Only 2 days left!

Before I can begin to talk about the amazing adventure I will be embarking on IN LESS THAN 2 DAYS, I want to share with you some festivities I got into the other day. I don't know if I have told you guys this before, but my wonderful sister graduated from West Chester University only few years before me. She graduated as an Education Major and a 4 year All-American in soccer. I cannot even begin to explain how much of an inspiration she is to me, as she is the most determined and outgoing individual I know (not that it makes it any harder to follow in her footsteps or anything). Anyways, point being, I knew West Chester like the back of my hand before I even got here. However, there was one restaurant that I always saw but never got the chance to go. With a day off of practice and barely any homework, I actually got to go! I picked Caitlin up from class and drove to Shoo Mama's Farm Fresh Cafe only a few minutes outside of West Chester. It was everything I would have hoped for and more. The menu was full of fresh, and refreshing, options that made it almost hard to choose from!  From salads, to sandwiches, soups, and smoothies...I wanted everything! I ended up choosing Ralphie's Mama; a smoked turkey breast, crispy bacon and provolone with avocado and tomato bruschetta on a whole wheat ciabatta roll. AMAZING. Caitlin had Lynn's Mama, which is grilled chicken breast, Virginia smoked ham and mozzarella on a ciabatta roll with a peach and pear smoothie. Again, AMAZING. The cafe also sells local fresh eggs, milk, and yogurt. It is definitely somewhere that I would recommend anyone to go to if they are in the area! Check it out :)

After seeing all of this amazing food, it inspired me to make something of my own, not to mention something a little bit sweet. As always, pinterest came in clutch and I found a recipe for Almond Joy Oatmeal Cookies. Made with many health(ier) ingredients like agave, oats, whole wheat flour, coconut oil, and dark chocolate, these cookies were practically guilt free. Atleast that's what I told myself and my roommates. They were also to die for...so good that I had to make a second batch within 20 minutes because they were gone! Actually, so good that I made some for my whole team! 

Now, to the exciting part. I'M LEAVING FOR ITALY IN LESS THAN 2 DAYS! Beginning at 6 pm, this Friday, I will be going on the trip of a lifetime. For 10 whole days I will be touring Venice, Florence, Rome, Parm, and various other towns and cities. I will be visiting cheese making factories, slow cooking restaurants, and THE Vatican. I know, it sounds like a dream...but it's not! I'm actually going! And no worries, I will be keeping you guys updated throughout the whole entire week with pictures and detailed descriptions of everything I see and, most importantly, eat! Since I've already told you a million things in one post, I'm going to cut it here before I explode with all the things I want to tell you about my trip. So for now, that's all folks :)

~ With love, Nicole Alexis ~