Easter Craves & Savors

What is Easter without loved ones? The last four Easter weekends were spent in Palm Dessert with my bf’s family, including my bf’s mom, aunt, sister, brother in-law and adorable niece and nephew. The last three Easters we participated in La Quinta Resort and Club’s Easter festivities, which include an Easter egg hunt, face painting, jumpers, performances, Easter bunny photos, and more. All of the children at the event are entertained for hours, and it’s great for families. All of the children, and adults can also indulge in the popcorn, sno-kones, and cotton candy that are offered to all attendees. We always have a great time, especially because we know the twins always have a great time.

My bf’s mom makes sure that there is never shortage of food, and she is an amazing chef. All weekend long, and also on most holidays, we are spoiled with food that will likely lead to regular cravings. In addition to the food platters comprised of seafood cocktail, crackers, cheese, and fruit from Bristol Farms, she cooked lobster, wild rice, and a vegetable medley with cheese that is unbelievable. Every meal is like a feast.

The best part of the weekend; however, is the time we are able to spend with one another. From Friday night, sitting and talking at the Patio table, to eating together and bonding, to enjoying time with the twins and marveling at how much they have grown, there is never a dull moment, since all of these moments are colored with love. While doing common things like sitting on the couch watching television together while eating berry sorbet and some not so common things like watching my bf throw up in the air two three year olds while playing in the pool, all of these things will become lasting memories to be appreciated and oh so savored.

Easter Brunch Cravings at bluEmber

When we’re craving so many things for Easter brunch, what’s better than a buffet? After Easter Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Rancho Mirage, by bf and I headed to meet the rest of his family for brunch at blueEmber in the Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. For the first time ever, we had to listen to the sermon outside though a doorway since the church was at maximum capacity. There were over 300 people in the church lobby alone. We had direct access to hear the mass from one of the back doors, but all of that standing in the dessert sun really built up an appetite. Luckily, we had reservations for a brunch buffet and big-time cravers, such as myself, were able to eat as much as our hearts desired.

The seafood station was filled with pacific coast oysters, snow crab legs, crab claws, mussels, poached shrimp, and a selection of smoked salmon. The salad station offered heirloom tomato, buffalo mozzarella, pesto bordeaux spinach, shaved radish, dates, grilled green beans, cous cous, grilled artichokes, olive tapenade, tabbouleh, chopped parsley, cucumber, truffled mushroom, grilled asparagus, baby swiss chard beets, pickled carrots, walnut brittle, blue cheese, chilled seafood, shaved fennel, picholine olives, assorted greens, artisan cheeses, and a variety of vegetables and dressings. The soup station had clam chowder and smoked chicken soup with small bread bowls, and the carving station had a chef slicing pork steamship and beef wellington. There was a station of hot items, including farmers market roasted vegetables, organic squash, short rib hash, roasted potatoes, crab cake benedict, brick oven chicken, pan roasted barramundi, grilled ratatouille, and hedgehog mushrooms. All children ages 5 and under (which applied to the twins) ate free, and there was a children’s buffet with mini pizzas, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken tenders, lasagna, and local vegetables. There was also an omelet station, where chefs made custom omelets with an assortment of vegetables, meats, and cheeses. There was plenty of fruit, and the dessert station was out of control! On display were french belgium waffles, seasonal berries, cafe tiramisu, cheesecake, apple tart, white chocolate mouse, mini french pastries, creme brulee, panna cotta, rasberry and chocolate cake, chocolate pralines, chocolate truffles, mini hot cross buns, and chocolate covered strawberries.

The bluEmber Brunch buffet had a great variety, and since the weather was beautiful, dining on the patio was that much more enjoyable. Not to mention, the resort is beautiful and offered an Easter egg hunt for the children (which was the 3rd egg hunt this weekend for the twins). For family fun in the sun, the desert rarely lacks in sunshine and it’s resorts always cater to families so like this weekend, the fun never ends.

Raving about YogaWorks

Every so often, don’t we need to mix things up and make things interesting when it comes to working out? When YogaWorks opened a location in Pasadena, I signed up immediately. Prior to then, I hadn’t found a studio or an instructor since moving to Southern California that inspired me to continue with consistent classes. I was taking Pilates with an instructor on a reformer, but the instructors were always changing, my schedule always conflicting with class times, and the semi-private or private lessons were an added expense in addition to the gym membership dues; so when I received a flyer in the mail advertising a gym that offered a variety of yoga classes, Pilates classes, and more, I headed to the studio with my friend, Ro, and we signed up. After a few months of taking classes at this gym, I have nothing but rave reviews about it. Sonya, who teaches Vinyasa Flow, is one of the best yoga instructors I’ve come across. She inspires me to want to develop my regular yoga practice, which in the last few years became irregular (although I did begin practicing Bikram yoga during this time). Sonya also has such a calm demeanor, soothing voice, and communicates concise instructions that make the hour and a half class fly by. I always look forward to her classes. I was also introduced to TRX, Total body Resistance eXercise, which is a suspension training class that incorporates circuit exercises and rotating through different exercise stations in timed intervals. Demian, who also teaches at Cardio Barre (also Rave worthy, as I have previously mentioned) is also an excellent TRX instructor. Speaking of Cardio Barre instructors, Micki also teaches YogawWorks Cardio Flow, and she is just insane. I have nothing but great things to say about Micki, she is amazing. In my opinion, instructors always make a class or studio worth investing time and money. I’d have to say that the three I’ve mentioned have so far made my decision to join this new studio one of the best moves I’ve made in regards to incorporating new workouts into my routine.

Favoring the Sophisticated Style of Olivia Palermo

Doesn’t Olivia Palermo always look like she’s dressed for a photo shoot? I don’t think I’ve ever once seen OP in a bad outfit. She is the fashion blogger’s dream. Everything she puts together is so chic and sophisticated. Even looking back on older photos of OP, her style always seem current since she incorporates trendy pieces in her outfits that are unique and special, but she still has an overall classic look. Not to mention, she pulls everything together with a perfect bag and eye catching accessories. There are times when I see something on OP, that I didn’t think I would be fond of (like jackets and sweaters with leather sleeves), but when seeing the way she pulls off certain trends and how she pairs them with other items, OP always inspires me to give certain things a chance that I may have not previously considered ever incorporating into my wardrobe. While there are other stars in amazing red carpet ensembles and dresses that I favor, OP (yes, looks amazing as usual, but) is relatable in the sense that her style is something that the normal and fashionable person (who may not have non-stop, publicized events to go) can gain inspiration from.

Craving & Savoring A Home-Cooked Meal From The Heart

Sometimes, doesn’t love seem to find it’s way into our hearts through our stomachs? After a day of work, going to language class, then Bikram yoga, just when I thought I’ll probably just make a juice or something quick before bed, my bf made us dinner. Earlier in the evening, when I was out, Peter from a food service that we usually order from, Personal Gourmet, paid us a visit and my bf was able to purchase enough food to fill the freezer in the garage for our dinners and the occasional impromptu BBQs. My bf, Mr. Grill Master Flex, made crave worthy lobster tails, stuffed sole fillets stuffed with scallops and crabmeat, with a side of sweet butter corn. The first thing my bf learned about me is that I love good food, and without food, I almost fade to the point of no longer being functional. Dinner was made with a lot of love, and I was able to share it with the guy I love. Some of the simplest joys are the sweetest moments to savor, and this was one of them.

Shoe’s Out of My League?

Why we do we put each other into categories? More importantly, why do we put ourselves into them? I was wearing my Isabel Marant Blackson Boots, that I didn’t think I would ever find. Labeled by every one everywhere as “sold out,” I didn’t think I’d ever locate them in the color I wanted. Despite the difficulty and obstacles of finding a pair and after making several attempts in stores that carry the brand, I finally lucked out when I called the Isabel Marant store in New York and I was told they had one left in my size. I purchased them immediately over the phone and they were shipped to me. While I was wearing the boots when I meet up with my friend, Sadie, she commented on the how she would never make the effort to find something that isn’t readily available, let alone could she allow herself to spend over a certain amount for a pair of shoes. Despite how much she was in love with a pair of shoes, Sadie already had already concluded that they were simply out of her league. Sadie didn’t have a problem spending the effort or money on 10 pairs of shoes that she didn’t love but instead “liked a lot.” She; however, already categorized specific pairs, such as the Blacksons, as “high maintenance.” She also categorized herself as some one who could never pull them off, some one who could never afford them, and some one who even if she could afford them, couldn’t justify the expense. The Blacksons were saying that despite being seen on famous or trendy people or despite being out of some one’s price range (at the moment), being “too good for some one” is a myth that is created by that some one’s own confining thoughts of perceived limitations. The Blacksons pointed out that Sadie was essentially saying that there are pairs of shoes are solid 10s and that she’s only a 7 (and that doesn’t mean shoe size), but that 7s and 10s just don’t belong together. With that attitude, Sadie would never give herself or the Blacksons the opportunity to determine whether the pair could actually be a match made in heaven. With a little perseverance, persistence, and confidence (which can be said with most things in life), I would have to agree with the Blacksons and say leagues only exists because we create them; a shoe’s never out of our league. What league? We are all 10s!

Raving About A Run Around Lake Merced

Is there something we’ve ever done years ago and disliked it, and found that once we’d given it a chance, it might not actually be that bad? I’m talking about Running again. Yes, the one I didn’t give a second look at in high school, but now, can’t get away from. I’ll admit it’s been a love hate relationship for me, and for most of this relationship, I’ve kept it indoors, in the privacy of a gym or the confinement of a treadmill. It’s almost like I’ve been keeping Running a secret, but lately I haven’t been making an unavailable treadmill an excuse not to run. To be honest, running outdoors has actually been quite enjoyable. So while I was in San Francisco, I decided to take a break from the usual run of the (tread)mill and instead, I ran around Lake Merced, which I haven’t done since I was on the Lowell Girl’s Drill Team in high school. The run is about four and a half miles, and surprisingly, it wasn’t at all what I had remembered it to be. Of course, in high school, running around the lake was never a choice, but rather a “punishment” from the Commander or for better terms a “team building experience” (after not doing something well). Back then, I still felt accomplished after completing the run; but, it almost feels like when we’re kids and we go to Disneyland and it’s this huge, magical place, and when we go again as adults, while it’s still huge, it’s not as gigantic as we remembered it and while it’s still magical, Mickey Mouse doesn’t really have the same star appeal. This might be a bad example, but the point I am trying to get at is that our frame of minds shape our experiences. Through out the run, that used to be a “chore” back then, I did not think about “when this run was going to be over”, “how many miles are left,” or “how tired I was going to be after.” I actually enjoyed the beauty of the lake, reminisced about the great times on the Drill Team, and just ran. Who would have thought I would actually be raving about it running around this Lake Merced?

Craving Khan Toke Thai House

Since when did San Francisco streets get so busy to the point where it takes half an hour to find parking on Geary Blvd? I’ve been asking every one who lives in the City who still lives here because I either forgot how long it takes to get somewhere or find parking, I’m overly optimistic in what can be done in a certain amount of time, or SF has become increasingly more crowded and congested. Maybe it’s a combination of all three… I made reservations at 7pm at Khan Toke Thai House, one of my favorite Thai restaurants of all time. My brother introduced me to this authentic Thai restaurant years ago, where the ambiance and service is as memorable as the food. Like most every other plan I made this weekend, I make a time recommendation and I’m the one who ends up running late. I called to push the dinner reservations I had with my family to 730pm, but by the time I finally parked and walked in the door, it was 8pm. Luckily, the restaurant wasn’t packed and reservations were probably not necessary. Not very many people know about this somewhat hidden gem; from the outside, Khan Toke doesn’t really look like much. As soon as we walk in, the decor and set up makes us feel like we’re in a home. An attendant, dressed in traditional Thai attire (just as all of the serving staff), at the door takes our shoes (so it’s best to wear socks) and we’re shown to our table in one of the several sections of the restaurant . The tables are low to the floor and it appears as though we’re all sitting on the floor, but there is a space cut out underneath the table for normal, comfortable seating.

I was craving a Thai tea, which I drank almost all of before dinner came. My mom, dad, brother, nephew, and I ordered family style, although with not every one had everything due to dietary restrictions and food allergies. We started off with the Sa-Te: beef and chicken charbroiled skewers served with peanut sauce and cucumber salad, Paw Pear Tod: deep-fried spring rolls stuffed with tofu, silver noodles, and vegetables served with sweet and sour sauce, Tom Yum: Spicy and sour lemongrass soup with mushrooms, tomatoes, cilantro and tofu Som Tum: shredded green papaya salad with carrots, tomatoes, green beans and ground peanuts, and Young Lady Salad: Green salad with grilled tender beef mixed in lime dressing, onions, cucumbers and tomatoes. For the main course, we had the Mus-A-Mun: Beef in red curry, peanuts, onions, sweet potatoes and coconut milk, Gaeng Ga Ree: Yellow-curry, sweet potatoes, vegetables, tofu, and coconut milk, Broccoli Gra Tiam: Broccoli sauteed with fresh garlic sauce, Pad Siew: Wide rice noodles sauteed in a dark soy with broccoli and egg, Pad Thai: stir-fried rice stick noodles with ground peanuts, tofu, bean sprouts, egg, and prawns, and side orders of brown rice. For dessert we had the Mango with Sticky Rice.

The food at Kahn Toke never fails to please and was just as good as I remembered it. That sentiment was validated when my 10- year-old nephew, whose severe food allergies (to fish and nuts to name a few) has lead him to become somewhat of a finicky eater, commented on how much he enjoyed his dinner. I guess driving around for parking on Geary Blvd was all worth it, but I guess the optimism should remain focused on cravings satisfaction and not really on any parking gods to bestow divine intervention on saving on lot fees (or prevention from walking several blocks in the chilly nights of San Francisco to pay those fees…. if, and only if, you actually made it to an open lot).

Craving & Savoring My Dinner Date With Rache

Isn’t it counterproductive for a server stop us from ordering food? I can never understand when placing an order, servers always say “Ok, I think that’s just too much food.” It happens way too often… I had a dinner date with one of my favorite persons in the whole world, Rache, and made reservations to The House. I tried to look up Asia de Cuba’s phone number on my iPhone, but discovered that it was closed; however, the search engine took me to The House, an Asian Fusion restaurant with really great reviews. I was late to our reservation (damn Aritzia, bad time management, and difficulty getting a cab in Union Square San Francisco; note to self, gotta work on the first two pronto!), but luckily Rache is very forgiving and there was already a small plate of sweet pickled cucumbers on the table. To share, we ordered three of the specials that weren’t on the menu, the yellow tail sashimi with salsa, the seared scallops, and clams in curry sauce. From the Menu, we also ordered the white shrimp and chinese chive dumplings, and two entrees: the mushroom rice with grilled prawns topped with shaved bonito and the grilled sea bass with garlic ginger soy that comes with green beans and garlic noodles. We had to convince the server that we were going to finish what we ordered and her response was “Well, all I’ll have to do is pack everything up when you can’t eat any more.” The food was delicious! To the server’s surprise, there was nothing to pack. Never judge a girl’s appetite by the size of her stomach. Looks can be deceiving.

Dinner didn’t give us enough time to catch up and hang out, so we walked down Columbus and passed by all of the busy Italian eateries and friendly shop owners and keepers trying to promote some patronage to their establishments. We ended up at Caffe Greco for some Black Tea and I had an Italian dessert, a Strawberry Bambino.

The night was awesome, I was able to savor a great night with all that I was craving – good food, and more importantly, time with Rache. What I treat!

Craving Crepevine

Have you ever had an experience with food that you will remember for years to come? There are a few of those foodgasmic experiences that come every so often, when the stars align, my my taste buds ignite, and I can’t help but say, “Oh my God!” One of those experiences was at the Crepevine years ago in San Francisco on Irving St. Like an old, but never forgotten romance, I reminisced about this French crepe love affair and suggested going to the Crepevine on Irving Street after working out with my brother. I wasn’t terribly hungry, but usually can’t resist dessert and definitely couldn’t resist an opportunity to meet up with Bananniekins, a girl whose sweet tooth rivals mine. Although a worthy adversary, Anniekins and I instead chose to join forces to murder the Sweet Crepe named the “Sunset,” filled with Strawberries, Bananas, and Nutella, drizzled with chocolate sauce and surrounded by whipped cream and ice cream. It was a good night, I slept tight, but I did let the sweet tooth bite!