Bites of My Life

August 2018: fasted month ever? Y or N? Anyone else feel like we hopped, skipped and jumped right over August. I can't believe September starts this weekend. In preparation for a very busy fall, I spent this weekend laying low aka in bed by 9pm Friday and Saturday night. Despite the early bed times, I didn't skip on the eeeeeats. Take a bite below. 

-Crock-pot dinner win! I put 2 chicken thighs with seasonings and 3/4 cup water in my crock-pot Monday morning. Wrapped 3 sweet potatoes in foil and placed them right on top of the chicken. Put it on low while I was at work all day. Came home and shredded the chicken then topped it with guac, salsa, red onion, jalapeño all on the perfectly cooked sweet potatoes. A similar meal found here.
-Breakfast for dinner! The go-to when I don't have any other food in the fridge.
-Blender Bombs, who's heard of them? Excited to start using them today!
-May the #TacoTour commence! Dad and I have instilled a new Friday lunch tradition scoping out all the best taqueria's in OKC. Full round up to come after we add more to our list. First stop was at Taco San Pedro.
-Popcorn dipped in sriracha/mustard. A snack hack that started because of my roommates senior year of college. I still love this odd combination.
-Pool party board! All goods are from TJ's and were eaten at our Saturday pool party in less than 5 minutes. Along with all the other dips, hot dogs, etc. #FriendsWhoEat.
-Post photoshoot at our restaurant on OU's Campus Corner, pre Arbonne Healthy Happy in Norman, had me caught enjoying lunch on campus! 
-Healthy Happy with two girls I'm lucky I get to work alongside.
-Taste testing macarons Sunday night. See why in my post here.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Back to school for some, back to the same for me. Adult life is slightly depressing this time of year without the excitement of back to school shopping, new teachers and the first day of school. But them I'm reminded that summer doesn't end so abruptly, I'm getting paid for how I spend my day instead of having to study and I love what I do, and let's be honest, I didn't love school. So all is still right in the world. 

Bites last week consisted of chili, a steak (YUM <--especially from this veggie loving gal), toast ;), salmon, breakfast foods, a grill out and ice cream! Non edible bites included finishing another book and starting a new one (follow me on goodreads!!), rain, and more rain and one last pool day of the season.

-It's been raining cats and dogs in Oklahoma (which I've been loooooving). It's giving us a taste of fall and cooler wedding, which quickly meant chili night in our house! P.S. top your chili with a dollop of guacamole instead of sour cream and thank me later. 
-Morning mirror selfie to show off my new Made By Maddie earrings. Loving this red and turquoise combo! 
-If you follow @themorningtoast on instagram, this was my picture they reposted. If you know you know, if you don't, don't worry. 
-Spent too much on this salmon. Baked it, made a mustard sauce, roasted asparagus, got real excited... only to be let down real quick. It tasted fishy and gross and now I probably won't eat salmon for at least 3 months. Let alone buy it. 
-Book 11 out of my 12 in a year goal! I'm crazy! PSA: this book will make some heads turn if you read in public. I had too many people comment on it while I was reading on the elliptical. All boys too on that note. Just beware you will have to explain yourself if caught in public reading Lauren Weisberger's new book aka the author of The Devil Wears Prada.
-This mix >>>> almonds, pistachios and dark chocolate covered espresso beans. Killer afternoon slump snack. 
-This muffin mix has been sitting in my pantry for too long. Woke up Saturday morning with an itch to bake and I was very pleased with how these Gluten Free Blueberry muffins from Brandless turned out. I'm also nostalgic to muffins from a box. That's how it was done when I was little, and sometimes food from a box just needs to happen.
-My first attempt at protein pancakes. Look amaze tasted ehhhh. I got some tips after sharing this photo on social media, so another go will be happening soon.
-A ice cream craving cured with the OG. Frozen yogurt twist on a cone from Braum's. My order since I was little. 

Annie

Bites of My Life

This time of year, and especially this past week, had me thinking back to college and school in general. My roommate is a teacher and has her "first day of school" on Wednesday. I've been out of school for three years now (mind-blowing), but I still feel a sense of back-to-school, come early fall. 

With three trips to Norman, OK in the past week and a trip to Dallas to celebrate my first college friend, those four wild years seem to be heavy on my brain recently. Something I wouldn't want to go back to, but and crazy thankful for all the memories, lessons and friendships made. Anyone else reminisce this time of year?

-Back at Commonplace for a lunch with my oldest friend while she's in town post- Bar exam and pre- DC living! 
-Read this one in 3 days. If you went through recruitment, this book is a hilarious dramaticized, yet accurate depiction of what goes on in the greek system.
-Lunch board is B A C K! couldn't find figs in the store yet, so opted for these cherry plums from TJ's. Taste like a plum but have the pit and similar size of a cherry.
-KKG till we DIE. Back at our favorite house for Alumni Night!
-Okie Southern Salad recipe got posted last week. Loved how this summer salad turned out.
-Popped up and ready to shop! Check out these two entrepreneur friends of mine! Earrings and orchids, take your pick.
-Detox tea, sleep well spray and my book of the week. Sleeping gooood these days.
-Always thankful when we get the group back together! Especially when we get to celebrate our Marge!
-Cutest two, soon to say I Do!

Annie

P.S. In the midst of my reading frenzy, I created a Goodreads account, follow me!

Bites of My Life

Summer, I can feel you. And you feel real good. Really warm weather, things slowing down (a bit) and the most fun weekend away in Austin, only to come home and love on my momma made for a perfect week. I'd do a repeat this weekend if I could!

-Prettiest salad I ever did see. Get the details here. 
-When happy hour gets a healthy spin on it!
-We move into our company office in less than a month. Only a few grind sessions left with my make-shift standing desk. 
-Women in food. Proud to be one and proud to work alongside these other ladies. See our faces in the current issue of Edible OKC. 
-Pre-bachelorette protein shake vibes!
-Touched down in ATX for Stacia's Bach weekend and headed straight for Happy Hour. Have I mentioned I'm coming to terms with gin? Never thought it would happen but drinks like this strawberry, basil and gin punch from Irene's has me sipping on the once distasteful liquor.
-All the girly drinks all weekend, including the best darn mudslide and brandy ice found at the Four Season's in downtown Austin. 
-Wiggin' out for the future Mrs. Ranallo!
-Lake day for our soon-to-be bride!
-Sweetest almost 9 1/2 month old there ever was. 
-Vinegar cocktails, yes you heard that right. Using my favorite new Comice Pear White Balsamic Vinegar from The Oil Tree, mixed with a shot of Tito's and Le Croix! Perfect way to cheers my cute momma on Mother's Day!
-FIrst time of the season taking my little cruiser out for a spin. Perfect end to the weekend. 

Annie

Bites of My Life

I apologize if you fell for my April Fool's joke yesterday, you weren't alone. However, I'm not sure I've ever pulled off an April Fool's joke more successfully. I was quite proud. I was also blown away by the amount of people who fell for my joke and messaged me saying how sad they would be if TAB really was ending. I've said it before, but you put all this content out and wonder if people even read it. So thank you, thank you for reading my posts, making my recipes and letting me know that you do so! 

Jokes aside, I leave for Hawaii in one week. Did I tell you all I'm going to Hawaii? I haven't been on a real vacation in I can't tell you how long. It's just me and two girl friends, very spontaneously jetting off to paradise for a week.  Did I also mention we booked this trip 3 weeks ago? Really embracing the "YOLO" motto for this trip. 

I also posted 4 times last week. I haven't done that since hmm maybe 2015. TAB was in full force last week. Scroll back through my feed to see said posts. 

-So excited to add Caroline to my Arbonne team!
-That soft boiled runny egg spilling out is giving me all the feels.
-Welcome to the hood Stella Nova. I don't know how you make your almond milk latte so good, but you officially have me hooked on them. 
-Raspberry Lemon Protein Muffins were posted last week and you simple need to make them as soon as possible. 
-Carrot cake protein shake was equal parts festive and delicious. 
-Hello fresh, hello roomie taco dinner!
-When Claire love's espresso martinis, you surprise her with espresso martinis for her birthday.. 
-Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars, loved by all the non-vegan's I fed them too. 
-Successfully pulled off an April Fool's joke for the first time ever. 
-Double desserts and dessert fails are oddly becoming an Easter tradition. Carrot cake fail 2K12, double cheesecakes 2k14, pie crust mishap and two coconut cream pies this year. 
-Eggcellent first Easter for Elle!
-Love our Easter feast tradition at home we have continued that past few years opposed to brunching out to eat. 

Annie