I’m Here! (And LOVING It!)
Hi gorgeous faces! I have safely landed and started making myself comfortable in my new city. It’s unreal. Still!
So let’s backtrack to Friday, when I was still in a little town named Athens. I awoke at 8am after having received a mere four or five hours of sleep. Sheer excitement was to blame this time. I spent the morning finishing packing and organizing.
Guess who was kind enough to drive me to the airport? MisterMan. That’s right. Still a gentleman. (And for those who are newer, MisterMan and I dated from January ‘09 to June. Distance and timing obviously ended that.)
I was starving while we packed the car! To alleviate the growling, we headed to Casa. For breakfast, I had a delicious sweet and savory plate:
On the plate: roasted apples, tofu with leeks, onions and amazingness, and the best homemade toast that I later slathered with apple butter. This is something I hope to replicate in the near future.
Then we were off to the Columbus airport. MisterMan tolerated my performances of Mrs. Officer and Empire State of Mind. He deserves some type of award. Wait. Nevermind. He is blessed that he got to listen to my musical stylings.
He helped me lug my bags to the check-in and then we said our goodbyes. I must say that I’m very thankful he’s still kind to me. I may or may not have been very harsh when we separated in the summer. Whoops.
My first flight to Detroit was only 35 minutes, followed by a layover in Detroit in which I trekked miles across the airport. I was dripping with sweat by the time I got to the correct gate. Mmmm. Who wants to sit next to me now?
Apparently no one, as I was alone in my row. This was fine with me. I read an article about Sarah Jessica in the latest Elle as we flew into NYC. I swear I didn’t do that intentionally
.
I paid $88 for a taxi to drive me to my apartment/ new home for six weeks. Then my lanky self suffered through carrying 100+ pounds of luggage up five flights of stairs. Hardest workout I’ve had in years.
That night, I dined alone at a romantic Italian restaurant. Yes, I was bombarded with questions as to why I was dining alone. The middle-aged men simply can’t leave me alone with my wine and bread:
I had a small green salad and the best minestrone of my life:
In a hearty broth that I suspect had some parmigiano in it, carrots, zucchini, celery, dark greens, peas, green beans and potatoes mingled.
I slept for a straight 11 hours that night, awaking at lunch time. Unshowered but put-together, I rushed over to Panera for lunch and wi-fi:
What wasn’t perfect was that I could only get 30 minutes of free wi-fi!!! WHUDDUFUH? I was furious.
Putting my addiction (blog readers, fellow bloggers and friends) aside, I walked around my town for a bit. I’m not staying in the city proper, but to protect myself I’m not saying exactly where I’m living. I say this as though someone would want to stalk me. Bahaha how full of myself.
Eventually I grew a pair and went downtown alone to figure out my work locale. Along the way I gazed in awe:
This may sound bizarre, but I feel at peace in huge cities. Hmmm…have I found my new home? All I know is that I can park here for a while:
I noshed on a Chocolate Peppermint Stick Luna as I roamed the streets. What an underrated flavor. It’s like a Thin Mint on steroids. (AKA Perfection.)
That afternoon, I met up with my roomie to watch the Bengals game at a bar. What I really mean is that the roomie watched and I scammed on single men. Honeys, I already have a date for Sunday’s Jets game.
I ate dinner of a salad wrap with fries at the bar (the fries were ridiculously good) and went to bed before 10pm. I wanted to be well rested for my first day of work!
However prepared I thought I was, I was not prepared to sleep through my TWO alarms set for 6:30am and 6:40. Panic cannot even describe how I felt when I woke up at 7:30.
Nothing a quick shower, a ballet-esque bun and an on-the-go breakfast can’t solve, though. I made it to work in plenty of time, and I even thoroughly enjoyed an Amazing Grass Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein bar. You’d think, as a vegan, you’d be safe with an Amazing Grass product and not have to read the label. Not so! It had whey protein! Damn. And I thought I’d found my new favorite meal-ish bar.
My first day at Food Arts went swimmingly! Everyone is beyond kind. Additionally, of the three or four magazine offices I’ve been fortunate enough to visit, M. Shanken is the glossiest one of all (not to mention the countless wine bottles strewn about the offices). This is going to be a huge learning experience for me because I’m working the advertising side of the publication. I’ve only had experience in the editorial side, so I’m thrilled to learn even more. Magazine nut much?
For lunch, my adorable boss Caroline was lovely enough to accompany me to a local health food store with a bossy salad bar:
In the box: kabocha with onions, noodle salad, acorn squash, lentil salad, tofu and tempeh barbecue salad, quinoa salad and chickpea deliciousness. Caroline and I went back to the office and chatted over our salads. Main topics? Love of food. Very different from love and food.
I worked away all afternoon and magically it was time to go home. Before I grabbed the train home, however, I bought a bag of Glenny’s Soy Crisps for the road. I’ll make a very long story short and say that it took me three different trains to find the right way home. At least all the transferring gave me a chance to take a snapshot of the day’s packaged food:
I also made a huge mistake and wore heels all day. My feet are dead. When I got home, I changed into sweats and slaved over a hot stove:
Alongside, I had an apple and what I really wanted:
And now, I’m writing this baby in a Starbucks for the mere price of $3.99 per two hours. HOW DO I GET FREE WI-FI???
AND now, a few notes I must address:
***About the next six weeks…
- I do not have the ability to blog as regularly as I have been. This will only be temporary, though! If I don’t have free wi-fi, I can’t be spending $3.99 every day, ya know? Also, I’m busy from 8am to 6 or 7pm (on nights I don’t socialize
). I’m thinking that instead of five times a week, it may be more like three or four times a week. I really hope everyone keeps reading!
*** About workouts and meals…
- I have no idea what I’m doing about the gym situation. Because I’m walking significantly more than I normally do, I’m thinking about just forgetting about gymming it up for the next six weeks. What do you think? And about my eats, breakfasts are going to have to be on-the-go most days. There may also be more eating out. I mean, it’s New York! I’d be a fool not to.
*** About some recent comments…
- You all know that I try to be as open and honest as possible. Lately, I’ve received words of concern over how much I eat. I’m sorry if I’ve not been clear, but I neither show nor mention everything I eat on the blog. Please know that there’s a whole lotta snacking that escapes the camera! As in, a good third of my diet has stage fright. I do appreciate the concern, but there’s no need to worry my sugarplums!
The next few days are going to be insane. Did someone say “BLOGGER MEET-UPS?” Hmmm, you’ll have to wait to find out… Love you puddings!
Ciao for now,
Kailey
QUESTIONS: How do I score free wi-fi? AND Is not joining a gym for six weeks worth it? Thoughts on taking breaks from the gym…
Can’t wait to hear from you- I miss you guys! Well, ladies. Lawd knows no mans be reading.
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Tags: Amazing Grass, Amy's Kitchen, Bengals, Casa, delicious, Food Arts, Glenny's Soy Crisps, Italian, Jets, Luna, M. Shanken, minestrone, new, NYC, salad, vegan, vegetarian, workouts
Empire State of Mind
What up! So I have to admit that I’m super tired as I write this, but I need to give a little recap before I head to NYC Saturday afternoon. I have no idea when I’ll be able to update next. Ahhh!
I barely slept Thursday night (I’m talking not even four hours) and awoke nervous and ready to get back to studying. Oats helped motivate me:
I’m being harsh. They weren’t bad, per se, but they didn’t have the rich chocolate flavor I was expecting. In the bowl: 1/3 C oat bran, 1+2/3 C water, 1/2 banana, cinnamon, 1 T unsweetened cocoa, squirt sugar-free maple and a spoon of crunchy almond butter. I’m thinking two scoops of cocoa next time.
I studied from 7am until 9:30am, when I figured I should shower, as it had been 48 hours since my last. It should be noted that I still felt a coating of nastiness throughout my body, and my skin had taken on a deathly pallor. Nothing a heavy hand of bronzer can’t fix. Anyway, I was high and shaking off coffee and DayQuil until noon when I ate a Clif bar. I was too busy having a heart attack to take a picture.
12:20 pm. Time for the Film 201 final exam. Twenty-something fill-in-the-blanks. Five true/false. Seven essays. DOMINATED. All this information kept flowing from my brain. I had no idea I’d stored that much!
I left beaming, but achy and hungry. I had time to eat only an apple before it was time for my next final at 2:30. All we had to do was talk about the blogs we created for class, so I talked about my class blog as well as SnackFace. Couldn’t help it
At 4:30 I sprinted home (a good mile away), picked up half a final case study I’d left in the wrong notebook, and sprinted back to the Scripps building just before the 5 pm deadline. Then I really thought I was going to have a heart attack.
While walking back, stress finally lifted and I had a moment of clarity. I leave for New York tomorrow.
Happy as a clam, I checked my email and then fed my rumbling stomach:
In the mix: greens, cucumber, green beans, cherry toms, carrots, roasted nip (turnip, kids), balls, Frankie and dressing of mustard, maple and more Frank. However delicious and filling it may have been, you know your Snackie needed more:
I ate the last of Holly’s vegan pumpkin molasses cookies dipped into So Delicious coco milk. Out of this world. I did snack on other things throughout the night, but they went unpictured. I really was too distracted. First with Glee, then with this monstrosity:
I am the world’s worst packer. I want to bring everything with me so my clothes don’t feel lonely or left out. I swear, the above picture was of what I thought was choosiness. Not so. The shoes presented a similar dilemma:
It took two hours and having to sit on my suitcase to zip it up, but I managed. That makes it sound as though I fit everything into one suitcase. Hell naw. A huge duffel bag is housing the shoes, gym clothes and toiletries, and a carry-on is holding more sweats, makeup and everything else that didn’t fit in the other two bags. I will be a sight.
And now, my loves, I bid adieu as I fly to that crazy city known as New York. With classes fully out of the way, I’m certainly in an empire state of mind. See you in the city!
Ciao for now,
Kailey
P.S. No question, but sorry if this is a bit rushed. I’m complete toast after that Film 201 final!
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Tags: almond butter, apple, balls, Clif, Empire State of Mind, finals, lame, New York, NYC, oat bran, packing, salad, SnackFace, vegan, vegetarian
The Shot Thickens
Buongiorno bellas! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the birthday wishes! Wow, you certainly know how to make a dame feel loved.
As I awoke Wednesday, I pondered how far I’ve come in 22 years. To think I once was this little bean is crazy:

Cheeks so big they could rest on my shoulders. And look, I was already hamming it up for the camera, despite the drool!
I’m so refined now I can hardly stand it:

Post-workout hair and no makeup other than the new lip gloss I bought for myself as a present. Covergirl Fruit Spritzers in Raspberry. Delicioso.
I kicked off my morning right and took a shot:
It’s a wretched feeling to wake up on your b-day and not be able to swallow, accompanied by the overwhelming throb of headache as your background music. Thankfully, I felt better an hour after choking that puppy down. (Odd phrasing, as I’d never want to eat animals, especially puppies.)
To celebrate my 22 years, I ate what I wanted all day. Truthfully, I eat what I want, when I want every single day. Wednesday, however, I gave in once again to something for which all my vegan peeps are going to shun me:

Greek yogurt is hiding under a blanket of half a sliced naner, sunbutter, pumpkin butter and cinnamon. GASM.
I may or may not be OK with having yogurt every once in a while. I’m contemplating this.
I read for a while after breakfast and eventually hauled my hiney to the gym. For 50 minutes, I toned my thighs and buns and caught up with a few years of film history. Thrilling.
On my way home from the gym, I was feeling much better. All I needed was a little cardio. I felt so good I stopped by CVS to pick up toilet paper, lozenges, lip gloss and new gum. That’s the shopping trip to which I treated myself. Extravagant, right?
By the time I made it home I was hungry and thinking about what to eat. I walked up the stairs to my humble abode and found a darling little box of joy. Holly is amazing (but you already knew that):
This woman is seriously talented. She also knows me extremely well:
Naturally, I ate a cookie as I thought about lunch:
My actual lunch was one of my favorite things, a snack plate:
How gorgeous are vegetables?
My afternoon was a little dull, as it was filled with writing, reading, trying to study but tweeting instead and clearing out my Reader. Adding to my distraction were the sweetest emails from my VegNewsies. I miss them like mad!
However distracted I may have been, I managed to learn about Hollywood blacklisting and write a final case study about Nation’s Restaurant News. At one point I had some reduced-fat Triscuits and a pumpkin ale to celebrate. I am ridiculous.
I had dinner arrangements with my roomie and Muffin at 7pm. We went back to the Mediterranean restaurant, where I continued to feed my addiction:

Hummus, dolmas, olives, roasted red peppers and baba ganouj. Eaten with many triangles of warm flatbread and a glass or two of vino.
I barely made a dent in this, which is shocking. Well, by “barely made a dent” I mean half the hummus was gone, three dolmas were consumed and most of the baba ganouj was intact (surprisingly not a fan).
While enjoying dinner, Popsicle called to surprise me with the best birthday present ever. I get to fly home for Christmas!!!! Made my day, fa sho.
After dinner, the roomie went home to study and Muffin and I went to our favorite bar, Broney’s. As soon as I announced it was my birthday, the hot, not-single bartender said, “Oh, you’re going to die.” I really like living, so I was somewhat hesitant. He fixed me a creamy shot that curdled as I gagged it down. Vomit in my mouth. Absolutely disgusting. Thank the sweet heavens for Christmas ale to wash the pain away.
Muffin and I didn’t stay long, as we had other establishments to visit and strangers to ask to take pictures of us:
But before we knew it, we had to return to Broney’s for one reason: Karaoke Night (it deserves to be a proper noun, thus the capitalization)! At this point, I was crumping and didn’t sign up for a song. Is there such a thing as Karaoke Crashers, though? Because I definitely did that.
Some friends joined us for the last leg of the night, one of which was Italio-Bro. I’m not sure he’s ever going to understand that I’m not into him. I’m more into this:
Fun was had by all, and I tucked myself into bed at 2:30am, clothes hung in my closet, face washed, teeth brushed. Success.
I slept until 11:30am Thursday, which is completely shocking! I didn’t wake up with a headache, but my throat was so sore I could barely swallow (is that what she said?). I discovered this when I tried to eat breakfast:
Between meals and gargling salt water all day, all I did was read and study for film. Not fun, but necessary. I had half a melted banana with almond butter about an hour after the torture toast:
Oh! There was a thrilling part to the day, but I have to keep it a secret for a few months. So sorry
And no, I didn’t land a book deal like these fabulous women. (I’m aiming for a TV show anyway, duh. Kidding…kinda.)
Two hours after banana snack and two eras of film, both my throat and stomach needed soothing:
I definitely followed that lovely soup with a vegan pumpkin molasses cookie. Thank you again!
Reading, studying, writing…that’s all that took place for several hours until Muffin stopped by to say goodbye. She’s already back in Cincinnati and I’m not sure when we’ll get to see each other again. I do now, however, that we’ve made it through three months of separation before. We can do this.
Dinner time rolled around and I had a bizarre craving that fit into my attempt at eating throat-friendly foods:
I microwaved the potato for seven-ish minutes, topped it with TJ’s cranberry apple butter, chopped balls and Frankie. It was so good! Also, a reader once asked what to do about TJ’s products, such as cranberry apple butter, and what to do if there isn’t a TJ’s around. I wouldn’t hesitate to go to your local grocery store (Kroghetto, anyone?), buy some cranberry spread/canned cranberry and regular apple butter and mix the two. It may even be better than the TJ’s stuff, as it’s mostly cranberry anyway.
Like a good student, I still stayed off the Reader, out of G-chat and off Twitter and returned to studying. An hour or so later, it was time for a snack:
In the bowl: plain shredded wheat, So Delicious coco milk, vegan carob chips, raisins and cinnamon. It was so good I went back for a second, smaller bowl.
I pulled my bum out of bed and trekked to the music building at 8:40. Sometimes you don’t know how sick you really are until you start walking around. I’m not enjoying the pounding, which always makes me imagine people passing bags full of sand back and forth in my head.
I sat and listened to the girls for an hour, and then met up with a fellow student to talk about Film 201. Turns out I learned a ton in one day.
I’ll be up for the rest of Thursday and well into Friday morning studying. The silver lining? New York. Saturday. I’m there.
Love you all!
Ciao for now,
Kailey
QUESTION: How do you kill a cold in two days? Possible? Also, because I didn’t have one and will make up for it in New York, what’s your favorite flavor combo of cake+icing? Mmmm.
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Tags: 22, baby, birthday, cereal, Christmas, cookies, Covergirl, Frank's Red Hot, Holly, hummus, lip gloss, love, Muffin, New York, Popsicle, Salaam, So Delicious, soup, sweet potato, Trader Joe's, vegan, vegetarian, veggies
Twenty-One, Part Two
Hello gorgeous people! Most of you are reading this on Wednesday, November 18, also known as my birthday. Twenty-one has been so good to me that I refuse to leave it. Therefore, I deem age 22 to be 21, part two. I hope you understand.
Also, as you’re reading this on a fine Wednesday, I’m probably working out, reading or writing. Most importantly, I’m eating foods I love and spending time with people I love.
Alas, I am writing this Tuesday night after having finished a day of nothing too spectacular. Wait. I take that back. It’s been lovely, but it hasn’t been as lavish as birthday weeks should be.
Instead of sleeping till noon, I awoke at 7:45am. My mind has been so busy with thoughts of moving to NYC on Saturday that it can’t turn off. Poor thing. I treated my mind, body and soul well with a toasty breakfast:
In the bowl: 1/3 C oat bran, 1+1/3 C water, 1/3 C So Delicious coco milk, 1/2 naner, cinnamon, sugar-free maple sizzurp and sunbutter. The sunbutter was gasmic:
When I say I fed my soul, what I really mean is that I watched three episodes of Sex and the City. Yeah, sometimes I’m not that deep.
I galloped to the gym at 10am-ish for another sweatfest. The elliptical treated me well today and I had sweat trickling down the area where cleavage should be. This was followed by 20 minutes working my phenomenally strong arms on weight machines. By the end of this, my bod was dripping with as much sweat as this post is with sarcasm.
At noon my fellow students and I met with our business magazine professor for lunch. She is the sweetest woman in the world (she also has a bossy sense of humor–thank goodness she’s my advisor) and treated us all. We dined at Salaam, a fabulous Mediterranean restaurant. The decor looks a little like this:
And a little like zeese:
I did what any good SnackFace would do and ordered hummus with flatbread:
And like other healthy food bloggers, I practiced this odd thing called “portion control” and ate only half of what you see here. Oh wait. No I didn’t. I owned 95% of it. How could I not when it’s this luscious:
As long as I have hummus and food to dip into it, I’m cool, but I thought some greenage would help balance things:
We all had a lovely time talking about our dream cities in which to work and what we’ll be doing with our winter breaks. No one wanted to leave to return to a day of studying.
But walk home I did, where I finally showered my stank ass. Once dressed, I spent an hour going through emails and tending to blog work. To further avoid studying or writing, I took a picture of my non-outfit:
Vitaminwater peeps sent me a tee, which I clearly took straight out of the envelope and placed directly over my clean torso. Such a class act. At least I kept my tots out of this logo shot:
Somewhere between putting my laundry in the washer and moving it to the dryer, I got started on brainstorming for my English final paper.
At 4:40pm I recall eating an apple and drinking a diet soda, and then some dryer action happened and then some more snackage took place:

Distraction snack. Had maybe a serving? No idea. Also, why the hell did I pick up the reduced fat Triscuits? Like that even matters? Sweet yay-zeus.
That would be the Fitnessista in the background. Honestly, all I can think about is New York at this point. I’m screwed for finals.
I’m almost positive some writing started to happen after this. Or maybe I was just Gchatting? Either way, I had these beauts for dinner, part one:
I threw a turnip onto the baking sheet for fun. They are so delicious! They have the sweetness of carrots, but the texture of a potato. Check it:
Belly semi-full, I was prepared to focus. I wrote a 5-page paper in 90 minutes. I wasn’t messing around, homes! Naturally, I was ready for dinner, part two afterward:
In the mix: greens, green beans, cucumber, mushrooms, pickle, leftover sketti squash, waxy peanuts and a homemade dressing of sugar-free maple, mustard, Frankie and balsamic. Just put sugar (real or pretend) on it and I’ll eat it. Truth.
This was not enough, however, and I had some plain shredded wheat with carob chiplettes. I may never leave the
bathroom on my b-day.
I’m off to continue studying… and being forever young!
Ciao for now,
Kailey/ Birthday Girl
QUESTION: What are your favorite things to do on your birthday? If it’s rated-X, please keep it to yourself.
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Tags: 22, birthday, cereal, cheetahs, forever young, hummus, oat bran, Salaam, salad, sunbutter, Triscuits, vegan, vegetarian
Holiday Cheer
Hello darlings! This morning, I awoke after a solid 7.5 hours of sleep. The whole “getting the recommended amount of sleep” thing is new to me. For some peculiar reason, I didn’t feel like staying up until 2 or 3 am Sunday night. Imagine that.
I attribute Monday’s cheery disposition to the ample sleep, and I was out like a light the whole night. So unlike me. Anyway, I hopped out of bed at 8:15 am and immediately started on breakfast. It needed a side of holiday:
In the bowl: 1/3 C oat bran, 1+2/3 C water, 1/2 banana, 1 scoop protein powder, cinnamon, sugar-free maple syrup and crunchy almond butter. No matter how much volume oat bran has, my stomach still growls exactly three hours after consumption. Nevertheless, it was an exceptionally wondrous bowl:
I watched two episodes of Sex and the City as I ate and digested breakfast. I’m not sure there is a better way to start the day.
At 9:45 I walked my hiney to the gym. While there, I hammered out 50 minutes of intervals on the elliptical and followed it with these well described ab moves:
-2 sets of 30: lie on back, hands behind head, legs in a 90* angle, with shins parallel to the floor; lower left and extend, switch and do right
-2 sets of 30: bicycles
-2 sets of 30: lie on back, hands under bum, legs straight up in the air; lower left, keeping leg straight, bring back up, repeat on right
-2 sets of 30: lie on back, hands by sides on the ground, legs up in the air, crossed; lift bum/legs in the air, keeping lower abs tucked in; pump up and down (couldn’t help that) 30 times
-2 sets of 50: crunches, really focusing on keeping your lower back pinned to the ground
-2 sets of 20 per side: lie on left side; prop self up of left arm, body in a straight line off the ground; dip 20 times; repeat on right side
-1:06 minutes: plank, lifting right and left legs for 10 seconds each, alternating with straight plank
How confusing was that? Sorry! Just thought I’d give more insight to what I mean by “then I did some abbage/ab work/abstraculars.”
I hit up CVS on my way home for gum and stamps, a truly fascinating part of my day.
When I arrived home, I spied a super sweet card from Aunty Snooze in my mailbox. Thank you so much!!! I dealt with some email biznass for half an hour, then showered and made lunch:

Brown, but full of veggies and fruit. And "bread." Again, would have given a toe for fresh baguette.
The recipe for MamaJ’s stew can be found on Food+Wine’s website. Mumsy omits all the oil and uses vegetable broth instead of water. A pear and an Arnold’s Sandwich Thin buttered with Smart Balance went along for the ride. What I really want you to notice about this lunch, however, is another holiday plate from heaven:
I got glam for my last class of the quarter after lunchoni. I took these pictures later in the day, but here’s Monday’s “Sometimes I Pretend To Be Trendy” ‘fit:
And sans jaqueta:
Part of being 21, almost 22, means playing with fashion. Will I combine sandals, leggings, drape-y tanks, leopard print and a faux-gold pear necklace when I’m 30? Probably not. Then again, MamaJ has some pretty crazy, bossy style, so who knows.
Class was breezy, as the other half of the students presented (I presented last week). Afterward, I did some work in the library for an hour or so. This included researching where I’ll be working over break. Ladies and gents, I think I’m going to fall in love.
To tide me over till dinner, I enjoyed my first scrumptious Odwalla bar (I’ve had one other before and it tasted like a dirt-covered raisin):
I normally like bars to have some solid protein. This one had only 4 grams, but after tasting this delicacy, I didn’t mind. It was like eating a hearty chocolate brownie (albeit a bit earthy tasting) speckled with uber chocolatey chips. Absolutely satisfying. I loved the light chew from the oats, too.
I stopped at a bookstore and CVS again on my way home, as well as called Muffin. Poor thing is sick and can’t move! We’re hoping it’s a 24-hour bug.
Once home, I dilly-dallied on the computadora (can you tell I’ve been missing my foodie?) for a bit and then wanted dinner. What a dinner it was! First up, there was the obligatory serving of greens:
On the plate: greens, cucumber, green beans (raw, the only way), cherry tomatoes, Spinach+ Artichoke Sabra (might be the best flavor) and balsamic vinaigrette. The balsamic vinaigrette had turned chunky and was making me gag, so I couldn’t finish this salad. Shame!
Dinner’s main course was nothing short of phenomenal. Back in my Olive Garden days, I sometimes had guests earnestly ask for “sketti with meatballs.” I served myself summa dat tonight:
What you see here is 3/4 a small microwaved spaghetti squash topped with pasta sauce, TJ’s meatless balls and Frankie baby. When I eat real pasta, I prefer enormous portions, which never fill me up. Therefore, eating this large pile of fibrous squash in lieu of the real thing was perfect. I could even take gigantic bites without feeling like a complete pig. Who am I kidding? I always take gigantic bites. A closer look at the sketti:
For a little dessert I had butter and biscuits:

I meant Triscuits. I wish they were biscuits, though, because pumpkin and sunbutter would be ridic on top!
Let’s pretend that’s not a coffee filter I used as a plate/napkin, OK? Also, if you’ve ever wondered, coffee filters make a great substitute for toilet paper (attending many a house party has taught me that).
I had another handful of crackers a bit later, when I started to write this. Then I went to a capella practice, and now, three hours since dinner, I”m still experiencing a mondo fiber baby. This I can handle.
Well my little petunias, I have a major list of things to accomplish this week. In order to fully enjoy Wednesday’s birthday-night-out, I’m trying to finish most of my work prior to that day. For my birthday week, I’d like you all to click over to this gorgeous girl’s site as well as my soul sista’s site! Love these ladies–aren’t they phenomenal?!
Ciao for now,
Kailey
QUESTION: Today’s ‘fit a DO or DON’T? AND What’s your favorite pasta dish?
I always enjoy wearing this outfit. Sure, I have no waist in it, but it’s fun. And as far as pasta, I’ll take a penne vodka or capellini al pesto anytime.
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I Love My Family
Hi honeys! How were your weekends! I am sorry I went kind of MIA! I was busy all day Thursday and then went home to Cinci to spend my last weekend in Ohio with my family. It was spectacular. I took a bit of a technology detox because I was, well, spending quality time with the people I love. Anyway, grab a family-sized bag of pita chips and a tub of hummus. We have a lot of catching up to do!
Thursday I awoke after five hours of sleep and was ravenous for a warm, voluminous breakfast:

Oats with a skidmark.
In the bowl: 1/3 C oats, 1+2/3 C water, 1/2 banana, cinnamon, sugar-free maple syrup and almond butter. I dressed myself in an equally brown get-up for del dia:

Brown Free People top with skinny jeans and olive boots, accessorized with sass, as always.
I love the details at the neckline:

Tig ol' bitties. WHOOPS. I promise I only meant to show the bling.
I dashed off to class in which I sat in the back. My professor noted this uncharacteristic placement by asking, “You hiding today?” Alright, maybe I thought I could get away with reading while people presented. I ended up feeling guilty and half-read, half-watched the presentations. Need to grow a pair.
After class I rushed home and packed the only produce I had with some random food and called it “lunch”:

Hey brightness! Veg, hummus+salsa dip, half a Clif and water of the gods.
I did what I could in the fresh fruit and vegetable department:

Razburries, cuke, cherry toms and broccoli. Broccoli gets no fun name because I can't think of anything that isn't perverted.
The afternoon was full of class from noon to 5pm. You bet your sweet, toned behind I was starving after this little lunch. Enter a fast and easy dinner, full of what I craved:

Butternut squash soup, balls and pretzel crisps. Tan foods...to compensate for my pasty complexion.
The night did not end here, though, as I had class from 7pm to 8, then was singing in the music building from 8 to 10. Thursdays are a doozy, which I suppose is why I went out with Muffin as soon as I finished being a responsible student and singer:

Sorry, Love Muffin, for capturing you mid-blink. I think...
My gorgeous a capella friend, Banana, came with me to meet Muff, who had been out with her newspaper staff. One of her staff members was having a grand time and gave a new meaning to the late-90’s trend of bucket hats:

Gittin' it, and Banana, I love you in this pic.
I was thrilled to have my first Christmas ale ever:

Made my spirits bright.
I’ll spare you details of how Italio-Bro followed me home, trying to convince me that he “really likes” me and how I should give him another chance. I refused to let him into my house and talked to him through the screen door. Am I ridiculous? Yes. Am I OK with this? Hell yes.
Friday morn, I scrambled to pack a suitcase in time for Popsicle’s arrival. A cup of butternut squash soup was had with half a banana. I’m telling you, minimal groceries will make a girl do crazy things.
Popsicle and I had a lovely ride home. I always feel bad for napping whenever someone is driving, but Popsicle always tries to convince me to rest while he’s driving. I listened.
When I got home, I immediately attacked my babies:

Peanut!
And:

Marshmallow! What a poser. Wonder where she gets it.
I swear they were more excited to see me than what’s pictured.
Popsicle drove to Kentucky to fetch Matty Rich from school. While they were gone, I snacked and then worked with some weights in the basement. When Matty Rich finally arrived, I made him go on a two-hour run/walk with me. He’s such a good sport. We gabbed about 99 problems, and trust me when I say a b!tch ain’t one.
For dinner, the H-Unit went to Friday’s. My delicious salad went unpictured, as there were better moments to be captured:

Blue Moon, baby! Matty Rich be killin' us.
I wanted to take a frame-worthy picture of my parents. Got it:

She's insane and we all love it. Favorite picture of ALL TIME.
The rest of Friday night was spent on the couch, snacking on popcorn and watching I Love You, Beth Cooper, The Ugly Truth and this week’s Grey’s. Movies, family, snacks– a perfect Friday night, in my eyes.
Saturday morning, I heard the click-clack of MamaJ’s mules downstairs. I hopped out of bed and downstairs to find that she had been running around town all morning, stocking up on groceries and baking supplies. She’s amazing.
I was too busy watching some hilarious movie whose name I can’t remember to take a picture of breakfast! It had to do with weddings, a capella and a big group of friends. And breakfast had something to do with bananas, raspberries, cinnamon and almond butter. And… something else. I caved. I had a vanilla Chobani. Oh. My. Gawd. Greek yogurt, you are one of the world’s great wonders and I missed you. It was the most satisfying breakfast I’d had in a long time. I’m only human, my friends.
That afternoon, MamaJ, Matty Rich and I Costco-ed and Target-ed. I had major homework to do when we got home, but before I started on that, I had an apple and some rosemary potato bread with Earth Balance. All I need in life is good bread.
For the next two hours, I wrote a story about college-aged men’s thoughts on veganism. If you’d like to check it out (and scope out my more formal writing), head over to College Green Tooth!
The dinner that followed my hard work was fabulous:

Potatoes, whole grain bread, spinach salad.
MamaJ made her killer butternut-squash stew, which is completely vegan and filled with corn, beans, red pepper, onion and magic:

Mama, thanks for making this! And for giving me the leftovers
My whole dinner:

I gave up on the vino after two sips, but devoured the rest of what's pictured!
We rounded out dinner with some honorary birthday pumpcakes:

Pumpkin cupcakes. Perfectly delicious.
I met up with gorgeous friends after dinner. We caught up on one another’s lives and hugged as much as possible before I left. I loved seeing my ladies, but I really wanted to be home with my family, too. Gotta squeeze in as much loving before I leave for NYC this Saturday!
Sunday morning, I decided to return to my good-blogger mode and snapped pics of breakfast:

Mmmango.
MamaJ made pumpkin-buttered toast for me as well:

How is it that moms always make the best toast?
We got ready, I packed and then we hit the road for Athens. Well, we made a few pit stops, including this important one:

I love this message, but I believe in it year-round, not just for the holidays. Sorry about the gross cuticles.
We also stopped at Best Buy to get an external hard drive so I can avoid a Carrie situation and secure my work.
To keep my tummy happy during the three-hour drive back to Athens, I noshed on these beauts:

Honeycrispay and a Mojination.
After finally reaching Athens, stocking up on enough produce for the week and then dropping off everything at mi casa, MamaJ headed home and I headed to the kitchen:

Veggies with Sabra on a "Carrots for the reindeer plate." MamaJ indulged my inner child/freak by buying the Christmas plate from Target!
I unpacked my suitcase and tackled adding the Foodbuzz tags and ads to SnackFace (I feel like a real blogger now!), and then continued on my technological journey by transferring files to the new external hard drive. Naturally, I was famished by the time I was finished. Thank my sweet Mumsy for bossy leftovers:

Stew and Trisqeutas. Or Triscuits.
It’s taken me so long to recap this that I had to grab a mug of plain shredded wheat with cinnamon and So Delicious coco milk. Marvelous!
This week is going to be insane! Not only is it finals week, but it’s also my birthday week AND I have to get my sh!t togetha for NYC! I leave on Saturday! AHHH!!!!! I’m incredibly thankful I got to have a relaxing, glorious, wonderful weekend with my family before I leave for six weeks. Love them.
Ciao for now,
Kailey
QUESTION: How was your weekend!? Seriously, I wanna know! Foodie and life highlights are welcome!
Filed under: Uncategorized | 60 Comments
Tags: almond butter, amazing food, banana, birthday, bread, Chobani, Cincinnati, College Green Tooth, delicious, family, finals, H-Unit, MamaJ, Marshmallow, Matty Rich, Muffin, NYC, peanut, Popsicle, Sabra, So Delicious, soup, vegan, vegetarian
Hello snickerdoodles! Things are going fabulously this lovely Thursday! I’m about to head to class from 7pm to 8, then practice from 9 to 10, but before I go, I wanted to announce the winners of the VegNews Holiday Cookie Collection e-cookbooks! Ladies, please email me at kharless10@gmail.com with the email address to which you’d like your e-books sent! Thanks bunches
Here are the randoms, which I had to put in numerical order for OCD’s sake. You can check all the answers on the Hot Cookie post! Their faves (and my thoughts):
4- Ada- pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (omg those sound incredible)
11- Sue- gingerbread with icing (I’ve never even had real gingerbread–shame on me!)
13- Funny Emily- toss-up between chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin (understandable)
15- Yasmin- oatmeal raisin (classic and satisfying, fa sho)
20- Annie- Grandma’s homemade hermits (I’m so jealous!!)
34- Shelby- snickerdoodles (you my girl!)
41- Jen- gingerbread (still must try the real deal)
48- Cristina- gingerbread (gah! I’m so missing out)
60- Emily (The Experimentarian)- rocks, spice cookies made with raisins and walnuts (can I have ten?)
65- Runningmind- buckeyes (Ohhhh honey, as an Ohio girl, I can say that these are truly amazing)
Happy (vegan) baking!
Filed under: Uncategorized | 10 Comments
Texts From Last Night
Hello gorgeous people! Last night, as I was laying in bed, feeling my heartbeat in the swollen glands in my throat, I had a sweet text exchange with a gentleman I met last Thursday. We’ve only had contact a few times since then, as I’ve been busy and school and blogging have been my top priorities.
To preface this, let me say that I was in class when he called. I then was trapped in the library, then talked to both MamaJ and Muffin on the phone, then made dinner, ate dinner and eventually forgot that I hadn’t called him back. Also, the use of “homie” you’re about to see is all because of one little text I sent him last weekend. I don’t think he gets my humor. Here are the texts from last night:
Italio-Bro: Hey homie, got an after hours party 5 doors down from you. You should at least text me so we can hang out.
Me: Sh!t I’m sorry! I was in class, then the lib, then on the phone for an hour. I’m actually coming down with something, so I’ll be sleeping tonight. Lame, I know.
Italio-Bro: …I want to call you out so badly right now, but I’ll save you the embarrassment. Have a good night homie!
Alright, I can see how it sounds as though I was blowing him off. I could have explained that I was being honest, but I didn’t. Know why? Because I don’t have the patience, time or desire for men who like to play the game “I’ll Blame Everything on You.” Nope. No thanks. You’re done. And don’t mock my use of homie.
This fine Wednesday morning, however, I awoke chipper and eager to get cracking on a full day’s work. To put things in motion, I made a killer breakfast:

Pumpkin oat bran and snowman coffee.
In the bowl: 1/3 C oat bran, 1+2/3 C water, 1/3 C pumpkin, cinnamon, maple syrup and crunchy almond butter. I forgot about my almond butter! It was feeling neglected prior to my giving it proper attention this morning. Guess it knew how Italio-Bro was feeling. Except, I actually like almond butter:

Oh! There were, like, eight hidden raspberries in there, too!
I lay on my bed, watching Bonnie and Clyde for an hour or so after breakfast. This was for the paper I have yet to write. It’s due at 7pm Thursday. Yes, I’ll be up till 4am after I write this post.
When the film was finished, I changed into my gym gear and hopped out the door. I actually timed my walk to the gym. Twenty minutes exactly! I followed those 20 minutes of walking with 50 minutes on the elliptical, 40 pages of reading and 30 minutes of arms and abs on weight machines. I’m so intense it scares me sometimes. Kidding. Oh! And I kid you not, my shirt was on inside out the whole time! Didn’t even realize until I was in the middle of the elliptical session.
I took the long twenty-plus minute walk home, showered and was starving as I assembled this:

Comforting and scrumptious.
To accompany a cinnamon-topped bowl of TJ’s butternut squash soup, I sliced an apple and toasted an Arnold’s Thin. Smart Balance Light and TJ’s cranberry apple butter helped jazz up the thins.
I took care of some bills and then started to research for my paper soon after eating. For some reason, lunch was not filling at all and I needed snack one at 3:30pm:

Tea time.
I didn’t think it was possible, but Hermits can be exponentially more delicious. Just dunk ‘em into Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea. Gasm.
I read about Bonnie and Clyde and Jules et Jim for another hour before breaking for snack two:

Pretzels with trio of dips and a naughty, delicious drank.
I plated pretzel thins with hummus, pumpkin butter and sunbutter. Not bad at all when combined:

Very brown, but very tasty.
I went back to reading and by 6pm I was hungry again. I went ahead and made dinner:

Christmas 'Fu!
I had vegetables that were going to create their own organisms soon, so this was a thrown-together ‘fu dish. In a medium pot over medium heat, I combined 1/3 block tofu, 2-3 C spinach, 1 C-ish broccoli, 6 cherry tomatoes, 1 C-ish pasta sauce and seasoned with crushed red pepper, Frank and fresh ground pepper. I would have given my left big toe for fresh French baguette to dip into this:

Pasta sauce-soaked brocolli is the best.
Though dinner was delicious, my tum needed something more:

Creep ass tendons and wrinkly hand with desert.
In the mug: puffed wheat, So Delicious coconut milk, carob chips and a raz on top. More snacking has since happened, such as the end of a bag of trail mix. And I’m still hungry. Metabolism, what is going on?
So sorry to rush through this, but homie has a paper to write! I send my love and many snacks
Ciao for now,
Kailey
QUESTION: What’s the last ridiculous/hilarious/obnoxious text exchange you had? Feel free to be as open as you wish! Because clearly, I was.
Filed under: Uncategorized | 56 Comments
Tags: almond butter, apple, Arnold's Thin, butternut squash, carob, Celestial Seasonings, cereal, Hermits, lame bro's, lame papers, Newman's Own, oat bran, texts from last night, tofu, Trader Joe's, vegan, vegetarian, veggies
Snackie on a Schedule 2
What up, Snack pack! I love hearing about everyone’s backgrounds! I’m seriously missing a culture-rich background, but whatever. I’ll travel bunches to fill that void. Today I’d like to do a post that takes shape of me on a schedule, which I’ve done previously. You get to see how this freaky brain works.
7:58 am- Wake up two minutes before my alarm. I try not to be annoyed that I tossed and turn between 4 and 6am. Damn this busy brain. I put it to good use and get hopping on assignments.
9:06 am- Assignments completed and bathroom visited, I listen to Gaga’s “Boys, Boys, Boys” and contemplate how much it relates to my real life. “Boys, boys, boys, buy us drinks in ba-ars…” I nosh on the usual pre-workout breakfast that never lets me down, unlike boys, boys, boys:

Spotty naner with TJ's peanut butter.
9:30- Stop reading blogs! Get your hiney moving! Remember to pack assigned reading for my elliptical session. Oh, and stop letting yourself get a rumbling tummy during choir:

Pastoralia and half a White Chocolate Macadamia Clif (ate the other half last night before bed!).
9:40- Realize I show y’all only pictures of myself when I look decent. Change it:

Thug life.
10:55- Feel accomplished for completing 50 minutes on the elliptical and for knocking out 30 pages of reading.
11:07- Feel like I want to slap the person who’s eating fries in the gym. Or just steal the fries. Instead, I carry on with six different ab workouts, a plank and 100 crunches. Don’t toss my cookies. Success.
11:30- I eat my Clif while checking emails. Totally freak out the kid next to me not only by the Clif bar, but also my laughing loudly at Elizabeth’s comment: “Girl, you got more legs than a bucket of chicken…” This is brilliant! And thanks?
12pm- A sense of accomplishment washes over me as I walk to choir with my printed assignments for the afternoon’s class safely in my backpack. Then I realize I’ve just picked the underwear out of my badunk while walking out of the library. I should learn to censor myself.
12:30- Why are we learning a new song when this is our last practice of the quarter? Can’t I skip out of here before everyone eats delicious non-vegan cookies that our director has so kindly purchased for us? Nope.
1:06- Put lentils on the stove to cook while I shower. Am a paranoid mess while showering. I’m positive that I’ll walk out to a burning kitchen.
1:11- Nope, they’re safe and sound, cooking away. Should have taken the time to shave my pits. Oh well.
1:30- Fix my random craving for pasta sauce, broccoli and lentils:

Spicy Lentil Not-Pasta with toasted Arnold's Thin half, smeared with Smart Balance Light.
This was really delicious! I cooked 1/4 C lentils with 3/4 C water. When the liquid was almost completely absorbed, I added 1/2 C Prego veggie pasta sauce, Frank, pepper and broccoli. Fast, easy and amazing. (And I’m not talking about myself.)
1:45- It hits me that I’m going to have horrific gas later. Oh, you thought I was going to sugar coat that? Nah, not here.
1:50- I’m not full. Honeycrisp, I need you:

Dessert with a side of Gmail.
2:55- Why are there so many smokers in 2009? And why do I always get stuck walking behind them en route to class? Wave my arms at the smoke in annoyance. I don’t care if they think I’m a freak. I am.
3:02- Oh my gosh. I’m going to be 22 in nine days. Oh my f-ing gawd. I’m going to be in NYC in exactly two weeks!
3:15- What presentation is my professor talking about? What? We have presentations today? WHAT!?!
3:25- Oh sweet Yay-Zeus. We’re basically presenting our assignments that are already finished. I can talk for hours about this article, so it’ll be fab.
4:10- I’m mid-sentence. I realize the whole class senses my disdain about the slaughter of animals for food. My voice and sarcasm are so telling. Damn.
4:35- Muffin looks super cute today. I want her cardigan. Why do I look like a boy (AMAZING song still):

Jacket from Italia is hiding a plain ol' baseball 3/4-sleeved tee.
5:10- So happy I found my roomie on the street. Also happy she offered to scan my Foodbuzz paperwork so that I don’t have to spend money to fax it.
6:10- Am starving and have to pee. I eat a Hermit while waiting for roomie to come out of the shower. These are phenomenal!
6:30- Once relieved, I assemble dinner:

Large and in charge salad with veggie soup.
In the mix: baby greens, yellow pepper, wrinkly cherry toms, cucumber, balls, salsa, balsamic and fresh cracked pepper.
7:23- Hate myself a little bit for eating so much roughage. Try to distract myself/assuage the tum with another Herm:

Dangerously delicious Hermit and my man hand.
8:00- Write myself a note to remind everyone to check out darling, intelligent, giving and super sweet Katie’s blog. Help a sistah (and countless others) out!
8:10- Listen to “Paparazzi” for the twentieth time today. How am I realizing only now that Gaga is an artist in many capacities?
And now, my doves, I’m getting ready for a capella practice, making a list of what I need to do this week and still regretting eating lentils, broccoli, lettuce, a whole bell pepper and other fibrous foods all in one day.
Ciao for now,
Kailey
QUESTION: Did I completely gross you out with this post? My apologies. OK, real Q’s: Who’s your favorite new-to-you artist, music or otherwise? AND What is your favorite fibrous food?
I’m digging Gaga, Drake and Kudi right now! My favorite fibrous food would have to be some great cereal, such as Barbara’s Shredded Spoonfuls. One serving may not be too fibrous, but SnackFace serving sizes are (like many mugfuls).
Filed under: Uncategorized | 61 Comments
Tags: Arnold's Thin, banana, birthday, class, Clif, gross, lentils, Newman's Own, NYC, outfits, peanut butter, SnackFace, vegan, vegetarian
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