Kitchen Favorites

I have two older sisters and a mom. I've decided this is why I didn't really learn how to cook very well growing up.  I can bake (I'm assuming my sugar cravings and my far distance to the nearest bakery forced me to learn), but I'm very limited on what I can cook.  I've decided to list a few kitchen favorites that have aided in me becoming the next Bakerella (I can dream can't I?).

Egg Perfect Timer

This has revolutionized my egg boiling skills (they were pretty much non-existent before this little dandy. Evidence here and here).  I got mine at William Sonoma (I might have bought one for my mom as well). 

Cuisinart Rice Cooker/Steamer

This little guy has been a staple in my single life.  Its so easy to use, and requires little "cooking" ability.  I usually throw rice in, and steam vegetables, shrimp gyoza's or add chicken...done and done.  Its easy to put away due to its retractable cord.  I LOVE RETRACTABLE CORDS.

The Cuisinart Griddler

I just got this for Christmas, and I. Love. It.  I had been trying not to buy this for myself (I have to leave something to register for when I get married right? I am getting married someday, right?) but my mom....uh, I mean Santa beat me to the punch.  I've been eating with this thing the last couple of days and I highly recommend it.  I made panini's, pancakes, grilled chicken, grilled fish, and fried eggs. Its great, has detachable plates that are easy to clean and dish washable (I HATE washing dishes so anything "dishwasher safe" is a bonus). The plates have a flat side and grilled side.  I also found that you can buy waffle iron plates (maybe I'll register for those?). I want them.  

These are the main kitchen items that make my life easier. Dare I ask what items you can't live without? A girl can keep wishing can't she? 

xoxo,

N

Movie Talk

I've always loved a good documentary or foreign film.  I tend to see them in theater by myself due to lack of interest from friends. So you can tell I was uber excited when Manda J. said she was interested in seeing a few documentaries (she is recently converting over).  I think we're going to make "Documentary Night" a new thing.  The first that was on the list was : Food Inc. (currently on Netflix and Amazon Prime instant watch)

Its a very unflattering and eye opening movie on how involved the government is in America's food industry. And how its cheaper to buy a bag of chips than it is to dozen eggs or another form of "real food." American's are obese but we're aiding this by "growing" our food with chemicals, steroids, etc. therefore increasing production rate and decreasing cost.  Its pretty messed up.  I will no longer be purchasing #Tyson products. And I will continue to grow my own food with whatever space I have.

We haven't decided what we'll watch next, but I decided to list a couple of my recent favorites:

Exit Through the Gift shop
Mad Hot Ballroom
Waiting for Superman
Man on Wire
Buck

What are some of your favorites? Any suggestions to add to my list?

Happy viewing!

I Haven't Been Blogging

Instead I've been:

Getting FREE shaved ice, beverages, tacos & music at UCI's Reggae Fest.

Making cherry cobbler w/my bestest friend for works Water for People Chili Cook off fundraiser.Playing around with watercolors.Going to FREE concerts (thanks again for the tix El Rey, Au Revoir Simone was awesome).

Driving around LA and Hollywood with Dirty D (I've actually never been this close to the sign, thanks again D!).

Eating Roscoe's with Erma (later followed by dessert cupcakes from Sprinkles and a hunt for a Panera for their delicious orange scones).

Hanging out at the beach with my cute, cute niece and her lovely parents.

Seeing really cool midnight movies with family & friend (this actually wasn't at the theater, but was on display yesterday at Paramount Studios!)

Frequent trips to Yogurtland with friends.

Going to bridal showers and weddings planned by Brittney Stiles (former Stiles Fisher).

Whew. So I've been busy as a bumblebee, but its time for blogs again (haha, trying to check all my reader updates, 225 to read! Oh me, oh my! ) Happy summer!!!

IT"S FRIDAY!!! CAUSE TO CELEBRATE!

So in celebration, I'm listing this week's list of:  

"A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS..."

1.  Yummy, yummy, delicious goodness packed inside a cute little, edible BUNNY GRAHAMS.

 2. Another Annie's bunny favorite...The ever so lovely CHEDDAR BUNNIES!

3. Thao's album: We Brave Bee Stings and All.

She's ever so lovely and always is capable of making one happy, don't believe me? Play "Bag of Hammers." (p.s. if you want to search her on itunes, type in 'THAO,' or 'THAO NGUYEN.'  She's also known as Thao Nguyen and the Get Down Stay Down...). 

4. MOJO bars by CLIF. I love the name (its also a nickname for my seester) and I love these bars. I like CLIF in general, but these are new, and crunchy, and lovely, and tasty and delicious...I think CLIF sums is up just dandy, they said: 

"Honey roasted peanuts - when bees and peanuts get together, nutty sweet & salty things happen." And who can argue with that?

(Oh, and for more pictures of real live people, who have real live bees....check this amazing, female, olympian-like bee keeper--->HERE.)

What are "a few of YOUR favorite things?"

A Delicious Reward

So, yesterday was another long day (or long way to start a week?). Anyways, anytime I work more than 12 hours/day, I feel I deserve some sort of reward (for sanity's sake). I usually turn to retail therapy, but due to the location (Melrose) and the weekend's Dior makeup event (LOVE their new Iconic mascara) shopping was out of the question. Anyways, since I was off Melrose and it being late at night, drive to BH would be a mere minutes away (18 to be exact). This is what I had in mind:

My purchases? Pistacio and Strawberry.

My favorite of the two: Pistachio

You ask where? Right here: http://www.crumbs.com/