LOVELY DAY

1st HOMEMADE GREEN MONSTER!!

I totally knew that this would be my breakfast today when I went to sleep last night.  I can't keep my hands off of this machine!

1 CUP ALMOND MILK + 1/2 FROZEN BANANA + STRAWBERRIES + 2 CUPS SPINACH

Lunch was "on-the-run" so I munched on some Mrs. May's Pear Fruit Chips and the new Chocolate Mint Lara Bar that I picked up at Whole Foods today.  Love the pear, hate the bar!!  How on earth could I hate something "Chocolate Mint"??!!  I'm in shock.  But I found it to be gross and nothing that I will probably ever eat again.  So disappointed...

Until I got a call from Boyfriend for an impromptu DATE NIGHT!!

DATE NIGHT PACIFIC BEACH, CA

For DINNER we decided to eat at the restaurant in the hotel, Tower 23.  The restaurant is called JRDN and I've only had cocktails and light sushi there previously.

It was kind of swanky, but we were dressed up and haven't had a real date since Santa Monica so we decided to "do it up style."  We were seated right next to the window so we looked straight out onto the beach.

First, we ordered cocktails!

Boyfriend ordered a GIN COOLER (Hendrick's Gin, Cucumber, Mint) I got the BLUEBERRY MOJITO.  Both were REALLY good but I liked his a bit more.

We decided on the Artisian Cheese Plate to start.  It was a selection of 5 cheeses and for the life of me I can't remember one, but they were all FANTASTIC.  I LOVE cheese...but it does not love me :(

5 VARIOUS CHEESES + HONEYCOMB + CANDIED WALNUTS + DATES + FIG COMPOTE + DRIED GRAPES + TOASTS

And then the sun started to set...

HEAVEN! 

Second cocktail for me (I let Boyfriend try it!)

CHILI MANGO MARGARITA: CHILI INFUSED TRADICIONAL SILVER TEQUILA, MANGO, HOUSE MIX

For our entrees:

SEARED SCALLOPS: RISOTTO, BABY ROOT VEGETABLE, CITRUS-MISO BROTH

PACIFIC SEA BASS: ARTICHOKE CHOWDER, ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE, PEE WEE POTATOE

The entrees were good.  A little bit too salty and buttery compared to what we were expecting.  I'd defiantly be interested in trying another entree on their menu in the future.  Something a little "cleaner."

I didn't finish all of my meal because I had to save room for DESSERT!!!  I don't remember what it was called but I think it was a trio of banana.  Banana ice cream, caramelized bananas, and a banana cake.  It was just what I wanted...sweet...but not too sweet!!

CARMEL BANANA THINGY

When we came home we watched The Fighter.  While Christian Bale was really good in it, I don't see what all the fuss was about.  I thought the movie was kind of boring and I was waiting for something more to happen at the end.  Kind of disappointing I think.

Later on BF started to crave something sweet.  I decided to make him a fresh milk shake in the Vita!!  I made myself a "baby" shake too!  Couldn't let him eat alone.

2 CUPS LIGHT ICE CREAM + 5 HUGE STRAWBERRIES + 1/2 ALMOND MILK + FF REDI WHIP + SPRINKLES + CHERRY

WOW!!  Two "Date Nights" in a row!  I'm getting spoiled. 

Boyfriend and I already decided that next week's date night has to be at the beach again.  I think we may head over to La Jolla and check out the eats over there!  Can't wait!

Nite!

XOXO

VITA BABY

Fabulous day today!!

I kicked my To-Do List's ass...

Ran some errands, picked up some flowers, cleaned, cleaned, and cleaned some more.

I forgot that I had some frozen bagel thins so I popped them in the oven and made a quick BREAKFAST to fuel me for my day of running around.

Boyfriend pointed out that my breakfast looked like Mikey too! (Mug is Mikey mouse)

COFFEE + 3 SPLENDA WITH FIBER + 1 TSP SKINNY VANILLA LATTE CREAMER + 1 THOMAS' BAGEL THIN CINNAMON RAISINS + 1 TBSP BETTER N' PEANUT BUTTER + BLUEBERRIES

I was craving some comfort food for DINNER because it was still a bit drab outside from raining for the past 30 hours.  What's more comforting then tomato soup and grilled cheese?

I broke out the panini maker and nuked a can of soup...

TRADER JOE'S TOMATO BISQUE SOUP + THOMAS' BETTER START ENGLISH MUFFIN + WW JALAPENO CHEESE WEDGE

Did tons of little things tonight and I wanted to get them done early because tonight was DATE NIGHT!!  Boyfriend and I were going to go to the IMAX theater at the science museum to see a film on the Hubble telescope but I was waiting for a package and it hadn't arrived by the time the last showing of the film.

It was worth missing the movie thought because look what the postman brought me:

A VITAMIX!!!!!!!  I am FINALLY done with my kitchen appliances.  I don't need anymore, nor can I afford it!  I jumped right on making my first Vita concoction.  I went through the recipe book and decided on the PUMPKIN LATTE! 

It turned out AMAZING!!!  I can't believe that the mixer is so amazing that it can actually make the blended ingredients hot!!!

LIFE CHANGING PURCHASE!
DEFINITELY WILL BE JUMPING ON THE GREEN SMOOTHIE BANDWAGON!

So instead of IMAX, Boyfriend and I went to the drive-in.

 

We saw Just Go With It and Battle: Los Angeles.  They were okay movies.  Nothing wonderful.  But we love the drive in so much that the movie don't matter as much.  We get to cuddle with a bottle of wine and enjoy each other's company for a whopping $8 a person!!

All-in-all it was a wonderful day!  Good eats, GREAT memories!

XOXO

IT ALWAYS RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Like the title says...it's raining AGAIN!!!  And on the 1st day of spring.  UGH!!!

Thank goodness the weekend is almost over!!!!

I've had a LONG weekend (which in my case is not a good thing) and I'm glad it's almost Monday. 

I have TONS of new items on my To-Do list and I am DETERMINED to attack them all tomorrow.

I started my day with some cereal love.  BREAKFAST was a HUGE bowl of cinnamon goodness.

I ate LUNCH on-the-go today and didn't remember to take a picture:(  It was actually pretty awesome.

BUTTER LETTUCE + 20 SPRAYS RANCH DRESSING + 2 EGG WHITES + CHERRY TOMATOES + BACON BITS + MISO SOUP

A few days ago I made some crock pot chili.  I make this quite often, but this time I did an ingredient swap.  Instead of using turkey, I used Trader Joe's Meatless meat balls.  I liked it even better then the turkey and the calories were way less. 

I heated up some leftover which made for a quick and easy DINNER tonight because I was way too pooped to cook!

MEATLESS CHILI + 1 TBSP SOUR CREAM

It's raining which is why I think I was craving this comforting SNACK!

DIET SWISS MISS HOT CHOCOLATE + 10 G MINI MARSHMALLOWS

Well, off to go see if I can attack some of the things on my To-Do list tonight.  These items mostly involve cleaning:(

XOXO

CHANGING OF THE TOWELS

UGH!!!  This is the longest weekend ever!!  I'm exhausted and it's only Saturday.

Changed over my kitchen towels for Easter!

I was a little disappointed in BREAKFAST this morning.  I was trying to save a few calories and bulk up my oats with half almond milk, half water.  Didn't work too well :(  It just tasted way too watery.  Oh well...win some, lose some.  At least it LOOKED good!

5 G PRETZELS + STARBUCKS OATMEAL + 1/2 CUP ALMOND MILK + 1/2 WATER + 5 G TRADER JOE'S SOY PROTEIN POWDER + 2 TBSP WALDEN FARMS CHOCOLATE SYRUP

I made a repeat of my Pita Pizza for LUNCH today.  My life was definately missing some TURKEY PEPPERONI!!!  Must find more ways to incorporate this into my meals.  Low calorie, and tasty makes me happy!

I was planning on eating a big salad for DINNER but when I actually sit down to eat it, I just wasn't in the mood.  So I put it into some tupperware and realized that I was craving sweet.

I went through my snack basket and found this baby I bought the other day. CLIFF MOJO DIPPED PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY BAR. THIS IS AMAZING!!!  The stats are a big high for a snack bar, however I'm okay with this if it's replacing a meal.  SO YUM!

XOXO

 

EVERYONE'S IRISH TODAY!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU OATMEAL...MAKE COOKIES

I must apologize ahead of time.  The pictures are few and incomplete due to a late, but justified late start to my day today.

I forgot to mention that I made a bomb a$$ chili in the crock pot yesterday.  I did the basics--RED KIDNEY BEANS + BLACK BEANS + TOMATO SOUP + DICED TOMATOES WITH CHILIES + CUMIN + CHILI POWDER, but then added a twist.  I wanted some protein, but was afraid to use tofu due to my recent disasters.  Instead I threw in some frozen Trader Joe's Meatless Meatballs and the Chili turned out AMAZING!!!! 

Must find many other uses for these balls of awesomeness!

So no BREAKFAST for me today.  Too busy.  However, on my way out I grabbed my camera for a second when I saw what Boyfriend was making.

3 EGGS + BANANA + YOGURT

So proud of Boyfriend!!!  He HATES breakfast.  In fact, he HATES EATING!!!  FREAK! LOL Anyway he usually doesn't eat til around 5 at night but I've been on his case recently about it. 

I was the bad one today!

In between errands I stopped at Whole Foods and ravaged the hot foods bar.  I remembered that Wednesday is $2 off so I thought I'd "do it up."

TOFU CHILI + ROASTED VEGGIES + COLLARD GREENS + GARLIC + CAULIFLOWER & SPINACH "MASHED POTATOES"

I think I got too much of similar foods and I got bored really fast with my meal.  I also wasn't feeling so hot later on :(

I also grabbed an APPLE + PINEAPPLE + SPINACH + GINGER juice.  YUMMY!!!  Must do more juices.  I might look into a juicer...

I finally got around to finishing my baking project from the other day.  They didn't turn out quite as perfect as I had imaged but this was the first time I was working with melted chocolate.

CUPCAKE LOLLIPOPS!!!

The little dots are green if you can't tell.  These are my St. Patty's Day treats!!

While the "pop" were hardening I threw a batch of Oatmeal cookies in the oven for Boyfriend.  In an effort to get them all done in one shot I tried sneaking all the cookies onto one sheet.  Didn't turn out too terrible.  I managed to pull them apart before they totally cooled.  Boyfriend will love them no matter what!

Today was an amazingly beautiful day!!  This was taken from right outside of my townhouse.

 I HEART SAN DIEGO!!!

XOXO

SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

I wonder if the X-Large coffee I got last night had anything to do with me not be able to sleep AT ALL last night!!!!!!  UGH!!!  I'm not exhausted yet, but I know I will CRASH later tonight. 

So much to do, so little sleep to do it on....

I was missing my cereal for BREAKFAST so I decided to bring it back...

KASHI HEART TO HEART + 3/4 CUP ALMOND MILK + 2 TSP SPLENDA WITH FIBER + CINNAMON + 70 G BLUEBERRIES

I got my Lulu bag today!!!!  I've been stalking the website tracking it and I was surprised to see that the bag in all colors is COMPLETELY sold out!!  I'm so glad I jumped on it when I did or I would have been bagless.

I love it and it's HUGE!!!  So many compartments.  I just hope it will hold up and not look beat to heck in a few months.

It's been awhile since I've been home for LUNCH so I thought I'd do up a pizza.

FLATOUT + 1/4 CUP TJ'S FF PIZZA SAUCE + 1/4 CUP TJ'S FF RICOTTA CHEESE + BASIL + TOMATO

I think because I was still bummed out due of my tofu FAILS, I got bit by the baking bug...and maybe I was anxious to play with the KitchenAid a bit.

I worked on making a "surprise" which should be done by tomorrow...pictures to follow...

I had some leftover chocolate so I made a few more treats that I can actually indulge in a bit.

PRETZEL FLATS + MELTED CHOCOLATE + VARIOUS SUGARY DECORATIONS

XOXO

I HEART THE POSTMAN!

My mail ROCKED today!!!!

I got this baby in the mail.  It's my Starbucks GOLD card!!!  I've used my gift card so much there that I have qualified for free refills of tea and coffee as well as free coffee *upgrades* like soy milk and additionally flavored syrups!!

The postman also brought my Kitchenaid her PINK duds.  This was my compromise when I realized that purchasing a pink mixer would not be cute in my kitchen when I'm 40.  This way I have a practical mixer, that has a little pink flair for fun!

1 PACKAGE MOM'S BEST CHAI SPICED OATMEAL + 1 TBSP CHIA SEEDS + 3/4 CUP ALMOND MILK + 15 RAISINS 

How amazing does this look!!??  I bought a mini trifle glass at the store the other day and I KNEW it would be perfect for a breakfast parfait.  I LOVE breakfast!!

SNACKED on some almonds and a bag of Brothers-All-Natural Cinnamon Apple Crisps.

Whole Foods necessities.  Tea and Fish Oil were on sale so this purchase was completely justified!!!  And the pretzel crisps are for a sugary treat that I have been concocting in my head.

Love this Omega Swirl Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplement.  It's pretty expensive and I have another bottle in my fridge but this was on sale for $6 off so I HAD to get it!  This one is the Pina Colada flavor and it's really good!!  Definitely does NOT taste like fish!

I had planned on some nice fresh steamed broccoli and my Ginger Maple Tofu for DINNER.

Steamed broccoli was so good!!  Just plain.  No sauce needed.

Tofu was NASTY!!!!  I am having very bad luck with tofu lately!!!  My past two attempts at making it resulted in it having a rubbery texture and plain nasty taste!!!

I threw out all of the tofu and was so sad :(  That is until I remembered that I bought this yesterday and didn't have a chance to eat it...

STARBUCKS CHICKEN & HUMMUS SNACK PLATE

Tonight was date night!  Boyfriend and I attempted to go to this Open Mic Night at a local coffeehouse, Lestat's.  It was packed so instead we decided to have a quite night at home and raided Netflix.  Wasn't really feeling hitting up a local bar either.

We ended up with the documentary Freakonomics which is based on the NYT best selling book.  We liked it!  It was entertaining and definitely gave me something to think about.

Well I'm going to call it a night!  I'm pooped and I think my bag is going to come tomorrow!  Mucho excited!!  I've got ONE more package arriving in the mail after my gym bag and its the best one yet!

XOXO