Christine's Cafe

My Gville and Camp Bestie Christine lives in the best place in town. Right across from the gym! I love it and am so jealous that she can WALK to the gym. Le sigh....and you wonder why I spend at least one night a weekend at her place!

Another great thing about my wonderful friend? She often will invite me over for dinner after a gym session. She is a budding chef and like myself tries to eat healthily most of the time-potato pancakes at Stubbies aside!-, so I was pretty pumped after Body Pump one night that she wanted to test out a quick Thai pasta dish on me. (Ok, I lied...it was after spinning, but come on "pumped" " Body Pump"? That was funny!)

Sorry for the two odd looking photos. I had left my camera in the car and was tooooo lazy to get it, and well Christine's camera is more hi-tech than my little Brownie, so I was having a hard time with it. I like the first picture, but the color is way off. The bottom picture is the right colors, but has shadows. What's a girl to do? Well, post two pictures and then explain them obviously!

So, what is that lovely mess in the above two pictures? Sheer deliciousness!

Christine will have to correct me, but I believe this was whole wheat linguine with a peanut Thai sauce and chicken. The sauce is the real star here, and I know it had peanut butter, salsa and orange juice in it. I know that sounds random, and I was a little "concerned," but MY GOODNESS, this was so very good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I would even suggest tossing in red or green peppers (very crisp) and subbing the chicken for tofu...I want to try this, but I really need my very own kitchen again. Update on that project soon!

Love to all,
~the bestie good moochin' gal, Jess

Down and Dirty Curry

So, as most of you know, I currently live with the 'rents ( and yes, I PAY rent, thank you very much) while the construction of my abarnment continues, which has made my cooking escapades a little more limited, as my parents aren't very adventurous eaters. But hidden opportunity stuck the other morning as my Mom flew out the door, calling over her shoulder that she would be later getting home and would I "do something with the leftover steak?" At first glance I wasn't excited about this prospect, even if it meant some alone time in the kitchen, as I'm not a steak lover anymore, especially not nearly week old steak.

As I thought over my options, stir fry-ugh, fajitas-bleh, pepper steak-lord no! It suddenly came to me! Curry!

So, I rushed home from work in a hurry (hehe) and started chopping.



I sauteed the zucchini lightly with some chopped onions, just to give it a touch of color and then introduced the star of the show to the pan:

I hadn't tried a prepared curry sauce before- usually I buy the paste and add my own coconut milk, but this was an impulse buy at Publix the other week, and it worked out great for my "down and dirty curry."

After bringing this sauce to a boil briefly (per the instructions on the bottle) I lowered the heat and tossed in the steak strips and green pepper and let the whole simple mess simmer on low for about 10 minutes while the brown rice I had started earlier finished cooking (why does brown rice have to take 45 minutes? Le sigh).

Served up over the rice, plus sliced cucumbers and tomatoes. Light, refreshing and delicious. Even with the steak- haha.


I honestly can't wait to make this again. The leftovers didn't last past lunch the next day! Oh, and my "no, I don't eat curry" parents? They loved it! hehe.

Love to all,
~the one curry conversion at at time, Jess

PS. Just fyi, I did doctor up the sauce with some hot chili paste and a sprinkle of sugar.

The "Low Key" Birthday!

So, I turned 24 last week. No big deal, I mean, last year was my "golden birthday" and it felt like I celebrated all month long (I turned 23 on the 23rd of April) and next year will be big because hello, 25 is a quarter of century! But eh, 24 is just another year right? So I didn't really want to do anything big....well, things got a little bigger than even I expected, and well it was amazing!

Things got kicked off right on Friday with Mom and I hitting up a local spa for manis and pedis. Then Jenna rolled in from Otown and we hit up Akins for some classic country cooking (I didn't take a picture- just chicken tenders, okra and mashed potatoes with white pepper gravy, tasty but not earth shattering) and then trekked over to Christine's to have a girls night in (well, the girls and Ross!). My Gville bestie is the Bestie and got me this lovely bottle for my bday.

It is another Flemish Red and has that similar sour note that I adore, as seen before in my beloved Dutchess and new luuuver the Vichtenaar! Does the girl know me or what? Thanks again, Christine! :)

The next day after Ashley so bravely made the 4.5hour tek up the Turnpike/I75 from WPB to BFE she gamely hopped out of her car and over to mine, and the 211 girls zipped over the Cedar Key to enjoy an Arts Festival that just so happened to be going on. We were successful at picking up a few things for the upcoming Mother's Day and Father's Day holidays, and I satisfied my local seafood craving with this tasty Clam Bake:


A steamed mess of clams, sausage, corn and red potatoes. Oh so messy and delicious...just like the birthday girl herself! haha. With a sweet tea, of course!

Check out this awesome hat! I really wish I would have bought it now....oh non-buyers remorse.



After a long hot day by the bay....I mean gulf, we came home and dipped in the very chilly pool (only 71 degrees!) before getting cleaned up for a night out in Gville.

Oh course we had to photowhore a little before leaving, by the said pool.


Now, where else would this crazy 24 year old want to go for her birthday dinner than La Fiesta? So we did!

Started off with a pitcher of 1800 margaritas- and the homemade chips and salsa of course! So goooood on both accounts!



And I know you all have seen my favorite dish at La Fiesta many times before, BUT it was my birthday dinner and this meal is EPIC- so I present to you, yet again, the Vegetarian Chimchanga.


Now, were else would this particular girl want to spend the rest of her birthday night in the "big city" of Gainesville? You guessed it! Stubbies and Stiens!

I started the night off with the Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale. You know how I love my Brown Ales and this one hit the spot. It had a sweet smell, but more of a bitter, burned nut taste. It was thoroughly enjoyed!

I was craving something more sweet though and after the bitter, dry hopped nature of the Pecan Nut, I changed gears and got Abita's Strawberry Harvest Lager.


Good lord I wish they brewed this year around. It is sweet smelling, but has a wonderfully crisp and nearly dry finish. It reminds me of cream soda, but no one else got that impression. We also found that if you took a sip of the ridiculous Imperial sludge that the boys were drinking before tasting the Strawberry Harvest it would taste like gram crackers- true story.

I finished the night on another fruity note with the Great Divide's Wild Raspberry Ale.


I had been eying this beer since I had Big HOSS the other week and it was all I could have hoped for and more. Light, refreshing and not sickly sweet like some fruit beers can be.

Of course things got a little silly....here's just a taste of the fun times!






And who do I have to thank for my wonderful trio of brews? Well the one legged man in the kilt of course!

Thanks again Ryan for picking up my Bday tab and for sporting the kilt in my honor. You are the best!

Now, that sounds like quite a successful celebration, don't you think? And I would certainly agree. But did we stop there? oh no....well, I mean, we stopped there for the night, but after drinking off the tequila and barley malt there was brunch to be consumed!

The other 2/3rds of my 211 girls had to jet off to other engagements in there respective cities, but Christine and I enjoyed a street side brunch at the Top and took in the wonders of Gville on a Sleepy Sunday Morning, with a side of refreshing rain.

Oh, we had some good food too:

I had the "mess of grits" which was true to it's name.

Yellow grits topped with onions, peppers, two fried eggs, cheese and faux chorizo sausage (I wasn't a fan of the fake sausage so I picked that off) with a biscuit and bacon. I ordered the Applewood bacon and Christine got the Seitan Bacon and we each swapped a slice. I enjoyed them both, and am curious to explore more of the "Wheat Meat" seitan uses.

Christine asked that I photograph her colorful "that brie thing" (I love the Top's dish names!) which was 3 grit cakes topped with eggs, spinach, tomatoes and brie cheese.


I nearly ordered this myself...so many great options. I am looking forward to going back again for brunch soon!

So, that was my crazy "low key" birthday! When this girl celebrates she does it in style I guess? Thanks again to all my wonderful friends for living it up with me, it wouldn't be a real party with out you!

Love to all,
~the just can't keep things simple, Jess

Happy May Day!

So, I was watching the Kentucky Derby today (my "pony" Paddy O'Prado came in 3rd, fyi) and something triggered my memory.

See the Kentucky Derby always happens on the First Saturday of May. Guess what else also happens on the 1st Saturday of May? Spring Term Graduation at most Florida Universities.

And what that fact means is exactly 2 years ago I was also graduating college. WOW, I can't believe it was 2 years ago already. I know time flies and all that but gosh, it feels like just yesterday that I was sitting in my cap and gown, waiting to cross the stage and get my honors medallion from Dr. Kirchman. I was so worried I would trip in my awesome, but slightly to tall for my comfort, heels, I have no idea if the Dean even read off my Thesis correctly. Hell, I couldn't have even told you my thesis title at that point!

Ahhh, good times. Let's go on a photographic road trip down memory lane, shall we?

We did it!

211- my college roomies and best friends


See the hott shoes? We are so fashionable!


With Mum and Dad-one of my favorite pictures of all time!


Really, REALLY excited to be done with my thesis!

Happy Graduation/Graduation Anniversary my loves!

Love to all,
~The still in shock 2 years old graduate, Jess

Who Doesn't Love a Good BJ?

Cringe at the title if you want, but it's my Birthday today (shameless comment plug!), so if I want to post rude titles, I gosh darn will.

That and Mum and I went to BJ's Brewhouse for lunch, which I adore....probably as much as men love bj's. No really, do a survey. I'm sure you will find that men love getting a good ol' bj as much as I love frequenting BJ's....and I do frequent it pretty often, I just don't always post, or take pictures, or strive to be a better blogger. Maybe if Cosmo had that "101 Ways to Manage a Better Blog" article instead of "101 Ways to Give a Better BJ" I would have a fabulous, highly trafficked blog. But considering I'm sure I just lost all my conservative readers with that one, I'd better cut to the finish..... hehe!

If you don't know about BJ's BrewHouse they are sprouting up all over the Southeast, and are a micro-brewery/Restaurant Chain that totally blows Hops out of the water! They have 7 house brews on draft all the time and then have seasonal stuff too, my faves being the Pumpkin Ale from the fall and the Amber Ale from last month! The one in Gville is hopping since it is still "new"......it only opened a year or so ago, and just to brag, my current mang (thanks for this word Becca! LOVE IT) was one of the engineers on the project. Love that! hehe.

So, without further ado, here's a peak at some yummy stuff at BJ's!

Jeremiah Red-my fave of the house brews

(and yes, I've tried them all!)


Thai Lettuce Wraps Appetizer
(this also makes a great light meal if you don't mind getting messy!)


Broccoli Cheddar Soup
(I'm sure this is the most unhealthy soup on the planet, but DAMN is it GOOD!)


BBQ Chicken Salad
(This was the LUNCH PORTION! Whoozer! the onion strings were a tad soggy, so I pushed them to the wayside, along with most of the chicken-I'm just not feeling much meat these days)

Anyways, this is just one of the many delicious options at BJ's. They have a huge and varied menu, so it is one of those places you can take a whole group and everyone will be happy, which is great with my often picky pals!

Now, if you will excuse the Bday girl, she has some primping to do before the fabulous weekend begins! hehe.

Love to all,
~the vulgar little 24 year old, Jess

Surprise! (Hangover......)

Most people either love or hate surprises. I'm one of those weirdos who is in between. I'm a bit of a control freak, so going on "mystery dates" and such aren't really my thing, because I hate being unprepared for any situation, but on the other hand I think life is one giant surprise, so of course I enjoy a surprise gift, phone call or even full blown party now and again.

I had never been acquainted with the surprise hangover before. But on Friday I had the pleasure (or lack there of) of being introduced. As one can imagine the surprise hangover follows the "surprise I'm drunk and that wasn't my intention" of the previous evening.

I am writing this post with the intention of preventing you from experiencing your own "surprise hangover." If you experience any of the following, you should stop the behavior immediately and seek, um, higher grounds?

Starting the night off with an extremely dull meet up at The Top
Consuming Sweetwater Happy Ending (Imperial Stout- 9% a/v) on an empty stomach
Seeking Refuge with two fabulous women at Stubbies
Consuming Old Rasputin (Another Imperial- 9% a/v)
Finally ordering Goulash for dinner
Burning your tongue on said Goulash
Sending inappropriate texts to the guy you are dating
Ordering Old Chub (Scottish Ale, 8% a/v)
Sending more texts to said boy, begging to meet up (classy, I know)
Drinking some water (obvs not enough!)
Meeting sexy, and oh so tolerant of your escapades, boy at park
Commencing with drunken make out session under a tree
Getting leaves stuck in your hair (he will help remove them, of course)
Swearing you are fine to drive, of course
Starting the 45min drive home....realize 15mins in you aren't fine to drive, of course
Having no other option, as it is a Thursday and you have to go to work tomorrow
Drunk Dialing your NC BFF and begging her to talk to you so you can make it home
Somehow unlocking the door to the house
Crashing into bed
Attempting to send text to boy and bestie that you are home "safe"
Failing at both said texts
Waking up at 3:30am and chugging water
Sleeping through alarm
Waking up by the miracle of the Hangover Gods at 6am
Dragging pissed off body to shower and wash your stupid head
Chugging hot tea
Limping into work
Grimacing some semblance of a smile at your students
Suffering, because you are retarded
Giggling regardless, because DAMN that was a GOOD night!

And in case you are more of a visual person:
Happy Ending


Old Rasputin


Goulash


Old Chub

(I'll leave the rest up to your imagination, thank you very much)

Now before you go lecturing me for my antics on a "school" night, well, just save your breath. I know, I know I was a bad girl and frankly I scared myself. Usually I know when I've had enough, but this time I was like, "oh no, I only had THREE beers and I ate dinner, I'm fine!" I messed up the equation though, by having all high gravity beers and not eating until the 2nd beer, but I've learned my lesson. Trust me, being hungover with a classroom of hyper children (thankfully it was field day, so I just had good kids hanging out with me, finishing the scrapbook for BETA and watching movies.... so really I was off the hook) and then driving to Orlando for a Dashboard Confessional show that night-still hungover! sheesh!- was punishment enough.

Live and Learn!

Love to all,
~the alkie in the making, Jess

Serious Sushi (Ob)Sessions.....

So, confession time- I can NEVER get enough sushi, really. I mean really, REALLY!

And after an really great picnic with a new friend, where I enjoyed some unpictured sushi from Bento, I realized I had uploaded pictures for this post weeks ago and then left it, as always....cause I'm such a good blogger, ya know! ;)

Anyways, it's kind of nice that Bento inspired this post (or finishing this post....technicalities, technicalities) since that quick serve, Pan-Asian style restaurant actually inspired the "new guy" (relatively new, I can't find the exact date of it's opening): Rolls n Bowls- A Japanese Bistro, in town. This make your own sushi, sashimi, and udon bowls is the brain child of the owners of Dragonfly Sushi downtown, which I also enjoy- but more for a special occasion- and certainly not when UF is in session, it's over-run, if you get my drift- and I know I've posted about Dragonfly before, but I can't find it right now for the life of me. Life just flies by.....that and I don't have a search feature on this not -so high-tech-blog (you know, in case you hadn't noticed). So, anyways, I'm going to stop rambling and get to the point (and pictures!).

Cute/Trendy Exterior


Menu Board- while you can create you own anything, they do have set menu items that you can choose if you aren't feeling too creative or ambitious on any given Sunday (or whatever day!)


Two rolls from my first excursion- the Spicy Crunch roll (tuna, salmon, cream cheese, cucumber and scallion topped with temp flakes), which I get pretty regularly, since it is not actually fried and I LOVE that- they just roll it in panko crumbs for the crunchy and I think the Tampa Bay (katsu fish, spring mix, avacado, masago & mayo)-which I didn't realized was fried grouper, my mistake for not reading carefully. Oh and the amazing sweet wasabi mayo-oh so good!

Another favorite roll (unpictured-I don't take pictures of all my food anymore, since I never have time to post it all and get sick of the backlog, especially when I do eat a great deal of the same items) is the Oopsy Roll- Krab Delight, smoked eel, cream cheese, masago, shitake and cucumber with eel sauce.) oh man! I think I need to get this roll again, STAT!

OR if you are feeling a bit messier (which, hello I usually am! Jess the Mess, anyone?) you can do a bowl (choose rice or greens, I prefer the rice, which makes it a sashmi meal). For example, check out my super fly Alaskan Rice Bowl:


Salmon, krab, scallion, cream cheese, masago, avocado
So much tricker to eat, but so delicious, especially when served up with a side of miso soup and some sriracha sauce. (and some yummy organic tea)

Well, this post has only done what I had feared- I am now craving sushi even worse-I'm currently at the Beta State Convention with 5 of my students, but perhaps I can hunt down a sushi place for lunch! Wish me luck!

Love to all,
~an obsessed (and now quite hungry) sushi lover, Jess