New York, I Love You.

January 12, 2010 at 6:04 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 27 Comments
Tags: almond butter, almonds, blue diamond, carnation instant breakfast, cinnamon brown sugar, cinnamon bun oatmeal, coffee creamer, donut holes, family, international delight, jay robb's, kashi go lean, kashi pumpkin pie fruit and grain bar, manhattan, maranatha peanut butter, mars attacks!, moma, new york, nutrilicious, oats, panic attack, pecan pie larabar, protein, pumpkin pie, ruby tuesday, soy yogurt, sugar free, tim burton, wholesoy & co

Entranced by the fallen trees atop the verdurous grass, Karina Pinzon stared outside her car’s back window. The car, along with a couple of Holiday Inns, had been her home for the last three days. Five people. One car. Ten hours a day. Joy.

The girl sat motionless, except for the fidgeting of her leg, and moaned at the numb discomfort of her worn-out arse.

“My butt is tired of sitting,” Karina muttered to herself. She didn’t have the right to complain, however, about something so small after all the fun she’d experienced this winter break. How could anyone complain after vacationing in New York?

She leaned back in her seat and smiled. The trip had been completely unplanned, spontaneous, and spur-of-the-moment. Just the way she liked it! Karina took a moment to thank God for her wonderful and adventurous family, as she knew friends back home who were not so blessed in this department.

Memories from her family’s Christmas Eve party twirled about her mind, hand-in-hand with the recollection of baking cookies with a very special little boy.

Her adorable little cousin, Zion, meant the world to her! The fact that he lived in California broke her heart since she could not baby sit him, see him, or play with him very often. When they were together, however, it was cousin lovey-dovey magic!

A bump in the road caused the girl’s camera to ricochet out of the car’s cubby, awaking her from her nostalgic trance.

She switched the camera on and fiddled through the photographs recently taken in New York. Disappointed to find so few photos despite the number of memorable events, she frowned. Carrying such a heavy camera in busy, bustled Manhattan was just not ideal!

Karina smiled at the pictures she had taken and decided to relive the wonderful moments she saw on her camera’s screen….

When they arrived at her cousin’s east side apartment in Manhattan at 4 A.M., all the Pinzon family wanted to do was sleep. The road trip had been grueling and long, and everyone could feel the lack of sleep down to their bones.

After such a rough arrival, Karina woke up at 1:30 P.M. and wanted nothing more than to enjoy a nice bowl of Kashi GoLean cereal immersed in a mixture of plain WholeSoy & Co yogurt, almonds, blueberries, and cinnamon/pumpkin pie spice:

This first day was a piece of gingerbread cake since the weather outside was bearable and the frequency of cold winds were scarce. Although it was New Year’s Eve, they did not have much to do since they hardly knew anyone in the city except for their cousin (who was in Florida) and Karina’s mother’s childhood friend.

The family took it easy, still exhausted from their lack of slumber, and simply strolled around the city until it was dark. They rang in the new year at their cousin’s apartment, surrounded by each other’s love, each with a dozen grapes to make their new year’s wishes on.

Moving forward in her recovery was one of Karina’s top wishes.

****************

It was January 1st, and the city’s cold winds gushed up against the apartment windows with fury. The weatherman revealed that it was fourteen degrees outside with gusts of winds that made it feel one below zero. Just the thought of stepping out of the warm apartment and into the frigid outdoors made Karina’s butt feel ice-bound.

On January 2nd, it was no different. Icy winds burst, spurt, jet, and streamed between the sky scrapers, stinging the exploited skin of New Yorkers.

Karina’s toes went numb as she ran toward a taxi. A taxi that would take her to meet the two girls she’d been longing to meet.

The meeting was an event that she would never ever forget. There was never a dull or uncomfortable moment (except for when Karina fudged up the locations where they’d meet) because it was as though all three of them had known each other for years and they were just three old friends reuniting after a while. Almost like they were cousins, even!

Karina cherished their time spent together and felt so fortunate to finally meet her lovely friends, Maya and Eliza. She loved each of them for who they were as individuals… and hopes that they know that if they ever need a shoulder to cry on, an ear to vent to, or some words to brighten their day, they have a girl in Texas waiting for them with open arms and ears!

******************

As soon as she woke up, Karina dug into another bowl of Kashi GoLean and soy yogurt, only this time she topped it with blueberries AND pineapple with Maranatha peanut butter.

After breakfast, Karina, her cousin Ricky, and her father ventured deep into the world of Tim Burton. An exhibit at the MOMA displayed his personal art and some authentic costumes from his movies, along with the original models and designs he created while planning his films. It was a very special exhibit to Karina since she was such a fan of his movies. She would watch Mars Attacks! around three times a week when she was a kid.

Suddenly, a thick, dense cough came from within the girl’s chest. It was so strong and heavy, that she felt her muscle weaken and she had to lean against her father. Her nose was wet and despite the abundance of clothing on her body, she could feel the cold like daggers submerged in her bones.

Ricky took a subway home, so Karina and her father met up with the rest of the family at a noisy Ruby Tuesday in Times Square. Noise: a very difficult thing to get away from in the city. She appreciated the liveliness of New York. No, in fact, she LOVED it. The energy and passion of some of the New Yorkers she’d come across inspired and electrified her.

The only issue was that noise and open seating in restaurants triggered her panic attacks. She experienced a rather bad one at Ruby Tuesday that night and had to run to the bathroom to do some deep breathing.

When they arrived at the apartment that night, Karina felt ill. Phlegmy cough. Watery nose. Sore muscles. Chest pain. Could it be bronchitis?

****************

Yep. Their last day in New York was spent nestled in their cousin’s apartment with the lovely company of tea, grilled cheese sandwiches, and Mucinex.

and lots of these.

The next morning, the sickly Pinzon family gathered all of their belongings to begin their three-day car trek to Spring, Texas. Karina coughed up a lung as her brother coughed up his, and slipped on her long furry jacket to keep her warm.

For fuel, she turned to a comforting bowl of oatmeal. There was nothing better to soothe her tired throat and fill her fragile tummy.1 packet of instant oats cooked in 1/2 a packet of vanilla Jay Robb’s protein powder and hemp milk. Topped with apples, almonds, and cinnamon.

As she spooned the last bit of oatmeal left into her mouth, her father’s car pulled up in front of the apartment building with a honk. It was time to go home. With a frown painted upon her face she entered the 16th floor elevator, exited the building, and stepped into her car, ready to leave the big city.

credit to: google

—–THE END.—–

Hehehe, hello! It is I, Karina .
I am back in Texas, I quickly recovered from my bronchitis, and I am happier than ever! I hope everyone had as lovely a winter break as I did. I thought about all you guys so much!

But anyway, I’m going to try to keep the rest of this post short since it already appears to lengthy but I do have some exciting oat recipes I must share…

Iced Cinnamon Bun Oatmeal

1 packet of instant oatmeal cooked in:
-1/4 c. International Delight’s french vanilla coffee creamer
-1/4 c. hemp milk
-1/2 a packet of french vanilla Carnation Instant Breakfast
-1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
-cinnamon to taste

After cooking the oats add:
-1 sliced banana
-1 handful of Blue Diamond’s cinnamon brown sugar almonds

For frosting mix:
-1/2 tbsp.- 1 tbsp. cream cheese (amounts depend on how much frosting you’d like)
-1/4 tbsp.- 1/2 tbsp. almond butter
-Stevia

After the frosting is added to the oats, sprinkle of brown sugar over the concoction and enjoy!!!

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Okay, okay. You’re probably rolling your eyes at how overdone this type of oatmeal is but I promise you you’ve never seen pumpkin pie oats prepared this way…

Cook 1 packet of instant oats in:
-1/4 c. International Delight french vanilla coffee creamer
1/4 c. hemp milk
-1/2 packet of vanilla protein powder (I use Jay Robb)
-about 1/2 c. pumpkin (or more if you’re feeling pumpkinny)
-1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
-cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg to taste

After cooking the oatmeal, crumble a Kashi Pumpkin Pie fruit & grain bar over the oats.
-throw on a handful of Blue Diamond’s cinnamon brown sugar almonds
-spray on some Reddi Whip and savor the oatmeal.

***************

I wanted something simple for breakfast this morning since I had a nutritionist appointment (that was later cancelled) and I was in a big hurry. I cooked my oatmeal in hemp milk, 1/2 a packet of Jay Robb chocolate protein powder, an egg white, and coconut extract topped/mixed with cinnamon/pumpkin pie spice/ginger, a crumbled pecan pie Larabar, and a spoonful of my homemade Cinnamon Brown Sugar Almond Butter….

I made my own almond butter last night out of my delicious Blue Diamond cinnamon brown sugar almonds. As you probably already noticed, those are my main addiction of the moment. Why you may ask? Because they taste JUST LIKE CHURROS. You know, those fried cinnamon sugar things you can find at Disneyland?

All I did was pour some of the almonds into my food processor with a wee bit of olive oil and voila! Perfect churro flavored almond butter. Mmmmm….

I’m off to go enjoy some pudding and blackberries as my lunch’s dessert. I punched ED in the face today when I bought some Jello sugar-free dark chocolate pudding… I know that I shouldn’t be buying DIET food, but I had a massive craving for pudding and ED was tormenting me by telling me that Splenda would make me fat. Yes, it was telling me that a diet food would make me fat. My body experienced the familiar nauseous/frozen feeling that washes over my body when I pick up a fear food. And since the rule is to make ED upset and he was ordering me NOT to buy it… I did!

Everything in moderation is fine whether it be healthy, unhealthy, sugary, high in fat, low in fat, high in sodium, purple, green, orange… whatever! We can’t live our lives in fear and that is why in tomorrow’s post I am going to share the recipe I concocted for Peanut Butter Nutella Cake. My mom said it was the best cake I’ve ever made.

Auf Wiedersehen!

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Karina! I have been waiting forever for you to post again! We’ve missed you a ton!

That is so awesome about your trip to NYC! Major jealousy over here! I can’t believe you met up with Maya and Eliza too! But ugh, I know the feeling of being trapped in a car all day. Over winter break I went to Florida spent 24 hours in our van… without stopping for a hotel.

Those oatmeal recipes look great! I really want to try out the cinnamon bun one. Where do you find the cinnamon sugar almonds though? I don’t think I’ve ever seen them, but maybe it’s just because I’ve never really known they exisited!

Hurrah for pudding – Splenda and all. ED doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Seriously. You are so much more intelligent and powerful than ED and if you want the pudding, by golly you’re gonna have the pudding! Hahah.

Glad to know you’re feeling better. I’m looking forward to seeing that Peanut Butter Nutella cake. Two of my favorite things combined into one of my other favorite desserts – PB and Nutella into CAKE! ED could use a good kick-ass and I haven’t baked myself anything in what seems like forever so I will give it a try for sure!

Have a great rest of your day! I’m so happy you’re back – now I just need to start posting again. Argh, seems like life just always gets in the way.

Much love, Kate. </3 (abakersblurbs.wordpress.com)

Comment by Kate— January 12, 2010 #

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omg what an adorable post! aren’t those twins the best? ;] those recipes look absolutely delicious and i’m going to try that cinnomon bun one tmw! also, must buy those almonds if they do taste as amazing as you say they do…
take care!
love,
becca

Comment by Becca— January 12, 2010 #

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ahhh i loved this post!!!!! I LOVE U and omg meeting u, exactly! i felt the same way, it was the highlight of my 2010 so far! and probably will one of the best highlights of my year! so much fun and its not the last love u and so many great eats i dont know where to start gaaaaaaaaaa donut holes!! YUM, ive seen them at wf and must get them!

“if they ever need a shoulder to cry on, an ear to vent to, or some words to brighten their day, they have a girl in Texas waiting for them with open arms and ears!”
same to u babe! 2 girls in NY forever and ever xooxoxo

love u beautiful!!
maya

p.s love how all out boots are diff shades of leather black tan brown! so funny hehe..;) love u! and come back!!! or iam comin to texas to YOU!

Comment by maya— January 12, 2010 #

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I have been waiting for this post!!! I love it all from beginning to end. OH MY GOSH!! Your cousin is adorableeeeee. I just want to hug him and babysit him too lol. Ohhh man you are so lucky to have met Maya and Eliza. The three of you are stunning brunettes Inside and out. I bet it was amazing. And girl… THOSE BOWLS OF OATS… dayum. I had dinner not too long ago and I’m already thinking about breakfast. Breakfast is definitely my favorite meal of the day – although I love them all lol.. breakfast just tops them all Love you so much and I’m glad to hear from you again. MWAH!!!

p.s. Happy belated new year XOXOXO

http://www.ohonemorething.wordpress.com

Comment by Katharina— January 12, 2010 #

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Karina!! omg ahhh love this post + love you so much, and i would do anything to go to Texas right now and see you, or you to come back to NY!
it was so so much fun meeting you, and your AMAZING beautiful family! i feel so lucky to have met you darling, you are so wonderful and lovely beyond words!
+ love your oats and brekkies, the iced cinnamon bun oats sounds and looks so yummy, i must make your recipes.
ohhh, have i told you how much i love you and your new layout for your blog, because i love you and i love your blog hehe!

xx
Eliza

Comment by Leah— January 12, 2010 #

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FReakkky wtf how dd my comment say, by my friend leah? from little apple blog who just started…i dont have her user name??? omg how was i signed onto someone elses name? omg whaoo maya jus pointed that out to me and i am like so odded out its not even funny. i think i was on her blog and clicked on your update??? i have no idea what?? and emailed her before today no clue, sorry okay that comment was by Eliza. ^^^ me !!

Comment by Eliza— January 12, 2010 #

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your trip looks amazing girl!! and way to go for doing what YOU wanted with the puddding! it’s amazing how cruel ED is…i mean, diet food? is any food good enough for ED? probably not…which is when you realize how ridiculous it is! you are so sweet and funny, i love each of your posts! keep it up karina

♥ lindsey

Comment by lindsey— January 12, 2010 #

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That almond butter looks delicious!! I loved this recap. Everything looks delicious and you look GORGEOUS!
<3 jess
xoxo

Comment by psychoj1— January 12, 2010 #

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AMEN girl, everything is good in moderation! i have like 2 cookies a day..and a little cookies never killed anybody!!
YOUR OATS.. OH MY GOSH DROOOOL! how is that protein powda?! that sounds delish!
what a FUN time in NYC!! i want your fashion sense..you are glowing love!

Comment by kbwood— January 12, 2010 #

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karina!! its so wodnerful to have you back sweetie. and oh my god you’ve had such an amazing time!! i am so happy for you that you enjoyed your stay in new york!! i’d absolutely die to go there anytime. so so so jealous of you!
and your bowl of brekafst goodies look amazing! i dont even know which one to make first!
loads of love from me
xoxo

Comment by crazylittlethingneela— January 12, 2010 #

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Not sure how I never knew about your blog, but wow!!!!
The blueberries AND pineapple with Maranatha peanut butter look amazing.
As does the homemade cinnamon nut butter!
And you’re adorable. Or should i say a hottie
xoox

Comment by Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)— January 12, 2010 #

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Princess, I love the changes you made to your blog!!! I look forward to reading your blog soooo much. i am proud of how far you have come, all you have accomplished so far, and the strength you have shown in beating this MONSTER. That’s my girl.

By the way, I loved the time we spent together as a family in New York.

Love you baby!

Comment by Karina Pinzon— January 13, 2010 #

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^^^^^ from my mom

Love you, mommy!

Comment by Karina Pinzon— January 13, 2010 #

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Karina,
You are just… Incredible. Amazing. Beautiful. Magnicifent.
Words cannot do you justice!

I’ve missed your words alot – and reading this post put the biggest smile on my face. Your trip to New York seems to have done you a world of good! Aside from the cold, of course. Which you got over in record time, might I add

Your words always have a way of lifting me up and pulling me out of my hole. You’ve come so, so incredibly far and it has been the most amazing experience, following along with your progress, not to mention an honor to be a part of it.

I wish you happiness and health and the most beautiful things in life.
You have the world in your hands, and you are definitely making the most of everything.

All my love,
Eleanor. xo

P.S.
I am loving the blog make-over!

Comment by Eleanor— January 13, 2010 #

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OMG. I have the SAME Spongebob picture. Except it was my cousin, not the lovely you. Well, she’s lovely too. haha.
I spent New Years in NYC, too, but I didn’t have half the fun you had! Glad you’re free to enjoy life and all its pleasures! Missed ya, sweet girl!

Comment by burpexcuzme— January 13, 2010 #

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Good to see you back and hear your stories!
I’m glad you had such a good time and good to hear you’re feeling better…and you’re so right: everything is good in ( a little) moderation:)

Welcome back!:)

xxx Julia (Taste of Living)

Comment by julia— January 13, 2010 #

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AH! your vacation sounds like it was so fun! it IS good to take some time just to relax… especially because new york is the best, i miss it- its so good to hear your feeling better that picture of you maya & eliza is absolutely adorable, it must have been a blast. blue diamond almonds= amazing. almond buutterr= amazing. blue diamond karina almond buttahhh= AHHH! oh goodness…. as you can tell im liking that idea all your food looks amazing… so happy you had an awesome vacation! xoxo soph ♥

Comment by oatsandchocolate— January 13, 2010 #

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Hi!

Ha, finally someone who puts cream cheese into their oatmeal! :p Love the ‘cinnamon bun’ oatmeal name

Those pic of Maya, Eliza and you are so funny, you were all red, must been freezing ^^

You made the ‘churros’ AB like you said in FB! Haha

xo
Vanilla

Comment by Vanilla— January 13, 2010 #

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EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE:) You met Eliza and Maya! You lucky girl:) I hope you had a wonderful trip to NY…it certainly looks like you had a blast!

Happy belated New Year, Karina…love the new delish eats you’ve been having lately, and I am absolutely set on trying out some of your creations for myself this time. You probably already know this, but seriously, every time I read your blog, I fall in love with it all over again <3

Comment by Rachel— January 13, 2010 #

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What a fun time in NY (except for getting sick.. hope you feel better(! I’m vurrrrrrrrry envious that you got to meet Maya & Eliza and that they got to meet you!

Your oats are INTENSE! haha seriously. No matter how many bloggers make oatmeal, yours are always unique

I know what you mean about hesitating around Splenda “diet products”… I went through a phase where I was really adverse to eating them anymore, even if some of them DO taste good.

Can’t wait for the recipe tomorrow!

Comment by Mitri— January 13, 2010 #

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Sounds like a great time in NY! The picture of you with Maya and Eliza is so cute – you’re all wearing similar boots but in different colors! That’s too bad about the bronchitis..I had it once when I was 10 and it was awful! Glad you’re feeling better
I don’t care how overdone pumpkin pie oatmeal is, it will always be my favorite. I’ve tried the cinnamon brown sugar almonds and they are amaze! As are the vanilla bean flavor yumm.

Comment by Stacey— January 13, 2010 #

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I’m in a hurry right now, but just NEED to say
YAAAAY!!! MY LOVELY KARINA IS BACK!!!!
Soooo sooo happy!!! You won’t even believe it!!
You brighten my days like no other!!!

Have a wonderful day and keep those posts up!!

Love you lots and lots beautiful!! <3

Comment by nic— January 13, 2010 #

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Ok I wrote you this essay like post about how I’m so proud of you and I can’t believe you met E and M..and how I wish I came in your suitcase but it all got erased because my computer is horrible…so now I guess I’ll cut to the chase. SO PROUD OF YOU! Kat you decided to grab life by the horns and I’m in awe of you..your lovely!

xoxo
Maggie

PS: Cannot wait for new posts!!!

Comment by Maggie— January 13, 2010 #

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Woman. I just literally read through your entire blog. You’re freaking fantastic. And gorgeous. Please keep writing! I literally am freakishly obsessed with you. And your hair. Also, what kind of camera do you use? And why are your pictures so amazing? Okay, I’m done embarrassing myself with my new found girl-crush on your life. Hahahaha… LOVE!

Comment by Lyss— January 13, 2010 #

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what gorgeous pictures from new york! and i love love love those oatmeal recipes? come back to ny and make me a bowl? great thanks!

Comment by julie— January 13, 2010 #

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Wow!! All your yogurt messes and oats look outstanding!!!

Comment by Jenna— January 14, 2010 #

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Such an inspiring blog you have here

xoxo

Comment by Char— September 7, 2010 #

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