FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Archives for April 2012

Newness

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Today was a busy bee day.  I spent half of my lunch break talking to the hiring manager at Anthropologie about a possible part-time sales position.  Meeting some new people and soaking up fashion inspiration…  Dream, right?  And I spent the other half of lunch braving the downtown Whole Foods crowd.  Less of a dream, but oh so good.

After work, I headed to the apartment gym to get a quick workout in before meeting my neighbor, Alexis, for a happy hour organized by our complex. I never thought I’d say this, but I think I’m addicted to squats.  If only I felt the same way about lunges…  If.  Only.

I met up with Alexis and we headed to Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar where we were greeted with apps and drink tickets.  We were the opposite of social and ate our snacks at a table for two.  But in our defense, this was our first time hanging out and we were more excited about getting to know each other than approaching the masses.  Next time we’ll venture out, next time!

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!

A Movie Fun Easter

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You know those days where you’re having so much fun that you feel like time stops, laughing continues, and you have no thoughts other than what’s going on in the moment?  I have always described that feelings as movie fun.  And I did not expect movie fun this Easter.

In fact, I woke up with my first serious pangs of homesickness on Sunday morning.  It started creeping up on Friday and by Sunday morning, I was a sad kid.  And it wasn’t so much that I want to be anywhere but Austin, I just wanted everyone I love to be here with me.

This was Jenny’s first Easter without family so she knew the feeling.  We went to Easter service, unsure of what the day had in store for us.  But we left Easter service on a mission to meet Matt for coffee.  For Matt is a life-lover and there’s no such thing as a dull day in his world.

Next thing we knew, we were four-deep in Matt’s explorer and headed West.  Destination?  Wherever the largest patches of wildflowers led us.

We parked next to a saloon in Willow City, Texas (yeah that’s right, population 75), and whipped out the football.

 

It wasn’t long before I frolicked over to a field and made a wildflower tiara.  In my world, crafting ability > athletic ability.

From there, we found a secluded spot where the boys taught Jenny and me how to shoot.  Neither of us had ever fired a gun before, so it was an… interesting experience.  Jenny was a natural and made a shot!  I, umm, had a difficult time holding the weight of the gun.

It wasn’t long before we realized we were on private property and told to scat.  Where to next?  Jumping into the Pedernales River!  By this time, my phone was dead (because my phone is always dead), so no photo proof of river adventure.  But due to shallow, mucky, weed bottomed water, it was a short-lived trip anyway.

We headed back to Matt’s place to grill up some Easter dinner.  Jenny was in charge of the lamb and I prepped veggies for grilling and tzatziki for dipping.  By the time dinner was over, we realized we’d been non-stop fun-having for 12 hours, 12 movie fun hours.

I rolled into bed feeling the exact opposite as I had felt when I rolled out this morning and that is something to be thankful for!

A Good, Good Friday

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So my first week of Birthday Bikini Challenge has been a whopping success!  It’s barely the weekend and I’ve already fit in five workouts, a gazillion fresh meals and snacks, and a spotless house.  All of this made for a good, Good Friday!

After a few failed attempts at finding a hiking partner, I decided to brave the newness of the Barton Springs Greenbelt solo.

I’m so glad I did!!

I put on Adam’s playlist (which is my go-to playlist for everything), popped in my headphones, and began exploring.  The trail was a little confusing and there were times when I thought my two hour adventure was turning into a five hour disaster, but everything worked out in the end.

Ninety minutes and 5-1/2 miles of mostly walking, a dab of train running, and a ton of Instagram action was the most ideal way I could have spent my lunch break.  I’m totally addicted to this trail and look forward to taking each an every one of my future visitors here!

Happy Easter Weekend!