Review: Starbucks Vivanno

Today, after the gym, I decided to grab lunch. When I was in Charlotte, the Starbucks barista (who annoyingly kept calling me sweetie) told me they were coming out with a new drink called a Vivanno. It has fruit, fruit juice and protein in it. I told him that I was concerned about the amount of sugar. He whipped out the nutritional information and told me that there were only 5 grams of sugar. I was extremely excited. As many of you may know, I've been on "The Plan" in preparation for Holly's wedding. I'm always looking for new menu items to add to "The Plan."

I ordered the orange mango banana flavor. The barista that served me my drink was very friendly and told me to have a fabulous day. Upon first sip, I felt that there wasn't much flavor. By now I'm halfway through and can really taste the banana but only get a hint of orange and mango. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not as gritty as I had expected it to be. Grittiness is a common problem when using protein powder. As I continued to slurp down my banana smoothie I pulled up the Starbucks website to get the rest of the nutritional info on my lunch. To my shock and dismay I found out that there were not 5 grams of sugar in my smoothie. THERE WERE 32!!!!! I should have known better than to trust someone who called me sweetie. I guess the Orange Mango Banana Vivanno (what a mouthful) will not be added to the plan any time soon. Today may have to be a two a day work out day. Ugh.

If you were a cake. What type of cake would you be?

Maybe I should rephrase the question. Who would make the scariest cake person? Would you really want to eat a cake that looked like someone you knew? PLEASE comment.

For more fun filled cakes, check out Cake Wrecks.

I <3 NKOTB

I am not a morning person at all. This morning I was wide awake before my alarm went off. I suspect it was in anticipation. New Kids On The Block performed on the Today Show. They had been promoting it all week. Actually even longer. Fans began to show up for the concert on Wednesday. It was crazy but great. I totally wanted to make the trip up to New York to be part of the fun.
I got ready this morning quicker than I have in a while. In true TV fashion, they kept teasing that the New Kids were up next. Up next really meant wait through commercials and segments until finally it was time for them to perform. It was almost time for me to leave for work. I called Miriam and told her that I was ready to go but that I really wanted to watch NKOTB perform. Both my doors were open so that she could walk right in and enjoy the fun. I didn't need any interruptions once they started to perform. After waiting a half an hour, they finally performed. They did a medley of their hits. It was great. Joey wore is hat with the top cut out. They did their signature dance moves. Donny sang Hangin' Tough (but didn't wear overalls). It was great. It totally squealed with each new song. I am including the video so that you too can have a NKOTB flashback and make your Friday a bit more enjoyable.

Feeling Ancient

My sister just IMed me and told me that one of her friends just got engaged. A little bit of background information: My sister is six years younger than me, as is her friend. I have known this girl since she was very young. She was one of the first kids that I coached. I helped her older sister make the cheerleading squad...after I graduated. This has nothing to do with the fact that I am no where close to the relationship status that this girl is. I'm completely fine with that. It's just crazy to think that this girl, who is finishing up her junior year of college this week, is engaged. She's a super sweet girl and I'm sure everything is going to be great. I'm just in shock.

Congrats Katie and Jamin!

Welcome Home Bartie!

I went home for yet another fun filled Easter Holiday. Fun time with the fam you know. My sister brought two friends home with her from Mr. Jefferson's Finishing School. For Sha, it was her first Easter. We knew we had to do things up right for her.

Upon arrival my dad told us how there were six foot inflatable bunnies at the grocery store and that he had sent the Pam into a tissey when he inquired about taking one home. The Pam won and there were no bunnies greeting us when we arrived. My mom and my aunt when to pick out my cousin at to join in the fun. As soon as they left the house we looked at each other and knew the challenge was on. We were going to try and run to the store, buy the bunny, get back to the house and set it up before the Pam returned. My dad said he had never seen a pack of girls move so quickly to get out of the house. We all piled into the van and made a mad dash for the grocery store. On the drive there, we texted my cousin to let her know she needed to stall to give us a bit more time. As soon as we walked in, one of the check-out clerks spotted us and recognized my dad. She asked "you're back for the bunny aren't you?" We let out a confirmation cheer. She immediately stopped helping the person in line and got on the phone to call for a manager. The manager came and there was quite a furry or getting pricing and dismantling the bunny. We caused quite a scene. I had to tell a small child to back off when he tried to take our bunny. He was coming home with us. As the bunny deflated, one girl started to cry. "You've ruined it" she cried. We just laughed as we knew this would make our Easter. Once he was fully deflated we rushed to the van and back to the house. It was all about team work. I went and found the extension chord. The girls untangled the tethering chords. Dad supervised and help drive the steaks into the ground. Once inflated, we all rushed back into the house and waited by the windows, giddy with excitement. In minutes we found just the reaction we were looking for. The car pulled up with the Pam squealing that she couldn't believe us. It was great. The neighbors were slowing down and stopping by to talk to us. Sha suggested we give him a good Christian name. We settled on Bartholomew (Bartie for short) and the rest is history.

The girls with Bartie.

The Pam came to love Bartie.

We dyed 18 hardboiled eggs, 12 raw eggs and six hollow eggs that we termed "Forever Eggs." It was Sha's first Easter. We had to let her dye as many as she wanted.

All the girls with their "Forever Eggs."

Homeless

After a brief three month break, my landlord decided to put the house back on the market. Today he informed me that he is now going to try to sell the house empty (save for the Hermit moving up to the fourth floor). I have until May 1 to vacate my current residence. I plan on spending the rest of the day searching for a place to live. Thanks to those of you who have offered your help. If anyone has any leads, I would greatly appreciate it.

Red Meat: My New Nemesis

Tonight I ate 4 to 6 oz. of red meat and I think I'm going to die. I feel so sick. Now, I have not eaten red meat (other than a bite of lamb a week and a half ago) since the first of the year. I'm sure this has a lot to do with it. My suggestion to any vegetarians out there, don't eat it. It's not worth it. My system is just not set up to process red meat and I am suffering the consequences.

*Disclaimer: The rich and decadent parts of my meal may or may not have had anything to do with this sick feeling. The cream soup, three desserts nor the three types of cake on top of that have nothing to do with my stomach doing flips.