‘#40days’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Review: Boom Burger {Rochelle Park, NJ}

July 17, 2013 · Narrative

It all started with a Groupon.

Two burgers, two orders of fries, one jumbo cupcake, and one 38 oz (super size!) alcoholic drink.

$27

A new restaurant that we hadn’t yet visited. Boom Burger.

A bit out of our local area, but not too bad.

Easy decision.

The restaurant is very easy to find, right off the Garden State Parkway and near IKEA and the Garden State Plaza Mall. Ample parking in the lot, and we were greeted as soon as we walked in.

We asked for a booth, if available, and since there weren’t any on the “restaurant” side, they suggested a half booth in the bar area. Perfect. But holy short seats, Batman! I swear I felt like my knees were hugging my chest the whole time during our two hour stay, and it was definitely a little bit of a challenge when we got up to leave.

The waitress came over to take our drink order, and we asked for her suggestions on burgers. Although she pointed out several menu items that she loved, we ended up going with different selections, but kudos to her for being helpful and knowing the menu and offerings. Some days, that’s a rarity! The menu, while not huge, offers enough of a variety that everyone should be able to find something easily. I personally find the huge menus too overwhelming. Odd that the online menu doesn’t include prices. The burgers were between $7-10 each.

When we saw the Guido Burger (with roasted red peppers, mozzarella, and a balsamic basil spread), we felt it our obligation, as born and bred Jerseyans, to order it. We also ordered the traditional Boom Burger, which featured two patties with cheese in the middle, and Boom Sauce on the side (sauce that you may more commonly know as Thousand Island).

For the fries, we went with the Parmesan and Rosemary version, and the standard version.

The alcoholic drinks are all named by color, and we chose the “pink.” Good and strong. They also have Sangria Towers available, which are perfect if you’re going with a large group.

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40 Days of Water {Blood:Water Mission}

March 7, 2013 · Narrative

Last year, on Fat/Shrove Tuesday, I gave up Diet Coke. I actually didn’t give it up specifically for Lent, even though it nicely coincided with the start of it. I happened to hear a news clip on the radio that day about some new statistics and they were just too much for me to ignore.

And so it began.

I had tried giving it up once before, in 2011 when I started clean eating. And made it 10 days and failed, largely because of the lack-of-caffeine-induced-headaches that started. I just couldn’t deal. (And as a side note, I wasn’t drinking coffee then, so wasn’t getting caffeine from any other source)

So now, it’s been a year without Diet Coke (minus two minor infractions in the very beginning) and I survived. It was hard. I used to dream about Diet Coke. To me, then, nothing was as refreshing. And now? I just can’t imagine drinking it again. Because the taste has been so far removed from my palate, it no longer holds the same magic for me.

So a few weeks ago, when Lent rolled around, I debated about giving up something, and if so, what? I don’t always give up something, and it’s not always a material item. One year, I gave up making excuses. But then I started reading some things about 40 Days of Water and I had it.

See … when I gave up Diet Coke, I started drinking ginger ale. Not as much as I used to drink Diet Coke. Not even close. A couple times a week. Since it’s caffeine-free, clearly it’s the carbonation that I was seeking. But I felt, particularly lately, that I was looking for it a little too much. Like, if I didn’t have a glass of it with dinner, it just wasn’t the same.

I was getting addicted to it. Does that sound silly? I was hosting a party about a month ago and when I realized I didn’t have any ginger ale in the house, I ran out just to get some. And that’s when I decided it had to go, and when I learned about 40 Days of Water, it was the perfect way to turn giving ginger ale the ‘ol heave ho into something better.

The idea of 40 Days of Water is that you forego your favorite cappuccino, latte, or soda, and drink water instead. And then you donate that money you would have spent on your favorite go-to drink to Blood:Water Mission so people in Uganda can have clean water.

So I get my cravings for ginger ale out of my system.

I end up drinking more water, which I wanted and need to anyway.

I make another intentional choice that speaks to clean eating.

And I donate a little bit to a good cause.

And, of course, I am saving money by drinking more water and no ginger ale.

How many more reasons did I need to go forward?

None.

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Recipe: Thai Turkey Burgers {Eat. Live. Be.}

March 6, 2013 · Narrative

When it comes to burgers, sometimes it’s all about the burger.

And sometimes it’s all about the toppings.

But rarely is it about both.

And when it is, it’s just about magical.

Not Disneyworld magical. But happy tastebuds, fully belly, no guilt magical.

Last week, I got a text message from a friend with this recipe. And the words “this is awesome.” So, of course, I had to try it. It is a bit similar to other turkey burger recipes we’ve tried and loved, but just different enough to warrant its own time in the spotlight. And since I happened to have all the ingredients on hand (hello freezer prep!), it was kismet that it should become dinner.

With turkey burger recipes, what you combine with the meat is important because without the right combination, you can end up with a dry hockey puck for dinner.

Something which no amount of toppings can cure.

And it can also swear you off turkey burgers forever and a day.

This one works. Moist, with subtle flavor, juicy, and clean eating. And less than thirty minutes to table!

Now when it comes to toppings, I’m all the-more-the-better. I especially like when there’s so much that they’re dripping through my fingers.

Which is something that perhaps should only be enjoyed in the confines of your own home, and not on a first date.

You know?

I served these on toasted whole wheat buns, and topped mine with goat cheese and sliced avocado.

And it doesn’t get much better than that.

These were also totally kid-approved too. After Nick’s first bite, he declared them “awesome,” and went about hoovering the rest. I served Madeline’s without the bread, and ketchup for dipping. Because that’s how she rolls.

If you’re looking for a side dish for this, the Verry Veggie Rice Bowl from yesterday’s post would be an excellent choice, or this couscous recipe or this Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Pasta Salad (which I’m totally craving again).

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