Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday! My family is going on vacation so I wasn't able to see her today so we celebrated last night at The Melting Pot!



Before going out to dinner, we went to pick up our CSA box. Figs came in the box and I had no idea what to do with them.



I found a recipe online for proscuitto wrapped figs and went for it.



The figs were gorgeous inside. I loved the pink color.





I was excited to try this Laura Chenel Chevre. I've had it at restaurants before but always deemed it too expensive to enjoy at home. This time I got over it!



I stuffed the figs with the goat cheese.



Wrapped the figs with proscuitto and drizzled them with pumpkin-spiced honey. Yes, pumpkin spice + honey. So good! These figs were amazing. I will 100% make it again.



I also served some of Biz's baja fresh salsa with chips on the side. Biz was kind enough to send me some of her homemade salsa. She sent us 4 jars! We already went through a jar and loved it.



Seriously it tastes just like my favorite salsa from Baja Fresh only fresher and yummier. I'm going to try making shredded salsa chicken in the crockpot with one of the jars. Andy is excited! He's a salsa fiend. Thank you so much Biz!



After picking up the CSA, lunch and some errands we were ready for some fondue at Melting Pot.



I said hello to Daniel too! My sister Sarah babysat him so mom and dad could enjoy the evening with us.



The lighting isn't great so I apologize for the shoddy photography. We started with cheddar cheese fondue with bread, green apples and veggies for dipping.



Then we had salads and the meat course. The meat course consisted of steak, shrimp, chicken and raviolis. They also gave us mushrooms, broccoli and red potatoes.



And dipping sauces for the meat once it's cooked.



Obviously dessert with all of the dippers was the best. We got milk chocolate fondue. I loved it with the strawberries. YUM!

Mom loved The Melting Pot and is really looking forward to going again. Happy birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Kerry!

On Friday April 16th, my little sister Kerry turned 23. We decided to celebrate the best way we know how. With delicious food!

Kerry picked Cafe Santorini in Pasadena.



Cafe Santorini is hidden from the craziness that is Old Town Pasadena. It's close enough to walk to but far enough to be cozy and quiet.



We started with light, crusty house bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.



Then came the appetizer. Which we split. It came with dolmas, babaghanoush, cheese borek, halloumi cheese, some kind of sausage, olives and cucumbers.



Kerry ordered an extra side of cheese borek as her entree. It comes with crispy phyllo dough, salty feta cheese and roasted sesame seeds on top. It's almost as good as my beloved spanakopita.



My other little sister Sarah ordered pasta with a garlic cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and mushrooms.



I ordered kefta kebobs with rice pilaf and roasted veggies. The meat was perfection with some hummus. YUM.



Andy ordered the lamb shank in true man fashion but barely ate any of it. It was a huge portion (and had a huge bone in the center...bones creep me out.)

The mashed potatoes were delish. I stole several bites.



The birthday girl on the left and my sister Sarah on the right.



After dinner we walked over to The Melting Pot for some fondue desserts. I was pretty full already but the walk over helped.



The five of us split an order of flaming turtle (chocolate, pecans, caramel and rum) fondue.

It was fabulous. I love that The Melting Pot gives you some fruit. Fruit dipped in chocolate = love.

Since my parents were not able to attend Kerry's birthday on Friday, they decided to take us out for pizza on Saturday. It was especially nice because my littlest sister Emily was home from college for the weekend. I have 4 siblings and it's so nice to have everyone together.



Daniel and the birthday Kerry.



Kerry and her boyfriend Yigit.



My lovely salad from the salad bar. I loaded that thing with broccoli and cucumbers. I needed veggies! (and cheese.)



And managed to restrict myself to only 2 slices of pizza. (with chicken, bacon and pepperoni) I usually eat way more pizza but I am trying to slowly adjust and change my diet to the Body for Life style of eating.



My dad, Sarah and Emily. (Sarah and I are brunette, Kerry and Emily are redheads and Daniel is dirty blonde. Our family is strange.)



And an ice cream cake for dessert. I struggled with resisting this! I had a thin slice. YUM!

I am keeping track of my eating and will share my first BFL (practice) week soon!