Round Up: The Long Lost Post Series
Is it just me or is July the best month? Maybe I’m biased because it’s my birthday month? Either way, Happy July, friends!
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Anyways, I realized I’m kind of a bad person. As in a lot of times I say things and don’t follow up on them.
Like that whole “Round Up” post series I started in February and have since neglected.
Oops.
Forgive me. And accept this round up post as a consolation prize. There’s even two kinda sorta big announcements in there just to keep your attention 🙂
1. Baby niece Belle is still as cute as ever.
Gush.
2. My basil plant is still alive and kickin’.
What up, fresh basil supply?
Mom, I know you gave me a pot to use but Joey had already bought this new one and no offense, but it’s much cuter.
3. After much deliberation, I’ve come to the conclusion that grill marks make everything look/taste better.
Especially when it’s all on one plate.
4. I finally tried “voluminous oats.”
And was disappointed in the outcome.
Volume, yes. Held me over, no. Although my appetite has been a beast lately, so that might have more to do with it.
I’ll stick to gooey uncooked overnight oats for now.
5. I know spelt berries have some long list of nutritional benefits, but I just eat them because I love the chew!
Angela’s Carrot Raisin Spelt Berry Salad with Cilantro and Cumin.
6. I’ve developed a serious problem.
It’s called the late night blog reading addiction. And it’s interfering with my sleep.
Which makes me feel like this all day.
And causes a guy at work to ask “Are you awake?” every time he sees me.
“No, no I’m not. Pass the chai.”
I’ve implemented a “no using the internet after I get home from work” rule, and have consequently been getting to bed earlier, waking up more refreshed and feeling more energized during morning work outs. Imagine that.
7. I’ve learned that just because it looks good doesn’t mean it tastes good.
Soggy eggplant does not a good wrap make.
Luckily, dessert is harder to mess up so long as it involves crepes, bananas, strawberries, hazelnut and chocolate.
And on that note…
8. Mid-day dessert is always welcome in my life.
Okay, time for the more “serious” points. And by serious I mean exciting and probably only important to me.
9. Joey and I are officially moving. Again.
“But Lauren, you just moved!”
Believe me, I know. I’m sure you’d love for me to bore you with all the logistics of this decision but I’ll spare you and just say, bottom line: Joey and I are looking for a place for just the two of us. Whoa, big moves forward in this relationship, eh?
It doesn’t really feel like a big deal to either of us. It was just time and we’re excited.
10. We just booked a trip to Santa Fe for my birthday next week!
I’m particularly excited because:
A) I have a few days off from work
B) Joey’s never been to SF so I’ll get to show him the ropes
C) I can enjoy this again.
And this.
And this.
Hurrah!
I’m off to hot yoga, then a wedding 🙂
Happy Friday!
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What’s going on in your life that you’ve forgotten to mention?
Colorado Living
Did you know I’ve always dreamed of moving to New Orleans?
It’s true. If you’ve never been I don’t expect you to understand, but let me just tell you there’s NO place like NO. I’m in love with how unique the city is, with all it’s sights, tastes and sounds.
Oh, hey house from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, aka the world’s most boring movie.
Way back in February, over dinner and wine, Joey and I got to talking about my after graduation plans and I said “Let’s move to New Orleans!” We were all gung-ho about it until graduation time actually came and then I think we both got cold feet.
It’s not that I don’t still love New Orleans, but Colorado is pretty great.
This is what we call “Colorado Summer Syndrome.” Come winter, I’ll hate CO again.
So maybe one day, I’ll get up the courage to move out of the state, but for now I think I’ll enjoy some of what Colorado has to offer.
Like hiking.
If the Royal Arch is a “moderate” hike, I’m not sure I want to know what a strenuous hike is like.
But so worth it in my mind.
I gave my camera to a man and asked him to take a picture. He snapped what seemed like a lot of pictures then passed the camera off to a lady next to him, who took “a bunch” more.
I got my camera back with two pictures. Bottom line: some people still don’t know how to use digital cameras.
From there on out, we took our own pictures.
Talk about fluorescent moss.
Colorado food isn’t anything like New Orleans food, but it totally fits my “fresh and healthy” lifestyle.
So glad Hannah recommended Mad Greens. A place with customizable salads galore is definitely right up my alley.
And customizable sandwiches aren’t bad either.
Okay, so Which Wich isn’t a Colorado thing, but eating Which Wich at Coors Field is…
Don’t be confused, my name is not Joey.
Joey’s #1 reason for not wanting to move away from Colorado ever: No Rockies games.
You’ve probably realized by now that I have a thing for Troy Tulowitzki, but did you know I have a secret love for Aaron Cook?
No?
Well that’s probably because it’s been more of a secret now that he kind sorta sucks. Oh well, I was still excited to see him practicing in the bullpen.
Here’s the part where I have to zoom in to cut Huston Street out of the picture.
Dear Huston,
I’ll never forget how you blew it for us in the ‘09 playoffs. I’ve hated you ever since.
Love,
Lauren
13 innings later…
Run that winning run on in, Tulo.
Fact: I once forced Joey and a group of his friends to leave a game that had gone into extra innings early. It ended up being a monumentally exciting win for the Rockies. I will never hear the end of it.
And consequently, will never leave a game early again.
In short: Colorado summers are unbeatable.
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Have you ever had the desire to move somewhere far away?
How do you feel about summers in your town – love ‘em or hate ‘em?
WIAW: Appreciative
I, like many of us, am sometimes guilty of taking my life for granted. Yesterday just happened to be what I like the call “a perfect day,” and capturing it all on camera allowed me to look back and be appreciative of all I have and do.
That being said, I’m very appreciative of our lovely WIAW hostess, Jenn so help me thank her by checking out the link up and feel free to join the party!
Breakfast:
Overnight oats (still rocking that ground flax in the place of chia seeds), tropical granola, fresh organic strawberries, coffee cake crumbles, Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter.
I’m appreciative of the new jar of Justin’s that made this breakfast possible. And the fact that strawberries are finally in season.
Lunch:
Dionysos (Greek) salad from Mad Greens and pita bread on the side.
I’m appreciative of restaurants that ask whether you want onions of your salad, how much dressing you want and whether your salad has been tossed to your liking.
Also appreciative of a friend who doesn’t judge you when you snap a picture of your meal before eating it. Even better when she offers up her own food to be photographed too!
Consider this the “What Hannah Ate Wednesday” portion of the post.
Pre-pool sippage:
The correct way to call this drink would be: iced grande vanilla soy light ice latte.
I’m appreciative of Starbucks. Fact: Starbucks tastes better when it’s free and/or 90+ degrees outside.
Post-pool snackage:
Cascadian Farms Harvest Berry Chewy Granola Bar.
I’m appreciative of my pantry being fully stocked with store-bought snack bars for when I suddenly realize I’m famished.
Dinner:
Hummus, lettuce, pickles, olive salad, cucumbers, mushrooms and dijon on whole wheat from Which Wich.
I’m appreciative of my loving boyfriend who picks me up dinner before we head to a Rockies game.
And who’s always there to set me straight. And to think I almost ate boring leftover pizza just for the sake of “not letting my readers see that I ate out twice in one day.”
Silliness.
Post-game snack:
Chocolate Chip Brownie Larabar (excuse my recycled picture).
I’m appreciative of my body’s metabolism, ‘nuff said 🙂
And don’t even think you’ve gotten out of having to hear about/see pictures of the non-food related happenings of my day yesterday. That’s all still to come!
What are you appreciative of?
Lauren Loves Good Food 