FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Dinner With @Chobani

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Chobani Dinner 2

What a week!  SXSW13 was unexpectedly grand.  Five days off of real work.  Five days off of fake work.  Five days of resting my mind and cruising through the city, plan-less, with my best buds.  I can’t wait to catch you all up!

Chobani Dinner 1

One of my first SX happenings was going to dinner with Chobani and a bunch of local bloggers at Parkside.  Megan and I navigated our Car2Go through ridiculous traffic, scored a super close, super teensy parking spot between two motorcycles, and got to reading about our Greek yogurt inspired dinner.

Parkside Austin

Avocado soup, beet salad, grilled prawns, braised beef short ribs, and yogurt custard desert – I should have paced myself.  But pacing was just not possible when each dish that arrived was completely divine.

Parkside Austin 2

Everything was so super delish, but I especially loved the avocado soup, prawns, and the basil ice cream that came along side the custard.  The soup was cool, crisp, with slight, salty bursts from the caviar.  The prawns were gynorm and wonderfully seasoned.  And the dessert…  Why wasn’t the dessert served first?  I tried so, so hard to finish, but just couldn’t.  Basil ice cream is happening in my kitchen.  Soon.

Parkside Austin 4

In addition to culinary goodness, the company was fantastic as well.  The folks at Chobani were so enthusiastic about being in Austin, meeting with Austin bloggers, and representing their company – I can’t say I’ve met with a brand that exuded more positive energy.  And!  Megan and I sat across from Miss Melody Fury, a super cool character that I hope to run into again in the real world and virtual world, alike.

Thanks a million, Chobani, for such a fun night!

Fitness Friend & Egg Salad

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Even though boat beers and holiday feasts were a plenty this weekend, there was still enough hiking, swimming, and gun lifting for a drop on the scale (hurrah!).  But weekday sedentary life means getting back to it where dieting eating responsibly and exercising are concerned.

Last week I experimented with my calendar, scheduling work-outs, meals, blog posts, and chores.  I put my alarm clock (cell phone) in the kitchen, forcing myself to get out of bed early, and managed to add an extra 30-60 minutes to each day.  I rushed home during my lunch breaks to utilize that hour as well.  People aren’t joking when they say the calendar is your fitness plan friend.  It’s the truth!

FoodFash Dill Egg Salad (yields 2 servings)

4 boiled eggs (toss 2 of the yolks), chopped

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

1/4 red onion, finely chopped (I used white and wish I hadn’t)

1 teaspoon dill

2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt

salt and pepper to taste

I had never used Greek yogurt in egg salad before, but after using some of the goods that Chobani sent me last week to make yumtastic tzatziki, I had zero hesitation.  Using plain yogurt in place of mayo or Vegenaise in protein salads really freshens things up.  And not only are fresh meals perfect for summer, they’re also perfect for this little birthday bikini challenge I’ve got going on right now!