Fun Times with Old Friends

Yesterday, two of my great friends from back in my college days left after 4 days of visiting Chicago. We had such a great time exploring Chicago, eating at several Chicago favorites, and walking down memory lane from back in day when we were a little younger and crazier :) They arrived on Friday afternoon and we hit up the town for a little dinner and Chicago walking in the beautiful weather. Saturday, I surprised Kristi with tickets to The Oprah Winfrey Show. After telling her that we were actually in line for just a little museum display of a bunch of Oprah's things, I had her "going" up until we were walking through security before I had to tell her we were actually going to the show. Although the show subject itself was a little boring, the experience and spending the time together was really great. It airs on April 15th, so we get to see if we get our 15 seconds of fame. After the show we went to dinner at a great "hole-in-the-wall" resturant and had amazing crab legs for cheap. Sari filled us in on the little secret place in a below ground space with wobbly tables and Pabst on tap :) Definitely not your typical swanky seafood joint....more like a small town local bar feel. Just like home for us :)

Sunday we went to church and had brunch at my store before I had to work and the last horrah was on Monday night when we went to dinner and then drinks at the top of the Hancock building. There is an amazing view of the city up there. It was so great to have some familiar faces, close relationships, many laughs and genuine love around again. Monday night we got a few hours of sleeps before I brought them to the train for the airport early the next morning. Then it was back to work. Tuesday was a very long day at work especially with minimal sleep and I was so exhausted but my friend Jamie drug me to the Lincoln Hall to go to a concert. I was really glad she did though cause the band was really great and the venue was super cool. Any one should check out Low Anthem...they are amazing musicians. Not much exciting coming up the next week or so....until then.

My Chicago Home

The front door entrance

Coming in the front door

My cute little bathroom

Living, Dining, and Part of Kitchen

Dining

Living, Dining and Kitchen Island from other

Kitchen...which I guess is kinda "my" room too :)

My Room

View from my room

Here is the beautiful place that I was so blessed to move into with an amazing roommate, Sari. She owns the condo and is nice enough to share it with me :) The view is amazing as two of the walls are entirely windows, as you can see. I couldn't have asked for better living arrangements here. Come visit!

A lil bitta Chicago

Me, Sari, and Yvette

The BEAN

Sari and I

By the River

So I haven't posted much about any outings in Chicago or sightseeing yet. Probably cause I hadn't done much except work and unpacking. Now it is time to explore. The weather is getting beautiful and it is soooo nice to get outside again. The last two nights I have been out for drinks with my roommate, Sari (pronounced like Sarah but ending in eeee instead of ah) and her co-workers. We have gone to a couple bars with outdoor seating and on Wednesday we walked around downtown afterward and took a few pics. We walked by the river that runs right through the city and passed by Millenium Park where there is a giant reflextive "bean". Not sure what the meaning behind the bean is but it is pretty cool.

Looking forward to much more exploring especially this weekend when one of my bestest buds, Kristi and her husband Matt get here TODAY!!! She doesn't know yet but we are going to Oprah tomorrow. SHHHHHH.....It's a secret ;)

Tasty Vegan Dessert

Last night I made a really tasty Vegan Dessert. It was a Chocolate Mousse Pie. I must say that it was better today after chilling in the refrigerator over night. Yummy!!! Here you go.

Ingredients:

Crust:

1 cup chopped dates

1/3 cup walnuts

1/3 cup almonds

1/3 cup cashews

1/2 t vanilla extract

Mousse:

1 package of Silken Lite Extra Firm Tofu

2 Tablespoons Cocoa powder

1 t vanilla extract

1/3 cup 100% Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar (I used Agave)

Other:

2 ripe bananas (sliced lengthwise)

For the Mousse, blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender and set aside. You can also eat this alone if you don't want to make the pie, just chill it before serving.

Directions:

Make the crust by putting all the crust ingredients in a food processor or blender until it is a sticky consistency. Then press it into a pie pan. Place the sliced bananas over the crust and press down the edges covering the entire bottom. Pour the Mousse over top and finally chill in the refrigerator. Wahlah! It is really tasty. I have done a similar Mousse that tasted even better but can't seem to find the recipe at the moment. This one is pretty good though. Enjoy!

My New Company

Today, I had the pleasure of going to a little Q & A session with the founder and CEO of my new company. It was really great to see him speak and hear of all the great things the company is already doing for the health and the environment but to also hear of his visions for the future. I feel so fortunate to be a part the efforts to make a difference in the health and well-being of people all over the country and, maybe one day, all over the world. It was neat to hear how 30years ago at the age of 24 he started up a little health food store that had to close down, opened another one after that and is now a very successful founder of an incredible, large, and still growing company. Everyone there (all employees) seemed so happy to be working for them and he spoke about all that the company has to offer his employees as far as health, benefits and education go. It made me sooo excited to be a part of a company that truely takes care of it's employees but also reaches out to the consumers as well. One of the biggest initiatives is now to help educate consumers and, really the world, that food is medicine. Health starts with food. It can make a difference in preventing diseases and obesity. It can save lives. I am so proud and happy to be a part of this revolution.

New Arrival

After talking to my sister last night right after her water broke, I didn't have a very good night sleep. I woke up every hour or so and rolled over to make sure I didn't miss a call or a text while I was sleeping. No news came and I got up, went for a run, and headed to work at 10:30 still so curious as to what was going on at that very moment. Then about 11:30 my mom called with the news. Jenny had her baby girl and was doing great. The tears welled up in my eyes and I was excited, happy, and sad all in one. Wishing so much that I could be there. Good thing I was soooo busy at work so I didn't have much time to think to much about not being there. Then I was able to talk to Jen on my lunch break and know that she was doing great. She told me of the sereal experience she had and how beautiful her baby girl was. I am so proud of her and can't wait to meet my new little neice, Ainsley Rae.

On another quick note...I just got home from going to a show where the band, Stars of Track and Field, played. A friend of mine is the drummer. It was fun to see him and hang out for a little bit. I am now another step closer to building a social life here in Chicago ;)

Unpacking, family, black bean burgers, church and back to work

I am finally officially unpacked but still have couple items to organize. I now feel a bit more settled in. Friday was spent putting things away, cleaning the condo, running errands, a little cooking and some much needed time lying around. Saturday I went out to my cousin Toby’s home in the suburbs and spent the day with him, his wife Shelly, and their two daughters Alexa and Madison. It was great. I really enjoy spending time with them and it’s especially great cause Shelly is as much into health food as I am. We have some great visits. Toby and the kids aren’t quite as excited all the time nor do they get to excited when they hear her and I making dinner menu plans they have to try. BUT last night they really enjoyed what we put together. I have been wanting to try a good veggie burger for a long time so I found one in the Vegetarian Times magazine that turned out really good. Everyone really liked them. We served them with some baked sweet potato fries and it hit the spot. They didn’t hold together as well as I would have liked so I would have to experiment with them a bit more but would definitely make them again.
Here is the recipe if you are interested….

Black Bean and Walnut Burgers

Ingredient List
Serves 8
2 15-oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained well
2 tsp. ground cumin
3 tsp. chili powder
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup chopped red onion
3 Tbs. canned corn
1/3 cup cornmeal
guacamole, for topping
chunky salsa, for topping

Directions
Purée 2 1/2 cups beans with cumin, chili powder and cayenne pepper until smooth. Add rice, walnuts, onion, corn and remaining beans, and pulse 2 or 3 times to mix. (Mixture should be stiff but not dry.) Add 2 to 3 Tbs. water to moisten, if necessary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and chill, if making ahead.
Divide mixture into 8 burgers. Dredge burgers in cornmeal. Chill 30 minutes (unless mixture has been made earlier and chilled).
Coat nonstick pan or grill with cooking spray. Cook burgers over medium heat 4 minutes. Flip, and cook 4 minutes more, or until heated through.
Really recommend topping the burger with guacamole and salsa instead of your regular ketchup and mustard. Adding a little canned jalapeño to the mixture might be good as well. Enjoy!

This morning I went to my new church right before work. I really enjoy it there and hope to start getting in with the music program and helping lead the music. I really miss singing and need to get back into it again. God gave me the talent for a reason so I better start using it and look forward to it :) I felt a bit lonley today so I was so glad I had a place to go and feel loved and comforted even though I walked in alone. Afterward I went straight to work and before I knew it I was getting home around 8 tonight. It was soo busy and hectic but things are going great. Lots to do still and many "firsts" ly ahead but that's how it goes in a new job especially when it is one I am helping to create.