Spontaneity Can Lead to the Best Experiences

I’m not that adventurous.

If I say yes to doing something a little offbeat or spontaneous, it’s because I’m really going against my natural tendency. That natural tendency is to stick to plans or do productive things at home. Even in college, I can be a total homebody.

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my go-to excuse

However, during my last couple of days at home, I’ve agreed (sometimes reluctantly) to a few spontaneous ventures that I 100% loved.

It all started on Thursday morning with a spontaneous breakfast that I had never tried before: Julie’s egg white oatmeal protein pancake.

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I had been familiar with how much Julie loves this recipe for a long time, but I was always skeptical of it because the ingredients are egg whites, oats, stevia, and cinnamon. No blending involved. Hm.

Nevertheless, I branched out and made the monstrous pancake. First of all, just flipping the thing took 3 minutes. Secondly, I wasn’t very impressed at first bite, because it tasted like sweet egg whites… But the more I ate it, the more I enjoyed it. The peanut butter and banana helped, I’m sure.

Spontaneous breakfast — thumbs up!

My workout on Thursday was also spontaneous. I was kinda sore and really full for a long time from the mass of egg whites sitting in my stomach, so I bundled up, walked outside (per Amanda’s suggestion!) and headed towards the playground. When I got there I ended up doing a fun circuit workout using the bench!

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Spontaneous workout — thumbs up!

Lunch wasn’t spontaneous, but it was at a weird time of day (like, 4pm?) since I slept in and ate breakfast really late that day.

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flatout wrap with avocado, greens, honey mustard chicken, and artichokes (!!!)

I attended modern dance class at my old dance school on Thursday night, which was so fun. My good friend Susie (who was in dance company with me in high school) also attended the class asked if I wanted to join her for dinner afterwards.

My thought process: “I could go home and do some things on my to-do list. But that would be stupid and boring because COME ON, of course I want to catch up with Susie!!”

So we ate and chatted, and it was absolutely wonderful.

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We also ordered the same grilled vegetable sandwich, which was delicious.

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Spontaneous dinner date — thumbs up!

Yesterday brought about a few more spontaneous events. One was a lovely lunch date and walk with Madre! She wanted to take me to a cute patisserie in Greenwich, CT (where I spotted Food Network superstar Geoffrey Zakarian, who ignored me) called Aux Delices.

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It’s a pricey little place (classic Greenwich), but the food was well worth it.

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salmon salad, golden beets, wheat berry salad, and Italian tuna salad (#FishFriday)

Then we walked/jammed out/danced/snacked together.

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Spontaneous mother-daughter date — thumbs up!

I think the real kicker is this one. Our neighbors had two tickets to see Blind Boys of Alabama last night, but they offered the tickets to us since something came up and they couldn’t attend. I was about to say, “Aw thank you, but we have plans for dinner tonight.” But Madre quickly answered, “Oh! Thank you! Alison, you can go with Dad!”

Oooookay.

So we all ate a nice dinner at home together, and then Pop and I went to see this group that I had never heard of before.

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last sunny side eggs on avocado/cheese toast for a while! (drizzled with sriracha post-pic)

If you haven’t heard of Blind Boys of Alabama (like I hadn’t before last night), they’re a group of men who met at the Institute for the Negro Blind in the late 1930s, where they first started singing together. They toured when Jim Crow laws were still in place, and they even performed for Martin Luther King Jr. benefits (how appropriate for this weekend in America!). HOW COOL!?

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I’d describe their style as bluesy gospel with a big dose of soul and a sprinkle of funk. They’re incredibly talented people!

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Verdict? Well, I was smiling and dancing in my seat the whole time if that says anything. I might have been the youngest one in the audience, but I was clapping and bopping my head just like the rest of ’em.

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Overall, I adored their music and their fun-loving, soulful character. Check out their grooviness.

Spontaneous concert — thumbs up!

Pop and I finished off the evening with classic yogurt bowls back at home.

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No-bake treat sampler on the side, compliments of Arman!

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Throwback to last year when Pop and I ate dessert together…

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Why did we decide on Greek yogurt over ice cream this year??? Beats me.

I’m going back to Boston today! Sad to be leaving home and blogging more than once a week, but stoked to be seeing friends and diving into the semester (← also nervous about the latter).

Happy Saturday!

So tell me:

Do you like spontaneity?

What was the last spontaneous thing you did and loved?

What was the last concert you attended?

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Lucky Charms on My Smoothie

I can’t believe it’s already past 5 PM!

Thank God for this blessed Tuesday! I woke up a little earlier to go to a (pointless) ENT appointment, and then a couple hours later (plus a nap in between) it was time to go to my first ballet class of the year. My muscles are definitely not used to all that turnout. Oof.

Then of course, there’s the food I’ve been eating!

Last Night’s Snack

It was sweet, colorful, and something I should make for St. Patrick’s Day:

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Green smoothie with LUCKY CHARMS sprinkled on top! This smoothie had milk, frozen fruit, protein powder, and some spinach (you CANNOT taste it at all–pinky promise).

Lucky Charms are my guilty pleasure, and I often contemplate buying a box whenever I see them on the shelves. Then I turn down the idea because I want to be “mature.” But then again, if I look like I’m 12 years old, who would care if I bought them anyway?

Breakfast

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Sunflower seed butter and peach jam sandwich + banana (+ a glass o’ milk on the side)

Lunch

…Was eaten at the dance studio and included this awesome sandwich:

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Avocado and smoked salmon on sunflower seed bread. So good.

Sorry if it smelled like fish in the dressing room, ladies. But not that sorry 😉

I think I am speaking truthfully when I say that all the dance company girls are PUMPED about the repertoire we’re learning right now. That’s always a great way to start off the year. The piece is called Spells, choreographed by Michael Foley, and one of our teachers is re-staging it. The dance makes us feel intense, a little dark, a little mysterious, and just cool. I can’t show any of the piece on the blog for copyright reasons, but you can check out this Youtube video to get a sense of Michael Foley’s style!

Another day of bootcamp awaits tomorrow. I’m so excited to be with all the dance company girls, and I’ll probably introduce their lovely faces on Thursday after our first formal get-together.

Have a lovely evening!

So tell me: Do you like Lucky Charms? Any delicious eats today? How was your Tuesday?