I figured that the only way to get over my fear was to face it head on. If I can’t have fun bowling in front of my husband and set aside my embarrassment, then this clearly is not the activity for me. Another temptation, being in New England, is the option to go Candle-Pin bowling. This is also known as skinny pin, or duck-pin bowling, depending on where you hail from.

The candlepin bowling ball is much smaller and lighter, it fits easily in you hand and has no finger holes. This also makes it marginally cleaner. The pins are very narrow, making it much harder to hit them. You get three tries for every turn. Otherwise, the rules seem to be pretty much the same as big-pin bowling.

And, like any good bowling date, pizza and beer would at least ensure the night wasn’t a total disaster (even if I bowled in the single-digits). Sacco’s delivered on all fronts. They have a large and constantly updated selection of beer from standards to local craft brews (Porter Square Porter anyone?) and delicious pizza and flatbreads. They accomodate the dairy-free, gluten-free, diet-restricted eaters and from the long lines and diverse crowds, it seems like they are satisfying everyone.

Although my arm and legs are still sore from the 5 games we played, I have found a new sport! I no longer feel ashamed or too embarrassed to play. We had a great time and the Date of the Month got us to leave the lazy comforts of the apartment and step out and try something new.

If you’re in the Boston area and are looking for candlepin bowling, try Sacco’s Bowl Haven in Somerville. They open early and stay open late. You can’t reserve a lane if you have less than 10 people. Call ahead* to put your name on the list and you won’t have to wait as long when you show up.

*By calling ahead, I mean call as soon as they open, at least if you’d like to bowl on a weekend.

April was a great month – we celebrated our one year wedding anniversary! April has always been my favorite month. The gloom of winter melts away and is replaced by the exuberance of flowers on every tree and sprouting up from lawns across the city. Spring flowers have always been my favorite (lilac, dogwood, magnolia, apple blossoms, lily of the valley, tulips). I could continue to wax poetic about the wonderful blossoms of Spring, but I’m sure you all know what I’m referring to. The manic weather of this year has wreaked a bit of havoc on some of the flowers, but the rest are pulling through nice and strong.

I did stop from smelling the roses for a moment or two and came across some excellent websites to share this month.

Everyone seems to have their favorite greasy-spoon Chinese restaurant. But what about the standout restaurants that offer superb examples of Chinese cuisine? CNN has created a list of the 50 best Chinese restaurants in the country. I can proudly say that I’ve been to a few on this list, and had already identified them as some of my favorites. Have you been to any of the top 50?

Tips from the Yumiverse has wonderful drawings explaining how things work and other life hacks. There is advice on everything from unusual uses for a microwave oven, to beer-spiked recipes for cooking adventures.

If you’ve ever completed a marathon, or maybe a century ride you know the sense of accomplishment that finishing an endurance race can bring. I can only imagine what completing a crazy obstacle-filled Spartan Race is like.

Here are drawings showing what would happen if Superheroes were Hipsters. I know, A.MAZE.ING. I guess I’ve been looking at a lot of drawings lately.

And speaking of hipsters, imagine what the results would be if hipster graphic designers rebranded all of our favorite iconic logos. Hipster Branding does just that.

Lately I’ve been busy with knitting and quilting projects. Sites like the Anticraft help me keep my sense of humor and not be overwhelmed by all of the amazingly talented craft bloggers. They have a book, too Anticraft: Knitting, Beading, and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister

That’s all for this months’ roundup. Only a few cooking-related items but plenty of laughs.

#10 I-kon is the winner of the bag and a special treat from the Bread and Beta kitchen. Congratulations I-kon, and I miss you too!

I sent you an email to find out your mailing address.

Thank you for the healthy snack ideas. I like Renee’s suggestion of Wheat Thins dipped in cottage cheese. I’ll have to try that soon.

Lately I’ve been snacking on raisins, Little Lad’s Herbal Popcorn, bananas, and the occasional handful of walnuts. I’ve been eating these items individually, not all together. Although, it might make an interesting mix…

Look how small and compact a rolled up Envirosax is.

I didn’t really think much about it but kept on using my Envirosax bag. Several years later I started noticing them popping up in more and more places – like the supermarket, The Container Store, and local gift shops. One year I even gave them to friends and family as holiday gifts. I have several patterns, but my first faded bag is the one I still carry with me every day. It fits in my pocket and makes it so much easier to haul groceries all the way home from the store. Nowadays you can find so many reusable bags – a shape, style, color and fabric to suit every discriminating taste and need. Whatever brand you prefer, just remember to keep one in your pocket or purse and you won’t have to use a plastic bag next time you’re out shopping. This is better for you, me, and the environment!

Because I think Envirosax are so wonderful, I thought I’d see if I could not just tell you about these great bags, but give you one! Luckily for me (and you) the folks at Envirosax are friendly, agreeable, and easy to work with. They donated a bag to one lucky Bread and Beta reader. To celebrate Earth Day, recently publishing my 100th post, and to spread a little love – love of minimizing waste and reusing materials, love for a great product and a socially responsible company, and love for all of you that are still reading, I’m doing the first Bread and Beta Giveaway!

See below rules on how to win this Optimistic Pattern bag, and a special treat from the Bread and Beta kitchen!

• To enter leave a comment with your favorite healthy snack (no repeating what has already been said).
• Additional entry: tweet about this contest and mention “@breadandbeta giveaway for @envirosax” Leave a comment that you tweeted.
• Another entry: Follow me on twitter @breadandbeta or subscribe to my blog and comment that you’ve done so.
• This contest will end on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22nd, at 11:59 PM

This giveaway is open to residents of the continental United States who are 18 years of age or older.

On Monday, April 23rd, a random winner will be selected and contacted. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, they forfeit the prize and another winner will be selected.

Thank you for continuing to read Bread and Beta.

Please note that I am not being paid to write this review or offered any form of compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.

Images courtesy of Envirosax.

Managing the moving parts of life is a complex balancing act. It doesn’t seem to matter if you work 9-5, have a freelancers schedule, are a student, or are running after young children; challenges abound. Focusing on problem solving one challenge at a time has been a way for me to come up with solutions, however small they may be.

Mike and I have very different work schedules. Coming up with meals that fit both of our schedules is something that we’re constantly struggling with. Breakfast, that seemingly simple and easy meal, is surprisingly challenging. Several days a week Mike has to leave so early in the morning; too early for the sun to have yet risen, and much too early to eat at home. I’ve been working on breakfast foods that he can take with him and either eat in the car, or eat right when he gets to work. They need to be quick, portable, and not require heating or cooling. Variation is important too! A man gets bored of the same thing every day (or so I’ve been told). Some good options include toast with peanut butter, yogurt with fruit and nuts, and these hearty oat squares. They’re something of a cross between a granola bar and baked oatmeal. They’re really filling too – one square keeps him satisfied until lunchtime!

I tried oat squares once before using an entirely different method. Those were tasty, warm, and perfect for when you have time to cook a full breakfast and enjoy a more leisurely meal. This version is a grab as you run out the door option. They are also great as an afternoon snack, crumbled over vanilla ice cream, or as a post-exercise pick me up. This recipe is high in protein, fiber and whole grains. It is also dairy-free and easily modified to be gluten-free. It is not, however, flavor free. The initial inspiration to modify my earlier oat squares came from Angela Liddon at Oh She Glows.

Oat Breakfast Bars
makes 12 squares

Dry ingredients
2 c. old fashioned oats
1/4 c. buckwheat flour
1/4 c. millet flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 c. brown sugar, well packed
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. wheat bran (leave out the wheat bran to make these gluten free)
3 Tbsp. chia seeds
2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
1/2 c. walnuts
1/2 c. raisins

Wet ingredients
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 apple
1/2 c. soy milk (dairy milk or other non-dairy option will work)
1/2 c. honey
3 Tbsp. crunchy peanut butter

1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Line 8×8 square baking pan in parchment paper
3. In food processor, blender, or mortar & pestle, finely chop walnuts.
4. Combine all dry ingredients in large mixing bowl. Stir well.
5. Cut and core apple. In food processor or blender puree apple.
6. In separate bowl, combine all wet ingredients (peanut butter, vanilla, milk, honey, pureed apple). Use a whisk or fork to stir well. Make sure the peanut butter and honey are dissolved into the mixture.
7. Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients.
8. Stir well so everything is incorporated. The liquid should be fully absorbed and there should be no dry patches.
9. Pour into prepared pan, pressing into corners and smoothing down evenly.
10. Bake for 35 min, until golden.
11. Remove from oven and let cool. The edges of the parchment paper make it easy to pull out of the pan.
12. Slice into 12 bars.

These keep in a tupperware for at least a week. They’re also good toasted and shmeared with jam.

It was less than an hour before closing on their first Friday night when we arrived. All the seats were taken (except for the high chairs) and there was a line to order. It seemed very promising. I was excited to try the chickpea burger, but unfortunately, they were out. A salad wasn’t going to cut it, so I thought I’d try the chicken burger, with a few modifications to the toppings. My order: chicken burger with lettuce, tomato, and sauteed mushrooms and a side of beet fries. Husband’s order: The Cali burger – grass-fed beef patty, avocado, onion, cheese and aioli. Our Canadian friend ordered poutine with mushrooms.

The verdict? Canadian liked the poutine, although felt it was very non-traditional. Husband loved his burger, ranking it in top 10 burgers of all-time list. I liked my burger and will definitely go back (especially to try the chickpea patty). I felt there is some room for improvement though – my burger came cut in half, which puzzled me. I prefer to eat my sandwiches whole, so this was a drawback for me. I expected a more gourmet lettuce and was faced with iceburg lettuce. I know this is a standard topping, and perhaps I misread the menu, but for some reason I thought it would be mesclun, Romaine or Leaf Lettuce. The beet fries were perhaps my favorite part. They were wonderfully beet-y, a generous thickness, crisp and perfectly cooked. They were a nice alternative to regular or sweet potato fries.

Other thoughts on the experience: The service was great, everyone was friendly and helpful and the food came out fairly quickly (especially given the crowds). They clearly spent a lot of time and thought on the decor and branding, the space is nice to be in, and the little touches like homemade condiments, letterpressed coasters and generous glass pitchers of water were not overlooked and all added to the experience. I wonder if they could add a few more tables or small standing tables in the middle? Their seems to be the space and the crowds to support this. One last thought, make sure you take care of any bathroom needs before coming here, as they do not have a customer bathroom.

Overall, this was a great experience and I’m excited to see another casual and late night eatery in our neighborhood.

March has come in like a lamb and out like a lion. I know it’s supposed to be the other way around, but this weather is really bizarre. I hope April fares better. I’m busy thinking about what to plant in our community garden. This year we are able to use a full plot, instead of a half plot. I’m so excited to think about the veggies and herbs we can grow with twice as much space! This happens every year – remember when we first got into the garden? My excitement temporarily waned when I discovered our plot was overgrown with stinging nettles. This year I’m determined to keep them under control.

We had plenty of family time this month with visits out of town and visitors coming to see us here in Boston. We used this opportunity to have a bit of a staycation and explored some parts of Boston that we hadn’t ever been to, or just hadn’t visited in a long time. For this months favorites list, I leave you with suggestions for a trip to Boston, or some staycation activities if you’re a local.

There used to be nearly 27 breweries in Boston. Prohibition took it’s toll and that number dwindled to naughty. Luckily, that time has long passed and local and craft brewers have sprouted up all over again. The Sam Adams tour is a good way to learn about the brewing process, sample some new drafts, and learn about the top craft brewery in the country.

After the tour, take the free shuttle bus to Doyle’s Cafe. This is one of the oldest bars in Boston. If you show them your Sam Adams tour ticket, you’ll get a special glass to take home with you. They also have possibly the best onion rings I have ever tasted. I’m not sure how they do it, but they amaze me every time. The pizza is surprisingly good for a bar, and the standard bar menu doesn’t disappoint.

Another institution that is worth a visit? Jacob Wirth Restaurant. This is a great place to go with friends and family of all ages. There is live music on weekend nights, and patrons boisterously sing along. The food is satisfying and the beer list is long and changes regularly. Some unusual options can be found here.

The Museum of Science is an overlooked destination for those without children. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I learned and how diverse the displays were. It really catered to a variety of ages and interests. We saw a Gecko exhibit, a lightening show, and many other exhibits (like this diorama). We probably would have stayed longer if they weren’t closing.

The other great thing about the Boston Staycation? The Boston Public Library provides tickets to many local museums and tourist destinations free of charge to Boston Public Library card holders. Plan ahead and reserve your tickets well in advance, and you can have an educational and inexpensive adventure. Here’s were to find more information on the BPL Museum Pass Program.

And of course, a visit to Boston would not be complete without some ice cream! Massachusettsans love their ice cream and Boston has a number of outstanding choices to satisfy that lick (pun intended!). J.P. Licks is my personal favorite. They have many locations to choose from, although sadly, the Newbury Street branch just closed. Christina’s Homemade Ice Cream and Toscani’s in Cambridge are also good choices. The supermarket has an extra large selection of ice cream as well. Local brands like Batch are to ice cream what craft brews are to beer. Maybe we should combine the two and make a beer float?

Where are some of your favorite places to visit in Boston? How do you like to spend your staycation?

February came and went with barely a snivel of snow from the sky. Unfortunately, my brilliant February gift idea was to go snowshoeing! The beginning of the month brought optimism of a day frolicking in a winter wonderland, followed by a cozy evening, perhaps with a hot toddy or other warm beverage at a local pub. The weather gods did not cooperate with my date idea, although I can’t say that I’m sorry we didn’t get snow. This has been the easiest and shortest winter since moving to Boston. If you do want to go snowshoeing, and you live in the Boston metro area, here are some great snowshoeing resources:

Eastern Mountain Sports – EMS sells and rents snowshoes. Rental fee can go towards purchasing a pair of snowshoes for yourself.

REI also rents equipment and give member discounts. They offer periodic group lessons if you’re new to the sport.

Weston Ski Track is your locale for winter outdoor fun. They offer snowshoe rentals that include a beginner lesson. You can have fun exploring their 15km of trails.

Other locations for snowshoeing in pristine winter-wonderland environments:

Windblown in Ipswich, NH

Northfield

Waterville Valley

Great Brook State Farm

This time last year, we were in the midst of wedding planning. Mike and I planned our wedding in a little over 3 months. Yes, I know this is not the usual planning time-frame, but it made sense to us. I didn’t want too much time to fuss over details. I wanted to get right to the finish. I imagined springtime and flowers and all of our friends gathered around us. I didn’t imagine that this would pose any logistical difficulties. The time of planning was filled with nerves, excitement, and examining our relationship. There was a lot of exploration and learning. I wouldn’t say that it was all fun, as there were many moments of frustration. (Will we find someplace within our budget? Will I find a dress they can order in time? Will people be able to come?…)

One of the best parts of wedding planning was searching for a cake. For many brides, a wedding cake is their crowning glory. Layers upon layer of pastry are precisely decorated to mimic their wedding colors, style, or signature logo. I was only mildly intrigued by these features. I insisted upon flavor. Our cake had to be delicious! Attractive would be nice too, but that was not the primary feature for me. I wanted a cake to be better than a box cake and better than a cake that I could make. This may not seem like a lot to ask, but as a fairly decent baker, I wanted something that surpassed my own dessert creations. After some trial and mostly error tasting cakes at bakeries, I was about ready to make our wedding cake from a box mix, as that was better than the frosted cardboard we were sampling.

Then we found The Danish Pastry House and our lives changed. At least our wedding-planning lives changed. Our cake prayers had been answered! After stumbling out from the tasting in a sugar-induced stupor, we knew we’d found the place. The owner is not only the sweetest woman (pun intended), but she completely understood what we were looking for: something delicious. The added bonus is that they use marzipan instead of fondant to enrobe your cake, so even the smooth outside layer is packed with flavor.

I want all our future cake needs to be fulfilled by The Danish Pastry House. So far, we’ve already ordered a birthday cake from them, so I have high hopes for a long relationship. The best part – for our upcoming first anniversary they will bake us a complementary mini-cake using the same flavors as our wedding cake. No need to save the topper and suffer through year-old stale cake!

Envelope, description, and eye mask for January's date.

I gave my husband a year of gifts, or rather, a year of dates. In his box is an envelope for each month. At the beginning of the month, he opens the appropriate envelope. It contains information, directions, related tchotchkes and instructions related to the special activity that I’ve thought up for that month. I think I’m more excited about this gift than he is. Giving a good gift is always better than receiving one, don’t you agree? I thought I’d share the gifts each month and give a brief recap of our activity. We were on vacation in January, so I researched some activities to do while away in Cambodia. I found some of the most highly recommended spas and included information on the different spa treatments as well as a soothing eye mask for the trip. (We wound up going to a different place, in a different city, but the massage was still amazing.)

The traditional Cambodian massage is similar to a Thai massage – it does not use oil and can be quite athletic – they stretch and manipulate your body into different positions. I decided not to try this, as it’s not recommended if you have any type of injury or sensitivities, and instead went for a traditional “western” massage complete with locally produced coconut-based oils. I’m so glad I did. This hour of heaven only set us back $10. It was so relaxing, that we went back to the same place the next night. If you find yourself in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on Serendipity Beach Road, stop by Relax Spa. The manager is Australian (as many of the foreign employees around town were) and is very friendly and helpful. If you’re looking for a place to stay near there, I’d recommend Above Us Only Sky beach bungalows. It’s a little away from the late-night beach partying. The rooms have lovely sea views. You can sit for hours at the bar, on your porch, or in a lounge overlooking the water. Sigh. Wish I was still there! Oh, and the staff was friendly, helpful, and also Australian.