I MADE a thing... chef microwave can eat their heart out

Welcommmmmme back, everyone!

Today, I am going to talk about a meal I made. I know... I actually made a meal instead of microwaving it! CRAZY!!!

I saw this fancy pasta online, and I thought that I had to try it. I've had pasta that made out of veggies and stuff, but I've never had a flavored pasta, so I was very excited to give it a try.

I also got another one that's garlic and basil, but I wanted to try this one first. I doubt I'll write a post about the other one based on this one because I think they will probably be the same in terms of my opinion.

Ignore the pumpkin on the table. I took the photo before I took the Halloween decorations down.

So these were the ingredients I used to make the pasta. I even made my own *sauce.* Salt and pepper not pictured.

So I heated up the margarine, garlic, and spices in a skillet and then threw in some pasta water as the liquid. I have done this several times before and really enjoyed it, so please don't judge that decision because I promise I have done it before and liked it.

And yes, it's a lot of garlic and butter. So sue me ;)

Once both the pasta and *sauce* were completely cooked, I just added the sauce to the pasta and mixed it up. I then topped it with some parmesan cheese.

Okay so time for my final thoughts. 

I have made this sauce before and put it on pasta. I have thoroughly enjoyed it in the past as I mentioned previously, so I know that my negative feelings towards this are in regards to the pasta.

So I cooked the pasta based on the directions on the box. I also tested the pasta to make sure it wasn't overcooked, but unfortunately, it was mushy. I know I cooked it properly but it was basically mush, and I wasn't a fan.

It also, unfortunately, had very little flavor. I would be better off going to the grocery store and buying a box of pasta for way cheaper.

I'm just not a fan.... I have another bag, and I'm so disappointed. I don't really want to make the other bag, but it was expensive enough that I don't think I should throw it out.... 

When I make the other bag, I might try to cook it for less time and hope that it won't turn to mush again.

The sauce was great, so I give it a 9/10. But the pasta wasn't great, so I give it 1/10. I know it's brutal, but I was so not impressed and it wasn't worth my money at all.

Okay that's it for this one. See you on the next one..

Bye :)

 

Needs more huevos

 

Hello there! Glad to have you back!

Today, I tried out a new brand of frozen meal. This is supposedly another semi-healthy frozen meal that's vegetarian this time.

Sweet Earth is a brand I think I tried several years ago, but I wasn't a fan, but that's a long time ago so I wanted to give it another shot.

So I still don't really know how I feel about this.

I definitely have my issues with it. There wasn't enough egg, there wasn't a sauce so it was dry, the tortilla strips weren't crispy at all...

It wasn't bad, please don't get me wrong. It just wasn't what I was hoping for. It was missing something... a sauce is probably the only thing that I think would really take it up a notch.

It had some good flavor, but was missing some stuff. I just wish that it was more...

Overall, I'm pretty disappointed. I have a few other ones that I bought that I'll definitely try, but I'm not super hopeful about it.

I guess I'd give it a 3/10. It's not bad but just boring....

Well... that's it for this one. See you later!

Byeeee!

Flying purple plant based eater (like flying purple people eater but different)

Welcome back to another frozen food extravaganza!

Today, I'm talking about a brand I haven't tried before...

Purple Carrot... I love plant based meats. I'm not fully vegan or vegetarian, but I enjoy plant based meats, and I loooove veggies, so I'm totally here for trying some new ones. This one surprisingly didn't speak to me.. I think the packaging is bad. I get what they're going for, but I just really hate the packaging.

I don't, however, believe in judging a book by its cover, so I thought I would have to give it a try.

It looks absolutely disgusting, but I enjoyed it, I suppose. The big surprise to me was the plant based queso... I've never had something like that before and I'm still not sure I really liked it. It got extra gummy and was basically impossible to mix into the veggies and plant based meat. 

The plant based meat was pretty tasty, though. The big downside I came across was that like 80% of the bowl was the plant based meat... so it was more like eating a plant based bowl that happened to have some veggies. Luckily, the meat was good, so I'm not too upset about it. 

The meal itself was slightly spicy, which was nice, and overall made for a strong and satisfying meal. I don't think this would be my go to frozen meal but I wouldn't be too upset if I bought it again.

I just don't have a lot of positive feelings about it, unfortunately. It didn't blow my mind or make me feel any sort of way. It has some positive attributes but overall, I'm just very meh about it.

I'll give it a 4/10. It's not bad, but I don't think I would buy it again as a first option.. if that makes sense.

Okay that's it for this one.. See you on the next one.

Bye!

 

I can't espresso how much I love these cookies and coffee

Welcome back, everyone. Thank you for joining me!

I am going to discuss a few items I've come across while shopping in local grocery stores. I love finding new things and trying new things.

Frist up, La Colombe Coffee...

When I first came across this, it was actually a different flavor. It was like chocolate oat milk type espresso drink, I think. It was on the clearance section and I thought, oooooh that sounds nice! I was wrong LOL...

The chocolate milk one was hella expired... like 8 months expired. I am usually really diligent about checking expiration dates on food items because I've been burned before, but for some reason, my dumbass didn't check. I actually drank one and thought the texture was a bit odd but it tasted fine so I just figured it was the company's drink texture. It wasn't like screaming "EXPIRED" or anything, so I stupidly still drank it....

After the first one, I looked at the expiration date and saw how expired it was.. I'm just glad I didn't get food poisoning or something. 

So when I went back to Target, I saw this one, and thought that I would give it another change. I'm glad I did! Also note that these are definitely not expired ;)

I really love this flavor. It's just basically a latte. It's got a definite espresso taste without being too sweet, and I enjoyed it. If I come across them again, I will definitely buy more!

7/10

Next up, another random product from Aldi. Double Chocolate Crisps.

Man oh man... crisp is right.

They are so crunchy. I usually hate crunchy things but they are delicious enough that the crunch factor didn't bother me at all. The chocolate flavor is prevalent and strong but not too crazy sweet, and the crispy pastry like cookie bit is just to die for.

I love dipping them in my cappuccino or milk tea or hot chocolate. Super delicious!

8/10 because damn they're good. If you come across these in Aldi, I highly recommend trying them!

Well that's it for this one.. These were just a couple of the snacks I've had recently, and thought I'd share. If I come across more things, you know I'll share them with you all :D

Okie dokie... see you on the next one!

Byeeeee!

Totino's Pizza But Like.... Healthy

Welcome back!

Ya know how I've tried several Tattooed Chef products (found at Target) in the past couple of months? Well..... I found another one recently that I am suuuuper jazzed about!

A vegan pizza!!! So very excited about this!

I've found several vegan pizzas over the years, one of my favorites being Amy's frozen pizzas, but it's hard to find them regularly in stock, and I'm not even sure my Target has them, so I was more than happy to try this brand! I've been impressed with their frozen meals, so I'm definitely here for this.

 

I've had a few different types of pizzas that have cauliflower crusts, and a couple of pizzas with vegan cheese. Usually, I add my own vegan cheese, but I don't keep it on hand as often anymore because I end up not having much use for it in my daily meals. So I am totally excited about finding a pizza that already has the vegan cheese lol.

Obviously, the cheese isn't fully melted because it's vegan cheese and so it doesn't melt like normal cheese. And the vegan cheese has the typical texture of vegan cheese... almost gummy... But I am used to it and I really enjoy it.

The crust was surprisingly delicious, and the sauce was nice, as well. 

The way I phrased it to my boyfriend to temper his expectations was to imagine a Totino's pizza (ya know, the dollar pizzas you can get that are disgusting but delicious - if you know, you know) but like make it healthy. It has a very Totino's pizza vibe but with better ingredients.

When I was a kid, I used to have the Totino's pizzas all the time. I absolutely loved them (and still do, TBH). They hold a really special place in my memories, which is kind of silly but those of you who ate Totino's pizzas growing up might understand how I feel.

Don't get me wrong, this Tattooed Chef pizza is not the best pizza I've ever had by any means, but it was a relatively small pizza which was great for my goal of not overeating, and I didn't feel like crap afterwards, which is a really nice change of pace. Usually I feel kind of gross after eating pizza in general because of all the grease and dairy. 

I mean, in the grand scheme of things, this pizza isn't anything mindblowing, but I really enjoyed it and will for sure buy it again. It gave me the nostalgia of my childhood without the bad feeling afterwards.

So I am going to give it a 7/10. It may be a bit high, but I enjoyed myself eating the pizza. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who grew up eating Totino's pizzas and anyone who might want pizza but a bit healthier. 

Okay, that's it for this one! See you later!

Bye!

TV Shows that provide me comfort

 Hi, everyone!

I'm stepping away from food today to talk about TV shows.

I love rewatching TV shows I've already seen. It's an anxiety thing; I already know what's coming, so I don't have to sit anxiously waiting to see what's going to happen. Don't get me wrong, I love watching new shows, but sometimes it's nice to have something I have seen before.

I also sometimes like to just have some TV shows in the background while I'm doing things around my home like cleaning, so it's great if it's something I've seen so I don't have to pay super close attention. I also use music or podcasts or movies, but that's for a different entry ;)

So today, I am going to list some of my current favorite TV shows I watch for comfort.

Please note that these are in no particular order...

Friends

I know that Friends has quite a few moments that are no longer socially acceptable. I could literally start listing things that are done or handled poorly. However, despite all of those things, I genuinely love the show and watch it at least once a year usually. It just makes me laugh and smile, and I love it.

The Good Place

The Good Place is one of those shows that I could literally watch every single day. I have seen it so many times in the last four years, and I will forever continue to watch it.

The last season, specifically the last episode, is brutal. It's perfect, but it's brutal. If you've seen it, you know. It's honestly the most incredible series finale I've ever seen, and I stand by it being a perfect show from start to finish.

It has been with me through some really tough times in the last few years, and I can't help but use the show as my go-to for when I just need some comfort.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians

I know, I know.... a looooot of people just absolutely hate this show and the Kardashians. And I get it as best I can. But I still love the show. I've been a fan of the Kardashian clan for a really long time, and I love watching how they've grown over the years into really good people. They're also incredible business people. 

I am not ashamed to admit that I love reality TV, and this show is one of the reasons I started getting into reality TV. I just really love this show. I don't think there's any particular reason, TBH. I just love it! I'm a fan of the Kardashian clan!

Chopped

I am not a chef. In case you haven't read my other blog posts, you should go back and read them. I eat a looooot of frozen meals, and it's pretty damn rare that I actually make food. But when I watch Chopped, I am a CHEF and I know EVERYTHING! I think like most people who watch the show, I absolutely judge the contestants and yell at the screen when the judges make the wrong decision.

I just love the show. I definitely wouldn't be able to be on the show, but I still judge like I know what I'm talking about.

It's just so much fun to watch, and I literally just binge it all the time. 

Greek

This one is a bit out of left field. So Greek was a show that ran for a few seasons back on ABC Family when I was younger. I've only met a handful of people who have watched the show, but they all loved it, too. It's such a ridiculous show about the Greek system at a college and the shenanigans that follow the main cast. It's just entertaining as hell, and I'm a huge fan.

My college didn't have a Greek system, so I get to live vicariously through these fictitious characters doing ridiculous and unrealistic (I assume) things. It's just super fun.

Murder, She Wrote

Jessica Fletcher is my idol. I'm obsessed. I remember just sitting on the couch with my mom growing up watching this. The best days for me were sick days when there would be a marathon of it. My mom and I would spend the entire day watching. We both still do from time to time, and I just love it.

My boyfriend enjoys the show a bit, as well, but my dad isn't really a fan. Basically, my dad isn't allowed to watch with my mom because he makes fun of the show. My mom and I make fun of it while we watch, but we make fun of it coming from a place of love, so it's acceptable.

I just absolutely LOVE the show, and there are so many seasons! There's 4 movies, as well, and I feel so comforted when I watch the show. It's just a feeling of nostalgia and love and joy.

New Girl

I can't tell you how many times I've watched New Girl. It makes me smile and laugh, and it has so many quotable moments. I'm just in love with the show, and I will continue to watch it forever.

Part of me wishes it had ended sooner than it did, but they ended the show on a great moment in my opinion, so I'm happy with it.

If you're looking for a ridiculous show that makes you laugh, this is a good one to watch. It's just a really fun time!

And last but not least....

Psych

Psych is one of my favorite shows. It has basically everything I usually want in TV: comedy, drama, mystery, and crime among other things, I'm sure. It's just such a fun buddy comedy.

I haven't really talked to anyone else to my recollection who watched the show when it aired, but I know you're out there! They have made three movies with the most recent one coming out soon (I think in the next few days if I'm correct). 

It's a really great show, and I just adore it.

So yeah, those are some of my comfort TV shows. There are others, as well, that I love, but these are the main ones I go to for comfort. 

That's it for this one! I hope everyone is having a great start to their November!

I'm finally finished with my first week back from my week long vacation, and I'm so glad it's the weekend!! Thank goodness! My week long vacation definitely wasn't long enough.

Byeeee!