Keeping the Ball Rolling

I figured I might do a mini update to keep the ball rolling on this blogging thing. Today's topic: iPhone photos.

I LOVE my IPhone. It is the greatest gadget i have ever owned and I am always amazed to learn the new things it does. Like did you know if you hold down the home button it goes to voice activation? Or if you click the home and the power button at the same time it takes a picture of your screen like a PDF? And those aren't even app capabilities! I have recently downloaded some new apps ( including the one I am using to update my blog as recommended by Julie Minton's Blog - check her out!) and I'm using the blog press app to show case some random pictures from my iPhone. If you blog too, take me up on the challenge to post your five favorite photos saved on your phone.

1. Me and Bartlet snuggling on the couch





2. My most recent painting of my favorite Disney Character




3. A screen shot of me playing a Yiddish word on Words with Friends...and it actually working




4. Baby B sitting on top of an old tv- I used the app Instagram for this- thanks Birthright Carolyn! :)




5. A lettuce-less salad I helped make last night (and another instagrammer!)





That's it! Hope you enjoyed the latest installment of The Lost Apple- iPhone edition!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Best Food at Disney World

Okay, so I have a countdown going.

Yes, as of this moment it is 69 days, 17 hours, 6 minutes and 14 seconds til I get to Disney World. ( or it was... a few seconds ago when I typed this.) Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am crazy disney lady. Since the last time I went was about a year ago and I haven't had a true vacation since February... I'm a little stir crazy excited for this trip! Not only is Disney one of my favorite places to go and play on rides, it's also one of my favorite places to eat.

There are phenomenal restaurants and quick service places in Disney that will just blow your mind. Park food does not have to just be pretzels and ice cream (but if that's what you want, you can find it in the shape of Mickey.) I'm talking about some serious 5 star options around these parks!

So because I just love countdowns so much.. I'm putting in my top ten best food finds at Disney World.

10. Pizza Planet in Disney's Hollywood Studios Park (or as I'm still calling it,MGM)

If you're a Disney/Pixar Lover like me, you know where this name comes from. But if you're a foodie, you may be wondering why this one made my list. Well the answer is purely for nostalgia reasons. This will not be the best pizza of your life or maybe even of your trip to Disney (there are certainly other places that sell better, like in Italy in Epcot) however, if you go into Pizza Planet looking for a quick bite and a chance to run around feeling like Andy or Sid.. this is the place for you. MGM is my favorite park and it's places like Pizza Planet, the Great Movie ride and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground that make it special for me. But again, not the best pizza... just a great place for a snack and to start your trip feeling the Disney magic, running around and eating like a 5th grader.

9. Mickey Waffles

What's better than waffles? Waffles with Mickeys face on them of course! You can find these waffles at a number of places. Most continental breakfasts around the parks will serve Mickey Waffles and they are the best! I like my waffles super crisp- none of this soggy waffle business- and I feel that when they are cooked with the mickey indenture the texture comes out just right! YUM I can't wait.

8. The Chocolate Wave at The Coral Seas in Epcot

Two things to note:

a) I have never actually had the chocolate wave, I've just heard so much about it and I know I will love it on November 13th.

b) Instead of google imaging this... I went through all of Bobby's old twitter pics to find this one!

This molten lava cake with raspberry sauce can be found at the Coral Seas in Epcot (do you see a bunch of Finding Nemo stuff? Good! You're in the right place.) There is some debate over whether or not this restaurant is called "Corral Seas" or "Coral Reef." I will be going to this restaurant for the first time ever this upcoming trip so I will report back if it truly does live up to being "list worthy" and maybe tell you what the real name is too.

7. PB & J Milkshake from 50's Cafe in MGM (Yeah, we're sticking with calling it MGM)

Mmm Milkshake. 50s Primetime Cafe is another great place for ambiance. The old fashioned TV's playing clips of old tv shows, the waiters telling you to get your elbows off the tables and the home food selections complete the dinning experience for you. They have many different kinds of milk shakes but this one is my personal favorite. Of course it is the Disney way to accomodate all of their guests as best they can, so when I told my waiter I was lactose intolerant, he had the kitchen make me a lactose free version of this milk shake using soy milk and tofutti vanilla icecream. Needless to say... it was delicious!!

6. The Iconic Dole Whip in Magic Kingdom

Oh the Dole Whip... you can't find this treat many places outside of the Mouse House (although wikepedia tells me theres a few random places) and people flip for it. Depending on the time of day, its not a rarity that you will find a line outside the Dole Whip station- aka Aloha Isle. For those of you that haven't been graced with a dole whip before, it is a soft serve pineapple sorbet and it can be served float style in pineapple juice. It is a delicious refreshing break away from the usual ice cream treats on a hot day. If you're like me, sometimes you might opt to skip the sorbet and just go for a big cup of pineapple juice. Dole Whips are so good, Bobby even has a song he made up about them. I know, we're cool.

5. The Salmon at the Crystal Palace in The Magic Kingdom

The Crystal Palace is open for breakfast lunch and dinner but when it comes to sit down meals at Disney World, I like the awkward hours like 3 0r 4 for a drunch if you will. And in this case, it's a good thing I like that time because you won't be finding the salmon on the breakfast buffet. The Crystal Palace is set up buffet style for all meals with a large variety of options. As an added bonus, you are greeted by Winnie The Pooh charachters throughout your drunch. Because this buffet is so huge it is easy to get full on something like the mac and cheese (which is also amazing) but always leave some room on your plate for the salmon and you will be happy you did!

4. The Tangierine Cafe in Epcot

As you can see, the food you will get at this Moroccan quick service restaurant is very different from any other quick service in Disney World. There is a large variety of food sure to fill you up. My favorite thing to get is a plate that is basically meatballs and saffron rice. The Moroccan quick service is perfect for families who dont have dinning reservations to get a quick, filling meal worthy of the bucks you will be spending.

3. Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich

This is the face of a girl who doesn't want to stop eating her sandwich to take a picture.

These sandwiches can result in sticky fingers, mess and a few hundred calories, but baby its worth it. This picture was taken in Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim (my first time at Disneyland last summer!) but it is definitely not the first or last time I will indulge on a delectable Mickey bar!

2. Epcot Sushi Kiosk durring the Food and Wine Festival

Okay, so I'm actually not sure if this is up year round. Truth be told, I've only done epcot on two trips. I know, I know people! I'm working on making this a statement of the past but I just only recently became a crazy Disney lady in the past three years so bare with me! This sushi is awesome though. The idea of park cart sushi might intimidate some, but trust me, once you try those spicy tuna rolls.. you'll get it. I still to this day have not had a better spicy tuna roll! Yum.

1. The Coveted Mushroom Filet at Le Cellier

Not only does it rhyme (te-he) but it definitely lives up to all the hype. Le Cellier is easily the toughest restaurant in Epcot-maybe even all of Disney World- to make a reservation at. Once you know you are planning a trip, you make that reservation, 180 days out! This is another good restaurant to eat at a weird hour or lunch time for because dinner time will cost you two points on the dinning plan, but lunch time is only one. But this delectable entree can be found on both the lunch and dinner menu.

Picture this: You're hot, your feet are tired, you have finished riding test track for the third time in a row (shout out to Brian Stoltz) and what's more- you're ridiculously starving. Than someone (maybe an angel) hands you a plate with a perfect filet mignon and divine scent of truffle oil. You're home. Your seat has never been so comfortable, your water so cold, and your palate so spoiled. Enjoy.

Okay guys, I think that's it! Hope you enjoyed my top ten! Let me know what makes your top 10 when you hit The Mouse House! There are still lots of restaurants and treats I have never tried at Disney World and I am eager to experience them all!

Until next time,

The Lost Apple

Pizzaa Pleaseee

Umm is that girl with short hair the girl from So Weird and that one episode of West Wing? I think so... but on to what this post is really about.

Pizza!

As a lactose intolerant person, pizza is traditionally forbidden but just because I'm not supposed to have it doesn't mean I necessarily don't. In fact I quite LOVE pizza and that is why I bring to you my three favorite ways to eat pizza.



Your Pie is a great restaurant whose locations are growing. The concept of Your Pie is simple; create your own personal sized pizza. The pizzas are made counter service and in a subway style atmosphere: pick your dough, pick your sauce, pick your toppings.



Your Pie's pizza crusts are thin and their ingredients are fresh. They have several different kinds of sauces and their ingredients range from banana peppers and tofu to meatballs and green apples. But there is one topping that keeps me coming back: Soy Cheese! Yes, Lactosers fear not! This delicious pie is made for us (and the vegans too I guess.)

Since you pick you pick your own toppings to assemble your pizza, it is easy to make your pizza a healthy one with options like grilled chicken, whole wheat dough and fresh veggies!

If you can't make up your mind on how to dress your pizza, Your Pi has several suggestions. I like The Hippie Pie which has sun-dried tomato basil sauce with low fat mozzarella cheese, tofu, spinach, artichokes, baby bellas, banana peppers and roasted garlic. You may not want to make out afterwords but you will definitely be satisfied!

If you're searching for a pie a little bit larger with room to share, make your way down to Transmetropolitan.



Transmet offers other options on their menu than just pizza but it's clear that is truely their lead role. There are two Transmet locations with a different feel in each. The Transmet downtown has an upstairs that reminds me of a camp dinning room. Wood walls and long wood tables where people sit talk and eat. While the Transmet on Oglethorpe has rough top seating perfect for a sunny day. My favorite pizza is the Vegetarian pesto which comes with heirloom tomatoes, spinach and onion. It comes to you pipping hot and dripping in cheesey goodness.



Sometimes I'm just too broke to go out for pizza... that's when I take matters into my own hands and make some at home! I like to use English Muffins as the crust. You can use any kind you like, but I prefer to double fiber honey wheat.


I toast the English muffins and then top with room temperature or cold canned Ragu pizza sauce. Then add shredded mozzarella cheese (You can use one string cheese stick). Then I top the pizza off with fresh basil leaves and voila! You've got mini pizzas! If you're a meat lover, I recommend adding mini turkey pepperonis or strips of cracked pepper deli turkey. The mini makes them cuter. If you like your pizza warm you can put it into the toaster oven again, but I like the cold. It brings me back to the days of lunchables!




Okay now I am starving! Later!

Top 5 quick service chains

Sometimes you just want to eat fast. But that doesn't mean you have to stop at Mickey D's. There are plenty of options out there. Some of them are even good for you(or not so good... but tastier than the average hamburger patty!) Here's my top 5 favorite quick service chains

5. FireHouse Subs

Firehouse Subs is a phenomenal place for a quick steamed sub. Think Quiznos... but better! I have one recommendation and that's to eat there, don't take it to go. If you take the sub home with you, you are at risk of opening up a soggy sub. Don't forget to get your sub "Fully Involved."

My order? The Hook and Ladder on whole wheat bread and swiss cheese, salt and vinegar chips and cherry coke zero

4. Chipotle

Mmmm I get hungry just thinking about this place! There are many chains like Chipotle (Moe's, Willy's, and if you're going local-Barberitos too) but when it comes to quick service Mexican I am all about Chipotle. Maybe it's the cilantro lime rice, maybe it's the corn salsa(I'm a sucker for corn) but I just can't get enough of Chipotle! Chipotle offers locally grown and organic ingredients when possible and the animals and animal byproducts served come from naturally raised farms (that means no hormones!)

My Order: The burritto bowl (aka a buritto minus the tortilla) cilantro-lime rice, black beans, chicken, tomato salsa, corn salsa, cheese, and a dab of guacamole.

3. Pink Berry

While some people might not think of frozen yogurt as a meal option.. I would have to disagree. Pink Berry can be filling and delicious. Many towns don't have a pink berry but you can subsitute it for Yoforia, Yogli Mogli or whatever your favorite fro yo place is in your town!

My order: Original flavor yogurt, raspberries, mangoes, kiwis, chocolate chips, and mochi.

Great...now I want to run over to Yoforia!

2. Mirko Pasta

Sadly if you don't live in Georgia, you may be out of luck. But they have expanded a lot in the last year so look them up if you are a peach state resident! Mirko is a counter service pasta restaurant. Although there are many items on the menu, the idea is pick your sauce, pick your pasta. The pastas are made fresh in house and you can truely taste the difference. Mondays are "Free Pasta Mondays" where the pasta is free if you purchase a drink! last year Bobby and I became Monday regulars!

My order: The Tagliolini pasta with the Salsiccia e Funghi sauce (mild, ground italian sausage, wild mushrooms and cream)

1. Jimmy Johns

Oh man. How can something so simple be so great? I blame it on the bread. And the sprouts- there simply aren't enough sandwhiches with sprouts on them! Jimmy Johns can be found in most college towns and they are simply perfect. Trying to cut carbs? Get your sandwhich lettuce wrapped! The great thing about Jimmy Johns is there website offers a unique calorie counter which calculates the nutrition of your sandwhich whether you choose to create your own or alter a traditional.

My order: The Turkey Tom, salt and vinegar chips, and a cherry coke zero.

Mmmm well now I'm so hungry I could eat my hand... Happy monday!

Lost Apple

Red Sauce! Yum!

Mmmm. When It comes to eating healthy. I'm all about that red sauce. Nothing better than covering whatever you're eating in some serious Tomatoes and spiciness. so today I offer you three recipes.

1. Ratatouille!!





Not just an awesome Disney movie; This "peasant's dish" is served best with a little kick! I like mine with some fire roasted tomatoes and some red pepper flakes! Hungry Girl has a great recipe for it which you can find here. I like it over a bed of rice. If you're going healthy brown rice should do the trick!

2. South West Soup



This is a simple recipe my mom taught me! It's definitely a semi-homemade dish and that's what I love about it.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of corn
• 1 can of green beans
• 1 can of Hormel turkey chili with beans
• 1 can of black beans
• 1 can of Rotel ( I like the spicy kind!)
• 1 can of can of yellow squash
• 1 can of tomatoes and okra

Combine all ingredients in a large pot on the stove. Do not drain any of the cans. heat on low until all ingredients are warm enough to eat. Dig in!

See! Super easy. And soooo delicious. While this recipe is not technically a red sauce recipe, there is a lot of red goodness going on in this dish. Yumm. Also because all the ingredients are canned, you'll find it last for a while, I almost always have leftovers of this at my house!

On weight watchers this recipe is listed as zero points. Now, although I love food and fancy myself a healthy food eater, I am FAR from a nutritionist, so I had to ask how this dish could be zero... the response I got is "Because no one ever got fat eating vegetables." Ain't that the truth!

...My third and final recipe of the night

3. Lea Michele's Lasagna Roll Ups



This one goes to my friend Ethan who recently asked me for a good Lasagna Recipe. This one is unique and tasty!

Lea is a vegan who comes from a Jewish Italian family. This Lasagna recipe printed in In Style magazine is a vegetarian recipe but comes with a vegan alternative. If you're more of the carnivore type, feel free to throw in the meat of your choice!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large bunch broccoli, stems removed, finely chopped
• 1 16 oz. bag baby carrots, chopped
• 1 16 oz. box lasagna noodles (I recommend whole wheat noodles. They're better for you and they have more flavor than regular noodles)
• 1 32 oz. container ricotta cheese (for vegan option, use 24 oz. extra-firm tofu)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• Salt to taste
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (for vegan option use ground sesame seeds)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for vegan option use sliced mozzarella-style rice cheese)
• 2 24 oz. jars tomato sauce (reserve half for final topping)

DIRECTIONS

1.preheat oven to 350°F. 2 In large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté chopped broccoli and carrots until tender, about 7 minutes. 3 Place in large bowl and refrigerate until cool. 4 Cook noodles, drain, and lay flat until cool. 5 Mix ricotta with garlic powder, oregano, basil, and salt to taste. 6 Add ricotta mixture, Parmesan, and mozzarella to bowl of broccoli and carrots; mix well with spoon. 7 Using a spatula, spread ½ cup filling onto length of each lasagna noodle, leaving ½ inch at each end so roll-ups don't overflow; roll each one tightly. 8 Spread half of tomato sauce on bottom of deep baking pan; place roll-ups seam side down. 9 Cook in oven for 45 minutes. 10 Remove and top with remaining tomato sauce; cook for 15 more minutes. Serves 6-8.

--

I think that's it for tonight! Happy cooking!

I guess I forgot one...

I was reminded that I left somebody out on my list...

Miss Rachel Berry!

My (sometimes) look-a-like, Rachel is the Shira-Rose of highschool. Okay, maybe a more dramatized version, but anyone who knew me back then...especially in a showchoir-y format would probably agree.
Although we have a lot in common, I'm not so sure we would make great friends. I am way too competitive for that. And everyone knows I deserve all the solos. Just Kidding!

xoxo,
Lost Apple

Top 10 T.V. Charachters I'de be friends with in Real Life

I love the term "real life." We rarely ever speak of fake life.

Any way, inspired by Entertainment Weekly I made this list of the top 10 Television Characters I would befriend if they were, well, real people!

10. Michael Westen from Burn Notice

Michael Westen is that guy you love to know because he can save your butt in the trickiest of situations. If ever you're in trouble, wouldn't you want a Michael Westen on your side? If someone was threatening my family, it's Michael Westen I would call. Also, I'm pretty sure there's no one more resourceful who can teach you quirky tricks than him... well unless you're friends with MacGyver.

9. Lilly and Marshall from How I Met Your Mother

The only couple I would ever agree to double date. Even if it meant eating the Gouda. Lilly and Marshall are easily my favorite T.V. couple for many reasons. Marshall is hilarious and I love the songs he makes up. He can send me the "Cat Sitting for Lilly's Mom" videos anytime he wants. Lilly is also hilarious and she has no problem speaking her mind and fighting for what she believes in. Not to mention, Lilly frequently wears clothes on the show that I myself own. We could make great shopping buddies.

8. Monica Geller From Friends

Monica is a good friend to have when you're trying to throw a dinner party or when you want to super clean your house but you need someone neurotic to help you. Monica enjoys these tasks and will happily be there to help you pull off you coq au van for the dinner party and simultaneously fluff your couch pillows before your mother gets to town.

7. Lorelai Gillmore from The Gillmore Girls

Lorelai Gillmore and I have several things in common; We love small towns but also love NYC, we are obsessed with snow, we like pop culture references most will not get, and hey we even both work in hospitality! Lorelai worked her way up to eventually owning her own inn. If that wasn't enough for us to discuss then our witty banter alone could keep us occupied. There are many characters who live in Stars Hollow I would like to know in real life but if I had to choose just one, I go with Lorelai.

6. Manny from Modern Family

This was another show it was hard to choose just one from but Manny is definitely my choice. Manny is one of those kids who could crack you up just by asking for a glass of water. Unaware of his maturity and how others see them Manny is comedy gold and the kid you want to babysit so you have funny stories to tell when you get home. When Manny grows up he's going to marry American Farerra.

5. Olivia Benson from Law & Order SVU

If you're friends with Olivia, expect not to see her very often because this chic is married to the job, but when you do see her she will be a good trusting friend who is there for you when you most need her. Much like Michael Westen, this girl has been around the block and will know just how to help you out if ever you need it.

4. Derek Morgan and Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds

I chose this good looking duo because their the guys you would want to introduce your friends to. Derek who resembles NFL star Jason Taylor is strong and has been through a lot working his way up to the position he is at today. Spencer is a genius but is still naive and is that friend you want to protect like a little puppy. Both good looking guys would find themselves very lucky to be so fortunate to be introduced to my single female friends.

3. Abed from Community

So since Bobby, Natalie, and I met Danny Pudi in real life and determined he IS Abed I am very partial to believe we are already friends with him and love him in real life. Just kidding, kind of. Let's just put it this way - If I'm going to play trivia, I want Abed on my team. And in life's most important moments, I know I could count on Abed to play epic music in the background.

2. Angela Montenegro from Bones

Angela is that friend you turn to and say "want to go backpacking through India?" She's a free spirit and although technically she's the only one who isn't a genius working in the lab, her paintings could fool me. If Angela was my friend in real life, I would expect her to show up to my birthday party with a gift of earings she made her self and a homemade card too. But if she didn't have the time to make anything with her busy job, you can expect an Anthropology gift card.

1. The entire cast of Friday Night Lights (excluding the McCoys and Julie Taylor)

Yep. For my number one choice of charachters I would be friends with in real life I chose the entire cast of Friday Night Lights ( with the exclusion of the McCoys and Julie Taylor.) From coach to Landry. From Buddy Gherrety to Smash Williams, there just is no better cast of charachters. Everyone is genuine and everyone brings something to the table. We should all be so lucky to have a Tammy Taylor in our lives or Matt's grandma. The only people I excluded are the McCoys because they are just all around bad people and Julie because she is always whining. Other than that, I would move to Dillon any day.

That's it! Hope you enjoyed my top 10!