Garden update & easy dinner idea
Look at me being somewhat consistent. Here are a few things I’ve been up to/into, including an easy weeknight dinner if you’re out of ideas. Enjoy!
Garden update
If you follow me on Instagram, then you’re probably aware that I have a little garden I’m trying to keep alive. I’m by no means a “gardener”, and there’s definitely been some ups and downs. They say gardening is good for anxiety, but I think for a while it was actually causing it. It’s going much better now. My banana peppers and serrano peppers seem to be very happy. And I think one of my white corns is almost ready to pick with more on the way. My sugar pumpkins were struggling for a while, mainly because of the mealybugs, as was my okra. But I managed to save a few of the plants and they seem to be thriving. Just have to regularly keep an eye out for any mealybugs still lingering around. I use a rubbing alcohol/dish detergent/water concoction in a spray bottle and spray the plants every now and then to keep pests away. Seems to be doing the job.
The resurgence of Paramore
I have been a Paramore fan since their Conspiracy and Misery Business era. So when they took a break from making music together after their After Laughter album I hoped that their “break” wasn’t just a way to let us down easy.
I continued listening to Haley’s solo music and loved how her singing style transformed, and it helped make up for the lack of new Paramore music. But now Paramore is releasing an album in February next year and I have been counting down the days! They released the title track from the album This Is Why in September and have just released their second single The News. I’m so happy with their sound and how Hayley is incorporating some of her solo style.
Just thought I’d share my excitement with you. Also, they’re currently on tour, so if you’re in the US or anywhere else, you better go because I’m just waiting around over here in Australia hoping they make it down here.
Easy weeknight tacos
Ok, I cannot recommend this recipe enough. Lindsey Rem shared this recipe on YouTube and it’s been my go-to meal ever since. If you’re vegan then this is perfect for you, but even if you’re not, it’s a cheap meal and you won’t miss the meat, I promise. I can’t seem to find the exact recipe that Lindsey shared but here’s my version:
Ingredients:
tortillas (I use corn)
potatoes (diced)
red bell pepper (diced)
taco seasoning
sour cream (optional)
shredded cheese
cilantro
sliced pickled jalapeños (optional)
salt and pepper. to taste
olive oil
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Add diced potatoes and bell pepper to lined tray. Drizzle with olive oil and toss. Add a little salt and pepper and taco seasoning to your liking and then toss. Cook in oven for about 30 minutes or until potatoes are soft.
Once that’s done, heat up the tortillas and add a little shredded cheese to each. Then add the potatoes and bell pepper. Top with cilantro, sour cream, and jalapeños. And done.
Super easy. The way you make them doesn’t have to be exact. You can modify it as you wish. Hope this gives you an idea for dinner when you have no idea what you’re making. Enjoy!
My latest blog post:
GUIDE TO CAIRNS: COZY CAFES
There's something about going to a cafe just to get out of the house and work on a few things on your laptop or read a book or just have a casual catch-up over a cup of coffee with a friend. But I find that there are so many cafes in Cairns that are packed with groups of people having brunch — loud talking, a lineup at the front with people waiting to be seated, and feeling that as soon as you finish your meal the waitress is just waiting for you to leave so that the next people can be seated. Rush rush rush. There's certainly a time and a place for that, but when you're in a new area, it's difficult to know what the ~vibe~ of the cafe down the street is going to be like. There's nothing more awkward than sitting down, ordering only a cup of coffee when the waitress just gave you an extensive brunch menu, and then feeling like you're overstaying your welcome. So to save you the embarrassment and awkwardness, here's a brief list of a few cafes I've visited where I would feel comfortable only ordering a single cup of coffee and staying for a while.