Hump Day of a Holiday Week. Does that make Hump Day sound any better? Nah. Not really. So what’s happening in your world? Are you wrapping presents like a banchee? Or baking up a storm? Speaking of baking, so glad you enjoyed Shannon Marie’s holiday high raw all vegan dessert recipes yesterday! Everything from Cinnamon Mocha Crinkles
To Raw Nog Creams
To Raw Ginger Creams
Shannon Marie of Raw Dorable is a creative baker like no other!
As the super lovely PB & Jenny said, she needs her own Food Network show, and I totally agree!
Thanks again, Shannon Marie for guest posting…muah!!!!!
But let’s move onto what I’ve been up to in Aruba. We actually went out for a Sunset Drink!
Except check out this drink menu. It was soooo extensive…
The Vodkas
Specialty martinis
I ordered a couple bottles of Veuve. Kidding.
But the Lover looked good
And so did the Milky Way Martini
And so did the Milky Way Blended Drink. Move over Frappucinos, there’s a new blended Oreo Sheriff in town!
Then there were the Top Shelf Options. I’m all about pimpin’ up my ride drinks Cadillac style.
In the end, the choices overwhelmed me. So I didn’t even order. I know, lame, huh??!!! You may recall me talking here about why I haven’t drank in four years. I really want to break my dry spell. But I am kinda scared to even drink! I hate that hungover feeling, that next day what-was-I-thinking-feeling, and I know that one drink will hardly send me over the edge…but then again, after being squeaky clean for four years, ya never know!
I lived vicariously through Scott’s drink. A Madras Tini.
And they don’t skimp. There was a flask brought for seconds.
And Skylar got into the the mixed nuts.
A chick on a mission for her salted nuts. Do not get in her way!
Here’s some pictures of Skylar and I at the Radisson. Damn sunset lighting. I thought sunset lighting was supposed to be flattering according to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Photographers….But it’s dark! Sorry bout that!
A little brighter
The Radisson had their open-air lobby decked out with a holiday scene. Cuteness! They must have known we were coming.
And after all that non-drinking, I came home and made appetizers. You can see I really slaved over these. Mary’s Crackers in Black Pepper flavor that I brought with me
and some pineapple salsa I found. I hate salsa’s that are loaded with sodium!!! Spicy is cool, salty is not. This one is perfect!
And you may recall that I mentioned it was Scott’s Birthday a few days ago? Well, he ordered baked ziti and some chicken parm from an Italian restaurant like I mentioned he would be. $25 bucks for that pasta & chicken parm. He said it was fine, but like a 6/10 fine. I added the salad. It totally makes $$ sense to cook rather than go out, if you can!
For my dinner and Skylar’s too, kale, brock, cauli, cukes, and sugar snap peas with Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing.
Never. Get. Sick. Of. This. Meal.
Hope you’re not yet either.
For Dessert, I broke into this Lindt Swiss Bittersweet Dark Chocolate Bar that I found on one of my many Island Grocery Store Runs
Smooth, and the perfect barely sweet with a little bitterness. Nice.
Yoga Today is Hanumanasana (Monkey Pose, or the full splits). A wonderful hip opener and way to stretch our your hammies, quads, and hip flexors.
Tip of the Day:
What’s your favorite drink? You can say water. You can say Coca-Cola. Do I hear coffee from the peanut gallery? Or, based on the drink menu pics above, what drink would you order?
Do you drink alcohol? Why or why not? Would love to hear your take and stance on the libations! I mentioned some of my choices and rationale here, and the Cliff’s Notes version is that between being pregnant, extended nursing, taking care of a small child with a hangover not sounding fun, and knowing my body operates and runs smoother and cleaner when the strongest stuff I put in it is coffee, that’s kept me away from drinking. But a Pina Colada is sounding mighty good about now! Lots of you chimed in before, but I would love to hear what your New Year’s Eve, or Christmas Eve/Christmas, plans are regarding indulging in some bubbly, wine, or something a little stronger. Do tell!
Stay Tuned For Some Cool Guest Posts, the Give Away Winner on Friday and Trip pics (unless you’re sick of ’em and please tell me!)…
Happy Birthday to Skylar! My favorite birthday memories are the ones that have been small and intimate :)
What an amazing price for strawberries!!! I can't wait for them to get below $4 a box here!
Aw, hope the poor girl feels much better for her birthday party! Happy birthday, Skylar!
Goodness, when is cherry season? I haven't seen cherries in like forever.
Such gorgeous produce- I'm jealous! My favorite gum is Orbit Sweet Mint. It's less strong than the others but lasts super long!
I vaguely remember my mom taking me to get my nails done on a birthday when I was really little. They didn't even do the full manicure, just put on polish, but I felt like such a big girl!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SKYLAR!!!
I can't chew gum because I have horrible TMJ, and grind my teeth and clench my jaw all night long. I have to wear a mouth guard from my dentist to protect my teeth, and they are supposed to last you about ten years…well I grind completely through them in only 2-3 years. It's horrible. I have to wear it religiously every single night, if I miss it I wake up LITERALLY with chipped teeth! Not to mention the worst headache ever on earth. So no gum for me. Chewing my food is work enough!!!
So, I have to tell you…you have such nice fingernails! Every picture of you where you can see them they always look so nice!!!
Do you have any secrets? My nails break and crack and are so thin and weak…what am I doing wrong?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
XOXO,
Erin
P.S. I did just buy the new Honey Altoids, I thought it seemed weird, but they are actually really good. Not really Honey-like…but milder than a normal Altoid. If that makes sense. :)
Awww poor Skylar! Good thing she has you to take care of her!! And that is SO awesome you found some cherries. They are fosho one of my fav fruits
Cute photos of Skylar! I hope you all have a wonderful birthday with her. I love camel pose! I did 90 minutes of Dave F. yoga and we camel like three times!!
<3 jess
xoxo
AAwww Skylar!! Hope she is feeling better for the bday. I don't really chew gum that much – it hurts my jaw!!
Guess what I FINALLY bought tonight?!?!? Nutritional yeast!!! What should I do with it????
I have trouble sometimes posting here….u need to get wordpress :)
I will be grateful if I get to sleep without worrying worrying worrying.
Skylars party will be so nice for you guys. Has she made any little buddies yet?
The crackers/chips look like a good find.
Oh girl, whenever i have those things in my freezer it is bad news! I am in there every time I pass the kitchen!!
Love them though!
Being grateful is the way of life!
XXOO
EEK! I need to STOP chewing gum! I'm addicted to Trident cinnamon gum, for real :-)
oh yey! Happy Birthday to Skylar!!! So cute. I hope she has an awesome birthday!
oh man Im a huge gum chewer its ridicuous. Stride is my favorite right now in Sweet peppermint and spearmint. I think the flavor lasts sssooo long and I like the texture of it. Its my go to gum.
Cherries look awesome! Im so glad they are coming back into season. Well kinda..I think they are a spring/summer fruit? No matter! They are sssoo tasty. I love fresh berries. I love broc and sugar snap peas too. I like to crunch on the peas while I make dinner. So refreshing!
You cracked me up with your "I prefer balls" comment. Ha! You and me both girl. =)
Protein bars look so good. I gotta make some up this weekend.
I hope you have an awesome day! xoxoox
thank you for the reminer — I spend far too much of my life dwelling on what I don't have or what I wish I had rather than being grateful for all of the wonderful gifts that I've been blessed with. Today I'm grateful for your friendship :)
Those chips remind me of Dipsy Doodles, those old school chips from back in the day…do they even make those anymore? I may be dating myself big time here, haha.
DYING to try the hemp ice cream. Big hemp fan over here.
Skylar is beautiful!
I'm grateful for old friends today. :)
Poor Skylar, I hope she'll be feeling better soon. {{{hugs}}} We've got a nasty cold going around here. So…we really feel for you.
Thankfulness; I am thankful for my wonderful kids every day. I can't imagine my days without them.
We have way too much in common! I am a compulsive gum chewer!! I am opposed to artificial sweeteners but meanwhile I chomp on gum all day! Like you I prefer the fruity flavors. I really like those Extra flavors you have in this post. The fruitier the better. Sometimes I smack on Cinnamon or Bubble gum, but mostly fruity. I like those Orbit chicklet gum thingys in the plastic containers. (I think they are orbit)
You guys will have so much fun celebrating Skylar's 3rd b'day this weekend! We did that when Lucas turned 2…just at home with a cake and our family. It was sweet and perfect. This year grandpa joined us and we went to Disneyland. Simple is good!
Gratitude….everyday everywhere I look!