Shabu Shabu!

When I first moved to Cali, about 7.5 years ago, my sister took me to one of her favorite hotspots. It was to eat at a place where you make your own food? This was unheard of in Kansas where we're from and so bizarre to me... pay to make your own food? But instantly I fell in love and it's one of my go to foods on a rainy cold day or even a scorching one... 

Shabu Shabu is a Japanese hot pot where you put veggies and meat or other proteins like chicken, fish, or whatever your heart desires, into a boiling pot. The real kicker are the sauces though, the ponzu, which is a more tangy soy sauce, and goma sauce, which is more peanut-y, accent the veggies and protein so well. Doing this at home is so easy and so much more cost efficient for bigger groups. It is definitely one to be a crowd pleaser! :D Enjoy!

                                     

New year, New me!

First off, Happy New Year! 

But really... new year, new me?!?! How many of us can honestly say we keep our resolutions we start off with? I know I am not one to keep resolutions so I try not to make them. I think it's about improving on what I'm already trying to achieve... be a better girlfriend, be a better sister, daughter, and friend, not sure what that even means yet but maybe I'll know better at the end of this year! 

One thing I am trying to work on is not spending! I love to coupon and find great deals bit when is it too much? What am I going to do with 500 @ $.50c each toothpaste? Maybe I'll learn to filter out what we need vs buying what's a good deal. As of my latest project, is blogging! And also, trying to be a better cook! I got this as a gift a couple of Christmas' ago, and have yet to try any recipes from it. 

Have any of you ever tried this cookbook? 'The Little Saigon Cookbook,' by Ann Le, who is from Socal as well, so can't be too far off from what I already eat and know! I'll see where we are at in a year if I have gone through this or not! Cheers! Hope everyone had a good one!

Vintage Baby

My beautiful god daughter. Enough said.