every day is another opportunity to eat, pray, love
eat the cake
there is so much good that can come from a meal with community. Fun fact - one of my dreams is to have a huge farm table in my future home to host family meals. It makes me so sad that those big family gatherings had to look different this year. Its news to no-one that this holiday season has been less than ideal (no trick or treating, friendsgivings, or large family turkey days), but I hold onto the fact that there is still so much to be thankful for. I’m trying to not let this year go by as a “wash”. There is beauty in the in between, in the sorrow, in the waiting. I have been able to see that beauty in so many areas this year and am so thankful I am able to share with y’all…even if 85% of it is delicious grub.
kitchen highlights
I really want to start broadening my horizon in the kitchen. I have gotten quite lazy, but listening to Dave Chang and Molly Baz, makes me want to explore quite a bit more.
roasted portobello with turkey burger - yall, do not sleep on a roasted bello. It add the MOST flavor to any meal zoodles - I had some leftover homemade marinara, tossed with shredded chicken, bell peppers, toss over zoodles and of course add some cheese salmon avocado toast - new breakfast staple. sourdough, good. avocado, good. salmon, gooood. Mexican Skillet - need an easy weeknight dinner? This answers all your prayers. Simple, nutritious, and only uses one pan. Apple Pie - who knew a vegan, gluten free, no refined sugar apple pie could be so delicious
supporting the biz
for real though yall - I know eating out isn’t always ideal, but try to support these businesses as much as you can!
SPOKE & BIRD- this little gem of a place is only a few blocks away from me. They have amazing lattes, healthy meals and a rotating menu, including this seasonal tartine: roasted mushrooms, nardello peppers, roasted red pepper goat cheese puree, topped with an egg of course QUARTINO - need a good stay at home date night? This is your answer. Reasonably priced DIY charucterie boards & pizzas are CLUTCH. AJO - The prettier sister of chipotle from the Caribbean. The freshest ingredients with the most powerful flavors. My go to is the pollo cubano, because plantains… MONKEY PAW - ugly picture, but I couldn’t pass up filling yall in on this place. Their brussels, burger, fries (even though they are hand cut), and fish & chips are all much deserved of a cheat day. Saint Lou’s Assembly - this is a great example of don’t judge a book by its cover. This seems a little hole in the wall-y, but the classic diner style relayed into the classic feel good breakfast. I never get the staple breakfast, but this assembly looked too good…I mean look at those potatoes!! Also, it was way too frigid on the day that I went, but they also serve soft serve, so needless to say, I need to go back. SANTORINI - feel like you want to travel to Greece? Take a mini getaway to this gem. the ambiance, the staff, and the food are all authentic af. I got an octopus salad (which if you’ve never had octopus, I’d give it a try…its definitely not as scary as it sounds…or looks). We also had the sweetest waiter who gave us free baklava…so yes, you could say he won a little piece of my heart. PLEASANT HOUSE- Another mini getaway to London. Pleasant House is the cutest english pub, with royal pies (the super buttery flaky crust is all your taste buds need) and a legendary fried chicken sandwich. KURIMU - this place had been on my list for a long time - full of creative and trendy sweet flavors, feeling bougey? you can even put gold on your goody. I got the matcha & (something I cant remember) seed…overall I really liked it, but i’m a weirdo and don’t like peanut butter and the seed flavor had quite a bit of pb taste. B’GABS - I’m not vegan or anything of that sort, but this place will trick you into wanting to be. their vegan italian beef, kale chips, and juices are all fire…but let me tell you about this cookie. holy heck - honestly one of the best cripsy but soft cookies ever…get one, or five. I’m not judging. DAT DONUT - after a day or adventuring through the south side, my girl shalom gave me the best night cap…these donuts. they are so damn pillowy, fluffy and FRESHHHH.
Piece - I ate wayyy too many pieces of this shroomie pie. Its super cheesy and the smaller triangle pieces made me think I could eat way more than I could (or should) have. Quartino - Two pizzas were consumed. 1. 2. This DIY it for the meatball pie. I was very impressed with the breakdown - they sent a par baked pie dough, with all the ingredients & instructions, and it tasted delicious. Definitely a great date date. Mama Maria’s - A great way to prep your stomach for turkey dinner? Expanding with pizza. I can officially say I’ve had well done pizza..and I am a fan. Mama Cimino's - Any wedding that pre-games the weekend, I am a fan of. Also, I never thought I’d be a bbq chicken fan, but this night I def was.
get out of town
this seems to be coming a common theme, but with this year, any little getaway is an immediate Y - E - S.
Full day trip to the apple orchard, where I was taught hot to toss an apple in the air more aesthetically. A getaway to a cabin for a girls weekend full of wine, popcorn and a whole lot of laughs
I mean…can we talk about how perfect they are?! This wedding was perfect from head to toe. From the rehearsal brunch with mini pancakes, bomb bloodies, and steak & eggs to the wedding meal with a pancake cake & the best seafood souffle I’ve ever had in my life. Everything looked perfect and seeing two of my favorite people say “I do” was amazing - oh and my best friend finallyyy meeting my boy was just icing on the cake.
warm fuzzies
did yall get “warm fuzzies” in grade school that were little puff balls with eyes glued on them? No, just me. cool cool cool.
- Fall strolls & daily adventures with my girl Shalom (seriously yall should check her out, she makes the most amazing pottery & has the most beautiful brain for art therapy). We also have been doing amazing art therapy projects with girls mentoring including this mask project. You painted the outside how you thought people perceive you and in the inside how you perceive yourself! - In person church (pre 2nd shutdown) and heartfelt Family Room Conversations. - Special deliveries: coffee & bible verses from a friend, a Belli’s juice dropoff from the boy, the cutest nativity set from CinBeds, and a quarantine care-package of chicken noodle soup from the boys fam. - A beer can that has never fit me more - skulls, pizza and black & gold - Meeting my dear friends precious nugget of joy - Good hair days mean a lot when there’s nowhere to be - Last but not least, can we just look at this beautiful creation…
I was able to have Thanksgiving with my boyfriends family and it was such a treat. - a stunning charcuterie board - I introduced the fam to chip beef dip…it was a hit - a easy and delicious carrot tart - STKU didn’t dissapoint with sweet tits recipe - the full table spread - Homemade pumpkin pie…with 1/2 a container of Cool Whip
doodles
I’m usually pretty bible study focused on these babies, but one of the local christian high schools asked me to do a drawing on gratitude for their instagram. It was fun to dive into the word and look deeper into a verse rather than the book as a whole. Oasis is doing an advent series called “His Heaven on Earth” with weekly devotionals and I am doing an additional She Reads Truth study with my mom.
I finally sat down with all of my chicago pizza spots and broke down who I love, who I like, and who I can really leave behind.
I don’t want to look back at this year and regret wasting the past 9 months. Although we are limited, I want to live my life (safely, social-distanced, and with a mask). I don’t want to harp on the pounds I’ve gained, the cancelled events, or the boring days at home. I’m here to say - cherish the little things, tell that person you love them, embrace moments with family, eat the damn cake, regret nothing.
We only have one more month to leave 2020 with a bang, are you ready to finish on top?
