I'm Back!!

Phew! I have been on a serious hiatus! I have been so consumed with the final preparations for my uncles wedding this past Saturday that I have completely ignored my blog! But, the wedding was a success! He is so happy, and when I gave my speech and told him that he was one of the greatest men in my life, I cried like a baby and so did he lol My uncle is a great man and I'm so happy for him!

On another note, i would like to finally introduce my bf Done Pepe. I mention him in a lot of my posts, mainly because he is so supportive of my food addiction, and that's why i love him :-) ha ha

Me and Don Pepe

Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk, Long Island NY

If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell. - Lance Armstrong

I have signed up to walk on October 17th at Jones Beach for the 2010 Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk. I am walking to help lessen the tragedies this disease has taken on families and help save more lives!

I have posted a banner on the right side of my blog anda link at the bottom of this post that will lead you to my personal participant page. I ask that you please join me in helping find a cure, raise awareness and fight back against breast cancer by making a donation. This can be easily done through the site and ANY amount you can donate would be much appreciated!

Also, if any of my readers are living in the Long Island/New York area, I would love for you to walk with me! You can sign up right on the site as well.

Together we can "Fight Like Hell" against breast cancer!

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/JNunez

Whopper What?!

“I love that whole princess mentality, but I also like throwing my hair in a ponytail and just wearing jeans, going on a hike and then eating a big chili-cheeseburger.” ~ Jennifer Love Hewitt

YESSS!!

Ladies, don't be afraid to go all out with your food every now and then. Having a juicy succulent chili- cheeseburger every once in awhile is not going to hurt your waistline. Plus, men might not always admit it, but they love a woman who isn't afraid to eat! We work too hard, spend so much money and effort keeping ourselves looking good and continuing to be the "classy lady" society expects us to be, that sometimes its actually healthy and beneficial to our sanity to let our hair down, let loose, get messy and pig out!

Courtesy of Marie Claire

Speaking of pigging out and Cheeseburgers =)

Burger King now has a specialty restaurant called the Whopper Bar! With only 4 locations across the U.S. (Miami, NYC, Memphis and Orlando) they are serving up there signature whoppers, but this time, you can create them ANY way you like! Pick the sauce, pick the toppings, pick the cheese!

Oh Em Gee!!

Or, you can pick one of their creations including the NY Pizza Burger: Four Whopper patties, slices of pepperoni and mozzarella cheese with marinara and Tuscan sauce on a sesame seed bun.

The only question I have is, Why didn't they think of this sooner???

Check out their entire menu and find their locations HERE

~ Eat Up, Drink Up, or Shut Up ~

So lately I've had so many situations that I've allowed to bring me down. So many things from the past that have scarred me and caused me to be afraid of living my life and following my own happiness! But I refuse to let outside influences control my happiness and the outcome of MY life! It is true what they say, you can't make someone else happy, unless you are happy with yourself.

So I've decided to take a completely different approach to my blog! I'm sure I am not the only person out there who falls into a low from time to time and we all need inspiration, positivity and joy in our lives! What brings me joy? Many things, but of course Food! So everything will still somehow incorporate this, but there will also be something inspirational to take from it!  I would also like anyone who reads to share their thoughts as well to the questions or ideas I share! Let's draw inspiration from each other!!

Don't worry, I will still keep my normal ~Eat Up Drink Up or Shut up~ and **Spotlight Fridays** posts!

This quote has inspired me so much today:

"When I get lonely these days, I think: So BE lonely! Learn your way around loneliness. Make a map of it. Sit with it, for once in your life. Welcome to the human experience. But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilled yearnings." - Elizabeth Gilbert

I find that I am slowly but surely accepting the idea of loneliness! It doesn't have to be a bad thing! As a young woman, living on her own, working FT, going to school and trying to keep up with the day to day life, I need that time to unwind and bask in my own essence! Sipping on a good wine and eating some great comfort food are some ways I "Sit With" my loneliness.

Penne A La Vodka

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup vodka
1 pound penne pasta
1 pint heavy cream
Directions

1.In a large skillet over medium heat, cook garlic in olive oil until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, breaking up a bit with fork. Stir in basil, salt and pepper and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in vodka and cook 15 minutes more.
2.Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
3.Stir cream into sauce and cook 10 minutes more. Toss with hot pasta.
 
I had this for dinner last night and it is one of my favorite comfort foods and so easy to make!!
 
Pair this with one of my favorite wines YellowTail Shiraz - Grenache!! A not too dry not too sweet Red.
 
 
 

What do you do when you're looking for some quality alone time? Please share!

 
 
 
 
More simple recipes can be found at Allrecipes.com

**Spotlight Friday's**

S'Mac

345 East 12th Street

New York, NY 10003-7238

Courtesy of MentalFloss

Remember my last post when I gave a recipe for Baked Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese? Well I was lucky enough to discover this amazing spot in the East Village of NYC that strictly serves nothing but Baked Macaroni & Cheese!!!!!
 

Oh Em Gee!!

 
And you know what they had on their menu??? Buffalo Chicken Macaroni & Cheese!
 
 

 

It was just as amazing as it sounded!

 
The place is really small but super cute with yellow and orange accents. Prices are definitely reasonable considering the area as well. I got a "Mega Munch" size for $10 and I couldn't even finish it! Of course i took it home though and had it for lunch the next day =) Anytime you can get 2 meals out of one, it's money well spent.
 
Don't go here expecting anything fancy or exceptional waiter/waitress service. Go here to simply indulge in one of their 12 cheesy masterpieces!! Mmmmmm I can't wait to go back!!
 
More info can be found on their website here.

BBQ, Beer & Wine

This Saturday head out to the North Fork of Long Island where they will be celebrating their 4th Annual

Craft Beer, BBQ and Wine Festival

Photo Courtesy of LIPulse

Over 50 Breweries from around Long Island will serving up over 100 different beers for your tasting pleasure! In addition, the Martha Clara Vineyards will be giving wine tastings throughout the event.

That's alot of drinking!

So, along with your beers and wine you will also be given a BBQ sandwich and side so you won't drink on an empty stomach and get sick and can continue you're drinking festivities!

They're so smart =)

Tickets are selling quick!

$50 gets you a souvenir tasting glass, beer tasting, BBQ sandwich with side and attendance to any of their special programs held, including a session on how to pair your Wine and Beer with Food. Awesome!
Ticket prices will go up to $70 the day of the event.

They are even safety conscious!

Designated Drivers get a reduced admission price of $12 which gets you a BBQ sandwich with side, a bottle of water and attendance to their special programs. If you're caught even taking a sip of someones beer or wine, you get thrown out!

They are serious about their safety!

For more information on this event check their website HERE

**Spotlight Friday's**

Monte's Pizzeria

Route 111

Smithtown, NY 11787

Photo Courtesy of Zero Gravity Eats Smithtown

I had to spotlight one of my favorite pizzerias today! I don't really even need to write a long drawn out post about it cause this place really speaks for itself! I work right next door to Monte's and not only is their pizza and almost everything else they serve, Ah-Mazing, but the guys who work there are by far some of the nicest people I've ever met! You are always greeted with a smile and they make you feel right at home.

They are also the guy's who made this beauty:

 as i noted from a previous post and also the guys who gave me a free lunch today =) You know that made my belly very happy!!

Stop by Monte's and experience it for yourself!

I'm A Diet Failure

Photo Courtesy of Zazzle

So I have to fit into my Bridesmaid dress and I have about 3 weeks to do it. I tried it on at the Bridal store and it litterally took 2 people to zip it up! I mean I'm not huge, I wear about a size 9 (now) but I do have some toning up to do so my underarm and back fat isnt hanging over the top of strapless dress, litterally!! What was i thinking when i thought i would be able to fit into a size 8? Especially after the sales woman told me the dress runs small? Why did I say "Hey its ok, I'll order it anyway and just make sure i lose some weight"?

Yeah Right...

I'm a lover of all foods that are "bad" for me! Ice cream, Cookies, Cake, Cupcakes, Cheeseburgers, Pizza, Wings, Fries, Fried Chicken, Rice & Beans, Candy, Candy, Candy, Cotton Candy, oh and did i mention Candy?

Did you notice I did not mention one vegetable or fruit?

I mean don't get me wrong, I do like a nice salad every once in awhile and fruit can be very refreshing, especially in this NY heat wave, however if I'm given a menu and tons of choices, guess what? I'm not picking a salad! =/

It amazes me that im not 500lbs already, but like the old wives tale says, it will sure catch up with me. I usually try to diet about 3 times a month and its always an epic failure. I've tried the Atkins Diet, FAIL! The Lemonade Diet, FAIL! Detoxing, FAIL! Eating smaller portions, FAIL! Cutting out sugar, FAIL! And...I think you get the point! People often tell me I should just join a gym or go for a run, but heres the problem with that, I HATE EXERCISING!! I have no motivation to run around a track aimlessly or spend another car insurance payment per month to go to the gym! That's another FAIL!

So basically my hopes for fitting into my bridesmaid dress are slim to none if I cant find the motivation to buy a pair of running sneakers and hit the track in 3 weeks! I guess I'll be taking a trip to the tailor and letting them work their magic!

Oy vey! I'm sure I would have more motivation if I had a running/gym partner?? Maybe? Or someone that followed me around just to punch me in the nose whenever I didnt pick the salad?

Who knows, one of my 30 Before 30 accomplishments is to run a marathon! So i have 7 years to get some motivation. Until then, I guess im content being the "Dieting Failure".

R.I.P

This week the New York Times reported a sad sad day for snack lovers across the country! The inventor of our beloved cheesy crunchy snack, Cheez Doodles, Morrie Yohai, passed away peacefully at the wonderful age of 90 on July 27th at his home in Kings Point, Long Island.

Photo Courtesy of  Bill Davis/Newsday

Let's all go out and eat a bag in remembrance of him! Don't even worry about the calories, they're irrelevant today!

To read the full article on Mr. Yohai click HERE

~Eat Up, Drink Up or Shut Up ~

OK I'm back with my weekly Wednesday Recipe!

This week it's real simple! I've been sooo stressed lately at work, I want to come home everyday and drink an entire bottle of anything with Alcohol by myself!! (of course I don't really, sheesh)

So I found this really simple, easy, hit the spot recipe that seems so soothing, and perfect for an after work simmer down!

Baileys Raspberry Kiss

I really do Love Love Love Baileys! I can drink it straight up on the rocks and it NEVER gets me sick! Everyone needs to find that drink, that they can sip on all day and never end up puking!! Baileys and Rum (of course, what kind of Puerto Rican would i be if it wasn't) are mine!

8 oz. Baileys Original Irish Cream (25 oz. per bottle)

1 oz. Godiva Chocolate Liqueur (25 oz. per bottle)  (Godiva Liqueur is soooo amazing!! I've used it a couple of times in a dessert recipe and have taken chocolate and whipped cream shots with it! Seriously, Off the hook!)
1 oz. black raspberry liqueur


Blend all ingredients in a blender with ice and wa-la! A delicious drink!! This recipe makes 4 servings! If you don't feel like blending, I would even pour all the ingredients and ice in a martini shaker and shake em real good and pour over ice!! Mmmmm yum!!


For more drink recipes and ideas check out this awesome website I found called  The Bar

It's Genius!

I LOVE Pizza! Any pizza! Any topping (minus mushrooms and anchovies, yuck!)

I HATE the Crust! Yup, I love pizza for its cheesy, tomato sauce, basil goodness! But I can really do without that dry, sometimes hard tasteless plain crust!

I LOVE Garlic knots! I mean if you don't like garlic knots, you're a dummy! Whats not to like about a garlic knot? Soft bread wrapped in a cute knot, oily and full of garlicky goodness!!!

What I really LOVE, is pizza with a Garlic Knot Crust!!!!

Yes!!!!!!!!! The pizzeria next to my job made this pie for the first time yesterday, and you know once I saw that I was all over it!!!! I don't know if anyone else has tried something as divine as this right here, but this was my first time, and, first time actually eating a WHOLE slice, crust and all!

This is officially my new addiction and I NEED to find more pizzerias that will make this for me!!

My belly was so happy =)