All photos courtesy of badfriends.net (thanks!)

Sarah kept mentioning & posting to my facebook about this company that delivers organic fruits and vegetables to your door. Once I had made the decision to become vegan… It seemed no better time to try it out.

Their website is AWESOME & from start to finish took ten minutes to sign up. They allow you to make substitutions (don’t like onions? oranges? Get something else!)  or choose vegetables or fruit only.  (: We chose veggies only :)

Yesterday was the day! I was worried about delivery because our place is a bit of a hassle to get into. On their website they suggest to leave a cooler by your front door.

I got home & my cooler was full!

I think because of how our place is, they had to drop the brown box at the front desk & then someone from here walked it up & put it into our cooler.

1 Acorn Squash
1 Yellow Bell Pepper
4 Local Roma Tomatoes
1 Broccoli
1 Local Romaine Lettuce
1 Local Red Kale
1 bunch Sweet Onion
1 Hass Avocado (CA)
1 Baby Carrots (1 LB)

=$30 w/ delivery

The image everyone wants to see! It’s a TON of food, I am excited.  The head of romaine is by far the biggest I’ve ever seen.  I like that the box is a nice mixture of stuff. Gregg loves avocados & tomatoes. I am a big salad & acorn squash fan. :) The only thing I wish was a bit different is that it included some weird new/unusual to us veggies, but I’m sure that happens sometimes.

They included a few produce bags, and instructions on how to wash & properly store your veggies.

I liked their signature :)

I’ve only ordered once, but I would recommend this to anyone. People complain about the prices of organic food.  Yes, it’s more than you’d spend in a conventional grocery store, but when you look into it, you see it’s worth the extra price.

Things I am planning on making:

15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta

Southwestern Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Pistachio Arugula Pesto with Penne and Sauteed Broccolini

Perhaps try Kale chips again, may they be edible this time…

From Wikipedia:

The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is an annual celebration held in the city of Tampa, Florida. Held each year in late January and hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa, it celebrates the apocryphal legend of José Gaspar (Gasparilla), supposedly a Spanish pirate captain who operated in Southwest Florida.

The theme is an “invasion” by Gasparilla and his men, which begins when the “Krewe” (made up of residents of the city) arrives on a 165′ long pirate ship, the Jose Gaspar, in Tampa Bay and land near downtown Tampa.

The mayor of Tampa then lends the key of the city to the pirate captain and a parade ensues down Bayshore Boulevard, one of Tampa’s major streets. The krewes throw beads, coins and other items while shooting blank pistols from floats during the parade. The average attendance for the event is over 400,000 people.

The age old question is, “What do I wear to Gasparilla?”

Allie Style:

Shoes: However cute you think those 3 inch pirate boots are… You’re going to be hiking all over town, probably walking 5 to 7 miles, at least. Oh & you’ll be wasted. Just say NO & grab something conformable. Also, yes, we live in Florida, it’s 75 degrees… but rethink the sandals. There are HUGE crowds & you’re feet will get stepped on, beer will spill, you may step in dog doo, no sandals.

Pants: Feel free to wear shorts, skirts, jeans, whatever. You have to think here, will you be just attending the invasion? (11am) The parade? (3pm) & after parties? (5pm++++) I typically choose to wear jeans, it’s still cool enough to not feel grosso. Also, you don’t look like a dirty pirate when evening rolls in. (Walking around downtown + of Tampa in skirts/shorts, you’ll get mud, dirt, yucky stuff on your legs.

Shirt: Tank top, strapless, cardigan, pirate themed tee, will all work. There will be sun, think about your shoulders!

Jewels: I like glitter & shiny things. Pirates like booty after all ;)

Etc: Sunscreen, TP & hand sanitizer (porta-potties), backpacks filled w/ snacks + flasks, sunglasses!

Some advice from my good (& more stylish) friend Lindsay:

Gasparilla! by collorious featuring tortoiseshell sunglasses

Having gone to Gasparilla pretty much since I was a fetus, I’ve got knowing what to wear and what to bring down to a science. If you are a wanderer, like me, who enjoys trekking several miles up and down Bayshore to party hop, comfy shoes are essential! I also like to make sure I have a large purse to carry around my booze, bottles of water, and my beads when they get to heavy to wear.

Rather than going full-on “pirate”, I’m a fan of a more subtle approach. These are two options using black and white striped tops and skull accents. The one on the left is more casual and appropriate for walking, and the right would be better suited for viewing the parade from a house party or VIP tent.

If you see yourself as less of a pirate and more of a wench, this outfit has a vintage and feminine feel, with a dress that gives a nod to a traditional pirate shirt, boots that would be perfect for pillaging and plundering or walking along a parade route, and a wide brimmed hat to protect you from the sun.

Are you going to Gasparilla? What will you be wearing?

I’ve never seen anything I’ve agreed with more.

I watched, “Forks over Knives” and decided to be vegan.
I’m really excited about it!

That is all.

This picture has nothing to do w/ this post, but it’s one of my all time favorite photos.  It’s titled “1am Grallie” (Grallie being a Gregg + Allie)

I don’t have a smartphone – I know, way to be stuck in 2000 Allie.

I also don’t own a camera. I once posted about looking for one & needed suggestions.

Anyways, those two causes have me using THREE DIFFERENT devices to take pictures & all THREE use different hosts.

Here’s where they all go:

Gregg’s Iphone

My Ipod Touch

& My cell phone

Have fun browsing :)

Quick post.

This year I will:

(but not limited to)

★ Hangout w/ friends solo x 24 (2x per month) – I have a habit into turning everything into a 40+ person thing.

★ Real dinner parties w/ 5-7 friends x 3.

★ Drive thru zoo w/ Michelle & Ben.

★ Geocache x 5 full days.

★ Photohunt @ Sunken Gardens.

★ Go to event where we/I don’t know 90% of the people.

★ Cooking Class w/ Ggg.

★ Dance Class w/ Ggg.

★ Learn to drive stick…again. (Thanks Liz)

★ Craft class w/ lady friends.

★ Winery w/ Grandma.

… I also started a diet blog, I’m not sharing it publicly. If you want to read more e-mail me & I’ll send you the URL.

I’ve been MIA from my little space on the internet (Hmm, besides twitter…)

This month I have…

I’ve hosted my most successful tweet-up ever (50+ people!!), I’ve gone to holiday parties x 5, I’ve babysat my favorite toddler x2, went to a wedding of my two old roomies <3,  saw the movie Young Adult,  went to a good friends awesome birthday at the casino,  went to an outdoor concert, went ice skating,  set up TWO Christmas trees, learned how to play Texas Hold’em, gifted a KINDLE!! from Gregg, & finished a great book.

Talk about busy, right? +++ all the things I never took a picture of!

My plans for the holidays…

Tonight 23 – Grocery shop, wrap presents, start cleaning like a mofo, hide a present (lol) & get wings w/ friends. :)

Tomorrow 24 – Clean MOAR!!!, prep food, & head over for Christmas Eve at my mom’s. Church + Dinner + PRESENTS! Meet up w/ Brandon friends at a local dive bar after.  (: Becoming quite the tradition :)

Christmas 25 -Gregg & my family over for Christmas lunch/dinner.  Exchange gifts w/ his family. Maybe see Girl w/ the Dragon Tattoo. (We live across the street from a theater) & hopefully see my friend Susan at a local bar. :)

Last Thursday Gregg & I had the opportunity to attend a VIP Tasting Event ­ at GrillSmith in South Tampa.  I thought I’d share my favorites from the things we tasted. (I developed a very precise smiley-face rating system, each of the ones I’m sharing received 4+ smiles)

Stoil Ravioli - Stuffed with grilled chicken, spinach and creamy ricotta cheese tossed in a Stolichnaya Vodka tomato cream sauce.

This was my favorite dish of the entire night. I really wished it photographed better. I hardly ever eat pasta, but this was so delicious, & I definitely went back for seconds. 

Chicken Milanese - Sauteed, herb-crusted chicken finished withe a lemon-butter white wine reductions, sun-dried tomatoes, golden raisins and capers, dressed with arugula and pine nuts in our lemon-feta vinaigrette, served over seasoned rice.

I love anything with citrus, so this was a HUGE winner for me. I’ve never had Chicken Milanese before, the sauce was outstanding. I even asked if they could make this with grilled chicken – they said yes!

Spicy Thai Chicken – Lightly battered, flash-fried chicken cutlets tossed in sriacha aioli, served with hot and sweet honey glaze.

Gregg & I talked about this one a lot.  This chicken reminded me of Bonefish’s “Bang Bang Shrimp”.  I was glad this wasn’t slathered in sauce, it was still crunchy. :) On Gregg’s notes there is “win” written by “sriacha aioli”, this dish still could have been spicier for me, but none-the-less yummy!

Voodoo Cheese Fries – Creole seasoned fries finished with a New Orleans style white barbecue sauce, smoked Gouda, cheddar and Swiss cheeses, Andouille sausage and green onions, served with cilantro sour cream for dipping.

This is pretty much what I wish I could eat everyday all day. It’s dangerously delicious. I want to buy creole seasoning asap.

Smoked Salmon Bruschetta -  Smoked Norwegian salmon with capers, fresh basil, red onions, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and GrillSmith’s own lemon-feta vinaigrette on toasted crostini.

Last but not least… I did not try this. (I know, I know, not a big seafood/fish fan) But! This was Gregg’s favorite dish. Actually everyone’s favorite dish – the whole table kept going on & on about it how wonderful it was.

This made me laugh, Gregg was my +1, so they gave him my last name! ;)

GrillSmith did an amazing job with the entire night. I was glad to be able to try their new menu items.  When I have thought of  GrillSmith in the past, I think I really shrugged it off because I figured it was just a chain restaurant,  but GrillSmith is definitely anything BUT mediocre.

There are six Tampa locations and you can view their menus as well as location addresses on their Website. You can also find them on Facebook & follow them on Twitter.

Disclosure: All food was provided by GrillSmith Restaurant free of charge.

1. LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND:

To move ahead in the future, you must free yourself from the past. Clear up those cobwebs that bring nothing but gloom into your life. The bad experiences hurt, and heartaches and miseries. Step fresh into a “new life” each day by bringing with you only the best memories.

2. UNLOAD EXCESS BAGGAGE:

As a rolling stone in life, you gather too much moss. You collect mountains of material possessions that take up too much of your space and time. Edit your belongings. Life will be so much easier if you travel light.

3. START WITH A CLEAN SLATE:

It is better to start a painting on a clean canvass. Bathe your life and spruce up your act. Cleanse your soul and purify your spirit. And kick those bad habits away!

4. SHARPEN YOUR PENCILS:

Be properly equipped. Your success depends on your keen sense on intuition, preparedness and dedicated work. Keep your aptitudes honed, willingness-ready and mind always sharp.

5. GET EXCITED:

The excitement you get in life depends upon how excited you are to live it. Anticipate great things to come. Feel that you deserve them. Always expect nothing less than the very best!

6. HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE:

Your attitude affects your state of mind’s overall disposition. It determines how you act and react to people and situations. Have a great, new attitude to reach higher altitudes.

7. DWELL ON THE POSITIVE:

There is nothing to be gained from wasting your time on negative things. Sift the good from the bad. See the blessings, not the miseries. Look at life through rose-colored glasses. Seek beauty, nobility and truth!

8. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT:

If you don’t know what you want, you’ll never get it. You will never hit the target if you don’t know what and where it is. Know your goal and set your heart and eyes on it.

9. BE IN THE RIGHT PLACE:

To succeed, you have to be in the right place. It is ridiculous to sell beachwear at the winter ski resort. Go to the right places. Get into the right circles. And be there in the right time!

10. DRESS UP FOR SUCCESS:

What you project is what people see. You reveal your personality through your attire and the way you carry yourself. Dress up in clean, comfortable and proper clothes. You have only three seconds to make that crucial first impression!

11. GET OUTSIDE SUPPORT:

You cannot fully succeed by doing it all alone. No man is an island and you cannot be educated enough to know it all. Employ the help of others. And strive to win their all-important trust and moral support!

12. GIVE IT TO GET IT:

To get it, you must give it away. The most important things in life operate by the law of Cause and Effort. Love, happiness, understanding, compassion and even money — you must give them away first before you can receive them. Be aware that the law works on negative things, too, cause misery and it will strike back at you!

13. LIVE IN THE MOMENT:

Yesterday is done; tomorrow is not yet come. You only have present, the very precious now. Make hay while there is day. And do it while you can!

14. PERSIST TILL YOU GET IT:

A man died and found himself in front of St. Peter at the gates of heaven. He saw cars, appliances and wonderful things dumped on top of the clouds. He asked, “St. Peter, please tell me. What are those things?” St.Peter replied, “Those things were ordered by some people on earth but they hung up before we could ask where to have them delivered”. Don’t give up. Try and try until you succeed!

15. SHARE YOUR BOUNTIES:

Life showers us with glorious gifts. The tallest and biggest castle in the world becomes a lonely prison if you have no one to share it with. Share your bounties; share your time. Show you care by doing your share!

16. HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR:

Cry and you cry alone, laugh and the world laughs with you! Keep your sense of humor. Laugh and stay wonderfully sane. Most importantly, learn to laugh at your mistake!

17. KEEP YOUR CHILDLIKE WONDER:

Keep the childlike wonder. Live with wide-eyed enthusiasm. Be in constant awe. Never permit yourself to be dull or jaded. Experience everything as if it was your first time to experience it.

18. FLEX YOUR BODY:

Your body is the temple of your soul. Make it powerful and strong to weather any storm. Feed it well. Keep it neat, healthy and well maintained. Move the body and flex those muscles. Don’t be a couch potato, be alive and be on the go!

19. FEED YOUR MIND:

A computer is only as good as the data you program into it. Update your knowledge. Delete bad past programming. Read, research and learn. Perform mental gymnastics. The most brilliant crown you can wear is an intelligent mind!

20. BELIEVE IN MAGIC:

For anything to happen, you must believe that it will. A shadow of doubt is enough to prevent it from becoming true. You have to have faith in your heart and unwavering belief that God will provide what your heart desires. Believe in magic and with God’s blessings it will come true.

These are all great! I want to print it out & frame this reminder.  Found here.

At both places I went I’d say 75% of the shirts were shaped like this:

Do they look good on anyone? While I *do* like feeling like a bat (na na na batman!), it’s just blah. I don’t want to be wearing a paper-bag.  Someone please explain why these are in existence.

Actually, you know all know I moved in the past month right? I’m cohabitation w/ Gregg once again. (Victory!)

The apartment I am moving out of had *NO* sunlight, which made it impossible to grow anything. My new gardening digs are FULL sunlight & HUGE. My green thumb wants to play.

Here’s some balcony container garden inspiration…