dealt a full house

Get your poker face on, you need to be all in with this one.

Rule of thumb: I recommend heading to House of Wong in Bridgwater, NJ with a completely empty stomach because the food is good and the portions are huge. This asian restaurant isn’t your typical hole-in-the-wall Chinese take out location. It’s actually a nice place to sit around a table, bring your own beverages, and share amongst your friends.

who’s the tastiest of them all?

Let the weekend begin!

It’s October, the weather is crisp, the pools have closed, the watermelon supply has dwindled, so what now?

Apple picking! 

Heading over the Battleview Orchards in Freehold, NJ is definitely a great way to spend the weekend with your family and/or friends. I recommend waking up early and heading over to the country store to try and beat the crowds. Except, I’m not sure you can ever really “beat” them, because there is ALWAYS a long, almost endless line for their freshly baked cider doughnuts (and a variety of other fresh fruits, vegetables, cider, pies, etc). I’ve had these many, many times over my life time and they are definitely worth the early morning alarm waking you from your slumber.

But that’s not what I’m here to talk about today. Today, I’m here to focus on something HEALTHY! Yes my friends, contrary to what you may believe, I actually do try to watch what I eat on a daily basis. Apples are a really great, guiltless, sweet treat. Apples contain antioxidants that helps to prevent certain diseases, fiber that keeps you full and helps you control your weight, and it can also help whiten your teeth! (Saliva production reduces tooth decay and the production of bacteria).

After you visit the country store, head over to the enchanted apple trees for some “Pick Your Own” apples (and pumpkins in the field)! The trees seem like they go on for years and years so be careful and make sure you’re picking the most delicious, tastiest, sweetest, most crisp, apple of them all.

top o’ the morning to ya

Unfortunately, my friend, Maria lives pretty far from me and I wish she lived around the corner so that we could see each other more often. Fortunately, she has many good places by her to eat! Like this one, The Twisted Elm in Elmwood Park, NJ. So a group of girls, who love each other a brunch, decided to get together.

From the outside, this place doesn’t look like it’s going to be anything special, but once you walk inside your completely transported to a quaint, rustic, dining area. The place’s decor has its own little quirks, like different colored mugs, but it just adds to the place’s authentic charm.

time to unwined

I had never been to a winery before and wasn’t sure what to really expect. Friends of mine had been to Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown, NJ and said they had a great time so I thought paying a visit with a group of girlfriends would be the best way to cap off my birthday week.

The forty minute trip was worth it just to be able to take in the beautiful scenery that surrounds the vineyard estate. All around are rolling hills and trees with leaves starting to turn adding a variety of colors to a beautiful canvas. As you drive along the rocky road to the parking lot, you take in the large piece of land that is covered with perfectly aligned grape vines. 

you’re baking me crazy, cupcake

Some things are just tradition like the birthday table cloth, the birthday sign, the star streamers in the kitchen. Year after year these things have been present on family birthdays and although they are inanimate objects, they definitely raise my serotonin levels. I used to think that birthdays were all about getting presents! (I mean who doesn’t love a nice gift here or there) After this birthday though, I realized that it’s not about what you get but about the memories that you make. My list of good birthday memories grows and grows every year. (Does this mean I really am getting old?) I really appreciate everyone who made an effort to make me feel special for a day.

good feelings

hangin’ with the “inn” crowd

The Metuchen Inn that is…