Outback

The Outback is mine and Tony's most favorite restaurant. This is usually where we go on our date night (Saturday night). Sometimes we like to spice things up and go somewhere else, but honestly it isn't very often. There is just something about the seasonings they use that I LOVE. The seasonings they use on their steaks are oh. so. delicious. Even though I get my steak well done, it is still juicy and tender and yummy!! :) Then of course you have two sides to pick. I always go with a fully loaded backed potato (butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, bacon bites). Let me just tell you, this is the most A.M.A.Z.I.N.G baked potato in the world. The skin is seasoned with their yummy secret recipe, you seriously gotta have one next time you go and if you have never been, get off that booty and go tonight!! :) For the second side I usually get steamed veggies, but everyone once in a while I get a side salad.
Ok, now brace yourself, I am going to tell you the best meal to get at the Outback. I could seriously eat this every.single.day. It is that good! The Queensland Salad, yes that's right...the Queensland Salad. I LOVE IT!!! The ranch dressing they use is not your typical Kraft Ranch Dressing. I have no clue what seasons they put in it, but its A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!! I seriously think about this salad all the time, no joke. Whenever Tony suggests we go out or want to get take out, I immediately think Queensland Salad :)
Sitting here typing all this makes me want to have it for dinner tonight. I cant see it in my mind, I am so obsessed with the salad. Tony always tells me, its just your normal chicken salad. Has he lost his mind?!?!? Did he really just say that to me?!?!? It SO is not!!
Oh I forgot to mention the bread. I think it is pumpernickel bread. They serve it right when you sit down. Its fresh and warm, and with a little butter...it's oh so delish!! Now I have to tell you, Tony is obsessed with this bread. He absolutely loves it. When the waiter comes to introduce themselves, Tony warns them how much he likes it, and to just keep replenishing the table with bread. I am not even kidding, not even exaggerating, Tony seriously eats about 5-7 loafs every time we go.
So now don't you all want to go to the Outback tonight and try the Queensland Salad? Because I sure as heck do :) Enjoy!!

Starbucks

Ok seriously, this is a horrible addiction of mine. And I'm sure it is a horrible addiction for other people too (Aarika). There is just something about Starbucks coffee that makes it so good. I never ever used to drink coffee or caffeine, but I think it was probably the first semester of college (9 years ago) is where this awful, expensive addiction started. I have been thinking I should buy some stock in Starbucks. At least I would then eventually get some money in return.
I can still remember my first experience at Starbucks. I went with Andrea and her mom. We were in the valley, the Starbucks on Devonshire and Topanga Cyn. Now remember I never drank caffeine. I got a tall Mocha Frappuccino with whipped cream. It probably took, not even kidding, 5 sips before I was wired. I was cracking up at everything and anything. We got in the car to drive home and I remember sitting in the back seat looking at the car next to us laughing so hard at the guy. No idea why, but I was hysterically laughing. I remember it like it was yesterday. Silly thing to remember in detail, but I totally do.
After having my fix of Mocha Frappuccinos, I moved up to Caramel Frappuccinos. I enjoyed those for quite a while; I still do every once in a while....but they are a bit too fattening for me. Then I started getting an Iced Caramel Macchiato. I was seriously addicted to these, probably for a couple of years. Now I have my signature drink. Ready for this?? An Iced Skinny Vanilla Latte. Oh my, I love love them!! Its so yummy!! I get them ALL the time :) This drink puts me in a good mood. Just a side note: this drink is a great laxative? hehe After a weekend of junk food eating, these work great :)
Funny story, well it isn't really a story. Anyways, last July I drove from California to Texas with my dad. But before we drove, I said dad, "In order for me to stay up talking to you during the drive, and in order for me to be awake enough to drive. You will have to buy me Starbucks." So he agreed, because he is oh so wonderful :) Well little did dad know, how much money my coffee drink really is. He didn't know it costs $3.85 to get a grande and $4.10 to get a venti. I'm sure he would not have agreed had he known the cost. But too late now daddy-o!! :) We probably stopped at Starbucks 7 times on the drive. We finally arrived at the apartment complex he owns, and were there for about 3 days. I think we made about a dozen Starbucks runs. Luckily Starbucks was up the street. :)
I love Starbucks :)

New Recipes

I feel like I have been making the same recipes for dinner since Tony and I moved in together. It gets old pretty fast. Think about how quickly you would get sick of raviolis (from Costco), roast beef dip sandwiches, chicken and rice, carne asada burritos, and turkey burgers. Just typing all these meals is making me sick of them. :) Although it sure makes grocery shopping quite easy...and quick. I need some excitment with my meals!! I eat the same foods all week long. I have an Atkins Peanut Butter bar for breakfast and a yummy ;) protein shake Tony makes me have because we work out like crazy, I guess I need more protein for these huge muscles I'm gaining ;) For lunch I eat salami, cheese and crackers and an orange a little later for snack. Ok seriously it gets so old. I actually get a little cranky because my meals are so boring. As people who are close to me know, when I don't eat or when there is nothing good to eat, I cant get pretty bitchy.
So, I have decided to find new recipes. It is now a mission!! I have emailed some family and friends to see what kinds of things they cook and looked online for healthy recipes. I am in luck...woo hoo!! Well, I guess I shouldn't say luck until I try each one and find out what Tony thinks. It doesn't do me any good to make a meal for a second time and Tony not like it. So my test is to ask if he will eat the leftovers. Good huh? If he says yes, then I know I did good...if he says no, then that meal has failed me. Last night was the first night to try one of these healthy recipes I found online. I have to say I was a little nervous, but he liked it. YAY!! I am 1 for 1 :)

Here is the healthy recipe:
4 boneless chicken breasts
1 oz. pkg ranh dressing mix
2 cups rice crispy cereal
1/4 cup parmesean cheese
2 eggs whites

Directions:
Mix rice crispy cereal, ranch mix and parmesean cheese together in bowl. Dip chicken in egg whites, then in the cereal mixture to coat evenly. Arrange chicken on greased baking sheet. Baked until golden brown: 35-40 minutes.
(tip: put foil on the baking sheet or the cereal and chicken will stick)

Side Dish:
A box of Noodle-Roni Fetticini Alfredo that I added some pepper, garlic salt and parmesean cheese to because without it the flavoring was a little bland.

I have a whole list of new recipes to try, and if anyone wants to share some more Im all for it! :)