Trying new things!

Today I was able to spend a nice, kid-free lunch with my husband! Thanks to my mom we were able to go down to Main St. Seal Beach and dine at one of our favorite BBQ restaurants, Beachwood BBQ. Now don't mistaken this time as a needed break from our children...their Bama just wanted to hang out with them:) So they did a sleepover and we went out for dinner and a movie with friends! Actually, yesterday after she picked them up, Dan was asleep on the couch and I laid there thinking...I love the quiet! But after about 20 minutes, I was bored!!! My kids bring so much entertainment and life to our house that I can't imagine one without them:)

Well that my friends is what we call a "rabbit trail"! So we were at Beachwood and enjoying our food, when Dan asked if I wanted to try his blue cheese grits. Now I have never tasted grits before, but I also have never been too excited to try something that looks like mush! I politely said 'no thank you' as he held the fork in front of my mouth waiting for my taste test. But he was not going to let me get away with not trying one of his favorites...and this is where he got me! "But your taste buds are always changing" he said with a beaming smile. This IS what I tell my children all of the time! So I took the bite reluctantly.

I love trying new things even if it doesn't look appealing. Though, there is something about comfort that can keep me from finding my new favorite hobby, book, restaurant or even friend...kind of like a pancake getting stuck to the skillet when it's ready to be flipped. I don't want to get peeled yet, but when I do I find that when I'm cooked well, I taste better......WHAT!?! Ok, I was trying my hand at an analogy that obviously turned weird:)

With that said...I am looking into some new blog platforms. I don't have the following (YET!) to justify paying for my own domain, so it needs to be free. The pancake sticking, is the fact that I love Google! It's simple, it's attractive and super convenient...but I am trying new things!

Flip me over! :)

***Also, in case you were wondering, the blue cheese grits were ok. The taste was there, but just as expected, the texture was gritty mush:) 

Pink's

After walking to the Hollywood sign, we went to the famous Pink's hot dog stand in West Hollywood! This the Rosie O'Donnell with mustard, sauerkraut, chili and onions. The Martha Stewart with mustard, sauerkraut, tomatoes, onions and sour cream.



It was interesting...but truth be told after eating my half of the Martha Stewart, I couldn't stomache anymore! But I did have one bite of the Rosie O'Donnell. Not my favorite combinations but interesting nonetheless:)

Pinterest Cooking!

My week of Pinterest cooking went...okay. I had fun making new things, but the kids were not that impressed! I realize that the link I used did not work, so here are the individual links to the recipes I used:
Chicken Rollatini , Fajitas, Mac and Cheese and Gluten Free Crepes (I didn't get to these)

Fajitas were tasty! Joss ate the steak and I cut up some fruit, Holden was being a punk and asserting his "authority" by refusing to eat (actually all week)! I made him eat a couple bites of steak and he ate some raw bell pepper slices.

The Chicken Rollatini was scrumptious! My husband and I were wowed with the flavor. Joss loved it and when I told the green stuff was shredded zucchini, she said 'I didn't even know I liked zucchini!' (10 points for mom) Holden had refused again and I had to make him eat it:( He cried, he screamed, he sat in time out....I told him that he could not do anything until he ate all of his chicken. I did allow him to scrap off the cheesy zucchini stuffing! Still a fight...it wasn't until he saw Joslyn and I playing heads or tails with a coin that he finished his dinner, so he could join us. Who knew?!?

Macaroni and cheese was supposed to be a real hit....due to the time change I got a late start on it! We ended up eating at 8PM (eek!) and I think I was not patient enough for all of the cheese to melt. It took what seemed like an eternity since I was so hungry. I thought it the taste was great, but the texture was strange. I see a redemption night in the near future!

Pizza night was yummy! I did actually post pictures for that night....come on don't be hard on me, I'm still new at this thing!

Instead of eating out at our thai restaurant, we went to the brand new In 'n Out that opened up down the street from our house:) Dangerously close!

Instead of crepes on Saturday, we had corned beef and cabbage sliders at my cousin's engagement party!

Sunday was supposed to be the mystery night and we actually had ESPN Zone with my family!

It's always fun to mix things up...although this week we went back to our staples! Check it out next week when I go on a mission to use foodie blogs for my recipes. I wonder if the average mom can pull them off and have their kids like it too!

Yummy Pizza

We so enjoyed that pizza! Baking it in the skillet was a last minute decision and it was a good one! The crust was nice and crispy on the outside and warm soft on the inside:)

Everyone thought it was delicious, except Holden...but I think he is going through a picky food phase. I know all the moms out there know what I am talking about! Joslyn had 2 1/2 slices, I had 3 and Dan had a whole one!

I have used other gluten free pizza mixes before, but this one was a definite must have for in the future:)

No mixer

Oh the luxury of a mixer....my arm wishes I had one and my wallet says "sorry"!

Tonight for pizza night, one I know the kids will love, I am topping one cheese only and the other with mushrooms, bell peppers and cheese:)

Oh I can't wait! But for now I must finish cleaning while I wait for the dough to rise!

Pinterest for Recipes

Today I am planning my menu for the week! I am not super consistent with this practice, but every now and then I like to change it up. This week my goal is to use recipes that I have found on Pinterest. Due to a budget, I have to use what I already have. So this is more of a tester of new recipes. In my pantry is Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Mix, Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cornbread, as well as some salad ingredients.

I do have a lot of recipes already pinned, but most of them are full of carbs, full of cheese or full of sugar. Most of the time I think I repin these recipes and imagine eating them:) Well today I am on a quest to find healthier options for dinners this week...they have to be gluten free as well. Oh yah...my kids have to like it too! I will probably modify some of the dishes with ingredients I already have or to make it husband safe (gluten free)

(took a break to find them)

Here is what I am going to try to cook and wow my family with:

Monday night my daughter has a dance class, so I need something easy. I will be making Fajitas!

Tuesday night I will make Chicken Rollatini Stuffed with Zucchini and Mozzarella (that was a mouthful).

Wednesday night my son has baseball, so again I need something easy. I will be making leftover chicken and salad, with mac and cheese for the kids.

Thursday night I will be making Pizza with toppings I already have.

Friday night my daughter has another dance class, so we will probably eat out at our favorite Thai Restaurant Panvimarn.

Saturday night I will attempt to make gluten free crepes filled with eggs, cheese and mushrooms.

Sunday will be a mystery! (I guess whatever I have leftover)

Here is a link to this week's menu board on pinterest.

Wish me luck!

Amazing Breakfast

Since today is the last day of January, that means it is the last day to finish putting away my craft room/office! Now I know it is already 11:30 am, but I promise I have not been slacking off. Actually, I took my husband out for breakfast in Long Beach, at a great diner called Coffee Cup Cafe.

One day last month, I was taking one of my high school students out to breakfast, our plans were halted when our favorite diner, Starling Diner, was closed for vacation. I went to my trusty website Urbanspoon.com, for a top ten list of breakfast places in Long Beach...and as always they delivered, instilling even more confidence in their judgement. The Coffee Cup Cafe has a great warmth and welcome to it, as if when you walk through their doors and it's your first or second time...you are one of them, long time customers, "regulars"!

So of course I wanted to boast in my knowledge of great Long Beach classics, to my husband who was born and raised. I think he loved it! My favorite menu item...actually it's the only one I've ordered, is Juan's Favorite. An omelette (more like a burrito, wrapped in egg with no tortilla...terribly description) filled with onions, bell peppers,mushrooms, cheese and VEGGIE chorizo! Yes! I know, right? I love the chorizo, but the idea of what it is, makes me sick. So when I saw there was a veggie version, my taste buds leaped (you didn't know they could do that, huh?) and it tastes just like the real thing, without the images of pig scraps :)

Anyway, I have already submitted this restaurant to Diners, Drive ins and Dives....(yet to hear a reply) if you find yourself in the wonderful city of Long Beach, stop on by and tell them I sent you....they don't really know my name:)