Talk about a great afternoon! It was absolutely gorgeous outside, I got to meet a friend for lunch, I ate a delicious salad, AND made a trip to the Fresh Market. Woop!
So first, I had the pleasure of meeting up with the lovely Cynthia today for my mid-day meal. Cynthia and I have gotten together a few times for various blogger get-togethers, so it was nice to be able to chat one-on-one today.
Cynthia was in town for work, so we decided to meet up at Panera for some lunch. Normally, my go-to order includes one of their soups, but today was definitely not a soup day.
So I ended up making a game-time decision and went with the Thai Chopped Chicken Salad.
This salad was better than I could have ever imagined. I will definitely be ordering this one again! Luckily, I got my dressing on the side, because even the teeny drizzle that I added had quite a kick to it.
Man, my taste buds are so wimpy.
On the side I got my beloved baguette. I <3 carbs…all day, every day.
I also ended up getting some of the most delicious iced tea to drink. Yeah, wish I could tell ya what it was…but I already forgot. Woops.
I do think it was cranberry something or other…maybe.
Wait, umm…oh crap. I don’t remember. It was good though.
After lunch, we hit up the Fresh Market (since Cynthia had never been!) and I stocked up on a few goodies.
Kona coffee, fresh ground peanut butter, croutons (random impulse buy…they were only $1.87) and some Bahama Breeze trail mix blend. I’ve already had a few pieces…it’s as awesome as it sounds.
Tonight’s dinner was leftovers, so I didn’t bother breaking out the camera again. I had about half of my leftover Stuffed Spaghetti Squash,
and a small portion of today’s Creamy Fruit & Tortellini Salad. I’m so glad that Jay is loving this salad, so I’m positive that none of it is going to go to waste.
Dessert tonight? Most likely will be from me licking the frosting off the sides of the bowl for the cupcakes I’m working on for tomorrow. I’ll give you all a little sneak peek at the batter…
Let’s just say I’m wicked excited for the final product on these!!
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Today is Wednesday, so ya know what that means…Modern Family & Cougar Town. Wahooo!
On a quick side note, just want to give a birthday shout-out to my girl, Julie. Happy 26th Birthday, Julie!
Question for the Evening:
Spicy food…love it or hate it?
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie) says
What a nice blogger meet up, that thai chicken salad looks delicious! And yes I’m a carboholic too :o Can’t wait to see your final cupcakes, and hooray for Modern Family tonight!! :D
Caitlin (Quest for Fitness) says
This is what I order every time! LOVE it!! Modern family = win
Melissa says
Ooh, I love me some spicy! So much so that I have never even thought of that salad as spicy! Guess I have iron tastebuds???
Looking forward to the Wednesday night comedies, too! Enjoy!
Brenda @Year 25 says
I love spicy food! Wasabi, jalapenos, red pepper- I love it all! Although I can’t do the hottest salsa at Chipotle.
CaSaundra says
Sounds like an amazing time–so fun to meet up with bloggers!! :-) Do you think you’ll be going to the Healthy Living Summit this year?
Courtney says
I’m hoping to! Especially if it’s where I’m hearing the rumors for :)
fsugirl! says
Hate spicy, I’m a wimp! Fresh Market and Panera? Girl, you’re livin’ the life! ;) Enjoy your night! :D
Erin says
Hey! Just wanted to tell you that I really enjoy your blog! I live in Albany as well and its nice to see someone enjoying many of the spots I love going to (Fresh Market!). Anyways, the Panera Iced Tea you had is also my favorite! In fact I crave it all the time :) Its Apple Cranberry Hibiscus. I keep trying to find hibiscus tea everywhere since I had it at Panera and have only found it at Target (a Tazo tea).
Courtney says
YESSSS!!! OMG, thank you so much! It was driving me crazy! :)
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Loooove spicy food. I just ate some spicy dark chocolate this evening, actually!!
Alexa @ SimpleEats says
I love spicy food, I definitely can’t get enough and nothing is hot enough for me. I love that salad!
Alyssa Kuminski says
I cant wait to see your cupcake creation!!!
Love the fresh market but they are crazily over priced!
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
As I sat waiting for my allergy shots I wanted to go back for that bahama breeze mix you bought. But the Red Wine Vinegar chips were fantastic!
Courtney says
Oh good! I’m glad you liked them. I guess you’ll just have to stop back in there the next time you’re out this way… ;)
Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet says
Woah, are you making Neopolitan cupcakes??? Just a wild guess ;)
Panera is awesome, and they have the best mediterranian veggie sandwich on TOMATO BASIL bread. A must order! And I love how huge their salads are!
Courtney says
YES! That sandwich is one of my favorites. DANG, I can’t believe I forgot about it today! Next time… ;)
And yes, in fact, they are Neopolitan ;)
Caitlin @ Southern Curls & Pearls says
I always order the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad from Panera and it’s amaazing! You should try it next time. It’s not spicy at all! haha. Can’t wait to see how the cupcakes turn out :)
Courtney says
YES! I’ve had that one before…very tasty! :)
Mandee says
Your pictures are causing a serious problem… it’s 1:00 am and I am now dying for Panera! So glad they aren’t open 24 hours! That salad looks really good, and Panera baguette is one thing I let myself cheat on in there bc it’s just that gooooood. I totally agree with you there!!
Kristi says
The Thai Chicken salad is my favorite salad ever! And the nutritional stats are as good as the salad. :)
Khushboo says
I can handle spicy foods in small doses…otherwise I’m guzzling water like it’s my job!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
I love Panera! I tried that salad awhile ago, but wasn’t too thrilled with it (I think it might have been the dressing?). My usual is a half cup of broccoli cheddar soup and half a Greek salad…I get disappointed when I try something new and don’t like it!
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries says
I normally love spicy foods! Except one of the first times I met Cory’s parents, we went to a Thai restaurant (I’d never been to one) and I apparently ate a “decorative pepper” that was SO hot! I was trying to play it cool, but I was literally SWEATING and my face was bright red. Oh my God. It was so embarrassing then, but it’s kind of funny now. Kind of. ;)
Courtney says
Haha, OH NO! :-O
brandi@BranAppetit says
what a fun day! looks like great weather, too :)
Karen says
That salad looks so good and I’ll have to try it next time I go to Panera. I never really got into spicy food but now I am loving spicy food.
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy" Girl says
I can’t wait to see the cupcakes! It’s like window shopping for me :-) Not sure I’ll ever get mine to look as pretty but it sure is fun to look at yours hehe. That spaghetti squash looks so good. I’m like the biggest spag squash fan ever. I absolutely love pasta but can’t stop after 2 bowls so spaghetti squash is my go-to. One of these days I’m makin’ your recipe.
Chelsa says
the salad looks great
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
thank you so much for the birthday shout out, courtney!! :)
Courtney says
You betcha! ;)