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Waffleto Brunch & Waffles: Worth the Hype or Another Overrated Spot?


Waffleto Brunch & Waffles: Worth the Hype or Another Overrated Spot?

Can We Talk About Social Media Food Hype?

The way I am so tired of over-hyped TikTok and Instagram eateries. Social media has disappointed me too many times with perfect reels, staged bites, and thenโ€ฆ underwhelming food.

So, when my husband showed me an impressively edited reel for Waffleto Brunch & Waffles in Goodyear, AZ, and asked if I wanted to try it, I gave him a non-committal, โ€œI guess.โ€

First Impressions: Busy but Welcoming

We pulled up around 11 a.m. on a Saturday. It was busy, but we didnโ€™t have to wait, major win. The place is a small sit-down brunch spot with a casual, open feel. We were greeted right away and handed menus, which gave us a moment to look things over before ordering.

Waffleto Menu: Sweet Meets Savory

Waffletoโ€™s menu offers hearty savory waffles and over-the-top sweet creations. in a good way:

Savory Options Include:

  • Fried egg, bacon, and spinach
  • Chorizo and egg
  • Grilled chicken with pesto
  • Omelets and traditional breakfast plates (for the non-waffle folks)

Sweet Options:

  • Strawberries and cream (with seasonal berries, but you can request strawberries only)
  • Peaches and cream
  • Nutella-topped waffles

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check out their full menu here

What We Ordered

We split our meal:

  • One Fried Egg, Bacon, and Spinach Waffleto (no syrup drizzleโ€”because I donโ€™t trust the drizzler!)
  • One Berries Waffleto (strawberries only)

You can split your waffle between savory and sweet, which we lovedโ€”it felt like a brunch plate and dessert all in one.

And I have to mention this, the home-fried breakfast potatoes were delicious. I live for a good breakfast potato, and these hit the mark. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and perfectly seasoned. Donโ€™t skip them.

Watching the Waffle Magic Happen

The open kitchen gave us a view of the action, and I noticed the waffles looked darker than I prefer more brown than golden. Iโ€™m a light, fluffy, slight-crunch-on-the-edge kind of waffle girl.

When I asked about it, our server reassured us that the color comes from the batter, not overcooking, and theyโ€™re still soft inside. She was right. The waffles were perfectly cooked, lightly sweet, and honestly, some of the best Iโ€™ve had.

Is Waffleto Worth the Trip?

If youโ€™re in the Goodyear, Avondale, or West Phoenix areaโ€”yes, Waffleto is worth a stop.

If you have to drive far or wait in a long line? Maybe not. Itโ€™s good, but not a โ€œdrive across the Valley and wait an hourโ€ kind of place. That said, Waffleto delivers on flavor and creativity, and the service was on point.

Waffleto Brunch & Waffles Location + Hours

Heads up: If you love breakfast for dinner, this isnโ€™t your spot. They close early and stick to brunch hours.

๐Ÿ•’ Hours:
Monday โ€“ Friday: 8 AM โ€“ 2 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8 AM โ€“ 3 PM

๐Ÿ“ 406 N. Litchfield Rd., Ste 208
Goodyear, AZ 85338


Final Thoughts

Waffleto might not be the viral hotspot you travel for, but itโ€™s definitely a local gem if youโ€™re nearby. The flavors are solid, the sweet/savory combo is fun, and the vibe is low-key and relaxed.

Have you tried Waffleto or any other social media-famous food spots that were actually worth it? Let me know in the comments or over on Instagram @SharondaShariee (yes, Iโ€™m posting again!).

Uncategorized

Turning 45: A Journey of Healing, Compassion and Introspection Post-Breast Cancer


Year 45 Looks Like This

Year 45 Looks Like This

I turned 45 one month ago. When I look in the mirror at 45, I see a breast cancer survivor. I see my body that has changed, scarred, but healed. I see the breast I got to keep, after being diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer-Metaplastic. And I see the weight of what Iโ€™ve carried to still be here.


Letโ€™s Be Clearโ€”It Was Damn Hard

Because let me be clear: my journey was DAMN HARD.

Keeping my breast didnโ€™t mean I was spared. It didnโ€™t protect me from the soul-deep fatigue, the emotional unraveling, the fear that clung to my chest like a second skin. It didnโ€™t soften the blow of hearing the words โ€œyou have cancer.โ€ It didnโ€™t shield me from the sleepless nights, the waiting, the wondering. The trauma is real and it lives in my bones.

And still, I KNOW Iโ€™m one of the ones who was graced to be here.


A Moment That Shifted Something in Me

One day, I was talking with another survivor in the credit union. I had told her I had also been through breast cancer. So, we were sharing pieces of our journeys. When I initially shared, she looked at me, then her eyes dropped briefly to my chest. I still had both of my breasts, and she didnโ€™t.

It was just a moment. But it echoed.

That look wasnโ€™t judgment. It wasnโ€™t bitterness. But it held a silent, heavy knowing. It was grief. A moment of recognition. And in that second, I felt something deep in my spirit crack open, not with guilt, but with compassion for her.


I Donโ€™t Carry Guiltโ€”But I Do Carry Compassion

It hurt to see her pain, even if it wasnโ€™t spoken aloud. It hurt to know that she, too, had fought for her life, and paid for it in a way that I didnโ€™t have to.

But I didnโ€™t feel guilty.

Because I know I deserved my healing. I know I fought for it. I know I earned every piece of this breath, this birthday.

What I felt was something different:

Grief for what she lost.
Grief for what so many women lose.
A wish that we could all come through this with less taken from us.


Thereโ€™s No Hierarchy in Healing

Thatโ€™s what I carry as I turn 45.

Not survivorโ€™s guilt, because Iโ€™m not ashamed of surviving.

But a survivorโ€™s compassion.

A knowing that while I still have both of my breasts, that doesnโ€™t make my survival softer or hers any less strong.

There is no hierarchy in healing.

No one gets to measure our pain, our losses, or our courage.

We all walked through the fire.


The Now: 10 Months Out

Health-wise, Iโ€™m now 10 months out from active chemo.

Iโ€™m still in the phase of follow-up appointments every three months, and I take each one seriously, because peace of mind doesnโ€™t come easy after cancer.

Physically, Iโ€™m still rebuilding. Regaining strength. Finding mobility. Learning this new version of my body and honoring her limits and her resilience.

Itโ€™s a slow climb, slower than I would have ever imagined, but every step forward is still a victory.


To Those Still in the Fight

To every woman who is still in the thick of it. Whether you were just diagnosed, youโ€™re navigating treatment, or youโ€™re facing each day in uncertainty, know that you are not alone. Your courage, even in the quiet moments even when you donโ€™t feel strong. I know the fear, the exhaustion, the waiting, the wondering. And I want you to know that your fight matters. You are in the fire, doing the hardest thing of all, showing up for your life every single day. Keep going! Space is being held for your healing. Rooting for your breakthrough. You are part of this sisterhood we did not choose, but we are with you.


To My Fellow Survivors: I See You

To every woman who made it through breast cancer, whether you kept your breast(s), lost, rebuilt, or chose not to, I see you. I feel the strength that radiates from your soul.

You are not defined by what was taken.

You are glorious in what you reclaimed. YOUR LIFE.


Year 45, Braids, and Deep Gratitude

At 45, I celebrate life, not just mine, but the lives of every woman whoโ€™s still here, still healing, still figuring out who she is now.

AND my hair has grown back long enough to finally get braids again. Yes, I went with the MOST, waist length, because I can.

I feel deep gratitude to be able to say, I am WELL.

With love,
Sharonda


P.S. The Birthday Celebration Blog

Toes in the Sand in Mexico

Sign up for email notifications so you never miss a post, and stay tuned for the full recap of my week-long birthday trip to one of my favorite places, Mexico!


Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Self-Care, TNBC, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Uncategorized

Finding Solace: Breast Cancer Comforts & Necessities


As I journeyed through breast cancer, I found moments of solace in various practices and resources that helped navigate the challenges I faced.  I began to collect these treasures, soothing tools, and accommodations to share with others who might be facing similar struggles.

Below is a list of items that offered me comfort and strength, not just during my treatment, but even now.

This journey is ever evolving, and I will continue to update this list with new discoveries.  My hope is these suggestions offer support to anyone navigating their own path.

Feel free to share this list with anyone who might find it helpful, and I invite you to contribute your own suggestions in the comments, reminding each other that we are never alone in this journey.

Keep reaching for what soothes your soul!


















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Home Improvement, Living, Self-Care, Uncategorized

Overwhelmed by Paper? Discover How Assured Document Destruction Can Save Your Space and Sanity!


Assured Document Destruction

Look, Do Not Ask Me How We Got Here

We found ourselves facing an overwhelming paper crisisโ€”an ever-growing mountain of confidential documents dating back seven to eight years.  As I stared at the bags and bags of papers, we always kept what we deemed โ€œimportant,โ€ but it seemed like we had miscalculated just how much โ€œimportantโ€ really added up to.

128 Gallons of Papers to Shred

In my quest to find a solution, I finally decided I could trust Assured Document Destruction.  If you, too, are staring at your own growing pile of paperwork and feeling like it is taking over your home, let me introduce you to the solution that saved usโ€”and could save you too!

Why Assured Document Destruction?

Here is why Assured Document Destruction should be your go-to for paper shredding and document destruction:

1. Security First: When my document destruction specialist pulled up to my home in the destruction truck.  Yes, they pull-up in the destruction truck and shred on the premises. More about that in a few.  The specialist explained how our documents are shredded beyond recovery, using state-of-the-art equipment and processes that adhere to the highest security standards.

2. Convenience is Key: One of the best features of their service is how convenient it is. You do not have to drag your piles of paper to a facility.  Instead, they offer on-site shredding, so you can watch your documents be destroyed right at your location.  This eliminates any concerns about data breaches during transport and saves you time and hassle.

3. Eco-Friendly Practices: In todayโ€™s world, being environmentally conscious is as important as safeguarding information.  After shredding, the paper is recycled, ensuring that your old documents contribute to a greener planet rather than ending up in a landfill.  How cool is that?

4. Value for Money: They understand that value is about more than just cost. With Assured Document Destruction, you get a combination of secure service and excellent value. Their transparent pricing ensures that you know exactly what you are paying forโ€”no hidden fees or surprises.  Quite honestly, this is what moved Assured Document Destruction to the top of my list very quickly.  The value for the money.

How it Works in 3 easy steps

Using Assured Document Destruction is simple and straightforward.

Hereโ€™s a quick overview of the process:

1. Get an Instant Quote: Visit their website and get a quote in minutes. This is your first step to a clutter-free space. Visit here: (www.shreddingphx.com)

2. Schedule: Your Service: Once you have your quote, schedule a convenient time for your shredding service. They will collaborate with you to find a slot that fits your schedule.

3. Shredding Day: On the day of your service, their team arrives with high-powered shredding equipment.

Assured Document Destruction High-Powered Shredding Trucks

How much was the service?

Total Cost: The 1st and 2nd 64-gallon bin are $63 each (Minimum Charge: $126.00 + $3.00 Fuel Service Charge) = $129

Assured Document Destruction 64-Gallon Document Shred Bins

Assured Document Destruction also allows you to bring your important papers, and hard drives, to their facility for destruction.

If you choose to not use Assured Document Destruction, find a secured document service in your area for your document destruction needs.

Have you used a shredding service?  Is this a service you can see yourself utilizing for yourself?

Address:

Assured Document Destruction

930 S. 67th Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85043

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Hate Laundry? Join a Wash and Fold Laundry Service

Photo Courtesy of The Wash Club

With the new year approaching, we look for ways to simplify our lives.

To have someone else do your laundry is nothing less than self-care.

We have been using a wash and fold laundry service for approximately three years, and the joy that is felt when a bag of fresh and folded laundry arrives back at our doorstep is indescribable.

This is how it works:

  1. Search for โ€œwash and fold laundry service near meโ€ online.

We use a local service called The Wash Club. www.washclubphoenix.com

TIDE Cleaners also offers wash and fold service nationwide: www.tidecleaners.com

2. Install the app on your phone, set-up an account, fill out the specifications of your laundry. If you would like wash and fold, hanging, comforters, what type of laundry soap, bleach, etc., and lastly schedule what day and time for a pick-up.

Your initial pick-up, bag your items and on return they will provide reusable bags. The first bag is free, and each additional bag is $10.

TIP: You can purchase large laundry bags on Amazon, at a more reasonable cost. It is not mandatory that you use the laundry serviceโ€™s laundry bag.

3. Place your laundry bags on the porch or they will knock on your door to retrieve your items. Once your order is picked up, you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a secondary email to confirm the total weight of your wash and fold laundry order and total billed.

Photo Courtesy of The Wash Club

4. The next day your laundry will be delivered to your doorstep, washed and folded in clear plastic bags placed inside of your large laundry bags.

TIP: The Wash Club and Tide Cleaners offer same-day service for an additional charge.

ITEMPRICEQUANTITY
Wash and Fold$1.94per pound
Comforter$20.00each
Blankets$15.00each
Price as of December 2023

Our last wash and fold order consisted of 27 pounds of bath towels, face towels, bed sheets, and one coverlet.

Cost:
$52.38 (wash and fold)
$4.14 (service fee)
$63.27 (total cost)

If you are local to Phoenix and would like to try the Wash Club, copy and paste the link below for $15 off your first pick-up order:

https://www.washclubphoenix.com/?aid=817

If you have any questions, as always, drop a comment.

Have an amazing time not doing your own laundry and have a Happy New Year!

Uncategorized

Leo’s Tacos & Burritos

Sharonda Shariee Short:

Leo’s Chorizo Burrito is the most delicious chorizo burrito I have ever had.โ€‚Slightly spicy and packed full of flavor.

We have eaten our fair share of chorizo, so when we walked up to the counter we immediately asked, how is the chorizo?ย  The counter person said, โ€œWe have the best chorizo. ย No lie.โ€ย  He was not lying!

Here is how I order my Leo’s Chorizo Burrito:

Light Egg, Extra Cheese.  The Chorizo burrito also has potatoes inside, leave them alone.  The potatoes are nicely proportioned within the burrito.

They have other items on their menu.  They are all good, but Leoโ€™s Chorizo Burrito is the star of the show.

TIP:  Leoโ€™s Tacos & Burritos is closed on Sundays and Mondays

Total Cost: $9.78

Location Visited:
10277 W. McDowell Road
Avondale, Arizona 85392

Uncategorized

Kale, Brussel Sprout, and Bacon Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts

Sharonda Shariee Short:

Kale, Brussel Sprout, and Bacon Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts

Something a little lighter after the holiday fixingsโ€ฆ THIS IS IT! ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿพ

Next time Iโ€™d sub the kale for spinach or a spring mix.

Iโ€™d also sub the pomegranate seeds for dried cranberries (Craisins).

We made a honey lemon vinaigrette to drizzle on top, instead of the cinnamon dressing the recipe uses.

And get the Manchego cheese! It really does put the finishing touches on it.

Inspired by this recipe:

https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/kale-bacon-salad/

Uncategorized

Shrimp & Sausage Cabbage

Shrimp & Sausage Cabbage

I like to give credit where credit is due, but honestly, I have seen a variation of this shrimp, sausage, and cabbage recipe all over Instagram.  I thought my family would love this, or at the very least, like it.  I thought you would as well.

Here Is What You Will Need

1 – 32oz. Bag of Raw or Cooked Shrimp
2 – Heads of Raw Cabbage
2 – Sausage Links
2 – Boxes of Krusteazยฎ Honey Cornbread
6 – Corn on the Cobs (cut in half)
Garlic Butter to Sautee
Salt & Pepper to taste

Put It All Together

You can use whatever sausage links you like, including andouille, beef, and turkey.

I used these:

I have never made cabbage in my life, so I asked my husband to prepare the cabbage.  I knew if he did it, there would be no taste experimenting, and me potentially ruining the dish. 

Edward said all he does is cut the cabbage down into bit-sized pieces, put it in a pot with a little water to cover the bottom, season it with salt and pepper to taste, and cook for about 30 minutes.  The cabbage should be tender.

Moving along, I do not handle shrimp and I almost always buy shrimp that is already shelled and deveined, and I asked my son to peel the tails off. 

At this point, you all are wondering, what did she do exactly?  Look, this meal was a collaborative effort. lol

As the cabbage cooked, I cut the sausage links into chef-like angled pieces, (this shape makes it seem like you are a professional) and then I pan-fried the sausage.

I sauteed the shrimp in this garlic butter, and then combined the sausage, shrimp and cabbage.

I boiled the corn on the cob and baked cornbread (this was happening simultaneously).

The Verdict

I served this as a main dish, but everyone felt it should be a side dish. My response: A dish with shrimp AND sausage AS A SIDE!? Okkayyyโ€ฆ. Hahaha, but they all liked it!

Uncategorized

Sweet Potato Hash Scramble

Sweet Potato Hash Scramble

If it is not candied yams, I do not want to try it.”ย  Those were the words that my son spoke to me when I asked if he wanted to try the sweet potato scramble.

Sweet Potato Hash Scramble with Turkey Sausage, Bell Pepper, White and Green Onion

I first had this sweet potato recipe as part of the continental lunch paired with a mixology class my husband and I attended.ย  We took a bite at the same time, and both our eyebrows raised and said, this really has potential.ย  I knew I would remake it at home, my way, and I did.

Here Is What You Will Need

1 โ€“ White Onion
1 โ€“ Red Bell Pepper
1 โ€“ 8 ounce Turkey Sausage Chub
1 โ€“ Bunch 0f Green Onion
2 โ€“ Bag of Fresh/Frozen Diced Sweet Potato
2 โ€“ Piece of Bread for Toast (optional)
2 โ€“ Egg (optional)
Salt, Pepper, and Cumin to Taste

Put It All Together

First, I cooked down the turkey sausage.  Removed the sausage from the electric skillet.

Diced the red bell pepper and white onion and sauteed them.ย  Removed them from the skillet.

Next, I added enough extra virgin olive oil to the bottom of the skillet, added the sweet potatoes, seasoned them with salt, pepper, and cumin to taste, and let them lightly brown.  Flipped the sweet potatoes to make sure they were crisped on all the edges.

Then I combined the turkey sausage, red bell pepper and white onion, and added them back to the skillet with the sweet potatoes and garnished with green onion.

Lastly, I fried the eggs separately and we ate them on the side, along with a piece of toast with apricot jelly to complete the meal.

The Verdict

sweet-potato-hash-scramble-fried-egg-and-toast-apricot-jelly
sweet-potato-hash-scramble-fried-egg-and-toast-apricot-jelly

We loved this meal.ย  Like my son, I would not have typically eaten sweet potatoes without them being candied, but this scramble is absolutely now on our regular menu rotation.ย  It made me happy.ย 

Only one of our kids tried it and liked it, so we were secretly ecstatic we had leftovers.  Warms up fabulously.  The second day we ate it with scrambled eggs, a better option than fried eggs.

Let me know if you give it a try.

Self-Care, Uncategorized

Fuchsia Spa – Sunlighten Infrared Sauna

You all know I live for finding things that are an experience, fun, and worth the coins, especially if it provides health benefits.  I found this cute little spa, Fuchsia Spa, and near my home.  That made me extremely happy, not a far drive.  The staff was pleasant, and facility was exceptionally clean.  Let us get to why I sought out Fuchsia Spa.

I have severe inflammation in my hip (hip bursitis).  It evolved while carrying my daughter in my womb and it has never gone away.  Anyhow, I am always on a quest to find soothing options, such as regular turmeric supplements, foods that reduce inflammation, so on and so forth.

If you have experienced the fire that hip bursitis sets a blaze within in your tendons, googling soothing relief is endless.  I came across an article, and you know it takes just one article to send me into the rabbit hole, of infrared sauna therapy.

I found the nearest and most suitable spa, where infrared treatments were a service and gave it a whirl.  The sauna space was cute, clean, and tranquil.  I took two books with me, since I would be in the sauna for one-hour.  May as well knock out a few chapters of something.

The experience was HOT.  I entered the sauna at 135 degrees, and it slowly climbed to 160 degrees.  If you have ever been in any sauna, there was no difference.  I was a bit taken back because there were no red lights, as the treatment name alluded.

You had a choice to enter the sauna butt naked, which I immediately thought who had done that before me, in THIS very sauna, or you could keep minimal clothing on to partake in the warmth.  I chose the latter and spread three towels across the bench, because you know, the potential butt nakedness that may have taken place before me.

I removed the comfortable slippers, I almost inquired about purchasing, re-dressed, and guzzled down a chilled bottle of water, provided by the spa in a small refrigerator located in the corner.  I gathered my things, feelings sweaty but refreshed.

While the inflammation in my hip is not going anywhere after one treatment, I would certainly return as an overall weekend relaxation technique.

Location:

Fuchsia Spa-Ahwatukee
4025 E. Chandler Blvd., #3
Phoenix, AZ 85048

Cost: $19.99 (one session)