Paleo Salmon Cakes with Hollaindaise Sauce

by

It’s been awhile! So hmm, what has happened since the last time I was here. Oh, I FINALLY set the date for our wedding. Bam. I’ve picked an officiant, photographer, DJ and florist! Boom! Things are finally moving. What a relief! Wedding planning is exhausting. But pretty exciting! I get to marry my bestest friend in the whole widest universe. It’s going to be a good day.

Hmm. What else? We joined a Crossfit Gym! We’re ending our 6th week and I have never EVER felt sore consecutively for days on end. I love it. Ironically that’s what our Crossfit Gym is called: i1uvit

Seriously. Hop on the bandwagon. Be one of THOSE people. It’s addicting and it’s so fun.

Anyway, after we started doing that we jumped on another bandwagon. The Paleo Diet. We did it last year, but were unsuccessful. This time around is different. I’d say 70% of our meals our Paleo. There are a lot of reasons why people do it. I do it because I feel good. Before I eat AND after. I have more energy and feel healthy and happy. And that’s all that matters to me, really.

Today for lunch I made Salmon Cakes with Hollaindaise Sauce. (Ok, so die hard Paleo dieters might say butter is NOT Paleo. But, whatever. It’s not a lot and a little butter never hurt anything!)

Salmon Cakes

Salmon Cakes (Makes 2 large cakes) 

  • 1 can of Trader Joes Sockeye Salmon (7.5 oz)
  • 1/4 cup almond meal
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp dried or fresh dill
  • A pinch of salt and pepper
  • Oil for frying (I used Trader Joes Coconut Oil Spray)
  1. Mix salmon, almond meal, egg, dill, salt and pepper in a bowl.
  2. Form mixture into patties
  3. Heat oil in a non-stick pan and cook patties until golden brown on each side (5-10 mins)

Hollaindaise Sauce (Tyler Florence Recipe) 

  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 tbsp freshly squeeze lemon or lime
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (his recipe asks for a whole stick)
  • Pinch of salt
  1. Vigorously whisk the egg yolks and lemon juice together in a stainless steel bowl and until the mixture is thickened and doubled in volume.
  2. Place the bowl over a saucepan containing barely simmering water (or use a double boiler,) the water should not touch the bottom of the bowl. Continue to whisk rapidly. Be careful not to let the eggs get too hot or they will scramble.
  3. Slowly drizzle in the melted butter and continue to whisk until the sauce is thickened and doubled in volume.
  4. Remove from heat, whisk in salt.
  5. Cover and place in a warm spot until ready to use. If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in a few drops of warm water before serving.

When Za’atar met Dukkah

by

Dukkah and Za'atar

I’ve been soul searching, trying to find my way around this new but old place. Over a month ago, I found a job that I thought was going to make life easier. It didn’t. In fact, it was something I had no desire to do. I struggled everyday. Moaned and groaned about it being miserable. It’s funny because everyone I was working with was great. Everyone was so supportive and was willing to help me become “successful”. I felt terrible because these people were willing to stick their necks out for me and help me out. Deep inside, I already knew this wasn’t the job for me. In the end, I had to come to terms with the fact that it just wasn’t the right fit. So I quit. I quit without having anything else lined up. I quit because I knew I couldn’t prolong the inevitable.

So here I am now, jobless and wondering what’s going to happen next. It’s a strange place to be, honestly. You’re kind of in lala land. But I’m taking it day by day. Each day I’m exploring a change in young adulthood. Figuring out what it is I actually want to do. (And applying for jobs like crazy. Because let’s be honest, the air isn’t going to pay my bills!)

While that’s happening, I also happen to have a lot of time on my hands. I’m back into the groove of working out and eating healthy…ish. Ok, heavier on the ish part.

After Bikram today, I needed a little snack. I grabbed some sourdough bread and olive oil for dipping. And just for fun I added these goodies:

Dukkah

Dukkah: Egyptian spice blend of almonds, sesame seeds, fennel seeds, coriander, anise seed and salt

Za'atar

Za’atar or Zahtar: Middle Eastern spice blend of sumac*, sesame seeds and thyme.

I mixed the Dukkah and the Za’atar with the olive oil, took my sourdough for a dunkin’ and began to think life ain’t half bad.

Gah, the mix is so good! If you’re looking to try it out. You can buy Dukkah at Trader Joes and Za’atar online at The Spice Hut.

Happy Soul Searching!

Cheers,

Camille

*Sumac is a spice that comes from a shrub-like plant. It’s flavor is tart and lemony.

Dead Cat Lady’s Awesome Stuff / It’s a Round-Up, Folks!

by

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s probably awful to say so because it’s a dead person’s stuff, which means someone has just died, but I LOVE ESTATE SALES! You get super awesome stuff from an old person who has accumulated a bunch of now “vintage” or “antique” things that are practically being given to you. Most of the stuff below was between FREE and $3. I probably would have gotten way more stuff, like beautiful tea pots and antique china, but I couldn’t carry it all and, plus, it probably wouldn’t fit in my tiny apartment anyway.

THE ROUND-UP

Image

 

Free picture frame, now framing my boyfriend’s beloved first cell phone. Possibly to be painted in near future.

Image

Wall shelf, serving as my bedside table because my side is the wall side. All of my dirty secrets are revealed here – birth control pills, broken glasses, and rash cream.

 

 

Image

1970s clip-on earrings!

 

 

Image

Clip-on pearl earrings

 

ImageImage

Tin and lid with Hindu imagery, serving as a pencil holder

 

 

Image

Another free frame, framing the inconspicuous camera flask my brother got me for Christmas. Also possibly going to be painted in near future.

Image

Antique Copeland Spode bone china (I got these 3 tea cups and saucers for $3!)

 

ROXYYYY

What the heck, it’s 2013?

by

In 2012…

I got engaged. (Ok, technically that was 2011)

Jake got me a Fiat 500. I named him Luigi.

I passed the Series 7, Series 63 and the Accredited Asset Management Specialist Tests.

I was finally making moves in my career.

But then…

We decided to move back to Washigton.

We decided that Arizona had been a good time, but it was time to be closer to our families.

So we put our house up for sale, packed our bags, postponed the wedding, I quit my job and we moved in with my parents.

Crazy, right?

2013 has started off even crazier!

As much as I’m dying for the sea to calm down, I’m already learning so many lessons in 2013. I’m being forced to figure out what it is I want to do in life.

We’re beginning our adventure back in Bellingham, WA. Funny how I’m back here. I remember writing in college that I envisioned myself settling down here.

Bellingham_sign

Happy New Year!

by

This past year has been a year of tremendous change for me.

I learned how to sew and crochet, and I started working on my drawing skills.

I wrote a 35 page thesis paper and graduated from college.

I moved back home from Walla Walla.

I spent some time in New York and Vermont to visit my boyfriend and then road tripped across the country with him.

Image

I got my very first full-time job and am making more money than I ever have before.

And I moved into a “grownup” apartment in Seattle.

This year is starting out with a lot of positive energy, which feels good. There were a lot of things about last year that I wish could have been better: my mental health, my productivity, my social life.

Image

 But I just started taking interior design classes, I’m resolving to be more creative and productive, and I’m working on eliminating bad habits. 

I’ve received some good omens about my path this year, and I think that I just have to trust myself and continue to come to terms with the person I am and am becoming.  

So, Blog Land, here’s to 2013! A year of arts! crafts! home decor! and so much more!

LOVE,

ROXY

The Life and Times of a 25 Year Old

by

I (Camille), have also dropped off the face of the planet. (At least as far as this blog goes.) I, however, have a terrible excuse. I’ve been at a standstill. I’ve got all these ideas running through my mind, but I haven’t taken action. “Wow, how great would it be to make this for the wedding, or ooh, I’ll cook that for dinner”. I was(am?) in a funk, I’ll admit it. I’m not sure what it was(is?). Quarter life crisis, maybe?

So let me explain. After college, there’s the shock of never having to go to school ever again. Then you freak out because society wants you to get a job. Then you get a job and life is all is gravy. You buy a house, get a dog and get engaged. And then…it hits you. You’re an adult and you need to make something of yourself. Its not just “finding the job”, but finding satisfaction in what you do and how you live.

But no worries, I’m back. I still may be facing this “Quarter Life Crisis”, but I figure you guys can come along for the ride.

Anyhoo, that’s MY update. More to come!

Cheers,

Camille