Well, looks like a few of you are interested in reading An Object of Beauty as well! Would you want to read it along with Matty and I? We could set a date to have it finished by August 25 and discuss it in the comments section. If you’re down for it, let me know here and we can start our own little book club!
Dinner at ION Restaurant
On Frriday afternoon, I hit the road for a two-hour drive to Connecticut. I was on my way to visit Jenny and Cait, both of whom live in The Nutmeg State (what a funky state name, huh?). Anywho, I drove to Jenny’s house, got settled, and then we went for coffee with her boyfriend, Markus. It was cloudy and mild but our spirits were very sunny!
After grabbing some coffee, the two of us went back to her house and hung out for a bit before meeting up with Cait for dinner at ION Restaurant. ION is an acronym for It’s Only Natural (so cute!), and the restaurant serves only vegetarian-friendly fare. I’d been there once before with Cait and was excited to try a new dish!
…except I didn’t. Tempeh “crab cakes” it was!
The delicious tempeh crab cakes came with sauteed garlic greens (!), gigantic sweet potato fries, and homemade ketchup. My kind of meal, indeed!
The three of us made sure to channel our inner child and write on the tables, which were made of chalkboard. You give this girl chalk and she’ll write really awesome things on the surface before her.
You’d think I’d be more creative, huh? Trust me, though, you don’t want to witness my artistry. It’s pathetic. Although, I do draw a mean stick figure. 
After our lovely dinner, Jenny and I had a hankering for ice cream so we drove to Whole Foods to pick some up and enjoyed it with a side of E! network’s show Fashion Police. In a word, epic.
Nom nom nom. We both agreed on the fact that this is one of the best store-bought vegan ice creams out there. Then again, it’s hard to go wrong when you’re pairing chocolate and peanut butter, huh?
Yoga in West Hartford Center
Saturday morning was something new for all of us! Jenny and I met Cait in the center of West Hartford for a free outdoor yoga class. The event, called Om Street Yoga, was open to the public and held in the middle of the street outside the adjacent lululemon store.
There were so many people situated on their yoga mats, ready to tackle the 75-minute class.
We began with basic meditation and sun salutations before being led through a fairly intense flow of ukatasanas (chair poses). It was tough! The rest of the practice was free flowing and semi-intense, with lots of chatarungas and downward facing dogs. A woman played a gong drum throughout the practice at varying tones and volumes, and it really helped me to maintain my focus. The class ended with a meditation session, which relaxed me in the best of ways. As my eyes were closed, I could feel the sun shining on my face as it broke through the clouds. We ended the practice by repeating the words, “I will be happy. I will be healthy. I will be at ease.” I felt so comfortable in that moment.
Side note: How rad are Jenny’s yoga pants?!
After the lovely practice, Cait, Jenny, and I went to West Hartford Baking Co. to enjoy a slowpour coffee and our respective breakfasts. Jenny and I brought our own protein puddings. Are you shocked?
Jenny’s mashed Tone It Up protein pancake is on the left (topped with blueberries and shredded coconut) and my chocolate protein pudding oats and half an apple are on the right. The coffee was so yummy. It reminded me of Wildflour’s slow pour coffee!
Okay, I’m off to enjoy my Sunday and, eventually, The Bachelorette. I’m on team Jeff. Who’s with me, ladies?!
Stay lovely,
Heather
Reci-preview!
I’ve got a really delicious recipe coming up for you tomorrow! Here are the ingredients that you’ll need:
- Apple
- Oats
- Powdered peanut butter (I’m using Just Great Stuff, which you can find at Whole Foods)
- Organic agave nectar
- Shredded coconut
The outdoor yoga class looks awesome as does your meal at Ion!
It looks like you girls had an amazing time together! I’m so jealous.
I’m not going to lie, I probably would have ordered the tempeh crab cakes again as well. They look unbelievable! And I couldn’t agree more about So Delicious ice cream. It’s sooo good, it’s dangerous!
I can’t wait for tomorrow’s recipe! <3
I agree 100% on the SO DELICIOUS comment. It’s UNreal.
Looks like it was a fun time! Especially that outdoor yoga. I cannot do yoga for very long (not sure why), but maybe in that kind of setting… Looking forward to the recipe!!
Is it an attention span thing? It’s really hard to center yourself and get into the moment but once you do, it’s pretty amazing.
That outdoor yoga looks like so much fun!
I love the matching packed breakfasts! So cute! Outdoor yoga always look so awesome too! Much more relaxing outside!!!
Chocolate Peanut Butter = Heaven! Can’t wait for the new recipe
Wow very cool yoga morning! Love the colorful yoga pants!
Aren’t they amazing?!
to say that i am looking forward to tomorrow’s new recipe is an UNDERSTATEMENT. i am so excited to see what you came up with! i had so much fun with you this weekend, love! you are my favorite person everrrrr. <3
Well, I owe this creativity to YOU for introducing me to what is now one of my favorite products EVER. Seriously, I’m addicted. It’s a problemmmm. I love you so much, babe! <3
ION looks great!! I telling Cait that there aren’t many vegan/vegetarian options by me. Maybe on your next visit to “The Nutmeg State” I’ll join you ladies!
I’m also oddly excited for the Bachelorette this evening. I’m crossing my fingers for Jeff too!
I like that idea Maria!
We would LOVE for you to join us next time, Maria! Yay for Team Jef.
I bet those have nothing on real crab cakes
Matt I actually think I like them more than most place’s crab cakes!
Haha! I beg to differ.
How was the yoga class outside? I feel like it would be super distracting! It must have been cool to do yoga in the middle of the street though, talk about a change of scenery!
It was definitely a challenge to pay attention but I welcomed the challenge in a weird way. Being pushed out of my yoga comfort zone like that was really cool!
What a great turn out for that yoga class!! So cool!