First and Foremost

Thanks to my sweet friend Laura for this survey! PS: Go check out her blog – she’s an amazing graphic designer and incredible girl!

1. First thing you do when you wake up in the morning.
I hate admitting this, but I check my phone. I check text messages, read emails, and if I have enough time, scroll through my instagram and facebook feeds. The first thing I do once I’m out of bed is brush my teeth. I’m obsessed with brushing my teeth.

2. First thing you reach for when you open the fridge.
Lately? Eggs.

3. First things you do when you go to the gym.
Say “Heeeeeeeey boys” to the front desk attendants, laugh when they say “Heeeeeey Orso” and then go downstairs for my workout.

4. First thing you do you when you get home from work?
After I throw my purse on the counter and kick off my shoes, I read the mail. I’m always excited if I’ve gotten a new magazine.

5. First car.
A 1995 Honda Civic. I named it “fluffy sheep.” Does that make any sense? No. But it was a manual and I liked it.

6. First car accident / traffic violation.
I got pulled for speeding but got out of it. That was the only time I cried and got out of it. Now I’m like ugh, here we go, let me just hand you my wallet.

7. First thing you wanted to be when you grew up.
I kid you not, I wanted to be a brain surgeon.

8. First choice beverage.
Water.

Then wine.

9. First choice breakfast.
Is this a serious question? I said eggs earlier, but if nutrition didn’t matter, I’d eat COOKIES.

10. First choice dessert.
I just answered that.

11. First song that comes to mind…
Right now I’m obsessed with Rihanna’s “Diamonds.”

12. First major purchase?
Hmm, does my tuition count? My student loans never end.

13. First job:
Besides babysitting, I worked at Sonic as a carhop with Nikki and Megan. For 16 year olds, we made so much $ in tips.

14. First time you flew on a plane.
When I was 3 we moved to Hawaii for a few months. The first plane ride I remember was to Disney World when I was 6.

Answer one of these questions in the comment section below! I’d love to hear your responses!

Sunday Survey

Thanks to the time change, Danielle and I stayed out way too late last night. My brain is mush so an easy post was in order. I stumbled upon this survey on the lovely Lauren’s blog the other day. She’s such a cutie!

Enjoy!

What is currently on your wish list?

These sneakers, Brooks Ravenna 3:

All of these jeans.

These pickles. They’re made with Sriracha!

 

Share a new iPhone, droid, ipad app you have recently discovered that we all need.

White Noise App. I’m a dork for this, but I have trouble sleeping. With this app I can listen to rainfall before I fall asleep. Other sounds include crickets chirping, chimes, a fan, train, a thunderstorm, beach waves, etc.

What is a new Fall TV show you have added to your DVR?
Sorry…I don’t regularly watch any show other than Golden Girls. It’s true. But recently I’ve been watching a lot of Family Guy.

What should I be watching? Tell me!

Share your Social Media links for us to follow you on(pinterest, twitter, facebook, etc.)
Instagram: christinaorso
Twitter: christinaorso
Pinterest: christinaorso

What is a TV series or Movie or Song you could listen to or watch over and over and over and never get tired of…feel free to name one of each.
I have never, ever tired of Golden Girls. Or The Nanny. I’m stuck in the in the wrong decade apparently.  For songs, I will never not get excited to hear Juvenile’s Back That Thang Up. What a gem. 

xo!

Food Survey!

God bless a good food survey! It’s my favorite kind of post.

Breakfast
Favorite cereal as a child? Lucky Charms. You know, I really miss this cereal. I miss it so much that the next time I’m craving dessert, I think I’ll have a bowl. Damn that sounds good.

Coffee or Tea? With milk or without?
I drink coffee, but I don’t need it to survive my mornings. I take it with milk and 1-2 packets of Splenda. I’ll drink tea occasionally if I find a good flavor or if I just need a warm beverage.

The one food you eat most often at breakfast.
Greek yogurt, for sure. I am definitely team Fage (for the thickness – TWSS?), but also a huge cheerleader for Chobani.
Lunch

Sandwiches are usually considered lunch food. If you had to choose from a grilled cheese sandwich or a peanut butter and jelly, which would you pick? That’s easy – a peanut butter and jelly. A grilled cheese is great, but not as satisfying as the sweet and salty awesomeness of a pb&j. I like mine on soft bread with creamy pb and raspberry or strawberry jelly.
You can only put four ingredients in your salad (not including greens); what do you throw in the mix? Additionally, which greens and dressing do you pick?

My perfect salad:

Base: Butter lettuce

Four ingredients: chickpeas, roasted red pepper, cucumbers, feta

Dressing: balsamic vinaigrette + a squeeze of lemon

One food you cannot live without at lunch.

Dessert? I’m serious. After lunch, I almost always throw back a few M&Ms or a piece of dark chocolate. It just rounds out the meal. Ha.

Dinner

It's the end of the day. You're tired, hungry, and your fridge is empty. If fast food (from a chain) is your only option, where do you go and what do you order?
Ha! Everyone who reads this blog can already answer that. Chick-fil-A. And because I know you’re all still wondering, I’m pro marriage equality.  <3 Love is love.

TV/Computer on or off while you are eating?

If I have the TV on, it’s probably just for background noise. I typically write my blog posts while I eat dinner unless I’m with someone.

The one food you eat most often at dinner.
Any vegetable from my CSA. Beets, roasted broccoli, zucchini, squash, peas, or Brussels sprouts are among my favorites.

Dessert

Choose between two American desserts: cheesecake or apple pie.
Oh, my favorite category! My answer is apple pie. I don’t really even care for cheesecake. It’s too soft. The sweetness of an apple pie with a crunchy, cinnamony pie crust is just divine. Don’t get me started on blueberry pie, which is my favorite. Ahh.

Choose between two foreign desserts: tiramisu (Italy) or flan (Spain). EW! I despise both. The texture of flan makes me want to gag and tiramisu is no better. I don’t even bother trying tiramisu anymore because I just never like it. Yuck yuck yuck.

Ice cream: cone or cup. Cone. I prefer a wafer cone to a sugar or waffle cone. There’s something about the last bite of a wafer cone that’s softened from the cold ice cream. Gosh!! I get so excited every time.

A Fitness Survey

Thanks for the survey, Sara!

1. Run/workout in the heat and humidity or freezing cold temps and snow?
While the sound of both of those makes me ill, I’d probably choose the heat. I prefer to wear as little clothing as possible when I run so bundling up to exercise sounds awful. Running in the rain is really cool though. Liberating!

2. Washboard abs or flat abs?
On whom? Me? Flat is fine. I think I have a 2-pack. Ha. On men? Washboard abs are okay, but if it’s too sculpted, it’s gross. Again, flat is fine. Chest muscles > abs.

3. Dr. Oz or The Doctors?
Does Dr. Oz know everything? I think he does. I’d probably obey anything he told me to do.

4. Cardio or strength?
Both! I go through phases when I despise cardio (think July, August). For the most part, I know it’s good for me, but strength training is just as important. I’d MUCH rather be fit and toned than thin and frail. I’m not saying that cardio makes you thin and frail, but I get no upper body definition from running.

5. Cravings: Protein or carbs?
I rarely crave protein – hopefully because I get enough. Who doesn’t crave carbs? I could sit around and eat pita chips, crackers, and bread for hours. Pasta bores me though.

6. Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper?
I really don’t pay attention to either of them. But hey, they have nice bodies. So does this guy, just saying.

Side note: That was not the first time I have googled “Zac Efron shirtless”.

7. Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream?
I like both equally. Froyo is a guiltless option, but ice cream is more fun to indulge in.  I can’t get enough of Chick-fil-A’s IceDream. Remember the time I got to ride in the Chick-fil-A car with ice cream? Still cracks me up.

8. To train: Upper body or Lower body?
Upper body.

9. Protein powder or food with protein?
Food with protein, for sure.

10. Lunges or squats?
Squats. I hate lunges. But not as much as I hate burpees.

11. Sweet or salty?
I like both of these equally too. I especially love the combo. I could eat a hundred of these:

12. Workout attire: cute or comfy?
I’d much rather be comfy than cute, but I’ve never bought anything that I didn’t consider cute. Thanks, Target. 

13. Body Pump or Heavy lifting?
I enjoy strength training on my own. I really dislike Body Pump.  I feel like I can get so much more done by myself and don’t have to listen to that awful music.

14. Yoga or Pilates?
Yoga is not for me. I don’t have the attention span for it, I can’t relax, and I don’t get anything out of it. I know a lot of people get so much from it, and that’s great. Pilates can be a nice change-up from my regular routine, but I’d prefer other classes first. 

15. Nike or Adidas?
I don’t own anything by either. I wear Asics sneakers. 

16. Running on the treadmill or outdoors?
Both. Running outdoors is much more entertaining, obviously. And SO much more relaxing. 

17. Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s?
Ever since our Trader Joe’s opened, I rarely go to Whole Foods. There are staples that I like at TJ’s and I love trying their new products. Amanda and I were pretty psyched when it opened last Summer.

18. Summer or Winter Olympics?
Summer! Gymnastics! Ice skating is pretty fun to watch though. 

19. Exercise classes or Exercise videos?
Classes.

20. Steamed veggies or roasted veggies?
Roasted! Beets!

What I Love From A to Z

This post been floating all around the blog world.  Here’s my list, just in case you guys forgot the letters of the alphabet.

A – Asics. I have tried to run in many different brands of sneakers. Asics always win. Bonus points if they’re in my two favorite colors, lime green and purple.

B – Beets. Although it’s not my favorite flavor-wise, I have a mild obsession with this rooted  vegetable.

Could it be the color? How it dyes everything pink? That is pairs so well with honey and goat cheese? That it makes for the creamiest Beet Risotto with Goat Cheese?

C – Cookies. A soft, chewy, chocolate chip cookie is my favorite. No question about it – nothing compares.

D – Dining out. Who doesn’t love being served a delicious meal without having to do any work? I know I do. Some of my favorite restaurants in Charleston are: The Macintosh, Hall’s, and Cypress.

E – Essie makes a great nail polish. They come out with the best colors! Their newest line, Mirror Metallics looks beautiful:

F – Farmer’s markets. Fresh, local veggies taste better. They just do.

G – Grammy. I absolutely adore this woman! 

H – Hungry Meets Healthy. The blog title perfectly exemplifies my life. And I adore each and every one of you for reading!

I – IceDreams from Chick-fil-A. They’re perfectly portioned and pair well with pickles. Ew? No.

J – Joy! If you open your eyes, there’s plenty of joy all around you. Just look for it.

K – Kitchens. My favorite room in the house.

L – The library. I could spend hours in a library admiring all of the books. I live very close to one and I try to go once a week. I never stop reading.

M – Music. Can’t function without it. I shower, drive, work, exercise, cook, and blog with music. Totally necessary.

N – Nancy and Nikki. These two ladies have been my best friends since, well, forever. I love them both dearly!

O – Orzo. Spelled so closely to my last name, I get a kick out of every time I see this short-cut grain of pasta.

P – Pickles. Enough said. 

Q – Quick! I do everything quickly. Walk, talk, type, eat, read,run, write. I like doing something and moving onto the next thing!

R – Running. Be it sprinting, interval training, or distance running, I love this form of exercise. Receiving medals doesn’t hurt either. Right, Mary-Legare?

S – SUNSHINE!

T – Target. What would I do without this wonderful place? It’s an adult’s playground and a surefire way to spend money on things you “need.”

U – Unique. There’s nothing worse than being ordinary.

V – Vegetables.

W – Wine. Red wine, white wine, pink wine. Any wine.

X – Xtina, the nickname. Or just X to some of my friends. It’s the only nickname that has stuck with me.

Y – YOU! I’m so grateful for all you lovely readers. Thanks for the comments, emails, and tweets. You’re the best.

Z – Zodiac. Confession: I like reading my horoscope and I am a true Cancer.

Do this survey and send me a link!

10 to 1 Survey

Enjoy a survey! Steal it! Blog it!

10 favorite musical artists:

• sia
• jem
• radiohead
• coldplay
• kings of leon
• britney spears
• the bird and the bee
• the xx
• regina spektor
• damien rice

9 things in your purse:

• wallet
• phone
• debit card
• sunglasses
• gum
• makeup bag
• receipts
• candy/snacks
• keys

8 places you want to visit:

• austin
• chicago
• san fran
• san diego
• honolulu (again)
• southern italy
• greece
• holland (the netherlands? w/e)

7 movies you love:

• Grandma’s Boy
• Office Space
• Man on Fire
• Love Actually
• Remember Me
• The Little Mermaid
• Can I count all the Golden Girls on DVD? Yes, I own them.

6 favorite hobbies:

• blogging (!!)
• cooking/baking
• working out
• reading
• crossword puzzles
• shopping at Target (ha!)

5 favorite fruits/vegetables:

• peas
• beets
• brussels sprouts
• strawberries
• bananas

4 favorite colors to wear:

• green
• teal
• blue
• orange

3 things that stress you out:

• having/making plans (unless it’s for a vacation)
• cleaning
• dentists

2 things you say too much:

• oh my gosh
• holy crap

1 favorite dessert:

• CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

A–Z Survey for Saturday

Big hugs to Janetha for posting this awesome survey. Couldn’t resist stealing it…

A is for age: 27 3/4. Ugh. 28 is coming very soon. I was semi bothered by this number until a coworker and I talked about it on Friday. He said 28 is a great age because you’re clearly an adult, but not yet 30. Ha!

B is for breakfast today: I had a cup of grapes and strawberries with the new Gnu Foods Blueberry Cobbler bar. It is so good. As soon as I ripped it open I could smell the blueberry flavor. Once it hits the shelves, you guys need to scoop a bunch up!

Thank you, Gnu Foods, for sending me an early shipment!

C is for currently craving: No cravings at the moment. Shocking. Who am I?

D is for dinner tonight: Last night Amanda and I went to Five Loaves for dinner. I had 1/2 of the Eggplant Fritters salad (w/ grilled asparagus & goat cheese over mixed greens) and the Sweet Chili Glazed Eggplant Wrap with cucumbers, sprouts, carrots, peppers & Thai peanut sauce. This was my second dinner in a row at Five Loaves. New love!

E is for favorite type of exercise: Running or strength training. Kickboxing is my favorite  group fitness class.

F is for an irrational fear: Every now and then I worry when I’m running or driving over the bridge. Like what if it just collapsed? Eek! I’m also petrified of subway crashes.

G is for gross food: I’m still totally disgusted by all forms of poultry. I don’t know what happened or how to fix it. :(

H is for hometown: From birth – 13, I lived in Acton, MA and still consider that my “hometown.”

I is for something important: Friendship!

J is for current favorite jam: Wild Ones by Sia & Flo Rida. SO good!

K is for kids: No. Just no. Ask me in a few years.

L is for current location: Mt. Pleasant, SC.

M is for the most recent way you spent money: Dinner.

N is for something you need: New pillows. My knee to stop hurting. A good book to read.

O is for occupation: I work for the Communications team at Blackbaud. That’s all you need to know. Any more information and you’ll just be confused.

P is for pet peeve: Slow talkers. Slow walkers. Slow drivers. Slow story tellers. Loud chewers. People who yawn out loud. STOP IT!!

Q is for a quote:

R is for random fact about you: I can hula hoop for a really long time. If someone was feeding me, I’m sure I could hula all day long.

S is for favorite healthy snack: Bananas. Carrots & hummus. Fage’s cherry Greek yogurt.

T is for favorite treat: Chickfila’s IceDream. With or without pickles on the side.

U is for something that makes you unique: Dog bite scar on my left jaw. Nobody really notices it.

V is for favorite vegetable: Beets! Peas! Brussels sprouts. Asparagus. The ones everyone hates.

W is for today’s workout: Running outside. How can I say no in 80* weather?

X is for X-rays you’ve had: Remember that time I sprained my foot dancing at Trio? That’s the one and only time I’ve had x-rays done.

Y is for yesterday’s highlight: It was definitely catching up with Amanda. Love that girl. The bottle of Malbec we split wasn’t bad either.

Z is for your time zone: EST.

Happy Saturday!