Bites of My Life

January you are surprising me! For a month I normally hate, my Jan days have been flying by. Hope you too are having a great start to the year!

-Roasted veggie tacos are my new favorite WFH lunch. I roasted carrots, baby cauliflower, and made some pickled red onions. Stuffed them in tortillas with shredded brussles sprouts and topped with cilantro and verde hot sauce!
-New sneaks! I’ve been stalking this style of On Running shoes and they finally came back in stock. Scooped them up the second I saw them.
-One of my favorite bakeries and coffee shops just opened walking distance from my apartment. Welcome to the hood Village Baking Co.
-Headed out slightly west of DFW for a spontaneous ranch weekend with one of my best friends. Ranch Waters were a given upon arrival. upgraded with chili lime salted rims and LALO tequila!
-This little cutie came with us for the weekend.
-Megan did our meal planning for the weekend and it couldn’t have been more delish. Friday night was The Defined Dish’s Chicken No-Parm.
-Saturday lunch was all me. I was determined to make the #tortillatrend that has swept over Tik Tok.
-Saturday night was another Defined Dish meal, her One-Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice with all of the fixings. (Both recipes from her cookbook).
-Back in Dallas and was craving some steps (especially in my new shoes). There is a little sketch in the cement on the path I often take where a little girl carved her name, Annie. Makes me smile every time I walk by.

Annie

My 6 Favorite Dallas Spots 3 Months In

Three months in Dallas? Hi? How? But also I feel like I’ve been here forever! I Three months seemed pivotal enough to document some of my favorite spots thus far. There are a couple repeats from this and this post that I wrote just one and two weeks in. Now three months later, many more places visited, still some of the same faves and still so many places to keep exploring.

Louie’s
If you live in Dallas, this probably wasn’t the first place you’d think would be on my list, but on the flipside, if you’ve been to Louie’s then you understand. Louie’s is a complete hole in the wall on Henderson known for their pizza and martinis. They are more than just a pizza place, with salmon, a burger, sandwiches, and a filet on the menu, but word from the wise don’t stray from the thin crust build-your-own pizza, big salads, meatballs and crab claws to start! As for the martini’s, they were so hyped up and I thought they would convert me, but even dirty I just can’t sip on gin and pretend like I like it. Louie’s has been on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so I’ll just leave you with that. Post-September Whole 30, I’m coming for ya Louie’s!

Central Market
One of my favorite past times is wandering the aisles at a grocery store. No really. If I need to kill some time or if I’m bored, or if I should be doing a million other things, I’ll often find a reason to end up at the grocery store. I love to do my big shopping on Sundays, but about mid-week I need a pick-me-up and will go stroll down aisles to pick up a little something-something. This is a long way of saying now that Central Market is in my life, this grocery store meandering has heightened. I still love TJ’s, Whole Foods and Sprouts, but Central Market has s a m p l e s. And I mean samples. The bakery section is 100% my weakness and just gosh awful temptation while on Whole30 right now. They have bread of plenty to sample with this whipped butter that should just be sued it’s so good.

My Central Market faves are their fresh verde salsa, homemade tortillas, these crispbreads, the crazy selection of bulk bin items and winding through their maze of a produce section.

Bishop Arts District
Bishop Arts is tucked away west of downtown and coins the phrase “the most independent neighborhood.” It is quint and has this little mountain town feel to it, reminds me of Colorado. Cute shops (hi All Good Things), and new restaurants are popping up left and right. I got to go to Paradiso last night and everything about it from the design, to the menu to the atmosphere was on point. Some other BA faves and places on my list are Melt Ice Cream, Tribal All Day Cafe, Serve, Lucia, Eno’s Pizza, Coco’s, Botanist and Good Companions. If you have a free Saturday or Sunday, spend it wandering around Bishop Arts!

photo via Katy Trail

Katy Trail Ice House
I know Katy Trail is a little cliche Dallas, but it truly is my favorite spot in the city. I already wrote about it here! It’s great in the evening, its great during the day on the weekends, fun for watching games, great drinks (Summer Beer) and good food. It’s all outdoors, but you’ll see people in workout clothes just coming off running the Katy Trail, people with their dogs, people dressed up having come straight for work. It’s really great for any time of day or event.

Honor Bar
Another cliche Dallas spot that I’ve mentioned before, but it’s just flat out good. The vibes, the food, the experiences I’ve had there have all been great. It’s in this corner spot of Highland Park Village with a patio that expands out a bit. It’s always crowded, but for good reason. The ahi tuna, the macho salad and their version of a ranch water make me drool just thinking about them. Props to the Hillstone restaurant group for finding what they are good at and sticking to it. Being in restaurants makes you really appreciate how others do it.

Royal Blue Grocery
No one should be surprised that two grocery stores made it on this list. Royal Blue is the most charming little grocery and specialty food store, one location in Highland Park Village and one downtown. If you didn’t know, my end goal in life is to open something similar. Think Barefoot Contessa or the bakery Meryl Streep owns in It’s Complicated. Catch me in my 40s or 50s and hopefully that’s where you will find me.

Royal Blue is my current fix to fill my daydreams. Their groceries are wildly overpriced, well everything in there is, but since it’s not my everyday spot (unlike the yuppie Highland Park moms) I feel ok treating myself to a Royal Blue visit every once and a while. My recent Royal Blue crush is their turmeric latte. Just turmeric, ginger, cinnamon (hold the honey #whole30) and steamed almond milk! They also have a vegan cookie butter gelato that is, well, I think you can imagine how amazing it is.

Honorable Mentions: Oishii, The Pilates Barre, Sachet, Parkhouse, Up On Knox, Javier’s, Highland Park Presbyterian, Eatzi’s, and Terelli’s.

It’s been a stellar 3 months in Dally. Here’s to the next however many months. ILY big D!

Annie

Bites of My Life

BRB currently taking a bite out of Dallas. Y’all (seemed appropriate) I MOVED! I officially live in Texas! I’m definitely on a high from the move and a great first weekend in my new city, but so far so great. There’s a new energy inside me I was desperately seeking. Here’s to never staying comfortable.

-I’ve known Addie for a while, but our friendship really bloomed the past few months. She helped me know Jesus in a way I didn’t before and is the biggest ray of sunshine every time I see her. One last OKC coffee date at Stitch before off to Dallas.
-A big hug sesh and only a couple of tears with my best friends before heading south of the border. They sent me off with a few gifts I’ll keep forever.
-Bye to my sweet home and incredible roommate of the past two years. ILY Belleview!
-A little tex mex upon arrival to fuel the unpacking.
-Say hello to my new sanctuary. Home tour post to come! I’m 99% unpacked (I know this is psycho considering it’s only been a couple of days, but that’s how I roll), just need to replace some glass on a broken picture and buy a plant then pics and post will happen.
-Can’t thank my mom and dad enough for driving my uhaul, helping me unpack, getting me organized, hanging all the things, styling my coffee table and making multiple trips to Target. My every day superheroes.
-Checked off Javier’s, Honor Bar and Katy Trail Ice House all in a matter of hours. Three Dallas staples and more to visit! You best believe a new city guide is brewing.
-The transition aint so bad when I was surrounded by some of my best friends (from Dallas and OKC) the first weekend I was here. Congrats to the Connors!
-When Trader Joe’s is walking distance from your new place. Big mood RN are these dehydrated rainbow carrots (140 cals for the whole bag), jicama sticks and organic buffalo hummus. Bought on Saturday and already polished them all off.

Annie

p.s. I’m still trying to formulate my words on a “why I moved” post, so stay tuned. Maybe.

Bites of My Life

A few snow (ice) days kept us trapped at home last week, followed by pouring rain as we ventured down to Dallas for best friend and pre-wedding celebrations, followed by gorgeous 60 degree weather. Oklahoma you keep us on our toes, but I don't mind!

-Protein shakes aside, the mascara, face primer and CC cream from Arbonne's makeup and skincare line are gold. 
-My favorite shake to keep me full and satisfied. Vanilla Almond amped up with a little almond extract!
-New Lite Bite post is up! Crushing on this meal from last week!
-Sneaking in greens on our "snow day" despite really wanting s'mores, popcorn, chili and all the treats.
-So far I have finished 2, almost 3 books in 2018 and it's only February. I don't even know who I am anymore. #TeamDoesn'tRead.
-The most delicious eats and drinks at José to kick off our 24 hour stint in Dallas. Highly highly recommend this spot next time your are in Dallas. 
-Weekend 1 of celebrating #KatieFoundHerMattch, can't wait for round 2 this weekend.
-Tea and Food Network in bed. How every Sunday should start.
-Quinoa has come back for vengeance recently and I'm loving it. Working on getting this greek quinoa bowl posted this week!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Gilmore Girls, cookies, happy hour, work, workout, eat repeat all led up to head out of town to the big D for OU/Texas weekend. Once in Texas it was shopping, eating, friends, late nights and a not so average gameday. We won, but I lost a bit. I love a weekend away, but nothing feels better than walking in your front door after a few days out of town.  

-Protein packed Monday with this round up of protein bars I got at the store. 
-I see matcha and I'm intrigued. I tried Trader Joe's matcha mix and it is as good as it gets. Highly recommend!
-Monday's work from home included lunch al fresco instead of al desko.
-Kathleen and I thought we were the only true Gilmore Girls fans who would wake up at 7am for #HappyBirthdayGilmore. Got to our local #LukesDiner (Cuppies and Joe) and were about 250 in line...turns out we aren't the only GG freaks. Skipped the line and opted for coffee at Hank's down the street. This all while wearing flannels and backward baseball caps...
-A friendly game of kickball happens every Wednesday this fall. I may not be the best player, but I provide the halftime snacks!
-Cauliflower fried rice made authentic by being served in a leftover take out box.
-First comes the dough, then comes the best cookies ever. Recipe posted last week. 
-Double the tikka c/o TJ's. Both are take a bite approved!
-Roommates by day, college rivals on Saturdays.
-My gameday turned out a little different and I sadly had to swap my fair corny dog for crackers and ginger ale. 
-Still easing a queasy stomach with the #1 comfort food and a lazy Sunday on the couch. 
-Testing out making my own coconut milk coffee creamer, taste TBD.

Annie