CREATE

Last night, I had the privilege of attending Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Studio Series. An annual event, this performance showcases young dancers-cum-choreographers as they create their own unique pieces, some for the very first time. Highlights of last night’s performance include numbers choreographed to Roberta Flack’s first album, First Take and a brilliant series of pieces danced in complete silence. Each performance, especially the dances in silence, was a breath of fresh air. Artistry such as these are exactly what the dance world needs. Ballet can be, at times, predictable, but with an infusion of a new wave of choreographers, the Nevada Ballet Theatre has given hope to this particular patron and their community.

As the lights went down, I was flooded by the nostalgia of standing on a stage when I was a young girl, anxious to perform but with butterflies in my stomach that could almost lift me away. Performing arts does that to me. It brings me back to a place in my life where creation was tantamount to bliss. These days, I find that feeling when I cook or bake. Whether it’s on a stage on in the kitchen, I encourage all of you to find that special thing in your lives that will allow you to open yourself up to creation. There’s no better feeling than putting something out there in the world that belongs distinctively to you and simultaneously to the world at large.

Nevada Ballet Theatre finds a new home at The Smith Center for Performing Arts, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Visit them at: http://www.nevadaballet.com/

The Happiest Place on Earth

No, I don’t mean Disneyland… I mean, STONE BREWERY in Escondido, California!

For those unfamiliar, Stone Brewery is the very same brewery that brings Arrogant Bastard Ale, to the masses. What most people don’t know is that it is also a top notch restaurant. I was lucky enough to visit this most wonderful establishment this past weekend and let me tell you, the place doesn’t disappoint!

Taking our queue from the whole, “when in Rome”-mentality, my cousin, Mary and I went the route of food tasters. We ordered a plethora of dishes so that we could really take in the food culture that Stone Brewery has brilliantly fostered!

For starters, we tried the homemade hummus….

…and an appetizer isn’t an appetizer without some refreshments…

Then, we got a little, teeny-weeny, carried away when we ordered entrees….

(From Top to Bottom: Chicken Schnitzel, Chicken Tikka Masala, & The famous Buffalo Burger)

…but in our defense, we couldn’t decide and we wanted to make sure we sampled everything… you know, for the people….

Let me tell you, everything was so delicious! From the breading of the schnitzel to the spiciness of the masala and the heartiness of the buffalo burger, the STONE BREWERY is simply outstanding!

And the beer? Well, let’s just say there wasn’t a drop left….

You can find the STONE BREWERY at:

1999 Citracado Pkwy
Escondido, CA 92029

Morning Glory

So a new coffee place opened up near me called GROUCHY JOHN’S. Located on the corner of Maryland Parkway and Wigwam (in Henderson), this mom & pop shop is host to a variety of coffees, teas and baked goods. What sets this place apart from the big chain coffee spots like Starbucks or Peet’s, is the neighborhood feel. When you walk into GROUCHY JOHN’S, big cushy chairs abound and patrons are encouraged to stay a while playing board games or sitting a spell in one of those comfy chairs with a book from their library.

Their coffee is just as home-y… From the Dirty Chai Latte (a chai with a shot of coffee) or the Pumpkin Spice Latte (a real coffee with none of that overly sweet stuff), this girl proclaims that there’s nothing Grouchy about Grouchy John’s coffee.

If you’re in the neighborhood, come check it out!

GROUCHY JOHN’S
8520 S Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89123
grouchyjohns.com

REPEAT OFFENSE

Ok, so I know I’ve already talk about LOLA’s but I paid them a visit a little while ago and every time I go, they knock my socks off!

This time, I had their FRIED CHICKEN SALAD with honey mustard dressing and boy-oh-boy, DELISH! The chicken is perfectly seasoned and fried and the dressing is on point. The salad, as a whole is a complete meal – the greens are fresh and the addition of cucumbers is inspired… it gives each bite just the right crunch!

Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-ins and Dives was recently at LOLA’s and if that’s not a testament to how fantastic this place, then I don’t know what is!

Check out LOLA’s at:
241 West Charleston Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 227-5652

Turning the frown upside down....

I had a terrible day at work today. I got thrown under the bus twice and by the time I left, I was a flattened pancake. I knew that I had to do something to raise my spirits because there was no way that I was going to let a place like work steal my blessings!

So, you know what I did… I made an ice cream sundae. Oh, not just any sundae – a vanilla peachy sundae, topped with luscious whipped cream!

And you want to know what the best part is??? It took less than FIVE minutes to make! See for yourself…

Vanilla Peachy Sundae

Ingredients:
- Vanilla ice cream (I like Breyer’s – creamy and smooth and will never let you down!)
- 1/4 cup of sliced peaches (I use the little packaged ones but fresh peaches will work wonderfully as well!...Note – if you use the packaged peaches, be sure to sieve out some of the syrup.)
- Whip cream in a can! SO GOOD!

1. Scoop two scoops of vanilla ice cream into a fancy bowl, top with peaches and finish with as much whip cream as will make your heart skip a beat!

2. Savor this as slowly as you can. It’s SO GOOD!


PS – the bowl in the picture… I made it and yes, it IS FABULOUS!

Dear Chick Fil A - I heart you.

I heart Chick Fil A. I do. Sometimes I think I could eat it every day. There’s something about the breading and the tenderness of the chicken that is SO delicious. My cousin, Monica, says it’s made from CRACK and you know what? I agree!

I usually get the #1. It’s a classic – Chick Fil A chicken sandwich, waffle fries and my favorite choice of drink, an Arnold Palmer. SO GOOD. I’m a big fan of cooking at home but if you’re going to have fast food, Chick Fil A, is the way to go. I hear it’s the healthiest of the fast food joints but in my book, it’s the tastiest.

Now I live in Las Vegas, so there aren’t any around these parts but every time I go for a visit to Southern California or the east coast, you can bet that at least one of my meals is going to be at Chick Fil A. Thank you, Chick Fil A, for being so awesome!

SHABU SHABU

Once upon a time, there was an amazing concept called SHABU SHABU…. SHABU SHABU is a magical pot that brings joy to so many people…

SHABU SHABU means “swish swish” in Japanese and swish-swish is exactly what you do. A plate of paper thin meats are ceremoniously set before you with a side of a positively enormous avalanche of veggies.

The idea of SHABU SHABU is just like hot pot eating. You take your meats and veggies and swish it around in the broth (distilled water) and then dip it in various sauces. These sauces, spicy, ponzu and peanut, are wildly different, yet wonderfully compatible. The best part is that after you’ve had your luscious meal, you don’t feel like you’re in a food coma!

My favorite place to have SHABU SHABU is at a place in Henderson, Nevada, aptly named – SHABU SHABU. I highly recommend this experience and this particular restaurant. The service is stellar and the food is DIVINE!

SHABU SHABU Paradise
1716 W Horizon Ridge # 110 Henderson, NV 89012
(702) 385-4567