If you like Cuban food, never had it but want to try it, try Havana on Clark Street in Chicago. I had never had Cuban food before, but if this is what it is, I am sold! I had the Chimichangas for an appetizer,.... WOW, were they delicious! For my entree, I ordered the salmon which included grilled salmon topped with a tamarind sauce served over jalapeno mashed potaotes. Sounds good? It is!
A live band starts up at around 11:00 and because my date and I were having such a wonderful time and the server was wonderful, we stayed longer, listened to the band and had dessert. The key lime pie was delectable. I would visit this resaurtant over and over again. If you're not particular about fish, they have a nice selection of chicken and other meats. I already have my menu selection selected for my next visit!
Friday, October 12, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
Restaurant hopping for my birthday...
Recently I celebrated a birthday and took a long weekend doing so. What fun! I thought I'd give a shout out to the wonderful restaurants that I visited. If you are in Chicago, and you have the opportunity, make it a point of dropping by, if it's your cup of tea so to speak.
My birthday was on a Sunday, but I began on a Thursday. The hubby and I had a wonderful meal at L26 on 26th & State. The food was absolutely, melt in your mouth while your toes are wiggling and you're humming, delicious. I ordered the lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. I don't eat meat often, at all. Usually I eat it no more than 2-3 a year because it makes me feel so heavy, as if I'd eaten an entire turkey. I felt nothing like that. The lamb was so light and juicy and perfectly seasoned; I may eat lamb twice as much, now. The hubby substituted the lamb for salmon which was by far the best I've tasted.
I just couldn't resist telling everyone I can about this restaurant, it is not often that I find really good ones; with excellent service, too! And, to boot, 3 of the 4 restaurants I visited my birthday weekend were excellent. I'll let you in on the other two later...
My birthday was on a Sunday, but I began on a Thursday. The hubby and I had a wonderful meal at L26 on 26th & State. The food was absolutely, melt in your mouth while your toes are wiggling and you're humming, delicious. I ordered the lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. I don't eat meat often, at all. Usually I eat it no more than 2-3 a year because it makes me feel so heavy, as if I'd eaten an entire turkey. I felt nothing like that. The lamb was so light and juicy and perfectly seasoned; I may eat lamb twice as much, now. The hubby substituted the lamb for salmon which was by far the best I've tasted.
I just couldn't resist telling everyone I can about this restaurant, it is not often that I find really good ones; with excellent service, too! And, to boot, 3 of the 4 restaurants I visited my birthday weekend were excellent. I'll let you in on the other two later...
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Ok, I fell off the wagon... so to speak. My juice fast/raw eating venture fell to the wayside a few days ago. Well, I suppose I did give it a rather hard nudge, (smile). But, as of today, I am back. Fresh ginger tea this morning and juicing for the next 10 days. I felt wonderful for the 2 weeks or so that I juiced and ate raw. On last Friday, I prepared a delicious stuffed green pepper. I stuffed it with sauteed fresh red onion, garlic, and eggplant along with black beans and brown rice. I topped it off with fresh pureed tomatoes, seasoned to perfection. The whole family enjoyed it and didn't miss the meat at all.
I haven't stepped on a scale for a week. I don't feel like crying right now so I'll wait until perhaps Friday, or so, to log my results thus far. After the first week I lost 6 pounds, but nothing but a couple of ounces the next week; although I could see inches disappearing. Until next time...
Anyone else out there having a epiphany about their eating habits or going through a weight loss program? I would love to connect with you.
I haven't stepped on a scale for a week. I don't feel like crying right now so I'll wait until perhaps Friday, or so, to log my results thus far. After the first week I lost 6 pounds, but nothing but a couple of ounces the next week; although I could see inches disappearing. Until next time...
Anyone else out there having a epiphany about their eating habits or going through a weight loss program? I would love to connect with you.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
It's been super busy for me in the past few weeks. Son came in for college spring break, left for college spring and before, after, and in between, it's been whirlwind crazy for me. But one thing that I realized in all of my running, I am not taking care of myself. I stepped on the scale and went numb. I was the same weight as I was when I was nine months pregnant with my last child and she just turned 4! I couldn't cry, scream, or shout; just numb, I was.
This was on Monday. Since then I am determined to be better to and for myself. So, I have gone raw. I had given up red meat many years ago and only ate fish and chicken anyway, but now, definitely not any chicken for awhile, if ever. Now, I don't know if this will be a lifetime change, but for the time being I feel a difference in me. I am sleeping better, have more energy, and my sinuses have cleared. The best thing is that in just these few days, I have lost 4 pounds! I am going to attempt to do a juice fast, I don't know how long right now... just one day at a time. I'll keep you posted on my journey and results; my goal is to drop at least 4 pant sizes and at least 60 pounds. Wish me luck and any of your experiences are welcome.
This was on Monday. Since then I am determined to be better to and for myself. So, I have gone raw. I had given up red meat many years ago and only ate fish and chicken anyway, but now, definitely not any chicken for awhile, if ever. Now, I don't know if this will be a lifetime change, but for the time being I feel a difference in me. I am sleeping better, have more energy, and my sinuses have cleared. The best thing is that in just these few days, I have lost 4 pounds! I am going to attempt to do a juice fast, I don't know how long right now... just one day at a time. I'll keep you posted on my journey and results; my goal is to drop at least 4 pant sizes and at least 60 pounds. Wish me luck and any of your experiences are welcome.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Some of us were really affected by the recent death of Whitney Houston; others, not so much. She was a phenomenal singer who left us with an outstanding collection of music and I enjoyed the time that she spent with us.
She was not perfect, as none of us are, but, in my opinion, she was definitely special; and that is all I will say about that. Her death had me thinking about my own mortality and my legacy, my children. I thought of Bobbi Kristina and my heart breaks for her. Surely, she is not the only child who has lost a parent at a young age and I pray that she gets the love and support that she needs to get through this very difficult period of her life.
I had been thinking, also, about the wife of the former NFL player who had a possible stroke or brain aneurysm and passed away suddenly at the age of 29, leaving behind a 4 month old as well as one other young child.
I had begun to wonder, how do we prepare our children for our passing? Do we really prepare them or do we just avoid the subject? Granted, it is a very difficult subject for many of us but it is after all, inevitable. My daughters, who are teens, told me that they would not, could not handle it if something were to happen to me. That disturbs me more than anything. I certainly do not want them to break down and become incapacitated. I want them to continue to live, to succeed and to be brilliant. I want them to be representatives of me. Without having too much discussion, I need to let my children know that they must be strong and continue on, remembering that I am forever a part of them. When do you think you should talk with your children about this very sensitive subject? What would you, do you say?
She was not perfect, as none of us are, but, in my opinion, she was definitely special; and that is all I will say about that. Her death had me thinking about my own mortality and my legacy, my children. I thought of Bobbi Kristina and my heart breaks for her. Surely, she is not the only child who has lost a parent at a young age and I pray that she gets the love and support that she needs to get through this very difficult period of her life.
I had been thinking, also, about the wife of the former NFL player who had a possible stroke or brain aneurysm and passed away suddenly at the age of 29, leaving behind a 4 month old as well as one other young child.
I had begun to wonder, how do we prepare our children for our passing? Do we really prepare them or do we just avoid the subject? Granted, it is a very difficult subject for many of us but it is after all, inevitable. My daughters, who are teens, told me that they would not, could not handle it if something were to happen to me. That disturbs me more than anything. I certainly do not want them to break down and become incapacitated. I want them to continue to live, to succeed and to be brilliant. I want them to be representatives of me. Without having too much discussion, I need to let my children know that they must be strong and continue on, remembering that I am forever a part of them. When do you think you should talk with your children about this very sensitive subject? What would you, do you say?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
This has been an interesting week, to say the least! My great nephew, who has been having difficulty at home and at school came to stay with us. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. I am one of those who like to help when I can and I like to see things to the end. It will take some time to get over the fact that I, we could not reach this child. Now, it seems that he has sealed his fate. As we are all out of options, he will be sent to Job Corps where we pray he can turn his life around and become the responsible, successful, mature and respected man that we expect.
This generation is so very different than the one in which I grew up. We respected our parents, our elders. We listened to them; even sought their advice sometimes and listened to what they had to say, without talking back, even when we didn't agree. We didn't like all the decisions that were made for us but we didn't revolt like these children do today. My parents weren't super strict but I knew what was expected of me and I NEVER challenged my parents. Hey, I liked living. I sometimes resented that my parents did not talk to me and explain why they made the decisions they did for me; or I didn't like that they didn't explain to me how and why they did things, period. Now, I talk to my children more. I try to explain to them why I make the decisions that I do. I can see that that is not always the best way to go, either. Even in trying to explain to teenagers, they still don't think that parents know best.
How about you? Do you recognize how this generation is different from yours growing up? What are some of the issues you deal with or that you have witnessed from family or friends? How has it been dealt with? What are some of your success stories? I'd love to read them...
This generation is so very different than the one in which I grew up. We respected our parents, our elders. We listened to them; even sought their advice sometimes and listened to what they had to say, without talking back, even when we didn't agree. We didn't like all the decisions that were made for us but we didn't revolt like these children do today. My parents weren't super strict but I knew what was expected of me and I NEVER challenged my parents. Hey, I liked living. I sometimes resented that my parents did not talk to me and explain why they made the decisions they did for me; or I didn't like that they didn't explain to me how and why they did things, period. Now, I talk to my children more. I try to explain to them why I make the decisions that I do. I can see that that is not always the best way to go, either. Even in trying to explain to teenagers, they still don't think that parents know best.
How about you? Do you recognize how this generation is different from yours growing up? What are some of the issues you deal with or that you have witnessed from family or friends? How has it been dealt with? What are some of your success stories? I'd love to read them...
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sending out a heart felt thanks to fellow blogger Carolina at http://carolbalocka.blogspot.com/ for giving me the Liebster Award. Now it is my turn to choose 5 wonderful blogs to receive this award. My picks are below and my understanding of the rules for receiving this award are as follows:
1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks for the award and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Post the award on your blog.
4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the blogshere – other bloggers.
5. Hope your recipients pass the award to their 5 favorite blogs to keep the love flowing
The awardees are:
http://survivingmadness.blogspot.com
http://hearmyhands.blogspot.com
http://myroadtosavings.blogspot.com
http://windycitymama.blogspot.com
http://njhousewife.blogspot.com
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