Jilly Bites

Heart shaped pizzas from #EvoKitchen on Sunset Blvd. #GlutenFree...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:44:39 -0800

Heart shaped pizzas from #EvoKitchen on Sunset Blvd. #GlutenFree crust & all #organic ingredients! #HappyValentinesDay!! <3 #JillyBites (Taken with instagram)

“Eat Locally, Think Globally” - Lunch at Mendocino...

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:06:38 -0800

“Eat Locally, Think Globally” - Lunch at Mendocino Farms on Santa Monica Blvd. (Taken with instagram)

Slow-cookin’ it up #Vegan style. Yummmmmmmmmm!!...

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:06:31 -0800

Slow-cookin’ it up #Vegan style. Yummmmmmmmmm!! #jillybites (Taken with instagram)

Oh yes, this is my heaven. (Taken with instagram)

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:46:40 -0800

Oh yes, this is my heaven. (Taken with instagram)

"There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” George Bernard Shaw -Happy New Year!!! xoxo"

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:21:42 -0800

““There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” George Bernard Shaw -Happy New...

Are we "destined to be obese?"

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:00:05 -0800

Are we "destined to be obese?": Fast food. How there is a debate about the actual nutritional value...

Fresh Bites Cafe The fantastic, community-oriented cafe has...

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:10:13 -0800

Fresh Bites Cafe

The fantastic, community-oriented cafe has more than exceeded its mission statement! I adore it here and always stop by when I’m feeling the need for a calm, welcoming, and delicious experience.

I have yet to try the entire menu, but everything I have sampled so far is scrumptious! Order the soup of the day (vegetarian or non-vegetarian varieties) which is served with the best toasted-yet-super-soft focaccia bread or the red pepper hummus to start. Try their chicken and pesto baguette or their tuna and cheddar toasty bite. You feel like you have re-fueled your body with their natural and fresh ingredients that will invigorate your day!

Oh, and did I mention their vanilla latte is completely addictive and that their fresh veggie and fruit juices and smoothies are like heaven? (Favs: Jazzy Ginger Smoothie and Raggin’ Rabbit Juice.)

Everyone who works here makes you feel like you’re part of the family, cares about what you’re eating (kind of like Mom! (-; ) and creates such an inviting environment and thus, experience.

Thank you, Fresh Bites!!

I am a coffee addict. (It’s been well documented!) At...

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:09:26 -0700

I am a coffee addict. (It’s been well documented!) At almost every restaurant I go to, I have to try their coffee. But here’s the thing … I AM HORRIBLE AT MAKING COFFEE ON MY OWN!! It’s so embarrassing, I can make great food, but I can’t make coffee!?!
Really??
Yup.
It will taste like gravely, burnt, sludge. Don’t judge! (-;
Soooo, to fix my abhorrent coffee making skills and make sure I didn’t go into caffeine withdrawals, I was introduced to the Tassimo coffee maker. And with that discovery my world changed! The angels sang and the heavens parted and I made my first cup of perfect coffee!
Here’s what makes Tassimo amazing: you make an individual cup of whatever kind of coffee you’ve got a hankering for-latte, skinny cappuccino, French roast, caffe crema, hot chocolate, chai tea latte, peppermint mocha, you get the idea. The genius of it is the Tassimo T-Disc (the ideal amount of the drink varieties I list above) that has a unique bar code that the brewer reads and then prepares the flawless ratio of espresso (or tea) to water, temperature, and brewing time. The brilliance of the T-Disc is that it is in the accurate shape of an espresso puck, like what a barista uses to make your high-end coffee house coffee, and not like those other home brewers with the lil’ individual cuppies of flavored coffee. (Those, by the way, tastes like slightly coffee-enhanced water.) So, in my humble, coffee-lovin’ opinion, I’m in love with my Tassimo coffee maker. Every morning is a happy one! Sweet, sweet joy for impossible coffee makes like me!

Come Taste my Favorite Hollywood Deli! It truly is the BEST...

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:18:34 -0700

Come Taste my Favorite Hollywood Deli!

It truly is the BEST deli in all of Los Angeles, maybe all of California, quite possibly reaching all the way to NYC!!! It is THAT GOOD!!!

GREENBLATTS WINE & DELI

Go. Now. I know you want to. You can just smell the mouth-watering aromas of slow-cooked roast beef, fresh bread, tasty veggies, roasted chicken, and apple pie, can’t you? Get a glass of wine from their top-notch list, sit back, get aquatinted with the fantastic staff (trust me, one visit to Greenblatts and you have to become friends with everyone who works there because you’ll be back so often), and try every menu item you can! You can choose from dinner plates that rival Grandma’s Thanksgiving feast, or select a sampling of sides like fruit salad, macaroni salad, latkas, koogle, coles slaw, and only the best broccoli stuffed baked potate ever! My personal favorite item to order is definitely the triple decker turkey club on egg bread with light pesto mayo instead of regular mayo. I’m getting hungry just writing about it! Oh my … I might just be right back … hmm … wait! Before I go, one of the coolest things about Greenblatts is that it’s been here since 1927!! That’s an eternity in LA years. Everyone who’s anyone in the Hollywood scene past and present has frequented Greenblatts and noshed. Or bought a ton of French red wines as Chevy Chase just did. Or came through to get their Moonshine fix, like Daniel Craig. But no matter your reason, go eat at Greenblatts immediately! And if I’m there, snacking on something yummy upstairs, say hi!!

Well, I’m off to “the ‘blatts” as I call it. I’m hungry now, darn it. I guess I’m just going to HAVE to go eat at Greenblatts, huh? Look what you made me do! ;-P (hehe!!!)

www.GreenblattsDeli.com

8017 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90046

Jilly Bites Has A Princess Party at Disney World’s...

Tue, 31 May 2011 23:55:00 -0700

Jilly Bites Has A Princess Party at Disney World’s Cinderella Castle

Cute Girl Blowing a Raspberry by the Hot Tub in Her Marshmallow...

Tue, 10 May 2011 20:27:59 -0700

Cute Girl Blowing a Raspberry by the Hot Tub in Her Marshmallow Get Up

How the Funnel Mill Rare Coffee & Tea in Santa Monica makes...

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:47:27 -0700

How the Funnel Mill Rare Coffee & Tea in Santa Monica makes iced coffee!! I chose the unsweetened Iced Chocolate Truffle Coffee. I am now in trufflation (not a word, I know! (: ) high heaven!! If you are dining in, your beverages are brought to you by the kindest, most helpful staff on a silver platter complete with silver coasters, sugar options in cute, labeled ceramic dishes with the cream on the side. I was informed that instead of using traditional ice cubes, at the Funnel Mill, they use frozen cubes of whatever your drink is to avoid any watering down of your beverage. This is a HUGE plus for me!

Jazz notes fill the zen-like industrial space, local artist’s work adorn the walls & cozy furniture make for an inviting world. Customers are in a peaceful, relaxed, happy working state. There is even an old piano tucked away if anyone has the inclination to plunk out a few notes. The only downside to the Funnel Mill is that I wish I lived closer!!

P.S. The Funnel Mill also gets major bonus points for their continued help with animal rescues in the community. YES!!

Join me on my jaunt to The National Products Expo West 2011 at...

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:36:38 -0700

Join me on my jaunt to The National Products Expo West 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center as I taste the delightful Kristian Regale sparkling juice beverage! Kristian Regale is made from a Swedish recipe that really gives it an extra happy punch of effervescence. Try it for the holidays, a baby or bridal shower, birthday, or just a lazy afternoon on the porch! ‘It’s time to sparkle!”

P.S. Moms, just FYI: kids love it!

http://www.kristianregale.com/

Guess What???

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:58:49 -0700

I have a new JillyBites video coming at you very soon! As in about an hour. Like 1hr photo! (Please...

Jilly Bites Episode 4 - More Rockin’ (Moroccan) at...

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:50:18 -0800

Jilly Bites Episode 4 - More Rockin’ (Moroccan) at Marrakesh in Disney World!

Eat Your Greens!

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:11:33 -0800

A quick note- I was just introduced to Tender Greens by my dear friend Aaron and you must all visit...

A Little Belated (ooops! (-; ) But No Less Tasty! The holidays...

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:00:00 -0800

A Little Belated (ooops! (-; ) But No Less Tasty!

The holidays are a time for family and feasting and this year my contribution to my family’s Thanksgiving dinner was making dessert! I decided to be very traditional with my baking choices deciding on Apple Pie, Pecan Pie, and the classic Pumpkin Pie. As always, I followed the directions from my trusty Fannie Farmer Cookbook for my apple pie and pecan pie but turned to my favorite grocery store, Trader Joe’s, for the pumpkin pie recipe. Everything turned out impeccably, with only a few setbacks (ran out of shortening, struggles with crusts, and a minor car snafu). But it wouldn’t be the holidays without some drama, would it? :-D I’m just grateful to have inherited my Fannie Farmer cookbook and love of Trader Joe’s from my older sister, they are the best and make the best food!

The Yummiest Apple Pie

· Click here for the recipe from my previous Apple Pie blog post

Best-of-All Pecan Pie

· Basic Pastry dough (see Apple Pie post here)

· 3 eggs

· 1 cup dark corn syrup (I know, it’s the bane of our culinary existence, but it makes the pie soooooo fabulously gooey!)

· ½ cup dark-brown sugar

· 4 tablespoons butter, melted

· 1 teaspoon vanilla

· 1 ¼ cups pecan halves or chopped pecans

· 1 cup heavy cream, chilled for whip cream topping

Preheat the over to 425° F. Line a pie pan with the rolled-out dough and set aside. Beat the eggs in a bowl with a fork or wire whisk until the yolks and whites are blended. Add the corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla, and blend well. Stir in the pecans, then pour the mixture into the pie shell. Bake the pie for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350° F and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center quivers slightly. Don’t overbake! (**I love that this cookbook is soooo adamant!! :-D **) Let the pie cool a bit, and just before serving, whip the cream, then spread it over the pie or on the side.

Pumpkin Pie a la Trader Joe’s

· Basic Pastry dough (hahaha, again see my Apple Pie post!)

· 1 can Trader Joe’s Organic Pumpkin

· 1 cup heavy cream

· ½ cup whole milk

· 2 large eggs

· ¾ cup packed organic brown sugar

· 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice blend (get at Trader Joe’s, it smells heavenly!)

· ¼ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare pie crust. Mix together pumpkin, cream, milk, eggs, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice blend, and salt, then pour into pie crust. Bake pie in middle of oven 45 to 50 minutes, or until filling is set but center still trembles slightly. (Filling will continue to set as pie cools.) Transfer to rack and cool completely. To prevent overbaking, you should start checking pie doneness at 45 minutes, as ovens vary.

Eat up and enjoy! And for those of you who love to pamper themselves, the can of organic pumpkin serves double duty of delicious pie filling AND the luxurious seasonal favorite, pumpkin facial! Just smear it on your face, save yourself $150 and soften your skin at the same time! Do I here multi-tasking around the holidays? Getting work doen and making yourself pretty at the same time? Yes!!

(P.S. I am not an esthetician or dermatologist, so if you have any skin questions, please direct them to the proper licensed professionals. :-D)

Jilly Bites Episode 3 - Thanksgiving!!!

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 22:26:33 -0800

Jilly Bites Episode 3 - Thanksgiving!!!

ChocaJavaToffeeNut Cookies by Mignonette’s...

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 17:04:00 -0800

Surprise!

Cookie Heaven

All natural sweet goodness

ChocaJavaToffeeNut Cookies by Mignonette’s Cookies

What?!

Now with a name like that, I was utterly intrigued. How could some of my favorite flavors be melded together into one of my favorite foods? The smell of fresh-baked cookies even permeated through the unopened bag! With one bite, I was completely hooked. I AM completely hooked!

These divine num-nums are made with exactly what’s in their name: a little bit of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a hint of espresso, salty-sweet toffee candy, and finely chopped walnuts. They are soft and rich cookies, dense with flavor and made with organic eggs, sugar, and oats. The first bite you take, you are overwhelmed with how good these cookies are! Notes of brown sugar and vanilla round out the ChocaJavaToffeeNut experience. Each nibble brings a different layer of happiness, you can tell the cookies are baked with love and joy.

The holidays are fast approaching and finding unique holiday gifts can sometimes be a hassel. Not anymore! ChocaJavaToffeeNut cookies are perfect for anyone!! Your boss, co-workers, friends, family, mom, neighbor, agent, manager, industry friend, apartment manager, everyone!! I already know who I will be sending them to! Even better, five percent of the ChocaJavaToffeeNut profits go to breast cancer research. Multiple good deeds are accomplished with one delightful cookie!! Below you’ll find where you can buy these fabulous sweet treats as well as the twitter feed of the talented baker, Mignonette Bailey! Enjoy!

Buy these delectable goodies here: Mignonette’s Cookies
Follow Mignonette Bailey on Twitter: @mignonetteb

Hello! Just thought my recent post might be of interest to you, as you seem to be an LA vegan :) http://treekisser.tumblr.com/post/1594303162/your-ultimate-vegan-thanksgiving-solution
If you haven't been into Madeleine's yet, you definitely need to give it a try!!

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:25:34 -0800

Hi! Thank you so much for your suggestion, I will definitely try it out very soon!

Jilly Bites

Heart shaped pizzas from #EvoKitchen on Sunset Blvd. #GlutenFree...

“Eat Locally, Think Globally” - Lunch at Mendocino...

Slow-cookin’ it up #Vegan style. Yummmmmmmmmm!!...

Oh yes, this is my heaven. (Taken with instagram)

"There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” George Bernard Shaw -Happy New Year!!! xoxo"

Are we "destined to be obese?"

Fresh Bites Cafe The fantastic, community-oriented cafe has...

I am a coffee addict. (It’s been well documented!) At...

Come Taste my Favorite Hollywood Deli! It truly is the BEST...

Jilly Bites Has A Princess Party at Disney World’s...

Cute Girl Blowing a Raspberry by the Hot Tub in Her Marshmallow...

How the Funnel Mill Rare Coffee & Tea in Santa Monica makes...

Join me on my jaunt to The National Products Expo West 2011 at...

Guess What???

Jilly Bites Episode 4 - More Rockin’ (Moroccan) at...

Eat Your Greens!

A Little Belated (ooops! (-; ) But No Less Tasty! The holidays...

Jilly Bites Episode 3 - Thanksgiving!!!

ChocaJavaToffeeNut Cookies by Mignonette’s...

Hello! Just thought my recent post might be of interest to you, as you seem to be an LA vegan :) http://treekisser.tumblr.com/post/1594303162/your-ultimate-vegan-thanksgiving-solution If you haven't been into Madeleine's yet, you definitely need to give it a try!!

Hello! Just thought my recent post might be of interest to you, as you seem to be an LA vegan :) http://treekisser.tumblr.com/post/1594303162/your-ultimate-vegan-thanksgiving-solution
If you haven't been into Madeleine's yet, you definitely need to give it a try!!