working on my mussels
Lots of seafood ahead…
But first, these bunnies! I picked them up at Home Goods as an effort to add some Easter-ish decor and they look just like the foil-covered chocolate bunnies. Sadly, there is no chocolate inside, but theyโre pretty cute. ๐
How was your weekend? Hope you had a great one! On Friday, we took Liv to Mission to ride the carousel and play some games, and then enjoyed a date night later that evening. We went to the Fish Market, which we hadnโt been to since Liv was 6 months old and we were here on vacation. The Fish Market is located downtown, right on the harbor with a gorgeous view, and as youโd expect, they have any type of seafood you could wish for. They have smoked, grilled, fried fish, sushi, cioppino, oysters, mussels, crab legs, EVERYTHING. Itโs very difficult to make menu decisions.
We ended up sharing the smoked fish crostini and house salads for appetizers:
and I rolled with the mussels. Iโm on a huge mussel kick lately, and these were perfectly cooked and seasoned: light, lemon-y and lots of garlic.
<3
After dinner, we headed to the Shout House, which is a dueling piano bar downtown. If youโre ever in San Diego and looking for a spot to: 1) sing loudly, 2) relax and have some cocktails, 3) enjoy some insane music from talented and hilarious musicians and/or 4) revel in SUPREME people-watching, this is the place for you. It was packed, and there were multiple bridal parties, which made it extra amazing. PS the girl on the left can beat box, and she is incredible.
Saturday night, we went to Whitneyโs house for their housewarming party. I knew they were doing a clambake, so I thought Iโd take a salad along with us. I made this version of an old favorite: chopped quinoa salad with veggies and fresh herbs. So, so good.
The only bummer is that the Wildcats were playing, I forgot about the quinoa and overcooked it by 10 years. It still came out pretty well. ๐
First I cook the quinoa, and add a squeeze of lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper and allow to cool while I chop the veggies. I add in cucumber, red bell pepper, tomatoes, kalamata olives, herbed goat cheese, mint and parsley, then season again with salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil.
The quinoa was still a little warm, so the goat cheese melted in. It worked out nicely. ๐
The party was a blast and there was so much amazing food. (I had my first bit of Texas sheet cake. I KNOW.)
Poor Liv was not stoked with the crawfish. One of the little girls took her to look at them in the cooler -she thought Liv would think they were cool- and she ran back screaming to me. She was ok after a couple of minutes, and had so much fun playing with all of the kids.
Sunday was fruit on the beach and sandy toes.
This morning, weโre back in the swing of things and time to work on some muscles: BODYPUMP o’clock. ๐
Have an awesome Monday and Iโll see you this afternoon!
xoxo
Gina
Something to do: this TRX circuit! Itโs a great way to challenge your entire body with one piece of equipment.
Oh my..what a delicious weekend! That salad look fantastic as does all the seafood! I love your nailpolish colour as well…beautiful. Have a fantastic day ๐
thank you! it’s an old sally hansen
I had the most delicious mussels this weekend too! They were in a super spicy coconut-herb broth. I never make them at home, so they always call out to me when I see them on a menu.
that sounds incredible! i’m too afraid to make them at home, too
Piano bars are so fun! Gosh, it’s been ages since I’ve been to one. I hope that changes soon. Also, all of that food looks amazing. Get in my belly… now.
I’m going on my first trip to San Diego this Wednesday-Friday for a conference! Maybe we can try out Shout House on Thursday night. Thanks for the awesome suggestion!
yay, hope you have a blast here!!
Oh my gosh, the fish feast you had looks amazing! I don’t blame Liv for freaking out. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest and seeing tons of freaky looking sea life like crabs, lobsters, etc I literally could not eat seafood until I was in my early 20’s. So sad, I know!
Jill
Latest post: Opinion of a Fit Girl – The Latest Fitness Trends
yeah, i would have screamed too haha
i haven’t had mussels in so long! i never think to make them at home but they really aren’t hard to prepare.
I guess a Home Goods trip is in store for today, those bunnies are too adorable!
As a San Diego native, I must commend you on your dinner choice ๐ We go to the “Fish” about once a month. Insider tip – if the restaurant is packed, just sit in the bar. Kid friendly and full menu! Always open seats. And get a side of pesto for their yummy bread. Best mussels ever, right?!?
I also wanted to thank you. I am now a member of OTF, and I wouldn’t have even heard of it if it wasn’t for you. I’m 40, 2 kids, and really need to get back in shape. OTF is the answer. Soo sore every day, but in the best way!!! Thank you!!!
it’s SO so good!! good to know about the bar, too! and yes, the mussels were incredible
so happy to hear you’re loving OTF!! the best ๐
Aww, poor Livi! Those things can definitely be creepy looking for a little one! I love mussels too!!! Yum!
What a fun weekend! I’ve been to that dueling piano bar. I want to go there when I get married and take our picture there. If I ever meet a guy… ๐
I *love* mussels when they are perfectly cooked… with lots of butter and vinegar! Glad it looks like you guys had a great weekend ๐
I’ve yet to try crawfish, but aw that’s so cute of Liv. ๐
I love a good dueling-piano bar! And of course, seafood. Glad you had a nice weekend:)
Quinoa chopped salad! I’ve done this minus the peppers- used it as a filling and stuffed baby peppers wrapped in organic turkey bacon and served as appetizers on Christmas eve. Love the idea of eating it just as u posted! Ooh, I made the lemon paleontologist cake yesterday- divine! The hubby loved it- ! Poor Li. We live in New Orleans and crawfish and seafood boils are all the rage , but if I think about what I’m eating I get grossed out! Lol
Just referred my comment. Paleo cake! It changed it to paleontologists, lol Monday, Monday, lol
Mmm, paleontologist cake! ; )
haha i figured it was autocorrect. it was a good one, though!
i love the idea to use if for pepper stuffing! needs to happen!
Looks awesome! I moved from the East coast to Chicago in Nov and am hoping that there is still enough seafood for me to enjoy here!
Sounds like a delicious dish! I’m at the beach this week and hoping to get some fresh seafood!
the best!
Does Fitbit send you all the new models to try out, too? I wish they weren’t so big and black. I have them all and find them all a little too clunky for comfort, but I’m a minimalist! I just need a chip implanted, I think.
haha i agree! no, the only one i’ve received from fitbit was the charge. i bought the flex, but lost it when we moved :/ they’re all chunky and pretty gaudy, but i notice i’m more active when i wear it
I LOVE the fish market. And we have a picture in front of that statue, but being nerdy and doing the same pose as the statue haha
we were going to, but people were watching haha
I haven’t been to a Piano Bar in forever.Sounds like so much fun! Love the pic of you and the Pilot.
thank you, lovely! xoxo
I love your Easter decorations! They look do look like their tasty chocolate cousin! Sounds like an amazing weekend! Love the end, fruit salad and the beach! ๐
So much seafood! I’ve also been on a mussel kick just recently. I usually hate the little suckers but sling ’em in some garlic butter and I swear they are the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I wasn’t going to go out today but now I really want some mussels!
Looks like you had an amazing time!
hahah that is so true!