San Diego!

Over Thanksgiving, Alex and I took a trip to San Diego! My cousin had a soccer tournament there, so we shared a house in Carlsbad with some of my family. It was the perfect getaway from the cold, and so fun because we both hadn't been here! This was the fourth time going to California this year, but we hadn't made it as far as SD before. I love the beaches, the food (especially seafood), the palm trees, the sunsets...so amazing! We will be back.

We got there the evening of Thanksgiving (we ate our Thanksgiving meal the Sunday before), and just in time to see the most beautiful sunset on Carlsbad beach! I loved this town. It's cute and quiet.

The second day we went to the San Diego Safari Park (pics seen below), and to downtown. We found the famous kissy-statue and took a walk around the harbor. We went shopping (black Friday, woot!), and then to the most delicious dessert place EVER (called Extraordinary Desserts). They have different desserts every day, but I'm pretty sure everything there is amazing. My only complaint was the tea wasn't hot enough (I like mine burning). Afterwards, we saw the San Diego temple and it was as beautiful as I expected. They put up the prettiest Christmas lights which made it even more magical!

We were deciding between the Zoo and SeaWorld, but we chose to go to both zoo parks. They're not that different, except for the safari at the Safari Park. Alex and I love animals so we enjoyed our time at the zoo! We spent a few hours at each park and pretty much saw everything we wanted to. After the zoo we went to get fish tacos because let's be honest---that's what we were looking forward to the most. The place we went to did not disappoint! We got fried octopus and clam chowder then got two fish tacos each. I tried shark, and it was incredible. We're kind of (and by kind of I mean definitely) big foodies. It's what we get most excited for on trips and just life in general.

Went to the cutest breakfast place in Carlsbad. I looooooove eggs benedict, so we tried two kinds. Tri-tip and crab avocado. Plus they gave us a "small" side order of M&M pancakes. Like I said...foodies. Breakfast is my favorite meal too.

The last day we spent a lot of time at mission beach, where the boardwalk is. It's super touristy, but wasn't that crowded when we went. We got the best ice cream and walked all up and down the beach. I miss the ocean and ocean sunsets! Waves, fresh air, sandy toes--nothing like it. #westcoastbestcoast

Our last night we went to the funnest restaurant and little "village" area. My chiropractor recommended this place, and we are SO glad we went. This place is called Casa De Reyes, and is in Old Town. I wish I would've taken more pictures because it was so cute! There is a mariachi band playing and people dancing, lots of cute shops, and an outdoor restaurant in the middle. We got fajitas, the best freaking guac ever, and a chili verde soup that was to die for. We are for sure going back every time we come here. It was that great!

Another fun trip for the books! San Diego, we will be back!

xoxo,

kay

Kayla's Kitchen: It's Been a While

I haven't done a food post in months, and since I finally have some free time over Christmas break, I am posting some of my favorite recipes I've made in the last few months! Also most of my pics come from my phone so the picture quality sucks.

First up is one of my favorite meals to make: fish tacos!! We got a cook book for our wedding and didn't open it until about a year later. This easy fish taco recipe is found in the book, and I've made it several times since I discovered it. I usually use Tilapia or cod. White fish is the best for fish tacos. You can cut any veggies. I always do cabbage, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro and lime. The sauce is the winner of this meal though. It's an avocado, cilantro, garlic sauce. Amazing. Kind of like the Cafe Rio sauce. The rice is flavored with cilantro, lime, and cumin. Super yummy.

I have to include a couple of easy breakfast foods because breakfast is my favorite meal and I love starting with something healthy. I have been making scrambled eggs since I was like 10, and am a master at them (not like it's hard haha). I will usually cut up extra veggies I have in the fridge such as tomatoes, onion, cilantro, green onion, peppers, etc. and put garlic salt instead of regular salt then any kind of cheese I have on hand. Easy way to turn a simple dish to a full breakfast.

Another breakfast we all eat is oatmeal. A lot of people hate oatmeal because it's "bland", but it doesn't have to be. This may seem like a weird combo, but I put in cinnamon, peanut butter, and blueberries. I usually never add sweetener except stevia if it really needs it. Peanut butter, berries, or cinnamon will always give it flavor. So healthy and easy.

Next up, stuffed peppers! I really try to make as many healthy meals as I can, and they don't have to be just boring chicken and rice! I mixed turkey burger, quinoa, spaghetti sauce, spices, tomatoes, and peppers and then just stuff the pepper and bake in the oven. This will fill you up! Make a few more, and have leftovers for all of your lunches. 

Okay, this really might be my favorite thing I've ever made! Stuffed chicken breasts with marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese and basil. Meals like this always looked too complicated, but are really so easy! You need a meat tenderizer, and then fill the chicken with a spinach, ricotta mixture, wrap them up, dip in egg and breadcrumbs and bake. Cover them with marinara, cheese, bake some more, then garnish with fresh basil! Oh my gosh, so freaking good. I need to make this again. Pretty sure I found it on Pinterest.

Last up for this post is a twice-baked sweet potato! My favorite thing to substitute is greek yogurt for sour cream. I have yet to find someone who can tell a difference. This is the easiest meal. Just bake the sweet potato, scoop it out and mix with greek yogurt and a little cheese. Then you can add anything on top. I put avocados, salsa, and cilantro. This will also fill you up and is so healthy!

Philly/NYC

Heads up: Kind of a long post. What a trip this was! Thanks to our great friends, Jordan and Madeleine, we were able to stay with them in Philadelphia and see more of the east coast! The east coast is creepin' up on my love for the west coast. So much history, business, cute houses, character. We loved it all!

We were able to visit with our friends Rich and Lorna who also live in Philly! We went to the best breakfast place ever. Rich goes to Wharton (UPenn), and showed us the campus there. So fun to catch up with them!

Independence Hall (Alex with his Wharton folder haha)

Liberty Bell

Independence Hall

Signing room of the Declaration

Ben Franklin's Grave

Our first day was a day of history. So many gems here. I was so impressed by the liberty bell. It is such an American icon, and I loved reading about all of the places it's been, and events it has been a part of. I love America!

Elfreth's Alley!

We ended up doing a ton our first day. This is such a walkable city. And good thing, because of our Philly Cheesesteaks (that I'm sorry, were not that impressive), and best ice cream ever. Elfreth's Alley was probably my highlight. Oldest residential street in America! It was SO CUTE, I want to live there. One can dream, right? We walked around City Hall Station and to the love sign at JFK Park. Such a dreamy day!

Rocky steps!

Second day was filled with more Philly gems: The Rocky steps (YES), Eastern State Penitentiary, and the Reading Terminal Market. The Eastern State Pen was so eerie and interesting. I love creepy, old places. And the Reading Terminal Market, yes, a thousand times. It's an indoor food market. Now I know the last picture just looks like your average mashed potatoes and brisket, but HOLY CRAP. This stuff was gold. We got it at the Amish place. Go to it if you're ever there. All the food in this place was bomb. I would go back to Philadelphia just to try more food at the market.

Favorite food item in all of New York.

The MET steps are my favorite, just so I can be Blair Waldorf for a second. xoxo.

Jordan had the day off on Saturday, so we all took a day-trip to New York! (Also it was my birthday, YAY!) We started out by going to my favorite place ever--Murray's bagels. I pretty much get an omelet on a bagel and it is to-die-for. We rode bikes around Central Park, saw Columbia, ate some great sushi, and went to Top of the Rock. Fun day and best birthday I could have asked for!

General Washington's Valley Forge house

Sunday we took a drive out to Valley Forge. The leaves were just starting to change and it was gorgeous. I can't believe that armies stayed in such a gigantic place. We drove for a good couple hours through the place. Also, Washington is a boss. I appreciate history a lot more once I see something. Tell me a story in history class, and I will forget. But actually being on the grounds of so many famous men from hundreds of years ago---incredible. We ended our trip by going to the Magic Gardens. One guy made all of these mosaics and I was in shock. SO, SO COOL. Highly recommend it. 

Another amazing trip for the books. I am so glad Alex and I have the time to travel right now and have great friends living in places all around the country! Thank you again, Madeleine and Jordan for hosting us! We had the best time.

xoxo,

kay