I’ve adopted a basil plant! This puppy is the one my Mom picked up when we went to the Farmer’s Market way back in May, when it first opened for the season. Well it turns out she doesn’t eat as much basil as she thought (hence the massive quantities of it on this plant,) so she gave it to me. Score!
I put basil in everything – so much so, that I killed the plant that I had bought for myself at said Farmer’s Market 
Rats… Oh well, problem solved!
For breakfast today I had an overnight Green Monster. Yep, I put all the ingredients, minus the banana & ice, in my blender last night and stuck it in the fridge so it was all ready for me to blend up this morning.
Oh, I also came up with another time saver for my monsters. Normally I slice my bananas, put them in little plastic baggies and stick them in the freezer. In the mornings I put my frozen, bagged bananas in the blender then get a scoop of ice and put it in there too. Well last night I figured, why not put the ice cubes in the baggie with the bananas? That way I can put all the frozen ingredients in the blender at the same time! How kaizen of me. 
Those are some extra mango chunks from dinner last night. Remember my Mango Smoothies and how silky smooth they are? They definitely made this the smoothest, creamiest green monster yet!
Nutritious, delicious and satisfying, with just a touch of Minnesota. Fab!
So yesterday’s Italian Salad was such a hit – I made it for lunch again today.
I subbed the mixed greens for spinach, but the rest is the same. It is the perfect combo of flavors – I’m telling you, the pepperoni stole the show!
I’m also packing some blueberries. They are so incredible…I savored every last berry yesterday. I’m thinking about going back while they’re still on sale so I can freeze a bunch. Blueberry Crisp in December, anyone? 
So, fun fact: I love Britney Spears with all my heart and soul. Judge me if you must. Anyways, her Circus tour is coming to Des Moines and I would literally give all the toes on my left foot to go…only problem is the cheapest tickets, in the worst seats are $75. Is it worth it? Has anyone seen her Circus show? I know it’s a 360 show, but is it worth $75 if I’m going to be sitting so high up? Help a sister OUT!
~~~~~
Do you like going to concerts? What’s your favorite one you’ve ever been to?
Wish i lived next door so I could come steal off that basil plant! I would go through SO MUCH!
Oooh – definitely go to Britney!!! I’m sad she’s not coming here. That is a lot of money, but I just wonder if this will be the last time she’ll tour for awhile? Ya never know. I just love her – and people shudder when I say that, but I don’t care!
What great idea to put all the frozen fruit & ice in one bag! That’s definitely a morning time saver!
I say if you really want to see Britney & you can spring for the tickets then go for it! You never know when she’ll tour again! Jason Mraz was playing in my town a couple weeks ago, & I went to see him. LOVED IT!
Jimmy Buffett!!! He’s worth any amount of $ to see him live:)
Hi Kristen!
I just started reading your blog and thought I would comment on today’s post. I say ABSOLUTELY go see Britney! I saw her in Boston last year and the show was incredible, I’m seriously considering going again. I spent a good amount of money on the tickets but I wasn’t all that close and still had a blast. So worth the money!
great idea with the ice!
if you think this may be the only time you’ll get to see her, I’d go for it.
my favorite concerts aren’t the big ones. Coffee shops, this awesome place called the Boathouse that used to have awesome groups but was smaller….I like FEELING like I’m right there and not 5 miles away in a seat.
Favorite shows I’ve seen:
Jason Mraz
Incubus (twice! Brandon Boyd, yum)
311
Dashboard Confessional
Avett Brothers
Old Crowe Medicine Show
FREE Third Eye Blind show
If you love a musician that much, you HAVE to go!
I spent $100 on AC/DC tickets because it has been one of my life goals to see them. You’ll regret not going!
While I do find it hard to spend more than 30 on concert tickets (I love indie music thankfully so ticket prices in the city are usually 10-25), but if you’re a huge fan go for it! Who knows when she’ll next be around.
I too am I Britney fan and a few girlfriends and I purchased tickets.. at first it was difficult to swallow for price of tickets but I’m beyond excited that I’m going. I say GO FOR IT!
I’m super excited to try the recipe for the Puppy Chow cookies, bonus.. found a coupon in Sunday’s paper for the Betty Crocker cookie mix! Score me.
I killed my last basil plant too! I adore basil, but find it’s hard to grow them since I don’t have a place to put it by my windows and they need light!
Oh Kristin!! I couldn’t be more proud of you for using Kaizen in your everyday vocabulary:) So glad I introduced you to the fabulous world of Kaizen. You life is now complete.
I went to Circus in Minneapolis and I had a great time – I wouldn’t even call myself a HUGE fan of her…but she puts on an AWSOME show! Do it!
I would totally go see Brit! If you have the chance, definitely do it! Every year I grow basil from seed (cheaper) and I get gorgeous plants with enough to dry, freeze, etc. This year they all died except for one little sprig!
OMG i love britney!!! i saw her in Minneapolis and it was so much fun- we had terrible seats, but it didn’t matter…it was britney!!! i would say DEFINITELY GO!
I admit I’m a Britney fan myself and I bet she would be great in concert. Go for it and sing your heart out!
I really wanted to go too, but my husband Lance is so disapproving of Brit! I guess my claim “but it’s a circus too – so it’s like 2 for 1″ doesn’t fly.
That’s a very healthy basil plant! I have just one growing this year out in my garden … I wonder if I can transport it inside this fall.
That basil plant looks awesome! I always kill mine, way before they get that big. I would spend the money to go to Britney. I’m not that big of a fan, but I think it would be a great show to see.
wow that green monster looks incredible and sounds delicious!
i have been a brit fan too, but i never go to concerts.
if you have the money i say go for it! you like her, so who cares
-muffy
PS that salad looks amazing!
Your green monster is so green!! Love the time saving tips…for some reason, I’ve never thought to put the ice and banana in the same bag either! Now I’ll know and that’ll save me one more step…yeah!
Hey lady! Just been catching up with all your bloggings from the past several days! Loving all your salads, they’re looking so fresh! That Italian one with pepperoni sounds divine!!
Sushi from the other day looked real good as well!!
Congrats on heading off to college too! I went to the university of sheffield in England and over here I went to UT Austin down in Texas – it was the best year of my life! Have fun!
Oh and yay for having a basil plant – that’s super cool!
wow! I would have never pegged you as a britney fan (no offense) Im SUCH a HUGE britney fan!! I personally think its worth it! Im saving up to buy tickets for her show in LA!
I am NOT a Brittney fan so I would say don’t shell out the money!! Haha but I know you want to go so I guess go for it!! My favorite concert I’ve been to was the Rascal Flatts concert I went to in March! It was AMAZING!!!
I totally think the frozen mangos really make a GM!!
Cute plant! I’m terrible at keeping my plants alive (even though I try!) — it’s to the point that my mom got me a cactus knit out of yarn!
Best concert would have to be Jon Mayer. Hubbs and I took my teen daughter and two teen neices and while we were getting ready to find our crappy seats, a lady stopped us to ask what our favorite Jon Mayer songs are. Then she gave us all front row seats!! My daughter fell. in. love. that night and each girl swears Jon sang directly to them! It was a fun night!
I went to Britney in Minneapolis and it was soo worth it! i would definitely splurge and see her again
kristin, i am sooo jealous that your hubby made dinner, even if it was a stepped up grilled cheese (that looked amazing!). my hubby has no clue how to cook anything.
as far as concerts go, i’ve gone to bonnaroo every summer since 2004, and i’ve seen a lot of bands that i never would have thought i liked, and those seem to be the most memorable.
go go go see Britney!! I’m going in Orlando on Sept. 1 and spent 400 dollars on a ticket but it’s definitely going to be worth it! Love your blog btw too. The foods look so yummy!
woooooww very2 thanks to share
i always came to visit ur blog
i LOVE brit brit. i went to her concert and sat first row. it was the best night of my life. i am going to see her again in philly in 2 weeks, but this time, i will be sitting up in the nosebleeds. it was amazing. any seat is a good one, and plus, you will be in the same room as BRITNEY SPEARS!! WOOHOO! definately go see her!!!!