Author Archives: LA Blogger Gal

The Awesome Caramel Tequila Milkshake Recipe!

milkshake_caramel

Earlier this week, I mentioned the awesome Got Milk? event at BLD and their delicious (and sometimes odd) milkshakes. At that time, I wasn’t able to share the killer Caramel Tequila Milkshake. Lucky for you, the Got Milk? gals took pity on me and tracked it down!!

This tasty concoction was created by BLD Restaurant Chef Mariah Swan. Did you know they regularly hold Milkshake Madness events at BLD? I didn’t, but you better believe I dug up the deets to share it with you. The next two Milkshake Madness events are Sunday August 23rd and September 27th starting at 5:00PM. Until then, let this creamy adult milkshake help you stay cool this hot LA summer.

Just remember, if you decide to do shots before or after imbibing in this drink…you’re on your own! Enjoy!! 😉

CARAMEL TEQUILA MILKSHAKE

1 pint vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup caramel sauce
1/2 cup milk
2 shots of tequila

Combine all ingredients and blend. Divide between two glasses and top with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce and enjoy!

Thanks to @Freddysmama and the entire LA-based Got Milk? team for hooking a gal up

Volunteers Are Still Needed for FREE MEDICAL, DENTAL & VISION Event 8/11 – 8/18 @ the Forum

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August 11 through 18, 2009 at the Forum, the Remote Area Medical (“RAM”) team and over 500 volunteer doctors from our community will provide over 20,000 patients with FREE medical, dental and vision care. With an estimated 47 million people in the United States uninsured, this opportunity is right on time. FCBC and SMG are donating the Forum as the host site and agreed to partner with RAM and many other community partners to help make a difference. Please join us!

We need your help! They are still in need of volunteers in some service areas, particularly in optometry, ophthalmology, dentistry, general medical and nursing. If you have colleagues and friends in these specialties, please encourage them to attend. They can always use non-medical support volunteers, also.

Since the start of the event is upon us, new volunteers need not send in the application forms, but should come to The Forum on the day they wish to volunteer and complete the registration process when they arrive. Medical volunteers remember to bring your certification. For more information click here.

The event cannot be a success without hundreds of volunteers each day. Please inform and encourage your co-workers and friends to volunteer. The more medical and non-medical volunteers on hand, the more patients the RAM team may plan to serve.

Please pass this info along to your friends and your family.
SPREAD THE WORD that both medical and non-medical volunteers are STILL needed.
SPREAD THE WORD that these FREE services are available.

AUGUST 11 – AUGUST 18, 2009
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
at
THE FORUM in INGLEWOOD
3900 W Manchester Blvd

Beginning at 5:30AM daily

REMOTE AREA MEDICAL EVENT

To provide free MEDICAL, VISION, and DENTAL care for uninsured, underinsured, unemployed, under-employed persons

First come/First Served Basis each day – Please show up early!

PS – if you’re not in the LA area, check out RAMusa.org to see where you can help out in your area.

He Wants To Do WHAT With My Feet?!?

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They say the ideas just flow while you’re in the shower. That’s certainly the case when it comes to thinking of something to blog about.

So I was in the shower scrubbing the great outdoors off my feet (ah, the joys of walking barefoot in the summer…you can’t do that without the risk of getting a dreaded goat head stuck in your foot in NM!), when I was reminded of an ex-boyfriend. I figured if the fabulous Miss Attitude can have her Meet the Exes Monday, then today would be a fun day to share – even if it’s not a Monday.

I can’t remember his name, and I can’t remember all too much about him. To be honest, we weren’t dating all that long. But I do remember that he worked on some top secret flying stuff (this was in NM where the largest employer is the military, remember).

And I found out after we were dating that he loved him some feet. Oddly, while we were dating, I thought he was quite the boring, straight-laced guy. It’s always the quiet ones, isn’t it?

About two years or so after our dating period, he found my profile on one of the online dating sites and dropped me a note. He was still quite boring, but it was nice hanging out again and catching up. It was very small worldish, when I found out that he’d bought a house at the opposite end of the (very, very long) street from where my good friends live – on a mountain top basically in the middle of nowhere. Seriously.

Right about this time, I was moving out of my small apartment and into my friend’s house. He volunteered to help me move across town – gotta love a man with a pick up. It was during one of these trips across town that he told me how happy he was that we met up again. It was also during one of these conversation that he told me about how much he always loved me feet.

I’ll be honest, this freaked me out just a bit. He never really went into details, but I got the idea that if I’d let him know that I was okay with it, that he could have done some interesting stuff with my tootsies. I’m still not exactly sure just what that was.

I did ask him though why he never did anything about it (I love me some foot massages). He explained that I was always running around barefoot. I guess he was hoping for more of the stinky foot stuck in shoes all day and not my dirty, loving the land, look at my pretty pedicure kind of feet. Though come to think of it, I think he was also into the stiletto wearing, walk on me Misstress may I have some more sort thing as well. But I’m not certain.

If I recall correctly, he was never heard from again after sharing that secret. Too bad, I think about him every time I talk to or visit my friends atop that gorgeous mountain in New Mexico. If I remembered his name (I’m so bad with names) I’d Google him. But I don’t. So I can’t.

Have you dated any guys (or gals) with weird fetishes or requests?

Um…Got Milk? Better Yet, Got Milkshakes?

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Then how about a salted caramel milkshake?

shooter_shake

“Milk is not only a healthy beverage, it’s also the basis for many fun drinks like milkshakes. Drinking a milkshake brings out the kid in everyone, but each flavor highlights a person’s personality.” ~ Chef Mariah Swan

You know, there’s just something bliss-like about attending a party with milkshake shooters being passed around the room. Not just any milkshake shooters either. Now, these shakes were the creation of LA hot spot eatery, BLD’s Pastry Chef Mariah Swan (as where the passed pastries – lemon bars, magic bars and strawberry shortcake cookie concoctions) and the Got Milk? team.

My favorite by far was the Salted Caramel shake (recipe below) followed closely by the Caramel Tequila shake (sadly, no recipe was provided). To be honest, half of them didn’t sound all that enticing to us so we didn’t get around to trying all of them. But the ones we did try were quite good.

This really was heaven in a frosty glass. But believe it or not, there truly is such a thing as too many milkshakes – even if they’re only in shooter-sized glasses.

There were quite a few different flavors getting passed around – Blueberry Malt; Frozen Mexican Chocolate; Orange Dreamsicle; High School Musical’s Monique Coleman creation, Cookie Jar Milkshake; an oddly delicious, peanut butter cheesecake and so much more. We noticed at least eight or more frozen temptations going on around the room.

If you’d like to try out some of the recipes from the event (sadly, the caramel tequila recipe isn’t available but you better believe I’m doing what I can to track down this recipe), you can find them here (along with many other yummy milky concoctions).

shake_tarot

And did I mention that there were also tarot readers there? Seriously, milk shakes, pastries and tarot readers. What a fun event!

shake_bloggers
It was also great to socialize with other bloggers, such as Liz at Los Angelista, Sally at Any Given Sundry (who has to have one of the coolest and most fascinating jobs out there and is great photographer) and the big winner of the evening, Liz from Thoughts of a Mommy (a relatively new blogger to the scene).

To get you through the rest of summer season, here’s the recipe for their amazing Salted Caramel Milkshake:

1 pint vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup caramel sauce
1/2 cup milk
1 tbs salt

Combine all ingredients and blend. Divide between two glasses and top with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce and enjoy!

You know what they say…milk, it does a body good 😉

So This is What Cows Smell Like

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cows

So today we’re hanging out in Fresno for a business meeting. Or I should say, the pups and I are hanging out at the local hotel and the hubs is having a business meeting. Sadly, I didn’t do all too much research into this hotel. Let me just say, I never thought anyone would ever put a hotel quite so close to a cow factory farm. Luckily, the windows are all sealed up and all is good

I used to see clients out in Tulare, you’d think I’d remember what cows smell like. And well, let me just say, it’s not the most pleasant aroma around. And it’s even worse still when you add in the crazy heat of the Central Valley. Cow farm scent + 100⁺ degrees heat and yowza! I have to say, I do get a kick out of the dog perking up his lazy, little head at every farm we passed along the way.

So now I’m sitting her in my room service-less room waiting on my dinner delivery. You’d think with this being a college town and the 10 or so fast food restaurants right outside, I’d have more choices for delivery. Nope. If I didn’t have the pupster with me, I wouldn’t worry and would just walk to something. But I can’t leave him alone in the room and I don’t want to walk him out there. So here I wait for my delivery while watching bad, Friday TV.

Lucky for me, I was smart enough to pack some bubbles for a bath later and some Smirnoff cooler thingies. Might not be such a bad trip…I mean, we have nice, chilly AC. And that alone is an improvement over staying back in the LA area.

It makes me wonder…do you travel for business? What do you do or bring with you, to make your hotel stay more enjoyable?

I Won a Trip to London!!

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British Airways is doing this new promotion with a couple entrepreneurial organizations. Their goal is to promote international travel as a way to build your business. Totally cool, right?

I mean, check out what I won:

Flight to London
Welcome and introductory events in the US and London
Meet and mingle on board with other winners
A networking forum with top business leaders
Presentations and discussions on how to do business in the UK and abroad
A one-night stopover at the Sofitel London Heathrow Hotel
Complimentary Heathrow Express tickets if you need to go into central London

And then after the actual event, I can fly on to ANY destination that British Airways flies..for as long as I want…and then they’ll fly me back home to LA. That’s AWESOME!

But…um…I won’t be going.

First off, I can’t really take the time off teaching. I mean, when you’re a teacher, you pretty much know your schedule in advance. And to take an extended time off, in the middle of the semester, is just well, bad form. It’s even worse form considering I’m the lead teacher this year. And well, I’d really like to keep this job.

On top of that, this trip would cost me a pretty British pound. While the flight and conference is covered, you’ll notice that there’s no food covered and they only have one night at the hotel. So if I stay any longer – or take advantage of the flight to the destination of my choice – that’s all going to cost extra. And by extra…I mean British extra. We all know how just stepping into London automatically doubles the price of anything you’d buy in US.

So as cool and exciting as a business trip to London just might be…I won’t be going at this time. Some other lucky winner will be going in my place (since the prize was non-transferable). And knowing that everything happens for a reason, I’m sure something truly A.MA.ZING. will be right around the corner. Can’t wait!

Photo: Photogen.com

Need Volunteers for FREE MEDICAL, DENTAL & VISION Los Angeles Event

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I am pleased to invite you to share in an experience that will surely change lives. We have an opportunity to impact the Los Angeles community at the Remote Area Medical (“RAM”) event at the Forum from August 11 through 18, 2009.

The RAM team and over 500 volunteer doctors from our community will provide over 20,000 patients with FREE medical, dental and vision care. With an estimated 47 million people in the United States uninsured, this opportunity is right on time. FCBC and SMG are donating the Forum as the host site and agreed to partner with RAM and many other community partners to help make a difference. Please join us!

The event cannot be a success without hundreds of volunteers each day. Please inform and encourage your co-workers and friends to volunteer. The more volunteers who register by August 1st , the more patients the RAM team may plan to serve. We need your help! Volunteers may register by logging onto the RAM website before August 1st at www.ramclinic.info.

Please pass this info along to your friends and your family.
SPREAD THE WORD that volunteers are needed.
SPREAD THE WORD that these FREE services are available.

AUGUST 11 – AUGUST 18, 2009
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
at
THE FORUM in INGLEWOOD
3900 W Manchester Blvd

Beginning at 5:30AM daily

REMOTE AREA MEDICAL EVENT

To provide free MEDICAL, VISION, and DENTAL care for uninsured, underinsured, unemployed, under-employed persons

First come/First Served Basis each day – Please show up early!

PS – if you’re not in the LA area, check out RAMusa.org to see where you can help out in your area.

Have I Mentioned That I’m Not a Fan of Blues?

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But I do love me some Candye Kane!

Saturday night, after hanging with the family in the Inland Empire, we headed out to Cozy’s in Sherman Oaks to listen to blues great, Candye Kane. I’m really not a fan of blues, but I find it to be an entirely different sound when it’s 1) sung by a woman and 2) has more optimistic lyrics just set to a blues sound. And well, since kicking cancer’s ass, you better believe that Candye’s music is more upbeat and optimistic than your average blues song.

She looks great and is on the market looking for a man or woman to settle down with (for the insurance, she says). I love how she calls herself a “black drag queen in a white woman’s body.” Her eldest son was on stage as her drummer (and has been for a few years now). I loved hearing Laura Chavez on guitar (now that’s what the blues is all about) – she has quite a following, especially for her age. Paul Loranger was on bass. It really was a great show.

If you hear that she’s in your town doing a show, go see her. And trust me, even if you’re not a fan of the typical blues, you’ll like the show. You’ll laugh. You’ll dance. You’ll clap along. You’ll have a good time, I promise.

I’m posting two videos below. The first one is “I Put a Hex On You” off her latest album, Superwoman. I wish you could hear it better, but you’ll get the idea. She’s got a great voice and I think this song shows some of her range. Laura’s guitar playing also sounds amazing. Overall, just a fun, great song – and who wouldn’t love to put a hex on someone that’s done you (or in this case, your friend), wrong.

This second song is “Toughest Girl Alive” off the album of the same name. This was one of the first Candye’s songs I think I heard. In fact, the first time I heard of Candye was on Donny and Marie’s talk show about 8 or so years ago. At that time she wasn’t quite so bluesy and was having more fun playing the piano with her abundant boobs (which are now much smaller since her battle with cancer).

Let’s Talk About That Blogger Prom

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Finally! I mean it’s only taking me three days to do it. Then again, two of those days I was dealing with some seemingly major car challenges.

In a nutshell, Blogger Prom was AWESOME! The prom committee did an amazing job of planning the entire event. The food was amazing, the view from the hotel was beautiful, the drinks were potent, the music was rockin’ and everyone you met was cool as hell. What more could you ask of for a party, right?

It was a bit of a challenge to take photos. Between trying to take pictures at night outside and trying to take pictures in the dimly lit inside, there wasn’t much quality photos being taken – at least not by me anyway. If you want to see some great photos, check out the Blogger Prom pool on Flickr (where all the photos below came from).

So this is my second official blogging event (outside of a couple smaller PR events). My first big event was BlogHer last year (which is actually happening this weekend in Chicago). In many ways, I think the events were quite similar. Both were large, full on events (yes, I know BlogHer is bigger and involves training as well). Both were events planned around socializing and networking. Both were cool.

Blogger Prom was a much younger crowd though. Then again, many of the bloggers at BlogHer have been blogging for years either as a “mommy blogger” (I do hate that term) or as a feminist, food or political blogger. Most of the bloggers that I met at Blogger Prom were food bloggers. And you could definitely tell that many of them knew each other outside of this party.

But overall, I had a great time and would quickly sign up to participate again. If you ever get invited to meet up with a fellow blogger, even if it’s only for a cup of coffee, be sure to take them up on it. Trust me, there’s bound to be some laughter and good times at that meeting.

The Line at the Bar

Fun at Blogger Prom

Blogger Prom '09 Committee

Swagalicious (though I didn't get everything shown here)

Official Prom Photo After a Long Hot Night

Official Prom Photo - Keep in mind, this is after a long hot night)

Photos: All photos can be found in the Blogger Prom Photo Pool on Flickr

Heading Out to Get the Cars

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In case you missed it last week, we had some automotive challenges in our home. Trust me, Thursday wasn’t a fun day to be me.

Luckily, by late afternoon Friday, our cars were ready to be picked up. It only took three buses, a late lunch at the Apple Pan, a couple of blocks on foot, $1000 for both cars, an emergency gas station visit for (expensive) gas, and four hours of my day.

Here is how our journey played out…