a'may'zing grace

Oh.M(Mmmmm).G!  Love this new recipe I found (thanks to Pinterest) for Spinach Pancakes.  Love this blog in general for some clever recipes!

Spinach Pancakes

I made this recipe last night and let me tell you, I am in love.  I am already a fan of spinach via my spinach smoothies, but the simplicity of this recipe + the fact that it tricks me to thinking it's bread (minus all the salt, sugar, processing, etc) = greatness for me!  I personally found these "pancakes" to be very versatile.  I think they will go best as suggested by the blogger - as a sandwich/bread replacement.  I used them for a grilled veggie & feta sandwich and it was delicious.  I simply used left over grilled veggies (if you can't grill, throw your fave veggies in a saucepan with a drizzle of EVOO, balsamic vinegar, and seasoning of choice - we use Paula Deen's steak seasoning - and sauté...more suggestions below) and sprinkled feta cheese on top, then I zapped the sammy in the microwave and it was seriously so good. 

I was extra adventurous and made a PB&J (with rasberry preserves) for my snack today with the spinach pancake.  I love me some PB&J so the thought of not having to use traditional bread allowed me to take the leap... and I thought it was good (however, you can still taste a hint of the spinach so this would be for the truly adventurous/I really like spinach people).

-I doubled the recipe in order to get several more pancakes out of it

-I used a combination of almond flour and wheat flour (half & half) as I did not have rice flour.  I would say use what you like best.  I may go for a coconut/almond mixture next time to make them gluten free + extra fiber

-I found that the cakes cook better when spread pretty thin in order to avoid a gooey inside and they doo cook longer than a normal pancake would (keep flipping)

-I love Chia Seeds and their versatility! (just had to throw that in there)

If you're curious what veggies I use when we grill (we use this grill basket because it flexes to accomodate fish, veggies, whatever you want!), here is a list:

-broccoli (oh yes, this is something we always grill as it has a crunchy texture to it once cooked and just tastes awesome with the grill flavors and marinade)

-thick sliced roma tomatoes

-sliced eggplant

-slivered yellow squash

-slivered zucchini

-thick cut sweet yellow onion

-all colors of peppers (red, yellow, green, orange)

Marinade all of that with the three ingredients listed above and grill!  YUM!

Hope someone out there is brave enough to give those pancakes a try - I was sure happy I did! :)

I traveled to Brazil on business twice during September and October in 2011.  It certainly was a new experience (in many ways, both good and...I'll say not so good instead of bad, haha) for me.

I work in the Oil & Gas industry, and more specifically we specialize in ultra deepwater drilling.  We operate only ultra deepwater drillships and that puts us in a very unique and specialized niche in the offshore drilling market.  Our company is relatively new (started in 2008...I was our 7th employee worldwide, which is my only claim to fame haha) so at this point in 2012 we are in a very busy growth stage.  I specifically work in our Human Resources department and am an HR Generalist primarily focused right now on special projects.  One of my main projects currently is our regional office implementation in Brazil.  We recently contracted one of our vessels in Rio and I am specifically focused on setting up our office there that will employee both expatriates and local Brazilians, and will be the support office for all operational vessels and their crews contracted in the region. 

I really feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity to travel to Brazil and take on this project.  With the help of our whole HR team, we really are playing a huge part in achieving our operational goal to begin drilling ASAP.  Of course, there have been some interesting challenges with all this traveling for me.  For my first trip I literally left on a whim (submitted for my visa on a Thursday, got it back on Tuesday and left that same evening)!  I left work at 4pm that afternoon and was on a plane at 9pm to Rio.  When you're not a frequent international traveler, a 10-hour flight sure is a long one (even if overnight).  And on my first flight back (when I was so excited to get back home to my husband and pup) we had a two hour delay after taking off and re-landing in Rio + and emergency stop in Panama at 3am in the morning due to losing cabin pressue!  It was insane.  After a lot of anxiety, waiting and plane changing, I finally made it home 14 hours later.  So needless to say, my first trip was filled with lots of new experiences, haha.  The second trip went very smoothly and there were no plane issues thank goodness.

My trips were both about two weeks long and all work - my days consisted of going from the hotel to the office, back to the hotel, sleep and do it all again.  We did go to some amazing dinners in Rio which was very exciting; lots of great food and a great atmosphere everywhere we went!  I wasn't able to really explore Rio like a true tourist since I was there on my own and it really isn't safe when you're alone.  My hotel was on the beach though and I was able to run the Boardwalk and enjoy the views.  On my 2nd trip I was so fortunate to spend time with the wife of one of our executives who lives in Rio.  We had breakfast at a local bakery and I was able to see their beautiful home (literally at the top of a mountain in the trees!).   We also visited downtown Rio to see the historic buildings which was very cool!  My absolute favorite part of it all was during my 2nd trip... seeing Christ the Redeemer and our amazing helicopter tour over Rio.  Absolutely breathtaking!  I may be going back to Rio this year to check in with the office periodically now that they are up and running on their own.  I continue to advise and support them remotely.

And now, let the pictures begin...

view from my hotel in Barra

The awesome little bakery we went to...

awesome Brazilian baked goods
(pardon my terrible hair and attire; it was the rainy season)...on Copacabana Beach
another view from my hotel...
my balcony...
street view

beach
pretty sunrise

halfway to see Christ the Redeemer

our helicopter arrived :)
lifting off in the helicopter over Rio
up we go :)
it was literally breathtaking seeing the city and Christ from this view...
words just cannot describe and this picture does the experience no justice...one I will never ever forget.

awesome
incredible

wow

I wish I remembered each area of Rio we were seeing; I was so excited (and the tour was impromptu) and I was unprepared to take notes!  Enjoy these aerial views...




Sugar Loaf






After the helicopter tour, we made our way up to the Christ statue.  If you ever go, take the stairs and enjoy the views. :)

where's Rani? ;)

downtown Rio



I was so very fortunate to have such a generous and thoughtful tour guide to show me this side of the city.  It really turned a stressful business trip into a real cultural experience.  Blessed.

My role with my company may take me to other parts of the world this year, which I plan to share here.  Stay tuned! :)

I must say, 2011 really was such a great year for us.  We really made the most of our first full year as husband & wife...great trips, great friends & family time, and just enjoying being together.

Here are some of our main events in 2011 in pictures:

 In Dallas for St. Patrick's Day weekend

 Greenville that same weekend - Jeff's friends are hilarious and we had such a great time!

 Supporting my man's team!  Spurs v. Rockets in Houston

 six month wedding anniversary dinner at the Daily Review <3

 After the relay with friends at Sharkies in Port Aransas

 My first trip to Mexico and the start of our friend-cation in Cabo on Memorial Day weekend!

 beautiful Cabo San Lucas

 amazing views!

 all the girls - so awesome vacationing with a huge group of friends!

 our resort was just perfect - RIU Santa Fe

 on lover's beach with the love of my life

 Jeff's birthday dinner #2 at UP

 our fantastic trip with Jeff's parents to Northern California!  Sandy and I taking in the view on our way to Yosemite.

 hiking the falls...this picture was fitting because we were at "Bridalveil" and Sandy thought it was cute. :)

 lots of hiking was done :)

 love

 the May men

 such a great experience

 taking it all in :)

 same trip, but now in Monterrey where we spent two nights at the amazing Hyatt

 before our visit to the world famous Aquarium in Monterrey

 same trip and now on to wine country!  Robert Mondavi where we took a tour - it was literally a perfect day for wine tasting!

 another vineyard :)

 in Sonoma on the square

our little San Fran post card ;) 

 love this picture of Jeff and San Francisco in the background

 In July we met our little man, Maximus (Max) for the first time <3

 With sweet Sandy :)

 The view at the restaurant (Adalco's) is really nice where you can see lots of San Antonio.

 Celebrating Jeff's move out of public accounting to the private equity industry.  He is now a Controller for a firm in Houston which is such an amazing achievement!

 Still in July, we spent a weekend with friends at Canyon Lake that was the perfect get-away!  

 on my birthday in August with my sweet boy <3

 Back in Austin celebrating Jeff's uncle 60th birthday

 In Wimberley, TX in September for a friend's wedding

 with my fran Lexi ;)

 loving on my little man  - love him so much

 in Dallas for the Red River shootout and my first time at the State Fair!!

two work trips to Rio in October (post to follow on those trips) 

 my PHENOMENAL helicopter ride over Rio - one of THE most amazing experiences of my life (this is my picture from the helicopter!)

 another great view from the tour of Copacobana beach

from our hike up to see Christ the Redeemer.  Just amazing. 

 on the Riverwalk in November celebrating our one year wedding anniversary; a perfect weekend. :)

 we drove up to Fredericksburg for one day during our trip to visit some of the wineries 

 I feel so blessed to have this man as my husband.  Love him so much. <3

at a wedding in November 

 our sweet nephew was born in October and I took this picture of him at Thanksgiving. :)

 South Congress in Austin - we love Austin :)

 Jeff bought himself a Shelby mustang this year so we've spent some time at different car shows and events in honor of his love for all cars fast and classic. :)

 lots of fun with friends in December :)

 back at the Zaza for Jeff's company's holiday party 

 Christmas Eve with my men

 ringing in 2012 for the first time in Houston since we moved back three years ago!  Dinner at Azuma then the Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Hotel.  Such a fun end to 2011!

We really made the most of 2011 and hope to do the same in 2012.  We are blessed, happy and healthy and look forward to all that lies ahead!

Adios, 2011!  We loved every minute!