- I have 20 aunts and uncles. My parents each have 10 siblings. Perhaps that’s why they only had my brother and me!
- My grandmother started a few restaurants in Vacaville and Fairfield that are still open today. Even as a mom of 11, my amazing grandmother still fulfilled her dream of becoming an entrepreneur, and in a foreign country, at that! If you’re in the area, stop by Gordito’s in Fairfield or Azteca in Vacaville.
- My best friend and I hiked to Machu Picchu. During the summer of 2015, we headed out for an amazing adventure! In Peru, we hiked nearly 30 miles with other hikers from California, Ireland and Australia. After four days and three nights on the Salkantay trek, we reached Machu Picchu! It was the hardest, most rewarding experience I’ve ever had.
- I am currently taking Spanish classes. While my mom and extended family are fluent in Spanish, English is my first language. I can understand a lot of Spanish, but I’m a definitely a little rusty. I’ve recently begun watching Spanish novelas to help me learn. I’m currently following El Hotel de los Secretos—you cannot beat the drama!
- I love to paint in my free time. I mainly use watercolor, but I recently began experimenting with acrylic paints. Painting is great hobby and de-stresser for me. Unfortunately, I’m quickly running out of wall space in my apartment!
- Dog obsessed. If you lose me out in public, just look or listen for any nearby dogs. I’ll probably be sitting on the ground hanging with the pooches.
- Chocolate addict. When I first moved to midtown, I think there was one time where I visited Ginger Elizabeth three times in one week. I’ve since weaned myself down to three times a month. Progress!
- I escape in cooking. I’m all about experimenting and trying new recipes. It’s a fun easy way for me to unplug and take my mind off of work. My Saturday morning “It’s officially the weekend” ritual involves watching “The Pioneer Woman” and sipping my morning coffee in my favorite elephant-shaped mug. Bliss!
- I recently started reading for pleasure. I think I always dreaded reading because I was forced to read so much for school, but recently, I’ve found a few good reads that I just couldn’t put down. I just finished Tina Fey’s Bossypants—she’s my hero. I’m currently working on Amy Poehler’s Yes Please and Pearl Buck’s The Good Earth.
- I’ve got a love for vintage cars. My boyfriend is a major car guy and has taught me a lot about the beauty of classic cars in the past five years. Our favorite times have been aimlessly cruising around town in his VW Bug or his old Ford Model A.
My Blue Apron Experience
I recently took up a discount offer from Blue Apron and finally had my first food subscription experience. Undeniably, I was just plain thrilled about the idea of having three days’ worth of (good) dinner ingredients and recipes delivered right to my door step! You can choose from the “2-person plan” or the “Family Plan” and can request that your box be delivered on any day, Tuesday-Friday. The recipes are different each week and you can always opt to skip out on certain weeks when you don’t want a box. I was able to cook two of the three recipes I received with my “2-person plan” and then I gave the third to a friend, as I had dinner plans and didn’t want to risk the final recipe ingredients for the Tilapia Meuniere going bad.
My recipes:
Crispy Chicken Thighs with Braised Lettuce, Kimchi & Maitake Mushrooms
Lamb & Beef Shawarma with Creamy Radish Salad
Tilapia Meuniere with Moroccan-Spiced Lentils & Rainbow Chard
The recipe concepts were a little intimidating, I’ll admit, but the recipe sheets in your box clearly outline every detail, not to mention the ingredients are already pre-measured and individually labeled. I was also pleasantly surprised to find all ingredients, from meat to herbs, were totally fresh!
A subscription like this is convenient not only for people with no cooking skills at all, but also for people with an experienced palette who just want easy-to-cook, quality meals. I loved that this particular selection of recipes were concepts that I would have never thought to whip up myself, yet now I know how to do it on my own. The Crispy Chicken Thighs and Lamb & Beef Shawarma were amazing and there was plenty for two people. I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to try the tilapia, but I have no doubt it was just as delicious.
I would definitely order again, but most likely only for a special occasion, such as right before a trip so that I wouldn’t have to stock up on groceries. If you’re interested, you can easily sign up online and/or take a look at their recipes online!
It’s Not a Beerfest…It’s Sactoberfest!
The Sacfoodies team was recently invited to get a sneak peek at the festivities planned for the 2nd Annual Sactoberfest 2014! After recovering from food and beer-induced comas, we all agreed that this year’s event is definitely going to be an authentic and traditional experience. With beer maids, classic German eats, plus an extensive selection of over 15 Oktoberfest and local premium beers, Sactoberfest 2014 is an event not to be missed.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Rudy
Brace yourself for a 3-day celebration (last year was a 1-day festival) that tastefully brings the original German Oktoberfest to Sacramento’s Bridge District. Even if you’re not a beer drinker, the delicious Munich-inspired bites are worth going for. We were lucky enough to sample fresh Jägerschnitzel, Rustic Cabbage Rolls, Beer Braised Thürsinger, Braised Beef Rouladen and Dark Chocolate Rum Balls—all of which will be available at the festival!
Also, if you attended Sactoberfest 2013, you might notice 11 more beers available—there were only six in 2013. For the first time, over 100 beer maids will serve beer to the crowds. Some of the local beers include Bike Dog Brewing, Yolo Brewing, Jack Rabbit Brewing Company and Sudwerk. Gluten free beer and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. Can you say, “Prost!”
As if you didn’t have enough to look forward to at this year’s festival, the entertainment stage will be filled with activities including stein holding—which the Sacfoodies team feels they have mastered—beer pong, wurst tossing, corn hole and live music. Believe it or not, the Chico Bavarian Band playing at Sactoberfest played at the opening day of Oktoberfest in Munich! It doesn’t get much more authentic than that.
Single-day tickets range from $25-$85 including general admission, premium and VIP tickets and multi-day tickets range from $45-$165. Designated driver and 13y+ tickets range from $15-$45.Children under 12 are free.
To purchase tickets visit www.Sactoberfest.com or find them on Facebook.
951 Riverfront Street at The Barn in West Sacramento
Hours:
Friday, October 10
3 p.m. -10 p.m.
Saturday, October 11
1 p.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday October 12
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
LowBrau Sausage Platter
Danke!
LowBrau
1050 20th Sacramento, CA
916-706-2636
Smells like Sweet Summertime on Capitol Mall
There are few things I look forward to more than the Thursday Farmers Market on Capitol Mall. Every Thursday, now through September, Capitol Mall employees come out from behind their desks and cubicle walls, and flood the streets in search of food truck eats and feel-good, California-grown goodies—flowers and produce! With all of the action happening directly outside of our office, Thursdays look a lot like Christmas morning for the Sacfoodies crew.
The market might be running through September, but trust me it’ll be coming to a close before you know it! So, use it as an excuse to step outside and enjoy the heart of Sacramento on 6th Capitol Mall, Thursdays from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next Page »