Lemon Avocado Pasta {Recipe}

Two things I betcha didn't know:

1. I love pesto.

2. I love avocados.

Jokes. All jokes.

I've talked about my addiction to pesto here and shared my recipe for a pesto on the cheap, so I can eat it more than once a year when I get "birthday money." {Don't act like you don't look forward to that surplus, too.} And avocados are just the nectar of the gods and should be eaten at least once daily, so I don't think I need to get into that. 

One thing you should know:

While I so wish I could take credit for the genius behind this recipe, all credit goes to Angela at the blog Oh She Glows, a vegan mastermind and an excellent source for delicious meatless recipes.

This creamy aemon avocado pasta became a quick favorite in our house the first time I made it, and on weeknights it's an easy throw-together meal that requires one pot of pasta water and one food processor. Bam, win. It's completely vegan, so it doesn't have the cheese most pestos sauces do, but I swear you won't miss it one bit, since the avocado is so rich, buttery and filling. 

And it's just so GREEN!

Ingredients {Altered slightly, because I can't follow recipes.}

* 1 avocado, halved and pit removed

* Juice of 1 whole lemon + save rind for zest garnish

* 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil {add more as needed}

* 3 garlic cloves or 1 Tbsp. pre-minced fridge garlic {I'm lazy. Also, this will be garlicky. Use less or none if you don't want that.}

* 1/2 tsp. sea salt or garlic salt

* 1+ C fresh basil {Far more than the recipe calls for, but we love basil}

* Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

* 2 servings of pasta noodles {Your choice; we use TJ's whole wheat spaghetti.}

{These measurements make two large servings of rich sauce, so cut it down if you're cooking for just one.}

Bring large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions/to your liking.

Meanwhile, and here's where this recipe differs from Oh She Glows, throw everything else in the food processor and pulse until it is well combined into a creamy sauce. The original recipe calls for doing this in two steps, and I used to do that, but found that combining everything together yielded basically the same result. Totally up to you how you want to make the sauce, just as long as you make it, because you need something this delicious in your life always.

Once pasta is done cooking, drain well and separate between two large serving bowls. Pour your sauce over each serving and stir to thoroughly coat the noodles.

Serving suggestion is to garnish with a few twists of freshly ground black pepper and some lemon zest. It's not necessary, but the lemon zest really adds a kick of flavor that pulls the dish together!

EN-FREAKING-JOY. This is the good stuff, y'all.

Home Alone, Part 4

Just call me KEVVVIIIIIIINNNNNNN!  Minus the aftershave.

Betcha didn't know I'd been pulling a Home Alone since last Wednesday, did ya? Good, then my mission of not letting the entire internet and creeper world know I was home alone for 5 nights was a success. Glenn was up in NJ seeing his family. He gets back this morning and I'm a teense excited.

So here's what I did while I ruled the roost.

FRIDAY

Remember me talking about a super rude snake in Friday's post? Ya know, the itty bitty guy who was hiding out under our dumpster cans? Riiiiight, itty bitty my ass. Turns out, thanks to Maran's husband's confirmation, that thing is a copperhead. So yeah, there's that. Maran texted me about it Friday right when I got home from work and I went into Katniss Everdeen mode trying to hunt it down. Obviously, because he's not dumb, he'd moved, so I put down some mothballs {Oh no, I'm not awkward at all going into Home Depot on a mission from snake-wrangling hell.} and we're playing a waiting game. It's super fun. 

Of note: This whole situation was basically worth it just for the text conversation Maran and I kicked off the weekend with.

Best. Ever. 

 In an effort to forget about the death monster lurking outside, I drank my favorite new drinky, caught up on DVR Ellen shows, and went to bed. Great success.

Thanks Bowie for introducing me to this yumminess! Trader Joe's, $6, getchu some.

SATURDAY

Katniss temporarily stepped aside to make way for Susie Saver - I finally checked out Aldi {thanks to Erin and Bowie} and was pretty impressed. I got all this biz for $12.31. You won't hear me complaining!

 4 lbs. oranges, 3 lbs. onions, 4 avocados, 3 mangos, and 1 "Perfect Pineapple." By my not-scientific-at-all calculations, all of this would've cost me about $23+ at my regular store. Shazzam! Aldi for the win.

Then I went into crazy mode and thought cleaning our entire garage by myself was a good idea. Eh, yay and nay. YAY because Glenn has no idea I took this on to surprise him with -- We've been putting it off since umm we moved in nine months ago... Can you blame us? This project was super daunting. -- and he's gonna be so excited that it'll be worth it. NAY because I foresee my back hurting for at least the next five days. But if I can toot my horn for a second, I think little ol' me did a pretty damn good job for four midday hours in 94-degree Carolina heat!

And yes, we're very ashamed we let it get this bad.

It's still a work in progress - we want to get some shelving and such grownup things soon - but as I've mentioned before, we rent, and the homeowners nicely left a whole lotta house stuff in the garage that we kinda just have to keep around... Until we get permission to toss anything, if you need me, I'll be the crazy lady sweeping out every inch of my garage on a blazing hot day. And checking every five minutes for a copperhead to creep around the corner.

In an effort not to die of exhaustion, Saturday night was a big ol' party: hours of snugglefesting and bed by 10:30. Watch out world, I'm caaaraaaaazy.

SUNDAY

The extent of my shenanigans was cleaning the house and sending well-posed Happy Doggy-Father's Day pictures to Glenn.

He's a lucky dude.

Weekly Meal Plan!

Monday - Black bean fajitas

Tuesday - Lemon avocado pesto pasta

Wednesday - No plan, throw something together

Thursday - Bean tostadas

Friday - Salmon cakes {We've been craving these again since the night I first made them!}

I'm kinda on a Mexican kick, I guess? ¡Olé!

Let's Play "Cool or Not Cool"

COOL
Everyone say, Hiiiiii, Mr. Cool Breeze.

Obsessed doesn't cover it right now. Moose went to the vet with my mom this week, along with their cat, and while there the cat had to have a laser treatment done {Guess what? Pets getting old really sucks :( }, so Mooshu had to wear protective goggles. And he just dealt with it. Cool dude swagger for days.

NOT COOL
The other animals who have decided to be a part of my life this week. For example, this little asshole...

Just hiding out under our garbage cans like it's his own freaking casa. I've never been scared of snakes at all, but when you think a snake is dead because it's all balled up and not moving, so you go inside to get your iPhone to take a picture, and then you come back out and it's chillin sprawled out? You might pee a little.

Also of note: Turns out there's a wild turkey hanging around our neighborhood. Seriously, what is going on with the world. We live in the suburbs and in a little family neighborhood, not on a farm in the sticks. So, when Glenn got home last Sunday and said, "Hmm, ha, there was just a wild turkey walking across our driveway, I had to honk to get it to move," I thought he was nuts. And then I peed a little for real, because indeed there was a wild turkey that crossed our driveway and then headed back behind our neighbor's house to the next 'hood. So basically my only thoughts taking Holly out at night now are, "What sounds would a turkey make as it approached me in my pitch black yard? Do they actually gobble or is that a myth? And why did the turkey cross the road? To kill me and only me, of course. It's like he knows I'm two seconds from fear-induced death." No but really y'all, I promise I'm psychologically stable. But I still can't help thinking, "Is there a way I could somehow explain to him that I don't even eat meat, therefore making me one of the good guys? Do turkeys speak English? Which reminds me, I haven't practiced my gobble in weeks." Yeah, psychological stability, for sure.

COOL
This. Ask Bowie, Erin, my mom, and Glenn, because they've heard me obsessing.

HOLY ISH BALLS. BEST FEELING EVER! Here's a life tip: If you don't fully comprehend how a credit card works, and at twenty years old you probably won't, either don't get one just yet, or actually listen to your boyfriend/fiancé/husband {Glenn Coco, youda youda best.} when he tries to explain it to you. However, having debt for a few years and then paying it off on your own just because you're super determined will make you feel pretty proud and happy.

NOT COOL
Money still doesn't grow on trees. It's 2013 - we haven't figured out how to make this happen yet?

COOL
Holly. Always.

NOT COOL
That she thinks the whole couch is hers for the keeping. Missy, you're sadly mistaken. However, you're welcome to the entire yard.

COOL
This story. OK, more like it's probably one of the grosser stories I've ever read, but it is NO DOUBT also the funniest. I sent it to Ashley last night too and we both cried uncontrollable laughy tears. Don't say I didn't warn you, and maybe you've read it before, because usually I'm the last one to show up to a party, but you know it's worth a second read. And a third, fourth, and hundredth.

NOT COOL
How I've slacked for two weeks putting Erin's not-a-guest-post guest post up. Y'all, meet the President herself.
*  *  *

Hello all you lovely little Alexa fans.

Don't you just love that little ball of bones? Seriously, home girl makes Madonna look fat. 

I myself was smitten with the girl after she taught me how to use the smiley face emoticon on Gchat one wine-induced evening. Not only that, but she took my Snapchat virginity. Obviously our bond runs deep.

And now I just remembered I haven’t introduced myself yet.

My name is Erin and I blog it out over at Living In Yellow.

Have I mentioned yet that I hate guest posts? I don’t know what it is about them whether it be the “guest” or the “post” part but they just really aren't my thing. So rather than sit here and sell myself on why you should read my blog (okay just real quick..I tend to be a little bit sarcastic, a little bit funny, an even littler bit serious and vulnerable on occasion, and I love macaroni and cheese. And wine. And Giuliana Rancic. And camo pants. And my dog. I love my husband too but he doesn't cuddle quite as well as my dog so you can understand how that one is somewhat of a toss-up on the whole love meter thing. I've written about the ins and outs of blogging, awkward moments, marriage and it’s realities, eye makeup, and this one time I opened up my comments to allow everybody and their mom share their dirty little secrets with the world. If you have an extra 7 hours to spare I suggest you spend it on that post.)

So now that I haven’t tried to sell you on why you should read my blog...maybe you should just come over and decide for yourself ;)

 See you soon buttercups.

COOL It's time for a weekend! 

Yellin' Ellen

If you've been around here long enough {about five minutes} you know I kind of have an obsession. 

Who is your favorite celebrity? Ellen DeGeneres.

Who do you most admire and look up to? Ellen DeGeneres.

If you could only eat one more bowl of guacamole in your lifetime and you HAD to share it with someone, who would it be? Sorry Glenn Coco, Ellen wins again. And I'd probably let her have the whole bowl.

If you could have dinner with one person, living or deceased, who would it be? Do I even need to answer this?

As far as role models go, Ellen is the best of the best. I mean, come on...

Just a big bundle of lovin'! From the charitable things she does for SO many people, to the happiness and love she shows on a daily basis {And yes, I watch Ellen daily. It'd be a sin to miss it.}, and to the message she shares at the end of every one of her episodes: Be kind to one another, Ellen is perfection. 

Also, she's got that whole I'm hilarious without even trying thing going on.

And she's a pro at scaring people. Most hilariously, da T. Swizz, which makes me about pee my pants every single time.

And her DJ/sidekick, Tony, is someone I need to steal to hangout in my life. Just watch this a few times and try not to hyena laugh.

And she got Ryan Gosling to do this. Respect, Ellen, respect.

Say it with me now:
ELLEN FOR PRESIDENT! ELLEN FOR PRESIDENT! ELLEN FOR PRESIDENT!

This is what I'll look like leading the campaign trail to victory.

But really, is that the best dog gif you've ever seen or is that the best dog gif you've ever seen?

Foodie Favorites

And all of a sudden, I'm that girl. Taking pictures of my food in a restaurant.

Whenever my mom and I used to see someone doing this, long before I started my own blog, we always assumed that person was "Ooooh a blogger!" and they were going to write some post-meal restaurant and food critique. And now that I'm the one quickly whipping out the iPhone before taking my first bite, I can say that we weren't too far off! Though my main motivation for taking pictures is often to share them on the blog and have a post to look back on later, reminding me of restaurants and yummies, it's also crossed my mind to recreate the recipe at home.

Make-your-own Greek side salad ~ Bad Daddy's Burger Bar

 Some are easier than others. These strawberries? I have to refrain from their easy recreation at home, because they're just too damn good!

Ocean Club's "Dune" @ Atlantis in the Bahamas.

While I'm definitely trying, let's just say I'm not quite there yet and I'm not one who can take a bite of something and know exactly which flavors came together to make it taste so good. As I think is fairly obvious as of my recent recipe sharing, meal planning, etc., I would love to turn my little internet space into more of a foodie corner. But baby steps, because I'm still pretty intimidated! So until then, I'll share with you some of my favorite actual foodie blogs ~ ya know, the ones who can legitimately list Recipe Developer or Chef on their résumé.

Brittany @ A Healthy Slice of Life

My absolute favorite, I just love this girl. She's a fellow Charlotte-ean {huh?} and we actually met earlier this year! Brittany was a professional health coach before becoming a foodie SAHM to her cutie daughter Hailey, and I love picking her brain via her blog and gathering some of my best go-to recipes from her creations.

Kaitlin @ The Garden Grazer

A more recent find {as in just last week when Bowie showed it to me} The Garden Grazer is seriously my healthy food heaven. And it's all vegetarian! Oh happy day. Kaitlin not only shares beautiful veggie-filled meals that make me drool, but two of her favorite kitchen yums are quinoa and all things Mexican food. It's like she's all up in mah brain!

Gaby @ What's Gaby Cooking

I don't really think I need to say much more besides SHE WROTE AN ENTIRE COOKBOOK ABOUT AVOCADOS. Is she my foodie soulmate or is she my foodie soulmate? I thought so. Once I get my hands on Absolutely Avocados, you better believe I'm gonna work my way through it recipe by recipe. But Gaby also has hundreds of other delicious creations on her blog and she'll be the source of meal inspiration in our house for a lonnnnng time.

The Leake family @ 100 Days of Real Food

Y'all know I don't just love food, but nutrition and healthy living, too. 100 Days is a food blog started by a family with two young daughters ~ so no, not all kids eat freaking Lunchables ~ who took a "Real Food Pledge" to cut out the processed junk in their lives. Their blog is inspirational and proves that with a little work and dedication, we can all tell the food industry to shut the hell up and stop feeding us shit. Bonus points: the Leakes also live in Charlotte!

Kristina @ Whipped

The mastermind inspiration behind my favorite healthy Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, Kristina has some of the prettiest recipes, all developed in her Chicago kitchen, to please everyone from Vegans to carnivores. Kristina is just adorable and her recipes are all elegant yet easy for everyone to recreate.

Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

Freak.Ing. Love. Her. I described Jenn's blog to Maran the other day as, "Full of that's what she said jokes about the best recipes I've ever found." As far as I know, Jenn's genius is due the credit for those savory and amaaaaaze sweet potatoes you've seen everyone recreating. What, you never thought to put jalapenos and guac on a sweet potato? Me neither. Thank god for Jenn and her love of veggies. And if she ever sees this I just realized it's gonna be a total toss up between You're my foodie bestie and it's cool and Sorry I stalk your blog every single day and in my head we have a hilarious cooking show together. Oops.

The freaking geniuses behind Thug Kitchen

No seriously, it's my dream to write for them or meet them or just anything. Go read it and laugh your ass off. 

So for now, I'll let these brilliant real chefs do the legit recipe development and I'll continue to stalk them always learn their tips so maybe one day I'm the one someone is linking to as a fave foodie!

Spinach+Brie+Avocado wrap ~ Toast Café. Thank heavens so easy to make at home!

~         ~         ~

And now I'm so excited to introduce you to two of my amazing June sponsors! First up is pretty Ashley from Let's Get Bananas. And yes, every time I type her blog name in my nav bar, I pull a Stefani and whisper B-A-N-A-N-A-S. So if you're doing it now too, it's totally acceptable. 

A super sweet Texan with an equally sweet blog, Ashley is also a foodie like me! Perhaps you've seen her weekly recipe link-up, Taste of Tuesday, traveling around the blog world? I thought you might've! Ashley is great in the kitchen and has cooked up some delicious weekly meals sure to have you wanting to get in there yourself {and link up your creation for ToT, of course!}. Oh, you need more reasons I kinda love her? She's got this pup, and his brother, that I just wanna squeeze! So, Ashley, when am I coming to visit? I promise I'll bring the cookbooks!
Head on over here to meet Ashley and get to know her better!

And now I'd like to introduce you to Katie from Married... With a Pup! Katie doesn't doesn't know it, and maybe it's super creepy I'm admitting it here, but Katie's blog was actually one of the first blogs I ever read, long before I was actually a blog world member! I mean, she's precious, so how could I not follow her awesome life?!

A blondie Midwestern Belle from Ohio {True Life: most of my blog friends live in either Texas or Ohio}, Katie's blog is filled with adorable stories of she and her husband's beautiful wedding, the fun time involved with building a house {They're brave, I can tell ya that much!}, and more recently, revealing the most exciting freaking news ever! Oh yes, you better believe a pregnancy reveal involving a pup makes me more giddy than anything. And they just revealed on Monday that Baby Married With a Pup is gonna be a sweet little girl! Do I sound obsessed? I'm kind of obsessed. You can meet Katie here and learn more about the girl in the red dress.  :)