Here’s my top 10 (a la David Letterman) of the best events I attended in 2015; I am exciting to share this post with you! 😀

10. Neighborhood Flea

Mac ‘n’ Gold Food Truck!

Lobster Lump Mac ‘n’ Cheese from the Mac ‘n’ Gold Food truck! So good!

        My Mom and I had a FABULOUS time at the Mother’s Day Neighborhood Flea! I enjoyed a free yoga class, I browsed and shopped through the vendors, and of COURSE I dined from a food truck (The Mac & Gold Truck specifically). I HIGHLY recommend the truck’s
lobster mac ‘n’ cheese!

9. Urban Supper Picnic

A little teaser of the Urban Supper Picnic menu

Raspberry Pie from Sand Hill Berry Farm and “Landlocked” Vanilla from Family Farms Creamery (featuring Landlocked from Wigle Whiskey)

Wagyu beef brisket, collard greens, kimchi and Korean BBQ sauce from Chef Richard DeShantz (of Meat & Potatoes, Butcher & The Rye and Tako).

Thanks to the eatPGH ladies, they brought Keith Fuller (Root 174), Brian Pekarcik (Grit & Grace, BRGR, Spoon & Willow) and Richard DeShantz (Meat & Potatoes, Butcher & the Rye, Tako, and the upcoming Pork & Beans) together in one place for a truly scrumptious urban picnic right in downtown Pittsburgh!

8. Oms in the Outfield

Yogis in the Outfield!

Oms in the Outfield/”Yoga Day” at PNC Park!

Stacey Vespaziani, Sally Sherman, a herd of volunteer yoga assistants, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chelsea Collective organized a fun yoga day at PNC Park!

7. Yoga in the Square

I really enjoyed Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Fittsburgh, and Lululemon‘s summer Yoga in the Square series! I had a chance to attend classes with Dezza from the Yoga Hive and Salt Power Yoga, and Sharon of Urban Elements and Cycology! Although, the highlight was being one of the four assistants for Stacey Vespaziani of South Hills Power Yoga‘s Yoga in the Square class!

6. Cocktails and Construction at Station

Salted Caramel Panacotta, with Caramel Popcorn sprinkled on top! Heavenly dessert choice!

My #1 favorite dinner of the night: Fried Chicken Confit, with wet napkins (I guess Curtis knew our hands would be sticky)!

I REALLY enjoyed the Cocktails & Construction event at Station, before they opened; Curtis Gamble was such a gracious host, and the food was INCREDIBLE! I definitely want to make a return visit to Station in 2016!

5. One Whirl Yoga Fest + Healthy Lifestyle Expo

Thanks to Darcy (the teacher, not pictured), and my friends Kelly (the Spotter), Jeff (the base) and Jamie (my assistant & yoga friend, not picture), I think I like Acro Yoga now! 😉

My favorite beverage from the Pittsburgh Juice Company: a Mocha Latte coffee, made with Cashew Milk! Vegan, and oh so tasty!

Laura Gorham-Huon, owner, and lead teacher at The Shala of Pittsburgh Ashtanga Yoga, in Lawrenceville, leading her Intro to the Primary Series class!

There was Acro Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Cashew Milk Coffee (which was stellar), and plenty of juice, healthy food and merchandise for all!

4. Beer + Yoga Blowout

Here’s my brunch: chicken and waffles, with a scoop of chocolate ice cream “a la mode” (as the adorable Eva Lin Douglass proclaimed)

My yoga buddy Laura B. held an impromptu yoga photoshoot with me! ❤

Second Breakfast Food Truck, parked in front of The Brew Gentlemen, in the Braddock neighborhood of Pittsburgh

THE best craft beer I’ve EVER had from the Brew Gentlemen, AMAZING chicken and waffles (and ice cream) from the Second Breakfast Food Truck, and yoga by South Hills Power Yoga! I couldn’t have asked for a better day! Also, I truly fell in love with the neighborhood of Braddock! 

3. Kevin Sousa’s Farm Dinner at Churchview Farm

The Churchview Farm table is set, and ready for Kevin Sousa to work his magic!

Casarecce// egg// braised kale// orange// fennell// shaved raw beans// Rutherford Saison from The Brew Gentlemen (not pictured)!

My drinking glass of the evening, that was (later) full of tasty beer from The Brew Gentlemen! 😀

I loved the rustic feel of Churchview Farm, combined with the sophistication of Kevin Sousa‘s food! Truly an evening fit for a Foodie Queen (or King), tucked away in the South Hills of Pittsburgh!

2. Late Night Dinner at Studio A.M.

The front window to Studio A.M., which leads to one of the happiest, most creative & intellectual places on Earth

The Studio A.M. Crew! Clockwise: Bobby Fry (Events Coordinator), Jamilka Borges (Guest Chef), me, Baron Batch (Artist & Master Brain of Studio A.M.), Chef Steve (Executive Chef), and Dan (Server Extraordinaire)! 😀

Peach Bread Budding, with a marshmallow fluff cloud!

Everything about this evening was magical! The food from Chef Steve and Jamilka Borges was truly breath-taking! Server Dan did a meticulous job of explaining and serving each course. Bobby Fry served as the mixologist, wine sommelier, and philosopher of the evening, while Baron Batch and his publicist Renee spoke about current and upcoming projects for Studio A.M.! Truly an evening I will never forget; thanks to The Food Tasters for the invite!

1. Fearless Warrior Conference

Truly a groundbreaking day! The first EVER Fearless Warrior Conference was held on Sunday, October 11th, 2015 at the Hotel Monaco in downtown Pittsburgh. The conference was founded by Hayley Worthman (Ashtanga, Rocket and Vinyasa Yoga Teacher), and was constructed to teach others to conquer fears through yoga, meditation and storytelling. Two of the many things that I learned: 1) “you have to have fear in order to become fearless”, and 2) breaking down your fearless into small tangible steps will overtime lead to big results. Thanks to this conference, I am conquering my own fears and obstacles in life, and I am pursuing my passions more deeply. ❤

Cheers to a wonderful 2015, and an even better 2016!

-Friendly Fitness Foodie

Neighborhood Flea’s Twitter page

Mac ‘n’ Gold Food Truck’s Twitter page

eatPGH’s Twitter page

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Twitter page

PNC Park Events’ Twitter page

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Twitter page

Sally Sherman’s Twitter page

South Hills Power Yoga Twitter page

Fittsburgh’s Twitter page

Lululemon’s Twitter page

Station’s Twitter page

Curtis Gamble’s Twitter page

Whirl Magazine’s Twitter page

The Brew Gentlemen’s Twitter page

Second Breakfast Food Truck’s Twitter page

Church view Farm’s Twitter page

Kevin Sousa’s Twitter page

Studio A.M.’s Twitter page

Baron Batch’s Twitter page

Chef Steve’s Twitter page

Jamilka Borges’ Twitter page

Renee’s Twitter page

Bobby Fry’s Twitter page

The Food Taster’s Twitter page

Fearless Warrior’s Twitter page

Hayley Worthman’s Twitter page

Hotel Monaco’s Twitter page