Shrimp Salad

I've been trying to eat more salads. It's not just because I'm watching my weight for the wedding, but because it's getting warmer outside. The warmer months mean sunshine, higher hemlines and tons of fresh produce. Why not embrace that and eat a salad every day?

Sauteed Vegetable and Shrimp Salad 

Chopped garlic

Sliced asparagus

Sliced onion

Sliced red bell pepper

Deveined and peel shrimp

Arugula

Romance lettuce

Black beans

Fried egg

Grape tomatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

In a nonstick pan, sautee garlic, asparagus, onion and bell pepper until warm but still crunchy. Meanwhile, in a large dish or bowl, add arugula, lettuce and cooked black beans. When veggies are done cooking, add them on top of the greens and beans. In the same pan, sautee shrimp with salt and pepper. Add to salad. Finally, in the same nonstick pan, crack an egg and cook until white is cooked, but yolk is still runny.  Top salad with egg and dig in. Season with salt and pepper. 

Break the yolk and mix all ingredients together. The runny yolk will cover the salad and create a rich dressing to coat the vegetables. Enjoy!

-Akemi-chan

Wedding Planning: Prioritizing and Budgeting

If there's one thing that I learned from Bryan, it's that life is short, indulge a little. I used to be pretty tight-fisted when it came to money. When my friends wanted to go out to dinner, I used to make a salad at home, so I wouldn't pay for a side salad with my entree. I used to refuse invitations to concerts and parties because I didn't want to spend money on a ticket. I used to go "shopping" for hours and talk myself out of buying anything.

Now, I'm more willing to spend money for the sake of the moment. A few years ago I would never buy a bottle of wine to eat with a homemade meal, or go out for coffee or lunch. Oh how things have changed. This "live in the moment" mentality is scarily being embraced in wedding planning.

I'm not gonna lie, I initially didn't want a wedding. I thought it would be less stress and less money to elope or go to the courthouse. After some convincing, Bryan and I agreed to have a more traditional wedding celebration. So now that we're already going to be spending money on the wedding, I decided to sit down and really think about what I want and budget accordingly.

To me, the most important parts of the wedding were the food and the photos. Secondly, the attire and venue. Bryan's priorities were the venue and the music. Once you figure out what you want, everything else kinda falls into place.

Now just a couple months til the wedding, we have almost everything of importance. Oh and did I mention I haven't had a heartattack yet? A few meltdowns due to budgeting. Planning a wedding near a major city is ridiculously expensive. But it will all be worth it to marry my best friend. At least that's what I keep telling my credit card.


-Akemi-chan

Wedding Planning: Saying Yes to the Dress

I was extremely nervous about finding a dress. Just like most other girls, I have a complex about my body. But instead of my thighs and my butt, it's my height. So my number one desire when it came to finding the dress was it had to make me look tall, or at least normal height. Heels can only do so much. 

I looked over thousands of online pictures of bridal gowns that mostly resembled cupcakes and comforters, and they all left me feeling hopeless. In addition to feeling like I wouldn't find the dress, I felt a little alone.

I had this picture in my head of those TV shows and movies where the young woman goes to the bridal shop with her best friend and her mom. They try on dresses, give their opinions and sometimes someone has to get put in their place. But in the end the young woman walks out in address that suits her perfectly. The sales person, put on a veil, the mom and best friend cry and they all leave with smiles on their faces. 

My mother obviously lives in Hawaii and my best friend lives in San Francisco. There would be no such tears at my dress shopping. I was honestly worried that I would be in David's Bridal by myself trying on affordable  yet unspectacular dresses. 

Then in December 2013, Bryan surprised me with an appointment at the local bridal salon, Michelle's Bridal. In addition to making a champagne appointment with bubbly and appetizers, he invited some of my friends that live in town and our friend from St Louis. I'm a lucky girl... and spoiled.

Here's a few pictures from our appointment. Don't worry, there are no spoilers.

"Welcome Carly <3"

Our noms

The judging panel

Bubbles and chocolate

Don't worry, not my dress

Me and my girls. Even in heels I'm shorter than everyone

I had a fun time playing dress up and having some bubbly with the girls. Plus, I was lucky enough to find a dress that suited me. I couldn't have asked for more.

Then Bryan surprised me with a little party back at the house. Many of our friends were there with us to sip bubbly cocktails and eat pizza while we laugh and have a good time. Thank you so much to Bryan for surprising me and setting everything up so I could have a wonderful dress shopping experience. He really went all out.

Grapefruit mimosa

Bubbles

Now it's Summer and I have to get my dress altered for my short legs. But I'm so happy I found the dress and my girls made it that much more special.


-Akemi-chan

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Waffles

I've been a little obsessed with sweets lately. Milkshakes, cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, it's beginning to be a problem. Fortunately, I can still have some sweet stuff in the morning, but in reasonable doses. 

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Waffles

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Pancakes

2 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 1/4 cups almond milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Cooking spray

Sliced bananas (optional)

Maple syrup (optional)

In a large bowl mix peanut butter, sugar, eggs, almond milk, vegetable oil and salt. Whisk in flour and baking soda. Scoop batter into waffle iron and cook until desired texture. I like my crunchy, so I left it on for a little longer. Top with bananas and maple syrup. Enjoy!

-Akemi-chan

Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods is a Forrest preserve just a few miles outside of Champaign-Urbana. It was a gorgeous day for a little stroll and a beautiful place for it. I'm not going to spoil the moment with an excess of words, so just take in the sunlight and enjoy the day.

Happy Summer!

-Akemi-chan

Watermelon Juice

Watermelon is one of the few foods I associate with Summer. It's easy to see why, but I instantly go back to sitting in my Grandma's backyard or sitting at the beach in a bikini. Chomping away at some juicy watermelon. I wasn't much of a seed-spitter, the seeds just slowed me down. Now, there's the beauty of seedless watermelon, and I will take full advantage of that.

Watermelon Juice

3 cups of cubed seedless watermelon
1 tbsp honey or simple syrup
1 tbsp mint, and more for garnish (optional)
1 cup crushed ice

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. You can add more or less simple syrup or honey depending on the sweetness of the melon. Garnish with a sprig of mint and enjoy!

This has been my go-to snack/dessert/ breakfast smoothie for the past couple of days. It's incredibly refreshing, just sweet enough and so easy. I just cut the watermelon ahead of time and store in it the fridge. Them it's ready to go when I am. Don't even get me started on adding some booze. It's going to be a great Summer. 

-Akemi-chan

PINspiration Spa Day

I'm not one to pay for services. That sounded weird. What I meant to say was, I prefer being resourceful. If I can take the DIY route, I feel better than paying someone to beautify me. Whether it's mani-pedis, tanning or facials, I like the at home stuff better than the salon. I believe that is why God gave us Pinterest. 

Bryan's sisters and I spent some girl time together. You know, dinner, body scrubs, facial masks, and chick flicks, the usual. 

Lemon Sugar Scrub

2 cups of sugar

Zest of one lemon

Juice of half of one lemon

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Oatmeal Cinnamon Mask

1 cup water

1/2 cup oatmeal

2 drops of lemon juice

1 tbsp cinnamon

2 tbsp honey

It's edible, but I don't reccomend it

I highly encourage you to take a little pampering time for yourself, at less than half the spa price. Enjoy!

-Akemi-chan