We got outside and remarked, “Oh, it’s not so bad!” and took off.  Soon the wind started swirling around us, almost propelling us down the street.  On the way back, of course, we were running against it.  The worst part was how cold our ears got.  I tried running with my hands over them but then my peripheral vision was blocked.  We’d had grand plans for a hot chocolate stop on the way back, but when the time came we just wanted to get back inside.

I think something about being outside in sub-freezing winds and then returning to a warm apartment did something to our inner-ears, because we both felt almost nauseous for a good ten minutes after we were safe indoors.  Luckily, a hot shower and breakfast solved this problem! I had a cup of Blueberry Chobani with 1/2 banana, granola, and a cup of English Breakfast tea.  (Since I had today off work, I didn’t feel like I needed to overly caffenate myself with coffee.  Good feeling!)

Thank you for all of your suggestions about how to spend my vacation day!  I listened to you and slept in (until 10!), exercised, and relaxed.  I also spent some of the morning and early afternoon running errands, which made it a pretty good day in my book.

Since we ate a late breakfast, I didn’t end up eating lunch until almost 3.  I made a mighty fine sandwich, if I do say so myself!  I heated a whole wheat/flax pita and stuffed it with cashew “cheese”, spinach, Fuji apple slices and alfalfa sprouts.

I ran some errands with Ari (who is getting ready for a month-long tour), then met my parents for a very early (5:30) pre-theater dinner at Bali Nusa, one of our favorite Indonesian restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen.  I started with hot jasmine tea…

… vegetable tamarind soup (which reminded me of some of the soups we ate in Russia)

… and the vegetarian sampler, which I’ve ordered every single time we’ve been.  It’s delicious, and there are so many different things to try!  It was pretty big, and though I made a significant dent in it, the leftovers were packed up for later.

For dessert, we all got banana islands: bananas fried in pastry and served with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

My dad also got a very interesting cold drink made with condensed milk, jello, and fruit.

After we left the restaurant, bellies full, we headed over to the Signature Theater to see Part II of The Orphans’ Home Cycle.  We saw Part I about a month ago, and while I really enjoyed tonight’s performance, I slept through the entire first act.  It’s horrible! It’s bad enough that I sleep through movies, but I feel terrible that the actors can see me sleeping through their performance.  I wish I could help it

We munched on Green & Black’s 85% dark chocolate during the first intermission (there were 3 acts) to boost our sugar levels, and it worked: I stayed awake for the last two hours.

After the play, I went straight home, put on my pyjamas unloaded the goodies my parents brought me back from the co-op: chia seeds, organic coconut oil, tahini, a spice grinder, and a tiny mortar and pestle.  Do I not have the best parents in the world?

Now I’m in bed watching Defiance (which Brandi recommended).  The story is really interesting and the film has an all-star cast, but my I’m fading fast!  I think I’ll save the rest for tomorrow when I’ll be able to stay awake and appreciate it.

Check in tomorrow morning… I’ll be hosting a GIVEAWAY!

Night

Yesterday for breakfast I made a piping hot bowl of oats with pumpkin pie mix, frozen cherries, and peanut butter. I don’t think Ari was so impressed with it… I dream of the day when he lets me pimp his oatmeal!

I was so slow getting out of the house yesterday.  I piddled, I paddled, and before I knew it it was 2 o’clock!  I grabbed some chunks of energy…

Packed my lunch…

This was a sprout salad with beets, tomatoes, carrots, black bean burger, and hummus.

Kay’s Naturals White Cheddar Cheese crisps to snack on…

These were good! They still left me really garlicky, though…

I didn’t end up eating lunch until 4:30, after my gym session (30 minutes on the bike, arms, legs & lazy abs), and I was worried that I wouldn’t be too hungry for dinner.  However, Ilana organized a really nice dinner with lots of family and love, at Uncle George’s Greek restaurant, and by the time we sat down, I was starved!  We ordered carafes (or “buckets”, as Abe called them) of red and white wine…

Appetizer platters of assorted dips for the table… eggplant and tzatziki seemed to be the favorites, and we scooped them up with grilled pita (unpictured).

My dad and I shared grilled octopus…

… and I ordered the baked fish special for my entrée.  We were all very excited about the lemon potatoes!

It was massive… I probably only ate about 1/3!

After dinner, a familiar song began… I’m not a huge fan of having my picture taken, if you hadn’t already noticed!

The cake was chocolate mousse, layered with strawberries.  I ate every last bite!

We were also celebrating an upcoming wedding… it was a great time.

When we got home, I unwrapped a present…

My very own food processor!!! Thank you SO MUCH, guys

I can’t wait to get started with this, but I don’t know what to make first! Nut butter, bread, soup, sauce, faux Larabars… what are your favorite food processor recipes?

Well, I’m off to wake the boy and get our corn maze on.  I may be a little slow with reading and commenting, but I love you all! To make up for it, check out Junghwa’s 18 Rabbits granola bar giveaway.

Have a great day!!!