tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33106448483043550502024-03-24T16:32:01.050-07:00Earthly ConcoctionsMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-16287811363824269232013-02-19T10:16:00.000-08:002013-02-19T10:18:58.540-08:00The best Oktoberfest Potato Salad I have eaten<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Last year for a Oktoberfest party we hosted, I researched quite a few potato salad recipes and the one I thought the best way of serving this dish the German way was from Allrecipes: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/german-potato-salad/">German Potato Salad</a> with about 256 reviews.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The reason I strongly inclined towards this particular recipe is that it's served warm and contains bacon. Finding and using </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">great quality bacon from <a href="http://www.kochers.com/">Kocher's</a> butcher shop was an essential key to the success of the salad I made.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">But of course I dislike following any recipe exactly! So I also added eggs into my recipe for it's creamy, binding texture. You can add them to the dressing while the skillet is cooking on a low to medium flame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And of course I had to throw in my favorite mustard dressings (one with horseradish and another sweet mustard dressing) and added more onions (finely sliced) for the sheer love of them.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If you are looking to make this warm potato salad a good highlight at Oktoberfest parties I am sure you will have a great dish and possibly, your own rendition of this deliciously comforting recipe!</span></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-79909342405387088352013-02-06T11:31:00.000-08:002013-02-06T11:31:08.807-08:00Setting ourselves and our homes free - of chemicals!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In our quest to get rid of harmful chemical-based bathroom and household cleansers we have been able to successfully expunge Clorox like bleaches and Lysol like liquids and have introduced vinegar and baking soda instead.<br />
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Our latest trial is to expand this technique of chemical free cleansing to replace over the counter shampoos and conditioners - chemical laden products that we have known ourselves to have been using ever since childhood!<br />
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This is one of the pages that we will be looking at in our initial experiments:<br />
<a href="http://fulfilledhomemaking.com/no-poo-shampoo/" target="_blank">http://fulfilledhomemaking.com/no-poo-shampoo/</a><br />
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I have used warm coconut oil, olive oil and almond oils in the past as a home remedy to nourish and moisturize my hair. It involved time and planning but yeilded a few good results. However I never formed a consistent habit of that routine, something that we shall hope to remedy this time around :) I would even consider adding a drop or two of fragrant oils like lavender for their soothing nature.<br />
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Out there, green homemakers and natural lifestyle enthusiasts are also talking about <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';"><span style="color: black;">liquid castile soap which is a natural olive oil based soap cleanser (known to have originated in the Mediterranean region). It apperas to be avaialble for purchase on Amazon by brand names like Bronner's.</span></span></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-28534806637865453382013-02-06T11:06:00.000-08:002013-02-06T11:11:11.066-08:00Knee pain, IT Band pain - Please no Orthotics!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I went to the podiatrist last week complaining of knee pain that mostly appeared during the work week while I am endlessly seated at my desk. Prior to that, earlier last year, the same pain (on the side of my knees) would crop up during my longer runs and road races. Other than these issues I feel healthy and lead a well-functional lifestyle.<br />
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The podiatrist advised that my legs were improperly pronating (diagnosed me with flat arches, overpronation) and that the IT band was rubbing against the side of the knee causing the aches. He advised that I not invest in shoes with minimalist designs (a thought that I had been inclining towards) and wear 'supportive' and well-reinforced shoes for stability and motion control everyday, everywhere and during any active outdorr routines.<br />
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He rushed into prescribing 'custom made' temporary orthotics that his occupational therapist quickly made and fitted me with. He asked me to try them on and come in for permanent orthotics. The damages were about a 100 bucks and a lifelong commitment to using these devices (read crutches) - the latter part I openly disagree to.<br />
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Short of a hundred bucks, I do not feel ready to allow myself to succumb to second part of the deal. I believe that it will severely damage my ability to use my feet and body naturally and cause me further not-so-easy-to-reverse complications. I am going to say that these orthotics seem more like a generic bandage or a mask on my problem than a custom-made soution to solving the root issues with alignment and strengthning of muscle groups in my body.<br />
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I am reading the following pages of alternate advice and will be further refering to techniques like minimal running, pose running techniques and strength training.<br />
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<a href="http://www.drbookspan.com/KneePainArticle.html">http://www.drbookspan.com/KneePainArticle.html</a><br />
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<a href="http://sock-doc.com/2011/09/unnecessary-orthotics/">http://sock-doc.com/2011/09/unnecessary-orthotics/</a><br />
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-19545548974433870652013-02-02T17:49:00.005-08:002013-02-02T18:00:50.227-08:00Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe with homemade buttermilk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Making buttermilk at home started as a quest for fresh homemade butter. Just pour a cup and a half of heavy cream in a jar, seal tight and shake it vigorously for about 15-20 minutes. If you do not give up you will end up with smooth, yellow gobs of butter floating in a thick well of creamy, white buttermilk and maybe sore upper arms. Drain the buttermilk into a bowl and store the butter after addition of some salt. For prolonged storage (over a week) of the butter ensure that all the buttermilk has been drained from the butter.<br />
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This will give you about a little more than a cup of buttermilk. For creating the buttermilk ranch dressing add about 2 cups of thick whole milk yogurt (or greek yogurt) and blend it lightly till all looks smooth. Keep aside.</div>
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To the above mixture we will add the following (mix all these ingredients in a bowl before adding to the above buttermilk mix):</div>
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<li itemprop="ingredients" style="color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 23px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 scallions, white and green parts, chopped</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 23px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">1/4 cup freshly and finely chopped parsley</span></span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">1/4 teaspoon fresh dill (optional)</span></span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #3d3d3d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">1 teaspoon freshly chopped chives (optional)</span></span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 23px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 23px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tablespoons Dijon mustard</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 23px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon flavorful olive oil</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 23px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 garlic cloves (crushed and mashed with kosher salt to extract the most flavor)</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 23px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 23px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 23px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon cumin powder</span></li>
<li itemprop="ingredients" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 23px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; line-height: 32px;">Combine all ingredients in a quart jar. Stir well with a fork or seal tightly and shake. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; line-height: 32px;">Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. </span></li>
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Inspirations for recipe and other salad dressings:</div>
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<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/buttermilk-ranch-dressing-with-bibb-lettuce-recipe/index.html">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/buttermilk-ranch-dressing-with-bibb-lettuce-recipe/index.html</a></div>
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<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/homemade-ranch-dressing/">http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/homemade-ranch-dressing/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/homemade_buttermilk_ranch_dressing/">http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/homemade_buttermilk_ranch_dressing/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/buttermilk-ranch-dressing-with-bibb-lettuce-recipe/index.html">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/buttermilk-ranch-dressing-with-bibb-lettuce-recipe/index.html</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.simplebites.net/three-homemade-salad-dressing-recipes-better-for-you-better-for-your-wallet/">http://www.simplebites.net/three-homemade-salad-dressing-recipes-better-for-you-better-for-your-wallet/</a></div>
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Next dressing I hope to try is called Green Goddess and this one will need anchovies & loads of parsley fro the green texture :) </div>
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<a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/green_goddess_dressing/">http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/green_goddess_dressing/</a></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-62435793816866756152013-01-22T10:53:00.003-08:002013-01-22T11:00:51.975-08:00A traditional cake for the San Francisco 49ers Niners!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a collection of notes for an experimental recipe to bake a natural-dyed red velvet cake with a golden cream cheese frosting:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On how to get a redder cake using a modified version with fresh beets puree & raspberry juice – without added water:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://bigbaketheory.com/2012/01/27/natural-red-velvet-cake/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://bigbaketheory.com/2012/01/27/natural-red-velvet-cake/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Original red velvet recipe:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.joyofbaking.com/RedVelvetCake.html"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.joyofbaking.com/RedVelvetCake.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Basic cream cheese frosting:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://justeatlove.com/2012/12/30/mums-traditional-carrot-cake-my-old-cream-cheese-frosting/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://justeatlove.com/2012/12/30/mums-traditional-carrot-cake-my-old-cream-cheese-frosting/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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For the golden color in buttercream frosting – add dark chocolate. Need to experiment this with cream cheese for a similar antique gold color<o:p></o:p></div>
</span><a href="http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cake/swiss-meringue-chocolate-buttercream-frosting.html"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cake/swiss-meringue-chocolate-buttercream-frosting.html</span></a><o:p></o:p>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Final product using Swiss chocolate buttercream and traditional cream cheese frostings;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://krystalsspecialtycakes.com/2012/09/18/go-niners/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://krystalsspecialtycakes.com/2012/09/18/go-niners/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-18692578915318109482012-06-28T13:31:00.001-07:002012-06-28T13:31:05.477-07:00Department of Apartment Decoration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since this is the first time M and I are moving into a new apartment together, I feel the excitement of us adopting it as our new habitat – even if it's a transient one on our journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would love to start off by carefully laying out the sparse furniture we alraedy own with careful, minor introductions over the next few months – without any rush of course. The look should be something appealing to our personal preferences – which I would theme as “minimal additions, maximum beautification - natural highlights”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The below home is a careful example of how they blended the interior of their home with the natural colors and surroundings outside the home (green trees outside, earth etc.) </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2008/05/sneak-peek-jessica-helgerson-interior-design.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.designsponge.com/2008/05/sneak-peek-jessica-helgerson-interior-design.html</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIe75AP7bKHaOFJ0rKjpmBBGRB8Hcz-UHoQ5JT6DTPCQLEFFBMRAWEnW0sKTl37mCe3iYH1bz_ME_rhujUDiaGQypdgCnWyZ4Fbfd3ecvJ04Nt5GzcuHQ3eOuZM99xbyoaCR0UN0vwNC7/s1600/beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIe75AP7bKHaOFJ0rKjpmBBGRB8Hcz-UHoQ5JT6DTPCQLEFFBMRAWEnW0sKTl37mCe3iYH1bz_ME_rhujUDiaGQypdgCnWyZ4Fbfd3ecvJ04Nt5GzcuHQ3eOuZM99xbyoaCR0UN0vwNC7/s1600/beer.jpg" vca="true" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And of course, beer brewing will always be a theme central to our lives </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"></shapetype></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">We would also like to frame some images and organize them along over a narrow portion of one of the walls in our home, similar to this:</shapetype></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><a href="http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/anne-tahoes-barnum-bungalow/item/352294">http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/anne-tahoes-barnum-bungalow/item/352294</a></shapetype></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">We also aspire to use any built in shelves to display our book collections:</shapetype></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><a href="http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/anne-tahoes-barnum-bungalow/item/352285">http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/anne-tahoes-barnum-bungalow/item/352285</a></shapetype></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><a href="http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/anne-tahoes-barnum-bungalow/item/352321">http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/anne-tahoes-barnum-bungalow/item/352321</a></shapetype></span></div>
</div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-52558982937212253022011-12-23T08:28:00.000-08:002011-12-23T08:40:55.504-08:00Pairing beer with cake: Chocolate Stout CakeI want to try baking this chocolate cake with the Sam Adams - Chocolate Bock beer .. and then serve it with glasses of the same brew :)<br />And maybe add a scoop of vanilla ice-cream into the beer glasses .. A perfect harmony of favorite foods - Cake, Ice-cream and Beer!<br /><br /><a href="http://sweetapolita.com/2011/10/chocolate-stout-cake-with-whipped-vanilla-bean-frosting/">http://sweetapolita.com/2011/10/chocolate-stout-cake-with-whipped-vanilla-bean-frosting/</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-91658031076165292332011-12-23T07:50:00.000-08:002011-12-23T07:51:22.149-08:00Christmas Rich fruit cakeThe cake: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/christmas-cake-2/">http://allrecipes.com/recipe/christmas-cake-2/</a><br />Icing: <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4883/classic-winter-fruitcake">http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4883/classic-winter-fruitcake</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-2849899711296508042011-11-30T07:54:00.001-08:002011-11-30T09:21:37.996-08:00The Day we had our Rock n Roll wedding.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJCoDiwfbtWaKUQbM7_gKpw7G-3ApcazV0gQNkZuE9le91oJaS4XuKyb9W6w8ylxbKL4QzVaUxHbVXv2krAD3g72XTSIvdHirBOMMtGnsWT26GoqFHiRbzWTjVVPDLFxKN8nIpJ_gGmhq/s1600/WeddingVideoImage.PNG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680820810741598434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJCoDiwfbtWaKUQbM7_gKpw7G-3ApcazV0gQNkZuE9le91oJaS4XuKyb9W6w8ylxbKL4QzVaUxHbVXv2krAD3g72XTSIvdHirBOMMtGnsWT26GoqFHiRbzWTjVVPDLFxKN8nIpJ_gGmhq/s400/WeddingVideoImage.PNG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We got married in the Fall of 2011 in New York City. The fresh sunshine overshadowed the mild chill in the air and the entire day is etched like a canvas filled with gorgeous colors in our minds.<br />Every moment of every minute of that day is like a love song in our memories .. and we cannot stop smiling when we watch the images from our wedding!<br /><br />Our wedding ceremony was a divine experience at the Church of The Blessed Sacrament in the Upper West Side. The walk down the aisle, the gleaming congrgation filled with our families and loved ones, the sacred altar and all those moving moments left most of very emotional.<br /><br />The party began right after we said "I Do" :)<br /></div><br /><div>The party stretched from Central Park in Manhattan into waterfront loaction at The Surf Club in the uptown suburbs of NYC. We never stopped laughing, dancing and rejoicing at what we thought was the best day of our lives!<br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/32289031">Watch us and our Rock n Roll wedding video<br /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-44661840377544640232011-06-05T22:03:00.001-07:002011-06-05T22:03:28.366-07:00World's most romantic islands!<a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-most-romantic-islands/1">http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-most-romantic-islands/1</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-26007040555289225952011-06-05T21:28:00.000-07:002011-06-05T21:29:52.572-07:00Cruising along the most beautiful roads in USA!<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Americas's most scenic roads :)</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-most-scenic-roads" target="_blank" avglsprocessed="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 204); ">http://www.travelandleisure.<wbr>com/articles/americas-most-<wbr>scenic-roads</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I have been here in Maine .. in fact those are some of the rock/sea-cliffs on which our team did some challenging night rock-climbing :)</span></span></div><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-most-scenic-roads/21" target="_blank" avglsprocessed="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(0, 0, 204); ">http://www.travelandleisure.<wbr>com/articles/americas-most-<wbr>scenic-roads/21</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-63918659080773129562011-06-04T09:02:00.001-07:002011-06-05T21:30:34.628-07:00Californication :)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">These are a few resorts in the Golden State that I absolutely adore for having weaved in so much harmony with nature and of course the art of being luxurious without going overboard!<br /><a href="http://www.postranchinn.com/reservations/" target="_blank" avglsprocessed="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 204); ">http://www.postranchinn.com/<wbr>reservations/</a></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-26966087402700785452011-05-18T12:04:00.000-07:002011-06-04T09:02:00.902-07:00Island EscapeI have been nurturing a secret amazement for housing that dangles from trees or is lodged over water! The latter appeals to me more as I find the beach and ocean expanses so very romantic. So anything in a lagoon, or a shallow reef or further out in the deep waters of a tropical ocean is definitely a vacation of choice for me!<br /><br />Listed here area a few examples of extremely luxurious over-water resorts. They say 2/3rds of all such resorts in the world are in the Maldives! So even though I'd love to vacation in the Carribbean, Turk and Caicos islands or Hawaii - I may consider a trip further east to experience romantic isolation in one of it's most unadultered forms :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/05/11/five.overwater.bungalow.resorts/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/05/11/five.overwater.bungalow.resorts/index.html</a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.kiwicollection.com/blog/inspirational-photos-island-escapes/9309">http://www.kiwicollection.com/blog/inspirational-photos-island-escapes/9309</a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-82706868706321672112011-05-18T11:50:00.000-07:002011-05-18T12:04:52.338-07:00Hiking in the USAWith over 2 billion acres of contiguous land mass, there is a lot of ground to cover in mainland USA for any avid travelers worth their salt!<br /><br />The link here highlights some of the most favorite hiking destinations in the USA. Go conquer a few trails, camp under the open skies and unite with nature!<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/05/14/favorite.hiking.camping.spots/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/05/14/favorite.hiking.camping.spots/index.html</a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-46942608755407165452011-03-28T09:25:00.000-07:002011-03-28T12:45:03.595-07:00Food (and some beer!) in Flushing, Queens, NY<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Mingle Beer House</span><br />37-04 Prince St.<br />Queens, NY 11354<br />718.939.3808<br /><br />It's not just beer that's served here but also tasty food in a karaoke environment - Perfect!<br />I hear they have at least 6 varieties of beer on tap including a pricey Chimay($11). The Taiwanese appetizers and stir-fried foods add a spicy twirl to an evening of beer drinking and mingling :)<br /><a href="http://newyork.timeout.com/restaurants-bars/53070/best-food-in-flushing-queens"><br />Review of other popular food joints NY Timeout</a><br /><br />I am also reading this other blog by <a href="http://www.themangolassie.com/category/cities/new-york-ny/queens/flushing/">a foodie on a 'shoe-string' budge</a>t .. quite an apt source of inspiration for me !Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-58969274726275470242011-03-09T08:12:00.000-08:002011-03-11T09:07:43.487-08:0040 days of meatlessness..<p>The transition from hearty, beefy foods to seemingly lackluster vegetarian chow can be challenging and almost cruel to our hungry palates :)<br />But let's not fret this season of Lent - because when you venture into the NYC outdoors, a satisfying vegetarian meal is anything but a challenge to find. And NO, I am not saying that we enter into those mainly meat-based restaurants and sit down for a meal made up of slimy salad juices and silly-looking sides!</p><p><br />There are many fantastic places that will serve a generous vegetarian meal that consists of almost all the flavors that one's gastric senses would crave for. And yeah while they are not abundant, fortunately I have been able to discover a bunch of what's not only the best but also the super affordable ones :)<br /></p><p><strong>(In the Village):</strong><br />Counter<br />Sacred Chow<br />Café Himalaya<br />Red Bamboo<br />Gobo<br />Hummus Place<br /></p><p><strong>(Uptown):<br /></strong>Candle 79<br />Josie's<br />Peacefood Café<br />Maoz<br /><br /><strong>(New places still to be tried):<br /></strong><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/quartino-bottega-organica-new-york"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Quartino</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> (Roman Trattoria - Noho)<br /></span><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/taim-falafel-and-smoothie-bar-new-york"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Taim</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> (Middle Eastern - West Village) </span></p><p><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/mundo-cafe-and-restaurant-astoria"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mundo Café </span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(Turkish - Astoria)<br /></span><br />And as I'd like to think, a touch of velvety fish here and a spattering of meaty broth there won't hurt our abstinence routine much :)</p>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-52779910001295959742011-02-01T12:53:00.000-08:002011-02-03T07:08:03.905-08:00Mitsuwa ..The largest Japanese marketplace in the US - that's what Mitsuwa is in a nutshell! This place is a wonderland for lovers of Japanese food, groceries, household stuff, electric appliances, and the culture.<br /><br />And I am part Japanese at heart :) So I have always been in awe of Mitsuwa, and that it's east coast location is less than a few miles from where I live, makes things all the more exciting!<br /><br />Situated along the Hudson river in Edgewater, New Jersey, this Mitsuwa center is more of a mini-mall than a traditional supermarket. From Japanese tea/mochi selling kiosks to book/video stores to restaurants/sushi bars, this gigantic location will meet many demands.<br />And of course, the supermarket section sells everything from packaged snacks to grade-certified Angus beef.<br /><br />So here's presenting to you .. <a href="http://www.mitsuwa.com/">Mitsuwa</a><br />Oh, and here's the <a href="http://www.mitsuwa.com/english/">English version of the site</a><br /><br />Enjoy... Tanoshimo :)Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-4671850697386612972011-01-26T09:13:00.001-08:002011-01-26T09:40:31.447-08:00Unique n essential NYC stores<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1JKzogkzk4fDHKMxcNowR8gJ_OLUvzIdn50AAgylBH1zgH1DmGhWb_trauIs3DajuNx2qFGiC6gdgyLv3b3Yj2dbX07LCSA74cNdot-KiZSPO4QAVBEb8ld1lpufFFyMnn-KbVuJQWje/s1600/fishs_eddy_image1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1JKzogkzk4fDHKMxcNowR8gJ_OLUvzIdn50AAgylBH1zgH1DmGhWb_trauIs3DajuNx2qFGiC6gdgyLv3b3Yj2dbX07LCSA74cNdot-KiZSPO4QAVBEb8ld1lpufFFyMnn-KbVuJQWje/s400/fishs_eddy_image1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566549236513224178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yesterday I walked into Fishs Eddy, an NY institution that has been around since 25 years into the business of (in their own words) 'doing dishes'! These guys have dedicated their cheerful vintage-like stores to selling one-of-a-kind kitchen and lifestyle items that are also quite affordable.<br /><br />My visit to the Flatiron store felt like walking into a charming small-town shop - filled with gorgeous articles for sale! Needless to say, I walked out with a few unique gifts :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWW5QR-My7tyNFNyoB3bYKp-OGa5PE60u40TX_jbtS4qeCco9ED3DqTRp9ArEtTyhF8rPu690LOAFcP4woknS1WtR7LPdM7ghdpF-_VHhRjdDvbLjbFR_L2-gDB0o_-dLLteY1YNtyTp-/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 78px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWW5QR-My7tyNFNyoB3bYKp-OGa5PE60u40TX_jbtS4qeCco9ED3DqTRp9ArEtTyhF8rPu690LOAFcP4woknS1WtR7LPdM7ghdpF-_VHhRjdDvbLjbFR_L2-gDB0o_-dLLteY1YNtyTp-/s400/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566548481356503362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://ny.racked.com/archives/2010/10/20/the_38_essential_new_york_shopping_experiences_october_10.php">More such essential NYC shopping institutions that I plan to visit</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=unique+shopping&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY#%21">And also some other favorites from Yelp</a><br /><br /><br />Happy NYC shopping!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-69019505228812268012011-01-25T08:50:00.001-08:002011-02-03T06:57:40.696-08:00A placeholder and the closing of my favorite Indian restarant in New york CityWhy is this a placeholder post?<br /><br />I just got back from my short vacation to India. And both, my mind and heart are brimming with tales to write. Alas my overpowering schedule and dreaminess has got the better of me. I have also started maintaining a small (really cute) diary of places and food zones I'd like to visit. So I think it's just a matter of time before I start transmitting juicy bits of information from my black diary to my blog!<br />This placeholder post serves as a self-reminder :)<br /><br /><br />Now for more on my most favorite Indian restaurant in New york - <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Tabla</span>.<br />It was where I had the most delightfully inventive yet completely authentic Indian flavors-bathed meal of my life. This was the summer of 2010 and I must thank my friend profusely for taking us there on his birthday, else I don't think I would have ever entered through the doors of Tabla on 24th St and Madison Ave in Manhattan.<br /><br />The setting was classy and upscale and yet there was nothing even remotely pretentious about the attitudes or the food that was floating in there. The dishes served were groundbreaking from the first appearance of the food through the flavors exploded by the last bits. Quality of ingredients, retention of natural colors and the build-up of flavors - everything about Tabla had won me over.<br /><br />Chef Floyd Cordoz, the man behind the food at Tabla says a few words in this article on the closing of Tabla on 31 December 2010.<br />http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2010/12/floyd_cardoz_di.php<br /><br />I am glad he recommends some upcoming Indian food places to try.. I know I will without any regrets!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" class="pp-place-title"><span>Junoon Restaurant</span></span><span><img class="unstarred noprint si_9754927915252878144" authtoken="4d3f04494T-JohpBbJ1BZg-BOPwMJIoL1rY" src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/en_us/mapfiles/transparent.png" id="pp-starred-item-star" width="21" height="14" /> </span> <span dir="ltr" class="pp-headline-item pp-headline-address"><span>27 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10010-3290</span></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-31860371620243066222010-12-02T20:17:00.000-08:002010-12-07T11:21:46.714-08:00Hot chocolate on a cold wintry night !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT623v07T5tHA1e-ZGU0Z-4_qoUUtzAICvoC-hRtq-RARLBGFSCnRKkaWrlayitqcmc8sjc90Cfa4YnhsIk6sThtv3J5sn_82_31AuYZRs-Okkfy0JzgZkuUopa5pRIfbfNGOjD_EmfSPZ/s1600/hot-chocolate-poured-from-pot-into-mug-cup.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT623v07T5tHA1e-ZGU0Z-4_qoUUtzAICvoC-hRtq-RARLBGFSCnRKkaWrlayitqcmc8sjc90Cfa4YnhsIk6sThtv3J5sn_82_31AuYZRs-Okkfy0JzgZkuUopa5pRIfbfNGOjD_EmfSPZ/s400/hot-chocolate-poured-from-pot-into-mug-cup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546310540207509906" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Verdana,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;" ><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; outline-width: 0px; list-style-type: none;"><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; outline-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; line-height: 16px;"><br /></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; outline-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; line-height: 16px;">1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; outline-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; line-height: 16px;">1/2 cup milk</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; outline-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; line-height: 16px;">1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; outline-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; line-height: 16px;">1 dash hot chili powder</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; outline-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; line-height: 16px;">Tiny pinch of salt</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; outline-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; line-height: 16px;">1/2 cup cold milk.</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; outline-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; line-height: 16px;"><br /></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Combine the chocolate chips and milk in a saucepan on high, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Mix in the salt, cinnamon, and hot chili powder. Stir in the cold milk. Strain into 2 mugs. Thin with additional milk, if desired.</span></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br />Sources:</span></div><div><a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/drews-world-famous-triple-rush-hot-chocolate/Detail.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/drews-world-famous-triple-rush-hot-chocolate/Detail.aspx</span></a></div><div><a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2009/01/belgian-hot-chocolate/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2009/01/belgian-hot-chocolate/</span></a></div><div><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-88323538906884277632010-11-15T12:06:00.000-08:002010-12-07T11:27:28.884-08:00Just a (pretty darn good) burger!<span style="font-weight: bold;">Cooked to order</span>, <strong>flame-flavored, </strong><strong>moist and juicy </strong><strong>.. that's what we'd call a pretty darn good hamburger! There's hardly any doubt in the veracity of this statement.<br /><br />Here is a list of destinations that will strive to satiate the </strong><strong>burger-lovers tastebuds with hand-crafted cheeseburger perfection.<br /><br /></strong><strong><br /><a href="http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/37947942/new_york_ny/the_burger_joint.html#profileTab-reviews">The Burger Joint, New York, NY</a><br /></strong><span class="street-address">Le Parker Meridien @118 W 57th St</span> (between 6th & 7th Ave)<br />Tucked away behind red velvet curtains in the imposing atrium lobby of Le Parker Meridian Hotel is a shack-like burger place<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"> that serves burger </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">perfection! The grub is a standard-sized hamburger, with perfectly melted cheese and "the works"(everything on it)</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong>Oh, and don't forget to pair your cheeseburger with shoestring fries (thrown into a paper bag) and a pitcher of Sam Adams (the only beer sold here). They serve root beer/soda too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcX1siFmeeK6XRXYhoWLLihHRpIrvaor3dFZGxlZX4tN2iYrs6FhhF7CNKRZhWeTaAKjeAnYw66zk3YbHtN742brSdTI89du0YxBhiZDCX3NX18lO-_1KW0ceJ0Ah7Kx3jCKlVGF8WQlh/s1600/Burger-Joint.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcX1siFmeeK6XRXYhoWLLihHRpIrvaor3dFZGxlZX4tN2iYrs6FhhF7CNKRZhWeTaAKjeAnYw66zk3YbHtN742brSdTI89du0YxBhiZDCX3NX18lO-_1KW0ceJ0Ah7Kx3jCKlVGF8WQlh/s400/Burger-Joint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547990505543101058" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good to know before you go: </span><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Cash-only, limited seating, the booth seating is worth waiting around for.</span></strong><strong> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Also this </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > place sort of invites graffiti on their walls, and we very creatively scrawled our initial</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">s too :</span>)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/dram-shop-brooklyn">The Dram Shop, Brooklyn, NY</a><br /><span class="street-address">339 9th St</span> (between 5th Ave & 6th Ave)<br />This bar-like setup serves a fast-food style burger. The recipe has been a closely guarded family secret since it was conceived in Dallas more than 60 years ago. But there's definitely yellow mustard and sliced pickles somewhere in between the buns and the square patties, that adds a great tang to the whole experience.<br /><br /><strong><br /><a href="http://nymag.com/restaurants/cheapeats/2010/67147/index1.html">Petey’s Burger, Astoria, NY</a></strong><br /><em>30-17 30th Ave., nr. 31st St. 718-267-6300</em><br />It’s kind of In-N-Out inspired. So go expecting to find a burger you'd find at a California drive-in:<br />The quintessential meat patty sandwich overstuffed with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, thinly sliced onions and melted American cheese. A special (Thousand Island-like) sauce drips all over and all of this comes wrapped in waxed paper to add to the old-school experience. This is definitely fast-food that can rival the West Coast braggarts :)<br /><br />(<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tip</span>: Try the double cheese with sauce and extra-crispy fries - $9 )<br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/rub-bbq-new-york-2">R.U.B. BBQ</a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/rub-bbq-new-york-2">, New york, NY</a><br /><span class="street-address">208 W 23rd St</span> (between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)<br />The thin, salty, juicy patty, made from equal parts of brisket and short rib meat, is served in a buttery bun with sweet pickles and American cheese. The result is a steak-like mouthful with an added kick<span> from the</span> chipotle aioli.<br /><div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"> This place is also known to serve the <strong>Jucy Lucy</strong>, a <a href="http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2009/09/a-guide-to-glossary-of-regional-american-burger-cheeseburger-styles-and-cooking-methods.html#cheesestuffedburgers">cheese-stuffed burger</a> that is a specialty of Minneapolis.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good to know before you go:</span> These phenomenal burger meals are only served on Mondays 6pm-9pm, in limited quantities .. makes it more special<br /><span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://newyork.timeout.com/restaurants-bars/74890/best-cheap-burgers#ixzz17S3OwTah"></a></span></div></div><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-9-burger-new-york-2">Blue 9 Burger</a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-9-burger-new-york-2">, New york, NY</a><br /><span class="street-address">92 3rd Ave</span> (between 12th St & 2nd Ave)<br />An NYU haunt, this is another burger destination that is almost an In-N-Out taste-alike.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >More recommendations coming up</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> soon.<br />In the meantime, we are also going to perfect the skill of cooking and serving burgers in their most elemental form - just beef and bun - gradually we aspire to inject more creativity, such as that of a Jucy Lucy into one of our favorite foods of all time! :)<br /></span></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-31108980870024390882010-10-18T12:02:00.000-07:002010-10-18T14:35:25.915-07:00Coffee, Bagels, Doughnuts .. an American Breakfast in NYCWhile in search of a great cuppa coffee, some fresh bagels and sweet breakfast treats, there's one place that won't leave you the least bit disappointed - New York City!<br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/pops-coffee-shop-flushing#query:just%20like%20mothers">Pop's Coffee Shop</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="street-address">4429A Kissena Blvd</span><br /><span class="locality">Flushing</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">11355</span><br />Neighborhoods: Flushing, NY</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">A great-tasting coffee shop that's really a diner - a true, surviving American icon in the neighborhood</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/letys-bakery-and-cafe-jackson-heights#query:coffee%20shop">Letys Bakery</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="street-address">7707 37th Ave</span><br /><span class="locality">Jackson Heights</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">11372</span><br />Neighborhood: Jackson Heights</span>, NY<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">A local bakery that offers universal confectionery treats paired with a great cup of coffee</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/brooklyn-bagel-and-coffee-company-astoria">Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Shop</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="street-address">35-05 Broadway</span><br /><span class="locality">Astoria</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">11106</span><br />Neighborhood: Astoria</span>, NY<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Perfectly crafted, super-sized bagels with a wide selection of cream cheese to go along --- there's no stale, cardboard taste here but only the real New York Bagel experience.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/baruirs-oriental-amer-groceries-sunnyside">Baruir's</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="street-address">4007 Queens Blvd</span><br /><span class="locality">Sunnyside</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">11104</span><br />Neighborhood: Sunnyside</span>, NY<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Solid yet inexpensive coffee. Additionally, the ice-cubes made from coffee floating </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">in your cold coffee</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> are a streak of pure genius - no need to drink diluted coffee again!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/alpha-donuts-sunnyside">Alpha Donuts</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="street-address">45-1 Queens Blvd</span><br /><span class="locality">Sunnyside</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">11104</span><br />Neighborhood: Sunnyside</span>, NY<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">A search for the best French crullers in the city will certainly get you here! Besides serving other Boston cream, Chocolate glazed doughnut varieties, </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">this retro diner setup also offers a terrific home style breakfast.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/mferna15/LOCALS%7E2/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-22180696743059630482010-10-18T10:12:00.000-07:002011-03-09T11:24:00.043-08:00Flavorful Indian cuisine in New YorkA narrowed down assortment of what I feel may be just some of the best NYC places to load up on the authentic flavors of Indian cooking. Easy on the wallet too!<br /><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-FAMILY: trebuchet ms" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/mumbai-xpress-floral-park">Mumbai Xpress</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="street-address">25605 Hillside Ave</span><br /><span class="locality">Floral Park</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">11004</span><br />Neighborhood: Bellerose, NY</span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">This place doesn't shy away from trying to recreate Bombay street food and manages to whip up 'almost-alike' versions of the original Franki, Pav bhaji, Spring Rolls and Wada Pav :)</span><br /><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-FAMILY: trebuchet ms" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/tandoori-hut-richmond-hill">Tandoori Hut</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="street-address">119-04 94th Ave</span><br /><span class="locality">Richmond Hill</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">11418</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Neighborhood: Richmond Hill, NY</span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">There is nothing even remotely 'mild spicy' about this no-nonsense Punjabi eatery!</span><br /><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-FAMILY: trebuchet ms" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/southern-spice-flushing-2">Southern Spice</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="street-address">143-06 45th Ave</span><br /><span class="locality">Flushing</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">11355</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Neighborhood: Flushing, NY</span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">For the lovers of fish curries and tangy tamarind/tomato based rasams from the South Indian states</span>.<br /><br /><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-FAMILY: trebuchet ms" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/sagar-sweet-and-restaurant-inc-jamaica">Sagar Sweet Restaurant</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="street-address">16825A Hillside Ave</span><br /><span class="locality">Jamaica</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">11432</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Neighborhood: Jamaica, NY</span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">Head to this Bengali cuisine house if your taste buds are craving an ultimate chicken biryani and kebabs<br /></span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /></span><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-FAMILY: trebuchet ms" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/ganesh-temple-canteen-flushing#query:best%20indian%20restaurant">Ganesha Temple Canteen</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="street-address">45-57 Bowne St</span><br /><span class="locality">Flushing</span>, <span class="region">NY</span> <span class="postal-code">11355</span><br />Neighborhoods: Flushing, Murray Hill</span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">The food is a delight to a fan of the coconutty, rice-based, vegetarian South-Indian cuisine. The seating is public high school cafeteria like and the prices are extremely affordable.<br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic"><p></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italiccolor:#ff0000;" ><a style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-FAMILY: trebuchet ms" href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/thakali-kitchen-jackson-heights">Thakali</a> Kitchen</span></p><p><span class="street-address" style="font-size:85%;">74-14 37th Ave</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span class="locality" style="font-size:85%;">Jackson Heights</span><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><span class="region" style="font-size:85%;">NY</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span class="postal-code" style="font-size:85%;">11372</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Neighborhood: Jackson Heights, NY</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">For the delicate but delectable flavors of Himalayan/Nepalese momos, aloo chilly and pork thukpa</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic">. Don't forget to sip on some salty butter tea!<br /><br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">Enjoy the flavor eruption :)</span><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-STYLE: italic"><br /></p></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-29933425366646173422010-10-04T19:44:00.000-07:002011-03-10T18:53:35.057-08:00Honeymoon suites with private pools n more :)<div>I have heard about almost all of these, could be affordable too esp in low season :</div><div><a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/the-best-honeymoon-suites-with-private-pools-2394473/;_ylt=AlxXdQFnU.prbbaNktvJ9.WBbqU5#photoViewer=1">http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/the-best-honeymoon-suites-with-private-pools-2394473/;_ylt=AlxXdQFnU.prbbaNktvJ9.WBbqU5#photoViewer=1</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This one is in the Maldives and is super expensive I think, Kalpi/Sid went here:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Alila Villa Hadahaa: </span></div><div><a href="http://www.alilahotels.com/hadahaa">http://www.alilahotels.com/hadahaa</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Again Maldives, Dee went here:</div><div><a href="http://www.naladhu.com/">http://www.naladhu.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>worlds Sexiest beaches :-)</div><div><a href="http://www.bing.com/browse?g=world_beaches&qpvt=World's+beaches&FORM=hphot3#toc=0">http://www.bing.com/browse?g=world_beaches&qpvt=World's+beaches&FORM=hphot3#toc=0</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310644848304355050.post-54190262449975581702010-09-28T16:39:00.000-07:002010-09-30T17:18:08.639-07:00The world's best Chocolate Chip cookies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMyoPvoDT1tqr8_vWw0Hs3QK1VVl7WOavx5WdGUbiT7swck1eBCtxvQVLCtNz1K14XMXIv4oDiT5UpN9AXoDJiS3bohjmjBtAnIfB_zLJI6keLWyldBpCzjtoIbqYbVzvRhMpi20a3lDJ/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMyoPvoDT1tqr8_vWw0Hs3QK1VVl7WOavx5WdGUbiT7swck1eBCtxvQVLCtNz1K14XMXIv4oDiT5UpN9AXoDJiS3bohjmjBtAnIfB_zLJI6keLWyldBpCzjtoIbqYbVzvRhMpi20a3lDJ/s400/images.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522128496909344146" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px; ">Can you really beat the plain chocolate chip cookie? Or perhaps, the same cookie loaded with a double dose of chocolate chunks and nuts. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px; ">Or maybe dunked in a glass of cold milk. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px; ">Probably not :))</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small; ">Nestle Toll House cookies has been handing out the recipe for the 'best tasting chocolate chip cookies' for over half a century now. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; ">And we do know that thousands of moms across America have been baking this recipe in their kitchens and feeding their kids, what to each of them tastes like the 'world's best chocolate chip cookies ever'. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; ">And really, t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; ">his famous classic American cookie is a treat no matter what the age or occasion!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;">I haven't tried the Nestle Toll House recipe yet, but not so long ago I tried making a couple of batches of chocolate chips/walnut cookies for Christmas. Did I, in my maiden attempt, succeed in turning a bowl of uncooked batter into a sweet goodness of chunks that just melted in the mouth? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px; ">Honestly, I didn't even get close.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;">They were sweet but overcooked, crunchy but insanely tough, and I think one batch just tasted (and even looked) like sweetened mud cakes! I remember trying to serve them in a pretty looking glass bowl to everyone who visited my home during the holiday season and it wasn't long before their polite "No thank you" turned into a glaring "What will you take to keep those mud sliders away from us?"<span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">I am sincerely sorry to have subjected my</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> poor friends and loyal tasters to such </span></span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">ruthless, </span></span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, sans, 'sans serif'; line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">stomach-wrenching rounds of tasting</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;">Oh well, s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px; ">omeday I still aspire to be the mom who makes the world's best chocolate chip cookies :)) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;">But until then I have decided to explore the territories of other, better-experienced and well-known bakers. In short, I will just be visiting some popular bakeries around to sample some delicious molten goodness of chocolate and flour :))</span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px; "><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1C1GGLS_enUS369US370&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=levain+bakery&fb=1&gl=us&hq=levain+bakery&hnear=New+York+11377&cid=0,0,10761803594462719336&ei=_ISiTMzAJMH6lwfjnZ3VBA&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=2&ved=0CC4QnwIwAQ">Levain Bakery</a> Manhattan, NY</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; font-size: 13px; ">"a monster-sized disk of gooey chocolate with a cake-like chewy texture"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/almondine-bakery-brooklyn">Almondine</a> Brooklyn, NY</span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 15px; font-size: small;">"</span></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); line-height: 20px; ">Fabulously chewy, moderately gooey, and absolutely delicious"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/jacques-torres-chocolate-brooklyn">Jacques Torres Chocolate</a> Manhattan, NY</span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(35, 35, 35); line-height: 20px; ">chocolatey, with plenty of chips"</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px; "><a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/reader-picks-for-the-best-chocolate-chip-cookies-in-america-2392861#photoViewer=1">And some more</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><div style="line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px; ">Try these out, and remember to have your glass of creamy, ice cold milk ready!</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div></span></span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115807342618210318noreply@blogger.com1