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Red Mango Smoothie Love

adminJuly 16, 2013Uncategorized%s Comments

My love of pressed juices is well documented on this blog but I’ve got to tell you, when it’s as hot outside as it is right now (I am sweating just thinking about leaving the air conditioning), all I want is a smoothie. The problem I’ve had with smoothies is that I go to order one, thinking I am all good and healthy, and what I end up with is essentially a designer milkshake- essentially, ice cream with a ton of added sugar with a tiny hint of fruit.

Enter Red Mango. I love their frozen yogurt because it’s 100% natural, full of pro-biotics, with no added artificial sweeteners so when I went to try one of their 22 new super biotic smoothies for summer, I had high hopes. It was hot, I had just come in from a run, I needed…a smoothie. And let me tell you, they delivered. I chose one in the “All Fruit Harmony” category- dairy free, soy free, just fruit, juice and ice. It was light and refreshing and (omg) actually tasted like fruit. It had an energy boost in it because, let’s be honest, an early flight that morning was starting to catch up with me. The boosts effect was just as refreshing and natural as the smoothie itself. The smoothie absolutely hit the spot and I am absolutely past my prejudice against smoothies- I know I can now go to Red Mango and get something good for me that also tastes good. That’s all I really ask from anything I put in my body, ya know?

Red Mango also has these new smoothie boosts that are designed to meet the nutritional and dietary needs of those who are after a wholesome, well-balanced diet. These bad boys are joining the ranks of the protein, energy, immunity and multivitamin boosts currently available:

Metabolic Fit 360™: A proprietary blend of protein, calcium and African Mango which supports metabolic balance and promotes healthy weight management.
Dark Chocolate Mate: Finely ground, Brazilian roasted maté and dark chocolate; a delicious, rich, low-calorie flavor which also supplies a nice dose of antioxidants.
Tropical Hibiscus: Finely ground, premium Nigerian hibiscus blossoms infused with natural pineapple and lychee; a bright and tropical low-calorie flavor and antioxidant boost.
Green Tea Acai: Finely ground, premium green tea with açai berries, the Amazonian superfruit; a low-calorie antioxidant boost made with the best ingredients.

AND from now until July 19, Red Mango is offering double points for Club Mango– basically, by signing up for their rewards program, you get $2 in credit AND with double points these next few days, you’ll be on your way to some free smoothie goodness.

You can learn more about Red Mango on Facebook or Twitter on, obvs, on RedMango.com.

(*Disclaimer: This post has been sponsored by Red Mango but all opinions and excitement about smoothies are entirely and 100% mine.)

36 Hours

adminJuly 15, 2013Uncategorized%s Comments

36 hours in Florida: 1 torrential downpour, 1 walk on the beach, 3 hours floating in the pool, 2 meals cooked on the grill, 2 sleeps in the biggest King bed in the world and I’m back on a plane. While Ryan and his friends get to continue their old school buddy trip, I am headed off for a work trip. Obviously, waking up early is the pits and a day on the beach would have been lovely but, luckily, I love the people I work with and am excited for a week of tackling a big project.

Now, all I need is a coffee the size of my head. I was reminded of why I don’t take 6am flights when I arrived at the airport this morning before the security lines were open and, most certainly, before Starbucks even turned on its lights…

Saturday Brain Dump

adminJuly 13, 2013Uncategorized%s Comments

– Jim Noodle is the best Thai food in the city. Bold statement, I know, but when I walked by our old favorite this week, I wanted to eat the entire building.
– I am en route to Fort Lauderdale for 36 hours to partake in the collective 30th Birthday celebration of Ryan and his friends, who all turn 30 this year. Fully expecting a regression of maturity, if not actual age.
– We got FitBits last weekend and are obsessed. More on that later.
– flying early in the am kills me. Baby needs her full 8 hours of sleep.
– When is the royal baby going to arrive?!? I swear, if I were British/in London, I would be one of the crazy people camped outside of the hospital.
– Have a great weekend! It’s going to be a gorgeous one- summer is finally here!

Summertime Sunset

adminJuly 10, 2013Uncategorized%s Comments

Summertime sunset in the Chi. These are the nights that I hang on to come next January.

Link Love

adminJuly 9, 2013Uncategorized%s Comments

After a 9 innings on a gorgeous 75 degree Friday with my family, I realized that Wrigley is with the Abe Lincoln statue and the backside of Adler Planetarium as one of my very favorite places in the city.

The Honest Toddler has released a statement re: allegations that he was tired.

My dear friend Rosemary has always been the kindest, sweetest woman I know and now she’s created a blog to share daily doses of earnest inspiration.

Thanks to my friend Kate, I had fresh mint on hand to make one of these flavored waters.

Don’t these beer cocktails look refreshing?

The Dark Sky App is amazing- because really, what I really need to know is what’s happening outside right now and for the next hour.

Wedding Planning

adminJuly 8, 2013Uncategorized%s Comments

In the excitement of getting engaged, Ryan and I started talking about what we might want to do for our wedding pretty much right away. Having never concretely discussed it before, we thought this was pretty blank slate. That is, until we realized that we were very clear about what we didn’t want. Very, very clear. Like, I don’t want to cry before walking down the aisle because I am afraid “the show” won’t go off perfectly (heard it). I don’t want bridesmaids performing choreographed dances to really obscure rap songs (seen it). We know a groom who didn’t talk to his mother for 2 months after his wedding because of things that transpired. Wedding planners who treat a wedding rehearsal’s importance as being on par with North Korea not having nuclear weapons. I don’t think we recognized it but our experiences really had an effect and the effect was us screaming “we don’t want that!”.

It was Negative Nancy wedding planning.

It was good though- we needed to clear what we didn’t want in order to get to what we did. Once we did that, details came together in incredibly quickly because, at the end of the day, our priorities list is a short one.

1) Start the day unmarried, end the day married
2) Have the people who have supported and love us present
3) Scotch & Champagne
4) Celebrate the city we live in and love
5) Spend within our budget

So with those 5 things as a filter, “wedding planning” is pretty well set. We love hosting dinner parties and we are really excited to host a big one in a space that we adore with food from one of our favorite restaurants. I’ll wear a pretty dress. I’ll kiss the guy I love. I’ll hug the heck out of my parents and cheers with my best friends. The other stuff? If it doesn’t contribute to our Top 5 list, I ain’t got time for that.

With one exception: We all know my Excel skills and we all know I didn’t make that formula intense spreadsheet that is our wedding budget. I do and always will have time for shoes and God bless the man I am marrying for knowing that and allocating a line in the budget exclusively for high heels.