Closing the Curtain

Happy New Year Everyone!

I'm so excited about 2013! This year marks a new chapter in my life. Medical School Graduation. Residency. New city. New apartment. New visions, hopes, and dreams. This is my year.

With that being said...I have decided to stop blogging in order to focus on a few new endeavors. It's been wonderful sharing my life and interests with my readers. Thank you for your time and attention.

To all, I wish you much success and happiness in 2013!

You haven't seen the last of me yet...

xoxo~ Toya

Bittersweet Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!

I awake with a heavy heart, as my grandmother passed away unexpectedly on Christmas eve. I am in Chicago, spending Christmas with Chad. Today, I will continue to keep my family in my thoughts and prayers as we all get through this together.

To Grandma Pratt: May you rest in peace with no pain, no suffering. Just peace. May we meet again, yet until then I will continue to make you proud. I love you dearly.

I plan to take a break from my blog and will return in the new year refreshed. Until then, be blessed and love hard...

Vegan Three Bean Chili

What's better than a hot bowl of chili on a cold winter night while watching football... You've got to try this recipe. Great for meat-lovers as they'll surely be fooled with the vegan sausage used for this recipe. But if you prefer no meat at all, the recipe is just as good. Check out the "Cooking" Section for the recipe...Enjoy!

Pear&Walnut Spinach Salad

Looking for a quick and easy salad that's both tasty and nutritionally satisfying? If so, the pear&walnut salad is perfect for you! Check out the "Cooking" section for the recipe.

Pear&Walnut Spinach Salad
with homemade honey mustard vinaigrette

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

To all, Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, I'm spending Thanksgiving in Chicago with my boyfriend Chad. Luckily he is off work, so we plan to cook, spend quality time, and visit some friends in the evening for after dinner wine and conversation :)

The menu is by request of Chad; all things he loves and misses from home: Macaroni & Cheese, rice & peas (Chad is Jamaican and this dish is a staple in his household), his Mom's famous potato salad, collard greens, sweet potato casserole, and of course turkey. Definitely a non-traditional menu but it will be good!

I woke up at 4am to put the turkey in and boy does it smell good. Since I'm now a vegetarian, I won't be partaking in the turkey but I will say I'm proud of how it looks thus far ;) (see below).

This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for the genuine support I've received from my family and friends throughout medical school as I make it to the home stretch! I couldn't have done it without you!

Now its time to make my round of phone calls and get ready for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Have a wonderful day... xoxo

Herb crusted turkey...almost done 

I'll be sure to post more pics of the food and recipes!

Familiar places and Good food

Recently, I returned to Chicago from Houston, Texas for residency interviews and I had a blast! From shopping at The Galleria, trying a new vegan spot, and even running into old friends...it was a wonderful trip! Check out the "Medicine" and "Cooking" section for details...

view of Texas Medical Center from my hotel room

Houston Skyline at 6:30am

New post: Interviews begin and new recipe!

I'm on vacation for the next 2 months for residency interviews, with my first interview this week. Check out the "Medicine" section for more details. Also, I posted a new recipe, Moroccan Veggie Stew with Couscous, perfect for the fall. Check out the "Cooking" section. Until next time..

Moroccan Veggie Stew with Couscous