Since I took a vacation day on Friday – I had time to switch it up at breakfast! While I still wanted most of the components of spicy oats – I was really wanting a little more carbs, and a little less oats. That left me with:
Flat Out, with MS Sausage, 2 eggs, hummus, and a sprinkle of cheese and Frank’s:
Now if only the whole process of eating it looked as pretty as the meal itself… 
I also had time to catch up on all my mail/packages from the week – and the highlight – Special K samples from Foodbuzz!
After spending some quality puppy cuddling time on the couch – I went to meet my friends(/co-workers) out for lunch. I thoroughly rubbed it in that they had to go back to work and I got to go home and do whatever I wanted! 
I’m sure they’ll pay me back for that somehow!
We went to Aladdin’s, which is a well known Middle Eastern “eatery” in Cleveland. I couldn’t even wait for the others to get there – as soon as I sat down I ordered a side of hummus! 
For my meal – I got the “Hummos Falafel Rolled” – Mildly spiced vegetarian patties fried in peanut oil topped with our famous Hummos, greens, tomato, turnips, pickles, and parsley, rolled in a pita – hold the TURNIPS! 
The pictures don’t do it justice – this thing is so fresh and so delicious!
and I ate every single last bite – even though I was full half way through! It’s just not the same reheated!
When I got back home – I hade more exciting mail waiting for me – this time – it was something I’d been expecting for MONTHS! 
My bone marrow donor testing kit! My lovely friend Quinn and her husband signed up for this a while ago, and when I saw her do it – I must admit, I was inspired! Then, I read this article in Self on our flight down to Mexico, and I was in tears. As soon as we got back home, I went on the registry and signed up to become a donor. Now that I finally have the kit – all I need to do is swab my cheek (swab is such a gross word!) – and send it back – that’s it! 
I think Quinn summed it up perfectly with this:
There’s a one in 12 million chance either of us will ever be the match, but what if we are? Some people have cautioned and said, “it really hurts to do that.” But you know what? If I’m that ONE person out of 12 million others that can save a life, I’m going to do it. How could you ever turn someone away if you were the ONE who could save them?
If you are interested in become a donor yourself – check out Self’s write up about it or sign up HERE!
As for the rest of my vacation day – it was really low key! I took a 30 minute walk with the puppers, took a nap! , and then made dinner…
I thought I had the perfect idea of making pizza, but it turns out – I had already started cooking the dough – when I realized WE ARE OUT OF ALL SAUCES! No pizza sauce, no pasta sauce – NOTHING!
So I improvised (as Mike cringed the whole time) – and took this:
and turned it into some sort of sauce-based substance:
I’m such a messy cook! 
It LOOKED GOOD:
But just tasted “okay” 
From there it was all downhill – I watched Julie & Julia, watched Conan’s last show (so sad, I love him) – and hit the hay! DEFINITELY one of the best vacation days I’ve had in a while! 
22 Comments so far
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sorry your improvised sauce wasnt that great but props for trying!!! it LOOKS good, that’s for sure. i am so proud of you for being a bone marrow donor! that’s honestly awesome
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By katecooks on 01.23.10 12:54 pm | Permalink
That’s really cool that you are doing the bone marrow thing!
What did you think of the movie. I swear, I am the only person (especially food blogger) in the world who thought it was sort of boring.
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By Lee on 01.23.10 1:10 pm | Permalink
uhhhhh that hummus looks inSANELY delish. and i love the spicy wrap. and i love you.
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By janetha on 01.23.10 1:15 pm | Permalink
You can’t go wrong with Aladdin’s. I don’t go NEARLY enough. The rolled pitas are my favorite – and I agree about the turnips! I could easily eat two of those wraps… if we didn’t already have dinner plans for tonight, I’d be there!!!
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By Alicia on 01.23.10 1:20 pm | Permalink
Wow! What an amazing way to give back, Allison!!!!!! (This deserves copious amounts of exclamation points)
You have probably blogged about it before, but what kind of pizza dough do you use?
Happy Saturday! – Joanne
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By Joanne on 01.23.10 1:36 pm | Permalink
Go you for joining the registry! I joined a few months ago!
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By Marissa on 01.23.10 1:48 pm | Permalink
Thanks for sharing about the Bone Marrow testing! That really is great….more people should share this info. I’m registering right after this post. Thank you!
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By Holly on 01.23.10 2:16 pm | Permalink
Happy vacation day!! I think it’s wonderful you’re doing the bone marrow program. I used to be on the registry but had to be removed for health issues– I’m in the process of seeing if I can get back on!
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By Heather @ Side of Sneakers on 01.23.10 2:54 pm | Permalink
I’m so proud of you for becoming a donor. I’m going to look into it myself. Thanks for inspiring me and others.
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By Mama Pea on 01.23.10 2:55 pm | Permalink
ive read about becoming a bone marrow donor on other blogs and this is it! im finally going to sign up! thanks for sharing
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By kate on 01.23.10 3:00 pm | Permalink
It is so awesome that you are going to be a donor!! I have always been nervous/scared to sign up, but the way you put it made me think that my fears are pretty insignificant in the grand sceme of things. I am going to sign up today!
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By Stephanie on 01.23.10 4:46 pm | Permalink
Aladdin’s is my favorite!!! Their falafel is so delish. Have you been to their sister restaurant Taza? They serve AMAZING hot pita fresh out of the stone oven with olive oil and Zaatar. If you haven’t tried it, it’s at Eton and you should definitely make it out there
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By Carly on 01.23.10 5:02 pm | Permalink
i’m so glad you became a donor!! you should also donate blood as often as they allow and make sure you’re an organ donor too
isn’t it funny how we think specific little words are gross… for me, it’s MOIST… blech!! makes me spaz out a little… what a horrid word!!!
hummus… i had a love affair with some last night, and hope we get to meet up again tonight!!! YUM
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By susan on 01.23.10 5:16 pm | Permalink
I am a donor too! (well, I have the card – haven’t been contacted.)
I swabbed my cheek and sent the stuff in and then honestly forgot about it because it took so long to get the card back – I finally got in June! Hope I will be able to help someone, someday!
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By Errign on 01.23.10 5:48 pm | Permalink
When did his last show officially air?! I hope it got tivoed.
I really hope I’m a part of a Foodbuzz taste test some day
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By Evan Thomas on 01.23.10 6:03 pm | Permalink
There’s an Aladdin’s by me and I shockingly haven’t gone there yet! Now I know I need to – ASAP! Look at that plate of hummus love!
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By K on 01.23.10 6:25 pm | Permalink
boo sorry your pizza was just okay! let me know how the special K thangs are! saw em today-but didnt get them quite yet
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By katie on 01.23.10 11:30 pm | Permalink
There was an Aladdin’s where I went to school (in Ohio) but I’m sure it’s not the same. Still, yummy!
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By Katharine on 01.23.10 11:57 pm | Permalink
I would have loved that meal you ordered!
How amazing that you are willing todonate bone marrow. I’ll have to read more about it. I don’t even know what the test kit is testing for. I’ll check out your links.
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By Shannon on 01.24.10 9:41 am | Permalink
Good for you on being a donor…for some reason I’m still scared. I hpe that i can get over than and also sign up.
mmm pizza…it’s 9 am and now i want some.
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By RunToTheFinish on 01.24.10 10:16 am | Permalink
I used Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat pizza dough – it’s like $1.19, SUPER EASY to make, and really tasty too!
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By allijag on 01.24.10 12:00 pm | Permalink
Soooo cool about the donor thang’, A. Glad you blogged about it as well, because it is indeed so important. One of my good friends was almost a match for someone, but in the end it was not
But it goes to show that the more people who are registered, the better chance someone has. YOU ROCK!!!
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By FoodCents on 01.24.10 6:58 pm | Permalink
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