Pizza, Gelato, and Packing for Destin!

Three day weekends really freak me out. I felt so off today! Anyone else out there keep forgetting it’s actually Tuesday?

My friend Rob is moving to NYC in a couple weeks – sad! We went to our last work lunch today. We went to Vespa Pizza last time, so today we tried the other pizza place on Daniel Island: Orlando’s Pizza. Orlando’s brick oven pizza uses dough and sauces that are made daily and the freshness is evident in its taste. The crust was perfectly thin, with a fair amount of cheese, and lots of sauce. To me, this was the perfect slice of pizza, and for only $2.50. I will be back a thousand times.

I regretted not getting two slices!

After the salty came the sweet. We walked to Et Cetera, a small gourmet food shop. They had gelato from Paolo’s Gelato, which is located downtown on John St. I ordered the Bacio (chocolate and hazelnut) which is totally weird for me; I don’t like chocolate based ice cream. This little sucker cost $4 pre tax. What? My pizza was less than this ball of ice cream. Don’t be fooled by this pic – it may look like a full cone but it’s just a blob on the top. I ended up throwing out the cone because there was no gelato in it. Boo.

After work, I went to the gym for some cardio. It was 93* outside and it felt the same in the gym. I sweated like never before. I ran a little over 3.5 miles (1 regular mile and 2.5 miles of interval sprints) then headed over to Whole Foods to pick up my 7th CSA box. Goodies!!

I quickly showered and got ready because Mariah, Lucy, and I had plans to go to Mustard Seed for dinner. We shared an appetizer of sesame crusted tuna with wasabi ginger mayo and sweet soy sauce. We tore that right up!

I was craving vegetables like never before, so I ordered the stir-fried vegetables with brown rice and added chicken. This did not disappoint – I think it included every vegetable known to man.

It should be my bed time, but I have work to do. I’m about go to nuts with these markers – stay tuned for the fancy tank tops I’m making for our drive to Destin tomorrow.

Speaking of Destin, I thought it would be fun for Margaret and I to complete a photo challenge on the way there…kind of like a scavenger hunt with our cameras. I am trying to think of funny things we need to take pictures with. So far I’ve come up with the following:

1. A picture of SC, GA, and FL welcome signs
2. A picture of us with a truck driver
3. A picture of a “foreign” Chick-fil-A
4. A picture of Margaret pumping gas with her beef jerky and Mt. Dew – her car ride requirements
5. A picture of somebody else pumping our gas (Thanks for that one, Rob!)
6. A picture of us wearing our horribly ugly sunglasses/headbands…just you wait

Please help us come up with more ideas! I will be receiving all your comments while we’re in the car, so I can just keep updating our list! THANKS!!!

XO!

Memorial Day Weekend Recap

Woah. MDW was the most random weekend of my life.

Friday: After we all got off work, Mariah, Lucy and I went to the new TCBY in Town Center for some frozen yogurt. The inside is full of neon colors – my favorite! It’s very clean and modern.
I kind of want these chairs in my kitchen. Don’t you? Okay, maybe not.I got a strange combination of watermelon sorbet, original tart yogurt, and peanut butter yogurt topped with cookie dough balls and heath bar bits. I am in l-o-v-e with the watermelon sorbet. I was not impressed with the frozen yogurt flavors at all. Lucy got grapefruit sorbet with mango, mochi, and coconut. She was very happy with the sorbet.I can’t remember which flavors Mariah got – maybe that’s strawberry and peanut butter? You can see she likes a good topping to froyo ratio. :)Clearly we destroyed our dessert. Overall, I have to say that TCBY has nothing on Menchie’s. I would definitely go back if I’m in the mood for sorbet because the 4 flavors they had that night were delicious. The frozen yogurt barely didn’t have much flavor though. Menchie’s wins in my book.

Saturday: Saturday was the most relaxing day of the weekend. Mariah and I woke up late, lounged by the pool, then each went on dates. We may or may not have planned our dates according to each other’s schedules.

Sunday: Beach day! Mariah, Lucy, and I met a bunch of friends at Sullivan’s Island for a few hours. On the way to the beach we stopped at the store for snacks and I found the most exciting thing ever:

PICKLES IN A BAG.

Thank goodness both Amanda and Jess were also at the beach, because I could not have enjoyed this without my frickle tasting buddies! For the record, they were actually good and the juice was ridiculously sour. I am unsure whether the guys on the beach thought we were a)disgusting or b)disgusting.

Monday: Well, today I shot my first hand gun. I shot a rifle and a shotgun last fall, but this was my first time holding such a tiny little weapon.

I’m not aiming, I’m winking at you.

Tiny but LOUD. Even with earplugs it’s quite the bang bang. Literally.

The first time I shot it, I almost peed my shorts. My palms were sweating profusely--I just didn’t know what to expect. After 10ish times, I felt less nervous. It was nuts. I was able to shoot a plastic bottle though! I was shocked because honestly, I need glasses so badly.

And this picture just makes me wonder if I need to start wearing a higher sunscreen. If I’m brown now, what am I going to look like after Margaret and I go to Destin? After that, we grabbed some lunch at Jack’s Cosmic Dogs.
It’s a cute little shack far down off 17 with hot dogs, fries, ice cream, and shakes.
I had a hot dog with spicy mustard, sauerkraut, and a pickle. I also doused it with ketchup.



After lunch, we all went to the beach for a couple hours. Mariah and I wore fancy Memorial Day sunglasses. Thanks for the day off, Veterans!

Somehow after all of this, I still made it to the gym. Too much boozing over the weekend = sweaty hot mess after running 3.5 miles. It felt so good to sweat out my weekend. I am exhausted.

What was the highlight of your weekend? I’m grateful that I got to spend so much time with my friends! The pickles in a bag might have been my favorite part of the weekend.

Woohoo for a 4-day week! I only have to work 1 1/2 days, then Margaret and I are off to Destin!!

The ABC’s Of This Foodie

I couldn’t resist stealing this survey from Stefanie’s blog! There’s nothing like a fun survey to shake up the regular posting! Plus, it’s FRIDAY!

Here we go!

A: is for Apple, what’s your favorite variety?

I have two: Honeycrisps and Opals. Honeycrisps are so juicy and I wish they were always in season!

B: is for Bread, regardless of nutrition, calories, or whole grains what is your favorite type to have a nice big piece of?

This cinnamon braided bread is pretty much irresistible.

C: is for Cereal what is your favorite kind currently (just one!)

I’ve been hooked on Kashi GoLean original for months. I’ve been eating a serving with light vanilla soy milk and strawberries for so long. I started eating it with banana slices, then blueberries, now strawberries. Lord knows I have enough of them.

D: is for Doughnuts, you might not currently be eating them but what kind do you fancy?

Honestly, I don’t get too excited for donuts. They’re cute, but I can’t remember the last time I ate one. I’d much rather have a cookie or ice cream.

E: is for Eggs, how would you like yours prepared?

I like eggs every way! I prefer mine as an omelet with goat cheese, onions, and greens or even just a plain fried egg.

F: is for Fat Free, what is your favorite fat free product?

Fat free Greek yogurt tastes delicious – still thick and creamy. Go Fage!

G: is for Groceries, where do you purchase yours at?

Publix for some stuff, and Whole Foods for produce and special items I can’t find elsewhere. I can’t wait for Trader Joe’s to open in my town! Eeeeeeeeeep!

H: is for Hot Beverages, what is your favorite hot drink?

I like caramel lattes with a dash (or blob) of cinnamon.

I: is for Ice Cream, pick a favorite flavor and add a fun topping.

This is a tough question. My ideal flavor would be peanut butter oreo, but I never see that. I love mint chocolate chip and cookie dough too. I also really like a blueberry pie frozen yogurt that Publix makes. But my absolute #1 flavor gelato is PISTACHIO!

J: is for Jams or Jellies, do you eat them, and if so what kind and flavor?

Love them all! Blueberry, raspberry, then strawberry. Stefanie – I love jam on my eggs too! With goat cheese!

K: is for Kashi, name your favorite Kashi product?

As previously mentioned, I love Kashi GoLean original cereal.

L: is for Lunch, what was yours today?

Leftover Beet Risotto! So freaking good. Make this now!

M: is for microwave, what is your favorite microwave meal/snack?

Popcorn?

N: is for nutrients, do you likes carbs, fats, or proteins best?

I crave protein more than anything but I enjoy carbs most.

O: is for oil, what kind do you like to use?

I typically used extra virgin olive oil, but I love sesame oil for Asian pasta dishes.

P: is for protein, how do you get yours?

Chicken, Greek yogurt, almonds, almonds, walnuts, and ice cream. Just kidding about that last one.

Q: is for Quaker, how do you like your oats?

Ever since I got sick after eating oats last November, I haven’t been able to touch them. I’ve gone 7 months without eating them. Gag. My roommate eats them every single day—sometimes twice.

R: is for roasting, what is your favorite thing to roast?

BEETS!! I also love roasted asparagus and sweet potato fries.

S: is for sandwich, what’s your favorite kind?

I really like turkey sandwiches with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, spicy mustard, and lots of pickles. I also really love sandwiches like I had in Italy with fresh prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato and balsamic.

T: is for travel, how do you handle eating while traveling?

I eat everything I can!?!? When I travel, I enjoy myself. It all evens out in the end and vacations are meant for FUN! One dessert in particular that I will never forget is this Nutella & Ricotta Stuffed Calzone I had in Rome.

U: is for unique, what is one of your weirdest food combos?

The only weird combo I can think of is making egg sandwiches with goat cheese and blueberry jam. Other than that, I just like a lot of weird foods like beets and fried pickles.

V: is for vitamins, what kind do you take?

None. I believe that I get enough nutrients from what I eat.

W: is for wasabi, yay or nay?

YAY. I like the pain in my nose.

X: is for XC Foodie, why is she so awesome?

Don’t know her but Xtina is more fun obviously.

Y: is for youth, what food reminds you of your childhood?

Annie’s Shells & White Cheddar.

Z: is for zucchini, how do you prepare it?

Grilled, sautéed, or roasted.

HAPPY FRIDAY! Yay for a 3-day weekend!

XO!

Sometimes I Just Want To Be Random

Like in this post!

When I got home from work today, Lucy asked me if I was going to the gym. I (too) quickly responded, “NOPE! I’m skipping it!” I said it in the voice of a 15-year-old who would rather go shopping than to class. I love the feeling that exercise gives me, but at that moment, all I wanted to do was spend some time with Lucy! She has been such a wonderful friend to me and we’ve gotten so close over the past few months. She decided to skip the gym with me and we discussed what we wanted to do for dinner.

We thought. And thought. And thought. Nothing sounded good…except frozen yogurt! Yep, not only did we skip the gym, but we jumped in her Bug with the top down and cruised straight to Menchie’s.

Unfortunately once we got there, there weren’t a ton of flavors that excited me. I got a pathetic portion of peanut butter, thin mint chocolate, and country vanilla fro yo topped with heath bar bits.

Lucy got raspberry sorbet topped with blueberry and mochi.

After our treat, we went to Whole Foods for wine. Check out this Australian bottle I found:

Now that sounds like a party in a bottle. Woop woop! Am I the only one who still says that? Probably.

I also saw a very exciting new Ben & Jerry’s flavor:

I almost peed my pants with excitement until I saw the calories per serving. Seeing as I just had froyo, I restrained myself from buying this and eating it in the parking lot. Trust me, I would have.

A couple hours later I found myself hungry for a real meal. I figured that the frozen yogurt wouldn’t actually fill me up, so I ended up swapping my dessert and dinner times. Dinner consisted of Tandoori flavored rotisserie chicken (purchased from WF), black beans, and some zucchini and squash from Tuesday’s CSA box.

Do you ever have dessert for dinner and then find yourself eating dinner anyway?

To end this post, I thought I’d share a Bits of Truth quotes that made me happy today:

Live more! Smile more! Laugh more! We are surrounded by beautiful things. Embrace them. Be kind to everyone.

Eat your damn fro yo.

XO!

CSA Week #6 and Bridesmaids

Today I picked up my 6th box of fresh produce from my CSA with Pinckney’s. I was so excited to pick this box up as this week’s list of goodies was huge!

That’s Lucy and her laptop in the background – pervin’ on my veggies!

In this box:

• Beets
• Butter Crunch Lettuce
• Carrots
• Collards
• New Potatoes
• Onions 
• Pattypan squash
• Pickling cumbers – heck YES
• Rutabagas
• Swiss Chard  
• Turnips
• Yellow Squash
• Zucchini

This was by far the best box yet! How adorable is the pattypan squash! (far right corner) I’m pumped about getting beets again and oh my gosh, I have soooo many potatoes. Someone needs to come over and mash with me!!

The first thing I noticed in this box was this peculiar looking carrot. When I pulled it out, this is what I found: SIAMESE CARROTS!!!

After picking up my CSA box, Lucy and I met Sarah at Cinebarre. After meeting on Sunday, we planned on seeing Bridesmaids. I think every single one of my friends (besides Lucy and Sarah) had already seen it. They have all been raving about how funny it was, so I was dying to go. It was freaking HILARIOUS! Watch the trailer, please, just do it!

While in the theatre, I got an email from another blog friend, Caroline, who was in another room watching Something Remembered. Caroline must have been thinking about my previous visit to Cinebarre when I ordered frickles (otherwise known as Big Lebowskies at Cinebarre).

She wrote: “I was ordering a diet coke, but evidently I got too excited about frickles! Diet frickles might be cool. But not a small!!!!” Oopsies!

So, Caroline…did they serve you Diet Lebowskies? Ha! I hope you got your order fixed!

Are you married? How many times have you been a bridesmaid? I’ve been a bridesmaid three times and I have a feeling I’ll be one a few more times.

Happy Wednesday everyone! We’re so close to a 3-day weekend!!

XO!

I May Be Crazy But I Can Make Beet Risotto with Goat Cheese!

All of my negative traits must be forgiven, for I can make some killer risotto.

And cookies.

But really, I am a CLUMSY MESS. It’s not a joke. My attention span is unreal. I’m either unable to focus on anything, or I’m hyper focused on one thing. Luckily, I tend to be hyper focused at work, as long as I have my music on.

A typical Whole Foods shopping adventure for me includes a)knocking something over, b)dropping something, c)ramming something or someone with my cart, d)losing my cart, or e)all of the above. Today, while purchasing Arborio rice for my dinner, I had a moment. You know those bins at Whole Foods? I had pulled down the handle to release Arborio rice into my bag and then heard my phone go off and for some reason, I just walked away. While the handle was still down.

I made it rain Arborio rice all over that place.

This girl looked at me like I was all sorts of stupid, but I looked at her and laughed, because really, how serious could this be? It’s freaking rice. It costs like 2 cents and you have to laugh at life, right?

I walked out of Whole Foods and chuckled to myself the entire ride home. Then the cooking began! I was in the mood for something comforting, so the beet risotto that Lucy’s mom had made us came to mind. It was time to recreate her masterpiece!

I used a combination of her recipe and one that Jenna recently posted on Tasty Kitchen.

Beet Risotto

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2-3 medium beets, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 3 cups fat free, low sodium chicken broth
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme
• salt & pepper to taste
• crumbled goat cheese, for topping

Preparation:

1. Warm the olive oil over medium heat in a medium pot.

2. Add the beets and onion, and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add the rice, chicken broth, and balsamic vinegar. Increase the heat. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the rice is tender and the risotto is creamy, stirring occasionally (about 15 minutes).

4. Season with salt and pepper and add the thyme. Sprinkle with the goat cheese. Serve immediately.

While chopping the beets, I nicked my palm with the knife. Then I realized I had no idea if I had broken the skin because my entire hand was red anyway! Aren’t beets fun?!

Despite spilling rice and cutting my palm, this meal was ridiculously good. It was creamy and comforting with a nice hint of thyme. The goat cheese balanced out the tangy balsamic and also added to the creaminess. I’m kind of glad I didn’t invite any friends over because I want this alllllllllll to myself!

Along with the beets, I had some Swiss chard that I sautéed in olive oil with garlic and crushed red pepper. Quite a colorful meal.

Now apparently I am not the only crazy in Charleston. Check out this dude I spotted walking down King Street last weekend. HOT PANTS! They are bright yellow and his hair is blue. I found it to be such perfect timing that he was walking by a fire hydrant when I spotted him. They match!

XO!