Author: DJones BranchingOut

Pushing 50 and it's time to try a few (maybe... 365?) new things. This blog is not about reinventing oneself or one's life, but about how much fun one can have while going out on a limb and branching out. Kicking anxiety's butt one day at a time, yeah!

Downtown Sushi…

We had a few hours to kill while waiting to pick up the son from an event downtown and tried a new-to-us sushi spot-

Sushi Deli 2 http://www.sushideliusa.net/

Those were some great prices on noodles, appetizers and sushi, and the winner was the Yakisoba. Lots of vegetables cooked just right, great flavor to the sauce and good chicken, too. I’d pass on the Udon soup there, the tempura was good with it, as was the broth, but I think the noodles were prepared ahead of time and just reheated in the broth… that might explain the low price. Good overall, but for the noodles. Sushi Deli seems to be known for its specialty rolls, and they did look great as the servers brought them to other tables.

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Sushi Stop 2 Potstickers; Assorted Nigiri; Chicken Yakisoba and Tempura Udon

I wouldn’t go again, but neither would I discourage someone from going there. You sure can’t beat the price, and the atmosphere was pumped.

Recipe Swap

While paying at Trader Joe’s, the cashier and I enjoyed swapping recipes made with TJ’s ingredients-

Mine-

Chicken Won Ton Soup

1 qt chicken broth; one beaten egg; 1/2 package TJ’s Chicken Cilantro Won Tons; 1 T soy sauce; 1/2 t sesame oil; sliced green onions. Bring broth to boil, and while stirring, drizzle in the beaten egg. Add the half package of wontons and simmer according to package directions. Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil, and top with some sliced green onions.

Hers-

Parmesan Potato Casserole

1 bag frozen parmesan garlic potatoes; 1 jar Alfredo sauce; 1 bag shredded sharp cheddar

Whoops- all she told me were the ingredients so I had to make up the rest of the recipe… I layered the potatoes and the jar of sauce with about one cup of the cheese. That was it! She said don’t worry about having too much sauce, it will look like too much, and it did. It was. I’d add only half the jar, next time but I probably could have used more cheese.

I guessed on the time and temp- 45 min at 350, uncovered for the last 15 minutes, and served them with baked, seasoned chicken pieces and a side of simple, plain broccoli (to soak up the cheese sauce, yeah!).

NOT light on the calories… wow. File this under comfort food! I skipped dessert and will be eating lighter tomorrow for sure. BUT, everyone liked these potatoes, from the teens to the husband!

Anyone else have any sure-fire comfort food combinations that they love? I adore recipe swapping!

You Go Ahead

“Be blessed and RAK on!” Why, yes, thank you, I will!

Tamara Letter's avatarcelebrate kindness

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When was the last time you got all the way home from the grocery store only to discover you never picked up an essential item on your list? So frustrating! Thankfully, I only live a hop, skip, and a jump away, but still… so annoying.

I forgot snack bags. Again. I always neglect to check our supply at home before going to the store, then lo and behold, we are out when I need them the most. Tonight I decided to stop by my neighborhood Food Lion after I dropped my daughter off at dance class, hoping for a quick “in-and-out” purchase.

Yes, I know it’s a holiday and yes, I know it’s prime time shopping hours for those who were not as lucky as me to have the day off. Stop laughing at my naïveté. I really was optimistic that I could grab what I needed, make my purchase…

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Pho for Me

On our quest to try some new eats! This time we tried a restaurant that many people have been telling us to try, a chain called Pho Ca Dao. According to one of my kid’s teachers, if you aren’t swearing, you aren’t pronouncing it correctly… I hope she wasn’t pulling my leg.

The daughter’s boyfriend helped us order and he picked some winners. We loved the soups, the pork with rice noodles were meh. Egg rolls- fabulous, spring rolls- less so. I think I am spoiled by having friends make home made spring rolls on many occasions, though.

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Yum! Beef with rice, pork with rice noodles and egg rolls, spring rolls, beef pho and chicken pho with all the condiments- love the sprouts, basil and cilantro!

I’m really glad I finally tried some of the dishes from Pho Ca Dao, and am sure that we will hit it again- great dishes at a surprisingly low price. Here’s the menu, via allmenus.com:

http://www.allmenus.com/ca/san-diego/32447-ca-dao/menu/

The Good on The Web

It’s common knowledge that The Intertoobz is both a gateway to knowledge AND a portal to Hell. It all depends on where we allow ourselves to travel down the Information Highway.

If admitting this brings you down and now you need a pick-me-up, go hit the search engines and look up “random acts of kindness.” Here… I’ll do it for you:

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We all look out for friends and strangers each and every day, but I love how some kindhearted souls have shared how much joy they experienced when completing a list of RAOKs challenges. Some ridiculously easy, simple, kind actions are right there. Here is the Net at its best. On your screen. And we can play, too! all we have to do is just pick one.

One blogger took her children and turned her birthday into a day of good deeds- one for every year. Very sweet, simple and a great learning experience for her kids!

I borrowed one of her small ideas- my son wrote the note and we left a bottle of soap in the laundromat near our house. Thanks for the inspiration, TicklesToGiggles.blogspot.com! (links to the original birthday article)

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