Back on Schedule…

 

Hello and welcome to all my new and old readers alike. Bo and I are back in New York City and finally getting back in the groove.

I’ve received a few questions about the numerous guest posts. My grandmother passed away early Wednesday morning and Bo and I quickly headed down to Savannah to be with my family. IMG_0440I wasn’t sure how I would feel during the process, how much time I’d have to dedicate to blogging, or whether I’d want to share any of it with my readers. Therefore, when some of my favorite bloggers offered to do guest posts, I jumped at the offer! Now that we’re back in New York blogging has returned to the regular schedule.

This morning I urged Spring’s arrival by dressing as if the sun was reflective of the temperature.

IMG_0540 IMG_0541

Not so much! My feet and calves were freezing in the 23 degree weather this morning! Oops!

IMG_0543I warmed up at the office with a bowl of warm oats. These oats were even more special due to my new bowl! It isn’t as bright in pictures as it is in person, but it’s still a fresh new bowl.

IMG_0545 IMG_0544

Lunch wasn’t pictured as I was in an all day meeting and my camera was unfortunately at my desk. But, I was proud of my choice as I enjoyed a can of Progresso’s Low Sodium Chicken Gumbo with an Arnold Sandwich Thin instead of a catered Cosi lunch. Ten points for planning ahead!

All day work meetings are so exhausting! I don’t know whether it’s the eight hours of sitting, quiet, staring at the screen, or stale air but a day of meetings leaves me far more tired than a day of regular work. I love the fact that my job includes interacting with co-workers all day versus staring at the computer screen!

All I wanted to do after work was come home and get to bed early. But, I had plans and I wasn’t going to break them!

image

I had the great opportunity to see my cousin’s husband, Rich Orlow, perform Fahrenheit 451 throughHAPPENING SOON: Fahrenheit 451 on Feb 23 at Joe’s Pub the American Place Theatre Company’s Literature to Life program.

Here is a small summary of the amazing program:

Literature to Life®, The American Place Theatre’s performance-based literacy program, presents professionally staged verbatim adaptations of significant American literary works. This educational program gives students a new form of access to literature by bringing to life the world of books with performances that create an atmosphere of discovery and spark the imagination.

Rich was amazing and it was such a pleasure to see him in person as it’s a rare occasion that he performs in New York City!

After the show I enjoyed the evening weather while catching up with a friend on the phone. Long walks in perfect weather are one of my favorite things; especially when they provide the perfect opportunity to chat with old friends.

Here are a few pictures from this evening’s walk:  IMG_0552 IMG_0553 IMG_0554 IMG_0560

 

 

 

IMG_0556 Question: Do you walk and talk? When do you catch up with old friends via phone?

Share Button
Follow:

Guest Post: Southwestern Black Bean Hummus

Hi everyone! I’m Gabriela from Une Vie Saine. Like Ashley, I’m a New Yorker with an interest in running, health, and enjoying all that this wonderful city has to offer! unviesaine

Though my kitchen forte is undoubtedly baking, I do like to experiment with savory recipes as well. I come from a family of hummus-lovers, and while I used to think that the spread was difficult to make, in reality it’s incredibly easy. To change things up a bit, here’s my recipe for a black-bean based hummus.IMG_0314Southwestern Black Bean Hummus

1 15.5 oz can black beans, drained with liquid reserved
2 tablespoons tahini
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, depending on spice preference)
¼ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt

Simply put all your ingredients into the food processor:IMG_0308

And blend until your desired consistency is reached, adding bean liquid to smooth if necessary. Makes approximately 3 cups.IMG_0317

The result is a thick, filling hummus with tons of spice and flavor. Served with tortilla chips, pita or crackers, it would make the perfect appetizer for a Mexican-themed meal!IMG_0319

Thank you so much to Ashley for the opportunity to guest post. Feel free to stop by Une Vie Saine any time for more hummus (or healthy cookie) recipes!

Share Button
Follow:

You Really Should Enjoy Downtown Savannah…

Sometimes the world works in crazy ways.

We arrived at the airport yesterday, exactly one hour before our flight, only to find out that it had just been cancelled. While most of the Midwest and Northeast flights yesterday were cancelled due to weather reasons, ours was cancelled due to mechanical issues. However, these weather issues meant that there was no way they could rebook us on another flight yesterday.

Before he left the ticket counter, the kind ticket agent gave him a tip, "You really should enjoy downtown Savannah. It’s quite lovely this time of year."

Bo, my mom, and I each quickly embraced the idea of enjoying the sunshine and 70 degree weather for one more day!

Taxi and food vouchers in hand to use Tuesday morning, we decided to embrace the extra day and spend it enjoying downtown Savannah.  Luckily, my mom didn’t have any plans yesterday so she was able to enjoy the day with us.

IMG_0496 IMG_0498 IMG_0497 Our first stop was Soho South Cafe, one of our favorite lunch spots in downtown. A funky, hip art boutique and restaurant, their menu is extensive and always delicious. This is one of those restaurants where anything you order arrives just as your taste buds imagine.

IMG_0506 Soho South Cafe Savannah We each tried something different than normal, but also decided that we were in the mood for their famous sandwiches. They make their chicken and tuna salad in house as well as their pork. Armed with this knowledge, my mom and I decided to order the Waldorf style tuna salad sandwich and the chicken salad sandwich, sharing each of them.

IMG_0502 IMG_0501

We weren’t able to finish either of these sandwiches due to their enormous size, but they were out of this world! The toppings (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and sprouts) were piled high and both salads included apples, grapes, and the perfect level of seasoning!

Bo ordered their Cuban sandwich as it came highly recommended and is always one of his favorites.  As Cuban sandwich lovers know, this is often a risky sandwich to order at restaurants. It is either delicious, and spot on, or it is underwhelming served with one slice of cheese and a slice of ham.

As you can tell from the below picture, this Cuban was a gooey mess of ham and cheese.

IMG_0500

If you’re ever in Savannah, I highly recommend stopping by Soho South Cafe for a wonderful lunch break. They feature indoor and outdoor seating, a full beer and wine menu, a large assortment of sandwich and salad options, as well as some out of this world desserts!

After our lunch, we spent the afternoon walking around the historic downtown area and City Market.

IMG_0521 IMG_0519 IMG_0518 IMG_0517IMG_0524

IMG_0516 IMG_0515 IMG_0514 

IMG_0513

IMG_0525 IMG_0523 Garibaldi Seafood RestaurantA final vacation day wouldn’t be complete without a dessert stop, now would it? 🙂 Luckily, we came across a new to us cupcake shop. Mabel Francis Potter’s Cupcake Emporium has been in Savannah for 5 years, serving creative cupcakes and cookie cupcakes to locals and visitors alike. outside of Mabel Francis Potter's Cupcake EmporiumMabel Francis Potter's Cupcake Emporium

Unfortunately, a busier than normal holiday Monday caught them off guard yesterday. Therefore, they only had two flavors when we arrived- cotton candy or coconut.  The owner warned that the cotton candy is a child favorite due to it’s extreme sweetness. We tried the coconut, thinking it was a safer choice.IMG_0509IMG_0510Coconut Cupcake with Coconut Buttercream IcingThe coconut cupcake with coconut butter cream icing did not disappoint! The cake was very moist, one of my requirements for a good cupcake. The icing was a traditional butter cream with only a slight hint of coconut extract topped with fresh coconut.  While I was disappointed in their selection, the cupcake was perfect and my mom said she would definitely order cupcakes there in the future.

 

Share Button
Follow: