I know. It sounds trite and simple, but, hey, it was a FUN day!
I started out the day with my mom and my sister here:
Ok, I took this picture another day, but I forgot my camera today! The beach is the beach 
After lazing and lounging for about 2 hours, we decided to pack up and head for some Red Mango fro-yo. I hadn’t had it in over a year, and had forgotten how wonderful it was! I got a regular size with watermelon and raspberries:
so refreshing!!
Then, I headed downtown to pick up the fabulous and adorable Coco from Balance, Joy, and Delicias for a blogger dinner! She is absolutely as sweet and kind as she seems on he blog! We spent a good amount of time speaking in Spanish, which was quite fun (and a challenge, since I’m so out of practice!) and we headed up to one of my favorite Mediterrannean food restaurants. When I lived in the neighborhood where the restaurant is, I frequented it fairly often. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been there, and was excited to go back! Since the last time I was there, a few things had changed, but for the better! They now have a salad bar, which included hummus, falafel, and Persian salad with cucumber, tomato, and mint. This was my appetizer plate:
2 falafel, pita, hummus and persian salad
Then, for my entree I got a combination plate with a lamb loin kebab and a spiced ground chicken kebab. Oh, and about 3 cups of dill rice and lima beans. Needless to say, 90% of that rice stayed on the plate!
Grilled veggies, rice, lamb and chicken
We took a photo together on Coco’s camera, but I don’t have it yet! I’ll add it here when I get it! After dinner, we did some driving through Chicago neighborhoods, and then we hit the road to bring Coco back to where she’s staying. There was a glorious sunset, and I came home to Adam’s open arms. *sigh* What a great day…
Before I announce the winner of the Coconut Flour Giveaway, the amazing people over at Tropical Traditions have given me not one but TWO special offers only for What’s For Dinner readers! You can click here for 2.2 lbs of coconut flour for only $3.50, and here for 32 oz. of virgin coconut oil for only $10! There is a minimum purchase of $16, but shipping is free! These offers are only good through tomorrow! Take advantage of them…they’re seriously amazing products!
NOW, the winner of the 2.2 lbs of coconut flour from Tropical Traditions is:
Comment #15, AlliJag from GreenDogWine! Congratulations Alli! I’ll send you an email, and then pass your information onto your benefactor!
Im off to enjoy one of the treats from the lovely Krista, who sent me the most fabulous care package from Canada!
Have a wonderful night!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I wanted to win! oh well congrats to the winner!!
.-= laura´s last blog ..The BFF-Best Foodie Foto =-.
What a fun meet-up! That food looks so yummy.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Hop Back On That East Coast Plane =-.
What a great day, Mara! I don’t know which looks better, the fro yo or the Greek food!!
Hope you have a great week at camp!!!
.-= Sarah (LovIN My Tummy)´s last blog ..You Asked For It! =-.
wait.
where are the mom and sister pics?
*refresh*
*refresh*
.-= MizFit´s last blog ..MizFit’s live taste test (video post). =-.
What a fun meet up!! Food looks awesome too
happy Monday!
Aren’t blogger meet ups great fun?
Sounds like the 2 of your had a wonderful dinner and visit!
Hope the treat was delish!
.-= Krista´s last blog ..The Weekend: Part 2 =-.
I love hearing about Blogger Meet-Ups. Your fro-yo looks wonderful. I wish we had a good fro-yo shop in the Twin Cities. I went to Pinkberry in LA and loved it.
.-= Alison´s last blog ..Harry Potter Withdrawal =-.
That Red Mango looks PHENOMENAL!
WOOOHOOO I WIN!
Thanks lady! 
.-= allijag´s last blog ..D’Vine Wine Bar =-.
Wow, 2.2 pounds of coconut flour for $3.50 is a fantastic deal. The Bob’s Red Mill brand I get at my local community market is about seven bucks for one pound.
congrats to alli!
ugh, we need a froyo place here already
sounds like a fun day!
.-= brandi´s last blog ..On A Roll =-.
I’m curious as to which restaurant that fantastic blogger dinner was? My cousins live in a Chicago neighborhood and I’d love to try that restaurant if it’s in the area
Glad you enjoyed yourself yesterday!!
.-= K´s last blog ..Look Out Sunshine =-.
Ohhhh man, that Mediterranean food looks awesome. Too bad I don’t think I could get my fiance to go near much of any of that with me. Sad I didn’t win but congrats to the winner, and I will have to look into getting some of that…but maybe after this cycle of trying to finish losing the weight, hehe.
.-= Quix´s last blog ..Monday, Monday =-.
wow that fro-yo sounds amazing
while I love rice, i think restaurants always go rice happy.
Wow, frozen yogurt with fresh fruit. And all that delicious food (oh yeah, and good company too). Looks like a fun day.
.-= Diana´s last blog ..Food Contests – July 9, 2009 =-.
The Mediterranean spread looks awesome, as does the fro-yo. Blogger meet-ups are always so much fun!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Chili Cheese Fries =-.
Hi Mara!!! Thank you so much for meeting me!!! You’re sooooo fun to hang out with!!! I had wonderful time together with you! And thank you for picking me up and driving me home!!! You’re sooooo kind!
Can’t wait to meet you again!
.-= coco´s last blog ..Chicago day 1: I’m in love with the bean! =-.
OMG, the raspberries on that fro-yo look so yummy. Raspberries are my favorite fruit (yes, even though I’m a fig).
.-= Lainie (Fit Fig)´s last blog ..Fig Gets Fit (But Still Wants Nap!) =-.
Talk about fast; I placed an order with Tropical Traditions on Tuesday, and it was delivered yesterday! (Thursday; two days.)
I’ve still got to use up my current brands of coconut flour and oil before I try theirs, but I expect it to be top-notch.
I also ordered and used their coconut soap yesterday; love it!