Hello friends! Before I go further with this post, I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for your votes in the Good Mood Gig contest. I did not make it into the top 20, which honestly – I expected. There are things regarding the whole situation that I could choose to get frustrated and become disappointed about, but instead I congratulate those who got in the top 20 and wish them the best of luck competing further. I am glad I had the opportunity to support those who were also competing for votes, and I am SO thankful that I became aware of how awesome some friendships and support systems in my life truly are. Thank you Ryan, Katy, Megan, Ashley and Melissa! You ladies rock. 
After staying up way past my bedtime having a blast talking to Jordan (sister-in-law) last night, I opted to sleep in this morning. I had planned on going for a three mile run with Ross, but considering I got a double workout in yesterday, I decided to let today be a rest day instead of tomorrow and tomorrow will be a run day. (Yesterday’s second workout was in the evening – 20 minutes intense intervals on stair master with strength for biceps/ arms, shoulders, triceps and chest.)
Breakfast this morning was a vegan whole wheat bagel with low sugar strawberry preserves.
After chilling around the in-law’s neighborhood yard sale and getting cleaned up, it was time to meet some of my favorite bloggers at Infusion Tea! Joining me in our ladies lunch were Ryan, Ashley, Megan and Katy (and I unfortunately just realized we never got a group picture!)
I chose the lunch combo with the Milton Special (organic field greens, roasted beets, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, tomato, cucumber, hummus and tabouleh with balsamic dressing) and the Tempeh Chili.
My lunch special came with the tea of the day, which today was a rockin’ Moroccan Mint! I enjoyed mine unsweetened and I really wish they had free refills!
Beautiful Ashley (I know it’s a random candid, but she’s still gorgeous!)
Lovely Ryan, with my camera’s twin. 
(Although I suppose her camera is my camera’s older sister since she’s had hers longer). Now my camera just needs a more grown up lens too. (hey there Santa Claus…)
My beautiful lunch. The chili was delicious, but honestly I could have eaten plates of the salad! It was so good. The dressing was more like a balsamic reduction, and completely took the salad to a whole new level. Love!
After dining, chuckling over the cuteness at an ongoing “princess tea party”, and gabbing and gossiping for oh…three hours! we realized it was time to depart until next time.
Since Gainesville doesn’t have a Whole Foods, Ross and I hit up Whole Foods for some goods to stock up the pantry and some other special finds. Products will be featured as I go through them.
After all that gabbing at lunch and not drinking a lot of water this morning I stopped at Starbucks and grabbed a grande unsweetened iced green tea. Perfectly refreshing.
Now it’s time to go see what I need to do for my father in law’s dinner tonight. Luckily we’re dining in, so I can know for certain how products are made. As I was going over the menu with Ross’ grandmother we had a conversation I found slightly amusing that I wanted to share with you all.
Lindsey: “What are you making”
Grandmother S: “oh, grilled pork chops, your potato things, lima beans, salad, corn on the cobb, macaroni and cheese…”
Lindsey: “how do you cook or season your lima beans and corn on the cobb? Do you prepare them with butter or anything”
Grandmother S: “oh no, I don’t use butter or any oils. I do season with bouillon though”
Lindsey: “vegetable bouillon?”
Grandmother S: “No, chicken”
Lindsey: “oh that’s ok, I can’t have that”
Grandmother S: “ok, well I have beef bouillon too”
LOL! Obviously no matter how many times I try to simply explain a vegan diet, I’m not sure it will be understood. Especially amongst our older friends.
See you later with a dinner recap including how the vegan funfetti cake turns out!
It was great seeing you today!! It was like our little mini foodbz get together!
Your photos are beautiful, as usual! And your vegan cookies rock.
So sorry you didn’t make the top 20… I’ve been crossing my fingers and voting for you!!
All your food today looks delicious! I cracked up reading the conversation about boullion. I’m sure veganism must be a hard concept for some to understand! Hope you have a great night, can’t wait to hear how the cake turns out!
Fun times!
Enjoy the dinner tonight!
It’s completely normal to lose track of time when we’re with friends we don’t see that often. It’s just great to get lost in conversation sometimes isn’t it?
Sorry you didn’t get into the top 20, I know this would be a great opportunity for you if you made it but oh well… gotta keep trying.
I’m sorry you didn’t make it to the top 20…you totally should have made it! I love your effort though!! So strong and positive!
have fun w/ the family and yay for trip to WF!!!
Yummy lunch! I wish there were more bloggers in my area. Yay for WF! I wanted to go today, but just never got to it. My venture into veganism ended with a tuna sandwich today. I was starving and it was that or chips. So that it was. Oh well I am trying not to have off limits foods just foods I prefer not to eat.
That reminds me of the scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
“He’s a vegetarian.”
“He don’t eat no meat?” (gasps) That’s okay-I’ll make lamb.”
Lindsey, you have kept it classy and positive. I’m so sorry that it didn’t work out for you. I really thank you a lot for being so understanding and sweet about everything. I think you would have done a great job. You should have been in the top 20 too!
Your cake looked SO yummy.
Sorry about not making it into the top 20. That’s really disappointing
You’re keeping a great attitude, though! And that salad does look amazing! lol, that conversation is hilarious. Love it 
Have a fun night!
Looks like SUCH a fun meetup and meal! The vegan chili looked amazing.
I love your great attitude girl, it will definitely get you far!
My boyfriends mom asked ”So vegetarian means no meat, what about chicken”…it was cute though.
Such a sweet lunch! Glad you enjoyed your day with these beautiful women!
Haha I am laughing at the covo with your gradma. It’s just like my in-laws who don’t beleive there is such a thing as vegetarianism. We always joke about that one line in the movie “my big fat greek wedding” where the girl is explaining to her family that her fiance is vegetarian. The aunt goes, “what do you mean he don’t eat meat?…That’s okay I make lamb!” Haha, story of my life!