Jacob? Edward? Nah...Team LUSH all the way!

Happy Monday!! Well, the day is pretty much done but I felt the need to open with that....

It was a rough day... I ran out of Coffee creamer. I'm a "bit of coffee with my cream" type gal.
My name is Joanna...and I'm addicted to Coffee.... with Hazelnut creamer. ::le sigh::

After the week I had, it was Fabulo-so to send some Q-time with two of my girlfriends. Ohh the fun that took place.

I met one of my favorite friends Irish at her pad. Remember how uber cute it is? Anywho- she swooshed me off to have lunch at this healthy eatery in Downtown Orange.


















This place is healthy meets homey meets yummy.


















The setting is a quaint little house, possibly owned by your Grandma Dolores. It has a calm blue wall color with wood crown moldings and old family pictures on the wall. The tables are all dining room tables that you can find in any country home. We shared a table with a nice family, which some may think is weird and intrusive, but it felt like we were right at home.

On to the novel of a MENU. 23 pages of soups, sandwiches, and house specialties? It took me an hour to order. (It usually takes me a long time, but with a 23 page menu...uhhh... gimme a minute, or two, or 10)

After a long deliberation with the menu... I finally ordered.

I ordered the Cockie Leeky soup ( chicken, rice, and leeks in a creamy broth) and Irish had the Chicken Rice Vegetable.

Yup, just like Grandma's cookin'

Then, Irish and I shared our Sammies, half Avocado Sandwich (Avocado, sunflower seeds, tomats, cheese, on squaw bread) half Garlic Chicken Sandwhich (Garlic Chicken, melted jack, tomats, lettuce, avocado) Irish also ordered Carrot, Apple, Orange Juice

















Everything was Wholesome, fresh and just plain good. Extra Kudos points for being good for you.
Next time, I want everything on page 5 and 8 and a sampling of all the teas....and I would like to sit with a cute family of 3.

















California Eats Tab Worthy

















After lunch, we headed on over to this cute little plaza to shop around. We hit up this fab place. When I buy new running shoes, I'm coming here! They do the whole Test your feet thing here to really pin point which shoe, is best, for, you!

















Less than half an hour later, we found ourselves at this adorable Soda Fountain place.

















We met up with our buddy Dez and ordered up some Fries, Onion Rings, and Shakes.

Dez is a riot. Fun follows this girl...so I follow her. See, she found a peace sign...err...yeah.

















I had Oreo, Dez had Strawberry Cheesecake, and Irish had Orange.

We all left with big smiles and some of us left with gas. Eeeks! I am a bit lactose. TMI.. I know.

Less than an hour after that...we went here. Why? Because Why the hell not?






















Floor to ceiling candy? Apologies to my dentist...wait Why am I apologizing? I pay her bills... she should be apologizing to me... can I get and AMEN? ::up top::

















Then...we went here....

This is a food blog...well here is food for your skin and your hair!






















As you can see, we all left with something.

Bath junk...

















Soap Junk

















This is what I got...

Seaweed Shampoo bar (Awesome), FREE Sample of soap (FREEE!!!), and a Garlic Face Mask!

















The day ended and we bought a box of wine, a box of Beanboozled, and watched Twilight Eclispe.

















We did about 4 rounds before two certain somebodies QUIT. That makes me the winner I guess.






















Dog Food... I got it...DAMN!
In this game...everyone is a LOSER.

Have you played before?

Thursday Favorites! CooCoo for Coconuts!

Yesterday I had a TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. Actually it was just my afternoon. I lost it.

But sometimes you gotta just bounce back to life. Fists tight, legs ready to kick some a**, KUNG FU STYLE.






















I'm happy to report that today was a MUCH better day. I have wonderful family and friends who are the most supportive people I've ever met. They're the bra to my tiny boobs. Sorry...that was uncalled for.

Favorite #1- COCONUTS!

I really don't know where this love came from. It came all of a sudden and with a vengance.

My aunt thinks I could be pregnant... Mom, please don't call me about it... I am not pregnant.

Butter Coconut Cookies

















Buttery with sweet coconut sugar crystals...nay...diamonds sprinkled atop a crunchy cookie....DIVINE!
I have to take out only three, then quickly hide them in the cupboards.... or else I will eat them like potato chips.

NOM NOM NOM is an understatement.

Coconut Water

















I gave into the fad of Coconut water. Why? Because it's health benefits out weight the fact that I'm a follower.

Here some of it's benefits:

1. Re-hydrates your body. ESPECIALLY good for after your workout.
2. Promotes Weight loss...and what woman (or man) doesn't like that?
3. Strengthens your immunity. GOOD-BYE germs!
4. Cleans out your digestive tract.... Time to stock up on toilet paper!
5. Has more potassium than a banana... for all of you who are like me and prone to toe cramps.
6. Clears your skin! Your face will be softer than a baby's bum...I've compared!
There are so many more! It's good stuff!

Favorite #2- Kettle Corn

















Do you see the crazy in my eyes? Light heaven puffs of salt and sugar? C'mon.

Favorite # 3- Husbands

-Wife finds spider chillin' on the stove while cleaning. Husband kills it on sight. TOTAL= 10 Brownie pts.

-Wife is too tired to cook. Husband kidnaps wife and takes her to In-n-Out TOTAL=15 Brownie pts.

-Wife has a bad day and takes it out on everyone around her. Husband brings home flowers and kettle corn to tame the Bitch Beast TOTAL= a BAH-ZILLION Brownie pts.



















**Chocolate Cookies were his favorite this week**


















::Le SWOOOON::

It's 9pm and I'm tired... but I'm off to make Carrot Cake Cookies. I will have good dreams tonight.

What is ONE thing you LOOOOVE this week?

Pot Banana Nut Bread

If you are a pothead who googled something to tranquilize Mr. Munchies, I apologize...you are sadly mistaken.

I am starting love the crock pot. It is a talented little guy that can make anything your lil' heart desires. As I was thumbing through my Crock-Pot Cookbook, I flipped through the casserole chapter, the pasta pages, and even the soup section. But the Dessert division really caught my eye.

Desserts made out of a crock pot? Pray Tell...

Project Wifey Wife Week 9-The sweet

Crock pot Banana Nut Bread

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
2 Tbs dark corn syrup
3 ripe bananas, well mashed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
**I think it was lacking in sweetness... I would add another banana or some brown sugar

1. Grease and flour crock-pot.

2. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl.
Something about cranking that handle and watching the lumps and bumps getting sifted away is theraputic no?
3. Cream butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Slowly add sugar, eggs, corn syrup.
4. Bust out that masher and mash those bananers. Add to the mix.
Something about bananas make me happy. Maybe it's the fact that it rhymes with my name? Or maybe because they are just delish. Maybe I was a monkey in my past life.

5. Chippity Chop the walnuts and invite them into the party bowl.
6. Pour the mixture into the greased crock pot. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.
Use the toothpick method and when it comes out clean....it's ready to eat.
7. Turn that frown, upside...DOWN
I'm used to making my breads in loaf form....hmmm... maybe I met my "loaf" quota for the week with the meatloaf.

It says to wait until it's cool....but I couldn't resist. I'm gangsta like that!
Don't mess with me ::Lean like a Chola::

It turned out good. Again, I would've added some brown sugar. It needed some sweetness. But, it's a good breakfast treat and I enjoyed making it.

Plus, to say I used a tool for something other than it's real purpose makes me feel pretty rebellious. I was a goody two shoes in high school so I think it's about time to break out of my shell.

Meat in the shape of a loaf

I am Horrible at math. I am a former first grade teacher turned high school teacher who teaches remedial reading to far below basic students....let's keep this in mind for this post shall we? Don't judge me for my poor mathematical skills, just love me for me.

I am SOOOOO excited!! I've been getting some great recipes in my gmail for my Project Wife Wifey Challenge! Thank you, readers! Keep 'em comin'!

My first challenge is from my Kuya's best friend. We call him Big Richard. He's a gentle giant, this guy. People might be scared of him and Kuya says that when they are together, on-lookers think he is his bodyguard.















This guy is one of the most generous guys I know. It's no surprise that he was the FIRST to send his recipe. I forgot to mention that this guy is a Beast in the kitchen. He definitely knows his way around the spice rack.

Project Wifey Wife Week 9- The Savory
Big Richard's Big Meatloaf















Ingredients:
3 Tbs of Olive Oil
5 cloves of garlic; minced
1 medium onion; diced
1 red bell pepper; diced
1 yellow bell pepper; diced
2 Large eggs
1 Tbs of dried Thyme
2 lbs of ground beef
1 Portuguese sausage; cut quarter triangles
1 cup panko breading
1/2 cup of Romano or Pamesean cheese; grated
1 1/4 cup of Ketchup
2 Tbs of Balsamic Vinegar plus 1/4 cup for glaze

**Remember... I SUCK at math**

1. Heat oil and saute garlic, onion, and bell peppers until almost soft (about 5 minutes). Salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
















2. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 eggs and Thyme.















I cannot count. 2 does not equal 3 Ms. Joanna.

Cut the sausage into quarter triangles? THE HELL? Ummmm there's isosceles, equilateral..... I.am.lost.
















...add meat, sausage, panko, cheese 1/2 of the ketchup.....

crap... what is half of 1 and 1/4 cup.... I was never good at fractions. They hated me and made my life miserable. Why must you follow me and taunt me Fractions! WHY!!!?

2 Tbs of Balsamic Vinegar and mix together with your hands.
"I will get you my pretty...piece of meat."















Add the sauteed veggies.















3. Make the glaze. Mix 3/4 cup of Ketchup and 1/4 cup of Balsamic Vinegar.

1/4 + 1/4 +1/4 = 3/4 right? ::le sigh:: We did not teach fractions in first grade.
















Mold meat into loaf  and drizzle glaze on top.


4. Spread glaze, cover with foil, and bake at 375 for 1 1/2 hours.

 














**Note to chef... put another pan underneath to catch drippings... I did this last minute :(**















I served this with easy Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes.

Red potatoes, Garlic, milk, butter, grated Parmesan, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
 


















Dinner is served...















The Verdict?

I've actually never had meatloaf before. I'd like to say that a brick of meat doesn't sound good...but I'm a McRib fan... and I don't care who knows it!! Don't knock it 'til you try it.

Anywho- Hubs and I really liked this dish. It was incredibly moist and juicy and not that dry, brick like consistency I was expecting. The thyme and balsamic vinegar took center stage, kung fu kicking that flavor to the tongue. The bell peppers and ketchup gave it a sweet contrast that was pleasant to the buds. I liked the smokey flavor of the Portuguese sausage, it gave this loaf some sex appeal.

Two thumbs up Richard...now how much do you charge to kick my ex-boyfriend's butt? I keed.
To the Meatloaf haters...maybe this might change your tune. It's legit.
 
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