shopping before dinner is dangerous

This is what happens when I go grocery shopping on an empty stomach:

I try to be healthy, but I couldn't resist this temptation. New York Cheddar with Herbs? I don't even know why cheddar from New York would be better, but it just sounds better and it is (at least in powdered chip form).

The Naked Juices also caught my eye, plus they were 2/$6.00. Not really a deal, but it sounded like one. Forget that we have a Vita-Mix that can make the same type of smoothie for much less.

Justification: Everything in moderation, even potato chips. They aren't that bad. Well, maybe they are, but I feel like the good things in the Naked Juice canceled the bad things in the potato chips. Faulty logic? Of course, but doesn't it seem like that should make sense?

Anyway, I enjoyed the random purchases (so did Kent), but I should eat before grocery shopping next time. Better for the budget and a healthy lifestyle.

not all chocolate is created equal

I think I might be a chocolate chip snob. Last night, we made some banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and I was so grateful to have some Guittard chocolate chip morsels on hand (sale item at Ralphs-couldn't resist). Would any type of chocolate chip have done? Probably. Chances are I would have still eaten somewhere between 4 to 6 cookies in a two hour period (I lost count after 3), but those Guittard people really know how to make fantastically-rich chocolate.

Their chips leave all generic and brand name competitors in the dust (so sorry, Nestle). Any time they go on sale, they are guaranteed a spot in my shopping cart. No buyer's remorse, not even a smidgen, with these chocolate chips. (Well, at least when they're on sale, but I might start buying them at full price, they're that good.)

Anyway, I don't really know the science behind creating quality chocolate (less wax or something?), but I know a good chocolate chip when I taste it. Thank you for delighting my taste buds, Guittard.

little bits of heaven

This is my first afternoon working from home in a long time and I'm quite enjoying it.

Simple pleasures include:

Indulging in this noon-day dessert, a peach cupcake. I found the recipe here through a series of blog links. Tasty, yes. Time consuming, yes, especially if you're a baker-in-the-making like me. There may or may not have been an entire egg dropped in the batter by accident. Luckily, no eggshells have surfaced in the finished product so far.

I'm also enjoying this band and song:

The Doves are one of my favorite British bands. Their music is so sensory and the lyrics never fail to make me think. I'm stuck on the song "Kingdom of Rust" at the moment.
(See playlist at the lower right to hear the song.)

Favorite lyrics:

It takes an ocean of trust
In the Kingdom of Rust

I'm also excited to see this guy tonight at Angels stadium:

The little things really do make life wonderful.

zucchiniland

This summer has brought us more zucchini than we know what to do with, so we have been gathering recipes and experimenting with this abundant vegetable. Sauteed with onions is always good, but I had to make cookies for an activity tonight, so I searched the Internet for a zucchini cookie recipe and ended up with a delicious, healthy find. Well, relatively healthy for cookies. It has wheat flour, honey, brown sugar and zucchini--healthy, right? Here it is in case you find yourself in the same zucchini bind:


ZUCCHINI CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
(Makes about 3 dozen)

1 egg, beaten
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
1 tbsp. vanilla extract (Mexican vanilla if you have it--it's the best!)
Combine in large bowl.

1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
Combine in a separate, small bowl and blend into liquid mixture

1 cup finely shredded zucchini
12 oz chocolate chips
Stir these into other ingredients, mix well. Drop by spoonful onto greased baking sheet, and flatten with the back of a spoon. Bake at 350°, 10 to 15 minutes.

Enjoy and Happy Summer!

is it just the name?

I have new love, and it comes in a plastic container with a flip top lid.
Here it is...

These guys are so good, the perfect snack. Plus, they're sea salt almonds. I'm not sure why, but they taste much better than regular salted almonds. It has to be mental. I just picture myself sunbathing on a tropical beach or taking a leisurely sail when I hear they are made with sea salt. More alluring than imagining myself in a salt mine in the middle of nowhere.

So good.

the apple pan

If you're craving a burger and you want to feel like you're living in 1947, visit the Apple Pan in Santa Monica. Kent's mom told us about this place and it is delicious, and when I say delicious, I mean delicious in the most simplistic, all-American way. They serve burgers, fries and apple pie. It doesn't get more 1950s dineresque than that. The burger Kent and I order includes: a beef patty, cheddar cheese, a slab of lettuce, pickles and hickory bbq/ketchup sauce. I think that's it and it is so good. I just ate lunch, but I could go for a hamburger right about now.

The Menu.

The Burger.

The Experience.

If you're in the area and need a place to eat and some eating partners, Kent and I would be happy to you join you at the Apple Pan.