This week has been a lot of prep work. Let me ask you something: Do you think that it takes more work for you to actually go out of town than, let’s say, your spouse? (not trying to start anything here, so tell significant-other that I am sorry.) Knowing that next week I am leaving to Utah to get back in to the GYGI kitchen means meal prep, pickup prep, all the prep. I can’t wait to be back up in the mountains. My favorite time of year is Fall, and my second favorite place is Park City, so I am planning on making the drive to enjoy an afternoon all by myself. (AKA: heaven for a mother)
1. Here’s the Tea
Last week I told you all about my new love of Chai tea. And I am not a tea drinker, but this week I’ve been busy researching all the ways to make Boba. My daughter loves boba, but again, since we don’t drink tea I have found recipes that I think I can modify for a A+ to a knock off.
I have researched everything from homemade brown sugar syrup to how to make my own boba pearls using Tapioca Flour and the perfect ratio of syrups, milk, and the actual boba pearls. So here’s the recipe I am making this week, but next week I am sure I’ll find another variation of this fun and yummy drink.
Brown Sugar Overboard
1 Tbsp Brown sugar Syrup (and 2 tsp for around the glass)
1/6 cup Boba (freshly made)
2 cups Fairlife Protein milk (yep, found a way to make it healthier)
2 tbsp half and half
2 pumps vanilla syrup
cinnamon sprinkled on top
2. Tablescapes (first of a series)
I am so excited to show you a sneak peek of what I am working on for Halloween. I have teamed up with My Minds Eye (links are below) and will be showing you some of the cutest table place settings around, complete with Macs, of course! You can snag all of these cute things directly from them on their website HERE or at Orson Gygi and use my discount code “Sweetmacshop” or “Sweetmac” I can never remember. Now, full disclosure, I get ZERO if you order these things. This is just a discount to say thank you to my followers, but I earn zero commission from it. So here are the links to what I used:
Black and white runner (its actually wrapping paper, shhhhh)
Orange Ribbon (running a textured ribbon the same direction — or even the opposite Direction lion — adds amazing dimension to your place setting)
Bones Napkin (My Minds Eye) (EEK! Its already sold out so I linked a twin HERE)
Rose gold disposable silverware
Pink gingham plate with Rose gold trim (Cake By Courtney)
Small white plate with black stripped detail (it actually has a image in the middle)(My Minds Eye)
For the sweet oversized Mac, you will have to wait and see, but with the new Instagram reel format I am doing, I am citing all the sources at the end of the reel. Yay!
3. What I am Eating
As you know I have been very committed to my body goals, and tho’ I think all bodies all shapes and sizes are beautiful, I also have to come to grips that I feel better when I eat healthier and focus on goals that make me feel good about myself. Tacos are usually the vehicle that gets me delish food and the macros I desire, but this week I also chowed down on Egg Roll in a Bowl (side note, I don’t use as much soy sauce as they say, and I always use low sodium) and Pineapple Tacos. I’ve also been making these Protein Bites.
4. Deep thoughts
A recent news story about a female early-morning runner has popped up in my feed this week more than once. Eliza Fletcher, a teacher from Tennessee, was out on a routine jog when she was abducted and killed.
I mourned inside this week at these tragic events. I have been a runner for years and I understood completely why she left her home early in the morning to complete her run. At 4:30 there aren’t a lot of cars on the road. My town doesn’t believe in bike lanes or even adequate shoulders on streets, any streets. So I would try get out early, for safety reasons. The reason why I bring this up is because of the backlash to this tragic event. Many are questioning why she left so early. Nobody asks to be absused, abducted, or heaven forbid even killed. But rather than condemn or criticize, I’m choosing not to. She is the victim of this crime–not the criminal.
It’s well known the risks that women face. “According to a 2021 survey by RunRepeat, more than 45 percent of female runners reported experiencing harassment while running. Of those, more than 80 percent adjusted their running habits and 24 percent started carrying a weapon or means for self-defense.” My heart just breaks for her family, and her two children that are now motherless. Let’s support each other, not criticize or attack. OK. Rant over. Back to cookies and unicorns and chocolate, which I wish I could drop off at her house and show that I care. If you want to join the movement, lots of runners are running today in support of her. Take a run and use hashtag #finishelizasrun I’ll be walking in support because we all know, though I am a runner, I am still recovering from hip surgery.
5. What’s On the Blog
This week we showed you ALL things donuts! Our DONUT macarons post went live and coming up we are talking all about chocolate ganache, apple macarons and adorable ways to decorate for the upcoming holidays. I am always so excited for this time of year!
I want to hear from you: a comment or review!