Wow, it has taken me almost two weeks to publish my first post in 2012.. Not off to the best start, am I?! Let me tell you though, I have been thrown through the ringer since November 2011, and I would being lying if I didn't admit it has been nice being unplugged for a bit. Especially during the holidays where so much time was spent with family--but I have missed all of you tremendously--with out a doubt!

In all honesty, I am wholeheartedly composing this post to spot light and thank a very special blogger I hope you already subscribe to: Christina, The Athletarian. You would never know this based on our awesome friendship, but we have never met in real life! I am almost certain we would be best of friends though;) If there is one thing I love most about blogging, it's the amazing people I have "met" and never would have otherwise.

During the chaos of the last few months Christina has been a genuine friend and sent me one of the sweetest, most thoughtful packages I have ever received, which arrived just in time for Christmas!

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Christina lovingly sought out special items catering to my new and strict special diet. Due to a family medical emergency my entire family has transitioned from carnivore to herbivore: raw, vegan, soy-free, gluten-free -- and the lovely Athletarian spoiled me with AMAZING treats!

Feast your eyes on ALL raw, vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free yumminess!!


Chocolate Granola -- Sprouted Buckwheat, Walnuts, Apricots, Raisins, Cocoa Powder, Coconut Butter, Hemp Seeds, Cinnamon, Agave, and Sea salt.

Live Organic and Raw Banana Gogi Nut Brittle -- Almonds, Coconut, Banana, Dates, Gogi Berries, Flaxmeal, Cinnamon, and Vanilla (seriously, a FAVE!)

Dark Chocolate Coconut -- Organic Coconut, Organic Dark Chocolate (organic evaporated cane juice, organic chocolate liquor, organic cocao butter, organic soy lecithin -- an emulsifier, organic pure vanilla). (Also a serious fave!)


Christina also spoiled me with a BUNCH of LÄRABARS and this amazing RAW ReBar that is both an organic fruit AND veggie bar (8 servings)! Ingredients include Organic Apple, raisin paste, vegetable blend (carrots, beets, spinach, cabbage, tomato, broccoli, kale, parsley, celery, cucumber, cauliflower, mixed bell pepper, alfalfa, collard, rose hips, dried bok choy, rice syrup, high oleic sunflower oil -- AMAZING!

The icing on the cake, or the cherry on top for this very thoughtful package was the generous Starbucks card, and my very first bag of DAVIDsTEA!!!!!! I have been hearing about this tea a lot as of late--most recently from A Dash of Meg and her HIGH TEA post which absolutely inspired me. *If you are not already following Meg, you need to be -- she's another amazing woman I have had the pleasure of "meeting" via the blogosphere, and her blog will not disappoint! So far the closest DAVIDsTEA is B.C. and while I am of course able to purchase online, it is well worth the adventure to beautiful British Columbia...  

Anyhoo, this scrumptious noire tea is called Santa's Secret and it is nothing short of UHH-MAZING!! It is a perfect combination of Chinese black tea, peppermint leaves and spices, all sprinkled with little itty bitty candy canes. It's my "cheat" beverage if you can believe that, and I was pleasantly surprised how perfectly balanced the peppermint is. If you've ever experienced an over-powering peppermint tea then you understand my hesitation;)

I actually enjoyed a giant cup last night, which as a result this post was born...


Thank you SO MUCH Christina, for the amazing and ever thoughtful package of love, your kind words, encouragement, support, and most important, your friendship. You are an amazing woman and I hope you always know how awesome you are:)

I hope each of you had a blessed Christmas and safe New Years Eve.. I look forward to getting back into the groove of things soon... everything has basically been put on hold while house hunting for a suitable rental, so if we're not friends on facebook yet, we should be -- and if you're on twitter, definitely follow me for live updates as I never cease to tweet! 

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