I popped up this morning before my alarm–remarkable, because that never happens! I went to the gym for 55 min. on the elliptical and 10 min. on the stationary bike. I had about 10 animal crackers for a fast-digesting pre-workout snack.
Lunch started with a green smoothie-in-a-leaf-bowl because it was so warm outside. It was in the 70s today! Crazy, huh?
- Frozen mixed berries
- Frozen spinach
- Frozen banana
- Kefir
- Almond milk
- Topped w/ pomegranate seeds
I was in a greens mood this morning! Good thing, because I didn’t have too many later in the day. You’ll see why…
I had a broccoli slaw salad w/ salsa, avocado and goat cheese.
On the side I had Ak Mak Crackers w/ sun-dried tomato hummus.
I went to Afternoon Tea at the WaDuke to celebrate my friend Szeman’s birthday!
It’s a flat rate for a pot of tea (per person) and a spread of mini sandwiches, desserts, and scones. Best of all, you can use food points!!
There were oh so many teas to choose from!
I went with China White with Pear and Pineapple.
Tier #1: sandwiches (pimento cheese, cucumber, turkey) and deviled eggs
Tier #2: cheese, chicken salad, tapioca pudding, chocolate truffle
Tier #3: Mocha Macaroon (I’ve only seen this kind of macaroon in Paris!!), lemon tart, white chocolate truffle, chocolate strawberry, and cheesecake.
Next they brought out apricot and cinnamon pecan scones! So warm, buttery, and fluffy!
Trying to be a classy lady takes effort!
I am stuffed to the brim and a little on the sugary side! Glad I got my greens in earlier though!
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Run for the Hills
I got an email from Errign asking about running outside. She says “I really want to try running outside. The northwest is really hilly and I have no idea how to pace myself! Every time I try to run outside, I run for like 5 min. and I’m dying–any tips?”
My response: I’m definitely not a seasoned runner but I am a recent treadmill–>outdoors (and hills) convert so here goes…
I used to avoid hills until I started running on the WaDuke trail and discovered how fun they are!! Even slight hills got me huffing and puffing (and still do!). I think your body just has to get used to them. The more your heart has to pump the better it gets at pumping! At the same time, I think hills are doing a number on my knees–ugh! So be careful if come across steep hills.
In terms of pacing…I run slowly both up and down the hills. Up, because I don’t want to faint and down, because I don’t want to kill my legs. Then I try to run faster on the flat parts of the trail. After you run hills, the flat areas seem like a piece of cake!!
I used to only run on the treadmill because I didn’t think I could last long outside–it seemed so much harder and my all or nothing way of thinking made it so that I avoided it completely. However, I’ve come to find it is so much more fun and free-ing to run outside. I say pick out a path to run as a goal and try your hardest to get to the end—even if it means you have to walk half of it. I used to be a treadmill junkie but now I would choose outdoor running over the treadmill any day!
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I can’t believe the weekend is over!! I’ve got HOME (and Thanksgiving) to look forward to though so I’m alright with it 
. Hope your weekends were splendid–especially those of you who had beautiful weather!!
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
Your tea & treats look fabulous – I love pretty food : )
Your pomegranate seeds look yummy too, but how do you have the patience to pick out all the seeds?
I would run outside any day over the treadmill too!
Hey Allie!
Just found your blog and adore the header! More importantly, I LOVE the fact that you dig Ak Mak Crackers–they’re so wholesome and fiber packed—love ‘em! And–your afternoon tea looks fab! We all deserve a sweet treat from time to time!
Happy Blogging!
Corinne @ Green Grapes Blog
I’ve never heard of these crackers, remind me of Dr. Krackers. I will have to look for these next time in the store.
Wow, I’m so jealous of all the elegant tea party foods! The macaroons are gorgeous (I actually tried some in Vancouver, Canada, mmm!), as well as the other sweets, which I know you enjoyed
Running outside is fun, but only during the summer for me. Too cold now!
Oh my goodNESS! Tea looks so fun and delicious! I really want to go somewhere classy now
I need to get my butt back outdoors for runs! Ironic, now that it’s getting colder…or not, since today was super warm. This weather is too crazy!
Tea looks like such fun! Also, those actually aren’t macaroons, they’re macarons. People always mix them up, but both are yummy of course.
Oh my…I am in love with all of the finger food! Especially the little tea sandwiches!
I LOVE AFTERNOON TEA
so cute, fun and deeelish! and its awesome u can use food points! I need to find a dainty tea place somewhere around here!
Gorgeous tearoom fare! And I LOVE your outfit!
That place looks like so much fun. I love afternoon tea.
Wow-yummy treats and tea! Sounds like a great way to spend the afternoon!
Cute, cute, cute food. Mini things are adorable
Thanks for the answer to my question!
Yum! All those tea treats look amazing!
oh my gosh that afternoon tea=HEAVEN!!! love it!!!
How fancy! It looks like a fun day!
How fun! Your afternoon tea looks like a great time:)
Beautiful leaf bowl. Those sandwiches are too cute!!! I especially love the cucumber one–pretty design! I need to go to an afternoon tea place…
I am so jealous! I loooooooove going out for afternoon tea! I haven’t been in so long- when I was little, when we’d go to New York City, my mom would take my sister and I out to tea at a hotel or a specialty tea shop and it was the most exciting thing ever.
awhhhh tea time is sooo adorable!! love it!
Lovely am workout and the afternoon tea looks just incredible! I love the idea of tiers of different foods. I’m not sure what looks best- maybe those cucumber sammies- they’re just so pretty!
the sandwiches r soo cute!! and i am starting to be more of an outdoor runner i think
xoxo
shelley
Wow that dessert tower looks AMAZING!!
HHAHAHAH that was hilarious about the lunges! i waddled ALL DAY YESTERDAY! and only one of my butt cheeks hurts! hahaha.
OMG. i want to go to tea with you! and eat delicious foods!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, all that tea party food looks amazing! It’s all so delicate and pretty, I wouldn’t want to ruin it by eating! I’m sure it was delicious though.
Those little foods are so adorable!
hi!
thanks for visiting my baby blog. i adore reading yours because i am a duke grad myself. actually, c/o 2009. but shhh don’t tell anyone because i’m trying to stay a little anonymous over there. but anyways, i loved this post – so many luxurious afternoons spent with overflowing food points at the wa duke.
ah, nostalgia.
Hey Girl!
Your eats look so good. Your smoothie looks delicious!
I am loving that Tea Place! everything looks awesome!
MMM I love me some SIAB action!
I am also loving the Ak Mak and broccoli slaw representation here.
I’ve never been to the WaDuke for tea…do you think I should go sometime before I graduate?
OMG! What a delightful tea spread! You lucky duck…I’ve always wanted to try one of those cute sandwiches and stuff. lol.
I want to go to that place! It looks divine. And so much good teas to choose!I love tea
Tea looks so fun! and I would have devoured those scones. They look sooooooo yummy!
wow all the food looks amazing!
I really like your leaf bowl
That all looks soooo delicious! I love doing a ‘high tea’. Those scones are so original!
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
I love that sandwich tier! it looks soooo delicious!
Everything looks so delish especially those pudding treats I want to try them all!
Thanks for stopping by on my blog I love reading about your healthy living lifestyle and have now linked you!!!!!!!
Happy Monday x
I love your elegant tea party
and the restaurant looks so pretty.
What a fancy little lunch! It all looks very tasty…
So many comments! Hope this finds you girlie….I really want to try green smoothie in a bowl but I’m all out of greens and prohibiting shopping in anticipation for Thanksgiving at home! Maybe after…
aww your smoothie in a bowl looks christmasy to me! so beautiful :O)
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Look at da tea pah-ti!!!!!!! Soooo fun!!! And such beautiful food! I absolutely love your string of pearls too!!
so jealous of your 70 degree weather! I am sitting hear with double pants, a fleece, a long coat, big socks, etc. JEEBOS!
smoothie in a bowl! akmak crackers (yay!) and sundried tomato hummus?! so yum!!!
love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
have a great week!!!!
Aww how fun!!! The food looks so cute and delicious!
Hi Sweetie! Thank you so much for letting me know what camera you’re using! I’ve decided that your pics look gorgeous because yes, you have a fab camera, but also cuz you have a great artistic eye! The angles are so perfect…those high tea pastries are just phenomenal! I LOVE the looks of the scones!!! Hong Kong (where I’m from) is sooo awesome for afternoon tea, and I was so disappointed when I went to this famous tea house in Chicago. I think my dealio is that i need to go to where you went. hahaha
And fabulous tips on running outdoors!!! I decided outdoor running is way more liberating than indoor/treadmill running! Plus, it’s less boring!! TOo bad chicago is so freaking cold I can’t run outside for 8 months out of the whole year.
WAH.
YAY for thanksgiving!!! I’m so excited for you!!
Hey Doll! how are you?
These pics look amazing!! Awww tea out with the gals is so wonderful! I am very jealous that you have sun and heat. It is pouring rain here in vancouver and very chilly…..I need to get some sun!
I hope you have a great day!
XXOO
aahh this is foodie heaven! I’ve been trying to find the green&blacks organic gingerbread choco here in england but I can’t find it anywhere just plain old ginger
Tea looks fun! I haven’t had a tea party since I was a little kid. I’m up for the adult version lol