I lay in bed appaulled by what I just ingested but not so much that it's tarnished my new ink glow ;-)  I'm happy to report that my session with Becca @ North Star Tattoo went great (as always).  Becca rocks!!  We started my back piece almost a year ago - I had taken a break from it for the summer but then life got in the way which is why it's taking so long.  Today was a short session but the color work is offically under way and that excites me.  I also have my next two appointments set (Yippieeeeeee!)   

Ok - now regarding what I just ingested - or more accurately put - what I just sampled for the first time.  Over the last few weeks, Gardein, a vegan meat alternative, has repeatedly popped up.  I was shopping at Wild by Nature and noticed they had several varieties in the freezer section and ended up selecting the Chipotle Lime Crispy Fingers  Well, post tattoo appointed I remembered that I had bought them and decided to give it a go.  I placed three fingers in the toaster oven.  When the timer went off I eagerly placed the tenders on a dish and noted that had a oilyish "fried" appearance.  I then proceeded to eat one and for me, it was downhill from there for the following two reasons:  I couldn't get past the fried-like feel/taste and they are so similiar (to what I recall) real chicken being that I actually checked the package THREE times to ensure they were meat free.  That said if you enjoy or have enjoyed fried foods and like or miss eating real chicken these may be for you (I have already recommended them to four friends who fall into some or all of those  categories!)  They even look like actual chicken cutlets:

This unfortunate experience won't completely sour me from the brand just yet and I will now make it a point to sample something that is plain.  Obviously, I dont enjoy meat alternatives that mimic the taste or texture of real meat and this may very well be one of the rare brands that actually nails it (making meatless mondays that much easier to comit to *wink wink*)