Bites of My Life

This week I was reminded of how much can change in a year, or really more of how different things can be at one point in time, just a year apart. Thank you Timehop for always reminding me of these moments. This week last year, the restaurant group I work for was opening our biggest undertaking to date. I was working around the clock, I hadn't seen my friends in weeks, I was pale from not seeing the sun, there was no time for blogging, reading, watching TV, seeing movies, but I was still loving every minute of it. And have never been apart of something more rewarding. If you are in town this weekend, help us celebrate!

This week, this year, things are relatively slow work wise (a nice break from the hustle that was april-may-june), I'm loving all the time I'm getting with friends and family and yes I'm tanner than I've ever been in my life (LOL). I have time to bake (cue campfire cookies), binge on TV (currently: Southern Charm), saw a movie for the first time in forever (got the invite to an early screening for Crazy Rich Asians: it's so good!!!) and reading. Yes, reading. I finished my 6th book of the year this weekend. 

It's nice to have the change from last summer. This summer has been really "summer-filled" if that makes sense. Lot's of time to enjoy the things you can only really do in the summer. This weekend was spent at the lake with my fam. It was a relaxing, fun and the perfect summer weekend.

-#NationalPinaColadaDay celebrated a bit more healthy in the form of a protein shake, but it still took me back to Waikiki Beach!
-Princess Elsa at your service! Hilarious but cutest way to start my Tuesday after being asked to dress up as Elsa from Frozen to surprise a bunch of 4-year-old girls while they enjoyed "Princess Camp."
-Trader Joe's Frozen Chicken Tikka Masala doctored up with some peas for color and greens. What is your favorite TJ's frozen meal?
-Got to put my flavor input on this weekends featured drink at The Jones. Included my current favorite things: blackberry, ginger, lemon, gin and tonic.
-I just really love this picture, that is all.
-Campfire Cookies! I mean JK's Campfire Cookies, renamed by my brother-in-law. Get the recipe here for these s'more/Perfect CCC hybrid cookies.
-#LakeBaby
-My favorite breakfast casserole courtesy of one of my besties family recipes! Perfect lake breakfast or breakfast for a crowd.
-Chips in your sandwich or you're doing it wrong.
-Book #6 finished! The goal is 12 in 12 months. 
-Waterloooooooo!!! Who else has tried the new sparkling water craze? I bought the black cherry flavor and I'm loving it. 
-Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Pesto made for the best veggie filled dinner after the all-carb diet at the lake.

Annie

Bites of My Life

July you came too soon! Summer is slipping by FAST. Last week was full of delicious eats, getting settled into my new office space and precious last moments with one of my best friends before her move. There was also a pool party, an A list party per-se, rounded out by a killer Sunday dinner at mom and dad's. 

Now for the awkward 2-day week, twice in one week...

-Loving my morning matcha. Look forward to it each day. Using the new Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen currently. 
-Becoming a pro at cleaning out my fridge meals. AKA ballin' on a budget and won't let myself go to the grocery store as much as I normally do. 
-Healthy snack hack/dessert for The Bachelorette viewing. 50 cal Lesser Evil popcorn back with a tablespoon of cookie butter for dipping and Arbonne detox tea. 
-Got to help with a catered dinner in the park through work last week. Despite the 95 degree temperatures it ended up being the dreamiest setting for a dinner.
-Hello, I work here. Loving my new cube at our recently finished headquarters!
-The most fun giveaway last week with Made by Maddie. AKA one of my besties new biz!
-Said bye to my bestie/roomie Lindz last Friday. We became quick friends and after 3 years under the same roof, and I suddenly had to say bye too quick as she headed west for her next adventure in LA.
-I dub these my prettiest batch of perfect CCCs. The diff; semi-sweet chocolate bar chopped instead of chopped chips. So many chocolate flakes. 
-Snacking on Lesser Evil's new Paleo Puffs with my little crew. Use code ANNIELE10 in check out at lesserevil.com for 10% off your order!
-EnR0ute to Russell Westbrook's hype house. #workperks
-Thanks for the party invite Russell Westbrook!
-Summer food = best food. 

Annie

Lite Bite: Watermelon & Heirloom Tomato Salad

Summer BBQ, party or potluck? Look no further than this recipe. I have a thing for watermelon feta salads because I actually already have two (here and here) recipes on my site, but this one. THIS ONE!!

Watermelon & Heirloom Tomato Salad

Ingredients:
1/2 medium seedless watermelon, cut into small cubes
16 oz mini heirloom tomatoes (found at Trader Joe's), sliced in half
8 oz feta cheese block, cut into small cubes
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
flakey salt and fresh crackd pepper
small bunch of fresh basil

Directions:
In a large bowl gently toss cubed watermelon, cubed feta and sliced mini tomatoes. Drizzle over olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Not too much, you can always add more later. Sprinkle with fresh cracked black pepper and maldon salt if you have it. Any flakey salt will do. Tear the basil over the top. Tear instead of cut. Tearing will lend to better overall flavor and not brown the basil! Toss gently again and sprinkle a bit more salt, pepper and basil over the top to serve!

P.S. this makes great leftovers and is wonderful paired with grilled chicken (seen below).

Bites of My Life

I love the cold, but the summer. Oh, the summer. You kill me. You are too good. My energy level skyrockets this time of year. I want to do all the things in the summer as opposed to winter where I could hibernate for 3 straight months and be happy as a clam. 

I want to eat all the summer food, go on a walk EVERY evening, be more social during the week, spend as much time outside as I can, clean out my closet, deep clean my room, be extra active, and maximize my workday so I have more free time in the morning and evenings. Summer motivation is in full swing!

-I don't have marble countertops. Here is proof-ha! Just a contact paper covered foam board!
-Y'ALL! I posted something besides just a bites post. Catch my mayo-less tuna salad recipe here. Word on the street is that you will be getting a second recipe post tomorrow too!
-Post-bootcamp recovery shake before the rest of my breakfast. I've been waking up at the crack of dawn (4:30AM) to train with Align Performance. Bootcamp is from 5:30-6:30, so when I get home I do an Arbonne recovery shake (1 scoop protein, water, cinnamon and ice in a shaker bottle) then follow it with scrambled eggs later in the morning. If I ate a full breakfast at 6:30 I'd want lunch by 10AM. P.S. if you are local and interested in bootcamp, join me, your first class is free!
-Morning coffee/work date with my Lindz before she leaves me for LA. I can't talk about it anymore otherwise I'll get tears on my keyboard.
-Leftover watermelon tomato salad topped with grilled chicken. Is there a better summer dinner?
-Back to Cali Al goes, but first dinner with the whole crew!
-When in Stillwater, OK, must eat at Red Rock Bakery and Deli. Or so I'm told...and so I now agree. SO GOOD!
-Smashed avo on 2 GG crackers. Who else loves GG crackers? Who doesn't know what I'm talking about? Read here to get the gist and then order on Amazon ASAP.
-When curly fries are an option, you always go curly. Despite the fact the fact that I was poolside in a bikini while eating them...
-You all know I love my Super Coffee, but here is just another photo to remind you. And just so you know the maple hazelnut flavor is everything.
-Treasures from the Asian supermarket include ginger chews, gochujang, mini boxes of fruity gum and an excuse to show off my new shoes ;)
-Father's day feast was full-fledged Korean BBQ themed and I think we nailed it!

Annie

p.s. I listened to this song 54 times last night, you should too. 

Bites of My Life

Let's just skip to the weekend shall we, because it trumped last week. I left for Houston, Friday, for my long time "blogger besties" wedding. It's funny to think we truly met on the internet, but it was a testament that you can make friends anywhere. Molly and I found each other on the web during college through our blogs. With noticeable similarities we became virtual friends. With just being a state apart, opportunities like Austin City Limits and OU/Texas weekends led us to meet up in person. A few other times like our BB Dallas weekend and my stay at AirMB kept our friendship going. 

Molly's big day finally arrived and I couldn't have been more excited to be included. A stay and spend with my great friend/Houston host/plus one, Claire, made the weekend even better. (Claire and I were set up freshman year to be roommates and have been friends ever since). We both mutually love homemade matchas, health food, fitness and silk scarves ;) We dined at Emmaline, Juice Land, Tiny Boxwoods and then had the best wedding food I've ever heard/seen/eaten at Molly's reception. Molly and William's wedding was jaw drop worthy and the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen. Not to mention extremely fun. 

Here's to starting the week on a weekend hight and hoping it gives me motivation to get Monday...

-A green salad with lot's of avocado and grilled chicken. My lunch as of late thanks to The Jones Assembly.
-Lights, camera, action for a fun photoshoot with The Social Order crew.
-Craving tomatoes, as I should be since they are perfectly in season right now. I've been buying a bunch of vine ripened tomatoes and chopping to put in salads or thinly slicing and topping with everything but the bagel seasoning for a snack while I cook dinner.
-Wheels up to H-Town for #MollyMadeASlamDunc. Also, I love traveling by myself, anyone else?
-Hi from Houston! 
-Walked, juiced, worked out, ate, shopped and more all around town with Claire!
-Best friends make the best plus ones. 
-To the Duncans!
-My contribution to our Sunday night potluck. Recipe is saved in my "bites" highlight on instagram.

Annie