Getting my green on

2 days left until 2012? What?

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Anyways…

Yesterday I did something in the kitchen that hasn’t happened for, I think, a year. In fact it’s been so long I cannot remember the last time it happened.

Here’s the background. I spent part of the afternoon catching up with Abby at Azul. With a collective four years of high school Spanish between the two of us, perusing the menu proved to be a challenge but thankfully we had tortilla chips and salsa to tide us over. Eventually we both settled on the house salad. Our orders were quickly followed by confessions about the lack of green in our diets lately. Obviously we’ve been eating more important things. Like chocolate. And tortilla chips.

[By the way, the salad was the jam. Generous portion, pico de gallo (I had to look that one up), tortilla strips, citrus dressing...]

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So fast forward a few hours later to my kitchen. I was certain after lunch my green quota would be filled for quite some time. But cravings are fickle. High off of my roasting spree, I blanched and roasted 1 lb. of brussels sprouts that I found in the fridge.

Brussels with ketchup.

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I had planned on saving some to eat with dinner, but before I knew it they were demolished. What’s that moderation word I keep hearing about? I don’t know what it means.

I have no idea what happened here. As I mentioned, I can’t even remember the last time I ate brussels sprouts. They appeal to my taste buds but not my nose.

A salad and 1 lb of brussels sprouts on Wednesday? Yeah I think I’m good for the rest of 2011.

Jam of the day: Aretha Franklin “Respect”

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Jennifer Egan FTW

Is it really Sunday already? I can’t believe I catch the bus back to school in a few hours. I feel like I’ve only been home for a couple of days!

Yesterday I met up with Abby for tea and chit chat, and then I came home and finished this book:

I loved it. One of the more surprising books I’ve read, for certain. I adore reading, but this has been the first “pleasure book” I’ve read since going back to school. Lately when I’ve picked up a book my mind goes in a million directions and can’t focus, but I think I’m getting back on track! Or perhaps I should credit Jennifer Egan for the win?

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I’m off to enjoy these last few hours!

Jam of the day: The Kooks “Seaside”

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First blogger meet-up!

Last night I had my very first blogger meet-up with Danielle from A Nourishing Glimpse and Rose from On a Lobster Placemat.

Danielle has been taking an amazing road trip across the country for the past month and a half and Pittsburgh was her final stop before heading up to Syracuse. Rose was kind enough to organize a fun dinner at the Church Brew Works in Lawrenceville for us all to get together and chat!

I’m embarrassed to admit how nervous I was to meet these gals. I kind of felt like the freshman who randomly gets invited to a cool senior’s party. But both Danielle and Rose were so warm and inviting that I didn’t feel awkward at all. Fifteen minutes in we were sharing stories like we’d known each other for years.

The Church Brew Works has a pretty diverse menu, but I was drawn towards their wood-fired brick oven pizzas. I’m not a big pizza person, but I do enjoy a good brick oven pie. The crusty, sometimes burnt outside and soft, chewy interior sends my carb-loving soul atwitter.

I ordered the Garden Plum tomato pizza and asked for portabella mushrooms instead of mozzarella cheese. I thought the pizza was going to be “personal size”, but I received a full on 12-inch pie. I’m pretty happy about it though, because, as Danielle pointed out, I now have 3 meals for the price of 1!

The pizza was really fresh and not something you would ever find at a Domino’s or Vocelli’s. It made me feel better about not being able to drink the delicious Brew Works beer that our waitress told us about (no alcohol for this medicated mama!).

While the food was good, but the company and conversation was even better. Danielle and Rose have been blogging for years, and they had a lot of stories and interesting perspectives to share.

I’m so glad I was able to meet you both! Thanks Rose and Danielle!

Jam of the day: Bell X1 “How Your Heart Is Wired”

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