Halloweekend Update – Picture Heavy

On Saturday, Boding and I took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and frolicked around downtown. We decided to stop at Taziki’s Mediterranean Café, a new(ish) restaurant on King Street. I had been craving a gyro for like a month (weird?) so I was excited to see what they had to offer.

I am so glad that we went to Taziki’s. It’s really pretty inside, all the employees were extremely friendly, and the food was incredibly fresh.

I had the Grilled Chicken Gyro with taziki sauce, tomatoes, lettuce, and grilled onions with two sides: chips, and a tomato-cucumber salad.

You know I am really weird about onions, and these didn’t even bother me. Although I think the potato chips were unnecessary, I was very pleased with my other side. It was as if they had just chopped my tomatoes and cucumber a few minutes before.

We also shared hummus and pita chips. The hummus was on the grittier side (which I like), but still creamy enough.

You have got to get to Taziki’s. I’m so in love and you should be too.

After lunch we walked around for a few hours. I gave him a little tour of my alma mater, the College of Charleston. Go cougars!Our next stop

Planking on a fancy campus building.

We also stopped at Tom’s Toys, a little store that sells Kapla Blocks. You can go in and play with the blocks anytime. The owners have created some really neat constructions.

I am not so creative. I built two things: my name…

…and a twitter hashtag.

That evening, it was time to dress up for Halloween! Last minute, Ashley and I decided to be the devil/angel duo.

We had SO much fun on Saturday – first the four of us (Rachel, Ashley, Jenny and I) met up with Valerie at O-ku. So sad this pic is blurry.

Then we all went to Trio to dance, dance, and dance. We had quite the dance circle going on!

Devil and Catwoman.

Tomb raider, Trophy Wife, Angel.

What were YOU for Halloween?

Best thing you ate this weekend?

High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by High Road. They are a chef owned/operated manufacturer of artisan ice creams and sorbets based out of Atlanta, Georgia. They use high quality ingredients and make everything from scratch. Late this summer, they launched a line at Whole Foods that included the following flavors:

• Aztec Chocolate & Caramel (spicy!)
• Caffeine & Cacao
• Bourbon Burnt Sugar
• Brown Butter Praline
• Vanilla Fleur de Sel
• Mango Chile Lime Sorbet (spicy!)
• Red Berries & Prosecco Sorbet

A week after contacting me, Nicki, one of their representatives, had a demo at my local Whole Foods. Of course I had to stop in to try the new flavors!

Up for sampling were the Aztec Chocolate & Caramel, Caffeine & Cacao, and Bourbon Burnt Sugar. While all three were delicious, my favorite was the Bourbon Burnt Sugar. I was very impressed with the Aztec Chocolate & Caramel. That was the first time I’d tried spicy-flavored ice cream – definitely intriguing.

Nicki offered to buy me a pint before I left. I snagged a pint of the Brown Butter Praline. Even without having sampled it, I was sure it’d be great. She also gave me a fun t-shirt. Unfortunately the babe was not included.

And then I made an oopsies. A major oopsies, really. Trying to be eco-friendly, I stuck the pint of ice cream in my purse rather than wasting one of the grocery store bags.

No big deal…unless you let it sit. For 2 hours while you’re at a baby shower…

…which is exactly what I did.

As I walked to my car leaving the party, I grabbed the pint by the lid and the container slammed to the ground. The ice cream splattered all over me, my car, and the ground.

On Monday when I received a thank you email from High Road for stopping by the demo, I told them about my incident. They were gracious enough to replace my pint! This was actually a blessing in disguise, because I ended up getting the sorbet that hadn’t been in stores yet.

Red Berries & Prosecco:

Absolutely delicious. Not only am I impressed with the quality of the ice cream & sorbet flavors, the quality is outstanding. Both Stacy and Nicki from High Road were so friendly and they’ve found a permanent customer in me! Thanks to you both!

For more information, check out their

• website
• facebook
• twitter

Ice cream, sorbet, or gelato?

Favorite flavor of each?

Worst thing you’ve ever spilled all over yourself?

My Chick-fil-A Wish List

So, some people have birthday or Christmas wish lists. I have Chick-fil-A menu item wish lists.

Normal for most of society? No. For me? Totally. The following is a list of items I’d probably have a heart failure if I saw pop up on the menu.

Let’s do it countdown style…

5. Coke Float, Root Beer Float…heck, even a Sprite Float

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This one is so easy. Plop some of that wonderful (low-fat, by the way) icedream into a cup full of soda and BAM, it’s a float. Done and done.

4. Blueberry Pie Milkshakes

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I know they have blueberry topping for the cheesecake. They need to throw some of it into some ice cream, add some cookies, blend, and serve. Mmmmm. I’m thinking it should debut in the Summer. Are you listening Chick-fil-A?

3. Grilled Chicken Quesadilla

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So this one would be a little work. You know those wraps they have? Ok, they don’t have to be rolled. Take one, fill it with grilled chicken strips from the Southwest Salad, throw in some of that tomato-corn salsa, add cheese, and voila, Chick-fil-A goes Mexican. Olé!

2. Strawberry Lemonade

Shhhh, let me tell you a secret. My first job, at 15 years old, was a carhop at Sonic. I wore skates for one day, crashed into a car, and then it was only sneakers for me. During my 6 months there, my beverage of choice was Strawberry Lemonade. Chick-fil-A has the best lemonade ever. If they threw some strawberries in there, I’d do cartwheels.

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1. FRIED PICKLES!

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Anyone that reads my blog knows that pickles are one of my very favorite foods. Chick-fil-A specializes in frying chicken and they just happen to have some of the best pickles around. Tossing some of those sour slices into the fryer has to be possible.

So, Mr. Cathy, and/or any Chick-fil-A big wigs…if you’re listening, can you make one of my dreams come true?

Readers: Which item on this list would you most like to see pop up on the menu?

OR

Have any other new item ideas? Shoot!

Black Bean Company and More Downtown Running

I spent the night with Mariah on Saturday night after a somewhat tame evening downtown. I spent my third weekend at The Macintosh. Still obsessed with this new bar. Mariah was housesitting on John’s Island, so on Sunday we decided to take advantage of different restaurants.

Black Bean Company is a restaurant that so many people have recommended to me. Calling themselves an “Energy Food Restaurant,” they serve premium organic and all natural foods. They have a breakfast and lunch menu, which specializes in gyros, wraps, and salads.

I chose a wrap that a friend had recommended a while back.

Beach Burrito: roasted chicken breast, black beans & rice, mixed greens, fresh guacamole, and mango salsa.

Mariah opted for a wrap as well.

Black and Blue wrap: chicken, blue cheese, mixed greens, avocado, fig balsamic vinaigrette, black beans, and jasmine rice.

Both wraps came with a side; Mariah had the couscous with golden raisins and I had yogurt with granola. We both really enjoyed everything. The wraps were huge and tasted extremely fresh. I was so close to ordering one to go for dinner, but instead saved my other half for my next lunch. I will definitely be back.

After lunch it was time to lounge in leather recliners and watch TV. We caught the end of the Jersey Shore reunion, then watched How Do You Know. It was just okay. I didn’t mind staring at Paul Rudd for 2 hours though.

That afternoon, still feeling pretty healthy, I decided to go for a run downtown. I am certain that downtown is my favorite place for a run. Although I’m constantly having to dodge tourists, cars, and cyclists, I never get bored. I always seem to see someone I know too, so each time is an adventure. I just pray I never fall on the cobblestone or brick sidewalks. It was a nice 5 mile run and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Locals: Have you been to Black Bean Co. or Dell’z Deli? What’s your preference?

What are you guys dressing up as for Halloween?

Weekend Highlights: Pumpkin Beer, Clemson Wins, The Bagel Shop

The highlights…

Friday: Exhausted from this week’s workouts, I jumped on the opportunity to take Body Flow for the first time. Body Flow = Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates. Body Flow is supposed leave you feeling “centered and calm.” I don’t know that I’ve ever felt “centered and calm.” It was a nice stretch and and all, but mostly I just left feeling ready to party.

So I did. Boding and I picked up 2 types of beer From Trader Joe’s and met my roommate and her boyfriend back at home. They had just bought a case of Coor’s Light and Jenna suggested we play Circle of Death. What are we, 21? Mentally, I think so.

This was one of the beers we picked up. It was so…um, pumpkiny. Weird. Not a fan.

Circle of Death left us knowing a little too much about each other, as per usual.

Saturday: I met Mariah at Midtown to watch the second half of the Clemson game. Those tigers are undefeated this season! After their 59-39 win against the Tar Heels, they’re now ranked at #5!

They’re kind of making me want to be a tiger (tigress?) for Halloween…

After the game, I met a friend for lunch at The Bagel Shop. This tiny little shop is located downtown on George Street, right outside CofC’s campus, my alma mater. Had it been there when I was in college, I would have made it part of my dining ritual. Along with the expected bagels and breakfast sandwiches, they also have paninis, wraps, salads, and baked goods. If you’re thirsty, stop in at the coffee bar or grab a cup of organic tea. Even better are the heart healthy options like oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit cups.

While I would have loved to grab an everything bagel (my fave!), it was 3 p.m., so my friend and I opted to try two items from the lunch menu.

I have an everlasting love affair with basil, so when I saw the Turkey Panini on the menu, I knew I had to try that.

Turkey Panini: Sliced turkey, pepper jack cheese, and sliced green apple with basil pesto aioli on focaccia

This was my second sandwich this week that had apple slices on it. Lovers of the sweet and salty combo will appreciate this sandwich –- although the green apple is tart, it delicately balances out the spiciness of the pepper jack cheese.

Our second choice had one of my other favorite sandwich elements: avocado!

Grilled shrimp, avocado, mixed greens, tomato and sautéed onions and red peppers with cilantro-lime aioli in a tomato wrap

Obviously, this was requested sans onions. I was impressed with the large chunks of fresh avocado but a little overwhelmed by the amount of tomatoes. I guess it’s never a bad thing to get your daily requirements of lycopene though.

Both items were served with super crunchy pita chips and a pickle spear for around just $8 each. Considering how good lunch was, I’m convinced I’ll have to go back for breakfast. The Bagel Shop claims to serve traditional New York style bagels – dense, chewy, and doughy interior with a crisp exterior. Guess I’ll have to return to find out for sure…or maybe I just want to go back for the blueberry cream cheese.

CofC students and downtown residents: I know you’re reading…you’re soooo close. Go!

The rest of the weekend…to be continued…

Halloween costume ideas: lady tiger or devil? I’ve never been either. The previous few years I’ve been a Greek goddess, a bunny, a nun, and a cop. Any other ideas are welcomed.

Paninis or wraps? Favorite type of bagel?

The Friday Five

1. What I’m Reading:

The library emailed me telling me this book was (finally!) on hold for me. I started this last night. I am really freaked out by the big arms on the cover though.

2. What I’m Listening To:

3. What I’m Watching:

Don’t laugh, but I also snagged this from the library. So 4th grade of me. This, along with A Little Princess, was one of my favorite movies from elementary school. 

4. What I’m Eating:

Do yourself a favor and pick this dip up from Trader Joe’s. If you like Indian spices, you need this.

Although I prefer the homemade dish, this is great if you’re in a hurry. Very tasty.

These burgers, on the other hand, are…blech. I was totally freaked out biting into a random green bean in the middle of my burger. How do you guys eat veggie burgers? Eeeeeeeek.

5. What I’m Pinning: What I’m Buying:

(Sorry, Laura, I’m changing this bc I don’t really use pinterest.)

Because we all need an inexpensive, colored pea coat in our lives…

And because horizontal stripes don’t necessarily make you look wider…

And because I am loving neutral nail colors…

(Essie’s Chinchilly)

have a great weekend!

xx!