State Bliss Blog

One Dark but Sparkly Treat!

When looking for something to eat, we are always thinking of what can satisfy our cravings. Cravings? People might have different cravings when it comes to food. Some may crave for something good, something sweet, something heavy, and some times, we just want to have a taste of what’s new and popular. No matter what you choose, as long as you feel happy with it, just go and try it.

Churro is currently a trend when it comes to snack, may it be served with sugar, coated with your favorite glaze, dipped or [aired with your ice cream. Where churro actually comes from or whoever made it first is an unclear part of this delicious treat’s history. But did you know that the snack we typically eat is something meant to be served as breakfast? Well, yes it is. As a breakfast treat, churros are dipped -not on your favorite dulce de leche – in hot chocolate or served with café con leche. Hey, that’s one delicious way of warming your body in a really cold weather! This fried, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside treat really had been a part of almost everyone’s life! Well, if you haven’t tried one, we know you really want to.

Nowadays, uniquely designed or decorated food are in. Why? Of course, something worth posting in your Instagram account that will definitely gain tons of likes is something you would really want to hunt for and take a picture of. Well, honestly, people tend to post it first before trying to eat it and have a taste. Guilty?! That’s fine! Your joy and fulfilment is what matters.

https://kirbiecravings.com/2016/08/the-loop-handcrafted-churros.html

Since churros is one of the most favorite treat of the young ones and the young at heart, it will not be left out when it comes to an Instaworthy post! A store in Westminster, California made sure that you’ll have an Instagram post every time you buy a dessert from them! The Loop: Handcrafted Churros is a really popular store when it comes to the fan favorite churros. Why? Because they offer not just your typical churros but an eye catching one! Isn’t that worth a try?

This Halloween, they have a limited time offer, Halloween Night Glazed Churro with Charcoal Tiramisu Soft Served! That sounds like a really dark treat! This Tiramisu soft severed and the churro topped to it is part of the new craze in jet black food! Well, we know why, black is always one perfect color for snacks nowadays as it always gives an Instagrammable output on your photo! Aside from the act that that these limited time offer snack is in jet black, it also has some sparkles that really made it sparkle! Well, Halloween Night is really a perfect name for it as it made the night sky go onto your churro.

http://theloopchurros.com/

Aside from a purely jet black ice cream, it can also be served with a Charcoal Tiramisu swirled with vanilla. The mix of black and white makes it more attractive as it makes the charcoal colored treat really stand out! Since it is from The Loop, expect that they have something to top the soft serve with – aside from the churro of course. They have nuts and other sprinkles that you can put on it if you want to, it might give the black night some adventure!

The Loop made sure that your Churro topped soft served has a match on their drinks. Well, in this case, they offer the Char-Chata and Activated Charcoal Horchata! This drink is a perfect pair for your Halloween Night treat’s photo as it is a great addition to the jet black craze and the amazingly separated color of black and white will surely gain some OHHHsome feedbacks.

http://theloopchurros.com/

We are sure you want to go now and try it. What are you waiting for, go try it now as this will be a limited time offer only! No worries, you won’t regret driving some miles just to have a taste of it. Or if you’re not into jet black foods, they still have a lot more to offer as they still have their dipped, glazed and chilled Menu any time of the year. Go now and enjoy your delightfully delicious churros!

Board games is one of the best bonding moment for friends and family. Why? As it makes everyone sit down on the table, talk, laugh and eat some snack. There are times that they argue but it will end up in laughter after some time. By playing board games, the usage of mobile phones are reduce and the physical interaction increases. Hey! That’s one great thing because as of today, we all know that people tend to focus more on their phones, in social media, in playing applications, and everything that your phone can offer. Well, isn’t it nice to have some quality time with the important people in your life?

If you want to start now and spend make new memories with them, playing Monopoly might be the best game for everyone. Monopoly is almost everyone’s favorite board game. This board game is a money game without the real money. Here players roll two six-sided dice to move around the game-board buying and trading properties, and develop them with houses and hotels. Wouldn’t that make you feel like one rich businessman or one of the famous city official?! But wait, the goal of the game is to drive your opponent to bankruptcy! So, make sure you’re good not just on rolling the dice but on managing your assets as well!

Did you know that Monopoly was made as an educational tool to illustrate the negative aspects of concentrating land in private monopolies? At first, Elizabeth Magie - American anti-monopolist- created a game called The Landlord's Game. A series of variant board games based on her concept was developed from 1906 through the 1930s. By 1933, a variation on The Landlord's Game called Monopoly was the basis of the board game sold by Parker Brothers.

The Board of Monopoly consist of forty spaces containing twenty-eight properties. There are three Chance spaces, three Community Chest spaces, a Luxury Tax space, an Income Tax space, and the four corner squares which has: GO, (In) Jail/Just Visiting, Free Parking, and Go to Jail. Well, isn’t the board showing us how exciting the game is?

We know you want to go and play the game now but there’s more! Did you know that there is a life size monopoly in California? Monopoly in the Park is located at San Jose, California’s Discovery Meadow, near a children’s museum. This is the largest permanent version in the world! Well, the larger it is, the longer the game can be! The place is not new. As it was built in 1992 as a part of an exhibition for the San Francisco Landscape and Design Show. The board was made with granite slabs and covers over 900 square feet in the park. The game will not be complete without the dice, there’s also massive ornamental dice that can be found on the park to make the complete feeling of the game!

https://www.pinterest.com/leonoragoffin/life-size-games/

You might be asking if the board is playable, well, we are happy to tell you that it actually is! And you know what’s more exciting, you get to be one of the pieces of the game! We know that you asking now how accessible it is for everyone, actually the board can be rented via their website, and players are given giant playing dice and hats to represent what piece they are- sometimes it’s even the while costume! There are also giant houses, token hats and hotel to make it more real. The game rule applies 2 player per token. Each team will be given 3 properties/banker holds rest. Income tax is on flat rate of $200 and hotels can already be purchased after 3 houses instead of 4.

https://www.pinterest.com/kimrothhammer/san-jose-california-home/

If you’re planning to reserve, they are open for Family, School, Non-profit organization and Corporate Events. There is a security deposit to be paid aside from the fee, but it is refundable. This is just to ensure that each guest will use all the park’s amenities properly and with respect as it is important to preserve the beauty of the place. If you want to book for an event, it can be made from 1 year ahead. But, as long as you book 30 days before, for non-catered events, or 45 days for catered, it is alright. They have some guidelines to check out with catered or for events with alcoholic beverages. When reserving, you will be asked to choose 3 dates, why? Just to make sure that it a date will be approved by City of San Jose Special Park Use official. It is just to reduce the need for you to go back and forth just to book your event. If you’re worried it will rain on the date you booked, no worries, the rental fee and security deposit is fully refundable.

Well, may you be a fan of the game or not, we are sure that you’ll love and be amazed on how your typical board game was made into reality.

Sleep and Wake up in the Beautiful City of San Francisco Riding In This Moving Hotel

San Francisco, the Golden City of California. A home for all types of people- may you be techie, hippie, fashionista or a simple employee. A place known for a lot of things, attractions and events. This place is very popular with its summer, fog, landmarks, architecture, and rolling hills.

Who wouldn’t like to see the ever so famous Golden Gate Bridge?! One of the most Instagrammable landmark in the world! This 8,981 feet long and 746 feet tall bridge is one the seven wonders of the modern world. Its International Orange color was selected because it provided visibility in the fog for passing ships and also because it was a hue that fit in naturally with the bridge’s location and the nearby land area. This is really one of the world’s most famous architectural masterpiece.

Getting excited? But still confuse? Here’s more: the Coit Tower. This Tower is also known as the Coit Memorial Tower. For people in San Francisco, this is a gift to the city, is unmistakable in the city's skyline. This another architectural masterpiece is located at the summit of the historic Telegraph Hill- that’s a plus on what you’ll find in San Francisco. The ground floor lobby is decorated with a series of mural paintings by some 30 local artists, portraying life in 1930s San Francisco. So, if you love history, arts and architecture, this is the best place for you! Another Instaworthy place as well!
Still have doubts? San Francisco is also popular for its cable car! It’s not your ordinary cable car that is way up in the air, this one is on land. Have watched Anne Hathaway’s Princess diary? If yes, well you might have seen this cable car. This was the one that Mia, together with the queen, accidentally hit. The cable cars have made its mark on not just the city, but pop culture as well- and a blast from the past! This cable car became a national landmark in 1964. What’s more amazing with this? It makes you ride a national landmark- and it’s a moving one!

https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/22/cabin-sleep-pod-bus-review/

We know you really want to visit San Francisco now! If driving to the place is what’s holding you back, well, the Golden City has a solution for that! In 2016, it is most popularly known as the SleepBus. It had been a talk of the town and creates social media riot when they announced their short-lived chic overnight bus trips between San Francisco and Los Angeles. After a year of research, designing, testing and innovating, finally the Cabin was introduced, “Americas First Moving Hotel.”

http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/07/05/san-franciscos-new-sleeper-bus-service-to-la/

Isn’t that one exciting ride? Here’s more about this moving hotel! The trip covers a roundtrip ride from Los Angeles to San Francisco. If you’re from Los Angeles, you’re really lucky! If not, you can always ride it whenever you visit LA or you’re in SF and wants to go to LA. A roundtrip ride on this moving hotel is at a very fine price of $230. Cabin takes eight hours travel as drivers intentionally drives slower to avoid having a bumpy ride! Who would want to sleep bouncing?! It might take longer than your usual travel but at least you get a chance to rest. Aside from that, the bus has almost all the amenities of a hotel give, including Wi-Fi, power outlets in each bunk, privacy curtain, complimentary ear plugs, personal power outlet with USB sockets, reading light, and luxury bedding. Each trip also has an attendant to assure the safety and comfort of its passenger as well as to assist them with their needs- water, coffee etc.

https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/22/cabin-sleep-pod-bus-review/

Inside the bus, the cabins are approximately 75-77" in length, 25" in height, and 26-31" wide depending on which one you choose. Each private sleeping cabin has air conditioning. The Cabin also has its own bathroom. The bathrooms have flushable toilet, wink with running water and several sanitation and hygienic amenities.

http://mashable.com/2017/07/02/cabin-sleep-bus-transportation/

The Cabin’s official website provided a list of what you have to prepare before the trip. Here it is:
Check list for your trip on Cabin:
• Make sure you have your photo ID and reservation number.
• Check the weather at your destination and pack accordingly. SF in the summer can be quite chilly, while LA in the winter can be warmer than you’d expect.
• If you have any items that must be accessed during the trip, such as medications, be sure to pack them in your carry on bag. Bags that are placed in luggage bay cannot be retrieved until we reach the final destination.
• Bring (or arrive in) cozy clothes. In order to get a good night’s sleep, we recommend that you wear comfortable clothes. Luxury bedding will be provided.
• Get ready to “lust for life.” We are here to help you explore the world one city at a time.

So what are you waiting for?! San Francisco is now reachable in the most classy and comfortable way! Should you want to ride, reserve now and enjoy these one of a kind journey!

10 Cool Phrases that Only People From SoCal Will Understand

Few days ago we have listed a number of slang term that is known to be used and originated in California. Now, we’ll be listing a number of phrases that is from Southern California. Yes, you read that right, California doesn’t just have its original terms but its people were also able to create several phrases that only people from SoCal will understand. What a fortunate state! Having such creative minds can really make it stand out from the rest! At least now we know that California is not just popular to many as the land of beautiful celebrities, packed freeways, and perpetual summer but walso for its wide vocabulary.

Well, before we begin let us know what a phrase is. Phrase, in its simplest dictionary meaning, is a small group of words that forms a meaningful unit within a clause. Aside from these, a phrase is also a group of words that are combined to have a particular meaning when they are used together- this is the type of phrase that will best describe most of the items on the list. This phrase is known to be called as idiom. Idioms are often use to describe and event or a thing indirectly. These gives the conversation some sense of color. This fact might be one of the reason why SoCal have their own- such love for being unique and original.

So much for all the talks, here’s the list of phrases that only people from SoCal will understand.

1. "There's a Sigalert for the carpool lane on the 5 going northbound..”

Well, Sigalert, is a term that you’ll less likely want to hear it when you’re driving on the road of California. Why? As this will give you a hint that you must avoid going to that particular area as it signals the occurrence of an accident or road blockage due to heavy traffic.

Aside from that, in California, they never called it as Highway- but as freeway- and they are the only people who puts “the” on a number of a route.

2. "The Santa Ana winds will hit the town today as per the weather update.”

Ohhh yes.. SoCal has its own way of describing the weather. The Santa Ana winds are known to be strong and extremely dry winds. Santa Ana winds are known for the hot dry weather that they bring in the fall. It often bring the lowest relative humidities of the year to Southern California.

3. "There’s a High Speed Chase On!"

This might be the most exciting event to watch on TV. No matter how long the chase will take, there will always be tons of viewers on every channel that shows the chase. Want to know how much they love it? They can actually be late for work-- because there's a high speed chase on.

4. "I could go for a California burrito."

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/san-diego/best-california-burritos-in-san-diego

Isn’t it obvious that people from SoCal just love the burritos? A California burrito is not your ordinary burrito. It is with carne asada, cheese, and may also include sliced potatoes or french fries stuffed inside the soft flour tortilla. Isn’t that one tasty treat.

5. "It takes 20 minutes, depending on traffic."

Want to know their current location, well, this is what they’ll answer you. They never answer a distance question in a typical terms of measurement. Why do they do this? Because traffic is a thing that will always have an impact to the trip so just to be a bit more precise, they’ll rather use time as measurement.

6. "Frickin Freezing”

Well, California is known for having a calm weather so when the temperature drops to 65 degrees you’ll hear them say “It’s Frickin Freezing” to describe that the weather is really cold. This is the perfect time to bring out the sweaters, jackets, scarves and anything that will keep them warm.

7. "I'd like that Animal Style."

https://www.yelp.com/biz/in-n-out-burger-napa

These was brought by the people’s love for In-N-Out Burgers! A burger served "animal style" has mustard fried into the patty and comes with extra spread and grilled onions. Well, that’s one really delicious treat and deserve its own calling.

8. “Swap Meets”

Well, this is not an unusual event but rather a typical one. In most countries it is called as “flea markets” but people in SoCal just got used to calling it as “swap meets.”

9. "Wanna barbecue tonight?"

This is not your ordinary barbeque, as in the ones with barbeque sauce, but it is most often used in SoCal to refer to the gathering that will be using the grill in making the food for that day.

10. “Marine Layer”

Got scared? Well, for SoCal, this term is just use to change the word fog. Yes, the thing you see in the morning that normally gives a cold feeling is called “Marine Layer”, cool right?!

Well, these are just some of the typical ones. There’s a lot more words and phrases that only people from SoCal will understand. The birth of new terms and phrases is unstoppable because as new generation comes new terms and phrases are formed. If ever you’ll be in SoCal or you’re from SoCal, prepare your ears to hear this phrases and you might be able to use them as well!

A Dish that is One of California’s Best Kept Secret

Craving for something good? Well, who would resist a delicious fries? Fries might be the best partner to a burger. It gives such soft and crispy feel in every bite that actually make it interesting to it. Add do that is the mix of saltiness and the innate taste of a potato. Paired or not, or may it be thinly or thickly sliced, fries might always be one of the most favorite snack of everyone- age, size, and nationality doesn’t matter.
Have you ever thought of eating a fries and a cheese burger in one bite? Sound hard right? Who would be able to fit a burger and a fries at his mouth at the same time?! Well, there are food chains and stalls in California made that possible. Yes, they really did and this type of dish is most popularly known in California as DUI Fries. Some may call it Loco Fries or pastrami or the ever so popular carne asada. No matter what you call it, this one greasy meal is really worth a try!

A DUI fries is made of, of course a French fries as its base, topped with a mixed of carne asada and pastrami that is then topped with some deliciously melted cheese! Isn’t that one exciting mixture or taste and texture? It will really give your taste buds some challenge as flavors burst out in every bite. Seem so thrilling right? Well, here are two chains that serves DUI Fries in California that you’ll surely want to visit.

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/dinos-chicken-and-burgers-los-angeles?select=Top2i7i_xio5zB7Z-VSLrA

These might not be seen upright at Dino’s Chicken and Burgers, but when you ask for it, they’ll surely make you one death defying calorie kingdom that you’ll definitely love no matter what! Will you believe that this meal had been offered in their Pico Rivera location for 10 years now?! What have we been doing the past years that made us missed out this incredible thing!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/227924431115729418/

Ten years is ten years right? But wait, if you’ll search for the original, it will bring you across Dino’s Chicken and Burger, and will introduce to Jim's Super Burger. Isn’t Pico Rivera one lucky place to have two of the restaurants that offer this incredible treat?! On an article, owner Robert Stavrakis said, "The DUI was created by us and our customers over 20 years ago." That’s like what?! Most had been missing out the fun that this meal give for 20 years now!

Have you been looking for the meaning of DUI while reading this? Well, according to its owner, some regulars wanted to name some item on their menu, and it should be a mix of their fried dishes. At first, they already have a pastrami fries then customers suggested to add some carne asada that made it an item on the list! Since the restaurant is a hit at night for bar goers, they decided to go with the name, "Dining Under the Influence Fries."

https://www.foodbeast.com/news/dui-breakfast-fries/

As of now, Jim’s Super Burger is continuous in reinventing and discovering new flavors for DUI Fries. They currently offer a Breakfast DUI fries that is like California’s favorite breakfast burrito but without the tortilla. The Breakfast DUI fries contains melted chili cheese, scrambled eggs with chorizo, crispy chopped bacon, and pieces of savory chopped sausage for additional flavor. Isn’t this one meaty breakfast that is surely a great way to start the day with?! A protein full dish that will give you the energy for the entire day.

Well, we know that this restaurants- no matter where or who really started it- will never stop in creating new flavour for their DUI fries. With that, and the slowly increasing popularity of the dish, we can say that DUI fries will be offered for more years to come. As one of California’s well-kept secret dishes, this one deserves to be introduced and reach more people. But, we do understand that not all have time to visit the place so better yet try making one as home as its ingredients are some typical items on the market. We are sure that the entire family would love to join the fun in creating this meal and who knows, you might be able to create new and incredible flavors for DUI fries that might be worth some recognition.

Just to remind everyone, this is one meal that will make you ask a nurse for your blood pressure check or look for your maintenance so if you want to try it, make sure you’ll eat less after this one.