It’s a sunshine-y day!!!
Hey, we’re supposed to start the week on a positive. #cheese
This weekend was beautiful and sunny in Atlanta. I spent Saturday morning working out, then did some shopping. I purchased fresh eggs from the farmers market before heading to Fresh Market for some goodies:
I really love the wraps and the lentil hummus! Hatch chilies aren’t new to me, but I was thrilled that they were grilling them fresh outside the store to sell. Score! They went really well with the shrimp I bought (pre-cooked and tails removed – I can’t stomach doing those myself just yet).
Then I got dressed to watch two of my favorite people get married.
Admittedly, I was a little anxious about the reception. Open bar, lots of tasty reception food… and cake. I mustered all my motivation and commitment.
I knew I wouldn’t last without my own treats, so I came prepared.
Bring your own food to a wedding?! Why not? I made a quick turkey salad with my hatch chilies, parsley, and tomato. That was tossed in a sauce of nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, cumin, and smoked paprika. I also brought some green bean chips, a chocolate calcium disk, and kombucha. The kombucha was awesome to have so I felt like I had a “drink.”
Confession: I took a teeny cake sample. It was worth it. So there.
Isn’t the bride gorgeous?!
Sunday there was more marvelous with a great workout followed by a trip to Whole Paycheck Foods. On bike.
It was supposed to help with self-control… but really it translated to weighted cardio on the ride home. It’s 6.5 miles round trip! The need for kabocha is not to be denied!
See that beer in the middle? It’s a pumpkin beer. I’m afraid it will all be gone by the time I can drink it after my competition, so I asked the beer man (Max) to recommend the very best.
I purchased a single and it will remain in my fridge until mid-November. Wish me luck.
I’ve been tagged by a few people for the Sunshine Award. Thank you!!!
The last one I saw was from Janetha… based on the first question alone, I knew I had to answer. 🙂
1. Do you believe in aliens? Why or why not.
I don’t know… I’ll say yes. Because who are we to think we’re all that’s out there?!
2. If you could do ANYTHING in the world and have that be your career and your skills, paycheck, or anything else was not an object… what would you do?
I’d travel. That my one day get boring, but being able to explore and experience the world without the chains of time or monetary needs is my idea of heaven.
Like that time I ended up in Chile by accident and found myself on board a US Navy ship…
3. What is your earliest childhood memory?
That’s tough… I don’t remember? Maybe dancing around the living room to old records at Christmas time with my dad.
4. What’s for dinner tonight?
How about last night? That’s what I have a picture of. 😉 It was one of my new wraps spread with salsa and topped with shrimp, broccoli slaw, and a little local #yolkporn.
5. What was the most fabulous vacation you have ever been on in your entire life?
Italy. 2 weeks traveling to small towns on a self-guided food and wine extravaganza. I almost didn’t come home.
Often I wonder why I did.
At the tartufo festival in Alba, Italy
6. If you HAD to give up one of your senses (touch, taste, sight, hearing, or smell) which would it be?
NOT taste or smell! Maybe hearing? It seems like that’s the easiest one to accommodate for, especially if you’re able to hear prior.
I’d rather not hear half the shit that comes out of people’s mouths anyway… 😉
7. Would you rather always be super freezing cold or ridiculously overheating hot? (and no, you can’t have a warm blanket or AC to combat the issue!)
Bring on the heat! I hate being cold. I have Raynaud’s Disease and it’s uncomfortable and creepy when my fingers go white-purple.
8. Why did you start blogging?
My mom told me to. Seriously. I was reading a lot of blog and getting inspired to make all of this #strangebutgood stuff and my mom said “you should start a blog!” So I did!
This is not at all strange for us.
9. What was the last compliment you received and what was the last one you paid to someone?
Yesterday I Instagrammed a sneaky selfie from the gym and my girl Meg sent me the sweetest text that made my night:
“Wow girl you’re looking phenomenal. Be proud of yourself.”
That Pumpkin Pie Smoothie recipe is on the Instagram post. 😉
*Please don’t be offended, Zumba people. I just thought it was funny. I tried it at Blend and it was HARD for this white girl.*
I’m struggling through this prep and someone noticing progress that’s hard for me to see in myself feels really, really good.
I paid it forward by telling a girl in the elevator that the homemade (paleo!) fudge she was bringing up looked amazing. Then I tried to steal one.
10. What is your most favorite thing to eat?
I hate this question (sorry Janetha!). I love different foods for different reasons, and it depends on the mood!
Right now I’m digging the Pumpkin Pan-lette (remember when I did it with sweet potato?) I made Saturday morning. There’s no flour in it – the base is just pumpkin and egg whites. Like a pumpkin omelette, but cooked like a pancake. Pan-lette. Get it?
Whatever you call it, it is a fluffy cake of fall deliciousness. I topped with a peanut flour sauce, which we all know I’m addicted to.
Pumpkin Pan-lette
- 1/2 C pumpkin puree
- 1/2 C egg whites
- 1/2 tsp butter extract (or vanilla)
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of cloves
- 4-5 drops vanilla liquid stevia (optional)
For the sauce:
- 1 T peanut flour
- 1 T Greek yogurt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 drops vanilla liquid stevia
- Almond milk or water, to thin
Combine all pancake ingredients into a medium bowl and stir until smooth. Pour into a prepared (I used PAM) skillet and cook as you would a pancakes (~2-3 mins on each side).
Note: I made this as one huge pancake, but I’d advise you to turn it into 2. It required some serious acrobatics and two spatulas to flip.
Meanwhile, stir together sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
Plate your pie-cakes, top with peanut butter syrup, and enjoy!
***
Don’t forget to check out all the other marvelous in the world over at Katie’s link up!
The Sunshine rules say you have to come up with 10 questions and tag 10 people. Everyone and their brother has already done this… so I tag YOU!!! Choose one of the questions above and answer it below. Sharing is caring.
Would/have you ever brought your own food to a wedding?
OK I am so jealous of your kombacha and pumpkin madness with peanut flour literally you are making me miss home..that’s OK something to look forward to when I go out there for a visit, I plan to do a mass whole paycheck and online order these Thais won’t know what to do with themselves lol lots of love your wat ox c
You should do one mass order! Just get all the shipping costs over with in one swoop. You can freeze anything… 😉
You ARE looking phenomenal. I love all kinds of foods too. Fun post.
Thank you so much! It’s progress…
I love that your mom encouraged you to start a blog and your trip to Italy sounds amazing. I wouldn’t want to come back!
I might not the next time! 😉
You had a bite of cake at the wedding? Well there goes all your hard work and comp prep. 😉 Looking like a beast in that picture (in a good way!)
I often make something similar to the pan-lette post workout when I cant be bothered making a shake..because thats so difficult. Just chuck egg whites, pumpkin and some spices in micro and boom. I’ve never brought food to a wedding, so props to you for sticking to your goals! Your food was probably better anyway 😉
LMAO! I know! One girl got all over me for eating a bite of cake but refusing to drink. *sigh*
ALBA!! Where did you stay there? A year ago I was there for a wedding and we stayed at the Villa Amelia, which is above Alba in between the hills and winyards. Beautiful.
I love the Panlette (that name is genius) – I tried to make Kabocha Pancakes this weekend, but they fell apart. I will have to tweak it for a #strangebutgood link up!
Isn’t it gorgeous?! Westayed at a B&B somewhere on the hillside… Casa something…? They had a pomegranate bush. 🙂
I’ve got Raynaud’s too. Love freaking out people when my fingers are ghostly white!
LOL! It’s so creepy!
Ah your trip to Italy sounds like a dream! I definitely think you should book it as a reward after a competition- imagine how much more AMAZING gelato, pizza and wine will taste then ;)! I hate that favorite food question too…it all changes based on the day/time! Right now I’m going to say peanut butter because i just ate some straight off a spoon and it was gooood!
Seeing your pumpkin pan-lette on Instagram yesterday made me instantly make my own :). I copied your recipe but added 1t chia seeds and 1T oats. Delicious! And yes, it did require serious flippage talent, but I admit I was super proud of myself when I mastered it :). I don’t think I would bring my own food to a wedding, but then again I’ve never done a competition. You look great!
I would have LOVED to add oats!!! Damn macros… 😉 I’m so glad you liked it!
pumpkin pan-lette? GENIUS! 🙂 love that pic of you and your mom!
BOYF to a wedding… awesome! Ditto to giving up hearing. A family friend of mine has no sense of taste or smell so the foods she enjoys are based entirely on texture. I can’t even imagine!
Whaaaat?! Texture would be a sad loss, but I’d much rather have taste and smell!
I stalked you all weekend on the book of the face too.
You looked amazing.
xoxo
Thank you!!! <3
Can’t tell in the pic what kind of pumpkin beer he gave you, but I CAN tell that its not Southern Tier Pumking, so you did not get the best! 😉 I seriously stock up on it every year to hopefully get me through to the next year’s batch without missing it. Let me know if you can’t find it in Atlanta and I’m happy to mail you one! IT’S SO GOOD.
It’s Anderson Valley. I need to start begging people to send me their favorite pumpkin beers…
I’ve never seen that kind of hummus before. I need to be on the lookout for it. As for the beer, at least November isn’t as far away as February, when I can drink it!
Fresh Market! Its really, really good. It has apricots in the middle – I love the little pop of sweet.
haha janetha and her questions. but I’m glad she asked cause this makes me love you more! and that dish, um, wowza
awwww… i <3 you too, my brother.
Love all of your strangebutgood recipes that you share. I need to get my butt in the kitchen and make some of them now! I brought my own vegan chili to our friends’ rehearsal dinner.
Chili?! Well-played! Were you able to heat it?
Yep. We were at a lodge and I found a microwave.
OMG, loved this post!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You really are quite the interesting lady with all you have done. Maybe I would have done that if I had not got married young BUT I really never learned to be adventurous as a young person so most likely not… I would love to now but broke! :O
Aliens – I agree with you!
To do something with no other worries – I am not sure – independently wealthy so I would not have to choose & could just do! 🙂
Never too late! You just have to decided you’re going to do something and make it happen. And be in good standing with AMEX. 😉
I’m conflicted on the aliens thing. On one hand, I find it hard to believe that there is so other life forms in the universe – our planet is basically a blip on the screen when you look at the universe as a whole, so how can Earth be the only one to contain life? On the other hand, i seriously doubt that other life forms are a super-smart alien race that will one day invade us…aliens are maybe more like bacterial organisms or small creatures. That’s my thoughts, anyway ;-p
How did I know you’d have the best reply to the alien question? 😉 (I totally agree.)
We think the best pumpkin beer is made by Dogfish Head brewery. Real pumpkin, not just flavoring.
I had that last year! Not too bad… Pumking won that tasting though. 😉
I haven’t had pumpkin beer yet this season, and it’s making me a little sad. Get out of my way PSL (pumpkin spice latte – never had one, just have heard ALL THE HYPE) and gimme a pumpkin beer. 🙂
Your pumpkin panlette sounds SO good right now. So glad I just opened up a can of pumpkin and have some leftover. 🙂
Way to stay strong at the wedding. Your will-power amazes me.
I’m the same way! Keep you latte, pass the beer!
I followed your wedding reception journey on Insta this weekend and was so inspired by your willpower. Good for you for prioritizing your personal journey and thinking long term.
Can’t wait to try the recipe! xox
PS you motivated me and I’m now training for my first comp!
That is so great to hear!!! Thank you! And how exciting for you! How are you feeling? What comp are you aiming for?
Love it!! I love that you took your own food to the wedding! Totally something I would do haha. I am going to try pumpkin creation! Looks great!
Damn you have insane self control. Also DO THEY HAVE KABOCHA AT WHOLE FOODS EVERYWHERE NOW?! I’m literally about to run over to WF right this minute.
I don’t know… I think so! I even saw it at Publix! 🙂
I would have absolutely brought my own food for the wedding, but then you knew I would say that. 🙂 And YOU CAN DO THIS, I know you’re stronger than you think you are (I wore that shirt this morning, by the way) and you inspire me every day.
And how proud are you of me that I went to Oktoberfest this weekend and had 1/2 a beer! 🙂
Yes, I did know you’d say that. If we ever live close again and ran in the same circles… we’d be a riot at social events.
I am SO PROUD!!! You are my inspiration right now. No pressure. 🙂
Mmmm Pumpkin Pan-lettes look great! Love reading the sunshine awards people are posting! Lots of fun. Thanks for sharing the tidbits about your life!
YOUR MOM IS THE POLAR OPPOSITE from mine in that my mom cannot even THINK about me having a blog – SHE HATES IT SOOOO much! ha Ha ha ha ha ha! WHOOPS – I guess I say ASS one too many times and look like an idiot in my videos, OHHHH WELL! Perhaps that’s why I don’t visit home very often? LMFAO!
And holy hot cakes – While flat as a pancake isn’t always the best look – IT CERTAINLY LOOKS FABULOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSS in this recipe!
My mom thought it was a good idea… she doesn’t actually READ my blog. LOL!
ah! that’s exactly what my powercake is, but i bake mine in the oven! (which i HIGHLY suggest doing). SO good. love love love anything pumpkin!
if you like pumpkin beer you should try dogfish heads Punkin beer. it is by far the BEST pumpkin beer i’ve had!
The oven take SO long though. Pre-heating, baking… LOL! I’m so lazy in the morning. However… I should try baking a munch on the weekend to have for the week!
The last couple of weddings I attended asked if I had any special meal requests 🙂
I think my order would have been wayyyyy too over the top! Could they really do it? No salt, hold the fat… wait, can you just let me get back there cook it?
You look amazing and this dedication right here is why I, and so many others, admire you!!! There is no way I could have the willpower to keep a beer in the fridge for two months! You are awesome and I know all your hard work is going to pay off, and you’ll be in the best condition you’ve ever been in at your next comp <3
Tara… you are too much. I admire you!!! Infected and still kicking strong man ass. BOOM!
I looooved reading the survey! It’s so fun to learn more about you. I love the picture of you when you were a youngin’!
I don’t know if I would bring my own food to a wedding but I HAVE brought my own to other gatherings like bridal showers, anniversary parties, etc. But you gotta do what you gotta do!! And that pumpkin pancake.. .making it! Best time of year!
Showers, weddings… it’s all the same. 😉
Let me know how you like the pancake!!
That was fun to get to know ya a lil more! I totally agree with your thoughts on aliens! That’s funny that you brought your own food to a wedding! Can’t say I’ve done that yet. Good for you for having a taste of the cake though. Better put the beer in the back of the fridge so you’re not tempted! 🙂
Lentil hummus?! Oh that gives me so many recipe ideas! I also think I have Raynaud’s since it runs in my family, and numb fingers and toes are an everyday occurrence during the winter. I should probably get tested for that..
I don’t know that you can really do anything for it… except try not to get TOO cold and get warm fast when it gets bad.
I need to get my hands on some pumpkin, I hope my store stocks it this week!
I want that panlette so stinking bad! YUM! Janetha cracks me up with her questions…. love it! And girl… you do look awesome! Isn’t Meg just the sweetest??
She really is! And so are you. 🙂
that panlette looks amazing, we are sooo craving pumpkin here lately 🙂
you’re looking AMAZING!! such a hottie!!
You’re so sweet – thank you!!! Time to cut… ugh.
Um a pumpkin pan-lette sounds absolutely amazing! I’m pumpkin obsessed right now.
Haha, I love reading these surveys, they are always so fun. The alien thing made me laugh because when I was 10 I had a SERIOUS obsession with aliens. Like it probably should’ve been slightly alarming to my parents because I was totally convinced they were real and even had my neighbor pull a prank and writing a letter from an “alien” to my house and I totally believed it was real..I mean I was 10, how dumb is that…. And I just went way too far on that random tangent.
I need to start going to weddings with you. Since the hubby doesn’t eat cake, I always have him get a piece anyway. This way, I get two! Okay, maybe we don’t need to go together. Two pieces is fat-kid enough, three would just be overkill.
Please do. Save me from myself. Also, then I wouldn’t always be “that single girl.” LOL!
I think it’s awesome you brought your own food to a wedding, your so motivated and committed to your workout routines and eating habits. I love it. I don’t have that self control around good food, in still working on it though.
It’s amazing what the thought of walking across a stage in a bikini does for your motivation/(in)sanity. 😉
I’ll take a pumpkin panlette, please! I was tagged for this same set of questions, via Lindsay’s List… need to get on it. I love that picture of you as a little girl, adorable!
Wow girl. That is impressive that you stuck to your food & prep at a wedding. Dang, you are motivated, I love it!! And meg is right, you DO look fanatastic!
p.s. I am not offended….b/c I lift AND teach zumba. hahaha
LOL! YOu know I was thinking of you when I posted that. Your zumba kick my butt!
Hi Laura! I loved reading your Answers.
I am glad you took your Mom’s advice and started blogging!
I have a question…. Are you able to find no-salt added Shrimp?
I live in South Florida and I cant find any (seems they were all previously frozen with some sort of salt additive– even the uncooked). Before your blog though, I had no idea salt free turkey deli meat existed and then I looked for it and Bam. So thank you for that. (0:)
Hoping maybe I can look in Whole Foods?
Thanks Missy!!!
I found no=salt at Fresh Market and at Whole Foods. It’s precooked, but not frozen – it’s in the case with the fresh fish. Maybe you can request it if they don’t have it hiding somewhere?
Lifechanger. Thanks!
I don’t buy seafood at WF usually so never bothered to look. *facepalm*
Damn girl! You got all that home on a BIKE!! Forget about zumba AND weight lifting, that shits impressive! Haha! But seriously, you ARE looking great! I know it’s hard to see it on yourself sometimes, but I can see plenty! Your quads look amazing!
I love love love pumpkin omelets! This just reminded me of the one I made last year with ricotta filling and topped with figs…mmm, figs! I need to get more of those soon!
Impressive or moronic? There’s a fine line… Thank you though!!! <3
I forgot about that omelet!!! Now I'm going to have to see if I can still find figs at Whole Paycheck.
Hey, I read earlier in your blog that you have Raynauds. I have it too and was wondering if you ever dug up any natural food remedies to help yourself out? I live in New York and it’s starting to get cold here:(
thank you for your time!
Keep up your amazing blog 🙂
Ashley
Thank you! From what I read there’ not much you can do for it. Now that you mention it though… I wonder if there are certain foods that help with circulation? I’ll have to consult with google! 🙂
Side note: my co-worker in NY said it gorgeous right now with the weather the leave changing! Sorry winter is near though…
If you ever are looking to come to New York, September/October is definitely the time to do it.
It’s absolutely perfect.
Thank you for your reply, I’ll have to consult google myself.
If I find anything I’ll let you know!
Take care of yourself.
Ashley