What makes the exchange even better is that Julio and the crew make the regular pizza just the way I like it; thin crust, not too cheesy and cooked to crispy perfection.

As for the margherita pie, it may not look like much but if you’re into a super garlic experience and in need of some sweet saucy goodness with random nutty mozzarella intrusions it’s really the way to go. Although I’d prefer some fresh basil the 5 dollar price tag more than allows for some aftermarket upgrades. For just about the price of some supermarket bread shells you can roll up to Turtle’s and pick up a pie that can stand all on its’ own or, if you’re feeling ambitious, can serve as a blank slate for your next masterpiece.

Me? I just eat the damned thing.

A couple of weeks ago Katie posted a mystery snack and I guess that they were dried bananas like the those I’ve bought at Trader Joe’s. Because I guessed correctly I got a sample of the snack, dried bananas from Earth Fare, a Norh Carolina Whole Foods type place. Fun!

I thought they would make the best add-in for some homemade granola.

Katie’s Banana Granola

Amounts are very rough estimates

• 1 C Oats
• 1/2 C Hemp Seeds
• 1 T Chia Seeds
• 1 T Water
• 1/4 C Agave
• 1/2 C Dried Bananas
• 1/2 C Crushed Almonds
• 1/2 C Unsweetened Coconut

1. Combine the chia seeds and water in a small bowl and set aside.
2. In a large bowl combine all the dry ingredients.
3. Pour the chia + water mixture over the oat mix.
4. Add the agave to the mix.
5. Bake the mix for about 20 minutes at 350*. Be careful, it will burn. Shake it up several times.

I love granola + yogurt!

The Present Tense

Today I am working on “being present,” which I feel like is a loaded phrase without much meaning unless you clearly define what you mean. What I mean is that often my mind is in a million different places. This causes me to lose my keys, forget where I put my coffee, etc. I think that if I work on doing one thing at time, and thinking about what I am doing when I am doing it instead of thinking of what is next or what was just done I would really feel like I am getting more out of the day. I think this also means enjoying the good times and feeling the pain and sadness of the sad times. Being present means going through it all.

What do you do to “be present?”

Our group sat in a little private room.

Cool ceiling.

Mark ordered their Summer Wheat beer.

He didn’t like it, but I thought it was pretty good – light in flavor.

Even though Egans is an Irish pub, I was really feeling the Falafel Platter. My heart beats for hummus, what can I say?

And a salad that helped me fill my veggie quota for the day.

Everything was delicious. It was my second time eating at Egans, and I can confidently say that it’s definitely a bar with good food!

Egans & Sons

118 Walnut St.

Montclair, N.J. 07042

973.744.1413

Today I kind of revisited one of my favorite places in NY, but I was at a new location. There are three Alice’s Tea Cup restaurants, and this was first visit to Alice’s Chapter II. And I had wonderful company for my lunch date – Theodora, Meghann and Derek.

Due to the heat we all optedfor iced tea.

I chose a delicious Rooibos.

For lunch I had a Grilled Vegetable Sandwich with goat cheese and pesto. I am so obsessed with creamy goat cheese these days!

Alice’s is really such a sweet and lovely place. If you’re ever in N.Y. and looking for something low key to do, check it out. Their scones are delicious, too!  

What do you call eggs made on the stove where you can dip your toast in the yolk and get it all gooey and warm on there? I call them dippy eggs, but I’m thinking that’s not the popular vernacular.

Anyway, the star of this sandwich is two dippy eggs.

• Two eggs, dippy style
• Scallion hummus
• Feta cheese
• Wheat bread.  

I don’t know about you, but I love when hummus gets melty.   

In non sandwich news, I recently became obsessed with Veronica Mars due the fact that it’s available instantly on Netfix. I have several thoughts now that I am almost done with season 2.

1. Veronica Mars is bad ass. Wish I was her.
2. I heart Logan. Really.
3. I have no idea what I was watching instead of Veronica Mars when it was on T.V., but I am sorry for not watching it. I don’t know when it was, but I didn’t see one episode when it was on from 2004-2006. I feel responsible for its premature cancellation.

It joints the ranks of shows that ended too soon along with My So Called Life and Freaks and Geeks.

What’s your favorite show that didn’t last? Chances are I’ll love it and watch the entire series in a week.

And they’re not mine. They belong to a friend.

Yes, I said that yesterday, but this time I mean it too.

I wasn’t even going to share this for fear that you would all think I was nuts or really boring, but I learned a lesson in the baking process. I think sometimes people shy away from Super Charge Me Cookies because maple syrup is expensive, and the recipe requires 1/2 cup. Well today I ran out of maple sugar, but wanted to make them for a friend. I just subbed 1/2 C sugar + 1/3 C water and everything turned out fine. They are still a delicious cookie, but I still recommend the maple syrup – it gives them a richer, more complex flavor.

I will move on tomorrow.

If you’re ever out of flour and have oats lying around, grind ‘em up and make your own oat flour. When done in the food processor, they are a little course, but perfect for a hearty cookie like this.

And yes, I did sample that front cookie. But don’t worry, friend, I won’t send that one to you.

Happy CookieDay.

Yes, I know they are not good for my insides or outsides.

Yes, I’ve created a solution.

Did you know you can make a cream sauce with a small amount of Feta cheese? It’s a good alternative to other creamy sauces because a little feta goes a very long way.

Feta Cheese Sauce

Makes enough for 3 servings (Heather + 2 for Mark)

I poured mine on some pasta with spinach.

Side Notes:

1. Sorry to tell you this, but there was a blunder with the cost of my yoga mats. They are actually $54 each. I have no idea how to get specials via OpenSky, but I will try and let you know if I do.
2. Check out Heather’s Faces of Beauty, a website devoted to showing that women are uniquely beautiful, just the way they are (no makeup or airbrushing). You can participate by sending a picture of yourself with little or no makeup and explaining what makes you beautiful. The hope is that seeing one another without makeup will inspire other women to see their natural beauty.    What makes me beautiful is that I try really hard to be myself, to think for myself and be content with myself. If you can’t be yourself, I don’t think you will be very good at being someone else. I also embrace my crooked fake tooth, red hair and freckles.
3. Don’t forget to enter the Tazo Tea Cook-Off Giveaway by leaving a comment on any or all of these posts. Random winner selected by me.

• Lavender Orange Scones
• Red Quinoa Lime Salad
• Spiced Pear Butter

Before I go to the gym to use the elliptical I usually stop by my local library to check out a magazine. The other day I picked up the September issue of Health, which appeared harmless per usual. There I am chugging along when I get to this story about boosting your metabolism through the decades, starting with the 30s. There are some statistics about slowing metabolism and loss of muscle after age 30.

First thought: Oh that sucks.

Second thought: WTF. I am 30.

Why are they telling me this? I am 30. I don’t need to know that it’s basically all down hill from here … unless I keep myself in check, even more than I did for the first 29 years of my life. Why would you tell anyone this? I still don’t know.

It really didn’t come at a great time either. I was getting measured for wedding dress days after the magazine incident. I love my dress. I was excited to put it on again, but there was this nagging thought in my brain.

Recap: I gained between 10 and 15 pounds last winter and fall (medicine + broken foot). I’ve lost between 5 and 6 pounds since January, but there is still more work to do. But, I have this “problem” where in my ideal world I eat whatever I want … in any quantity I want.

I really feel lame just writing this. I mean I am sure it’s not a surprise that I want to look my best at my wedding, of course. Everyone will be staring at me and the pictures will be around forever. Moreover, society tells me brides are skinny (have you picked up a bridal magazine lately?) and have buff bride arms, and well, the pressure was getting to me right around the time that I saw that little article about my slowing metabolism. And I guess it’s the society part that is embarrassing to admit.

I thought I was done with that.

Maybe you never really are done with your issues. My yoga teacher tells me that our demons resurface in times of stress. They prey on weakness.

And then later that day, laying on the couch, I looked at Mark looking at me.

He smiled.

I smiled.

And then I realized this …

Of course I want to look and feel my best at my wedding, but I need to remember that my wedding is a party to celebrate our marriage. I should really calm down and absorb every wonderful part of the experience. It should not be tainted by my insecurities. Getting my wedding dress should be a wonderful thing, not something that brings me down. And with that little mental shift I changed the way I felt about the situation.

Here is what my mind taught made me realize:

• Yeah, I want to look good at my wedding, to say otherwise would just be a lie.
• I am going to try to get the buffest bride arms I can get.
• Eating whatever I want is non-negotiable. I will try to work on the amount part.
• No matter what I will be beautiful (and so will you), and it has nothing to do with the size of my dress.
• Nothing will tarnish the wonder that is planning our wedding.

Your emotions are powerful, but your mind is stronger.

Holla if you feel you’ve been down the same road. – eminem

Saturday I went back over to Priscilla of Boston in Summit, N.J. to get measured and officially order my dress. (Read about my brief dress search and the dress I didn’t choose)

While I waited for my consultant, Linda, I searched through the bridesmaid dresses (the dresses will be discounted because I bought my dress at Priscilla). My bridal party covers a range of ages, so I have a bit of a challenge.

And then I may have looked through the dresses. But don’t worry, mine is still my absolute favorite (and it’s actually in this room!!!!).

And then I got to try my dress on again. Oh the joys of putting on my gorgeous dress!

After trying the dress on and finalizing a few details about my specific dress, Linda measured my chest, waist and hips. I just ordered the size closest to my measurements, but there is also the option of having your dress custom made with a muslin fit to your measurements.

My dress will come in soon, but I won’t go back for a fitting until next June! In the meantime I have lots of other dress related things to do … bridesmaids, flower girls, veil, shoes, etc.

Priscilla of Boston has been wonderful to me, and I wouldn’t have been able to get my dream dress (it’s actually one I found online and the first one I tried on) without the generous discount I received (read: FTC Blogger disclosure).

But honestly, even if I was not getting a discount I would recommend Priscilla of Boston. I am not a “princesy” kind of girl, but when I go there everyone is nice and makes me feel special! The dresses are beautiful and they have lots of great deals and trunk shows, too! Be-friend them on facebook for information on trunk shows and sales.

My mom feels a little sad because I only went to one store before I picked my dress, but I guess if you know, you know!

What does your dream dress look like?