Trader Joe’s has gone wild with pumpkin! I walked in there the other day to get some more cookie butter (I’m addicted) and walked out with about 9 different pumpkin type items – I actually forgot to get the cookie butter! shocker! Does that ever happen to anyone else? You go to a store with one thing in mind and come out with everything else EXCEPT that 1 thing – something tells me I’m not alone with that 😉
I sampled some Honey Roasted Pumpkin raviolis – so naturally I had to get a pack to take home. I also tried the pumpkin coffee, which is the only coffee I drink in the Fall. I got pumpkin butter, pumpkin seed and cranberry pita chips, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin dog treats, pumpkin bread mix, pumpkin rolls (can’t wait to make these!!) and pumpkin macaroons!
I’m really not pumpkin-ed-out… yet…although, I didn’t buy the pumpkin pie because Nico makes one every year from a pumpkin we get at the farm and its SO good, I cant get myself to ever buy one at the store.
So, everyone head to your nearest Trader Joe’s because these items are limited and actually run out quickly – especially the pumpkin butter and raviolis!
Oh I made the pumpkin bar (in cupcake tins) last night and improvised to make it healthier (also Vegan)
Instead of 2 eggs – I used 1 tbsp of homemade apple sauce and 1 tbsp flax/chia seed with 3 tbsp water.
Instead of 2 sticks butter – I used 8 tbsp of Earth Balance organic “butter”
This Pumpkin Bar is different than the Pumpkin Bread they also carry. It has chocolate chips in it 🙂 wooo
I realllllly don’t like the smell of tuna fish, nor do I have a desire to ever try it! My mother never really bought food in a can when we were growing up so I guess I am just not accustomed to canned tuna… Recently, I got a Spice Tuna sushi roll and liked it but I’m sure that tastes a lot different than canned tuna fish? I guess if I’m ever stuck on a deserted island and the only thing available is canned tuna fish – I would eat it- but until that happens – don’t pack this girl a tuna fish sandwich! The perfect alternative, however, is Isa Does it, Chicky “Tuna” Salad sandwich. It is vegan and made from chickpeas which some people suggest they have a tuna fish taste? I wouldn’t know…
Friday after work, I went to my boyfriend’s-brother’s fiance’s house for a Mary Kay dinner party. I went into this with no expectations (okay, except I wanted to learn contouring) Anyways, It was a great night filled with lasagna, sangria, a bunch of laughs and of course makeup! I’ll post my review on how I think the whole process went and what I ended up buying slash If I will go through with hosting my own – is it worth it? Look out for that post in the next few days!
Suzi takes the wheelRubble
Saturday morning, I woke up at 7am!! (ahh what happened to sleeping in?) Well, Freddy was stretching his little arms out and hit me in the face with his puppy paws!! I mean – I wouldn’t call it obsessed. but seriously!? Holy cuteness. Nico made Freddy and I scrambled eggs and a coffee-to-go for me! I met one of my friends, Kristen for a mani/pedi appointment -After going through all the colors, I settled on OPI’s Suzi Takes the Wheel- a pretty light olive-gray color for my toes and CND shellac Rubble a darker beige for my hands. Great Fall transition colors.
Notice the rubber men’s shoe/chew toy!
I swear Freddy is already such a spoiled little puppy… Kris got him an ADORABLE green knit sweater from Tuesday Morning – sidenote I went in that store the other day and they have some NICE stuff!… At this rate,can you imagine what’s going to happen once we all have kids? For sure, they will have the BEST outfits and toys around. With my amazing girlfriends who are spoiling Freddy every chance they get – I can’t wait to return the favor! Dogs, Kids… lets go!
So, the appointment took an hour longer than I anticipated and the wedding started an hour earlier than I thought so I rushed home to take Freddy for another walk before getting ready. It was chilly and rainy, so I decided to go with a Philosophy Black long sleeve dress with a gorgeous slit up the right leg, paired with my Sam Edelman “Orly”black/white heels and pearls I got as a bridesmaid gift last summer- a classic, simple look with some Jungle Red Lipstickto tie it all together. After organizing Freddy’s essentials for my big sis to have when she came to watch him…we were off—- Finally, alone time with my boyfriend!! – 1 hour and 45 min drive to Peterborough, NH for a wedding. I was so excited to admire the foliage-best times to be in New England, for sure and to spend the little QT with Nico… so excited…that I may or may not have fallen asleep on the ride! I mean.. when do I get to sleep? whoops. but after downing a Red Bull, I was good to go to be my bubbly self and reconnect with Nico’s coworkers…..overall , a great night filled with some great people! + I got to take 2 center pieces.. obvi.
Sunday Funday- yes! Got home at 2AM, got up at 6AM (thank you Fredster) Luckily, we all managed to fall back asleep from 7-11.. Amen! After a walk to Dunkin Donuts for a pumpkin spice Iced coffee, I was going to get out of the house so Nico could work on his paper for grad school. I decided to take Freddy for his first fancy walk on Newbury Street in Boston. Hair brushed, Pats jersey on- per request of Nico (guys football superstition thing?), essentials packed and we took off.
Best part: Freddy totally photo-bombed a dog photo-shoot! I mean I can’t keep him from wanting to say hi to other puppies – and maybe- just maybe, a part of me wanted him to get behind that lens and take after his momma! I was given the business card of the photographer and he later sent me that photo-bombed pic! ADORE. Freddy will wait for an opportunity to do a photo shoot.. sorry I’m not paying for him to get his photo taken – shouldn’t we get paid instead? I got bills to pay and puppy bow ties to buy!! Anyways. Love the picture!! Thanks Fred Levy Photography. Dont forget to keep us in mind 🙂
After an adventurous day filled with constant stopping to let folks take a picture of Freddy, to pet him, to explain his breed type and age (I need him to wear a name tag with this info?) and learning that “bow ties are the new fashion for dogs” Shout out to Fish & Bones! gorgeous Bow Ties – I’ll have to be back for one for Freddy, and tons and tons of treats… I was ready to head back home to make chicken pot pie and watch the football game…Sidenote#2: I am in 2 Fantasy Football leagues . To all the ladies out there dating a guy who LOVES sports: Would it kill ya to put a small effort in? a) it will help YOU on Thursday, Sunday and Monday when your man is watching football and you want to go crazy b) It’s a game! and you have the potential to win- really not rocket science – actually there are guys that do his for a living (picking what teams to use for your line up- GOOGLE, bleacher report, yahoo sports, ESPN- they’ll basically tell you who to play! and c) Imagine if you beat the guys, that’s just amazing/brownie points for you!
My Homemade Chicken Pot Pie:
Normally I would make my own crust, but I cheated this time due to the lack of time in my life lately- make your own crust recipe post coming soon.
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How do my 1st official food photos look? I need some work- but not bad with an I-Phone? If you want to see some amazing food pictures, check out Halfbakedharvest.com …. great work, girl!
I went Vegan for Lent, so 40 days. I made sure we finished everything that comes from an animal before we started so we wouldn’t be tempted. When I say, we, I’m saying I made Nico do this with me! He did it more by default since I was the one grocery shopping, packing lunches and making dinner while he started grad school .. When we got back from our Jamaican vaca- all inclusive, so alcohol and food all the time non stop – We needed a cleanse which is how the 2 things came together (Lent & Cleanse) = Vegan Challenge
Anyways, his cousins got me this book for our housewarming party. ISA DOES IT – all Vegan recipes. At first, I didn’t’ know what Vegan was.. I thought vegetarian- only eat vegetables- no meat. okay can’t be that hard. But when I realized Vegan meant NO animal products whatsoever, I knew I had a challenge ahead of me. Being for Polsih decent, there really isn’t a meal that doesn’t include some type of meat.. Kielbasa, hello! or dairy- Sour cream on top of CHEESE Pierogie — yummmy, sour cream on top of everything for that matter! (My 1st Vegan Bible-Legit amazing!)
So Nico’s cousins (my inspirations for this challenge) have been vegan for 5, going on 6 years now. I will have them guest blog soon to offer up some advice and give insight into why they went Vegan and the benefits/challenges they face…
But in the meantime, let me go ahead and share this Tofu Scramble Recipe– I had my friend over last night and she requested I make her this b/c its that delish!! I usually make it at the end of the work week; when I have leftover veggies and need a way to wrap them all up into something easy and good. I usually pair it with potatoes pancakes, vegan garlic bread, in a sandwich, with a salad, on top of quinoa… anything you feel like really!
Tofu scramble with some Vegan Garlic Bread (recipe coming soon)
This Pumpkin Bar is different than the Pumpkin Bread they also carry. It has chocolate chips in it 🙂 wooo
Bon appétit!! 
