This Week's Eats- NYC edition

I've been wanting to try coconut water since hearing about it from other bloggers. The verdict? Ummm, not so much. I drank about half of this bad boy and then opted for a few sips Jarrett's fresh squeezed lemonade.

CARACAS, oh Caracas. How I love you so. Your pictures do not begin to do you justice. You are savory, you are original, you are one of a kind. Best food EVER!

Cupcakes, cupcakes!! We were eager to try these sugary wonders from two famous bakeries. Our first stop was Magnolia Bakery (where Meg and Erik got their wedding cupcakes). I got a vanilla cupcake with Chocolate frosting and a little sugar flower embellishment. The icing was phenomenal and it was worth the wait in line.

Next up was Crumbs bakery! With so many options to choose from, we went with the apple cobbler cupcake. Since it was technically breakfast time, I could justify this pick. If Crumbs delivered to NC, I'd be in trouble!

Manhattan grub = to die for!

New York, New York

What a perfect weekend in New York City!!! Our trip kicked off at 6:30 am Saturday morning at the Greensboro airport, where we met up with the Brooks and Townsends. Our plane took off at 7:30 and we arrived to the Big Apple at 9 am sharp! After checking into the beautiful Roosevelt hotel, Jarrett and I laced up our kicks (aka, threw on some flip-flops) and took the metro to the last stop on the green line in lower Manhattan. We grabbed a croissant and coconut water and hopped onto the 11:00 cruise around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The historical narration on the overhead speakers seemed to satisfy Jarrett's curiosity and left us with a deeper appreciation for the diversity of this country. If nothing else, we enjoyed the cool breeze that went with the perfect 80 degree weather.

We meandered around lower Manhattan, hitting all of the major sites. As we approached Ground Zero, a silence filled our beings. We were overcome with respect and sympathy for all those affected by the tragedy. We paused and said a prayer and admired the plans for the memorial under construction. Around the corner was Wall Street and all the hype that comes with it. There must have been a hundred people climbing on top of and surrounding the 7,000 pound bronze sculpture of the Charging Bull. We passed on the photo op and walked through Tribeca towards Chinatown and Little Italy. Not my favorite part of the city, but I wanted J to at least see it. It was also on the way to my favorite restaurant in all of Manhattan- CARACAS!!

I first discovered this restaurant about 4 years ago. The food is to-die-for-out-of-this-world! I have been talking about this hole in the wall since we booked our flight several months ago. Jarrett agreed that it stood up to my accolades. We put in an order for fried sweet plantains with aged cheese and sipped on banana and chocolate milkshakes while contemplating our order. We both went with the arepa with grilled chicken breast, caramelized onions and cheddar cheese. Oh my goodness. If you are ever in Manhattan you seriously must try this!!!

Two full tummies later, we strolled various street markets, bought some cheap sunglasses and made our way to Soho and Greenwich Village (my favorite part of the city). We loved walking through Washington Park. It was a scene for all- sunbathers, tap dancers, (quiet) Amish protesters, naked females posing with body art- you name it! We must have been speechless taking it all in. The afternoon was absolutely perfect.

Our tired feet led us to the metro, which we took uptown to Times Square. I loved the expression on Jarrett's face when we emerged above ground. Mouths open, cameras out, we took in the famous New York City scene. We people watched while waiting in the TKTS booth for Broadway tickets. We both really wanted to see "Promises, Promises" with the beautiful Kristin Chenoweth and hilarious Sean Hayes. We managed to score discounted tickets in the front row mezzanine- sweet!! After strolling around Times Square we landed at Magnolia Bakery in Rockefeller Center. We picked up 2 of their famous cupcakes and took them back to our hotel, which was only 10 blocks away. We checked in and cleaned up for part two of our event-packed day. On a side note, we absolutely adored our hotel and especially loved the soft, cozy beds!

I have a tradition of getting a slice of authentic New York City pizza before heading to the theatre. Jarrett willingly obliged and ordered us one slice with cheese and meatballs and one slice of Hawaiian (my fave!). The theatre was next door to the David Letterman Studio on Broadway. From start to finish, the show was hilarious!! Kristin's voice is even more amazing in person, and Sean's comedic timing is impeccable. While we hated the story line (business men having affairs), we were in stitches and genuinely loved the show.

At long last, we met up with our friends at MAD46, the coolest rooftop lounge with incredible views of the Manhattan skyline. Meg organized a post-rehearsal party for mingling among family and friends. We loved getting to know Meg's parents while stealing glances of the happy couple (Erik beaming with pride). It was great catching up with the girls and seeing pictures of Anna's wedding gown that she purchased at Kleinfeld. The party was the perfect ending to the perfect day!

My excitement woke me up 7 solid hours later. I was so excited to throw on my Mizunos and take Central Park! The first time I ran in the park was for the Central Park Half Marathon 7 years ago. I ran to the Boat House where the reception would take place and saw an early morning wedding gown photo shoot! How neat!! I covered a few miles of the park before heading back town Madison Ave and finishing up in Rockefeller Plaza. I knew that J wouldn't be awake yet, so I grabbed a bottle of water at Dean and Deluca and people watched my heart out. Just as I started to get antsy, J called and we linked back up at The Roosevelt to get ready for Meg and Erik's wedding. J looked so handsome in his linen suit, and since I was in a pretty Lilly Pullitzer dress, we took advantage of our classy look by shopping on 5th Avenue. Tiffany's, Louis Vuitton, and Manolo Blahnik were some of the high profile stores we browsed. We stopped by A&F where I posed with a model, and dropped into FAO Schwartz where we celebrity-spotted Kobe Bryant shopping with his kids!! We walked up 5th and cut over to Lexington where we arrived at the beautiful cathedral where Meg and Erik would say their vows.

The organ filled the cathedral with a rich sound as I sat and reflected on how much I love my friends. Meg is a beautiful girl, inside and out, and I truly value our friendship. At long last, the doors opened and there stood Meg, dressed in a beautiful wedding gown ready to make her walk down the aisle. She graced the church with her elegance and the tender moment had most of us in tears. This was my first Catholic wedding to attend and I genuinely enjoyed the sermon and communion that went with it. The rich voice of an opera singer singing hymns was the perfect touch to the grand affair.

Meg and Erik departed the church through a tunnel of bubbles that her guests created. We made the short walk to the famous Central Park Boat House. I could not believe that I was there! There were spreads of meats, cheeses, and breads and the most interesting passed hors d'œuvres. The Schiemann's arrived by Gondola to their big party where we cheered and toasted to the newlyweds. The party went into the night, with an incredible dinner and endless dancing. Jarrett and I had to catch the last flight out that night so that he could be back for Monday morning registration. We hated missing the end, but savored every moment that we were there. Congratulations Meghan and Erik Schiemann! We love you!!

This Week's Eats

I am obsessed with Google Reader! I have found so many great healthy living blogs, full of recipes, workouts, motivational tips and more! I'm going to test drive my own new segment called "This Week's Eats" to highlight some of my favorite meals. Check out my first post. Some of the recipes I make up as I go, and others come from blogger inspiration and trusty old cook books.

Zucchini Muffins

I made these delicious zucchini muffins for the academic computing guys (who managed to save all my ITunes after my computer crashed). 2 small zucchinis from the farmer's market plus baking staples on hand translated into a tasty breakfast treat and some happy IT guys.

Scallops and Spaghetti Squash

This was my first experience with spaghetti squash! The verdict? Delish! I cooked the "noodles" and tossed them with pesto, goat cheese, and parsley. I seared up some scallops and boiled some corn and voila! A tasty "pasta" dish!

Honey Baked Nuggets and

Fontina Mac 'n Cheese

I starred both of these recipes in my google reader and thought that they would

pair perfectly together. Boy was I right! Jarrett absolutely loves macaroni and cheese, and he especially loved this version made with fontina. The nuggets were simple to make. I sliced up two chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, dunked them in a combination of honey and balsamic, and then coated them in panko crumbs for a crispy crunch.

Sugar Cookies

The greatest thing about sugar cookies is that you always have the ingredients on hand! Simple baking staples! I definitely think that there is an art to baking the perfect cookie. For example, you can't rush the butter. You have to let it soften perfectly on its own (microwavers, beware). I've also found success in under cooking by 1-2 minutes. Once the cookie cools, it takes on a chewy texture that will melt in your mouth.

It's A...

BOY!!! My sweet little nephew, Bennett Clark Evans, was born August 8th at 7:07 pm!! We could not be more excited. We have been looking forward to meeting this little guy since we found out that Conner was pregnant, just before Christmas. Throughout her pregnancy we referred to the baby as "Mistletoe", a nickname that stemmed from Conner running the Mistletoe half marathon just before she found out she was pregnant! Between Conner's athleticism and Andy's soccer skills, I can only imagine how energetic Bennett will be. I mean, technically he did already run a half marathon! Conner and Andy chose not to find out whether "Mistletoe" was a boy or a girl, and it wasn't until we walked in the delivery room that we found out!! What fun :) I am so proud of my new little nephew and already love him so much!! Congratulations Conner, Andy, Carly, and Joiner!

La Ville Lumière

When my hard drive crashed a few weeks ago, I was super thankful that I had backed up everything on an external hard drive. Once my new hard drive was in, I decided to go into organization mode and clean out my old files. I came across this poem I wrote in middle school, after a we visited Paris at Christmas time. What an amazing city!!

Paris

Miriam Patterson

Crepes, bread, and famous kisses

Famous chefs and Salade Nicoise

The Eiffel Tower and Moulin Rouge

Children playing, people laughing,

City of love and captivity

They tell me you are snobby and I believe them, for I see the women walking their

poodles, both with their noses stuck up in the air.

They tell me you are brutal, and I believe them, for lives have been sacrificed for

the price of your greed.

And they tell me you’re prejudice of annoying tourists who don’t belong on your

property and my reply is: Who could blame you? Anybody would

want you all to themselves.

And so I still see those who sneer at this my city, and I say to them:

Show me another city, with so much pride

People who have sacrificed their lives through the guillotine for their children to live in a free country

With a national anthem that so brutally describes their desperate fight for freedom

Murder

Screaming

Crying

Screeching

But only to make them the city you are!

The Parisians so merry, so bright that they shine

Speaking with pride la langue de l’amour

Eating Crepes, bread,and escargot

Famous chefs and Salade Nicoise

The Eiffel Tower and Moulin Rouge

Children playing, people laughing,

City of love and captivity

This Week's Eats

Barbeque Chicken Pizza

After having this pizza at book club last week, I could not wait to recreate it at home. Whole wheat pizza dough topped with barbeque sauce, pesto, red onion, tomato, asiago, gouda, and chicken. Simple and savory, my kind of meal!

Stuffed Chicken

The goal of this spread was to use up ingredients that I had on hand. The chicken was stuffed with roasted red pepper, gouda, pesto, mushroom, and sweet Vidalia onions. In other words, the chicken was stuffed with flavor. Perfectly paired with tabbouleh and cauliflower, we enjoyed every bite of this healthy meal.

Pasta a la Vodka

Our Friday night dinner was thanks to Jarrett, who effortlessly whipped up this whole wheat pasta dish topped vodka sauce, veggies, cheese, and apple smoked sausage. I'm always so amazed at his ability to wing his way around the kitchen. I was so happy that we had leftovers.

Prosciutto and Fig Pita

After a long night of house hunting with our realtor, I was so happy that I had prepped for this meal. I bought some fresh figs at the farmer's market last week and have been eager to try them. Pita bread topped with goat cheese, prosciutto, tomato, figs, pesto, spinach, and onions. This was fantastic and the sweetness of the figs contrasted perfectly with salty prosciutto.

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of

Meg's bachelorette party was a blast!! Last weekend we gathered at Lake Norman to celebrate the big event. After a cock-tail hour, our limo arrived and 13 excited girls piled in for perhaps the greatest commute ever to the Queen City. Our destination was Nikko, a swanky Japanese restaurant with sushi to die for. A martini bar and dance party would carry us into one of the most incredible nights with my girlfriends. T minus 7 days until we arrive in Manhattan for Meghan and Erik's New York City wedding!!

100th post

Wow!! I can't believe I'm posting for the 100th time!! So much has changed since I started this blog over a year ago. Isn't it amazing how life just keeps getting better? Since my first post, I have met my the man of my dreams, established a career, traveled abroad, and found a church to call home. Thank you to all my readers who have supported me along the way!!

How appropriate that my 100th post happens to fall exactly 100 days out from my WEDDING!! I honestly can't believe how much FUN I've had planning the big day. I have all the nuts and bolts in place and am now focused on the finer details :)

I wonder what life will have in store 100 posts from now??

Deceptively delicious

With the summer temperatures pushing triple digits, this smoothie has proven to be quite refreshing. Jarrett isn't a huge salad fan, but he loves this beverage. I swear, you can't even tell that there's spinach involved.

The Green Monster

In a blender (or magic bullet) add 1/2 cup skim milk, 1 frozen banana, 1 spoonful of almond butter (or peanut butter), 1 large handful of spinach, and 3-4 ice cubes. Blend until smooth in consistency. Delish!

One for One

Since 2006 Tom's Shoes has been providing children in need of shoes with this basic necessity. With the help of shoe fanatics and compassionate folks worldwide, the concept of "one for one" has taken off with a bang. For every pair purchased, a pair is donated to a child in need. When I don these simple canvas flats, I can't help but smile and imagine a little kid out there somewhere playing, surely with a matching smile. I first noticed these kicks in Whole Foods, appropriately positioned near the bulk foods section, where I am a frequent customer. I fell in love with the idea quickly and managed to find my popular size at a cute little boutique in town. I love that these shoes have become a new fashion and that the simple design has now evolved to cute wedges and vegan wrapped boots. Not to mention the flag that's included in each purchase, which I shall wave with pride and a sense of benevolence.

Les repas

After a long, busy workday and a frequent workout to follow, I surprisingly find myself wandering into the kitchen to unwind. For whatever reason, I find cooking to be therapeutic. I enjoy planning meals and the delectable reward that comes from my culinary extravaganzas.

Breakfast is by far the most important meal of the day, with oatmeal serving as the obvious star of my morning routine. Overnight oats and apples and cinnamon oats are my favorites! At least one morning a week, I'll whip up a spinach and mushroom egg white omelet with Parmesan cheese on top. These meals keep me going all morning long, with hunger pangs in perfect sync with the twelve o'clock hour.

Lunch is usually some sort of salad or sandwich. I typically always brown bag it, for both money and health's sake. Luckily, we have a Subway in the hospital and a Whole Foods a mile away, so good food is never hard to find. My pre-workout snack is always a bar (Cliff and Luna are my faves) or an apple with almond butter. A chai tea misto plus or minus a small bite of chocolate finds its way into the busiest of days.

I usually cook 3 big meals during the week, with leftovers and dining out filling in the gaps. My style is gourmet meets southern comfort with a conscientious appreciation for healthy ingredients. I typically incorporate a meat, starch, and veggies with an interesting blend of savory flavors. Dinner is almost always enjoyed at a candle-lit table with background music and good conversation. Bon appetite!