I really, really do. And I’m certain it has some strong feelings for me as well. Why else would it stick around? Mostly on my cushy midsection.

< via weheartit.com>

My favorite way to eat brie for a very long time was as follows (now, hold on tight for this extremely complicated recipe):

Slice of brie

Slice of strawberry

On a cracked pepper and olive oil Triscuit

Then, I went to Fredericksburg, and found Robert Rothschild’s Hot Pepper Chipotle Raspberry Sauce. OH-EM-GEE. I have been obsessed with it for weeks now. With my love brie of course, and some pita chips. Deeeelish. I have even given up dessert many nights to have this instead.

THEN, something wonderful in the top corner of Caroline’s blog caught my eye: brie and NUTELLA?!? Who doesn’t love nutella? Obviously I do. So I tried it. Not the panini but just some brie with nutella slathered on. LOVE it.

< via >

I’m off to go make out with my secret lover. Do you have any fun ways (recipes people) in which…ehm, we can enjoy each other?

P.S. Don’t forget about the FroliCat giveaway. You don’t want to miss the chance if you have a furbaby at home.

P.P.S. If you haven’t already, please consider joining Volunteer – Blog It On.

Heading out to San Antone and Austin for the weekend to spend some time with the most awesome parents!

Tomorrow is Momma Bear‘s 50th birthday! She is the cutest and sweetest woman ever. I adore her.

Brother Bear (yes I know how cheesy that is) will also be in town on Spring Break from JHU. Future doctor ladies, and a hottie to boot.

Can’t wait to play with my camera and Papa Bear‘s lenses. Only wish we could take the furbabies because the Grand Bears love them so.

Then it’s off to my hometown, aka the greatest place in the world, AUSTIN. A religious ceremony in the morning at home (yes even though I haven’t lived with my parents for 3 years, it’s always home) and shopping for some jeans in the afternoon at Hem because I lost another pound! Loving these cropped skinnies:

…then it’s BFF time!! WHOO! (I keep linking your blog woman – write sumtin.)

But for now, all I can think about is the feast I’m having tonight:

Hell yeah. Three of each. OINK OINK!

Have a great weekend y’all!

P.S. Here’s some random things I’ve spotted that made me smile, a la Hope Chella style:

< etsy shop >

< fun! >

< baby otter takes momma for a ride >

< ooma bowl, so many uses >

< via weheartit; I WANT! >

Although I haven’t updated much regarding my diet, I have been continuing. Tomorrow will end Week 3 and:
- I’ve lost about 2 inches
- I feel healthier….cleaner
- I have learned to love certain veggies (parsnips, anyone?) and to not mind others (bellpeppers)
- I have learned portion size, HOW to eat healthier and have started reaching for good things for snacks and off menus
- My skin has never looked better
- I’ve grown 3 inches taller (no, not really)
- Even though the kitties hate me right now and won’t let me sleep because they have been put on a diet (God forbid) and an eating schedule, I have more energy

Finally, the biggest thing of all: I have learned how to cook. Or at least how to follow recipes. And for a girl who wanted to use her dishwasher to hold extra shoes pre-boyfriend, I think this is quite a feat. The craziest thing about all of this is I have ENJOYED cooking. It’s unbelievable.

And never to be one under-accessorized, I have decided I need a cute apron to go with my newfound skills:

Sandhya

Today I made Ginger-Marinated Grilled Portobello Mushrooms and Quinoa Risotto with Arugula and Parmesan. Took me forever and the mushroom didn’t turn out so well but the risotto was yummy. (The picture is not so great):

Also, I had a horrible craving this afternoon and wanted a huge chunk of cake or mousse or Ben & Jerry’s Brownie ice cream….but, I didn’t give in! To reward myself I started a Jean Jar. Every time I resist something very unhealthy, I will put the value of the unhealthy item into the jar. If I do give in, I have to take the money out. The goal is to buy myself some fancy, and hopefully a size smaller, pair of jeans! Check it out, already made $5 bucks!

Most of the stuff I ate today did not excite me and was quite bland. I’ll try seasoning things up more tomorrow. But one dish was pretty yummy (even with the dreaded bellpeppers), Sauteed Corn. Wish there was a picture but I was too hungry.
I subbed the prosciutto with turkey bacon and it was delish. I may have also used a teensy bit more olive oil than recommended…..

Also, V8 is really icky.

But this:

Bear (my wonderfully sweet, unselfish boyfriend) spent the weekend helping me come up with a great weekly planner for the diet. Both being excel nerds it was tweaked several times and included fancy formulas:

The article in Marie Claire (found here) that spawned my desire for my first ever attempt at a real diet mentioned that planning would be necessary but man was it a time commitment this weekend.

We spent a lot of time deciding on the dishes and then shopping for them. We also prepped as much as we could (considering my laughable kitchen skills).

So far, I’ve lost 7 pounds. Kidding.

So far I’ve had way more fruits and veggies than I would in a normal day and am craving Chik-Fil-A like you read about. BUT, I’m determined to stick it through. I don’t expect to magically turn into a fruit and veggies gal (I love my chicken and cheese and potatoes) but I am hoping my overall energy level and motivation and mood will be lifted by the healthy lifestyle in addition to the loss of the pounds.