Tasty Burrito Bowls

I have to admit, I've recently become addicted to steak burritos from a certain national burrito chain. Their steak is marinated in their special recipe chipotle pepper adobo marinade. A while back, I saw a dish on the food network that used Adobo seasoned chicken in a salad. The show host quickly listed the seasonings that were in her Adobo seasoning, but I didn't quite catch all of them. Her dish looked very tasty and sparked my curiosity about Adobo seasoning.

What exactly is Adobo? According to Wikipedia, Adobo is the Spanish word for seasoning or marinade. OK...so that's pretty general. More specifically, Adobo sauce is a sauce or marinade used in Latin American and Southwest U.S.-style cooking. After much searching and planning, I assembled a list of ingredients and went to work. I am really pleased with how it turned out, so I wanted to share it with you.

First, here's your shopping list:
1 can chipotle chilis (in adobo sauce)
lime juice
6-8 Roma tomatoes
1 jalapeno
fresh cilantro
small red onion
6oz. can tomato paste
1 can of corn (I used Green Giant crisp niblets. You could also use frozen.)
2lbs. sirloin (I used tip pan steak.)
romaine lettuce
rice (I used basmati.)
Mexican blend shredded cheese

Other condiments that you likely will already have around the house, but should double check:
red wine vinegar
garlic
oregano
black pepper
salt

Once you have all of these ingredients, you're ready to get started. Finely chop 3 of the chipotle chilis. Place chipotles (plus any sauce that was on them) in a gallon sized Ziploc bag. Add 6Tbs of lime juice, 2Tbs of red wine vinegar, 1 clove minced garlic, 2tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper. Seal bag and mix ingredients thoroughly. Cut sirloin into ~½ cubes. Add to marinade and refrigerate for at least 1hr.

In the meantime, prepare the corn salsa and tomato salsa. Chop the tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro and red onion. Drain corn thoroughly and pour into small bowl. To the corn, add half of the jalapeno, half of the cilantro (1-2Tbs), and half of the red onion. Top with several Tbs of lime juice to taste. The corn salsa should be slightly sweet yet also have a bit of heat. In a separate bowl, combine the tomatoes and remaining jalapeno, cilantro and red onion. Top with several Tbs of lime juice and ~2Tbs. of tomato paste. Refrigerate both salsas until serving time.

Now its time to start putting it all together. Heat skillet over med-high heat. Add sirloin and cook until meat is completely browned. Reduce heat and simmer for ~5 more minutes. In the meantime, cooked rice is tossed with lime juice, cilantro and butter to taste. Layer lettuce, rice, meat, salsas and cheese in bowl. Top with sour cream if desired.

on Happiness...

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

~Albert Schweitzer

Fabulous!

Seriously...I have no idea who this woman is, but I do love how she thinks!

"There is no pleasure in having nothing to do;
the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it."


~Mary Wilson Little

Grayslake Holiday Boutique

This is a fabulous shopping experience that you cannot miss! The fabulous Liz Nonnemacher of wickedlychic.com is opening her home for an experience like no other. Local artisans gather to showcase their work. Jewelry, handbags, photography and much, much more.

For a sneak peek of some of the fabulous artisans, check out these links:
http://SapphireLizard.etsy.com
http://SunnyKristi.etsy.com
http://artunderCJ.etsy.com
http://iamsusie.etsy.com
http://www.jackieplier.com
http://aliBart.etsy.com
http://nightswork.etsy.com
http://thepinkorange.etsy.com
http://papercrazy.etsy.com

This event will run from 11am-2pm and again from 5pm-9pm. So, whether you're a daytime shopper or an evening shopper, we've got you covered! Join us at 235 Prairie View Ave in Grayslake. Not sure where this is? Take a peek at this map.

Grab a friend or two and stop by for a fabulous fun time!!

You know you're overtired...

~ when you can hit the snooze button without even looking at the clock.

~ when you start incorporating your alarm into your dreams.

~ when you set your alarm for 5am, but don't manage to get up until 6:20.

I really hate having to get up before the sun!!

Colors of Fall

I have always loved the colors of fall. Especially at that turning point when some trees still bear some green and the array of colors is the greatest. Some areas around here are starting reach that point. I've been meaning to get out and play with my new camera to see what I can capture. Today wasn't the sunniest day...but maybe that's good. It made for some really fall-like photos.

Here are a few:


Hopefully I'll get back out for more photos before the leaves totally turn!

Now ain't that the truth?!

I read this quote today in a co-workers office...thought it was very appropriate.

"If everything's under control, you're going too slow."
~Mario Andretti


Are you Green?





Simple Wisdom Collection

This summer, I am working on creating a collection of necklaces that are a bit different than my usual styles. The pieces are more casual, everyday styles. (Which also means they're less expensive.) I have always been fond of jewelry and art pieces with inspirational words or phrases. As I thought about how to broaden my horizons with my jewelry, this seemed like a fitting direction.

Introducing the debut style of the Simple Wisdom Collection, the Love Necklace.

Funky heart Love NecklaceThis style is currently available with your choice of a blue or a purple heart. This particular piece features a striking cobalt blue plastic heart charm, which has been paired with a silver plated "love" charm and a single white glass pearl bead. The pendant is strung on a single strand of icy blue seed beads.

Coming up next in the Collection will be the Dream Necklace. I am targeting the release of the Dream Necklace this coming weekend. So, stop in, mark some favorites and come on back in a few days to see the next style.

Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog: Friday Findings: Fab Floral Jewelry

Woohoo! My Spring Flowers Rings have been featured!! Check them out in this awesome article by fellow Posh Mama, Capitola Girl:

Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog: Friday Findings: Fab Floral Jewelry

Everything I need to know in life

...can be learned from Dr. Seuss!!

Recently, my 4 year old has become obsessed with Dr. Seuss books. (Gee...can't imagine why!) As I sit and read them to my children time and time again, something is becoming clear. That Dr. Seuss sure did know what he was talking about!!

"You have brains in your head,
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose!"
~ Dr. Seuss
Oh the Places You'll Go

Spring is Near!

As spring very slowly rolls in to the Chicagoland area, I am going to be spotlighting some lovely spring items. Check back for more random Etsy finds throughout the week!

Check out this stunning Cherry Blossom print from Galerija Baltica:
cherry blossom print

Spring Line~ Sneak Peek!!

The time has come for the big reveal! Sapphire Lizard Designs will feature a fantastic line of rings for this spring season. These "Spring Flowers" will be styled after my Winter Flowers Ring. These rings would make lovely Mother's Day gifts for all the women in your family.

winter flowers sterling silver ring
The rings will be made using a variety of flower and leaf colors. Also, a number of glass pearl colors will be available as accents. All rings will be made in Sterling Silver. Custom listings will be available for pre-order starting this week! Custom orders placed as pre-order will be shipped beginning March 24th.

Flower colors will include:
light rose, ruby red, opaque white, opaque dark blue, amethyst purple, light aqua, yellow
Glass pearl colors will include:
champagne, pink, white, light green, light blue, cranberry, lavender, dark purple, silver and peach
Leaf colors will include:
silver, emerald green, olivine

Stop on by Sapphire Lizard Designs to pre-order your rings today. And while you're there, take a look around at all the other fabulous creations!

* * * Snowy Winter Blowout! * * *

Snowy Winter Blowout at Sapphire Lizard Designs!
2 days only!
Tuesday & Wednesday, February 5th & 6th

Everything in the shop is 20% off! Just enter "Snowy" at checkout and I will send you a revised invoice for 20% off your entire purchase. (Discount is applied before shipping.)