I decided ordering a full hen in Puerto Rico was a good idea. We ended up at the apples bees of Puerto Rico.... note to self do more research next time we go out of town.

Shiek Burritoes and Kabobs

Today after church we decided to use a Scoutmob for lunch. We wanted to keep it cheap, and try somewhere new. We decided to try Sheik Burritos and Kabobs. I had seen this place on Piedmont before across form the Gorilla car wash, but I had never heard of ANYONE going or anything else about it. James and ended up having a great lunch... they specialize in fresh all natural foods - it is a southwestern style/Persian flare. We had this really good roasted eggplant dip as a starter... SO GOOD.  We also had this Persian style hamburger that was in a flat bread... really good! The staff is very friendly, they work hard to create a community environment in the restaurant. The tables are community style, we sat with another group for part of the meal. Normally I do not like community seating, but today it just seemed normal! James really enjoyed the experience, and I am excited to have discovered a low price alternative lunch spot!

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Tonight we made Buffalo Chicken Pizza with Susanne and Stewart. I guess I should say Susanne and I made it! I have to say it was quite tasty!

James and I tried 2 new places for lunch this weekend, we ate on the wild side!
My good friend Kate told me about Lee's Bakery on Buford Highway. She said the portions were large, but I was blown away at just how large they were! James and I def. could have split a bowl of soup... but of course we each got one. The bowl was prob 3 bowls worth of authentic "Pho" or Beff Noodle soup.

Saturday afternoon we went to Lee's Bakery on Buford Highway - AMAZING! We got authentic Vietnamese noodle bowls and sandwiches for only $6.50. You know you are in a good spot when actual when a complete ethnic hole in the wall is packed!

LAST DAY OF CLASSES!!!

After what everyone said was going to be a long summer, the end is finally in sight!! I am about to go to my science final... ( more like more college level cell bio final!) and then to art - To celebrate being done we are eating with some of my favorites tonight... a concert tomorrow, and then to Chattanooga to celebrate Chrissy and Drew's wedding!!!! There is a bright light past organelles and cell tissue!

GACE UPDATE!

I PASSED!!! I know I complained in an earlier post, so I decided to update the few people that are probably reading this!

We got our scores last week via email. My scores arrived during my science class... several of us were pushing away our anxiety as a guest speaker droned on about pressure in water bottles.. and whatever else! Honestly, I was out to lunch that day! The second class got out, I said my good byes and headed across campus toward my car.  I had told myself I was not going to open the email until I was alone, well that did not happen! I got impulsive and opened it right there in the quad.. and them screamed across the lawn I PASSED!!! My friends were about 100 yards ahead of me and they cheered with joy...
Now I just need to get through 4 more days of deadlines for papers, projects, lesson plans, and test... and then I will have a week long break!!

I do have a great food post to share later though!

some food truck pics!

The Food Trucks

This past Wednesday I went to the Atlanta Food Trucks. I have been wanting to check out these trucks for quite some time... and it was exactly what I had hoped for! Jennifer, Kate, and I all went together - which is always a fun time! On Wednesday night in Atlanta the food trucks are in Virginia Highlands, and on Tuesday at the Howell Mill Food Park.  The trucks drive all over Atlanta - if you follow the Atlanta Street  Food  Coalition on Twitter like me, then you will easily be able to track them down anytime!  The website is http://www.atlantastreetfood.com.  The King of Pops was there, we had to chase him down bc the cart was already on the guys truck!!
I wish I had taken pictures! I know some of you only read to the bottom if I have pictures!!

We ate Tex Tacos, and also at Yumbi!
http://www.texstacos.com/

Sweet Auburn BBQ is opening up a store front in the Sweet Auburn Market, we were invited to the opening... free BBQ, Beer, and Blue Grass! How could you beat that!?!

Panhar

A few months ago we went to Panahar with some friends. This is a great Bangladeshi Restaurant that lets you bring in your on alcohol!

Jennifer does a great presentation with the different entrees!

Toast in Lincoln Park - Chicago

On Sunday morning we got up and went to brunch in Lincoln Park.  We were excited to some of the neighborhoods surrounding down town Chicago.  Joseph Yelped the restaurant that we ended up going to Toast.  We got on the train, and walked to this quaint restaurant which had a VERY long wait. People in Chicago truly enjoy a good brunch on Sunday mornings.  One of the main reasons the wait was so long was there were not very many tables.  I was totally fine with the wait because it gave us time to go explore the neighborhood! I love walking around unfamiliar cities, especially when you are about to eat a large meal!

today...

Today was one of those days you wish you could get back in bed and start the whole day over! Susanne and went to Peachtree City, GA to take our certification test for teaching.  Somehow in the middle of June I wind up with a cold -- and this did not mix well with the standardized test.  Susanne and I waited in the Sandy Creek High School cafeteria like cattle waiting for the slaughter... for a good 3o minutes, until they released the heard of anxious test takers to their assigned test taking rooms.  Susanne and I inch down the hallway to face or destiny, and out no where pop up my friend Alex from class... it felt somewhat of a comfort to see my school friends -- we were in this together! Well, we finally sit down in our assigned seats, and have a long list of instructions read to us before we could begin the test.

FINALLY the moment arrived where we are allowed to begin the GACE.  I had been studying for this test for weeks, I was nervous... and my stomach was making sure I knew that I was really nervous... I was trying to ignore the nervous jabs of pain as i worked my way through the problems of the GACE.

4 hours go by and one by one people begin to hand in their tests.  I am always one of the last people to be finished, so what would be different on this day.  Susanne and I meet back up in the hallway after passing in our test and give a huge sigh of relief... but are we relieved? it was not a walk in the park... it was mentally exhausting! We drove home contemplating what a whirl wind we were just put through... After getting off the exit, Susanne decided she was going to go and sit on her couch all night and think about nothing. I decided to go home and do the same. Before the test I had high aspirations of celebrating the burden being lifted from my shoulders, but all i wanted to do was sit on the couch.  My nose being so stuffy does not make for a good celebration after all!

James went to Verde and got the take out for us... it is just so darn convenient .  I got some great soup to help clear my nose, which worked for a few minutes... but solve my stuffy nose problem!
Does anyone have any advice?

I have confidence that tomorrow is going to be a better day -- no test anxiety, no test, no drive to south atlanta.

James and Pizza

Tonight James and I had a miscommunication via text.... which turned out to be a great thing! He offered to make us gourmet pizza on the grill... I instantly shot down the idea because I was trying to be healthy... He interpreted my text as "No, I do not want to eat healthy..." so - he jets off to publix to gather supplies for his first attempt at pizza on the grill.  I meanwhile think we are having something very healthy, without a pizza involved. I get a text about an hour later asking where our rolling pin is... I worry for a moment that he might have misunderstood my text about having pizza for dinner.  I am enjoying a spontaneous cocktail with a friend... and casually shrug off this text - surly he is just wondering where the rolling pin is post move right?

Well - I get in the car to drive home, and I call James to report that I am on the way home. He proudly says "dinner will be ready in 25 minutes, and you know what we are having"... I said "no... I have no idea what we are having?~! " Well, it turned out to be pizza on the grill... and let me tell you  --- it was delish!
 The pizza was packed with vegetables that he has grilled before putting them on the pizza, so they were nice and soft! I hate when veggies get all dried out on pizzas!  When I walked in the door I could tell James felt really bad for making something I was not excited about... BUT - it turned out great... miscommunication happen... we are all human - and who can really interpret my texts all the time anyways? Anyone still reading knows, sometimes I saw things in a way that totally make sense to me, but not to anyone else!
I am glad we ate pizza tonight, and so glad that James took the time to make something he wanted to make. I am thankful for my husband who is willing to deal with my choppy communication patterns... As we all know if we stop trying to understand how the other communicate we are doomed!

Skillet Barbecue Shrimp

cooking light recipe

The other night James and I were trying to figure out what we could make without going to the store.  I feel like we always end up needing 2 ingredients at least in some recipe that I am trying to make that night. I guess you could say I have not perfected planning our meals for the week ahead... That would be too easy! Anyways, James' parents had given us some really good shrimp from Jacksonville last time we were there. I wanted to make them... and I flipped through my favorite cooking light cook book --- and I found this great... and VERY easy recipe for Barbecue Shrimp.  WE HAD ALL THE Ingredients too!!!!

this can be made in under 15 minutes!!

We peeled our shrimp prior to cooking... but how good do they look in the picture?

we served the shrimp with Couscous, and Brussel sprouts! 

this was a great - quick meal... I was surprised at how good it was... we will be making this again! Thank you for the shrimp Brent's!!!

Deep Dish Pizza

James and I walked to Giordanos Pizza for some of Chicago's ever so famous deep dish pizza. Giordanos has won best stuffed pizza several times.  They have several locations around the downtown area, but Joseph strongly suggest that we patron at the original location... along with 100's of other tourist!
Giordanos was chosen "best pizza in America" by NBC, and get this... I just read that you can have a Giordanos pizza delivered to your door anywhere in America! WHAT?>? Come on --- that takes the excitement out of getting to eat at the best pizza place in America.
So - James and walk past the location that is right where we were to get to the original... bc the original is the best ( so they say) as we are walking it starts misting rain, and the winds have picked up significantly since the morning... we just wanted to get there!! We walk in and it is PACKED - of course it is packed it is Saturday at the "best pizza place in the world!" So we are determined to wait. They have their wait times down to an art, you go ahead and place your order before you sit down so that the pizza will be ready to come out shortly after you are seated.  We decided on getting the small veggie stuffed pizza. I thought we needed some veggies mixed in with all that cheese we were about to eat.  After placing our order we inched our way toward to crowded bar, and shared a beer from the local brewery while we waited on our table. Goose Island is the name of the local Chicago Brewery in case you all were curious. They have great beer options, one that is called 312 is most like Blue Moon.
Anyways, we were finally seated and our pizza came out in a flash.  We both devoured two slices of thick, cheesy goodness! I have to say it was good - but I am not a stuffed pizza kina person! After eating there I timidly admitted that I did not see what all the hype was about and several people quickly agreed. I think stuffed pizza is something that we all need to try in our lives, but in the end think crust or regular hand tossed will remain my favorite!

CHICAGO!

James and I spent last weekend in Chicago,  and we had a great time! We stayed with our friend Joseph, who generously shared his cozy apartment with us! He lives right downtown in what they call the Loop.  The view from his Apartment was amazing, he lives on the 36th floor of a high rise.


Joseph and I realized that we shared something in common --- trying new restaurants! He has loved living in Chicago and trying the 1,000's of different dining options! I was blown away by all the different places there were to eat!!! How does one ever begin to pick where to eat! Apparently YELP is really big in Chicago, Joseph uses it often when he is looking for a new place to try.  I have never really used Yelp in Atlanta, but I think I will start!!

We did LOTS of walking in Chicago, which maybe counter acted some of the eating!!!

Falafel on Flat Bread

YUM

I bought these the other day at Trader Joe's, and then promptly purchased wheat flat bread and hummus.  I decided to make myself a Falafel wrap.  I must say it was very tasty!  James was envious! He was too hungry, so made himself lunch before I got home... if he had only waited an extra ten minutes he could have enjoyed this as well! I just heated two Falafel in the microwave for 1 minute, then put them inside the flat bread with some hummus on one side. I then used our panini press to warm it up! SO good!

1st year of marriage

I have had a request to incorporate some of my experiences with food into my first year of marriage... James is the best because he is always up to try anything... except soy. Apparently men are not supposed to eat this! Thanks to Uncle Scott, James now has several food phobias!  So the night I tried to go vegan --- he was all worried about eating estrogen! whoops - For the most part he is very go with the flow and will eat anything! Our marriage would be really different if he were a picky eater....  how sad is that?! I might like food too much...

More to come later!

Orsay In Jacksonville.

I have been slacking on all of this blogging recently. I also realized all the typos from previous entries.... whoops.

We went to Jacksonville to celebrate a slew of March Birthdays on Saturday night. On Friday night we went to Orsay, a restaurant I had heard great things about.  I was excited to finally try the new "hot spot" in Avondale.  

Spinach Salad - green apples, candied pecans, bacon, and blue cheese! 

 For our main course Gail, John, and I all got the special fish - it was really good - and much healthier than most of the options on the menu! I left feeling satisfied... not to much food - just the right amount!

Sea Bass - with fingerling potatoes, artichokes, and green beans!

James got the Duck -- it had a bed of lentils underneath, and something like apple sauce under that! The one bite I had was very good!!!

I enjoyed Orsay, and would of course recommend it for a special occasion! Like you son and daughter in law in being in town of course!! The seating can be tight, we had a table move from next to us... hopefully they just wanted more space! Otherwise I only have good things to say. The service is great, quick - and friendly... Go if you are ever in the area!

Pizza

What is your favorite pizza place in Atlanta? James and I just enjoyed a quick lunch at Fellines on Peachtree - and I just really enjoyed it! We decided to get a whole veggie pizza because whole pizzas just taste SO much better than if you just buy a slice! Yes - a little more expensive... BUT so much better!!! James likes to eat non breakfast items for breakfast, so I am sure he will be toasting pizza tomorrow morning... I am dreading my alarm clock going off tomorrow for the first time in over a week. I am excited about the time change though!!!

Cafe Istanbul

James and I went to dinner with Scotty and Lauren the other night at Cafe Istanbul.  Cafe Istanbul is a Turkish restaurant that also has a Hookah Lounge.  Scotty and Laurent were excited to have an ethnic dining experience, and we are always up for trying any cuisine! I did not realize that you literally sit on the floor at Turkish restaurants.  I had never been to a restaurant like this before - but really enjoyed it!

We started the meal with some babaganush and pita bread! DELISH! this before, it was fun! We sat at low tables with big pillows.  I appreciate chairs, but I was happy to try it for a meal!  We also had a belly dancer that would shake herself around as we ate every few minutes! 

• Roasted Eggplant Salad
• • $5.95
• Roasted eggplant with onions, parsley, tomatoes, garlic and herbs.

 Although I do not think you go to this place for the food - or the service! I enjoyed my food - but was not blown away.

• Manti
• • $13.50
• Hand made Turkish pasta shells each stuffed with broiled lamb cooked and topped with a garlic yogurt sauce,melted butter and red crushed pepper. ( what James got)

I could not find a description of what I got! 

I will say this place was interesting! A large family came in around 9:30 and they brought babies!!! and children... as a teacher I was feeling that we were out late on a school night -- -then to see little kids!!! I was annoyed.... they needed to be asleep!!!

You can find Cafe Istanbul out at 1850 Lawrenceville Highway

I imagine that this would be a HOT spot on the weekends.... I think everyone should experience this place if you are up for a cultural dining experience. James and I enjoyed dining with the Candlers and look forward to more food adventures in the future!

Veggie Land

I have gotten behind on my foodie post! The week before James and I left for vacation I went to Veggie Land with some of my favs... Susanne, CM, and Hannah.
We decided to go to dinner for small group that night - but we wanted to stay healthy and cheap... what did we settle on but Veggie Land. I was impressed with how affordable it was - How often do you leave a restaurant for under $8.00 at dinner time?  I guess having no meat - and no alcohol really helps cut down the bill!
The atmosphere at Veggie Land is less than welcoming. The sign outside is halfway burned out, and it is neon green and maybe orange!  You walk inside and there is a dimly lit room with tile floors and dark green table tops. The staff was very friendly, the waitress and the cook appeared to be married.  Veggie Land would be a great place to run in and get take out during the week. I think a lot of their clients lean towards takeout because of the atmosphere. I plan to grab dinner here on occasion, they have a veggie burger that looks AMAZING --- I was having orders remorse for not getting it! Also the sweet potatoes looked very good as well.
I ended up getting the veggie stir fry.  I added veggie chicken - and it tasted VERY healthy. I was expecting it to be covered in sauce, but all you really saw was the broccoli and other veggies! It had some seasoning on it though - I guess not covering things in sauce helps keeps a healthy dish healthy! Susanne had some tofu,black bean curry dish, which I was a little jealous of! Hannah got some pasta dish that did not appear to have much taste - but it did turn out to be tasty as well.

After eating such a healthy dinner we felt the need to get frozen yogurt. We headed for Menchies on Roswell Road.  Atlanta has become saturated with fro yo places in the last year... Menchies is great though - I have not gotten a chance to try all of the fro yo establishments... but as it warms up i have a feeling i will be picking it up more and more!!

Veggie Land
211 Pharr Rd NE # B
Atlanta, GA 30305-2269(404) 231-3111