It is so true that January and February creep by — each day seems sooooo long, and then July and August just whizzzzzz by. So here we are, end of August, and here is what I am loving.
1. Good Quote
Seen on a hike, “Expect noting. Celebrate everything.” I love this quote and think about it often.
The friend who told me about Dave’s Hot Chicken, also told me about Killer Burger. A very different type of cuisine than I normally eat, but a huge hit for everyone in the family (including myself). Currently, Killer Burger is a Pacific Northwest Chain, but hopefully in the near future, it will become more mainstream and located nationally. If you happen to be in the PNW, you must try Killer Burger — home of the PEANUT BUTTER PICKLE BACON BURGER. Yes, PEANUT BUTTER PICKLE BACON. And I have to tell you — it is SO good. So good.
Killer Burger with the family.
Ah summer — I love you. So very much. Here is what I am loving this month:
1. Never Have I Ever – Season 3
Season 3 comes out on August 12th and I cannot wait! I am so so so so excited! Such great, fun, easy TV!
Apparently I am on a dessert kick because all my recent posts have been about dessert — apologies — but this one NEEDS to be shared (again). I posted this recipe seven years ago (yes, I have been doing this blog for a looooong time) and it is so good that I need to remind you about it. Ice Cream Cake made with Ice Cream Sandwiches! I learned this genius recipe hack from my sister-from-another-mister.
Finished product! Look how gorgeous — and they are even more delicious.
I love most desserts (yes, I know, sugar isn’t good for you, but I love it), but especially baklava. It is one of my absolute favorites (along with red velvet cake, key lime pie, blueberry crisps….so many), and yet I have never made it myself. So during a heat wave in Oregon, I decided IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN, and made my first homemade baklava, and let me tell you, it is delicious and I plan to make it again! It is that good!
Ingredients:
One of my favorite activities in the Pacific Northwest is to go fruit picking in the summer. Raspberries, strawberries, cherries, blueberries and peaches. Yesterday, I went blueberry picking (the season is almost over) and within an hour we had over 7 pounds of fresh, delicious, beautiful, organic and inexpensive berries ($19 for 7 pounds).
I love this one blueberry picking spot — right near one of my favorite hikes — but there are so many different places you can go and get the berries.
I know that this sounds totally basic and obvious, but infused fruit ice cubes are incredible; and something so simple adds so much!
Chopping — you simply add tiny pieces of fruit to each ice cube.
I was fortunate enough to spend the last 2 weeks in Southern Spain with my parents, daughter, and Ken (for a week) where we relaxed and explored together. It was refreshing and rejuvenating to leave the US and get fresh air and tastes of a different culture. Here are the highlights:
Every morning, I ran. Over the two weeks, I ran 98 miles. Up hills, down hills, and NEVER on flat surfaces. It was the hardest place I have EVER EVER RUN in my entire life, and I hope that it makes me a stronger (and faster) runner. Each morning, I would dread my run, but I loved it so much afterwards. Plus, it gave me the opportunity to explore my surroundings and really have a feel for the area.
There is a lot to love in July — summer, sunshine, no school, and a shift in seasons; but here are some other things that I am loving this month.
1. Gazpacho
There is nothing I love more than gazpacho — it is my all time favorite soup — and I craved it when I was pregnant with Cruzzie the entire pregnancy. So now that I am in Spain, on the few times we have gone out, I have ordered gazpacho — and it has always tasted delicious. I love tasting the different restaurants and styles — all absolutely delicious, healthy, and refreshing.
Who knew that there was such thing as Almond Butter Almonds or Cashew Butter Cashews, but they exist. And they are amazing — and you need to know about them. They are the perfect blend of sweet and filling, and count as a protein snack or a dessert. I love them both so much that before my European vacation, I had to go to Trader Joe’s to load up on them. They are perfect to have in a bag when you just need something to hate (which is always for me).
Sweet, salty, crunchy, and the best coated smooth cashew butter ever.
A new kind of coffee company is in NYC and it is going to CHANGE the coffee scene. About Time serves unexpected coffee creations through a speedy on-the-go coffee experience. You order on line on their simple app to the nearest location and then you pick it up. Yes, sounds like a typical coffee place, but in addition to 3 storefronts, they have “locations” around the city that you can schedule your pick up for — and they are there with your cooler and your coffee. They see themselves as magicians introducing modern sensibilities to the traditional cafe offerings…..and I couldn’t agree more!
I placed my order to 45th and 5th, and this was my “store.” A nice man with my coffee all ready.
It is almost mid June and so the end-of-school-rush and start of traveling is in full swing. I am trying to pack for two camps, a cross country trip, a Europe trip, and still manage to get the kids to school. Needless to say, I feel like a chicken without a head. All good things, and I am happy to be here and healthy….so here is what I am loving this month.
A lover of BIG, I had to get this special metrocard. Going to frame it — love it. Definitely cost more than a normal metrocard, but it will last a lifetime.
In the constant search to find new recipes and things to eat, my-sister-from-another-mister told me about an easy pizza calzone recipe from NYTimes that everyone in the family loved. Not only was it super easy, but also very tasty. I altered the recipe (shocker) to include more greens, but it is one of those recipes that you can do what you want with it, and it will turn out delicious.
Ingredients:
filling!
I love to braid — in hair, flower crowns, and challah.
Recently, I taught Tusia how to braid and make flower crowns.
In my constant search of “the best pizza in NYC,” I landed at L’industrie Pizza in Brooklyn. Ranked by all the food websites as one of the best slices in NYC, we decided to make the trek to Williamsburg to try it out (and by trek, it is really not that far — it is just the mental jump from one borough to the next). And sure enough, it was ever so delicious and worth going to.
We placed the order online ahead of time so that it could be there when we got to Brooklyn. (We knew ahead of time that there would be no seats for us, so we wanted to have a picnic in the car).
Nothing makes me happier than a citrus-y dessert — key lime pie, lemon tarts, YUMMMMMMM. So when I came across the recipe for strawberry lemon loaf cake, I knew I had to make it. Easy, delicious, summer in a cake, yes please.
Ingredients:
This past week, we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 75th birthday, my daughter’s 10th birthday, and the launch of Natori x Kasama rum. YEP, you read that correctly — RUM! Natori is doing a collaboration with Kasama, a rum company!
Look at the gorgeous bottle!
My mother-in-law with my kids — wearing the same print as the bottle!
Even Stevie has a matching print Natori ouftit! And check out my mother-in-law’s tall heels in the background. I wouldn’t be able to stand in them.
The whole Natori family with the Kasama lady — another Filipina!
Ken with the Natori model.
Me and Tusia — unintentionally wearing a floral jacket — I had no idea!
Unique and fun collaboration — but love how two Filipino female brands came together to support one another!
Although we are in already a week in to May, NYC has not been very warm or Spring like….better weather to come, here is what I am hoping to do this Spring (both in the city and in general).
1. Drive In Movie Theater in Brooklyn
I am dying to try out this Brooklyn Drive In Movie Theater where you not only watch the movie, but you have beautiful views of the city. Right now they are showing Clueless.
2. Visit The Whitney Biennial
I must go! I must go! I must!
3. Overall Spring Cleaning
I love Spring Cleaning – a fresh start to clean and purge and tidy everything.
4. See The Basquiat Exhibit
I love Basquiat and cannot wait to see this special exhibit.
5. Finish my Dr. Dre Needlepoint
Dr. Dre needlepoint — loving this creation but ready to move on to something new!
6. Enjoy a Show At The Forest Hills Stadium
Live music!
7. Devour Pizza
A newly opened Pizza restaurant in the Lower East Side, yes please!
8. Play MiniGolf in Williamsburg
A great family activity — mini golf in Brooklyn! It reopens May 16th!
One of my favorite adventures was glamping on Governors Island — different, unique, picturesque, and fun. A must do at least once in your life!
A new rooftop park to explore — sign me up!
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What are you looking forward to doing, exploring, engaging in this Spring? Do share!
After a personal recommendation AND reading about it in the NYTimes, we decided to trek to Ridgewood, a neighborhood in Queens, to try out the restaurant Rolo’s. Definitely a trains-plane-automobile situation to get there, but the food and adventure was worth it. The restaurant was started by 3 ex-Gramercy Tavern chefs (an old time favorite and Classic NYC restaurant) and every bite was delicious. If you are up for a different neighborhood and scene, definitely check it out!
And of course, on the 10 minute walk from the subway station, we came across a Biggie Smalls mural, which I love…because I love Biggie and most of all, 90s hip hop.
Yes, another post with what I am currently loving for this month…I couldn’t help myself! Enjoy!
1. CODA
Best movie I have seen in a long time. Obviously, I had heard about it with all the Oscars, but I was never interested in seeing it, until this past weekend, we watched it as a family, and LOVE LOVE LOVE. Must watch (and not the most kid appropriate movie, but we all loved it nonetheless).
For some unknown reason, I had this incredible desire to eat mango pudding. So, I made some! It tasted like summer and vacation!
Ingredients:
It’s unbelievable to me that we are almost half way through the year — I have been hibernating the past 2.5 months, so it feels a little surreal, and yet, here we are. Here is what I am currently loving!
A low carb version of a tortilla or a wrap and just as delicious! So good to eat as a savory or sweet snack.
Hands down my favorite condiment is Momofuku’s Chili Crunch. Even though I am terrible with spice, there is something about this crisp that is so good that I can’t stop eating it (and yes always complaining how spicy it is). It adds so much flavor and pizzazz and makes eating more fun!
We go through a bottle per month, so this past time, I stocked up and bought 4 so I never ran out.
The other day when shopping at a bakery, I bought the most delicious sesame tahini chocolate chip cookie. And so of course, I became obsessed with finding best recipe to recreate my own version of this deliciousness. Sure enough, the NYTimes had the best reviews — and aw man, are they beyond! Run to get the ingredients and make these stat! I just ate TWO in half a second.
Ingredients:
HOLY cow, the best nut chocolate deliciousness, my gawd! These little squares are creamy, dairy-free, raw cacao sunflower butter squares — made with the best natural ingredients and none of the bad! The perfect bite of dessert!
LOOK AT THIS!!!!
