I’m a walking holiday!

Good (afternoon) bloggy boos! How are you?

I am currently noshing on a cookie dough bowl because um I woke up after eleven. Whaddafuh people this NEVER happens to me! I am usually the girl that can’t sleep past eight. This is abnormal but I am embracing the need for sleep, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!

So anywho, yesterday as I was driving to din din with Hollie, I noticed that a. every single bar was packed, and b. everyone was decked out in St. Patty’s day wear. People, St. Patty’s Day isn’t until Thursday, couldn’t you have waited at least until Thirsty Thursday?!

The Jersey Shore-esque title comes from a. The fact that I am the bubbliest person you will ever meet, and b. This guy:

 

Hahaha I was laughing really hard. He was just dancing on the sidewalk, I am pretty sure he was blamin’ it on the juice (name that song!).

Hollie and I met for din din at Natural Oasis, aka the place I go with ALL of my bloggy best friends, since the food is delicious, cheap, healthy, and the staff all know me. They even know my order and the fact that I prefer herbal tea, they don’t even have to ask. It is not unusual for them to ask “How’s the family?” I love being a regular

We started off with two Coconut Milk Chai Teas (herbal) with agave.

When Lisa and I went last weekend, we didn’t get these and I have NO idea why. This was so good!! I went a little heavy-handed with the agave, but it was still delicious nonetheless:)

Then, we ordered two Ethiopian Spiced Green Lentils (below) along with Brussels Sprouts + Cauliflower + Potatoes and Kale + Collard Greens. It obvs came with tons of injera. Not many photographs people, I apologize. I was too caught up in chatting!

Then we went back to mi Casa for cookies and Biggest Loser watching. Guys I am unhealthily obsessed with this show now. Jillian and Bob are my idols, I would love to spend every day making people healthier and (yelling at them) and talking with them about emotional issues.

Because in all honesty, morbid obesity (and obesity in general) is an eating disorder. Although it is not the stereotypical eating disorder, it is one. Instead of depriving themselves to slowly die, they are  overfeeding themselves. It is just as dangerous and emotional as what is thought of to be a more “classic” eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, etc.).

So, we semi-stuffed our faces with cookies, raw chocolate mousse, granola (more on that soon) and a Quinoa-Hummus-Raisin-Balsamic Bowl for my homegirl!

In my classic doggy bowl. Lurve<3

I think it is safe to say she loved it.

A picture together before she left:

Please ignore my scraggly hair. I desperately need a haircut! Slash a hairbrush. Ya know.

Her boyfran then picked her up and I went to sleep. I am pretty sure I slept an inhumane amount last night, but what can I say I love to snooze:) Besides, I have to save up my lack-of-sleep abilities for the school week!

See you in the morning lovelies!! Until then, you can wonder how on Earth one tiny person can eat this giant container of hummus in three days. Yup people that just happened.

I am pretty sure it’s bigger than my head. Bee tee dubs this is a quadruple batch of my homemade hummus. You know you have a problem when you go through that much hummus in three days…with no help.

Anyone interested in having a hummus-raisin-balsamic lovers party?! I will gladly host

Don’t forget to send in your Mission: I Feel Pretty pictures! These always make my day:)

Do you watch Jersey Shore?

Only while I’m working out:) Trash tv is only allowed while you’re doing something productive!

Are you a hummus-lover too?

I think the pictures speak for themselves;)

How are you being a walking holiday today?

Being as bubbly as Perrier and spreading smilessss:)

xoxox,

I Triple Dog Doctor Donut Dare You

Good morning rays of sunshine!! How are you?

I loved hearing about all of your bloggy friendships/meetups and especially your favorite snacks and quick din dins! Most of us are on the same page:)

Oh, and I am not going to lie you guys are hilarious. You have no idea how much some of your comments make me laugh, it is offich, we are all having a giant bloggy slumber party and using our crazykins vocab because that is what we do, mmk?!

Bee tee dubs, yesterday at the gym I did upper body weights. Holy. soreness. Guys this might be TMI for some of you but lezzbeserious MY BOOBS HURT. People doing upper body for the first time in a million years = big mistake on my part. Hello, sore Monday!

And keep sending in your Mission: I Feel Pretty pictures!! I am so glad this is becoming an ongoing project, it makes me so happy to see all of you embracing yourselves!

So since so many of you asked for one, I took a picture of her highness, Her Fugliness. Behold, the Quinoa-Hummus-Raisin-Balsamic Bowl, pre-mixing:

If that does not defer you enough from the deliciousness that is enclosed in that bowl, the doggy-bowl-esque serving dishware will. No I am not a puppy deep down.

BUT these puppies will make your heart melt!

The Padre forwarded an adorable e-mail to me last night, in which there were pictures of a baby deer (that looks JUST like Bambi) that followed a doggy home. How cute is this?!

One more for good measure.

Okay, all together now… Aweeeeee 🙂

Just TRY and tell me that did not make you turn to mush. I triple dog doctor donut dare you.

Bee tee dubs, back in the day that was the ULTIMATE dare. You had to do it or else the world would collapse and you would be covered in green slime like on that Nickelodeon show that always came right before the Amanda show. Did anyone else watch that as a kid?! I always thanked my lucky stars that I was not the lobster. Poor guy, costume was probs a million degrees.

Okay,  time for Melt-Your-Heart Part Deux.

This dog has been euthanized and risen from the dead. Not joking. It was pronounced dead, thrown in a dumpster, and found healthy and well the next morning. Not only is that absolutely terrible, but this dog is basically a miracle/Jesus dog. Have a looksky!

http://www.news9.com/Global/category.asp?C=116601&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5620421

Click and watch the vid you will die, this is the cutest puppy in the world, he is only three months old!

So since I am using that awesomesauce title, I am going to Triple Dog Doctor Donut Dare you to do something kind or selfless for another person today. Whether it be holding the door, paying for the coffee of the person behind you, helping someone with their schoolwork, or saying hello to someone new, make someone’s day and spread some smiles.

Case of the Mondays who?

That is all for today chickadees, I am off to class! See you tomorrow:)

Something to think: If the Incans and Mayans didn’t have stoves…how did they cook their quinoa?

I spent the good part of last night wondering about this as I drifted off to dreamland. I hope to goodness they did not eat their quinoa hard.

How are you going to make someone’s day today?

We shall see, we shall see:) Come  back tomorrow to find out what I did!

xoxox,

I Found My Twinnie! [Indulgence Friday]

Good (afternoon) chickadees! How are you on this gloomy oomy Saturday?

Despite the gloom/rain/mush, I am j’adoring the warmth:) Yes, 47 degrees is a BIG DEAL in Upstate New York!

So yesterday was a bit crazy craze, sorry for no post loves! I had a sleepy day on Thursday, and then slept in a bit on Friday. I finally got to catch up on your bloggity blogs this morning! My Google Reader was full to the BRIM.

Anywhos, yesterday I cranked out another one of these spinning workouts at the gym, and then met my new bloggy friend Lisa for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Natural Oasis!

They have some of the best Ethiopian food I have ever tasted, and it is dirt cheap. And since we all know I am a cheapo, this is the perfect place for me:)

Since I am a seasoned eater at Natural Oasis, she had me order for the table. I chose the Risotto, Ethiopian Spiced Lentils, Curried Red Lentils, Sauteed Kale and Collard Greens, and Brussels Sprouts with Cauliflower.

It all came with a giant pile of Injera, which is so. good. If you have never had Injera before, I urge you to go out to Ethiopian food tonight and try some. It is made of teff flour, which is crazy high in protein, and it is like gluten-free and vegan sourdough that you use as a plate/mop up stuff with. I could live on this stuff basically.

For dessert, we ordered some carroty deliciousness that involved raisins, so that is all I have to say about that:)

Okay, enough with the food. I am not going to lie, this was the most fun I have had in a LONG time. Me and Lisa are basically twinnies just not the same age. Our birthdays are four days apart, we have the same philosophy about food, and have the same interests in regards to public health/nutrition/where our interests lie.

We were talking for so long that we actually got kicked out of the restaurant. They had cleaned everything up, put on their coats ready to close, and turned off the lights. “Goooodniiiight!” <—In their saweet Ethiopian accents

Hahahaha they pretty much gave us every hint to PLEASE LEAVE NOW.

But not before we got a picture together, obvs.

Isn’t she gorg?! Go check out her bloggity blog, she is a culinary genius and just so fun to talk to. We are already planning on going to some crazy sounding classes that our gym has, so keep your eyes out for that:)

Hahahaha it is going to be so funny, did you know that our gym has a HULA HOOPING class?! It sounds crazy craze but the Madre took it awhile back and was crazy sore, so I am going to be laughing the whole time and then pay for it later by being sore. Karma people, karma:)

Slash we will also be making some raw deliciousness at her casa so get excited to see some yummy food in the near future! And hopefully running the Marine Core Half next year if I end up going to school in DC:)

That is all for today love bugs, I am off to the gymmy gym gym and then working on some papers before din din, and hopefully heading off to see some of my girls tonight! If not, more of an excuse to make some Raw Chocolate Mousse🙂

See you tomorrow morning bloggy boos! You will be seeing the post that was SUPPOSED to go up yesterday but didn’t because I am a lazy loo and slept in:) Aka, get ready for a Reader’s Request on my favorite go-to-snacks and meals on-the-go!

How did you celebrate Indulgence Friday?

ETHIOPIAN FOOD and making a new friend!:)

What is your favorite Ethiopian dish? Or if you don’t dig Ethiopian food, what is your favorite thing to order at a restaurant?

Ethiopian food: Lentils and injera. A match made in heaven:) Other restaurants: Raw Pizza!

Have you met someone through the blog world that you just “clicked” with?

Yessss, we are twinnies duh!

xoxox,

Don’t You Want Me? + Vermont Food!

Hi love doves!! How are you?

I am not going to lie, I am rather sleepy and on a slight raisin burnout. I do not know how it happened, I am freaking out basically so I am laying off the raisins for the day. Tomorrow I will be back to my raisin-inhaling tendencies.

Yesterday I got home from Vermont and hit up the produce section of Weggie’s, and then put together a salad, quinoa, and some cinnamon-raisin socca that was a giant FAIL. Totally fine though, at least it tasted good:) Expect a recipe coming your way soon!

Pee ess (ew never typing that again), be sure to send in your Mission: I Feel Pretty pictures!! I am going to do a post soon with some of the ones I have received recently so don’t wait!

Slash I LOVED hearing about all of your addictions! (but not to drugs, thank goodness!) You can hear about my latest one here🙂 Oh and that is also where you can see hilarious pictures of me, myself, and I as well as some randoms I found around Burlington. Have a looksky!

Anywhos, the title is because I am OBSESSED with Glee. Like, it’s unhealthy. Just watch this video and try to tell me you are not obsessed too.

I have said this a million times and I will say it again. I AM MARRYING BLAINE he is so gorgeous, I will turn him from gay to straight, he can serenade me every night:) Will you all come to our wedding and bring me a Vitamix present?

Lock me up and throw away the keyyyyy:) I would die for one of these babies! I told the Padre I would not mind getting one as a graduation present:)

Okay, now onto the Vermont food! Get ready to lick the screen.

—————————————————————————————————

Burlington Food:

Dinner on Thursday was had at Zebby & Elf’s Stone Soup.

We walked in to the smells of yummy deliciousness, happy customers, vibrant owners, and delicious baked goodies🙂

The atmosphere was nothing short of warm and friendly. I could have eaten every meal of my life here!

The food consisted of a serve-your-own hot bar and salad bar. Below is the salad bar, I forgot a picture of the hot bar:(

The Padre loaded up on tons of food, as per usual, and ordered a giant tuna sandwich to go with this plate full.

This is one of those times I was a man and could eat millions of foot long subs and never be full. It is fine though my tummy never gets sick of almond butter:)

My plate consisted of greens, veg, steamed kale, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, falafel casserole (ohhhmaigawd, to DIE for), and completely covered in balsamic (I know I am cheating).

Owner Zebby doubted my ability to eat this whole thing, but by George, I did it! He should come see everything I eat in a day, somehow my tiny little self is able to eat ginormous portions of anything and everything. I have been dubbed as the “bottomless pit” among my friends;)

Bee tee dubs, Zebby was a riot, and happens to have grown up in my home town! What a small world:)

Then we walked through the Church Street Market, which is still donning gorgeous Christmas lights!

Please note that this was pre-blizzard. More on that later.

Friday Breakfast:

Breakfast on Friday was had in the hotel room, which was complete with a full kitchen, two TV’s (with cable! I was in heaven), and a hugh jass bathroom and king bed and bedroom. Lurve:)

Perfect for the crazykins in me that brought my whole fridge from home. No big. Come on people, it would NOT be realistic for me to go out and buy some food every single time I need to eat (which is like every two hours basically).

The bowls in the cupboard were too small for my cookie dough so I used a mixing bowl.

In case you couldn’t tell, I dig the whole orangey thing that “color boost” in Live Writer does. At least I look tanner:)

Whaddup gangstaaaaz. Topped with bluebs, rasps, and tons of coconut. More was sprinkled after all the berries were mixed in. Please ignore the fact that it looks like there is poop in the bowl mmk.

Friday Lunch:

Lunch was had at the University Marche on UVM campus, and enjoyed with Lauren from RunYogaRepeat! She was such a sweetheart, and answered all of my questions about UVM! Oh and obviously we talked about everything from green smoothies to boyfriends.

Isn’t she adorable?!

She had a yummy deliciousness noodle bowl that I wish I knew the name of (it was vegan), and I noshed on a Butternut Squash-Leek Soup and a salad con garbanzo beans and almonds.

Clearly taken once I was almost done and realized we were too caught up in talking to actually take pictures of things. Like our food:)

Not going to lie, this was not very satisfying! If you lived with me you would marvel at how much I eat in a day. I went back to the hotel room and ate a giant quinoa-lentil-raisin-balsamic bowl. It was glorious.

Tummy = satisfied🙂

Unfortunately, the animal-free options at the caf were not many, but that is not TOO big of a deal since I am planning on buying and preparing all of my own food next year.

 

Friday Dinner:

For those of you that guessed I got sushi/Asian food, you were right!

Dinner was had at Asiana Noodle House, and it was delicious. I think I died and went to heaven. But not before I had issues separating my chopsticks.

Please tell me why I am so hot.

Then we drank ginger tea, and BOY does that stuff clear your nostrils!

In mah face.

MUCH better:)

Then our food came!

I ordered the Vegan Chirashi (Shitake Mushroom, Sweet potato, Seaweed, Oshinko, Kampyo, Tofu, Yamagobo, Asparagus ,Wakame, Spinach, Avocado, Cucumber and Tofu skin), with brown rice and a side of steamed veg.

I am not going to lie, I was very confused when they brought this giant bowl out to me.

Where was my sushi?!

Apparently I need more education in ethnic food, because the rice was on zee bottom.

This was so pretty though, I could barely bring myself to eat it! Isn’t it absolutely gorgeous?!

It was delicious, nutritious, and way satisfying. Full, happy belly🙂

Padre ordered Crab Rolls in rice netting, which looks SO cool I am not going to lie. And he also got the Seafood Salad:

The Baby Sister and mi Madre ordered noodle bowls with buckwheat soba noodles, lemon dressing, and tofu. Sorry buddies no picture!

Then we stomped around a bit more and did some window shopping. Look out for the birthday pwesent post that I mentioned earlier🙂

Sisters in the snow:

Church Street Market!

Post-blizzard.

AHHH absolutely gowagous!

p.s. See the store “Kiss the Cook” on the right?! Yeah I spent all night there basically it’s fine. Oh and looking at wellies🙂

That’s all for this morning chickadees! I’m off to church, then hitting up the gym and getting some homework done.

It is the last day of February break! I will be very sad to see it go, and not so happy to be waking up at 5:30 again every morning. It went by WAY too quickly!

See you tomorrow dolls!

What is your favorite kind of ethnic food?

I would have to say Mediterranean food. There is a local place that I could eat at every. single. night. Come visit me and we will go there mmk:)

What are your favorite salad toppings? Please tell! I need some new ideas:)

I usually roll with red pepper, tomatoes, carrots, cukes, green beans, broc, balsamic, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, hummus, beans, quinoa, what have you! Lately I am especially digging chopped red onion:)

Have you sent in your Mission: I Feel Pretty picture yet?! If not, get on that!

Imeannn, I just strongly suggest it;)

xoxox,