Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

10 Things, 5 Awards

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The blog world is filled with talent.

My Google Reader, Pinterest boards, FoodBuzz inbox, and browser bookmarks are jam-packed with recipes and ideas from other bloggers.  In fact, I rarely read cookbooks anymore!

That’s why I was honored to have received a smorgasbord of awards from one of my favorite bloggers, Kimberly @ Grubarazzi.

 

Along with the award comes with a “10 Things You May Not Know” obligation.  I’m pretty much an open book… so I thought I’d do a little twist on it.

Below is a list of 10 things.  9 of them are true.  1 is a lie.  Can you pick out the lie?

  1. I started walking before I learned to crawl.  I was 6 months old.
  2. Like Kim, I hate voicemail.  I purposefully let my mailbox fill up so that you can’t leave a message.
  3. In undergrad, I minored in Religious Studies.
  4. I rarely make the same thing twice.  Except for last night when I made Blueberry Cilantro Bulgur Quinoa. 
  5. I use Excel to keep me on track with workouts and meal ideas during the week.
  6. I have never eaten a fast food hamburger. 
  7. Sometimes when I think about the future get totally overwhelmed.  There’s so much to accomplish/do!
  8. I eat raw spinach by the handful while standing in the fridge door.
  9. Monday night I ate octopus for the first time. 
  10. My lucky number is 13.

I’m passing these awards on to a few of fairly-recently-discovered blogs:

***

I’m catering a wedding shower this weekend – can’t wait to share the creations with you guys!

Are you doing anything special for Easter?  Who’s excited to break their Lent restrictions?

How do you keep track of recipes you want to try?

Oh!  And could you pick out my “lie” from the list?

Foodie Penpals + I’m a Joiner

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Remember having pen pals in elementary school?

They were the best!  I looked forward to getting a handwritten (*gasp*) note in the mail from my penal in Oklahoma.  The adult version of the tradition dreamed up by Lindsay is even better – it involves food!

My Foodie PenPal this month, Jennifer @ Peanut Butter & Peppers, sent me a big box of awesome:

From my pal Jennifer:

  • TJs Seaweed Snacks
  • Lucy’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (so flippin’ good)
  • SDT & Basil Quinoa
  • Sesame Wasa Crackers (my new fav work snack)
  • Roasted Almonds
  • Lara Bars
  • A cute mat to take pics on (such a cool blogger-gift idea!)
  • A hand-written note

To sign up for a Foodie PenPals in April, send an email to the brilliant Lindsay at theleangreenbean@gmail.com with the following info:

-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address (if you’ve got one)
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)
-Whether you are a US resident or Canadian

Join in by April 4th as pairings will be emailed on April 5th!

I’m at a work retreat for the latter part of this week, so I’m a bit light on the post today.  Translation: perfect time for a survey post!

You may have seen this “ABCs” survey circling the blog world… I’m about 2+ weeks behind the times, but thought I’d finally be a joiner. 🙂

A is for age: 28.  When did I get so close to 30?!

B is for breakfast today: Nothing yet, but it will be conference food (which is 100x better than average, I must say).

C is for currently craving: Kombucha!  Since I’ve been travelling, it’s been 3 days without!!!

D is for dinner tonight: I’m going to a mother-daughter dinner with my mom, my BFF, and her mom.  Atlanta, beware!

E is for favorite type of exercise: Weight lifting!  Although not being able to run has really made me appreciate/crave running.

F is for an irrational fear: Roaches.  I can’t handle them.

G is for gross food: I know this is weird, but I cannot STAND white potatoes.

H is for hometown: Atlanta.  Where that playas play.

I is for something important: Being the best you possible.  Why bother doing anything half way?

J is for current favorite jam: Tough choice!!!  Anything by Mumford & Sons.

K is for kids: I know what causes that… nothankyou.

L is for current location: In my cute cottage at my work retreat.

M is for the most recent way you spent money: I bit the bullet and bought the VitaMix.  Best purchasing decision EVER.

N is for something you need:  A good sweat.  If I don’t get moving for at least for 15 mins every day, I start pacing like a caged animal.

O is for occupation:  Consulting in the area of Sales Effectiveness.

P is for pet peeve: When servers start clearing plates before everyone is done.  In the words of Stephanie Tanner, “How rude!”

Q is for a quote:  “You can do anything you want to if you want to badly enough.” – My Dad

R is for random fact about you: I would love to do a tri, but I can’t swim.  Actually, I downright hate swimming.

S is for favorite healthy snack: I legit LOVE healthy snacks – protein shakes or chia pudding are my go-tos.  Loved this Roasted Beet and Orange. 

Unhealthy Snack: Hmmm… my snacks really aren’t bad.  Desserts are my weakness. Warm chocolate chip cookies, anyone?

T is for favorite treat: Really, really good wine (Amarone, anyone?) and chocolate cake.  Preferably together.

U is for something that makes you unique: I’m special just like everyone else!  Maybe having played roller derby? That’s a pretty cool adventure.

This is me breaking my jaw.

V is for favorite vegetable: Spinach!  Every smoothie I make is a peculiar shade of green. 🙂

W is for today’s workout: A quick HIIT thing in my room this morning.

X is for X-rays you’ve had: Jaw (see letter U), teeth, knee (fractured)… I think that’s it (surprisingly).

Y is for yesterday’s highlight: Meeting my new colleagues AND doing a “Cooking Experience” activity with the founder of Serenbe.

Z is for your time zone: East Coast, represent!

***

I always say this… but I really mean it this week… TGIF!!!

What are you up to this weekend?  Any races?

Time for your quiz!  Pick a few letters and tell me a little more about YOU.  Please. 🙂

Pop Quiz

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My inner high schooler is showing.

 

I used to LOVE taking quizzes.  The ones people would pass around in school or MySpace or email… I took them all.  To the point where it probably annoyed people.  

When I was tagged for this quiz on Claire’s blog, I got unnaturally excited.  Thanks Claire!

 

The rules:

  1. You must post these rules
  2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog
  3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer

___________________________________________________________________________________

11 Things About Me

1. I sit on a Swiss ball at work.  The desk chair hurts my hips!


2. My co-workers think I’m weird – for the Swiss ball and for the random foods I bring for lunch.  Sorry, no Big Macs for me.

3. I haven’t had more than a few bites of meat in 2012.  I’m not a vegetarian because I love to try new things and don’t want to feel restricted… but I do have a plant-based diet.

4. 2 years ago I ate about 3-4 burgers and 1 steak a week.  Since the end of 2010 I haven’t had more than half of a burger or a bite of steak (with the exception of my 2 weeks in Italy… when in Rome Florence!).

 

5. I have the a terrible memory when it come to names or events, but I can rattle off recipes and statistics like nobody’s business.

6. In high school I went through a phase where I only work men’s XL shirts and Birkenstocks.  Those pictures have been burned.

7. I’ve been going to the same hair stylist since I was 15… despite the fact that I now have to drive an hour to see her.  Karen and Lava Hair Studio are the best!

 

8. If I could have any job, I would develop recipes/new concepts for restaurants.

9. Yes, I really do 100 push-ups nearly every day.  No, I don’t do them at once – sets of 3!

10. Red wine is my weakness kryptonite.   Specifically, Italian reds.  I would even choose it over cookies.

Which leads me to #11…

11. Just like Claire, if I had no other ties or commitments and unlimited funds I would move to Italy and never look back.  I might do it anyway.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

Claire’s 11 questions were in list form: “Tell me about your 11 favorite foods (restaurant, grocery store, or homemade).”

 

This is actually really hard for me – it’s like choosing a favorite child!  In no particular order, here’s what comes to mind…

  1. These Chocolate Sea Salt Cookies
  2. Sweet potatoes protein shakes like this one
  3. The hummus from Top Flr.  It’s the best I’ve ever had.
  4. My mom’s Carrot Cake (made from my grandmother’s recipe)
  5. Flourless chocolate cake with sea salt and olive oil from La Tavola (with a glass of Amarone)
  6. This Zucchini Bread Oatmeal
  7. Sriracha (a.k.a. Rooster Sauce)
  8. Guacamole – extra jalapenos
  9. Indian food – I don’t care what it is, just pass it this way with extra spice on the side
  10. Gnocchi with shaved black truffles from one of Italy’s first Slow Food restaurants – Osteria dell’ Arco in Alba
  11. Pizza – specifically authentic Italian pizza from places like Antico Pizza

 

Now I get to tag!  It doesn’t say how many people, so I’ll choose 5 because I like prime numbers.

 

For my 11 questions, I would love to know:

  • What are your 5 favorite foods?
  • What are the 3 best things you cook/bake/concoct in the kitchen?
  • What 3 things you would do first if you were President of the United States?

***

This weekend I’m going to the Atlanta Underground Market again.  The theme is Bruch… which I think should always be the theme. 🙂

What are you getting into this weekend?

What are some of your favorite foods?  Do we share any of the same?

 

Cheese, Nuttiness, and Raw ABCs

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Confession:

 

I haven’t run at all this week because I pulled something in my calf area (still not sure how).

It is what it is… but now I’m about to walk out the door for a 5K.  I probably should still be taking it easy, I know.  However I’m all registered and I reallllly want to run after a week off.  Bring on the KT Tape and call me a glutton for punishment.

*Disclaimer: I don’t think it’s a serious injury.  I’m just going to prolong the healing process if anything.  I don’t advocate being as stubborn as I am being right now.*

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Less controversial is the topic of peanut flour.  Particularly how fantastic it is.  I should have bought the 5lb bag.

 

In peanut sauce-form atop cottage cheese:

In the mix:

  • 1/2 C cottage cheese
  • 1/4 C raspberries
  • 1 T peanut flour, mixed with…
  • 1 T unsweetened almond milk

 

All that salty and little sweetness… it was like PBJ cottage cheese!

 

There was also a pea-nutty afternoon snack:

 Spicy Peanut Dip

  • 1 T peanut flour
  • 1 T unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/4 tsp Sriracha garlic sauce
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • pinch of salt

 

Veggie sticks will never eaten the same way.

 

Now that you know I like peanut flour in with sweet, salty, and spicy twists…

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Here’s even more than you ever wanted to know about me (borrowed from Gina @ Choosing Raw).

 

The ABC’s of Me… the raw foodie’s version (yes, I’m fully aware that I am not a raw foodist… but am a foodie and I like raw food!)

 

A) Preferred way to eat avocados: homemade guacamole… or in a smoothie.

B) Daily banana intake:  typically 1/2 in a breakfast (oats or smoothies) and half in an evening smoothie

C) Cacao or carob? Carob!

D) Durian? I’m told it’s stinky, but I haven’t had the pleasure of making it’s acquaintance.

E) Essential to start the day: Water – I start everyday with a glass of ice water and a tsp of Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar.

It’s good for the the *ahem* digestion.

 

F) Favorite fruit: Watermelon or peaches

G) Guru you like: I march to my own drum.

H) Healthy meal: that’s tough… I like so many things… and this should probably be raw… I made a mango-avocado gazpacho that rocked my world.

I) Ice cream base: Banana soft-serve.

J) Juice or smoothies? Smoothies!  I drink them almost daily.  With spinach, always.

K) Favorite way to eat kale: Marinated so it gets a little soft.  YUM.  This was a tasty one:

L) # of Lemons in your house right now: 2, plus a lime

M) Muscle testing: hoax or real? I’m a skeptic – hoax.

N) Nut butter: favorite kind? CHUNKY TJ’s Roasted Flax Seed Valencia Peanut Butter or homemade Spiced Almond Butter

Like bar nuts... in dip form and with fewer germs.

 

O) Organic or conventional? I make an effort to only buy organic or local produce.

P) Pickled veggies: Love them!

Q) Questions you get asked about your diet: You really put spinach in smoothies?  Ewwww!

R) Recipe you love: Keeping with the raw theme – there are so many great things made within the blogging community that it’s hard to choose!  I’m going to have to go with one of Gena’s (who I got the survey from).  I made her Cashew Cheese with Meyer Lemon and Dried Cherries and ate it like it was my j-o-b this winter.

S) Skin brushing? I have not a clue what this is.

T) Type of water you drink: Atlanta’s finest (tap).  Extra lemon.

U) Unbelievable thing that’s related to eating raw: That “high” feeling you get after a good raw meal.  And how amazing the glow is of raw foodists’ skin!

V) Vegetable you love: Spinach!  My 10-year old self is judging me right now.

W) Why did you start eating raw? I don’t eat all raw, but I do make an effort to eat a good deal of raw foods.  I think the more pure/clean we eat, the better we feel.  My energy level is signinficantly increased when I’m eating clean.

X) X-rated vegetable or fruit: X-rated?!  I have just the picture…

 

Y) Yummy food you make: Raw… Peach Cobbler Chia Pudding, Brazilian Flax Cookies, Asian-Spiced Flax Crackers,  Mexican Raw Bulgur Bowl, and – most recently – Moroccan Raw Carrot Salad

Z) Favorite use of zucchinis: Sliced into sticks and dipped into peanut butter.  Simple and delicious.

***

Time to run and then do something totally unhealthy… a food and wine festival.  😉

Do you make an effort to eat raw foods?

What are your ABCs?  Pick a couple and leave a comment!

 

Friday Download

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Just when I thought it would never get here…

TGIF!!!

 

I’m exhausted from this week.  Tonight I’m unwinding with an Italian wine tasting and dinner with some good friends, new and old.  6p can’t arrive soon enough!

Ah, Napa... how I miss you.

 

Wine-ing Winding down for the week, I decided to do a little “getting to know you” post.  I loved this quiz Jess @ Healthy Exposures did… I’m copying her. 🙂

 

How do you like your eggs? 

Any way but hard boiled!  Qu-egg-sadilla–style is a rare repeat dish (translation: favorite).

 

How do you take your coffee/tea? 

Black.  Like my soul. 

 

Source: Post Collegiate Cats

 

Favorite breakfast food? 

This is the hardest decision I’ve had to make all day.  It’s like picking a favorite child!

Peach Cobbler Chia Pudding

or

Zucchini Oatmeal

 

 

Peanut butter: Smooth or crunchy? 

Typically I choose crunchy.  TJ’s Roasted Valencia, so be specific.

 

If it’s homemade, it’s got to be smooth (mainly because I’m not skilled enough to make it crunchy).

I AM skilled at making it spiced though – Spiced Almond Butter.

 

What kind of dressing on your salad? 

Oddly, I’m not a big dressing person.  I usually go for the salsa or hummus.

More recently I’ve been diggin’ the Bragg’s Liquid Amino spray bottle.

 

 

Coke or Pepsi? 

I don’t drink soda unless I’m on an airplane and really feeling run down.  At that point I will only drink Coke (Atlanta, represent!) and I need a side of peanuts.

 

While scouring the ‘net for a pic of Coca-Cola and peanuts posing together, I learned that some people actually put the peanuts in the coke.

Source: Biscuits and Such

Have you ever heard of/done this?!

 

You’re feeling lazy, what do you make? 

4 words: Whole Foods hot bar.

 

You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order?

*GASP*

Pizza isn’t something to be lazy about!  It must be the good, authentic Italian variety.  If I’m feeling lazy I get it to go (they don’t deliver) from Antico Pizza.

It is best eaten fresh there with a 40.

 

 

You feel like cooking. What do you make? 

Please visit: Sprint 2 the Table for more on my love affair with food/baking/all things culinary this topic. 🙂

 

 

Do any foods bring back good memories?

Some say smell brings you back.  I say food does.  One of my earliest memories is rolling out pie crust with my grandmother.

I also have many a fond memory of making peanut butter cookies and brownies with my mom and wrestling my sisters for the honor of getting to lick the bowl.

It’s serious business for my sisters and me.

Do any foods bring back bad memories?

Gin.  Does that count as food?  *gag*

 

 

Is there a food you refuse to eat?

I’ll try almost anything once… but I did draw the line a couple weeks ago at Escorpian.

 

What was your favorite food as a child? 

Grilled PB&J.  With Cheetos and chocolate milk.  Total comfort food.

The PB gets all melty and the bread is so yummy-crunchy in contrast.  Saltiness from the butter.  Sweet from the jelly.

Source: Funny Spoon

 

Grilled PB&J

  • JIFF creamy PB
  • Grandmother’s homemade muscadine jelly
  • 2 slices of trashy white bread
  • Land ‘O Lakes butter (salted)

 

Make sandwich.  Don’t skimp of the PB.  Butter each side of the bread.  Toast in pan until golden brown on each side.  Inhale.

 

 

Is there a food that you hated as a child but now like? 

Picky doesn’t even begin to describe me as a child.  Nothing green touched my mouth (unless it was covered and smothered in ranch).  I didn’t like cheese.  Or eggs.  Absolutely no cooked veggies.  No water.

If it had any nutritional value (except peanut butter), I wasn’t going near it.  My poor mother.

Now I won’t drink a smoothie WITHOUT adding spinach or kale.  Proof that there’s hope for anyone!

 

Favorite junk food? 

Waffle House.  Double your hash browns for 30 cents more.

Source: Late Night Debates

 

 

Do you have any weird food habits? 

See above comment about spinach in smoothies.  Also see breakfast question for zucchini oatmeal.  Or above answer revealing an odd penchant for WaHo.

 

 

Favorite dessert? 

Anything involving chocolate and peanut butter.  Together. In cake-like harmony.

*cue the music*

Source: Blisstree

 

***

Do I talk about peanut butter too much? 🙂

You can play too!  Is there a food you refuse to eat?

Does food bring back any memories for you?

 

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