Yummiest little place in Wilkes-Barre!

I was driving in Wilkes Barre, PA about a week ago and had the opportunity to stop at one of my favorite little restaurants, the Anthracite Café. After being to many, and I mean many, different restaurants in the NEPA area, I forgot how much I really enjoyed their food and casual atmosphere. I think it’s about time that everyone knew about this little gem!

Their selection of salads, sandwiches, soups, wings and specialty dishes never let me down and they make some of the BEST wing sauces I have ever tasted! The Hot Maple Garlic is probably one of my favorites - Yum! They even make different sauces like Peanut Butter & Jelly, Rosemary Ranch, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Mango Jalapeno, Old Bay Garlic Butter and some normal sauces like Mild, Hot and Cajun. Regardless of what flavor you choose, your taste buds will thank you! My favorite meals there are probably the B&B’s Chicken Strips, which are strips of chicken doused in whatever sauce you’d like, the Pretzel Chicken, and the Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak (can you tell I enjoy chicken?) They serve a variety of different meats but those are just a few of my personal favorites!

On top of fantastic food, they have an amazing bar! For all you drinkers out there, they house a crazy variety of different beverages. I’m a fan of IPA’s and Specialty/Seasonal brews – they do not disappoint! Some of the few I have enjoyed there are the Arrogant Bastard Ale, Victory Hop Devil, Pete’s Strawberry Blonde and Wells Banana Bread.

For the full menu of their drinks, check this out --> Drinks!

The Anthracite Café is just as rich in history as they are with their food.  When you walk into their dining area the walls are covered in old photographs of the beautiful Wyoming Valley from the early 1900’s. The Anthracite Café started off as the Anthracite Hotel and has been family owned for four generations. Now, the Anthracite Café is owned by a local restaurateur who is from the area and keeps their homemade, friendly atmosphere alive!  Like them on Facebook!

Anthracite Cafe, 1907

So if you're in the area, check out this little gem and enjoy!

xx
Jolie Kasar

How Full Is Your Glass?

Hello loves!

     I took a bit of a hiatus from the Internet in hopes to relieve some MAJOR amounts of stress in my life. I've come to the conclusion that this was completely necessary, but not because I wanted to be unsocial or cut people completely out of my life. I absolutely needed to reevaluate the way I looked at things. As funny as it may seem, it helped me realize how pessimistic I was with events that I could have, ultimately, taken control of in a healthier way.

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” 
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom: Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

     For instance, I was becoming self-doubtful in my career path and some choices I had made. I laid in bed one night, contemplating everything - pretty much on the verge of tossing everything away. In the midst of all of that, I hit a brick wall of realization. I had an epiphany! I knew I was looking at things in a negative light, so I just needed to switch that around. It seems so easy but when you’re stuck in a funk, man, you’re stuck. It really boils down to the determination you have to get the hell out of that sticking point and motivation to move forward towards greater things. I knew that if I wanted anything to change, I had to start with myself and how I was addressing situations.

     “Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.” 
― Mahatma Gandhi

     I got up and starting looking up motivational quotes, Pinterest is awesome for that, and researching how to become more optimistic. I stumbled upon a really great chart that narrowed down some unhealthy thinking styles. It’s funny how some of them I pointed to and said “Oh, I do that!” I knew that I had to improve on those at that point.

Find more at Health Central!

     Now don’t get me wrong, I am an optimistic person for things like solving issues related to my job and even for other people; however, I think we all hit snags in the road when it comes to ourselves. We just need to look at things differently. When a personal issue enters my life now, I do my best to stay focused on the solutions, get advice from other people or even try different approaches than I normally would of. It’s amazing what changes this has brought to my life since it has allowed me to see myself differently and communicate better with those who respect me and my time. I have also learned to not blame myself or personalize the situation when others leave my life for their reasons.

     I don’t think that being optimistic is so much about being positive but more about being motivated and persistent. It's about being able to look at a situation and seeing the good or just using the event to grow as a person in a positive light. Enough of my babbling! How full do you think your glass is??

xx

Jolie Kasar

Yummy Two Ingredient Recipes!

Hello loves!
So, I am a food lover. Actually, I should correct that and say sweets lover; however, I'll pretty much eat anything that's yummy! I figured I would present to you all a few of my favorite recipes that are only two ingredients (unless you want to add more), are incredibly easy to make and are surprisingly healthy! 

It wasn't until the past couple of years I really started focusing more on my nutrition and watching what I ate. Like I mentioned before 
<---- SWEETS lover! I think I could easily down a whole apple pie myself. 

Anywho, I think that these little recipes are quick, easy and help stop urges for downing pies!

RIPE BANANAS + ROLL OATS = OATMEAL COOKIES

View Recipe with Pictures

Ingredients:
2 large old bananas (because they mush better but you can use fresh ones too)
1 cup of oats (can use quick or regular)

Optional (this is what you can add into the mixture or choose others): 
1/4 Walnut pieces
1 TSP Cinnamon
1 TSP Raisins
1 Handful Chocolate Chips


Instructions:

1. Set oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix the bananas and the oats together. If it's too runny, add more oatmeal.
3. Add your optional mix-in ingredients (make sure there are not TOO many in there or it won't hold, hence why the measurements next to them)
4. Grease up cookie sheet and plop spoonful of mixture onto sheet. 
5. Put in oven for 15 min.

**Measurements make about 16 cookies**

RIPE BANANAS + EGGS = PANCAKES

Okay, so I make these quite often since I'm a huge fan of breakfast! =D These are probably the best pancakes I have eaten as well!


View the full recipe here (with pictures)


Ingredients:
1 large, ripe banana (should be about 1/3-1/2 cup, mashed)
2 eggs
1/8 teaspoon baking powder (optional)
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat skillet or griddle to medium heat
2. Mush up banana in bowl - mush it pretty well so it's not lumpy
3. Add eggs and optional items (baking powder, cinnamon, blueberries, strawberries) and mix well.  I usually put in blueberries or chocolate chips =D
4. Spray pan lightly with non-stick spray
5. Pour 2 tablespoons of batter on pan and cook until bottom appears set (30-60 seconds)
6. Flip and let cook for another minute or less
7. Serve warm with butter and syrup

Serves about 10-12 3" pancakes.

COLBY JACK CHEESE+ CHEESE NIPS = CHEESE CRISPS

I had to make sure I got at least one snack in here besides piling on the sweet stuff, hehe. These aren't the healthiest snack but they are quick and delicious!!

Ingredients:
1 block of cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese
Package of baked Cheese Nips

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
2. Using a grater, shred small pile of cheese into a circle on a baking pan (about 12 slides on grater)
3. Spread cheese in pile evenly so it's all the same thickness
4. Crumble up 2 Cheese Nips over the cheese and distribute evenly (2 Cheese Nips per circle)
5. Bake in over for 5-8 minutes (They will turn golden brown when crispy otherwise can be chewy)
6. Let cool for about 2 minute and remove with spatula. 
7. Let cool completely before eating.

To see the original recipe with pictures, click here.

Enjoy!!! 

xx
Jolie Kasar