I Got Squashed

Hello everyone!! I am infinitely grateful for all your get-well wishes.  Since two days ago, I have been dealing a lot better with the cold and I think I just may be getting over it completely.  Now I’m a tad sniffley, but other than that, I’m almost good as new.

It’s been quite a whirlwind of a weekend for me!  And I mean that in the most positive way.

Before I get to those details, I shall fast forward to today’s meals!   Woowhoo.

Today’s star of the show was pumpkin pancakes, which were made with the Kodiak mix plus vanilla, egg, chia seeds, pumpkin spice+cinnamon, and an extra 1/2 tsp of baking powder to fluff them up some more.  I just love to stud pancakes with goodies, and today was no different with banana slices in the middle of the pancakes.

Mmmm fluffy goodness…doncha want some?   Naturally, I went ahead and topped it with some Nutella Granola, Sunbutter, coconut butter, and pure maple syrup.

After doing some work around the house, I was supernaturally pumped to go out for a run!  Don’t you just love it when that happens?!  I do.

I decided to run through a less-than-usual hilly path and ran approximately 2.5 miles.  My time was faster than I had expected because of the flat course:  20:32. 

Afterwards, I did body weight exercises, and these are some of my go-to’s for overall upper body and core strength.

Get Squashed Workout!!!

1.)  Assisted pullups- 5 reps

2.)  Triceps Kickbacks (both hands at the same time)- 8 reps

3.)  Hanging Knee Raises- 5 reps

*I went through this circuit 6 times through in 11 minutes.  I took 30-45 second rests in between each exercise.

This routine will really help break through plateaus because it forces the body to work extra hard in order to pull its own strength! I felt “squashed” after all of this, and it felt really good to say the least.

Anyway, moving on to my lunch/post-workout meal…I got “squashed” yet again!

*Har har har pun intended…cue the crickets*

I happened to have a tiny cute Sweet Dumpling Squash on the table.  I went ahead and broiled the squash with PAM spray, pepper, and cinnamon.  Even Daniel loved it! You know you are succeeding with cooking/food if your 2 year old nephew likes it.

Into a veggie salad it went, along with Feta cheese and an over easy egg.  On the side, I had a Great Harvest Dakota toast with melted Provolone.

On Saturday, I went to the Anatolian Festival in OC with my friends Susan and Emily.

The whole place was filled with backdrops that looked amazingly real!

We spent a whole lot of time monkey-ing around the festival.  The backdrops were just so cool that we had to take advantage of a photo-op.

These girls are so cute.  I love you girls so much!!!

It was mainly a food festival after all.  So we had lunch and snacked throughout the day.

This dish includes some kind of chickpea stew, Mediterranean vegetable salad, and a side of beef and potatoes.  I always feel really good after eating Middle-Eastern food–perhaps it’s the fresh ingredients that they use?

On Sunday, I went to church with Greg where he had the opportunity to speak for the congregation. 

I spent most of my day with my amigas because it was Susan’s birthday.  Happy birthday again, Susan!

Susan is truly the picture queen, so this girls’ night was picture galore time!

We went to an amazing Italian restaurant called Aruffo’s in Claremont.

The menu was full of delicious choices, and we all happened to get creamy dishes.

My first course was a salad that had a Cabernet Vinaigrette dressing.

The bread in Aruffo’s is truly one of the best we have ever tried.  0_0  I am not kidding.  The texture was soft like cotton candy, while the outside was crisp and perfectly seasoned with the right tomato flavors.

For the main course, I ordered the Eggplant and spinach dish.  It was so good despite the endless amount of cheese and cream.

If anyone of you ever happens to go to Aruffo’s, I also recommend this Pumpkin Ravioli.  *gasp!!*

It is possibly one of the most unique and lip-smacking raviolis I have ever tried–subtly sweet with a hint of savory taste.

Overall, the service of the staff as well as the food is 5 stars to me.

Just when the night “should” have been over, we drove down to Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream shop.  Dare I say that it is one of the best places ever?!

I know that all these rave reviews just seem like I’m pulling your leg, but just trust me on this one.  It is to die for.

The name of every ice cream flavor here perfectly matches the taste.  Let me give you an example:  Pumpkin Pie, Banana Split Pie, Apple Pie, Graham Cracker, Strawberry Shortcake ice cream anyone? These are just to name a few.

Yeah, my point exactly.

Not only that, but the whole place kind of took me down memory lane to my childhood in Argentina.  There, you will find some of the best ice creams; they are sort of like Gelato.

All in all, we had such a great night together and before I went home, I also had some deep heart to heart conversations with my friend Elisa.  Truly, there is no relationship that can ever replace what girlfriends can offer.

P.S:  Guess what, guys.  I am turning *shhh quietly…* 24 years old on Wednesday.   Am I thrilled?  Not really! Hah!  I’m thrilled about the things God has in store for me and Greg!  But I think I will be telling everyone I’m 23 for quite some time.

Have a glorious day y’all!

What’s your fave pasta dish, if you have one?

What food are you abusing this season?

-For me it’s pumpkin.

What do you think about girl-girl friendships?

-I think they are amazing, and that we all need them, especially as we grow older.

Love,

Ellie <33

Tagged as: Aruffo's Italian Cuisine, birthday, body weight workouts, food festival, girlfriends, girls night out, God's love, Handel's homemade icecream, pumpkin pancakes, relationships, running