Bites of My Life

I’ve had this conversation with a few friends and family members over the past couple of days, but with the new year there really comes a sense of new energy, a weight lifted off, a feeling of excitement, and a feeling of hope. While Instagram memes keep reminding us that January 2021 looks very similar to the rest of 2020 being that we are still in the coronavirus pandemic, there is still hope in the new year. Fingers crossed, prayers to the big man, and manifestation that our true normal will be felt again at some point in 2021.

After a wonderful two week stint at home with family for the holidays and some big work projects, I finally made it back to Dallas yesterday. I hit the road early to get back to my apartment and strip it of the Christmas decor, unpack, and get organized going into the first week of the new year. My enneagram 3 is thriving right now when it comes to checking things off my list.

Another new year cliche topic is eating healthy and getting back on track after the holidays. While it’s something I’m conscious of, honestly just being out of my parent’s house where toffee and ice cream appears at every corner, is setting me up for success without little effort - ha! Anywho, I wanted to say this is the first year I really don’t feel the pressure to be grinding the healthy eating train. Should I eat some more veggies this week ya, but I’m not pressuring myself. To be honest, I’ve been feeling good lately. I’ve been trying to ride that intuitive eating train, been on an Obé pilates kick (cannot get enough), daily walks, and talking nice to myself. And what do you know, it’s working!! Here’s to more feeling good in 2021!

-The new Med Bowl at Cafe 501 is everything of the sort. Already planning to recreate!
-Crispy salmon Ina Garten style is staple when I’m home (and needing to detox the Christmas goods.
-The week between Christmas and New Year’s is sad, confusing, and weird. French Onion soup with crispy gruyere covered crostini makes the week make sense. I used New York Time’s recipe.
-Shackets have me sold, anyone else? Rented this Madewell one from RTR and luved it.
-My marketing job is quickly turning into a balloon installation job. Not mad.
-Sweats, uggs, and a festive headband was a 2020 NYE mood.
-Woke up to 5 inches of snow on New Year’s Day. GOOD JUJU for 2021!!
-Black Eyed Pea Hoppin’ John for good luck and New Year’s Day traditions!
-Leaving OKC at the end of the holiday break 50% brandy ice, 50% Annie.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Counting down until Christmas. I can’t believe that I’ll already be turning around to head back to OKC at the end of this week to settle in with fam for the holiday. Before we get there, I had a busy week catching up with friends and celebrating my two great friends Jordan and Wills on their marriage! The original plan was Alys Beach March 2021, but with covid changes and really not wanting to wait that long, they moved things up, downsized, and still had the most special winter wedding right here in Dallas. It was such a good weekend. I also caught the bouquet for the first time after attending mmm maybe 25 weddings.

-Made a v good indian spiced lentil and quinoa soup for meals last week. The recipe is from a friend, so I hope to make it again and get better photos to post the recipe!
-Spotted on a walk by my sister. Christmas decor that just makes sense. 2020: stink, stank, stunk.
-Christmas tini date to see Hudson House’s holiday decor.
-Love these black overalls with a turtleneck and booties or sneaks in the winter. So comfy.
-Barbie bride Jordan ready for her big weekend!
-Why must we look so ugly to get pretty? Loving these chin strap masks I finally ordered.
-Stunning downtown set up for a wedding at The Joule hotel.
-Pastel bridesmaids on deck!
-Post-wedding couch potato with Christmas movies all Sunday.

Annie

Bites of My Life

A busy last week of October, but a great one leading up to an even better weekend. My dad and sisters and I had been working behind the scenes to plan a surprise brunch for my mom’s 60th. She was shocked and had the best day. Bonus that I got to be home for Halloween with my nieces. Missed dressing up, but adult Halloween isn’t so bad. Oklahoma City got hit with a wild ice storm, so my visit came with a power-less stay at my parents, but still great being with fam. Countdown to Thanksgiving with my whole fam including oldest sis and brother-in-law is officially on.

-First Verde Turkey Chili of the season!
-Bar by night Old Monk has pivoted due to Covid and is now open in the mornings as a coffee shop. If you are in the Knox-Henderson Dallas area, stop by for a seriously good latte.
-Pumpkin Green Smoothie on repeat for Halloween week.
-Live music made its return by way of a drive-in concert. Bundled up to see my faves Mt. Joy at an outdoor drive-in concert.
-Tables set at Bradford House for the perfect birthday brunch.
-Successful surprise brunch for mom’s 60th!
-Home for Hallie-ween.
-New Liquid IV delivery just in time for the season where it is so hard to drink water. The colder months have me on a coffee and tea binge and my water input depletes.
-When you impulse buy a ton of stuff from H&M expecting to return some and it all ends up working out…

Annie

Saving bite: I’m doing a round 2 of No Spend November this year. Who’s joining?

Bites of My Life

Snow, snow, snow, snowwwwww! I won’t put up the Christmas decorations yet, but after waking up to an unexpected snow this Monday morning, I want all the Christmas music, movies and a fire in the fireplace. The most wonderful time of the year is here, but already flying by.

Most all is good in my hood, but my heart is going out to two friends who had extreme loss in their families last week. Squeeze your loved ones tight and actually tell your friends and family you love them. Don’t just think it.

-A delicious recipe from the “Fall Reset” program I did a month ago. I didn’t get to making the Maple Glazed Chicken during the reset, but I held on to it to make down the road.
-A simple breakfast I can’t quit. Cinnamon Spice Tazo tea and Better Oats 100 cal instant oats, amped up with cinnamon, chia seeds and almond butter!
-I think I’ve had soup for lunch the past three weeks. Kept the train going with The Jones seasonal soup, Kabocha Squash + Apple Soup.
-I haven’t had a protein shake in a hot minute. I still love the Arbonne nutrition and beauty products, but I have toned down my selling a bit to focus on other areas of my life. However, I woke up last week craving this seasonal shake. I have now had it 3 times since. Catch the recipe for this Peppermint Mocha Protein shake here.
-A Friday night at home with nothing to do in what seemed like f o r e v e r. My end of the week dinner was a clean out the fridge meal, made with leftover vegetable soup (from a box), amped up with Banza chickpea pasta to make it a riff on my childhood favorite - minestrone!
-My reading took a bit of a curve after getting stumped by two books I was recently reading, but couldn’t power through to finish. I deterred and decided to reread my favorite book of all time.
-With permission, the best breakfast casserole is coming to the blog this week. Recipe kudos of the O’Connors!
-I’ve mentioned Stephanie May Wilson’s podcast before, but I just purchased her 90 Day Devotional and Prayer Journal. SMW has been so relatable to my life recently, and I think could be for many of you too.
-Woke up this morning to the first snow of the season. Not.Mad.About.It!

Annie

Snow Day Bite: In honor of the snow day we are having in OKC today, this Snow Day Soup (aka White Chicken Chili) from my 2014 archives is getting brought back into circulation.