post-bahamas blues

I'm feeling a little blue but this picture always make me smile. Taken during our cruise to Bahamas. The Javiers singing "Happy Birthday" to birthday girl, sis Jilen.

Yes, the water really is that clear. I miss Bahamas!

cake trippin'

Back from our Bahamas trip, A and I were badly craving for cruise-ship-like desserts and so here it goes:

I know! How beautiful is this cake? I can't remember what it's called but it has shaves of white chocolate with chocolate drizzles and layers of white vanilla cake with strawberry and white chocolate icing. Delicious! It's just like one of the layers of our wedding cake. Yes, the one we didn't really get to taste except for that one time we cut through it for pictures. Anyway, apparently one wasn't enough for us so we bought another one!

This one is a chocolate truffle cake and it tastes just as delicious as it sounds. I almost forgot how much I love cake! More yummy pictures!

Can you tell I couldn't wait to cut through it before we could take pictures??

Another thing we were craving for was nachos and dips. I know, I know! Cake and nachos soo do not go together, but what the hey! It's midnight and we needed snacks =) Look, how good it looks!

And the layers, mmmmmm......

Sooooo good! Anyway, enough about food. Thank You cards are calling! So much for trying to eat healthy!

love love, love!

Two more days to Bahamas, baby!

I guess it would be an understatement to say I'm looking forward to this much needed vacation. I'm going crazy with stress at work and all the undone "Thank You's" are staring at me when I get home, screaming " Finish me! Finish me!" Aaaahhhhh!! I'm exaggerating but what the heck!

On a happy note, silly things like these make me smile =)

don't you love heart shaped ice-cube makers from IKEA???

the search for the best shake-shack-like-burger

I know, I know. Just a few days ago, I've nothing but good intentions with regards to healthy eating but our recent trip to NYC has awoken something in me....and I don't even eat burgers! Feast your eyes on this: without a doubt, the best burger I've ever had....

the shack stack from shake shack

Believe it or not. People actually line up for this babies. We waited for two hours in line, just to devour this juicy beefy goodness. You can check out the line up here through their live webcam in real time! Cool, huh?

So what's so good about the shack stack?? Let me start with the breaded portobello mushrooms in between the juiciest, crunchiest slab of beef I've ever tasted with just the right combination of cheese, lettuce and tomatoes that can make you forget the amount of calories you've ingested. Magical? I think so!

Anyway, so I've been craving burgers these days (and no! for the nth time, I am not pregnant!! - just in case your wondering, like most people!) and A and I are on a quest to find the best burger place in Toronto. Our first destination---

No particular reason. It just happens that there's one near our place so we decided to check it out. Here is what we ordered: a traditional Jetsuns juicyburger with bacon. Sounds promising, huh?

And it looks good, too! But is it as delicious as it looks? and of course, it is a disappointing NO! You'd think the bacon would be a tasty addition to this already good-looking sort of bun but no, I hardly even tasted the bacon (or the beef for that matter!) The burger itself is so bland, it made the bun feel thicker and overwhelming. Anyway, we rate this baby a 1.75 and that's only because we ordered fries and gravy along with it which made this whole meal acceptable to our picky taste buds.

Our next destination:

Dangerous Dan's Diner (which apparently, holds the title for making the best burgers in Toronto)

I can't wait!

mmmm....salmon!

I've been ignoring the urge to buy new jeans and flowy tops to hide the flabby belly I seem to have acquired over the last two months. And though we're not completely unhealthy, there are still some changes that need to be made. Our "Labour Day Resolution": Cut down carbs and eat healthier. More and more people are noticing our rounder bellies and bigger frames and true enough, if we keep eating the same way, it won't be long until we have to buy a new wardrobe. So, healthier eating, here we come!

My very own version of Asian Salmon and Tuna Salad =)

ingredients:

your choice of greens (ours had romaine, iceberg, red cabbage and carrots. for a more "Asian" feel, try some spinach =))

grape tomatoes

cucumber

1 can of light tuna flakes

key ingredient: Litehouse Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette (only 35 calories for 2 tbsp!)

For the salmon:

half a lemon

a blend of your favorite spices (salt, pepper, basil, parsley, oregano, cumin, mustard, rosemary)

olive oil

instructions:

Marinate the salmon in lemon extract, olive oil and a blend of your favorite spices. Cook the salmon in medium heat until golden brown. Set aside.

In a bowl, blend your favorite greens, grape tomatoes and cucumber. Sprinkle half a can of light tuna on top. Place the salmon on top of your salad and finish off with Litehouse Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette. Enjoy! =)

Spice up your rice!

Looking for a twist on your plain white rice? Try this: add a little bit of "I can't believe it's not butter" margarine, garlic salt and a sprinkle of basil. Bon appetit!