Posts from the ‘Food and Drink’ category

Puppy Chow with Jessie Sunday

Watch and learn how to make the most delicious of treats from my friend, Jessie!  I was so excited when she wanted to teach me how to make Puppy Chow but I must warn you.  This is a very dangerous skill because there is definitely a tipping point when the Puppy Chow takes over and you lose complete control.

Jessie and I met a couple of years when we both worked for Livingsocial.  I was living in NYC and she was in DC at the time.  I didn’t really get to know her until I moved back to SF and I’m so happy that I did.  Jessie is so great.  She keeps it real and hilarious.  She has a zest for life that is like no other.

Thank you so much, Jessie, for being an amazing teacher and cooking show host.  Also, a big thank you to Michael Seiler for being an amazing videographer and co-director.  It was truly a team effort.

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Clothing Swap with Amie Wong

This FWB really had its benefits.  I am not only a huge fan of Amie but I am now a huge fan of the clothing swap.  I came home with two bags of clothes without spending a dime, cleared out my closet of clothes that I’ve had for way too long and got to hang out with some of my favorite people as well as meet new ones.  Amie did such a great job of creating a very fun and casual atmosphere (champagne included).  This world needs more clothing swaps!   Thank you Amie for being such a genuine gem.  You are the best!

 

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KENTUCKY MULES WITH MATT ADAMS

For the final post of 2014, I was so happy to learn how to make a delicious cocktail called The Kentucky Mule from one of my favorite guys in SF and fellow Masshole, Matty Adams.  You can now impress all your guests at your NYE party with this libation that is way stronger than it tastes.  Matty and I met years ago through Ashley.  He always brings me back to my roots with his dry, hilarious sense of humor.  I was so pumped that he was up for an FWB and chose to teach me how to make this tasty beverage because I predict it will be seriously trending in 2015.

Wow.  2014 is coming to a close.  It’s been such a wonderful and fun filled year with amazing memories of SF living, travel, friends, family, music, sunshine, life lessons, and growth.  It was my year of gaining stability in my new life in San Francisco while always pursuing new ideas and projects.  I’m so grateful that all my nearest and dearest were happy and healthy in 2014 and I hope to see everyone continue to thrive in the coming year.  I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2015!  Wishing you a year filled of love, fun, happiness, laughter, light, and success!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thank you for supporting Friendships With Benefits.  I couldn’t do it without all my wonderful friends:)

PS-This is my 68th post and I’m hoping to make it to 100 by 2016:)

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KAMIKAZE SHOT-SKI WITH STEVEN

 

This was quite the lesson.   Ashley and I were at the tail end of our 2 week trip in Central America when we met Steven while enjoying the night life of San Pedro in Belize.  There was another couple in the bar when we came up with the idea to do an FWB.  The guy offered to film and the girl was going to take the shot with us.  As we are going through the lesson, another man entered the bar (I thought he was going to be our fifth participant).  I soon realized he was super angry when he took the girl’s phone and slammed it to the ground and then threw it into the ocean. Definitely not participating.  Apparently, she did something to really upset him (relationship woes).  The girl started crying and ran to get the pieces of her phone all while we are trying to make a kamikaze.  Chaos and laughter ensue, but we kept it together and finished with a celebratory shot.  Thanks to Ashley for being the best travel buddy a girl could ask for and to Steven (I will figure out a way to export Fireball to you).  Good times!

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Muni Car Party with Matt Coelho

 

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, my friend Matt organized a party aboard a San Francisco Cable Car titled “Cinco de Muni.”  It was such a fun night filled with good people, good tunes, good drinks and good times.  I love touring the city this way and reminds me just how awesome SF is and how lucky I am to live here.  Thanks Matt for organizing such an amazing party!

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Green Smoothie with Tolu

Over my spring break, I ambushed my friend Tolu’s morning of getting ready for work so she could enlighten me on her morning ritual of making a green smoothie. They are delicious and this is just one of the many enlightening things Tolu has shed on me.

I met Tolu through Ashley  years ago (they studied abroad in London) when Ashley moved to SF as I left for San Diego.  We would hang out here and there when I would visit.  It wasn’t until I moved back to San Francisco last year that Tolu and I became close and I got to learn for myself how amazing she is.  Tolu gave me the courage to say yes to Burning Man and fully commit without looking back.  She is always the one uplifting her friends and inspiring us to have the confidence of Beyonce. I can always count on her to be down for the fun as well as someone to trust, look to for advice as well as look up to in the way she lives her life.  Thanks Tolu for being part of my life on my second round in SF!  It’s been such a blast!

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Mashed Cauliflower with Kasey Dutra

After a year in the making, my friend Kasey taught me how to make delicious mashed cauliflower.  Kasey and I met through Tracy and is another wonderful person from UNH. I knew she was such such a good person after The Allman Brothers show at Great Woods back in 2005 when she let me sleep in her brother’s room due to unpredictable circumstances.  (And it was the first time we ever hung out).

Kasey writes an amazing blog, Paleo Days, which has given me a great education while scrolling Facebook.   I think her message is awesome and unfortunately or fortunately we know that we have to take care of ourselves.  With recipes like mashed cauliflower, she helps make it a little easier.  Please take a moment and like Paleo Days on FB to get up on all the knowledge of 2014.

 

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Stephanie’s Salad with Stephanie

Stephanie teaches me how to make her signature salad also known as Stephanie’s salad.  Stephanie and I met through Nicolle shortly after I moved back to San Francisco.  She’s hilarious and we probably wouldn’t have crossed lives without having Nicolle as a mutual friend.  Thanks again for teaching me how to make such a delicious meal!!

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DIY-pumpkin with Ashley

My friend Ashley is a woman with many talents so when it came to deciding what to teach me there were many options to choose from. She’s an amazing cook and sInce we are now fully into fall (which is bananas), she decided to go with an autumn theme of teaching a variety ways to use pumpkins and squash besides just carving them for decoration.  I loved these simple recipes and definitely will be incorporating them in my future Halloween and Thanksgiving parties.  Thanks Ashley for sharing your skills in the kitchen!

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Wine Tasting with Lisa

I recently was in Napa for my friend, Lisa’s, bachelorette.  We had the best weekend celebrating Lisa which obviously included drinking a good amount of wine.  During our first stop to the vineyard, Alpha Omega, Lisa broke down wine tasting into the 5 S’s to help us understand what you are actually supposed do while tasting.  She is a super smart girl who has worked in the industry for quite some time so she knows what she is talking about.  So the next time you have a glass of wine in front of you, don’t forget your 5 S’s.

Lisa, I’m so happy I got to celebrate this special occasion with you!   I’m super excited for you and Dan and wish you lots of love and happiness.  Have the best time ever on Sunday!!! xoxo

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