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	<title>The Smart Kitchen</title>
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	<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com</link>
	<description>Explorations in Culinary Intelligence</description>
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		<title>Vegan BBQ Plate</title>
		<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=vegan-bbq-plate</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 10:08:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Annie's Naturals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBQ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pickles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tempeh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vegan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/?p=4028</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Even on a vegan BBQ plate, the only thing that needs to be green are the pickles.And what delectably sour pickles they are. [No wonder the mysterious food thief in my home ate twelve of them, leaving me the shock and surprise of opening the jar to discover only five of the original eighteen (according [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Even on a vegan BBQ plate, the only thing that needs to be green are the pickles.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5228-1280x824" rel="attachment wp-att-4027"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4027" title="IMG_5228 (1280x824)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5228-1280x824-300x193.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="193" /></a>And what delectably sour pickles they are.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5211-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-4025"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4025" title="IMG_5211 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5211-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p><em>[No wonder the mysterious food thief in my home ate </em><strong>twelve</strong> <em>of them, leaving me the shock and surprise of opening the jar to discover only five of the original eighteen (according to the label) remaining. I had eaten</em> <strong>one</strong>. <em>But enough about that...]</em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5207-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-4024"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4024" title="IMG_5207 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5207-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Now, I don&#8217;t care what y&#8217;all say. <strong>There is no vegan substitute for BBQ</strong>. <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/04/why-im-not-eating-meat.html">I might not eat it now</a>, but I know my meat. And I know that it is simply not possible to use beans, grain, or vegetables to perfectly recreate the taste, texture, and smell of the Carolina-style pulled pork that still stirs up carnivorous cravings within me.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>But I will try. I will so valiantly try.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5197-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-4020"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4020" title="IMG_5197 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5197-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I knew this was a faled experiment from the start, but when you have an excess of tempeh on your hands, you might as well mess around a bit.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5152-1280x853-2" rel="attachment wp-att-4011"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4011" title="IMG_5152 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5152-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But slicing it as thin as you can does not stringy meat make.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5157-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-4014"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4014" title="IMG_5157 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5157-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Neither does Mesquite BBQ Seasoning. [Although that <em>does </em>make it taste quite good.]<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5166-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-4016"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4016" title="IMG_5166 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5166-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">And when I pulled out the mushrooms and onions, well, southerners countrywide kind of cringed a little at the thought of me adding vegetables that weren&#8217;t shredded into slaw to my &#8220;BBQ.&#8221;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5163-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-4015"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4015" title="IMG_5163 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5163-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>But, you know, there&#8217;s a lot that can be saved with a good sauce.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5175-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-4018"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4018" title="IMG_5175 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5175-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>And I&#8217;d be lying if I said that 90% of the reason I love BBQ is it is a means to eat BBQ sauce.</p>
<div id="attachment_4013" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 195px">
	<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5155-834x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-4013"><img class="size-medium wp-image-4013" title="IMG_5155 (834x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5155-834x1280-195x300.jpg" alt="" width="195" height="300" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">Oh, Annie, you DO have a good (vegan) thing going on here...</p>
</div>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em><em>[The remaining 10% is divided equally between my love for pulled pork and my loyalty to the Southland where I <del>was</del> wasn't really raised.]<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5178-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-4019"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4019" title="IMG_5178 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5178-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></em></em>While it was certainly no pig, and certainly nowhere near authentic, it was still pretty darn tasty. <em>[Despite my negligence at cracking open a can of Busch's Vegetarian Baked Beans to add to the feast.]</em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5226-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-4026"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4026" title="IMG_5226 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5226-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>And for those of you who are thinking, &#8220;The only thing green <em>I</em> usually see on <em>my</em> BBQ plate is the slightly green tint of some cabbage slaw,&#8221; well, we&#8217;ll talk about <strong>this</strong> tomorrow:<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/vegan-bbq-plate.html/img_5205-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-4023"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4023" title="IMG_5205 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5205-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>What does &#8216;BBQ&#8217; mean to you?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Have you ever successfully made a veg or vegan interpretation?</strong></p>
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		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>You Spin Me Right Round (WIAW)</title>
		<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 04:15:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Big Friendly Salad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Morningstar Farms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Newman's Own]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rice Cakes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trader Joe's]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Victoria Gourmet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[What I Ate Wednesday]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/?p=3988</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Despite the aura of food bloggerdom I hold in my household and among my acquaintances, those who know me well know that on most nights, this single lady doesn&#8217;t really cook. And not only do I not spend a lot of time cooking&#8230;I also get stuck in what some might call food ruts, but I [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Despite the aura of food bloggerdom I hold in my household and among my acquaintances, those who know me well know that on most nights, this single lady doesn&#8217;t really cook.</p>
<p>And not only do I not spend a lot of time cooking&#8230;I also get stuck in what some might call food <em><strong>ruts, </strong></em>but I prefer to call food <em><strong>fixations </strong></em>because &#8216;rut&#8217; indicates that if you could get out quickly, you would.</p>
<p>So for this week&#8217;s <strong>What I Ate Wednesday</strong>, I present to <a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com">Jenn </a>and all of the much more adventurous weeknight chefs out there, <em>an ode to my latest broken record obsession</em>.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/wiawbrokenrecord" rel="attachment wp-att-3987"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3987" title="WIAWbrokenrecord" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WIAWbrokenrecord-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>What was the source of my latest &#8216;caught in the undertow&#8217; drifting out to the sea of recycled salads? This teasingly addictive triumvirate:<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_4189-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3978"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3978" title="IMG_4189 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4189-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<ul>
<li>Newman&#8217;s Own Lighten Up! Honey Mustard Dressing</li>
<li>Trader Joe&#8217;s Mediterranean Hummus</li>
<li> and <a href="http://www.vgourmet.com/">Victoria Gourmet </a>Tuscan Seasoning*</li>
</ul>
<p><em>*Just when I thought nothing would ever surpass her Herbs de Provence!</em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_4201-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3980"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3980" title="IMG_4201 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4201-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>I didn&#8217;t care what was under it, just so long as I could eat this odd result of &#8220;maybe I should add THIS&#8221; whimsy that happened one night&#8211;<em>as these things so often do</em>&#8211;in <a href="http://thesmartkitchenblog.com">The Smart Kitchen</a>.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_4129-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3977"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3977" title="IMG_4129 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4129-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Sure, I might have tossed on a Morningstar Black Bean Burger and added a little variety with some TJ&#8217;s Tomato Basil Hummus in the mix.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_4971-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3984"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3984" title="IMG_4971 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4971-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Oh man. That really was good.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_4985-1280x853-2" rel="attachment wp-att-3986"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3986" title="IMG_4985 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4985-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">And sure, I might have gotten even <em><strong>crazier</strong></em> one night and crumbled on some nutritional yeast and the broken remnants of the Trader Joe&#8217;s rice cakes I had left over in the pantry. <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_4310-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3981"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3981" title="IMG_4310 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4310-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Talk about things you want to eat over and over? Leave it to the Trader to make a sterotypically styrofoamy rice cake into something that is actually addictive.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_3997-853x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-3974"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3974" title="IMG_3997 (853x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_3997-853x1280-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>Now, I&#8217;m not saying my latest food fixation was pretty&#8211;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_4085-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3975"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3975" title="IMG_4085 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4085-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>&#8211;or that I ever managed to eat all the veggies before I gobbled up the dressing soaked lettuce or spinach.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_4323-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3983"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3983" title="IMG_4323 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4323-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>But I loved every minute of it. [And there were a lot of those minutes in the week leading up to BLEND.]<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_4985-1280x853-2" rel="attachment wp-att-3986"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3986" title="IMG_4985 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4985-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>And I&#8217;d probably still be eating it now, if<del> my hummus hadn&#8217;t run out</del> I hadn&#8217;t discovered my latest mix of Asian-spired adoration.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/you-spin-me-right-round-wiaw.html/img_5067-1280x853-2" rel="attachment wp-att-3997"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3997" title="IMG_5067 (1280x853) (2)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5067-1280x853-2-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Watch out steamed <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html">mukimame</a>, World Market Thai Seasoning, and Annie&#8217;s Naturals Lite Gingerly Dressing&#8230;my record player&#8217;s getting stuck on YOU next.</p>
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		<slash:comments>17</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mukimame Hummus &amp; Eggplant &#8220;Fries&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 09:49:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Edamame]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eggplant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hummus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mukimame]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wegman's]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/?p=3942</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Once a month, at the school where I&#8217;m long-term subbing, each grade level team puts on a &#8220;Fun Friday&#8221; gathering for the rest of the staff. Ours was Friday, and as the entire first half of May is usually set aside for Mexican-themed Cinco de Mayo celebrations, we agreed on that. [So what that it [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Once a month, at the school where I&#8217;m long-term subbing, each grade level team puts on a &#8220;Fun Friday&#8221; gathering for the rest of the staff. Ours was Friday, and as the entire first half of May is usually set aside for Mexican-themed Cinco de Mayo celebrations, we agreed on that. <em>[So what that it was actually <strong>Once</strong>* de Mayo?]</em></p>
<p>*<em>oh-n-say</em> as in &#8216;eleven&#8217;&#8230;not <em>once</em>, as in &#8216;upon a time&#8217; <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And I promise this was SUPPOSED to be Mexican Hummus.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It just ended up Asian instead.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5296-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3935"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3935" title="IMG_5296 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5296-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">You see, I&#8217;ve been <em>dying</em> to recreate Wegman&#8217;s Edamame Hummus for months now. And I swear, there is cumin in it, and another little kick that always made my tastebuds turn on the mariachi music and start shooting tequila.*</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>*Forgive me, all of Mexico, for that horrible stereotype.</em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_0009-1280x832" rel="attachment wp-att-3911"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3911" title="IMG_0009 (1280x832)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0009-1280x832-300x195.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="195" /></a>Since I like to test out recipes on unassuming parties of individuals who are generally not super critical and just happy to be fed, I figured our little &#8216;<em>Once</em> de Mayo&#8217; Fun Friday was as good a place as any to try my hand at Wegman&#8217;s-inspired wizardry.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5303-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3936"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3936" title="IMG_5303 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5303-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">First step? Garbanzo beans! [Without 'em it's just bean dip.]<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5008-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3913"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3913" title="IMG_5008 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5008-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Second step? Edamame! [Without <em>them</em> it's just hummus.]<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5017-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3915"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3915" title="IMG_5017 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5017-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Or in this case, <strong><em>mukimame</em></strong>, also known as edamame posing for <em>Playboy</em>. [Think about it for a second. Go on...]</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">And if you think I didn&#8217;t immediately decide that <em><strong>Mukimame</strong></em> <strong>Hummus</strong> was much more awesome than edamame hummus ever could be&#8230;well, you obviously don&#8217;t understand my juvenile language sensibilities.</p>
<div id="attachment_3912" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 300px">
	<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_4997-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3912"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3912" title="IMG_4997 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4997-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">And if you think these aren&#39;t my new favorite salad topper, well, you&#39;d just be wrong.</p>
</div>
<p>And, it was there, in the moment after I had added the usual tahini, garlic, and salt, that things veered horribly (but <em>yummily</em>) off course.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5020-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3916"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3916" title="IMG_5020 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5020-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Because as I thought about tahini, and how it is really just sesame butter, my mind went to the idea of sesame oil, which is oh-so-important in Asian cooking&#8230;and <em>Hey, aren&#8217;t soybeans an Asian treat usually?</em> And well, if we&#8217;ve already got garlic and sesame, we might just bring in ALL of our friends from the stir fry.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5030-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3918"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3918" title="IMG_5030 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5030-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And if we are going to go there&#8230;well we should <strong>GO</strong> there.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5024-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3917"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3917" title="IMG_5024 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5024-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">And that is how my well-intentioned cumin-infused hummus took a trip around the world, rather than just South of the Border.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5044-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3922"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3922" title="IMG_5044 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5044-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But I ain&#8217;t mad at it.*</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>*I want this to become my new, grammatically incorrect, catch phrase. Right after &#8220;Oh my goll, y&#8217;all.&#8221;</em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5057-1280x853-2" rel="attachment wp-att-3923"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3923" title="IMG_5057 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5057-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>And it is incredibly good. I suggest pairing it with Asian crudite. Which really just means anything you might use in a stir fry.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5285-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3933"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3933" title="IMG_5285 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5285-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Which, if you come from a family where &#8220;stir fry&#8221; is a term used to indicate random vegetables from the fridge have been sauteed in some vaguely Asian marinade made so only by the presence of soy sauce, could be a lot of things.</p>
<div id="attachment_3937" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 300px">
	<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5306-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3937"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3937" title="IMG_5306 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5306-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">Just watch out for fallen mushrooms.</p>
</div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Mukimame Hummus</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>(Makes about 2 1/2 cups)</em></p>
<ul>
<li>1 can garbanzo beans/chickpeas, rinsed and drained</li>
<li>1 cup <strong>steamed</strong> mukimame (shelled edamame)</li>
<li>1 Tbsp. fresh ground sesame tahini</li>
<li>1/4 tsp, minced fresh ginger</li>
<li>1 clove garlic, minced</li>
<li>1/4 tsp. Chinese 5-Spice powder</li>
<li>1/4 tsp. salt</li>
<li>1/2 Tbsp. Mae Ploy sweet chilli sauce (optional, but recommended)</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Combine all ingredients in a food processor.</li>
<li>Process until well chopped and mix.</li>
<li>Add water in small increments to smooth out your hummus to desired consistency.</li>
</ol>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>[Note: It will thicken up in the fridge!]</em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5284-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3932"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3932" title="IMG_5284 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5284-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If raw or lightly steamed veggies don&#8217;t get you all hot and bothered like naked edamame do,* I have the solution.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>*Although, how could they not?</em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5315-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3938"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3938" title="IMG_5315 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5315-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Eggplant &#8220;Fries&#8221;</strong><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5325-1280x836" rel="attachment wp-att-3939"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3939" title="IMG_5325 (1280x836)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5325-1280x836-300x195.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="195" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Really just what to do if you like eggplant skin but you don&#8217;t need it for the recipe, these eggplant &#8220;fries&#8221; will only work to dip if they are showing lots of skin. <em>[A perfect match for the stripped down edamame hummus, no?]</em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5259-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3928"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3928" title="IMG_5259 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5259-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Toss with a bit of Chinese five-spice powder and a drizzle of tahini oil (what settles on top of your freshly ground tahini)&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5251-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3925"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3925" title="IMG_5251 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5251-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Bake for about 15 minutes and then try to actually get some to the plate for photographing.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/mukimame-hummus-eggplant-fries.html/img_5336-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3941"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3941" title="IMG_5336 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_5336-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Trust me. It&#8217;s harder than you think.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Sweet Potato Fry + Seitan &#8220;Chorizo&#8221; Hash</title>
		<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 09:13:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Alexia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chorizo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Foodbuzz]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guacamole Hummus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Seitan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Soy Chorizo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sweet Potato Fries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tastemaker Program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vegan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/?p=3886</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As is the nature of my life, I had a plan and then got interrupted. MONTHS ago I was sent a coupon for a free Alexia product of my choosing through Foodbuzz&#8216;s Tastemaker Program&#8211;&#8211;as well as a free Cephalon oven mitt and another apron to add to my growing collection&#8211; &#8211;and although I utilized the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>As is the nature of my life, I had a plan and then got interrupted. MONTHS ago I was sent a coupon for a free <a href="http://www.alexiafoods.com/">Alexia </a>product of my choosing through <a href="http://www.foodbuzz.com">Foodbuzz</a>&#8216;s <a href="http://www.foodbuzz.com/pages/tastemaker-program">Tastemaker </a>Program&#8211;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_6647-1280x688" rel="attachment wp-att-3881"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3881" title="IMG_6647 (1280x688)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6647-1280x688-300x161.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="161" /></a>&#8211;as well as a free Cephalon oven mitt and another apron to add to my growing collection&#8211;</p>
<div id="attachment_3882" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 300px">
	<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_6653-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3882"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3882" title="IMG_6653 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6653-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">My middle name is &quot;Gour-Maybe on a Good Day.&quot;</p>
</div>
<p style="text-align: left;">&#8211;and although I utilized the coupon AND have cooked up quite a few meals with my purchase, weeks have passed without me telling y&#8217;all about it. [You'd think I came back from a <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html">life-changing blogger retreat </a>or invented the<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html"> most incredible nut butter </a>ever or something...]<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_0751-1280x833" rel="attachment wp-att-3869"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3869" title="IMG_0751 (1280x833)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0751-1280x833-300x195.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="195" /></a>Considering<a href="http://www.readbreathe.com/food/six-twists-sweet-potatoes/"> how I feel about sweet potatoes</a>, y&#8217;all, it should not be a surprise that I went for some sweet potato fries. And considering how my time in Texas turned me on to the delicious smoky spice that is chipotle, well, I had to go for the amped up version of the original.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_0753-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3870"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3870" title="IMG_0753 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0753-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Although I was misled by the given serving size&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_0756-963x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-3871"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3871" title="IMG_0756 (963x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0756-963x1280-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>&#8211;turns out 3 oz. of fries is more like 12, unless there is disparity with post-cooking weight, which just serves to confuse me even more&#8230;<em>can I get a &#8220;we need clear nutritional labeling in this country!&#8221;?&#8211;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_0827-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3872"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3872" title="IMG_0827 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0827-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></em>&#8211;the fries had served their purpose as both a delicious side for<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/04/vegan-migas.html"> Vegan Migas</a>&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_0985-1280x853-2" rel="attachment wp-att-3873"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3873" title="IMG_0985 (1280x853) (2)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0985-1280x853-2-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>&#8230;an unassumingly wonderful salad addtion (because what won&#8217;t I put on salad?)&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_1049-1280x853-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3875"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3875" title="IMG_1049 (1280x853) (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_1049-1280x853-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>&#8230;and proved to be most delicious when dipped in Trader Joe&#8217;s Guacamole Hummus.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_1034-1280x817" rel="attachment wp-att-3874"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3874" title="IMG_1034 (1280x817)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_1034-1280x817-300x191.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="191" /></a>However, I couldn&#8217;t get a lingering culinary musing out of my head&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_2821-1280x809" rel="attachment wp-att-3876"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3876" title="IMG_2821 (1280x809)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_2821-1280x809-300x189.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="189" /></a>&#8230;and that, my little chickadees, is how you end up with <em>genius</em> in the kitchen.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_2862-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3883"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3883" title="IMG_2862 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_2862-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>You see, <strong>way</strong> back in February, <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/02/what-mama-smart-ate-wednesday.html">when Mama Smart came to town</a>, we went for breakfast at <strong>Bluegrass Grill &amp; Bakery</strong>, where I feasted upon <em>the most delicious vegan hash, featuring soy chorizo, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, and incredible pepper potatoes</em>. I have been thinking about it ever since, and, although I didn&#8217;t have soy-rizo, I <strong><em>did</em></strong> have my Seitan &#8220;Chorizo&#8221; <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/the-textbook?recipe_id=6023618">Crumbles</a>&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_2840-1280x853-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3878"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3878" title="IMG_2840 (1280x853) (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_2840-1280x853-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>&#8230;and who needs spinach when you&#8217;ve got manager-discounted baby kale?<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_2826-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3877"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3877" title="IMG_2826 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_2826-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>The taters might not have been peppery&#8211;unless you want to describe the use of chipotle pepper as peppery, but I don&#8217;t <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> &#8211;however they sure were <em>spicy</em>.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_2864-1280x853-3" rel="attachment wp-att-3880"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3880" title="IMG_2864 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_2864-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>And, well, <em>I&#8217;m just saying</em> it was pretty darn delicious. (And, well, I didn&#8217;t actually eat it for <em>breakfast</em>. But a hash is good anytime, right?)<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/sweet-potato-fry-seitan-chorizo-hash.html/img_2861-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3885"><img class="aligncenter" title="IMG_2861 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_2861-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thank you, <a href="http://www.alexiafoods.com/">Alexia</a>, for the use of your yummy fries.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Now, will someone please pass the ketchup?</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sweet Potato Fry + Seitain &#8220;Chorizo&#8221; Hash</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>[Serves 2]</em></p>
<ul>
<li>1/2 cup sliced sweet onion</li>
<li>2 cloves garlic, minced</li>
<li>1/2 cup sliced baby bella mushrooms</li>
<li>2 Roma tomatoes, diced</li>
<li>2 cups baby kale or spinach</li>
<li>cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper (to taste)</li>
<li>1/2 cup Seitan &#8220;Chorizo&#8221; <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/the-textbook?recipe_id=6023618">Crumbles</a></li>
<li>6 oz. <a href="http://www.alexiafoods.com/">Alexia </a>Spicy Sweet Potato Fries, prepared and chopped into bit-sized pieces</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Saute onion and garlic in a frying pan in a wee bit of olive, canola, or grapeseed oil until softened.</li>
<li>Add mushrooms and tomatoes to the pan, stirring regularly until nearly cooked.</li>
<li>Stir in kale or spinach and cook until wilted.</li>
<li>Season to taste.</li>
<li>Add crumbled seitan &#8220;chorizo&#8221; to the pan. Allow to heat through.</li>
<li>Serve over chopped sweet potato fries (or stir the fries directly into the pan).</li>
</ol>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Nutty Butter</title>
		<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 09:18:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blend Retreat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gossip Girl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nut Butter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nutty Butter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/?p=3853</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nutty Girl, here.Your one and only source into the scandalous life&#8230;&#8230;of nut butter&#8217;s elite.In life, as in art, sometimes you have to know when to edit yourself.And sometimes, you need to know when to throw all inhibitions out the window&#8230;&#8230;and just go there.But how do you make it?Well, that&#8217;s a secret I&#8217;ll never tell.You know you love [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Nutty Girl, here.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html/nuttygirl" rel="attachment wp-att-3852"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3852" title="NuttyGirl" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/NuttyGirl-300x193.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="193" /></a>Your one and only source into the scandalous life&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html/img_3762-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3851"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3851" title="IMG_3762 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_3762-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>&#8230;of nut butter&#8217;s elite.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html/img_4182-853x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-3844"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3844" title="IMG_4182 (853x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4182-853x1280-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>In life, as in art, sometimes you have to know when to edit yourself.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html/img_3744-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3846"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3846" title="IMG_3744 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_3744-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>And sometimes, you need to know when to throw all inhibitions out the window&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html/img_3747-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3847"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3847" title="IMG_3747 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_3747-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>&#8230;and just <em>go there</em>.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html/img_3757-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3850"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3850" title="IMG_3757 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_3757-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a><em>But how do you make it?<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html/img_3712-1280x819" rel="attachment wp-att-3845"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3845" title="IMG_3712 (1280x819)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_3712-1280x819-300x191.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="191" /></a></em>Well, that&#8217;s a secret I&#8217;ll never tell.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html/img_3750-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3848"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3848" title="IMG_3750 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_3750-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>You know you love me.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html/img_4159-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3843"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3843" title="IMG_4159 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4159-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>XOXO,<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-nutty-butter.html/img_3754-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3849"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3849" title="IMG_3754 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_3754-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a><em>Nutty Girl.</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>35</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Foodie Turned Fit</title>
		<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=foodie-turned-fit</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 09:02:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blend Retreat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Boot Camp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fitmixer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hiking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yoga]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/?p=3818</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When I showed up at Blend, I spent a lot of time during the Friday night welcome party proclaiming that I was a food blogger, not a fitness one. The idea of participating in a boot camp was daunting, and, although I was excited at the prospect of a hike on Saturday and the opportunity [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>When I showed up at Blend, I spent a lot of time during the Friday night welcome party proclaiming that<strong> I was a food blogger, not a fitness one</strong>. The idea of participating in a boot camp was daunting, and, although I was excited at the prospect of a hike on Saturday and the opportunity to finally try yoga,<em> I envisioned myself languising behind the much more fitness-focused bloggers in their cute, matching workout gear</em>.</p>
<div id="attachment_3821" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 300px">
	<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4642-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3821"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3821" title="IMG_4642 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4642-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">(They really are cute, aren&#39;t they?)</p>
</div>
<p style="text-align: center;">But, guess what, y&#8217;all?</p>
<p>I used my all-purpose hiking <em>[slash]</em> running shoes for more than just stuffing swag into to save space packing on the way home.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4820-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3811"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3811" title="IMG_4820 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4820-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>The Saturday morning Boot Camp led by <a href="http://lindsayslist.co/">Lindsay </a>and <a href="http://www.tinareale.com/blog/">Tina </a>(sponsored by <a href="http://fitmixer.com/">fimixer</a>) kicked my butt, but in a good way. I couldn&#8217;t believe I was running (!) in mountain air (!) and I was at the front of the pack (!) keeping up (!)<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/560666_10151691756870201_526115995_n-960x639" rel="attachment wp-att-3815"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3815" title="560666_10151691756870201_526115995_n (960x639)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/560666_10151691756870201_526115995_n-960x639-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>I thought I wasn&#8217;t a &#8220;group fitness girl,&#8221; but<strong> being in a large group of women whom I instinctively trusted brough out a mini warrior in me</strong>. <em>I wasn&#8217;t afraid to look like an idiot should my form be slightly off or I wasn&#8217;t able to eke out the last few reps</em>.  <img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3826" title="IMG_4639 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4639-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" />I might not have had the highest number of reps in any of our challenges, but I was SO proud of myself for keeping relative pace with the super-fit foodies around me!<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/148714_10151691588570201_519380200_24442756_2065247724_n-960x640" rel="attachment wp-att-3812"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3812" title="148714_10151691588570201_519380200_24442756_2065247724_n (960x640)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/148714_10151691588570201_519380200_24442756_2065247724_n-960x640-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>Maybe it was the (highly addictive) <a href="http://fitmixer.com/">fitmixer </a>aminos that I started Saturday&#8217;s boot camp with&#8230;</p>
<div id="attachment_3803" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 199px">
	<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4636-853x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-3803"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3803" title="IMG_4636 (853x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4636-853x1280-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">Fitmixer: like a sweet (healthy) Hawaiian (protein) Punch...</p>
</div>
<p>&#8230;but <strong>once I got going I just couldn&#8217;t stop</strong>! Riding on a high of personal physical accomplishment, I lathered up on sunscreen and joined the pack for a hike up a mountain.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4722-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3804"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3804" title="IMG_4722 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4722-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>This was no ordinary hike. The ladies had warned us it would be pretty strenuous&#8230;but<em> oh my goll, y&#8217;all</em>, you have no idea.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4724-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3805"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3805" title="IMG_4724 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4724-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>It was straight up or straight down that mountain, meaning on the way up we were climbing a rail-less staircase, and on the way down we were walking down a playground slide. (OK, maybe not THAT extreme&#8230;as there <em>were</em> rocks to grip on to. <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> )</p>
<div id="attachment_3813" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 300px">
	<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/540396_10151691614160201_519380200_24442906_2044643317_n-960x640" rel="attachment wp-att-3813"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3813" title="540396_10151691614160201_519380200_24442906_2044643317_n (960x640)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/540396_10151691614160201_519380200_24442906_2044643317_n-960x640-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">Thank you, Janetha, for proof of my hiking. <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
</div>
<p>There were moments where I thought about turning back, when I was so out of breath I didn&#8217;t know if I&#8217;d make it. <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4749-853x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-3808"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3808" title="IMG_4749 (853x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4749-853x1280-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>But like Jamie Foxx + T-Pain, I chose to blame it on the <del>alcohol</del> altitude.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4744-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3807"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3807" title="IMG_4744 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4744-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>I had entered into competition with myself<em>&#8211;&#8221;Can you do it, Sarah? Can you keep up?&#8221;</em>&#8211;and so I kept on <del>posing</del> pushing.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/flatiron-543x361" rel="attachment wp-att-3817"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3817" title="Flatiron (543x361)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Flatiron-543x361-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>And against all of my beliefs and odds, I made it to the top! (Perhaps those hours working the &#8220;Hill Climb&#8221; setting on the elliptical helped?)<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4736-1280x853-2" rel="attachment wp-att-3806"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3806" title="IMG_4736 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4736-1280x8531-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Thank goll for my dear friend, Maria, without whom I&#8217;m sure I would never have pushed on. Together we walked up, and together we <del>crawled</del> walked down&#8230;slow and steady and never giving up. <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_2429-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3816"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3816" title="IMG_2429 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_2429-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>We did, however, get a bit lost on the way back&#8230;but it was a blessing in disguise because I stumbled upon this:<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4754-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3809"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3809" title="IMG_4754 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4754-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>And if you think that finding this toilet wasn&#8217;t one of the greatest moments of the day, well, I mean, you obviously haven&#8217;t met my bladder. [<em>And did I squeal through the window while Maria stood outside?</em> Yes. Yes, I did.]<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4755-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3810"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3810" title="IMG_4755 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4755-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>If you think the fitness fun ended there&#8230;well&#8230;you&#8217;d be wrong. Despite my physical exhaustion, <strong>I had been looking forward to using Blend as a &#8220;safe space&#8217; in which to try yoga for the first time&#8230;and gosh darn it, I was getting to yoga.</strong><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4794-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3831"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3831" title="IMG_4794 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4794-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>I kid you not, I&#8217;m pretty sure it was the <a href="http://www.fitmixer.com">fitmixer </a>aminos&#8211;a second bottle of which I stole from the morning&#8217;s boot camp and polished off on the hike&#8211;that fueled me through the day. <em>I was never famished, just tired in a &#8220;it feels great to use my body like this&#8221; way</em>. [And you know that if this <em>perma-lliptical</em> darling can get into aminos, they've got to be good.]<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/img_4751-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3832"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3832" title="IMG_4751 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4751-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Whatever it was, I made it through <em>my very first yoga class</em>&#8230;and I was exhilarated! I am now on the hunt for a Vinyasa Flow class in town and <strong>cannot get over the feeling of joy from stretching and balancing and proving to myself that yes, yes I CAN do this.*</strong></p>
<p><em>*There was one moment where I thought I might pass out&#8230;but you know, whatever.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4793-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3666"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3666" title="IMG_4793 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4793-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></em>I told myself I wasn&#8217;t going to do the Sunday Boot Camp. I was going to wake up and make coffee in our cabin and sit on our porch with my book until breakfast. I&#8217;d even packed up my workout clothes.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>But I went back for more</strong>.*</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>*This might have been the result of consuming an entire bag of <a href="http://www.oogiesnacks.com/">Oogie&#8217;s </a>popcorn the night before, but I&#8217;m choosing to believe it was my new inner fitness bug. <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/577831_10151691686225201_519380200_24443283_1175307606_n-960x639" rel="attachment wp-att-3835"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3835" title="577831_10151691686225201_519380200_24443283_1175307606_n (960x639)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/577831_10151691686225201_519380200_24443283_1175307606_n-960x639-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></em>[I even got to play Rocky and count out reps for my group. I may have gotten a little squealy there at the end...but I did it nonetheless!]<em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/foodie-turned-fit.html/536475_10151691685625201_519380200_24443279_549963764_n-960x639" rel="attachment wp-att-3836"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3836" title="536475_10151691685625201_519380200_24443279_549963764_n (960x639)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/536475_10151691685625201_519380200_24443279_549963764_n-960x639-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></em>I wasn&#8217;t the only person who did all four of the fitness &#8216;events&#8217; at Blend, but I was ONE of the only ones, and this was an accomplishment I didn&#8217;t even know I wanted to achieve. <strong><em>Having never been an athlete, I am not in the habit of considering myself to be very fit, but I finally gave myself credit for what my body was capable of doing,</em> and </strong><strong>I&#8217;m not sure I would ever have done so were I not surrounded by a group of women I knew had my back and wouldn&#8217;t knock me down, only lift me up.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Just <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html">another reason </a>to love Blend. <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>21</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Bookending Blend</title>
		<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=bookending-blend</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 04:11:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[18 Rabbits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Airport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bunny Bar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cocoa Almond Butter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Diet Coke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jif]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oatmeal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel Snacks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[What I Ate Wednesday]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/?p=3779</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I figure that there might be quite a few What I Ate Wednesday posts regaling y&#8217;all with the food intake at the Blend Retreat this weekend, but I thought to liven things up for Jenn and everyone else at this weekly food porn party I&#8217;d go ahead and focus on the creative consumption that bookended [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>I figure that there might be quite a few <strong>What I Ate Wednesday</strong> posts regaling y&#8217;all with the food intake at the <a href="http://www.blendretreat.com">Blend Retreat </a>this weekend, but I thought to liven things up for <a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com">Jenn </a>and everyone else at this weekly food porn party I&#8217;d go ahead and focus on the creative consumption that bookended Blend. <strong>While these might not go down in history as my <em>most</em> bizarre travel snacks, I do feel they are worthy of being added to the <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2010/12/traveling-with-miss-smart-vol-1-packing-a-picnic.html">long line </a>of <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2011/11/how-to-make-friends-alienate-airline-passengers.html">insane attempts</a> at smuggling food through security or<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2011/11/all-aboard-the-crazy-train.html"> filling nooks and crannies </a>of my car with cereal boxes so as not to spend a dime in transit.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/wiawtoandfromblend" rel="attachment wp-att-3778"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3778" title="WIAWtoandfromBlend" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WIAWtoandfromBlend-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></strong>As has become custom, I began my day of travel with oats in a jar (or its cousin, oats in a mug). Although I sent a silent prayer in <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html">my song </a>about leavin&#8217; for Blend that these oats would stay warm, I actually made them the night before&#8211;yes, for photography purposes&#8211;and chose to eat them cold in the car on the way to the airport.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hey. It&#8217;s weird, but it&#8217;s really just cooked overnight oats, right?<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4276-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3640"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3640" title="IMG_4276 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4276-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>I, of course, was well stocked for the trip. <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4345-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3759"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3759" title="IMG_4345 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4345-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">My bag is usually 75% food and 25% entertainment. (Sometimes I reduce the number of books and DVDs in order to actually accomodate clothes or toiletries.) <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4336-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3755"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3755" title="IMG_4336 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4336-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Guapo really wanted to come along to Blend, so I allowed it. Goldie (his girfriend) has sadly been a missing <del>person</del> goldfish for months now&#8230;I&#8217;m considering taking an ad out on the side of a milk carton.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4340-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3757"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3757" title="IMG_4340 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4340-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>I stuffed him full of Wegman&#8217;s Fiber Essentials with Flakes <a href="http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&amp;storeId=10052&amp;catalogId=10002&amp;productId=672625">cereal</a>&#8230;.so yumalicious (especially the little puffed rice clusters seasoned with <strong><em>chai spice</em></strong>)!<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4338-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3756"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3756" title="IMG_4338 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4338-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Between the presence of Guapo and the fact that I was reading Charlotte&#8217;s Web, I&#8217;m pretty sure everyone was aware that I might be 27 years old, but at heart, remain a third grader.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4343-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3758"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3758" title="IMG_4343 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4343-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I swear I was lesson planning!<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4350-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3760"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3760" title="IMG_4350 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4350-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I had been anticipating my in-flight indulgence of a Diet Coke for days&#8230;but unfortunately for all, my newfound habit of drinking lots and lots of water (and my newfound love for the acidic cleansing of kombucha) has somehow made it less appealing than it used to be.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4377-853x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-3763"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3763" title="IMG_4377 (853x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4377-853x1280-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>Charlotte&#8217;s Web wasn&#8217;t the <em>only</em> book I&#8217;d brought with me, but I <strong>did</strong> continue with the kiddie snacks.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4362-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3761"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3761" title="IMG_4362 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4362-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">When you are reading something as intense as a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Still-Alice-Lisa-Genova/dp/0595440096">book </a>about a 50-year-old diagnosed with Alzheimer&#8217;s, you need a good cartoon-emblazoned<a href="http://www.18rabbits.com/"> 18 Rabbits</a> Mango Strawberry Bunny Bar to lighten the mood a bit.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4369-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3762"><img class="aligncenter" title="IMG_4369 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4369-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And finally, I was welcomed to Denver&#8211;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4381-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3764"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3764" title="IMG_4381 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4381-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>&#8211;where I found a very hungry <a href="http://theleangreenbeanblog.com">Lindsay</a>, with whom I shared an orange from my fruit bag.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4386-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3765"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3765" title="IMG_4386 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4386-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>Cue a Wayne &amp; Garth-style time travel motion, where the delicate waving of my hands in a vertical motion will somehow transport us through my <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html">adventures </a>on <a href="http://www.lovegrownfoods.com">Love Grown Foods&#8217; </a>Love Bus and the entire Blend Retreat to find me back in the airport.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4905-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3768"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3768" title="IMG_4905 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4905-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></em>I, of course, had managed to  get to a grocery store over the weekend and stock-up on some travel snacks (and kill a constant kombucha craving). <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4790-853x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-3766"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3766" title="IMG_4790 (853x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4790-853x1280-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>And, also not surprising, I had managed to smuggle out a number of food items from various Blend breakfasts and repacked them for my trip&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4902-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3767"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3767" title="IMG_4902 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4902-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8230;making moments like this possible.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4910-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3769"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3769" title="IMG_4910 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4910-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Sometimes Jif is just a really good idea.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4914-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3770"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3770" title="IMG_4914 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4914-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The entire first season of Parks &amp; Recreation, a wee bit of time spent on writing a <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html">post </a>of my general adoration of the weekend&#8211;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4922-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3772"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3772" title="IMG_4922 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4922-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8211;and two of <a href="http://sprint2thetable.com">Laura</a>&#8216;s DELICIOUS<a href="http://www.sprint2thetable.com/2012/01/granola-cookies/"> granola cookies </a>later&#8211;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4936-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3773"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3773" title="IMG_4936 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4936-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">&#8211;I found myself back in another airport&#8230;with an orange. (What is it about air travel that makes me crave citrus?)<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4947-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3774"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3774" title="IMG_4947 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4947-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>By the time I made it home, it was late, and I was tired, but still too jazzed to go to sleep. I paired uploading photos with some Trader Joe&#8217;s Cocoa Almond Spread. <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4948-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3775"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3775" title="IMG_4948 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4948-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It started off civilized, yes&#8211;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4950-1280x853-2" rel="attachment wp-att-3776"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3776" title="IMG_4950 (1280x853) (2)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4950-1280x853-2-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">&#8211;but then the chopstick came out&#8230;and, well, I don&#8217;t know if we want to talk about what happened next.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/bookending-blend.html/img_4958-1280x853-2" rel="attachment wp-att-3777"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3777" title="IMG_4958 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4958-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Let&#8217;s  just blame the nearly empty jar on emotional turmoil from having to leave behind Blend, shall we? <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
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		<title>Colorado is for LOVE(Blogge)Rs</title>
		<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=colorado-is-for-lovebloggers</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 09:17:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blend Retreat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Larabars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LOVE Blogger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love Grown Foods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love Grown Granola]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/?p=3719</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last winter, when I won the competition to become one of Love Grown Foods newest LOVE Bloggers, I knew it would be a fun way to be more involved with a company whose message I LOVED and perhaps a LOVELY opportunity to share a product I LOVED with others. What I definitely did NOT foresee? [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>Last winter, when I won the competition to become one of <a href="http://www.lovegrownfoods.com">Love Grown Foods </a>newest LOVE Bloggers, I knew it would be a fun way to be more involved with a company whose message I LOVED and perhaps a LOVELY opportunity to share a product I LOVED with others.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_3681-1280x853-2" rel="attachment wp-att-3692"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3692" title="IMG_3681 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_3681-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>What I definitely did NOT foresee?</em><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3693" title="IMG_4391 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4391-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></p>
<p>The moment when this big, beautiful LOVE-covered bus came pulling up next to a gathered group of bloggers at the Denver Airport last Friday.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4399-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3695"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3695" title="IMG_4399 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4399-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>We were ready with our cameras, of course. [We are all LOVE <em>Bloggers</em>, after all. <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> ]<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4731-957x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-3707"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3707" title="IMG_4731 (957x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4731-957x1280-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="300" /></a>Knowing that a number of LOVE Bloggers were coming into town for the <a href="http://www.blendretreat.com">Blend Retreat</a>, Maddy [Founder &amp; Chief Love Officer <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> ] had arranged to pick us up from the airport and transport us to Boulder for the retreat.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4397-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3694"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3694" title="IMG_4397 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4397-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Of course, it wouldn&#8217;t be right not to stop by the LOVE Pad first.</p>
<div id="attachment_3708" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 300px">
	<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4763-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3708"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3708" title="IMG_4763 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4763-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">Alex, Courtney, Alyssa, Lindsay, Maddy, Me, Bobbi</p>
</div>
<p>It was LOVELY to see where so much LOVE was made and shipped around the country. We did not, sadly, have time to play ping-pong on the LOVE table.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4403-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3696"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3696" title="IMG_4403 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4403-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Although we did take a minute (or ten to twenty) to indulge in the LOVELY scent of Raisin Almond Crunch that permeated the air, <em>prompting us all to contemplate the reasonableness of introducing a granola-scented air freshener for the market.</em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4407-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3697"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3697" title="IMG_4407 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4407-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>I don&#8217;t know why I was even surprised that Maddy and Alex had put together overflowing boxes of Colorado treats for us, as they are constantly willing to send bags upon bags of LOVE to our doors on a regular basis.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4408-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3698"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3698" title="IMG_4408 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4408-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But seriously, they were too kind.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4805-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3718"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3718" title="IMG_4805 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4805-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a><strong>Can you feel the LOVE <em>(tonight)?<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4796-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3712"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3712" title="IMG_4796 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4796-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></em></strong>You might say I was a little excited.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4767-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3709"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3709" title="IMG_4767 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4767-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>OK. Fine. A <em>lot</em> excited.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4775-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3710"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3710" title="IMG_4775 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4775-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Of course, after we&#8217;d all traded around this Colorado LOVE to make the boxes meet our personal points of perfection, the elementary school teacher in me required that we all label them so as not to cause a mix up later. <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4428-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3700"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3700" title="IMG_4428 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4428-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a><strong>If you think that was enough LOVE for one day, well, you obviously haven&#8217;t ever met Maddy and Alex.</strong> (They are the kind of people that carry your luggage and gifts that <em>they</em> gave you up hills and around corners on a confused search for Blend Retreat check-in.)<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3706" title="IMG_4481 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4481-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /><a href="http://www.lovegrownfoods.com">Love Grown </a>had recently moved from its smaller production facility (itself a huge step up from the &#8216;large bowls in the kitchen&#8217; the company began with) to a large scale food production warehouse. Maddy and Alex had arrange for us to have an official tour of the plant, which also maked <a href="http://www.larabar.com">Larabars</a>, Rocky Mountain Popcorn, <a href="http://www.34-degrees.com/">34 Degrees Crisps</a>, <a href="www.bouldericecream.com/">Boulder Ice Cream</a>, and <a href="justinsnutbutter.com/">Justin&#8217;s Nut Butter</a>.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4432-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3702"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3702" title="IMG_4432 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4432-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Although our LOVE boxes of Colorado treats had contained some exciting NEW products from those companies&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4803-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3717"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3717" title="IMG_4803 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4803-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>[Why yes, Justin's IS going to be selling candy bars...]<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4799-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3713"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3713" title="IMG_4799 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4799-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">&#8230;nothing could beat the taste of a Larabar&#8211;intended for Canada (hence the <em>francais</em>)&#8211;<em><strong>straight off of the line</strong>! <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4430-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3701"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3701" title="IMG_4430 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4430-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></em>We were lucky enough to watch them cutting and packaging the bars, learning that freezing the date paste helps to make the product easier to work with. It also results in a cold bar when pulled from the line that is positively <strong>gooey </strong>when you open and eat it.</p>
<div id="attachment_3705" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 300px">
	<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4462-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3705"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3705" title="IMG_4462 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4462-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">(Gooey like it was a block of slightly hardened, crunchy cashew butter.)</p>
</div>
<p style="text-align: center;">Um. Oh yeah.<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Did I also mention that JUSTIN, the God of Nut Butter himself,* just happened to stop by while we were there and give us a personal tour of his production room?</em></strong></p>
<p><em>*</em>This yellow sweater is clearly my &#8220;meet famous male foodies by accident&#8221; sweater. Remeber <a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2011/11/tyflo-y-yo.html">TyFlo</a> at Foodbuzz???<em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4780-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3711"><strong><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3711" title="IMG_4780 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4780-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></strong></a></em>Don&#8217;t worry, y&#8217;all, I did not fail you. I definitely proceeded to say lots of awkward things like <em>&#8220;Maple Almond is my favorite! (Giggle, Giggle)&#8221; </em>and <em>&#8220;I <strong>totally</strong> have a pack of Chocolate Peanut Butter in my purse right now.&#8221;</em> When he said he was a vegetarian, I might have swooned silently.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4439-853x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-3703"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3703" title="IMG_4439 (853x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4439-853x1280-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>Dearest Maddy and Alex, we could not have been welcomed to Colorado in a LOVELIER way! Thank y&#8217;all so much for everything. And to answer your (or Elby&#8217;s?) question:<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/colorado-is-for-lovebloggers.html/img_4418-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3699"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3699" title="IMG_4418 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4418-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Pretty darn <em>LOVE-ulous</em>.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/?attachment_id=3715"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3715" title="IMG_4801 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4801-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></strong></p>
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		<title>Blend 2012: Miss Smart&#8217;s Perspective</title>
		<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=blend-2012</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 04:34:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blend Retreat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bloggers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blogging]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/?p=3672</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Describe Blend 2012 in one word? Amazing.* *Highly generic and what most elementary school teachers might call a “dead” adjective, needing to be buried in favor of something jazzier, inspiring 10-year-olds to tear through thesauri—yes, that is a word—in search of a word whose meaning they don’t understand, but that both Merriam AND Webster assure [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Describe <a href="http://blendretreat.com/">Blend</a> 2012 in one word?</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Amazing.*<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3660" title="IMG_4485 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4485-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></strong></p>
<p><em>*Highly generic and what most elementary school teachers might call a “dead” adjective, needing to be buried in favor of something jazzier, inspiring 10-year-olds to tear through thesauri—yes, that is a word—in search of a word whose meaning they don’t understand, but that both Merriam AND Webster assure is an equivalent match, not factoring in the need to account for connotation as well as definition.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/imag2064-1280x765" rel="attachment wp-att-3670"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3670" title="IMAG2064 (1280x765)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMAG2064-1280x765-300x179.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="179" /></a></em></p>
<p align="center"><strong>Given more words, I’d also add:</strong></p>
<p align="center">Uplifting</p>
<p align="center">Blissful</p>
<p align="center">Relaxing</p>
<p align="center">Warm</p>
<p align="center">Challenging</p>
<p align="center">Inspiring</p>
<p align="center">….and FUN! (of course)<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/405026_3860515628324_1141420045_3649378_1554369715_n1" rel="attachment wp-att-3658"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3658" title="405026_3860515628324_1141420045_3649378_1554369715_n[1]" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/405026_3860515628324_1141420045_3649378_1554369715_n1-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>From me, and from the other bloggers who attended this Boulder-based blogger (and blog reader/supporter/friend) retreat, organized by the even-more-lovely-in-person <a href="http://lindsayslist.co/">Lindsay</a>, <a href="mealsandmovesblog.com">Janetha</a>, and <a href="http://yesiwantcake.com/">Katie</a>, I’m sure you’ll be reading posts about various aspects of the weekend focusing on different events or meals, and written from different backgrounds, viewpoints, and perspectives.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4491-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3661"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3661" title="IMG_4491 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4491-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But for now, I will just say this*</p>
<p><em>*Mostly because I’m writing this on the plane, sans pictures, and by the time I get home to import some, it will be late on Sunday night. 5:45 comes all too quickly, and first graders don’t understand the sentence, “I’m exhausted. Please work independently for a minute at your seats so I can sit down.”</em></p>
<p align="center"><strong>This past weekend was just what I needed.</strong></p>
<p>I was able to reconnect with old friends, meet bloggers in person for the first time who I’ve only just begun to “know” through twitter and blog reading, and find kindred spirits in both them, and people whose names and faces (and online musings) were entirely new to me.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4501-853x1280" rel="attachment wp-att-3662"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3662" title="IMG_4501 (853x1280)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4501-853x1280-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>The feeling of it all was simply one of <strong>community and friendship</strong>. We were there to connect to one another outside of blogging, despite it being the one commonality we all shared.</p>
<p>I laughed with people about the quirky foods I like to eat and tried to convince people that dill pickle cashew butter or nutritional yeast on top of pomegranate salsa really are delicious  concepts.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4891-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3668"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3668" title="IMG_4891 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4891-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>I had conversations late into the night about life and change and insecurity.</p>
<p>I felt no judgement in what I looked like, what clothes I was wearing, or what my job/relationship status/income was.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>I didn’t get left out of any cliques, because there weren’t any.</strong></p>
<p>I wasn’t looked down upon because I only have 400 hits a day on my blog to someone else’s 4,000. <img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3663" title="IMG_4641 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4641-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></p>
<p>The support and enthusiasm of everyone uplifted me to accomplish some incredible fitness feats that I never thought I could tackle.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4736-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3665"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3665" title="IMG_4736 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4736-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>I ate vegan cupcakes and hiked a mountain and did yoga and went to the Farmer’s Market and had my picture taken with a giant metal rooster.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4788-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3678"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3678" title="IMG_4788 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4788-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <strong>This was no ordinary blogger conference.</strong></p>
<p>Yes, I did get a lot of free food and fitness-related goodies, and yes, I DID spend three hours trying to figure out how I was going to fit everything I wanted to take home into my bag, with the conclusion that I could always “feed the airport” if I was over the weight limit.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4813-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3667"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3667" title="IMG_4813 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4813-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>(Just under 50lbs! I totally could have fit in another bag of granola….)</em><a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/imag2070-1280x765" rel="attachment wp-att-3671"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3671" title="IMAG2070 (1280x765)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMAG2070-1280x765-300x179.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="179" /></a></p>
<p>Yes, I took an insane amount of pictures and handed out business cards and made connections to PR execs and sponsors.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/538815_10150818819809522_281323654521_9319376_818742186_n1" rel="attachment wp-att-3659"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3659" title="538815_10150818819809522_281323654521_9319376_818742186_n[1]" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/538815_10150818819809522_281323654521_9319376_818742186_n1-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="300" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> And yes, I was there because of my blog.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4908-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3679"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3679" title="IMG_4908 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4908-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">But there were no ‘sessions,’ no feeling of ‘what can your blog do for MY blog?’ underlying my conversations, and I spent so much time in workout clothes, without make-up, that when I finally attempted to ‘do’ my hair I don’t think people recognized me.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4793-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3666"><img class="aligncenter" title="IMG_4793 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4793-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p>They said we wouldn’t learn anything about ‘how to improve our blogs,’ or ‘how to become a better blogger,’ but ladies, you were wrong.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4530-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3680"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3680" title="IMG_4530 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4530-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>Because what I took away from Blend 2012—aside from the excessive amount of Probars that I won in the raffle—was this:<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/blend-2012.html/img_4897-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3669"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3669" title="IMG_4897 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4897-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The best way to be a ‘better’ blogger is to blog because you love it, stay true to yourself, and know that the best thing about blogging <em>isn’t</em> how many people comment daily or how many opportunities to review products come your way&#8230;it </strong><strong>is the community you become a part of the moment you first start writing.*</strong></p>
<p><em>*Or reading! <img src='http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </em></p>
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		<title>Leavin&#8217; for the Blend Retreat</title>
		<link>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=leavin-for-the-blend-retreat</link>
		<comments>http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 10:26:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sarah</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blend Retreat]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Leavin&#8217; for the Blend Retreat (to the tune of &#8220;Leavin&#8217; on a Jet Plane&#8221;)  &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211; My snacks are packed, I&#8217;m ready to go. I&#8217;ve got an extra bag for swag to take home. I&#8217;m prepared to smuggle food through security&#8230; &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211; The dawn is breaking, it&#8217;s early morn&#8211; I hope my oats in a jar will [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Leavin&#8217; for the Blend Retreat</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>(to the tune of &#8220;Leavin&#8217; on a Jet Plane&#8221;)</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">My snacks are packed, I&#8217;m ready to go.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html/img_4251-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3638"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3638" title="IMG_4251 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4251-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I&#8217;ve got an extra bag for swag to take home.<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html/img_4280-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3641"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3641" title="IMG_4280 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4280-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I&#8217;m prepared to smuggle food through security&#8230;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The dawn is breaking, it&#8217;s early morn&#8211;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I hope my oats in a jar will stay warm!</p>
<div id="attachment_3639" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 300px">
	<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html/img_4273-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3639"><img class="size-medium wp-image-3639" title="IMG_4273 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4273-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>
	<p class="wp-caption-text">This photo is what we call a &quot;pre&quot;-enactment.</p>
</div>
<p style="text-align: center;">But right now my mind is solely focused on coffee&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html/img_0806-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-2738"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2738" title="IMG_0806 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_0806-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">So tweet me and facebook me,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Tell me that you won&#8217;t laugh at me,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">When I try to run or act like a yogi&#8230;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Leavin&#8217; for the Blend Retreat</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Food and fun and lots of bloggers to meet<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html/img_4290-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3643"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3643" title="IMG_4290 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4290-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong> </strong></em><strong><em>Oh my goll, y&#8217;all</em>, I can&#8217;t wait to go&#8230;</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Watch out, Boulder: here comes Miss Smart!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">She&#8217;s got packing nutty butter down to an art&#8230;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Let&#8217;s hope her gifts make it without an explosion!<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html/img_4299-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3644"><img class="aligncenter" title="IMG_4299 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4299-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Every meal we eat, we&#8217;ll photograph</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Every shared food quirk will make us laugh</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">When we go home our non-bloggin&#8217; friends probably won&#8217;t understand&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html/img_4287-1280x853" rel="attachment wp-att-3642"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3642" title="IMG_4287 (1280x853)" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4287-1280x853-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Leavin&#8217; for the Blend Retreat</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Food and fun and lots of bloggers to meet<br />
</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Oh my goll, y&#8217;all</em>, I can&#8217;t wait to go&#8230;<a href="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/2012/05/leavin-for-the-blend-retreat.html/blend-retreat1" rel="attachment wp-att-3646"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3646" title="Blend-Retreat[1]" src="http://www.thesmartkitchenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Blend-Retreat1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="183" /></a></strong></p>
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