Posts Tagged ‘food’
GOOD MORNING! Happy Friday!
Have you submitted your photo for the Fashion Friday contest yet? Remember — SUPER cool prizes at stake 
I’ve decided to post today’s daily delish a bit early today because I wanted to remind you all of the contest and give you a bit more time to send your photos. I received many emails telling me you were PLANNING on sending photos, but I haven’t received any yet. So, if you sent your photo, I didn’t get it. Send it again — info@thedailybalance.com
Anyway, today’s daily delish was actually my dinner last night.
Shrimp kabobs with cooked corn. I sprinkled the corn with some Parmesan cheese and pepper. Don’t tell the Mister (since he clearly thinks I’m a culinary goddess! – ha, not!), but I cheated on the shrimp kabobs and bought them pre-marinated. If you do the same thing — don’t tell anyone! They taste so great, just soak up the compliments and credit
However, when you choose pre-marinated dishes, MAKE SURE to read the labels! Many pre-marinated meats and veggies contain High Fructose Corn Syrup or other nasty sugars, fats and chemicals. Luckily, the one I selected was a healthy and delicious choice.
Shrimp and corn from above
Shrimp close up
Yummy spices!
While I prefer to come up with my own marinade concoctions, this really did the trick last night when I was pressed for time.
What is your favorite healthy shortcut when cooking?
OK, first things first — some housekeeping issues.
I have received a few emails asking me about Fashion Friday and the contest, etc.
YES! There is a contest.
YES! There is a prize.
Here’s the deal. Each Friday, I feature my favorite outfit of the week, along with some fashion news, musing, etc.
Each week i invite readers to do the same. Submit a photo of your favorite outfit. Email info@thedailybalance.com. You do not need to pose in the photo (although it’d be more fun!), you can lay one of your favorite outfits out on the floor or keep in on the hanger.
I will then put it to a vote!
Each Friday, we’ll all vote on which person should be crowned the Friday Fashionista (or isto, for all the guys out there!). I promise one day I’ll feature the Mister’s threads…he’s got a great wardrobe (he’s learned from the best! )
Anyway the winner will receive a special prize (may or may not include some awesome foodie treats and something fashionably fantastic;)) from me. and of course, bragging rights. Submit your photos to me ASAP to be entered.
Moving on….
Today’s daily delish is pretty self explanatory.
One chocolate vitatop with PB2 “frosting.” di-vine. More on PB2 on another date, as it requires a lengthy review to accommodate multiple applications of the product, etc.
Just popped the lil guy in the microwave for 30 seconds while I prepared the PB2. I then entered into my piehole. The Mister stole a bite. 10 seconds later he asked me to make him one. I stole my bite BACK (and then some)!
from above
Chocolate gooey PB goodness
That would be the bite the Mister took....
side view
What is your favorite vitamuffin/top flavor?
Can’t wait to catch up and watch LOST tonight! The Mister and I stayed a bit longer at my parents last night and we too tired to watch when we got home. Now I get Greys. LOST and Office all in one night! Did any one watch Idol? Who do you think we’ll say goodbye to tonight?
So last night I was sitting in my car (waiting for the mister to finish work), jamming out to a new iPod playlist the Mister put together when it hit me. I was starving. must. eat. now. The hunger came out of nowhere! Granted it was after 6:00 and the Mister and I are a pair of seniors who normally like eat by 6:30. It made sense that I was hungry, but this wasn’t just any hunger. no-siree. This was a void in my stomach that could only be filled by The Stone Oven. Suddenly the dish I was planning to make for dinner became more and more unappealing. Does this ever happen to you? I knew then and there that I would have my favorite salad from The Stone Oven. no. matter. what. As the minutes ticked by I became more and more impatient with the Mister.
I sat there thinking, no, scratch that, FUMING, “He said a few minutes, it’s been 5! – that’s way more than a few, right?” (by the way, when exactly is the cut off between a few and a lot?)
About 20 more minutes went by and finally he emerged! Yay! I ran to him with glee (little did he know I was actually excited about the scrumptiousness that was slowly becomming a reality)
30 minutes later (with the goods in hand) I was finally at peace.
So what so special about this salad at The Stone Oven, you ask?
Let me be perfectly clear – they have the best salad ever. Oh yea, that’s right, it’s $7. SCORE! Yes, there are other amazing salads out there, but this is at least in my top 5 and it’s most definitely the quickest and cheapest option.
The Stone Oven was started in 1993. “The Owner had a craving for the luscious, crusty breads of her European homeland and could not find them in her new home in Cleveland, Ohio. She began making her own bread and before long found herself working at all hours of the night to shape loaves for friends and family. What started as a passionate hobby later turned into a business, providing many Clevelanders their first experience of hearth-baked European bread.” (http://www.stone-oven.com/)
Today, the stores continue to serve European breads and pastries, along with a full menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches.
There are three locations in the Cleveland area and I am lucky enough to have one of them 5 minutes away from my house.
My salad contains:
Homemade croutons (so good!)
sun dried tomatoes (my favorite part!)
roasted red peppers
romaine lettuce
feta cheese
chicken
House-made dressing (Extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper) — I wish I knew the exact proportions, because it’s one of the best I’ve tasted!
Roasted Chicken Romaine Salad from The Stone Oven
YUM
Salad, close up and personal
I’m not kidding when I say that I get CRAVINGS for this salad. It is that good. I’m sure it’s super easy to create at home, but where’s the fun in that?! Plus, The Stone Oven gives a complimentary side of bread (your choice) with any salad.
All Stone Oven breads are baked fresh daily in a stone-lined oven and are made with only natural ingredients – no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Today I chose: whole wheat walnut raisin. So chewey and delicious. I dipped it in my dressing to sop up olive-oil goodness
Whole Wheat Raisin Walnut Bread (chewy goodness)
The Stone Oven has a great ambiance, very laid back and modern, with a touch of at-home country-style comfort.
The Stone Oven - I guess it was too cold for outdoor seating
Adorable coffee bar with appropriate condiments
Check out those goodies!
The Stone Oven’s other offerings always look delicious, as well! I’m always tempted to get one of the homemade soups and the Mister loved the turkey sandwich with a side of couscous. But I’m sorry, as long as my salad is on the menu, I just cannot pass it up!
What craving must you always give in to? What’s your favorite HEALTHY fast food joint (think Panera, Cosi, etc.)?