Now that I've gotten the rapping out of my system for today (and hopefully for a very long time) - I'll get on with the show.

I went and did a workout at the health club this morning - the humidity is totally killing me. I cannot even handle running outside. I did 3 miles on the treadmill followed by about another 30 minutes of strength training. When I got home, I had one of these guys:

what am i to do when these babies are gone?

Lunch today was leftovers from Mommasita - she cooked herself a great meal last night, and couldn't have it for leftovers today since she was working. Such a shame for mommasita, but big smile on Chelsey's face.

TJ's organic brown rice, sauteed veggies, crispy tofu, frontera grill salsa

 If you have never experienced all that is Frontera Grill, you need to re-evaluate you life for sure. Their jalepeno chipotle salsa is absolutely to die for. It is my favorite!

I had a cashew, raisin, fig mix after lunch. I'm not going to lie, this lunch kept me full from lunch (about 12) straight until dinner (about 6:45). Since when do I EVER go more than 3 hours without eating? Yowza!! 6.75 hours? That is waaaay too long!
I spent the afternoon with the kids and actually fell asleep for a good 15 minutes while watching a movie with my niece. We were just so comfy cuddling on the couch! We then ran out to Target, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and Starbuck's. They were good on the errands, so I decided to feed my addictiontreat them to a smoothie.

When I got home, I immediately left to go to my house. I FINALLY got to unwrap my furniture from the horrible plastic wrap because (drum roll please) EVERYONE IS DONE WORKING ON IT! The electrician finished today, and the painters showed up to touch everything up. Needless to say, I was a happy girl.

Another reason to be happy: FH fixed the plumbing! Yes!!!! Apparently there were scraps of new PVC pipe stuck in the plumbing from when it was installed. That got everything all backed up, but FH got it all out! He was very smelly when he came out though. His hands and tools were not the most sanitary (think about everything that came out of that pipe... yuck!)

When I got home, I was ravenous and very happy that Mommasita went out and got me something to eat for when I got home!

I know, it's boring - but oh so delicious! I didn't have time to think about feeding myself today :) . This potato was tiny and also had a little rotten spot, so I cooked up some broccoli as well!

Right when I was done eating, Mommasita and I headed out to find myself something to wear for my rehearsal dinner. We were VERY successful! I found an adorably cute dress which was originally $60 for $23! I love bargains like that! FH was also excited when he saw how much I saved (he's dutch, therefore, he is frugal - haha!)

When I got home from visiting with FH, I needed a snack really quick!

red delicious apple, raisins, peanut butter spoon

I'm not usually a fan of red delicious apples, but it was all we had! I definitely need to go to the store tomorrow to pick up some fruit.

I'm so pumped for this weekend! Reasons why:

• my golden birthday is tomorrow (23 on the 23rd)
• FH and I are going hiking on Saturday
• i move into my house on Sunday!!!

Question: What is going to make your weekend exciting? Are you looking forward to anything?

Bon Appetit! Chickpea Salad and Homemade Pesto

I'm going to get right to the chase here. My dinner most likely kicked your dinner's butt tonight.

I had a craving for Italian food today - Italian food is not very gluten free friendly though. So, most of the Italian food I have is at home.

It started with a cold Chickpea Salad:

In the mix:

• 1 can chickpeas (15 oz)
• 1/2 pint grape tomatoes
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• 1/2 cucumber, sliced and quartered
• 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• salt, pepper, and garlic to taste

This was absolutely delicious. Quick, fresh, and different than your run of the mill green lettuce salad. It was nice for a change.

Up next... Easy as Pie Vegan Pesto

TJ's brown rice pasta with Easy as Pie Vegan Pesto

What you need:

• 1/2 cup fresh basil (mine came from my basil plant - yum!)
• 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
• 2 large cloves garlic
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

How it's done:

Put all ingredients into your food processor. Grind until smooth.

This was amazing. I have never made my own pesto before, and I cannot honestly remember the last time I had pesto. To be perfectly honest with you, the measurements above are a rough estimate. I don't measure when I cook. I never have - I just "eyeball it". The pesto was too runny at first, so I added more walnuts. If it was too thick, I would have added more oil. That's just how I roll. My mom is on the verge of tears every night because she knows very very soon I will not be cooking for her anymore. :) I had that bowl x2.5 - no joke. My mom and I ate an entire box of brown rice pasta tonight. Ridiculous.

I went out for ice cream tonight with FH and Mandi/Kyle. Mandi is 3 days over her due date and she is itching to have that baby of hers! She goes to the doctor tomorrow - I hope she gets the Okay to go to the hospital!

I obviously couldn't eat ice cream, so when I got home, I whipped up a late night snack: protein muffin, raisins, and Sunflower Seed butter!

this guy is oozing all over the place

My momma taught me not to lie - so I won't. I did not wait until tonight to try the sunflower seed butter like I said I would. I snuck a taste this afternoon in between lunch and snack time (which was an apple by the way). It's... different. I like it, I really do - it's just something I have to get used to. Amy warned me it was more savory than sweet, and she was so right! It is very delicious though, and I love it! I'm not sure how I will feel about it in my oatmeal though. Question: What do you put sunflower seed butter in?

I came to the overhwelming realization today that I am getting married in 21 days - that is THREE WEEKS PEOPLE! I am not freaking out - it's just not my thang, but it's all becoming so real. We have been talking about it since December, but it was all just "in theory" - nope, it's really happening. I'm starting to envision it, and I know it will be perfect. Not because everything will go as planned, but because it will be our wedding day. I think that is the perfect way to plan a wedding - realizing not everything will be absolutely pristine. At the end of the day, I will be married to the most wonderful man and that is the most important part of the day.

My 23rd birthday is also on the 23rd!! Yay for Golden Birthdays! Question: What is the deal with Golden Birthdays anyways? What is so special about them?

Until tomorrow mes amies - bon noir.

ps: there were totally 2 different languages going on in this post.