Bubbles

Bubbles- the tea & juice company has more than an adorable logo, they offer delicious juices, smoothies and bubble tea, all made to order.  They are one of the many great vendors at The North Market I love to visit, especially to get my health fix.  

Two months ago I tried my first wheat grass shot & have been hooked since.  Served with an orange slice, you take the wheat grass as you would a shot, except you swirl it around in your mouth then swallow.  The reason is it is good for your gums- acts as a protectant. Wheat grass juice provides the equivalent of 2 POUNDS of leafy green veggies! 

Wheatgrass shot & Cucumber carrot juice

Benefits of wheat grass:

• increases red blood cell count
• acts as an anti inflammatory
• acts as a cleanser, similar to the bodies hemoglobin
• reduces high blood pressure
• rich in vitamins A, B complex, C, E, & K

Their freshly squeezed juices allow you to chose up to 3 different fruits & veggies, squeezed fresh to make healthy juice on the go.  Some of my favorite combinations are carrot, apple, and ginger/cucumber, lemon, and ginger/spinach, orange, and parsley!! See their full menu for ideas or make your own!

Citrus Serenade

Green tea mints

Not in the mood for smoothies, juice, or wheatgrass? Bubbles has an extensive tea selection from milk tea, hot tea, iced tea, & loose leaf tea.  Their milk tea is great, not too sweet, and has healthy Boba inside.  Boba- which is basically tapioca balls, are a great chewy texture that are super good for you & serve as a nice bite with the milk tea.  I'm already excited for my wheat grass tomorrow!!

Brezel

What started as a hobby for two friends became Brezel- The pretzels of downtown Columbus. Brezel is a Bavarian pretzel vendor, the newest merchant to The North Market.  They've only been open for a month, but taste like they've been around for quite a while. 

Brezel offers pretzels in different varieties of twists or tiny nuggets (perfect for just a bite or two) and they just started making buns! They have about 15 flavors but not all are available everyday.  Today I picked up 2 slow roasted tomato basil & 2 everything with their delicious homemade dips. 

Mushroom & Onion

M&M with Reese's

Slow roasted tomato & basil, everything pretzel

Garlic chive butter & Jalapeno cream cheese

The pretzels are divine.  Maria, the co-owner of Brezel, told me they are going to begin making pretzel pizza crust & pretzel croutons.  I cannot wait. Here's a snapshot of what they have to pre-order. 

Super Sundays

Sundays are usually the perfect day for the dog park, a walk with a friend, or some organization of sorts.  But some Sundays can just be a little dull, a little boring, and a little down right weird- where a stack of pancakes just seems required. Oh and a mimosa, for your vitamin C of course.  And that is my kinda Sunday. 

Columbus Dispatch Crossword

Market District

FINALLY!
Yes, it's a chain grocery store, but none the less it is still a step up for the greater Columbus area.  It's located over in Upper Arlington, with the other three locations in PA. Having gone to college in Dallas, I was spoiled by Central Market & Eatzi's readily available to me at convenient locations.  Giant Eagle's Market District has a large grocery store feel but is inspired by "open-air markets of Europe."


Enter through the prepared food section to different stations and live food demonstrations and eventually make it over to the regular grocery store.  It is all quite my cup of tea.  With every food department, comes an expert for each, whether it is in the cheese, meats, candy, beer, or cosmetics. I was even more impressed with the game selection of duck, lamb, veal, rattlesnake, elk, python, & venison. They have an entire section devoted to all Ohio products too. You have to go check it out!!

Salad Station

I've made my ideal roll with Mr Sushi multiple times!

Crepes & Waffle Station

My favorite station with Indian flavors & delicious naan  

400 types of imported, domestic, & artisan cheeses 

Pizza by the slice or make your own

A candy section can speak for itself. But this one had me at hello when the woman asked me if I wanted to sample today's chocolate dipped potato chips... like you even have to ask.

 

For the home

It's Friday

And I'm headed to happy hour after work. At Urban Drinks you can see a list of places & what they are offering for the beloved HH.  They separate the list according to neighborhoods. Who doesn't love a map?

Once you decide where you want to be, the choices are endless!  I selected Short North & my list for Fridays seems pretty decent. 

Rigsby's it is! 

Welcome Spring

Let us welcome the first day of spring with open arms. Hopefully it does not snow on Friday. Until then, dive into the flowering, gorgeous, Spring Collection of Michael Bastian.

Egg Casserole

There are multiple Monday mornings when you wake up and do not have time to make breakfast.  I've found it's super convenient to have a pre-made breakfast casserole ready to go for the week. Simply microwave & enjoy!  My favorite breakfast casserole is cheddar, kale, & sausage. You can start the day off with a little bit of heaven (kale) and hell (sausage) in this delicious breakfast treat. 

You need:

• - 8 eggs (I do half egg beaters, half whole eggs)
• - 1/2 cup skim milk or 1%
• - 2 sausage links (sliced 1/2 inch) or 5 slices turkey
•   bacon (chopped into 1/2-inch pieces)
• - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• - 2 clove garlics, chopped (1 is also fine)
• - 2 cups Kale
• - 1/2 onion diced
• - handful of cherry tomatoes cut in half
• - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 

To Start:

Preheat oven to 375 F. Get out a casserole dish that is 8x8" or around that size. Whisk together: eggs, milk, garlic, s & p. Add kale & tomatoes. 

In a skillet, saute your diced onions with a touch of olive oil or Pam if saving calories. If you're using sausage put that in the same skillet with the onions.  If using bacon, a good tip is to microwave the bacon making it crispy before putting it in the pan. I found that the bacon does not get crispy enough if cooked in the skillet.

Line the casserole dish with your onion & bacon/sausage and pour the egg mixture on top. In the photo below I added both bacon and sausage. 

Once the egg mixture is poured over the meat, sprinkle the cheese on top. Place in the oven on the center rack and bake for 40 minutes.  When the egg turns golden brown you will have a breakfast that is all put together for those mornings when you might not be.

Definitely Miami

I'm going to South Beach tomorrow!?!? A long weekend trip far over do with two lovely ladies. Now what to pack...

 

A little glitz

Bag by Beirn, Bracelets by Frieda and Nellie

A little glam

Kage clutch, Bobbi Brown beach scrub, Nancy Gonzalez pill case, Old Shopbop image

And a little day wear

Gryphon stitch mini, South Beach toile print, Ports 1961, Glamourpuss tunic, Vogue Caroline Sieber image

Now only if I had all these things... Off to find the perfect bikini

Safe & Happy Spring Break to All!

Jump On In

Sometimes you just want to lounge.  Here are some spaces I wouldn't mind spending an hour... or 5

Via Southern Living

Via Traditional Home

Via Veranda

West Elm

Caitlin Wilson Design

Emirates Home Magazine

But for now I'll just spend some time in my own brass bed.

My retreat

Pita House

After much hesitation from the bold block yellow sign & strip mall-esque location, I stopped by Pita House.  Feeling vulnerable and hungry I wandered inside on my way home, not wanting to prepare a lunch myself. I took a chance on referral and am so happy I did.

2996 E Broad Street

Pita house is a casual Mediterranean eatery with non-expensive fresh choices.  There are plenty of vegetarian options of grape leaves, eggplant salad, hummus, tabuli, and more. The restaurant is a clean environment that’s excellent for pick up or a quick stop in.  Though it’s a generic set up- there’s some type of effort for décor, which is appreciated. It seems that it is a competitor to the Bexley Aladdin’s, but with cheaper fresher food.

Wanting to try an assortment of dishes on view Chipotle style, an employee informed me of the large plate salad where you chose 5 salads with a side of pita bread. All for around $6, what a deal!! I chose the tomato cucumber dish, hummus, tabouli, eggplant and zucchini salad, and whole sliced tomatoes. The man in front of me ordered a large falafel sandwich with taziki dressing that looked beyond scrumptious. I think it’s a must for when I return along with hummus for the house instead of the typical store bought containers.  It’s made in house and has a wonderful creamy texture. On my way out I noticed lemon juice on the tables to serve as a condiment. Citrus is bliss. 

All images by me.

It's Almost 5

Well it snowed last night and it's pretty dreary out, but that doesn't mean the weekend will be any less enjoyable.  It's not even 5 o'clock and the #1 Buckeyes have beat Northwestern in overtime in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.  Just my kind of Friday =)

How Deep Is Your Love

Via Lou Rota

Via Stephane Massa-Bidal

Via Rails and Trails