Happy Chicken Salad

When I am too tired to cook, my go to is picking up a whole roasted chicken from the grocery store. After the plates are cleared and my belly is full, what to do with the leftovers? Making a chicken salad is a great option.

Ingredients:

• left over chicken pulled apart
• 1 green apple chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup Happy Hemp
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Lightly toast the almonds in a skillet.
2. Add the almonds and the rest of the ingredients into a bowl and mix.
3. Serve on toast, lettuce, crackers or alone.
4. Enjoy!

Happy Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Could there be a sexier dessert?!? Chocolate dipped strawberries are SO decadent and SO yummy, but wait they are SO simple to make. Bonus!! I always focus on the dinner and forget all about the sweet ending, plus I hate to eat a big plate of heaviness after dinner. These are the perfect little somethin somethin at the end of a meal.

All you need to whip up these sassy little treats is chocolate (melt 1/2 cup of dark chocolate in double boiler), fresh strawberries (wash and pat dry) and Happy Hemp ( 1/4 sprinkled on a plate).

Take the strawberry by the stem and dip both sides into the chocolate (watch your wrist hitting the side of the bowl… it is hot trust me). Then immediately roll the strawberry in Happy Hemp and place on wax paper tray. Throw in fridge until ready to serve!! Really it is that simple. Your guest will be impressed, you have little mess and all there is left to do is enjoy a fabulous night with good friends. Viola!!

Happy Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad and to living life Simple

If you had to chose a word to represent your life in 2011…What would it be? For me, I think it would have to be simplicity. Moving to Austin forced me to clean out my closets and simplify my world. I did not realize it, but I felt trapped by all the things I had accumulated over the years. I lived in my LA home for nearly 8 years, longer than I had lived anywhere in my life. Growing up we moved all the time… sometimes 3 times in one year. Gathering and collecting was never an issue, because we were always on the move….So 8 years for me was more like dogs years!!

Living a simple life sounds simple, but far from it. I found I got caught up in the need and want to own more stuff. Somehow I lost since of  my self worth and my personal value was based on the amount of pretty things I owned. How did I get to that point? I did not grow up with lots of stuff. My memories as a kid, came from living life… camping, fishing, swimming and having adventures. I needed to get back to basics and shaking up my world was just what I needed. Getting out of my comfort zone!! Life is defined by memories not stuff. 2011 is the year I got back to living and not buying. So in the spirit of simplicity here is great simple salad to start your new life.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber sliced
• 1 purple onion sliced
• 2 tomatoes chopped
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• tablespoons of Happy Hemp

Directions:

1. Mix the first 4 ingredients together in bowl. Put in refrigerator for 1 hour.
2.  Plate and sprinkle Happy Hemp on top.
3. Enjoy!!

Happy Strawberry Smoothie

Lately I am digging starting my day with a smoothie… Plus it is great for the person on the go in the morning. I have really noticed the difference in my day by taking the time to have breakfast. My energy levels are up and I am eating less. Here is my latest smoothie recipe…

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1/2 banana
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 2 TBSP Happy Hemp
• Coconut water

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into blender.
2. Pour coconut water in until it reaches top of ingredients.
3. Blend and Serve
4. Enjoy!

Happy Jonny Depp and a Cooking Demo

This was a weekend for the books!! I got a call on Friday asking if I would do a cooking demo on the local news station. I jumped at the chance and started to plan my menu, outfit and weekend accordingly.

Why yes.. I would love to be on TV.

The plan…..

• Saturday: 6am wake up Farmers’ Market
• Saturday: 2pm start to cook and bake for demo
• Saturday: 6pm everything packed and ready to go. Minimal prep work Sunday am.
• Saturday: 9pm bed
• Sunday: 6am last minute prep and pack cooler
• Sunday: 7am leave house
• Sunday: 7:30 arrive station
• Sunday: 8am film

The weekend seemed to start as planned. Farmers’s Market was great and the weather was amazing. I opted for a Fall themed display with lots of pumpkins, gourds and squash. Brightened up by bunches of Marigolds. The film festival had brought lots of people in to Austin for the weekend.  So my day was a mixture of  locals and  new Austin lovers. Soon to be Happy Hemp lovers!!

After market I headed to Central Market to buy my goodies for the demo and then home for some slicing, mixing, stirring and baking. Basically my goal was to show how easy to mix Happy Hemp into all dishes. So I had a lot to accomplish!

The Menu all with Happy Hemp:

• Yogurt with strawberries
• Cereal with milk
• Blackberry Almond Smoothie (make on set)
• Hummus with flatbread
• Chocolate Chip cookies
• Salad with fresh veggies

At 4:40 pm all my planning went into the trash with a single text message!!

Start Text: Just heard Jonny Depp and his band are playing a secret show at Continental Club at midnight.

WHAT!!! Are you kidding me?!! I was not going to miss the slight chance that this may or may not be true!! I hurried up and kicked the cooking into high gear. I had to get a tiny nap in somewhere… that did not happen! At 10pm (according to plan should of been in bed) I walked out the door looking fierce to go see the one and only Captain Jack Sparrow.

Miko I love you!

We arrived to a relatively small line, which made us think we were not correct in our information. Plus Chris and I have been in town for 1 month and know like 5 people. There had to be way more people in the know than us?? Never the less, we got in line and I crossed my fingers. I really hoped I did have to tell my mom, I waited in line for 2 hours (really!!) because I heard a rumor that was just that …a rumor!!  We started to make line friends that confirmed they had heard the same thing. I was feeling slightly better about my situation.  Being the sale girl I am, I was going to make this a good situation no matter what!! I brought Happy Hemp samples to give out. I educated all my new line BFF’s… Hey at least I might get a sale out of this!!

At midnight the doors finally opened!!! By then the line was 3 blocks long. This has to be true!!! The line slowly moved closer and then STOPPED!! We were 4 people from the door and they were done letting anyone inside!! By then, we had confirmed the rumor… 4 people stood between my and my future husband… FOUR!!! I was freaking out.  After what seemed an eternity, the bouncer said 8 more people and that’s it!! Holy cow I almost had a cow… SERIOUSLY!!

At 12:20am they took the stage and last but not least the ever so fabulous Mr. Depp appeared. If it could not get any better,  Billy Gibbons lead singer of ZZ top jumped on stage and joined in for several songs. It was AWESOME!! 90 min standing about 5 feet from Edward Scissorhands!! Life is good.

At 3 am I arrived home buzzing with excitement and the 6am hour was fast approaching!!

Get your ass out of bed!!

At 6am alarms screaming, I dragged myself out of bed, rinsed off and grabbed any clothes I could find. In a pinch threw on some red lips to help my I have been out all night look. I started pumping caffeine into my body. I still had prep to finish and pack everything into cooler and the car!! At 7:05 am I pulled out of the drive way and headed to the studios. Once we arrived, what part of me was feeling sleepy was jolted awake by the fear of going on live TV for my first time!! My stomach was doing flips and I wanted to get sick… No redo’s!!

You may not want to stand to close.. I may puke!

I have to say I pulled it off minus say the word “Viola” in the segment 100 times? At one point durning my demo, I noticed I was still adorning the ever so classy black skull door stamp on my hand… Classy!!  I am just happy I did not look the way I felt. Plus I met some other lovely local foodies the Casserole Queens. There demo was way more seamless than mine. You can see my full video on Happy Hemp’s Facebook and more photos from the day.

And that my friends is one of the most memorable weekends in my life… Viola!

Happy Veggie Medley

Fall is in the air and I could not be more happy!! This is my absolute favorite time of year!!! After a very long hot summer it could not be more welcomed!!

Little hints of fall are starting to pop up… as the grocery stores fill with pumpkins, squash and gourds. Something about the change of season puts people in a great mood. Not sure if the heat of the summer brings on a touch of crank? Or does the pending holidays bring a smile?

Here is a simple fall inspired veggie combo that is the perfect accompaniment to any dish!!

Ingredients:

• 1 Onion sliced
• 1 Green pepper sliced
• 2 Yellow squash
• 1/4 Corn (I prefer to cut mine off the cob)
• 1/4 Mushrooms chopped
• 1/4 Happy Hemp
• Olive Oil
• S&P to taste

Directions:

1. In a skillet over medium heat drizzle olive oil. Add all the veggies.
2. Sautee for about 10 to 15 min or until onions are transparent.
3. Turn off heat; add Happy Hemp and mix
4. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.
5. Enjoy!!

Happy Blackberry Almond Smoothie

This week I have decided to start each morning with a smoothie. After learning how important breakfast is, I figure I better start practicing what I preach. The great thing about a smoothie are the combos….they are endless!   Today I went for protein and some hipstamatic photos.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 Cup almonds
• 4 Tablespoons Happy Hemp
• 1/4 Cup fresh blackberries
• 1/4 Cup Greek yogurt
• Coconut water

Directions:

1. Add almonds, Happy Hemp, yogurt and berries to a blender.
2. Pour enough coconut water into blender that it just covers all the ingredients and blend.
3. Add ice if desired.
4. Enjoy!

Happy Ice Cream

Ice Cream is the end all be all cure. I think it should be formally called Dr. Ice Cream. I have never met an ailment it can’t cure.

They thing is to know the right flavor.

Here is a guide to Ice Cream Wellness…

• Vanilla aids in digestion.
•  Chocolate great for migraines.
• Butter pecan 24 hour flu.
• Strawberry broken heart.
• Neapolitan split personality disorder.
• Chocolate chip cures measles.
• French vanilla great for jet lag.
•  Cookies and cream food poisoning.
• Praline pecan great for PMS.
• Cherry aids in sore throats.
• Chocolate almond tooth aches.
• Coffee helps with Insomnia.
• Rocky road great if you are completely lost.

Ok Ice Cream does not aid in curing anything, but Happy Hemp does. So sprinkle some healthy love on to your ice cream and imagine it does!!

Happy Eggplant Parm and Biking

I have not been on a bicycle since I was 12 years old. That being said the word “bicycle” may not be the right word. I think it was a Purple Princess with wheels fully equipped with banana seat and tassels coming out of the handlebars. I was so cool!

So when my girlfriend asked me if I wanted to ride bikes yesterday, I thought how hard can it be? As easy as riding a bike!!?? Right? WRONG…As much as I love the wisdom that comes with age… Wisdom really sucks when getting on a bike after 15 years +. I hated to admit that the girl who once bungee jumped, swam after she ate and ran with scissors was a  big ole’ chicken!! However fear was not going to hold me back and so I hopped on and desperately tried to keep pace with my amiga.

Now in my head I looked like Lance Armstrong, but in reality I was a red hot mess all over the place. I literally was yelling at people ahead of me warning them to get out of the way.

So the great thing about heading down to Town Lake is the “down” part. Yep what must go down must come up. URGH!! Hills stood between me and home and I was not happy. So a little liquid encouragement was needed!! Two margaritas later thanks to Maudie’s, I was ready to face the mountains.

So the key to a large hill is speed and gear change, neither of which I was getting! So a 1/4 of the way up the hill, I would putter out. I had to walk that stupid bike up almost every f#)%*ing hill. With hills and fear in my way, I still was able to persevere. Today I will walk the dogs instead as my butt is on FI-YA!!

Now what’s the best part of a successful work out you may ask???? The reward of the meal! What’s better than pasta!? Nothing!

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant or 4 baby eggplants, peeled and cut into 1/3 inch slices
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup Happy Hemp
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 cups spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 lb shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Box of spaghetti

Directions:

1. Arrange a layer of eggplant slices in a colander. Sprinkle generously with salt. Combine breadcrumbs with Happy Hemp.
2. Cook Spaghetti according to box.
3. Continue layering and salting all eggplant slices. Let stand 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
4.  Dip each eggplant slice in beaten egg, and dredge with breadcrumb Happy Hemp mix.
5. Heat oil in a heavy skillet. Over medium high heat fry eggplant in hot oil about 2 minutes per side until golden. Drain on absorbent paper
6. Preheat oven to temperature 350°F Arrange half the eggplant slices in the bottom of baking dish sprayed lightly with nonstick spray. Spread half the sauce over top.
7. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan. Repeat layers
8. Bake 20-25 minutes or until mixture is bubbly.
9. Serve on top of a bead of pasta.
10. Enjoy!!

Happy Tabouli

On my list to do, India is probably on the top three. I have  always had a fascination with this exotic far off land and a love affair with her food. . Indian food is like no other cuisine I have ever tasted. I love the use of spices and fresh ingredients. This aromatic food is much like a snake charmer…It is deceivingly healthy. So until my travels can take me to India…

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Happy Hemp
• 10 Sprigs chopped parsley.
• 1/2 bundle chopped mint
• 1 medium chopped onion
• 2 tomatoes chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

Directions: 

1. Mix all ingredients into a large bowl and serve.
2. Enjoy!!