Chocolate & Spice Bakery-Cafe

My Saturday morning today was a little special.  I went to have breakfast at Chocolate & Spice Bakery-Café, a bakery that recently opened in Summerlin, Las Vegas.  I had heard about this place and had read excellent reviews.  Chocolate & Spice is a bakery owned by chef Megan Romano, author of the book It’s a Sweet Life.  Megan was named best pastry chef for 2011 by both Desert Companion and Vegas Seven magazines.

Although I don’t eat sweets in the morning, let alone chocolate, we were there for a late breakfast, so I knew I could order from the lunch menu. 

Ah, the place is adorable.  Nice contemporary and tasteful décor, but the pastries are the stars of the place.  They all looked so good that I wanted to order one of each.  After some thinking, I decided to order an egg salad croissant.  I also ordered a mini banana cream pie to take home.  Other items on the menu were veggie frittata, pies, sandwiches, wraps, ice creams, etc.

The egg salad croissant was great and I enjoyed a good time eating with my friends in that cute bakery.  Megan was there taking care of business.  The bakery has a steady clientele, so I was happy to see that her new business is doing very well.  I like to support local business owners.

Once at home, I tried the banana cream pie and I was a little disappointed.  Don't get me wrong, it was very good, but I was expecting something more special.  That happens when our expectations are too high.

I will be back!  I want to keep trying all those appealing pastries that I saw today. 

So that was my Saturday. "Sweet"  

I want one of these next time. 

My mini banana cream pie

Do you like microwaved popcorn?

Eating healthy is about eating smart.  Believe it or not, I am a healthy eater. At least in my mind I am.  I know that after all the food pictures I have posted on my blog, you’ll never think of me as a healthy eater.  It’s hard to eat healthy when you don’t cook and when great part of your entertainment is based on trying out new restaurants and cuisines.  But at home, I keep it as healthy as I can. 

I recently read the following paragraph, which I decided to share today with my readers.  

“The EPA found nearly four dozen chemicals in the steam released when you open a bag of microwave popcorn.  Diacetyl, a flavoring agent, came under fire when factory workers developed a respiratory disease researchers call “popcorn lung.”  You should know that Popcorn Indiana sells its popcorn in bags that can be used to reheat (via microwave) the popcorn…safely. Fresh popcorn experience every time you grab an opened bag of Popcorn Indiana.”

I’m not too much into popcorn, but every now and then I buy it. To be honest, I like the worst popcorn:  the popcorn at the movie theaters.  For me it’s simply impossible to watch a movie without a small bag of buttered popcorn (the worst!) and a soda.  Fortunately, I don’t go to the movies that often, so I give myself permission to eat buttered popcorn a few times a year.

So after I read the above-quoted paragraph, I went to buy my Indiana popcorn.  Mind you, in some stores it can be overpriced, but I found it at a Walmart Supercenter.  A 9.2 oz bag costs $2.58 and they come in many flavors.  Today I decided to try the Cinnamon Sugar Kettlecorn.  I have to say that it’s the only pre-popped popcorn that I have liked.  And it has no after taste.  Next time, I’ll buy the popcorn variety sampler because now I want to try them all.  After opening the bag, I put the popcorn in an airtight container to keep it fresh and crispy.  

Some other facts about Indiana popcorn are:  

- All natural
- Zero trans fat
- Gluten free (yeah!)
- No cholesterol
- No preservatives
- Non-GMO corn
- 130 calories – serving size 2 cups

You may want to check their website at http://www.popcornindiana.com   

I am of the opinion that every simple step we take towards eating healthier it’s all worth it.  

Well, now you know.

A Day in Paris in Las Vegas

Since I cannot go to Paris, France, no problem, I can always go to Paris in Las Vegas.  

I LOVE crepes and today I woke up with a strong craving for a good crepe.  Then I realized I hadn’t had a crepe since last year.  When I want something, I want something! – you know what I mean?   So I decided to head off to the Strip for another visit to La Creperie, at the Paris hotel. 

In past visits I always ordered the banana crepe, but today I felt like trying a different one and ordered the one called Favorite, a  crepe with raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, drizzled with raspberry coulis.

These crepes cost $9.99 and they are huge.  One is enough for two people.  The crepe was very good, but too sweet for my palate.   That didn’t stop me from eating it all.  Portion control- -not!

I was stuffed.  I decided to go for a walk before heading back home.   I had too much sugar in my system.  I got lost in the crowd pretending to be a tourist and took pictures, (like I don’t have enough pics of the Paris hotel).

La crepe was worth all the calories and my trip to the Strip.  Oh la la…

Mon Ami Gabi, one of my favorite restaurants.

Parlez vous Poker?  Non.

I dropped some pennies in the fountain and made my wish.

PEARLS OF WISDOM

Monday, Monday – let’s start our week with some food for thought.

“Make each day your masterpiece.”  -John Wooden

Enthusiasm is contagious.  Be a carrier.

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”

 “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”  - Mark Twain

“The start is what stops most people.” – Don Shula

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou

“It’s not who you are that holds you back; it’s who you think you’re not.”

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”- Dalai Lama

~He Is God~

He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!

He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be ...
unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.

His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful, 
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. 

His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!  

When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.

He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...

He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.
 

Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!