Props to my blog sister Erin for embarking on her detox journey. That girl has more dedication in her little pinky than I have in my whole body! Meanwhile, I’ve just come out of an eating bender (not the good, Jenn kind) and it’s Monday afternoon and my pants are too tight. Ugh.
Change is in the air my friends and I needed to take the past few days to deal with it. Nothing serious, but food took a backseat to everything else! I managed to eat some beautiful things which you’ll see in a minute. They’re beautiful because I ate out all weekend and didn’t cook at home. LOL! Anyways, here are some of the changes going on in Andreaville.
1. My hair. Not a big deal, but I just chopped off another 6 inches. That’s on top of the 12 inches I chopped off in February. My hair grows super fast, so I just told my gal to hack away. It will look better in a couple of weeks. Needless to say, when I look in the mirror and see a little Filipino boy in the mirror, it’s quite the adjustment. Today is the first day that I thought I looked cute so we’re making progress!
2. Summer. It’s effing hot outside. We’re like on day 10 of 80+ degree weather and like 95% of Oregonians, we don’t have A/C. It was great at first, but now everyone is just cranky. The Texas girl inside of me is long gone – I am not used to this heat anymore! Our house faces West, so instead of screams of ecstasy, my nights have been filled with screams of, “Don’t you dare touch me!” It’s time to get the Summer clothes out of the basement and I’m sure when I do, it will go back to rainy and 60 degrees.
3. My house. This is a big one. Chris and I are in the midst of getting our house ready to put on the market – also known as “The best way to suck up all your free time.” All of the things we’ve lived with for the past 4 years, suddenly need to be fixed this month. But, we need a bigger place, want a better neighborhood, interest rates are low, yadda yadda yadda, so it just makes sense to do it now. If I go MIA for a while, know it’s because we’re elbow deep in house projects or we’re out fighting over finding our next home.
As usual, my verbose self is already up to 400 words in this post and I haven’t posted pictures of my food. Here’s what was notable with notes 
Coconut water is NOT the hangover miracle I was hoping it would be Thursday morning. However, it was very yummy and refreshing.
NuNaturals sent us some of their products to review on the blog. Sugar doesn’t scare me, but sugar substitutes outside of an occasional Diet Coke does, so I’ve never even had Stevia before. I was only expecting to try the MoreFiber (a new product of theirs) but when I opened the box all of these goodies were inside. NuNaturals is an Oregon company so I’m going to experiment with what I received see what I can do to support a local company!
Does this need an explanation?! I ordered halibut fish tacos from my favorite Mexican restaurant in Portland and I ate the whole damn plate. Well, minus the sour cream. I was halfway through and knew I would be stuffed if I kept eating, but I didn’t care. It wouldn’t taste nearly as good reheated, so I powered on and it was worth the bellyache!
This was the only thing I made at home all weekend. Couscous from a Near East box mix (that expired in 2007 which means I probably bought it in 2005), artichoke hearts, mushrooms, onions, and cannellini beans. It was pretty good, which I attribute to the sodium/salt content of the seasoning packet in the box
Meal number 1 from beautiful eats Sunday. Brioche French Toast and fresh fruit. I boxed up half of this as soon as it got to the table and that’s what I had for lunch today.
I don’t care if you don’t like sushi, but this is pretty. I love sushi dishes and how it’s always so nicely presented. That being said, I think I ate half of what you see here in under five minutes. I appreciate it in my tummy more than on my plate 
And for your gratuitous pug viewing pleasure:
Yes, Winston usually sleep like that and yes, Basil likes to use Winston’s butt as a head rest. Obviously, they are tolerating the heat better than Mommy and Daddy.
Posted by Jenny on June 1, 2009 at 3:45 pm
well girl you are hands down the most beautiful filipino boy i’ve ever seen
just kidding.. you look like a freakin’ gorgeous CHICK! love the new hair-do, work it mama!
Posted by homegirlcaneat on June 1, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I love the new hair mami! You look like a diva!
Brioche french toast and sushi and Mexicano food…good for da soul!
Posted by ksgoodeats on June 1, 2009 at 3:55 pm
LOVE the new ‘do! You look fierce in the picture!! “Don’t you dare touch me” – BAHAH!!!! Sorry the summer is putting a cramp in the bedroom shenanigans!
I don’t blame you for an eating bender, that looks delicious! Good luck with the house!!
Posted by Heather (be well & take care) on June 1, 2009 at 4:07 pm
The haircut is SO CUTE!!!!! And so are the pugs
Posted by Hangry Pants on June 1, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Good luck with the house stuff! Please don’t go too MIA. I will miss ya. I don’t like sushi, but I do appreciate the pretty presentation. Sometimes Mark’s sushi comes in a boat!
Love your shorter hair too.
Posted by jenngirl on June 1, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I totally love the haircut, keep rockin’ it! I would empathize with you on the heat, but, um, I live in Mississippi! nuff said
Sushi is gorgeous and I love it, both in my tummy and on my plate.
Posted by Kristin on June 1, 2009 at 4:16 pm
ooo I love the hair! Great eats too
Posted by Marianne on June 1, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I fail to see the Filipino boy in said picture…the hair looks great!
I may be drooling over the halibut tacos and the sushi. Mostly the sushi, but there is some drool for the ‘but.
Posted by Alison on June 1, 2009 at 4:27 pm
You are rockin’ the new ‘do! I seriously love it.
Good luck with #3. We live in the burbs and we’d love to move into the city to be closer to the action, but can’t agree on a price range to consider, so it’s a stalemate and we’re living happily ever after in suburbia until further notice.
Posted by Emily on June 1, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I love the haircut! and that couscous combo sounds so good; artichoke hearts are one of my favorites, but I only ever eat them in salad (or straight from the can/jar).
Posted by glidingcalm on June 1, 2009 at 4:42 pm
you are sooo hawt! and your hair is bomb. Filipino!!!!!!!!
sushi, mexican, hum diddly! you got the yummies!! loved seein ur pugster too!!
interested to hear bout the more fiber and stevia products!
Posted by Mara @ What's For Dinner? on June 1, 2009 at 5:07 pm
So…. in August (the 16-21 more specifically) I’m expecting to be taken to each of these places?
Posted by MaryBe on June 1, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Please send me the heat wave and the french toast! And I love your hair!
Your dogs look like salt and pepper!
Posted by Erin on June 1, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Oh Andrea, you look AMAZING! I love your hair that length – LOVE IT!
Oh my good girl!
Way to take some Andrea time. I’m proud of you and keep it rull during the crazy. Don’t forget to call your cuz if you need me.
P.S. I LOVE mixing the beans and rice together on the plate. Do you do that, too?
Posted by Arianna on June 1, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Hi! I’m a new reader, and also a new Portlander. What’s your favorite Mexican restaurant here? I’m from California, and I’ve been looking for some good tacos/burritos/deliciousness. Thanks.
Posted by Tanya on June 1, 2009 at 5:41 pm
The haircut looks amazing!
Posted by Allison on June 1, 2009 at 5:49 pm
i LOVE you hair cut – SOOOO CUTE, and you are totally fashionable so you could never look like a 12 year old Filipino
I laughed out loud at the puppers – I dont know whats funnier, that Winston sleeps like that, or that Basil hangs out at the “wrong end”
Posted by Pheebs on June 1, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Hey I’m Pheebs and I’ve just started blogging, but I’ve lurked on here before.
Anyway, where in Texas are you from? And, from one Texas girl (as of three years ago but it counts) to another, how could you learn to like Mexican food from the North?
Seriously though, I know what you mean about adjusting to climates. Whenever I visit Vermont during Winter Break, I wear about five layers and refuse to leave the house even when it’s like 50. All of my New England relatives and friends make fun of me.
Posted by Katrina (gluten free gidget) on June 1, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Gorgeous hair cut!
Totally jealous of the sushi! YUMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!
I, too, am totally intrigued by the raw food diet. I don’t think I could ever go 100% raw, but it is still something that really interests me.
Posted by eatingbirdfood on June 1, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I totally love your new hair cute. Super cute mama!
Posted by gina (fitnessista) on June 1, 2009 at 7:00 pm
your hair looks GORGEOUS!
so cute!
the puppies cracked me up
i had fake sushi today, which was delicious and everything, but i’m drooling over your real sushi. it looks awesome
have a great night!
Posted by april on June 1, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Your hair looks so cute! I wish I could rock short hair!
Posted by lilveggiepatch on June 1, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Food bender or not, you have four of my favorite things in this post: PUG, french toast, SUSHI, and FISH TACOS. (Read those very loud and with extra enthusiasm.) Your hair looks adorable… I’m not going to give you a short hair pep talk since you went through a bigger change in Feb, but you look lovely and it’ll be very nice for the summer.
Posted by broccolihut on June 1, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Haha, your pugs remind me so much of ours! Dixie (fawn) likes to use Gus (black) as a stepping stool to see over the window in the car.
Posted by Sarah on June 1, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I am lovIN your hair! I’d cut mine shorter too but then I’d really be Kate from J&K + 8, and Chris would leave me.
It’s raining here now. Boo.
Posted by Yvonne on June 1, 2009 at 10:41 pm
OMG fish tacos are my most favoritest thing ever! French toast is my most favoritest thing ever! Sushi is my most favoritest thing ever! hahaha. . . it’s true though! And your dogs are too cute.
Posted by Yools on June 2, 2009 at 1:46 am
That is some sexy ass hair! I’ve been adjusting to having shoulder length hair since mid-April (after having boobie length hair for years) and I can see why going shorter is appealing. Its so much easier/faster to style!
Posted by brandi on June 2, 2009 at 5:43 am
I love your hair! I’ve been thinking of chopping mine off, too. It’s just getting SO hot and I hate having to dry my hair for 10 minutes in the morning.
Good luck with all the house stuff! All your food looks amazing, especially those tacos and that french toast? I think my heart fluttered.
Posted by Paula on June 2, 2009 at 6:12 am
LOVE the hair!
Posted by Andrea (Off Her Cork) on June 2, 2009 at 6:33 am
Love the hair! I so dig short hair, it’s totally sassy and cute. I understand what selling a home is like, good luck!
And the sushi is totally purty! I always love the way it’s presented, it just looks healthy and wholesome.
Posted by Danielle on June 2, 2009 at 6:54 am
Your hair is absolutely gorgeous! Love it!
Posted by HeatherBakes on June 2, 2009 at 8:10 am
1. That photo makes me want a second pug- just to see them cuddle
2. Your hair looks FABULOUS
3. Good luck with the house!! I’m dreading the day we have to move to a bigger place…
Posted by Melissa @ For the Love of Health on June 2, 2009 at 8:10 am
Firstoff- love the doggy pic! My puppies do crazy things like that too. My lay-lay loves to be scrunched up against something (i.e the door or couch) and all contorted. It’s really funny!
I totally hear you on not eating properly! I have to turn that around right now too!! Uggh! Tight pants are not pleasant!
Your hair looks awesome!!
French toast looks divine! yum!
Have a great day! Good luck house hunting! Big chore!
Posted by Melissa (Nibbles and Wiggles) on June 2, 2009 at 10:58 am
Oh the pugs are too cute!
I remember one spring here when we lived in an apartment that didn’t switch over to A/C until May 31st or something. Anyhow, there was a long heat wave, let’s just say cold showers were awesome.
Posted by Jen on June 2, 2009 at 1:39 pm
your hair looks so cute! i Love it. I think you may be my favorite blogger. And you made me crave mexican food like no other
Posted by Stephanie on June 2, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I love your haircut! I have to tell you that in your picture you look so much like your mother I had to do a double take~ maybe it’s the expression….. hm? (I heart Shirley)
Also…. where did you order that french toast? It looks really yummy!
Posted by Heather Eats Almond Butter on June 2, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Winston and Basil…more please.
Andrea, best of luck with the house stuff – trust me, I feel your pain. Our house has been on the mkt. since November. We have 2 dogs, and all the showing are nothing but a pain in the arse. I’m over even trying to make the house look nice anymore. I figure if they really love it, they won’t mind a few stray dog hairs…OK, more like a huge clump of hair or two in every corner. There is only so much I can swiffer!
Way to power through that Mexican dish. You make me proud.
Posted by necesseaties on June 3, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Lol you make for a very pretty Pilipino boy then! hahahah
But as for stevia….i, like many others, find it imparts an aspartame taste. And doooo not try to substitute it for sugar in baking!
-Natalie
Posted by elise on June 4, 2009 at 10:39 am
congrats on the good and good-in-progress changes…i had a blah kind of weekend. im curious to hear what you think of the stevia bc thats the first kind i tried when the whole stevia craze first began. its too $$$ here in nyc though. im talking 200% price inflated. im still not completely in love though, so its hard to justify such a cost. id rather spend my hard earned cash on WF hot bar love.