Let the food obsession begin.
Oh wait… that started at birth.
I had fully intended to do a recap of this weekend’s competition today… but I’m a little tired and still processing. Â It’s a huge build up to the event and then it happens… and you feel a little lost when it’s over. Â Does that make sense? Â Not that I’m not doing more (I am!). Â I’m just taking it all in.
For now, I just want to say that I am honored and overwhelmed by everyone’s support via comments, emails, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… this blogging community really is just that – a community.  I felt that 100% this weekend.  THANK YOU!!
So in the meantime, let’s talk about food!  I mean, that’s the MOST marvelous thing about completing the cutting process, right? 😉
After pre-judging I had a little treat – Barney Butter! Â Kristina swore by it and I’m glad I trust her. Â This almond butter packet of deliciousness was the smoothest, most fantastic nut butter I’ve never out in my mouth. Â Absence makes the heart grow weirder.
Do my teeth look oddly large in this pic?
After the show itself, my team headed to a fantastic restaurant in Columbia, SC called The Oak Table. Â It was absolutely perfect – kind of tucked away in a large building, it had a speakeasy feel to it. Â Our server was very accommodating, even if we did walk in 30 mins before closing and looking… well, a little like drag queens with our stage make up, fake lashes and glow-in-the-dark orange spray tans.
We downed a couple of draaanks, duck, seared scallops, NY strip steak, roasted mushrooms, salad, a butterscotch bread pudding with salted caramel popcorn and smoked cinnamon ice cream, and homemade s’mores.  The food was all phenomenal, but in the end the simplest pleasure won my heart – truffled frites with shaved smoked gouda.  And water.  Lots and lots of water. Â
By the time we got back to the hotel and I did the best I could to scrub off the spray tan and bikini bite, it was 1am. Â I passed out.
Only to wake up at 8am starving and thirsty. Â I managed to soothe myself with water and slept another 1.5 hours… but them breakfast needed to happen. Â I was hangry for a trashy favorite: Waffle House.
Chocolate chip waffle topped with runny egg
I like to dip my waffle in coffee. It’s redneck biscotti. 😉
If you thought my trainer would be a better food-influence, you’d be wrong.
On the ride home I enjoyed another (much classier) favorite: Ginger-Peach Greek Yogurt by Atlanta Farm Fresh. Â I’m not sure you can find it outside of Georgia, but in Atlanta you can get it at Whole Foods and some Kroger stores.
It’s the best flavored yogurt out there. Â Try the Peach-Ginger and the Port-Cherry. Â And the plain, too.
We got back to Georgia and I went straight to the Farmer’s Market – didn’t even go home first!  I didn’t have a list – I just bought everything that looked good.  Lots of veggies, pineapple, eggs, crab, sea bass… and injera!
Injera is Ethiopian bread. Â It sounds fancy, but it’s really just teff flour and water left to ferment for a few days before being cooked in pancake-fashion. Â The finished product is a little sour and sponge-y in texture. Â I know that doesn’t sound terrible appealing, but it really is good!
There may have also been a trip to Whole Foods involved… I was craving my favorite Roots hummus!
When I got home with all my loot, I made a strange but good snack: injera with chipotle hummus, spinach, and crab. Â What the belly wants, the belly gets!
So there you have it. Â A little bit of what’s been making my mandible-parts smile in this Marvelous Monday.
Check out my favorite diva’s (Katie) blog to see what’s Marvelous is everyone else’s Monday!
***
I’m still overwhelmed.  Thank you again… I promise the recap will be coming as soon as my head stops spinning. 🙂
What marvelous thing has you smiling today?
Have you ever felt a little lost when a big event comes and goes?
So dang proud of you Laura!!! You did SOOO amazing!
You definitely deserved all of those treats, you seriously rocked all part of your pre competition and the competition itself clearly!
You looked incredible!
Lisa… Thank you so, so much! Your support has meant a lot!!
Reading this post has me smiling…CONGRATS, Laura! You looked FAB and I’m so happy that your hard work was rewarded 5th place…lawd knows you deserved those pancakes and every other delicious food item eaten post-competition :)!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’ve been thinking of you and am so happy for you that you did so great!! You look incredibly amazing. I totally know the feeling on working for weeks towards en event (it was exams for me), the whole life is dominated by it and then in 1 day everything is over. I hope you enjoy your freedom and you definitely deserve aaaaall the goodies!!
Thank you!! Cheers to alll the goodies. 🙂
Congrats on 5th place! I can’t wait to hear more about the show 😀 I definitely think fries would be in my first post-show meal too!
It’s really funny – I’m not normally a fry person, but those sounded (and tasted) irresistable!
Congratulations on the 5th place finish! You deserved it girl, and obviously the judges could tell the hardwork you put in day after day! <3
Thanks for keeping us updated over the weekend via IG – you looked great and did absolutely AWESOME! I laughed out loud at your Waffle House picture yesterday, “a redneck biscotti” – that’s hilarious 😀
LOL! It occured to me as the rednecks around me were staring…
Congrats on your comp!! 5th place is great and you look amazing! 🙂
Bet you enjoyed all that delicious food post comp; that Barney’s butter sounds delicious and the meal at the restaurant..wow! Homemade smores..drooool <3.
Huge congratulations to you! Sounds like it was an amazing weekend!
HUGE CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats, I can’t wait to hear about it when you’re able to process it all! I usually feel that way after a half marathon and feel an urge to sign up for a million races. I think it’s perfectly natural.
It is a lot like that! Except after my first half I just wanted to die. LOL!
Congrats lady!
I get that feeling every time I run a half-marathon. It feels so weird not to have it in the future. I think Atlanta Fresh is available in North and South Carolina too. You still need to come to the company store with me. It sounds like it’s in the ‘burbs, but really it’s just outside of 285.
Yes!!! Maybe that can be part of the blogger meet up? We could do that and go get something Asian for dinner.
wait you can buy injera and it is gluten free? Oh man now I am on the hunt. Again congrats on a great competition, you worked hard for this and it showed.
Traditional injera is gluten free – it’s just teff and water. You have to watch at restaurants because they will use some regular flour to save $$.
So happy for you Laura! I’m glad the competition went so well.
And that chocolate chip waffle/egg combination looks pretty fabulous to me 😉
Yay congratz!!! It’s really crazy how one prepares so much for a race or competition and then in the blink of an eye it’s done. Enjoy your crazy eats, you deserve them!
Congrats, lady! Proud of you. 🙂
And my Monday is marvelous because I went from a 1-1.5 hour commute to a 1-1.5 minute commute. WOO HOO!!!
Congrats again girl!!!! I am so proud of you! You must feel so good, just knowing you rocked it and worked so hard!! You looked amazing!!!
Barney butter is yum! I have those squeeze packs and I have a jar too!
Happy Monday! Love you!
Thank you!!!!
It was my first Barney, but I will be buying a jar now! 🙂
Congratulations Beast! You did amazing and should be so proud. It was such a fun weekend – I look forward to doing it again with you ..or maybe an adventure race?
Both!!!
I am so proud of you!!! Congrats on your competition Laura!!!
I’ve talked about that feeling of being ‘lost’ post competition many-a-times. It’s like a big build up to one day and then POOOOOOOOOOOOOOF…it’s over. What now? I totally get you!
Your eats look fab. Love that they were pretty healthy too! Crab, Yogurt, Hummus. Nice job!
xo
Right?! I was so jealous of you last year doing them back to back. I have to go grow for a few months. Bah!
Thank you!!! xo
So proud of you!!! Yay girl!!!
Seriously, that bread pudding sounds like heaven!!
And a victory round at Waffle House?! Perfection.
I MUST find injera
You can make it!!! Super easy… just teff and water.
You should be so proud! You rocked it and worked so hard! Can’t wait to hug ya!
Great job! You look fantastic!!! Of course, I can see that the judges noticed too. 🙂 Now pass me those gouda fries!
I think a preggo craving would trump post-competition – I would have passed you all the fries. LOL! 🙂
Hooray for successfully training for and competing in another competition! You kick ass and took names, girl- and you look ahhhhhhmazing (and oh so beautiful!). I’m so proud of you- and I just don’t know where you draw that discipline from, but can I have some of it please?
I LOVE that you posted all of these details about your post-competition eats. And I know you enjoyed every.single.bite. of it all. 🙂 xoxo
Oh- and I especially love “absence makes the heart grow weirder” and “redneck biscotti.”
Thank you!!! It’s either discipline or sheer craziness. 😉
That wasn’t even all of it… I got bored of taking pics before the chips and guac, wine, and cheesecake on Cinco de Mayo. 😉
congrats girl! so proud of you!
I am so proud of you especially since I know how hard it is to do these competitions!!! You deserve every lat bit of food & rest!!!! 🙂
My brother lives in Columbia so will have to see if they know about that restaurant!
Just revel in your accomplishments & enjoy much needed R&R AND food! 🙂
Thank you, Jody. You have been fabulous throughthis process!!
Do ask your brother – the place was fantastic! And not just because I was hungry. 😉
Congratulations Laura!!! I was so happy to see your IG photo and update. It’s funny because I ran a race this weekend for the first time in a gajillion years and it feels funny now that it’s come and gone. And now I want to sign up for more!!
Thank you!!! And congrats on your race – loved reading your recap. 🙂
That is exactly how to describe the feeling after a big event! Honestly, delivering a baby is a very similar feeling especially when you know it’s your last baby. It’s an unexplainable end to a HUGE buildup. I am so incredible proud of you! You did great!
Hangry is right! You ate all the foods afterwards. I hope you’re body is feeling hydrated and fueled now. Thank you for sharing your journey! I’ve really enjoyed going through this with you! xoxo
I can’t even imagine with a baby! Talk about build up!
I’ve so appreciated all of your commentary and support. NOW we need to schedule an outing. 🙂
Congrats!! You look amazing. After all that hard work, I bet that dinner tasted fantastic. And dipping waffles into your coffee is a genius idea–why have I never thought of that?!?
Thank you! It’s a match made in heaven. 🙂
Congrats again on such a fantastic weekend!! I love that you had Waffle House for breakfast. And injera is sooo yummy. I can relate to the feeling after a big event- running a big race is the same. I wrote a whole post on the post-race blues. 🙂 But it will soon pass!
Thank you, Laura! You are right – it’s so much like trainig for a big race!
Congratulations! Looks like it was an awesome weekend! Nothing better than celebrating after a big event! I’m smiling since it’s Monday & this week has the potential to be a great one 🙂
Congrats!! I know what you mean about the big built up and then you are kinda like, welllll what do I know now!? haha. You will find something I am sure. You look awesome.
I love all the different foods you have in here, a welcome treat for all your hard work!
Thank you so much! I can never stop eating weird foods. 😉
YOU DID GREAT! Loved this initial recap of your experience and the food…what an accomplishment! I hope the transition out of this experience is a good one; I definitely know what you mean about a build up and then it’s over. May that time getting back to your new “normal” be a smooth transition and just know how proud of you we all are! WELL DONE!
OMG – you look AMAZING!!!
Congratulations!! I can’t begin to imagine all of the work, sacrifice and dedication required to achieve what you have!!!
Thank you SO much, Kim! That made me grin. 🙂
You are phenomenal and should not be surprised by the support from your community/friends. You put in hard work and I’m sure you rocked it even more on stage! Competing is NO joke. Not only is the prep grueling but it takes a lot of uhh…. balls(!) to get on that stage! You are amazing!
Maria, you are way too kind. Thank you!!!
And yes, balls are RIGHT! 😉
Haha I’m so glad I’m not the only one who enjoys redneck biscotti!! I have to say though, I never knew the name for it, and now I’m obsessed. 🙂
Congrats! You look so great! Can’t wait to read the recap.
Love the injera mention – your strange but good combo sounds delish. I wasn’t as into injera plain, but I can totally see it with your combo.
I’ve always wanted to go to a Waffle House – it sounds so good! I’m too far north, though, I think!
Thanks!!! Injera is definitely different… it’s a bit sour, but I like that fermented twang. 🙂
Yay, Laura Yay Yay Yay!!!!!! Food freedom!!! So happy for you! So proud of you!!!!
I totally understand the lost feeling.. it’s kinda like everything has been building up to this moment and now your focus is just gone because the event is over so what do you focus on? What do you do now? I remember feeling exactly the same way after my first half marathon. It’s crazy and weird but you’ll sort it all out over the next few days!
Thank you sooooo much! you are the sweetest and I have really, really apppreciated your encouragement. 🙂
NOW we need to plan a time to get together. Patios!!!
Soo proud of you 🙂 🙂 and i am just happy today in general 🙂 Cant wait to hear your recap.
Peach ginger yogurt sounds fantastic, I wonder if I could find any in Kentucky? I hope so! I’m so glad your still on cloud 9 after a great weekend! I look forward to reading the recap 🙂
Check their website! It really is amazing yogurt. 🙂
I have GOT to try Ethiopian food! OK, maybe just injera.
Also, I have never been to a Waffle House. Perhaps you can forgive me this, since I’ve forgiven you for not liking ketchup?
Can’t wait to hear a full recap. And your plans for future competitions. 🙂
YES you doooo!!! To both. Waffle House has ketchup and they make a perfect runny egg. You’d love it.
I love that you had some Barney Butter first off! 🙂
injera is one of my favorite breads – we have an amazing “world” food restaurant here that has an amazing injera.
so happy you are enjoying – you deserve it, my friend!
I owe you for that rec – it was amazing!!!
That’s the same feeling after a big race – marathon, ironman, whatever you’re building up to. It’s awesome, then over…very weird. I’ll say it again – I’m SO PROUD OF YOU!! One of these days I’ll be as dedicated as you and look just a little ripped, because you are freakin inspiring lady!
Heather, you are the picture of dedication. I could never, ever do that Iron Man training!!!
Woo hoo! Congrats on your competition! I can’t wait to hear ALL about it!
Congrats!!! 🙂
And seriously…how amazing was that chocolate chip waffle with the dippy egg? It sounds AWESOME!
It feels silly because I love really good, gourmet food… but my fav treat is that WaHo. LOL!
Congratulations. You look great and fifth place is an awesome finish. Your trainer is lucky to have someone so diligent.
Shaved Gouda sounds divine, and your redneck biscotti cracked me up!
Yeah he is – can I give you his email? 😉
Sure, although he might get an earful about downing beef jerky in the car while your still in asparagus mode.
Awesome!! Nice job! Very well deserved!
I’m wondering… what are your staple ingredients?
I’ve thought about that before… but I eat SO many diverse foods that I don’t know I have set staples! That said, there is always peanut flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cayenne, ginger, and cumin somewherein my house. 🙂
Awesome job girl!!!! You deserve all your treat foods now!
I WISH WE LIVED CLOSE CAUSE HOT DAMN I would JOIN YOU on your EATING EPIC ADVENTURES!! I can literally eat a whole cow in a sitting, and I am really NOT exaggerating AT ALL!
So where we going to eat????
When are you coming to visit? We will throw DOWN! 🙂
Congrats on your comp! You deserved it…and the rest and food afterwards;)
Keep rockin!
Thank you!!! 🙂
lol i like the comparison to drag queens. close (but only because of the costuming). you looked FANTASTIC. First place in my book for sure. 😉
Bwhahaha! I like looking a little tranny for time to time. 😉
Congratulations Laura! You look fabulous and by the looks of the trophy you did well 🙂
I love that you actually ate after the competition..I worry sometimes you’ll never eat regular food again (maybe that isn’t a bad thing).
Here is to you getting plenty of rest and being able to tell us all about the fitness competition!!!
Erm… waffle topped with a runny egg is normal? 😉
Congrats on the competition. You look amazing! I love the redneck biscotti! I am so trying this the next time a have a waffle. Too funny!
mmmm….waffles! Just catching up on blogs and wanted to say you look fabulous! 🙂
Your journey to this competition has inspired me. Monitoring your progress made me feel part of the process, and the results were stunning. Beyond the pure physical side you presented on that stage, we all saw the fierce heart of a warrior. I now have a new level of fitness goals based on watching you, and plan to documenting that process in the months to come. High marks, lass!
Thank you so much, Kevin! That really means a lot to me. I can get better, but I do learn every time. Keep me posted – would love to follow your progress!
Excuse me…um yes…FRITES are fries…better known as WHITE POTATOES!! Stop denying your love for them before I take you to McDonald’s and force feed you from the fry bin! Muahaha!
Now for the commenting:
1. I didn’t think your teeth looked funny in that pic until you said something…what happened to your upper lip?! Lol
2. “a butterscotch bread pudding with salted caramel popcorn and smoked cinnamon ice cream” My God woman!! How the hell can you gloss over such things?! I’m pretty sure you just described my own special heaven!
3. Jesus! Is there always that much chocolate on a chocolate chip waffle at WH?! I’ve never ordered one but I swear it looks like you slathered it in Nutella!
4. Oh and that waffle needed bacon sprinkles! 😉
5. Have you ever tried the Thai Coconut Curry of that hummus? I’ve seen it on SO many blogs and have been dying to try it!
6. Injeeeeeeeeeeraaaaaaaaaaaa! *wimpers*
7. I’m so proud of you my little Oompa Loompa! Love you! Kisses!
I like them if you are super-thin and fried to the point of no longer being potato-like. At that point it becomes like a chip!
1. My lipstick wasn’t on!!! I dunno… total drag queen.
2. The bread pudding was amazing. So amazing I couldn’t be bothered for a pic. #fail
3. It was a TON! I spread it out and even scraped half off. I love chocolate, but even I have my limits before noon. 😉
4. Damn… next time!!!
5. Yes… and it’s not my favorite. The flavors didn’t come through as much as I would have liked. Spinach and the chipotle are my favorites! And their salsa.
6. I know, I know… you need to just make it!
7. Love yoooooou!!! xo