Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Friday Thoughts
I’ve got a lot swirling around my head this morning to tell you guys. Instead of having a rambling post hopping from topic to topic, how about a list? Grab a cup of coffee and let’s cross off each item as we go 
1. Biggest news ever – MY FAMILY IS COMING TO COLORADO TODAY!!!!
Remember how my parents came to visit in early March? Well, they’re coming back, and they’re bringing my brother and his girlfriend. I couldn’t be more excited to see them – I miss ‘em all SO much. Besides, I need to convince my brother that he needs to move to Colorado (because he does.)
2. Grilling is still in full force over here.
In fact, last night we grilled out for the 5th night in a row.
And that doesn’t include the lunches that we’ve made on the grill.
Yesterday, I was thawing out some ground beef, and I asked Shane if he wanted tacos, or to use the grill again and make burgers. He was all, “why stop the streak now??” and I was like, “heck yeah! 5th night in a row where you cook!”
3. And what goes along with summer grilling then beer, I ask?
I’ve found a new favorite beer of the moment – Breckenridge Vanilla Porter! I tried it first on our mini trip out to Breck last weekend, and I fell in love at first sip. It’s slightly sweet, and super yummy. Weird, because porters are never usually my favorite!
4. Shane has taken up fly fishing. He went out last week with a couple buddies to a river in Lyons, was gone for four hours, and came back loving fly fishing. The next morning he was youtubing it, and then this week, he went out and bought a truckload of gear – vests, weights, poles, shoes – you name it. Oh, Colorado sports and its gear…Maybe next week we’ll be grilling trout for dinner!
5. I finally said goodbye to my worn-to-the-bone but oh-so-loved New Balance Minimus kicks. They were pretty gross, to be honest, not to mention really worn down on the soles.
I also promptly replaced them with the exact same shoes!
I debated between these and a pair of Brooks trail runners, but ultimately ended up going with what I knew. These also make great lifting shoes, fyi!
6. My love affair with hot vinyasa yoga is still going full fledged! Last week I was only able to attend a class on Monday and Wednesday, and this week I didn’t get to a class until Tuesday. That’s almost an entire week without yoga! I’m pretty sure I was starting to get the shakes. After this morning’s class, I’ll have gotten in 3 this week, which seems to be my sweet spot.
7. Can you believe this is 100% vegan food?
Yeah. Me either. Yesterday I went to Native Foods Café with Lauren after a hike (and before shopping for the aforementioned shoes,) which is a vegan eatery in Boulder. Lauren has raved about it ever since I met her, and I kept on meaning to try it out. When Lauren suggested it, I agreed, but in the back of my mind I was worried I’d leave unsatisfied and still a little hungry. Well that worry flew out the door as I was stuffing down the last few satisfying bites of Reuben. SO delicious – and filling!
8. While Lauren and I were out and about yesterday, one of our stops was to Whole Foods, where we saw Andrew, one of the cuties behind Good Pops:
Lauren grabbed a box of the pops, which are 100% natural, made out of very few, whole food ingredients, and incredibly tasty. They’re especially during the high 90 degree days we’ve been having lately. Andrew was kind enough to give us some pops (and let us snap a couple pictures of him workin’ the booth
) and I have to say that I’m in love with the banana cinnamon flavor.
I even had one for dessert last night! Shane really likes the watermelon agave flavor.
9. Shane and I just started watching The Office. As in, for the first time. We’ve both seen episodes here and there, but it’s just been one of the shows we’ve never gotten into. Lately it seems people keep telling us that we simply have to give it another try, so we are! Season 1, episode 1, GO.
10. And I’ll leave you with this. Because if you’re Friday’s starting off on the wrong foot, a sleeping, cuddly puppy will help change that around for you 
Happy Friday!
What’s the best vegan meal that you’ve eaten?
Favorite pair of athletic shoes?
I’m so excited your family is coming back this weekend! I know that makes you happy! I actually had the best vegan meal of my life a few weeks ago at a restaurant in Birmingham Alabama of all places. Tony and I went out with his publisher to a super fancy restaurant and I asked the chef to put something together for me. It was AMAZING! The flavor of the vegetables and grains were complex and delicious! I was with a bunch of meat eaters too that had a hard time understanding how I a vegan meal like that could even be considered the most amazing meal of my life. 😉
Have a great weekend Paige!
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) recently posted…Old School Blogging!
There is a raw vegan restaurant I go to in a nearby city and I love their nachos. Soo good!
That popsicle looks yummy!
I love many of my running and training shoes but my favs are still my Nike Free’s.
Lindsey recently posted…Playing Catch Up
The Brooks Pure Flow were my favorite until I tried on the Brooks Pure Cadence two weeks after I bought the Flows. I’m still a little upset about it!!
Have fun with your family! I can’t wait to get a grill. We’ve been trying get a smaller one for our porch (small apartment) and haven’t found the right one just yet. Soon enough! Happy weekend Paige!
Sarah @ Blonde Bostonian recently posted…Why I’m Running Marine Corps – Team Micah
Yay! Enjoy your family time. 🙂
Beer + Grilling = Summer Heaven
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers recently posted…News Flash!
I never would have guessed that was a vegan reuben! Looks awesome. I had a vegan rice bowl the other day with sweet potato, onion, cilantro, avocado, tomato and a tamari dressing – it was pretty fabulous.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Five Things Friday 06/21/13.
I want that/a puppy!
I haven’t been to yoga in a week, and probably won’t get to go until Tuesday. I miss it!
Also that vanilla porter sounds so good!
Kacy recently posted…I know a girl who goes to shows
I LOVE IT ALL!!!
The banana cinnamon flavor is the best thing ever. I’m always tempted to eat another one immediately when I finish one…
I’m glad you liked Native Foods- I’ll be happy to dine there any time with you! About the shoes: I think you made the right choice. Though I LOVE the Pure Grit shoes, everyone’s feet are different. And like I said- you can always go back and pick ’em up later on and alternate between shoes! And The Office!!! YES.
Have so much fun with your family!!! I’ll see in you in forrrreeeeevvvvveeeer…..
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning recently posted…Fun Things To Get In The Mail
HAVE SO MUCH fun with your family! Loving grilling right now too. Makes meal time easy!!
Yum…all of the food from the grill looks delish! Our grill is in full force too. I’m thinking we need those chicken pineapple kabobs very soon. Have a great weekend!!
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl recently posted…Guacamole Cauliflower Rice
Sounds like great stuff. Jason and I went to Native Foods when we were in Boulder. So good!
Lee recently posted…Bulked Up Pasta
Ahh your problem with the Office is that you’re watching the terrible American knock-off version. Watch the real (British) one!
I am jealous of your summer and grilling! London has missed the memo that it is summer 🙁
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted…Setting up: The Squat
grilling, parents, and good pops?! wow, that’s a good week! So glad They get to come back to CO soon.
lindsayc recently posted…Worry Free Friday
everything looks so darn tasty, I love it! But that vegan meal, whoa that looks amazing.
I just bought a pair of trail shoes, Brooks Pure Grit, while I was in San Francisco a couple months ago. I’ve never bought Brooks before, but I LOVE these shoes! I just need to get back on some trails… 🙂
Enjoy your time with your parents!
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted…Safe and sound in #YYC
Sometimes I LOVE a good vegan meal. We tend to eat vegan 85% of the time. It is just so easy. The best vegan meal I have ever had was at Elf in Los Angeles! We had Native Foods Cafe while we were there too, and it was amazing. Their sweet potato fries are sinfully delicious!
I have got to try hot vinyasa yoga! It may have to wait until fall though… it’s so hot and humid here!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Tea Time
It so great to spend time with your family, nothing is more important than that. All this photos you posted make me drool, everything looks healthy and delicious, a perfect family picnic. Enjoy to the fullest this precious time with your loved ones.
Breckenridge Vanilla Porter was my winter go-to, and I don’t usually go for a porter either!
It’s so delicious!