Mizumi Las Vegas, NV

Mizumi Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas…. what a crazy, interesting, evocative, and mischievous place to visit. It’s one of my favorite places to people watch and remember why I am where I am now and not where I used to be. Brandon’s grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousin live in 

Copper Top BBQ Big Pine, CA‏

Copper Top BBQ Big Pine, CA‏

On our way home from our winter trip to Mammoth Lakes, CA we decided to stop at Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine for lunch. My dad had been there before when he goes to Mammoth to fish with the guys for Opening Day. I 

Oshogatsu 2016 and Osechi Ryori

Oshogatsu 2016 and Osechi Ryori

Happy New Year, everyone! 2015 came and went in a flash. It was truly a year of so many ups and downs, but there was so much to learn and so much to grow from through all those experiences. I am so grateful to have 

Christmas is for family traditions.

Christmas is for family traditions.

  It wouldn’t be Christmas without a massive cooking extravaganza and that’s just what it was this holiday season. I was able to have time time off from teaching to just work on tamales and pozole and hang out with my family and enjoy every 

Thanksgiving 2015

Thanksgiving 2015

I have 6 years of Thanksgiving blogs on Unrivaledkitch, which to me, shows my commitment to being there for my family and I am truly grateful that I have been able to take on this tradition for the ones I love and to share these 

Amaya’s Tigertastic 2s

Amaya’s Tigertastic 2s

Life seems to be steaming right along.  August was a blur of celebration, grief, love, tears and just being.  Life is so precious that even in the day-to-day happenings we can get carried away with the difficulties or choose to see the joy that is 

Maleeya’s Minnierella 4th Birthday

Maleeya’s Minnierella 4th Birthday

I can’t believe that Maleeya is already 4-years-old. It’s almost a month later and I’ve been slacking on my food blogging, but this was a very special birthday party catering and since I’ve blogged about each of her birthdays, I can’t stop at 3. So 

New Year’s Day Oshogatsu Osechi Ryori 2015

New Year’s Day Oshogatsu Osechi Ryori 2015

Happy New Year! Already 12 days in and I’m still feeling the freshness of the new year and all that it has in store for us. 2014 was a great year, lots of amazing opportunities and growth that I look forward to carrying over into 

Thanksgiving Gratitude 2014

Thanksgiving Gratitude 2014

Better Late than never….   I love Thanksgiving! It is truly my favorite meal to make of the year, not because we have the same traditional things, but because it’s tradition to be together with my family. I am so glad we get to keep 

Nobu LA

Nobu LA

Brandon and I have been to Nobu Malibu, Matsuhisa and just recently Nobu LA. Needless to say, we are big fans of these amazing restaurants and since our first trip, back in 2007, Brandon’s mom, Lyz, has wanted to go to one of Nobu’s restaurants.