Monthly Archives: May 2012

Recipe: Pork Chops and Asparagus

I must admit that I have lacking domestic skills when it comes to the cooking department. Most of my life, my mom and I visited local restaurants for the majority of our meals together, and in my early 20′s, I mainly lived off of meals consisting of approximately 3 ingredients and could be cooked in 15 minutes. Not a lot of experience. However, one of my personal goals is to learn more recipes, get more creative in the kitchen, and cook most meals at home. Slowly, I’m tackling this goal with Jon’s help!

A few nights ago we put together these yummy pork chops and asparagus (my favorite!) for dinner. It was quite yummy if I must say so myself.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 large onion, halved and thinly slicked
4 pork loin chops, 1 inch thick
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
garlic powder tot taste
1/2 pint red grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 pint yellow grape tomatoes, halved
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 Tablespoon dried basil
2 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until golden brown. Set aside.
Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in the skillet. Season pork chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and place in the skillet (ours were cooked on the grill). Cook to desired doneness. Set aside and keep warm.
Heat remaining oil in the skillet. Return onions to skillet, and stir in tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Cook and stir about 3 minutes, until tomatoes are tender. Mix in balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Top chops with the onion and tomato mixture, and sprinkle with feta cheese to serve.

credit for recipe here

Ingredients

1 lb trimmed asparagus spears
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tablespoon of butter
1 cup Parmesan cheese
pepper to taste

Instructions

Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add asparagus and cook for approximately 10 minutes (till desired firmness). Remove from skillet, drain excess oils, and sprinkle with Parmesan and pepper.

Posted in Recipes | Tagged domestication, parmesan asparagus, pork chops with tomatoes and onions, recipe

Crazy About Stripes

Did your fashion guru ever tell you not to wear horizontal stripes? They are suppose to be a girl’s worst enemy, right? Making you look at least two sizes bigger, highlighting all the wrong spots, and simple being unflattering. Well, I’m here to challenge that and help you find the best stripe for your body!

Busty Girls
It’s best to wear your stripes on the lower half of your body. Why? Because this draws the eye down and creates the illusion of a more hour-glass figure. Try wearing a striped skirt with a solid top.

Hour glass
You lucky girls you! You can wear stripes on the top or bottom since you are pretty proportional. Try a nautical stripe on top with a cute pair of shorts on bottom or a dress with smaller stripes around the waist highlighting the smallness of the area.

Straight
If you have a boyish figure, rocking some stripes is great for you! Try a striped dress with a full skirt. Add a cute statement belt, and you have instant curves.

Pear Shaped
You booty-licious ladies can create a more even look by wearing stripes on top. Try a cute, fitted stripped top with a pair of wide-leg dark jeans or trousers.

Apple Shaped
You will want to show of your beautiful arms and legs. One of the best ways to do this is with a simple shift dress. Find one with subtle stripes, and you are ready to go!

Plus Sized
Now, I know that horizontal stripes have been the ultimate no-no for you in the past. However, I’m here to tell you that you can rock the stripes with the best of them. Pair a flowy, striped top with dark jeans and a blazer or a v-necked dress with smaller stripes around the waist. Both are great styles for you.

Biggest tip to remember: avoid wearing stripes around your widest area or cutting them off at the top or bottom of a broad area of your body. They are best when worn around areas you would like to accentuate. (i.e. bust, hips, waist)

Also, stripes look most classic when worn in black, white, grey, navy, or a subdued color.

Worn the right way, stripes can be awesome!