Hopefully I will not have my face shoved into cake tomorrow...
This just in: It’s my birthday tomorrow. Oh, I’m sorry…did you not get the memo?
In case you didn’t get the hint from my post about “Vegging-Up” for the bday, as well as my post about the Saturday Pre-Birthday Fiesta, I turn 28 tomorrow. My father likes to joke that I celebrate my birthday for a week, but that is not true. You see, I merely don’t have time for a formal Sometimes Healthy Celebration during the week(translation: the thought of arranging a party during the week stresses me out) , so I just have to get it all out of the way on the weekend. And, I just happen to be making a visit to dear ol’ Nebraska the weekend AFTER my birthday…which is why I’ll be celebrating twice…
If I Could Eat EVERYTHING I wanted on my Birthday…
When I hear the word “birthday,” literally the first thought that pops in my head is “cupcake.” Anyone who knows this Sometimes Healthy Girl knows that I love my cupcakes, healthified or not.
I love cupcakes so much, I bake 6 dozen at a time...
But what if I could enjoy ALL of my favorite treats on my birthday? What if every meal were a different favorite food all day/night long? What if being Sometimes Healthy didn’t matter to me whatsoever, and I just went to town? Well…here’s what my dream list of birthday meals would look like:
Sometimes Healthy’s Birthday Meal Menu Dream Team:
*Note: Since this is a “wish list,” meals can be located in different cities. Even though NYC has some of the best food in the world, there are certain meals I’ve had throughout my little life journey that have stuck with me. Thus, they must be a part of my “Dream Team.” Also, eating all of this food in one day might make a normal person sick, but again, since this list is imaginary, we can ignore that minor detail
Breakfast – Stuffed Apple Pancake from Walker Brothers Pancake House
Location: Wilmette, IL
I CAN Believe it's a pancake...but it is SO much more...
This “I Can’t Believe it’s Really a Pancake” breakfast delight is every bit as delicious as it looks. Walker Brothers is pretty much an institution in Illinois and is located just 10 minutes from where I went to college, Northwestern.
A classic pancake shop with so many memories
The giant pancake is warm, fluffy, ooy-gooey and decadent. It tastes a bit like a cinnamon roll and a pancake wrapped into one. More importantly, it reminds me of the good ol’ college days, and how it was such a treat to head out to Walker Brothers with good friends or a significant other. That baked apple pancake tasted especially good after a long night out ;-).
Mid-Day Birthday Treat Snack – Crumb’s Chocolate Sundae Cupcake
Location: New York, New York
Almost too perfect to eat...
As mentioned above, this Sometimes Healthy girl loves her cupcakes. Thus, in a dream world, I’d eat my favorite cupcake early in the day to ensure I have ample stomach room to fit it in. Wouldn’t want to risk being too full. I think this ginormous cupcake would make the perfect mid-morning snack…
Every New Yorker has an opinion about cupcake places, because there are many good places in the city. However, no cupcake place can overtake Crumbs as my favorite. Maybe it’s because it was the first New York cupcake I ever consumed. Or maybe it’s because one cupcake is large enough to feed 4 people. Regardless, I just love my Crumb’s cupcakes. My fave flavor is Chocolate Sundae, because it’s chocolatey, but not too chocolatey and tastes like a sundae inside of a cupcake. I always get these cupcakes for my coworkers/friends when something special happens. Sometimes I look for excuses to buy them for a people, just because I care…not because I want a taste ;-).
I'll look for any excuse to buy these babies.
Lunch – Chili’s Quesadilla Explosion Salad
Location: Anywhere in America with a Chili’s
My favorite salad in America is from Chili's. I am not ashamed!
Please, don’t be jealous of my refined pallete which craves chain restaurants and Reddi Whip. It is one of the the things that makes me special and allows me to make such “unique” wacky food combo recipes for all of you ;-). What can I say? I’m a simple girl, and despite access to 4 star restaurants everywhere in this city, sometimes I just wish a Chili’s was nearby. It’s the simple things.
Chili’s holds a special place in my heart because it’s always “been there for me.” I used to frequent the neighborhood Chili’s growing up in Nebraska. Additionally, at Northwestern, Chili’s was one of the hot-spots in the “downtown” area. Northwestern is just outside of Chicago, which is where I moved after college. Thankfully, there was a Chili’s not far from my apartment. And finally, when I studied abroad in Mexico City, believe it or not CHILI’S is where we went when we wanted a little taste of America. Yep, Chili’s = Sometimes Healthy’s “home away from home.” Often when I’m sitting in a fancy restaurant in NYC, I’ll wish it were a Chili’s. Shhh, don’t tell.
Anyway, despite the fact that “Eat This, Not That” claims this salad is one of the most “unhealthiest in America,” it’s still my fave. I always order it with lowfat ranch (healthier!) and the Bottomless Tostado Chips. Those salty chips are a little taste of heaven, and when paired with their famous El Presidente Margarita, you’ve got yourself a perfect happy hour!
The El Presidente...the pride of Chili's
Afternoon Snack: Cinnamon Raisin Braided Pretzel Twists, dipped in Philadelphia Cream Cheese
Location: The Couch Monster
Best enjoyed on the couch while watching trashy tv
I’ve probably referenced my affection for pretzels in at least 50 posts since I started this blog in March. So, a “Dream Team” wouldn’t be complete without a bit of pretzels. Luckily, I likely wouldn’t eat the whole bag (like usual) because I’d have to same room for all of my other favorites. I’m not sure what it is about pretzels, but they will forever be my comfort food of choice.
These little babies have gotten me through many “self-inflicted” crises. And ever since Rold Gold released their Cinnamon Raisin Braided Pretzel Twists, I’ve been hooked. As I once told my bother while he stared at my combo in dismay, “Pretzels dipped in cream cheese tastes like fries dipped in truffle oil to me.”
Dinner – Sometimes Healthy Mother’s Healthified Noodle Kugel
Location: Casa Sometimes Healthy, Omaha, Nebraska
I've you've never heard of this, your mouth is about to water...
Despite many a kitchen catastrophe for this Sometimes Healthy Girl, my mother is actually quite the cook. She prefers NOT to cook because it messes up her clean kitchen, BUT, nevertheless, the woman knows how to whip up some good food. Noodle Kugel is a baked casserole made with egg noodles, some dairy products and other forms of delicious food. It’s crispy, creamy and a dream-come-true for a carb queen like myself.
If the name, kugel, sounds weird, that’s because it’s a Jewish dish. This makes sense, because I too am Jewish. I think one of my favorite things about my religion is the food. If you’ve never been to a Jewish deli, I suggest you go to one ASAP and order Matzoh Ball Soup, corned beef and a big slice of kugel.
However, no Jewish deli can make kugel as good as my dear mother. She even makes a healthified version using low-fat cream cheese, skim milk, a little bit of low-fat butter and other goodies. Growing up, I enjoyed kugel at many Jewish occasion, like Bat Mitzvahs and holiday dinners, but none were as good as Sometimes Healthy Mother’s Healthified Kugel. I’ll share her “secret” recipe one of these days, but for now, here’s a decent recipe for healthy sweet kugel.
Dessert – 16 Handles Unlimited Fro Yo Topped with lots of Fruit Pebbles and Captain Crunch
Location: New York, NY
16 Handles, nobody does it better...
I know, this one’s a shocker. No Dream Team Menu would be complete without a stop at 16 Handles to load myself full of weird, yet delicious combinations of frozen yogurt, cereal and other random toppings. I’m fairly sure that 16 Handles is the second home of every healthy living blogger in New York City. I am no different. I wish there was a 16 Handles “diet” like the Subway “diet,” because I’d TOTALLY be on board. PS – For the record, I’d bring a can of Reddi Whip into 16 Handles just because I feel like that would be acceptable on my birthday, right???
Hope you enjoyed reading about my Birthday Meal Menu Dream Team. Even though tomorrow will surely be a day of indulgence, there’s not way I could fit ALL of the above in my Sometimes Healthy stomach. But, it sure was fun to pretend 😉
Off to the gym…all this food talk has made me crave some cardio!
Question:
What would be one item on your Birthday Meal Menu Dream Team?
If you had to eat something for every meal every day, what would you choose?
KUGEL!!!! Thank you for reminding me of its magical existence. I may need to make some in the near future.
I promise to post Sometimes Healthy Mom’s recipe one of these days. I’m tellin’ ya – there is none better!
Okay, you have me salivating! Cap’n Crunch french toast would definitely be on my list!
P.S. It’s a little early, but happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day! 🙂
Cap n’ Crunch French Toast?! I’ve always wanted to try that. I saw it once on Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives and have been dreaming about it ever since..
You just made me want to re-visit NYC just for Crumbs cupcakes. They’re SO good!!
I’m not entirely sure what would make my birthday dream menu… but it would probably involve a lot of sushi, a lot of blueberry wine, and an abundance of cupcakes! I’m actually celebrating my 24th birthday this weekend anyways – so I’ll be sure to have some good eats for you ha
This post definitely helped put me in my happy place (I’m getting hungry as I type). Full disclosure: Sweets are my weakness. Here’s my perfect day- Breakfast: Pancakes at Clinton Street Bakery in the LES (NYC). Afternoon snack: Cinnabon cinnamon roll with extra frosting (calories don’t count, right?). Lunch: Pad Thai (any place, not too picky on this). Afternoon snack: Iced Soy Chai Latte (Starbucks) and Dinner: Pizza from Grimaldis (under the Brooklyn Bridge) and dessert would be from Buttercup Bake Shop.That was fun!
I love that we live in NYC and you picked Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls…because I totally agree. They are just that good. Did you know they have them in Penn station?? Workin’ on that healthified Pad Thai Spag Squash!
Fun post! My friends and I have had this discussion before — your perfect day of eating. If I had my way, pizza would definitely always be consumed at some point in the day. I’m a sucker for pizza. Also, funfetti cake. 🙂
Since I celebrated my birthday at school, my “birthday-dream-team” meal consisted of all my FAVORITE late night snacks in my sorority’s pantry once I came back from celebrating. So, I shameless had a bowl of Easy Mac, cup of Ramen noodles, and a whole frozen slice of Elio’s pizza followed by an ice-cream sandwich. It was perfection!
Sounds pretty perfect. I remember the sorority days. Mannn, they had some good food. You are making me wish I was in a sorority right now!
First of all Happy Birhtday! I am glad we will be able to see you in a few days so that your mother and I can rejoice in celebrating your birthday in person. I think that will be your third birthday celebration. As to your choices, two of them would make my list. I have not thought about Walker Brothers for quite some time but you are spot on when it comes to their apple pancakes. You are also absolutely correct about your mother’s kugel. I think we should sweet talk her in to making some when you’re home. In case you are interested, if it were my list I would include a hot dog, beef sandwich and large order of fries from Portillo’s as well a deep dish sausge pizza with extra cheese from Lou Malnatti’s. Unfortunately, as you know, i am making another attempt to shed some pounds and so I will only be able to think of all these deightful not so healthy foods. That’s it for now. Have a great birthday and see you soon.
Love,
Dad
P.S Chili’s????
First off, Chili’s is delicious and you know it. Sorry for the delay in response. I’ve been busy dreaming up brilliant content ;-).
Anywho, I’m quite familiar with all of these choices, as whenever we visited Chicago, you ensured that we ate at these places. I’m with ya on the Malnatti’s pizza.
Aren’t you glad I baked healthy spaghetti squash while I was home so you could continue your crusade to drop the lbs?
Wow, you look great for almost 28! i would have guessed you were 24!
It’s been a while since the bday, but can I just say, your comment made me SMILE big time. Here’s to stayin’ foreva young!
Hi Jamie! Just discovered your blog and it’s adorable! Anyway, have a wonderful birthday!
Thanks for reading!! And for the bday wishes! And for the compliment 😉
First of all, I love that your dad contributed to your blog today! And I have to agree with him… Chilis?!? Come on! You can do much better than that. I found a good yogurt place in O-town that reminds me of 16 Handles. I’ll take you there for a belated birthday treat. I hope you have a fabulous birthday!!!
Sorry we never made it to the yogurt place…but I wouldn’t change at thing about our O-Town adventures.
You know I will be loyal to Chili’s for the rest of our lives. I’m a loyal Sometimes Healthy Girl with a not-so-refined palate. Sorry for partying…at chain restaurants.
Miss ya! Come back to NYC and get some more fro yo!!
Everything looks so good! Happy birthday!!!
this is epic, girl! I actually saw that salad on one of the unhealthiest lists, too, but all I could think of was how amazing it looked!! hope you enjoyed your day!!
-courtney
I love this post. My menu would most definitely include a cupcake from Magnolia bakery and a giant slice of carrot cake from Candle Cafe. And maayyybe a Shake Shack burger. nom.
Reading these comments at midnight is making me crave a Shake Shack burger. Who cares if my birthday is long gone?!
Oh man all of that stuff sounds amazing!!! An item on my birthday menu dream team would be a cake with vanilla buttercream frosting from a nearby bakery!
Mmmmm…GREAT choices! My birthday menu dream team would have an over-the-top decadent burger, some caesar salad, amazingly delicious ice cream, and of course, some CAKE!
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