Detox Soup

I don't know about you guys, but when someone asks if I'd like to go out to eat for a meal the answer is always yes.

This has become quite a problem as of late, what with traveling every other weekend and business functions sprinkled in between.  I've begun hitting the snooze button more and more each day, feeling sluggish every afternoon and finding every excuse for a quick catnap.  

It. Has. To. Stop.

As much as I love indulging in the finer things {and the utterly ordinary, such as my main squeeze Cracker Barrel - don't ask questions}, it's time for me to come to terms with the fact that eating sodium heavy and fat laden foods at various restaurants daily does not have a positive affect on my health.

In order to redeem myself I made one large batch of Skinny Detox Soup, courtesy of Skinny Mom, which helped get me back on track.

{Note: I cut the recipe in half and added a teaspoon or so of turmeric and a few shakes of cayenne pepper. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I can't follow recipes!}

Fingers crossed that I can hop right back on the healthy bandwagon. And just in time for the holidays, when we all {or is it just me?} become just a wee bit too indulgent.

A weekend in NOLA

Ross and I spent the weekend in New Orleans with his family. And rather than boring you with a long list of what we did, I encourage you to press play on this video:

 and listen to the soulful sweet sounds of Smoking Times Jazz Band as you scroll through this digital scrapbook of our weekend.

It was absolutely perfect.

V

Ross and I headed down to V Seagrove on {beautiful, scenic} Highway 30a last Thursday to celebrate my birthday.  

{Please excuse the grainy photos. The restaurant lighting was not in my favor.}

We started off the meal with Mussels in Green Curry,

then I moved on to the Blackened Jumbo Gulf Shrimp, while Ross indulged in the Bacon Crusted Diver Scallops {not pictured}.

We topped off the meal with Coffee Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée, courtesy of our waiter {Chuck} who also helped us pair each dish with the perfect glass of wine.

I suppose I didn't mention that my sweet coworkers gave me a mini birthday celebration consisting of delightful chocolate on chocolate cupcakes...

All of this was followed by an even more decadent weekend in the Big Easy, which I will fill you all in on very, very soon.

Today I am thankful.

Thankful for the now 24 years God has blessed me with on this earth and in this wonderful country that I love so dearly. Thankful for my family, my health and my sweet friends.

I am also thankful that I will be spending the weekend in New Orleans to celebrate my 24th birthday, noshing on po boys, beignets, and whatever else lands on my plate.

Preseason Spirit

It's that time again, my dears...when I get in the holiday spirit leaps and bound ahead of the rest.

If you're generally the bahumbug type in November, and oppose any signs of Christmas spirit prior to Thanksgiving, click away now.

I am completely obsessed with the {skinny} Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks again this year. It's chocolately, minty and stacked with caffeine. {What more could you possibly ask for in a to-go beverage?} 

This is my go to Nov. 1st - Dec. 25th.  I consume massive amounts of lattes in the weeks leading up to Christmas, probably because I'm amped about holidays approaching and want to sustain my energy for a good 60 days. This is just the first step in my premature celebration of the holidays.  If you're like me and want to spread the Christmas cheer all day every day, you'll need a few staple items:

1. The Starbucks app on your phone to track and accrue points for all of the Peppermint Mochas you will be consuming over the next two months

2. This Voluspa candle, much more chic than a bowl full of pine cones

3. Pumpkin pie spice, to sprinkle on coffee grounds prior to brewing, your daily bowl of oatmeal, and anything else you could possibly imagine

4. A fabulous Christmas CD, I'm still stuck on this one from last year, but can always switch to my old stand by {Ol' Blue Eyes himself} or this fab Christmas album I still swoon over from my youth {Merry Christmukkah, y'all}

5. {Optional} Watch this childhood favorite, this family staple, or this funny flick which is quickly becoming a classic in my book

And there you a have it. A full proof, holiday-riffic game plan for becoming a Christmas in November ambassador for years to come. You're welcome.