Blessed on Tuesday

I am feeling incredibly blessed that I have had this beautiful love with my sweet sweet husband!

What are you feeling blessed about on this beautiful Wednesday?

Veggie Menu (Week 2)

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: Mustard Roasted Salmon, Herbed Basmati Rice, Roasted Brussels Sprouts
This meal was delicious!
Simply, delicious!
I loved the rice!!
We added some garlic & onion powder to the Brussels Sprouts which made them taste delicious!
I have never made salmon or Brussels Sprouts before.
The salmon came out delicious and the Brussels Sprouts were tasty, I think that they could have been taken out a bit sooner, they were very soft inside. I am not sure if that is how they are supposed to be...?

Overall, I recommend this dish!

Wednesday: Thai Pizza with Broccoli, Mushrooms & Red Peppers
This was very tasty!
We made a few personalized updates to this recipe based on ingredients that we had/have
We used the leftover sauce from this recipe. It was almost the exact same sauce recipe.
We also used green bell peppers and the garlic & herb pizza dough from Trader Joes.
It was very tasty!!

(Sorry for the picture..I forgot to take a picture after it came out of the over..so this is my leftover lunch :-))

Thursday: Mediterranean-Style Rotini with Toasted Garlic Panko
This was very good!
We made a few changes to this as well, again, based on what we had in our pantry :-)
I roasted cherry tomatoes in the oven at 375* in EVOO and my balsamic reduction, and added that to the mix.
We used chicken broth, not vegetable broth (bad veggie eater...bad bad!)
Also I made my own bread crumbs... just took some old/stale bread and threw it in the food processor with some EVOO, salt, pepper and garlic..it was good and I loved the bread crumb addition to this pasta dish, don't go without if you can!

the finished product!

The basil really added a lot of flavor! (to be honest, I think I added too much...ha!)
This was tasty, very flavorful and pretty easy!

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday Snack: Grain-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

These are delicious! And the perfect treat!

I even used bulk beans that I soaked!

Saturday: Bourbon Mango Pulled Summer Squash Sandwiches

This is definitely a sandwich I will be making again!

We made these without the bourbon, because, honestly, I don't have any - and I totally forgot to add the vanilla extract. Oops!

And we also left out the mango, because, well, Rich doesn't like fruit.

I also added some sliced onions to the mix of squash and zucchini. 

Yum!

Without all of these items, they were still delicious!

These were finger licking good :-)

Sunday: Sweet Potato and Tofu Enchilada in a Mole Sauce

Oh. My. Gosh.
Ahhhmazing!
We had guests over and made this and it was fabulous!
However, it did take a while because I forgot to cook the potatoes before hand, so I was running around the kitchen getting everything ready. Fortunately, you don't need to potatoes until the last step, so you can prep and cook everything else while the potatoes cook and cool.

The inside of the enchilada!
The tofu is from Trader Joe's, we didn't use chipotle chili powder or cloves because well, we are on a budget and that s**t is expensive! We were not about to break the bank for 2 spices that we were going to use a pinch of. And to be honest, you couldn't even tell!
We used the Chile & Onion Tortiallas from Trader Joe's - they are the best, if you haven't tried them, you haven't lived.
And we used feta cheese. I love feta cheese!
This was sooo good!

I also made quinoa, as per the directions and I made this bean dip that was delicious!
Bean Dip: I took a can of black beans and a couple tablespoons of salsa from the fridge and put it in the food processor and then pureed it until it was smooth.

I made guacamole (2 avocados, and a couple of table spoons of salsa from the fridge mixed together) and this bean dip for the snacks before dinner was made to enjoy with chips.
The bean dip was awesome and then I served it along-side the quinoa and the enchiladas - it was sooo tasty!

Buon Appetito

Los Angeles CA in a Nutshell

Oh. My. God.

So Flippin' Funny!

All of the freeways and locations!

So funny!

I am always getting picked on...

So, I have this theory that complete strangers think of me as a target to be totally inappropriate, for no reason!

See here

I will be minding my own business then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, BAM! I become a target and it just spirals out of control. And while I am totally stunned with my mouth on the floor, I can't do anything to stand up for myself.

Sooo, I have decided to pick my mouth up off the ground and start being sassy back!

If you think you can be weird with me...think again! 

No more, Mrs. Nice Gal

Bring it on!

Ok, lets be real, I am all talk...everything will be a surprise and I will be just as shocked every time

Alright..

Now for the back story..

When we were waiting for our dinner table, we were walking around and doing some browsing/window shopping.

We were in Barnes & Nobel when this older lady came up to me:

Stranger: I was just admiring your dress, it is beautiful! Where did you get it?

Me: (Ok, that was nice enough...) I got it at Nordsrom Rack, I love it!

Stranger: Yes, it is beautiful. Are you wearing a bra with it?

Me: (Uhhh...Kinda weird... but I will entertain...) Actually, I am not. I don't need to, it's tight enough on top.

Stranger: Oh ok, yeah I am small up there too...

Me: (I'M INSULTED!) Yeah, ok...

What?!

Why, on God's Green Earth, would someone say that?!

Looking for something to say? 

You end the conversation with, "Ok, well it's beautiful"

Not an insult!

haha!

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 41

A woman just called to subscribe to our paper. Because the delivery is to a California address, she will be charged a sales tax on top of the rate of the subscription. When I told her this, I heard something muffled on the phone and I said, "I am sorry, what was that?" And she goes: "I'm hissing"

I will leave you with that.

Have a fabulous day, lets hope no one hisses at you today!

Veggie Menu! (Week 1)

Rich and I have decided to eat less meat.

We plan to not be picky about it if we go somewhere but when we can avoid it, we will.

We decided this, not necessarily for health reasons (read: here) but also for environmental reasons. It takes a toll on our environment when we raise chicken and cattle, no matter if its organic, free-range, all-natural, it's just not very good for the environment.

That being said, I love to cook and make food, but what I know is centered around meat.

So when we decided not to make as much meat, I was making a lot of pastas, and Mexican food with bell peppers and onions

boring!

So, I took it upon myself to make a menu for this past week.

Something I have never done before.

Making a pre-menu makes everything so much easier because this way, I don't have to ask Rich what he wants to eat and we don't have this convo:

Me: What do you want for dinner?

Rich: I don't know, what do you want for dinner?

Me: I ask the questions ;-P

Rich: Well, I want whatever you want

Me: Fine, we won't eat dinner

Rich: We will have raviolis

All in good fun & humor, until someone goes hungry..and gets cranky..

Anywhoooo, on Saturday morning I sat down and searched all over www.foodnetwork.com for easy, quick, veg, weeknight meals and was pleasantly surprised to find tons of options!

P.s. if you are available, Sunday morning is the time to go to the store, lines are short, parking is awesome and it's not as crowded!

Score!

I didn't take any pictures this week, I promise to do so in the coming weeks!

This is too fun not 

Monday: Bow-Tie Pasta With Broccoli and Potatoes

Definitely a hit! And super easy! We didn't use bow-ties, we used fusilli, it all tastes the same, seriously!

We also used bibb lettuce, not boston, and it was good.

I wasn't a big fan of the wilted lettuce, I don't like old salads etc, so I could have done without, but Rich really liked it!

Tuesday: Pan Seared Halibut with Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes

This was very good, the tomatoes almost over powered the fish, though

I think if I made this again, I would put more garlic. And actually season the fish before I put it in the pan to sear it...just a thought ;-)

Wednesday: Rich was out of town, so I just made myself a small salad - nothing crazy!

Thursday: Veggie Burgers with Mushrooms

These were ahhmazing! We used a spicy mustard on our "buns" and it was a little over powering, maybe I won't slather as much on the next time. In the mushroom topping, I also did some sweet yellow onions so it was mushrooms & onions and it was delicious! 

My 1 reservation about this recipe is that because it didn't have an egg in it, it was easy to crumble & fall apart with cooking and eating. It didn't taste dry, it was just crumbly - I will have to look in to how to make them stick together better!

Friday: We had frozen raviolis from costco..I know... ;-)

Saturday: We saw Batman and went out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory
Which, by the way, was very hard because everything has chicken on it!

Sunday: Aromatic Noodles With Lime Peanut Sauce

Oh. My. Gosh.
So delicious!
Keep in mind that the recipe is for 6, so we have leftovers for lunch and dinner again and probably another lunch!
I definitely recommend this recipe - it's easy and so tasty!

Saturday, Date-Day

On Saturday morning we woke up and rode our bikes over to our favorite coffee shop in Westwood. We enjoyed a cup of jo in the glorious sunshine and then got back on our bikes and rode to the Getty Museum.

We had never been to the Getty before and it was an awesome day to experience it!

The sky was blue and beautiful which made the gardens look spectacular!

We brought lunch to enjoy in the gardens.

Below is our view!

Overall, we had an awesome trip!

We pretty much flew through the exhibits, stopping at interesting paintings or shiny objects!

We walked through the Herb Ritts - LA Style exhibit. Let me tell you, his photographs are amazing!

His subjects are beautiful and he has just a great eye for capturing intimate scenes full of passion.

We headed home, around 3pm.

Overall, we rode about 15 miles!

We got home, showered, got ready and headed to The Grove for dinner and to see Batman!

Love the movie!

It was awesome!

And I loved Anne Hathaway in it! She played such a different role than what I am used to seeing her in!

It was great, and I can't wait for the next series!

AND the best part?!

I didn't fall asleep!! 

I always fall asleep during movies!

I guess the trick is a macchiato at 8pm!

Yummm

We had an awesome date-day!

A Day in the Life: Customer Service Volume 40

40 posts of just silly customer service issues/requests?! 

Wow!

So I got an email from this potential customer:

Customer Email: "What is your monthly rate?"

So with this email, I sent the canned answer to direct the customer to our website with our subscription rates.

Apparently, that wasn't good enough for him...

(And after the fact, I would be a bit frustrated if I was him because I guess on the site we don't post monthly rates, just annual and higher and we ask customers to call in for prices on Monthly rates - which I didn't realize...

Oops!)

Customer Email: "No monthly rate?"

So I sent him him the monthly rates for the printed edition because he didn't specify otherwise.

That sent him over the edge.

Customer Email: "This lack of a answer is just why I dropped my subscription. Simple question which was what is the monthly rate for the iPad edition can not be answered in 3 attempts. 

Don't bother no longer interested. "

Ok, SIR, you never said you wanted the rate for the iPad version. 

Chillax.

What the heck!?

Like I said, I could understand his tart email #2, totally get it!

But really, with the last/final email?!

ha!

WhatEVERRRR!

Adventures in Yosemite

We slept in on Saturday morning - we got crazy at the wedding and stayed up way past our bedtimes ;-)

We woke up and had breakfast in the restaurant in our hotel - yum - and hit the road on our way to Yosemite.

Before I continue, let me remind you of our camping plans here - and then we came to find out about a month ago that we could not get day passes to hike Half Dome and we had to enter a lottery that only gives you a 20% chance of getting a permit! 

WhooooWhat?!

So we woke up in the middle of the night when we were in Monterey and hoped and wished that we would get a permit to hike Half Dome.

When we got back from the wedding on Friday night, Rich checked his email and guess what?!

WE GOT PERMITS!

WooWoo!

Anywho...

After a long, hot ride in the car, we finally made it to Yosemite.

Let me tell you - This place is Gorgeous!

We were in campsite 137 in Upper Pines, which was perfectly located near everything!

Our camp site!

Where we pitched out tent

Our tent!

Yes, I slept in that!

We arrived in the middle of the afternoon on Saturday and decided to head to Yosemite Village and get some pizza.

We wanted an early night because of our Half Dome Excursion on Sunday!

We got back to the site, get ready for bed and were sleeping by 9:30!

On Sunday we woke up at 4:00 - yes, 4:00AM got our stuff ready and hit the road!

We rode our bikes over to the trail head and got started, in the dark!

The Mist trail

Because it was dark, we had to wear our head lamps - yes we look tired, because, well, we ARE tired!

Only 8.2 miles to the top of Half Dome - yes, that is 1 way!

2 Miles to go!

The gorgeous blue skies and tall to the moon trees!

Our first glimpse of Half Dome from this Vantage Point

What an amazing view!

This is the last leg, the leg with the cables!

We made it to the top!

We are standing on the "Diving Board" of Half Dome

Woohoo!!

We climbed down in the same position we climbed up - it was safer that way!

The Cables!

We made it! It took us 4 1/2 hours!

If you plan to hike Half Dome, the earlier you leave, the better!

We got there and there was hardly anyone there, so we didn't have to worry about crowded cables. 

But on the way down, there were a lot of people going up, so they were crowded and we had to do a lot of waiting. It was very nerve wracking!

Especially knowing how dangerous this part of the hike is - people die, every year, doing this hike!

It is seriously, people! Be careful!

After we finished taking our pictures in front of the cables we walked back to our backpacks (We didn't take them to the top with us) and We came to see that my backpack was open! Um what?! Apparently squirrels got into my pack to get the food out of it! Huh?!

And then we come to realize that they RIPPED my pack and broke it! 

What?!

Oh well!

So, because of my hurt knees, I had hiking poles, and believe me they were very appreciated!

This is Nevada Falls

We made it to the bottom - I hate to admit how slow we had to go because of my knee...

It took us 4/4.5 hours to get up to the top and it took us about 8 to get back :-(

So in total, we were hiking for 12 hours - that is a long, freaking time!

The next day we headed on a bike ride/short hike up to Mirror Lake

How stunning!

Half Dome in the sunset!
Gorgeous!

We had a big campfire on Monday night, to help our neighbor campers get rid of some of their wood!

Then we went over to their sit and roasted Marshmellows on this fire!

Like I said, we needed to get rid of some wood!
Ha!

We woke up bright and early on Tuesday morning, put the bikes on the car and got our move on!
Good Morning Half Dome!

Good bye, for now, Yosemite!
We had a blast!

Love in Auburn for some Wedding Time

After our relaxing 2 days in Monterey, we headed up to Auburn to celebrate a great friend's wedding.

The backdrop was totally stunning!

The beautiful bride!

Her dress was beautiful! 

The happy couple!

Having the time of their life! 

What a fun night!

Too much fun with the photo booth!

Some Delta Pi Alpha Gamm Love

This lovely bride is one of my Alpha Gamm sisters, and I am certainly proud to call her that! 

She is kind, beautiful, friendly and all around awesome!

It was such an honor to celebrate her special day with her and her handsome husband!

 Tune in tomorrow for some Yosemite fun!