I just got back from my month-long vacation and there’s so much to write about! Before I start bombarding everyone with hundreds of pictures, let me just start by updating you on some of the things that happened in June before my summer travels, like watching the band Neon Trees at the Knitting Factory. Super fun songs!

Neon Trees Concert

Most places we’ve been going to in Reno have been near downtown or in Midtown, since that’s what’s close to the boyfriend. It’s nice to just walk everywhere. It took forever, but we finally had a beer and a glass of wine at Craft. Too bad they only have one table outside.

Craft

For a nice dinner out we tried Scampi. We were surprised for two reasons: the ambiance and the food were awesome and so much better than expected, but we were the only customers in there on a Saturday night! They need to revamp their marketing, because that place should be packed every night.  After dinner, we had dessert at Great Full Gardens, which is always good and always full.

We were still in town for the opening match of the 2014 World Cup, so to get ready for our Brazil trip, we went to 40 Mile Saloon to watch Brazil v. Croatia. Since the game was on a weekday at noon, the bar wasn’t very full, but I’m glad I went and taught the owner what a caipirinha is.

Notice the lack of facial hair!

Another place we tried in June was the Lobster Buffet at the Boomtown Casino. At first it seemed very appealing to spend less than $30 for all-you-can-eat lobster, but after trying to get my first one out of the shell, I gave up and splurged on the several desserts instead.

Lobster Buffet

Although all these places in Reno were fun, my favorite June moments were these: cooking chicken satay with the boyfriend at home and taking the dogs to the river near Iddlewild Park. Always nice to relax before a big summer!

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Ps.: Almost forgot to mention this lunch: the five of us pictured below started working together at the same school 5 years ago, but for the new school year some of them are moving on. It’s the end of an era…

Ps. 2: Notice how I didn’t mention any running in June…

Olive Garden Farewell Lunch

So lucky my 30th birthday fell on a holiday weekend! I actually had my big party on the actual day, May 25th, which was a Sunday, and the boyfriend made me wait until then to open my presents! He did good: maps so I can pin where I/we’ve been and a trip to the coast filled with fun and food.

We also had a relaxing morning grabbing some coffee at The Hub and taking the dogs to the river downtown with my friend J. who came from the Bay Area for my b-day.

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In the afternoon we had a great party filled with wine, whiskey, raw vegan food, chocolate cake, friends, dogs, and gifts!

30th Birthday Party

30th Birthday Party

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Yes, you read correctly: raw vegan food. I ordered fake tacos, raw falafels, and mock tuna appetizers, plus chocolate truffles without sugar from The Seed. Everything was delicious, but I’m sure all the guys where confused about the lack of meat on a holiday.

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As party favors, I had M&M’s made with a picture of me on one side and “thank you” on the other. C’mon, you know you want your face on chocolate candy too!

M&M’s Party Favors

The second day of celebrations actually had four parts. First I met four girlfriends at the Reno Blow Dry Bar. You start with a scalp massage and a glass of champagne or wine. After they wash your hair, they blow dry and style it for you. Although it’s a little expensive, it’s kind of addictive and I went there 3 times in May alone. For my birthday, I also had my eye make-up done. With all the pampering, it’s impossible not to get out of there feeling fabulous.

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With my hair and make-up done, it was time for drinks in a nice dress and high heels (suit and tie for the boyfriend). Since I can’t really afford to eat at Lulou’s, we at least had some drinks there. Almost 15 friends showed up for this part of the celebration and they made it really special. Of course the drink of the night had to be a pink one.

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Our party moved to Brasserie St. James, one of my favorite places in Reno. A high-end Midtown hangout, it’s a little pricey but still affordable. The boyfriend and I shared the Argentine barbecue, which was super tasty, but could’ve used more meat instead of so many roasted vegetables. We had a large table for 15 and at the end they brought out a brownie with candles.

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To finish the night, we had more drinks at Chapel, but we couldn’t keep going for too long since we still had Part 3 of celebrations the next day.

For years I was dreading turning 30. I used to flat out lie about my age: I turned 21 at least 3 times and I was 25 for 4 years in a row. Finally, in the past year I’ve matured enough and realized it is okay to be 30: I am a happy, healthy, and accomplished woman (homeowner, world traveler, marathon finisher… all check!) with lots of close friends and family. That’s a reason to celebrate! And that’s what I did for 4 days during Memorial Day Weekend.

Part 1 of birthday celebration involved going to South Lake Tahoe with the boyfriend and the dogs. When I moved to the area over 10 years ago, it was the beauty of the lake that made me stay. I don’t want to live in Tahoe anymore: too small, too much cold… but I am grateful to live close enough so I can go there anytime I need a pick me up. Just seeing the lake when I’m driving makes me relax and vow to enjoy life as much as possible.

Lake Tahoe

As you all know by now, I love to eat. Usually my go-to place for fine dining in Tahoe is “Edgewood”, but this year why not try something new? The boyfriend took me to “Jimmy’s at the Landing”, a new lakeside restaurant that opened six months ago. The menu is Modern Greek, which means no spanakopita or baklava, but lots of Greek flavors in their wood grilled dishes. We ended up ordering the 5 for $45 appetizer deal, 2 entrees, and a dessert, in addition to 2 drinks and a bottle of wine. Yup, that’s how we do a 30^th birthday dinner!

30th Birthday Dinner

The appetizers were brought one at a time, which made me feel I was having a 7 course meal. By the time the entrees arrived, I was so full I didn’t care they were really small (the cauliflower dish was delicious, but tiny). A highlight of dinner was actually the mojito made with ouzo, but everything tasted so good, it brought back memories from my Greece trip 5 years ago with each bite.

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During dinner I also had a little surprise for the boyfriend. Since I just ran a marathon and was having a big birthday, I thought it would be fun to do a photo shoot to showcase my healthy looking body. During dinner, I showed the pictures to the boyfriend and he almost fell off the chair. Nice to see I can still cause this reaction at 30!

30th Birthday Photo Shoot

30th Birthday Photo Shoot

30th Birthday Photo Shoot

Finally spring break arrived and, besides going to Texas, I had time to relax and celebrate the end of marathon training and the end of the quarter at the college where I teach. Now without my two part-time “jobs”, I have a lot of time in my hands, so I did laundry, took the dogs for a walk in Tahoe, read a bit, and started cooking: kale salad with tahini dressing, panquecas (Brazilian crepes), carrot cake, chicken fajitas…

Slick and Parker

Lots of new recipes, which means lots of eating are being done. Unfortunately, lots of pounds are being gained too. First of all, I’m still consuming over 2,000 calories a day as if I were still training. Portion control is the hardest thing for me and after a whole 40 days without eating cookies for lent, I’ve been going over a whole packet of them a day. Secondly, the marathon caused some stress on my right foot and it hurts to run or walk too much, causing me to be a couch potato for the next two weeks. Not saying I’m not enjoying watching “Dancing with the Stars” though. Well, actually, I’ve been quite active socially instead…

Enough updates. Let’s get to the healthiest dish I made last week. Here’s the recipe for the kale salad, adapted from Rachael K., who is a personal chef in Reno. Tahini is a little too strong for some people, but it has quickly become my new favorite dressing!

Kale Salad with Tahini

Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. minced garlic

2 tbsp. tahini (sesame seed paste)

2 tbsp. plain yogurt

½ tsp. cumin

1 tbsp. olive oil

4 cups kale

1 apple julienned

4 tbsp. sliced almonds

In a mixing bowl, mix the garlic, lemon juice, tahini, yogurt, and cumin. Season with salt with needed.

In a separate bowl, shred or slice the kale leaves and add the olive oil. Rub the leaves with oil to soften them. Combine the kale with the dressing and stir. Add the apple and almonds.

Makes 2 servings of 280 calories each.