I'm At The OC Latina Moms & Surf And Sunshine!

So excited to share I'm a contributor at The OC Latina Moms!  I am thrilled to share my favorite places in Orange County and learn more about the hot spot I live in!  If there's anything you want me to write about, let me know!  I hit publish on my first article there last week and feeling right at home. 

I had an epiphany this year that soup is one of my favorite foods.  Making good ramen broth is an art form, you need patience to create the depth and richness for what is basically a delicate base.  Gomen Ramen delivers on that promise of authenticity, the environment itself is homely, making me feel right at home on some random street in Japan while never leaving Orange County.  Read my post at The OC Latina Moms here.

I also had the unique opportunity to cover an event for another blog and had a blast - I think stepping out of my comfort zone and little bubble here is the motivation I needed!  

I always assumed the food in TV and movies were… inedible.  That those dishes had to be plastic food props that were painted really really well. Wrong! I recently spent the day in Food Stylist Chris Oliver’s kitchen learning tips and tricks on how to make that magic happen for the camera. Chris Oliver is the master at making food on-camera ready and delicious, having recently been featured on Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks.  Read my post at Surf and Sunshine here.

Pi Day Crazy For Cream Pie Collection

Disclosure:  This post is made possible by Glam Media.  All thoughts are my own.

Photo by: Nestle's Kitchens / Courtesy of: nibblesandfeasts.com

Pi is never-ending and constant, just like my love for pie.  I vaguely remember the first time 3.14159 was introduced to me, I had to have been in 5th or 6th grade...  my math teacher had some choice words for pi and I just wondered why did I have to learn about it when it's an approximation.  Now pie was first introduced to me when I was probably a toddler - I'm assuming by way of empanadas (or hand pies).  That type of pie is always more fun.  But when I got older, I realized pi could be just as fun and with the popularity of National Pi Day on 3/14 ~ nerds everywhere can rejoice in the celebration!  Yay!  My favorite pies as an adult are banana cream pie or coconut cream pie and to celebrate, I picked out 14 cream pie recipes I am crazy for!

Cross Setting A World Record Off My Life List #MIXIMLOVE

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for Ehrmann MIXIM.  All thoughts are my own.

I can cross another thing off my bucket life list - setting a World Record!  The thought of breaking a record crossed my mind over the years but I'm not too wild, not at all athletic and honestly, just didn't know it was as easy as attending the launch party of Ehrmann USA's greek yogurt MIXIM!  The Queen Mary looking pretty in pink for Valentine's Day was a majestic sight to see. 

As we made our way to the front deck of The Love Boat, we were greeted with music and yogurt samples!

   

I grew up in Long Beach and I never got to experience seeing my hometown from the deck of The Queen Mary as the sun set - it was truly sublime.  And I'm sure for the couples, very romantic!

One of the more interesting things to happen that night was my conversation with Guinness World Records' adjudicator Michael Empric.  I'm convinced he has one of the coolest jobs in the World!

So what is Ehrmann MIXIM™?  A new, creamy fat-free Greek yogurt in a unique heart-shaped container that features two delicious “mix-in” ingredients that let consumers customize their yogurt experience.

Right now you can find the six extraordinary flavors in California, Arizona and Nevada at Albertsons, Bashas and Safeway for $1.89-$1.99 per 5.3 ounce container.  The yogurts are free of artificial preservatives, additives, colors and sweeteners!  The six flavors are: 

• Blackberry+ Pomegranate and Granola + Dried Fruit
• Honey and Coconut + Almonds
• Mango + Pineapple and Coconut + Almonds
• Cherry and Dark Chocolate Curls
• Raspberry and Dark + White Chocolate curls
• Strawberries and Granola

I really enjoyed the smooth and creamy texture of the yogurt, it wasn't tart and I loved controlling the portions of the toppings!  The absolute favorite for me is mango with pineapple and coconut & almonds!  The mango popped and woke up my taste and smell senses - it was so flavorful and didn't taste fake.  I am a huge fan!!!  I also sampled cherry and dark chocolate curls and

raspberry and dark + white chocolate curls - so so yummy!

436 people ready to set a Guinness World Record for the "Most Couples Simultaneously Feeding Each Other."

Attempting it!

Photo courtesy of: Ehrmann MIXIM

We did it!!!  The world record was achieved and the company donated $20,000 to its charity partner, the Children's Heart Foundation.  YAY!

I chased the official certificate down - isn't it the coolest?!

Everyone was treated to Journey cover band, Don't Stop Believin' and a beautiful Valentine's themed fireworks display to celebrate!

Photo courtesy of: Ehrmann MIXIM

Additionally, MIXIM will be donating $1 for every photo uploaded with the #MIXIMLOVE hashtag up to $5k - by entering, you have a chance to win an iPad Air and $1000 in Visa gift cards!

New Breakfast Sandwiches At Denny's!

Disclosure:  I partnered with Denny's for this post.  All thoughts are my own.

Having a meal at Denny's is a big deal to my 8 year old Duke.  But it isn't only a celebration to him, it's kinda a big deal for me too.  No sweating in the kitchen for a couple hours and no dirty dishes to worry about.  It is a little piece of freedom.  Especially when you work at home...I'm always cooking the same stuff for the littles!  Oh the monotony.  To keep the menu fresh, each month Denny's will highlight a new "Monthly Features" menu!  The new Breakfast Sandwiches caught my eye - you can get the Loaded Breakfast Sandwich or Fit Fare Breakfast Sandwich for $4 each or you can make it a plate!  I didn't realize my Denny's was so budget-friendly, on Tuesday and Saturday nights, kids eat FREE!  Our total for two adult entrees and two kids meals was under $16!  Hello once-a-month visit!

I cannot force this happiness.

And of course he wanted to be in all my pictures after that!  I did get the Fit Fare Breakfast Plate but confession!  I didn't get turkey bacon, I got bacon cause that's just how I do.  MY SANDWICH WAS DELICIOUS.  Yes even the egg whites, veggies, fruit and yogurt.

Ingredients: A Love Story At Whole Foods Huntington Beach On 2/11

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for Whole Foods Market Huntington Beach.  All thoughts are my own.

My husband Chris has always been sweet on Valentine's Day.  His love of the day made me love it too.  We are cheesy and go out for lunch or dinner, he brings me roses.  Those are some of the ingredients to our love story.  Whole Foods Market Huntington Beach knows how important love stories are and is kicking off Valentine's Day with a very sweet event on Tuesday, February 11th from 6-8pm

You will be treated to tastings and there will be an in-store raffle to win tickets for a Valentine's dinner for two! 

•Specialty Experience the sweet heat of Pepperlane sweet and hot fruit spreads paired with tangy goat cheese selected by our Cheese Specialist. While you're at it, meet our Wine and Beer Specialists and sample their Valentine's favorites

•Grocery Try the decadent combination of fresh nuts from our bulk section paired with California Rancher's Cajun seasoning and just the right amount of sweetness in Mike Keller's Hog Wild Nut Brittle

•Bakery Indulge in fresh baked Chantilly fruit cake with sweet and savory butter cream

•Meat Savor layers of flavor with chicken wellingtons served alongside Meat Educator Scott's in-house made Smokehouse Habanero Aioli

•Prepared Foods Sample Chef Nick's play on culinary seduction with his roasted asparagus salad with lemon, basil, and crisp quinoa with fresh green goddess dressing

•Produce Discover new realms of sweet and spicy snacking with Nercy's tempting mango, pineapple, and habanero guacamole

•Seafood Experience briny bliss with our fresh shucked oysters and kick them up a notch with a splash of La Pan's Et Tu Brute Bloody Mary Mix

•Whole Body Really get things started by adding a little maca to the mix with Whole Body Team Leader Danny's in-house made maca balls

Mmmm!  I am excited to sample all of the above but you can find me in the Bakery Dept. ~ the Chantilly fruit cake is calling my name!  Which food is calling your name?

My Whole Foods Market is social!  Check out other upcoming events:

• Every Friday in February, Whole Foods Market Huntington Beach is featuring live jazz in its 24 tap craft beer bar, Woody's Surf City Grill from 6-9pm.
• Saturday, February 22nd from 12-4pm, join Edzon and his Seafood Team as they fillet whole fresh fish to order.  As always, we cook, we clean, we do it for FREE!  

Stay in the know by following Whole Foods Market Huntington Beach on Twitter / Facebook

Spend Valentine's Day On the Love Boat #MIXIMLOVE

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for Ehrmann MIXIM.  All thoughts are my own.

Hey lovers, to celebrate the US launch of Ehrmann MIXIM greek yogurt, the iconic Queen Mary will turn pink on Valentine's Day and host a FREE event to benefit the Children's Heart Foundation!  Will you join me on the love boat?  You get free entrance to the Queen Mary ($24.95 value), live concert performance by Journey tribute band Don't Stop Believin', Valentine's fireworks show, MIXIM yogurt sampling and giveaways!  RSVP here.

And if that isn't enough fun for you, help attempt a world record at 7pm for the most couples feeding each other yogurt simultaneously and Ehrmann MIXIM will donate $20,000 to The Children's Heart Foundation!  For every photo from the event shared on Instagram, Twitter or Vine, Ehrmann MIXIM will donate $1 to The Children's Heart Foundation up to $5,000 additional dollars!  Use the hash tag #MIXIMLOVE  

I'm sweet on Ehrmann MIXIM's heart-shaped container with 3 separate chambers but it gets better: Each product is as unprocessed as possible using fresh, cow milk from local farms, and the highest quality fresh fruit and ingredients.   MIXIM is non-fat and kosher certified, with no artificial coloring or preservatives.  Each serving of creamy, smooth MIXIM Greek yogurt is paired with two topping combinations to let you create your own taste sensations:

- Blackberry+ Pomegranate and Granola + Dried Fruit

- Honey and Coconut + Almonds

- Mango + Pineapple and Coconut + Almonds

- Cherry and Dark Chocolate Curls

- Raspberry and Dark + White Chocolate curls

- Strawberries and Granola

I can't wait to try it out on Valentine's Day!

Enter MIXIM Year of Love Valentine's Sweepstakes here.  One grand prize winner will win a $200 Visa gift card and a year supply of MIXIM yogurt!  Ten other winners will receive $100 Visa gift cards!  

Show love to Ehrmann MIXIM:  Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram

Love Is Getting Chocolate In The Mail #LoveEthelM

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Ethel M Chocolates.  All thoughts are my own.



My newest BFF is Ethel M Chocolates.  Anyone who wants to send me a Valentine Heart box with 14 pieces of gourmet chocolates gets priority in my life.  Chocolate is the magic word.  Now you know how you get to me.  I'm saying this because everyone should get chocolates in the mail at least once in their lifetime.  Is that too much to ask for?  I never knew the luxury of chocolates showing up at your door until this past year.  Instant happiness.

I shared my box of chocolates with my husband cause he's cool and I love him.  He ate all the solid chocolates and I indulged in toffee and creamy caramels.  That's how marriage works, sweet sweet compromise.

And because you are cool and yes I love you, I'm sharing this - Get FREE SHIPPING on orders over $55 with code: CUPID14

Each of the Valentine's Day limited edition heart pieces are carefully sprayed with cocoa butter in seasonal colors.  I totally thought the hearts were in cute foil wrap!

Sugar Factory Town Square #runawaytovegas

Disclosure:  #runawaytovegas is a media trip, all travel, food and activities were sponsored.  All thoughts are my own.

Four words: Sugar Factory Signature Drinks.  
We were waiting for our table and I noticed fishbowl sized glasses at tables with happy people.  I was intrigued, I wanted one and didn't even know what it was.  When you get the menu, you can't miss 'em - right there in the front, 8 glorious pages of goblets at a whopping 60 ounces each.  I didn't know if I could handle 60 ounces but the girls convinced me to go for it.  Lollipop Passion was my first choice but I have a soft spot for gummy worms and went with the White Gummi.  It was quite a production when it arrived - I totally didn't expect the little show but it was fun and yummy, I'd order it again!  The staff at Sugar Factory Town Square is attentive and very friendly.  If I hadn't already fallen in love with the decor, they would have sealed the deal and I'll tell you why, the whole restaurant was busy buzzing but they made sure we weren't forgotten while we waited to be seated.  Now that's a first impression.  After working in the industry as a manager for over 18 years, I knew that they were genuinely happy and eager to help.

What I would order next time:

• Everything
• The Barbie Milkshake - Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream and Strawberry Gelato blended with Marshmallow Fluff and topped with Whipped Cream and Pink Rock Candy Crumbles
• Fried Macaroni & Cheese Pops 
• Apple Pie Crepe
• Banana Chunk Martini
• Grape Crush Cocktail
• Lollipop Passion Goblet
• Rocky Road Fondue
• World Famous Sugar Factory King Kong Sundae - $99 for 12 people.  Imagine what that baby looks like!
• Coconut Hot Chocolate
• Everything

White Gummi Goblet - fresh lemon sour, Peach Schnapps, Bacardi Red and Bacardi Razz.

That's a very happy me and my goblet.  I almost didn't order it because I was like, "OMG it's $29!"  But it's Vegas baby and you just have to!

S'mores Martini for Marla

Memory Lane Milkshake for Chris

We had the busiest day and this was a fun dinner for all of us

Some highlights from dinner.  Totally showing off the veggies because let's face it - not everyone can do veggies right.  Simplicity at it's best with asparagus and haricot verts (green beans).  French Onion Soup and White Pizza.

You just have to have dessert in Vegas.  We only got one.

Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Town Square has amazing Happy Hour offerings.

Border Grill Brunch #runawaytovegas

Disclosure:  #runawaytovegas is a media trip, all travel, food and activities were sponsored.  All thoughts are my own.

Border Grill Brunch in Las Vegas is intense.  All you can eat for $35 - I counted 22 dishes on the brunch menu, we tapped out at 9.  These weren't your run-of-the-mill buffet offerings that Vegas is known for - these are tried and true dishes from Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.  The food is bold - modern takes on Mexican favorites.  The decor is wild and funky, the murals gave me a festival vibe fitting the style of the food.  We opted to sit outside on the patio, overlooking the empty Mandalay Bay pools - brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3pm.  If you can't make it out to Vegas but live in Southern California, Border Grill Downtown LA just announced their weekend brunch for $19.99!



Guava Empanadas and Banana Bread

Fresh Mango Lemonade - Border Grill made it special for me!

Green Corn Tamale - these are always a favorite wherever I go.  Sweet with a little spicy is just good.

Bacon Jalapeno PBJ - it's true, bacon is good with everything.  The jalapenos weren't as hot as I thought they would be but still yummy.  Very filling.

Breakfast Fries - another big fave.  I would totally make this at home.  I wish more places made breakfast fries.

Yucatan Egg Benedict - eggs benedict are fairly new to me.  I only tried them for the first time last year.

Waffle & Pork Belly with Maple Syrup - another favorite.  This is crazy heavy but good.  SO GOOD.

Lobster Pancakes - another favorite.  Crispy leeks are everything.

Bread Pudding French Toast - again, another favorite.  I am obsessed with bread pudding and have never tried it this way - it was amazeballs.  I wanted to lick that decadent coconut syrup off the plate.

Fig & Blue Cheese Quesadilla - surprisingly this was good.

Churro Tots - do I even have to say anything... churros baby.

We are done.  Roll us outta here!