The Whole Experience

Good Morning Porch Pals!

Four consecutive days off is just another way of saying, pack all that you can, up to the last minute, into four full days. I'm not sure why my family doesn't see four days of rest ahead of them! So, now it's time to catch up, from having time off.

Yesterday was such a delight. My Titus Two Girl and I went into the city. Knowing that there are some places men simply don't enjoy in the city, as much as women, we planned our trip to include thrift stores, the yogurt shop, and a Disney for grown-ups, aka Whole Foods.

A popular thrift chain offered over an hour of 1/2 price day specials and lots of decisions to make. We even looked at prom dresses. Having a second opinion when one is trying to decide shades of pinks, or blouse styles is so much more fun than going it alone. We were satisfied with our purchases and spent very little money.

Next we indulged in a healthy treat- frozen yogurt at the same place I've been going to for almost twenty years. Blackberry and Vanilla Custard with yogurt chips was just perfect! Her sweet best friend joined us at that point. These girls go way back and it is a joy to watch the two of them together.

Lastly, we shopped at Whole Foods. This store is not a place to do regular grocery shopping  because it is very high-end, however, in all fairness, they do offer printable coupons and I have even combined coupons with in-store specials and saved plenty! Whole Foods for me is more about the experience- the fresh cut tulips and other flowers are beautiful! The rows of colorful, organic produce and fresh fruits are presented with such flair, and the bakery cases are a vision of sweet delights! Then there are bread ovens popping out fresh, chewy, crusty loaves of all sorts of bread...

 We planned several nutritional choices for her to take to the college for lunch. Balanced meals with energizing whole grains and stabilizing lean proteins. Here are a few examples:

1. Cottage cheese with chopped green pepper and tomato, and whole grain crackers.

2. Whole grain tortillas with nut butter, sliced banana and shaved coconut.

3. Short grain brown rice and cooked chicken, tossed with olive oil and her favorite raw veggies...

She'll be as clever as ever! And the best dressed.

 I sampled gourmet Afghan food by Bolani and loved it! An unleavened bread loaded with spinach and hummus, yum!

Thai tea and a "protein snack" gave us the energy we needed to head home.
We shared encouraging personal conversation on the drive back and laughed with merriment at the day behind us.

That was one of the ways I spent the last four days. Dear readers, I hope you enjoyed times with loved ones over the weekend. It's so important to connect with other people and not isolate ourselves.

All the best,
Alis