Foodie Finds- Gigi’s Cupcakes

Whelp, my “spring break” is over. It’s not like I had off from work, or went anywhere, but I figured you all might be sick of seeing pink and red valentine’s day treats, so I took the week “off” from blogging too heavily to enjoy the time with my boyfriend. That’s not to say I didn’t spend hours in the kitchen preparing for the rest of the month! I have so many exciting things to share, I can’t wait! I mean seriously, I missed you guys.

I am continuing my Foodie Finds with a visit to Gigi’s Cupcakes in Denver. I was recently in downtown Denver for work (my first time to downtown!) and did a little research on bakeries in the area. I saw on Yelp that there was a Gigi’s Cupcake location only a mile away!

On my last day in Denver I drove down to the shop to pick up some cupcakes for “research”. I first came across Gigi’s Cupcakes on the internet, and was drooling over their sky high frosting and wide variety of flavors. Check out their website, they have a very impressive list of flavors!

I always try to take as many photos as I can without seeming like a totally weirdo. It’s easier when other people are not in the store! Gigi’s Cupcakes in Denver also has a cupcake kiosk somewhere on the 16^th Street Mall and they have a mobile cupcake truck! I asked a few question about where to find it, but we were headed for the mountain, so not such luck on that one!

Foodie Finds- Whole Foods Denver

Warning, this post might make you a little hungry!! I just returned from my third trip to Colorado since Thanksgiving. I have gone for various family vacations and work. I have discovered the most amazing Whole Foods located in Lakewood off  6^th Ave/Wadsworth. Every time I have gone to Colorado, I have stopped here on my way to and from the mountain; I can’t stay away. I can only hope that the Whole Foods opening in my neighborhood this spring will be as good.

I will let most of the photos speak for themselves.  Dessert first of course. There are several self-serve cookie stations inside. You can fill up your own box and they even have some baker’s twine to wrap up your to-go box.

They have an awesome gelato station. I got the pumpkin flavor. It was amazing! It was smooth, creamy and plenty of pumpkin flavor with a hint of cinnamon. 

Healthish Foodie Finds!

This week’s foodie find is about healthier eating. I decided to wait until the end of January to “get healthy”. I am by no means any kind of dietician or nutritionist, but I do know what works for me. I have been participating in the Weight Watchers program since 2008.

I bake a LOT of desserts, and I do my best not to indulge too much, but I have to try what I make. So I am making an active effort to hold myself more responsible for the foods I eat.

Now that you know a little bit more about me, here are some snacks that are going to help keep me on track. Most of them are from Trader Joes or Whole Foods because I shopped in both of those stores recently. If you are interested in more specific nutrition facts, please leave me a message in the comments or send me an email!

Trader Joes makes these mini Pita pockets which are going to be my afternoon snack. They are only 1 WW point each. I can stuff them full of veggies or maybe some light cheese or low calorie peanut butter. Today I added a tablespoon of hummus.

Foodie Finds- Ghirardelli Outlet!

Sometimes road trips are insanely long but prove to be exciting and fun when you stumble upon unknown gems in the middle of nowhere. Last weekend, I drove to Lake Tahoe for a snowboard trip; it was at least 10 hours each way. Randomly, while driving home on Interstate 5, my boyfriend suddenly spotted a Ghirardelli outlet and Ice Cream Shop. It went a little something like this:

“Hey look at that!”

“Can we stop?” I shrieked. As if he was going to say no. I mean, are you not going to get a brownie ice cream sundae? Come on! He’s the best.

We pulled quick u-turn and 2 minutes later I was aw-struck by the tantalizing smell of chocolate as we walked through the front door.

“OH MY GOD!” I exclaimed as my boyfriend laughed.

Out and About Foodie Finds

Foodie Find time! One of my favorite days of the week.

I have been out and about lately; window shopping mostly, trying to keep my wallet closed. It is only partially working. I love walking through William Sonoma, they have the best stuff, it was hard to choose just a few to share. The egg-design molds are one of those “when will I ever use these” type items, but sometimes you can’t resist. The mini measuring cup is flexible, so you can measure and squeeze as you pour the liquid out; pretty smart if you ask me! It measures up to 4 tablespoons. Lastly, their oh-so-cute polka dot mini butter knives. I want them all, and in about a dozen more colors. LOVE!

William Sonoma has got it going on!