Archive | Food RSS feed for this section

Red Lobster’s Garlic Cheese Biscuits

24 Feb

Growing up, one of the outings I looked forward to most was getting good grades then celebrating at one of my fave restaurants.

Usually it was a Chinese spot, but sometimes I craved those yummy Biscuits from Red Lobster. (Oh, the joys of living in Suburbia)

To this day, I still get a hunger for those yummy buttery bites of goodness.

I was super excited when i stumbled upon this recipe from Gimme Some Oven for the Red Lobster biscuits.

They are super easy and turned out great.

Todd Wilbur, author of “Top Secret Restaurant Recipes” has a recipe too. His calls for butter in the biscuit mix, which I will def try next. You can get his recipe from his GMA apperance HERE.

If you get the craving, here’s the ones I just made from Gimme Some Oven:

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits
(Adapted from Joyful Abode)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups buttermilk biscuit mix (such as Bisquick or Jiffy)
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic salt

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Prepare a baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix together biscuit mix, cheese and garlic powder.  Add in milk, and stir until well mixed.  (Heads up – the dough will get very sticky!)

With a spoon or with your fingers, shape the dough into biscuit-sized clumps, and drop onto the baking sheet.  (Note that the dough will pretty much hold its shape when baked, so feel free to pat down random peaks in the dough if you’d like them to look more uniform!)

Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until biscuits begin to brown slightly around the edges.

While the biscuits bake, prepare the warm butter mixture by mixing together the melted butter, oregano and garlic salt in a small bowl.  As soon as the biscuits are removed from the oven, brush the biscuits (while they are still on the baking sheet) with the mixture until they are well-coated.

Serve warm.

(*This recipe usually makes about 15 biscuits for me.*)

**I doubled the melted butter for the topping just bc I’m a butter freak.

**Next time I’d add the butter to the mixture, just out of curiosity and I’d cut down the oregano.

Food Truck Ban Near California Schools

22 Feb

Food trucks are all the rave in Los Angeles.

I will admit, I am a HUUUGE Food Truck groupie.

I’m a regular at The Grilled Cheese Truck, Lobsta Truck, and Ragin Cajun.

They know me, I stalk follow them on Twitter…yes, I have a problem.

My boys and I love it! Great food, convenience, and reasonable prices.

There are a zillion food trucks in LA to satisfy the hunger for even the pickiest eater: Korean BBQ, Vegetarian, Gourmet Burgers, Shaved Ice, Nom Nom, Dim Sum, Salads, Tacos, Crepes…you name it!

In addition to providing great food options, Food Trucks are also becoming staples at birthday parties and events around LA.

Many local schools bank on the popularity of the trucks and their huge following by organizing them for school fundraisers.

Popular trucks assemble on school grounds, and a portion of the proceeds earned are donated to the school.

I have gone to quite a few of these (just doing my part to help support education!). They are so much fun and kids and parents really enjoy it.

However, this could come to an end soon.

Carmel Assemblyman Bill Monning introduced a bill prohibiting food trucks from selling food within 1,500 feet of an elementary or secondary school between the hours of 6am and 6pm.

The bill is intended to be part of the state’s effort to create a healthier eating environment for school children.

I understand the need for healthier food in schools, especially with a child obesity rate that has tripled in the past 3 decades.

I’d be more inclined to find something healthy and yummy on a food truck than in a school cafeteria.

Are food trucks really the problem???

What about the liquor stores, fast food restaurants, and convenience stores within walking distance of schools? Where are the laws for those???

And I find it odd that by California law, a marijuana dispensary needs to be at least 600 feet from a school, but a food truck needs a distance of 1,500 feet.

Are we saying Mary Jane is better for a child’s health than something a food truck has to offer???

IJS.

Doesn’t make sense to me.

Get it together lawmakers. FOOD TRUCKS ROCK!

Michelle Obama Does the Dougie and Running Man

19 Feb

Discovering your passion, purpose, and meaning in life is such a great reward.

I knew early on that my passion is children.

I am an advocate for kids, their well being and happiness.

I think that’s why I really love First Lady (and Hot Mama of 2 girls) Michelle Obama.

Sure she’s intelligent, funny, beautiful, and has great fashion sense. But, she’s also very passionate about the youth.

In February 2010, she helped launch Let’s Move, a campaign to help raise a healthier generation of kids.

In the past 30 years, the childhood obesity rate has tripled. This is mainly because of lifestyle, eating habits, and lack of physical activity.

“The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake.”

-First Lady Michelle Obama

Children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day to grow up to a healthy weight.

Ms. Obama is taking her Let’s Move campaign throughout the country. She’s advocating for healthier eating choices in schools, educating the kids about a healthy lifestyle, and encouraging them to get up and MOVE!!!

She’s not just just a spokesperson. The First Lady is on her feet with the kids and moving too.

Ms. Obama is reminding kids to be physically active by doing things that get you up and on your feet: gardening, jumping rope, yoga, jumping jacks, and dancing.

And boy, can Chelle cut a rug! You can see her at Alice Dean Middle School in Washington DC rocking out to Beyonce with the kids.

Gotta love a First Lady who does a mean Dougie and Running Man. I can see her and the POTUS doing the Electric Slide all over the Oval Office.

Great job Ms. Obama. Thanks for inspiring this generation to combat obesity!

McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets Are Gross

29 Jan

This blog almost made me puke.

The things I do to bring you guys info and entertainment…

Sooo….this chic named Stacey Irvine, a 17 year old in Britain has been scarfing down McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets all her life. No fruits. No veggies. Just nuggets.

While my 7 and 3 year old sons would enjoy the thought of this, it is actually disgusting and not good for you.

Stacey was rushed to a British hospital bc she collapsed and was struggling to breathe.

Upon examination, doctors learned since the age of 2, Stacey has never eaten fruits or veggies, only fast food fried chicken nuggets.

WTH?!

Ok, I know babies don’t come with a manual, but come on parents, THIS IS NOT GOOD!

Stacey’s mom said she tried to get her daughter to eat other foods. Stacey said once she started eating nuggets, she “loved them so much they were all I would eat.”

So, what’s in these yummy nuggets Stacey and so many others scarf down daily:

A study determined McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets are “stripped down to the bone, and then ‘ground up’ into a chicken mash, then combined with a variety of stabilizers and preservatives, pressed into familiar shapes, breaded and deep fried, freeze dried, and then shipped to a McDonald’s near you.”

Do you like cosmetic products and Silly Putty? Great, because one of the stabilizers and preservatives you are eating is dimethylpolysiloxane, a form of silicone used to make cosmetice products and Silly Pully.

YUM-OH! Let’s break out the BBQ sauce!!!

Parenting isn’t easy.

We are often trying to spread ourselves thin finding enough time in the day to get things done.

But COME ON…we have to do better than letting a fast food chain feed our kids on a regular basis.

Do my kids eat McDonald’s? Yes. But not on a regular basis.  I also make sure they eat fruits, veggies, and healthy home cooked meals in addition to the crushed eyeballs/tendons/preservatives nuggets they get at McDonald’s.

I remember growing up, an outing to a fast food joint was a TREAT. It was a reward for doing something really great like getting an “A” on a report or my mom getting a promotion.

Fast food was not the answer to dinner EVERY NIGHT.

Just like we are conscious about who our kids play with, how much tv they watch, their grades in school, their safety in public, what activities of play they do…we should also be responsible about what foods we feed them regularly.

If you have young kids, start them on good eating habits NOW. It will make your life and theirs much easier and healthier.

P. S- Someone please tell me Chick Fil-A doesn’t do any of this crap to their chicken, bc I GETS DOWN at Chick Fil-A!!!!

#1 LSU vs #2 Alabama In The BCS Bowl

6 Jan

The highly anticiapated last game of the college football season is upon us.

This game is so big, nosebleed seats are starting at $1,000.

“Good” seats are going for $5500.

#1 LSU will play #2 Alabama in New Orleans for the BCS Championship Game on 1.9.12.

I am sooooo excited!

LSU has an undefeated season, clinched the SEC Division title, and already beaten Alabama (on their home turf) once this season.

There is so much rivalry and history between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide/Elephants/Tampons.

Both schools are physically strong and huge defensive threats.

They play in the same division, SEC Western Conference.

Also,Bama’s coach, Nick Saban  stole LSU secrets coached at LSU from 200-2004, leading the Tigers to a BCS Title beating the Oklahoma Sooners 21-14.

LSU and Alabama are undeniably the top 2 college football teams in the Nation.

However, LSU is better.

*LSU has beaten EIGHT nationally ranked teams. Since the AP ranking were created in 1937, no national champion team has ever done this.

*LSU has 3 victories over top 5 ranked teams.

*LSU won the SEC Championship (the strongest conference in college football) by 32 points beating UGA in Atlanta.

*The Tigers have beaten 12 opponents by an average of 30 points.

*LSU has seven double-digit victories over nationally ranked teams.

*LSU has scored 40 or more points against six ranked schools.

*LSU has beaten 5 teams who have won Bowl games (would have been 6 if UGA hadn’t choked).

*Oregon beat Wisconsin 45-38 in the Rose Bowl. LSU beat Oregon 40-27. On a neutral site. With our backup QB

*West Virgina beat Clemson 70-33 in the Orange Bowl. LSU beat West Virgina 47-21. On the road.

*LSU coach, Les Miles named 2011 AP Coach of the Year

*LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu won Chuck Bednarik Defensive Player of the Year

*LSU’s Morris Clairborne won Jim Thorpe Outstanding Defensive Back of the Year

*LSU’s John Chavis won Frank Broyes Assistant Coach of the the Year

Need I geaux on?

Despite LSU being ranked #1 in the BCS poll ALL EIGHT WEEKS, there are still naysayers. SMH

Oh well, I believe.

Mo and B believe.

We host a LSU victory/viewing party for all the big games. The BCS game is no exception. LSU alum come over, bring yummy Cajun food, and we laugh at the other team cheer on our LSU TIGERS!

So proud of  LSU for their amazing 13-0  football season.

It’s time to win our 3rd BCS Championship and bring the crystal home!

GEAUX TIGERS!

Foods To Eat For Good Luck In 2012

1 Jan

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

January 1st is the day we are all optomistic and ready for change.

A new outlook on life, love, career, family, and attitude is a key ingredient for the New Year.

In addition to that, there are some foods that many believe will help start this new beginning off right.

Today I’ll be cooking black eyed peas, collard greens, and fish.

Since I’m from the South, this a very typical meal for January 1.

Black eyed peas are said to bring luck and prosperity because the peas represent coins.

Collard greens are said to bring money because it represents the dollar bills/greens.

Fish represents a long and healthy life. Many also believe the “scales” represent money.

Other good luck foods:

Grapes: In Spain and many South American cultures, eating 12 grapes is a tradition. Each grape is said to represent a month of the previous year. One might be sweet and one might be sour representing good and bad months of the past. By devouring them, you are saying goodbye to all the things from the old year.

Pork:  Since pigs push their snouts forward when looking for food, this represents progress or moving forward.  However AVOID chicken and lobster.  Chickens scratch  backward which symbolizes regret or dwelling on the past. Lobsters move backwards which represents setbacks .

Lentils: Similar to black eyed peas, they look similar to coins so they represent wealth and money in the new year.

Eat up everyone and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tipsy Tow

28 Dec

New Year’s Eve is around the corner.

This doesn’t mean much to me.

I’m usually home with the boys and asleep shortly after the East Coast New Year’s Eve celebration.

Yes, lame, I know.

But I’m not a partier or clubber. I hate dressing up.

Oh, and it’s cold outside.

Buuut, for those of you bringing the New Year in with a bang, here’s a tip to help keep you and many others safe.

This New Year’s is the 14th annual “Tipsy Tow” NYE showdown sponsored by AAA.

All you have to do is call (800) 400-4AAA, and a tow truck will show up to drag both your vehicle and your drunk ass home for FREE.

You don’t have to be a AAA member to call for the complimentary tow.

The service runs from 6 p.m.-6 a.m.

Don’t get too excited and think they’re gonna transport your entire crew to continue New Year’s libations at your crib.

The service does not include rides for passengers and is restricted to a one-way, one-time ride for the driver. For distances longer than seven miles, drivers will be expected to pay the normal rate charged by the tow truck operator.

Have fun everyone, but be safe. Oh, and don’t forget to drunk tweet/facebook!

Get Motivated For 2012

26 Dec

It seems that for many moms, getting in shape is a big personal goal.

It definitely is for me. Especially after I tried to squeeze into a pair of super cute jeans I bought on sale, but my thighs served as road blocks.

I don’t own a scale, but when I got a sore throat and went in to get it checked out, the Devil Doctor weighed me.

I almost fainted when I saw I was 8 pounds over the weight I wanted to be at.

I’ll admit, I’ve been uber friendly with Jiffy cornbread, cupcakes, and extra buttery Mac N Cheese. But wow… I didn’t realize all that wanted to hang around with me for months.

I’m not one to complain…ok, who am I kidding…I will keep a Complaint Department employed, but I am determined to drop these 8 pounds and get into my jeans.

I have a gym membership, but I have somewhat reached a workout plateau.

I go into my gym like it’s a nightclub…high fiving all my buddies, giving a shout out to the granny on the treamill, lounging on the couch and watching ESPN…

This is not getting me results.

I have a background in Physical Therapy and have rehabbed top athletes, so I KNOW what I need to be doing…I just need a little push.

Shuttling the kids around all day and being in mommy mode leaves me a tad uninspired and lethargic once I get free time.

It was time to get some help.

A longtime friend of mine owns a gym, and has trained many people I know. I dragged my jiggly ass in there to see him.

I instantly loved Alive Fitness.

It’s clean, everyone was friendly,they had cool modern equipment, the locker room was nice, and they had FREE good water (I am weird, I know this).

Alive owner, Jason Cohen trained me and really gave me a great workout.

He showed me a lot of exercises and equipment that I wasn’t familiar with, and kept each workout fresh and new (I get bored easily). Best of all, he was just the right combo of being encouraging and stern.

In addition to great workouts, Jason gave me a plethora of food and nutrition info. (Who knew cornbread and cupcakes daily weren’t helping my thighs???)

Mommies, the New Year is right around the corner. So many of us make resolutions to get our pre-kids body back. A gym membership is a great start, but working with a trainer can definitely get you results.

I am loving my workouts at Alive Fitness. Good thing I have Jason in my corner. Otherwise, I might have had to change my site from www.AHotMama.com to BigMama.com

Santa Strawberries

23 Dec

One of my fave parts of the holidays is holiday shopping baking.

Mo and B love to help create and eats all kinds of goodies.

This year, we saw some pics of Santa Strawberries online and decided to give it a try.

Only 3 ingredients needed:

Strawberries

Whipped Cream

Mini Chocolate Chips

Procedure:

*Cut the stem off the strawberry to form a nice even base.

*Slice the strawberry leaving 3/4 on the bottom (this way it balances easier).

*Squirt the whipped cream on the base making 2-3 layers.

*Add chocolate chip eyes.

EAT!!!

Tips:

There are a ton of variations of this recipe. Some people suggest to add cream cheese to the whipped cream to make mixture thicker, then scoop into a piping bag. You can also add a dallop of whipped cream on the pointy tip. Some people like to use icing for eyes instead of chocolate chips.

P.S- the leftover strawberries and whipped cream can also be used in various ways! :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

I Love Magnolia Bakery

13 Dec

On a recent trip to New York, I discovered Magnolia Bakery.

Finding Magnolia Bakery in LA was better news than Michael Kors opening at my local mall.

Since Magnolia does featured flavors every month, I try and get by to tantalize my taste buds.

For the holiday season, they are featuring mini-cupcake Christmas Ornament boxes and mini-cupcake Dreidel boxes, Chocolate Crinkle and Pecan Sno Ball holiday cookies, & Gingerbread and Rockette Red Velvet cupcakes.

YUM-O-RIFIC!!!

Like many households, I love to keep baked goods and yummy treats plentiful during the holidays.

Ya never know when Santa’s gonna drop by to see who’s being naughty and nice :)

Here’s some of the Magnolia Bakery holiday treats:

The Chocolate Crinkle cookie had the soft moist consistency of cake then it’s rolled in powdered sugar. Sooo good!

Their Pecan Sno Ball cookies (A.K.A Wedding Cookies in the South) were my FAVE! Perfect combo of buttery and pecan goodness

Festive Hanukkah and Christmas cupcakes w/cream cheese and vanilla buttercream icing

These chocolate cookies were so moist and filled w/chocolate, pecans and cranberries

Sweet coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate

Bronson gave the vanilla bean cupcakes his seal of approval

Mo loved the Chocolate Crinkle cookie swimming in powdered sugar

The staff and environment at Magnolia Bakery has such a warm feeling. It’s how you wanna feel when you’re indulging in comfort food.

In addition to the fact that they make everyting fresh-from-scratch on premises all day, every day, using the finest ingredients, I love how friendly and helpful the entire staff is. It is evident that they truly enjoy their job and bake ever morsel of yummy goodness with ♥LOVE♥.

If you’re in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or Dubai head over to Magnolia Bakery for some holiday treats.

← Older Entries

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.