The Lure of THE Cheesy Gordita Crunch

Okay, so I went to Staten Island this morning...first time ever...yippee, right?!

Hmmm, But that's not the story...

...so I'm on my way back to the office after my Staten Island virgin voyage. And I start thinking about the Cheesy Gordita Crunch being back at Taco Bell (the power of advertising). So, innocently enough, I type Taco Bell into the navigation...and I'm sure to only look at ones on my route of travel...senseless to get off track for Taco Bell...

Whaddaya know...there's one at the next exit in Brooklyn. It's fate...and it's time for a Cheesy Gordita Crunch (here on out referred to as a CGC, cuz it's too long to keep typing!).

I get off the highway & start to get P-U-M-P-ed...I'm telling ya - so smart of Taco Bell to only have the CGC for a limited time...makes me feel like I need to get one ASAP before they are gone!

I turn off the highway & down the next street, and there's NO Taco Bell - hmmm, maybe if I just drive down a little...

Nope, NO Taco Bell, NO CGC & now to top it off, I'm stuck in Brooklyn traffic Hell trying to get back to the highway.

At first I was frustrated, but then when I finally found a Taco Bell & ate that wonderful Cheesy Gordita Crunch - it was even MORE satisfying...So good...Party on the Palate good...I've attached a picture to show you the goodness...SO lovely, I suggest you get one, while they are still available.

On an incredibly sad and shocking note, Heath Ledger was found dead today. Even though tabloids are somewhat of an addiction for me, I found it SICK and disturbing that TMZ & a number of other "paparazzi" were outside of his apartment photographing & filming the removal of his body. That's sinking to a whole new level of awful.

A Chilly Day & Bits about NY Livin'

Holy moly! It's like 6 degrees outside (21, actually, but the wind is kicking some serious butt)! And it's not even snowing - I mean, come on, if it's going to be this cold, there should at least be some pretty snow to distract me!

Since Stephen & I have called New York home, there have been a disappointing number of snow storms...only one or two.

I remember last year - Valentine's Day - the first snow "storm" of the year (I think the ONLY one). I was so pumped to stay at home & drink hot chocolate & cuddle...but to my chagrin, the people here actually work on those days!! WHAT??? WHAT??? Are they CRAZY? Something about snow plows & being ready...blah, blah, blah. I miss my snow days!

The greatest thing about living in New York, especially on a day this cold, is that EVERYTHING can be delivered! From coffee in the morning to Chinese food at night!

The delivery aspect of this city is amazing & when we first moved here, Stephen & I went through a major lazy phase. There's just nothing like the first time that you figure out the deli (across the street, nonetheless) delivers breakfast & coffee to your front door!

Thank goodness that phase has past, as our waists suffered from it!

That brings me to my FAB news of the weekend - I'm down 11 pounds...while the Chinese tonight probably didn't help, I'm pretty sure the bean dip has!!

Canines and Coffee

I'm going to start this blog off on a serious note - a very serious note. Don't panic - everyone is okay.

We went to walk the dogs on Thursday night. After the dog park, we were standing at the intersection. Let me clarify - maybe the biggest intersection in New York City...by that I mean cars coming from 3 ways, plus a split roadway on one side.

So, we are standing there talking, and ROCKY CAME OFF HER LEASH!!! Just came off it. She darted out & thank GOD the city bus saw her & the cop two rows back turned on his lights. But then, she zipped through to the other side of the intersection, barely missing a full speed Toyota Camry.

Stephen dove and grabbed onto her harness with a finger. I'm crying, everyone's hearts are racing, but we are all alive & safe.

As soon as we got home I was on the phone with the manufacturer of the leash, Aspen Pet. They are sending us 2 new Bolt Lock Leashes. Moral of Story: Always use bolt lock leashes (pictures below)...NEVER use an Aspen Pet EZ hitch leash!!! The difference is where the leash attaches to the harness/collar.

Bolt Lock Leash:

EZ Hitch Leash:

If you cannot see the difference, be sure to look for it in stores...

Okay, now good news! I'm so in love with Starbucks new Skinny Lattes, it's not even funny!

First, I love the name Skinny, because that's what I'm trying to be. Second, the Caramel Skinny Latte (grande sized) is "simply delicioso" and ONLY 130 calories!! Holy moly!! Give me some mo'...

Bean Dip

Okay let me just say, I love food. Truly love the stuff. If I find a dish I'm particularly into, I could sustain myself on it for days, maybe even weeks - you know, it becomes the one food you would have on a deserted island.

Past examples include crab legs; organic bean & cheese burritos; avocadoes w/ salt & pepper (actually this is something I still have once a week)...you get the drift.

So getting to the point...Jenn has this amazing bean dip that she made for Stephen & I, well, because we are so very special.

Now I can't stop eating the stuff...I made it this weekend & that's all I've had to eat since! I'm thinking about starting a Bean Dip Diet...seriously I feel like I've already lost weight.

I feel compelled to share the recipe with you...please, if you start the Bean Dip Diet, feel free to write me about your results...I could really be on to something here!!

Bean Dip:
(1) can black beans (drained & rinsed)
(1) small can Shoepeg white corn (drained)
(1) can diced Tomatoes w/ green chiles
(1) can diced Tomatoes w/ basil, garlic & oregano
(1) 8 oz. bottle of Italian dressing
***side bar - I use Fat Free & it tastes FAB & it only has 120 calories in the ENTIRE bottle
(1) chopped onion
cilantro

So here's a few personal notes - I despise raw onion, and Stephen despises cilantro - but the Italian dressing acts like a blanket covering all the bad tastes & creating a Loveliness that simply cannot be described.

The Ex Factor

We went to this Mustache Roller Skating Party...good times! Mike, Jen, Stephen (that's my husband), and I were totally in character. We chose the trash/trucker/70s motif & really lived it up. Drinking boxed wine, eatin' ribs, and having a good time.

We get to the roller skating rink only to find that girls are not wearing mustaches, but instead sequins & such & tight, tight jeans. Thank goodness there's Jen, because at least we are both rocking our special look.

Then we enter the front door of the rink...

"Oh my goodness, I can't believe you are here," Xanadu barbie yells to my husband.

"Yea, some friends of friends are throwing the party," he says back.

"MY husband throws this party!" Xanadu Barbie says checking out the rest of the group.

Then my husband does it..."Um, this is my wife, Maggie".........

Except I am his wife & my name is Brittany!! And this is how I found out that this was his ex-live in-girlfriend. Xanadu Barbie is in fact Maggie & he has just introduced me by her name!

And I only happened to be dressed like this:

Say it with me: Oh my GOODNESS!!!

Oh well, it's a good laugh & overall we had a really good time. Except for the simple fact that we all pretty much sucked at roller skating!

TIP: when going to the bathroom, best to have skates off....should one skate slip, and then the other, you find yourself falling flat on the toilet & having a bruised butt (so far for at least a week).

Here's a few more pics of the evening for your enjoyment -