Chips

One of the freebies I received on my tour of Whole Foods, I received these chips. I had saved them for Lisa, but gave in to a craving after a long day at work and opened up the package. They looked and tasted just like Cheetos except for the white cheese and the larger puff. I did notice a slight difference in the lighter taste in comparison to Cheetos, maybe a little more like rice. They are a great substitute. I was quite impressed.

Unfortunately, I lost some faith the next day. I hadn't finished the whole package the previous afternoon. (By the way there was more in the bag than I photographed.) So, I put the leftovers in some Snapware. I'm pretty sure the Snapware is decent, but it clearly did not keep the chips from getting stale overnight. Twenty-four hours later, the chips were not worth eating.

It's definitely something you would want to buy in smaller packaging and eat in one sitting. But, if you have gluten allergies or know someone who does, I think this snack is great for a guilty little pleasure.

After our post nearly three weeks ago about our amazing trip to Paxia, our friends and photographers, Jim and Garrett, went to Paxia the next day (Friday). They had the same server we did and had the same incredible experience.

However, we went back with Garrett on Sunday night and had a slightly different experience. It actually took about 30 minutes to get our chips and salsa. I learned that only one basket of chips is complimentary. Any more than that is )I believe) $4.99 a basket. That price is a bit steep in my book--even for the best chips and salsa in town.

Garrett ordered the black bean soup to be split between the three of us, and the waitress brought us three spoons. We decided it was a good idea to have two extra bowls, too. She had told Garrett the soup was good. It tasted like a black bean dip. Good, but not earth-shattering. The same lack of thought replayed when the family-style rice and beans were delivered without serving utensils. We either used chips or our silverware before we ate with it.

The guac and salsa were again top of the ladder. We would go there all the time if only those were good.

Cost Per Person $15.00

The first time I heard of Paxia, I was getting off of I-4 and saw a guy dancing around with a sign saying it was the best Mexican restaurant in Orlando. The next time I heard of Paxia was less than a week later when I was researching the restaurants participating in Eat Local Week sponsored by Slow Food Orlando. Tonight we chose to dine there mainly because I couldn't remember any other restaurant on our list and it was close by--because it was getting late (like 5) and I was very hungry. Boy, was I glad it was the only one I could think of!

Let's start with our entrance into the restaurant. This is only the second restaurant I've ever seen that actually tries to sit people in the windows first so that the place looks full. Of course, by the time we left, the place was full so it didn't really matter! But, it's a wise marketing move. The greeter who seated us was the first person at any restaurant we've been to this week to completely explain the concept of Slow Food, and he did so in great accurate detail.

Cost Per Person $12.00

Back in the middle of August, I stopped off at Target to pick up a chocolate cheesecake for a going away party at the office. I figured I was the pregnant one and therefore they had to eat what the pregnant woman wanted. Luckily, everyone was pleased with my choice (or at least pretended to be.) As I was pulling out of the shopping center, I noticed a Jason's Deli and remembered I had a gift card in my "card wallet" for dining there. I decided I'd been eating out so much, which was not in our budget originally, I would use the card to get a free lunch. Luckily, my little wrap only cost about $6; so, I have leftovers on the card to be visiting again over the next couple months--taking advantage of the vegetarian soup selection and salad bar.

Firstly, I would like to thank all the people who have emailed or commented their congratulations in the blessing of God giving us a child. It is wonderful having such a supportive network of friends and family. We are getting increasingly excited. Although, I have been getting flack from certain friends for not being more excited. However, when I jump out of bed in the morning not from the propulsion of the great energy gained from a good night's sleep (in fact, quite the opposite), but from the need of my stomach to see the inside of the toilet first thing. . .it's kinda hard to be jumping around for any reason.

Jose's is located just one exit from the Jackson Airport. We ate there right after we landed from a delayed flight. That being said, we likely are biased on the food because we were so hungry, but we thought it was really good!

Eat Like a Rabbit is home from a fabulous field trip to study food across the Atlantic. The experience was incredible, and I invite you to stay tuned to the entire story of the trip with specific reviews of restaurants. Unfortunately, we are suffering from jet lag and are trying to get back into the swing of things both at home and at work. ELAR prides itself on sharing pictures of food and other experiences and therefore will delay in posting stories about the trip until the photos and/or videos have been edited. Please forgive the delay.

Paco's is a small restaurant on Fairbanks Avenue and should almost have a downtown Orlando address instead of a Winter Park address. With its size and mismatched table linens and chairs, it might be hard to imagine how the restaurant could be celebrating 27 years and consistently have a line of hungry patrons waiting in the small entrance. The easiest answer would be really good food and really good service.

Nachos don't normally come under the heading of excellent food for the body. But maybe it's just the way they are put together. When done using fresh ingredients, there isn't too much you can say against them. That being said, if it were served with a salad or had a salad on top of it, it would look perfectly appetizing and healthy.

It was dark one evening and I was running around Costco in my scrubs. This doesn't make me special, but it does tell you I had a long day. I pulled 10 hours at work, dined with my folks and my grandmother for some special occasion, and had to do it all over again the next day.

I'm a good shopper. I go in with my list, focus on what I need to get, analyze prices, and get out quickly spending roughly what I had estimated food items for a week would cost. On this specific day; however, I was running a bit slow. I was still focused, but I had a few interruptions along the way.