Random Thursday: In My Hometown...

Sprawl is everywhere in Southern California, where i grew up. I have lived in a handful of cities in Orange County, CA. and only once have I lived out of this county. (And even then i was back to Orange County at least a few times a week!) I am not a huge world traveler, though I have done my share of traveling, but to me, living in this same place for my whole life truly says how much I love it here. It may not be terribly spectacular, like many may imagine of a SoCal life style, but it is what it is! 

This weeks topic for Random Thursday is:

Head on over and link up you're post too, or just check out everyone's hometown for yourself!

 

Anyway, here is what I love about this county that I have grown up in:

Old Town Spots

There are several old town areas that I just cannot get enough  of. They are pictured below in the with my most favorite towards the top!

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Close to So Much

I love the closeness to the mountains, desert, and beaches! Here are a few that are awesome!

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Attractions

Like Disneyland and Angels Stadium! Yep, these are a couple reasons that I love this place! Here are my shots from our trip to the happiest place on earth last night!

Lots to do!

Shopping

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Great Park Balloon

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Great Farmers Markets

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Familiarity and History

If you have been in a place for long enough you come to know and love the history of that place. You also get to know a lot of the ins an outs! I sure can get myself around in this town. It makes it easier to get out of traffic when you know a place!

Food

This country has some great eats and I sure would miss a few spots if I had to leave!

Three Words: Spicy Beef Taco

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 The Balboa Bar!

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Wouldn't mind a Lemon Heights from this spot!

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And of course my weekly spot for yummy treats, fresh food, and friendly service!

Overall, this is the place where I have been a child, learned a few lessons, and built a community around me. It is home and it is where I will stay to raise my kids. Sure, there are some negative parts to living here, but overall, I am not displeased.

(Gotta sneak in a few negatives)

Ugg boots and shorts

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Traffic

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Expensive Houses (That i dream of one day owning!)

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Hope you enjoyed my home town a bit!

If you are home for thanksgiving, I hope you are enjoying all that you love about your home! I hope you are making new memories in your hometown than were already there.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Copy Cat!

Hey all! 

This week's menu contains a copy-cat salad from a local brewery (that I love!) called Tustin Brewing Co. They not only have some yummy items on the menu but they have a Santa Few Chicken Salad that i cannot seem to avoid when i am there! My kickboxing friends call it the "Simone Salad" because they know i order it A LOT! 

So i have duplicated the salad by taking a picture of the menu and then getting all the ingredients with small tweeks to make it easier! 

Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

1-2 Hearts of Romaine 

1 chicken breast, cubed

1 can of corn, drained

1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained

1 red onion diced

1-2 small tomatoes, diced

3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Tortilla strips (or crumbled up chips)

Cilantro Dressing 

Begin by washing the lettuce and cutting it into bite sized pieces. Then add the toppings. Toss well making sure to coat the leaves with the dressing. Serves 3-5 depending on how much lettuce you use. 

A Few Cook's Notes:

- I used spinach for this salad! 

- To package this for lunches during the week put lettuce in a container and then make separate baggies with the other ingredients. One bag should include wet ingredients such as chicken, corn, beans, and red onion. The second bag should include the shredded cheese and the tortilla chips. Then a separate container would be needed for the dressing. 

- The menu at TBC states that they use a cilantro lime dressing. I found a yummy cilantro dressing at Trader Joe's and it is even low fat! You can find other recipes for homemade cilantro lime dressings here or here or here. (If i decided i wanted to make my own, I would definitely chose the last one! It seems the healthiest!) 

- I went with low fat mozzarella. This should cut a little of the fat! 

-The tomatoes I chose were the mine-grape tomatoes that I can just throw into the baggies. This was a geat time and mess saver! 

- This salad makes a great meal or even a side dish! 

I hope you give the salad a try! Mangia!