Smoothie Success

After posts (onpostsonposts) about smoothies all over the blogosphere, I decided to try my hand at one this morning. I haven't made a smoothie since I was a kid and those weren't the most healthy ones. Today I threw everything but the kitchen sink into the blender and it turned out delicious. I included a banana, about 5 huge strawberries, half a container of strawberry banana chobani, some random amount of oats, some random amount of chia seeds, a handful of spinach (okay y'all were right - you really can't taste it!), ice and a splash of milk.

The texture is a little weird - I think as the result of the oats - but I almost like it because it seems more filling. Smoothie #1 - success!!

HELP: Protein Powder

I PROMISE this is my last random health food topic for a while. But again, I need your help. I'm looking to buy a delicious protein powder to add to shakes and smoothies. I want it to have great nutritional stats, but taste yummy too!

Can y'all please provide some suggestions? What's your favorite protein powder?

Help: Nutritional Yeast

More on health foods today. Do any of y'all use nutritional yeast? I've read awesome things about it, but wanted to know your opinion. I love cheese and am most definitely not a vegan, but the nutritional benefits sound amazing. I know it's good for me, but really, how does it taste? And what do you sprinkle it on/use it in?

Chia Seeds

Morning y'all! I bought chia seeds about a month ago after reading about their amazing health benefits all over the blogosphere and just got around to trying them. I had an oatmeal creation with oats, chia seeds, milk and a spoonful of nutella (couldn't be too healthy!).

Have you guys tried them? Please tell me how you used them! I loved them in my oatmeal, but would love to incorporate them in more dishes.

Triangle Restaurant Week - Restaurant #1 - Coquette

This morning when I mentioned TRW I didn't know I'd be partaking at lunch! What a treat!

Marcus and I met at Coquette, our local French brasserie, to enjoy a 3-course meal that has most definitely induced a post-lunch coma. Bring on the green tea!

We strategically ordered different menu items so we could try a little bit of each. Marcus started with the brie en croute and I had the white bean with smoked ham soup. Both were delicious. Y'all know I'm a sucker for cheese so I naturally adored MG's brie, but my soup was really good, especially when I got a bite with the crispy onion topping.

Next, Marcus had monkfish and I had a pork tenderloin baguette. I didn't try the fish (I don't do fish), but the pork tenderloin baguette was delicious - and huge! I could only eat half and had to doggy bag the rest.

Lastly, we finished the meal with a chocolate peanut butter pie (goodness gracious) and creme brulee. The chocolate peanut butter pie was out of this world and the creme brulee was traditional, but yummy.

It would have been the perfect lunch had I been able to indulge in a nice Savignon Blanc or glass of champagne, but I think it would have turned my post-lunch coma into a post-lunch nap!

All in all, a very successful start to Triangle Restaurant Week!

Newest Addiction

Have y'all tried Palmetto cheese? I may be addicted. I'm REALLY picky about my pimento cheese. I like mine to be more cream cheesy and less mayo-y, which is exactly how this one is. I've had the original and bacon flavors and both were incredible. I bought the jalapeno flavor today and, knowing my affinity for spicy things, think it will be a hit too!

Going Away Party

Warning: This post is to share a party menu with you, but it may get a little emotional first.

Saturday I'm hosting a going away party for one of my friends. One of my best friends in the whole entire world is going to the Coast Guard. C is one of those friends who has the ability to make anyone feel better about anything. I ALWAYS have fun when I'm with him and he's served the role of both big brother and partner-in-crime. He's not the friend that I see everyday, but he's the friend that I could count on everyday. And he's leaving for the coast guard. Sighhh.

That being said, there is a party to be had. C's mom and I are doing all the cooking and I must say the menu is a pretty fantastic one. We decided to with lots of appetizers and just let everyone munch and drink all night.

Here is our menu:

• spinach dip
• mexican dip
• corn salsa
• buffalo chicken dip
• jalapeno popper dip
• meatballs
• deviled eggs
• pigs in a blanket
• ham rollups
• sausage balls
• sausage dip
• cheesecake stuffed chocolate cake
• some cookies yet to be determined.

Delish right? Think everyone will have their fill of dips when it's over? I'm thinking of setting it up like a dip bar with several different things (potato chips, tortilla chips, pita chips, veggies) to dip. Cute?