The Main Event

Ok normally I am a dessert is my favorite course kind of gal. What can I say, this one has a sweet tooth; at times it seems like the only tooth I’ve got.

But last week during my dinner ay Candle, the main course stole the show. 100% vegan. Ok I will admit it, I have toyed around with the idea of going animal product free more than once. I even lasted 14 whole days last August until I got so wrapped up in the need for an ice cream cone that I caved. There are definitely days I eat vegan and days I stray far far away. That being said whenever a restaurant that boasts this characteristic is on the books fora visit I get excited. I mean, it takes immense skill to cook food sans animal anything that tastes better than the majority of foods I’ve eaten in my life.

Candle succeeded and then some. I wasn’t even all that hungry and I finished this massive  plate. My fork was a magnet to the flavor. Hook line and sinker, give me more. The creamy luscious mac and cheese, the succulent barbecued seitan, the heart chili, and the salty spicy corn, I mean who could resist.

It’s funny but it’s true; this Southern gal had a damn near perfect replica of the food she grew up on at a restaurant that used none of the products the South is known for. I felt more at home during the course of this meal than I have since my last visit. And believe me, Nashville isn’t exactly teeming with vegan hot spots. Those tastes, though, well they brought me back.

 

Dessert First.

 

 

 

 

LIFE IS SHORT. EAT DESSERT.

I have always wanted to use that little manta on my blog. And what better time than now, when I have such a drool inspiring photo of a dessert worthy of words to accompany. That, my friends, is the brownie sundae from Candle Cafe West. A decadent combination of delicious moist brownie, and creamy vanilla ice cream, topped off by chocolate fudge sauce, a sprinkle of walnuts, and a few fresh berries. Heaven in a bowl is an understatement. And guess what, guys? This dish is 100% vegan and gluten free to boot. Does this mean it’s healthy? Ok maybe not. But full of additives and preservatives and shit no one can pronounce it is not. It is big enough to share (which is what I did, thanks again Jaime G!) but good enough to savor solo. I dream in this sundae. Seriously.

 

Kickstart the week.

 

A week is not complete without some kind of dinner involving sweet potato. Bonus points if there is fresh avocado and salsa involved.

This is my version of Tex Mex nachos, heavy on the flavor and light on the guilt. Mondays are tough. Monday day night dinners do not have to be.

Pizza Party

I’ve been babbling about pizza parties at work day in and day out for weeks now. I finally got fed up waiting.

Monday Night Pizza Party

Simple whole wheat pita with a marinara sauce, pearl onions, spinach, plum, and tomato, topped off with pepperjack cheese and a sprinkle of basil. Monday night hasn’t tasted this good in a while.

Best.

You know that saying “less is more”? Yeah, I know it too, but I disagree completely.

Let me put it into context for you: Thursdays are my week day off. Usually this means I stay up until midnight Wednesday evening (I know I am crazy!) and wake up to no alarm. It’s a glorious little routine I’ve got going. This morning was no different. I slept until 10, made a green smoothie, and caught up on blogs until noon when I high-tailed it down to Tribeca for a SoulCycle class and video shoot with Melanie G. The workout was bananas and I left completely exhausted and smiling, the effect of any SoulCycle workout.

I scrambled back uptown for a staff meeting where I enjoyed an array of delicious treats including bites of every flavor of Levain Bakery cookies. I wasn’t stuffed but I was certainly not hungry. Back at home I read a bit, caught up on email, cleaned, and then the clock stuck 7pm. Instead of putting on my pj’s I ran back down to W77 SoulCycle for another class, a Summer Heat Wave ride with the lovely little Elianna.

Blood. Sweat.Tears. Amazing workout #2 of the day, I left exhausted and smiling, as per usual.

I arrived home to find a sweet husband and a lovely plate of food waiting for me. And then instead of hitting the hay I baked these chocolate chip cookies that I had been waiting to bake for months ( spoiler alert: the recipe calls for a full 24 to 48 hours of dough refrigeration, talk about patience).

 

2 workouts, 2 desserts. A double dose of a damn good day. I pedal that bike so that I can enjoy every single bite with nothing held back. I am of the persuasion that you only get on life to live and I am committed to milking the one I have got.

Things I Am Loving As Of Late

Antigua honeymoon (Photo courtesy of my husband, Chris)

1. SoulCycle. Most amazing total body workout I have ever experienced and I am not just talking about the muscles part. It’s a complete mind and body experience.

2. This chocolate chip cookies recipe. If only I had the patience to follow it–24 hours of dough refrigeration is asking a lot of me.

3. What a beautiful blog, makes me want to run away to Charleston and never come back,

4. The new Matisyahu album, I can’t help but dance.

5. My new and most favorite workout pants ever

The Cinema

I love movies

I think I might love movie treat even more, Nothing beats a Monday night spent at the cinema, pile of popcorn, couple of friends, and a stash of candy.

Who says the work week has to be all work?

Watermelon for Dinner

Summer time makes me thirsty. That sticky humidity, the bright sunshine, the  heat- yes we are in the dog days all right.  And I don’t know about you, but when I am in a state of perpetual perspiration, a big ole bowl of noodles does not sound appetizing. I dream in smoothies, juices, ice cream floats, and milkshakes. Mastication is over-rated when the temperature rises.

Never Over-rated: Cookie Break

Today during a SoulCycle class master instructor Kym Perfetto yelled out serious motivation with sticking power.

“Skinny is over-rated but hot is not!” the ripped Kym screamed as she proceeded to tell us about how she hates when people equate working out to punishing themselves for enjoying a delicious dessert. This is a girl after my own heart. Let’s face it, y’all; life is hard and short. There just isn’t enough time to get all wrapped up in what you shouldn’t. The time to enjoy is now. Let’s work it out and then go and have lunch!

After class I went home and began a sunday baking spree. I had cookies on me mind. And the only way to satisfy a cookie craving is by baking a batch, of course!

The Vow

I have been a very bad blogger, like grade F major fail sauce y’all must hate me and then some.

But today, I pledge to make time in my week to week life to pop in and say hello. After all, I know you are all just DYING to hear what I have to say, right?!