Thinking Out Loud #89

Happy Thinking Out Loud Thursday! It’s been a week of tying up all sorts of loose ends and running errands (as you’ll see below), and today is a pretty packed one. I have a cognitive psych quiz and discussion this morning, health econ this afternoon, a sports econ research session after that, and then I’m planning on hitting a yoga class before I have a meeting at CorePower. And then I need to shower and eat dinner because some exciting humans will be getting in town late tonight for dessert to kick off the weekend. Confused? Everything is a little confusing lately. Let’s chat!

1.) Last Saturday, I had brunch with Alicia and Susie at Orange.

We talked about all sorts of things, from travel to school and work and family, and it was lovely. We were originally making it a Sweat Pink event combined with the National Infertility Awareness Week Walk of Hope… but the weather was gross. No running or walking in sideways rain. I had eggs Benedict and that’s always a good choice.

2.) Mmm. I said no walking, but we walked a very short distance to Molly’s Cupcakes. Because that’s #worthit. I got, Samoa, Cookies ‘n’ Cream, Cookie Monster, and Flourless Molten Chocolate cupcakes.

So far, I’ve only had the Samoa (amazing), and I’m saving the other three for some special people tonight.

3.) Funny story: I actually intended to make cookie dough-stuffed cupcakes before we even visited Molly’s. When I got home from brunch, I made some. They got rave reviews from all the people I shared them with in the dorm and they couldn’t have been easier. And yes, I used boxed cupcakes. But they were stuffed with freaking cookie dough. 

I also made some protein zucchini bread muffins/bites that I ate a dozen of in three days.

Typical. They were great, though.

4.) Sunday was another gross day and I honestly didn’t leave the dorm except to hit the gym in the morning. That was the day I did some schoolwork and practiced headstands for over an hour.

5.) Monday I went downtown to get drug tested for my summer internship and the lab location was conveniently located near Revival Food Hall, which I’ve been wanting to go to but it’s not open on the weekend (to my knowledge…?). So, I swung by and got some salted caramel cashew gelato from Black Dog.

Great freaking choice. 

6.) Also, on Monday I refrained from going to yoga in the evening so I could catch up on my yoga journaling. Why? Um… I hadn’t turned in my teacher training materials yet and I really want to. First, because I’ve been putting it off forever. Second, because I’m leaving here in four weeks. Third, because someone in the house wants me to teach weekend classes in the dorm courtyard and I’d feel better about doing that once I officially have the certificate.

7.) Tuesday was housing lottery night, when everyone has to pick their rooms for next year. And guess what? I didn’t have to go! Because I’m not going to be in housing next year. It’s getting SO REAL.

8.) I had the best Wednesday morning ever. I went for a run in the sun along the lake, went to yoga, turned in all my teacher training stuff, and went shopping at Whole Foods. Kinda my perfect morning.

And then I got a call from New York. I almost didn’t answer, because I don’t know anyone in New York, but I picked up. Here’s the gist:

The drug test I took on Monday was inconclusive because I was too hydrated, so I needed to take another one. And not be too hydrated. I explained that I have no idea how not to be pretty well-hydrated. It sends my body into a tailspin. I was told that regardless, I needed to take another one within 24 hours or I would be “refusing” to take it. I explained that I’m in class all day today and that unless a lab could get me yesterday, I couldn’t do that. I was told that a lab 7 miles away couldn’t be that hard for me to make (it’s a solid hour round-trip, plus lab time) and that if I couldn’t, they would probably not be able to hire me.

So, after a lot of freaking the hell out, I discovered that the lab does walk-in hours, so I switched around my entire day off to do a test I had already done. It worked out, but I was still super annoyed that it cut into my day by about an hour and a half.

9.) Tonight, my parents are coming to town! I’m moving out in three chunks: now, Memorial Day when my parents come and take tons of stuff, and when I fly home after finals. So, this is a practical visit and a fun one. It’s always nice to just get to see them. They’re the visitors I’m sharing my cupcakes with.

10.) And now I want to leave you with some of my favorite recipes + reads from the week:

• So totally making this over the summer. –> Paleo Healthy Chocolate Cake
• Such a fresh and summery dish. –> Grilled Greek Chicken Power Bowls
• Because everyone needs pizza. –> Quick and Easy Paleo Pizza Crust
• Mother’s Day is coming up. –> 4 Budget-Friendly Mother’s Day Gift Basket Ideas
• On accepting what you have. –> It’s Not the Body I Asked for, It’s the Body I Have

Claim: @EllenSlater always eats great food - and sometimes freaks out over nothing. Share on X

Your turn:

What’s your usual breakfast/brunch order?

Favorite cupcake?

Anything else I should know?