Naptown's Taste-y Flight

If you're like me you frequently find yourself in the bustling metropolis that is Indianapolis, Indiana.

And before you try to tell me about the joys or sorrows of Midwest living, I should tell you first that my mother is from Indianapolis so I have spend much of my life heading over the liver and through the woods to grandmother's house in Naptown.

I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do for my blog post, but I knew I wanted it to be about one of my favorite places (and it's high on my list solely because it is the home of the people I love the most, just had to put that disclaimer out there).  So I toyed with the idea of another style blog, or even my travel workouts, but I thought I'd go with something food related.

For two big reasons I went with food.  One, because I just love food.  I enjoy everything about the process...the growing of it, creating it, cooking, enjoying it, and sharing it with others.  And secondly because Indianapolis has a very unique food scene.  Not as structured and high brow as Chicago, nor as "farm to table" chic as Portland, but it has elements of those things.

I wanted to share two lovely places I like to go to when I'm in town.

The Flying Cupcake

One is a fun bakery called "The Flying Cupcake." It's the original cupcake bakery of Indy, or so the website says, along with being the top cupcake bakery.  I can tell you in all honesty, that in the city of Indianapolis, it has the best cupcakes.  My family indulged in some of the more adventurous flavors, while I opted for the gluten free chocolate this time around.  But their red velvet, which I have had before, is divine.

Now the other place that I go to every single time I'm in town without fail is Taste Cafe in Broad Ripple.  It is just the most heavenly place.  It has everything I love...amazing breakfast food, local and fresh ingredients, amazing specials that keep you excited no matter how many times you frequent them.  I can't even manage to  full give this place its just dues for how AMAZING it is.  All I can do is tell you that at some point, before you die or at least when you want to eat amazing food, to try this restaurant.
Just to give you an example, this past trip I had sweet potato fries with garlic aioli, a delicious salmon salad with red pepper pesto.  I also had breakfast there, but I was so focused on eating I couldn't pry myself away fast enough to take a picture :-)

If you follow my twitter (@MacKenzieAGreen) you know I am very strict about my diet, so I am not kidding when I say these are the kind of meals that are worth the splurge.  Always remember everything in moderation, don't go HAM on splurges.

Maybe this blog wasn't completely a restaurant review, but I was an honest personal endorsement for delicious food in a city that is wonderful...if you know where to go.

XOXO,
MacKenzie

Spreading my roots a.k.a musings on tribal prints a.k.a....I don't know but these boots are fierce

Juicy Couture tall gladiator sandals, Tracy Reese dress, Gap vest, fringed bag, tortoise  shell earrings, tortoise shell See Eyewear sunglasses

I woke up this morning with visions of tribal prints dancing in my head.  Whether tribal prints are on trend, I'm not quite sure...because fashion is so cyclical I feel like next season they'll be out, and the season after that, they'll come back as "Back To Africa Chic," and we'll all be forced to re-buy what we donated to Good Will to stay in vogue.

My favorite part of the outfit is a necklace my father recently got me in South Africa.  He was on a humanitarian trip with President Clinton, and they stopped at a place called "The Junkyard."  It's the kind of unique and lovely piece that has conversation value.

XOXO,

MacKenzie

Something's Coming...

Tony had the right idea in "West Side Story."  When you feel like something exciting is coming you can't quite hold it in, and sometimes you get so excited about it you break in to song.

Now I can't say you will find a YouTube video on this post of me singing, but you can expect things to change.

I have been 24 for a little over a week now.  Every day since my birthday I have woken up with the most exciting butterfly feeling in my tummy.  Now when I get this feeling it's because I can feel great things coming around the corner.  If you follow my twitter (@MacKenzieAGreen) or facebook page you know that I am a spiritual and faith grounded person.  And with that being said I truly do believe my steps are ordered, and I just have this feeling that this year is moving me toward who and what I am meant to be.

I hate to get mushy or all preachy on here, but it felt like it needed to be said.  When I originally started this blog it was to just chronicle my life in pageantland.  Now I'm still an accidental beauty queen, but that's just one facet of the story.  I'm a soon to be accidental spin intructor, accidental financier, accidental health and wellness guru (my family has labeled me this haha), accidental fashionista, and the happy accidents go on and on.

I hope my evolution and growth are as inspiring as this blog was when it began, and I hope that you all enjoy the ride this year as much as I have enjoyed taking you all with me.

XOXO,
MacKenzie

P.s. Here are a few overdue photos from the Miss DC MAO pageant (If you're wondering I placed 2RU, but don't worry I'm still Miss DC USA 2010)...a post will come down the road about my experience in pageantry

Martha would be proud a.k.a. I'm clearly no food stylist a.k.a. I'm soooo not a photographer

It has been a while since I posted anything on my blog.

In an attempt to get back on my blogging, and to take the easy way out, I figured I'd post a few photos of some wonderful meals I've cooked and enjoyed.
 The nom-ilicious banana bread quinoa from Rabbit Food for My Bunny Teeth.  If you know me you now about my ever growing love of breakfast, quinoa, and bananas! So when I ran across this website yesterday and this recipe...it was love at first sight.  If you've never had quinoa you are missing out and I feel sorry for you.  Come on try something new!

Also you may notice the giant starbucks in the photo.  I love to start my mornings (at least during the summer) with a venti unsweetened coffee.  And if you like your coffee a little sweet, do like I do and add some stevia...leave that artificial sweetener crap alone.

This picture is further proof of my lack of food styling ability...but its absolutely delicious so that makes up for what the photograph lacks.

This lovely meal comes courtesy of the ladies at Tone It Up.  It's a quick and simple recipe that utilizes frozen veggies.  I'm not going to post the recipe, because I want to create my own spin on it...and that's the recipe I want to post down the road.

 Last but not least a delicious Glowing Green Smoothie.  Another recipe that I want to tailor differently so that y'all who read this can have an original MacKenzie Spin on a delicious classic.  I think my favorite thing about blended greens in a smoothie is the pulp, it makes the smoothies taste so filling and satisfying.

Hopefully y'all enjoy this post, and maybe it'll inspire you to take some risks in the kitchen and try something new, delicious, and good for you :-)

XOXO,
MacKenzie