With a side of ketchup, please.

Hello Blog Land. =)

Roasted cauliflower is a beautiful thing.  Want to know what else is beautiful?  Tuna salad.  Growing up opening up my white and blue plastic lunch cooler during recess at school was the least favorite part of my day, but it?s because of my mom?s consistent, and unnerving motherly instincts that led me to eat the way that I do today.  This lunch is inspired by my mother, who?s birthday is today.  Dubbed ?Mama Protein? by Smoothie Girl and HEAB on their last visit to Tucson, Arizona, I am so thankful for my Mama Protein?s nutritious ways and how she raised me to live a healthy and active lifestyle.  This post is dedicated to her. Happy Birthday Mama!

And then there are days when we, as a family, aren?t so healthy.  Everything in moderation, right?  Five Guys (the East Coast?s version of In n? Out, has recently gone nationwide, so the New Yorker in me had to take my family out to the newest location in Tucson, Arizona during my most recent two-week sabbatical before I start my externship, this coming Monday.)  I don?t even think I?ve ever had an In n? Out burger, so my opinion isn?t exactly qualified, but Five Guys is pretty darn good.

Ground beef and fried potatoes dipped in ketchup are two necessary parts of life, I can tell you that right now.  On occasion, of course.  Generally, I prefer roasted cauliflower? but we all have our moments, right?

Next time I post I’ll be working in NYC! Seriously, I mean, c’mon! I start next Monday morning… and I couldn’t be any more excited!  I’m hoping to post more frequently just about daily life– what I’m experiencing and learning in the restaurant, etc.  In between that and catching the subway.. I’m sure I’ll be pretty busy.

Enjoy tomorrow & seize the day, a la Jeff Winger.