BIRTHDAY FREEBIES

Some people look at birthdays as a depressing event.
Another year over. Another year older.
Others (like myself) look at birthdays as a chance to get lots of free things!

I'm not talking about gifts from friends and family...although that is nice.
I'm talking about complete strangers giving you gifts just because it is your birthday!

Here is what I was given for free last month on my 31st birthday...


{the coupons began rolling in, by mail and email, leading up to my bday}

Like a nerd, I printed and cut coupons and put them in a red envelope. On the front of the envelope, I wrote the store and the expiration date, so I could see if time was running out on any deals.



{because I'm signed up to receive email updates from them, Noodles gave me dinner for free}

I got the Wisconsin Mac and Cheese (and gave it to Derek).



{because I'm signed up to receive emails updates from them, Corner Bakery gave me a free dessert}

I got the Birthday Bundt Cake (and gave it Derek).

{When you register a gift card online, Starbucks gives you a free drink on your birthday...any size!}

On a Saturday morning of running errands, I got myself a Venti, Decaf, Sugar-Free Caramel, Soy Latte. Slightly less complicated than this drink! Maybe I'll try THIS on my next birthday!



{Panera has a great rewards program. They give you free food when you eat there...and on your bday}

I got the Chocolate Chip Muffie to enjoy with my free Starbucks drink.

This time I got it for myself...and not Derek!





{If you sign up for email updates from Caribou, you get a free drink (any size) on your bday}

I left work a few hours early on my bday and enjoyed a decaf, iced, sugar-free caramel soy latte!



{If you sign up for email updates from the Container Store, you get a free gift on your bday}

You can never have enough reusable bags- right?!



No coupon needed for this one... get your eyebrows waxed for free at the Brow Bar at any Ulta Salon!!!


{If you sign up for email updates from World Market, they give you $10 to spend on your bday}

 I only had to pay $2 for this scarf with my $10 bday coupon!

There are a few coupons I didn't get around to using... $10 at Uncle Dan's, $10 off your $30 bill at Maggiano's, a coupon from Chili's, buy one-get one free at Cold Stone... (all because I'm signed up for email updates).
I'm sure there are other great birthday deals out there...don't be afraid to get excited about free things!

DON'T JUDGE THIS HIGH MAINTENANCE STARBUCKS DRINKER

Throughout college and for a year after I graduated, I nannied and babysat for several families. It was there in the North Shore that I had my first tofu-dog, met families that ONLY shopped at Whole Foods, and spent lots of time filling sippy cups with half organic juice and half water.




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In my neighborhood we grew up on PB&J, Mac-n-Cheese & hot dogs, and casseroles that involved Ritz Crackers.
Being Italian, pasta was a staple in our diets.
Sundays were spent with extended family over a spaghetti dinner.
Talk about carb-overload...you haven't lived until you've tried a Mostaccioli sandwich!

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I played a lot of sports growing up and was always active, however, it's just been in the past few years that I've become really health conscience as far as what I eat.

Over the past two years, my Google Reader has been overflowing with healthy living/eating blogs, filling my head with a lot of information about nutrition.

I've found myself doing things that I used to think were only for YUPPIES:

{DRINKING GREEN SMOOTHIES}

ENJOYING YOGA

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{WATCHING DOCUMENTARIES}

{GETTING EXCITED ABOUT RECYCLING}



{SUBSCRIBING TO HEALTHY MAGAZINES}





{STARTING OFF THE DAY W/ LEMON GINGER TEA}





{INVESTIGATING DIFFERENT DIETS}

My life looks a bit different today than it did 10 years ago.

Have I become a YUPPIE?!?

GONE GRANOLA?!?



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...And have I recently stepped over the line into a completely new territory when ordering my drink at Starbucks?!?!

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I should've just ordered an herbal tea...but this was a moment to celebrate.

I was meeting a friend who had exciting news...it was a time to drink well.

A fancy shmancy drink was in order!



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Please don't judge me for what I'm about to confess.

I ordered a:

short, decaf, upside down, skinny caramel soy macchiato, without the caramel drizzle and with an added shot of sugar free caramel syrup.

Why did I do it?!
She told me all the cool kids are drinking upside down caramel macchiatos!
...but I'm on a detox/cleanse, so I had to get decaf
(plus like an old lady, caffeine makes me jittery).
Hello Diabetes! So it had to be SKINNY (sugar-free/low-fat)...but the ironic thing is, the added caramel drizzle (even in a skinny order) is filled with tons of sugar, so I got rid of the drizzle.
The barista informed me that I'd basically be drinking a sugar free vanilla latte...so I asked him to add a shot of SF caramel.
And the Soy? Yup, no dairy while on the detox/cleanse.
Why a short? I just wanted a little bit to drink..and it's cheaper than a tall!


I thanked the man taking my order, embarrassingly giggled, and asked if that was the most high-maintenance drink that's been ordered all day.
He laughed and responded, "Not even close"!!!
 So next time you hear someone order a complicated drink, don't judge!
They may just have a sensitivity to caffeine, be lactose intolerant, have Diabetes...or just keeping a close watch on what they put into their body.

They may not even be from Lincoln Park, the North Shore, or the suburbs...perhaps they're from Portage Park!


I'm really not trying to be a yuppie or to fit into the latest trend.
It's really all for the HEALTH of it!

(And I will probably just order the herbal tea next time).

WEDNESDAY WISHLIST

If money were no issue, everyone was fed, and there was Peace on Earth…I would wish for:

1 of EVERYTHING from Anthropologie
(including this dress)

A Laguna Beach Summer Home

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A Tassimo

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Penguin Hardcover Classics Books
(bound with pretty covers)

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And...a new, healthy, insulin producing
 and functioning Pancreas

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Happy Wednesday!!! What are you Wishing for?!?!