The Great, Great America

You want to know why I go to Great America every year? No it's not for the terrifying roller coasters I do not ride. It's not for long lines and gazillions of people. It's for their funnel cake sundae's. People always ask... "You go all the way to Great America just for that?" YES I DO! Sure restaurants like IHop have gotten hip to this delicious treat and have released "their versions", but nobody does them like the G.A.! This is how my family and I close out our trip every year. A hot fudge and strawberry funnel cake sundae topped with vanilla ice cream and powdered sugar ($9.99 each)

P.S... Dear Great America,

Get more flavors. I'm thinking pineapple and caramel for starters. Thanks!

Sincerely,

A fan

Happily Married....A Foody Contribution

One thing I love about my friend Kyla is the way she prepares food for her family. This is one example she sent me and I told her she would be a contributing foody. Awww, doesn't this plate scream "LOVE?" Strawberry french toast, cheese eggs, and turkey sausage complete this perfect picture she prepared for her husband.

Am I the only one that can see how this kind of meal can lead to the kitchen counter *wink wink*

XOXO

Going Green...

When my grandmother told me she was hosting a "Scrabble" party I insisted on adding my two cents. What better addition to a ladies lunch then a nice green salad. But since I am a fan of a lot of ingredients I made sure this salad was a mouthful. I combined a spring mix with baby spinach and tossed the two together. I added carrots, red onions, cucumbers, shredded cheese, green peppers, and eggs. The ladies loved it. Here's hoping they contract me to do all of their game parties :)

MARGARITAVILLE: Lalo's

My quest for the best Margarita continues with Lalo's Mexican Restaurant. A friend and I decided that a huge Margarita is just what our Friday night called for. When in need of a big glass of satisfaction Lalo's is the place to go. During the week it is a quiet placed nestled in the UIC campus area....but on the weekends it turns into party central! Fridays and Saturdays are made up of live bands during the early evening hours and a DJ to dance the night away with until close. They even offer free salsa lessons on Wednesday's. It can get loud but after 1 glass or 1 pitcher of their perfectly blended Margaritas you hardly notice. This time I decided on peach-mango (right) while my friend enjoyed the pretty mixture of strawberry-mango (left). They have a pretty good menu. I have enjoyed the selections I've tried but it's the Margarita's that keep me coming back.

733 W. Maxwell St.Chicago, IL 60607Phone: 312.455.9380

Business HoursSunday - Tuesday 11am - 11pmWednesday & Friday 11am - 2amSat 11am - 3am

Paradise in a Glass

I have been to paradise. I am hooked on Keylime Cove in Gurnee, Illinois. This resort is a playground for children as well as adults. During a weekend visit we stopped by a bar located inside the resort called "The Crazy Toucan Margarita Grille" where we were served these pretty and potent Pineapple Margaritas. This place was made for grown-ups to hangout while their children played in the water park (if you even brought children). Their motto..."Vacation in a glass and Paradise on every plate"

Cinco de Mayo: Mexican Lasagna

In honor of Cinco de Mayo I decided to pass on the Italian version and celebrate Mexican style. The ingredients are amazing! Soft tortilla shells, cilantro, corn, ricotta cheese, roasted tomatoes, chicken...the list goes on and on. If I continue to name all that this great recipe entails I'm going to get hungry again. And of course this went well with my favorite tequila concoction.

Tequila Celebration
white tequila
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)

In a blender combine limeade and strawberries. Fill 1/2 limeade can with tequila and add to blender. Fill with ice and blend until smooth. Garnish with a strawberry or a lime.

It's a Party!!!

When my friend decided to give her 5 year old a birthday party she asked me to do my legendary kids favorite fruit kabobs. However, the pineapples had already been sliced so I decided to add a fruit tray to her menu. These are the before pics. By the time I arrived, the only thing left were the sticks and empty platters.

P.S...This fruit turns a kid party into an adult after party once you throw some into a blended with your favorite spirit beverage and some ice!