It’s not every day that you can blog from 40,000 feet in the air, but here I am doing just that. Over the course of my 11-hour flight to Israel, I have plenty of time to watch old movies, reflect on what I forgot to pack and what I need to get in Israel (airport security took my toothpaste, for example, so that’s on the mental checklist), and get excited for the greatest hummus ever. I couldn’t be more excited to be in Israel; I’m not just going for a week or two, I’m going for two whole months.
Okay, well, now since my Israeli secret is not so much of a secret anymore, let’s get on with the program. Don’t fret, however; my Israeli post(s) will be written throughout the summer.
It is now time for my annual recap of SimoneSaysFood: Food “Four” Thought; today marks my blog’s 4thanniversary! Out of habit, I went back to old posts from the beginning of my blog and I cringe slightly at the things I wrote down during my freshman year of high school. That being said, I look forward to starting year 5 on this thing and continue growing this vast network of food lovers and travelers alike.
Of course, here’s some edible stuff I’ve either had recently or never got the chance to put it on SimoneSaysFood in the past year
Here’s this great Poke bowl I had from Sunny Poke and Tea in Bloomington, Indiana. Every college town, landlocked or not (fresh fish who?), needs a poke place as these bowls are all the rave these days. With tuna and veggies and rice, this bowl was really good and really big.
Another new place, Feta, opened up in Bloomington, and it is GOOD. They specialize in Mediterranean bowls (think couscous, feta cheese, falafel, hummus, etc.) and smoothie bowls, too. I went with my friend; she got a warm bowl and I got a smoothie bowl.
The Mac and Cheeza (Mac and Cheese Pizza) from Bloomington’s Wheel Pizza is delish no matter your mental state… Hungry? Mac and Cheeza! Stressed? Mac and Cheeza (the extra cheese really helps with final exam season)! Broke? Wheel Pizza’s lunch special is only $6. Drunk? Mac and Cheeza is the way to go.
Continuing with pizza, this breakfast pizza(!!!) from Farm Bloomington brings the crunch from a crispy pizza together with the eggs you always want in the morning. Topped with roasted tomatoes and basil, this different kind of pizza was a great way to start my day.
Finishing off the best of Bloomington’s eats for this post, the most important thing to remember is that when you’re a broke college student far away from home, life gets rough. That’s why mom and dad are there to provide you with warm Pad Thai from Siam House and eat dinner with you over FaceTime. I appreciate all they do for me, especially when it’s disturbing their technology-free dinner to be with me. Here’s a snap of my takeout and my parents on video chat:
Traveling back to New Jersey, specifically back and forth between North Jersey and down the shore in Margate, I definitely got the best of both during these past few weeks.
In North Jersey, after I got home from school, I indulged in all of my favorites.
Brunch with friends is always necessary, so my friend and I hit up the classic Patisserie Florentine in Englewood for my favorite salad:
I then went into the city for brunch, naturally, and we went to Bubby’s in Chelsea right by the High Line! It was the most beautiful Spring day; between walking through Central Park and perusing around Chelsea and the High Line, this day couldn’t have gotten better. At brunch, I had avocado toast, and for dessert, my friend and I went to Magnolia Bakery to get the greatest (and only) apple crumb bar I’ve ever had. Here’s a photo of each of my yummy thangs from my date in the city:
Playa Bowls finally came to Englewood, so I had to hit it up. I got a pitaya bowl with plenty of fruit. I’ve had plenty of fruit bowls in my day, as you may tell from previous posts, but this tops the list. Like, just look at it. Wow.
Headed down the shore, it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere… cocktail hour is a daily thing, and hors d’oeurvres are always required. Last year, my family started our fancy goat cheese obsession, and my favorite has a blueberry coating. I spread it on crackers and, well, it’s a snack (and notice the “optimistic” cocktail)!
Most importantly, however, since I have had this little blog thing for four years now, I had to celebrate in style. Mom and I baked cookies the other day; these weren’t just any cookies, and in fact, it was just one cookie. We shaped this cookie in the shape of a “4” and I was pleasantly surprised when it came out of the oven and it wasn’t flattened out. Here’s a pic of my little mini celebration…
I consider 4 years as a chapter of my life because, just a mere four years ago, I was worried about the insignificant things that any high school freshman worried about: what Instagram filter to use, how to pass a geometry quiz or how to pack for sleepaway camp. Now ending my first year of college and nearing 19 years of age, I’ve happily moved on from discoloring my social media photos and decided it was time to live in the moment. So, after a beautiful and filling and yummy 4 years of SimoneSaysFood, I can’t wait to see what the next four years (and beyond) bring to my plate, wherever I may travel next.
Now there’s some Food Four Thought for you 🙂
Goodnight from Israel
xoxo
Comments