Day 45: Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day.  Valentine's day reminds people to appreciate the people they love (which really shouldn't be necessary, but since it is, I'll enjoy it).  I love the candy, the colors (who doesn't love pink, white, and red), and the sentiment.  Over the years, I've had great Valentine's days: first dates, great dinners, and fun times; and bad Valentine's days: fights, bickering, or no appreciation.  As a single female, Valentine's Day can be rough.  People always ask "Are you spending time with your boyfriend or significant other?  Do you have a date?  What are your plans?" and it's tiring saying "No, I don't have any plans for Valentine's Day."  

This year, some girl friends and I decided to have a different type of Valentine's Day...let's call it "Galentine's Day." The night started at Smashburger with Barbie, Emerald, Ashleigh, and Jenny for some comfort food (hamburger and fries) before a movie.  Dinner was full of fun conversation and I look forward to getting to know these girls better.  Next, we headed to Mission Valley Mall for a viewing of "The Vow."  What could be better on Galentine's Day than watching a chick flick with a group of girls?  We brought treats, talked, got teary eyed, and laughed our way through the cute little movie.  "The Vow" follows a husband (Channing Tatum) as he endeavors to win back his new bride's (Rachel McAdams) heart after she loses her memory in a car accident.  I liked the movie, but the ending left me wanting more (I like movies when all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed in the end).  After the movie, those of us who weren't tired, headed to Amy and Tasha's house for dessert (yummy food): The Black Beast (a flourless chocolate cake) and an Almond Cake...both equally delicious.

Thanks girls for making Valentine's Day a blast!

Day 41: Las Quatro Milpas

As a San Diego native, I grew up on hole-in-the-wall Mexican food.  Usually, we ate at places near our house (Spring Valley and National City), but we also ate outside our comfort zone.  One day, my dad came home from work (while he was in the Navy) raving about a place in the Barrio called Las Quatro Milpas, or as we call it Milpas.  Milpas is off Cesar Chavez Blvd between downtown San Diego and the Coronado Bay Bridge.  It's only open 11am-2pm because the neighborhood is so bad.  It's always packed with military, police, fireman, and persons of Mexican descent (which sounds bad, but that's how you know it's good!).  My family has been eating there for over 20 years.

Today, I took my coworker, Eddie, to Milpas for his first time.  Eddie offered to help me buy our Walt Disney World tickets on 32nd St ($135 for a 4 day park hopper...a great deal, we saved over $840), so I decided to take him to lunch (Milpas is on the way). My dad could have bought them in Texas, but it's a two hour drive, so I volunteered to buy them through one of my many retired Navy friends.  

If you want to try Milpas, head down there around 11am, otherwise the line can get a little long.  I always order five rolled tacos with no lettuce (sour cream, salsa, and cheese included) and a Diet Pepsi, while Eddie chose two chicken tacos, a Chorizo,  Beans, and Rice bowl, tortillas, and a Coke...all for $12.75 (a bargain for two people).  Today, Milpas did not disappoint.  As soon as we left, Eddie wanted to go back for more food :)  I love authentic Mexican food.

Day 30: Chex Mix

When I arrived home from San Francisco tonight, I was starving (even though I ate a huge meal about 5:30PM...Yellow curry...yummy).  I couldn't decide what to eat because I didn't want to eat anything too heavy.  I had just about given up the idea of food when I remembered my Chex Mix.  As a child, I used to hate Chex Mix because it wasn't potato chips, but as an adult I love the original Chex Mix because it isn't too salty, has delicious textures, and mixes some of my favorite things together:

1. The Pretzels

2. The Brown Bread-like Chips

3. Chex (2 different kinds)

4. Salt mixture (I have no idea what's in it, but I like it!!!)

5. The slim crackers

Thanks Chex Mix for always being there when I need a quick snack!!!