Ermahgersh.
That has been my catch phrase of the weekend, because everyone and everything that I encountered deserved such a remark. Let’s start from the very beginning, a very good place to start!
Friday
I took the day off from my {unpaid} physical therapy internship to spend the day in NYC. First of all, can I just tell you about how I had to run to catch my train? Running (literally) late left me shaking due to a lack of high intensity exercise recently. I was late for no reason other than the fact that I’m terrible at managing my time and I get distracted too easily. Working on it.
First stop in the city was to meet my dad for lunch! He took me out to one of his favorite spots called Dig Inn, which is such a healthy living blogger eatery. Just look at this sign— made of wood, says “seasonal market”. Fits all the criteria already.
lentil salad with upstate apples // roasted sweet potatoes // bulgur with wild salmon salad
It was kinda like a full service version of Whole Foods hot bar, but even fresher and more delicious.
This is me with the Brooklyn Bridge and the city air that left soot in my nose.
Then I saw this kangaroo sausage lover!
Arman from The Big Man’s World! Upon meeting, he immediately boosted my ego saying, “I thought you were going to be tinier (shorter)!” That was an exciting compliment!
But seriously, Arman is such a cool and genuine dude. It was an honor walking and talking with the Australian no-bake master in person. He even brought me a batch of his newest strawberries and cream bars, which are not only me-approved, but Pop-approved. Go make them!
The sunshine, heat, walking, talking, and less-than-ideal amount of sleep during the week left me royally pooped at the end of the day. I didn’t even have the energy to take a shower before going to bed, which is nasty but I did not care.
Saturday
I started the day inspired by Arman’s creations with this strawberries and cream “oatmeal pudding” based on his cake batter oatmeal.
The rest of the day involved chores, handstands, bodyweight leg exercises, church, and experimenting in the kitchen.
I found turkey bacon in our freezer, resulting in the strong urge to wrap it around chicken. So I searched Pinterest, found this recipe for cheese-and-pepper-stuffed, bacon-wrapped chicken, and made it for dinner. I just used turkey bacon and garlic herb cheddar instead of real bacon and regular cheddar.
This was one of the best decisions I’ve made all week! Is that sad? I say nay, because this was freaking fantastic. I served it with sautéed onions and mushrooms, and steamed veggie medley.
Dad asked what I would name the chicken dish (besides “cheddar and pepper stuffed bacon wrapped chicken”). I said that it kinda looks like a race car, so he said it should be Chicken Lamborghini.
Close one eye and envision the Chicken Lamborghini. Close the other eye if needed.
For dessert I baked peanut butter cookies (for a belated National Peanut Butter Cookie Day celebration) and prepared a new mango banana chia pudding recipe that I’ll be sharing later!
Sunday
It’s always fun when we get to make Sunday a pancake day! Strawberry cornmeal griddle cakes from Smitten Kitchen to be exact.
The crisp of the cornmeal will get you out of bed
I am a major cornbread fan, so any opportunity to make cornbread in breakfast form is an opportunity to snatch.
buttah, baby
And because I wanted peanut butter, I ate a bowl of full fat Greek yogurt with banana, cinnamon, nutmeg, chia seeds, and a big spoonful of pb alongside my griddle cakes.
More blogger interaction took place in the afternoon. In addition to texting Alison and Hayley throughout the weekend, I FaceTimed the beautiful Julia from Lord Still Loves Me! Despite some crappy wifi connection, we managed to have a lovely conversation. She is such a sweet and genuine lady— I adore her!
I’m starstruck from this weekend.
I also baked this banana bread baked oatmeal, which I’m saying is for my dad, but we’ll see how much actually gets to his mouth before it gets to mine.
So yes— a very blogger-esque weekend. Meeting bloggers, cooking, eating, blogging… I think I’m going to continue the trend and get my yoga on right now.
Hope you all have a joyous day!
So tell me:
What is the best thing you ate this weekend?
What would you name the cheese-and-pepper-stuffed, bacon-wrapped chicken?
Which bloggers would you love to meet in person (I’m not looking for myself as an answer, promise!)?
Daily Moves and Grooves 
SO fun that you got to meet Arman! I WOULD actually love to meet you in person and am so bummed I didn’t get to in New York. Hopefully another time 🙂
Best thing I ate this weekend…PB 🙂 I was out for a few weeks and got some on Friday so it’s been a great couple of days
I totally wish I could have met you too, but we shall meet one day for sure 🙂
Ah I always miss peanut butter after a few days away!
Cheesy Bacon Pepper Chicken. 😀 Is that too long of a name?
Hmm… I would love to meet Janae from Hungry Runner girl, Liv @ Healthy Liv, Julia, Arman (to pick his brain for recipe inspiration), Alison from Sweetly Petite, and I think I could go on, but yeah, there are a lot of bloggers I would love to connect with. :))) I’m so glad I got to meet you!!!!!
That name has a nice ring to it! And it’s certainly a lot more descriptive than Chicken Lamborghini 😉
Those are some awesome bloggers. So glad I got to meet you too! ♥
You can name your new dish “Chicken Goodness” 😉 I loved talking to you, Alison! I would so love to meet you in person. ❤
Can’t wait to meet you in person one day, Alison! ♥
So.much.goodness. I can’t even handle it. And despite meeting both you and Arman already, I would very much love to meet you AGAIN. Especially you, girlie! It sucks so bad that we didn’t get a chance to hang at Blend 😦 I’m thinking I need to make a trip out east…
YES YOU DO! We need to hang out for real next time 🙂
I busted up laughing when you described the Dig Inn sign fitting all of the criteria. Like I was telling you yesterday, you’re hilarious! I have to agree with Arman, I pictured you on the shorter side, so I have to ask- how tall are you?! I am so sorry about the darn connection! It was probably my fault I am so technologically illiterate. Grateful I got to speak to you for a little bit though!
No it’s totally not your fault! The connection can be wonky at times. We’ll try again one of these days! And I’m 5’3″ approx. Still short, but he thought I was gonna be under 5 feet or something, haha.
Your food recap was the highlight of my morning. Those globs of nut butter though <3. Crying because you got to meet Arman and try his latest recipe, jealous is an understatement. Dude- if I got to meet any of you healthy living bloggers I have been following (stalking) for the last year or so I would die of happiness! You, Julia, Emily, Arman, Amanda and the endless other people who put so much time into sharing their stories and recipes with the world :)!
If you’re ever in Boston or New York, please let me know! I’d love to meet you! Same goes for all the other bloggers I’m sure 🙂
You are epic and….normal heighted? Does that mean I’m short?
I’M so glad the bars are dad approved and also we need to go there for lunch…purely for the bento like boxes 🙂
You’re pretty tall! I had to strain my neck to talk to you when we were walking ya know. 😉
i spy wash sq park! i’ll be going there later todayyyyyy 🙂
Hope you had a fun day there!! It’s such a nice place.
What a great weekend!!! Good people and delicious food!🙌
Um I don’t even have to think twice about who id like to meet! You.me. This summer 👍👯👭 also Hayley and amanda and Jen from pbjelly and a whole bunch of others that I’ll spare you from listing out😉
Corn bread+pancakes= I think the angels above are singing😍👼
And best thing I ate this week was some carvel ice cream cake!!
Have a great one sweet lady😘💗
We can definitely make it happen, girl! Ahh ice cream cake sounds amazing. Carvel is so good.
Ps Lamborghini!! Totally!!! Lol 😂
The first time I met Arman, he said, “I thought you were going to be crazier” HAHA
You guys are so cute!!!
I’d love to meet YOU in person … that’s pretty much it. ❤
You know how much I want to meet you too!
The best thing I ate this weekend was either an omelette or dark chocolate sun butter cups! 🙂
Dark chocolate sun butter cups!? Sounds fantastic!
What an epic weekend. Also the chicken lambos hahahah love it. I am so glad we have started to text outside of blogging – you’re a gem.
As are you, my dear ♥ can’t wait to grow in this friendship through the blessed internet! 🙂
hahaha chicken lamborghini! Love it 😀
I love Dig Inn! I was actually there last week and got that same lentil salad with apple! SO YUMMY! My fav!