Filled with “Joy”

Sometimes I like to let the pics do the talkin’…especially when there’s a brand-spankin-new cookbook sitting by my side.

All my “cooking friends” and family have bragged and raved about this go-to guide, and I am uber excited to add it to my collection. 😀

This morning, I literally had to drag myself out of bed to go to the gym.  The rain was gently falling against the roof, I was in a perfect comfy spot, and it was 6:30.  But I knew that I wouldn’t be able to fit in a morning workout for the next two days, so…yes…I finally did end up dragging myself out of my nice warm bed. 😉

Breakfast was simple but delicious: whole wheat bagel with peanut butter and a banana.  Yum-may! 😀

The gym was completely empty today and I had the elliptical machines all to myself.  I still felt a little on the sleepy side, but it felt good to sneak in 30 minutes of heart pumping cardio.  Funny how working out can be so invogorating and energizing! 😀

Quick workout.  Quick shower after arriving home.  Quick snack-to-go (plain yogurt with crushed flax and granola.)

Going where, you ask?

My parents spun a surprise for me, and brought me to Williams Sonoma to have me pick out a graduation gift!  I was shocked and a little overwhelmed (okay…a lot overwhelmed.)  They know me so well and I’m incredibly excited to put this Le Creuset to good use!  And I’m in love with the deep ocean blue color. 😀

They also brought me to one of my favorite restaurants for lunch:  The Cheesecake Factory!

What.  A.  Day.

Mom and I drooled over the cheesecake counter while waiting to be seated. 😉

One of my favorite things about the Factory is the bread basket.  What can I say, I’m a total French girl at heart. 😉

Mom ordered the Renee Special which included a cup of clam chowder, a side salad with vinegraitte dressing and a turkey sandwich on a crusty slice of French baguette.

Dad ordered the Shrimp Franchese which was a-m-a-z-i-n-g.  The artichokes were light and lemony and the shrimp was so sweet and tender!

I ordered a Fresh Country Salad with Chicken which was packed full of chopped asparagus, edamame, roasted beets, sharp cheddar cheese, and granny smith apples.  It tasted so fresh and delicate, and I loved pairing it with a slice of the Factory bread. 😀

When the dessert menu rolled around, I was faced with the challenge of choosing a flavor off of the elaborate menu.  This was not good for an indecisive person like myself. 😉

After some serious contemplation, I ordered a slice of the peanut butter cup cheesecake to be split three ways.  I love sharing desserts!  It’s such a fun, social way to enjoy dessert. 😀

The top of the cheesecake had a giant swirl of thick, peanut butter cream.  It tasted just like the filling of a peanut butter cup.

 On the way home, Dad stopped by Barnes and Noble and told me to pick out any cookbook that caught my fancy.  What?  I was way too spoiled today, I almost don’t know what to do with myself.

That’s when I chose the Joy of Cooking which is going to get lots of good use over the years. 😀 

I snagged an iced soy misto for the ride home to finish off the very perfect day.

Today was so. much. fun.  I came home feeling tired but very happy, and I went with something simple for dinner.

• 1/2 sweet potato
• 1/2 c. garbanzo beans
• couple scoops of Newmans Own Fresh Garden Salsa

On the side, I sauteed up a summer squash with some balsamic vinegar and garlic powder.  Quick and easy! 😀

I’m off to relax for the rest of the night!  I hope your weekend is off to a fabulous start! 😀

Question: What is your favorite, go-to cookbook?  Or do you find most of your ideas in some other way (creativity, blogs, magazines, web, etc.)  My favorite cookbook so far has been the Moosewood Cookbook by Molly Katzen, but I definitely like to mix things up and try new things that I’ve seen in mags, blogs, etc.  It’s fun to get creative with new ideas!

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