Bites of My Life

I somehow got lucky enough to have two friends cook delicious meals for Peter and I this week. Dinner is such an everyday thing, but to have someone cook for you is special. There were appetizers, drinks, delicious entrees and desserts at both. I was quickly inspired to set a new goal for 2022 to host more people this year. I’ve gotten away from having people over to my place, and I don’t love that. I think I started to feel like my apartment is too small, I don’t live in a house, or my kitchen isn’t big enough, etc. But I’ve had about 5 girls staying in my 800 square foot apartment over a weekend so I’m not sure why i think I can’t have a few friends over for dinner. So here’s to my goal of hosting in some capacity, once a month for the year!

-What says the first Monday of January than a deeply green smoothie.
-January means uggs jeans and shackets as many days in row as possible.
-First meal from The Defined Dish’s new book as her spiced lamb lettuce cups. I’m ready to cook through her book, all of the recipes are amazing.
-Peter and I were treated to a delicious mid-week din by my sweet Morgs.
-Mexican train may not be ideal with just two, but you can only play gin so many times.
-Not sure how I got so lucky to be cooked for by two friends in one week, but the vibes and food were immaculate at the future Wolfe’s place Friday night.
-Why is it that Chinese food is the most crave-able food? Frozen dumplings in my freezer are a must to curb the crave.
-I’ve always been jealous of not getting to have a classic peanut butter cookie, but I’m loving the grain-free almond butter version in Alex’s new book. So easy and good!
-Post church lunch at Loro! I haven’t been since right after they opened and I was quickly reminded how good it is. I got the Curry Chicken Bowl and Peter and I split the salmon dip.

Annie

Bites of My Life

The first full week of the new year normally has me on top of being productive at work, eating right, sleeping good, and getting organized. I had my sights set on all of these things happening last week, but mentally and physically I guess other plans were in order. I shared this conversation with a handful of friends and it seems everyone was struggling to push through last week and “get back on track.” I think coming off of 2020 and knowing the beginning of 2021 was going to be similar pushed little to any motivation aside.

While I was lagging a bit at work, was craving junk food, and couldn’t get off my phone before bed, last week was still great. I share a picture below that says Fresh Energy. I think I came to realize that the fresh energy is out there, it just may take a little longer to sink in. Toward the end of last week the energy was being felt and 2021 is looking up!

-Mirepoix add mushrooms for the base of a pot of pinto beans I made last week. A pot of brothy beans over rice is so comforting.
-If you aren’t doing Obe workouts at home in your pj’s you’re doing it wrong.
-Last week I shared this killer Meditteranean bowl I had back in OKC and knew I’d be recreating. It went like this: cauliflower rice, roasted carrots, tomatoes, crispy chickpeas, avocado, olives, and hummus.
-Had Wednesday drinks with my friend Kate and special guest Hattie the golden! Just pulled up a chair at the bar with the humans.
-It’s hard to read, but a store window near my apartment has the message Fresh Energy Can you feel It? I have kept saying this, but the 2021 energy is real.
-January always gets me in some kind of mood to freshen up my space. Buying flowers and doing some rearranging can make a small but mighty change in a little space!
-When the host suggested we dress up for a little dinner party, I took that as a free pass to don this rainbow sequin skirt from Rent The Runway.
-One of my besties set the scene for the prettiest dinner party. The table was so pretty and the food was delish. On the menu: butternut squash soup, farro, delicate squash and kale salad, and a Sweet Laurel’s Chocolate Caramel Date cake.
-I’m on a kick of making what I call cacio e pepe scrambled eggs. It snowed yesterday and I was feeling fancy, so I scrambled them in a little truffle oil and added scallions on top!

Annie

Bites of My Life

I mentioned it a little in my last bites post, but I was a little apprehensive of getting back into the swing of things. Not going to lie I had a small case of the January blues getting back to Dallas and into my routine here. After a week of fun evening plans, a busy work week and catching up with friends here, I’m feeling better. Writing this I’m mentally telling myself that I don’t need to get right back into the swing right away. Also writing this is making me sound kind of weepy and depressed when I’m not! January is just a weird month, and I know some of you can agree!

-Serena Wolf IRL at her Dude Diet Dinnertime cookbook tour at my new found favorite place, The Adolphus hotel in downtown Dallas. It was gorgeous.
-Post book signing at Americano, the restaurant at the bottom of The Joule hotel. I have dreamt of this shaved cauliflower salad since and have plans to recreate later this week.
-I got pretty into Melissa Wood Health’s workouts last spring then canceled my membership when I moved to Dallas knowing I wanted to spend my money trying out new studios here. I’ve recently fallen back into MWH’s flows and lifestyle and genuinely loving them so much. I feel great during and after the workouts. At only $9.99 a month, I quantify them as #worthit.
-First timer alert at Neighborhood Services. A big check off my Dallas restaurant list.
-I finished my first book in 2020. 2018 I was a reading machine and then fell off the wagon in 2019. Hoping to read 1 a month this year. I love anything by Emily Giffin and thinking one of hers is going to be next on my list.
-Woke up Saturday to SNOW and a morning with nothing to do (which hasn’t happened in forever). I watched Father of the Bride part II and had breakfast in bed.
-Paella night turned wine night turned game night turned sing-a-longs until midnight. Saturday was a good night in Dallas.
-Packed precious cargo Sunday morning to travel home with for a quick work trip.
-The benefit of my work trips is that work is at home in Oklahoma City, which means time with this little one.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Snow, snow, snow, snowwwwww! I won’t put up the Christmas decorations yet, but after waking up to an unexpected snow this Monday morning, I want all the Christmas music, movies and a fire in the fireplace. The most wonderful time of the year is here, but already flying by.

Most all is good in my hood, but my heart is going out to two friends who had extreme loss in their families last week. Squeeze your loved ones tight and actually tell your friends and family you love them. Don’t just think it.

-A delicious recipe from the “Fall Reset” program I did a month ago. I didn’t get to making the Maple Glazed Chicken during the reset, but I held on to it to make down the road.
-A simple breakfast I can’t quit. Cinnamon Spice Tazo tea and Better Oats 100 cal instant oats, amped up with cinnamon, chia seeds and almond butter!
-I think I’ve had soup for lunch the past three weeks. Kept the train going with The Jones seasonal soup, Kabocha Squash + Apple Soup.
-I haven’t had a protein shake in a hot minute. I still love the Arbonne nutrition and beauty products, but I have toned down my selling a bit to focus on other areas of my life. However, I woke up last week craving this seasonal shake. I have now had it 3 times since. Catch the recipe for this Peppermint Mocha Protein shake here.
-A Friday night at home with nothing to do in what seemed like f o r e v e r. My end of the week dinner was a clean out the fridge meal, made with leftover vegetable soup (from a box), amped up with Banza chickpea pasta to make it a riff on my childhood favorite - minestrone!
-My reading took a bit of a curve after getting stumped by two books I was recently reading, but couldn’t power through to finish. I deterred and decided to reread my favorite book of all time.
-With permission, the best breakfast casserole is coming to the blog this week. Recipe kudos of the O’Connors!
-I’ve mentioned Stephanie May Wilson’s podcast before, but I just purchased her 90 Day Devotional and Prayer Journal. SMW has been so relatable to my life recently, and I think could be for many of you too.
-Woke up this morning to the first snow of the season. Not.Mad.About.It!

Annie

Snow Day Bite: In honor of the snow day we are having in OKC today, this Snow Day Soup (aka White Chicken Chili) from my 2014 archives is getting brought back into circulation.

Bites of My Life

Currently sitting on the floor of my living with a tissue stuffed in each nostril (TMI?) watching the new episode of KUWTK. Christmas cold you are not invited and can leave now. My head is in a fog so enough of this, keep scrolling for more interesting life happenings!

-Pressed stop instead of snooze on my alarm for sister's early morning Barre3 class, but woke up late/just early enough to make it to Beyond pilates as self redemption. #mondays.
-Cherry Vanilla Almond shake to kick off the week. Frozen cherries, vanilla Arbonne protein, almond extract, ice and almond milk. 
-6:00 AM flow to celebrate my favorite studio's 6th year! Congrats Soul!
-Verde Turkey Chili on repeat last week. Loved seeing so many others doing the same. (here's looking at you Lexie, Madeline, Whitney and sis).
-Golden Milk and not pictured, copious amounts of chocolate chips (my current dessert of choice) were Wednesday's "bite while I watched" during Riverdale. Did you see last week's post??
-Too close for comfort one-on-one time with #GabetheBabe this weekend. 
-Yolk porn atop a smashed avo on rice cake for Saturday brekkie. 
-New yoga find this weekend. Come flow with me at 405 Yoga, it's the real deal! 
-Made Rachael's Good Eats raw chocolate bark to have as a dessert option this week instead of my current chocolate chip obsession. 

Annie