Bites of My Life

Bye January!!!!! Blah blah month is officially over! February, I am welcoming you with open arms. I can already tell you are going to kick January's tush. February holds the first sights of spring, fresh blooms, valentine's day, chocolate, red and pink, kings cake, mardi gras, and a leap year. I feel like since it only comes around every four years, a leap year has to hold some kind of good luck!

Last week was a little bit of yay and a little bit of nay. Some delicious bites per usual, lots of baking, weather over 60 degrees, new recipes, new restaurants, and the end of the Barre3 challenge. Farewell Jan, bonjour Feb! 

-My sister is a granola making machine, and I'll be honest it kind of bugs me how much better she is at it than me. Yes I admitted it. I have repeatedly failed at homemade granola, BUT, I did it, I finally made the most perfect batch of granola and I haven't been this proud in a while. Follow this recipe and you can too!
-Getting my greens in to help finish the #barre3challenge strong.
-The most satisfying non-guilty sweet treat -- caramel rice cake with almond butter and coconut chips.
-Loving everything in Giada's new cookbook, especially these black bean brownies. 
-An egg baked in a sweet potato, there is nothing wrong with this. 
-No concert like a country concert. Thanks Randy Rogers.
-It was gorgeous outside on Saturday, but I couldn't help but stay in and bake up a kitchen of sweets. Lots of recipes shared with friends and family and soon to y'all!
-Thankful for a family that tags along while I drag them to places outside of their comfort zone. Even better when they love it. OKC's new modern korean, Chae, is a win!
-Ended the last day of the #barre3challenge with one last Barre3 meal of their Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry.

Annie

Bites of My Life

I only feel a little bad when my bites posts are only full of food. I promise I have a life with un-edible things too. Although, this week was all about the noms. I stayed kind of on track, but it's time to grind out the fourth and final week of the Barre 3 challenge. Lord knows I need it coming off this food filled week. Coming for you strong B3. 

Things you miss from the picture below are; the first sights of sun in what seems like weeks (hallelujiah), a throwback 90s concert, trips to the Asian market, Mexican supermarket & Whole Foods #diverse, and quality bonding time with my puppy niece while her mom and dad are away.    

-Ultimate leftover shrimp fried rice. The perfect pairing for bachelor Ben viewing.
-Mason jar oatmeal is on repeat for an on-the-go breakfast during these freezing mornings.
-All my favorite healthy work snacks. Can't quite make it through the workday without some. 
-Added a little zest to your hump day with the recipe for Zesty Chicken Salad (It's like really stinking good).
-Not your average brownie, coming this week!
-Hands in the air for this Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon for our B3 meal of the week. 
-I woke up for breakfast, my friends woke up for brunch, but we didn't get out of the house until lunch. So Saturday's "breakfast" turned into veggie chili from The Red Cup. 
-The pregame snack to my favorite brunch. 
-You know that show The Best Thing I Ever Ate, on Food Network. If I was on it, this would be my bit. The Green Eggs and Ham from Stella just get me. Creamy herb baked eggs with prosciutto. It doesn't get better. 

Annie

Bites of My Life

Not a bad week, but not a stand out week. just kind of came and went. A little Bachelor, a little food, and a little trip up to Tulsa to add a some umph to the week. Dinner, brunch, Barre3 and an art exhibit all done in under 24 hours. 

-It's all about presentation, Cranberry Orange Holiday Detox Smoothie. 
-The cutest kitchen fashion.
-Bachelor nights and enchilada soup!
-PSA, go try Oak & Ore's new menu items. 
-Tik Tik Tik Tikka Masala, you can't miss this recipe!
-On Tulsa Time.
-Barre3 Challenge in Tulsa!
-Hello Mr. Warhol.
-Saturday nights be like.

Annie

Bites of My Life

January - I was fairly optimistic of you at the beginning of the week. A fresh new start, a new week, a new year, the whole shebang. Then I realized you stunk. I'm going to be pessimistic for a second. January is cold and gray. It effects our moods. Everyone is depressed coming off the holidays and a whole bunch of other things just make it not so great. I had one of those real world-I have no money-I want to do more with my life-stress pimples are all over my face-kind of break downs this week. 

The thing I've realized after, said number of these kind of meltdowns, is that I can feel them coming, and I know everything is going to be 100% fine if I just get it out of my system.

So January you suck, sorry you do. But now that I got it out of my system, we are turning you around. I'm trying really hard to kick my stress out the door and focus on what I want, what I need and how I'm going to make it happen. Friday was said "breakdown," then Saturday I woke up to a blanket of snow, so there ya go, things are already looking up!

-Monday got turned around real quick with an unexpected half day at work and my favorite falafel salad.
-The Bachelor is back and boy am I ready.
-Made this Crockpot Quinoa Chicken Primavera last week and I'm still noshing on it.
-A warm and toasty lunch during these freezing cold days.
-Week 1 down of the Barre3 challenge with my Barre3 buddy.
-India came to Oklahoma for the night with this tikka masala, recipe this week!
-Breakfast doubled as a snow day celebration and a cure from the night before.
-Still chocolate chip cookie testing, still haven't found "the one." 
-The Golden Globes and a barre3 challenge approved meal.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Well hello twenty sixteen! I hate to see 2015 go, but 2016 was easily welcomed. Last year went out just perfectly and the new year has already come in strong. With some unexpected time off from work last week, the ultimate bestie reunion, a wedding for two sweet friends, good bites and great sips, a few goodbyes and a couple hellos, it's time to get this new year cranking. 

I love the new and fresh mindset a new year brings.  My hopes in 2016 are for new opportunities, new attitudes, new challenges, new sights to see, new relationships to form and as always new recipes to try. Here's to the year of new!

-A festive yet detoxing cranberry smoothie after a week of holiday indulgences. Working on perfecting the recipe before I post it. 
-Still thinking about these popovers and planning when I'm going to make them again. 
-The most eclectic Christmas leftovers/clean out the fridge lunch.  
-Whole Foods never seizes to amaze me. Their cioppino is restaurant good. 
-Not sure if it was the 5 hour energy I took or if it was the excitement of seeing my british bestie again, but my heart was beating out of my chest. 
-You didn't come to Fort Worth unless you went to Joe T's. 
-The gift that keeps on giving arrived last week. Kathleen gifted me with a 3 box subscription to Try the World. It's basically Birchbox for international food. You can expect multiple posts about this little blue box.
-#ReadytoRock the new year. 
-Kate the great is shipping out today for a semester at sea. One last squeeze before she sets sea. 
-Resolving to get out and do more instead of letting fun opportunities pass. This meant a Saturday local brewery tour. Not pictured - all of our samples... 
-Nothing beats breakfast in bed.
-Perfect end to the week with church and lunch with dad.

Annie