Everything Bagels

I've lived in St. Pete for almost nine months. (I know, WHAA??) It's a pretty great place to live, mainly because St. Pete does three things really well - beers, burgers and beaches.

Much to my dismay on many a Sunday morning, "bagels" is not one of those Bs.

You know the feeling - perhaps you partook in one - or all three - of the aforementioned Bs on Saturday. You wake up on Sunday morning dehydrated. Maybe you discover that sneaky sunburn on that place you alway miss with sunscreen right by your armpit. You go to make coffee and realize that you've never wanted anything more than a bagel AT THIS INSTANT.

If you live in New York - kudos. Walk downstairs and be greeted with a crusty, chewy ring of yeasty bread and creamy cheese. Enjoy your day. 

In St. Pete, you can drive 50 blocks to stand in a line that goes on forever just to get yelled at by an Eastern European woman. Or you can drive 70 blocks and get a passable bagel at Einstein. These are your options for bagels when you live in downtown St. Pete.

Egg, spinach and feta wrap

My relationship with my barista is suffering.

We used to see each other every day. I'd swing into Starbucks and be greeted with a smile and a, "Hey Katie!"He always knew to start a venti dark roast for me - no room - but then depending on how hungry I was feeling, I would also grab a spinach and feta wrap. 

For as lovely as this interaction was, it cost me close to $6 every day. Which is simply unreasonable for a girl who knows how to make her own coffee and prefers to drink it black. 

My barista was a habit that I needed to quit.

But sometimes time gets away from me. Sometimes I hit the snooze button one too many - okay let’s be real - four too many times.

These are the mornings that I'd usually swing by Starbucks.

But every time I'd circle the lot for parking, stand in that line and then wait for my order to be ready, I'd realize that I wasn't saving any time at all. In fact it probably took longer than scrambling and egg and making my own coffee. Oh, and I was also hemorrhaging money. All because I liked seeing my barista. Time to make some changes.

No-Churn Margarita Ice Cream

Sometimes life demands a cocktail. Sometimes life requires ice cream. And sometimes, life throws a whole bunch of nonsense at you and says, "YOU. You need a cocktail and ice cream at the same time."

Don't worry. I've got you covered.

I'm a sucker for a good margarita. You could say tequila is my jam. Sure I like the taste, but I have a lot of positive associations with them. The first legal drink I ever ordered was a margarita in Oaxaca, Mexico when I lived there with a host family in high school. When my family goes to the beach, it's as if vacation hasn't started until someone whips up a pitcher of Margs. The refreshing tang of lime and salty rim of the glass immediately makes me feel happy and at ease.

Although, that's likely the José Cuervo.

José was invited to this fiesta, as well as some Triple Sec, and since there is no cooking involved, this is indeed some boozy ice cream. But no one is going to be stumbling home from your Cinco De Mayo fiesta if you serve this for dessert - which I suggest you do.