This week I…

• Tried two new products to review {see below}
• Drank 6 cups of coffee
• Worked 3 of 4 days and spent Wednesday in Manhattan
• Loved the newest season of “The New Girl,” laughed out loud at “NCIS,” and felt totally over “South Park”
• Ate three different plates of nachos

highlights…

Sparkling Ice offered to send me some of their new Essence Of sparkling water line.  No sodium, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, just carbonated water and natural flavors.  10/10, they were very refreshing and I would definitely buy them on my own.

I enjoyed Lemon Lime and Tangerine alongside my coffee.

Caramel apple yogurt with cinnamon Chex and freeze-dried apples.

Caramel apple oatmeal bowl.  Oats with chia seeds, apple, cinnamon, candied pecans, and Booterscotch M&Ms.

Buttermilk pie yogurt bowl, with a Cara Cara.

This “Red Hook” paleta from La Newyorkina was the single best thing we ate all month.  Super-strong coffee with cookie dough from Baked.

Peking Duck Bing at Madison Square Eats.  I knew if I kept trying these crepes I’d find one I loved.  This one was stuffed with peking duck, scrambled eggs, hoisin sauce, and chili paste.

Lunch on a sunny sidewalk at Delicatessen.

We shared an everything salmon burger,

and the Mac Quack with duck confit, white cheddar, fontina, and caramelized onion.

But the best bites were the Duck, Duck, Goose Dumplings – smoked duck breast, duck confit, foie gras, cherry chutney, brown butter vinaigrette, and sliced almonds.

We’ve tried Pepperidge Farm Swirl Breads in the past and loved them (p.s. they have caramel apple and pumpkin spice seasonal flavors!!) but they recently upgraded the products with a wider slice and more visible swirl and offered to send some my way.

We loved the new version too.  I typically only buy us whole-wheat bread and save the white stuff for a treat, and these swirl breads definitely taste like a treat.  Plus, at 80 calories a slice with 3 grams of protein and only 4 grams of sugar, the nutritional profile isn’t too bad.

I made epic sweet and savory grilled cheese sandwiches out of the Raisin Cinnamon Swirl.

Bread with butter // blackberry jam // smoked sliced turkey // sharp cheddar and light Havarti cheese // turkey bacon // and a hot skillet.

Plus roasted brussel sprouts on the side.

And Smackintosh Hard Cider (from our trip to Traverse City) to drink.

Pumpkin Month starts tomorrow!