Grilled Chicken Souvlaki and Lemon Mint Tzatziki

When I was in South Korea, my friend Jess and I would venture to Seoul (the capital) and take advantage of all of the O so delicious cuisine from around the world.  One of my absolute favorites was the Greek restaurant tucked into a corner of Itaewon (kind of the ghetto of Seoul).  I love Greek food.  Ok, let's face it, I love food in general, but Greek food definitely does something special to my heart and this little restaurant had some fantastic chicken and potatoes.  The Tzatziki left something to be desired but hey, you can't have everything.... unless you make it yourself.

I was looking to make something that was hearty and healthy at the same time and this is what I came up with.  The flavor of the chicken is just right and the Tzatziki complements it perfectly.  I had two skewers over a delicious Greek Salad.  Thehubby AKA GYMRAT needs a bit more fuel for all those sexy muscles so I made him some delicious roast potatoes to go with it.

Numnums in our tumtums.  I originally put the chicken on one of those little disposable grills that I love so much but this was a piece of shit an off brand and it only lasted for about 15 minutes.  Ever prepared, I popped them in the oven and even though they didn't cook the whole way on the grill, they still had that char grilled taste that I love so much.

I also made the Tzatziki about 3 hours ahead of time.  Technically I should have made it a day early like everyone says, but I didn't have that kind of time AND I prefer to the uber garlicy taste that you get on the first day.  And after we ate dindin we made our way to a fun little improve workshop in Bury.  We read scripts and interacted by doing a few activities.  It was pretty great.  TheHubby read three different parts and was really good in all of them (including the black man that kept getting called nigger...the one I didn't want him to play!).  I played a bitch housewife who was taking her mom to die and she thought she knew everything.  TheHubby laughed at the pretend irony there lol.

It was a pretty great night.

Chicken Souvlaki

Adapted from a few places that I hodgepodged together.  

• 4 large chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp paprika
• black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic
• garlic salt

1. Pound out chicken and cut into pieces.
Put chicken in a bag and add all other ingredients to marinate.

2. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and soak the skewers in water while you wait.

3. Pierce chicken on skewers and put on preheated grill.  I like to turn in on all four sides to let it cook.  I like to fold over the chicken to give it  bit more depth and really get the seasoning in there.

4.  Cook on grill for 20-30 minutes.





Shaina's Lemon Mint Tzatziki

2 cups Greek yogurt
2 small cucumber
2 tbsp mint, chopped
4 cloves garlic
salt and pepper
4 tbsp dill
3 tbsp lemon juice

1. Cut cucumber in half lengthwise and remove seeds.  Mix with salt and let sit in strainer for 30 minutes to remove excess water.  Shake and turn to removes more water.

2. Squeeze into paper towel to remove salt and any water left over.  You don't want runny tzatziki

3.  Mix all ingredients in a bowl adding more herbs or seasonings to taste.


Roast Potatoes

3 Red or russet potatoes
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Rosemary
Garlic salt
Black Pepper

1. Cut potatoes into 6 pieces.

2. Boil potatoes for 15-20 minutes.  You don't want them to get too soft.

3. Stain in a colander and then place on a foiled baking sheet.

4. Pour olive oil over the potatoes and be  sure there is a generous amount on all of them.  Be careful.  Really hot! Then season to taste.

5, Pop in the over on 400 and watch the magic happen.  They should be ready in about 20-30 minutes.

Nice and crisp on the outside soft on the inside.  Yummy!

What is your favorite Greek Recipe?

Best Frittata Ever and A Trip to London

This has been a pretty wonderful memorial day weekend.  My soldier and I did a little of our usual (lounging and TV) and added some fun.  We spent Sunday in London.  The aquarium was great and we took a bazillion pictures.  Here is my favorite picture of the day.

I just loveeeeeee it.  That would be Big Ben in the background.  It was great fun.  We got home and had some delicious stuffed chicken (recipe to come later) and watched about 4 hours worth of "Once upon a time".  I also finished my book last night, "A Discovery of Witches" love it.  Here is a quick review I did on Goodreads (my fav site ever!)

This morning I got up and did day 2 of "Egg Variety Week".  Yesterday we woke up late so there was no time for cooking lol.  I wanted to make something that would yield some left overs for TheHubby's breakfast in the morning so this was the obvious choice.

It really tasted like love in my mouth.  The fluffy eggs, were chock full of veggies and just enough cheese to still be healthy lol.  I seem to ALWAYS put garlic salt on my eggs no matter what so if you don't like...don't add.

Best Frittata Ever

Ice Coffee and Sausages optional!

• 4 Eggs
• 3 Egg whites
• 1/2 large red onion
• 1 Portobello mushroom
• 1/2 large red bell pepper
• 1/2 large tomato
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup spinach leaves Spinach
• Pepper
• 3 TBSP olive oil for veggies
• Garlic Salt
• A dash of Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top at the end

1. Chop your veggies and add the, to a Cast Iron skillet after tossing with a little olive oil and seasoning to taste.  Roast in the oven on 350F for 20-30 minutes checking them at about 15 minutes in.

2. Mix up your eggs and cheese in a large bowl and set aside.

3. Once veggies are done, add the spinach and mix around before returning to oven.  I like my spinach to be barely wilted.

4.  Remove from oven and add a little more oil to the pan so the eggs wont stick.  Add your eggs and mix in the veggies.  I sprinkle a little pepper, garlic salt and chives on top .Skillet to oven for 20 minutes or until you can stick a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean.  (My British oven does not cook at all like my oven at home).

5.  Remove from oven.  I used a pizza cutter and cut 8 pieces.  Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on top.

Thehubby liked everything but the mushrooms.  I am trying to convert him lol.  Give it a try!

What is the last book you read and did you love it?!?


Are you a member of Goodreads.com?!?!

Ima-Let You Have This Mushroom Bacon Omelet Recipe

Hi, my name is Shaina and I am a habit addict.  "Hi Shaina".  I am such a creature of habit when it comes to food, especially breakfast.  I tend to make the same omelet every morning; peppers on top of peppers, onions, and occasionally tomatoes.  So I have made it my goal to have 5 different omelet combinations before I start over.  Tough for me, but if today was any indication of what's in store, then bring it on!

Other than oatmeal (my absolute favorite) I almost always start my day with an omelet.  Lots of protein and veggies to kick start the morning and way less carbs if you are going for a low carb diet.  I love to have regular eggs and egg whites together.  If I know I plan on having a day with lots of exercise and smaller lunch and dinner, I will have 2 eggs and 1 or 2 whites.  If my day isn't going to be exercise intensive then I have 2 whites and 1 whole egg.  It's all about that PLANNING!!  I can't stress enough how important planning is.  Right now I have a print out of all my breakfast, lunch, and dinners for the entire week, including planned eating out.  The best thing about this breakfast is that it is clean and easy to make.  How many of you out there have a clean eating lifestyle?? *Raises hands*

TheHubby and I have differing opinions on egg whites.  I absolutely love Eggbeaters and he loves All Whites.  I like the consistency of Eggbeaters much better than the All Whites, which are a bit more liquidy (and yes I realized liquidy isn't a word, my blog, my rules).  So we buy both and everyone is happy.  But I am trying to convert him.  The battle rages on.  

So without Further ado, Ima-Let you have this mushroom bacon omelet deliciousness.

"Mushroom Bacon Ima-Let"
only about 300-315 calories

And of course, my sugar free creamer and Truvia with a side of coffee

• 2 eggs
• 2 slices Turkey bacon
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup (or less if you like) Portobello mushroom
• 2 slices turkey bacon
• 1 Tbsp shredded Swiss cheese
• Chives
• Dash of olive oil
• Little pat of butter
• Garlic salt & Pepper to taste

1. Put 2 slices of turkey bacon in a medium skillet om medium heat and roughly chop your veggies.  I like mine a bit larger so I get huge mouthfuls of goodness with every bite.

2.Before bacon is completely finished, toss your veggies in the pan as well.  This will give them a nice turkey bacon-y flavor.

3. Whisk your eggs in a small bowl along with one egg white.

4. When veggies and bacon are cooked to your liking put them in a small bowl and wipe out your pan with a paper towel.  I like to wipe out my pan instead of washing it in between so it will still have a little flavor.  However, if there are sticky bits because your pan isn't a nonstick, then wash it.  Don't want to chance the eggs sticking.

5. Return pan to medium heat and add a little butter and a little olive oil.  Since the olive oil has a higher burning temperature it helps the eggs to cook without turning brown (little Kitchen Boss tip for ya!  I love that guy)

6.  Add eggs and quickly return veggies to the mixture before bottom starts to cook.  I like my veggies to actually be inside my egg instead of folded inside.  When they are added, I sprinkle garlic salt and pepper, and chives over the top.

Salivating yet?

7.  Watch your heat and once the top is no longer jiggly, carefully flip over.  The veggies make the omelet heavier so consider the weight when you flip.  I usually use a bit of my hand to make the flip go a littler smoother.

8.  Once the other side is done I flip it once more then add the cheese.  Flip over and serve the deliciousness.

What is your favorite omelet?

Weekend Success

This weekend was our first away from each other since jumping the broom :(.  But it's only a week.  Cue "I will survive".

My first success.  I  twisted my natural hair on Friday.  It took over 8 hours, and lots of TV shows to catch up on, but I finally finished.  I figured it made way more sense to twist my own hair instead of paying someone 70 pounds (like $130) to put fake hair in it.  Right? Right??  It's nice to feel the hair laid down and see how long it is.

I had to use the web cam camera because TheHubby has the real one with him in Wales this week.  Forgive the crummy resolution.


Yesterday I went to country night with a few friends and it was pretty damn fun.  While I am NOT the biggest fan of country, I could get down with what they were playing at the club.  It wasn't quite that "woe is me, I hate my life" shit that I got accustomed to while going to school in Kentucky.  But I guess that was more blue grass?  Eh, Who gives a damn.


Anyway, I rode the big ass mechanical bull for only the second time ever.  I was so damn sexy.  I looked just like this

Ok so that's not all the way true.  It was probably more like this.

Don't judge me.  I stayed on for a total of 12 seconds.  Damn right I did!   SUCCESS NUMBER TWO RIGHT THERE! It was a fun time.  And to top it all off with the real success; I didn't have one single drink.  Nope.  Even with the pressure. Good stuff.  I am back in the 1's and I don't want to chance it for some alcohol that I don't like too much anyway.  I'd rather waste those calories on FOOD!!!  So that would be SUCCESS # 3!!

Lastly, I've begun writing again.  TheHubby talked some sense into me and told me to just get it on the paper and worry about perfection later.  He is such a wonderful support to me in all my endeavors.  I actually have 3 pages of something decent done.  Still have no idea what the story will be about but I started.  That is huge!!  I can't remember where I read it but one of the authors I like said that their promise to themselves was to write at least one sentence a day.  Set the bar low.  So that is what I'm going.  Thursday I go to pages, Friday 2 paragraphs and Saturday the same.  Let's see if I Can knock out another page today!   SUCCESS NUMBER FOUR IN THE HOUSE!


So that was my weekend at a glance.  I haven't done a "What I'm into Friday" for 2 weeks so I have a few to throw in right here.

Oh how I am loving this book right now.  It's been keeping me great company and making me happy.  I'm trying NOT to finish it because the second one doesn't come out until July 10th.  I'm already half way through though.  And since my nook cord is still int he mail, I have the physical book.  O how I miss holding a book in my hands.  

This website has AMAZING  information for moms or couples.  I have downloaded several of he freebies to help me with the grocery budget!  Love it!

Ok, that's it for me on this fine Sunday morning!  Back to my black and white movies!  Love ya!

What I'm Into Friday and Simple Beef Salad Recipe

2 weeks in a row?  This is like some kind of roll I'm on right now huh?  So here are a few things I am definitely into right now.  And at the bottom, A little recipe for one of my lunches this week.  I call it a Simple Beef Salad.  There are plenty of things you can add to this to make it even tastier!

Our vacation in Morocco!! Too excited

My subscription to Love With Food.  6 tasty bites a month and for every sample box you buy a meal is donated to help fight hunger.  $14 a month.  Can't wait to get the first one and do a review!

I just put in an application at Starbucks.  Right now I am thinking that it's better than nothing.  

Too excited about making this recipe when I get back on grains!  YUM!  I can make it Gluten free as well!  Whoo!

Mason Jars!! loving them and they will soon be all over my house lol!  Pretty good sales on this website! (click picture)

Cute laid back style.  And I am so in love with Pearls right now :)

And of course, the simple beef salad!

4 oz Ribeye
2 Tbsp Soy sauce
1/2 small red onion
Garlic and Garlic salt
Lettuce
1 pack of Truvia
Whatever else you want



So like the name says, the recipe is super simple!  I cut up 4oz of Ribeye Steak and marinated it in a little soy sauce, garlic and black pepper.  Probably about an hour.

Then I cut up some red onions and tossed in the pot with the steak.  I didn't use oil because the steak just cooked in it's own juices along with the onions.  Once it was close to being done I threw half a pack of Truvia in there to sweeten it up just a bit!

Once it was done, I threw it on top of some lettuce.

Now you can add whatever you like to the recipe.  This is just the basics.  I am sure some tomatoes, croutons and cheese would have kicked it up pretty well.

Really quick and simple and it tasted delicious!


What is the number one thing you are into right now?