Monthly Archives: December 2013

2013

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Well…shit. Another recap. I’m hypocritting to the max this week.

This one is just a general ‘Shit that I did this year that stands out in my mind’ recap. Surely that’s ok, especially for some newer readers who probably never bothered to shuffle through old posts. Because let’s face it, my blog isn’t interesting enough to really do that.

Without futher ado to my readers both old and new (1. Shit, I’m a great poet. 2. I’m saying ‘shit’ a lot in this post), here’s all the shit I remember from this year- and liked:

Going home to NY and seeing Ashley and Athena. And drinking a lot.

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(picture taken from Athena’s recap of that weekend, which can be read here)

Getting my Permanent Residency in Canada. (originally posted here)

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Going to Seattle and visiting my BFF. And drinking a lot. (originally posted here)

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Celebrating our Anniversary. (originally posted here and obviously I suck and didn’t get a picture of us together!)

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Getting Reggie. (same post)

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Our Wedding. And drinking a lot. (recap here)

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Getting my first job in Canada. (announced here)

Quitting my first jon in Canada and starting my second job in Canada a week later. (announced here)

Getting my first new car! (originally posted here)

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Going to Las Vegas to visit fam. And drinking a lot. (originally posted here)

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So there you have it. Some of my favorite things from 2013. Sorry that was boring.

In the comments: What was your most memorable thing form 2013?

Pizza Pizza

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I’ve decided that I can’t stand recaps. (probably temporary)

The whole idea of ‘first I did this, then I did this, then I saw this, then I ate this” is somewhat nauseating. I admit to falling into that habit now and again (moreso when I wasn’t working) and realize it’s actually probably more interesting to the writer that they ate pizza on a Saturday night than it is to readers…who probably did the same thing.

So here’s my recap of Saturday night….we went out for pizza. (see what I did there? Bash on something then do the EXACT thing that bothers me. Hypocracy at it’s finest. Feel free to judge, but only say nice things in the comments if you even bother to comment!)

After running mundane errands, I ran over to the gym to bust out this workout. (wanted to share that workout in case you’re looking for something new that will challenge you!)

On to dinner….for a LONG ASS TIME now, I’ve wanted to go to Una Pizza + Wine on 17th Ave. I follow them on twitter and they almost ALWAYS have a wait for tables—> they don’t take reservations. After our fabulous dinner out last week, we agreed that now was the time to finally indulge in what is rumored to be some of the best pizza in Calgary.

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We got there around 6:30 and was told a table for 2 would be ready in about 30 minutes. Since the place is practically a hole in a wall, they take your phone #, encourage you to get a drink at a nearby bar, and call you when your table is available. SWEET DEAL, YO. We walked across the street to National and enjoyed some fun, new-to-us brews before the call quickly came telling us to head back to Una.

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True to it’s name, the restaurant has a rather large wine selection, so we opted for an entire bottle (c’mon guys, you KNOW me) and it ended up being a great selection! A really smooth wine that paired perfectly with our pizzas.

 

We both ordered The Beltline pizzas, except I added pineapple on mine- per the recommendation of a friend. You’d maybe expect the flavor to be a little outrageous, considering the combination of ingredients, but it was totally and completely perfect. We were spoiled because what we originally thought to be a less desireable table turned out to be the best spot to watch them prep and cook every order. (I even broke out my stopwatch to see how long it took to cook the pizzas. 7 minutes if you were wondering).

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The pineapple on my pizza was cut SUPER thin and the sweetness of that combined with just the hint of maple syrup that was drizzled over top really balanced out the saltiness of the bacon and sausage. There- is that descriptive enough for you? My mouth is watering and now I want another pizza.

We left Una with full bellies and conversation filled with how much we loved the entire dining experience. Now if only we can manage to move to an apt a block or so away, we’d be getting takeout from that place ALL THE TIME.

 

Also, they had the best bathroom sign ever.

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PS: Don’t forget to enter my giveaway here. Deadline for entry has been extended to Jan 7th.

Giveaway Update

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Hey everyone! Just wanted to pop in real quick and let you know that I’m extending the Kinnikinnick giveaway for another week or so and will be announcing the winner on Tuesday, Jan 7th. Just wanted to give more folks a chance to enter since I believe a lot of people are ‘unplugging’ during the holidays.

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Talk to you later!

Weekend Recap [& A Giveaway!]

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It’s Christmas Week! Yayyy.

Whoa, that was entirely too cheery for a Monday morning.

So whatttttt did I do this past weekend….hmmm. I honestly have to jog my memory to remember!

Friday after work, Tyler and I ran a ton of errands. Super exciting. Then we watched Don Jon (ummm did NOT know that the movie was about a dude addicted to porn!), Runner Runner, a stand-up special by Kevin Hart and another by Russell Peters. Lots of couch time.

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Apparently that was my patriotic winter garb.

Saturday was even more lazy time, grocery shopping for Xmas meals, a QUICK set of 4 tabatas, then dinner at Anejo. We didn’t make reservations and I called to see what wait times would be like and they said to come before six to have little to no wait. Fine by us! We got there at 5:30 and enjoyed some table made guacamole and unique margaritas. For dinner, we shared a plate of tacos (beef short rib, adobo pork, crispy snapper, and chicken) they were SO delicious. Accompanying sauces were hot sauce, a verde sauce and a habanero mayo. My mouth is watering just remembering this meal!

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We each had 3 drinks (HEY, they were small!). I had 2 chili coconut margaritas, and one guava. Tyler had a Tequila caesar, Mandarin margarita, and a Mexicalita (I think that’s what it was called).

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We really loved the experience there and can’t wait to go back again! The ambiance is really great, too.

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Nothing like a wall of tequila and Nacho Libre.

We came home and watched SNL and a couple episodes of Revolution. Does anybody watch that show? I think it’s terrible, but Tyler likes it. That main young girl  just annoys the living daylights out of me!

Sunday: Omelettes, naps, laundry, workout, paint nails, more Revolution. I just need it to be Christmas already, dang it!

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This is the workout I did yesterday. Seriously try it, it’s…fun! I have been LOVING box jumps lately. Partly because they’re a great alternative to using cardio machines; partly because I feel badass doing them; partly because they yield some pretty amazing results.

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OH RIGHT- I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER GIVEAWAY TO SHARE WITH YOU GUYS. Are you excited? The best part is: all Canadian & US residents can enter this one!

What’s the giveaway, you ask? A box full of lovely Kinnikinnick products!

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(source)

Kinnikinnick sells Gluten Free products (and almost all products are also dairy free!) I was first made aware of the brand when my aunt and my mom were diagnosed with Celiac’s disease. For them to banish gluten from their diets was really hard- especially since they both live in an area that hadn’t quickly adapted to the needs of the disease. They both visited tons of grocery stores and sampled countless GF products before coming across Kinnikinnick (they passed on other brands because of high price and/or undesireable taste). Now, my mom and aunt both go to a nearby SMALL natural foods store and order Kinnikinnick products BY THE CASE so that they always have some handy (products are stored in the freezer). They love the quality of the product, the price isn’t too bad, and the taste is a close comparison to the foods they’ve always ate.

When the folks over at Kinnikinnick offere to send ME a box of GF goods to review and share with you AND offer another box for one lucky reader, I was pretty pumped! While this isn’t a new product to me, I was overwhelmed when I got the package in the mail last week. It included: One loaf multigrain bread, one loaf white bread, one bag (of 4) plain bagels, blueberry bagels, and cinnamon raisin bagels.

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I know a lot of people don’t care for the taste of GF products over the ‘real’ thing, but to be honest- these taste no different to me at all! (I think it’s just a psychological thing most of the time). Tyler and I shared a cinnamon raisin bagel yesterday morning and the flavor and texture matched any other bagel you’d find at your grocery store. Mmm, I can smell it now that cinnamony raisiny deliciousness.

I already plan on eating up the rest of this stuff over the next couple of weeks with sandwiches and more sandwiches and hearty breakfasts! You can invite yourself over to share in this deliciousness, but give me at least 2 hours notice so I can sweep up all the dog hair that is constantly accumulating in the house.

Other varieties of Kinnikinnick products that I’ve tried (and loved):

  • KinniKritter Animal Cookies
  • Graham Style Cracker Crumbs
  • Pancake and Waffle Mix
  • Chocolate Cake Mix
  • Tapioca Rice English Muffins (my mom’s favorite!)

Check out their website (link above) to see the wide range of products they offer AND locations where they are sold- you can also order online.

Thanks, Kinnikinnick!

Ok, so if YOU want to enter to win a box of goodies (I’m thinking similar, if not the same, as what I’ve recieved) here’s what you have to do:

COMMENT BELOW answering the following question:  Have you ever tried Gluten Free products? If so, what’s your favorite? (pasta, breads, desserts, etc.)

For extra entries (leave a separate comment for each):

  • follow them on twitter and tell them @nutcaseinpoint sent you!
  • dance around the Christmas tree (or, if you do not have a tree or celebrate Christmas, dance anywhere in your house.) Let me know what song you danced to and who was watching.
  • tell me a holiday joke.

Giveaway ends Friday, December 27th. Remember, both US & Canadian residents are eligible!

Good luck, and Happy Holidays friends!