Currently Reading: The Clockwork Princess

Yes, I read young adult novel. Neigh, I LOVE young adult novels. The very first book I picked up by Cassandra Clare kept me reading until 4am ... and I had to be in class by 8am. #whoops

Not much has changed. Her books are still utterly engrossing. I however, don't stay up until 4am reading - maybe 1am ... having to go to work on only a few hours of sleep is VERY different than going to a few classes and then taking a nap in the afternoon. Sigh, I miss college.

Both series (The Mortal Instruments & The Infernal Devices) are wonderful. Start reading. And if you like book to movie adaptations (I really hope it's good ... like really, really) City of Bones aka Book 1 of The Mortal Instruments will be hitting theaters in August!

{Sweet Lemon} Grilled Cauliflower

The first thing you have to know is, I despise steamed cauliflower. I can't get past the smell. The texture. It gives me the heebie-jeebies. Until ... until I tried grilling it. I don't know what mystical powers my Weber has, but it can make anything (even the most dreaded veggies) better. I highly recommend giving this a whirl - head over to {Sweet Lemon Magazine} for the recipe (and while you're there check out the rest of the website).

Mexican Villa Spiced Shrimp with Nopalitos

By the time I get home from work and the gym during the week there usually isn't a lot of time for cooking dinner. I try to stand by one rule during the week: KISS (keep it simple, stupid).  All I can say, is thank goodness for shrimp. Easy to cook. Yummy beyond reason. Endless possibilities. 

Simple dinner. Real whole foods. Kick it up a notch. That was my thought process as I drove home form the gym last night. Oh, and avocado was a must.

Do you ever have one of those nights were you take stock of all the jars and things in your refrigerator to see what you can make? Yea, that's how nopalitos got thrown into the mix ... and how the shrimp came to be marinated in two kinds of salsa from one of my most favoritest places in Springfield: Mexican Villa (and I mean the one on National - the others don't count).

A word about nopalitos. Cactus is good. Cactus is great. Cactus for everyone! If you haven't eaten them, what in the holy heck are you waiting for? #nomnom 

Mexican Villa Spiced Shrimp with Nopalitos

Ingredients:

3 parts Mexican Villa Hot Sauce
1 part Mexican Villa Taco "Sweet" Sauce
1 tsp taco seasoning
5 ounces raw, cleaned shrimp - tails off
1 tbsp butter
1/3 cup jarred nopalitos

Directions:

1. Marinate shrimp in the mixture of Mexican Villa sauces (or you can use any mixture or hot and sweet salsa) and taco seasoning.

2. Melt butter in frying pan. Once melted add in shrimp and remaining salsa mixture. Cook shrimp until pink on each side (approximately 30 second per side). Remove from skillet and toss in nopalitos and saute until warm.

3. Serve with brown rice (or tortillas) and avocado.