Day 38: London caught a few rays today! Though the weather has been very manageable thus far, quality sunshine is a rare occasion. Kirby and I were so excited that we walked all the way to primrose hill to admire the landscape of beautiful London Town.
Have some snazzy plans this Valentine’s Day? Use it as a chance to try experiment with a new look—velvet! Paired with some bold earrings and an oversized coat—it’s the perfect combo to feel edgy and fabulous on a special night.
Day 33: For the next two weeks, subway workers are going on strike and and shutting down the tube! For a girl who relies on the train 3+ times a day, I’ve found my travels very limited! Hopefully the city will get it figured out soon, I have a feeling these hour-long walks to class are going to get old fast.
Day 32: I’ve never celebrated so many different birthdays than in this week! Say hello to birthday party #3! Though I’m still just getting to know people, it’s been a nice reason to explore new pubs and do as the Brits.
If you’re like me, you have every intention of making healthy meals but sometimes when things get busy, quality meals get pushed to the end of the list. So this week I wanted to make a healthy meal that was quick, easy and guilt free. I found the recipe on the Free People food blog and gave it a shot.
Shopping List:
Lettuce wraps/ tortillas
1 ½ c Cooked Quinoa
1 c Grape Halves (preferably red firm grapes)
1 c Cooked Chickpeas (I bought a can of garbanzo beans and those worked great!)
1/8 c Chopped Mint
1/8 c Chopped Fresh Oregano
½ c Chopped Parsley
¼ c Feta Cheese
Juice from 1/2 Lemon
2 tbsp. Olive oil
Salt and Pepper (optional)
Step 1: Cook your Quinoa. This was my first time cooking quinoa, and much easier than I expected. Add two cups of water for every cup of quinoa to a saucepan, and place on low-medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat, and cover. Allow the quinoa to absorb any extra water. Once all the water has been absorbed, let it cool and savor the delicious aromas of your fresh quinoa.
Step 2: While the quinoa is cooling, chop up your herbs and grapes. Throw the grapes, chickpeas, mint, oregano, parsley, cheese and quinoa in a big bowl and mix together.
Step 3: Mix in the olive oil, and lemon juice. A whole lemon was a little too zesty for me so I recommend tasting as you go.
Step 4: Final step (Woah only four steps? This is so easy!) Place you beautiful mixture in your tortilla or lettuce wrap. Roll it up and enjoy!
By contributing writer Kenzie Bosmeny
Day 31: While exploring I had the most beautiful find! I’ve read about these walls for years so you can imagine how excited I was to find one on my own! Before I Die walls exist all over the world, inspiring people to live each day.
I can’t tell you what I wrote but hopefully one day you’ll know!
Day 27: I did a very dangerous thing today. I started the addicting book called Gone Girl. The trouble is, I can’t seem to put it down. Thanks to my handy Kindle I can read on the tube, at the grocery store, I even got caught reading in a pub (whoops). I’m 90% done but now my roommates are forcing me to put down the book and socialize (ah the torture!).
In other news, my class went to the National Gallery today. It’s one of London’s most famous art museums and features the works of Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Raphael and many many more. I could’ve stayed for hours if I wasn’t so hungry—for food and my book.
Day 26: Oh my goodness today is a joyous day. And for no reason remotely related to London! Today, my roommates and I furnished our kitchen. When we moved in, our flat came with some plates and pots but nothing helpful to really cook food. We bought a crockpot, pots, pans, drying rack, tea kettle, actual cooking utensils, and I’m just getting started! If you can’t tell, I’m over the moon. So now, I’m going to cook a real meal while sipping a cup of non-microwaved tea. Cheers!
Day 18: I swear I’ll bring a camera into the city tomorrow so you’ll get a break from all these outfit posts. But the in-room photo still feels appropriate since I was stuck inside researching internships and doing homework all day (booo). Apparently they actually mean it when they say Study Abroad
One cool thing was waking up to true London fog this morning. It was so thick I could hardly see out my window!
Day 2: First day out venturing into the city! Being from Arizona, I’m not sure what to expect from this “winter” business. Hopefully my new coat and scarf will suffice until I figure it out.
Savor Away 