As I mentioned yesterday, Friday was a sweet day (no pun intended)! Let’s get to it, shall we?
Before my Culinary Cultures class, I had a Green Tea Latte in my <3 XOXO Love Tumbler!
XOXO FOREVER 
I got a new brand of stevia. I usually purchase stevia from Trader Joe’s but I found a new one from Whole Food’s to try (on the right). It taste’s very similar to the TJ’s brand. I think it might be a little sweeter though. Good, so I can use less of it for the same sweetening effect.
I served the Pumpkin Coconut Pecan Granola that I brought to class with yogurt. Of course I had a sample for breakfast to make sure it was up to snuff
Another student brought in Arepas, a Venezuelan dish. It is essentially a cornmeal + cheese muffin stuffed with cheese. I had about 1/2 of it.
Then, Pheobe Lawless, a local baker came to do a pie-making demonstration as well as to talk to us about her career. She owns her own business called Scratch Seasonal Artisan Baking and she recently purchased space in downtown Durham to open a bakery/cafe! She currently works out of her home and sells her sweet and savory pies at the local Farmer’s Markets as well.
She did not attend culinary school–she learned most of what she knows through hands-on experience. You better believe I’m even more inspired now. She did mention that working in the kitchen is not as glamorous as the food industry makes it seem–for one, you make close to nothing for many many years.
But what’s the point in making a lot of money if you don’t enjoy work/life? That’s how I see things, at least. I just want to NOT dread going to work every day. Is that too much to ask for?
Anyways, she baked Shaker Lemon Pie from scratch and served it with fresh whipped cream.
Now I have to write 1,000 words on Phoebe Piece of cake pie, right?
***
My sweet day continued when I went to the gym. I took Thursday off so my legs were fresh and ready to go. I banged out 3 miles on the treadmill and then 30 min. on the elliptical. I was surprised my stomach didn’t start cramping since I had pie in my tummy!! I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so I can go running outside. I had to muster up some serious mental strength on the treadmill!
Then I did 30 min. of strength training. I mixed it up with some new exercises and I am sore….it feels great though!
***
Post workout I had a brewski…
Gotcha!!! Actually, it was a Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Shake. Doesn’t the foam make it look like a pint of beer?
- 1/2 packet chocolate whey protein
- 1/2 cup frozen spinach
- 1/3 banana
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup PUMPKIN
My professor joked that I was going to put the leftover pumpkin from my granola in a smoothie. She joked right
For dinner, I made an appanini!!
That’s a Brie and Apple Panini….work with me here!
Plus an apple walnut salad with tofu, avocado and other veggies.
There were many different flavors going on in this salad but it made for a fun meal to eat. I’m pretty sure anything can be eaten on a bed of lettuce.
I spent the rest of the night watching some of the Olympics Opening Ceremony, and going through my entire inbox.
All the while, I had:
- 1/2 Ezekiel English Muffin
- 2 slices Kabocha Squash
- Kefir + Tart froyo + Pumpkin bowl
x2
My hunger came back at around 11pm, so I eased it with a Luna Bar. It felt weird eating a bar at 11pm but I knew my body needed it.
A sweet ending to my sweet day!
***
Quirky Q’s (it’s been forever since I asked these!)
1. What’s your favorite pie? Mine is pecan pie, duh!
2. Which Olympic event are you most looking forward to watching? I’ve had a love for ladies figure skating for as long as I can remember.
3. If money didn’t matter, what job/career would you pursue?
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Girl this granola is calling my name. No, it’s more like screaming at me to make it now. I have to get on this.
Oh, I wanted to tell you I had some of the BEST carrot cake last night and I thought of you with every bite.
<3 to you!!!
I LOVE Phoebe, our office can’t wait for her shop to open downtown!! So jealous you got to hear her career story
Oh wow that pie looks delicious!!
My favorite pie is blueberry and peach. The two of them together is just.. out of this world!
To be honest I’m not really even sure what events are in the Winter Olympics. I mean, I know the regulars, but it seems like they’re always trying to do new and improved w/ things I never would consider an Olympic sport! But I agree, I love the women’s figure skating.
I already told you my dream career of Inn/small attached restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. I’m going to make it come true, too! My mom has raised me to never accept failure and I’ve watched her ALWAYS make stuff happen for my brother and I, no matter how little they had in their bank accts. I know I will find a way and she’ll help me w/ her amazing skills and determination, too!
cute pink mug. i love my valentines coffee mug as well. too funny your prof asked if you were gonna put granola in your smoothie. that class is too cool for words. wish my school had offered it.
Love love love your mug! Where’s it from? Love these questions too
1. What’s your favorite pie? I don’t like pie….I hate pastry! Though I once made a blueberry pie which had a slightly different crust, and was delish! And I always think American Pecan/Pumkin pies look awesome, I’ve just never tried
2. Which Olympic event are you most looking forward to watching? I do like ice skating
I’d love to just bake, run and lookafter my horse all day…that would be dreamy 
3. If money didn’t matter, what career? hmmm…..a cake maker! I LOVE BAKING! Or a nutritionist, but I have terrible qualifications for it
I love…cherry pie!
(I kid)
I like the skiing events, obv.
I think anything where I could travel. Perhaps a hobo?
ah, your class sounds sooo interesting. I used NOW french Vanilla and I loved it! right now I’m using NuNaturals and it’s super sweet.
The favorite pie is pumpkin pie! I loving pumpkin everything as of late, sure you can relate
Honestly, the best advice EVER is to never take a job for the $$. I didn’t not heed that advice and was beyond miserable. It took 8 years to get out of that situation. SOOO not worth it.
My fave pie is probably pumpkin or pecan. Yum!
Figure Skating is also my favorite:)
If money didn’t matter, I’d be my own publisher and publish my own cookbook. But, at this rate, I’ll never get it done!
Pie = pumpkin
)
Sport = moguls and hockey (wow, can you tell I’m Canadian?
If money didn’t matter = I would get my PhD in Education
Now, if only I could eat pumpkin pie while watching the Olympics and studying for class!!!
My favorite pie would have to be banana cream pie. Not so much for the whipped cream, but for the custard! I die for anything with custard.
My sister went to culinary school, and there is a big debate on whether going to school or working in a kitchen is better for experience. I definitely think enjoying what you do is the most important factor, life is too short. With that said, it is very nice to be able to pay the bills!
I’ve heard a lot about Shaker Pie, but I’ve never tried it. It has lemon rind in it, right?
cute tumbler!! it’s very appropriate for the holiday coming up
and apples + brie sounds like an AMAZING panini.. i might have to steal that idea from you soon 
rando question, but do you know approx how many cals you eat a day? just out of curiousity..
I absolutely adore your tumbler!
I really should try some of your sweet panini creations…
I love chocolate pecan pie – figures!
Hope you have an extra sweet day tmrw, Allie : )
Go for it! I am a total supporter of your culinary dreams.
Unfortunately, I am not much of a pie person. As for the Olympics, I am with you on the figure skating. Years ago, my cousin was a professional figure skater and almost went! If money didn’t matter…I still don’t know what I would do for a career!
1. ‘Smores pie!
2. I’ll wait ’till summer for gymnastics.
3. I’d own a restaurant.
Glad you’re enjoying the culinary classes!
1.My favorite would have to be apple pie
2.I am definitely the most excited to see the figure skating
3.I’d be a singer :]
Goodness, what pie DON’T I like??! Love pecan, butter tort! coconut creme, apple, pumpkin, apple rhubarb, strawberry banana creme, blackberry pie.. and yes, I love the greasy hot crust! lol. Glad you had a nice day!!!
Can I steal that granola? Can I, really? I just ran out, lol. Your food-related classes sound so FUN! And with free pie, too! I don’t really have a favorite pie—as long as they’re not too sweet, I love ‘em all.
Though I DO have a soft spot for those fluffy cream pies… can’t resist pillowy cream!
I saw that stevia at TJ’s today. Does it have that weird bitter aftertaste that stevia’s known for? I’ve used Truvia before, and I don’t really detect an aftertaste for that, but I heard that extract is a bit different.
Happy V-Day girlie
Keep the lattes coming!
~ candice <3
I love pumpkin pie the most! Your colorful tofu salad looks SO good, yum.
Yay! Panini making is back in action! Seriously, I have to get one of those gems.
I am interested in running. I really want to up my cardio, but I know it’s going to take some time. I ran cross country in 8th and 9th grade and have ran on and off since (about once a month, ha!). I have a membership to a gym and I am riding the bike about 30 minutes. It doesn’t wear me out completely, but I am sore the next day. What do you suggest doing to work myself up? I would love to be able to run 3 miles max, daily. I don’t want to do anymore than that because I want to have healthy joints/bones. My hip joints and knees are horrible! That’s another thing I am nervous about when it comes to running. :/ If you have any gym tips for exercise cardio machines or running tips, it would be very helpful! Thanks, Allie. 
1. Apple pie!!
2. figure skating
3. own a bakery
What a fab class that pie looks amazing! I would definitely be a nutritionist and personal trainer………maybe my dreams are becoming reality?! he he he x
I haven’t had any pie in ages!
I love pumpkin pie, apple pie, cherry….erm, yeah, all of them
Women figure skating is lovely to watch, and I’ll make sure to watch it a bit on the Olympics.
And now, the last question is easy. I am a veterinary student, so, it’s not very profitable carrer. At least not in my country. But I love it, and I’ll enjoy my work. Money is not that important, and with lots of good hard working, it will come eventually.
i’m a social worker/therapist and will never make a ton of money and LOOOOOVE everyday!
The salad + appanini looks amazing! I love strawberry rhubarb pies best. I’m addicted to the tart flavor! My dream profession would probably be a food critic haha!
This class sounds more like fun than school….AWESOME!!!!
1) Fave pie = blueberry peach
2) Figure skating
3)Job = work in a large book store
Ladies figure skating!!! Can’t wait!
Tonight the pairs start and I’m so excited!
Pecan pie is probably my favorite as well, though apple is good too!
oh my god that pie!!!! My favorite kind would have to be “Nantucket Pie” (cranberry walnut) or coconut custard. I would love to be a baker, it’s such a passion of mine.
I couldn’t agree more about a career…if you aren’t happy overall, then money is pretty useless.
Do you have energy throughout your entire gym session? I don’t think I could go that long on the cardio equipment in one trip!
1. Pecan or pumpkin pie…I can’t decide!
2. I like the couples figure skating, but to be honest, I really don’t watch a lot of the Olympics.
3. I think I’d move to France and find some job where I could just work around people all day and experience French culture
Interesting and delicious eats! Love that tumbler! Where did you get it?
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
Yesss, you don’t need culinary school to be successful! If she can do it, we can do it.
1. French silk pie…it’s chocolate-y!
2. Not going to lie…I’m not super into the winter olympics…I do like some speed skating, even though I don’t really “get it.” It seems so much about strategy than just going fast!
3. I’d be a baker and open our bakery! Or maybe do something with health promotion since that job doesn’t pay much either. Definitely wouldn’t be a nurse anymore!!
1. My fave pie is coconut cream. YUM!
2. I have to agree with you on the figure skating.
3. My own coffee shop/bakery. IF ONLY!
Sweet day!! Shaker Lemon Pie sounds absolutely amazing!!!!
You really can’t go wrong with pie in my opinion, although I’m not a huge fan of mince meat!
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
P.S. don’t mean to sound like a tool… they’re called Arepas
(not Arapes) just pointing it out in case you have hard core Venezuelans/Colombians reading
I think my favourite kind of pie is pecan as well. Or apple with the cinnamon/sugar crumble top. I also love to watch figure skating! It’s so beautiful to watch.
I think I just may have to make an apple and brie panini. I made myself my first homemade panini the other day and it was delish! Anything involving brie is delicious as well!
If money was an obstacle…that would be hard. I’d probably still choose teaching because I really love it. That or something to do with food. Possibly teaching some kind of food related course? Now that’d be great!
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