My love of steak rivals most grown men. I can't help it, I love it. I crave it if I haven't had it in a while and love nothing more than that first bite off of the hot grill. Ninety percent of the time I just like it as is...some salt and pepper and throw that bad boy on a super hot pit. That sizzle is a sexy sound in my book. Then there is about ten percent of the time I like to do something different with steak. Something like these Cuban flank steak stuffed potatoes...because the flavor combos are the perfect marriage stuffed into a tender and salty potato.

And...I still get my sizzle.

Spicy with a touch of sweetness, every bite is the perfect combination of everything you could ever hope for inside of a good ole russet potato. I fell in love with Cuban flavors when we were in Miami and have been wanting to make something ever since...let's see it's almost August, so it only took me five months. The thing to focus on here is that I did make it, and the good news is, they were so delicious that I am sharing the recipe with you!

Get a little crazy and make some extra, you are going to want them for lunch the next day...and maybe the next.

PostedJuly 29, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDinner

Tagsstuffed potatoes, cuban flank steak, flank steak, grilled, fresh, healthy, summer recipes, dinner, dinner recipes, clean eating, gluten free, Cuban food

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Have you guys heard about pop-up farmer's markets yet? It is such a cool idea, and a great way for everyone to be able to get farm fresh food! The ladies at Country Table, Kallie and Lauren, are doing it right! You might remember me talking about them before when I interviewed them, here! They are literally popping up all over the city, making it super easy for anyone to stop by on their lunch break, on their way to or from work, or for moms with kids that need to get in and out! It's quick and painless shopping and the best part is you have direct access to healthy and fresh food to feed your family!

For me, I love that if I can't make it to my normal farmer's market on Saturday, there is another option for me to pick up some fresh ingredients! I recently stopped by one of Country Table's pop-up markets and had such a great time! Not only were they there, but The Big Squeezy (a local juicery) and POPCulture POPs (local and delicious popsicles made with fresh ingredients) were also there selling their delicious products!

PostedJuly 28, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesFarm to Table

Tagsfarm fresh, farm to fork, Country Table, fresh ingredients, popsicles, juicing, juicery, The Big Squeezy, POPCulture POPs, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, shop local, eat local, clean eating, cleanse

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Every Saturday it's the same routine...I wake up at seven to get to the local farmer's market by eight so that I can snatch up all of the best goodies before they all get gone, I come home plan out my week's menu, and then usually do some housework, some blog work, and then that evening we usually get takeout or end up going out to eat. It's a great Saturday actually and there really is no reason to disturb my routine...but I have had a couple people recently telling me about how the Lafayette farmer's market is really neat, and the town itself has great food and is super cute.

A girlfriend and I decided to shake up our Saturday routines (which is really good to do) and head to Lafayette, Louisiana yesterday and make a day of it by hitting up the farmer's market, eating lunch and exploring the town a little. It was a great day and I had no idea that I had been missing out on a place that is less than an hour down the road.

It's Cajun country at its best, so the market was full of unique vendors, live Cajun music, and lots of yummy smells coming from every direction...and there was face painting, which of course we had to partake in! There we were, two thirty somethings waiting in line with all the other little girls who were getting their face painted too, and I'm not sure who was more excited..us or them. Probably us...

PostedJuly 27, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesWeekends

TagsSaturday things, weekends, Lafayette, Lousiana, Cajun, Cajun music, farmers market, local, shop local, friends

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peanut butter, honey, and banana dog treats.jpg

I've been trying to explain to Amos and Rutledge that this week is not about them but that it's about all doggies and helping the ones that don't have homes. But they are kind of selfish and have had trouble understanding why, if it is doggie week, they have not really gotten anything out of the deal. So after much debate, I caved and made them some peanut butter, honey, and banana dog treats so that they felt special too...apparently they aren't spoiled enough...

They lead very hard lives of napping, eating, going on long walks, getting their bellies scratched and then napping again in fluffy beds so I could see where they needed a little treat...can't you?

Nevertheless, I made them treats...as I usually cave to their demands (I am not the disciplinary in the family) and figured that you might want this doggie treat recipe to bake for your furry kids who think they need a little something extra over the weekend.

PostedJuly 25, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDogs

Tagsdog treats, homemade dog treats, peanut butter, banana, honey, whole wheat, puppy week, dog lovers, pup treats

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Portraits of Doggies Adopted and Available

By now you know that this week is doggie week here on My Diary of Us and I just had to spotlight my new favorite app and how it and you can help local animal shelters just by walking your dog! My old man of a dog, Rutledge is from a shelter and so this topic is near and dear to me! It's so easy, and honestly a genius way for all of us to be a part of helping shelters and the dogs who end up there on a daily basis! Along with sharing the app, I'm going to give you a behind the scenes look at the adoption organization that I linked my app to, Friends of the Animals!

First let's talk about the Walk For a Dog program. It's a program that encourages us to get out and walk, bike, or run with our pups ( just more encouragement to be active and keep our pets active)! You can pick which shelter you would like to donate to by simply selecting it when you set up your app, which is actually called the WoofTrax App. All you have to do is bring your phone with you and turn on the app every time that you walk, bike, or run and just like that you are helping a shelter! How amazing is that?

PostedJuly 23, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDogs

Tagsanimal shelters, walk for a dog, walk for a dog app, wooftrax, friends of the animals, dog lovers, helping animals, volunteer

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Meet the talented Becky Guarisco! She's an artist and a graphic designer with a heart for all animals! She is not only amazing what she does, but she is also one of the most lovely people I have ever been around! Becky specializes in painting watercolor portraits of dogs, but has recently added cats (and soon horses) to her list of paintings.

She has a background in graphic design and is an assistant art director for a company here in Louisiana, but has always found time to do her own art work in her free time. Painting and drawing have always been a part of her life and she has never imagined a life without it!

PostedJuly 21, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesInterviews

Tagswatercolor art, dog portraits, painting, artist, interview, giveaway, dog lovers, watercolors, dog art, animal art, Becky Guarisco

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