What a fabulous day I’ve had today! It wasn’t too different from yesterday but because it didn’t have the ‘birthday’ label to live up to, it was splendid. Funny how that works, huh? I went on a run outside in the sunshine today so that definitely helped brighten my mood.
More on my day a little later. First, I gotta report the prezzies, as promised. In case you missed my farewell to 21, here’s my birthday recap,
After some cake eating…
(Me on my very FIRST birthday 21 years ago. There is no doubt that I’ve loved cake and chocolate from a young age)
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My dad picked out this prezzie for me:
Before I opened the box, I commented ‘is this another watch?’
Under the note was this ring!
After tugging at the ring, there was another note below a cardboard flap:
It’s a MUG!! The faux diamond is actually a genuine Swarovski crystal, according to the label.
So I can sip my coffee in style!
Money or Party
Ever since I can remember, my brother and I have had this choice every birthday. Money, in the amount of your age x10 or a birthday party. My parents figured they would offer us the amount of money it would cost to have a party in cash (to go in the bank). Of course, as money hungry as my brother and I were, we always chose money. Party? Who needs a party?
So as a 7 year old, I got $70!! That’s a big deal! Some years I got both, hehe.
So in my mug yesterday was $220 to contribute to the SLR fund. I wonder how long this tradition will last 
.
My Uncle also contributed some $$ to my SLR fund…
I got a lot of cupcake cards this year….what can I say? People know me too well.
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Before I left for spring break, my roomie gave me a SPOONULA!! I mentioned the day before while watching Rachel Ray that I had always wanted a spoonula and she went out and got one for me. She also got me a cupcake card. Thank you, Christina!!!
It’s not just ANY spoonula…it’s one from Giada’s new collection at Target.
I also got a box full o’ chocolatey goodies from Lauren. It arrived ON my birthday…how perfect. Thank you, Lauren!
I’m in love with this baby spoon!! I can’t wait to eat kefir + yogurt with it .
….AND a cupcake card, of course.
My bestie got me some TJ’s goodies as well as some adorable baking tools. Thank you, Katherine!!
A rabbit spatula.
Along with some collapsable measuring cups.
Saves space!
That’s a wrap! So I’m now that much closer to my dreams of owning an SLR camera as well as opening a bakery. Sweet!
I wish I could tell you that I had a super crazy wild P-Hilton style birthday, but then I would be lying. One of these years, it’s gonna happen–mark my words! My birthday was actually quite mundane to tell you the truth. I was home alone for a good chunk of the day with no friends in sight, so I baked a birthday cake and had a rockin’ workout.
I always make out birthdays to be a grand celebration in my head and when they fall short, I get the case of the birthday blues. I have to remind myself that it’s just another day!
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My Momma got me these beautiful birthday flowers!
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As someone who loves to bake, but doesn’t get a chance to bake very often (cough skool cough), there was no chance I would let my parents spend $30 on a cake. That would take away all the fun! I made a chocolate zucchini cake for my birthday last year too. Perhaps, I’ve started my own tradition?
When your fridge gives you carrots, you make carrot cake!! Vanilla didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell.
It was a good thing I was home alone because I made a big ol’ mess!
We don’t have any cake pans in this house, so I had to use a pie pan, which made for an awkwardly shaped cake.
A pineapple chunk peeking out….
This birthday carrot cake was made with whole wheat flour, oat flour, coconut oil, walnuts, coconut, crushed pineapple, eggs, and agave nectar.
For the cream cheese icing, I creamed 8 oz. of cream cheese, agave nectar and vanilla extract with an OLD SKOOL electric beater. No Kitchenaid stand mixer over here 
.
I decided to cut the circle into two halves and make it a double layer semi-circle cake. Ya gotta have a layer of icing in the middle!
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Birthday Workout:
- 65 min. elliptical: I squeezed in about 7-30 sec. intervals of all out high intensity pedaling while watching Oprah and Barefoot Contessa
- 25 min. leg weights: lunges, squats, calf raises, hamstring curls, etc.
***
For my birthday dinner, I chose a restaurant 2 blocks from our condo (there are about 10!), American Tap Room.
Fun Fact: I waitressed here the summer after my freshmen year but a few months later, they were bought out and the entire restaurant/bar was revamped.
It looks completely different now and the menu (that I worked so hard to memorize) has changed.
This was my first time back since waitressing there and since they got bought out.
***Warning: a dimly lit restaurant + an old skool point ‘n’ shoot camera= blinding photos!
I ordered the Seared Tuna Salad: Sashimi grade tuna with an exotic mix of Asian greens and seaweed
It felt like there was a birthday candle burning in my mouth!!! Oh my goodness, my tongue was sizzling this was so spicy! I guzzled about 5 glasses of water in about 15 minutes.
My mom ordered the Blackened Fish Sandwich. You can see the tie of the manager in the background as well as my BLOG address written down on a napkin. Hello Mr. Manager if you’re reading!
My uncle and dad went to a buffet for lunch with a friend so they weren’t too hungry. They shared a plate of Phoenix Wings and each ordered a big ol’ beer.
We sat in comfy couch-style seats.
We passed on dessert because there was a cake waiting for us, made by yours truly.
No, I didn’t turn 211!
My Momma forgot to pick up candles, so we had an interesting ‘22′ on my cake. We had a ‘2′ leftover from my 21st birthday and then stuck two candles beside it.
Making a wish and blowing out the candles.
A BIG slice for a BIG girl with a BIG carrot cake tooth!
This cake was suuuuper dense and moist, just how I like ‘em!
Goodbye 21!! Adios! Sayonara! Au Revoir! Ciao!
I’ll be back later with the birthday prezzies! I need to take advantage of the sunshine while it lasts….oh and get cracking on the boatload of work I have for this week!
Happy 22nd Birthday to ME!!!!
It’s my birfday and I’ll eat almond butter ‘n’ nannas if I want to!!
It looks like we’re gonna have a beautiful couple o’ days and then it’s going to rain and rain and rain…kitties and puppies!! I better soak up the sunshine while it’s still here. I had a low key and active birthday EVE. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Breakfast:
I snatched the veeeery last can o’ pumpkin at Target a couple weeks back. I decided to open it up today, although I felt like I should’ve saved it!
I made a 2 min. microwave pumpkin pie!
- 1/3 cup pumpkin
- 1 egg white
- cinnamon
- stevia
Mixed up real good!
Microwaved for 2 minutes.
Ta da!
I topped it with a TJ’s European Style Yogurt + coconut butter icing and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
I picked this up yesterday when I made a pit stop at TJ’s for some staples. Going a day without dairy was way too difficult for this Dairy Queen!! I technically dove into this last night so I didn’t even have a day off from dairy…ha!
I love this yogurt because it’s like a mix of Greek yogurt and kefir (what could be more perfect?). This is both creamy and tangy!
I had some yogurt with pineapples, Kashi cereal and hazelnuts (another TJ’s purchase).
I found these Pillsbury honey biscuits on the kitchen table when I woke up so I added it to the breakfast spread.
After organizing/planning/working, I made a simple salad using the leftover Baked Tempeh and Avocado from last night’s dinner at Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant.
I added them to a bed of romaine lettuce and red bell peppers.
Dressing was WF’s Ginger Soy Vinaigrette.
I love avocado with meat/fake meat together. A winning combo in my book!
I got my thinking cap on and set out to replicate my absolute favorite Rosie’s Granola Bars (they are made at a bakery/cafe in Raleigh and sold on campus).
SUCCESS!!! Holy moly! I couldn’t believe I did it on the first try. These were exactly like the Rosie’s bars.
They fell apart a bit so I think I need to pack it in better next time and perhaps change up some of the ingredients? There definitely WILL be a next time!
I had a granola bar (#1) before playing tennis with my Poppa. We had a great rally going for over an hour. I barely broke a sweat because it was sunny yet cool outside.
And then I came home and had another granola bar (#2)!
I was feeling energized so I went down to the gym for 60 min. on the elliptical and 15 min. arm weights while watching Ryan Seacrest (love him) on the Oscar Red Carpet.
Those bars gave me so so so so much energy–I couldn’t believe it. I was flying!
***
Dinner courtesy of my dear Poppa. He’s an amazing cook. I’ve missed his food!!
A mini seafood-fest:
Scallops, snow peas, mushrooms, carrots, asparagus, and wheat gluten.
Grilled Salmon!
Snow pea tips. I have no idea what this is but I’m pretty sure I’ve been eating it since I was 3 years old. Nothing new!
I had a little bit of everything on a bed of romaine lettuce.
Look at those succulent scallops! Mmm Mmm Mmm!
Wheat gluten close up. The texture was interesting…sort of like gnocchi?
I went back for a little bit more of each dish.
Dessert:
Pineapples
And ANOTHER granola bar (#3!!!).
The rest of the night was spent watching The Oscars and sipping on decaf coffee with my Momma.
…and that’s how I spent my last day as a 21 year old (!!!!!!).
