Fun fun afternoon with my !
We raced out of our house to make way for the buyers. No word on any offers yet, but we did find evidence they were here – lights left on and a business card for their realtor! We’ve also had two cars drive by our house and slow down, drive in a circle, etc., so we know they are hovering!!
When we left we went to the Greenway for a NEAT walk! We use walks as family business meetings and discuss logistics for the bakery, for our move, and other life things. Good times!
Of course I’ll never know how many calories are burned working in a bakery, but if my appetitte is any indication, it’s more than I would guess. I was starving by 3:30! Good thing we were on our way to ….
Tasty-Yo!!
I went bold and ordered a medium instead of a small 😉 Topped with apples, granola + choco chips plus a drizzle of caramel. LOVED the apples and not something I’d usually order!
Look who joined us!
We departed Tasty-Yo and headed to the next stop on our triple date: Winestore!
Kate + Nate had given me a giftcard for my birthday. Thanks guys!!
We considered buying a bottle for our rack for about 2 seconds and knew it would be enjoyed more as a tasting 
At Winestore you fill up a giftcard and then spend it on tastes
We sampled our way around the carousel and had a grand ole time
Even got a taste of King’s Cake that the store owners were giving away!
We did a little more shopping / walking and then headed back home.
Dinnertime!!
We made some cocktails while we cooked. Beer for Matt and a mocktail spiked with a tbsp of chambord for me!
Tonight’s menu special included a special delivery from the American Lamb Council. Initially I was hesitant to accept this sample, but I’m glad now that I chose to learn more.
Upon further questioning, I found out that my lamb shipment would come from Superior Farms, a family farm since 1963. The marketing materials that came with the lamb explained that the majority of lamb farms in the U.S. are small and family-operated [as opposed to the large factories in other industries]. Also, American sheep are reared on natural forage pasture diets, and the Superior Farms lamb is all-natural. The farm uses the designation “Pure Lamb,” which means humane treatment, pasture fed and free of hormones and antibiotics. Since I’m a meat eater who strives to eat ethically and environmentally-raised meats, I found this farm acceptable. (I’m not trying to defend lamb here – just passing on what the materials I was sent said.)
Matt and I decided to GRILL today because the high was in the 60s!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It felt like spring and my gosh I want it to be summer already.
We turned our dinner into a Greek-inspired feast at the last minute. Mint-grilled lamb was the star. Y’all know I’m not a huge red meat eater, but I will honestly say that I enjoyed every bite of this lamb chop. It reminded me a lot of bison (grass-fed??) and didn’t have that very gamey taste that lamb often has in restaurants. And the piece was small so it was a good portion for a small eater.
On the side I made a really great salad with chopped spinach, capers, almonds, and lemon juice with olive oil drizzle.
Best almonds in the world! The roast makes all the difference!
And lastly, we had grilled eggplant!!
Topped with KERF insta-Tzatziki
I normally dont’ care for tzatziki. Not sure if it’s the parsley (which I don’t really care for) or any onion-related taste or my slight distaste for cucumbers (although I do eat them!) but MY version was great!
- A small bowl of TJ’s European yogurt (yes, ironic since I’m such a Greek yogurt lover!)
- A few tbsp chopped cucumber
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Half a meyer lemon, squeezed
- Pinch salt
- 1 tsp chopped mint
We covered the eggplant and lamb in the sauce. It was great!
Pondering a dark chocolate bite for dessert 🙂 Never get tired of the stuff!
SO excited to sleep in tomorrow and have a giant bowl of oatmeal for breakfast!!
The lamb looks delicious. I just had lamb for the first time a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Go for that dark chocolate dessert. You’ll never regret a little piece of chocolate. 🙂
Maybe you should have a bit of something sweetened with honey to round out the Greek themed evening 🙂
Lamb is one of those once in a blue moon kinda meals. The flavor is different.
Quick Question…Did you bake a loaf of bread or a batch of cookies so your house smelled homey?
Not this time, but maybe next time.
My folks raise lamb on a very small family farm, and I know that – at least in their case – the lambs have really great lives, including many of them being bottle fed and all of them being treated like pets by my folks! So don’t feel bad about having lamb from a reputable farm.
sounds like yall had a great day!
the yogurt looks ssoo good!
Hi Kath! I have been following your blog for about a month now and love it! It quickly became one of my favorite blogs!
I have a few questions…first, I must say that I am so jealous you are running on the Greenway…
Okay, how long have you been running? I am training for my first half in May. I am super impressed with your times!
Second, what is your suggestion for nutrition and training? We had a nutritionist come to our training the other night and I agree with most of what she said. however, she told me to stop making smoothies and to stop juicing. I was pretty bummed. My smoothies are fruit, kefir, raw cacao nibs, chia seeds and sometimes hemp seeds or flax.
I know that you dont get the fiber when you juice so I have made sure to get that elsewhere…just curious as to your opinion….
Thanks for blogging everyday! You keep me motivated!!
I’ve been running my whole life, but I didn’t get fast until I got a Garmin and started running with fast runners.
I’m not sure why the nutritionist told you not to juice or drink smoothies?? They are full of nutritious foods, so seems totally fine to me.
Tasty-Yo sounds SO GOOD.
I would kill to have such beautiful weather to grill right now. And I don’t even own a grill.
The tzatziki sauce looks so easy, I’m going to try that with some veggies.
Sounds like a fun day Kath! I love the “lifted pinkie” wine sip – very sophistocated! 😉
Your yogurt dip is very similar to a Persian dip called “Mast o Mosir” Yogurt and Garlic… very yummy 🙂
Yum I love lamb… especially middle eastern style 🙂 SO jealous of your warm weather!!
That fro yo place looks so cute. I can tell by the cute sign =] Sounds like you had a fun, full Saturday. Go get yourself some dark chocolate, girl.
I don’t know if you’re aware but you just gave the recipe for the Turkish style cacik! which is just tzatziki without plants such as parsley and a bit more on the fluid side. I as a Turk personally prefer tzatziki but that’s just cause I love spices 🙂
Oh man, I want that yogurt! Those toppings look awesome! Hope the house sells QUICKLY! I second the baking something thing so the house smellys homey :>
Two things!
1 – After hearing you rave about Great Harvest for so long, Ive finally decided to look it up, and my husband and I are going tomorrow to pick up some bread!
2 – Hearing so much about your house being for sale, I realized Ive never seen an outside view of your house! I dont know if maybe that makes you uncomfortable, but maybe after you move out, Im sure a lot of us would love to see!
Have a happy Sunday!
Yay – enjoy the bread!!! My favorites are Flax Oat Bran, High Five Fiber and Dakota. And Cinnamon Raisin Walnut!
I haven’t shown the front intentionally, but I will after we move!
Looks like a delicious dinner!
I used to avoid lamb. I tried it for the first time a few years ago and … WOW, it is delicious. I do feel a little funny eating it (which I know is so silly; I am a definite carnivore and I don’t really feel funny eating steak or pork) but for an occasional treat, we really enjoy it.
Looks like a delicious dinner and an excellent day!
Looks like a great dinner to end a great day! Eggplant is one of my favorite and I’m so jealous it’s warm enough for you to grill – it’s snowing here 🙁
Two questions for you:
1. From a nutritional standpoint, do you find roasted nuts (either pre-roasted or done by yourself in a microwave) to be inferior to unroasted (raw) or a concern of nutrient loss?
and
2. Where do you get such awesome dishes?! I love how you have long plates, square plates, and everything for every occasion in between, haha.
1) I know there is some public concern about the fats going rancid during roasting, but the actual nutrients should be the same. And my thought would be that nuts are roasted at a lower temp for a longer period of time (verses a high temp like broiling) so my gut would tell me that roasting is fine. WHFoods.com promotes roasted nuts and I usually go there to learn more about foods.
2) Dishes are a collection from all kinds of stores. Those are Crate + Barrel
i didn’t grow up eating lamb so i never order it, but the times i’ve had it i have liked it!
Chambord with POM is a fabulous idea. I’ve been on a POM + Pellegrino with a slice of Meyer lemon kick. I’m annoyed that like yours, some of my bottles are really difficult to open. I had to open one bottle with a hammer and a nail today.
PS. Those grill marks… superb!
oh my, i wish there was a Tasty-Yo by me!! That fro yo looks divineeee, and healthy too. the whole combo of caramel, fro yo, apples and granola was perfect too!
JEALOUS!!!!! 🙂
Such a fun afternoon Kath! And that’s GREAT that you already have interest in the house. In this market, that’s such a good sign!
I’ve only had lamb once a few years ago in a bite of my friend’s gyro and I didn’t like it…too gamy but I have always been tempted to order it a restaurant because I’m sure it would taste different than a fast food gyro. Your meal looks sooo good! So well balanced.
I don’t know many people who drink chambord but I love it. It’s great just poured over some vanilla ice cream for dessert too.
Ahh frozen yogurt looks so good!! I miss frozen yogurt. There really aren’t any places around here that have it 🙁
That fro yo looks amazing!
I’m not a huge lamb fan, but if it’s prepared properly it can be very delicious! It has an odd taste, I think. Though some people really like elk and I find that to be an acquired taste (and smell – it sure stunk up our kitchen the one time i made it!).
Your frozen yogurt creation looks yummy – I would be like a kid in a candy shop at a frozen yogurt place with that many toppings! I would have no idea what to choose!
K
I’m putting a wine carousel in my house when I grow up. seriously.
😀
i’ve never had/seen king’s cake in real life but i know it’s all the rage at this time of year! fun wine tastng and i love the name of that yogurt place 😉
Yay for a house showing…..and creepy drive-bys? haha 🙂 Love your afternoon of fun!! 🙂
Can I just say, you and Matt make it look like Valentines Day is everyday. You guys are so in love I can tell…Jealous!!
Aww thanks 🙂
AHH that tasty-yp sounds awesome, I love getting things I usually wouldn’t order, that makes it a really special treat, doesn’t it?
that lamb looks awesome, I am usually not a lamb eater either bc I think it is too gamey tasting so this is good to know that yours wasn’t!! it looks delicious with the insta-tzaziki!
what a great day! sounds like a really fun date with the walk and wine tasting 🙂 gotta say i’m pretty darn jealous of the awesome weather since it’s snowing all day every day here!
Your whole day sounds great! Bread, walking in nice weather, wine bars, and GRILLING!! I’ve never cooked lamb but it looks great with your tzatziki sauce.
Greek food is so good!! I need to get me a gyro soon with lots of veggies inside. the sauce definitely makes the meal! have a relaxing sunday <3
The weather looked amazing in your pictures! Spring in on it’s way, and then SUMMER!!! Your frozen yogurt made me sooo jealous, especially with the apple mmmmm!!!! Have an awesome sleep in tomorrow!
I wish I had one of those frozen yogurt places around where I live- not to mention a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods….
WIN with your dinner, the flavours sounds fab!! As does the Fro-Yo thing and the dark chocolate a the end of the night…your food always sounds amazing 😀
Using your walks as a business meeting is such a good idea!! It must keep them nice and relaxed too 🙂
Have a good evening!
Loved the beautiful walk pics. You guys look like you had a wonderful sat!
Hi! I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and i’ve learned so many new healthy recipes. I love your blog!
Today i saw that you made tzatziki, and I’m from Greece! You wrote that you don’t like parsley and i agree with you.
In Greece in the tzatziki we put full fat yogurt (should be cold), cucumber (squeeze all the juice out), fresh dill, little vinegar, fresh garlic, a pinch of salt and extra virgin olive oil. We use full fat yogurt because otherwise it would be a bit runny.
And it’s one of my favorite things to eat. We never put parsley in Greece in the tzatziki but i heard that in England and in the States they put parsley and i could never understand why, lol!!!!
Next time try it like that and you might like it more!!!
Ah! I forgot the dill!!
I hope you had the chocolate – it’s always a good idea 😛 I’m a fan of tzatziki normally but definitely want to try your version, if it’s so good even a non-tzatziki fan likes it!
What a special/fun day with Matt! Days with no set plans are some of the best. I’m so glad you liked working in the bakery, it looks like a lot of work but something you two will love!
Glad you had such fun at the bakery yesterday!
I have never been into lamb, each time I have tasted it, it has been very gamey. I don’t really eat much meat anymore but try to do so ethically when I do. Sounds like lamb is a good choice.
The lamb looks great! I had an Australian lamb once that was out of this world delicious…ie, melt in mouth good. 😀
Your house is too adorable…the right people are going to fall in love with it. 😀
nate and kate – my future BFFs!!
That wine place sounds awesome- what a cool way to try a bunch of new wines!
Really enjoy your blog. I’m jealous that you can go outside for a walk. Our sidewalks are covered in ice and snow here in Iowa. We’ve had almost 2 feet of snow on the ground since mid-December. Appreciate that you gave such a positive review to American lamb. My husband’s family raised sheep for many years, and he sheared sheep to make money for college. But I have one complaint about your post. Please don’t call farms “factories.” I have many friends who raise hogs for a living. They are family farms, too. They raise their hogs in barns so the animals don’t have to be out in the freezing temperatures and snow. I have no problem buying a pork chop from the grocery store. For me, pork chops are a locally grown product.
The frozen yogurt looks amazing!!!
fro-yo shops are so fun! There are always so many different options! Looks like you had a great day and I’m not a HUGE meat eater but that lamb does look very appetizing
The salad looks so good – I love spinach! 😀
Love eggplant, too.
Here’s to selling your house!!
I am going to try your Tzatziki sauce! Sounds awesome I love tzatziki normally but I’ll try variations!
I too busted out our grill here on the West Coast last weekend when we had spring-like weather! It’s dumping snow here today, though :(. But I made this grilled veggie salad it was so good! Wanted to share
http://asweetbean.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/grilled-veggie-salad/
As a Greek girl, I have to say this meal looks divine!!!
Eye spy….Pomelo wine! I see it in the wine cooler in one of your pictures. Did you have a chance to sample it or did you stick to the reds? We bought a bottle to try (after buying a REAL pomelo at the store), but I still haven’t had a chance to review it!