Tuesday was SO good to me. Tuesday allowed me to walk around the city after work without a drop of rain. It was like the sky was holding itself (unlike yesterday!) As soon as I got back to my car the rain started. I was SO happy I didn’t get caught in the rain, shopping bags in hand and miles away from my car. I suppose I could have caught the T to get back but the Subway is super busy during rush hour so I was glad I didn’t need to consider that as an option.

My original plan was to run to the Back Bay so I could hit up the Apple store. Because my left leg hasn’t been feeling so hot (It’s just not healing after long runs like my right leg… what’s goin’ on Lefty!?) I decided to give my body a break and walked into the city instead (I still wanted to get my legs moving… just didn’t want to push it with Lefty).

Tuesday ALSO allowed me to SCORE at Forever 21. Yes, I shop there. It is really inexpensive and fun! Though they are often overcrowded and picked over. It can also be a little overwhelming because they have SO MUCH. The Back Bay location is always packed, has 4 levels, and a small dressing room. You must enter with patience. Clothes from Forever 21 don’t necessarily last forever (I mean, I wouldn’t buy a winter jacket, jeans or shoes from there) but for basics it’s great. Plus, I live in these stretchy skirts they have (for only $5.50!!!). They are fold over skirts… kind of like fold over yoga pants. They are the most comfortable skirts in the world and I wear one every day to work… and even at the beach! You can dress them up, down, sexy, beachy… however you want. I think I have 6 of them from Forever 21 and some similar skirts from various other places like Express and Victoria’s Secret. Though I dress professional it is imperative that I feel comfortable AND attractive. So, most of the clothes I buy are stretchy and flowy.

See that hot little green number!? It’s short but not as short as it looks in the picture, and it has a gorgeous straight neck line. It was only $17! Now I just need an excuse to wear it ;)

After my retail therapy session (Therapy = shopping instead of running = giving my left leg a break = 100% happiness) I stopped off at Whole Foods to pick up some last minute ingredients for dinner. I planned on making Angela’s 15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta and needed fresh Basil. And wine, duh.

This bottle cost $5.99. Yes, it IS possible to buy inexpensive vino from Whole Foods. And I also believe it IS possible to shop there once in a while and not murder your budget while doing so. I split my shopping three ways, between Trader Joe’s, Shaw’s and Whole Food’s. I buy the majority of my groceries at TJ’s. You just need to know your brands and go into Whole Food’s with a plan.

Whole Food’s 365 branded products are very affordable and the quality is excellent. Fish, meat, speciality dairy (speciality cheeses and ‘gourmet’ yogurts for example), and organic produce are definitely more expensive but not by much. You get what you pay for and I prefer to buy my meat and fish at WF because I know I am getting the best. Or rather, I know WHAT I’m getting. I particularly care about where my meat, fish and most of the produce I buy comes from (What’s in the food will eventually be in you right?) Not everything at WF is organic… and not everything at WF is ‘healthy’. Meaning, just because you get a chocolate cake from Whole Foods doesn’t mean you can eat the whole thing in one sitting. Duh, Dad ;) Shopping at Whole Foods is easier for a couple or if you’re single.

I get that it gets very pricey for families. Doesn’t that just irk you that ‘good’ food, food you know where it comes from and what’s in it tends to cost more? If I had kids I would rather serve them no meat than mystery meat.

Yep. This wine is made from organic grapes. See that halo above my head? That’s purity for ya! Why in the world organic wine weirds people out is beyond me. In the world of wine making, artificial additives and chemical fertilizers and pesticides are a relatively new and modern practice done to support the mass quantity of wine that is being produced today. Traditionally, wine making is 100% au naturale. In fact, many wines you buy are in fact essentially ‘organic’ they just aren’t certified because it costs a lot of money to do so! Plus, it sort of pigeon holes the wine and unfortunately steers some people away. Anyway, this wine was simple, super citrusy and refreshing. A blend of random grapes from California. I dug it. Maybe you will too!

I always end up getting around to making dinner fairly late… like between 8 and 9. Strange habit, but probably one of the lesser of my strange habits. Scary, huh? haha

I like to be relaxed and done with any chores/errands before I make and eat dinner. I like to zone out when I get home, especially after long runs. I’m usually not hungry right away and would rather really enjoy my meal than rush around like a crazy person. What’s the rush?

I was SO excited to finally make this avocado cream sauce! We had a bunch of avocados and lemons hanging around so this was the perfect opportunity.

Beautiful fresh basil!

This was the final product. Angela’s recipe on her site is awesome and super easy to follow. In fact, all of her recipes are awesome! She’s really creative in the kitchen and you can tell she puts a lot of time and thought into her recipes.

I sauteed all this stuff in a cast iron skillet. I usually buy the Lightlife Fakn’ Bakn’ tempeh strips but these new Tofurkey tempeh strips are THE BOMB.

SO good! The ‘bacony’ tempeh strips added this delicious smokey flavor that really complimented the avocado sauce. Perhaps some sundried tomatoes would have been a good addition as well? Kinda like a transformed vegan BLT pasta style.

Very green, and wicked delicious ;)

What time do YOU eat dinner?

Where do you do the majority of your grocery shopping? Thoughts on shopping at Whole Food’s?