More than Your Ordinary Breakfast

Ok, I will admit that I don't, and if most of  you are like me, you as well, don't get up and go out for breakfast. We need to probably start changing that mentality. I absolutely LOVE breakfast type foods. There is definitely a soft spot in my heart for eggs, syrup, toast, pancakes, the list goes on and on. I can be very picky about how certain breakfast foods are prepared, but let me be the first to say that Anna's House hits a slap-shot right past that all-star goalie.

As soon as you walk in the door, you are greeted with that 50s vibe (which I happen to love). The nostalgia should be enough for you to know this is going to be great. If not, well take it in. The place is really sweet looking. I mean I wanted to steal almost all of the fun light fixtures like this one. I also would totally decorate my kitchen similar to this, but probably with grays and mute yellows instead.

After we were able to take in all the creative nic-naks that had all around, we drove into the menu. Talk about option over load! I didn't know where to even begin or what to get (I will have to go back like six times). Oh, don't for one minute think that all they have is breakfast. They have countless lunch options as well. I decided to keep it plain jane since my mom and grams were picking creatively named things (I knew I could try theirs ;]). I went with good ole French Toast combo which meant I got eggs and sausage with it. I wasn't expecting too much, but I was pleasantly surprise by the added surprise of cinnamon. It was just a subtle hint with each bite, but it made this so incredible! Not to mention that delicious Vanilla Chai Tea Latte I had too. Also, yes I was a child and had scrambled eggs can't go wrong with scrambled.

My mom decided to go with the breakfast burrito since that was what her and my brother always get when we are in Disney. We were expecting just a little thing; we were so completely wrong. This thing was huge plus it came with your choice of potatoes. So much food! Breakfast Burrito or massive amounts of eggs, cheese, sausage, and green peppers wrapped in a tortilla was created with the perfect combinations of all the a fore mentioned ingredients. They made sure you weren't overloaded by just one (you know like egg) ingredient.

My grams... Ya let me just show you the picture first:

Hi my name is Twilight French Toast, and I am heavenly. Twilight French Toast. Get it. Don't question. Just get it. The sauce is a Crème Brûlée sauce. I know what you are thinking, gross. I did the same thing, but NO it is soooo good. It totally makes this dish spectaular. The fruit and brûlée sauce together is just perfection. And GIANT. This picture doesn't do it justice. That thing was monstrous. This definitely came home with us, granted it lasted all of about 10 min and then was devoured by gramps. Needless to say, I will be expanding my horizons next time. I am going to go for the Red Velvet Pancakes. Ugh I am already dreaming of those beauties and wanting to go back already. I am so glad for Fat Fighters otherwise Anna's House has the potential to cause me so much weight gain.

Overall, this is a fantastic restaurant and I am so glad it has come to Grandville. If you are looking for a new place to try or just driving through town, head on over to Anna's House. Open 6am - 3pm so plan accordingly. OH! Also it is new so super busy starting at about 8:30am on Saturday and Sundays. But once you get a seat, endulge, enjoy, and feast!

Blessings,
Ali

Tom + Chee

If are like me, you love yourself a Grilled Cheese sandwich. Now, perfecting said grilled cheese is no small under taking and usually ends in either a burnt concoction or soggy mess of under-grilled bread. Or maybe you are a master chef and never have this struggle for gooey middle yet crisp outer structure.

Which ever persona you find yourself being, maybe it's time to treat yourself to a break. I am certainly glad that I had an adventure with my friend Mo to experience some amazing food. So, let's talk about Tom + Chee. This is becoming a popular restaurant in what seems like a short amount of time. And, we just got one in the Grandville last week. Best day ever! Talk about grilled perfection. Also, it is worth mentioning if you haven't quite figured it out yet, Tom stands for Tomato and Chee for Cheese. Clever right?

Mo and I went on opening night and added bonus: Mo had to wait like an extra two minutes since they were so busy, she got a free dessert. Their dessert come on grilled doughnuts! She graciously shared hers with me. She got a S'more Doughnut. We took a bite at the same time and made the exact same face. It was like heaven in our mouths. It had just the right amount of mallow, chocolate, and gram smashed in-between a doughnut. This is the work of pure genius right here. Obviously we were in awe by this sweet delight since I started with dessert instead of the actually meal ha. You are probably now drooling; I would recommend wiping it away and possibly getting a napkin because I am not done yet.
The sandwich. Oh the sandwich. You want to talk about warm comfort food, this is it! The options are endless at Tom + Chee. Create your own or choose from one of their sandwich combos. It depends completely on your mood when you enter the door. If you decided, like me, to go the create you own route, you can choose from like 6 different types of bread, cheese, and several meats and veggies. It's pure bliss.
The soup. I am not one for tomato soup; it's not really my thing. BUT, this tomato soup left me rethinking that decision. They offer three different degrees of tomato soup: classic, creamy tomato basil, and chunky tomato basil. They are all made from real tomatoes which is probably what makes it takes so great. We all are used to the store bought can tomato soup that is watered down rather than made with real tomatoes and milk. Oh, what we have been missing.
They your order arrives at your table and it looks so great. I mean look at that food. Comfort food at it's finest. Be still my beating heart.

Bright red tomato soup and the perfectly brown crisp sandwich with just the perfect ratio of melted cheese and meat or veggies. You should definitely take a moment out of your day to check this place out. It is soo good; I went back the very next day (fat figthers I have never been more thankful for you) sans the dessert doughnut. Still highly recommend that though.

Rainy day?
Stressful week?
Pain of the heart?

Go right for the comfort food. Head right to Tom + Chee. Throw the carbs, fats, and grease out the window and enjoy life. Take a breather out of the busy chaos and be a kid again.

Mermaid's Watch Out

We have made it through another week!! It is finally Friday and the sun is shining. Not only that but today is the day everyone. The Long Hair/Mermaid Challenge has finally ended! Alright so, it ended on Wednesday. Regardless, I have finally managed to compile all my thoughts on my experience. I imagine you are brewing with anticipation at least in my head you are.

How did it go? Well hopefully this picture speaks volumes for Hair, Skin, and Nails (often referred to as HSN):

**excuse the different lighting that makes my hair look different colors there was no color change associated with this product.**

First, let's just take a moment to appreciate that I remembered to take a before and after picture because that rarely happens. 

Second, it actually worked. Woot!!! I gained some major length, for me, in just 30 days! Again I say: Just. 30. Days.

My hair is slow at growing ya'll. I don't normally see this much growth in that short of time frame. I am still a little shocked by it. Guess this marks the second time it works has defeated my skepticism; you would think I'd have learned by now not to doubt. Also I will mention that my hair on a whole feels 110% softer now. I am sure you can tell the difference between the pictures. The left has gross, nasty, lifeless, and limb hair (ok it wasn't horrible just not what it could be). Also worth noting that between the left and the right picture, I also had my hair trimmed and still there is additional length. The picture on the right shows how much fuller, healthier, and soft my hair is now. Personally, I love that you can even tell from just looking at these pictures that something it different.

Honestly, if my hair didn't grow at all and all that happened was my hair got healthier and softer, I would have been totally alright with that. I love the way it looks now. It has become so much easier to do things with my hair too. When I straighten it, it stays straight now with almost no hair spray! I had to use so much hair spray to keep it from waving out before. If I decide to let it air dry so the waves appear, the waves are a little more pronounced helping it not to look like I have bed head I ignored for the day. Or, that one half of my head wanted to attempt being curly while the other wanted to be straight because that was definitely more of the case haha. 

How is this possible? I am sure all you factual, statistically enhanced people out there or those curious cats are pondering this. HSN boost your natural collagen and keratin production in your body which in turn promotes healthy cell growth. All of that makes your hair grow slightly faster than normal as well as making it softer and giving it more shine. Let alone the added bonus of helping your skin become softer and smoother which I have noticed a difference there too. Not a huge difference, but I can definitely tell there has been a change.

Whether you have curly hair, long hair, pin straight hair, short hair, or thin hair if you want healthier, softer, or more shine to your hair, than you should give HSN an honest try. 

Ask me about it or head to the link located above the about me section.

Blessings,

Ali