More Blue Apron!

With how busy I've been it's been tough to consistently get Blue Apron or even create new recipes but I was able to get a few in the last couple months.  They've looked so pretty in the pan while I've been preparing them that they were photographed before and after they made it to the plate!

Blue Apron now offers more choices (there are eight options now) and you can choose between any of the dishes without any stipulations.  If you want all meat, you can do pork, chicken and steak, or if you want to stay vegetarian, you have that choice as well.  AND if you want to get four recipes one week and two a different week, you now have that ability.  Blue Apron has definitely stepped up their game!

Starting on the top left going clockwise is a Mixed Mushroom Bucatini with Collard Greens.  It was a great vegetarian dish that was portioned well, packed with flavor and tasted other-worldly!  Not to mention it was pretty easy to make.  The second photo is Roasted Pork with Sauteed Apples, Broccoli in a Fontina Cream Sauce and Garlic Breadcrumbs.  I had originally taken Porf off my profile because I'm not a real big fan of it, aside from Bacon, because of course, Bacon!  This dish has made me think twice about incorporating it into my meals on occasion.  The edges of the Pork were roasted while the inside was juicy and tender and the Apples were so yummy.  This was a dish that required more attention to detail but it was really exciting to create something so pretty.  I made these Spicy Red Thai Curry Meatballs as an early going away Lunch for Giana.  I had never made Meatballs before but I would use the base they suggested again and again because they were delicious!  The Red Curry gave it a little kick while the coconut milk evened it out.  I love Curry dishes so this was a no-brainer choice for me!  That final photo is a Chipotle-Glazed Meatloaf with Crispy Potatoes.  I also added some Vegetables that I steamed and then sauteed for flavor to have as a side.  The Meatloaf was enough for three meals and I had used all the Chipotle Pepper and it was HOT!  I actually didn't mind the heat but it might have been a little much for the average eater.  This was the best Meatloaf I've ever made so I'll for sure be creating this recipe again!

I've got a busy month of May and June so hopefully I can hop back into Blue Apron once Summer heats up.  Until then you can follow my food adventures and all things fun on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lyndseywegner/ Thanks for reading and Happy Cooking :)

Photos from Dad's Visit to LA :)

My Dad came out to visit for nearly a week at the end of November for Thanksgiving!  We always pack so much into our trip and this one was no different.  From Karaoke, to Thanksgiving, the LA Auto Show, steak dinners, cocktails at Blind Barber, time with friends, and more, we had a great time.  I can't wait for Dad's next trip to LA!

Dad, Rutherford, and I ready to celebrate Thanksgiving after a fun morning
making our side dishes and having some Champagne :)

Rutherford & Kristina (the beautiful Hostess) on Thanksgiving!

Our Saint's & Sinner's reunion at Lubitsch...Dad's chilling in the back with his Maker's & Coke!

Dad loves his Grand-Dog Rutherford <3

I'm always looking for new ideas and fun things to do so I have something planned for Dad's next visit.  Feel free to comment below if you have any ideas you'd like to share :)

*And you may recognize some of these photos from my Instagram, but if not, feel free to give me a follow by clicking this link: Lyndsey on Instagram* Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone!

The 'Supernatural' Season Finale with Lisa Berry & Alaina Huffman

This season of 'Supernatural' has been incredible and really hooked me as a viewer.  I've been Hosting the 'Supernatural' Aftershow at Afterbuzz for the last three seasons with some awesome co-hosts but this season really takes the cake with excitement, twists and turns, and major plot points.  Not to mention all the wonderful guests that came in to discuss the show this season.  What made this finale even better was that Katie and I joined some of the cast and crew of 'Supernatural' to watch the show and live-tweet with all of them!

Katie and I with Lisa Berry & Alaina Huffman at Afterbuzz TV for the 'Supernatural' Season 11 Finale!

Live-tweeting is really difficult although I'm sure it's a little easier when you're working on the show and actually know what's coming next.  Seeing Lisa, Alaina, Emily (who plays The Darkness), Kathryn, Phil Sgriccia (whom directed the episode), Jim Michaels (produces the show), with Ruth skyping with all of us, was awesome.  I don't know how they keep up with all of it, including retweeting, commenting, and responding.  They'd go from 10 retweets to 357 in a matter of a minute; it's actually kind of mind-blowing!  It was a blast to do and so glad that we were able to be involved!  Thanks to Lisa for inviting us!

On Thursday we had our Finale episode of our Aftershow with Lisa and Alaina joining us in the studio.  We had a great show discussing the episode and what's to come for the series since they're already locked into Season 12.  With the way the show keeps going, I don't think it's ending any time soon!  We had so many predictions and thoughts, there was just so much to talk about.  Although, I felt a little underwhelmed with the ending; this entire time I thought someone was going to die and leave all of us hanging, but that didn't happen.  Granted, The Darkness and God are off together, working on their relationship but we don't know how they'll feel when we come back next season.  I still want to know what happened to Lucifer and how Rowena will come back in to play (plus I want to see a backstory on The Grand Coven) so I guess that keeps things exciting and not underwhelming!  Lisa and Alaina always bring such great insight and thought as to what's going on and with the Women of Letters storyline, I feel like Alaina could come back at any time!  Lisa is certainly waiting to reap Sam & Dean and will when the occasion arises.  These women are fans of the show and to hear their excitement is really entertaining!

To check out the episode click on the video above.  I love hearing from everyone while we're waiting for the new season so find me on Instagram at Lyndsey on Insta or tweet me on Twitter at Lyndsey Tweets.  Use the hashtag: abtvsupernatural and we can discuss anything about the show!  I hope you all enjoyed this season as much as I did :)

Dine LA Week

I love checking out new restaurants during Dine LA!  I was able to hit up a few different places at the end of January and look forward to going back to them in the future!

The Roof on Wilshire was my first Dine LA experience this last month and Aimee & Andy came with me.  It was a little bit rainy but the roof had covered tables and heat lamps so it ended up being perfectly fine.  The view was beautiful and we were all excited for Dinner.  I started with the Shells & Cheese while Aimee & Andy got the Brussels Sprouts.  Both appetizers were really big and enough for all three of us to share but I was hungry so I didn't mind.  I ordered the Bowl of Goodness with Shrimp that had Avocado, Quinoa, Siracha, Beans, and more.  It was so much food that I took over half of it home with me.  It was definitely spicy but everything worked really well together!  I finished off the meal with the S'mores Cheesecake which was really yummy and had a marshmallow melted on top.  On top of the three courses for $29 they also offered a cocktail of your choice so I decided on the Vodka Martini with Cucumber & Mint and it was delicious and refreshing!  I had enough leftover food for Dinner the next day!

The following week Jamie and I checked out Terrine which was just outside of West Hollywood and their outdoor patio where we sat was beautiful.  We stuck with the Dine LA menu but also added The Beef Tartare which was my first raw beef adventure and that was good.  I started with the Lobster Bisque which was nice but I loved the Truffle Agnolotti that Jamie ordered, perfect pillows, in a beautiful sauce that I wanted seconds and thirds!  We both decided on the Wagyu Beef Short Rib and that was incredible and tender; it was served with a Brown Butter Pomme Puree that was one of my favorite parts of the meal!  You can't go wrong with Brown Butter!  I decided on the Sticky Toffee Pudding for Dessert and it was a perfect end to the meal.  Their three courses were $39 and well worth it!

The Dine LA Menu at Terrine...Beef Tartare & Sticky Toffee Pudding

Jamie and I also had plans to check out one more place but decided to do some Happy Hour hopping around Beverly Hills instead and ended up spending $30 on a three-course meal with tax and tip!  We did good.  We started off at Crustacean and had to order the Garlic Noodles as these are noodles that dreams are made of!  I also got a no-carb burger which was served with cut green beans.  That was ok but the noodles always raise the bar!  We then walked over to Wolfgang Steakhouse and while Jamie got the Ribs I got the Steak Sliders which came with French Fries.  The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare and served with a horseradish sauce that was awesome.  I was really proud of our Beverly Hills Happy Hour dinner on a budget :)

I can't wait to go back to The Roof on Wilshire, especially when the sun is setting; it'll have a stunning view.  I'd like to go back to Terrine as well and try some other things off the menu.  Jamie really encourages me to try things that scare me, so she's the perfect date in situations like that!  I've already been back to Wolfgang since going with Jamie and had more delicious food there so that was fantastic!  Three new places for the win! 

To see more photos from Dine LA or if you want to check out my Food Adventures follow me on Instagram: Lyndsey Wegner on IG 

Sunsets in Los Angeles

I can't believe I don't take advantage of watching the sunsets when I'm just 15 minutes from the ocean.  Maybe it's because I'm afraid of the birds, and not a huge fan of the sand either.  It's probably also because finding parking takes at least 15 minutes and then you're walking an additional mile or two just to get to the beach.  Wah wah, am I really complaining about that?  Needless to say, when I do get to see a sunset, I'm completely awestruck by the beauty and colors in the sky.  I need to do it more often!

A little over a week ago I went to the first pool party I had been to in a long time.  It was definitely more low-key than the typical pool parties I went to in Hollywood years ago and I was really happy about that.  I asked Courtney from Afterbuzz if she wanted to come along with me since we had never hung out aside from Hosting and was also meeting up with a friend, Mark, that I gone to school with for 13 years back in Plymouth, Wisconsin, and it was our first time catching up since High School.  It was a celebration for his friends who had just wrapped a movie, and the party was in the Hollywood Hills just off of Laurel Canyon.  Of course, the house was stunning, and there was plenty of food to eat, BBQ, all the fixings and sides, with awesome people but the best part was the sunset we got to watch.  Then later on, we saw the Valley light up, as it got dark outside and it was just gorgeous!

Yesterday I helped Neil film a scene for his music video that's coming out next week. We had to shoot in Santa Monica on the beach, with the Ferris Wheel in the background, and nice natural light.  After he scared all the pigeons away from the car so I could get out (who throws pretzels around in the parking lot), we did our scene in four short takes and then it was on to his.  It was a quick shoot, and I helped Neil film one of the verses for his song using the camera dolly as we walked down the strand.  I couldn't leave without getting a picture on the beach, so I grabbed my phone and had Neil snap a shot.  Little did I know that I'd get my silhouette with the rays of light coming off the sun, hitting the lens, and creating a really amazing picture.  It required no filter and brought magic to the beach :) 

I just wanted to share these photos with everyone; check out more on my Instagram, so give me a follow.  Find me on Instagram here! 

Resolution Check-In!

We finally got some rain in LA this past week and rain makes me want to relax on the couch and watch old black and white movies with take-out and a bottle of wine.  Alas, I've got work later tonight at The Garage and I'm hoping people will want to come out and have some beer and tasty food to get out of the house during this dreary week!

Salted Caramel Goodness...

Since it's the last day in February I figured it was the perfect time to check in on my 2014 Resolutions.  I've certainly tried new Happy Hour and Restaurants in the past two months, trying Buffalo (in burger form) for the first time in January along with FIVE new restaurants during Dine LA week.  All my Dine LA restaurants have blogs dedicated to them in addition to instagram pictures.  This month I've had Happy Hour at Akasha and Dinner at Sage, a new Vegan restaurant in Culver City.  At Akasha I had a mushroom flatbread which was so good but very light so I had plenty of room for the bourbon salted caramel chocolate cake with ice cream.  Since it was Happy Hour I had to try their Citrus Germain which was vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon bitters and agave.  It was really refreshing!  At Sage I had a mushroom and leek burger with sliced mango and a saffron aioli which was delicious and perfectly spicy in addition to amazing chocolate espresso vegan ice cream.

As for trying new things and going out of town more often, I went to Pomona for the Drag Racing Winternationals, which was also a great Hosting day since I filmed clips for another Hosting Reel I'm currently working on.  I spent a few days in Phoenix for a friend's wedding and got to enjoy beautiful 80 degree days with good people, hiking mountains, and lots of wedding fun.  I saw another Troubadour show in January as well as my first ever Three Doors Down concert which was incredible!  I've even tried some new recipes that I'm just perfecting before I post them :)

Afterbuzz TV Headshot

Advancing my career in new ways was creating this new Hosting Reel after being in Pomona for the Drag Races and also having my first meeting with my Agent to set up a plan for what we want to target in the next few months.  I'm gaining more experience at Afterbuzz TV and have had some incredible meetings with new ideas and have already set them in motion.  Getting my ideas up and running is making sure I've got my content available for people to see.  I blogged and instagramed all my Dine LA experiences because I love food and I'd love to be able to go out to restaurants and try new dishes and talk about it and I'm getting great feedback on it as well!

I'm pretty happy with how 2014 has started and thanks to the Happiness Challenge I did in January I'm continuing with the positive and getting rid of the negative.  Make sure you're surrounding yourself with people who make you feel happy and better about yourself and the future.  There's no use in keeping people in your life who make you question yourself or doubting your inner happiness.  Rock on 2014!

To follow me on Instagram check out: http://instagram.com/lyndseywegner#

Featured on 'The Daily Server'

A couple weeks ago Robert liked one of my photos on Instagram and I looked at his page to see it was called, 'The Daily Server.'  Each day Robert posts from various restaurants throughout Los Angeles to New York, Nashville, and even Buenos Aires and profiles a different server or bartender.  I commented on one of his photos saying it was awesome that he was doing this because it's not every day that we have someone appreciate our hard-work and here he was sharing our work ethic to the Instagram world.

We went back and forth and he said he'd come by The Garage at some point.  I wasn't sure whether he really would or not but sure enough on a Monday evening in late January, Robert and some friends came to check out the bar.  They loved our generous selection of beers and Happy Hour menu.

Featured on The Daily Server's Instagram Page

So thank you Robert, for coming in and checking out the bar!  I hope you'll be back soon :)

*Find Robert's tribute to amazing service here: The Daily Server on Instagram

Drag Racing Winternationals in Pomona!

Last Tuesday I had a meeting with Matt D'Andria at the CarCast Studios in Glendale.  CarCast features hot rods, muscle cars, and anything automobile-related with expertise as well as humor considering it's hosted by Adam Carolla and Matt.  Thanks to Keven Undergaro and Phil Svitek at Afterbuzz TV for putting the wheels in motion :)

Not only did I get a tour of the studio that day and saw some incredible cars (including some of Paul Newman's old cars since they're working on a documentary) but Alexis DeJoria was the guest on their show that afternoon.  Her Assistant, Allison, and I chatted about LA, racing, and cars while we waited and she invited me to the drag races in Pomona this past weekend and I said I would love to go!

Alexis was racing in the NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car category and is the daughter of John Paul Mitchell, (of the famed hair products) who is also the owner of Tequila Patron, that sponsors her car.  She made history on Saturday as the first woman to make a pass under 4 seconds in a funny car, which is one of the elite classes.  She hit a speed of over 318 miles per hour!  Unfortunately I wasn't there to see that as I went on Sunday because I wanted to see the final rounds and find out who would take the win for the opening races of the 2014 season.

Alexis and I at the 2014 Winternationals in Pomona!

I've gone with my Dad drag racing a few times and he drives a Blown Alcohol 1931 Roadster with a 1957 Hemi-Engine.  He built the entire car from the bottom up on his own so it's customized and hits a top speed of over 170 miles per hour.  He won the Hunnert Car Heads Up in 2013.  This was a little bit different with cars hitting over 320 miles per hour.  Your whole body shakes as the car goes by and since I stood up against the fence, I was right in the action.

Thumb's Up for John Force's win!

I got to see the Force girls race as well as legendary John Force but I was Team Alexis since we were invited by her and her team.  Neil offered his help by filming me doing some Hosting spots as well as getting some action shots right down by the track.  We even got to hang out in the Patron Hospitality tent and have Lunch as well as cocktails and meet some fun people.  She was one of the last cars to go in her category as she was coming in third and as she was up against Gary Densham she pulled out faster but after 100 feet her tires started smoking and he took the win.  She was knocked out in the first round on Sunday and definitely bummed when I saw her later in the tent.  I'm still really glad I got a chance to talk to her and thank her for having us.

On top of walking around and looking at all the exhibits, cars, and snack stops I had to support Alexis and get a purple t-shirt from booth her as well as a John Force t-shirt just in case I would run into him so I could get an autograph for my Dad.  John had a busy day from the beginning and ended up winning the whole thing for his 7th time in Pomona.  I actually got a lot of great video footage throughout the day thanks to Neil and I hope to put together a fun little video/reel from my first major drag race.  

Thankfully there was a really nice and healthy lunch at the Patron tent so the smell of hot dogs, pizza, and fried food was curbed by the yummy spicy pasta and chicken marsala.  And we were able to drink Tequila all day and enjoy it with the fun cocktails they had come up with!  The season starts and ends in Pomona which is pretty cool since it's less than an hour away and I'm already looking at where the upcoming races are and when I could go and see more.  Let's hope one of the next times my Dad will be able to come with me!

Special thanks to Neil for coming with me and dragging a camera around with him all day so I could put together a reel from this event!!

*To see other photos from Winternationals, Dine LA, and everything else check out and follow me on Instagram at http://instagram.com/lyndseywegner#

I'm on Instagram!

I finally joined the Smartphone world just a couple weeks ago and have access to everything right at my fingertips.  It was quite the feat just to get the phone and get it going thanks to a postal and apartment fiasco but it finally arrived and I practically hugged the UPS worker!  I didn't even have Internet on my old phone which in all actuality was kind of nice.  But now that I have this phone, it'll be hard to let it go.  In fact, I'm surprised my phone doesn't breathe for me with all the things it can do.

In addition to being able to check my e-mail, have an amazing camera with me at all times, check my Facebook and Fantasy Football scores and just feel connected to the world, I joined Instagram to share pictures with those who want to see some amazing food, fun, and friends!

You can find me on Instagram at: http://instagram.com/lyndseywegner# 

Happy Sunday :)