SWEETS, TREATS, and EATS!

Well today was a long day. I had work at the music hall. When I have work I dont get to eat during the day. I'm on the train by 9:30, and then I get home around 5:30...and NO LUNCH BREAK!!!!! UGH!!!!

Usually I eat a nice breakfast, but I didnt get to today.... so when I got into penn station, i bought myself a smoothy from "Smoothy

 King" and a Flavor&Fiber bar. I'm usually hesitant on buying smoothies at "Smoothy King"...only because im SURE they dont use natural sugar. BOO... but sometimes you have to make due with what ya got!

After work I was anxious to get home...me, my mommy, my best friend Kellyn, and her mommy were going out to dinner!!!! I have known Kellyn since we were little... we danced together at our studio and were always attached at the hip! She in law school, and I was so busy with my stuff so we havent seen each other in so long.. it was nice to catch up...and especially because of where we went... "Tulas Kitchen!" 

Tulas is an organic restaurant that have lots of vegeterian and vegan options!!! I ordered a grilled veggie salad, and Teriakki sesame seitan with broccoli, carrots, and mashed sweet potatoes! IT WAS SOOOO GOOD!!! (i forgot my camera!!!! trust is was great!)

When I got home, I was CRAVING something SWEET!!! I 

have been eyeing a recipe on Fatfree Vegan Kitchen's blog--> Bananna Coffee cake!

I made LOTS of substitutions, so I'm going to post MY recipe.. but know that it is based on Susan's (I dont want to take credit for something I didn't create!)

Syn's Banana Cake...(RICE style)!

1 Tbs ground flax seeds

4 tbs warm water

1/4 cup Suconat  sugar (You can sub brown sugar, but suconat has a nice crunch to it)

1 tspn cinnamon

1/3 cup of RICE yogurt

1/3 cup of RICE milk

1 tpsn vanilla extract

1/3 cup agave nectar

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 1/2 tspn baking powder

1/2 tspn salt

1 large banana

1/2 cup of crushed DRIED bananas

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and oil cake pan (mine is 8in)

Mix ground flax seeds with warm water....set aside to thicken

Mix Sucanat sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl... set aside

Combine Rice yogurt, rice milk, vanilla, and agave nectar in a bowl...add in flax mixture

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour the Rice mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined. Fold in the crushed Dried bananas (kind of like nuts or chocolate chips!) Pour half of the batter into the pan and spread to cover the bottom. Layer the sliced bananas on top of the mixture. Sprinkle HALF of the cinnamon sugar on top of the bananas. 

spread the remaining batter over the bananas and finish with sprinkling the last of the cinnamon sugar on top. 

Throw in the oven for 25 minutes (i did 26...haha) Allow the cake to cool for a few minutes...(it may be hard because of the beautiful smell engulfing your kitchen.. but restrain yourself...a burnt tounge is at risk (ok ok i admit... i suffered from impatience!) 

ENJOY!!!

(my camera is sucking right now and im not sure why... but everything seems blurry! oh well :(  you can get the idea!!)

NOTE: I added the dried bananas because i wanted a stronger banana flavor...and they did the trick!!! but they dont stay crunchy

ok well.... i have decided that im obsessed with baking!!! 

here is a link to susan's printer friendly version of her coffee cake

well....Have a great weekend everyone!!!!

HAPPY BLOG ANNIVERSARY TO ME!!!

Well one month ago today I decided to venture into the wide world of blogging!

I must say that I really love it. Not only does it keep me on track with my eating habits, but I feel like im part of a community. So thanks everyone for accepting me into your world!!!! (corny but hey its all good :) )

Today was a long day. I had acting class in the morning, and then I 

had lots of time to kill before I went to take a dance class. I totally wish I had my camera because right in Union Square was a farmers market!!! the entire park (for those who have never been there its pretty danm big) was over flowing with stands of every type! The one that caught my attention most was a stand for SPROUTS! I love sprouts! I love how theyre crunchy, and fresh and delish! Although I was tempted to buy all sorts I had to remind myself that they would be sitting in my bag for about 6 hours... The market will be there on saturday again so I will definitely be going....oh and I'll bring my camera!!!!!

I have been slacking on my dance classes. I havent taken 

one in about 3 and a half weeks!!! that is really abnormal for me since I normally take atleast 5 a week.. and in the summer about 12 a week!!!! finally I can get back to my normal dance schedule now that Im graduated and I dont have much going on until I leave for my show...

OH I DIDNT MENTION THIS DID I!!

Im going to be going to Upstate New york (to Aburn New york to be exact) To do a production of "The Producers." Im really excited!!! If you live anywhere near there... check it out! Its  a great and respected little theatre :)

Merry-go-Round Playhouse

SO ON TO THE FOOD!!!!

After taking a really intense dance class... I WAS STARVING!! and since it is my blogging anniversary and all I decided I had to crack open Vegenomicon! As I said the book was intimidating, but i faced my fears and embarked on a dish that immediately intruiged me...

Spaghetti and bean balls!!!!

Since I am trying to watch my weight lately, I decided that instead of pasta (although I was really in the mood for it..boo) I took a yellow squash and grated it on a julianne grater (i think thats what its called) It made the squash into noodle like threads! I threw them in a pot of water that was almost to a boil, and let it cook for about 10 minutes.

The bean balls were super easy to make, and were pretty tasty. They dont have the texture of a meat ball, but they are certainly flavorful. The only substitute I made was that the recipe called for bread crumbs, and I used brown rice instead. (check out the recipe in Vegenomicon!!!)

I spread the balls in a glass baking pan and cooked according

 to the directions

And here was my finished product.

I also added some mushrooms to my sauce, some extra garlic, sun dried tomatoes and fresh cherry tomatoes! oh and of course some vegan parm cheese :)

I was proud of myself! It tasted great and I avoided disasters! 

I guess I'm not afraid of V'con anymore!!!!

WELL GOODNIGHT ALL!!!!!

BBQ MADNESS!!!!

I haven't blogged in a couple of days and I feel like I have SOOO much to catch up on!!!

Sunday was the first really warm day of MAY (oh rhymes!) my boyfriend and I decided to have a "Synthia and Anthony day"! These are my favorite kinds of days! Anthony loves to go fishing.. and I love to get tan... so we decided to go down to a great spot and do just that. I got to soak up some sun and finish my book (Jodi Picult's "Keeping Faith"... I recommend anything she writes by the way) and he had some Unsucessfull fishing... but still we had fun :) 

We had been planning to have a memorial day BBQ for about a week now... and finally it all came together! We did the food shopping and ordered a keg..yes a keg...(my guys friends persuaded me to get it...and they finished the whole thing hahah...)and got everything ready!!! 

As for food.. it was nothing but gross meats and mayo s

mothered potato salad... but I AM THE 

ONLY VEGAN around here so I had to give in and allow it hahah... I of course stocked up on my favorite veggies for the grill.. and of course bistro burgers :)

After we got home we had to clean my ENTIRE back yard. I actually have a rather large back yard, but my dogs have turned it into a dump! well actually not really, but the grass is kinda patchy and we havent fixed it up since last summer... long story short, we spent about 3 hours fixing it up.. and it actually looked awesome!!! I WAS PROUD :)

BY THEN WE WERE STARVINGGGGGG!!!! We ordered some quick chinese... I got steamed

veggies and brown rice

Well My BBQ was so much fun... I hadnt seen a lot of my friends from high school in a whi

le, so when they showed up it was nothing but smiles and hugs!

It was nothing crazy big... but definatly with good friends

Since we were at my house, I could demand anything I wanted :) And I demanded that A small corner be set aside for my vegan food (so that no grossness could contaminate it!)

Through out the day I had grilled asparagus, zuchinni, squash, pepper, and portobello mushrooms (which I forgot to take a picture of!!! but trust it was amazinggg)

next course was GRILLED PINEAPPLE!!!! IT was probably the most satisfyingly sweet thing i've had in a really long time.

I brushed it with a little vegetable oil (im talking a teaspoon) sliced it up, and threw it on the grill for about 4 min on each side... HOLY GOOD GOD IT WAS AMAZINGGGGGG

Next course... Grilled Bistro Burger, with thing whole wheat bread (threw that on the grill too) sprouts, lettuice, tomato, pickles, ketsup, and blue chips

The whole day was aweomse... we had a bon fire and everything!!!

So TODAY I had WORK.. BOOO... luckily I didnt drink last night and was fine and fresh to be smiley and answer rockette questions!!!

For lunch was a salad with lots of veggies...but DINNER is what im really excited about!!!

HERES THE STORY: When I first became vegan, I learned everything by searching all of your blogs! One of the first things i stumbled upon was "Roasted Root Veggies".

Now I know these are fairly simple to make... a little rosemary, salt, thyme.. an oven.. ya know the simple stuff... but it intimidated me for some reason! Maybe because I didnt know what a root vegetable was. Well now that I am VEGAN I was ready to conquer them!!!! and Conquer I DID!

I felt like just this wouldnt be enough for my ravenous tummy, so I cooked up a little side salad that i found in "Vegan Express" ( althought i made some substitutes)

(Although I LOVE Vegenomicon, Vegan Express still holds a dear place in my heart!)

OH PS>>>> I DISCOVERED IM NOT ALLERGIC TO PINE NUTS TODAY!!!!!!!!!!

Broccoli and Asparagus sesame salad

Two heads of Broccoli

As much Asparagus as you want

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup roasted pine nuts (I DISCOVERED IM NOT ALLERGIC TO THEM TODAY!! AYYAYA)

1/4 cup Sesame Ginger dressing

Sesame Ginger Dressing

1/3 cup olive oil

2 table spoons sesame oil

1/3 rice vinegar or white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon agave nectar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Toss all of your salad ingredients together...and 1/4 cup of the dressing in a large bowl and enjoy!!!!

Roasted root veggies (SO EASY)

Slice watever root veggies you want ( I used beets, sweet potato, carrots, and parsnip)

Slice them  about 1/3 inch thick...spray olive oil on them, sprinkle rosemary, salt, and thyme on them

cook at 400 degrees for about 35 min and VUALA!!!!

SO AFTER ALL OF THAT EXPLAINING>>> heres a picture of what my dinner looked like!!!

thats about all folks.. sorry for the long post!!!!!

like a KID in a CANDY shop!

So I have a Love Bird... and he thinks he's a dog. It's actually really funny. He walks around on the floor and tries to instigate to my dog!!! hahaha... heres a picture of him next to my boyfriends foot..

hahah hes so cute :)

..(buddy my bird.... not anthony's feet)

SO On my way home from the train station today, I realized... I HAVE NO VEGETABLES!!!! Haha luckily... there is a wonderful wholesome food market near the station called Fairway.

Its sort of like whole foods...ITS SO GREAT!!

Among the assorted vegetables and fruits I got, The more exciting purchases included Butternut Squash, Crunchy Sprouts, Bistro Burgers (thanks Katie!!!) Edamame, and Ricera Yoghurt, and Blue Corn Taco Shells!

 

So when I was cruising the BLOG world... I came accross Vegan Nurse's Blog:)

She posted some wonderful looking Mexican food... and HOW CONVENIENT... I HAD TACO SHELLS!!!!

A brilliant (well to me) idea came to my head... USE THE 

BISTRO BURGER, Chop it up, and use it as "meat"

YUMMM...so here are my ingredients! (Rice cheese, Taco shell, AMY's bistro burger, Avocado, Salsa, tomato) I had all intentions of adding sprouts to it...but THERE WAS NO ROOM LEFT IN THE TACO SHELL!!!

AND here is the finished product!!

I also opened the fridge to find some sliced Watermelon and blueberries :)!!!!

OH! I almost forgot!

 Yesterday I whipped myself up a beautiful smoothy. It had Frozen Peaches, and Frozen Berries... sweetened with a little Agave Nectar.. I also added some Rice Milk!! I 

love smoothies.. they're so light and refreshing... but surprisingly efficient in holding me off until dinner time!

YUMMMM

Ok well.. its almost beach season and i cannot wait!! (random i know but I cant wait!)

OK TIME FOR A SHOWER... I'm going out tonight :)

I am "That Girl"

I know I post a lot about my boyfriend Anthony. Probably because hes a HUGE part of my life. Heres some things about this lovely young man

1) He is Italian/Polish and Korean

2) Food is IN HIS BLOOD

3) HE LOVES TO EAT

4) HE LOVES TO EAT MEAT

5) HE LOVES TO EAT MEAT

6) HE LOVES TO EAT MEAT

... did I mention he loves to eat meat?

And not only does he love it, but his whole family loves meat. Well today he graduated from Stonybrook University (Horray!) and of course I went out to a beautiful dinner with his family. Now I LOVE GOING OUT TO DINNER! I love being served... i love picking from a menu....I love when the food comes out! 

BUT NOT AT A STEAK HOUSE!

and of course.. thats where we went!

When I asked the waiter if they had a vegan/vegeterian option he almost fainted. As he silently explained that a vegetable pasta primavera could be done, the whole table eyed me... and then after he left.. they all laughed :) They are wonderful people, and I get along wtih them sooooo well... but they cant bare to leave me alone about being Vegan.. They poke (playfully) but when the opportunity struck, they pounced!!

It was funny... I swear (and not malicious at all!) Anthony and his dad decided that I'm "That Girl". The girl at the "amazing steak house" (gross steak) that has all sorts of "beautifully prepared meat" (Gross meat) and I get the vegeterian option. hehehe... I like being "THAT GIRL!"

I didn't take a picture of my food (If I whipped out my camera and took a picture of it not only would they have looked at me with 5 heads... but they would have poked fun at me all night haha)

It was really good actually... LOTS of veges (which I was pleasantly surprised with) And.. DUN DUN DUN... WHITE PASTA!!!

I never eat white pasta (usually I eat Whole Wheat, Rice, or Kamut pasta), but I had a couple of noodles,... mostly picked through to the veges though. It was kind of funny when I was done there was a bowl full of noodles with no remains of vegetables to be found (accept in my full belly :)

So that was my night.

On another fun note... Natalie from Talieworld, tagged me! FUNNN!!!!!

Here are the Rules:

1)Link to your tagger and post these rules

2)Share Five facts about yourself

3)Tag 5 people at the end of your post

4) Let them know they've been tagged by posting on their blogs!

ok here goes :)

1) I am a dancer/singer/ actress... I want to be a performer more than I want to do anything else in the world. I am a Radio City Rockette...I love my job.. I think its the coolest most rewarding dance job ever. I want to be on Broadway... and I will :)

2) I am an Only Child. I used to hate it when I was little, but I love it NOW. My parents were really able to provide me with an amazing childhood... here are just SOME of the activities I tried (and by tried I mean for more than 5 years)

-Dance lessons

-Voice lessons

-Piano Lessons

-Flute Lessons

-Horsebackriding Lessons (I even did shows)

-Tennis Lessons

-Art (painting, sculpting, drawing etc)...LESSONS

3) I was (and sort of still am) an accomplished classical Pianist. I have studied since I was 3 years old! I actually gave lessons for a while in high school. I had about 5 students.. I love to teach :) Piano went on the back burner for me when I went to college.... but I have all intentions of getting back to where I was

4) I am obsessed with the beach and the water. My father has a boat, and we always went fishing, and to the beaches by boat. I could spend every day there... it is my second home

5) I am DEATHLY allergic to PEANUTS. I always was. When I was in elementary school, a girl threw a napkin at me with peanut butter on it and my eyes blew up. In high school, I was at a cast party, I ate a peanutbutter cookie (without knowing) and I went into anafalactic shock (this is when you body is in a state of shock because of the histamines your body produces)..I was hospitalized my soph. year of college for eating something that had nuts in it from whole foods...(its a really long story...and scary because I didnt have my epi pen on me)

all in all... PEANUTS ARE NOT WELCOME IN MY LIFE!!!!

Well thats a little about me :) 

IM going to be a bad little blogger and not tag anyone...I feel like everyone is doing this right now :) Its totally fun though!

When your not HUNGRY.. WHY NOT BAKE!?!?

Last night was a... LONG night to say the least. I dont drink, but my friends certainly do! I must say that I have the most amazing friends. Theyre hysterical. We are all so close... I'm really lucky.

Last night was Shawn's birthday. He is my best guy friend (well one of three) and we all went out to the bar. It's a new bar thats actually really layed back.. BUT HUGE! we all love it.. and apparently so does the rest of Holy Trinity Alumni! (thats where I went to HS) I saw people I havent seen in FOREVER! At first I wasnt feelin it. A lot of the time when I see people like that I just would rather not have a "fake" conversation ("how was school... what are you doing now...hows dance... YOUR VEGAN? etc etc etc).. but I ended up having a really great time!

That really great time turned into me getting home at around 3 in the morning.. when I had to wake up around 6:30... UGH!

When I'm really really tired, I dont get hungry. Actually.. lack of sleep makes me feel neasious. So today I wasnt very hungry. I skipped breakfast! (which I NEVER EVER DO) But for lunch I went to Whole foods. I didnt have my camera, but I have to tell you all... I made the MOST AMAZING SALAD!!! It was Mixed field greens, Crunchy sprout salad, edamame with brown rice, and some texturized vegetable protein...all mixed together in one of Whole Foods famous brown boxes! I WAS A HAPPY GIRL!

After the gym I was craving fruit. I actually ate so much of it that it spoiled any desire for a "real" dinner... But I really wanted to post something fun today! So what did I opt for???? BAKING!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I mentioned in my last post, I just received "Vegenomicon". At first glance I was rather intimidated. Its got SO many recipes that I almost have no idea where to start..Then I thought...

"Synthia.. pull yourself together! You are part of the Blog World now! You cant be scared of vegan yummies.. YOU MUST EMBRACE THEM!" 

And EMBRACE them I DID!!!! I WRAPED MY ARMS AROUND AN AMAZING BATCH OF OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES!!!!!!!

Once I cracked open my pantry, I realized that "OH CRAP" I'm Missing Ingredients! "Ok I thought... calm down... take a breath.. and THINK LIKE A BLOGGER!"  Lots of my fellow Bloggers are WONDERFUL at sustituting, or changing recipes.. SO THATS WHAT I DID!!! And i must say.. they came out pretty great!!!

Heres MY new (not sure improved, but wonderfully yummy) 

OATMEAL RAISIN/CRAISIN COOKIES!

1/2 cup Canola oil

1/3 cup Maple Syrup 

1/3 cup Rice Milk

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 1/3 Cup whole wheat pastry flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups rolled oats

1 1/2 cup mixture of raisins and Dried Cranberries (ORGANIC OF COURSE!)

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine milk, vanilla, maple syrup, brown sugar and oil. mix completely. Add in Flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir until a dough begins to form....then stir in Oats and dried fruit.

I made pretty big cookies...so I took about 1 tablespoon of mixture for my cookies. Bake for 10-12 min...(I did 11 hehe)

Take them out of the oven...enjoy the aroma of your

 kitchen...wait about 5 min...and bite into a little piece of oatmeal heaven!!!

Well...once they were done.. for some reason...I had my appetite back...but who am I to deny an appetite??? Who am I to deny myself 3 cookies.. EEK!!!!!

(Great for the soul.. not so much for the waste line :)

LOVE AND COOKIES 

-Syn*

If im not italian, then WHY DO I CRAVE PASTA?!?

I am not Italian... no I am not.. nothing against Italians! My boyfriend, as well as many of my best friends are Italiano! I myself am Russian and Romanian. Although I have never had any of my "Homeland" food, I have (like the rest of the world) HAVE HAD MY SHARE OF ITALIAN!.. and lately I have been craving it!! Sometimes there is nothing better than the taste of SAUCY goodness! Here are pics of my dinner yesterday.. (Flax wrap pizza and a side salad topped with roasted pumpkin seeds!) 

Tonight... Was none other than PASTA! Well.. Kamut Pasta...Ive blogged about it before.. it really great.

Ive been trying to watch my weight, so I only used a single portion of Kamut, and LOADED on the veggies!

Spinach, Mushrooms, Red and Green Peppers, Artichoke, Onion, and LO

TS of Garlic!! (I LOVE GARLIC!) I also threw on a little pasta sauce, and some vegan Mozzarella cheese cut into small cubes.  

Loading Veggies onto ANYTHING will give it bulk without the extra calories. I have found that becoming vegan has allowed me to be able to eat a lot more without gaining weight. Its because our bodies process natural foods that come from the EARTH better than those from Animals.

So..I went to my interview and it went really well! It ended up being a manager rather than a casting director. He seemed really nice, but I'm not sure if I want a manager right now. I guess its good to have someone pulling for you, but I'm definatly going for an Agent at the moment. My voice teacher.. who is amazing (But is moving to Miniapolis!!) Gave my name to Her agent, so hopefully they call me up to come in. This whole bu

siness is confusing. In order to get jobs, you really need an agent, but its nearly impossible to get one unless you know someone. You also need to be equity (Thats actors union) But no one wants to hire you unless you have professional credits!!!

Hopefully being a member of the Rockettes will spark some interest when I start REALLY auditioning!

WELL...Thats really it...

OH BY THE WAY.. Who's gunna Win AMERICAN IDOL!!!

DAVID ARCHULETA OR DAVID COOK!!!

its part of life...

I have been realizing more and more that Death is a part of life. It doesnt make it any easier, but it does make me rationalize things. Theres nothing we can do to stop it. Theres nothing we can do if its just our time. All we can do is live life to the fullest, enjoy each day, and keep a positive attitude with a smile on our faces. 

Ya just gotta LIVE....and LOVE to LIVE

On that note, my dog Simba, who is a 14 year old Collie isnt doing too well. He's got cataracts, bad hips, Diabetes, he cant bark, cant hear, and hes got bad arthritis :( The only thing keeping him going is the glucosamine and baby asprin my mom gives him (not to mention all he eats is Steak! I kid you not, we buy our dogs london broil...hey theyre animals.. theyre allowed to eat meat). We dont want to put him down... its too hard for us... so while he is here, we are trying to make him feel as comfortable as we can.

OK TIME TO LIVEN THINGS UP!!!

Today my SECOND vegan cook book arrived!!!!! VEGANOMICON! It is AMAZING! and a little overwhelming... if you dont own this book.. YOU NEED TO! It not only has ridiculous recipes, but it also has techniques for cooking any and every grain, and veggie...in so many different ways... its a must have for vegans, vegetarians, and omni's alike.... so go and buy it now!!!

I havent been much of a mood to cook lately... tonight was a simple flax wrap pizza and a salad with roasted pumpkin seeds....it was good but not post worthy (i already posted flax wrap pizzas :) )

tomorrow I have an interview with a casting director! Im excited, but dont really know what to expect.... hmmmm lets hope something good comes from it!

thats all folks :)

Its Never fair

Its 8:00 am and My mom just called to say that my Dad's best friend passed away last night. His name was Bill Rosen.. he was a professor of economics at Cornell University... Avid animal lover, hiker, nature lover, DOG LOVER, and professional surfer. He was an amazing man and died too young...

He was diagnosed with a Brain tumor this time last year. A once energetic and strong man deteriorated into a man whose body would no longer work for him. He was frusterated and upset.

Last year when I got the Rockette job, my parents were up visiting with him. He called me and said how proud he was of me and that if he could, he would come and see me. I knew that would never happen, but it was in his heart.

I know this is a bunch of rambling, and it probably doesnt make sense, but sometimes its easier to write and cry, then to keep it all in.....

And just for all you uninformed idiots out there who give me shit about why I eat a vegan/organic lifestyle, well I DONT WANT TO GET CANCER... and as terrible as it is.. in 2 of my last 5 posts I have discussed two people who have been taken from this earth... its your choice so YOU DECIDE

Romina's comment just made me step back, calm down, and remember something

no matter how healthy we eat, and no matter how healthy our lives are, genetically, sometimes things cant be stopped... we dont exactly know how they come about either, and even though veganism surely can prevent it, it doesnt mean that it cant happen...

OK IM BACK!!!

Well I'm glad I got everything off my chest before!!! Liz (check out her amazing blog) got me moving.. she was just in a baking rut too, and well.. if she could get out of it, so can I!!!!

I Think that i've just been so overwhelmed witheverything lately that I havent had much incentive to cook. I did in fact make more of those applesauce bars... theyre originally from Vegan for One's blog. Check out her blog because it too is pretty danm inspirational!!! Theyre probably my favorite because of these reasons:

1) Im allergic to

 soy... and most bars contain lots of soy... I CANT EAT THEM :(

2) They're fast, easy, and convenient to take on the run

3) They're filling! I swear just one is a good enough lunch or mid day snack for me

4) They're chewy: I hate when "bars" are too crunchy.. they are seriously perfect!

and those are 4 reasons why everyone should make these bars!!!

OK SO! I decided I needed a day for myself. I was supposed to go to the Yankee Game with my mom tonight, But I dont feel so great, and I wasnt in the mood to go into the city, be surrounded by drunkards, and sit outside in the cold... (girly of me? perhaps, but its all good :) My mom ended up taking my cousin Rick. He's 15, a die hard yankee fan, and sooo excited to be going to a game... so it all worked out in the end :)

I ended up sitting on my couch watching re-runs of  "So you think you can dance" Im obsessed 

with that show, so when I saw that there was a marathon on, I was HAPPY!!!!!!!

I cant wait to get back to

 dancing every day. Since school is FINALLY over, It will 

give me a chance to get back to BDC and dancing!!!

It also made me miss the ROCKETTES!!! I havent posted any pictures of the show.. so here are some the our swing took from back stage!!!

 I was center!!! It was amazing, and scary, and fun, and humbling, and I REALLY HOPE I GET TO DO IT AGAIN!!!!!

so heres some Rockette info for ya...

The Radio City Rockettes are not just based in NEW YORK! Believe it or not there are in fact 4 casts that perform the show (the same show) in cities through out America. Last year I was in Costa Mesa California, and Phoenix Arizona. It was amazing and really awesome to be in the warm weather during christmas!!! We are all considered equals.. being in the outside show does not make you a "second string rockette"!!!!

2008 is going to be a fabulous year. We will be performing in New York (of course), Chicago, St. Louis, Buffalo, Cleveland and Nashville, as well as a tour that will be visiting 18 arena's through out 18 cities in Middle America!!!!! Its going to be great.... so please go and see it if you can.... you can check the Radio City Web Site to see if we will be in a city near you!

Ok now that I have done some shameless promoting I will talk about dinner last night with Anthony!!!

One of my FAVORITE places to eat is Ruby Tuesdays... they have an amazing salad bar that is always fresh and full of great veges and fruits. Among my favorites are edamame, zucchini, sunflower seeds,  and portobello mushrooms!! I always make a HUGE salad (and anthony makes fun of me) But i will not lie,, I make a MEAN salad!!!

For lunch today I was craving a great fruit salad.. mom had just gotten home from the market with my favorite fruits!!! Mango, Strawberries, Kiwi, Apples, Bananas, Watermelon, and Pineapple!!

I reached for the mango, kiwi, banana, strawberries.. and suprisingly enough Pumpkin seeds!!! They give a lovely crunch to it.. I could honestly have them in anything!

SO thats all for now.. I actually made some stir fry for dinner, but by the time I was done making it I wasn't hungry hahaha.... sounds stupid but hey ill eat it later!

THA THA THA THAS ALL FOLKS!!!