The dinner that made me question my relationship

Happy Valentines Day Y'all! I'm going to be real honest by telling you that my most favorite thing about Valentines Day is the fact that it is a day on which the act of eating copious amounts of chocolate is not only expected, but highly encouraged. No wonder I endorse this holiday so enthusiastically.

Taylor and I don't really do Valentines day because it is so close to our anniversary, which is on the 17th. (Okay that's not really the reason. We say that's the reason, but the real reason is that he's a Vday hater and I'm okay with it because it I've discovered that your boyfriend doesn't have to actively participate in Valentines Day for it to be fun. Turns out eating chocolate and washing it down with wine is actually more fun by yourself with Sleepless in Seattle playing in the background.)

But this year I guess he was feeling sentimental because he showed up at my work this afternoon with a very impressive bouquet of flowers. I was so surprised that I forgot to take a picture but I swear I'm not making it up.

Anyways, this week I decided to make our usual Wednesday night dinner a little fancier in honor of Valentines day. I don't know why, but when I think romantic I think Italian. So I grabbed some pesto tortellini on my last trip to Trader Joe's and whipped that up with some spinach, four cheese marinara and a little bit of parmesan on top.

This was literally a ten minute dinner so I was already pretty impressed and then when I took my first bite it was like the heavens opened up and the angels began their hallelujahs because OMG-SO-DELICIOUS. I'm sort of obsessed with any meal that is pesto themed so I may have been an easy sell. As I was inappropriately moaning and taking my second bite I somehow managed to ask Taylor what he thought. When he quietly told me, "I'm not really sure how I feel about pesto..." I think my response was something like,

"I'M NOT REALLY SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOU!!!"

I mean Y'ALL. Is he serious? Who doesn't like pesto?? I don't know but for the rest of dinner I was seriously questioning the status of our relationship. I just don't know if I can spend the rest of my life with someone who doesn't like pesto. Four years Tay. It's been a pretty good run. But this may be where our paths split. Anyways, I'm keeping my options open. Pesto lovers, call me. 

Fortunately for Taylor, I couldn't stay upset with him for too long because I needed help with the dishes and also had a super rich and yummy dessert that would have been too much for me to handle on my own. I snagged this recipe for "sweetheart nachos" off the Trader Joe's website. It's just cinnamon sugar pita chips, fresh chopped strawberries, and drizzled with chocolate syrup.

This morning I decided that in order to prepare my body for the day's slightly above average sugar intake, I needed to try to sneak in some fruits and veggies in liquid form. 

I'm sorry Naked juice. You know how much I love the Green Machine flavor. But Berry Veggie tastes like BUTT. I somehow managed to chug down half of it and let me tell you, I've had fifty cent tequila shots go down smoother. Natalie will be sticking with the green machine from now on. 

Since I did technically consume some vegetables in liquid form, I had no guilt about my premeditated and carefully selected dinner:

That's some very honest advertisement right there. These awesome takeout bags are reason number 347238579834750928 why I love Smashburger. 

After finishing the longest run of my training on Sunday, I'm officially in the taper period before the Cowtown. (9 days!) This morning I got up at 4:15. Were y'all aware there was one of those in the morning too? Well there is. Anyways, I headed to the gym and got my five mile progression run done and DONE by 5:30. I'm not going to say I'm a fan of a morning starting that early, but I will tell you I do enjoy getting off work at 5 and heading straight home instead of to the gym. Because all that awaits me at the gym are sweaty people, where as at home I am greeted by my sweet roommate and an almost full bottle of TJ's $2.99 Cabernet. Yes, please.

LOVE&HUGS,

Nat