Livin' It Up... L'Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana

Work released at 2pm on Wednesday which is a treat in itself before a four day weekend. I raced home to pack my bags before hitting the road to head to L'Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Left around 5pm and checked into the hotel around 8:30ish.

I'm a Vegas girl and first impressions of this casino was underwhelming. I'm use to sensory overload of lights and sounds. I've heard from multiple people that L'Auberge is "upscale" and had high hopes. Having been raised in Las Vegas I had a lot to compare it to and this hotel reminded me of Fremont Street/Downtown Vegas and not the hustle and bustle of The Strip. 

My tolerance level was low after check-in. July was our last vacation so I was exhausted and burnt out on work and the daily routine, had drove almost three hours, starving, and then the casino was a bummer. Not to mention, the hotel smelled weird and was flooded with an "interesting" array of people. 

I was hangry!!! We decided on dinner at Asia. We were seated immediately and the service was prompt. The restaurant smelled amazing. Ordered the beef satay appetizer, wonton soup, and Mongolian beef and chicken fried rice to share. The food tasted heavy handed on sesame oil. I've had better Asian food from Pei Wei for much, much, much less. A disappointing dinner added fuel to the fire. 

(Tried Video Poker but it's not my favorite.)

Gambled on their casino floor and the slots are TIGHT!! My absolute favorite slot machine is Goddess of Gold which I've had really good payouts on, however, I blew through $20 and didn't win a dime. It was very disappointing. Not to mention the machines are effin' disgusting. They was grime on every machine. Where's the hand sanitizer?!! Ick!!! 

I was so ready for bed and hoped that a good nights' sleep would put me in a better mood and more tolerable. 

The best part of the hotel was the bedding which is the same as the Omni Hotel in Dallas. Slept so good for the three nights I was there which made the decision to try something new over Thanksgiving break less of a blow. Oh, and the water bottles are free. That's a plus, as well as an A/C unit that works well. 

(The view didn't provide for much to look at and the chair by the window was very uncomfortable.)

My favorite float since it reminded me of Little Man.)

Woke up Thanksgiving morning pulled open the drapes. The view was okay. We overlooked the pool which was beautiful and the lazy river does look like an enjoyable time. I attempted to make a cup of coffee with the in-room Keurig to enjoy while getting ready and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade but practically spit it out. It was garbage. Ugh! Needing coffee I agreed to cutting the parade short to grab breakfast.

We decided on Favorites Southern Kitchen for breakfast despite the low ratings on Yelp since all the restaurant reviews seemed to be about the same. I ordered the veggie omelet with a side of hash browns and wheat toast. Breakfast was good and the coffee was amazing. I think I had three cups!

Headed to the Golden Nugget Casino which was less than a mile away and actually a beautiful walk on a boardwalk with boat slips at both casinos and two man made beaches with large Adirondack chairs and music playing. I could see myself sitting out there enjoying the view on a warmer day.

Before exiting L'Auberge we passed by two giant fireplaces. They were lovely but wished that the sitting made more sense so you could actually sit and enjoy the fireplaces and the view. That is one thing I really enjoy doing on vacation... grabbing a coffee and people watching in the lobby. Oh well. 

The Golden Nugget restored my happiness for this trip and would be the only reason I come back to Lake Charles with the intent to gamble. This is a "Vegas" hotel feel. Great restaurants, loose slots, and a much cleaner atmosphere. Oh and lots of smiles and pleasant personalities from the staff. Drink service was fantastic and the ladies were beautiful and sweet as can be. I was impressed with how quickly the staff would clean up after patrons removing empty glasses and emptying out ashtrays. Extremely prompt!

The only downside to the Golden Nugget was the cash machines. 2 of the 3 in this particular section went down and were operating as "ATM Only" and then it went down to 1 of the 3 operating as "ATM Only" and only one cash out. The lines were ridiculously long and the patience level of the patrons was extremely low. Coupled with alcohol consumption they were assholes. I didn't really mind since I am a "go-with-the-flow" kinda gal and would wait it out until the line dwindled. FYI... the ATM machines state a $5 fee for withdrawals, however, when I arrived home to check my balance I saw the $5 charges for each of my $100 withdrawals and then three separate $2.50 fees. WTF?!! 

... also, penny slots here in Lake Charles are not really one cent plays like I'm use to. Machines were 25 cents minimum. Ugh!! I enjoy taking my time and not blowing through my cash within minutes. I also wish that they had more than one Goddess of Gold machine. It is heavily sought after because of the payouts. 

We did not want to miss out on Thanksgiving dinner so we hit up their buffet which was serving some Thanksgiving favorites. The food was awful, every bit of it. 

Walked around the shops which of course as expected were overpriced and very upscale boutiques. Still fun to window shop though. 

(My bounty... no shame!)

Thursday night we lounged around the room watching TV and stuffing ourselves with snacks before passing out. 

(The Dallas Cowboys lost. I got a lot of attention from my tee. Ha!)

We slept in Friday morning and didn't get our day started until almost noon. We were going to take advantage of the free breakfast buffet comp but didn't make it out of the room on time and decided on the Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar at Golden Nugget. This meal was the most memorable of the entire trip and absolutely crave worthy! We started with the beef nachos as an appetizer and I had the carnitas tacos with a giant strawberry mojito. I was feelin' good! I raved about our lunch all day long. The service was amazing and the server was incredibly friendly and attentive. 

Friday afternoon we took a break from the casino floor and I left with a raging headache after a woman sitting next to my machine kept blowing smoke in my direction. So we ended up back in the room so I could take a nap. Woke up from the nap with the headache still there. Headed down to Sundries to get pain reliever before heading to dinner. 

We've been eyeing the Jack Daniels Bar & Grill since we arrived to the hotel since it is located at the base of the tower elevators and wanted to give it a try. We sat outside since I still had a headache and figured a more quiet setting would be a wise choice. I decided against a cocktail and downed water and a coke. Thankfully my headache was finally gone. I ordered the blackened salmon with asparagus and a loaded baked potato. The salmon was extremely fishy and unenjoyable. I ate half, all of the asparagus, and then went to town on the baked potato. It was so smooth and creamy. Divine!!! The only unpleasant experience about this place was sitting by the pool and getting tore up by mosquitoes. I have about 15-20 bites between both feet. Ouch! 

... and our server was a bit of a ditz. We had maybe taken three bites of our dinner and she was asking if we wanted dessert and at one point asked if she could clear the table of the empty glasses and ended up trying to clear our dinner plates which still had lots of food on them. WTF?!! 

(Loved the decor in the bar and the servers' uniforms.)

(Cactus made out of horseshoes.)

Saturday morning we packed our bags and checked out of the hotel. I could not wait to get the hell out of there. Headed to the Golden Nugget for a final round of gambling. Believe it or not, on the video Roulette I hit my number 15 two times in a row on my first two attempts. On the way out I grabbed Starbucks for the road. 

This was my first and last time at L'Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana. If staying at the properties there isn't much to do other than gamble unless you like to golf. I'll either head to Vegas or come and stay at the Golden Nugget for two nights max. I could not believe that a trip here was more expensive than a roundtrip ticket and hotel at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas for the same number of nights. Although I left disappointed overall there were some highs and I am happy to have had the experience. 

Doin' Some Cookin'... Almond Joy Shakeology

Since joining my first challenge group back in August after being introduced to Beachbody's 21 Day Fix my favorite way to have the chocolate Shakeology was to blend it with a tablespoon of peanut butter and a banana. As of today there is a new favorite... Almond Joy.

Oh em gee!!

One of my favorite candies in a diet friendly shake that I can have any time of day. I'm a sucker for all things coconut and almonds are my favorite nut. This is so incredibly satisfying and crave worthy!

I look forward to having this again and again... better order a couple extra blender jars.

Almond Joy Shakeology

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 1/2 cups lowfat milk (use almond milk if you have it)
• 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
• 2 tbsp almond butter 
• 1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
• ice, to taste

And Action:


Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Roasted Butternut Squash

(Tastes better than it looks, promise!)

Roasted butternut squash has got to be my favorite side dish. I say side dish but truth is, I will make this with the intention of eating it as a meal all by itself. It's that good. Roasting the squash gives it a tender almost buttery texture and full of flavor when seasoned with thyme and garlic.

I read an article about cheap ways to eat clean and frozen butternut squash made the list and I am glad I picked some up. With the weather turning cold here in Houston it's the perfect way to serve up a taste of Fall. But you don't have to wait until Fall to enjoy this because remember! Frozen butternut squash made the list of cheap clean eats so you can enjoy this all year long.

Roasted Butternut Squash

Adapted From: Running In A Skirt

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 2 cups butternut squash, cubed (thawed if using frozen)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp garlic infused olive oil
• sea salt and black pepper, to taste

And Action:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and coat baking sheet with cooking spray.

Put squash in a bowl and toss to coat well with olive oil and seasonings.

Pour onto the baking sheet and spread out trying to avoid the pieces from touches.

Roast for 20-30 minutes stirring occasionally until browned and crispy on the edges. Enjoy! 

Livin' It Up... Houston Texans vs New York Jets

We were released early from work Friday afternoon and before picking up Little Man from daycare I swung over to the mall to pick up some Texans gear from Victoria's Secret Pink NFL Collection. I knew it was going to be cold come Sunday and luckily found the last sweater in a medium (didn't think it would fit but to my surprise I have dropped a size in the last couple of weeks).

Because tickets included a tailgate party that started at 10am I had to set an alarm Sunday morning for 8am. Alarms on the weekend, ick!! 

Excitement of going had me up before the alarm and I was ready to go before the discussed 9am departure time. 

The Steelers had a bye week so I rep'd a Cowboys jersey underneath the Texans sweater. When my date saw me he said, "Uh... your sweater is see through." I was busted! I'm not a fan of the Texans or the Jets so it really pained me to wear this sweater. I'm such a poser. Having this on underneath really did make me feel better. 

The drive there and parking were a breeze. We decided to pass up the Churrasco's tailgate party and head inside to see what grub they had there. After riding two escalators and making it to the Verizon Club Level we were greeted by a band playing early 90s jams (swoon!! and the singer kept making eyes and winking at me!!) and a Bloody Mary Bar. "Do you want one now?" I kept saying I could wait but I couldn't. It was so awesome. You purchase your vodka (Grey Goose for me!) and then take your cup over to the bar and make your own adding the bloody mary mix, Worcestershire sauce, garnishes (celery, pickled okra, garlic stuffed olives, pickle) and shaking some celery salt on top and finishing it off with some lime juice. I had two! They were that good but holy shit they were expensive. $24!! 

We decided on grabbing burgers from Prince's. Another fun experience. You order your plain burger with fries and then take it over to a toppings bar where a server adds toppings of your choice. I went overboard. Swiss and bleu cheese, bacon, fried and grilled red onions, tomato, lettuce, and little bit of mayo. These burgers were perfectly seasoned and the fries were crisp with soft centers. I didn't get a picture because it was too good to stop eating. 

As we were walking to our seats we were stopped and gifted with a $100 gift card to The Republic Smokehouse. Wahoo! Never been and looking forward to trying a new restaurant in H-Town. 

It was 15 minutes to kickoff so we took our seats and ended up wedged between a judgmental middle aged woman and another middle aged woman with her husband. She did not shut the fuck up the entire time. Screamed and added commentary the ENTIRE game. I'm sure her husband loves Mondays when she wakes up with no voice. 

These two woman grew on me by the end of the game as did the drunks behind us who forgot where they were seated bouncing four rows south of where they were supposed to be and our entire row hollering for them to turn back. We all shared a good laugh. 

(Before kickoff... enjoying the view and the Bloody Mary)

(This was there "Salute the Troops" tribute game and it was a touching experience. They had a service member repel with the American Flag with Toro's mascot head on and a bald eagle soared through the stadium. That actually made me get a little bit choked up. What I loved the most was the VP of FMC Technologies gifted a mortgage free custom built home to a veteran. Loved these moments the most!)

By the time the half rolled around my throat was so dry from the alcohol and cheering for the Texans but I was secretly rooting for the Jets because they were my weekly pick 'em choice. We ventured back in to grab some ice cream and water. The looks on everyones faces as I bounced around like a little kid with mine were priceless. I stuffed myself after about 10 bites of it and as one of the fans walked by me he commented on how delicious it looked. I told him I was done and jokingly asked if he wanted it. He didn't hesitate and snatched it up. Glad it didn't go to waste but damn! I would never take food from someone. 

(J.J. Watt is such a stud to watch on the field. He knows these are his fans... in his house... knows how to hype up the crowd... and kills it on the field.)

The Texans won the game beating the Jets 24-17. It was such a fun experience and grateful to mark this off the bucket list. 

Doin' Some Cookin'... BBQ Sirloin Steak

This marinated steak is high in flavor and paired perfectly with a side of mashed sweet potatoes with a little bit of butter and brown sugar mixed in. 

BBQ Sirloin Steak

Adapted From: The Beachbody Blog

Makes 7 Servings (3 oz each)

Stars of the Show:

• ground ginger, to taste
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp black cherry jam
• 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 bunch green onions, quartered
• sea salt and pepper, to taste (optional)
• 1 3/4 lb sirloin steak

And Action:

Place ginger, garlic, jam, soy sauce, oil, and water in a food processor and blend until smooth.

Add onions and pulse until blended. Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat grill over medium high heat.

Brown for 4 minutes each side.

Reduce heat to medium low cooking slow and basting every 5 minutes. Cook for 10 minutes each side or until desired doneness. 

Remove from grill and cover with foil. Let sit for 10 minutes before cutting into strips. 

Doin' Some Cookin'... Turkey Burgers

I know what you're thinking when you hear turkey burgers... dry and flavorless. Well, not these!

Kept mine simple and dressed it with a couple tablespoons of salsa. Quick and delicious dinner.

Turkey Burgers

Adapted From: The Beachbody Blog

Makes 4 Patties

Stars of the Show:

• 1/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk
• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 2 tbsp onion powder
• dried parsley, to taste
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• dash of worcestershire sauce
• ground black pepper, to taste

And Action:

Combine breadcrumbs and buttermilk in a bowl; mix well and let sit for 10 minutes.

Preheat grill pan over high heat.

Add turkey and remaining ingredients to breadcrumb mixture, mix well. 

Shape into 4 patties.

Grill 5-6 minutes on each side until patties are no longer pink on the inside. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Clean Banana Bread

This week instead of freezing my overly ripened bananas for use in smoothies I decided to make banana bread. This is my first time ever making banana bread. Nothing compares to my Grandma's. Growing up when we spent the Summers in Utah with her she would bake a loaf, slice it up, toast it, and then slather it in butter. I remember how delicious the toasted walnuts tasted and how moist it was.

With trying to eat healthier I decided to look for a diet friendly recipe so I was not expecting my loaf to turn out anywhere as delicious as hers did. The recipe I found uses whole wheat flour and applesauce as substitute for oil. I opted to go without the dark chocolate chips. I know, I'm no fun.

While this baked an aroma of cinnamon and bananas filled the house. The smell alone was absolutely satisfying. Little Man exclaimed how good it smelled.

But the taste!! Sweet, moist, and full of banana flavor. Served a slice with scrambled eggs and enjoyed with a cup of coffee. Resisted the temptation to smear it with butter. This was the perfect brunch for a lazy football Sunday.

Looking forward to enjoying this for breakfast for the next couple of mornings until it's gobbled up.

After I cleaned up we spent the afternoon playing board games while watching football.  Again, a perfect Sunday!!!

Clean Banana Bread

Adapted From: Healthy, Fit, and Focused

Makes 1 Loaf (8 Slices)

Stars of the Show:

• 3 egg whites
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

And Action:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat egg whites in a bowl and add the mashed bananas, applesauce, honey, and vanilla extract. Mix to combine. In a larger bowl, mix the dry ingredients then add the wet ingredients to the dry. Mix lightly to combine. Pour mixture into a nonstick loaf pan. Bake 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Pull the loaf out of the oven and let sit for 10 minutes covered with foil. Slice and serve. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Honey Pumpkin Spice Shakeology

This creamy concoction uses real pumpkin and is a healthier alternative to the Starbucks drive thru. Although not as warm and comforting but for the diet conscious it does the trick. To sweeten things up a little bit o' honey and to spice it up extra ginger in the pumpkin pie spice.

Pumpkin is a good source of Vitamin A which is important for healthy teeth and vision.

Good thing I bought extra cans of pumpkin puree while at Whole Foods over the weekend so I can enjoy this whenever I want. Hopefully all the way to Summer. Ha!

Honey Pumpkin Spice Shakeology

From: The Beachbody Blog

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup water
• 1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 cup crushed ice

And Action:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... One Pan Italian Chicken

I'm starting to miss our carefree Summer schedule. With school back in session I feel like I don't have enough hours in the day after we get home from work with homework, sports, dinner, dishes, possible load of laundry, working out, and shower. Days can be stressful and exhausting.

Cooking dinner cannot be difficult on a work night so a "one pan" meal is needed in the rotation and one that is put on the table in under 30 minutes.

15 of those minutes are hands off. That means you can get a jump on dishes and packing lunches.

I served this Italian Chicken on a bed of spaghetti noodles that were tossed in the tomato sauce from the pan. To up the veggie count I roasted a side of shredded carrots and added about a cup of them into my pasta after taking a photo of the dish. So delicious!!

One Pan Italian Chicken

Adapted From: Just Us Four

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 4 (6 oz) chicken breast cutlets, skinless, boneless
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp pizza seasoning
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic infused olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 can fire roasted tomatoes with juice

And Action:

In a small bowl combine all of the spices together. Sprinkle on both sides of the chicken.

Heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a nonstick pan over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to plate.

Add remaining 1/2 tbsp oil. Add tomatoes and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Return chicken to the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer for 15 minutes. Enjoy!