Glad to see so many of you are stoked about the curry guacamole. Once you try it, let me know! Just a side note: I really would recommend making it ahead of time to allow all of the flavors to bend. I only know this because I snuck a spoonful today and it was twice as delicious! 
Workout
This morning, I woke up at 6:00 a.m. to squeeze in a workout before working at the clinic. I busted through the Surfer Girl workout from the Tone It Up Beach Babe DVD. It’s definitely my favorite of all the workouts because it’s everything I love: challenging, effective, and fun! It’s also rather short, so I had ample time to catch up on Sunday’s episode of The Bachelorette. No shame, peeps.
Lunch
The clinic closes early on Wednesdays at around 1:00 p.m. and I knew exactly what I wanted for a late lunch. I purchased a local, organic tofu salad at Whole Foods this week and could hardly wait to dig in!
The tofu salad, made by The Bridge in Middletown CT, contains organic tofu, chopped carrots/celery/onions, tahini, shoyu, umeboshi vinegar, and sea salt. Divine! I served it alongside a massaged kale salad (kale with Annie’s Papaya Poppyseed dressing, nutritional yeast, and chia seeds). The above picture actually doesn’t do it enough justice. It was sooo good.
A Few of My Favorite Things
Do you ever get a random song stuck in your head that never seems to budge? I’ve had “My Favorite Things,” the beloved song from The Sound of Music, stuck in my head all day! While it’s one of my all-time favorite (no pun intended) movies, having the above song in my head all day is not-so-much my favorite thing. I guess it was a blessing in disguise, though, because it inspired today’s topic of interest!
Here’s a few of my favorite things lately:
Mixed Nuts
For the past five days in a row, I’ve been snacking on Emerald Nuts’ Deluxe Mixed Nuts. My favorite thing about Emerald’s mixed nuts is the exclusion of peanuts! I’ve yet to find a variety of mixed nuts like theirs that is free of peanuts (not a fan) and preservatives, is lightly salted, and is very cost-effective to boot. My favorite nuts are the cashews and walnuts! Fun fact: Did you know that nuts are rich in magnesium, a mineral that we need for proper calcium/potassium balance? Magnesium also helps with the contraction and relaxation of our muscles. For more nutty fun facts, check out this Harvard article!
Owl Trinket Dish
If you follow me on Instagram (my username is “theloveofkale”), then you know I have a slight obsession with owls. It’s not uncommon for me to hand wash my favorite owl mug so I can drink my coffee from it again the next morning. My best blend, Cait, knows me so well and got me the most adorable mini owl dish from Urban Outfitters to hold my bobby pins.
It never ceases to make me smile!
Annie’s Papaya Poppyseed Dressing
This is my all-time favorite store bought salad dressing – ever. If you’re an avid reader of this blog, you already know this, as I mention it at least twice a week, when I incorporate is into my meals.
This organic dressing is perfect for summer and has a delicate balance between sweet and savory. A little goes a long way, too! My all-time favorite combination is the massaged kale salad that I threw together for today’s lunch. It also serves as a wonderful marinade for grilled tofu!
Maaji Swimwear Bikini
The second I saw the Tsunami Sublime bikini on the Tone It Up Beach Babe DVD cover, I wanted it so badly. I have a bohemian-inspired style, so the bathing suits really spoke to that part of me. I (finally!) received my bikini last week and I absolutely adore it. The suit fits like a glove.
I adore the detailed design, too. It’s so special! I also love how the bottom is an ultra-low rise yet stays in place. Honestly, it’s the best bikini I’ve ever worn. Thanks to Maaji and K&K! Now, I just have to actually go to the beach. It’s on Matty and I’s bucket list!
Speaking of list, I have a to-do list waiting for me. I’ll catch ya later!
Stay lovely,
Heather
Question of the Day: What is one of your current favorite things?
P.S. – The Fashion page was updated today!
My favorite foodie related item lately is TJ’s three layer hummus- this stuff is seriously addicting! I am also in love with the new sweater I got yesterday from JCrew- on super sale too!
JCrew on sale?! What a good day that must have been.
That tofu salad looks amazing, I need to go check it out. Wow, that bikini is perfect for the summer. I am an earth tones girl with the color pops that really make it stand out.
You should totally ponder getting one of the bikinis. They’re amaaazing!
I love the Maaji swimwear too!!! It’s all so cute!
Goodness, I know! If it wasn’t so expensive, I’d buy multiples!
Oh I love the sound of that salad! I will have to see if I can make one myself since I’m not close enough to get one.
My current favorite things are organic raw shelled hemp seeds, kale salad with fresh blackberries, peachy oolong iced tea, playing with my camera and gardening. If it wasn’t so hot during the day I would probably spend all day gardening!
I’m sure the tofu salad is a cinch to make, Erica! Mmmm love hemp seeds – great favorite things list!
Oo do you think the Bridgetown tofu is used by ION?? It is quite close by! I’m so honored that the owl trinket dish is featured as a fave thing
I saw it and it was just so YOU. Did you get a chance to show Matty the photo frame yet? I am obsessed with that bathing suit. After you and Matty get to the beach you and I need to as well. I’m thinking the one near that vineyard in Clinton, CT!
You know, I was thinking the same thing about the tofu salad? We’ll have to ask on Friday! (Squeal) Thank you again SO SO SO much for the owl trinket dish. I’m head over heels.
Matty has yet to come over my house (I’ve been going to his) but, when he does, I’ll definitely show him the beautiful frame!
I LOVE owls too. I had to “store” a lot of owl things away when I moved in with my BF because I had way too much! Your bnobby pin tray is adorable!
That’s so saaaad! My BF loves owls too, so I think he’s going to have to deal with it.
That bikini is adorable!!!! I’m glad you got it!!!
My favorite things include kale! I don’t think this will ever change… and of late, my new Lulu clothes, including the Bound Bra, Swiftly Racerbacks, Roll Down shorts, and Dart & Dash shorts! I’m have an addiction to Lulu that borders on unhealthy. I also discovered a guy on youtube, who turns pop/r&b songs into rock songs! You have to check him out! He drums with such passion and talent, I just love it. My new crush! ha ha. His name on youtube is “the401drummer”. Here’s a link to one of his videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzPfVtnLs8g&feature=relmfu
Oh and the bonus is that he supports TWLOHA!
YAY for kale! Wish I could afford even like half a sock at lulu. It just will never happen. Haha!
LOVE THAT SUIT! adorable! the Tone It up girls always have the cutest workout gear and swim suits!
and im with you…….mixed nuts are soooooooo good. Almost too good! I can’t stop putting my hand in the jar!
happy thurs!
I’m obsessed with your new bikini. I’ve been eyeing the swimsuits on the TIU site since they started selling them and have been contemplating whether I want to splurge on one. I think I’m going to! I just can’t resist…
And I’m loving mixed nuts right now as well! The mixed nuts they sell at Costco are my favorite. They don’t have peanuts and I get a HUGE carton for a really low price. Doesn’t get much better than that. (:
It’s definitely worth the splurge. SO worth it. Can’t wait to see which one you choose, Emily!
Oh wow, that bikini is just beautiful! From what iv seen on your blog- I adooore your style and that looks perfect for you:).
Iv never had tofu salad like that( tofu is not widely available where I live at all, GAH!)but I think tofu is scrumptious. I think ill just have to try and recreate something like that myself.
Xxx
Definitely re-create that tofu salad, Sarah! It will NOT disappoint.
Current favorite thing = peanut butter
ALWAYS winner.
i love that dressing too. it’s sweet and creamy and so good on anything. good stuff woman. now tackle that to do list!
You are going to ROCK that bikini! I love it!
Love that bikini. How adorable! I definitely need to get on VS and order some new ones. I only have like 2 for summer.
I love that owl dish. I have an owl obsession too and slightly freak out when I see owl stuff. I’m glad I’m not the only one!
I love your posts and thanks for being so open! Quick (random) question: what brand of nutritional yeast do you use? I don’t have a health food store near me and I can’t find it in the regular grocery store, so I have to order it online but there’s soooo many brands! And i dont know how to choose! That’s why I figured I’d ask
Thanks, Ashleigh! I use Whole Foods brand of nutritional yeast. That being said, I would say second in line is Red Star, which you can purchase online. You can also use HappyCow.net to find a health food store near you and see if they have any.
Ooooh I feel like I HAVE to try out that salad dressing the next time I’m in the US
Yes, Diane, you MUST!