Blog - Adventures of a Sick Chick

Throwing the Perfect Oscar Party

February 15, 2015

***This post was originally published in February 2014, and being that it’s (by far) my most popular post (who would’ve thought?!), I wanted to share it with you again, this time with a few updates. Happy Oscar-party-planning!*** My friend Shannon and I used to throw the best Oscar parties…well, at least we thought they were. This was way back in the day, long before Oscar parties were trendy, and long before the Internet was flooded with creative ideas right at our fingertips. We were inspired simply by our love for movies: I was a Film Studies graduate and… Read More

Super-Duper Yummy Artichokes (Paleo, AIP, Whole30, Vegan)

January 22, 2015

If you’re simply steaming your artichokes, you are doing it wrong. I don’t mean to get all judgy, but seriously, you’re missing out on something really good. I say this because artichokes are one of the most delectable veggies out there, but when they aren’t prepared and cooked the right way, they can be tasteless and bland. They are one of those vegetables that need to be infused with flavor, and if you get it right, your tastebuds will rejoice. Besides being delicious, artichokes are packed with nutrition. Just in case you’ve never eaten an artichoke, here’s a little tip:… Read More

Vintage Vacation: Road Trip to San Francisco

January 10, 2015

Although I’ve been to San Francisco many times, it was my first trip there that stands out as an extra special memory. I was 18 years old and halfway through my first year of community college, when my friends (Deanne and Jenn) and I decided to take a road trip up the California coast to check out several college campuses. It was December 1992…the days when we dressed in oversized flannels, baggy jeans, and clunky hiking boots (because apparently, it was really cool to look like a lumberjack). It also explains the grainy, somewhat blurry photos. This was back… Read More

Paleo Shrimp Scampi (Whole30)

December 10, 2014

Every Christmas Eve, my family makes the most amazing seafood feast (a common tradition in Italian families). One of my favorite courses is my cousin Tina’s delicious shrimp scampi, and this recipe for Paleo shrimp scampi is inspired by hers. While traditional scampi is often made with white wine, butter and sometimes wheat flour or bread crumbs, this Paleo version delivers the same punch of flavor and texture but with Paleo-approved ingredients. It’s also Whole30 friendly! This Paleo shrimp scampi is the perfect dish to serve at one of your holiday celebrations…or any time of the year! (gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free)… Read More

Sautéed Broccolini (Paleo, Whole30, Vegan)

November 8, 2014

Chances are that many of us are going to be surrounded with many rich, indulgent dishes this Thanksgiving. If we’re blessed enough to have an abundance of food, there will most likely be no shortage of stuffing (or dressing), mashed potatoes and thick gravy to top it all. Green vegetables, however, are often altogether another story. That’s why I love this recipe for sautéed broccolini. Although we usually refer to those starchy sides as “comfort foods,” to me, it’s far more comfortable to know I have some healthy options from which to choose. When I was a kid, eating my… Read More

Vintage Vacation: Nashville / Memphis

August 2, 2014

When I think about my visit to Tennessee several years ago, three things come to mind: the music (both present and past), the whiskey (or bourbon, to be more specific) and the biscuits (yes, biscuits get a category all their own). My friend, Enza, and I went to Nashville to visit our friend, Nancy, who was living there at the time. It was only for a three-day weekend, so it was a whirlwind of a trip, but a good whirlwind. I was pursuing my songwriting endeavors during that time, so I was excited to soak up the history and energy… Read More

Paleo Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Muffins

June 20, 2014

My latest mini obsession: cinnamon! While working on this recipe for Paleo chocolate chip muffins (as well my Paleo chocolate chip cookie recipe, to be published soon), I found that cinnamon is the perfect compliment of flavor. Not only does it give a hint of a little extra something special and make these one my favorite baked goodies right now, but it also is believed to have numerous health benefits. Using cinnamon along with my other usual ingredient favorites, such as coconut flour, coconut oil and honey, makes these muffins a guilt-free, indulgent Paleo treat. And these Paleo cinnamon chocolate… Read More

Why I Liked the How I Met Your Mother Series Finale

April 4, 2014

(Warning: series spoilers ahead) Upon the heels of the How I Met Your Mother series finale – and the subsequent polarizing uproar it created – I feel compelled to share why I actually think it was a moving and fitting conclusion to the nine-year story. I hope even the naysayers will hear me out. I personally thought the writers did an excellent job of preparing us for the fact that the Mother was dead, and the fact that Ted might ultimately end up with Robin years later. Sure, it would have helped if they’d spent more time on this detail during the… Read More