I think Taylor Swift was at my 23rd Birthday... My Favorite Things about February and GRC Week 8: Baked Grapefruit

Well, it's Justin Bieber's birthday which can only mean one thing...  February is oooova!!!  I am welcoming March with open arms.  Not only do the winter months turn me into a total hermit but the past month has been stacked with appointments, wires, bandages and overall gloom.  I'm certainly looking forward to longer days, better weather and (hopefully!) far fewer doctors.

February wasn't all bad though as I got to spend some time some time in the kitchen, organize some finances (am I the only one who likes doing taxes?!) and catch up on some books and music.

Here are a few of my favoriiiiiiiiiite thiiiiiiiiings from the past few weeks:

Favorite pre-made food item:  Organic Creamy Butternut Squash Soup by Imagine

This soup is just souper (get it?!).  It comes in an easy-to-pour carton (kind of like a giant juice box)
and is yummy yummy yummy.  I found it a bit bland my first couple of tries but I now add curry powder, ground nutmeg, fresh ground pepper and cinnamon when the soup is starting to get hot and that does the trick.  Most of their soups are also dairy free, gluten free and kosher!  I've only been able to find this brand at Metro but I'm sure the company would be more than happy to tell you where else they sell.  This soup is really thick and would be delicious to use as a sauce for veggies or proteins.  

Favorite album:  Red by Taylor Swift

Don't judge!!  Taylor Swift is friggin' awesome.  I don't care if you think her Grammy speeches are annoying or if you're still mad about the whole John Mayer break up.  This girl can write one heck of a song.  I've been weeping over this new album for the past two weeks.  If you don't love her Top 40 songs, take a listen to some of her other tunes because she's such a great storyteller.  I wish T-Swift hadn't have been in elementary school when I was starting high school or else I would have learned so much from her precautionary tales and probably begged my parents to send me to an all girls' school if those would have existed where I'm from.

Some of my favorite non-Top 40 tracks- "22", "Treacherous" and the real on-the-floor-in-fetal-position-crying-my-eyes-out-flashbacks-to-my-23rd-birthday kicker "The Moment I Knew" which is found on the bonus disc 2.  

Favorite Cosmetics product:  Conceal FX Camouflage Concealer by Cover FX 

Wait... what?!  A cosmetics product?!  I know, I know.  I'm certainly no beauty expert and my typical make up routine consists of eye liner, mascara and some powder.  But that's only if I'm going to a public place where sweat pants are not appropriate (obviously the grocery store and McD's are places I do not wear make up).  I asked the advice of my lovely and talented esthetician friend, Kendra on how to cover up some scar action.  She recommended the Conceal FX and it's awesome.  It not only completely hides my scars but it helps with general redness and dark under-eye circles.  They sell the Cover FX line at Shopper's which is super convenient.  The worst part?  I had to buy Xtra Light.  I need a vacation...

Favorite (healthy) snack:  Baked Grapefruit (GRC Week #7)
When I saw a friend's Instagram pic of a baked grapefruit, I was intrigued.  I've had baked apples and dried fruit but had never considered heating up the oven and popping a citrus fruit inside.  I hadn't had grapefruit since I was a little kid so I decided to give it a go.  Initially, after a quick google search, I topped the grapefruit with honey and cinnamon before baking.  I didn't love the consistency of the honey on the finished product.  After consulting with my friend, she told me she uses brown sugar.  Ding ding ding.  We have a wiiiiinnnnner.  Sprinkle a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon on this puppy. Put it in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes and you've got yourself a tasty, refreshing and healthy treat.




Do you have any recipes or favorite products that you want the rest of the world to know about?  Comment in the section below or tweet me @darbyvt.