The Glory of Whole Foods

If you've ever been in a Whole Foods, you know what I'm saying

Also, if you've ever been in one after living a life dependent on Wal-Mart 

You really know what I'm saying.

Whole Foods is a holy sanctuary for the foodie.

Ours in Austin is,once again,

Where it was founded.

And it is like a grocery mall, not a store.

Pretty much I could live in there.

But, since it's just a little bike ride downtown,

(and by little I mean 2 miles there...and 2 miles back)

It is where I grocery shop.

And due to their abundance of things to eat.

It is also where I dine on grocery days!

When I went with my parents,

My mom got this Croque-Monsieur.

And proclaimed that this store is a necessary institution.

Everywhere.

As I have been telling her!

My meals have been leaning towards sushi.

Which is up high on my list of favorite foods.

Very high up.

I also got a grab and go type meal.

Chicken salad!

Which was to die for.

I mean, I'm preferential to my mommy's...but this was a good runner up!

And on a non-food related note,

I had two tests this week.

And a research report presentation.

Needless to say, this week kicked my butt.

The good news though?

I'M GOING HOME TODAY!!!

=D

And am quite excited!

Iron Cactus. And a realization.

Posting the other night made me realize something.

While I am so happy with my Nutrition major choice,

I miss writing.

Creative writing, essay writing, any sort of short answer.

Being so caught up in sciences, I am never required to really write.

And I do miss it. It's one of the many things I completely adore.

Another reason this blog is good for me.

Keep me sane in my little science nerd world.

Well, onwards and upwards!To food!

I left off at our visit to Iron Cactus!

If quality time with my parents wasn't enough, this food certainly made the evening.

From my quesadillas,

which were in a spinach tortilla and filled with goat cheese and more spinach.

Ooey, gooey, ooooozey.

To my mom's pork enchiladas,

topped with a fried egg!

Different and delicious. 'Nuff said.

Our meal was a little above the normal Mexican cuisine.

Which, of course, is the Iron Cactus' theme.

Did you know they originated on 6th Street?

In Austin??

Where I live???

Yeah, I thought that was pretty cool too...

Almost as cool as those quesadillas.

Goat cheese was unexpected, but I just was too curious.

Turns out, its tartness complimented the crispy tortilla.

And sweet guacamole I had to top it with!

Did I mention that we had tableside guacamole made?

As I said, it was made. Then obliterated in a blink of an eye.

Avocados can go on everything I think.

There is a pizza place, the Mellow Mushroom, that lets you put them on pizza.

Now that was tasty.

More on that experience later!!

After that weekend of fun, it was back to lots of studying for me.

But guess what!

I get to go home next weekend.

I can't wait to see them again =)

San Antonio.

I apologize for the neglect these past two weeks, but college has taken me by the horns.

No pun intended...Longhorns...

But, since I took my first test today, 

Chemistry to be specific,

I felt like a break from the work is in order.

Because I feel very good about this test.

(Insert well deserved praise here)

Thank you, thank you.

So, let me take you back.

Before the fear of this exam crept up.

Before I had to watch seven Romance movies for a research project.

Before my social life swept in like a windstorm.

Back, all the way back, to----

Labor Day weekend.

Yes. Can you remember that far back? Seems like ages ago to me!

As for my weekend, I spent it in San Antonio with my mommy and daddy, instead of going home.

My dad wanted to go, and I got to see Peyton, who just graduated from the Air Force Basic Training.

Yay Peyton!!

After seeing him though, it was family time.

Much needed family time.

I miss my mommy.

Anyway. On our first night.

We walked the Riverwalk.

Which can be really fun, but also very packed.

Plenty delicious options though!

We ended up eating at the Republic of Texas.

And this little genius demolished her grilled chicken with pecan rice and vegetables before snapping a picture.

My apologies, once again!

I did, though, get a tasty end of meal treat.

Fortune Taco!!

The next day though, we explored a Mercado that was near our hotel.

It was lots of fun, and felt like a real vacation to a Hispanic country.

Such as Cozumel...or Belize...or some other gorgeously fun destination.

Ah, cruises. The luxury.

I digress.

The one thing I did try at this Mercado was a fruit cup.

I know, you're picturing like the Dole syrupy little container.

Now, take that image, and burn it.

Replace it with this.

Mmmm...mmm...mm. That is all.

Fresh, bright fruit, all just bursting out of the cup with flavor.

A man in the line suggested sprinkling chili flakes on top, so of course,

I did it.

And trust me, you want to sprinkle chili flakes on every piece of fruit you eat.

From now on.

Just so much flavor, the sweet and juicy being complemented and exaggerated by the warmth of the chili.

The taste will make you smile.

Cheesin it up. Or cantalouping it I guess.

All in all, the Mercado was a great way to escape our Texas normality.

A morning full of discoveries,
 from bug necklaces to bracelets.

The moral of the day?

;)

PS. Next time: Our Iron Cactus incredible cuisine!!