How to Etch Glasses! It's a Quick, Easy Craft that Anyone Can Do!

My mom and I recently went to her friends house to etch glass. I wasn't sure how this was going to work, but it was surprisingly easy. All you need are some glasses, stencils, masking tape, foam paint brushes, and Armour Etch.

First clean your glasses. Tape on the stencil of your choice (I chose a mustache). Apply the Armour Etch with a foam paint brush. Be sure to dab the paste evenly and thoroughly on the glass, so that the Armour Etch doesn't get under the stencil. Let sit for 5 minutes and apply a second coat. Let sit for another 5 minutes (this gives a darker, more etched look). Remove the tape/stencil and wash off with cold water.

Letting the paste do it's magic

Don't they look awesome!     

Me, my mommy, and our awesome glasses!

Greek Frappe Recipe - My Favorite Iced Coffee Using Nescafe

I love coffee! I love it so much that I could drink it All. Day. Long.

Here's my favorite coffee recipe. It's call Frappe and uses Nescafe - YUM!

(1 Serving)
1 ½ Cup of Cold Water 
2 Tsp Nescafe Frappe

2 Tsp Sugar 
Milk - Optional 
Ice 

Pour 3-4 tbsp of cold water into a shaker. Add 2 tsp of Nescafe and 2 tsp of sugar. Shake well for about 30 seconds, until water becomes foam. You can also use an electric hand mixer. Pour Frappe into a glass that if half full of ice cubes. Add a little milk and then slowly fill the rest of the glass with water until the foam reaches the top of the glass.

I’m always told that I drink my too quickly, but it tastes so good that I can’t help myself! 0_o

Enjoy it at home...

...or on the go

Yeah, I'm going to need to go make one of these right now!

Quick Easy Breakfast - Microwaved Eggs and Veggies Recipe

I love breakfast, but I am NOT a morning person. So instead of waking up 30 minutes earlier, I usually prep my breakfast the night beforehand. For this quick and SUPER easy recipe you'll need...

1 Egg

Chopped Veggies (I like Green Peppers, Onions, Spinach, Jalapenos)

Cheese (as much or as little as you like; I like Pepper Jack or Colby)

1 English Muffin (if you want to add a carb.)

Salt and Pepper to taste

The night before chop up all your veggies, put them in a container with your egg, and muffin. 

Take to work.

Crack your egg into a mug, scramble, and add veggies, salt/pepper.

Put in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir and cook for another 30 seconds (you usually only need 1-1 1/2 minutes).

Eat directly out of the mug or put between muffin and Enjoy!

I can't even handle how quick and easy it is! And the eggs come out nice and fluffy.

*Little side note, clean your mug out ASAP, because caked on egg is not easy to clean*

2012 Chicago Blackhawk Stanley Cup Champions

As a Chicagoan I grew up loving 4 things. The Sox, The Bulls, Da Bears, and of course The Blackhawks. This past year our amazing team defeated the Boston Bruins in 6 games to win the Stanley Cup! 

The season ended middle of summer due to a lockout, which made for perfect weather during the Blackhawks' Parade and Rally!

If felt like the entire city of Chicago was at the Parade, there were fans EVERYWHERE.

The streets were packed for blocks on end!

Our Group in the MIDDLE of Madison Street

This guy was trying to get a better view by climbing on a pole!

My good friends Shana and Bobby

I love my city!

GO HAWKS!!

Chicago's Red Line Holiday Train!!

If you've ever been to Chicago you've probably seen the El Trains. The El, standing for elevated, is one of the most popular forms of transportation in the city. Every year, during the holidays, the city runs the Holiday Train. The holiday train is sure to turn the grumpiest scrooges into happy, holiday fun loving people. The interior of the trains are decked out with lights, bows, and garland. The cars are pumped with the scent of cinnamon and gum drops. The hand poles are transformed into candy canes and Santa Clause even rides on an open-air flatcar, waving to passerby-ers. Everyone who rides the Holiday Train has a smile on their face, it's inevitable!

Me and Santa

There he goes, off to the next stop!

That's not Starbucks in that cup!

Outside of the holiday train 

My best bud, Veronica's the one who took me for a Holiday Train/Birthday ride!

We're so happy!

What we saw when the train pulled up

Even the seats are cute!

I don't know who wouldn't love the holiday train! <3 <3 <3

The Zeus Burger Recipe

Growing up Greek/Italian in America, my mom was always creating new food creations. She's an amazing cook and is constantly inspiring me. My uncle told me about this great idea he had for a Greek Burger, he said, why don't we put Saganaki on a burger? BRILLIANT

To make the Saganaki you'll need...

(1 serving)
1 Slab of Kasseri Cheese  (1/2" thick)
1 Cup Flour
2 Cups Metaxa (or Brandy)
4 Tbsp Butter or Oil
2 Lemons
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Salt

Season both sides of the cheese with salt and pepper. Place the cheese in a shallow dish and cover with Metaxa. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. Season the flour with salt and pepper. Remove the cheese from the plan, reserving 1/4 cup of the brandy and dredge in the seasoned flour, coating completely. In a large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter (or oil if you prefer). Pan fry the cheese for 2 minutes on each side. Add the reserved Metaxa and carefully flame the liquor, shaking the pan back and forth several times. Top off with lemon juice.

To make the burger you'll need...

(makes 4 patties)
1 1/2 lbs Lean Ground Beef
1/2 Onion, Finely Chopped
1 Clover Garlic, Minced
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tsp Dried Parsley
1 Tsp Dried Basil
1 Tsp Dried Oregano
1 Egg
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Preheat your grill on high. In a large bowl mix together the ground beef, onions, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, egg, and salt and pepper. Form into patties. Grill for 5 minutes per side. Once your burger is done cooking, put it between 2 buns and place the Saganaki on top, with a side of tzatziki sauce.

To make the Tzatziki Sauce you'll need...

*forewarning: This recipe takes 3 hours so you'll want to start with this first or make the sauce the day before*

(Makes 3.5 cups)

3 Cups Greek yogurt (also called Yogurt Cheese, see below for alternative **)

Juice of 1 Lemon

1 Garlic Clove, Minced

1 Large Cucumber, Diced

1 Tbsp Salt

1 Tbsp Fresh Dill

1 Tbsp Fresh Mint (if you like mint, otherwise you can leave this out)

Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper

Put diced cucumbers into a colander and sprinkle with 1 tbsp of salt, which will help to draw out all of the water. Cover with a plate and sit something heavy on top. Let sit for 30 min, drain well, and wipe dry with paper towel.

In a food processor add cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill and/or mint and a few grinds of pepper. Process until well blended, then stir in yogurt. Taste before adding any extra salt. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving so flavors can blend.

This will keep for a few days in the refrigerator, but you will need to drain off any water and stir each time you use it.

** If you can’t find the thicker Greek Yogurt Cheese, you can use regular, plain yogurt that is either full fat or low fat. To thicken, spoon yogurt into cheese cloth that has been quadrupled. Draw the corners of the cloth up and tie together. Suspend above a bowl for 2 hours so that water can drip out. The consistency of the yogurt should be like that of sour cream.

Now Enjoy!!

Worlds Best Guacamole Recipe

I love guacamole so much! I love everything about it. A couple years ago while in Puerto Vallarta I learned how to make the best guac ever. The recipe is very simple, so simple that I would often be found making it at my desk at work. I think the trick to great guac is by tweaking your recipe and going more off taste than exact measuring amounts.

You'll need...

1 Avocado
1/4 of an Onion
1 Small Tomato
1 Small Jalapeno
10 stalks of Cilantro
1 Juicy Lime
Garlic Powder
Salt

Start by cutting your avocado in half, the long way. Remove the pit. The best way to do this is by carefully striking the pit with the sharp edge of your knife. Once you do this, put the pit to the side, as you'll be needing it later. A lot of restaurants put all their ingredients in a food processor to speed up the guac making process, but I like mine to be chunky so I recommend cubing it.

Cut into the avocado lengthwise at even intervals. Next, cut into the avocado at a 90 degree angle using even  intervals again to create a crosshatch pattern. Then scoop out the contents into a bowl.

Next chop up your tomato, onion and cilantro and add it to the bowl and stir in. The cut your lime in half and add half the juice to your mixture. Sprinkle the top with salt and garlic powder, to taste and mix. Now, if you like some heat to you guac go ahead and add the jalapeno. Again everything should be to taste. At this point you may need to add more salt, garlic, or lime juice. Keep adding small amounts until you've got it just how you like it!

Now that your guac is ready, have some fun with it. There are so many other variations you can do. Add corn, a little bit of sour cream, or even some cumin. The possibilities are endless!