This last weekend I spent in San Francisco. Now for those of you who don’t know me, I have been in a long distance relationship with someone in San Francisco, and plan to move their this summer after I finish my Masters in Medical Anthropology (similar to public health). This was my final weekend in San Francisco before moving because I LOVE DENVER and want to soak up as much Denver time as I can. Also, if on the off chance you have a full time job in medical anthropology, public health, or wellness that open’s up in the San Francisco bay area this summer, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I am on the hunt (for jobs now, not just to end my hanger).
It was weird, that DEN to SFO flight. The realization that it was my last time making that flight for a true visit, not returning from one. Well except if I come back for job interviews while I am still in Denver!
This weekend was nice, and although there was a lot of drinking alcohol and merriment, the weekend was also filled with what I would consider good food choices and nourishing meals with people I really care about. I don’t get to eat with others too often (graduate school different schedules, I cook a lot to save $$), but eating with others is a huge part of the satisfaction and ‘nourishment’ of a meal. Nourishing the soul (yes, that sounds like I am some super hippy). It was also our friend’s 25th birthday, so you can be sure that we all celebrated in full! Plus, most of the drinking was GF Titos vodka with la crouix (My go to drink), and red wine. I did however get to try a “gluten free vegan” Kombucha beer to try out. It was a little sweet for my taste, but good none the less.
We also stayed fairly active, and I took a Core Power class on Friday. I wanted to take a C2 class (heated second level yoga) but the schedules were mixed up leading to its replacement by a Yoga Sculpt class. Yoga Sculpts KICK MY BUTT. I am still sore, no joke. Think of heated yoga + cardio + weights? Yea. Every dang muscle comes out of the woodworks to make you sore. Saturday became a rest day, and busy day, so only some walking was done (and honestly, thank goodness because I was so sore). But it was a fun class, even if I’ve been very sore since- but a workout Sunday has me feeling a little better and has some lactic acid hitting the road.
I got in Thursday night and my boyfriend made us chicken, cauliflower rice, and asparagus. No complaints there! Friday we treated ourselves to Souvla- a ‘greek fast-casual’ full of YUMMY well sourced foods. It is my favorite. Kale, romaine, radishes, cucumber, feta, spit roasted meats, housemate pickled onions.. oh my. We both got the Lamb salads, although my boyfriend added sweet potato and I added EVOO. Saturday we had Thai food- I got chicken curry, no rice- which actually ended up with a larger portion size, which was rad. Sunday night we made burgers- I made mine into a burger bowl while he used the Trader Joes Cauliflower pizza crust as the ‘bread’ for his burgers! Sunday night cooking is always our tradition. Then, my sweet tooth kicked in so we made these brownies you see below! I have been on a BAKING KICK, man. But thats ok. And pretty delicious.
Approved by several 20-something men, and me!
CRUNCHY PEANUTBUTTER BROWNIES (dairy free/grain free/glutenfree)
2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter (or a nut or seed butter to make paleo)
2 eggs
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 & 1/4 tbsp coconut flour
1 banana mashed
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
1/3 cup chocolate chips (use Enjoy Life or Pascha chocolate for dairy free)
Mash banana, well. Add eggs. Add wet ingredients, stir well (especially that peanut butter!). Slowly add the cocoa powder. Once added and well combined, add the baking powder and coconut flour. Stir until well combined. Let sit for a minute, then stir again. Grease pan with more coconut oil. Mix in chocolate chips to batter.
Pour in batter & bake for about 18 minutes at 400 in a toaster oven 8 x 8 glassware.
ENJOY WITH YOUR FAV TYPE OF MILK, or even drizzle with some extra PB 😛
I am very excited for this weekend as well, one of my best friends is coming to visit me in Denver! I plan on showing her all the good gluten free & paleo eats, as well as all the other fun stuff Denver has to offer.
As my final semester of graduate school begins, I have to hit the ground running. I need to work hard on my thesis and get it into motion so I can make all my deadlines for a Spring graduation!
But as I return home to Denver, to falling snow, I can’t help but to feel some gratitude. Gratitude for this wonderful place, gratitude for the friends I have- both here and San Francisco (AND elsewhere of course), gratitude for my boyfriend/bestfriend/fellowweirdo, gratitude for my family gratitude for my body/life-experiencing-vessel, and gratitude for the nourishment it receives. It sound corny, but it is true. I am always stressed or rushing- it is REALLY difficult for me to take a step back and breathe. But I work on this, and I am working on being more mindful and grateful. Of course reflecting on Martin Luther King Junior day, as the snow falls, helps tie this together. We all must see the love in the world, recognize it in others, and spread it. We get caught up in a lot of noise and negativity (I know I do!!), which strips our ability to really participate in all this lov’n goodness. So, I hope you go out today and appreciate something new, whether it be about yourself, someone you love, a stranger, or your surroundings.
Happy Tuesday friends 🙂
Hunting Hanger 