HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

This is Ginger.

She sits on my shoulder when I blog.

She loves it.

I suppose that makes her a blogging dog of sorts.

Don't see many of those these days.

My Valentine is in 'the golden state'.

So Ginger is my pseudo Valentine.

I'm a lucky girl.

Let us begin....

[[Today's music]]

I always forget that this is one of my favorite songs.

Perfect for VDay

BRANDI CARLILE- THE STORY

[[Today's restaurant]]

ICE BAR

http://www.mandalaybay.com/thingstodo/minus5.aspx

The Minus5 Ice Lounge, named for its constant frosty temperature of minus five degrees Celsius (23-degrees Fahrenheit) was created in New Zealand. Minus5 Ice Lounge is an ice lounge where you can touch, feel, and explore intricately handcrafted ice sculptures and ice architecture made from 100% pure Canadian ice. Enter an icy wonderland where everything that surrounds you is pure, crystal-clear, glacial ice from the seats you sit on to the glasses you sip your unique premium vodka-based cocktails from. You and your guests will be treated to the coolest experience in all of Las Vegas.

[[Today's kitchen gadget]]

FIRE PLACE- CHIMNEY FREE

"Piet is a chimney-free indoor stove by Fredrik Hyltén-Cavallius that burns ethanol instead of wood. With a brass reflector, this stove gives off no smoke or soot and can be placed wherever convenient. There is a layer of rock wool fire insulation between the reflector and the outer ceramic shell, so Piet can be placed near walls or furniture. The stove takes its name from Danish architect and mathematician Piet Hein who made the super ellipse popular in the sixties.".

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[[Today's random]]

LEGO KITCHEN

[[Today's old time video clip]]

FRED ASTAIRE & GINGER ROGERS

(he makes me weak in the knees)

NAT KING COLE - UNFORGETTABLE

[[Today's curly head]]

HALLE BERRY

[[Today's recipe]]

Note: I prepare this French toast the night before I eat it- this ensures that the bread soaks up the entire amount of egg mixture. It isn’t necessary to do this – but if you want big fluffy soft French toast- I recommend you do the same!

HEALTHY FRENCH TOAST

::Ingredients::

2 pieces of whole wheat bread

2 egg whites & ½ of an egg yolk

1 packet of splenda (or) ¼ teaspoon of pure sugar

3 tablespoons of fat free milk

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

½- 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (for the skillet)

::Directions::

--You’ll need a large enough bowl to fit the egg mixture and two pieces of bread

-- Separate the eggs & add the 2 egg whites and ½ egg yolk to the bowl

--Add splenda, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla to the egg yolk mixture

--Whisk this mixture vigorously for about 20 seconds

-- Soak each slice of bread in the mixture, flipping sides every 10 seconds until the bread has soaked up a majority of the mixture

--If you’re preparing this in the morning then continue on to the next step. But if you’re preparing the French toast the night before: this is the time to cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator

--The next step is to put a skillet over the stove top between medium and high heat

--After about 1-2 minutes add just enough of the extra virgin olive oil to coat the skillet. About 1 tablespoon.

(be careful, it might pop on you!)

--Once the olive oil is hot (test by dropping a teaspoon of water on the skillet…if the water sizzles like crazy then it’s ready) it’s time to add the first piece of battered bread

(A trick I use to prevent the toast from sticking to the pan is: right as the bread hits the pan, shake the skillet back and forth for a couple of seconds so the bread floats ever so slightly on top of the olive oil)

--Use a spatula to check the bottom of your French toast, once it’s to your desired doneness (I like a medium brown color) it’s time to flip!

(Use the same trick to prevent it from sticking mentioned in the above step)

--After you’re done with your first slice of bread, continue on to your second!

(You may or may not need to add more olive oil)

Top with your favorite healthy toppings and enjoy!

(I usually top my French toast with: ½ tablespoon of honey and my favorite fruits : banana, apple, and blueberries. As a substitute for syrup I use Dannon ‘Fit & Lite’ yogurt to dip my French toast in.)

Have a wonderful Valentines Day!