Category Archives: Food

I Can Dream Big, Right?

Busy, busy, busy week. Busy. Swamped. Too much to do. Too little time.

Alright, I’m done complaining. Just like college, days leading up to Thanksgiving bring you lots of stress and forces you into a panic mode, so I’m going to keep this post short and sweet. And frankly, quite appropriate for my mood.

Five places I would love to travel to RIGHT. NOW.

1. London, UK

I know, I know… I lived there for five months last year, and I had the most amazing time of my life. I, however, have fallen in love with that city and would do anything to go back, explore Brick Lane and go to my favorite Chinese restaurant, Hing Loon. Not to mention, an afternoon tea at the Muffin Man, a stroll around Hyde Park, a shopping trip to Harrods, a hearty meal of fish & chips and a pint at a pub, a lovely Thai dinner at Churchill Arms… My list goes on.

2. Hong Kong or Shanghai or both

Fact: I was born in Seoul, South Korea. Fact: I haven’t been back since I was 10. Fact: I’ve never been to China. Especially when the Chinese economy seems to be a rising powerhouse, I feel the need to go see what the hype is all about. One day… I’ll make it over there.

3. Lisbon, Portugal

I still regret not devoting a weekend to visit Portugal during my study abroad semester. I made it to Sicily, but not Lisbon. What was I thinking?

4. Cairo, Egypt

Arab Spring occurred and spread from Cairo. Sure, Tahrir Square seems to be the site of yet another uprising, but like China, I feel this country is a must-see. Things are changing, and it’s starting here with young people. I want to witness what it’s all about.

5. Seattle, Washington

The only U.S. city on this list… an ugly ducking? I like to consider myself fairly well-traveled, but unfortunately, I’ve never been to the Pacific Northwest. Northern most point on the other coast I logged in my travel book? San Francisco. Sooner or later, I just have to see first-hand why my friends from Seattle are so obsessed with their city.

Obsessed with: Vera Bradley Lunch Tote

I’m starting this new “Obsessed with” short feature. It’s my attempt at keeping this blog more me and more alive.

This week, I am obsessed with my lunch tote from Vera Bradley. Before you dismiss lunch bags as something you grew out of 20 years ago, take a look.

I wanted to pick an evergreen pattern. Vera Bradley offers many gorgeous blue-based patterns, but I thought they were too summer-y. Especially on this island, when the wind blows at 40 mph and the trees all bare, happy blue and yellow quilt wouldn’t belong. Of course I didn’t want something too winter-y either, so here’s the happy medium. What do you think?

And inside – do excuse my unpolished nails, full-time plus hostessing life doesn’t offer too much free time – I can fit my water bottle, cookies, sandwich and fruit snacks. I can fit a couple of Ziploc containers as well if I bring leftover pasta or rice for lunch. Often, I bring both lunch and dinner if I have to go straight to Chowder Co. for hostessing from the Times, so the spacious compartment is crucial.

All my food in one cute bag AND save the planet by not using plastic bags. I think that’s a winning combo.

Love Confession Round 2 for Trader Joe’s

I know I’ve written about Trader Joe’s before, but I must write another post to express my love. Since I moved to Martha’s Vineyard, the land without big chain stores – although Trader Joe’s doesn’t exactly fall into that category of big box retail… maybe a mid-sized box? – I’ve learned to fully take advantage of my time on the mainland. Meaning, I go grocery shopping, clothes shopping, shoe shopping, toiletries shopping, all sorts of shopping.

One of my must-visit place is obviously Trader Joe’s. Don’t get me wrong, I do love all the local, fresh, organic produce and meat here on the Island, but I can only spend so much money on my food.

I can’t exactly bring back everything I want, such as frozen goodies, but I can still stock up quite a bit whenever I take my car off island, and here are some items that I always get.

Green Plant Juice

Alright, it may sound gross to some of you, but don’t knock it until you try it. At first I didn’t know what to think of it, but I tried it for the first time last year when Jack’s roommates bought a bottle. And surprise! Healthy ingredients, but sweet enough to give you that satisfying taste of hearty juice.

Yogurt Pretzels

Almost every day I treated myself to a small bag of pick-and-mix at BU, and yogurt pretzels always made the cut. I dearly miss the convenience of having a giant pick-and-mix stand just an elevator ride away from my apartment, but TJ’s thankfully offers a huge bag. These are less sweet than Flipz yogurt pretzels, but anyone who knows me understands my low tolerance for sweetness. I can’t even drink a full can of Coke or even stand having sugar in my coffee.

Pineapple salsa

Add a little bit of twist to your normal salsa. If I had it my way, I would bring back a giant tub of fresh tomato salsa, but those need to be refrigerated, so here’s my substitute. I love pineapple chunks, and it adds a fresh taste to my otherwise boring homemade chicken quesadilla.

Charles Shaw – Pinot Grigio only though!

Who are we kidding? Would I ever leave TJ’s without a few bottles of the classic Charles Shaw Pinot? Nope. A pricetag of $3 per bottle makes it even more attractive and valuable.

Coffee

Dark French Roast coffee simply completes my morning. I can’t live without a small (well, a large) dose of caffeine each morning, and this family-size can of whole bean French Roast serves the purpose very well.

Pita bite crackers

With hummus or cheese, versatile pita crackers. These make the perfect snacks, and next time I’ll probably bring two or three boxes back because one box disappeared in just a couple of days.

I could probably go on and on and on and on, but before I end up listing every single dried good at TJ’s, I’ll stop. I might actually bring a large cooler for my next trip though. I miss goodies that need refrigeration, like BBQ chicken pizza, hummus and hash browns.

Destination: Los Angeles

Sunshine, Warmth, Food (and lots of it, too), Drinks, Friends.

All these do a perfect job describing my week in California and Nevada. For spring break, Jack and I visited our friends in Los Angeles and spent a few days in Las Vegas. Needless to say, it was incredible.

Usually after a week of vacation anywhere, I am ready to come home. This time, however, I was actually sad to hop on the red eye back to Boston.

Los Angeles rose high above my expectations. Sure it was smoggy, but the atmosphere and the weather totally won me over.

The trip involved a lot of exercise. I left dreary Boston thinking I will be laying out on a sandy beach, doing nothing and eating nonstop. The actually itinerary, however, took me hiking, biking and a lot of walking.

First day we hiked up to the Hollywood sign and spotted two celebrities – A.J. from the Office and Ravi from the League, although I was too distracted by A.J.’s adorable golden retriever to actually notice his face. But totally understandable? Right?

After the hike, we sat down for a lovely dinner at In-N-Out. After three visits in a week, I think I can proudly say I have mastered its secret menu. Let me help you out here – especially if you have never experienced the joy of biting into In-N-Out’s delicious cheeseburger.

  • Double-Double: Yes, for the first time in my life, I ordered a double-cheeseburger. Double patties and double cheese.
  • Well-Done Fries: Meaning, extremely crispy!
  • Animal Style: On your burger OR on your fries. I actually suggest both. Carmelized onions + cheese + secret sauce.
  • Neopolitan Shake: Strawberry + Vanilla + Chocolate milkshake.

My mouth is watering just thinking about it. In general though, the food in California was absolutely incredible. I consider myself a foodie – I love food; I enjoy eating; I love trying new food.

Baja-style Mexican food matched my high expectations of Mexican cuisine in general since I grew up in TX after all. English pub we tried in Santa Monica offered one of the best fish & chips I tried in the US. Even a tiny little food shack along the beach near Manhattan Beach – owned by a nice Georgia man with his homemade chicken salad recipe – was amazing.

We also biked from Santa Monica to Manhattan Beach… Long long long bike ride, but totally worth it! Sure it took all day and sure I ended up with some funny tanlines thanks to my decision to wear a blazer, but the view and simply the idea of biking right along the beach and taking in the scenery… Just, WOW.

Though LA is not a walking city, we chose the simplest mode of transportation – our legs – to see Sunset Blvd, and that wrapper up our stay in Los Angeles.

I would loooove to go back – possibly live there in the future?

(View from the Hollywood sign. Yes, it was a long hike, but totally worth it! Especially when there is a trip to in-n-out involved afterward.)

(While biking down from Santa Monica to Manhattan Beach. one day… I will be a proud owner of one of those modern, chic, fancy houses.)

(Near LAX… Alvin and the Chipmunks. Downstairs there were Sully & Mike from Monsters Inc.)

Post on VEGAS to come soon!