Monthly Archives: August 2010

Nestle Toll House?

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This is something that I have been keeping from all of y’all for a while but I am finally sharing…. my husband, Justin bakes better chocolate chip cookies than I do. I’m embarrassed to admit this  but it’s true.  It brings back memories of watching the Friends episode where Phoebe wants Monica to recreate her grandmothers cookie recipe. She later finds out the recipe is from the Nestle Toll House package.  Here’s a snip it for ya:

Phoebe: Neslay Toulouse.
Monica: Nestle Toll House?
Phoebe: You Americans always butcher the French language.

Anyways Justin is baking a batch of cookies right now for us to take over to a friends house. Here is his recipe and yes I am including his secret which is highlighted.

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick salted butter
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups  chocolate chips

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Roll into balls and put on a silpat on a baking sheet.

BAKE for 9minutes and 30 seconds  or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

It’s getting hot in here….

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It’s been so warm in Minneapolis… (I’m not complaining - because I love my flip flops so much more than my Uggs).  I recently bought something that has made my life so much easier in this heat. I had to order them online but they are so worth it. They are  from EmiJay and they are hair ties that do not crease your hair. They come in tons of colors and  are great  for holding your hair up in a pony tail. They also make head bands. Check them out… I’m sure you will fall in love with them like I have.

http://www.emi-jay.com

Walking for “the fam”

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About a month from now I am walking the Step Out Walk to Fight Diabetes. It’s a 5k and not as crazy of an idea as the 10k was.  I am still going to physical therapy weekly but  I feel like a month from now my left leg will feel fabulous! Diabetes is something that “the fam” ( a wonderful nickname my cousins and I came up for our family) deals with on a daily basis. My father has Type 2 Diabetes and I have learned that if I do not want  Diabetes I need to make some changes in my life.   The walk is on Saturday, September 25  at the General Mills Headquarters and it starts at 9:00 A.M.  I have set a personal goal of $20o.00 and  am also setting another goal  participate in this walk next year too. If anyone is interested in walking with me let me know.

Check out my personal webpage: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/MinnesotaArea?px=6089669&pg=personal&fr_id=7278

My life is complete… I have gone to Sprinkles Cupcakes!

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What we stumbled upon while walking around Chicago.

I know that it is August and obviously most people aren’t making New Years Resolutions but as Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) approaches what the heck I’m making some changes. First of all I will blog more frequently… I have been M.IA. from the blog too often this summer. My next resolution is a meal makeover. I’m determined to cook more  and offer up my recipes via the blog. ok so I’ll start by telling you that one of my dreams has come true.

Justin and I went to a wedding in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. I love going to Chicago. I love the architecture boat tour, the restaurants, and of course the shopping! I found out that Sprinkles Cupcakes recently opened in Chicago and I was determined to seek this cupcake heaven out right after I landed in Chicago. (well long story short we thought the place was too far from the hotel and that we might have a hard time getting there….) Now don’t boo hoo yet because as we were wandering the streets of Chicago I looked up and saw this familar logo and realized we had walked all the way to the shop without even knowing it. Pure bliss at seeing the storefront and I did not even care I had to wait in line for a good 20 minutes. We sampled the red velvet, cinnamon sugar, and the vanilla. My favorite was the red velvet which is shocking because  I am not a huge fan of red velvet cake. (Marcy, you have to go there when you go to Chicago… you will be in love!) 

 Fellow Minnesotans go to this website and vote for a Sprinkles Cupcakes store!

http://www.sprinkles.com/locations.html

Is 45 minutes too far to drive for a great lunch?

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Many apologies for my recent absence from the blog. I have had my hands full this summer with nannying, planning a wedding shower,vacations and a couple other things. I am going to post a couple gems from my recent trip to Stillwater with the girls. What a great weekend…  Now I am left wondering though can I simply drive 45 minutes to Stillwater just for lunch here?

This post is simply on a fabulous restaurant we stumbled upon for lunch on Saturday. It is called Reve 324. The best way to describe the menu is to simply put it pure genius. I was also impressed with the variety on the menu.  Everyone loved  it and we are all eager to go back and try something else.  In case you were curious our group sampled: Black Sesame Seared Tuna, Curry Coriander Rubbed Chicken Satay, Chef Salad, Wild Mushroom Flat Bread, Seared Scallop Pasta, Wild Mushroom Penne.

Check it out : http://reve324restaurant.com/