don’t get kidnapped

Today was a full day! I’m surprised I have enough energy to even be posting right now, but I am glad to recap my day for you as it was amazing!

I have decided if there is one thing I will enjoy about not working out on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it will be hot oats in the morning. I don’t have time to cook oats on the stovetop when I run in the morning, so these are a treat.

I made whipped banana oats (Kath’s recipe) and stirred in about 1/3 cup pumpkin in the last few seconds. Topped with apple, raisins, and peanut butter… oh goodness, my life could not have been any sweeter.

 

My day really seemed to drag today. I’m really not a fan of Tuesdays. They are just SO far away from the weekend. I can deal with Wednesdays-Fridays for sure. But Tuesdays get me all cranky because I just want to sleep!

Lunch today was so delicious. I had leftover sweet potato pancakes (by the way, did anyone notice I did NOT put up my potato pancake recipe from yesterday? What is my problem?).

 

I also had a side salad which was filled to the brim with chopped veggies courtesy of leftovers from the party on Saturday (thanks Mommasita!)

 

I topped it with my Simple Garlic Hummus – once this was mixed throughout the salad, there was no need for dressing. I love hummus on salads. It is the perfect topper!

I also had an unpictured fruit salad. After lunch, I was stuffed. Unfortunately I was hungry right when school let out and dinner was still many hours away! Fortunately, I brought along an apple and a large bag of almonds to hold me over until dinner.

Speaking of dinner, I made a little trip out on the town today.

 

Yes, I went into the city on a Tuesday night. I don’t even know myself anymore. I am pretty sure this has never happened. I’m okay with it though. I like who I’m becoming.

I had plans for a dinner meet up with other Chicago bloggers. The husband’s words to me when I told him about it? “Don’t get kidnapped.” I tried pawning myself off to a few people on the streets, but they just wouldn’t take me. Sorry husband, better luck next time.

I arrived super early and was happy I did because I had time to meet up with my new friend Lainie before dinner! I received an email from her earlier in the day asking if I was going tonight, and I am excited she decided to come with us tonight. She is new to the blogworld, and I absolutely adore her! She is really a lovely girl. We were texting back and forth all afternoon, and I felt like I was going on a blind date. I almost wanted to tell her I was wearing a rose in my hair, just for fun.

While I was waiting for her, I had a little photo shoot… of my feet? ::sigh::

 

She brought me to the most awesome vegetarian health food store, which of course now I forget the name to. I was too excited to take a picture of the sign, and was more than impressed with their inventory!

These babies are going to be making an appearance on here again very soon – be on the lookout for something fun.

 

I also got a new snack to try! I’m okay with spending almost $4 on a snack the size of my palm.

We went to Flat Top Grill for dinner! If you’ve never heard of Flat Top or just never been, it is a create your own stir fry restaurant. It is a great, healthy option for eaters of all kind! It is super allergy friendly as well!

 

The process is pretty simple. First, write your name on the stick they provide you at your table.

 

Next, fill up your bowl with veggies, rice, and the meat (or protein) of your choice. Add your sauces and you’re good to go! They also have colored sticks at the end of the line to make additions to your meal. The white stick in my bowl means I have an allergy (they will cook the food in a separate wok). The green stick means I wanted to make lettuce wraps out of my bowl. I forgot to put the stick in to add tofu, so I had to get a side of it later on in the meal.

 

I had a great time with these ladies. It is funny how easy it is to talk to other bloggers. I felt like I already knew them! We had great conversation and were already planning the next time we could all meet together.

 

From bottom left in a clockwise direction: Val, Jenn, Me, Lainie, and Kate

Thanks for the awesome dinner girls!

After dinner, I walked back to my car and was shocked to see I had been robbed. Okay, not literally, but parking it so expensive in the city I wanted to cry! $25 for 2 hours? You’ve got to be kidding me!

I would also be lying if I told you I saved my chocolate covered pumpkin seeds for another time. Yeah.. they’re totally gone. They made for quite the evening car ride home snack!

I made my way home to find the husband had done all the dishes for me. I was more than excited to see this. Luckily for him, I dirtied the kitchen up really fast when I remembered I still had to make his lunch and prepare dinner for tomorrow (a crock pot recipe – meatloaf for him).

A part of me really wants to sleep – I’ll be catching up with you all tomorrow sometime!

Goodnight!

Question: What is your favorite type of restaurant to eat at?

Tagged as: blogger meet up, breakfast, dinner, flat top grill, lunch, oatmeal, peanut butter, pumpkin oats, sweet potato pancakes