Happy New Year and New Beginnings!!!

This is the first day of a new year.  This is where it all begins.
I will be posting more often here.  I have a lot to say and show.

See you soon.

Hello,  I hope you all had a great winter.  Surprisingly, it was the best winter I've had in so many years here in Massachusetts.  There were very few cold, cold, cold days (-below 20 degrees) here.  I am kind of used to at least a few (-negative) temperatures but there were no at all.  As for snow, it only dusted a few times.  Did I miss the snow storms we're used to getting?  Absolutely NOT!!! I have seen enough snow to last me for sooooooooo long.

The spring has been very promising and I am looking forward to the summer... How about you?

 Enough about that. 

The real issue at hand is my Affairs and how I have been totally slacking.  I have not blogged about anything since November 2011.  Boy do I have a lot of catching up to do.  Since I am so far behind I'm going to post the pics I have and give brief details about it.  Enjoy!

 I wish I remembered this grilled chicken salad.  It looks tasty and I'm sure if I put the right dressing on it, it was. However I don't have a clue about it.
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                                                     Homemade salad with homemade bbq ribs.
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In January 2012 I did a 12 week weight loss program at my gym called The Transformation Project.  The above was my transforming the way I shopped.  As you can see, I had frozen fruit for smoothies, Almond milk (I am not a fan. I prefer soy milk but its as good for us as we would think... Dang!), cottage cheese, Ezekiel bread (not a fan of that either. I would rather eat regular bread and work out longer to burn it off), green tea and a few other things.  The program ended March 31st and I had removed 15lbs from my body.  Fantastic!

 This salad I made at my local grocery store. I was doing The Transformation Project and needed to eat something wholesome.  I was really pleased with it.  Well of course, I made it.  I used oil and red wine vinegar for my dressing.  That was a tasty salad.

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 Do you enjoy Thai?  Well I do.  I love Pad Thai with extra beansprouts and scallions. And don't forget the Thai Iced Tea.  If you have not tried this, give it a shot.
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 Ok, I'm so behind that the above pics and the one to the right are from Christmas... Yes, I said Christmas. I didn't take pictures of the actual table, what a shame.

Pic 1 - that was my plate.
Pic 2 - White sangria I made. It was so tasty.  Let me know if you want the recipe.
Pic 3 - This was a little appetizer I made. If you like Granny smith apples, dried cranberries, bleu cheese and bleu cheese dressing then you would like this combo. That's all it is.  I had it at Au Bon Pain more times than I can remember.  I would cost me $4.00 so I made my own and it was just as good.

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 I have got to explain the above to you.  So my girlfriend and I went out for lunch one day at a Thai restaurant she recommended.  Now she does not like "Thai" food but she worked in the area and this restaurant had a dish she really liked.  I like Thai so it was a good idea to me.  We are seated, so I request Thai Iced Teas.  "Two please."  My girlfriend had never had one so I said, I'll take yours if you don't like it.  She takes a sip, does not like it.  I take it.  More for me, Yum!!!
We get our food.

Pic 1 - My Pad Thai (always chicken and shrimp with extra beansprouts & scallions. It came with spring rolls)
Pic 2 - My girlfriends meal
Pic 3 - My two Thai Ice Teas (happy me)
Pic 4 - What the hell is that in the glass?

So my girlfriend realizes that is not the dish she was hoping it to be. Since she had never order this meal herself (her staff normally ordered for her) she did not know what it was called but from the menu description thought this was it. Of course it was not.  She was not happy with it but it wasn't bad so she ate it.

My pad thai, was not bad.  However out of all the places I've had that dish at, it was definitely at the bottom.  So I guess it is safe to say it was the worst. 

So finish one (not sure if it was mine or hers) and go for the next one.  When I finish that there is something in it. YUCK!  What is it?  Hell if I know.  By now we have finished our food. We're sitting there talking and my mouth start to water.  You know that feeling you get when your stomach is saying "Thanks for coming through but you won't be staying here much longer."  Well that's what happened.  I went running to the restroom holding my mouth.  I was so glad to have made it to the bathroom and get that shit out of my system.  It was the best thing. When I tell you I have a cast iron stomach, I really do.  Not to mention I have never had to vomit at a restaurant and the few times I may have had food poisoning I can probably count on two fingers, seriously. For whatever reason, my body instantly rejected that mess.  My girlfriend knew that was unlike me but her food didn't cause her any problems.  Can you imagine the two of us in the restroom barfing?  That would have been a sight.  When I get back to our table, no one asked me if I was okay.  Was everything okay with the food or anything.  When I tell you I was running, I was running.
I informed the waitress that something was in my glass.  She said "oh" and walked back to where about three of them were chatting. 

When we were leaving do you know the waitress had the nerve to ask me if I wanted my Thai Iced Tea to go?  I told her no and if they offered me lifetime meals plus Thai Iced Tea I would not accept.  I had to let them know that was the worst Thai experience I have ever had.  I don't want another experience like that, believe me.
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 This is just a little homemade ham & cheese with pickles & red onion and my 22 oz cup of water.
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 My business partners and I went to AnnaBella's for a business meeting (I have an AnnaBella's review blog).  I had the chicken jalapeno soup.  I'm not a fan of hot food but it wasn't as hot as I thought it was going to be. However the chicken tasted and looked like it came out of a can.  I could be wrong but all of the pieces were exactly the same and they we not flavorful at all.
The salad was the apple cranberry walnut salad.  It was delish.
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 This is my version of Easy Jambalaya.  I use the Goya box yellow rice with two different sausages (the brown one is turkey kielbasa, the one in the back is chicken spinach and feta sauage) shrimp, frozen green peas and a little onion.  Talking about goooooooooooood. It is!  I took this picture before I mixed the sausage in.

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My subway Turkey and Cheese with a bag of chips and some water.  I don't really care for that flavor of Sun Chips. It did not taste like parmesan to me at all.  First and last time getting them.

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This was breakfast at Junior's at the MGM Foxwoods in February. 

Pic 1 - My girlfriend's meal.

Pic 2 - My extra crunchy french toast. It was nothing fabulous about it.

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Room service at MGM Foxwoods.  Yummy!!!
Pic 1 - Coleslaw
I am a coleslaw lover and when I have good coleslaw, I rarely ever leave any.  Even though the gentlemen who took my order over the phone claimed it was great who probably never tried it, he lied.  He does not know great coleslaw.
Pic 2 - Seafood platter
This was tasty and knocked a sista out.  It was after midnight when it arrived but it helped me get my sleep on.
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Birthday dinner at the Shrine in MGM Foxwoods.  When I tell you this was some fabulous food, I mean it.  If you have not been to the Shrine which is asian infused dishes, you have to go.  Be sure to make reservations.  Glad I did.  I can't wait to go back and I hope its just as good as it was the first time.

Pic 1 - Shrine wings
Pic 2 - Boneless spareribs
Pic 3 - Shrimp fried rice with a Lobster Rangoon
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The pics below are from the restroom.  If you have not read my blogg about restrooms, please do.  This was one of the fliest bathrooms I've ever been in. 
Pic 1. - The sinks are out in the open so you don't have to go into a bathroom if you just need to wash your hands or you can wash when you come out of the bathroom (men's room on the left, women's on the right). Unfortunately I deleted that picture and it was awesome.
Pic 2. - The toilet and as dark as the picture is, you do not see one speck of tissue on the floor.  The walls on the left and right went all the way to the ceiling. It was stone looking like the floor. This stall had a medieval feel to it.

This was the sink in the actual bathroom. It was lit with a pink light. The lighting you see is pretty much all there was. 

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MGM Hotel at Foxwoods - Our room for my birthday and to see Steve Harvey. 

Did you get to check out his Final StandUp show?
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Lunch at the Home Based Travel Agent Forum

This was a wedge salad with blue cheese dressing and they added extra blue cheese crumbles.  I love blue cheese so much I could eat it on everything.  I have to say, I don't like all blue cheese dressings.  However if some real blue cheese is added, it helps add flavor where it may be lacking. 

There I go again.  Eating before snapping. 

This was fingling potatos, a vegetable medley (green beans, carrots and little spinach) and a chicken breast with some really tasty gravy.  Everyone at the table asked for more gravy.  The waitress ran out a few times due to our "extra gravy" request. 

This was ok. 

White cake with a thin layer of chocolate on top and raspberry swirl on the plate.  I ate most of it because I am just a chubby like that.  Ok, I'm greedy. 

It wasn't bad just not a WOW. 

However it was all free so it was FANTASTIC.

What is the Home Base Travel Agent Boston Forum?

This forum is where Travel Professionals get together to learn and network with the experts of the travel industry.  

There were several vendors like Sandals, FunJet, Amtrak, Jamaican Tourism, Couples Resort

to name a few.

If you like to travel and would like to travel more why not join the industry to SAVE money doing what you already enjoy doing.

It's a $7 trillion dollar business and is expected to double within the next 10 years.

($7,000,000,000,000.00) 

1% of that is $70 billion.
Just imagining if that was my salary in 5 years... OMG!!!

I may not make $70B in my lifetime but it sure would be nice.

An all-inclusive trip for $49.

Yes, I did say all-inclusive (Air, Hotel, Meals, Transportation) for $49. 

(Ask me how you can get deals like this)

This is one of the feasts they laid out for us.  Yum!

Visit the Grand Lucayan Resort. 

They will take very good care of you.

This was our welcome lunch.  I should have taken a picture of the spread before it was served.  I will remember next time.

That half empty bowl is potato salad.  Let me tell you, I'm like most people who is very picky about my potato salad. I don't like it to be too white, I like mustard in mine for that yellow effect and I like firm potatos for the most part.

Fresh made potato salad is my favorite.  I don't like it cold at all.  If I get it out the fridge, I have to give it time to warm up.  I can tell by looking at it if I'll like it or not. 

I saw that and decided to give it a try, I was not disappointed.  It was very good!!!

This is my plate.  I had a rib (delish), lobster salad (delish, delish), coleslaw (delish), green salad (delish), potato salad (so good)... There's something else on there besides the roll but I can't tell what it is.  I can tell you, that plate was clean so whatever that unidentifiable delicacy is, I enjoyed that too.

Awwww, how can I forget.  The original Bahama Mama.... It's a must have while in the Bahamas.  And be sure to try the Yellow Bird too... I didn't get a picture of that but its sooooo good. 

I could use both right now.

(I had to pay for this drink but the ones at the reception were part of the all-inclusive)

Had No Idea!!! @ Annabelle's

I've lived in my neighborhood for just over five years and I walk often around here.  Many times I would past this restaurant and it was never open.  Of course when I walked it was always in the morning or early afternoon. 

One Friday evening after a business meeting, my partner suggested we grab a bit before heading home.  We went to this local spot which was around the corner from all of us literally.  I couldn't believe that it was open.  We go inside, its well lit with brown wood beams and colums.  It had two sitting areas, one deep in the restaurant and the other close to the windows for better viewing.  We were seated on the window side. 

It's a good spot with a romantic feel.

This is one of my partners fisherman's platter.  It had the shrimp, scallops, haddock and french fries.  It lookes so good, I had to capture it.

This was my other partners meal.  Haddock and fries.  The picture does nothing for what it really looked like and how good she said it tasted.

This was my meal.  Baked haddock, risotto with aparagus.  It was pretty darn good.  I'm glad I got it. 

I've been back to this restaurant many times and I totally forgot all about a picture. 

It's a good spot... I had no idea.

Some Random Meals!

This was some grape tomatos w/ some herb seasoning, balsamic vinegar & olive oil and a little tuna fish. It was a snack. 

I had started in on this meal before realizing a picture was needed.  It was just that one pic of chicken thigh which I always try to get the smaller piece and the rest salad.  There was balsamic vinegar & olive oil on it and a little hot sauce on the chicken.

A meal of scrambled eggs, piece of toast (little I can't believe its not butter), half of a banana with water and green tea.  Yummy!

This is something I have come to enjoy.  Tuna fish with balsamic vinegar and a little seasoning.  I love tuna fish but never tried it without mayo until I tried the Dukan Diet.  It was not bad.  I had five saltine crackers, water and a polar seltzer water. 

This picture is a few years old.  It was one of my book club hosting times.  Whenever I would remember to take a picture of my table I would and this was one of those time.  I don't remember what the entree was that day but I know there was some baked chicken, salad and some chips & dip.  It was a good book club. 

Something New!!! @ Ledge

How I found the Ledge was due to a craving.  I wanted a lobster roll for dinner so Fiancee' and I went to our local spot (our fav) on the beach but it was closed due to the hurricane.  No, we were not riding around in the hurricane.  The hurricane warning was the day before.  So on the day we went it was a lovely sunny day.  You would not have thought anything about a hurricane had transpired in some areas but there were some trees down in others. 

So you can imagine my disappointment when I realized that it was dark inside not to mention with it being a beautiful day, there were no patrons outside enjoying a meal.  Lucky for those who got the day off but now I had to find another spot that could satisfy my craving.

What do I do?  Thank goodness for internet on the cell phone.  I googled "lobster rolls in Dorchester, MA".  That was the area I was in and I wasn't in the mood to drive too much further even for a roll.  Yelp! came up with a review and a picture of a lobster roll so we headed over to the Ledge.

When walked it, it was busy but not overwhelmingly so.  All of the tables were full which was a good sign that the locals liked it.  It was all white inside.  Kind of catchy. 

I asked the hostess how long of a wait.  She said a few minutes.  She walked away, came back and asked us to follow her.  We walked the length of the restaurant then out the back door.  I thought we made a mistake and shouldn't have followed her.  I was wrong.  There were more tables and a nicer ambiance. 

I was pleasantly surprised. 

We were seated in view of a well lit bar.  To the right of us, a company party going on but they did not disturb or distract.  They clapped off and on but it didn't bother anyone.  There candles on each table and string lights hanging here and there. 

Very nice setting for a lovely summer evening.

I asked the waiter when do they stop serving outside.  He said they serve outside until the middle of November if the weather is good. 

The menu was not overwhelming.  It featured some good fare.  The special was a little different and I may have tried it but I was on a mission.  One that had to be completed.

Here is an old fav (water) and a new fav.  I like to see what's on a drink menu and try something new there too.  You never know what else is good if you stick to your same old blend.  I saw coco punch and had to try it.  Man when I tell you it was just like punch, it was just like punch.  One sip and it instantly became my new fav.  I haven't tried to get it anywhere else nor have I been back to the Ledge. 

It's time for a come out & cocktail. 

So I order the lobster roll.  The waiter who was also my bartender said "its really good."  He didn't lie.  It wasn't the one I really wanted but it was a close 2nd at that moment.  I need to remember to ask "no lettuce" for future rolls.  It was even better once I added the butter.  The bun was delish too.  I think it was a brioche bun.  Light and buttery sweet... So good.  I did enjoy.

For a long time I was not a fan of lobster rolls.  I mean, they were good but not as good as when I just have a lobster.  It wasn't until this past summer when I was watching my favorite local food show Phantom Gourmet.  They were featuring lobster rolls and the restaurants who love them.  I had to try a few of them.

I went to a place I had passed many times down on the beach.  Many folks were ordering the rolls and I couldn't wait to get mine.  I was giving this place a shot because it had a good rating on Yelp! and Phantom spoke highly of it.  So I get my roll and it was like every other roll I had ever had.  I sat there looking at it, wondering what was wrong with the lobster.  Something is missing.  It has to be.  Or maybe I don't like bread with my lobster.  Nah, that wasn't it.  Then it dawned on me.  Whenever I eat lobster in that form, I always eat it with butter.  

So I asked for some butter and boy oh boy that roll came to life and danced a jig in my mouth.  

That place by the beach is #1 for me for more reasons than one. 

I had six of their rolls this summer alone.

Better view of the roll.

Fiancee' had a turkey burger topped with a fried egg and cheese.  I don't think I tried it because I don't remember what it tasted like.  He loved it and decided he would add an egg to burgers made at home.  Go figure! 

I'm going back very soon.