The taste of fall!

A year and a half ago, my plans were to move to Charlotte and work as a neurosurgery PA. I must say that I am SO much more pleased with the what God had in mind!! I still enjoy heading to Charlotte to visit friends, practice yoga, shop and check out great restaurants. With the arrival of fall comes a variety of delicious seasonal brews. Hands down, this Dogfish Head Punkin Ale is the BEST!!! The you Charlotte for being in Winston's back yard :)

Proud to be a Physician Assistant!

Our 25th annual (and my first) PAPA Fall Conference took place this past Saturday. We have been working so hard to pull together this event for the past several months. The conference is unique in that you get 6 hours of free CME!! Because we don't charge a registration fee, we rely on grants for funding. The whole process of writing grants, recruiting exhibitors, feeding a crowd, and finding energetic speakers was exhausting though equally rewarding. Sitting in a room full of PAs across the state truly served as inspiration and pride to be a part of this wonderful field!

We rocked the block

Grass between our toes, chatting to the tune of a local band

Warm, summer night

Sixth and vine, a little shag dancing and some purple haze

Loving late nights

The best nights end with a midnight snack

My kind of night cap

Burke Street Pizza, so cheesy and good

Indulgence at its best

This Week's Eats

I can already tell you that this week's meals involved almost no planning. I had plenty of my favorite groceries on hand thanks to a recent visit to Trader Joe's and the farmer's market. Our dinners this week were inspired by a random assortment of ingredients tied together in a way that worked!

Tuna steak

After meeting with our realtors and contractors at our new house, I headed back to the apartment wishing that a fantastic dinner would appear before my eyes. Instead, there sat a sweet potato, squash, and vidalia onion begging to be used. When in doubt, throw in a piece of fish and keep it simple! Jarrett picked up a couple of tuna steaks while I stole a 3 mile run. Jarrett laughs at me because I wind up with so much energy at the end of the day and usually have to run or work-out in the same way that a dog has to be walked :) (ha!). I came back to a handsome chef creating a marinade for the fish. I sauteed the sqaush and sliced the taters, adding a drizzle of agave nectar and pumpkin pie spice (why not?). It's fun to shake it up and make it up as you go! Oh yes, and that's definitely a pumpkin ale to celebrate the beginning of FALL!

Asian bowl

With the leftover tuna steak, I put together this delicious asian dinner. Tuna steak + brown rice + snow peas, carrots, edamame, and water chestnuts (for the crunch factor) = healthy, speady, and oh so satisfying. If only we kept chopsticks on hand!

Back to the basics

It seems like there's always some spaghetti and sauce hiding in the pantry. With moving day quickly approaching, I've been trying to deplete our stash as much as possible. Trader Joe's makes some fantastic frozen turkey meatballs that taste so fresh. Why am I mentioning that? Because in the time that it took for the noodles to cook, I was able to steam some beans, microwave the meatballs, and simmer the sauce. Seven minutes later (I love my pasta al dente), I turned out this version of a classic.

Sausage, cheese, and vidalia arepas

Alas, the return of the arepa! I can't seem to get enough of the two ingredient wonder. Although I do love Arnold sandwich thins, an arepa makes any sandwich that much more exciting. These were stuffed with spinach, fontina, and roasted garlic sausage along with an aged Celtic cheddar and caramalized vidalia onion rings.

Bon appetit!

It all started with a green egg

Early this summer, Jarrett's dad surprised us with a green egg! And that's where this story begins. My apartment complex has pretty strict rules against personal grills, so that pretty much left us with no choice. As soon as Jarrett came home from Ireland, we linked up with Diane (our awesome realtor!) and started our quest. House Hunters just so happens to be one of our favorite shows, and during the whole process we couldn't help but feel like we could be on the show. If only we had just looked at 3 houses!

2 months and 60 houses later, Jarrett and I found our home!! We heard about the house from Jarrett's friend (and now next door neighbor) who is a local real estate attorney. We got a sneak peak inside the house and completely fell in love. The house was put on the market on a Tuesday and we made an offer two days later. Exactly one week after that, we were officially under contract!! We close on the house next Thursday.. 9 more days!!! We couldn't be more excited! The green egg has found a home!

New kicks!

Check out my new spin shoes! I've been going to more and more classes these days and decided to bite the bullet!! I went to Mock Orange Bikes and found this newer model, designed specifically for spinning. I was a little hesitant to drop over a hundred bucks for a workout I only do once a week, but after a quick test drive I was sold! I wore them to Heather's Wednesday night cycle (my favorite) and couldn't believe what a difference these kicks made in my workout. I felt entirely connected with my bike and noticed that my hamstring were getting the workout they deserve. Isn't it funny how new workout gear can offer so much motivation?

Let the Countdown Begin!!

November 13th is less than 2 months away!! Wedding planning has become a fun hobby, and I have found the whole process to be enjoyable. There are a lot of odds and end to work on now, and I am so grateful to have the support of my friends and family (thanks Wham)! 55 days until I'm Mrs. Dineen!!

Best of Winston-Salem: The Miriam Awards

It certainly is no secret that I absolutely love Winston-Salem. Nicknamed "the dash" (because of the hyphen in its name), this city is full of great spots. With much consideration, here are my all time favorites!

Best breakfast:

Dioli's- Conveniently located adjacent to Starbucks on Reynolda Road, this is hand's down my favorite breakfast. Jarrett introduced me to the Italian market shortly after we met and it has since been "our place." We usually split (and savor) a freshly scrambled egg with pancetta and mozzarella on house-made foccacia bread. Oh yes, and a pastry on the side!

Best bakery:

Dewey's- While they're known for their pink lemonade cake squares, it is the Moravian sugar cake that keeps me coming back for more. Other favorites include the apple turnover and the famous Moravian sugar cookies. With several locations across town, I have found a favorite leather chair in the Dewey's cafe on Country Club Road.

Best lunch:

The Carving Board- With a huge selection of sandwiches, salads, pastas and more, you can create a perfect combination to satisfy any level of hunger. I usually build my own sandwich with smoked turkey, cheese, and apple slices on a wrap. And the crushed ice- oh, the crushed ice is heavenly. Bonus? They bus your table for you!!

Best grocery store:

Whole Foods- I'm in this place at least once a week. In my buggy you can usually find bulk foods (rolled oats, quinoa, granola...), almond butter, Crofters, and CHEESE (largely influenced by their samples). The salad bar and hot food bar offer incredible options from tabbouleh (my fave) to macaroni and cheese (J's fave). And, they sell TOM's!

Disclaimer: If Trader Joe's ever makes it to Winston-Salem, there will be a new automatic winner (I already have my reusable bags!).

Best coffee shop:

Java by Jeff's- This is the coffee kiosk at Baptist. When Jeff sees me walking down the stairs, I can see him reach up for the fresh chai tea leaves and start on my drink. Certainly the best chai tea misto in town. A drizzle of honey and sprinkle of nutmeg and I'm back to work armed and caffeinated.

Best all-around restaurant:

The Old Fourth Street Filling Station- Whether you're looking for brunch, lunch, or a fancy dinner, you can't go wrong with this local favorite. My breakfast pick is usually an omelet, and for lunch I almost always go for the chicken fajita wrap. The signature Carolina Shrimp and Grits for dinner are to die for. In the summertime, there is a weekly shrimp broil with a beach music band. The ambiance is hard to beat!

Best night life:

Noma- I love to kick back with a cold glass of beer an the end of a long week. The perfect venue to do so, this urban bar and grill perfectly positioned at the corner of 4th and Marshall. A hot spot for residents and medical professionals, I often bump into friends and colleagues sans the infamous white accessory.

Best run:

The Mistletoe half marathon course is one of my favorite races. I've run this course countless times for training and conditioning. I've raced it twice and look forward to running it again this winter. There's an 8 mile section of the run that I crave, where I find inspiration and TLC for the soul. It's amazing what a good run can do.

One-liners:

Best outdoor activity: Salem Lake

Best store: Pottery Barn

Best shopping center: Thruway

Best place to walk: Buena Vista

Best historical spot: Old Salem

Best sporting team: The Dash!

Best gym: The YMCA

This Week's Eats

Arepas De Pollo with a vegetable medley

Kicking off this week's eats with a Venezuelan inspired meal. Arepas are easy to make and can be filled with anything! We stuffed these with a tasty combination of chicken, cheddar, and caramelized onions. Served with a generous portion of a vegetable medley.

Leftovers done right!

With no time to cook, this meal was on the table in 10. I try not to eat too many frozen foods (which can be packed with sodium), but these veggie burger's by Dr. Praeger are the bomb.

Pizza, pizza!

Whole wheat pizza dough topped with mozzarella, chicken sausage, and caramelized onion. An unpictured salad was hiding on the side :)

Support your local farm

Sunday I went to the Greensboro farmer's market to order my wedding favors from my favorite farm. While I was there, I stocked up on some fruits and veggies. The grand total- $13!

Quesadillas and roasted veggies

I can always count on the hot bar at Whole Foods for delicious dinners to go. After a quick pit stop I made my way to Whit's, where we enjoyed our meal with this peaceful view. On the very rare occasion, I will end up eating dinner in front of the TV. I much prefer to eat at the dining room table, or better yet a deck like this!

Pizza, take two!

Tonight's dinner was a Hawaiian pizza. After an awesome spin class for me and pick-up soccer for Jar, we were starving! The theme of this week seems to be preparing fast, easy meals. Tonight's bites were no exception. I hit up Whole Foods on my way home, hunting for something quick. With pizza dough and sauce at home, pizza was a no brainer. I picked up some fresh pineapple and 2 slices of prosciutto for an easy Hawaiian pie. Oh so good!

The Pampered Bride

After months of anticipation, the day of my Pampered Chef bridal shower finally arrived. Whitney, Shannon, and Carrie (three of the sweetest girls on Earth) hosted the beautiful event. My mom, sister, and niece drove in Saturday morning and we met at Nitsa's for my final fitting. I love my gown and can't wait to put it on again!! Kaitlyn was mesmerized and wanted Aunt Mir to sit by her :).

After the excitement of the wedding gown, we set off to Whitney's for some pampering! Walking in the door was like walking into a spread of a magazine. The table was decorated with beautiful flowers, homemade sushi (best I've ever had) and spreads, Cheerwine punch with frozen heart cubes, and a red velvet cupcake bouquet. Too beautiful to eat, although I'm sure glad we did!

The games were awesome! Whitney passed around 8 clear containers with various white powders that you would find in a kitchen. Without opening the lid, we each shook the containers and stared in puzzlement guessing at its contents. I managed to figure out 6 out of 8 (flour, sugar, grits, splenda, baking soda, and salt!), scoring a very handy soap and lotion set for my new kitchen! The luck backfired on the next game. Whitney had asked Jarrett 10 questions and then quizzed me for his answers. For every answer I missed, I had to chew a piece of bubble gum. Out of nervousness/cluelessness/sugary gum-glucose overload, I managed to miss about 4 or 5 questions. I could hardly talk with that mouth full of chewing gum :). Hilarious.

As my friends well know, I absolutely love to cook. So you can imagine that a pampered chef shower is perfect for this bride! Whitney designed and decorated a cute display with items on my wish list. I'm so excited about my new kitchen tools and can't wait to whip up some creations (with improved ease) in my new kitchen. Each girl also brought a couple of recipes to share. My favorite recipe came from my mom, which was a wedding recipe for a happy bride and groom that she got at her very own bridal shower. It was very touching!

Thank you to my amazing friends and family for being who you are! I am so blessed to have you all in my life. I love you!

9-11

In remembrance to those who lost loved ones and to those who sacrificed their lives.

Trader Joe's Inspiration

Ten thousand flowers in spring

Radiant brilliance in crisp autumn air

Warm caresses from the summer sun

Winter’s deep stillness on moonlit snow

If your mind is not clouded by unnecessary things,

This is the best season of your life.

Aunt Mir

My labor day weekend was great! I headed up to Williamsburg to spend time with my family. The contents of my suitcase consisted of a bathing suit and lounge wear, perfect for some serious veg-time. With temperatures getting (pleasantly) cooler, I was excited to enjoy one last day at the pool. What better company than my loving niece and nephew!

Here's my stud-muffin nephew :)

Kaitlyn and Miriam basking in the sun

I have had a season pass to Busch Gardens every year since I was Kaitlyn's age. There are still rides that I rode as a little one, timeless terror indeed. Austin's favorite ride is the train, "Thomas" as he calls it. Kaitlyn is more focused on deciding what she wants to ride, rather than the ride itself :) .

These kiddos melt my heart.

This Week's Eats

Teriyaki chicken and fontina mac n cheese

Jarrett's absolute favorite side dish is macaroni and cheese. I even remember him ordering it on our first date :). This version was a little heavier than I intented, which was ok since it was paired with a healthy teriyaki chicken breast, steammed corn, and sauteed squash. We both really enjoyed the mac and especially loved the flavor of the fontina!

Pork tenderloin and fried green tomatoes

Anything Jarrett cooks is always incredible. The juicy pork tenderloin was cooked to perfection and topped with caramelized onions and apples. He whipped up a tasty sauce made of equal parts sour cream and greek yogurt with a sprinkle of parsley and a splash of lemon juice and vidalia onion salad dressing (a peculiar, yet phenomenal combination which we have recreated many times since). As true southerners, we had fried tomatoes on the side. Since green tomatoes were hard to find, he opted for traditional red which I was happy to discover that I actually prefer! It tasted like fried green tomatoes dipped in marinara! I kissed the cook!

Veggie quesadilla and tabbouleh

Sometimes you just don't have the time (or energy) to cook. After a vigorous cycle class, I was starved and craving something inexpensive, healthy, and quick. I ran into Whole Foods (my fave) and picked up this meal, all for less than $5!! I can't even get out of Subway or Chik-fil-A for less than that!! Whole Foods gets a bad rap for being expensive, and it totally can be, but there are also many smart choices that you can make to keep your wallet happy and your post-workout endorphins going.

Fresh fig bars

Saturday morning breakfasts are always a treat! During the work week, I tend to have some variation of oatmeal, an omelet, or peanut butter and banana on an Arnold sandwich thin. Saturday mornings are made for sleeping in and enjoying a special little treat. I picked up a couple of pounds of fresh figs from the farmer's market to make these tasty little bars. Since we rarely drink coffee during the work week, we also enjoy using our cappuccino maker on the weekends (that seems backwards, huh?) Nevertheless, the bakery style combo was the perfect jumpstart to the day.

Spice rubbed tilapia and stuffed mushrooms

I always get a steal on tilapia at Sam's Club. Surprisingly, it's incredibly fresh and very inexpensive! There are so many ways to prepare tilapia, as its mild flavor lends itself to just about anything. I like to rub it with a variety of spices and pop it in the oven. This was my first time making stuffed mushrooms and they were to die for!

Crispy tilapia, steamed corn, and spaghetti squash carbonara

Another appearance from the tilapia! After going all out on the side dish, I threw this together in less than 5 minutes. A dip in flour, splash in egg, and jump into seasoned panko crumbs, and this little fish was well on its way to deliciousness. The true star of the show was the spaghetti squash carbonara, as inspired by Emeril Lagasse. Some fresh corn came home with the spaghetti squash to lend itself as a quick veggie side. In a time crunch, I like to shuck the corn, roll it in a wet paper towel, and microwave for 2-3 minutes. This meal was washed down with a nice cold blue moon.

Bon appetit!

All Trains on Time ...

... SEPT 1!! This was the little mantra we said in my family on the first day of each September. I associate this nonsense little phrase with neatly organizing fresh school supplies and soaking up the last ounce of summer. Isn't it so funny how the little thinks can invoke deep memories of fond times? This summer has been fantastic, although I honestly don't know where it's gone! Autumn is, hands down, the BEST season of all. So I technically don't mind exchanging this upper 90 degree humidity to hear the crunch of leaves under my cowboy boots while cozying up in an oversized sweater. Ah, simplicity!

Speaking of which, after lunch today I grabbed a bag of Yogi Green Tea Kombchu and headed up to clinic. My mind has been going overtime these days, with lists of things to do and thoughts of the future swirling in chaos. As I sat down in my chair to review the chart of my next (complicated) patient, I glanced down at the tag on the tea bag where I read my fortune. "One of the best actions we can take, with courage, is to relax." I read it again. "One of the best actions we can take, with courage, is to relax." Wow. Yes! How much I needed to hear that. And then another phrase jumped in the way "All Trains on Time Sept 1." Why did that come to mind? Who knows. But together, these little phrases offered a friendly reminder to take a step back, chill, and take joy in the simple things.