YES, i’m a bit of a health nut….but EVERYONE has to have a cheat day. most of mine were caught on my camera phone!….here’s my favorites from 09…can’t wait to eat across the globe in 2010!

My birthday cake. Greatest bday I’ve had in years. + i learned that it’s bad luck if u make ur own birthday cake. well according to moms, she wouldn’t let me help lil sis in the kitchen!

Pineapple upside down cake. Haven’t made it at home since my uncle passed. I just couldn’t. It would make me cry. I got over that fear this year.

Postino’s in phoenix is one of my fave spots but they forgot to put me in me and Annie’s order so they hooked up dessert for FREE. made it taste better!

Finally made it back to Oceanside to visit my Oba (japanese for grandma) and she greeted us with homemade sushi!

Had my FIRST potluck ever at the casa. had these dipped in chocolate for dessert! quite the hit

no dessert ever tops the simplicity of strawberries&chocolate. My Lola Zeny who is currently battling cancer put me on to these. Battling for your own life sure makes u aware of the sweetest things in life.

Sharing with friends. Two Hippies was the meeting spot for almost everyone at my job at some point or another this year. Pear Lemonade was a crowd favorite. Those little umbrellas really did help through the rain.

1st time I was ever able to eat with my lil Bro (who is battling Autism) at a REAL restaurant. thanks to the GFCF pizza available at Picasso’s in phoenix!

Fort Greene, NY stole my heart in SO many ways this year. Chez Oskar is was my fave for breakfast, all thanks to Annie!

I used to travel ALL the time between LA and NY for new movie junkets. But since times are rough for everyone, those trips hardly come. When they do, they’re awesome. I always get my turkey burger and fries at The Four Seasons

Ventured to the Art Institute of Phoenix for lunch. 10.95 for appetizer, entree, and dessert! try sometime…they have different themes every week!

Lee Lee market trips with the family are always good for strange birds.

Speaking of the uncommon. Dry cuddlefish or squid is something I got reconnected  with at the Aloha Stadium.

Spent a friend’s birthday at Havana Cafe in phoenix. I always hold a special place for Cuban food right in my heart!

I overdosed  on Li Hing Mui pineapple. It was rad.

Genki Sushi wasn’t new to me this year, but the first time they had the cutest spam musubi ever. at 1.50 for two couldn’t beat it. yum!

Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream from Beard Papa’s. Cold enough to carry all the way to the beach and enjoy. and so small I never feel guilty.

Udon. Makes me miss Japan for real…maybe a rewind for 2010?

Can’t wait for new eats & special treats in 2010. So much of our culture and life gathers us around the dinner table. I encourage FIENDS all over to try something new, go somewhere new, make something new,  and share it with someone special. Happy New Year!!

Since I’m a proud globetrotter and encourage EVERYONE to set time and money aside to do so whenver is possible. Here are a few things to consider when visiting MY favoritest place on earth…Hawai’i

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I don’t know about you but I love to bake during the winter. This caught my eye the other day at Fresh & Easy. The box is only $1.69 and it comes with 2 pouches of mix and includes 2 baking pans! The mix only needs water and 15 minutes later you have the perfect brownie bites. Fudgey on the inside and crispy on the top.

Just about the Best Thing Ever.

Sade’s first single. Soldier of Love. What do u think?

I love new york.  My obsession is beyond description. Hence, pictures. that’s it. Good times and a turn around trip. thank YOU new york and everything in it. There will be a day when I will not leave you.

I got a coupon in the mail for a free yogurt at the new Yogurtland that just opened across the street from me, so I had to check it out. They have the cutest Tokidoki promotion going on right now. The yogurt cups are decked out in Tokidoki and they even have Tokidoki collectors spoons!

I got half Nilla Wafers & Cream and half Toasted Coconut with Fruity Pebbles and Rainbow Mochi.

For only 30 cents an ounce, I wont mind actually paying next time

Yogurt-land.com

I’ve posted on the IT GIRL factor awhile ago, so I was super amped when I saw AZ It Girl/ local queen of confections, Farah Quinn on the cover of this month’s Java Magazine. I’d always see Farah and her hubby around town and thought they were completely adorable (she’s Indonesian, like ME ) After falling in love with the the chocolate cupcakes she baked for my 28th birthday party, I had no doubt that this cutie would become an international sensation. Her cooking show, “Ala Chef”, which debuted in Indonesia during November of ‘08 became an instant success due to her penchant for pastry AND her doll like looks (she ranked #3 of the 100 Top Sexiest Women in the World according to FHM Indonesia.) Here’s Farah on another talk show; I wasn’t able to find footage of her OWN show (weird) and sorry there’s no subtitles. Just watch for the esthetic value ok?). Be expecting to see “The Sexy Chef” (as she is known throughout Jakarta) EVERYWHERE soon, trust me. For more on Farah, pick up the December issue of Java Magazine.

I love twilight just as much as the next Twi-Hard and would most certainly swoon like a baby if I ever had the chance to meet R Patz or Taylor Lautner. Til that day, I’ve had the opportunity to meet other cast members of New Moon, the characters from the Volturi, Felix and Demetri.

Felix (Daniel Cudmore) and Demetri (Charlie Bewley)

Felix

Demetri

They were cuties and super nice in person. They’ll play a larger part in the next movie Eclipse which according to them, is done filming but I bet  you already knew that!

I ate a chocolate covered cricket. At the fair. It tasted like a rice crispy covered in chocolate. The build up was ten minutes strong. Figured what the heck, and popped one in. I did it.  For NO reason. Sometimes it just bees like that.

Sign.

Pay.

Look.

Eat.

*Shouts to my good friend. He ate one too. It took him a lil longer to do the deed, but regardless REAL friends eat crickets together.

I haven’t bought a pair of kickz in a REALLY long time. but I want these. I currently have a pair and their often the ONLY pair I rock….but in the HELLZ version? c’mon man!!!!! 

via CLV