Good Eats Part Two

Edmonton Hotspots

Back in 2012 (December 1st to be exact) I wrote a post about some excellent Edmonton restaurants. If you look at it here and scroll down to the bottom, you'll see I wanted to do a part two....so here it is... 1 year, 1 month, and 30 days later :) I'm approaching this one a bit differently. I thought I would sort them by "Best blah blah" categories. Like paper plate awards or the Dundies. 

Located on 99 Street and close to 51 Ave

Best "I Don't Want to do Anything 

but Eat Greasy Chinese Food on the Living Room Floor" Restaurant:

Pearl River Restaurant

I love Chinese food YA! You know that it's true... has anyone else seen that awful video? This place is great for an American Chinese food night. Pineapple chicken balls, shrimp in black bean sauce, fried rice and chow mein (chow me-me-me-me-mein). What more is there to say? It's greasy, it's terrible for you and you'll be hungry 2 hours later, but you'll regret nothing.

Best Sushi:

TWO WINNERS! Sushi Wasabi & Mikados

There's a reason I put both these restaurants as winners. Sushi Wasabi (right on 111St close to Southgate Mall) is your classic fresh (as fresh as inland Alberta could have) sushi. They have delicious traditional sushi with my favorite being the spicy tuna. But sometimes you want to go on a fishy adventure, and that's where Mikados comes in. Three words: Mango Tango Roll. This roll has eel, mango, avocado and red onion. Also, six more words: Deep fried Green Tea Ice cream. It's diabetes in a dish, so it is a once a year kinda thing. 

Best "It's Gotta Be KD, but I'm An Adult Now" Mac and Cheese:

Blue Plate Diner 

This use to be a monthly lunch stop simply for their Mac and Cheese. It has pasta.....and cheese. Okay so nothing fancy, BUT the cheese is super stringy, so there's that. Just eat it. It's good. They also have art on the walls done by local artists. The location is awesome if you're lucky enough to get on the patio in the summer. It's located on 104st in the downtown area

There's four more places for you to try. Come back on March 30, 2015 for part three.

-Vanessa xo

Vegetarians for Health Part 2

You Won't Miss Anything

I am currently watching Mr. D on Netflix. It's a show about an absolutely terrible teacher and makes me feel better about myself, as I know I will always make a better teacher than this fictional character... Anyway, on to the actual post! Jordon and I have been making vegetarian meals during the weekdays for over a year now. I'm actually surprised we have been able to keep it up! I shared some recipes way back when that you can look at here. I have found or created some awesome vegetarian recipes since then and thought I would share some. So without further ado. 

1. Vegetarian Pizza

You can either use pre-made dough or make your own. There are some pretty quick no rise recipes out there for dough. I LOVE the veggie pizza we make. It is definitely not classic but is definitely delicious. I use BBQ sauce, pineapple jam, Thai sweet chilli sauce and some red chilli flakes for the sauce (try it before you knock it). You can change up your toppings but I use a bell pepper, mushrooms, olives, banana peppers and pineapple chunks. I guess the only traditional ingredient is the 23481239048 tons of mozzarella on top. 

2. Double Spinach Pasta Casserole with Pesto and Asiago Cheese

Click here to grab the recipe. This dish is super filling and cheesy. I leave out the chicken....obviously. It goes pretty quickly in the kitchen as well. If you want to spend even MORE time in the kitchen, you can make your own pesto, but I like the lazy way of pre-made pesto from a jar. 

3. Thai Noodle Salad

This is the most addictive dish I have ever had...EVER. It is more of a side dish but it is very possible to fill up on it for supper. Everyone that has had it can not seem to get enough. AND it is super easy! You want to make it the night before as it is better once it has sat in the fridge and can soak up all the yummy flavours. 

What you'll need:

-1 lb Spaghetinni

-1/3 cup canola oil (or olive oil)

-1 tbsp sesame oil

-1 tsp dried red pepper flakes

-1/3 cup honey

-4 tbsp soy sauce

-1/4 cup chicken stock

-3/4 cup chopped peanuts

-1/2 cup chopped green onion

-1 tbsp sesame seeds

What to Do: 

1. Cook noodles according to package with some chicken stock. Drain and set aside in a big bowl

2. Combine the two oils in a pan and add red pepper flakes. Stir constantly so they do not burn. Cook until you can smell the peppers

3. Add honey, soy sauce and chicken stock to pan. Cook until honey is dissolved.

4. Pour liquid into bowl with noodles. Cover and place in fridge overnight.

5. Add peanuts, green onions and sesame seeds just before serving

And there you have it! Three more meat free dishes for you to try out!

-Vanessa xo

Why Falling in Love With a Guy is Better Than Falling in Love With a Book

Reading vs Living

I read a blog post last night that talked about how falling in love with a book is better than falling in love with a guy. It seemed silly and ridiculous. Here is a link to the original blog post if you would like to read it:

Why Falling in Love With a Book is Better Than Falling in Love With a Guy

If you know me at all, you know I have felt heartbreak. I often hear "How are you so normal and kind after everything you have been through?" Well I made the right choices for myself. I was the one who decided that I was not going to give in, lay down, and complain how every man is not like Christian Grey. I chose to give up my heart again to an incredible love, maybe even true (but let's not get too cheesy). 

I love books. I love reading. I really love escaping the hustle and bustle of life and reading about new adventures.... But the love I get from my man is not even comparable. So here are some reasons I think falling in a love with a guy is better than falling in love with a book:

-Books can leave you hanging; men help finish your story

-Books make a fictional life seem perfect; men make a realistic life more perfect
-The ink in books can run when you are crying; mens shoulders are more durable. 

-The only acceptable public places to be alone with a book are coffee shops and libraries. Everyone loves date night with a man
-A book won't keep you company while you are driving across the country. Men will sing "Call Me Maybe" and "Take On Me" at the top of their lungs (well mine did anyway). 
- Books break your shelf; men can fix your shelf
-Books can have predictable endings; men keep you on your feet
-Books are the same when you go back to read them; men are ever changing and can grow WITH you ( you will change, accept that)
-Books will let you be your all kinds of crazy; men will reel you back in and help keep you grounded.
-You can fall in love with books, but they will not love you back

-Vanessa xo