Tasty Thursday-Do you Sushi? R A Sushi Review

Have you ever had one of those days that you are walking in a fog?  You know what's wrong but you are trying not to think about it and let it go.  This was me Friday.  There was so much going on in my head.  I poured myself into work and just keep trying to let the day go by.  I had made plans to meet my friend, Lisa later on in the day.  Friday just seemed to just be dragging.  I wasn't in the mood for anything and everyone kept asking me what was wrong?  I wasn't my usual, whatever that means.  But I didn't want to talk about it.  I just didn't.

I finished my day and left to meet Lisa at R A Sushi in City Centre.  Again, I wasn't really in the mood but I had already told Lisa I would meet her. 

Thank you R A Sushi for hosting myself and Lisa Carey, Money Saving Parent.  Last week when I attended the Blog Elevated conference, I had noticed the restaurant there.  It caught my attention.  But when I saw it was sushi I kinda scrunched my nose and was said, oh never mind.  See when I heard the word sushi, I thought of uncooked-Not for me.  But being that I had never tried it, I was willing to give it try.  Heck, that is one of my rules at home with the kids.  Try everything at least once before you say you don't like.  Try a second time because your tastebuds may change.  So here I was at a sushi place ready to give it a try.  There was so much to chose from, I was lost.  Luckily Lisa was not a newbie, has been here before, and loves the place.  She knew exactly what to recommend for me and exactly what we should give a try.  I normally stick with what I know, but sushi I don't know.  The menu had a lot to choose from.  One of the things that I liked is all their menu is not uncooked.  You can have the uncooked, slightly cooked, or cooked.

We started with a R A Fave-Viva Las Vegas Roll

I loved it.  I see why it is a favorite already.  Yummy crab and cream cream cheese.  The topping has a little kick off spicy tuna, really good.

Next was Lobster Spring Rolls-

I love spring rolls.  It is so funny but I got my husband hooked on them too.  But I had never had a Lobster spring roll.  I am going to have to bring my husband here to try these yummy spring rolls.  The rolls have mango in them, such a good combination.

We also tried the Pineapple Cheese Wontons-

These are so light and crispy.  I haven't been able to really eat anything hard because of my braces but these had the perfect crunch to them.  And to top it off pineapple which another favorite of mine.  My husband loves pineapples, so I am gonna have to order these for him to try as well.

These food is so good.  I am becoming a sushi fan for sure.

For the main dish, I tried the Chicken Teriyaki Bowl-

First I want to say, if you do not like like Teriyaki sauce and I lost you when I said it, please come back.  this Teriyaki sauce is good.  It is really sweet and doesn't give you an after taste.  I didn't get to finish this as all the other food I tried filled me up.  They packed it to-go for me.  I picked up my son afterschool and offered it to him.  I didn't tell him what it was.  He opened it up and said it looked and smelled really good.  He ate it all.  By the way, he doesn't like Teriyaki sauce.

In October, R A Sushi will be featuring the Blushing Geisha-

Do try it....highly recommended.  It is the perfect pairing.

I had a wonderful time with Lisa.  I am so glad I was able to get out and get things off my chest.  She was a listening ear.  We had good food and a great talk.  I like going to a place where you can relax, forget about everything, and enjoy yourself.  And that I did.  A perfect way for me to start my weekend.

Donate Stuff Create Jobs- Goodwill

***Disclosure-No compensation was received.  Informational post only.

If you read my blog you know there are causes I love to support, but I have not yet talked about is Goodwill.  Growing up my parents did not have a lot of money so we made our money stretch by shopping at Goodwill.  What was old to others, was new to us.  We would always find some true treasures.  Like I found some green Keds that became my favorite pair of shoes ever, brand new still in the box. 

Now, when I clean my house I always take my items to Goodwill.  Not only to I get rid of clutter in my house, I make room for new things, and it is a tax deduction.  I clean my house out every couple of months, at least once a quarter we make donations. 

I am sure you have heard of Goodwill but have you heard of what Goodwill does?

About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America’s top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com^®. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2012, more than 6.7 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

To find a Goodwill near you, use the online locator at http://www.goodwill.org/, or call (800) GOODWILL.

Wordless Wednesday-Miercoles Mudo - Peek A Boo

 

Littlest Pet Shop: Petacular Escapades

***Disclosure-Sample product sent to review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Do you have little girls who love animals?  I do.  My daughter loves all kinds of animals.  She was very happy when she saw all the animals on the cover if Littlest Pet Shop - Petacular Escapades.

Blythe and her best friends — Zoe the spaniel, Pepper the skunk, Sunil the mongoose, Russell the hedgehog, Penny the panda, Vinnie the gecko and Minka the monkey — are back for five more exciting adventures in the Littlest Pet Shop!  Littlest Pet Shop: Petacular Escapades was release today on DVD.  This collection features encounters with legendary parrots, movie stars and Blythe’s sudden inability to understand the pets! All of these adventures and more happen in these petacular episodes of The Littlest Pet Shop!

Episodes Include:

Blythe’s Crush

Dumb Dumbwaiter

Lights, Camera, Mongoose

What Did You Say?

Terriers and Tiaras

Bonus Features:

Sing-Along

My thoughts-So who does not like singalongs?  This is a cute DVD that will keep your lil one entertained. Lil Bit loved all the little animals and was glued to the screen.  She danced as the songs played.  Littlest Pet Shop is shown on the HUB network. 

This is Brazil - Texas de Brazil - Tasty Tuesday

If you didn't get my title you have not seen Fast and Furious when they are in Brazil, and Dom says, "This is Bra - ZIL!!!!!"  I love the line.  That is the first thing I thought of when I heard the name of this restaurant in City Centre.  City Centre is not an area I normally hangout at.  I spent three days in City Centre and I noticed that there are a lot of restaurants that I had never heard of here.  Texas de Brazil is the first restaurant that caught my attention because it was the first thing I saw when I was trying to find the parking lot. 

Thanks to Texas de Brazil for hosting several bloggers including myself to experience this restaurant.  It is a Brazilian steakhouse, a Churrascaria.   Churrascaria is the style of cooking used which is like a rotisserie/fire roasted kinda like a bar b que.  If you have never been to a Churrascaria, it is an experience from the Gauchos to the way the food is cooked.

The experience begins right when you walk in to the door.  We had our own VIP section over by the bar, which is perfect for anyone planning a small party.  It is open, right at the entrance, so your party guests won't be looking for you standing around at the front.  

No need to worry about cooking when hosting a party.  Texas de Brazil not only has the great space for you, they also can take care of the menu for you.  Your party guests can enjoy different selections from the menu, just like we did.  You can choose from 16 meats of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage.  My favorite and my new food motto is to always try "anything wrapped in bacon"!!  I haven't been chewing a lot since I had my braces put in, but these meat was soft enough for me to chew.  It was really good and favorful.  I even had a second helping, cheat day!

Your party guests can also enjoy their signature Brazilian cocktail "The Caipirinha".  You can find the recipe here.  They also feature several other Brazilian creations at the Beijos Bar and Lounge.  They also have a wine cellar full of wines from around the world.  If you still do not know what to order, you can have a drink created just for you and your guests.

If you are not in Houston, no worries Texas de Brazil has many locations and more coming by the end of this year.  To find one near you, go www.texasdebrazil.com.