Yummy Sweet Green!

I'm so excited that sweetgreen has opened up a location right across the street from my office.  For those of you not familiar with this amazing place it is the place for a fresh salad or refreshing frozen yogurt.  According to their website, it is a "destination for delicious food that’s both healthy for you and aligned with your values."  They source local and organic ingredients from farmers they know and partners we trust, supporting communities those around them.  They started in the DC area and are growing.  Right now they have locations in DC, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York.  If there is a location near you, download the app here and receive a credit towards your purchase.  The app features their rewards program and works very similar to Starbucks' app.  Check it out. 


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Product Review: DC Cake Pops

I ordered a Plum District coupon for DC Cake Pops a while a go and finally filled my order. I got some for Hubby's return home and the birth of my niece (pics of her to come). I wasn't sure what to expect and was really really pleased with the product. They were individually wrapped with signs on each (half said congrats and the other half said welcome home). They come in three flavors - vanilla, chocolate and red velvet. You pick the topping - sprinkles, pretzels, peanut butter, etc. My favorite was definitely the vanilla with peanut butter topping. They are $2/ pop or $1.50 for over 3 dozen. Perfect gift and a different way to say - thank you, congrats, happy birthday, etc.

Yummy Greek Yogurt

I think I'm one of the last people to try Greek yogurt but I had to blog about how much I love it and how surprisingly filling it is. My two favorites so far are Chobani's Peach and Yoplait's Honey. Yummy yummy. I have it for breakfast and/or lunch. Love it! You can go to Chobani's website and download coupons for it...makes it even better!

Top Ten "Other" Favorites

Here are some of my "other" favorites:

1. Favorite Thing #99 - Nikon D40 - I looove my camera. It takes such amazing photos and I've been able to capture so many special moments with it.
   
2. Favorite Thing #188 - Georgetown Cupcake - AMAZING cupcakes! My favorite flavors are Salted Caramel and Vanilla 2.
   
3. Favorite Thing #76 - Rue La La -Do I really need to say anything about this favorite thing...I've gotten so many good deals on clothes, housewares, etc. I use it for myself and for gifts.
   
4. Favorite Thing #19, 52 and 57 - Emily Giffin Books - I've loved all of Emily Giffin's books. Great chic lit. And her first two books, Something Borrowed/Something Blue are being made into a movie.
   
5. Favorite Thing #58 - Sopapilla Cheesecake - One of the greatest and easiest desserts ever to make! It's heaven in your mouth.
   
6. Favorite Thing #195 - Washington Green Grocer - Hubby and I just started using this service and I love it. We get fresh, local fruits and vegetables. I've found since we started we are eating healthier and trying new things.
   
7. Favorite Thing #183 - Mexican Train Domino Game -Super fun game to play with family and friends.
   
8. Favorite Thing #179 - Honest Tea Peach White Tea -Such a refreshing drink for the spring and summer.
   
9. Favorite Thing #196 - Yankee Candle Harvest - This scent just reminds me of the fall season. I burn it all fall long...love it!
   
10. Favorite Thing #169 - Villa Cerrina Chardonnay-Pinot Grigio -One of my favorite wines. The perfect blend of chardonnay and pinot grigio...so refreshing.
    

Favorite Thing #188 - Georgetown Cupcake

Georgetown Cupcake has the best cupcakes ever!!!! They are made locally in DC by two sisters who changed careers...drastically. We got these in my office the one day and I was hooked after the first bite. They are sooooooo yummy!!!!! They have all kinds of great flavors but I prefer the classic vanilla 2 - a vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting. If you live locally in DC they have two locations - Georgetown (which always has a LONG line) and Bethesda Row. If you don't live around here, you can have them shipped.

Amazing Three Course Dinner

Things have been crazy busy for me and of course the first thing that gets neglected is my blog. Here's a long over due post about the amazing meal that my cousin-in-law made for us the other weekend.

First Course: Fresh tomato, mozzarella salad with basil pesto and a fig balsamic glaze. This was soooo yummy. I'm not a big fan of tomatoes and mozzarella (I know, I'm weird) but this was so good. The basil pesto and the glaze really complimented this dish.

Second Course: Scallops with a tomato risotto. This was by far my favorite dish. The scallops were cooked perfectly (I got a lesson on how to cook the perfect scallop...there will be a post on that soon. I promise). And the tomato risotto was amazing! This dish seemed pretty easy to create so I'm hoping that I can recreate it myself.

Third Course: Braised short ribs with a cauliflower puree and sauteed asparagus. Another amazing meal! He braised the short ribs all day and it was so tender I didn't even need a knife to cut it. I was so glad he made the cauliflower puree because I've always wanted to try it. It is such a great substitute for starchy potatoes and Hubby and I are definitely going to start making that instead of potatoes.

My cousin-in-law Greg is so talented and is an amazing chef!!! I learned a lot from him. I wish they lived closer so we could enjoy his food more often. And special thanks to my cousin for taking these creative pictures of the food.

Favorite Thing #170 - Dunkin Dounts Coffee

Lately I just can't get through a morning without a cup of coffee and my favorite coffee (and Favorite Thing #170) is Dunkin Donuts. I brew it almost every morning and bring it to work with me. On days when I want to treat myself I will stop at the Dunkin Donuts by my office and buy a cup there. For some reason it always tastes better at the store (probably because they use fatty cream instead of half/half or skim milk like me). What's your favorite coffee?



Nothing tastes better in the summer time then a bowl of Favorite Thing #70 - Gifford's Cookies & Cream ice cream. Gifford's has been around the DC area FOREVER and have some of the best ice cream. I've been good this year and only had it a couple of times and it was sooo tasty!

Favorite Thing #168 - Beach Paddle Ball

Hubby and I LOVE playing this favorite thing anytime we are at the beach. I guess technically you could play it anywhere but we only ever play at the beach. This years trip we won the "belt" for the most consecutive hits back and forth - 409!!!! We get very intense when we play (as you can see from the picture).

Still love and treat myself (only on occasion) to Favorite Thing #70 - Gifford's Ice Cream. There is one in our Town Square that we can walk to and it is so hard not to get it every time we are there.

Gift Idea Friday - Cupcake Kit

My friend Lisa sent me this gift idea the other day and it's adorable (She found it on Baking Bites). Perfect for the cupcake lover or the inexperienced baker. It is available at Amazon for $13.57 (and is eligible for Amazon Prime). "This kit has everything needed for making and decorating dozens of festive cup-sized confections: 14 scrumptious recipes 250 decorative cup liners in two sizes a pastry bag and an assortment of piping tips for creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces."

Favorite Thing #110 - Slakin & Co. Three Wick Candles

I love these candles by Slakin & Co. They have three wicks for a stronger aroma and have a great variety of scents to pick from. These can be found at Bath and Body Works. I have tried two different scents so far and I am two for two. I purchased the Evergreen scent over the holidays to hopefully bring from Christmas tree scent into our home since we have a fake tree. It was the perfect scent. My most recent purchase was the Fresh Bamboo scent and I LOVE it!!! It's a fresh scent with blends of golden bamboo, night-blooming jasmine and wild grasses. I had this candle burning during my Super Bowl party and a lot of people comment on how good it smelled. The three wick candles are $19.50 but keep your eyes open for sales which are always going on there.

My hubby and I are still eating Favorite Thing #10. The Pasta Roni is great when we just need something quick. We've branched out and tried some other kinds but the garlie and olive oil is still our favorite.

Great New Recipe - Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Another great recipe from Real Simple - Homemade Macaroni and Cheese. I found this recipe thanks to my sister-in-law Aimee. It's super easy and soooo good. I will say it is NOT HEALTHY and I recommend this as a side dish not as a meal.

Ingredients
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (optional)
1/4 cup olive oil
3 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk
3 1/2 cups (about 14 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar

Heat oven to 400° F. Butter a casserole or 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

Cook the macaroni until almost tender but still firm, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, parsley (if using), oil, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and the pepper; set aside.

In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Stirring constantly, add the flour and cook for 3 minutes; the mixture will clump together. Still stirring constantly, add the milk slowly. Cook for 7 minutes. Add the Cheddar and the remaining salt and cook, stirring, until thick and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add the macaroni and combine. Transfer to the baking dish and top with the bread crumb mixture. Bake until golden and bubbling slightly around the edges, about 25 minutes.

Tip: You can vary the flavor of the bread crumbs by using a different herb, such as thyme or oregano. Or minimalists can choose to omit it.

To Freeze: Make the bread-crumb mixture and place it in a resealable freezer bag. Assemble (but do not bake) the casserole. Cover tightly with two layers of aluminum foil. Store both for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator or thaw partially in the microwave. Sprinkle the bread-crumb mixture over it. Cover and heat in a 350° F oven for 40 minutes. Uncover and heat until bubbling, about 20 minutes more.

Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 809.64; FAT 43.31g (sat 22.34g); CHOLESTEROL 101.74mg; CALCIUM 687.14mg; CARBOHYDRATE 72.96g; SODIUM 1030.58mg; PROTEIN 31.42mg; FIBER 3.01g; IRON 3.89mg

My Love Hate Relationship with Cosi

I would love to call Cosi one of my favorite things but I can't because we have a love hate relationship. I love their squagels (bagels that are square), sandwiches, salads, and of course their bread...I LOVE THEIR BREAD. The reason why I can't put Cosi down as a favorite thing is every time I go in there I have a bad experience. There are two things that really bother me about Cosi -

1. Bagel selection in the morning is horrible. Probably 8 out of 10 times I go to Cosi in the morning for a bagel they don't have what I want and the slection is so minimal. It's not that I am there at 10 am so its whatever is left, I usually get there around 8:30-9:00 and there are hardly any choices.

2. Their customer service sucks! They are not personable in fact most of the interactions I have had have been very rude. It is usually an unplesant experience when I am ordering food.

If it wasn't for the good food then I probably not be eating there. But lucky for you Cosi I do love your sandwiches so I will continue to get squagels and sandwiches.

Favorite Thing #70 - Gifford's Cookies-n-Cream Ice Cream

I was introduced to this favorite thing when my husband and I moved into our new home in Rockville, Maryland - Gifford's Ice Cream (more importantly my favorite flavor - cookies-n-cream). Giffords in an institution in the DC area - it has been around since 1938!

Gifford's is "Washington area's oldest and most distinguished ice cream parlor. We've been making gourmet ice cream and candies since 1938, and our clientele has included President Dwight D. Eisenhower, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and actress Goldie Hawn. Our founder, John Nash Gifford, an experienced ice cream maker, spent several years perfecting his secret recipes - creating wonderfully unique tastes like our signature Swiss chocolate, Peppermint Stick, or fresh or seasonal peach ice cream. And to this day, we continue to operate as a family-owned business, maintaining the tradition that has made Gifford's a local legend. All of our ice creams, sorbets, sauces, and candies are still made daily in nearby Silver Spring, Maryland, ensuring superior quality and freshness."

Favorite Thing #11 - Bigelow Lemon Lift Tea

It's a cold and rainy day in DC today so this favorite thing is perfect!

One of my resolutions this year was to stop spending so much money at Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. On these cold winter mornings it's hard not to sip on a nice warm, tasty beverage so my alternative has been favorite thing #11 - Lemon Tea from Bigelow. I don't like the coffee at work so this is a great, inexpensive alternative. Usually one box, which contains 20 tea bags (about $3) lasts me about a month. It's the perfect blend of lemon flavor with other spices.

The other great thing about this "coffee alternative" is I am saving myself anywhere from 200-400 calories by eliminating the usual Dunkin Dounts w/ cream and sugar OR the Starbucks Chai Latte. Bigelow has all kinds of different teas to try but I am partial to the lemon.

Favorite Thing #10 – Pasta Roni Garlic and Olive Oil with Vermicelli

Sometimes my husband and I want something quick and easy for dinner and favorite thing #10 is a quick and tasty side dish or main meal – Pasta Roni’s Garlic and Olive Oil with Vermicelli. I first tried this in college with my friend Laurie. We needed something quick to eat before we headed out for the evening. I had a box of Pasta Roni at home so we made it…and it was delicious. The only ingredients you need are water and butter. And you can literally make it in less than 20 minutes. I’m never a fan of boxed pasta (other than mac and cheese) but this one is so flavorful you would have thought I made it from scratch. You can find it at your local grocery store and sometimes you can catch it on sale. Last week I picked up a couple of boxes at Safeway for $1 each!!!!

I usually have a box of this at home for a “just in case” meal. And it actually came in handy this week when I came home from work with a horrible headache so my husband made some of this for me for dinner.