New Year, New Time, New Life
The New Year has started and so many things have changed. I wouldn’t know where to start. But I will say that with all the changes in my life I’m most excited the challenges that 2012 will bring my way.
I started the year off with the idea that I’m not going to allow the stress and negative vibes hinder my life style any longer. I will not allow you to bring your crazy into my wonderful world of crazy. It will be the best thing for everyone around me.
I have put a plan in motion that is really going to change my life in so many ways. Now the goal is to make sure I do not allow myself to drop the ball.
Things to come this year….
More amazing work in the land of television
A complete lifestyle makeover
A super move to parts unknown
And in the words of some amazing friends “may 2012 always bring you shelter, food, and money”
FASHION ALERT
FASHION ALERT!!!!! So we all know the Real Housewives for the crazy, outrages comments, but sometimes one of them makes a statement of genius. Well a few seasons ago on the Real Housewives of New York Alex McCord called one of the ladies a “Thug in a cocktail Dress.” This quote was heard around the world for weeks on end.
Well a great company called Give and Take Tees (www.giveandtaketees.com) hooked up with Alex and hit the press to make her shirts. Mine came in the mail today. I was one of the lucky few that got a signed shirt.
But the best part about the shirt and why I’m pushing this fashion alert is part of the proceeds go to the fight against AIDS and homeless. So go and buy a shirt. Totally worth it.
http://www.thuginacocktaildress.com/
For the love of a FOOD TRUCK
Time after time I have said that I will not eat off a food truck because they were not regulated by the health department. I just can’t eat anywhere without that “A” in the window. But after a recent change in Los Angeles, CA Food trucks are ok with me.
And I had to start with the GRILLED CHEESE TRUCK (http://www.thegrilledcheesetruck.com) . YES, GRILLED CHEESE. A whole truck that is dedicated to selling the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich around. It seems like something you can do at home, but there is something about this truck that screams I don’t want some lame grilled cheese I made myself. There are just so many options first off and the sides keep it old school.
So I went old school with a simple grilled cheese with American cheddar add a little bacon please ( you can never go wrong with bacon) and a special cheese called the “Caprese Melt” topped off with tater tots. Now if anyone remembers the cafeteria tots this is what you get with the truck. The tater tots take you back in the first bite. Now if you don’t want to try a fancy sandwich you can always keep it simple and build your own. But I like that were speciality options on the board. I didn’t get a chance to try the dessert sandwiches, but there is only so much a girl can do in one sitting.
To get to the important part, the grilled cheese and why this comfort food off a truck just takes you back. First off there is enough butter on the bread that even Paula Dean would be happy. And that is what makes a grilled cheese. Now they don’t use your plain old white bread you get the choice between French bread or wheat (for you healthy cheese peeps). My first bite right down to the last was filled with cheese and more cheese. I don’t know how they got the cheese ratio right, but they did.
All I can say about the GRILLED CHEESE TRUCK is that I was not disappointed and was taking back to a cold winters day in a heart beat.
Follow the truck online and find out where it is near you
Schooner or Later (schoonerorlater.com) is right, I hit this great breakfast spot in Long Beach, CA last week to knock off another one of my Triple D’s (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives). I have been wanting to go to this location for months, but never knew the name. And I just happened upon the episode and said I can’t wait anymore I just have to go.
Ok so as anyone knows that driving in Los Angeles takes forever and getting to Long Beach is even more than forever, but I made the drive. After 45 minutes on the 405 I made it. Schooner or Later is right on the water in the marina surrounded by boats. It reminded me home. Walked up to the hostess stand and was greeted by 2 women that looked like they were ready to call it quits and it was only 11AM. In case I didn’t mention it the restaurant opens at 6:30AM and closes at 3:00pm so that means you need to get there early. Time is not your only issue of getting there early, the line. It was about a 40 minute wait and I was flying solo on this trip. I fly solo from time to time. Just bring a book and honestly most people eat alone these days. But anyway after my lovely wait on the dock I was seated at the counter top. At first I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t seated at one of the 30 tables on the dock to take in the view, but after a few minutes of watching the cook flip some pancakes I was ok with it. The counter top turned out to be a great seat. I got to see all the action in the kitchen and still see the water from the windows. Also I stayed cool being inside.
Moving on to the menu….if you like breakfast and deli favorites then you will be extremely happy. I ordered the Avocado and Crab Benedict with an ice tea. And if you haven’t figured it out by now, California does not have SWEET TEA. It is one of the most disappointing things about this state sometimes when you want a cool drink on a hot Summer day. Ok if you like Eggs Benedict then you are going to love this dish. It was AWESOME. And I really don’t say that about an egg dish. But it had real crab, lots of avocado and the English muffin was perfectly toasted and a massive pile of hash browns on the side. Who can go wrong with that? There was so much food on my plate I could barely finish it all. There were a few crumbs left, but the over eating was totally worth it.
Now if you are like me and trying to do the Triple D’s restaurant and all the food items they are clearly marked on the menu. There is a lovely food channel logo on the side so you know what to order or you can go totally left and just order something random. The menu looks amazing. Next time I think I will be getting the waffles and a milkshake.
So next time you are in Long Beach or just want an awesome breakfast head down to Schooner or Later. Trust me it’s better to do it “SCHOONER” than “LATER”
Several months ago my friend Katie had a great idea of how to spend the fun-unemployment, seeing the free parts of LA (Los Angeles). Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to do all the things we wanted to do.
Well today I took advantage of the great weather and the free time. Armed with a grande non-fat vanilla iced latte, a large bottle of water, my camera, and a hat for cover I headed up Vermont Ave right toward the Griffith Observatory (http://www.griffithobs.org/) to take in a small part of what makes LA a cool place. The Griffith is a landmark seen in just about every movie and television show ever shot in this town they call Hollywood. I just wanted to see what all the hype was about.
First of all it was about 75 degrees today which is really not that hot, but at 1,134 ft above sea level in the middle of the afternoon it’s a little hot. Not only that it’s Summer which means “tourist”. After a little hike up the road to get up to the main entrance I was meet with many tourist also armed with cameras and their small children ( teacup humans). You should know the parking lot is not that big so you will more than likely be parking on the side of a large mountain like most places in LA. But anyway I’m getting away from the topic at hand. In a matter of moments you are greeted by an amazing view of the Hollywood sign on your right, Downtown LA on your left and straight ahead a simple white building that looks like it should be in Greece. After popping off a few photos of the view, although photos of a Downtown covered in smog cause it hasn’t rain to wash it away, don’t really know if I would call those amazing photos but I have them. Anyway I go inside to take a look around. There are several displays about the moon, sun, stars, etc. A little science lesson for the day. Which we all need these days. You also have the option of taken in the show. I didn’t on this visit, but I will on my next visit. (Gentlemen great date idea) After a few lessons I went outside to really see what the place was made of and people are right. IT’S GORGEOUS!!! Sometimes I forget how pretty this city can be.
Now most people when they are telling you about Griffith they forget to tell you its a park. There is so much to do other than the Observatory. There is hiking trails (not really my thing, but it’s there), the Greek Theater (http://www.greektheatrela.com/events/), and a dog park. I found myself just wondering around for about 2 hours just taking in all there was.
In case you haven’t figured it out by now I’m telling you the next time you have some free time on your hands take in the Griffith. And if you don’t live in LA find something free in your town that you wanted to do and do it. There is always a hidden treasure in every city.
Now Austin ,TX is best known for the music scene, but on a recent trip I found this street art while out shooting a little b roll. It’s one of those bar scenes that reminds you of a typical Friday night. As I looked at it I could picture everyone I know in the photo.
Who do you picture at the bar top?
Another meal….
I don’t know when it happen, but it did I have become a foodie. Thats right the chick that only eats poultry and fish. I don’t know if that makes me a foodie with my limitations on food, but I will go with it.
Ok, so I have had a lot of Taco Salads from a lot of different places, but in a Texas a ran across my new favorite Taco Salad. There is a little restaurant that is family owned called Panchitos and they have nailed it. Homemade shell, pulled chicken, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, etc. This salad hit the spot. I can’t really say much more than if you are ever in San Antonio stop by and get the Taco Salad.
(Source: panchitos.net)
What do you say to this?
Now I have posted this picture on my FB (Facebook) and it really didn’t raise any questions from anyone which made me think. Do we as young Americans think that using food stamps at a local restaurant to pay for a meal is ok. If that is true then we are in a world of trouble.
Tell me what you are thinking
Knocking out another 3 -D’s (Diners, Drive-In’s, and Dives) on my list of 30 things to do before the end of the year. Strawn’s Eat Shop in Shreveport, LA is stop #2.
This little find is a great mom and pop place best know for its Strawberry Pie, but unfortunately I did not take part in the Pie cause it was just to damn early in my day. And the fact the only choices on the menu were Butterscotch, Peach, Chocolate and not there famous Strawberry. Which I find to be a disappointment. Not only did they not have Strawberry Pie the ice cream machine was broken and according to the very nice waitress with the hot pink nails it had been broken for the past few months. I was just so disappointed. But on the other hand their food was amazing.
I had the Thursday Special - a plate of fried chicken, potatoes, pinto beans, mustard greens and cornbread. Now I only give props to my mother’s greens, but this time I would have to say that someone put their foot in those mustard greens. Yes, I said put their foot in them. That just means they were damn good. I have never been a fan of mustard greens cause they are just to bitter to get down, but these greens had a little something special going on. And the best part was they were cooked just right with a little bacon in the mix. Never can go wrong with bacon. Ok so being in Shreveport for a whole week meant that everything was going to be fried, but the fried chicken on this particular plate of food hit the spot.
But the best part of the whole meal was the fact that everyone in the place said “yes ma’am and yes sir.” Manners a lost art form in the United States. I know there are times when I forget my “please” and “thank you” but I’m pretty damn sure that I use it more often then most.
Now if you ever find yourself in Shreveport, LA which I recommend not to find yourself to be there anytime ever you should stop by the original Strawn’s Eat Shop.
Strawn’s Eat Shop
125 Kings Hwy.
Shreveport, LA 71106
318.868.0634
http://www.strawnstoo.com/history.html
HAPPY EATING AND I HOPE YOU GET THE STRAWBERRY PIE CAUSE I DIDN’T
#19 on my list of 30 things to do this year was to dive into 5 Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (if you need a reference turn on the Food Network channel and be amazed by Guy and his endless amounts of amazing food finds) well I did. On a recent trip to Minnesota, yes I went to Minnesota not to fulfill my dream of shopping like a mad woman in the Mall of America, but to work.
But that is really not the important part, the important part is I can say I checked something off my list and it tasted great. This local favorite is a bowl alley with high-end treats.
Though I didn’t get a chance to sit down and enjoy all things amazing when eating in a bowling alley, I did get the food. I had the Turkey burger cause those that know me best I love a good Turkey burger. It was great, not as amazing as my homemade burgers, but good. The homemade potatoes chips a nice add on.
I can’t wait to see where my taste buds take me next
