beans – Loving Food, Fashion, & Life

Taco Salad Goodness

Posted on September 12, 2015 by LFFL

Taco Salad in a rice bowl filled with ground beef, beans, corn, rice, tomatoes, bell peppers, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, salsa ranch dressing, cheese sauce, salsa, & sour cream.

This is a day I decided to brave the cafeteria in my building at work for lunch. I generally don’t like to eat there because it’s an overpriced placed and the lunch food can be sub-par. Their breakfast is usually the only thing I will get, if anything, since it’s pretty decent—and only IF I don’t happen to bring my breakfast from home that day.

This day happened to be a Taco Tuesday so I gave lunch a whirl. They give you the option of having a burrito made out of whatever ingredients you select or having it all put into a rice bowl. I chose a rice bowl and selected pretty much ALL the ingredients. Let’s get real.

It turned out to be a rather good lunch if I don’t say so myself. But usually I’m the type of girl who would rather make and bring her lunch from home. It always turns out to be so much less expensive that way and most often tastes better.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, dump all these ingredients inside a tortilla and/or a rice bowl, if, for no other reason than to put a huge smile on your face.

Take-Away Life Lesson: The work cafeteria can amazingly sometimes surprise you with some tasty options when you least expect it—the rare occasion it may be.

Still Loving The Diner

Posted on November 3, 2013 by LFFL

Burrito Platter served with Spanish rice and soupy beans.

Here are more of my little trips to my hometown diner. Such yummy good food.

Catfish Fillet with tartar sauce and a side of Cabbage, Corn Nuggets, Ham & Beans, and Cornbread.

Chicken Fillet Sandwich

Chicken Fillet sandwich deep-fried with cheddar jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles.

This here is why I like dealing with the same one or two servers over and over once they know me well enough and I realize they are really good at their jobs.

The day I ordered the chicken sandwich on the left, I specifically called-in my order and asked for LETTUCE ONLY with my sandwich. I told them to leave off the pickles and tomatoes.

As you can see, my sandwich came with the usual on it—EVERYTHING.

Another day I called-in and ordered the chicken sandwich on the right and specifically asked for LETTUCE ONLY. I told the person what happened the last time I ordered and she said she would check the order herself personally AND give me EXTRA lettuce even.

Now as you can plainly see, the one on the right came with absolutely NOTHING on it. I even looked under the bun to make sure the lettuce wasn’t hidden inside the sandwich somewhere. Needless to say, I didn’t get the EXTRA lettuce she said she’d give me because I didn’t even get the regular lettuce they normally put on it.

Unfortunately when I placed my orders, I couldn’t ask for the person who usually takes care of me because he had already gone home for the day. So I just placed my order with whomever answered the phones on both occasions.

I cannot understand how I can be so specific, thorough, and detailed—even down to explaining how my order was screwed up the last time, only to have it screwed up again!

French Toast

Apple Pie

French Toast made with thick-cut egg bread dipped in egg, topped with whipped butter and powdered sugar; served with maple syrup.

A slice of Apple Pie.

Another day I walk into my local diner and I’m standing at the counter for 5 long minutes waiting to place an order to-go. I turn and I see a diner pow-wow meeting or gossip-fest of some sort going on.

I’m not sure what it was, but no one even looked up to say hi or take my order. After 5 minutes of standing there, someone else in the restaurant (who was NOT part of this group) finally came and helped me. Unbelievable.

But, nevertheless, I still love my local hometown diner.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, continue to frequent your favorite diner even if you get irritated every now and again with the little mistakes that keep happening to you.

Take-Away Life Lesson: We’re all only human.

Philly Rice Bowl

Posted on October 28, 2013 by LFFL

Philly Rice Bowl made with steamed white rice, grilled chicken breast, black beans, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, cheese, and grilled vegetables with a side of Tuxedo Fries.

This is that same little local spot where I get my favorite Super Chief Philly Steak Sandwiches all the time. I finally broke down and tried something new on the menu.

After years of getting the same steak sandwich over and over……hmmm, let’s be bold and try a rice bowl. ‘Twas a lovely change of pace. Not a bad bowl at all.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, try a rice bowl at your local steak sandwich restaurant—or just put your own rice bowl together at home.

Take-Away Life Lesson: You might be pleasantly surprised if you finally break down and try something new on a menu.

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Food Adventures

Houston's Veggie Burger

Posted on October 27, 2013 by LFFL

Veggie Burger made with black beans, oat bran, beets, jalapeños, onions, sweet soy glaze, jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayonnaise, and mustard; served with French fries.

I’m not usually a veggie burger person because they all do nothing for me in the taste department. But THIS HERE burger was SO good!

I decided to try it out since every other food item on the Houston’s menu is fantabulous—so why shouldn’t their veggie burger be?

I was reluctant to try this, to say the least. But those Houston’s folks know what they’re doing with their food. I had a good ol’ time with this burger.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, try a veggie burger specifically from Houston’s. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Take-Away Life Lesson: Not all veggie burgers are blech.

Spaghetti With Turkey Chili

Posted on October 1, 2013 by LFFL

Made with ground turkey, whole wheat spaghetti, pinto beans, scallions, chopped garlic cloves, tomato paste, chili powder, chicken broth, ketchup, hot sauce, cheddar cheese, sour cream, salt, and olive oil.

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm.

Recipe for—Spaghetti With Turkey Chili

So, if you have nothing else to do today, make it a spaghetti chili night.

Take-Away Life Lesson: Does there have to be a life lesson with every recipe?

Black-Eyed Peas With Bacon & Ham

Posted on September 29, 2013 by LFFL

Made with black-eyed peas, crumbled bacon, smoked ham, onions, scallions, green bell pepper, minced garlic cloves, dried thyme, butter, cayenne pepper, chicken broth, and salt & pepper. Served with Rice Pilaf made with long-grain brown rice, shallots, butter, chicken broth, and salt & pepper.

Oh, MAN! This is SO righteous! Now this is some GOOD STUFF. I couldn’t stop eating. The combination of all the flavors was crazy good.

Recipe for—Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon

Recipe for—Hoppin’ John

So, if you have nothing else to do today, make some Hoppin’ John black-eyed peas deliciousness.

Take-Away Life Lesson: Bacon and ham can amp up almost anything.