1:40:27

Congrats to my husband for completing his first Mud Run! We're teaming up for the next one.



Write up coming soon.

A little thing called football- Super Bowl XLV

A little thing called football is not so little in the Donato home.
Tomorrow we'll be hosting our annual Super Bowl Bash and cheering on our favorites. Decorated with colors of black, yellow and green (you pick your poison), a tablescape of food and beverages (you pick your poison) and house filled with friendship and family- it's said to be another EPIC gathering.

I like to keep my menu on a theme but that went out the window when I selfishly forgot about my family and friends and their dietary brackets; low-fat, low cholesterol, vegans, vegetarians, meat lovers and just plain eaters. So I threw out the idea of riding out a Latin menu and just took a slew of different items like vegan 7 layer, salads and charcuterie, couscous w/olives and roasted tomatoes, grilled meats and veggies of all kinds, skewers of chorizo and shrimp, vegetarian chili, guinness chocolate cake (thank you Nigella Lawson!) and refreshing fruit to appease our palates. At least I'm steering clear of the doritos, twinkies and chicken wings??




xoxo

Mind on Bali, Bali on my mind

A student of mine is going to a beautiful luxurious high end resort, Alila Villas Uluwatu for his externship in Bali. He invited me at the minimum "cheap" rate of $600 a night, minimum 4 night stay. Hah!

Additionally, my coworker is moving back home to Bali, Indonesia. An invite is extended to my family if and when we travel the south pacific. Hmmm...

She mentions of trained monkey's fetching the best fresh young coconut for us to drink and her outdoor pool. But who wants to swim at any pool when you have all that beauty surrounding you?
Here are some photos of the beautiful island, resort and culture. Paradise. Wouldn't this be a lovely winter getaway?












xoxo

Backyard BBQ: Who says summer's over?

Casa de Donato is hosting a backyard boogie bbq under a string of twinking lights. The guys are in the mood for grilling and machismo while the ladies nibble the charcuterie, chit-chat and sip wine. Good times to be had in T-minus 3 hours.

Stay tuned for a photo posting.


xoxo

On Vacation! See you in a week

Weekly menu planning: June 14th-21st

This week is much different than any other week. Come to think about it as previously mentioned this month is pulling us in all different directions. Funny how life has it's way with you right when you think you have a hand on it. *sigh*

Today we discovered a gas leak that was more of a plumbing issue. Go figure! We had to tap into our account thus making the menu planning that much more important for us to break even. *sigh*

With Father's day ending this week and another celebration, kick starting next, we continue onward with diligence.

Monday 6/14:
-Brekkie: Instant soup. I jazzed it up by adding veggie to sustain me through to lunch. Nugget had Joe's O's, yogurt and half a banana.

-Lunch: Turkey sandwich, dried fruit and nut mix, water

-Dinner: Shrimp with Mungo and spinach over steamed rice. One of my standby comforting dishes. Even during these warm summer months I can always for a bowl of this.

Tuesday 6/15:
-Brekkie: Pastry of the day (bought from work cafe), cup of coffee (brought from home)
Nugget enjoys: berry mixed applesauce, grilled cheese sandwich

-Lunch: Take out lunch special from neighborhood thai spot; Chicken yellow curry, steamed rice, salad with peanut sauce dressing, vegetable eggroll

-Dinner: BBQ ranchera chicken, pico de gallo. For dessert, a coke float.

Wednesday 6/16:
-Brekkie: Fruit bowl from merchant at the Santa Monica farmer's market. If we have time maybe some Sweet Rose Creamery on the way back.

-Lunch: Take out lunch at Krua Thai. I'll be picking up the husby in North Hollywood so I figured I pick up a tasty lunch while near.

-Dinner: Dinner in Westwood. We'll be attending the Anthony Bourdain event at UCLA's Royce Hall. I still haven't decided where we'll dine or if we'll dine before or after the show. I will however, have some pre-show cocktails =)

Thursday 6/17:
-Brekkie: Oatmeal with cinnamon and dried fruit, coffee with creamer

-Lunch: Homemade Gỏi cuốn with spicy peanut sauce, apple

-Dinner: Chicken Paillard w/creamy dijon sauce, black beans and rice

Friday 6/18:
-Brekkie: I'll probably get something at work and have a cup of coffee brought from home. Nugget: sliced apples, oatmeal, milk

-Lunch: Bought at work

-Dinner: Steak and potatoes. Filet mignon, buttered fingerling potatoes and zucchini

Saturday 6/19:
-Brekkie: Over-easy egg and pan fried spam, steamed rice, coffee

-Lunch: Spam musubi. Yay to left over spam, rice and handy dandy nori!

-Dinner: Spaghetti ala bolognese, vegan vanilla soy dream dreamwich

Sunday 6/20:
Happy Father's day!
We'll be traveling to Santa Barbara and will be dining out for all meals this day. Should be a great family day for us! Please stay posted.


xoxo

Weekly menu planning: June 7-13th

What the warm and balmy summer months ahead for the Donato's mean is a lot of commitments; birthdays, graduations, dinners, concerts and events, vacations, anniversaries, and family getaways. It also means it's going to get expensive. Not wanting to miss out on fun and memories, in order for us to attend as many of these as we can we're making another effort to eat at home and plan weekly menus.

Now I'm no stranger to menu planning but have to admit it's not an easy feat when you first begin and it may or may not work for you. There are so many components that make up a successful week. Menu planning is just that, planning, with a pinch of diligence.

The idea of menu planning for the week came suddenly (10 pm last night as we looked ahead at our calendar-followed by an, "oh shit!") and didn't leave much time to sort through recipes and work a creative menu. If you have more time than I did a great place to start is by browsing your weekly grocer's ads, paying close attention to the produce and protein pages. Let them guide you to creating a spectacular meal.

I also found that buying staple items in bulk really go a long way and while it will make a dent in your wallet that first week keep in mind that they will be used more than once and perhaps throughout next week's planning. A bag of rice goes a long way in the Donato home and since there are just three of us in the family I also make it a point not to overpurchase the amount of each item on my list. Unless of course it's say, a double pk of whole fryer chickens on sale, in which case I purchase. Use one for the week and use the other for the next. Ultimately you'll have to weight out what works best and what is financially smart for you and your family.

Before you make your way to the market look through your cupboards. Use what you have in stock to develop your recipes and ideas and make certain you aren't double purchasing items on your list. Work with those spices and sauces. Turn that plain grilled chicken to something exotic with a few dashes of cupboard spices. Add items to your list if you don't have them in stock.

Lists. Yes, lists. Lists keep me on track and keep me from buying items that I would have otherwise unconsciously thrown into my cart. Like that giant bag of cheese flavored chips that I had to get and after just a few bites have been left to stale over. Oops.

I try and keep my trips to the market to a minimum, no more than two maybe three times a week, and stick with what I have on my list. This helps with cutting down on costs of gas, added mileage to your vehicle and having spending your time on this task (which should have been taken care of earlier). Time is money and and to other more precious that that so use it wisely. I went to a couple of market's this morning to buy some ingredients for this week's menu. For the week I spend about $100 with a lot of the items going toward menu's for future weeks. By next week I'd like to keep my budget at $20 a week. Purchases made today went towards the adult menu and some of nugget's picky palate meals. Here's what we're working with this week:

Monday 6/7:
-Breakast: Raspberry danish (left over from Sunday), hot green tea.
Nugget had: sliced of toast, havarti cheese and cup of yogurt

-Snack (shared): Goldfish cheese crackers, raisins and water

-Lunch: Lavash wrap with pimento cheddar spread layered with breaded chicken
breast and romaine lettuce
Nugget had: breaded chicken strips with ketchup
Strawberries, blueberries and grapes (shared and left over from Sunday)

-Dinner: Chicken Pad Thai, choice of cupcakes; carrot or chocolate ganache
Assortment of fruit (left over from Sunday)

Tuesday 6/8:
-Breakfast: Oatmeal with maple syrup and cinnamon, assorted fruit, coffee

-Lunch: Lavash wrap with pimento cheddar spread layered with breaded chicken
breast and romaine lettuce.
Assortment of fruit

-Snack: Banana

-Dinner: Miso soy glazed salmon with sauteed pea sprouts and garlic, basmati rice
Choice of cupcakes; carrot or chocolate ganache
Nugget: Salmon and rice with steamed veggie, perhaps carrots I have
in the freezer

Wednesday 6/9:
-Breakfast: Miso soup with broccoli and carrot slaw I already had in stock, green tea
Nugget: Bowl of Joe's O's (Trader Joe's version of Cheerios),
sliced bananas

-Lunch: Turkey, tomato, havarti and romaine sandwich on TJ's shepard's bread, water

-Dinner: Shrimp, bacon and mushroom alfredo sauce over pasta

Thursday 6/10:
-Breakfast: Sliced toasted shepard's bread with scrambled egg, banana, green tea
Nugget: Toast with scramble egg, yogurt

-Lunch: Lavash wrap with pimento cheddar spread layered with turkey and
romaine lettuce, banana

-Dinner: fried chicken

Friday 6/11:
-Breakfast: Toast with cream cheese and jelly, coffee

-Lunch: Large salad

-Dinner: Bo luc lac, pickled onions, chinese broccoli with oyster sauce, ice cream (MIL brought over) for dessert

Saturday 6/12:
-Breakfast: Steel cut oats, cinnamon, maple syrup, Coffee

-Lunch: Left over's. I'll be working this weekend but my family will be attending a functions so lunch will be provided for them there. Lucky ducks.

-Dinner: Chicken satay skewers, homemade pickles and left over pickled onions.

Sunday 6/13:
-Breakfast: Donuts and coffee provided by the folks at our church. Nugget will likely have a bowl of cereal with a banana and yogurt.

Snack: Cheese cubes, crackers, fruit.

Lunch: Out for lunch

-Dinner: BBQ'd bulgogi, brown rice, roasted veggies, red wine.


Stayed tuned for what's in store next week and what challenges I'll face then.


xoxo

Are you ready for some Futbol!?

I'm going to South Africa.

I kid. I kid. But how incredibly awesome would it be if the Donato's could visit one of the world's loveliest coastal lines, and meet friendly folk? Plus, attend that little thing named the FIFA World Cup. Okay, it's not a little thing, it's an enormous thing, a sought after event.

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of me and my pops sitting on the couch, he with his ice cold bottle of beer, me with a bowl chips and salsa, watching the World Cup series.

Since then I've been watching games and 20 years later I'm taking the opportunity to watch it with my husband and hopefully interest my little one. I still have high hopes that one day I can bring these important men in my life; dad, husby and son, to attend a world cup event. One can dream right?

You've heard the stories, the craziness the world cup brings out of people, the parties, the sportsmanship, the unending boozes and fan loyalty. It can't get any better than that!


image courtesy of YFile


xoxo

Sunday

This evening's Suns vs. Laker game came equipt with simple tacos that took less than 30 minutes to make from grill to plate. Take that Rachael Ray.







xoxo

Focus Films: Babies

All I want for mother's day is to see this documentary.



Yes, I'm already looking ahead.

The Biggest Loser Challenge

I'm referencing of course to the game show and its concept: Take a group of ordinary Joe's who have dealt with body weight issues, struggled with self-confidence and want total change, put them on a strenuous work-out schedule and strict diet over the course of several months and see who, at the end, comes through weighing the least amount and feeling good about it!
In between the course of the diet/recovery program, each participants' progress is recorded with weight-ins.

And since you can't have a pizza hanging over the treadmill as a motivator, they throw in a wad of cash. It's all about the green backs if you ask me and while you're at it, lose some weight too.

This part, unfortunately, does not reign true for me.
You see, my company has taken part in our very own 'Biggest Loser Challenge.' Not as intense as the TV show, is run at your own pace, with weight-in's every few weeks and, no moola as an incentive. And what's the point now?

I'm not taking this challenge as seriously, doing this mostly for fun and information. Our diet has changed compared to what and how we use to eat. We indulge here and there, fall off track, but for the most part we're doing much better than before. Here are some examples.

*Red meat is now eaten once maybe twice a week and considered a 'treat' for us. This is where I purchase lovely tender cuts of filet mignon's or go ravenous at a korean bbq joint for date night. Cowboy ribeyes are a thing of the past unless we split it.

*Fast food is limited and if we do go out, are thoughtful of our choice. We do however miss King Taco and Hooter's three mile-isle wings. Now I can just as simply create my own flavor packet controlling as much or as little of the sodium. A great plus for us! Grilling them, in my opinion, are sooo much better tasting.

*For the most part I've given up on soda's but occassionaly have a sprite. I don't do diet soda. It is not one of my weight loss tools. I absolutely hate anything "synthetic" and "artificial sugar."

*Fat, steaming bowls of calrose white rice have been replaced with brown and/or an occassional other grain. Sometimes we skip out starches entirely. Oatmeal has become our friend and congee, is loved by everyone not just the little one.

*Tofu and/or a vegetarian menu has replaced a meal during the week. Vegetable intake has increased thrice fold and the Husby is getting to know and enjoy more seafood. Yes, it has gone beyond wild caught salmon.

God only knows with old age comes a lower metabolism. Fortunately as Angeleno's we're spoiled with year round gorgeous weather which calls for the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Get active outside! We prefer this to working out in a gym.
It's work in progress and we're learning together to find a balance where we're not having a low-sodium, low-fat, no-sugar, false sugar, high protein, cabbage soup diet, etc. diet. God bless those who do!

We love what we eat and I have to say we've been feeling pretty damn good and looking pretty good. I've lost 10 lbs already.

Mobile uploads

I'd like to take the time to display my mobile uploads in concurrence with events and moments that have occured these last few months. Enjoy!


Nugget as a skeleton for Halloween


Our attempt at making a Jack Skellington Jack o' Latern


Here's husby unwrapping his gift, a new samsung LCD flat screen TV.


We had all you can eat ribs for Husby's birthday dinner. Yum! Robin's blueberry cornbread was to die for!


Getting crafty as I got ready making party items for nugget


Bloody Mary's Thanksgiving morning


Weak display of banchan during out dinner date


Nugget's smash cake


Holiday dessert buffet at work


Our yearly Xmas light outings


NYE 2009 dinner


The streets of Pasadena, day after the Rose Parade. Disgusting!


Here's a sample of the double chaise lounge that we're searching for

Change. Take it how you will.

With all time that passes we each have some sort of change occuring in our lives. Whether it be good or bad differs with what we put forth in our lives and what we choose to take in.

In reflection of the last month and few months prior to 2009 ending I've had a multitude of blessings and heartache occur. I'd like to the take the opportunity to use this forum as my platform to share with you the up's and down's.

My last post noted a new change in where we would be residing. We officially moved in October of 2009.

A picture of the living room during the first stages of rennovation.

We didn't purchase a credenza so to speak but we did get an inexpensive storage unit to house our enormous collection of DVDs and display our photos. We laid it on its side to utilize the length of space. It's the expedit storage unit in dark brown from Ikea reasonably priced at $70.

I'm holding off on a tripod lamp. I just havent found one that I love. However I am in the market for a double chaise lounge sofa (Double chaise, double lounge factor!) and a butlers tray table/or stylish cabinetry to hold our ever growing liquor stash.

I was also in the first stages of planning for nugget's 1st birthday party. Unfortunately we did not end up celebrating due to a sudden case of a stomach virus that left us staying in the hospital for 3 nights. A very scary and uncomfortable episode for all of us. I am happy to report that nugget is doing much better and walking around all on his own! We had his party a couple of weeks after his intial date and almost everyone was able to make it. Thank you for those who did and made it that much more special!

A week before he got sick I landed a job that I had my eye on for a few months. I have to say it's a dream job and unfortunately can't divulge too much information about it. Let's just say it's a complete blessing!

Our 2nd Christmas together as a family was just as special as the first one, one week after bringing home baby from the hospital. We purchased another fresh tree and this year he had an official stocking hanging from the chimney. We spend the day with family and couldn't have had a better time. Pictures to be posted soon.

Our 2009 ended with a delicious home cooked dinner. I got a little fancy this time around and had a full course meal complete with wine and desserts. I took the time to make this one extra special. Afterall, I wanted to end the year and begin a new one with good food, drink and amazing company.

Here's the menu:

First
Sea scallops benedict over enoki mushrooms served with country ham grits, a salad of frisee & side of pickled cucumbers

Second
Chinese 5 spice soup with bok choy & sweet potato

Third
Nobu's miso marinated black cod with flash steamed baby zucchini

Fourth
Grilled fillet mignon with freshly made bearnaise sauce topped with pan fried onions & yam mash

Final
Several choices of dessert wines, dark chocolates and macarons

As noted in previous entries I'm a bit of a party hostess whore. I'm glad I could do this for my family. I'm looking forward to more dinner parties and events to host and hold. Next up, Super Bowl! Who's in? But first brain storming a menu.

These first few weeks of this new year is exciting and our outlook is promising. We have several trips lined up; Various aquariums, LV, SD, and Maui. We're trying to squeeze in a NYC trip but we're playing that by ear.

Hope all of your resolutions are stead fast and your new year is going just as smoothly. Good luck with all of your endeavors and best of the best for you and yours!

Thanks for your readership!


xoxo

Home is where the heart is

We've been renovating our home for the last four months and we're finally ready to move in. We're down to painting our kitchen but for the most part the other rooms are ready to be decorated and vacated.

For the last few weeks I've been doing online browsing and getting inspired for nugget's first birthday coming up in December. I've decided to go with a jungle/animal theme inspired by Hefty zoo pal paper plates I bought when nugget was just a mere 3 months old. Oh how time flies by!



Aside from that major task we've been looking purchase new items for our home. From drapery, to floor lamps, to bar items and even credenza's. I'd like to share an easy picture blog post with you of some things that I admire and some that inspire.


Okay so this item wasn't on the 'to buy' list but like pavlov's dog, I had a sudden craving for ramen.


credenza


Far from your typical college dorm torchiere floor lamp

These among other items really inspired me to make our house into a home that was warm and inviting, function yet hip to our taste. I'll be sure to post up pictures noting our changes along the way.

Thanks for your readership!



xoxo

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Diaz

In a society where over 50% of marriages end in divorce and/or seperation, falling in love and staying in a loving and commited marriage can be a daunting and frightening thought. To begin with, how does one know if that person is the one?

You can go by the many expressions like: "You feel like you have butterflies in your stomach," "You can't eat or sleep because all you want is to be with them, see them or touch them," or "When you know, you just know."

For me I met my husband by happenstance. We were both in semi-serious relationships at the time and as all relationships go, had some disagreements with our then-partners. It was through this wonderful virtual world that we connected. It all began with a band named KoRn and this little city of Bakersfield.

Through friendly phone converstaions and with those two things in common our phone calls grew into a trusting and comforting friendship where we could come to one another for a shoulder to lean on, cry on, or for a good laugh. We had filled a void that was empty in our then-relationships and out of respect to them, decided it best to part ways. I would miss him.

Fast forward several years later. I received a birthday email reminder. He's alive! *The strange thing about this bit of info is that I hadn't received birthday reminders for years past. I tried to contact him through several outlets and finally was able to reach him. A simple, "N***? How are you? Btw, it's Novy" was all it took to spark another one of our epic conversations. We had so much to say! I had reunited with my friend!

Our friendship budded into a relationship. My friend became my best friend. I knew the moment after our reunion conversation that I would marry this man. And I did. He was the one who was there for me from the beginning and though time had past he never left my heart. There isn't a day that I don't want to be away from him. I still get butterflies in my stomach and when I knew, I knew.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Donato's had the privilege this last weekend to join a church filled with people who love, respect and care for our friends Anne and Robey, and witness as they pledge their wedding vows. This day had finally arrived and they were forever joined in matrimony. It was a beautiful ceremony and I teared, I must admit.

I could not express enough how much love filled the air, how not a single frown appeared throughout the day (except maybe at the heat wave), and how each guest left confident and in faith of the happy couple.



"Marriage should not be so much about looking at each other but looking in the same direction together. Remember the positive things that brought you together and then concentrate on positive goals to achieve as a couple."

May our friends out-do one another in kindness, never go to bed angry and continue to love and support one another. Thank you both for including us in your special day. Anne and Robey we wish you all the very best that God has to offer in this beautiful journey of marriage and we're so happy you found your "one's." We love you both!


xoxo

South Pasadena Farmer's Market - 4th of July weekend

South Pasadena farmer's market varies greatly from the Pasadena farmer's market in that the SoPasFM carries food vendors. A popular Thursday afternoon stop for the neighbors in the hood. Bring a blanket for a picnic on the lawn, stroll the isles, buy some beautiful produce and have some good eats.








Happy Inka, happy tummy


The pupusa stand. A must stop at the SoPasFM.




Garlic fries, brats and a tri-tip sandwich!


South Pasadena Farmers' Market
Thursday 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Meridian Avenue & Mission Street
South Pasadena Los Angeles


xoxo

The Donato's do Disneyland with the Dingle's

Abbybee has been planning her extravaganza birthday excursion for months on end. Our nugget was just several months old when she insisted that the cousins get together and celebrate. It was a year ago that day that we last reunited.

The plan, as listed by Abs, would be to gather up at Lany and Chris' house to meet the newest edition to the family, check in to the hotel, settle in for a bit and head out to the park.




photos courtesy of Jong Jong


Nugget is happy to be at the happiest place on earth

After buying passes, upgrading and waiting on our party while the others checked in we finally entered the gates at noon. Lunch time! But first I had to feed my nugget and made our way to the family lounge.

I hadn't given it a second thought that Disneyland even had facilities such as this. Ask me prior to having a baby and I wouldn't even care but now that we have a family of our own we're all over that lounge and it's ammenities. The facilities are very comfortable offering me a semi-private room to nurse. There are several other rooms where you can change your child, potty training facilities, feeding areas and a kitchen to wash and warm any baby food. The building is air conditioned. It was perfect for that particularly hot day. For the next several feedings through the day I was one happy and cool mommy.

Next up - lunch! Everyone met up dining on fried chicken and their choice of sides. We waited here till the remaining party arrived.


My MIL snatching up Jong's chicken. He was starving and apparently so was she.








Ready to roam the park!


The birthday gal and her prince

After lunch we made our way to Tomorrow Land to get a flash pass for space mountain. A 2 hour wait!! From there weaving our way through the crowd, onward to the It's a Small World newly rennovated ride. But first, another food stop.


Corn on the cobb, giant fried chimichangas and turkey legs!!!




Sharing is caring.


My ma sure loves her fowl friends.

After everyone got their fill of food we made our way to the It's a Small World ride. We all boarded, with the exception of Ma, who stayed behind.



After feeling nauseated from the repetative singing, not the ride itself we went up to Toon Town but not before having another, you guessed it, food break! This time for ice cream and drinks. Ma, nugget and I stayed behind while the crew went to ride the rollercoaster.

Several feedings later, a couple of rides in, the Donato's called it a day. Time to go home. We were pooped! It was so refreshing seeing everyone and finding the time to get together even through our busy lives.


xoxo