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Appetites and Adventures

A Taste of Atlanta

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Bloggers make the best house guests.

 

This weekend my girl Allie @ Forgotten Beast came to Atlanta for a visit and to train with my trainer, Steve, at House of Payne.  Allie is also training for a figure competition.  She definitely lives up to her blog name – girl is a BEAST!

Steve made us strike a pose for a post-training mug shot:

 

We trained, we had posing practice… and then we ate our way through Atlanta. 

Allie eats a plant-based diet, so I knew I had to take her to one of my favorite vegan places in town, Dough Bakery. We split the “egg and bacon” biscuit above along with some vegan soft-serve before walking around one of Atlanta’s funkier neighborhoods (Little 5 Points).

For dinner we hit up Cakes & Ale where we split basically half of the menu and took pictures of it.  All tasty, but our favorite was the brie, and marinated greens with walnut croutons.  Our second favorite was the absolutely fabulous staff (Hi William!).  We rounded out the night with a craft beer from Brick Store Pub.  Allie is a fan of the craft, and this place has a beer menu that reads like fine dining restaurant’s wine list.

 

 

We stayed up too late chatting and eating the remainder of my S’more Bars.  It was awesome.  And I begged her to move to ATL.

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The next day we continued to eat our way through Atlanta.  It was the day of my cooking demo at Taste of Atlanta!

 

 

I was terrified, but SO glad to have Allie there for moral support.  My friend Kathleen also came; it means so much to have friends there when you jump so far outside your comfort zone.  You guys were also so great with the encouraging comments and tweets this weekend!

There wasn’t a huge crowd, but there were spectators that weren’t my friends.  I thought when they said they’d provide 2 burners that it would be little  stop top… notssomuch.  It was a Bunsen burner.  Between that and the wind, the Butternut Squash-Apple Soup took what felt like forever to make.  Just browning the garlic took 10 mins.

 

The view from the stage during set up

 

Overall, it did go well.  The burner eventually warmed up (thank you to the amazing volunteers who helped get it going), and I was able to prove that this is a soup you could make on a campsite.  🙂

I did have an amateur fail: I was so flustered by the end that I forgot to add the turmeric.  Thank god Sweetwater Growers’ infused olive oil and fresh herbs were so flavorful the soup still tasted good.

 

 

Thank you to Scott and Sweetwater Growers for asking me to demo my recipe using their Red Pepper-infused olive oil.

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Workout Recap

Last week I mentioned we added 100 pull ups (assisted ) to my daily routine.  I did them most days… travel and long workouts threw me off a little.  My goal this week is to buy a pull up bar so it’s easier for me to get them done each and every day.

But that’s not as exciting as posing pics, right?  Yes, I asked permission before plastering Allie’s ass on the internet.

 

Workout Recap (10/1 – 10/7):

  • Monday – Shoulders/Glutes, Calf raises, 100 pull-ups, 1 mile walk
  • Tuesday – Chest/Bis, 100 pull ups, 2 mile walk
  • Wednesday – Legs (w/ trainer), 2 mile walk
  • Thursday – Back/Tris, 100 pull-ups
  • Friday – Rest, 100 PUs, 1.5 mile walk
  • Saturday – Legs (with Trainer), 2 mile walk
  • Sunday – Rest, 2 mile walk

***

I’m 4 weeks out from my competition… the diet is getting crazier.  More on that and a new fitness feature tomorrow! 

When was the last time you had to go outside your comfort zone?

Have you ever met your “online” friends in real life?

 

Comments

  1. Look at you SWOLE beasts! 😀 It sounds like you guys had an epic weekend– how did you manage to jam pack so much fun in two days?!?!!
    I can’t believe you’re only 4 weeks out, you must be getting so stoked 🙂

  2. Love meeting my blog buddies! It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, you really just go right into a great comfort zone!

    Great job to you and Allie! Look at those ripped bodies! You two are doing such a great job!

    As for the weekend, I wish I could have come to see you! I’m glad the soup finally came through in the end. Cooking outside is a whole different beast! Sounds like a great weekend overall. Hopefully that leads to a great week for you!

  3. Wow! I can only imagine how hard it must have been to step outside your comfort zone to cook in front of people. That would terrify me but it sounds like you did amazing! (besides who needs turmeric?) 😉

  4. Going to be honest. I’m always jealous how you guys meet up with fellow bloggers 😛 I’ve never actually met anyone one of my blogger buddies and really wish there was some get together in Toronto. I can imagine being really comfortable with that person because a lot of the stuff you put up on a blog isn’t really something you would say to someone face to face (at least in my case unless it’s family or best friends)

  5. Sounds like a great weekend. I have got to try Dough Bakery soon! I wish I could have made it to Taste of Atlanta. I think we were still driving back from SC when you were presenting.

  7. Yours and Allie’s blogs are ones that I read regularly so loved seeing you guys together! Both of you look amazing in that bikini pic- nothing like seeing your hard work pay off to push you through till the competition! Taste of Atlanta sounds delicious, but even more so do those s’more bars! Way to go on the demo…you are on a roll!

  8. Great job for stepping outta your comfort zone and cooking infront of others. I could never do it. I’d probably be so nervous & spill whatever I was cooking everywhere!!

    You & Allie look great, and are a BEAST ((in a good way of course))

    • LOL! I almost did! Note to self: pre-roasted and chilled butternut isn’t easy to scoop from the skin.

  9. i’m jealous. Well one because you two have some major tight tushies! And second, you got to hang with Allie.

    p.s.
    who needs tumeric? nah. I bet it was fabulous!

    • Ummmm… next time you have to come too. We’ll just get sleeping bags and have a sleepover. 🙂

  10. Wow, you girls look amazing!! So impressive!

    I also love your tank in the first picture! I need that. Reminds me of when I used to play rugby and I felt little but fierce.

    Its funny because when I meet online friends/ bloggers it always ends up feeling so natural. Love it!

  11. You rocked that demo stage, bunsen burner and all. I can’t thank you enough for being such an awesome host! I hope you’re ready to see my face a lot more often ;D

  13. You guys are indeed fierce! Only 4 weeks left and then you get to put all of your hard work to good use.

    Congrats on the demo going well. You look like a little infomercial with the microphone headset thing.

    Your soup is a beautiful color and glad that the minor omission of tumeric didn’t affect the taste.

    I ran my 5k this weekend and now think that I might be completely hooked on running (I may be a little slow, but there was something seriously fun about being out there).

    Have a great Monday Laura!

    • Ha! It felt a little infomercial. And weird to hear my voice.

      Glad to hear the race went well!!! Congrats!

  14. You both look amazing! It must be so satisfying to see so much hard work – inside AND outside the gym – pay off like that! So cool that Allie could be there to support you at the demo too … I feel like giving you just a Bunsen burner is a bit cruel though, I would have panicked! 😀 You’re clearly a natural 😉

    I’ve met quite a few online friends in real life and the cool thing is that a lot of the personal stuff that really matters, and the minor stuff that makes up every day life, has been done online already, so you just have the fun stuff to get on with.

    I just made your Zucchini-Whey muffins (I asked about substitutions for the Baking Blend on the post) and I just added a third tbsp of xylitol plus about 1/16th tsp each of xanthan and guar gum: they came out beautifully! They look, smell and taste great, and the texture is perfect! Thank you so much for the recipe 😎

    • Oh, I panicked! 🙂

      I am SO glad you liked the muffins! Great to know about the subs. I use Guar in all my smoothies but never think to add it to baked goods. Will try your variation next time!

  17. both of you are looking GOOD!!! such hotties right there.
    great job with the food demo 🙂 wish we could have been there!
    love meeting online friends!!!

    • Awwww… thank you!! I’d have loved to have you there – it would be so much fun to talk food with you guys!

  18. The two of you look awesome! If you look this buff now, I wonder what you’ll look like right before the competition. 🙂

    And that soup looks yummy! You wouldn’t know anything went awry.

  19. I have met a few online friends and I was so nervous we didn’t really hang out buuuttt just this morning I was thinking of meeting two that happen to live in Atlanta… later this winter, we’ll see!!

  20. You both are looking so competition ready! And sounds like a perfect weekend! Great job on the demo, even if you had a minor oops moment, at least no one noticed:)

  22. So glad that you got to spend time with Allie and that the cooking demo went well! I am so sorry I wasn’t there- I thought it was on Saturday originally and planned brunch with my sister on Sunday at the same time as your demo :[

  24. I have met a few blog friends – it is very cool, because you already have this friendship ‘history’ kind of thing. looks like you two had such a fun weekend – yay for another successful cooking demo (um, bunsen burner? haven’t seen one of those since high school!) 🙂

    and WOW, you look crazy good – these last weeks are going to go quick!

  26. You both look amazing, and I just love your workout shirt: Though she be but little, she is fierce. Nice!!
    I’ve only been blogging for six months now so I’m still making friends and definitely haven’t met any of them yet.
    Glad to hear the demo went well, and I bet no one noticed the missing tumeric. I for one will be making your soup.

  27. Kudos to you for getting out there and strutting your stuff in doing a food demo. Balls my friend, balls. 🙂

    Haven’t met anyone yet from the good old blog-0-sphere….but I’ll be sure to bring my gluttonous A-Game when it happens.

  28. 4 weeks?! That is incredibly close. You two look amazing… how fun you got to spend the whole weekend together. And congrats on your cooking demo- I saw your instagram pic, you looked confident and calm, even if it wasn’t the ideal circumstances. 🙂

  36. Laura- You look amazing- best of luck to you in your upcoming competition! As far as meeting online FB friends, yes, I have met several of mine. About a year ago, I met up with two friends I met on line and their husbands out in Las Vegas for a meet up- we have been the best of friends ever since. We all met on a clean eating FB page and automatically clicked. As far as going out of my comfort zone, I did that last year doing two figure competitions. I never in a million years would have thought I could ever do that- but it was a great experience and broke me of any fears of getting up in a bikini. BTW- love your blog and food creations- they rock!

    • Thank you! your meet up sounds like so much fun! You taught me something new – I didn’t realize there were such active FB groups.

      • Hi Laura- Yes, they do exist. Recipes for Gals in Figure and Bodybuiding. I met two of my closest friends on that page!!! Pretty awesome!

  39. Laura! Your muscles look fabulous!!! You go girl 🙂 Also, congrats on the food demo…basically you are a celeb!! I have never met my internet friends in real life, but I hope to change that someday soon 🙂

  41. Wow Laura, you look great! And what a fun weekend! Also you workout schedule is insane!! Walking that many miles, pull ups AND a gym WO ?! MY GOD! haha I’d die! But good for you 😀 😀 4 weeks… you’re gonna rock!! Love, Leanne

    • Here’s the secret to walking – I do it in the morning on the treadmill while I’m going through my Reader. I’m going to be using that time to do my daily reading anyway… might as well do it while walking!

      • Oh that’s a great idea! Unfortunately I don’t have a treadmill 😉 but I do think that’s a great idea! I love doing two (or more ;-)) things at once! I always do calf raises while brushing my teeth, lol! 3 minutes of up-and-down-and-up-and-down… After I’m done my teeth are clean and my calves are sore 😀

  42. I love meeting bloggers! And I’d love to meet Allie 🙂

    I’ve made a couple American friends in London through blogging, and I’ve also met up with people passing through London for whatever reason. It’s always been a great experience and it’s funny how it seems like you’re already friends and always have been.

    You guys look great!

  43. I get all this since I have done bodybuilding contests…. hard stuff & definitely out of the comfort zone! I think every day in the gym for me takes me out of my comfort zone at some point – I challenge myself. Not like a competition but better than just going thru the motions. 🙂

    • I love the way you think. Even if I’m not training for something specific I feel like I’m cheating myself if I’m not pushing.

  44. Oh my gosh, I TOTALLY forgot those suits have like no ass in them! Haha! But you girls look AWESOME! I’m sooooo sad that I didn’t get to come out this weekend, but I’m totally holding out for you in November! Eeeek, I can’t wait!

    I’m so glad to hear that the demo went well…and hey, if there was going to be one mistake, at least it was forgetting the spice and not spilling/dropping/catching something on fire! 😉

    I thought of you yesterday when I was at the gym doing pull-ups…I managed 20 before my arms gave out! Lol

    Last time I was outside of my comfort zone? Hmm, probably last summer when I traveled to San Francisco all by myself. I was visiting a blogger friend in Santa Cruz, but took a day to myself to explore SF…first time on ANY type of public transport. I got off the train at the wrong stop and ended up having a breakdown and calling my mom, but once I actually GOT there? It was perfect! I saw the Golden Gate, took a TON of pictures, did some shopping, and even dined at a nice restaurant ALL BY MYSELF! It was a proud moment for me…and even though the day got off to a rough start, at the end of the night, I couldn’t have been happier for stepping outside my comfort zone! 🙂

    • And he said they are too BIG!!! I get fitted for a suit that fit this weekend…. I’m scared. LOL!

      20 pull-ups is awesome!!! Most women can’t do even one. You rock. 🙂

      Your SF trip sounds like so much fun. Way to go busting out of that comfort zone! I know it’s intimidating at first, but when It’s all said and done I actually enjoy time alone traveling. You meet the coolest people!

      • Omg! Lol! Are they gonna have to tape it down and stuff too? I think I’d be willing to endure a little tape pain if it kept me from getting a huge wedgie on stage! Lol

        The pull-ups were in two sets of 10…assisted by like 50 pounds…..so I don’t really feel that badass. But one day…oh yes, ONE DAY I will be able to do at least 10 with my full body weight! Arbitrary goal of course! 😉

  46. Holy heck! Y’all are SO intense.

    I’m jealous of your fun. I would NOT be able to keep up with you in the gym, but I could go for a long run while you are being hardcore, right?

    I shouldn’t say would or could. I should say WILL + CAN.

    Besides, we have to go visit my facebook + IG friend Asha, right? 😉

      • Right?! ;)You must come and stalk… errrr… meet Asha with me.

        I couldn’t keep up with you on a run. Can’t even remember the last time I ran a mile straight through!

  47. Looking amazing and you still have 3 weeks to go! Thats so cool that you were a part of Taste of Atlanta and got to show off your skills. I love ordering brie cheese as an appetizer at restaurants that serve it- so deliciously creamy and decadent. And walnut croutons sound amazing as well!

    • Thank you so much!

      I don’t know why more places don’t serve brie… I get that “funky” cheeses are popular (and I love them), but there’s nothing better than brie sometimes. With red wine and apples… mmmm…

  48. What beautiful and strong ladies – in bikinis and heels!!! So impressed with both of you hotties!

  49. AHHHH BUM SHOT!!! :O Hahaha! Sorry I couldn’t resist! You both look fab! As for the cooking demo you are brave girl! I get flustered and confused trying to hold a convo with one person whilst cooking so doing it in front of people?! Aishh! I take my hat off to you!!

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