Product Review: Trader Joe's 4 Cheese Pastry Rolls

These cheese rolls can be found in the freezer section and can be baked from frozen. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and cook for about 26 mins (give or take depending on the strength of your oven). 

People that typically know and love cheese rolls in Southern California hold an expanding popular Cuban bakery as the standard for these pastries. I also equate cheese rolls to Filpino offerings as they are available at some mom & pop local shops. In comparison to those cheese rolls, I would say these offerings are a pretty good alternative, especially since they're easy to acquire and prepare while the Cuban bakery boasts long lines and not everyone can easily access their locations as well as have access to Filpino or similar bakeries. Are they necessarily better? No. But they're ok and still pretty tasty.

After preparation, the outside is flaky and the inside is soft with a mild flavor of the cream cheese. It's not overly sweet. Also, make sure you don't over-bake it as the bottom will burn and ruin the flavor of the whole pastry.  If you like cheese rolls, I believe these can help curb the craving if you can't get to a bakery or don't want to tackle making it from scratch. I feel like these are worth trying and recommend it. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

 

Ignore the Labels

When I started to read this story, I thought it was going to be a "don't be a bully" theme which I always support. But I love the ultimate message just as much--bullies suck, no question about that, but YOU have the power to rise above the ugliness or the toxicity of their behavior. I feel like it's natural to just follow the labels people and/or society put on you, but to have the will to ignore it and do what is right or better for you (physically, mentally, emotionally etc.) is one of life's biggest struggles. Also, to expect loyalty from others, and love yourself enough to know that being alone is better than being with people who don't support you is, in reality, harder than it sounds. Again, it's the journey of life and growing and bettering yourself is something that doesn't just happen over night.  What you know then, is less than what you know now--I mean, at least that's the hope. 

This story is beautiful in more ways than one. It's hurtful, but it's hopeful. It's a story full of wisdom and I hope it gives whoever needs to hear it, some inspiration. Just in case you needed a reminder--you are amazing! 😘  

 

Taken from Slice of Life on Facebook (check the page out).

During a prank, a student stuck a paper on his classmate's back that said "𝗜'𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗽𝗶𝗱", and asked the rest of the class not to tell the boy.

Thus the students began laughing on and off...

Came afternoon math class started and their teacher wrote a difficult question on the board.

No one was able to answer it except the boy with the sticker.

Amid the unexplained giggles, he walked toward the board and solved the problem.

The teacher asked the class to clap for him and remove the paper on his back.

She told him: "It seems that you don’t know about the paper your classmate has pasted on your back."

Then the teacher looked at the rest of the class and said:

"Before I give you a punishment, let me tell you 2 things:

First, throughout your Life, people will put labels on you with many nasty words to stop your progress.

Had your classmate known about the paper, he wouldn't have gotten up to answer the question.

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳."

"Second, it’s clear that he doesn't have any loyal friend among you all to tell him about the sticker.

It doesn't matter how many friends you have - it is the loyalty you share with your friends that matters.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲."

Always have each others backs.

 

 

The Helpful Guy at the Home Improvement Store

 

The Huz is our resident handyman--he's not professional and learns everything he needs to know when he needs to know it. And more often than not, it's a lot of trial and error and when he gets something done (which he always does), we celebrate and he feels accomplished and proud (as I always am of him). He's the DIY king even though he's busy and has a full schedule. 

So when our kitchen faucet started acting up, it was time to once again dust off his handyman hat and get to figuring out how to replace our old-style faucet which he pre-ordered because it's nearly impossible to find it available in-store. Then, he had to figure out how to install it properly--hey it may sound easy, but I'm glad it's not put on me to do it and he actually has some idea how to do this stuff. 

We went to our home improvement store and we may have highly likely possibly looked clueless, because this kind gentleman came up to us to offer his knowledge on installing faucets. He shared some truly useful helpful hints The Huz actually needed and The Huz responded to him with enthusiasm and understanding.  I, to be honest, was just smiling and nodding because none of it made sense to me. LOL! But I hope my grateful energy shown through because that was sincere and authentic. It turns out he's a handyman by trade and offered us his number if we needed any more help--which we gladly took.

The Huz ended up installing the faucet successfully using some of the valuable tips he was given and we didn't end up needing to call the Helpful Guy for any extra help. But we have his information if we ever need it. Was he helpful out of the kindness of his heart or was it a tactic to gain business?  For me it just doesn't matter. He helped us. And whether or not he had ulterior motives for his kindness, the result was that he shared his knowledge with The Huz and the information helped. And if we can throw business his way at any future time, we'll do it. 

Good things happen at unexpected moments. Sometimes, kind strangers lend a helping hand. And I'm thankful to be on the receiving end of kindness. 🙏

 

My Conditional Love of Rain

    Talking about the weather is probably the most basic topic of conversation. But, deng, it's been raining a lot lately and it's got me wondering how I truly feel about it--especially since I am one of those people that claims to want it and say things like, "I love the rain!" But as a Southern Californian, I haven't seen THAT much rain in my lifetime so I don't know if I really knew what I was saying. 

    I don't like driving in the rain, especially when it's pounding super heavy and I can't see the road very clearly. It gives me anxiety. I don't like puddles. I don't like soggy shoes. And I don't think umbrellas do a very good job keeping people dry, especially when it's windy. I definitely don't like being IN the rain, walking around in it, getting my clothes wet. Wow. Can I ever say, "I love the rain!" ever again?! I might have to think twice.

    But I do love the rain, right?  Yes, sometimes, when it's on my terms.  Like, when I'm at home and it's tapping on the roof or the window. I'm underneath a cozy blanket, safe and sound. I love the clean way rain makes me feel, like it's cleansing the world around me. I love the wild flowers that pop up as a result of so much rain. I love the many benefits rain provides--water, healthy plants. 

    Rain is lovely--overall.  But yeah, I can be over it sometimes too. 😁 But yes, I do love the rain.  I do. 🤷🤣

   

Cherished Memories of When the Wands Chose Our Wizards

 

These amazing memories are from 2015 and I vividly remember how much awe we felt while this was happening. We felt the magic and I'm grateful that The Huz filmed it. 

8 years later, they still offer this experience. The specific participants are chosen randomly (or by the magic of the wand) but after the experience, people are led to the gift shop with a multitude of wands to choose from. 

The amusement park world is kinda crazy at the moment with the hype and the crowds, so experiencing these moments and sharing it with my loves, especially now that they are young adults, is something I wholeheartedly cherish. I'm thankful for the unique experiences we've been able to provide the brothers over the years, and frankly I'm looking forward to just continuing to share life with them in new and different ways.

For parents of young kids, take the pictures, record the moments, and write down memories or feelings. Life gets hectic--either sneaking up on you, slowly creeping or just fast as heck. But whenever you get the chance to stop, reflect and appreciate the good times and learn life lessons, take it. 

Also, love your kids wholeheartedly with no conditions or restrictions. 

I hope I say it and show it to them often, but I love my boys.  LOVE, Love them!!! 🤗

  

Imparting Truth to (Anti) Environmental Propaganda

 

Follow and Subscribe to Shelbizleee on Youtube for more content on sustainability & eco-minimalism. 

In this video she addresses some of the latest green washing and propaganda she's come across and I find her analysis and commentary informative. I can't believe that caring for the planet has become a polarizing topic, but realistically, there are big business and profits to be made from the anti-environmental stance. Also, to be fair, there's plenty of shady business practices that trick well intentioned consumers into believing what they're buying is environmentally friendly even though it isn't.

But I know there's others out there, like myself, that care enough about the health of the planet to contribute our own efforts to sustainability--even if it's in the small choices we make every day. And I'll always remain open minded to the science, which means that as more information is learned, conclusions may change--and that's all part of the process. Fact-check and consider the reliability and/or bias of your sources.

Overall, finding ways to lessen waste--recycling, reusing, reducing consumption--and using alternative energy can and does help the health of the planet.

East Long Beach Spotlight

Nice feature on the neighborhood.👏 I enjoyed seeing the sights and sounds I'm familiar with. It's fabulous to travel but it's also an amazing benefit to explore your own stomping grounds.

 

In addition to the above spiffy feature, we have specific favorite food spots too! 

• Hiccups Barista: Try their House Coffee...smooth & balanced. But their other drink offerings are pretty good as well--hard to go wrong depending on your preference. They also come out with unique new drinks from time to time to entice and intrigue us including Ube Lattes and Mung Bean drinks. We've tried them and love them. I also recommend their Banh Mi sandwiches. 
• Cha for Tea: We go here for various Milktea Boba selections and pair it with Popcorn chicken. It's a satisfying snack combination. It's mostly a take-out spot now. But what my family and I do is order it and eat it in the car so the chicken is hot and fresh. They give you these poking sticks to make it easy to eat so it's not a messy situation. Many memories have been had eating & drinking these snacks and having the best conversations in the car. 
• China Star Express: Here you can have a delicious fast-food/quick-service meal featuring tasty chow mein and various Chinese food options. Our family's go-to is the teriyaki chicken. And I also enjoy their Orange Chicken and my personal favorite, the Eggplant Tofu. They're been around for awhile and are a local favorite for this type of food. I'd much rather support them than a franchise. 
• Pepe and Chepito's Tacos: Right next door to China Star Express, is a solid Mexican food option. Our go-to hear are the street tacos which are inexpensive but have an additional discount on Taco Tuesdays. The meats are chicken, Al Pastor, Carne Asada, & Al Pastor, all seasoned well and comes with cilantro, onions and salsa as optional toppings. 
• Nomad Asian Bistro: This is an elegant Chinese Food family style sit-down restaurant great for celebrations and gatherings. The egg drop soup is simple but tasty and their fried rice is just delicious and we highly recommend. They're also known for their hand made noodles. Their prices are also reasonable for a sit-down restaurant. 
• Long Beach Fish Grill: They have various seafood options for anyone who wants to try, but we come here for the Clam Chowder bread bowls and french fries. Bread bowls are hard to find in general so this place is just a gem for the area. 
• KB Donuts: We come here for their breakfast burritos: ham or sausage. They are a neighborhood favorite with many regulars coming through. They have donuts and other sweets available. They also have blended drinks, coffees and other options as well. The service is friendly.

New businesses open here and there & we love to check them out and try out their offerings. Just like any neighborhood, nothing is perfect, but we're happy & proud to be part of this community. If you're in the area, I hope you explore & see what it has to offer. 😼