Foodie Friday: Pocket full of Yumshine

As Dr. Ken😷* says…

______’s my jam!

In my case, stuffed starches are.

What can I say? I am what I eat!

 
🎎Asian versions from Pho #1 :

• Steamed potstickers 🍜
• Boiled wontons (not pictured) 🍜

🍕Italian-style versions from Mami Aya:

• Gnocchi soup 🍲
• Tortellini soup 🍲
• Ravioli in meat sauce 🍝

Basically, these all are dumplings!

@abilenelivingmagazine @drhodes3326 #ALM #Spring2016 #DominicRhodes #RhodesToSuccess #PayItForward #ExtraExtraReadAllAboutIt (pp. 134-138) #Phil413 #community #leader #leadership #GivingBack #RunningBack #football #SuperBowlChamp #SuperBowlXLI #NFL #IndianapolisColts #AbileneTexas #AbileneTX #Abilene #AbileneCooper #CooperHigh #CooperCougars #StateChampionship #ClackMiddleSchool #ClackCardinals #ReaganElementary #ReaganRangers #RoleModel #Rhodes 📰🏈🏉⚾️🏆🎽🏅👟🏫🏤🍏🍎

While I’m visiting home over ♣Spring Break, the piece that I covered on my homeboy (literally) was published in our hometown magazine:

• first pair of pages
• next pair of pages
• last page

*Check out Dr. Ken tonight & Fridays on ABC + ISAtv‘s Dr. Ken feature!

Foodie Friday: Must-Try Crust Pies

Ever since I returned to South Texas, I’ve had my share of pizzas🍕 …
Here are my pie highlights:

• Almost as soon as I relocated, I picked up a pie from the Valley‘s original The Pizzeria: Baked Ziti🍝
• When I visited family and friends, including dinner with Bestie Evie, Mama Maggie picked out this Mac ‘N’ Cheese🧀 masterpiece from CiCi’s
• I tried the Garlic Knots from the Hut last week + the Bacon-Wrapped from Little Caesar’s this week (except Meatless Friday today)

But when it comes down to it, Baked Ziti still is my fave YOLO, hands down! 🙌🏽 ✌🏽️2 of my faves:

1. Pasta
2. Pizza

Bam!👊🏽

Disclaimer: Consumption of any of the above may contribute to ♥heartburn.

Foodie & Floral + Fitness Friday: PSL & OLG, Lucky Me!

As Bruno Mars sings

♪Baby Squirrel, you’s a $3×7 … ♫

My first fun run♥ ♥heartburn-free this week to be greeted on his home turf! #HomeOfTheAbilenePrairieDogs

I treasure

☼ Our Lady of Guadalupe † ♥

To view close-ups of some of these beautiful petals from ☼floral showers☼ surrounding ♥Our Lady♥ who I visit after my †Adoration† Hour, then please check out Bishop Mike‘s OLG medal & Pope Francis‘ coin!

and my fave fall flave:

PSL is back! I hit up *$ after my park jog specifically for this & was grateful that it made a grand return ~ following the succulent ☼summer☼ flavors! #KickingOffFall +Added *BONUS*: while I was at Market Street, I took time to smell the roses ~ great stress-relief therapy in the midst of this dissertation preparation!

Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Double the Pumpkin = 1 Delighted Munchkin #PumpkinSpiceLatte #PumpkinScone

 Please make it sweet & spiced + iced …

Spice … Ice … Nice … Is this a vice?

& to top it off to make it all nice:

Pair with a Pumpkin Scone

Can’t go wrong with FREE samples … Because even if it’s a YOLO, the portion’s so low! #DISPObustAFlow

To Knock 2 Birds with 1 Stone!

#DISPObustAFlow  ✌

Foodie Friday: Fazing over Fazoli’s

My latest dessert obsession:

*Nutella* Cheesecake from Fazoli’s

Don’t let the solid chocolate look fool ya … This bad boy’s full of flavor!

Combines 2 of my faves:

• Chocolate hazelnut
• My favorite fast food joint
  

  The darker the chocolate :: The sweeter the flavor!

There’s never been anything that I didn’t like from Fazoli’s ~ Italian, I’m in Heaven ~ including from this most recent visit.

Giving Grape Italian Lemon Ice ~ a drink with a contributory cause!

Penne Romano ~ steaming HOT!!!

Yummy Post-Church Meal complete with blessings!

I’ve lucked out with this eatery (which opened in my hometown, thanks to my h.s. buddy’s dad ~ a contractor who liked it when he visited his son in college and decided to build it by their family home) because it’s always been quick, inexpensive and most of all: delicious!

Flashback *Foodie* Friday: I’ve rung in the New Year with Fazoli’s!

My former workout partner (who now lives overseas for the military) and I used to grab Italian Lemon Ice at Fazoli’s after we’d have a fun run at the park around the corner ~ we’d burn calories then reward ourselves with something sweet, refreshing and healthy!

Classic Strawberry Italian Ice ~ nothing classic about it! #BoldAndFresh

Alfredo & Marinara + Meatballs = YOLO Italiano!

F is for … Flashback *Foodie* Friday: I’ve even feasted on Fazoli’s while watching Fast & Furious movies at the drive-in!

Plus, now that I typically fly solo, I’ve done my work or homework there after hitting the track myself and have tried almost ALL of the seasonal desserts (except for the Red Velvet Cheesecake around ♥Valentine’s♥ Day ~ because it was out when I visited)!

Watching my ☼truck☼ while sipping on this Strawberry Italian Ice Float!

My fave Fazoli’s dessert before the Nutella Cheesecake came along … This Ghirardelli Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake!

How do you eat an elephant? Savoring every single bite!

Flashback *Foodie* Friday: I took 3 hours to work on this meal while writing my dissertation concept proposal!

Foodie Friday: Small & Sweet Fortunes

Big things come in small packages.

Mini Frappuccino in the *Starbucks$ Coffee House! S’mores, please!

Life is like a box of chocolates … You never know what you’re gonna get.

~ Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks as the title character)

Celebrate everyday!

Live in the ☼moment☼

In any ♣season♣

Cherish yourself ~ YOU’re a treasure! 👑

Life’s sweeter with ♥loved ones♥ …

… ♪music♫ …

… & literature …

… + chocolate!

Keep the party going!

And most of all: spread those good vibes!

  

Sharing = Caring!

for my Bestie + yours truly & my family!

Foodie Friday: HOT …

… Dog!

{Disclaimer: If you’re a vegetarian, then you may benefit by withholding from reading the rest}

Just in time for the *4th of July*, the Hut has released Hot Dog Pizza!

I tried the Hot Dog crust earlier this week

My version of a spaghetti pizza: Hot Dog Crust * Meatballs * Mushrooms … Thank you, Pizza Hut!

Let me start with 1 of each, please …

Time to dip … And pizza was never the same. I love marinara sauce, but now I’m a fan of mustard with pizza! Wtf (what the flavor)?

and took it up a notch with the Pretzel Hot Dog Pizza last night!

Salami to the left, Jalapeño the right … Spicy ♥Cupid♥ ♪Shuffle♫ There goes my low sodium intake!

Succulent slices!

C is for … Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza!

They paired well with my guilty pleasures as I took a break from doc stats and teaching duties!

I call this the Melo P.I.: 3 parts OJ to my last 2 parts of Midori + Pineapple (Melo short for Melon Midori & because I was mellow when I made it + P.I. short for Pineapple/Piña & Philippine Islands because I was watching Island Hunters that featured Palawan from my native country and Beachfront Bargain Hunt in South Padre Island near my former neck of the woods ~ both on HGTV)

I was happy when Little Caesar’s came out with its Hot-n-Ready Pretzel Pizza

• as featured in Fight Night earlier this year
• also enjoyed during Movie Day with Evie

White Mountain Dew for yours truly & Classic DP for Evie + Little Caesar’s Hot-n-Ready Pretzel Pepperoni for us!!! #score

Dipping into Garlic & Cheese Sauce ~ a Pizza-♥Lover♥’s Dream! #PizzaPizza

Now the latest pizza that I’ve tried combines the best of both YOLO hemispheres ~ let’s celebrate a ☼summer☼ favorite!

Aside from mainstream, Pizzeria Lola that Guy Fieri featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives is an ultimate on my bucket list!

Foodie Friday: Berry Good YOLO

As somebunny who loves sweets, I savor those concoctions that combine healthy goodness with YOLOs!

Berries + Cake = Score!

Bestie Evie seriously went all out during her birthday cake for our last day of R.E.

Evie’s Raspberry (Non-Rum) Cake: Evie took a twist on her Rum Cake recipe for our last day of R.E. ~ for the sake of our kiddos, she omitted the rum, & for the sake of 1, she made it gluten-FREE, & for the sake of flavor, she went happy on these raspberries! Both easy on the eyes & tasty on the lips (+ my share surely went to my hips #DISPObustAFlow)!

I took this to a smaller scale for my study snack on the day I ran my stats

Blueberries are our friends … I’ve heard that slogan on a commercial back in the day, and it holds true to this day! Excellent for the memory ~ so wonderful timing on this stats day!

Of course, I also must add to the mix

#BatterUp for my #TriplePlay #parfait (from #BottomOfThe9th on up): #1stBase #GrahamCrackers #WhiteChocolateMousse + #2ndBase #AlmondJoy #almonds #coconut • #SaltedCaramel + #3rdBase #Oreos #raspberries #CandyCoatedPretzels #Espresso = #9innings for my #winnings #score #DISPObustAFlow #DISPOsAlwaysFly #FoodieFriday (actually had during Thursday #tStorm) #FroYo #YOLO #NikkisSwirlShoppe #SwirlShoppe #SpoonHappy #LayersOfFlavors ⚾️🍦🍧🍨🌰🍫🍪🍒🍓☕️👊🏽⚡️☔️💦🌈🌴 @swirlshoppe

Berries + Fro-Yo = Berry Good YOLO!

Foodie Friday: C is for …

Chocolate🍫 * Cookies🍪 * Coffee☕️ * Cheesecake🍰

More specifically …

Thanks to 🌽Trader Joe’s🎯:

Cookies🍪 & Creme🍦 Cookie🍪 Butter 🍯

Happy 🍓Strawberry Month in May!
    ♪Gotta love ☕️Coffee♫ ~ especially with Cookies🍪 & Creme🍦 (112’s🎤 ♪Peaches🍑 & Cream♫ on the 💡brain)  Cookie🍪 Butter🍯 Cheesecake🍰  

🌠Starbucks💸‘ *NEW* Additions➕

🍨Frappuccino🍧 Sugar Cookie🍪  

Sippy Selfie: Frappuccino Sugar Cookie before NBA Playoffs (last *Dallas Mavericks* game)

   ⛺️S’Mores 🍩Tart🍮

Mmmm…. Melted Marshmallow ~ Melt My ♥Heart♥

More like Marshmallow Drizzle for this E-Dizzle!

Chocolate Dipped into this Graham Cracker Crust is like a slice of Heaven ^_^

   ⛺️S’Mores 🍨Frappuccino🍧 {to 👟kickoff🏈 Frap-Happy Hour (🕒3-5PM🕔 & ’til 6🕕 o’clock for us 🏆Rewards💳 members)}

Score: S’mores ‘specially for Yours Truly

Frap-Happy for this Summer Camp kinda sweet treat!

Graham Cracker topping …

… & Chocolatey Marshmallowy Goodness ’til the very last drop!!!

Foodie Friday: Fight Night & Game Grub ~ SBXLIX Edition

With last weekend being full of festivities, we were in great food and company! My LMT girl Lisa and her hubby hosted Fight Night (UFC main event: Anderson Silva post-2013 leg injury) on Super Bowl Sunday Eve! Then I watched the Big Game with my Papa Jun!

The commonalities between both meals were:

• pizza (Little Caesar’s & Pizza Hut)
• dip (Ranch & Nutella)
• oodles of noodles (post-fight & pre-game)
• veggies (fresh & roasted)

Fight Night Feast: {clockwise from top L} Little Caesar’s Pretzel Pizza from yours truly * fruit w/chocolate fondue made by yours truly (Nutella & Philadelphia Cream Cheese) * veggies w/Ranch dressing * slider sandwiches w/Dijon mustard, turkey & cheese (either Swiss or Munster)

Portion control: Lisa sliced the pizza into smaller pieces, so more could be up for grabs!

These slider sandwiches were a hit! Hands down: they scored a touchdown @ this table!

Fun fact: Did you know that you burn more calories than you consume when you munch on celery due to the crunch? Challenge accepted!

After the fruit was gone, a fellow cat mama & I turned to the carrots to dip into the chocolate!

To top off my plate, I had my green drink to toast!

Post-Fight: Rice Noodles w/meatballs ~ looks like this yummy bowl is Lisa‘s version of Pho!

Pre-Game: My Ramen w/Salsa + P.I. Cheese on Toast

Yes’sir, I AM the Ranch B*tch: from my salad to pizza (Supreme from the Hut)

Almond Joy Pie: filled w/Nutella but bittersweet due to the Seahawks’ SB loss

This post-game croissant-reminiscant breakfast: Cookie & Cocoa Butter Swirl goes nuts w/pecans & almonds ~ shaped like a ♥heart♥ for ♥Valentine’s♥ Day!

Coffee pairs well w/Cookie & Cookie & Cocoa Butter Swirl + croissant!

My Nanay satisfied my chili craving with this Super Bowl Southwestern-Style Chili Bowl! Maraming Salamat Po, Mommy Aya! Ma sarap!

 

Add cheese to the mix!

 

Dallop of Daisy: Add sour cream to the mix!

 

Add avocado to the mix!

 

Spoon ready to scoop ~ so ladle it on to lick!

 

Let’s double-dip those chips!

 

Chili Chip Pie, oh my!

My mom went happy on kale, both in the chili & in these chips baked in EVOO + in this green drink complete con más avocado!

 

Again, Context Media Health has been on point, as if it’s been reading my mind ~ this time, about Black Beans & Avocados!

 

Foodie Friday: More Close to the Border

On our trip to EP, I had a little bit of everything …

As soon as we arrived, we hit Saigon Taste for Vietnamese ~ so I got my bubble tea fix!

Taro Tea from Saigon Taste Vietnamese Restaurant

We took in the breeze of the CHRISTmas trees at Ft. Bliss … at B-Dubs of all places!

♪Grandma got run over by a Reindeer♫

Actually, yours truly got stunned over by a Reindeer!

B-Dubs HOLYday YOLO: Spiked Apple Cider * Italian Burger (complete with Mozzarella Sticks & Pepperoni)

My AF brat bestie’s hubby’s grad party was complete with menudo and Peter Piper Pizza!

¡Menudo y más cerca de México!

Before hitting the road, I tried the *NEW* HOLYday flavor at Starbucks!

Sippy Selfie: ¡Salud a Starbucks! ¡CHEERS con Café! *GO, COWBOYS*

Peppermint Mocha Cake Pop dipped into Starbucks‘ *NEW* Chestnut Praline Latte
= CHRISTmas in a mug

As it sounds like in Taylor Swift‘s Blank Space …
♪This goes out to you *Starbucks$ ♥lovers♫

& victory (which also appeared into my B-Dubs to-go box) is sweet with this travel-friendly treat, compliments of my EP buddy!

These Special K Caramel Pretzel Bites tided me over during our trip back … + a few extra when I returned to work!

3:33 ~ make a wish!!! Happy Birthday to my sweet niece, *SYLVIA RAE* today!!!