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Lala Castro

Family Vacations Travel Trip Ideas

Visit Yosemite This Spring for Waterfalls and Wildflowers

Yosemite Valley is experiencing one of its wettest winters in more than four years, making this spring the ideal time to visit for waterfalls and wildflowers. Make sure to swing by early in the season to see the ephemeral falls that are at their fullest this time of the year. Among these brief, but stunning attractions, are Horsetail Fall and Ribbon Fall. Yosemite’s most iconic waterfall, Yosemite Falls, whose multiple cascades can be seen from numerous places around the valley,…

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Food & Drink Recipes & Chefs Sponsored

#KnorrCelebrations: Mexican Pasta de Fideos with Shrimp a la Diabla

Sponsored post by Lunchbox Sopa de fideo is one of the most traditional soup recipes in my home.  I remember as a child my mom would always make this delicious soup when we got home from school.  In fact, you’ll find this thin pasta in most Mexican homes.  I guess you can say it’s our version of spaghetti, but in a juicy warm tomato based chicken broth.  If you go to any Latin market, you’ll find two types of “fideo”,…

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Food & Drink Wine & Cocktails

Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail Recipe

Add a little color to your Sunday Champagne brunch with a Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail.  The ruby-tinted cocktail would be perfect during spring gatherings with friends, or who are we kidding, alone.  Don’t get me wrong, I love regular mimosas too, but once in a while it’s nice to have options. This bubbly cocktail recipe is easy to make, just squeeze a few blood oranges and add Champagne.  I order my blood oranges through Melissa’s Produce.  They’re usually available January-March…

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Food & Drink Sites and Apps Technology Wine & Cocktails

Top Wine Apps That Will Turn You Into a Wine Geek

In honor of National Drink Wine Day, which is observed February 18, I researched a few mobile wine apps that will inspire or help any newbie sound like a wine geek genius.  Just like you, I’m always looking for a new wine to try that’s not only delicious, but are also easy to find that won’t break the bank.  I’ve had my fair share of wine, but I’m far from being a sommelier, which is why I rely on research and…

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Food & Drink Wine & Cocktails

Louisiana: Watch Out New Orleans, Lafayette Creates An Official Cocktail

New Orleans has the Hurricane, Louisville, Ky. has the Mint Julep and now Lafayette, La. has the Sweet Crude Rouler™ as its official cocktail. The creation of the Rouler™ was the brainchild of David Meaux, founder of Rank Wildcat Spirits™, the first spirits distiller in Lafayette Parish. Sweet Crude Rum is their award-winning small-batch white rum and is produced using sugar cane grown in Acadiana, the area surrounding Lafayette Parish known for its authentic South Louisiana Cajun and Creole food,…

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Culinary Affairs Food & Drink

Culinary Affairs: Sunday Funday Brunch Menu at Home

I love having get together’s at home. Sadly, because of my busy schedule, I don’t get to do them often.  Which is why I enjoy going all out when I have friends come over.  Just to keep it interesting, I love to surprise my guests with theme ideas and the unexpected that I think they would enjoy.  Being that brunch food is one of my favorite meals, I surprised my good friend Denisse of OrphanedEarrings and her hubby German with a Sunday…

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Food & Drink Recipes & Chefs

Easy Mouthwatering Chorizo & Queso Empanadas

It is said that empanadas first appeared in Portugal, around the time of the establishments of trade routes to India, which some may believe they were influenced by the Indian samosas.  Could be true, if you think about it, they are very similar in taste, just different fillings.  In Galicia and Portugal, empanadas are prepared similar to a large pie which is then cut into pieces to make it a portable and hearty meal for people at work. The fillings…

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