perfect timing.

sometimes, god gives us little pick-me-ups on days we're just hanging on by a thread.

and yesterday was one of those days.

i had a much-dreaded doctors appointment that, unfortunately, went worse than i was expecting.

nothing life-altering happened... it was just really unpleasant. so when i got home, i crashed hard. seriously, it completely wore me out. i didn't really leave the couch until i went to bed.

but guess what i found on my porch last night during one of the fifty times i got up for food?

jessica from healthy exposures can apparently predict the future, because her timing in sending this package couldn't have been more perfect!

she is too generous, y'all.

after i almost peed myself over some naturally nutty white chocolate coconut peanut butter she used in one of her heavenly bowls of oats, jess was kind enough to send some my way!

jess also sent me this bar from her co-op. it's made by a local company, back home again cafe.

i had to taste-test it before i went to bed last night, and i almost fainted from excitement...

reason number two she must be psychic?

i kid you not, this bar tasted just like the inside of a fig newton - MY FAVORITE SNACK EVER.

i haven't had one in years because of the hydrogenated oils in them, but when i bit into this, i was taken back instantly. i seriously sounded like a cow in heat savoring that little bite. the rest of it doesn't stand a chance today... bwahaha.

you just really can't beat figs and almonds... except with white chocolate coconut peanut butter.

maybe. it's a close tie. i won't lie, i've spent a good amount of time lusting over the naturally nutty webpage, hopelessly dreaming of what i could do with their nut butters.

...and whadda ya know, this morning, i had an impressively large dollop on my oats.

but how good was it?

... almost that good.

girl, you are amazing! thank you so much!

i anticipate the pb showing up in breakfast every day.

if you guys haven't hopped over to her little blog, please do so!

(i've blogged about how incredible she is before...)

and she doesn't know it, but i'm jealous of her for 3 reasons:

1. she is one of the ONLY people who can rock a nose ring.

2. she takes pictures that look like they're from a pottery barn catalog.

3. she rides horses... and i'm TERRIFIED of horses. maybe one day i will conquer that fear?

finnnnnallllllly, a random but note-worthy snack.

1/2 an avocado, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, garlic powder, ground pepper, red pepper flakes, and chopped heirloom tomatoes on 3 wasa crackers.

have you guys done any blogger swaps?

would you like to???

-r

this is not about food.

shocking, i know.

i mean, who knew i did anything else but grocery shop?

no eats today, just earth day photography (my hobby that's been on backburner).

i went to lewis ginter botanical gardens this morning with the two ladies i love most.

if you come to richmond, let me take you there! it's the most gorgeous thing in va, as you'll see :)

mrs. k - my adopted aunt. such an incredible woman.

and she reads the blog! bonus!

la mama - my rock.

ahh! don't fall in!

"if you notice a great deal of thrashing around in the lakes, fear not! tis the season for courting!"

what time is it?

oh look... they found me.

hope you guys enjoyed the spring photo shoot :)

get outside and play!

and stephanie's having an awesome giveaway! check it out!

-r

family gatherings and product review.

how insanely gorgeous was the weather this weekend???

it was PERFECT here. so beautiful.

le sigh.

anyways, onto food, shall we?

i haven't been very good about taking pictures of my daily eats recently, but i think that's a good thing.

don't get me wrong, i love reading daily eats blogs (hello kath!). i think it can be really interesting to see how other healthy bloggers eat, but most of my food is pretty repetitive and not photogenic. think about when your stomach doesn't feel well... usually, that's not when you try out an exotic new thai dish. i tend to kinda think this way:

"um.. i'm hungry. helllloooo conveniently placed apple!"

you guys know what an apple looks like, right?

ok, i think we're on the same page.

also, i think it can be easy to get trapped into taking pictures of EVERY bite you put in your mouth. it can turn a bit obsessive, and i don't really want to head down that road. i enjoy my food with NO GUILT, and i enjoy the pictures i do take, so why fix it if it ain't broke? capishe?

just because it's been about a week since i bombed your google readers with a kitchen sink salad, here's your fill for this week.

spinach/kale base, bell peppers, cukes, avocado, tomatoes, radishes, carrot, strawberries, chopped dates, stacy's pita chips, salsa, hot sauce, and nutritional yeast!

om nom nom. cheeseeeeeeeee.

mom always jokes that i can't go back to school, because who will make her salads???

i'll hire an intern, mom. no worries.

also, a new addition to KSS (kitchen sink salads) worth sharing:

foodie review:

riceworks sweet chili rice chips

these are SO good! mom and i got a huge box to share from costco probably a month ago, and we've been slowly working our way through ever since! if you don't already crumble chips in your salads, you guys are seriously missing out. it's like croutons that don't taste like dirt!

they make quite a few flavors, but i've only had the chili. i can't wait to get my grubby little paws on some of the other varieties... especially the baked cinnamon!!!

they're made from whole grain rice and gluten-free, so they're pretty dang awesome for someone with food sensitivities (like my celiac sister).

want a coupon?

moving on...

want to see more of my snacks?

of course you do!

it's an apple, i swear.

nor is it a mutant - not stellar lighting, i'll admit.

my first savory oats experience!
- 2 tbsp oat bran
- 1/4 c rolled oats
- 1/2 c unsweetened coconut milk
- pinch salt
- insane amounts of black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder

after i cooked it almost all the way, i stirred in a laughing cow swiss cheese wedge.

#@*$(@#$#@*$(@#$#@*$(@#$#@*$(@#$

i want more now!

like cheesy mashed potatoes,

but way better for you!

(not knocking the spuds...)

prime example of why i don't document everything i eat.

allow me to introduce you to daily breakfast:

- 1/2 c cottage cheese

- sprinkle stevia

- mixture of 2 kinds of cereal... usually trader joe's high fiber cereal and ezekiel cereal.

photographic yawn.

and it's 5:30am.

double yawn.

but tasty!?!?

we also had a little family get together on saturday.

usually, mom and i try to cook for the family on saturday since it's one of two nights dad's home for dinner (he works in illinois).

the crowd usually includes me, mom and dad, my little brother and sister if they aren't out on dates, my older sister and her guy, my nephew, and any other scragglers who are left high and dry and need some grub.

on the menu:

- roast

- mashed potatoes

- green beans

- roasted sweet potatoes (low and slow)

- mushrooms sauteed in red wine reduction

- ciabatta bread from tj's

- homemade fro-yo!

le spread.

my salad.

you know the deal/usual suspects.

taters.

oops.

i wanted to show you guys my shirt, but i forgot to put down my towel...

it says c'est la vie!

correct me if i'm wrong french-speakers,

but doesn't that mean it's the life?

it also has my favorite thing on it: a fleur-de-lis.

not sure when the obsession started, but i'm in love.

i think it's the combination of the old-world look of them and the shape. they're just so gorgeous and intricate. 

and finally,

check out my new tab.

if you're interested in why my life is the way it is (no school, work, etc.), check it out!

happy moday loveies!

-r