting to try for a while anyway because the store-bought kind usually has sugar added. Then, and only then, I realized/remembered that half the family had another dinner commitment for the evening and one of staying half can't eat foods that need to be chewed at the moment. So I gave up and heated up leftovers. But, I did get a First out of it with the taco seasoning, so it wasn't a total loss. (And we'll have the "avotacos" tomorrow night.)

Day Two Hundred Twenty-Four: Avocado Margarita

I'm not super crazy about regular margaritas, but I pretty much love flavored ones. I was excited when we ate at Wild Salsa tonight to discover that they had a whole list of flavored margaritas. I've never seen an avocado margarita on a menu before, so I knew that one was going to be the one for me. It was fantastic!

Day One Hundred Eighty-Seven: Primal Kitchen Condiments

I haven't really felt like eating much the last few days, but today food started to have some appeal, and I was glad Ruth offered to make a salad for lunch with some of our new Primal Kitchen dressing. When trying to eat healthy, the natural inclination is to add more salads to the mix. Unfortunately, most salad dressings are anything but healthy. That's why I was pretty thrilled to discover Primal Kitchen's condiment line, which are all avocado based and contain no sugar. They taste really good and have the right consistency, and they make healthy eating just a little easier!

A sampling of Primal Kitchen's offerings

Day One Hundred Sixty-Three: Korean Dessert

After dinner, I announced I wanted to take everyone on an outing. I didn't tell them where we were going, but I insisted it would be fun, so they all dutifully loaded up and off we went. I took them to Snow Village Cafe, a Korean dessert place we had never visited. In fact, we had never visited any place where Korean desserts were available, so it was a completely new experience. Once inside, the Firsts kept coming as we ordered three versions of bingsu (Korean shaved ice made with sweetened condensed milk and topped with all kinds of goodness) and an avocado smoothie with boba (tapioca pearls). We enjoyed all the treats and were thrilled to have so many Firsts included in one evening. 

Avocado smoothie with boba

Cake Bingsu

Day One Hundred Fifteen: New Twists on Old Favorites

I was in a cooking mood today, and, no, that's not my First. 🙂  I actually love to cook when I have the time. Today I whipped up some family favorites, but with a couple of the dishes I strayed from my usual recipes for something a little different.

My family loves Brussels sprouts, and I make them often--always caramelized with lemon juice squeezed on just before serving. But I found a recipe that added avocado, bacon, caramelized onions, and balsamic vinegar, and I knew instantly that my family wouldn't mind veering from the norm. Everyone loved the dish, and it may actually become our new go-to Brussels sprouts dish.

Photo credit: https://heatherchristo.com/2017/10/30/brussels-sprouts-with-bacon-red-onion-and-avocado/

Amped up Brussels Sprouts

I also make homemade hummus from time to time. Jeff and I prefer the homemade version, but the kids like the flavors available in the store-bought versions. So, I attempted a flavored one this time by incorporating caramelized onions in a balsamic reduction. (Can you figure out today's secret ingredients?!) We haven't tried it yet, but everyone seemed happy with the smell produced by the onions while they were cooking, so I suspect it will be a hit.

*Photo credit: https://www.camelliabrand.com/recipes/balsamic-caramelized-onion-hummus/

Caramelized Onion Hummus

Day Seventy-Two: Torchy's Tacos with my two oldest

I'm not sure how I lived in and around Austin for so many years without ever darkening the door of Torchy's Tacos, but I never did. I'm also not sure how I've not really gone out to dinner with just my two oldest children by myself maybe ever. But, tonight I did both, and it was so much fun!

Torchy's Tacos

Dinner with just my two oldest kiddos

Tacos are awesome!

Day Thirty-Five: Chocolate Avocado Mousse

I love avocado, and I love chocolate, but I have never really thought of blending the two flavors. However, when you've put your family on a dietary regime which prevents almost any "fun" foods from entering the house, and you have a dessert craving, you start to get creative! I came across a recipe for chocolate avocado mousse and decided to give it a go. It is actually very good and quite simple, so it may become a new staple around the house to satisfy that nagging sweet tooth.