Category Archives: Personal

Ten on Tuesday

1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation?

Well since I work from home neither.:)

2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time?

Same person every time. I go about 8 weeks. It took me awhile to find Inside Out Salon. I love them!

3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version?

Only the comics and parade on Sundays.:)I do try to keep up with current events through online sources.

4. What is the best book you have read this year?

The Hunger Games! Seriously, go read it now and let’s talk about it. I am obsessed. I have never felt this way about a book. I seriously loved it.

5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?

Ek, this is hard. The best movie I have seen in the theater might be Morning Glory. We don’t go out to the movies that often though. I did enjoy Morning Glory more than I thought I would. Rachel McAdams is just too cute.

6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?

Sweet. Mostly brownies or homemade ice cream.

7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?

Yes everyday. I eat cereal most of the time. I have been trying to eat more oatmeal since it is better for me but I just love cereal too much.

8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs. Isn’t that everyone’s favorite. I am trying to avoid them this year. Too many calories.

9. How late is “sleeping in” to you?

Uh. Let’s say 10:30. I tend to stay up too late. I am a night owl 100%. Ben not so much. We have opposite schedules when it comes to our sleeping habits.

10. Where are you going on your next vacation?

Who knows. I am itching to go somewhere. We haven’t been on vacation in a year and half and I need some relaxation. Hopefully somewhere warm and soon.:)

 

Posted in Personal

Ten on Tuesday

1. What is a food that you never thought you would try, but then tried and liked?
Sushi. I remember hating sushi. Just the thought of sticking this big roll of raw fish into your mouth turned me off. Well, turns out I just didn’t have good sushi. When I got out to LA and actually got some good spicy tuna I was hooked. Thank you Tengu. My obsession with sushi has never been the same since. I also now judge each place based on how good their spicy tuna taste.

2. Do you subscribe to any foodie publications? If so, which ones?
Cooking Light. I love to cook healthy meals. CL is the perfect tool to do that.

3. What ingredient do you find yourself reaching for the most when you cook?
Shrimp, Chicken, Orzo, Rice, Chicken Broth. Those are my staples. If I have those ingredients on hand more than likely I can make a meal out of it. We make a lot of one dish meals since they are easy!:)

4. Are there any foods that you hated as a child, but then learned to like as an adult?
Seafood. I didn’t really like any type of seafood. That has definitely changed. Though I still don’t like anything too fishy tasting or anything with a face.

5. What do you like to eat that others may consider weird?
Mustard with french fries.  People find that weird for some reason. I don’t like ketchup and I still need something to dip my fries in. I also do ranch now though it is not good for you. :/ I also don’t like noodles and red sauce together. I like noodles and I like red sauce just not together. People think that is weird.

6. What is the weirdest ingredient you’ve ever cooked with?
There are some spices that I know have been so weird I have a hard time finding. Usually though if I can’t find it at my local grocery store I don’t make the dish.

7. Do you have any major food allergies?
Nope.

8. Is there an ingredient that you would like to cook with, but are intimidated to try?
I am sure there is but I can’t think of it right now.

9. Do you bake?
Yes I do. I am a decent baker but I have a hard time measuring things which is very important in baking. I cook very loosely…meaning I don’t really follow recipes to the tee. I just eye it and taste it until it is good. It bothers me a bit when I see cooks spending so much time measuring and following the recipe to the tee. Cooking is about feeling…let loose!:)

10. If you could go on any “foodie” show to compete, which one would it be, and why?
Oh, wow, hmm…probably the Iron Chef. I would definitely be intimidated though.

Posted in Personal

My favorite registry items

My sister just did her registry and it got me thinking about some of my favorite registry items. Some of these items we got through our registry three years ago and others we have discovered since then and wish we had added to our registry. It is always good to register some big ticket items along with some smaller items. Many people like to buy actual items for the shower and then give money or gift cards at the wedding. Make sure you check your registry after your shower and add some more things if it is getting low. There is nothing worse than going to someone’s registry and almost all of the items are taken.

Microplane Gourmet Paddle Graters

Great for zesting lemon, garlic, you name it. It fits nicely over most bowls and is easy to clean. They have many different grate types but I have found I only really need this one.

Silicone Basting Brush

I love how easily this comes apart and can be cleaned. Before this we had one of those bristle ones that just got gross over time. It is a bit pricer than some others but I definitely think it is worth the money since you won’t need to replace it like other ones.

Silicone Spoons

SurLa Table
Williams Sonoma

I LOOOOOOOVE these spoons. We also have the solid spoon. They hold up really well and can be put in the dishwasher.

Over the sink colander

Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker

Keurig Single Cup Coffee Maker

We love our Keurig Coffee Maker. I love it so much on Black Friday I heard a couple debating between the Keurig and Tassimo and I had to stop and give my opinion. They just had to know that the Keurig is far superior (and I have experience with the Tassimo so I know).:)

Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill

One Touch Can Opener

Small and simple. It fits nicely in a drawer. Plus it opens a can cleanly so there is no sharp edges.

Waring Pro Professional Cordless Wine Opener

Another one we just love. Opens a bottle of wine with ease. It pops the cork right out. Anyone can use it. It is that simple.

Epicurean Slate Cutting Boards

Oxo Good Grips 12″ Tongs with Nylon Heads

I love that these close up. When my tongs are dirty in the dishwasher I just get sad. I just saw they make a small version. I may need to get another one. They are that good!

Hotel Collection Bath Towels

These towels are so soft and they have a 35″ x 70″ size. It’s huge! I love it!

 

Another registry trend is to register for things like your honeymoon or your photography. You can always add Essential Sunshine to your registry by including our email address along with your registry lists. We’ll send invoices to your guests and they can purchase gift cards from us to be used towards your photography services.

I could go on and on about all of these items. We love them so much! I’d love to hear your comments on if you use any of these or if you have a favorite item that you just can’t live without.

I’ll leave you with a picture of Lexi on her favorite spot. Anyone tired of the Lexi pictures yet?:D

Posted in Personal, Wedding Tips

Ten on Tuesday

1.  What condiments are always, always in your fridge?
All the usual – mustard, ketchup, mayo, etc.  I do not like ketchup though. That is for Ben.

2.   How do you like your steak cooked?  Your burgers?
Burgers, medium well and steak, medium

3.  What’s your favorite use for fresh tomatoes?
Caprese Salad. So simple. Layer tomato with some sea salt on it, mozzerella, basil and repeat. Then drizzle on balsamic vingear over top. YUMMY!

4.  What’s your go-to dinner when you haven’t planned anything in advance and you don’t feel like going out?
Usually some sort of one dish meal. When I haven’t planned anything I tend to either make Athenian Orzo or Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp over Jasmine Rice. I tend to always have the ingredients on hand and they are good.

5.  What’s your favorite snack food lately?
I really like Jell-o Banana Fudge Pudding Cups.

6.  What’s your favorite weekend breakfast to make at home?
Sunny side up eggs with toast and OJ.

7.  What’s your favorite thing to grill?  How do you do it?
Ben’s famous burgers. haha. That’s not what they are called but everyone knows Ben can make a mean burger. We found a great recipe in a cookbook we bought called Mastering the Grill for smoked gouda burgers and they are seriously good.  Ben is the grill master so he always grills anything. He can get a steak done perfectly to your order. Just one more thing I love about him.:)

8.  What’s your favorite wine for under $10? If you’re not a wine person, what brand of beer is your favorite?
Greg Norman wines are always good for under $10. Layer Cake Malbec is one of my favorites but is over $10 but worth the price. I hate getting wine over $10 but when I know I am going to get something good than it becomes worth it. I have tried too many wines under $10 that I couldn’t even stand to drink so I will buy for reliability.

9.  Give us your most delicious cocktail recipe.
Ek. Um. Ben makes a great margarita in which the key is a splash of grand marnier and a bit of sugar. At least I think that is the key. He always makes it so I can’t be sure.:)I love a good mojito in the summer time too. I make it pretty simple. You muddle mint in the bottom of a glass, add ice, simple syrup, gin, club soda and garnish with lime. I have heard that making simple syrup with mint makes it really good. Still haven’t tried it though.

10.  How do you like your eggs?
Sunny side up.

And since a post isn’t any good without a photo. Here is a picture I took yesterday of Lexi sunning herself outside. She is sniffing the air which is why she is making that face. I was outside moving some things around so don’t mind all of the distractions behind her.:)

Posted in Personal

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