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Appetites and Adventures

Positive Thoughts and Perfect Sea Scallops

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Stay positive.

By 2013 they can’t figure out an anesthesia that allows you to eat after midnight?!

On the positive side, it’s only a few hours.  I can do anything for a few hours.  And I had an awesome dinner at Villians, a new sandwich shop in Atlanta.

Villians Mumm-Ra lamb belly pita

This deliciousness is called a Mumm-Ra.  It’s kind of a lamb gyro – but with lamb belly, honey mint yogurt, marinated tomato, bell pepper, and onion.  They served it in a thick pita that I couldn’t stop eating.  easily the best pita I’ve had.  The lamb was a bit greasy and salty, but it filled my belly well. 🙂

I can’t wait to go back when I’m not panic-eating.  They had some really good-looking vegetarian sandwiches too!  I want to try their tofu “salami.”  And they have Hell or High Watermelon, a beer by 21st Amendment, on tap.  Must have.

I’m going to stop rambling (I do that when I’m nervous) and turn it over to Kat!  Thank you again for the overwhelming amount of supportive comments and well-wishes.  I’ll respond as soon as I can!  For now… I’m of to get some boobs.

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Positive Thoughts and Perfect Scallops

I can’t believe TODAY is Laura’s surgery (Editor’s note: neither can Laura)!  Sending good vibes for a safe and successful procedure!  I can’t wait to see the results (Editor’s note: pervert!) and go shopping with her for clothes that will fit her new body!  I also can’t wait until Monday when I am planning on making her dinner at her place (Editor’s note: I cannot thank you enough!!).

In my world right now, bar review is kicking my ass, and it’s taking everything in my power to keep sane.  Part of that is being super scheduled.  BOO!  Missing one day is a way bigger deal than I thought it would be.

A Sample Day of Bar Review:

  • 9am-1pm: Class
  • 1pm-2pm: Break
  • 2pm-6pm: Homework (Reconciling notes with outlines plus TONS of practice questions)
  • 9pm-10pm: Review for next day

 

Yes, this is my whole summer, 5 days per week, until I take the bar exam on July 30 and 31st.  End in sight!  Send me positive vibes for good studying!  (Editor’s note: you are going to ROCK this thing!)

PositiveThoughts

In the meantime, in trying not to lose my mind, I have been trying to keep a lot of positive mantras and thoughts to make sure this whole bar review experience is a positive one!

I am going to pass the bar the first time!

Go Do Them

I’ve also been rewarding myself for all of my hard work.   Last post, you saw my new bike.   This time, I have my new car to show you!

She’s a 2013 VW Tiguan:

New VW Car

Seriously, every time I drive her, I am reminded of how hard I have worked and how far I have come.  I was driving such a piece of crap before, and this truly feels like a reward.

I am now a firm believer in rewarding yourself for your triumphs (Editor’s note: Amen to THAT!). (Let’s not talk about my new insurance policy cost).

There she is again!

There she is again!

Everyone seems to name their cars. I’m thinking I like “Skipper,” “Skip” for short, but I’m not sold on it.  Maybe you guys can help!  (Editor’s note: I still like Terra!)

 

My other reward for all the hard work I am currently putting myself through is trail runs and time with friends (and family).  I recently got to do some more trail runs with friends and by myself!  Remember – BALANCE.

People ask how I have time for this during bar review.  My response is always, “You have time for the things that are important to you.”  TRUTH!  (Editor’s note: Can I get another AMEN?!)

Trail Race with Friends

Trail Race with Friends

What’s also important to me is healthy living, eating healthy, and enjoying fun, new food!  This week, my mom came to visit.  Typically, we go out a lot.

This time, we had 2/3 of our dinners “in” at my place!  It was so wonderful. I also found my new FAVORITE preparation for Sea Scallops.

Scallops

First, I have to say that I absolutely and totally hate over-cooked scallops.  Being that it’s one of my favorite foods, and I used to date a chef who makes the most perfect scallops in the world, I am hard to please in this area.  But this is what mom asked for, so I thought I would give it a try using a different method… and it was BETTER.

There are a few keys to this in my opinion: temperature, type of pan, seasoning, and oil.

Scallops

12 Steps to Perfect Sea Scallops

  1. Use an aluminum pan with no non-stick coating
  2. Place the pan on the burner a little higher than medium heat, but NOT medium high
  3. Put enough coconut oil in the pan to coat the bottom of the pan
  4. Wait until you see the heat rising from the pan (~3-5 mins)
  5. Take the “mussel” off the scallop (it’s the little tough piece that connects the scallop to the shell… it comes right off)
  6. Season the Sea Scallops with sea salt and freshly ground pepper on both sides.
  7. Once the pan is hot, use tongs to place each scallop carefully in the pan
  8. KEY: Wait until you see them start to caramelize on the bottom of the pan (~5 mins… but really, color is most important). Once they do, you can easily turn them without them sticking to the pan
  9. Use the tongs to turn them over, one at a time
  10. Turn off the heat (Yes, do NOT cook them over the heat on both sides… this will OVER-COOK them)
  11. Take the pan off the heat
  12. Wait 3 minutes before serving

 

The coconut oil gave them the perfect flavor and I think it helped to seal in moisture.  Turning off the heat after you fully sear one side keeps it from overcooking.  They do NOT need to be cooked on both sides.

Scallops

These are served with organic beets, sautéed with onion and the beet greens that came on the beets!  (Editor’s note: I LOVE beet greens!!!)

Mom and I also shared a cheese plate before dinner that I forgot to take pictures of!

Dessert

For dessert, we shared this coconut avocado mousse (using a double of this recipe), but added a tablespoon of cocoa powder, a splash of vanilla, and a couple teaspoons of maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt.  No individual dishes necessary.  YUM!

I also treated myself to 3 new pairs of running shoes. I’ll review them next time, after I have time to test them all out!

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I just love how Kat write what I need to hear.  I can’t wait to share with you what tastiness she cooks for me Monday!!!!

What is your trick for scallops, if you have one?

Any new car name ideas?  Does your car have a name?

Comments

  1. You’re going to be fine Laura! And I know how you feel about the anesthesia – I felt the same about that madness. NO food for that long made me sad.
    But, it will be well worth it!
    Sending many healing vibes your way!!

    I’m not a scallop eater, but I’m all over that avocado mousse! That stuff is always a favorite of mine:)

  2. mmmmmmm dessert sounds so up my ally 🙂 😉 even read my post today and you will see for yourself 😉 however…. scallops are another one of my favs, so I JUST LOVE THIS ENTIRE POST 😀 YUM!

  3. lol laura you crack me up!!!! i LOVE scallops but have never made them at home. cooking seafood at home intimidates me. really any type of meat or fish does besides chicken.. i should change that

    • I hate cooking/touching meat and chicken… so I never make it. For some reason, I am way more comfortable with fish and scallops. It’s easier and less “gross” to touch, for me.

  4. Holy Cow, Kat…that sounds like a lot of work! I’m sure it does to you, too. Love your positive mottos, though, they really can help when you need it. Love your new car! I always wonder why VW has such weird names for their cars. Can never figure that out. She’s a beauty though! If you talk to Laura, tell her I’m sending positive thoughts her way!

    • Apparently VW surveys the public in Germany to pick names! “Tiguan” came from a cross between “Tiger” and “Iguana” – the fierceness and performance of a tiger with the chameleon factor of the iguana. Interesting right!?

      I will tell laura on Monday when I see her! And thanks for the positive thoughts for bar review! 🙂

  5. I named my 2nd car (the first one I bought myself). It was Eli the Eclipse. The 2nd one was another Eclipse (white) and affectionately known as The Marshmallow. My 3rd car (another Eclipse, convertible) was all black and we called it the Bat Mobile. I have not named my new car (not an Eclipse). I kind of like Terra though I said in my head Terre the T-Rex

  7. Laura – Sending positive thoughts your way! 🙂
    Kat – I am always apprehensive when making any seafood because I tend to overcook it, since I am afraid that if I UNDERcook it, my family will die. Great tips & I’ll have to try this sometime this summer! 🙂

    • Well, seafood is actually okay to serve rare/raw, so I wouldn’t worry about undercooking as much! Think about it– so may ceviches and such… sushi, etc! 🙂

  9. My cars name is Dunder Mufflin.

    Also I cannot wait to try scallops made this way!! I’ve been scared to make them!

  10. Scallops are one of my favourites but I’ve always been afraid to make them at home! So clearly I have to attempt it now 😀
    My car doesn’t have a name, but my bike is Queen Cersei! (yup, Game of Thrones nerd).

  11. I love sea scallops, and just tried making them at home for the first time a few months ago.

    lol, Laura, about not being able to eat after midnight. I thought the same thing when I had my wisdom teeth removed recently. Seriously? I can’t eat for 8 hours prior?!? That’s craziness. 😉

  15. Overcooked scallops are the worst! I’ve only ever had them overcooked by my own doing LOL. Oh well.

    Sending positive thoughts!!

  18. You forgot to take a picture of the cheese plate. Well, I never…!

    I’m glad you mastered the art of scallops, and I love the line ““You have time for the things that are important to you.” Not only is it true, but I’d go one step further and say the break and the exercise are beneficial to your studying since it recharges you.

    Wishing you well Laura. Can’t wait to see the new girls (Kat’s not the only pervert), with clothes on, of course.

    • I, too, was offended by the lack of a cheese plate pic. 😉

      Thank you, prev… I mean Meghan. 😉 Pics will ensue. Not to worry.

    • 🙂 You two made me smile reading your comments this morning! And SO true that the exercise and rest are necessary for recharging!

Trackbacks

  1. […] should know this: 12 steps to perfect sea scallops via Sprint 2 the […]

  2. […] other “real” meal I ate was on my first night home.  Kat (who blogs here every other Thursday), came over and made me a delicious meal!  She made perfect shrimp and served it over a fresh […]

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