Steak dinner and good advice!

The BEST piece of advice I can give to all of my new to cooking friends: Don't cut your meat right away... let it sit on your plate for a while... the juices will redistribute throughout the meat and keep it tender and juicy!!!! mmmmmmmm my filet ROCKS

Pat steak dry, Just use Salt and Pepper on the steak prior to cooking. cook to desired temperature. Do not cut meat until ready to eat.
Herb Butter - your butter of preference, mixed with garlic salt, italian spices, cheyanne pepper, regular pepper.

NOTICE - juices not pouring out of steak because I waited to cut it

Dinner Tonight! 10/19/09

Fry some fresh chopped garlic in olive oil
One chicken breast cut into small pieces place into oil and garlic till browned
add some cumin, red pepper flakes, pepper (I used Lavender Pepper), cheyenne pepper, salt... Read More
add chopped ortega chilis, roasted tomatoes and chicken broth
let boil for a while like regular soup, taste add extra spices as needed

Who wants half orders of sushi rolls? I DO

Sushi Kawa
469 Magnolia Ave # 101
Corona, CA
(951) 280-0398

Super Sushi!
My favorite thing about this place is that they have HALF ORDERS of rolls. This way you can try more things and be more adventurous because you don’t have to get a full roll! Their sushi is fresh tasting and beautiful. The service is good, nothing special. The decor is cute. The place is somewhat small, I would not take a huge party here, but it is nice for a quiet dinner with friends or family. I took my son here for his bday and we had a good time!

The Best Sushi I have ever had!!!

Sachi Sushi Restaurant
694 E Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA (626) 578-1877

The BEST California Rolls and Spicy Tuna Rolls EVER
Oh my holy sushi!These were the best rolls ever. The California Rolls was so creamy, yet not a mayo creamy – just creamy. The spicy tuna was the right amount of spicy. Their wasabi smelled so freakin fresh. My son had their Teriyaki Chicken and he said it was the best he had ever had too! We stopped here on a whim and I was glad. Some of their dishes are a little pricey but we managed to walk out paying about $25 for us both! Not too shabby – especially for Pasadena! I would go here again anytime. The decor is half asian half weirdo american knick knacks which was kind of weird. The place is small so don’t bring large groups here. But if you want good sushi – this is your place!

Papachino's Greens and Grill in Chino, CA

So good, so fresh! So... healthy? mmmmmmmmmmm
Papachino's Greens and Grill in Chino, CA
14501 Ramona Ave Chino, CA (909) 393-9904

I have eaten here twice now! Let me tell you… this place is OFF THE HOOK. Everything is so fresh, healthy and TASTY! They even have an all you can eat chips and salsa bar! Their menu is mostly fish, but they do have chicken and steak stuff. The have a very nice outside patio that can accomodate large parties and there are tiki tourches and a grass cannopy… Their food is absolutely amazing. My son even loved his shrimp tacos! I would go back here anytime and take anyone! They even have beer and wine if you are interested.


Grilled Mahi Tacos
These were my first ever fish tacos and let me tell you, if that is what fish tacos taste like I AM SOLD. The sauce was so delicious. You get two tacos for this price and it is really filling. They are on flour tortillas, with cabbage!

Sparse but tasty Happy Hour at Blackwood in Corona, CA

Blackwood American Grill
980 Montecito Dr Corona, CA
(951) 549-7998
http://www.blackwoodgrill.com

Blackwood American Grill is a American, Steak, and Steakhouse restaurant where most Menuism users came for fun with friends, paid between $10 and $25, and tipped between 15% to 18%.

So a friend and I went the Blackwood last night for their Happy Hour, which sounds great. Half price appetizers and liqour drinks, $2 off beer and wine. Sounds great right.. only one problem... their appetizer menu is very sparse! I think there was a total of 5 or 6 things and not a lot of variety. Bread, spinach dip, ahi tuna, calamari and something else... The spinach dip was really good and the calamari was too. I wish there was a bigger variety, but since everything else was great and the service was excellent I will still give it a 4 star. The guy sitting next to us ordered a steak at the bar and that looked delicious. I may go back for dinner, but I doubt I will go just for happy hour again

Yoplait Delights Chocolate Raspberry!!!!!!

Oh my gooness gracious great cups of chocolate and raspberry! Here is their tagline:

"When 3pm strikes, strike back with a delicious dual-layered snack you can feel good about. The all-new Yoplait Delights Chocolate Raspberry Parfait contains a luscious layer of chocolate yogurt, with creamy raspberry yogurt on top. Sure to please any sweet tooth, you won't believe it's 100 calories"

And they are NOT joking. This is just about the best snack cup I have ever had in my life! It was so creamy... slightly tart on top where the raspberry part is and so yummy sweet and chocolatey on the bottom... then you put your spoon in and you get both and it is like heaven in a little plastic cup! It is amazing to think that this thing only has 100 calories in it. It totally will quench your desire for something sweet, rich and chocolatey! I am so glad I bought this. Now I can't wait to try the other flavors...
Creme Caramel
Lemon Torte
Tripple Berry Creme

Go to the website and get a dollar off coupon!
http://www.yoplait.com/delights/Default.aspx

Try the Thai: Best Thai in Riverside, CA

So, I took 16 of my foodies to this restaurant. I was unhappy with the fact that they made a table for 14 and a separate table for 2. The place is small and so are the tables. Lucikly, their food and service redeem them. We tried many dishes and I liked all but one so I was impressed. The prices are very resonable and you get a huge portion! I would definitely go back, just with 12 or less people!
Green Curry with chicken
This dish was delicious!

Pik King
Spicy beef and veggies really yummy

Spicy Fried Rice
Was not spicy but actually sweet. I poured curry and some hot sauce on it to make it better

Pad Thai
So good!!!!

Julie & Julia--- THE BOOK

So, I JUST finished reading the Julie & Julia book and I have to say WOW! Not only do I love to read, but I love food. There is no way possible I can even begin to imagine cooking that many new recipes with such crazy ingrediants for an entire year... and all that butter! Holy CRAP. The book was hilarious and I found myself laughing when Julie laughed and gritting my teeth when Julie did, luckily I did not burst into tears or curse like a sailor when Julie did or I might get fired (I like to read on my breaks and at lunch). I often laughed when those things happened in the book. The ending nearly brought me to tears... nearly. Oh I just didn't want the book to end, so I am blogging about it and found Julie here on blogspot so I can continue to follow her and feel like it's not over. It was quite intense to follow someone else life for a year of it.
On August 16th, some of the members of my Foodies Group are going to go see the movie. I just wonder if the movie will stray far from the book... I hope not... because this book was amazing!

Aladdin's Tea Room in Redlands CA

This place is totally cute. I went with a ladies lucheon meetup group and they comfortably fit our group of 14 ladies in the middle. There wasn't much room left to the place, maybe another 4 tables, but it was nice that they would accomodate us like that. They had several delicious teas which come complementary with your lunch. The teas were all fresh and very flavorful. One was even a real jasmine flower that bloomed in the hot water. The potato soup was homemade and had the same spices as a thanksgiving stuffing and was DELICIOUS. The sandwiches were tasty but nothing extremely spectacular. The deserts were really yummy! The owners were so nice and attentive. It only cost us each roughly $11 after tax for the lunch (not incl. desert).

Restaurant Review: Gyu-Kaku in Rancho Cucamonga

Located inside Victoria Gardens Shopping Center, Gyu-Kaku is all about fun and food. You are your own chef, cooking tasty morsels perfectly to your liking, right there at your table. It is an ideal way to share a meal with family and friends. There's a saying in Japan, "People who eat together from the same pot of rice develop and enjoy stronger, meaningful and long lasting relationships." At Gyu-Kaku you can share the warmth not only of our delicious food, but also the warmth of those you love. Gyu-Kaku, meaning "Horn of the Bull" in Japanese, is Japan's best loved yakiniku restaurant. With over 800 locations across the land of the rising sun, Gyu-Kaku is the preferred destination for Japanese families and friends stepping out to enjoy delicious food over a charcoal fire.

This restaurant is located at 7893 Monet Ave Rancho Cucamonga, CA, (909) 899-4748

This place was amazing! Talk about a great restaurant. I organize a food lovers group and we had a party of about 16. The servers were amazingly attentive to our large party. The water glasses etc were always full. We ordered two of their Shogun dinner specials which includes Edamame, Gyu-Kaku Salad, Spicy Tofu Chigae Soup, White or Brown Rice, Sukiyaki Bibimbap, Bone-in Kalbi 14oz, Filet Mignon 7oz, Harami Miso 7oz, Spicy Yakishabu Beef 7oz, Chicken Basil 7oz,and Pork Belly 7oz all for $120 and serves 6 people so it was only $20 per person. This is really enough to feed maybe 7 people or more depending on your appetite! It was all VERY delicious and it's always fun when you cook the food at your table.

Restaurant Review: Fleming's 5 for $6 til 7

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is a Steakhouse and American restaurant where most Menuism users came for fun with friends, paid between $10 and $25, and tipped between 15% to 18%. It is located at 7905 Monet Ave Rancho Cucamonga, CA (909) 463-0416 .

My Inland Empire Foodies Group came here for the Happy Hour Special called 5 for $6 til 7... which means... they have 5 types of wine, mixed drinks and appetizers, all of which are priced at $6 and they serve this til 7pm. I had the crab cakes and the meat appetizer which were both amazing as well as the White Cosmo and the appletini. I didn't particularly enjoy the white cosmo but others did and I loved their appletini! Overall it was a great time, the only problem is that their bar area was not very big and many people had to stand while eating. Other than that it was excellent.

Foodies unite!

Well, I did it. I went to Meetup.com and started my own group. I was already a member of SEVERAL groups... Wine and Dine Singles, Corona Hike and Photography, The So Cal Tribe etc... but there were NO food meetup groups. I love to cook, I love to eat and I love basically anything to do with food, wine, beer etc... I live in the Inland Empire but I am even getting people from the OC! So, come one, come all... and enjoy some good FOOOOOOOOD.
http://www.meetup.com/IE-Foodies-Group/

Product Review: Reduced Fat White Cheddar Cheez-It

Now, this is the second box of these fabulous baked snack crackers that I have bought. We all read reduced fat and it translates to "tastes like cardboard." Not the case here! I sit in my cube daily with the temptation of going down to the second floor to the vending machines to get a snack. I was so used to jobs where I was very active that when I got my first "office" job, I put on maybe 10-15 pounds. I HATE 10-15 pounds. So, I headed to my local Vons supermarket and got the standard staples. Unsalted almonds, 100 calorie packs of this and that, some granola bars etc. As, I was walking towards the popcorn, there it was. Calling to me. I love Cheez-Its any how, so I bought my first box. I was sold on the first cracker! They are so rich in flavor and cheesy, you have no clue that you are eating something that is reduced fat! My 12 year old son wanted some - not seeing the Reduced Fat sign on the box - and he loved them. I showed him the box later and he was amazed. I even have a coworker who refuses to eat any of my so called "healthy"snacks, but I tricked her the other day and handed her some. She loved them and as soon as she said that, I grabbed the box to show her. Now she is going to buy some for her office! The serving size says 25 crackers, but there is no way I could eat 25 of these at once, which means I am maybe eating half the calories, fat, etc listed on the below nutrition label. I am totally sold on this snack and will now keep a box of these tasty crackers at my cube at all times. If you want more information on this product or any other Cheez-It brand product head over to http://www.cheez-it.com/

Working women?

In my opinion, we have come a very long way as women in the workforce. In the Progressive Era, women were limited to jobs such as candy, clothing, or cigar rolling factories, or passive jobs such as teaching, laundering or department stores because management thought “women were more polite, easier to control, and more honest that male workers (Carnes, 2008, 513).” I find this statement to be very comedic. As a female Sergeant in the United States Army, I was often regarded as a “Nazi” or told that I should be nicer to my Soldiers because we were office workers. Honest, definitely. Women are polite and easy to control - not in my case. Luckily, in the Armed Forces, there is equal pay across the board based on rank and time in grade instead of gender. As a woman in the early 1900’s “the only constant was their meager wages and poor working conditions (oah.org/pubs/magazine/progressive/barrett.html., 2007, np).”
As of 2006, according to the statistics presented by the Department of Labor and Bureau of Statistics, women are still getting paid less than men, but the gap is closing on positions held and pay. What I found to be strange is that the positions where women are less employed, such as Construction, Farming and Repair Service, the gap in pay is not that much. Only 0.4% of women work in construction but the pay difference is almost marginal with women making 92.9% of their male counterparts. We are also closing the gap in terms of office work. The number of women working as your average run of the mill assistant/administrative professional dropped from 22.4% in 2005 to 22% in 2006. Not a large number, but that is just one year’s difference. It also seems to correlate to the increase in the number of women managers, 37.9% in 2005 rising to 38.1% in 2006. Also, when it comes to unemployment, 13.1% of women are claiming that they are unemployed versus 13.6% of men. However, the evidence also shows that still, many women are still assuming the homemaker role: 21.3% are not even in the workforce as compared to our male counterparts at 12.9% not in the workforce. (bls.gov/cps/wlf-databook2007.htm)
Regardless of number, we are making progress. Maybe not as fast as some women would like, but there are still a number of women who want to stay home or work in the “normal” feminine labeled jobs. There are no longer jobs that are off limits to women. As Dr. Sarles pointed out, there was an “idea that men are active while women are passive (Sarles, 2008, np)” and I do not agree with that, but I know, for myself, that there are jobs I either don’t want to work in myself, or jobs that I cannot physically do. I am fine with that. But I also do not feel that I would not be chosen for a management position simply because I am a woman. I strive for excellence through education and my abilities and feel that if I am the best candidate, I will get the job.








Works Cited
bls.gov/cps/wlf-databook2007.htm.
Carnes, Mark C. & Garraty, John A. American Destiny: Narrative of a Nation. New York: Longman, 2008.

oah.org/pubs/magazine/progressive/barrett.html
Sarles, John. “Lesson 1.” History 1322, UIW

Civil Unrest?

After last nights election I was absolutely DRAINED! Not only did my candidate not win, but I had to endure crap from the other side. I find it funny that people who consider them to be part of the peaceful party are the least peaceful it seems. I was inundated with comments to the effect of "thank god no more crotchety old white men in office." Really, did you look at your VP? This was generally followed by, "Thank god there is some color in the office." Hmmmm, and you called me and McCain racists? The worst of all was a person I had formerly thought to be intelligent made the remark, "Did you see that witch Palin and her whore of a daughter? I think they were crying!" Wow! And you are a Democrat? I was unwed when I conceived. I was only 19. Does that mean I am a whore too? How dare you! I am not a racist. Don't call me white when I am half Mexican just because I have fair skin. Don't assume when I say that if McCain had one people would have rioted and looted that I meant blacks in particular. I have beliefs and I vocalize them. I never attack a candidate for personal reasons, only their stance on the subjects I disagree with. If you cannot handle people disagreeing with you, go somewhere else because that is what America is built on. I am not evil because I do not agree with you. I just want different things. In a time where we should be coming together to figure out how to make each other quasi happy, do not pass judgment on others. Help people who are disheartened now to realize that maybe it will be ok. If you don't how will "CHANGE" happen?

Sometimes you feel like a grown up... sometimes you don't!!!

The other day, at work, I had an epiphany! Holy crap, when did I grow up???

Now I found this thought rather strange. I spent almost eight years in the US Army and every day that I was in, I felt like an adult. I had power, authority and responsibility. I did "more by 6am than an average person does in a whole day." I never questioned my adulthood. I mean, don't get me wrong. I still did some very "young at heart" things. Drank with everyone in barracks, threw toga parties you know... good old fun.

So, what exactly made me go WTF??? I am staring at my computer screen right in the middle of inputting training. I was like, whoa, I'm an adult. I have my own apartment, a son, a new car with no car payment, I pay bills, I don't borrow from friends or family, I have a real job that makes a decent income, and I am responsible. For the first time, this year, someone called me "Nelson's mom." Until now, it was always assumed that I was his older sister. I thought that would continue a lot longer. Especially since he is now just 1 inch shorter than I! When did this happen? Did I miss something?

Then, I have conversations with people who are a few years older than me and they constantly tell me that I am "a baby."I am still so young. There is so much time. Then I sit there and start feeling young, not the young like a teenager or anything. Just young. I am not married, I am not in toooo bad shape. My maternal grandparents are even still alive (barely). My son is not even a teenager yet (he will be net year though).

I am always told that I have a "youthful appearance." Or that I am so young. Are these compliments? These older people that say I am so young, are they really calling me immature? Are they jealous? Do they think they are better than me? And why do I find it so funny that at this age, they still think that 10 years is that big of a difference?

Well, regardless of it all, I want to think that it is a nice balance. I am an adult, mature and responsible. But I am still young and have so much time ahead of me. I am at a point where I can go buy alcohol and most of the time not get carded, but still can giggle with the girls about a cute guy! Hopefully, the two sides continue to get along like BFFs and not start to clash!

The age old question: Will you help me? - Resumes!

I have been trying for the past year to start a resume writing business. Since I can remember, my friends and family have asked me to help write, re-write or completely DO their resume. I have the gift of gab and pen! So, first I tried making a lame old Mi Espacio (My Space) page trying to drum up business. Asking all of my friends to add me. Telling them to pass on the word. Adding random people that requested me.

Didn't do one bit of good.

Of course, the requests to help others still come in. In fact, said guy from yesterday's blog got a call from Sony today. He has a friend that works for them and got the hook up for an interview. Buuuut his resume looked list a$$. And of course, I said ok. It took me about one hour and 45 minutes. It never really takes me that long. My own did. But come on, for free, you are getting a resume that will get you an interview not make you look like a rockstar!

About three weeks ago, I found out that on microsoft live small business, you can get a domain name for free for one year. I was like perfect! If I still suck at drumming up business, I will just cancel it, no money out of pocket. Well, I told all my friends, asked everyone to pimp me out. Aaaaaand NOTHING. But more requests to help THEM...

Well, anywho, if you are in the market for a new job or know someone who is...

http://daphnesproservices.com

Flirting with Disaster

So, I met this guy back in say February or March. He transferred to my store and from the moment I saw him, I was like... WHO is THAT? And of course, he needed help logging in and stood very close to me and for the first time ever, I felt sparks. Now, to my dismay, I found out he was married. As time went on, we talked a lot, I found out his marriage was not a very happy one. To me this changes nothing. He is still unavailable... Then bad news comes, I am leaving the store! Don't worry I got a job within the company lol!

Well, a month or two later, a friend who still worked at the store and I go out to a Balloon and Wine Festival. Well, we discuss said guy and she says, "Oh did you hear? He left his wife!" I of course was a little happy, lol. I jokingly (ok maybe not so jokingly) say, "Hey you should give him my number!" Well, she did. He called me a month later. Conversation starts normal. He tells me his woes, I am understanding, a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen. The we decide to hang out, just watch some movies. We hang out like once a week, sometimes twice a week. Things progressively get better. He spends the night at my place, I spend the night at his... etc etc etc.

Being the woman that I am, I begin to fall in love. He really is a great guy. Very complimenting, randomly and politely. Very attentive - we text approx 100-200 texts a day. Very positive. Very open and honest. Loves my cooking, gets along with my son, and thinks I am hot and that the hotest part of me is my BRAIN! Its great... RIGHT?

WRONG!!! Just as things get to the GREAT level... the ex comes down with e-coli!!!! And it's not responding to treatment! Kidneys failing... Docs mention making a will.

THEN... when they finally get the e-coli under control... they find CANCER! Are you f-ing kidding me right now???? OMG.

So, now, the man of my dreams is busy with the ex taking her to doctor appointments. Which as I mentioned is part of why I love this man (yes I said the L word). Caring and attentive. I fully understand that he still cares for her. Theirs was not a bad separation, they just aren't IN LOVE with each other anymore, they still have love for each other though. And in my head, I am sad for two reasons.
1. My poor friend. His ex may be dying and this is the worst time for it to happen. With the split and everything, talk about double the heartache!
2. For us... we have no time for each other... well seeing each other... we still text like crazy. If his ex passes on, her kids - whom she is leaving to him, will HATE me...

HOW IS THIS EVER GOING TO WORK???

Some of my friends say - cut your losses. It's over. I tried to do it, and even explained to him, my major feelings for him and that I just don't want to get hurt. I will stay his friend no matter what!

Some friends say - if you care that much for him and he cares for you, stick it out! This is what some of the best relationships are made of - overcoming adversity.

Well, as I continue to try to pull away, I notice him pulling me to stay. He tells me we can work through this. He still calls, still texts. And in fact, asked if he could come over tonight and watch movies and chat. My mind is swirling. My heart is pounding. I feel like CRAP. And I find myself unable to cut the emotional cord yet. I logically think this is going to end in a LOT of pain to my already bruised and battered heart. But my bruised and battered heart does NOT want to let go and still can't stop thinking about him.

To start things off....

Just so you know a little about me! I am a 31 year old single mom (32 in December). I grew up and lived most of my life in Southern California. I served 7.5 years active duty in the US Army where I was a Senior Human Resources Sergeant. After my end of service I almost immediately was employed by Home Depot as a Human Resources Manager in So Cal. When the transition came down to remove HR from the stores I secured a position in the West Coast Support Center and now work in the Learning Department as a Divisional Learning Administrator. This is a fancy title for tracking, monitoring and preparing our Salaried Management Team for the learning involved in their positions. I cover all stores from Wyoming down to New Mexico all the way to the coast and includes Alaska, Hawaii and Guam. Lots of training people! Anywho, more about me in general.

I have one son who is 12. He is pretty much my life... which I would drastically like to change - lol - in need of some me time. I love sushi... love music... oh hell I love everything. Coffee, wine, golf, hiking, watching movies, tv, walks, exercise (well I am trying to love it lmao), cooking, who knows - throw something at me - I will try anything once!!! Totally single and totally looking. I am a very upbeat person, now don't get me wrong, I have my days... lately more often then I would like, but I am doing stuff to fix that (like that exercise I am TRYING to love).

You can usually catch me online at several places... I have a myspace, facebook, twitter, twittermoms, etc...

I plan to write about - well, everything... it may just be what I am thinking, it may be a review of a book, music, movie or product I used... who knows! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come back often!