tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491645547253721002024-03-13T14:54:31.685-07:00Peanut Butter Is My Boyfriendelayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-59744131406893724402015-11-02T12:23:00.000-08:002015-11-02T12:23:19.555-08:00Race Recap - Haunted Island 10K <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-89c7a4b9836540b7fcc8" style="background-color: white; clear: none; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px 17px 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2183" style="cursor: auto; outline: none;">
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2182">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This weekend was Halloweekend and if I’m being completely honest, I was way more excited about this little race called the New York City Marathon that happened on Sunday despite Halloween landing smack dab on a Saturday - every college student and twenty-something’s dream. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2182">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2195">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Up until this year, Halloween was something I got pretty into. It was an excuse to get friends together, put a lot of planning into my outfit (which can be fun <em>sometimes</em>), eat a lot of candy (fun<em>always</em>) and consume large quantities of alcohol.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2195">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2197">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Looking back through Halloween pictures of yore makes me feel somewhat nostalgic (except for the year I was in a walking boot with a stress fracture and couldn’t do much of anything) so I’ve assembled a quick trip down memory lane.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2197">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o6GhELWQWBw/VjfE2_cmrSI/AAAAAAAAEV8/jti1Y8z6tww/s1600/hallow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o6GhELWQWBw/VjfE2_cmrSI/AAAAAAAAEV8/jti1Y8z6tww/s200/hallow3.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mopnA--yaYI/VjfE23MzZEI/AAAAAAAAEVw/f4_gFFsNJ34/s1600/hallow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mopnA--yaYI/VjfE23MzZEI/AAAAAAAAEVw/f4_gFFsNJ34/s200/hallow2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VCSOYs1Tj1w/VjfE20BzERI/AAAAAAAAEV0/8hm1y-KNcTY/s1600/hallow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VCSOYs1Tj1w/VjfE20BzERI/AAAAAAAAEV0/8hm1y-KNcTY/s200/hallow1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; display: inline !important; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; height: 0px; line-height: 28.8px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 220px; width: 220px;">But while those Halloweens from the past were fun and all – this year the main focus of the weekend was on racing and running.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; display: inline !important; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; height: 0px; line-height: 28.8px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 220px; width: 220px;">Friday night I apparently discovered that the key to a successful race is a giant</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; display: inline !important; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; height: 0px; line-height: 28.8px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 220px; width: 220px;"> </span><span style="color: #3d9991; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 28.8px;">Two Boots</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 28.8px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 28.8px;">whole wheat pizza with basil, eggplant, mushrooms, onions and artichokes with a side of pesto. Also, red velvet cupcakes and Haagen-Dazs ice cream. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-aspect-ratio="93.17803660565723" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_31742" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #030706; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_476">
<div class="image-block-outer-wrapper layout-caption-below " id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_475">
<div class="intrinsic" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_474" style="margin: auto; max-width: 3024px;">
<div class="image-block-wrapper has-aspect-ratio" data-description="" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_473" style="line-height: 0; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 652.234px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Two Boots Pizza" class="thumb-image loaded" data-image-dimensions="3024x3024" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-image-id="5637bf0ee4b09f2bbd1af06d" data-image-resolution="750w" data-image="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637bf0ee4b09f2bbd1af06d/1446493970985/Two+Boots+Pizza" data-load="false" data-src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637bf0ee4b09f2bbd1af06d/1446493970985/Two+Boots+Pizza" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637bf0ee4b09f2bbd1af06d/1446493970985/Two+Boots+Pizza?format=750w" style="border: 0px; display: block; height: 700.25px; left: 0px; max-width: none; position: absolute; top: -24px; width: 700px;" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_31964" style="background-color: white; clear: none; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" style="cursor: auto; outline: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Clearly, I was taking this race extremely serious with my fueling strategy. This was to be my first race in over 5 months and I went into expecting a humbling experience and a good indicator of where I am at speed-wise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two friends from Connecticut got in around 10:15 that night and we stayed up chatting for a while, so it wasn’t the most sleep I’ve gotten before a race, but still a solid 7 hours.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-aspect-ratio="74.87520798668885" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_38830" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_497">
<div class="image-block-outer-wrapper layout-caption-below " id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_496">
<div class="intrinsic" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_495" style="margin: auto; max-width: 3264px;">
<div class="image-block-wrapper has-aspect-ratio" data-description="<p>My favorite socks by Under Armour: "Speed Don't Lie." My favorite race shirt from my first marathon and my favorite shorts by Saucony.</p>" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_494" style="font-family: adobe-garamond-pro; line-height: 0; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 524.125px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<img alt="My favorite socks by Under Armour: "Speed Don't Lie." My favorite race shirt from my first marathon and my favorite shorts by Saucony." class="thumb-image loaded" data-image-dimensions="3264x2448" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-image-id="5637bf46e4b0c98a89a51db9" data-image-resolution="750w" data-image="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637bf46e4b0c98a89a51db9/1446494026820/10K+Race+Outfit" data-load="false" data-src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637bf46e4b0c98a89a51db9/1446494026820/10K+Race+Outfit" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637bf46e4b0c98a89a51db9/1446494026820/10K+Race+Outfit?format=750w" style="border: 0px; display: block; height: 525.125px; left: 0px; max-width: none; position: absolute; top: -0.5px; width: 700px;" /></div>
<div class="image-caption-wrapper">
<div class="image-caption">
<div style="font-size: 0.875em; line-height: 1.25em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My favorite socks by Under Armour: "Speed Don't Lie." My favorite race shirt from my first marathon and my favorite shorts by Saucony.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_39052" style="background-color: white; clear: none; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" style="cursor: auto; outline: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I made myself some peanut butter, banana and honey toast with a cup of coffee and definitely did<em>not</em> stretch or foam roll like I promised myself I would.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The journey to Roosevelt Island was an easy one and it was a gorgeous fall morning – crisp and cool but warm in the sun. And I was wearing my favorite color-coordinated outfit. The Halloween race was put on by <a href="https://nycruns.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3d9991; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">NYC Runs</a> and they offered both a 5K and a 10K. Everything was well-organized and I loved that it was a smaller race. Tons of people were dressed up and there were hardly any spectators – which meant I got to be front and center as Allison and Kait finished their 5K.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-aspect-ratio="71.54742096505824" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_45687" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_513">
<div class="image-block-outer-wrapper layout-caption-below " id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_512">
<div class="intrinsic" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_511" style="margin: auto; max-width: 3264px;">
<div class="image-block-wrapper has-aspect-ratio" data-description="<p>Not a bad morning for a 10K.</p>" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_510" style="font-family: adobe-garamond-pro; line-height: 0; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 500.828px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Not a bad morning for a 10K." class="thumb-image loaded" data-image-dimensions="3264x2448" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-image-id="5637bfbae4b0e17c588cfff7" data-image-resolution="750w" data-image="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637bfbae4b0e17c588cfff7/1446494141361/Haunted+Island+10K+Roosevelt+Island+NYC+Runs" data-load="false" data-src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637bfbae4b0e17c588cfff7/1446494141361/Haunted+Island+10K+Roosevelt+Island+NYC+Runs" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637bfbae4b0e17c588cfff7/1446494141361/Haunted+Island+10K+Roosevelt+Island+NYC+Runs?format=750w" style="border: 0px; display: block; height: 524.813px; left: 0px; max-width: none; position: absolute; top: -11.9844px; width: 700px;" /></div>
<div class="image-caption-wrapper">
<div class="image-caption">
<div style="font-size: 0.875em; line-height: 1.25em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not a bad morning for a 10K.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_45909" style="background-color: white; clear: none; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2200" style="cursor: auto; outline: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once I congratulated them, Allison held my bag while I shed my layers and went for a little warm-up jog. Instead of helping me feel warmed up – I went into a slight panic due to completely numb feet. Luckily I managed to wiggle my toes enough so that by the time I was at the starting line, they had regained feeling. What I<strong> didn’t</strong> manage to do before I got to the start was that oh-so-important pre-race poop, which I was afraid would end up being an issue for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a really official, “Pretend this is a gun – on your mark, get set, BOOM!” we were off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The course was two loops with a few wonky little “go down this side street and then make a U-turn at the end so that we can get the right distance” portions – not my favorite type of course but what was awesome was that the course was flat as a pancake! And again, the weather was perfect for racing AND we got to go along the water for a portion of the race which is always pretty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I tried to start out conservatively but that’s never my specialty. My Garmin informed me that my first mile was a 7:12 and I knew I would be in serious trouble if I kept that up. Luckily, two runners on my right were chatting about how they were going to try to run 7:30s which sounded much more realistic. I creepily paced off of them for the next 3 miles. Around mile 4 I told them they were officially my pacers like a total weirdo and when they asked if I had a goal I said no, but my PR is a 7:19 pace. The man who was clearly better at math than me said that I should think 7:18s and I could definitely get it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I pulled away and spent the rest of the race trying to keep two other women slightly ahead of me from getting too far out of reach.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was feeling wonderful which was such a nice surprise and I was also scared that at any minute I was going to regret running 7:20s. But I just tried to enjoy the strength I was feeling in my legs. There’s something about racing that I just love. I’m a competitive person, and I can say all I want that I’m not there to “race” a race, but without fail once I’m out there – it’s on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Up until mile 5, it was all about competing against myself. Setting a new PR, proving that I CAN still run fast after months of feeling “meh.” Proving that my work on strengthening my legs and hips has paid off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then, something happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The woman who I had been trailing the entire race turned around and said, “You better tell them you cut a corner.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What?” I asked , completely dumbfounded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You cut that corner. You were behind me and then you pulled up ahead.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2199">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my head, I was thinking, “Uhhh, yeah, it’s called a race and I passed you at some point…”</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2199">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought back over the race and was still genuinely confused so I asked her, “When are you talking about?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mile 3.5”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She sounded so nasty and so vindictive that I really didn’t know how to react.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well I’m not trying to win or anything so go ahead!” I yelled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was so upset – this has <em>never </em>been my experience with runners and the running community <em>especially </em>at a Halloween run. This woman was dressed up for God’s sake! And I had been planning on complementing her at the end for a really well-run race and for looking great doing it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I got a little pissed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Happy Halloween to you too!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, I started thinking that maybe she was doing this as a way to mess with my mental-game. Which is a game that two can play.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You know, I was going to compliment you on a great race and tell you you looked great doing it. I think you’re just scared I’m going to beat you.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ooops.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It just came out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And as soon as I said it, I regretted it. Because I just gave her all the fuel she needed to kick my butt and I had also given <em>myself</em> a lot more motivation to beat <em>her</em>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A minute before I had been happily cruising to a PR and now I was scared this race was going to end a lot differently. With me angry and beaten down by this bitchy Wonder Woman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I got a little teary. In my mind, I had let her take this race away from me. I had let her get in my head and suddenly I was no longer just racing for myself. I was racing to beat her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But it is what it is – now I knew there was no slowing down that last mile. I stayed close behind her, sure not to pull ahead and give her something to chase.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Luckily for me, I could tell she was fading. I probably could have gone faster overall if I wasn’t playing a strategy game with her, which is frustrating to look back on. But hauling-ass the second I saw that finish line and leaving her in the dust felt damn good, I won’t lie.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_86197" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #030706; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_529">
<div class="image-block-outer-wrapper layout-caption-below " id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_528">
<div class="intrinsic" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_527" style="margin: auto; max-width: 1475px;">
<div class="image-block-wrapper has-aspect-ratio" data-description="" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_526" style="line-height: 0; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 1269.02px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<img alt="NYCRuns Haunted Island 10K Roosevelt Island" class="thumb-image loaded" data-image-dimensions="1475x2674" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-image-id="5637c2b3e4b023279d8d4670" data-image-resolution="750w" data-image="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637c2b3e4b023279d8d4670/1446494949294/NYCRuns+Haunted+Island+10K+Roosevelt+Island" data-load="false" data-src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637c2b3e4b023279d8d4670/1446494949294/NYCRuns+Haunted+Island+10K+Roosevelt+Island" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637c2b3e4b023279d8d4670/1446494949294/NYCRuns+Haunted+Island+10K+Roosevelt+Island?format=750w" style="border: 0px; display: block; height: 1269.03px; left: 0px; max-width: none; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 700px;" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_86419" style="background-color: white; clear: none; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" style="cursor: auto; outline: none;">
<div id="yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_86402">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I still managed an 8 second PR – which was 2347293748 X more exciting to me. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_86402">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, she immediately went to the race director who pulled me aside and asked if I had gone around the lighthouse two times. Yes, I most certainly did because I vividly remember the amazing volunteer stationed there who jogged in place the entire time and said, “I’m still going with you!” I thanked her for being out there both times I passed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I told the race director that I totally understood if they had an issue giving me an award and he said they would look at the splits and that would make it very obvious if I had cut any corners.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Apparently, the clock told them all they needed to know and I received my plaque for 2nd place female ages 20-29.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-aspect-ratio="119.4675540765391" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_54272" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_545">
<div class="image-block-outer-wrapper layout-caption-below " id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_544">
<div class="intrinsic" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_543" style="margin: auto; max-width: 2448px;">
<div class="image-block-wrapper has-aspect-ratio" data-description="<p>My plaque matched my shirt!</p>" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_542" style="font-family: adobe-garamond-pro; line-height: 0; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 836.266px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<img alt="My plaque matched my shirt!" class="thumb-image loaded" data-image-dimensions="2448x3264" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-image-id="5637c152e4b018ccb36dd0af" data-image-resolution="750w" data-image="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637c152e4b018ccb36dd0af/1446494550704/NYCRuns+Haunted+Island+10K+Roosevelt+Island" data-load="false" data-src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637c152e4b018ccb36dd0af/1446494550704/NYCRuns+Haunted+Island+10K+Roosevelt+Island" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637c152e4b018ccb36dd0af/1446494550704/NYCRuns+Haunted+Island+10K+Roosevelt+Island?format=750w" style="border: 0px; display: block; height: 933.625px; left: 0px; max-width: none; position: absolute; top: -48.6719px; width: 700px;" /></div>
<div class="image-caption-wrapper">
<div class="image-caption">
<div style="font-size: 0.875em; line-height: 1.25em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My plaque matched my shirt!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_54494" style="background-color: white; clear: none; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" style="cursor: auto; outline: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And Wonder Woman got hers for first place female ages 40-49. Which she more than deserved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She ensured that I finished with a <em>major </em>kick at the end – which is my favorite way to cross a finish line, so for that – I thank her. I legit blacked out those last 100 meters so THANKS ALLISON for these baller pictures.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Bf4mdjyYx8/VjfFUHXs3-I/AAAAAAAAEWQ/PUbrWuVVKK0/s1600/hallow8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Bf4mdjyYx8/VjfFUHXs3-I/AAAAAAAAEWQ/PUbrWuVVKK0/s320/hallow8.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: adobe-garamond-pro;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2t7ZKHobf8k/VjfFUD__VrI/AAAAAAAAEWM/ZlXYBk183EE/s1600/hallow9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2t7ZKHobf8k/VjfFUD__VrI/AAAAAAAAEWM/ZlXYBk183EE/s320/hallow9.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: adobe-garamond-pro;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8QcmT6RUAg/VjfFUOvxyiI/AAAAAAAAEWI/nj7OM7nMIP8/s1600/hallow10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8QcmT6RUAg/VjfFUOvxyiI/AAAAAAAAEWI/nj7OM7nMIP8/s320/hallow10.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">NYC Runs had lots of candy, <span style="line-height: 28.8px;">fruit and bagels afterwards along with a fun costume contest. It was a great way to spend Halloween and I even got to take the Roosevelt Island tram for the first time on our way home! It was anticlimactic but still a nice change from the underground subway.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block gallery-block sqs-block-gallery" data-block-json="{"design":"stacked","aspectRatio":null,"collectionId":"5637c1f5e4b0e17c588d1a9f","vSize":null,"transientGalleryId":"5637c1f5e4b0e17c588d1a9f","hSize":null,"floatDir":null,"methodOption":"transient","existingGallery":null,"show-meta-basic":true}" data-block-type="8" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_72760" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #030706; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_568">
<div class="
sqs-gallery-container
sqs-gallery-block-stacked
sqs-gallery-block-show-meta
clear
" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_567" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; zoom: 1;">
<div class="sqs-gallery" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_566">
<div class="image-wrapper sqs-active-slide" data-type="image" id="5637c1f5e4b07a136e23d445" style="line-height: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 1px;">
<img alt="hallow11.JPG" class="thumb-image loaded" data-image-dimensions="2448x2448" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-image-id="5637c1f5e4b07a136e23d445" data-image-resolution="750w" data-image="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/5637c1f5e4b0e17c588d1a9f/5637c1f5e4b07a136e23d445/1446494711777/hallow11.JPG" data-load="false" data-src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/5637c1f5e4b0e17c588d1a9f/5637c1f5e4b07a136e23d445/1446494711777/hallow11.JPG" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/5637c1f5e4b0e17c588d1a9f/5637c1f5e4b07a136e23d445/1446494711777/hallow11.JPG?format=750w" style="border: 0px; width: 700px;" /></div>
<div class="image-wrapper" data-type="image" id="5637c1f5e4b08c78e428dee1" style="line-height: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 1px;">
<img alt="hallow12.jpg" class="thumb-image loaded" data-image-dimensions="2448x3264" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-image-id="5637c1f5e4b08c78e428dee1" data-image-resolution="750w" data-image="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/5637c1f5e4b0e17c588d1a9f/5637c1f5e4b08c78e428dee1/1446494712922/hallow12.jpg" data-load="false" data-src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/5637c1f5e4b0e17c588d1a9f/5637c1f5e4b08c78e428dee1/1446494712922/hallow12.jpg" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/5637c1f5e4b0e17c588d1a9f/5637c1f5e4b08c78e428dee1/1446494712922/hallow12.jpg?format=750w" style="border: 0px; width: 700px;" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_72871" style="background-color: white; clear: none; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" style="cursor: auto; outline: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The entire rest of the weekend was spent drinking and eating to celebrate Halloween and the NYC Marathon. There were Bloody Mary’s, nachos, brownies, <a href="https://www.chipotle.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3d9991; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Chipotle</a> ($3 on Halloween, duh!) ciders and obviously <a href="http://16handles.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3d9991; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">16 Handles</a> (twice).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Congratulations to everyone who took on the five boroughs on Sunday– it was a beautiful day and I loved getting to give a giant hug to some of my favorite marathoners at the after party!</span></div>
</div>
<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1446493187553_81743" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #030706; font-size: 18px; height: auto; line-height: 28.8px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
<div class="sqs-block-content" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_575">
<div class="image-block-outer-wrapper layout-caption-below " id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_574">
<div class="intrinsic" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_573" style="margin: auto; max-width: 1971px;">
<div class="image-block-wrapper has-aspect-ratio" data-description="<p>I know runner's are crazy, but come on!</p>" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_572" style="font-family: adobe-garamond-pro; line-height: 0; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 700px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<img alt="I know runner's are crazy, but come on!" class="thumb-image loaded" data-image-dimensions="1971x1971" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-image-id="5637c259e4b01270cf2c68f6" data-image-resolution="750w" data-image="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637c259e4b01270cf2c68f6/1446494810974/TCS+NYC+Marathon+2015+Eiffel+Tower" data-load="false" data-src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637c259e4b01270cf2c68f6/1446494810974/TCS+NYC+Marathon+2015+Eiffel+Tower" data-type="image" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2217" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/562d4cebe4b0be3275ffb310/t/5637c259e4b01270cf2c68f6/1446494810974/TCS+NYC+Marathon+2015+Eiffel+Tower?format=750w" style="border: 0px; display: block; height: 700px; left: 0px; max-width: none; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 700px;" /></div>
<div class="image-caption-wrapper" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2215">
<div class="image-caption" id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2214">
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2213" style="font-size: 0.875em; line-height: 1.25em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know runner's are crazy, but come on!</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2213" style="font-size: 0.875em; line-height: 1.25em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_17_2_11_1446493187553_2213" style="font-size: 0.875em; line-height: 1.25em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Haunted Island 10K: 45:15//7:18 pace.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-65153028989623949622015-10-27T12:55:00.002-07:002015-10-29T07:05:24.042-07:00Restaurant Review: Bluestone Lane's Avocado Toast is SMASHING<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh avocado toast, how I adore you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me count the ways. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well actually, there’s too many to count. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you all the ways. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you with feta. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you with chili flakes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you with a splash of lemon or lime.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you on whole wheat toast. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you on white bread. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really, really love you on <a href="http://www.balthazarbakery.com/" target="_blank">Balthazar Bakery</a> bread. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is what I discovered last week when I took a trip to
<a href="https://www.bluestonelaneny.com/" target="_blank">Bluestone Lane</a> for my lunch break. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is better than an avocado toast enjoyed outside in the
sunshine on a beautiful fall afternoon with friends? Not much. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bluestone Lane is <a href="http://peanutbutterismyboyfriend.blogspot.com/2015/09/restaurant-review-two-hands.html" target="_blank">one of those Australian café’s that keep poppingup around the city</a> and thanks in part to the popularity of their avo toast,
they just opened their 6<sup>th</sup> Manhattan location (bets as to when the
first Brooklyn outpost opens its doors?) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each location’s offerings vary – and each location is also
unique in its architecture and design. Apparently, the new <a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/bluestone-lane-new-york-upper-east-side" target="_blank">Upper East Sidelocation</a> is quite the site to see! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, we Midtown-lunchers headed to the <a href="https://www.bluestonelaneny.com/coffee-shops/bryant-park/" target="_blank">Bryant Parklocation</a>, which is situated in the glass Grace Plaza Pavilion on West 43<sup>rd</sup>
St. and 6<sup>th</sup> Ave. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This place gets busy, and it seems as if almost everyone is
there to order avocado toast. I can’t comment on their coffee, because $5 is a
little steep for this McCafe drinking gal, but word on the street is that
Aussies know their caffeine. Plus, they add scoops of vanilla ice cream to some
of their drinks – something that I fully support. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Though busy, the staff at Bluestone Lane put love & care
into their avocado toast – nestling it in a little brown box before sprinkling
it sweetly with whatever toppings you choose. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At Bryant Park, the “standard” avocado toast comes in at $7
and includes avo, lemo, salt, pepper, chili flakes and olive oil. Feta, cherry
tomatoes and prosciutto can all be added for an extra price – and $10.50 will
get you the whole shebang.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Strangely for me – usually a lover of toppings – I decided
to opt for the plain Jane. I was not disappointed! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pN-ew66i_qo/Vi_WIr1ivJI/AAAAAAAAERg/pUahUk86Obk/s1600/avo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pN-ew66i_qo/Vi_WIr1ivJI/AAAAAAAAERg/pUahUk86Obk/s320/avo1.JPG" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This Balthazar toast is seriously incredible. Soo full of
seedy-goodness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The savory avocado mashed with olive oil benefits from the
burst of citrus, pop of chili and bam! of salt. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve finally put it together that I, personally, am a fan of
the Avocado SMASH as opposed to avocado toast. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17zSJuhxtVY/Vi_WIfchIdI/AAAAAAAAERk/LV8rjWW-vYQ/s1600/avo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17zSJuhxtVY/Vi_WIfchIdI/AAAAAAAAERk/LV8rjWW-vYQ/s320/avo3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(The whole she-bang - beautifully photographed by Kaitlin over at <a href="http://californiaendlesssummer.com/" target="_blank">California Endless Summer</a>!)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What’s the difference you ask? Avocado toast usually implies
sliced avocado, while avocado smash is more of a mash. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gub7Gbwe8I8/Vi_WIpERnxI/AAAAAAAAERc/SWGB-lyW-pk/s1600/avo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gub7Gbwe8I8/Vi_WIpERnxI/AAAAAAAAERc/SWGB-lyW-pk/s320/avo2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This isn’t surprising coming from a girl who loves her
guacamole and used to cut her corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes into
little pieces before mashing it together with mustard. True story. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of these days, I hope to make it to another one of
Bluestone Lane’s locations – preferably their sit-down outpost, the <a href="https://www.bluestonelaneny.com/cafes/west-village/" target="_blank">Café Collective</a>,
so I can order this delicious avocado smash with a POACHED EGG. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because if you like it then you shoulda put an egg on it. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-64141503102285815772015-10-25T03:00:00.000-07:002015-10-26T07:08:43.813-07:00Six Sunday Links; Swagger & Sass<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rK0hjn8OmuI/Vi4z1T3ErsI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/vwq4OuM2eqI/s1600/sss.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rK0hjn8OmuI/Vi4z1T3ErsI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/vwq4OuM2eqI/s640/sss.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Six Sunday Links didn’t happen last week because I
was busy celebrating my Gran’s 89<sup>th</sup> birthday in Florida! Seeing her
so irregularly now, when she used to be 20 minutes down the road, is incredibly
hard – especially when I think about the fact that she’s living in a nursing home
and only getting older. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are moments in life that you know you’re going
to want to remember. As they’re happening, you try to make a mental note of all
the little details, scared that one day they’ll slip from your memory. You want
to live in the moment but you’re already concerning yourself with what’s going
to happen when that moment becomes the past. Maybe that’s why I took so many
pictures! I tried soaking up the invaluable family time – it’s not very often
that my mom’s side of the family gets to spend time together. We ate, we drank,
we caught up – I tried my very best to coax the crew into getting a little
sappy by sharing some of our favorite memories. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We also celebrated the fact that my cousin and his
wife will soon be welcoming their first baby into the family. Gran’s going to
be a great-Gran (she already is the greatest Gran, though!) I was sure to buy
baby Emma her first NHL onesie. She’s going to look fabulous in it, even though
it’s slightly masculine looking. Whatever, gender neutrality is all the rage
these days, isn’t it? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In total I spent 20 hours traveling between Friday
and Monday, but it was well worth it for moments like this: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1XuHlEwak8k/ViqS7Bj_UZI/AAAAAAAAEAc/LAqOgIjiCho/s1600/g1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1XuHlEwak8k/ViqS7Bj_UZI/AAAAAAAAEAc/LAqOgIjiCho/s320/g1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite having off on Monday to fly home, the week
seemed to last forever. But here we are at another Sunday. Instead of using
your brain cells to think about the coming week (ugh) – how about checking out
these six links? I think it’s a quality batch - heavy on my own personal commentary. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://pictorial.jezebel.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-trading-spaces-the-home-design-sh-1733835857" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pictorial.jezebel.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-trading-spaces-the-home-design-sh-1733835857" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Rise and Fall of Trading Spaces, theHome Design Show That Ruled the World</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These days, I very
rarely watch TV. Peter and I have made good progress on The Office (I know, I
know – I’m behind) and for a while I was binge-watching Orange Is The New Black
like it was my job. But lately I haven’t been able to make a commitment to the
hour-long episodes. Sorry Piper, it’s nothing personal. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems the only time
I am truly a couch potato is when I’m visiting my parents on Long Island. And
when I’m there – I’m all about the HGTV. Love It Or List It and House Hunters
are my absolute favorites and my mom and I have no problems re-watching
episodes that we’ve seen 20 times. But when I saw someone post this article on
Facebook I took a total trip down memory lane, remembering the hours spent
watching the original home makeover show from TLC – <b>Trading Spaces</b>. I’ll never forget the sleepovers where we stayed
awake until 5 a.m. watching reruns. I’ll never forget the episode where Hildi
makes one couple's room look like a circus tent. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This article blew my
mind by pointing out that Trading Spaces premiere <b>15 years ago</b>. Whoah. This is a long read – but a fascinating look
at the life of the show, which was a precursor to many of today’s reality
shows. And did you know that host Paige Davis played Roxy Hart in Chicago on
Broadway? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a31109/how-sports-gave-me-swagger/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> How Sports Gave Me Swagger </span></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First off – yes, I’m a
subscriber to Lenny, Lena Dunham’s new feminist newsletter. Now that that’s out
of the way, let’s talk about director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s (Love and Basketball) contribution. </span><span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); font-size: 18pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I re-read this
article to write about it, I started highlighting which quote I wanted to start
with. I highlighted the entire first paragraph. It’s like that standup comic
who makes fun of girls studying for finals who go highlighter-happy in the
library. Totally me. [Totally don’t remember the comedian.] <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, if you’re really
not just going to click the link and read the article (it’s worth it, I
promise!) here is at least the first paragraph. I have a feeling that, like me,
you’ll identify with a lot of it and want to keep reading. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);">I am shy. I also have a big ego. Practically
speaking, that means everyone is looking at me, and it makes me uncomfortable.
Actually, "big ego" has a negative connotation. I'll say
"healthy ego." Which, sadly, for women, still has a negative
connotation. We aren't supposed to have an ego. It's unseemly. It's arrogant.
It's not ladylike. Serena Williams was called cocky when she said she wanted to
be the best in the world. Well, what the hell is she training so relentlessly
for, to be the 37th best in the world? (No disrespect to the 37th best in the
world.) A poster of Serena in mid–epic scream should be required on every
little girl's bedroom wall so they can be reminded daily how beautiful it is to
be a badass.</span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This reminds me so much of a conversation I’ve
had multiple times with my mom since getting into running. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Me: “I’m REALLY frustrated that I’ve lost so
much of my speed.” <br />
Mom: “Well why do you care about being fast? Just do it for fun.” <br />
Me: “Because I know I can be better, and I found something I’m actually pretty
good at, and I want to improve.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, I know I’m not going to be winning any
races. But that doesn’t mean I can’t acknowledge that I’ve worked hard to
improve my speed and endurance and that I am always training to beat the runner
I was the last time I raced. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);">But, like Gina Prince-Bythewood – sports have
played a major role in my life – teaching me to always give it my all. To leave
everything out on the court, the field, the track, etc. Sports has taught me
that if I settle, I’m really only cheating myself. <br />
<br />
</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When I was on
the field, I was never told to "slow down." No one ever said,
"Don't be so aggressive." I was told to "run faster,"
"be<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor" style="box-sizing: inherit;">more</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>aggressive," "play
harder," "go after it." So I did. And it was the most natural
thing in the world.</span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These lessons translate into so many other
aspects of a woman’s life – and I think that fitness in general, even if it’s
not organized sports, can really help improve confidence and give ladies out
there swagger. Which is sexy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/14/amy-schumer-im-sorry-not-sorry_n_7276504.html" target="_blank">Amy Schumer’s ‘I’m Sorry’ Skewers A CultureThat Makes Women Apologize Constantly</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
So, I watched this video and I laughed. Another Amy Schumer video that
perfectly captures some of the ridiculous things us ladies do…before becoming completely
over the top. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But after I finished laughing, I started
thinking. Because a few weeks ago, I got angry at someone. They did something
to tick me off, yet at the end of the conversation I texted, “Sorry.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We’ve all done it. And we’ve probably all
been on the receiving end as well. A “sorry” text that clearly doesn’t actually
indicate remorse. Well this time, the person on the receiving end called me out
and told me not to apologize if I didn’t mean it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/23/opinion/when-an-apology-is-anything-but.html?" target="_blank">When An Apology Is Anything But</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">So why do we do it? Why are we constantly
saying “Sorry?” This article from the New York Times was SO intriguing to me
and brings up tons of interesting points. That “sorry” text that I sent – it was
actually the complete opposite. It was basically a text saying, “You did
something that annoyed me and by saying sorry, I’m really trying to prove that
I <b>shouldn’t</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> have to be
apologizing to you.” And we wonder why sometimes, the things we say aren’t
received and responded to in the way that we want.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://digg.com/video/marathon-runner-didnt-tell-anyone" target="_blank">The First Person To Run A Marathon WithoutTalking About It </a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let’s get a little less serious with this next link. I was <i>cracking up</i> at this video – which is
such a sassy satire on marathon runners. I am SO guilty of this. And I also
have zero intention of changing my ways next time I’m training for a marathon,
PS. NO SHAME.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/so-you-want-to-write-a-food-blog" target="_blank">So You Want to Write a Food Blog</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another hysterical satire – this time about food bloggers.
Gosh – runners and foodies – aren’t we just <b>the worst?</b> At least we can laugh at ourselves! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 15pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Quinoa is excellent for every
meal because its texture is a reminder that life can’t always be smooth or
digestible.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I LOVE that people have been sending me interesting articles that they
think would make for a good Sunday link – keep them coming! (Erin, Jess - yours
will be coming up one of these Sundays for sure, loved ‘em!) </span></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-77845186298362285512015-10-22T11:05:00.002-07:002015-10-25T13:57:41.390-07:00Iron Chef Forgione Welds Familiarity and Originality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To step into Iron Chef Marc Forgione’s namesake restaurant is to be immediately transported out of Tribeca and into a space reminiscent of a twenty-something’s Pinterest page, where rustic barn weddings are all the rage. A dining room as open as Marc Forgione’s is rare in a town where diners are forced to convince themselves that crammed is “quaint.” The spaciousness suggests that your bill will be helping pay the rent, but it’s worth it for the rustic-chic accents and possibility of brushing shoulders with a Tribeca denizen like Beyoncé or Taylor Swift. What also makes a trip to Marc Forgione’s worth the extra dough? Refined dishes with complex flavors and service that make you feel like a somebody, even if you’re not quite sure what to do when they present you with a finger bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6rXF3ypaC4/Vikk-7K_8AI/AAAAAAAAD_0/JogN8oWHE9Y/s1600/marc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6rXF3ypaC4/Vikk-7K_8AI/AAAAAAAAD_0/JogN8oWHE9Y/s320/marc1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First to be brought to the table were a pair of perfectly puffed potato rolls, butter-glazed and gleaming with a sprinkle of black sea salt on top. They’re best when cut open and smeared generously with the whipped chive butter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9sfs13lla3k/Vikk-yOidCI/AAAAAAAAD_4/6liwxeyvKAQ/s1600/marc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9sfs13lla3k/Vikk-yOidCI/AAAAAAAAD_4/6liwxeyvKAQ/s320/marc2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Complimentary bite-sized samples were small in size but big on flavor. Smoked halibut’s bold taste was toned-down nicely when sandwiched between two crisp slices of cucumber and warm everything bagel balls filled with vegetable cream cheese were topped with the perfect pop of salt and onion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite possessing what I consider a sufficiently sophisticated palette, I have yet to reconcile my taste buds with truffles. It was refreshing to see an upscale restaurant with a menu almost entirely void of these trendy fungi. Forgione doesn’t lean on this over-used ingredient to create enticing dishes full of flavor. Instead, he relies on his training in American, French, and Asian cuisines to craft an inspired </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">menu made up of basic but expertly employed ingredients.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Chili Lobster starter is fashioned after an Asian crab dish which Forgione takes to the next </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">level. Sweet lobster knuckles and a rich creamy claw sit atop a spicy chili broth with hints of both </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sriracha and soy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You’re left wishing there was more lobster to bathe in the broth, but luckily the thick slabs of Texas </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Toast are a perfect vehicle for sopping up the remaining soup.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yuqCTtTfLjI/Vikk-zIdgNI/AAAAAAAAEAM/PFnW25xFj30/s1600/marc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yuqCTtTfLjI/Vikk-zIdgNI/AAAAAAAAEAM/PFnW25xFj30/s320/marc3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A cornerstone entrée at Marc Forgione is the made-for-two Chicken Under a Brick. The whole Bell and Evan’s chicken is served deboned in a skillet sizzling with pan drippings and demanding to be Instagrammed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The chicken is moist with sufficiently crunchy skin and accompanied by Yukon potatoes cooked to crispy perfection. The spuds soak in savory pan drippings that are flavored with capers, butter, thyme and rosemary. The greasy goodness is healthified with some greens –broccoli rabe with a bitterness that’s nicely undercut by the surrounding flavors. Last but not least are the fried onions which add the extra oomph.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvippP8othE/Vikk_Vyx_0I/AAAAAAAAEAQ/ej2HkiHCiJE/s1600/marc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvippP8othE/Vikk_Vyx_0I/AAAAAAAAEAQ/ej2HkiHCiJE/s320/marc4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There’s something on the menu to appeal to every person in your party but limited enough to ensure it’s perfected. Starters range from Kampachi Tartare to Parmigiano Reggiano Agnolotti while entrees run the gamut from scallops with bone marrow croutons to a well-touted T-bone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Surrounded by exposed brick and well-worn décor, a meal at Marc Forgione feels special yet comfortable and encourages one to stay for a few extra minutes, finishing a cocktail and being treated to next-level services like a coat check for your leftovers. That’s right, when you’re here, you’re too special to have your table cluttered by a take away bag.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.marcforgione.com/" target="_blank">Marc Forgione</a> is located at 134 Duane Street and serves dinner from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday– Saturday with brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. followed by supper from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 212-941-9401.</span></div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-88319938418436855672015-10-13T13:25:00.001-07:002015-10-25T13:57:26.911-07:00What's Next on My Fitness Journey? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">During a cold, wintry long-run last February, my friend
Rebecca and I ran together for a few miles in Central Park. My foot was giving
me problems, we were dressed in 20 layers to stay warm, and we very quickly
fell into an easy conversation that helped distract us from the general
unpleasantness of an outdoor run in February. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p8pxrd5LE74/Vh1klGrrZFI/AAAAAAAAD-8/Edoch0pMF-0/s1600/reb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p8pxrd5LE74/Vh1klGrrZFI/AAAAAAAAD-8/Edoch0pMF-0/s320/reb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The topic of conversation? Food. I had found my culinary-counterpart. We bonded over our love of all things epicurean – and since then I’ve come to the conclusion that no one can make eating look as life-changing as Rebecca. Just look at her with this Pepe’s pizza. Is she not making you want to hop on Metro North for a slice </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">right now?</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5a2t-ObfY3w/Vh1klKDY0LI/AAAAAAAAD-4/tvKJfEl4hVA/s1600/reb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5a2t-ObfY3w/Vh1klKDY0LI/AAAAAAAAD-4/tvKJfEl4hVA/s320/reb2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uCKzbPKmpCE/Vh1klg2heoI/AAAAAAAAD_E/lk7SnVg42RY/s1600/reb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uCKzbPKmpCE/Vh1klg2heoI/AAAAAAAAD_E/lk7SnVg42RY/s320/reb4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(I don't make it look as believable) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anywho, since then, Rebecca and I have bonded over things
besides food – one of those being fitness! Like me, sometimes (lots of times)
Rebecca likes to lift heavy things. I love that she knows MUSCLES ARE SEXY. And
let me tell you, her gun show is the best in town.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently, we both started to do Kayla Itsine’s 12 week “Bikini
Body Guide.”<a href="http://peanutbutterismyboyfriend.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-running-update.html" target="_blank"> I’ve explained in previous posts</a> that originally, I thought this
program would be no big deal. I mean, it’s called the “Bikini Body Guide.” How
legit could it be? It sounded like just another trend that would over promise
and under deliver. But as I wasn’t able to run at the time, I figured I would
give it a shot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shit that shit was hard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Leg day? I would be sore for at least 2 or 3 days
afterwards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kayla Itsine’s guide isn’t anything revolutionary. She’s
taken a bunch of standard strength and cardio moves and put them into an easy
to follow plan – it’s short but high intensity. You WILL be dripping in sweat
by the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As someone who generally despises any and all jumping
exercises – this was especially challenging for me. If I never have to do
another jumping lunge in my life it would be too soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was loving Kayla’s BBG for a while. And then I started
running again. And suddenly the 3X a week commitment on top of trying to run 18
miles a week, swim and fit in yoga got to be overwhelming. I wasn’t looking
forward to the workouts anymore and while the leg and ab routines were awesome,
my arms weren’t feeling challenged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not usually one to quit things, especially fitness-based
things, I pretty un-guiltily just…stopped…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a solid 8 weeks of completing all the workouts, I had
had enough. I felt a little bummed. But I also felt excited to be running
again, and that off-set any “You’re a quitter” thoughts that I was having about
cutting Kayla’s BBG short. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week at November Project, I got really excited when
Rebecca arrived and I got to run with her for 2 miles. And again, we totally
bonded over the conversation topic of choice– Rebecca’s statement of, “I’m just kind of
confused on my fitness journey.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>DING DING DING! </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Exactly how I have been feeling! And since that run
together, I’ve been thinking about it even more. I’m feeling a little lost on
my fitness journey so I’m going to try to write it out to gain some clarity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I’m not training for
a marathon.</b> The fall marathon I
thought I was going to run as an attempt to BQ – that most definitely didn’t
happen. I've been a little sad lately watching everyone around me planning for and running
their long runs – especially when it’s so beautiful out! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do I want to run a spring marathon? I still can’t decide. I
trained for Pittsburgh over the long winter months last year and it was hard. I
know Peter will be an amazing source of support if I decide to do it again, but
I just don’t know if I have the motivation right now for 7 a.m. alarms when the
thermometer is in the teens. Then again – I want that BQ. The weather for
spring marathons is beautiful. What else am I going to do all winter? So – the jury
is still out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been slowly increasing my weekly mileage and so far
so good – except that it's still frustrating that I
feel like I'm having a fast, strong run - putting in a ton of effort and left
completely gassed after 4 miles - yet my pace is so. much. slower. than a few
months ago. I know I need to be patient, but I may or may not have cried on a
rock in Central Park after Saturday's run. I used to wake up and run the 6 mile
loop at a 7:50 pace pretty consistently while training for Pittsburgh.
Saturday, it took every ounce of energy to run 4 miles at 7:58. Grr. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I <b>do</b> have a few running-related goals to work towards, however.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I just signed up for the NYC Runs 10K on
Roosevelt Island on Halloween! I want to be excited, but I know the reality of
how much speed and endurance I’ve lost in the past 5 months is going to hit me
like a ton of bricks when I cross this finish line. At the 2014 Scotland Run
10K, I threw down a 45:23 – 7:19 pace. Yikes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I plan on running a new Turkey Trot this year –
a 5 miler near my home on Long Island. My official 5 miler PR is the Poland
Spring Marathon Kick Off which I ran monstrously hungover last fall – so we’ll
see if a 7:45 pace is something I can top.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">With our upcoming trip to Austin, Texas planned –
my 4</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> half marathon is on the calendar. The Decker Challenge is a
hilllllly course that I’m not expecting to PR, but hoping to feel OK running.
It will be my longest run since May’s Brooklyn Half Marathon if/when I cross
the finish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ted Corbitt 15K is the last NYRR points race of
the year – and since I’ve been unable to race as a member of November Project’s
team yet, I want to be out there running! It will be a PR no matter what, as it’s
a new distance for me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Last but not least on the calendar (for now) is
the Blue Point 10 Miler – which was an AMAZING race I ran last winter. This
year it will be even better since I will hopefully have friends to drink with
after. By then, who in the world knows what my pace will be like – but I don’t
anticipate it being easy to beat last year’s 8:13 pace. Time will tell!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Focusing on these shorter distance races will be different
for me and I’m hoping it eases me back into running/racing/going fast and then
if I decide I want to go far – we’ll see about that spring marathon. I have
another month or two to decide. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Strength Training </b>has
not being something I’ve been focusing on a lot – but I do really love it! I
love going to the gym and coming up with my own circuits focused on certain body
parts – waking up in the morning and knowing within a minute, “Oh yeah right, I
did triceps yesterday – definitely worked!” Marathon training makes it really
hard to spend a ton of time doing much besides running. And it makes it really
reallllly hard to spend any time at all focused on arms. I’ve come to accept
that I need to include one day a week of leg strength training to keep my hips
and glutes strong. But in the next few weeks I hope to incorporate some more
abs and arms as well, despite the fact that I’m not still following Kayla
Itsine’s guides. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If anyone has fun strength training ladders/HIIT/Tabata/etc.
that they’d like to share, please do! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Triathlons </b>are
something I’ve been super gung ho about for a few months now. I started saving,
I started researching bikes, I started bothering people with a million and one
questions (sorry everyone). I spent $80 on shoes for spin class that I have yet
to attach the cleats to. I started swimming once or twice a week. And now, I’m
signed up for swimming lessons once a week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And suddenly – I don’t know if I want to do a tri. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s not true. I know I want to do a tri. I think I would
like it. Maybe love it. That “Iron Man” challenge is definitely still in the
back of my crazy mind. But I just don’t know if right now is the time.
Triathloning (yes, it’s a word…) is <b>really
really expensive</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just booked a flight to Austin for a 6 day vacation and half
marathon and it’s probably going to end up costing me less than a bike would
cost me. Not to mention the $200 entry fees, a wet suit, and the tons of biking
things I’m sure I don’t even know about yet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, jury is also out on whether or not a tri is in my future
at the moment - but I do still plan on
stopping at a bike store to get myself fitted so that I can properly stalk
Craiglist for a used bike in my size. Doesn’t hurt to keep my eyes open! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And in the meantime, I’ve found that swimming is a nice new
challenge and I’m looking forward to finishing this 8 week course and keeping a
weekly swim in my fitness repertoire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Yoga</b> continues to bore me for the most part – but I <b>do</b> notice a huge difference when I go
twice a week as opposed to, you know, thinking my body will magically be fine
without zero stretching. So, I’ve been trying to be consistent with that! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unfortunately, writing all of that out didn’t give me any
real clarity on why I’m feeling kind of “meh” at the moment – why I can’t seem
to figure out what I want to put my energy towards. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But maybe the moral of this incredibly long
blog post isn’t, “Figure out what your next challenge is” or, “Figure out what
muscle you want to develop next!” Maybe the moral of it is that I’m going to
accept the fact that sometimes, we don’t know exactly where we’re headed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If
there’s nothing calling to me right now, maybe it’s because physically or
mentally I need to take a chill pill. Or maybe the lack of direction is making
room for something else to unexpectedly turn up – roller blading, that field
hockey league I’ve been wanting to join, trapeze school? I’m keeping an open
mind and not ruling anything out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some days it makes me a little antsy. Without
a calendar to tell me how many miles I need to run on Saturday morning, who am
I?! Answer: still Lauren. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And sometimes,
for a lot of fitness-loving ladies and lads – I think that’s harder for us to
believe than it should be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So listen up. I’m talking to you and I’m talking to myself:
If you’re ever feeling a little down because you feel “lazy” without a big
shiny goal – stop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stop scrolling through your Instagram and getting down on
yourself because you aren’t preparing to run a marathon. Stop scrolling through
your Instagram and getting down on yourself because you aren’t spiritually
moved by downward dog. Stop scrolling through your Instagram and getting down
on yourself because you didn’t do a WOD at the box this morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe you enjoyed a walk through the fall foliage. Or a jog.
Or a giant picnic. Maybe you dragged yourself to yoga because you know you
needed to stretch your calves. Maybe you hope to never use the term WOD in your
life. Maybe you slept in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> As long as we are
moving our bodies in ways that feel good and right for us in the moment, and
letting them rest when they want to rest, we shouldn’t feeling anything but
appreciation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appreciate that we’ve found ways to move and be active that
we genuinely enjoy. Appreciate that we’ve realized endorphins really are like
drugs. Appreciate that fitness is a great way to connect with your body – to know
when it wants to move and how it wants to move and when it wants to rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To know on the day that you’re signing up for a marathon
that you are ready to commit to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To know on a certain day that you can go that extra 100
meters in the pool. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To know on a certain day that you are definitely not going
to make it to that spin class you signed up for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To know on a certain day that the time has come to train for
your first tri. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To walk into the gym ready for a tricep workout only to get
there and see tthe TRX machine is empty and you feel like doing some back exercises instead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I loved that Rebecca referred to it as her <b>fitness journey</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No two people’s journeys are going to be the same. Some days
your journey is going to be awesomely downhill and wonderful and fun and some
days or weeks or months it’s going to be slow going. Then there are those forks
in the road where you’re not quite sure what’s coming up next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s allllll part of it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So instead of getting down, embrace
it and keep your eyes open for the moment when your next goal appears on the
horizon. And when it presents itself, you give that goal your all. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-17956515728889931982015-10-12T13:33:00.002-07:002015-10-25T13:56:35.911-07:00Six Sunday Links on Monday <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This Sunday was spent cheering on friends running the Staten Island Half Marathon and celebrating their 13.1 miles with beers in the sunshine at Flagship Brewery. I'd say my first visit to Staten Island was a success! And I am beyond happy that we're still getting a fair share of sunshine and warmth - it's amazing how much cheerier I am when the sun is out! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDM67TKSiZk/VhwYmbwUshI/AAAAAAAAD-g/teX7ZsH-zIo/s1600/si1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDM67TKSiZk/VhwYmbwUshI/AAAAAAAAD-g/teX7ZsH-zIo/s320/si1.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mc4_nmMJV88/VhwYmbvkf7I/AAAAAAAAD-Y/iNozFGy0a-8/s1600/si2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mc4_nmMJV88/VhwYmbvkf7I/AAAAAAAAD-Y/iNozFGy0a-8/s320/si2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was sad watching all the runners yesterday, and sitting around afterwards while everyone discussed their race and I couldn't contribute - but I'm happy to report that last week I ran 24 miles total! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfUYmyVoyHw/VhwYnQ4amtI/AAAAAAAAD-U/OuzqQSSacug/s1600/si6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfUYmyVoyHw/VhwYnQ4amtI/AAAAAAAAD-U/OuzqQSSacug/s320/si6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(I've been consistently going to Friday's NP workouts and we've had so pretty fabulous views!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Since Six Sunday Links didn't happen - now you get them on Monday! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tiphero/videos/10154254771298761/" target="_blank">Baked Apple Roses </a>- This is definitely something I want to whip up this fall. It looks so impressive, yet simple! Not to mention delicious. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Friday, I hosted a fall food themed potluck at my apartment and oh boy did I overeat! I couldn't help it, my friends are such talented chefs and everything was delicious. Kaitlin made a kale salad with chickpeas, butternut squash and a Tahini dressing. She even got fancy and massaged the kale. Kayla made maple walnut green beans and Rebecca cooked a delectable pumpkin mac and cheese! I made <a href="http://wholeandheavenlyoven.com/2015/01/19/sweet-potato-quinoa-chili/" target="_blank">sweet potato/black bean/quinoa chili</a> that was super easy and, I thought, super delicious! I will definitely be making this again one of these nights - the perfect thing to cook on Sunday and have all week long! I also added some of my new favorite ingredient to the chili - nutritional yeast! A little salty/cheesy boost! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uI9XfiVgK0c/VhwYnIjYoMI/AAAAAAAAD-c/_qHd2hSzE7k/s1600/si5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uI9XfiVgK0c/VhwYnIjYoMI/AAAAAAAAD-c/_qHd2hSzE7k/s320/si5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also served some goat cheese with apple slices and Pepperjack cheese, PUMPKIN TORTILLA CHIPS from Trader Joe's that are <i>phenomenal</i>, <a href="http://www.whatsgoodattraderjoes.com/2015/09/trader-joes-fall-harvest-salsa.html" target="_blank">Harvest Salsa </a>that's also pretty good, and guacamole! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqVdg45Vw18/VhwYnHOoM3I/AAAAAAAAD-I/XZQZbNbt9zU/s1600/si4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqVdg45Vw18/VhwYnHOoM3I/AAAAAAAAD-I/XZQZbNbt9zU/s320/si4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Steph created these beautiful caramel apple jello shots, Sam and Sara provided wine on wine on wine and dessert was Melissa's apple crisp (+ vanilla ice cream, drool) and Kayla's pumpkin brownies! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fall cooking is wonderful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2) <a href="http://snacktherapy.com/2015/09/14/confidence-with-an-asterisk/#comments" target="_blank">Confidence with an Asterisk</a> - This article made me feel the feels.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3) I don't remember where I found this exactly - but it's kind of genius! I've been struggling with my boots falling all over the place in my closet. Now, where do I purchase pool noodles in October? </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDvtXaAV0X4/VhwShb4_KoI/AAAAAAAAD9k/S_yXanGp_Ss/s1600/noodles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDvtXaAV0X4/VhwShb4_KoI/AAAAAAAAD9k/S_yXanGp_Ss/s320/noodles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4) <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/14-reasons-austin-is-the-weirdest-city-in-america_55785f64e4b0a774939d0cff" target="_blank">Keep Austin Weird </a> Monday of last week I realized I had 6 vacation days to use before December 31. I started Googling flights and thinking, "Hm, where can I go in December?" New Orleans, Charlotte, Arizona, and Denver were all considered until I landed on Austin - cheap flights, an awesome city, and warmer than New York in December. Plus, a half marathon on the dates I was looking to go! I messaged Melisa and Peter and by Friday night our flights and AirBnb were booked. I am so excited to explore this city! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5) <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/danieldalton/heart-emoji-fire-emoji-book-emoji#.qqnnVlj07D" target="_blank">35 Brilliant New Books</a> - I perused this list awhile ago and just finished reading one of the books on it <i>The Heart Goes Last</i>. It was...interesting. I didn't LOVE it, but I also couldn't put it down. </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A married couple trying to stay afloat in the midst of an economic and social collapse join The Positron Project – which guarantees them a home and a job for six months of the year. On alternating months, they must leave their home and function as inmates in the Positron prison system. Once their month of service in the prison is completed, they can return to home. At first, this doesn’t seem like too much of a sacrifice. But with each passing day, Positron looks less like a prayer answered and more like a chilling prophecy fulfilled."</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6) <a href="http://november-project.com/hunger/" target="_blank">Read this wonderful post</a> written by a wonderful human being who I am so proud to know! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KrClje4N14g/VhwZCKf9tII/AAAAAAAAD-k/b0gTvGgLfsk/s1600/si7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KrClje4N14g/VhwZCKf9tII/AAAAAAAAD-k/b0gTvGgLfsk/s320/si7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(This is my friend Liysa and she is BADASS)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*I met Lolo Jones last week.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nJeXAxbYbGM/VhwYmUlRoQI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/SD0lOsDHUQs/s1600/si3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nJeXAxbYbGM/VhwYmUlRoQI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/SD0lOsDHUQs/s320/si3.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-75761163762731792852015-10-07T12:46:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:56:19.882-07:00Happy Hockey Season! A Few Words.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The day has arrived...the 2015-16 NHL season officially kicks off tonight, 114 days after the Chicago Blackhawks won their 6th Stanley Cup on June 15 on home ice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLFaZN2a9U0/VhVrbKCCWpI/AAAAAAAAD68/FHIFGkaZYRk/s1600/coli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLFaZN2a9U0/VhVrbKCCWpI/AAAAAAAAD68/FHIFGkaZYRk/s320/coli.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An impressive feat, no doubt - but I would just like to remind everyone about the Islander's reign, winning 4 Stanley Cups in 4 back to back seasons. Sure - it was a couple, er, 15, years ago - but it is still impressive. And likely never to be accomplished again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What we </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">do know</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is that the Islanders will never win another Stanley Cup in the Nassau Veteran's Memorial Coliseum on Long Island - because tomorrow night they open their first season played at Barclay's Center in Brooklyn. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MeKd7GU92sU/VhVt6icL-7I/AAAAAAAAD74/87KB4cpZVhk/s1600/coli5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MeKd7GU92sU/VhVt6icL-7I/AAAAAAAAD74/87KB4cpZVhk/s320/coli5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a lot of feelings. <br /><br />Inevitably, when I tell people I'm an Islanders fan, they ask what I think about the move. The first thing that happens is my brain floods with memories from the coliseum. Sure it was slightly hideous, but it was home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fNITybTsC8/VhVt7kHMZaI/AAAAAAAAD8g/R2KMX7R4dCs/s1600/coli9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fNITybTsC8/VhVt7kHMZaI/AAAAAAAAD8g/R2KMX7R4dCs/s320/coli9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qi4AadAM4gM/VhVt7G12ZII/AAAAAAAAD8U/VZrslc9TXFE/s1600/coli7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qi4AadAM4gM/VhVt7G12ZII/AAAAAAAAD8U/VZrslc9TXFE/s320/coli7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(And the sunsets were beautiful!)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been going to Islanders games at the coliseum since before I can remember, but I still remember the first time I knowingly attended an Islanders game. My dad told me we were going to eat dinner with my mom at her work, so imagine my surprise when we walked inside the coliseum! My first response was, "But won't Mommy be sad we aren't eating dinner with her?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbw0-LCLIAQ/VhVvvPNe3mI/AAAAAAAAD84/uWa6jMGYYtM/s1600/coli16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbw0-LCLIAQ/VhVvvPNe3mI/AAAAAAAAD84/uWa6jMGYYtM/s320/coli16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were the games watched from suites that my dad got through work. You would think I would feel like a queen sitting up their in the catered cubes - but I always complained that no one up there cared about hockey. I wanted to be down in the bleachers, in the mix with <b>real</b> fans. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXSDp8x7YXE/VhVt5NQ2caI/AAAAAAAAD8s/-k-5cPd8Mn4/s1600/coli10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXSDp8x7YXE/VhVt5NQ2caI/AAAAAAAAD8s/-k-5cPd8Mn4/s320/coli10.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to be jumping up and down trying to catch a shirt blasted out into the crowd by the ice girls - even though I knew they were all XXXXLs that I would never wear. I wanted to be taking pictures with Sparky, and staring up mesmerized at the ceiling as the blimp floated around the rafters, dropping down gift cards to lucky fans. I wanted that moment when my face appeared on the jumbo tron, or they released streamers into the crowd after a playoff win. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHTS7AradKw/VhVt6IAeP3I/AAAAAAAAD8k/O0Ma_pwMCBc/s1600/coli3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHTS7AradKw/VhVt6IAeP3I/AAAAAAAAD8k/O0Ma_pwMCBc/s320/coli3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I got all of those things on memorable nights where I stayed up far past my bedtime - indulging on Dip n Dots and wondering what my dad found so appetizing about the damn peanuts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There was of course the raucous fans around me yelling things I wasn't allowed to repeat - instead we constantly told the Islanders to, "WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!"<br /><br />If there was anything I learned being a young Islanders fan in the 90s it was to remain loyal. As a 7 year old, there were nights I was convinced my personal presence in the coliseum was causing the Islanders to lose. Would I ever experience that joyous win? Surrounded by fellow passionate fans? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKQ8-xXVlSU/VhVrbJhR4OI/AAAAAAAAD7A/k14P8EJgBfs/s1600/coli2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKQ8-xXVlSU/VhVrbJhR4OI/AAAAAAAAD7A/k14P8EJgBfs/s320/coli2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Down 7-1 with 2 minutes left in the third period, I would beg my parents not to make me leave - I needed to stay with my team until that final buzzer...you simply never knew what was going to happen! Hockey was unpredictable, exciting, thrilling, fast and furious. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Countless games later and the place continued to feel more and more like home. I knew the chants, I knew the familiar sound of the organ. I knew that no matter where I was sitting, I'd likely be able to move down a bunch of rows and even if I couldn't, the view was great from everywhere. I knew the bathroom lines were going to be horrendous. I knew that if the team scored 3 goals I'd get free chili from Wendy's the next day. I knew <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/15/sports/hockey/15liisle.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">Goldie - the man who was <b>always</b> there</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYu6dAOCnF4/VhVt5UqctvI/AAAAAAAAD7k/ctROZdQqpQE/s1600/coli11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYu6dAOCnF4/VhVt5UqctvI/AAAAAAAAD7k/ctROZdQqpQE/s320/coli11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mainly, we were there for games, but I also attended American Idols Live concerts, Disney on Ice shows, maybe a Josh Groban concert...not to mention my 6 year old glee at watching an exhibition gymnastics show from the Gold Medal winning Atlanta Olympic team. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last season, each trip to the coliseum got a little harder as the end drew near. The night I got to work at the game collecting content for social media - up close and personal with the players and building -was a night I will certainly never forget. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r_PL0TUOIkE/VhVt5uVGDtI/AAAAAAAAD70/zezSxdulesY/s1600/coli14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r_PL0TUOIkE/VhVt5uVGDtI/AAAAAAAAD70/zezSxdulesY/s320/coli14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy00rCQKxIc/VhVt5EZjrOI/AAAAAAAAD7g/fAIDpaqoLpc/s1600/coli12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy00rCQKxIc/VhVt5EZjrOI/AAAAAAAAD7g/fAIDpaqoLpc/s320/coli12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll also never forget this epic pre-game, crammed in a hotel room with so many people who mean so much to me. The rain kept us from tailgating in the parking lot, but I'll hold those memories forever as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6PPipaQLtg/VhVt6EPFQuI/AAAAAAAAD8w/nSSzDfsiTUE/s1600/coli15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6PPipaQLtg/VhVt6EPFQuI/AAAAAAAAD8w/nSSzDfsiTUE/s320/coli15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7iApvaXGnCo/VhV1ZmzNcNI/AAAAAAAAD9I/d8ed44Gf4dk/s1600/coli17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7iApvaXGnCo/VhV1ZmzNcNI/AAAAAAAAD9I/d8ed44Gf4dk/s320/coli17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When the end of the season arrived, I didn't shed a tear as I expected that I would. Perhaps because I was satisfied with that final season at the coliseum. I had experienced another year of memories, the team had performed well, and I had gotten to say my goodbyes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Perhaps I won't shed that tear until reality sinks in tomorrow night and the puck drops on a difference sheet of ice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But, whenever someone brings up the Islanders moving to Barclays, the first thing I need to make clear is: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will miss the coliseum. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://narrative.ly/stories/when-the-long-island-coliseum-falls/" target="_blank">A lot of other people </a>have echoed this sentiment <a href="http://nypost.com/2015/08/05/nassau-coliseum-is-a-dump-but-its-our-dump-and-its-hard-to-say-good-bye/" target="_blank">more eloquently than me</a>, but I needed to add my personal take on it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<br /></div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-56918480457500743502015-10-04T06:00:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:56:06.018-07:00Six Sunday Links<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Here
we are already at another Six Sunday Links. Before you drag yourself out of bed for
laundry and grocery shopping and all the other chores you couldn’t bear to do
on a Saturday, check out these articles, videos and photos that entertained me
this week.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;">1) </span><span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; text-indent: -0.25in;">I am beyond obsessed
with these Amy Schumer videos – which point out major issues with women’s self
image/body issues/dieting/exercise etc. in a completely HYSTERICAL way. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=153&v=HGXnlFLC0Ck" target="_blank">I'm So Bad</a> "<span style="color: #222222;">“I ate a ball of mozzarella like it was a peach.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ4lhO0LBX8" target="_blank">Nutritionist </a>"I can tell by looking you're not the least you can be."<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzlvDV3mpZw&feature=kp" target="_blank">Compliments </a> "Little? I'm like a size 100 now. Anyway, I paid like $2 for it, it's probably made out of old Burger King crowns. I look like a whore locked out of her apartment."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> 2) <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/endurance/post/_/id/2860/comedian-kevin-hart-is-serious-about-running-and-brings-his-fans-along-with-him" target="_blank">I just read about comedian Kevin Hart and the surprise 5Ks</a> he is organizing across the country!
It’s really great to see a celebrity using his status to get people up and out!
I loved his quote: </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 9.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> “</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I have a platform where I can motivate
and inspire," Hart said. "What better way to do that than running?
Running is something that everybody can do, all over the world, regardless of
race, shape or size. It brings people closer together."</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Couldn’t
agree more, K. Hart! </span></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">3) I was SO BLOWN AWAY by
this article. </span><a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/50-ironmans-in-50-days-in-50-states" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">50 Ironman distance triathlons in 50 DAYS?!</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> If this doesn’t
become a book, I’m going to be SO disappointed.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">4) <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/dining/anthony-bourdain-market-pier-57.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Anthony Bourdain</a> is
planning to open a GIANT food market on <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/30/dining/anthony-bourdain-market-pier-57.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Pier 57</a> that dwarfs Chelsea Market. It
will be modeled after an Asian street market – meaning it will be open all
hours with tons of interesting stalls. Sometime it’s a little ridiculous the
number of food-focused spaces there are in NYC. Between Smorgasburg, Flea
Markets, Eataly, Chelsea Market, City Kitchen, Brookfield Place and outdoor spaces like
Madison Square Eats and Penn Plates – I think it takes away from the excitement
of them when you can now get an Arancini Rice Ball not just at Smorgasburg but
at about a million stalls around the city. But it doesn’t seem like a trend
that will be slowing down any time soon – so bring it Bourdain!</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;">5) </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">This movie trailer
really piqued my interest! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pCqItydBuw" target="_blank">Burnt</a></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">6) Last but not least, a
friend posted this photograph titled “Generational Differences” and it really
made me stop and think for a minute. Before returning to Instagram on my phone…No
but really. It’s a pretty strong image, especially after that <a href="ttp://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/sorority-sisters-cant-stop-taking-selfies-at-baseball-game-watch-2015210" target="_blank">“sorority girlsat the baseball game”</a> fiasco this week. </span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1SF3hjjwAI/VhAHIJh6XrI/AAAAAAAAD6c/KkZQuuEESC0/s1600/sunday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1SF3hjjwAI/VhAHIJh6XrI/AAAAAAAAD6c/KkZQuuEESC0/s320/sunday1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anything
you think I should check out, please share :)</span></span></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-5682469938931867022015-10-02T10:41:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:55:44.059-07:00Friday Funk <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Friday to y'all!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I should be smiling - lots of great things happened to me this week. But it's cold and rainy and there's a hurricane coming and for some reason I just feel super BLAH.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not sore. I don't have any "injuries" per say. I just have zero motivation or energy and everything feels achy - like I have the flu minus the cold symptoms. So I'm not really sure what's up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I do know that I failed at completing all 3 Kayla Itsine's workouts this week for the first time in 7 weeks. I did legs on Monday and Abs/Arms on Tuesday but Abs/Cardio? I did the first 7 minute circuit this morning and then I quit. Yep - complete honesty. I was feeling grumpy and lazy and achy and I laid down on the floor and I tapped out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm trying to give myself some grace. It's very unlike me to get started in a workout with a plan and then not to follow through. I'm trying to give myself the benefit of the doubt - listening to my body which is very clearly saying, "WE DON'T WANT TO DO THIS. We want to lay in bed and binge watch Orange is the New Black!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I get it body, message received. In a few short hours we will be home spending quality time with Piper and the crew.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So here are a few reasons why I should turn my frown upside down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) Tuesday's run felt pretty OK which is all I'm really asking for at this point. I let my brain get a little carried away, and somewhere around mile 2.5 I decided, "Ok, you're wrapping up 5 miles with a sub 8:00 pace." While that may have been totally do-able 4 months ago - it is certainly not realistic at the moment. And you know what? Instead of feeling really discouraged by the actual pace I finished at - I felt satisfied that I had pushed myself and gotten in a run at a solid effort - no phoning it in, no saying "I'm slow now so it doesn't matter." The past few weeks getting back into running, it's been really easy for me to settle for a slow, easy, casual run just because that feels comfortable. But Tuesday's run pushed me outside of my comfort zone which in turn gave me a much better mindset for the rest of the day.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_J6Dl7jHyo/Vg6_UPhSGAI/AAAAAAAAD5E/KdbH3Hmf4wg/s1600/pop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_J6Dl7jHyo/Vg6_UPhSGAI/AAAAAAAAD5E/KdbH3Hmf4wg/s320/pop2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2) Wednesday I challenged myself again - with the goal of swimming a total of 1 mile at the gym. Though it definitely wasn't continuous, I accomplished my goal!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3) I GOT A GOPRO and my Instagram game is going to go WAY up ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4) The running store won a Brooks contest and I get a free pair of sneakers. I'm excited to try out the Pure Flows! I know, I know - they're neutral and everyone in the world tells me I should be running in a stability shoe. But both sneakers I trained for Pittsburgh in were neutral sneakers and I made it through relatively pain and injury free - so I'm just going to keep on keepin' on that neutral flow. For now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5) Peter and I's Date Night this week was my first time seeing an IMAX movie in about a million years. I'm pretty sure the last time I went was in high school to see Harry Potter. We saw "The Walk" about Philippe Petit who walked a high wire that he illegally rigged across the Twin Towers. I thought the movie was really well done, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was great and now I MUST read the book ("To Reach The Clouds").</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6) I had a dream last night that I actually remembered when I woke up- which is very rare for me. In the dream, I was just doing Greek things on Paros Island (where I took a 3 week photography class back in 2011). It made waking up a little bit harder, but it was nice to take a few minutes to remember what an amazing opportunity it was to visit Greece. It was also a reason to spend some time flipping through the pictures in my (Facebook) albums and remind myself to make an ACTUAL physical photo album of my pictures. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qi1sLrRLd1U/Vg7AAjyZdzI/AAAAAAAAD5k/u3F0gNRCgWA/s1600/pop6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qi1sLrRLd1U/Vg7AAjyZdzI/AAAAAAAAD5k/u3F0gNRCgWA/s320/pop6.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GE2zDllz5mU/Vg7AA742zRI/AAAAAAAAD5s/W6nDs2O9McI/s1600/pop7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GE2zDllz5mU/Vg7AA742zRI/AAAAAAAAD5s/W6nDs2O9McI/s320/pop7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking of pictures - I used to be so so interested in photography, and I've been missing it. Taking my DSLR out is usually a pain in the butt but I DO still try to some ~artsy~ pictures with my iPhone. I liked these two that I took this week. They're kind of boring on their own - but as a little mini "pop of pink" series I like 'em.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAcTTBA3jEU/Vg6_UMc-2dI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/XMz3TY5rmLk/s1600/pop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAcTTBA3jEU/Vg6_UMc-2dI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/XMz3TY5rmLk/s320/pop1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7) Last week I discovered the joys of picking a salad theme and stickin' to it when I created an Asian-inspired salad. This week, I went for Greek (hmmm, wonder if that's why I had the dream about Paros?) It was pretty damn delicious if I do say so myself - I had it Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night - and still have ingredients to make one more salad tonight! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's what it had:<br />Peppers<br />Carrots<br />Sundried Tomatoes<br />Plum Tomatoes<br />Olives<br />Feta<br />Cucumber<br />Chick Peas<br />Sprouts<br />Spinach<br />Balsamic Vinegar for dressing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One day I'll figure out the proper leaf to topic ration but until then, I will continue to essentially eat bowls of salad toppings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzXCz2K5IJo/Vg7AAKMeO4I/AAAAAAAAD6I/hKDx4pw57lE/s1600/pop10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzXCz2K5IJo/Vg7AAKMeO4I/AAAAAAAAD6I/hKDx4pw57lE/s320/pop10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ean5PnhRIMk/Vg7ABUyELhI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/CZL35O3whqw/s1600/pop9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ean5PnhRIMk/Vg7ABUyELhI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/CZL35O3whqw/s320/pop9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8) Avocados exist and were 99 cents at the grocery store this week. I've been digging half an avo mashed with feta, chili flakes, sunflower seeds, sundried tomatoes, olive oil and sea salt! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Orb5P-wuXcs/Vg7AADHo3cI/AAAAAAAAD50/bxViKgvFp74/s1600/pop5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Orb5P-wuXcs/Vg7AADHo3cI/AAAAAAAAD50/bxViKgvFp74/s320/pop5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9) I got free coffee for National Coffee Day AND my box of Quest bars was delivered - although I've already eaten half of them... (did everyone see they have PUMPKIN PIE QUEST BARS for a limited time? I mightttt need to order a box!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIJR8u-oRBE/Vg7ABL-nZfI/AAAAAAAAD6E/c86AoaobIYs/s1600/pop8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIJR8u-oRBE/Vg7ABL-nZfI/AAAAAAAAD6E/c86AoaobIYs/s320/pop8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10) New snack alert! 2 new snacks this week. The first was an idea from <a href="http://init4thelongrun.com/2015/03/20/nut-butter-dates-aka-deconstructed-larabars/" target="_blank">Georgie at In It For the Long Run - nut butter dates! </a> I didn't make mine as pretty as fancy as hers - all I really did was dunk a date in peanut butter and call it a day - but it was delicious and sweet and satisfying after my run and before I had time to sit and eat a real breakfast! The other snack was this DIY Kale Chip bag - in theory it's great - open the bag, pour in the olive oil, bake, voila! In execution - the chips still came out a little soggy. But texture aside, I dressed them up with some sea salt and NUTRITIONAL YEAST (cheesy, mmm) and they were pretty bomb.com. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-on0cs9RHKb0/Vg7AAHm00FI/AAAAAAAAD54/8qAusS96bIM/s1600/pop4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-on0cs9RHKb0/Vg7AAHm00FI/AAAAAAAAD54/8qAusS96bIM/s320/pop4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJ-152RJRjo/Vg6_UPSNgNI/AAAAAAAAD5U/01gn8FuJzwQ/s1600/pop3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJ-152RJRjo/Vg6_UPSNgNI/AAAAAAAAD5U/01gn8FuJzwQ/s320/pop3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In other news, I'm really trying to make this blog more than just a running account of my life. <a href="http://peanutbutterismyboyfriend.blogspot.com/2015/09/are-you-that-girl.html" target="_blank">I really enjoyed writing Wednesday's post</a> and was happy with the feedback!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been brainstorming some other post ideas - but if anyone has any suggestions or anything they'd like to see on PB is my BF - please feel free to share your thoughts :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the meantime, here are some blogs that have been really inspiring me:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://arunnarounddlife.com/" target="_blank">arunnarounddlife</a><br /><a href="http://www.justtheelevatorpitch.com/" target="_blank">Just The Elevator Pitch </a><br /><a href="http://www.thereallife-rd.com/" target="_blank">The Real Life RD</a><br /><a href="http://init4thelongrun.com/" target="_blank">In It For the Long Run </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Any other favorite blogs I should check out? </span><br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-59223890770739246692015-10-02T06:00:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:53:47.472-07:00Small Talk <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m convinced I’m an <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukebailey/ambiverts-for-the-silver" target="_blank">ambivert</a> – but regardless of whether or
not I’m an introvert or an extrovert, one thing I know I am is <b>awkward</b> when it comes to small talk. Friends
tell me I’m not awkward, but a) that’s because we’re friends and I’m not
awkward around them and b) even if I’m somewhat successful in not coming off as awkward – I <b>feel</b> awkward when I’m forced into small
talk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently, I’ve been kind of sort of most definitely obsessed
with this blog called <a href="http://www.justtheelevatorpitch.com/" target="_blank">Just The Elevator Pitch</a>. You kind of sort of most
definitely NEED to check it out. You’ll be hooked and probably never have time
to come back and read my blog, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take because
Nicole’s blog is just that damn great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anywho – she came up with a genius way of figuring out, <a href="http://www.justtheelevatorpitch.com/2014/11/how-to-tell-if-youre-good-at-small-talk.html" target="_blank">“AmI Good At Small Talk?</a>” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Going into this exercise, I am fully expecting that answer
to be a big fat nope. How am I going to find out? Going through the Google
Trends page to see what the most searched topic of each of the past 30 days was.
And seeing if I know anything about it at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Facebook Privacy </b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Unfortunately, my newsfeed has been overrun with people under the false
assumption that anything they put on the internet is private. I truly question
the collective intelligence of our society when trends like this pop up. And I’m
shocked that across the country, “Channel 13 News” is discussing these “changes”
to Facebook’s privacy policy. Because where I’m from, I’m pretty sure that
channel 13 is PBS and all they’re showing is Arthur and Curious George. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Mars</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I know now that boys are not from Mars. And that Mars Bars are quite delicious.
I’ve also heard the news that there’s water on Mars.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Lunar Eclipse</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> As my dad texted me on Sunday night, telling me I HAD to look out my window and
look at the moon, I had a sudden moment of sadness when I realized if I got out
of bed and looked out my window – all I would see were buildings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">iPhone 6S </b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Why people think it’s fun to stand in absurd lines on the day new Apple
products are released I will never know – they do know there is such a thing as
pre-order right? Then again, I spent hours at the local Borders to get my hands
on Harry Potter Books the second the clock struck midnight. So who am I to
judge?</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Thursday Night Football</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> My football knowledge leaves much to be desired.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Autumnal Equinox</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> I<b> </b>don’t know what it means scientifically except that my favorite season is
over and it’s going to get cold out. And also that when engaging in small talk –
it’s best to avoid talking about the weather unless you want to seem seriously
inept.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Scream Queens</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I got nothin’. A Google search (ironic) informs me that it’s a movie – I’m not
a movie person. Which would be the <b>perfect</b>
small talk topic in many situations. Bummer.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Autumnal Equinox </b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> #1 Trending Search twice in a week? Still not something I’d bring up at a
party.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Emmys 2015</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /> I don’t go to the movies and I don’t have cable – so my ability to discuss
things in the world of popular culture is extremely limited.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Alabama Football</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I got nothin’.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Zoey 101 </b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Hey, I know what this is! No clue why it’s a trending topic though…not to
mention that if I were to bring this up in small talk in would almost certainly
result in awkwardness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Denver Broncos </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Can we just get hockey season started?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Republican Debate </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">We watched the first one as a fun family vacation activity, but the second one –
no thanks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Snapchat Update </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">YES! I could definitely sustain a conversation about the new Snapchat selfie
filters for a solid 5 minutes. I would also mention that I recently captured an
EPIC video for my Snapchat story which involved a biker SCREAMING at a cabby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>49ers </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Sheesh. Whatever happened to baseball being America’s favorite pastime?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>NFL Scores </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I’m done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> Mayweather</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> No.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> Serena Williams </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Serena Williams is a BEAST in the best, most badass way possible. So she lost.
She’s still epic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> 9/11 </b><br /> I think we all could have a conversation about where we were on September 11,
2001.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> NFL Scores</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Original.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> Stephen Colbert </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> An incredibly talented guy that I wish I watched more of. I had the chance to
attend a filming of Colbert Report a few years ago, and it was definitely an
awesome experience!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> Ohio State Football</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Yawn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> Venus Williams</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> If my sister beat me at tennis, I wouldn’t be a happy camper!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> Alabama Football</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Oy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> Serena Williams </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">See above – she’s epic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> Tom Brady </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Deflate Gate 2015? I didn’t follow it, but I’ve obviously heard about it. I don’t
live under a rock.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> Frontier Airlines</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I book travel for people at work, and this airline comes up in my searches
every once in a while. I have no idea why they are a trending search topic
though – which probably means I don’t skim the homepage of the New York Times
often enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b> Google logo History </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Every now and then I’ll take note of the Google logo on the homepage and take a
second to appreciate the creativity. Other days I’m like, really? That’s what
you’ve got?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>US Tennis Open </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">One day I want to buy a skort and go to the US Open. I went to tennis camp when
I was younger and my mom played in high school and wanted me to follow in her
footsteps. I wasn’t awful, except that field hockey was during the same season.
So, sorry Mom! But tennis is fun. And fancy. And I like when it gets some love.
(Get it, love?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Miley Cyrus </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">YES. Let’s chat about Miley, shall we?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I think the moral of the story is that if anyone tries to
bring up football during small talk – it’s going to be a very awkward
conversation. Same with any movies and likely television as well. Which,
apparently, is what everyone is the world is Googling in their free time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can discuss Miley, Snapchat filters and how annoying it is
when people post the Facebook Privacy status. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good thing my weekend plans involve my best friend’s
birthday, quality time with my sister and limited interaction with strangers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And maybe I should watch some football. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-51383301008869107052015-09-30T06:00:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:52:55.736-07:00Are You "That" Girl? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WMFxE5lWqZI/VgvzgmElW-I/AAAAAAAAD4s/-m1SLcB1l84/s1600/thatgril.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WMFxE5lWqZI/VgvzgmElW-I/AAAAAAAAD4s/-m1SLcB1l84/s640/thatgril.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She holds a fancy Starbucks drink in one hand while the
other masterfully flips through the pages of the latest book from the New York
Times bestseller list. “That” girl. A Michael Kors bag is perfectly perched in
the elegant space between her wrist and her elbow and her outfit looks like it
was thrown together effortlessly despite the fact that it could be featured in
the pages of Vogue. Her Essie manicured nails are perfect - not a chip to be seen. “That” girl. Straight from your Pinterest board.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How did she juggle her morning
coffee, her book, her purse and her metro card to step through the subway turnstiles
like she was walking down a runway? How does she only have one small purse to
get through the day, while I’ve felt like a bag lady since the second I moved to
Manhattan? Because she’s “that” girl. A different species from you entirely,
right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her hair is long and gleaming in the early morning sun and
she’s outfitted from head to toe in Nike gear. This season’s newest fashions,
of course. She looks like her morning miles in Central Park should be used in a
commercial. “That” girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She’s floating, and girls and
guys alike can’t help but follow her with their eyes as she makes the rolling
hills of Central Park look like an enjoyable amusement park ride instead of a pain
in the ass. “That” girl is who you will never, ever, manage to be – right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We’ve all seen these women, and chances are you’ve asked
yourself, “How do they do it? How do they make it seem so easy? So natural?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each and every morning I try to figure out how to somehow
read my book (very rarely is it a New York Times bestseller – more like something
I’ve pulled from the shelves of the New York Public Library), answer text
messages I’ve failed to respond to, and get my metro card out from its Vera
Bradley change purse. The change purse which resides in my backpack – not a
Michael Kors purse that sits perfectly in the crook of my arm. But what does
sit in the crook of my arm is a reusable bag filled with my food for the day –
since I definitely can’t afford $12 Chop’t salads and $10 fresh squeezed juices
every day. Adding a morning coffee into the mix? Heels? Impossible. I’m just not “that” girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When my alarm goes off for a run in the morning my hair
resembles a rat’s nest and I’m likely wearing Old Navy or some other running
apparel I’ve managed to get on clearance for less than $20. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But this morning during my run I had an interesting thought.
“That” girl ran by and I thought, “Does she know that she’s the object of envy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And you know what I realized? She probably has no idea. She
probably groaned when her alarm went off too. And maybe her Uncle Bob works for
Nike and gets all her pretty gear for free. And chances are her legs are
burning up those hills just like everyone else’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then my next thought was, “Oh my GOD. What if people
look at me and think <b>I’m </b>making it
seem so easy? Could I possibly be “that” girl in someone else’s eyes?” And
honestly – yes. Any one of us can be. Because we all have admirable strengths
and qualities and we all have days when we’re rockin’ it. Our outfit is on
point. We aren’t a bag lady for once. Weeks of yoga has made it possible to
make the commute in wedges instead of your Saucony’s. Weeks of hard work have
paid off and Harlem Hill is a little less torturous. In those moments, we can unknowingly
become “that” girl to someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If someone saw me running up Cat Hill this morning, chances
are they didn’t give me a second thought. But I was pushing the pace past Engineer’s Gate and my shorts were pretty cute – so maybe for a split second someone
compared themselves to me. Without knowing anything about me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That” girl that you see in the morning and use to put yourself
down and make yourself feel inferior – is probably doing the same exact thing.
And she’s probably no different than you. With good days and bad days –
confident days and days she isn’t feelin’ so hot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are there girls that walk around <b>knowing</b> they are the shit? Yes. But those aren’t girls you really
want to strive to be, are they? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead, take a little comfort in the fact that you <b>don’t</b> feel superior. You can’t
imagine someone looking at you and thinking that you’re one of the ones that have
your shit together. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We can’t imagine being “that” girl. But chances are that
whoever we look at and put on a pedestal – feels just as insecure at times as everyone
else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So yeah, <b>we’re all “that” girl. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">But seriously, there has to be a better way to juggle all my
shit in the morning... </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-12582830621784859822015-09-29T06:00:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:52:28.436-07:00A-Z Survey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I feel like I’m in 8<sup>th</sup>
grade filling out a survey about the last boy I kissed and what my last sent
text message says ("Mkay"). I guess the things we consider entertaining as 13 year olds
don’t really change that much – who is up for a game of MASH? I’m really
curious as to who I’m going to marry and whether or not I’ll live in a mansion,
apartment, shack or house! Took this survey from <a href="http://californiaendlesssummer.com/2015/09/28/current-life-questions-from-a-to-z/" target="_blank">Ms. Kaitlin</a>. Here we go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">A — Age: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">25.
Officially in my “mid-twenties.” I prefer being a “twenty-something.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">B – Biggest Fear: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Birds.
Nope – no traumatizing story. I just really, really, really hate birds. Pigeons
are definitely the worst, followed closely by seagulls. Something about them
sends panic through my body – I’ve screamed, cried and run, causing a general
scene, when confronted with pigeons in the city. The sound of their wings makes
me want to puke. My biggest fear is that one is going to fly into me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">C – Current Time: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8:30 a.m. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">D – Drink You Had Last: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
currently drinking tea because I need to hydrate but I’m always freezing ! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">E – Easiest Person To Talk To: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
sister. Anything I would write in a diary, I know I could also say to my
sister. Which is so ironic, considering she’s the person I tried my hardest to
hide my password journal from back in middle school. If you had told me when we
were younger that we would one day be best friends, we both probably would have
cracked up. Actually, I’m almost positive that our parents, grandparents, aunts
and uncles told us exactly that as we were growing up – and we certainly didn’t
buy it. But without a doubt, my sister is my best friend. </span><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #743399; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8--Wr2Q2-Zo/VgmKojWtEQI/AAAAAAAAD14/0XCfC3INDxU/s1600/az.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8--Wr2Q2-Zo/VgmKojWtEQI/AAAAAAAAD14/0XCfC3INDxU/s320/az.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">F – Favorite Song:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Oh
damn. Choosing a favorite anything is hard for me, but a favorite song is
nearly impossible. It’s so dependent on my mood! Not to mention my taste in
music is allllll over the place. One song that I could listen to on repeat for
hours is Fire and Rain by James Taylor. Another is On My Own from Les
Miserables. I’ve also been known to listen to a LOT of Ke$ha. Recently, I’ve
been listening to a lot of folksy stuff. But favorite at the moment let’s go
with Missy Higgins, <b>any </b>song.
Seriously need to see her in concert, ASAP. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">G – Grossest Memory: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
first thought was a recent weekend at a NYRR race when I went to use a
portapotty and…really wished I hadn’t. Let’s just say I found a way to hold it.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">H – Hometown: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Small
town Long Island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epJ1jyjXgrc/VgmLPBo6euI/AAAAAAAAD2A/-DM9Tq5GZPQ/s1600/az1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epJ1jyjXgrc/VgmLPBo6euI/AAAAAAAAD2A/-DM9Tq5GZPQ/s320/az1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Also home to the most incredible sunsets)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">I – In Love With:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> So
many things! And I’m so lucky that my life is so full of things and people that
I love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1IgA3F_4slA/VgmL9uDyHWI/AAAAAAAAD2I/YNYlJItg2us/s1600/az3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1IgA3F_4slA/VgmL9uDyHWI/AAAAAAAAD2I/YNYlJItg2us/s320/az3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Definitely love all these things! Except rain. I do not love rain.)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">J – Jealous Of:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
try not to be a jealous person, but it’s a natural reaction sometimes. I guess
I would say I’m jealous of people who are super fulfilled by what they’re doing
– whether it be their careers, their side projects, their volunteer efforts,
etc. There’s a lot that I want to accomplish one day – and sometimes I feel
like I’m in a constant state of, “One day I’ll do this…One day I’ll do that.”
Sometimes it feels like I’m waiting for there to magically be more time for me
to do all the things I want to do – despite knowing that the only way it’s going
to happen is if I <b>make</b> the time. I
also know that all those people who seem completely fulfilled and accompli</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">shed
have things that they are putting on hold too. I guess the important thing is
that I at least <b>have</b></span> goals
and aspirations, right? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">K – Kindest Person You Know: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
lucky to know so many incredibly kind and generous people that I don’t think I
can name just one. Cop out answer, but whatever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">L – Longest Relationship: </span></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Peanut Butter and I have been very serious for a
very long time. </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #743399; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">M – Middle Name: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Michelle
– which is also my “last name” on Facebook, so sometimes people think it’s really
my last name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">N – Number of Siblings: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 younger
sister – see above – best friend, drop dead gorgeous and legitimately the
funniest/strangest person that you’ll ever meet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSCQy3z4GSU/VgmMe5_PtLI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/W4XfpBuWNko/s1600/az4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSCQy3z4GSU/VgmMe5_PtLI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/W4XfpBuWNko/s320/az4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Totally normal)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
</span><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">O – One Wish: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">More hours in the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">P – Person You Spoke To On The
Phone Last:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> My dad – he gives me all the important information like, “Tonight
is a full moon and super moon and blood moon and a lunar eclipse.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26wPwqSU_YU/VgmN7xoKLrI/AAAAAAAAD2o/bjnp9wre7Ys/s1600/az7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26wPwqSU_YU/VgmN7xoKLrI/AAAAAAAAD2o/bjnp9wre7Ys/s320/az7.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(He's a pretty funny guy, fabulous chef, and knows SO MANY THINGS)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Q – Question You’re Always
Asked: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Usually it’s about my job – “Oh my God do you LOVE IT?!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">R – Reason To Smile: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Monkeys.
Just look at a picture of a cute monkey. I bet you smile. Another reason to
smile is how #blessed I am in so many ways. Everyone complains , but I’m so
lucky that if I really stop and think, my life is pretty damn great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HxzD1CzGZOk/VgmNEeQWBNI/AAAAAAAAD2g/JOE-Onl3EOM/s1600/az6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HxzD1CzGZOk/VgmNEeQWBNI/AAAAAAAAD2g/JOE-Onl3EOM/s320/az6.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">S – Song You Last Sang: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Probably
the theme song to Orange Is The New Black since I CANT STOP WATCHING. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">T – Time You Woke Up: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6:15
a.m. for some Kayla Itsines leg day – ouch!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">U – Underwear Color: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blue
with some sort of pattern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">V – Vacation Destination: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
REALLY want to go hiking out west!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">W – Worst Habit: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Biting
my lips, probably. I also have a tendency to get really worked up and
passionate about things and not even realize that I’m being
sassy/controlling/obnoxious/argumentative. I’m trying to work on that one…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">X – X-Rays You’ve Had: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Teeth,
shin, foot/ankle <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Y – Your Favorite Food:</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Don’t
make me pick – I love all food! Except licorice and truffles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGYXz2RLYLA/VgmOOeCJenI/AAAAAAAAD2w/Dv-9Fq8r6yc/s1600/az2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGYXz2RLYLA/VgmOOeCJenI/AAAAAAAAD2w/Dv-9Fq8r6yc/s320/az2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(But guac is definitely up there on the list!)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Z — Zodiac Sign: </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Taurus.
I don’t consider myself particularly stubborn but, people close to me may
disagree? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Pick one (or a few) and share
your answers!</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-47721549176438112652015-09-28T12:30:00.001-07:002015-10-25T13:52:11.617-07:00Weekly Mileage 22!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's do a recap of last week shall we? It's not a novel for once - things are settling into more of a routine and I can't say I mind!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Monday - Kayla Itsine's leg day and closing shift at the running store. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Tuesday - Kayla Itsine's arm and ab day, a few extra arm exercises and a little night time yoga session. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday - Double session at November Project for a total of 6.5 miles! Beautiful sunrise and RING POPS to celebrate the wonderful <a href="http://www.aliontherunblog.com/" target="_blank">Ali on The Run</a>'s last workout as a Feyonce! Another closing shift at the running store. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NnhiVXSfKfA/VgmTzy0dvFI/AAAAAAAAD3I/LQOtH_cUhCg/s1600/re1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NnhiVXSfKfA/VgmTzy0dvFI/AAAAAAAAD3I/LQOtH_cUhCg/s320/re1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--YcsLX0W5eQ/VgmTzumXKBI/AAAAAAAAD3E/tU1dt7wDEGg/s1600/re2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--YcsLX0W5eQ/VgmTzumXKBI/AAAAAAAAD3E/tU1dt7wDEGg/s320/re2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thursday - Kayla Itsine's abs and cardio + 75 lengths of the pool after work! My most substantial swim yet! And then - Avenue Q for Peter's birthday! I think seeing it now was even better than the first time, when I was still in high school. So funny, and such a great concept with the puppets. On my way to getting Peter hooked on Broadway...hopefully! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7lg_Rjoe38/VgmTzugDwmI/AAAAAAAAD3M/zff4LE-mWek/s1600/re3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7lg_Rjoe38/VgmTzugDwmI/AAAAAAAAD3M/zff4LE-mWek/s320/re3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Worst part of seeing a show? Dealing with this place.)</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Friday - We woke up bright and early for the 7 mile run to Brooklyn Bridge Park! The sunrise and view were unbeatable and I spent the hour taking pictures instead of working out. So damn pretty! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XQTIs83tqA/VgmT0hgMS9I/AAAAAAAAD4A/hye5i0Ual0o/s1600/re5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XQTIs83tqA/VgmT0hgMS9I/AAAAAAAAD4A/hye5i0Ual0o/s320/re5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AKnrrsxzGTc/VgmT0adHTWI/AAAAAAAAD3k/D57by2kjWxU/s1600/re4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AKnrrsxzGTc/VgmT0adHTWI/AAAAAAAAD3k/D57by2kjWxU/s320/re4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saturday - I ran 5 miles total - to the running store and back - for a really interesting/exciting staff meeting in between. New York Running Company + JackRabbit Sports plus <b>all </b>Running Company's across the country are now "<a href="https://www.jackrabbit.com/" target="_blank">JackRabbit</a>." A new and improved website is just the start of the exciting changes to come. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I got home I showered and made a smoothie and avocado toast. The avocado toast came out pretty damn delicious if I do say so myself! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WDw8lxjG4Fw/VgmT1UzXHkI/AAAAAAAAD38/mJqfr4Cn3RI/s1600/re8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WDw8lxjG4Fw/VgmT1UzXHkI/AAAAAAAAD38/mJqfr4Cn3RI/s320/re8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{Avocado + Olive Oil + Sea Salt + Chili Pepper + Sunflower Seeds}</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next 8+ hours were spent waiting in line for Global Citizen's Festival, waiting in line for the bathroom at Global Citizen's Festival, and finally, falling in love with Beyonce. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TkH1s5XEff4/VgmT0ozLMBI/AAAAAAAAD3w/tqlOkkKPA1g/s1600/re6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TkH1s5XEff4/VgmT0ozLMBI/AAAAAAAAD3w/tqlOkkKPA1g/s320/re6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFW-oFCy-HM/VgmT1C4IF-I/AAAAAAAAD30/s-S5aLDzsdQ/s1600/re7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFW-oFCy-HM/VgmT1C4IF-I/AAAAAAAAD30/s-S5aLDzsdQ/s320/re7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(AND MICHELLE OBAMA!)</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunday I went to Lululemon yoga and slept through the swim I had planned. Oh well! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Later in the day Peter and I got some a pumpkin beer to celebrate fall and the one year anniversary of the day we met - aww! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In total last week I ran 22 miles! My legs are feeling pretty tired though - so I think I'll dial it back a little bit this week before trying to go for a weekly total of 25. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Monday! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-4924276661322378682015-09-27T05:40:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:50:47.835-07:00Six Sunday Links<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">It’s
Sunday morning, which means you’re probably scrolling through your Instagram
feed, drooling at #brunch pictures and trying to figure out if you’re craving
avocado toast, pancakes, huevos rancheros or all of the above.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Or
maybe you’re a normal person who just woke up and sat down to a normal homemade
breakfast – nothing wrong with a bowl of Cheerios to start your Sunday
(although if you don’t at least slice up some banana with it, I can’t approve).</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Either
way, here are some Sunday links for you to peruse.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">1)
“<a href="http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/opinion/sunday/the-summer-that-never-was.html?referrer&_r=0" target="_blank">The Summer That Never Was</a>”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
The last thing I was is for the temperatures to drop and the mornings to be
darker. But Pumpkin Spice Lattes have arrived (along with the new
<a href="http://www.grubstreet.com/2015/09/starbucks-milk-bar-cereal-milk-knockoff.html" target="_blank">Toasted-Graham Latte</a>)
and the first day of fall has official come and gone so I guess it’s time to
say so long to summer. Sure, there are things that didn’t get done – a ride on
my boat, a Broadway in Bryant Park concert – but this summer was certainly a
wonderful one and now it’s time to plan some new adventures. One part of this
article really spoke to me – since I’m hoping to make my way out west some day
soon!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">“</span><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-size: 10pt;">God, how I long to
go out West again someday — to drive some blue highway in Nevada or Utah until
there’s absolutely nothing around me, then stop the car, in the middle of the
road, maybe, and get out and just stand there, where I can see the horizon in
every direction, and smell the air and feel the sun and listen to the silence
of the desert. I have this idea that if I could do this, time might hold still
for a second, and I would know, for just a moment, what it feels like to be
here.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 12.6667px;">"</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 12.6667px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">2) “<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-snacks-kids-obesity-20150529-story.html" target="_blank">No,your kid may not have a snack</a>” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Sound
harsh? This was an extremely interesting article from the Chicago Tribune about
the culture of snacking in today’s society among children – I remember having
snack time in school (we made popcorn and played Nok-Hockey and had weddings
for our Beanie Babies)– but now, kids are snacking up to 4 times a day!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><br />3) “<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenn-hand/before-and-after-photo_b_8077634.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living" target="_blank">The Myth of the Before-And-After Photo</a>” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">We’ve
all seen them on Instagram – amazing body transformations all thanks to hard
work and healthy habits. On good days, these pictures motivate and inspire us.
One bad days, they can make us feel discouraged and defeated. I liked this
articles take on before and after photos. Maybe you will too.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">And
now, some videos!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">4)
“<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMwxXniwpzo" target="_blank">Workout Wednesdays</a>” with Zach Anner</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">
This guys is funny as hell and also super inspirational. He creates these
“Workout Wednesday” Youtube videos despite living with Cerebal Palsy. Each
one has a message of positivity!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">5) "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/toddler-plays-peek-a-boo-with-gorilla-internet-goes-ape_55e44f45e4b0aec9f353bac8?utm_hp_ref=weird-news" target="_blank">Toddler Players Peek A Boo with Gorilla – Internet Goes Ape </a>"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">
WHY CANT THIS BE ME!? Ask Peter. I literally sat for like 20 minutes at the
Bronx Zoo trying to get the gorillas to NOTICE MEEEEE!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">At
least I’ll always have the special kiss between Mindy and I in St. Louis…</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MkwVx4j80zk/Vga6DbPpk1I/AAAAAAAAD1U/-rjz8pBqz-8/s1600/mindy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MkwVx4j80zk/Vga6DbPpk1I/AAAAAAAAD1U/-rjz8pBqz-8/s320/mindy1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkT4sgnlenI/Vga6erReIrI/AAAAAAAAD1c/Mgbw21XJeDg/s1600/mindy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkT4sgnlenI/Vga6erReIrI/AAAAAAAAD1c/Mgbw21XJeDg/s320/mindy2.jpg" width="178" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gek5_uVbtXg/Vga6fYFiMmI/AAAAAAAAD1k/FUMjSc5M9bE/s1600/mindy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gek5_uVbtXg/Vga6fYFiMmI/AAAAAAAAD1k/FUMjSc5M9bE/s320/mindy3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">6.) <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/WN/PersonOfWeek/story?id=4003180&page=1" target="_blank">Helping the Homeless Back on their Feet – and Running </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Let’s end with a feel good story… I think this is amazing,
and I’m definitely looking into volunteer opportunities! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Enjoy your Sunday!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-55203801216812086202015-09-25T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:49:40.615-07:00Five Friday Faves <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Time to be super girly for a sec and talk about some of my favorite products - because I recently got 3 Essie nail polishes at a street fair for $10 and it made my day! Normally, I'm not very picky when it comes to beauty products - makeup, moisturizer, nail polish - I'll buy whatever is on sale. But there ARE some exceptions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are my girly Friday Faves:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) <a href="http://www.olay.com/en-us" target="_blank">Oil of Olay Moisturizer</a> - I'm pretty sure I love this stuff just because it's what I grew up using since it's my mom's favorite. But, mother's know best, right? They have a bunch of different products and creams - and I'm not exactly picky - active hydrating, complete all day moisture, classic moisturizing - potato potato. I always try to use a base coat before applying makeup! And I also use a dab of it on a tissue to remove eye make up! Probably terribly since you aren't supposed to rub abrasive tissues all over your eyes - but it works like a charm ;) (Approximately ~$10)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2AgyKSyXD0/VgL_JabXosI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/Jiz7ASViuMU/s1600/fave1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2AgyKSyXD0/VgL_JabXosI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/Jiz7ASViuMU/s1600/fave1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2) </span><a href="https://www.miracleskintransformer.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">Miracle Skin Transformer</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - My grandma picked his up for me and Costco once, and I've used it probably every day since. It's FABULOUS! It's like the most incredible BB cream ever. If I'm feeling lazy, that's all I'll put on as my "makeup" in the morning - moisturizer, SPF and cover-up all in one! Apparently it's even been featured on Dr. Oz. Go figure - my Nanny is a genius like that! (~$48 on their website for a 1.5 oz tube but ~$28 on Amazon - and hey sell it at Costco at a discount too!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o9apC9VTT6Y/VgL_KeRFiRI/AAAAAAAAD0w/F_-UcH83FnA/s1600/fave5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o9apC9VTT6Y/VgL_KeRFiRI/AAAAAAAAD0w/F_-UcH83FnA/s320/fave5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3) <a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/eyes/eyeliner/waterproof_eyeliner_pen" target="_blank">e.l.f. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen </a>- I have always been absolutely terrified of liquid eyeliner, but when I accidentally picked this pen up without realizing that it wasn't your typical eyeliner pencil, I fell in love. It's superrrr pointed so it's really easy to put on and looks so much better, darker and smoother than a pencil. It doesn't last very long, but e.l.f. is SUPER cheap - $2! Did you know it stands for eyes, lips, face? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MK7uU_JP0Xk/VgL_JQtKaBI/AAAAAAAAD0k/Gb2VdRvXzf8/s1600/fave2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MK7uU_JP0Xk/VgL_JQtKaBI/AAAAAAAAD0k/Gb2VdRvXzf8/s1600/fave2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4) <a href="http://www.essie.com/?gclid=CNjkmJ_yjcgCFcEXHwodG9MPcw" target="_blank">Essie Nail Polish</a> - Yes, the price can be steep (~$8.50) - but the quality and the way it goes on is just SO MUCH BETTER than a $2 drugstore polish. Plus, they have so many wonderful colors AND if you invest in Essie - they usually have tons of it at nail salons. That means when you get a mani, you can pick an Essie color you own so that when you inevitably mess it up on the way home, you can easily touch it up ;) If you leave in NYC, there's usually a cosmetics booth at every street fair that offers Essie polish for $4 (or 3 for $10!) I currently have "take it outside" on and I'm loving it - the perfect neutral for fall. It's a little gray, a little lavender and a little beige. But my all time favorite is "bikini so teeny"!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2UyY6uDx2s/VgL_J9KOkaI/AAAAAAAAD0s/yzH_KsJookY/s1600/fave4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2UyY6uDx2s/VgL_J9KOkaI/AAAAAAAAD0s/yzH_KsJookY/s320/fave4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5) <a href="http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/shop-by-line/satsuma.aspx#/satsuma.aspx" target="_blank">Body Shop Satsuma Body Lotion</a> - Growing up, I had a strange obsession with the scent emanating from Body Shops at suburban malls. Literally - every time I passed one, I just wanted to stand there smelling it forever. At some point, I dragged my mom in and demanded to know "WHAT IS THAT SMELL?!" Turns out it's their "Satsuma" scent. I love it to this day. (Price of the Satsuma collection varies depending on the product, but the body lotion is ~$13! And free shipping!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lekZ831d2eo/VgL_JYU2dPI/AAAAAAAAD00/p7Wy_l3zV_w/s1600/fave3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lekZ831d2eo/VgL_JYU2dPI/AAAAAAAAD00/p7Wy_l3zV_w/s1600/fave3.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-51634029586191379712015-09-24T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:49:26.810-07:00Resetting for Fall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All I want for Christmas is to not feel so damn unhealthy! Ever since I left for my work trip at the end of May - it's been a whole lot of false starts getting back on the healthy train. Which was fine for making the most of summer. But for the next 95 days (that's how soon Christmas is, crazy huh?) I'm attempting to chillll on the all you can eat dinners, fancy and indulgent restaurants (unless they're healthy...) and beer guzzling nights. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcgMHYgbRkk/VgGMlDCmqQI/AAAAAAAADzI/PeGUjJmIBjc/s1600/reset1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcgMHYgbRkk/VgGMlDCmqQI/AAAAAAAADzI/PeGUjJmIBjc/s320/reset1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Normal for the past few months)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-nCVIYb-MY/VgGMlqs7AeI/AAAAAAAADzM/M4-7r-Y9IAk/s1600/reset2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-nCVIYb-MY/VgGMlqs7AeI/AAAAAAAADzM/M4-7r-Y9IAk/s320/reset2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Oops)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I may be sad to say goodbye to summer, but with the fall season I'm welcoming weekends spent running and immediately snuggling back into bed. Weekdays where an outdoor happy hour isn't tempting me after work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some things I really want to focus on are drinking more water! And cutting out fake sugar - I am addicted to aspartame and I know it's SO BAD. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">MORE VEGGIES! Yes I eat a ton of carrots and avocados, but I need to be better about broccoli and string beans and spinach and all that good stuff. I'm a fruit girl. And eating a lot of fruit is fine, but it's a ton of sugar. And it's not that I don't <b>like</b> vegetables, so I should definitely make the fruit to veggie ratio a little more even. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Less alcohol. Sadly, it needs to be done. And no, "I'll just have a few glasses of wine." No, I need to learn to go out and confidently hold my glass of water with lemon, still having a great time. Or, you know, more Netflix dates. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stop eating so late at night! I have a really bad habit of eating dinner around 8:30 every night, sometimes as late as 10 if I wait until the end of a shift at the running store to eat dinner. No more! It always leaves me super hungry in the morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I sit here at my desk snacking on dry Special K cereal - I know this is the BIGGEST habit I need to break. Not as much snacking! And NO BUYING CEREAL AND GRANOLA! It is way too easy for me to not even realize I'm eating an entire box of it in 2 days when it's sitting at my desk. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So to kick things off this week- </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Breakfast was some Chobani yogurt with pecans, half a banana and chia seeds to keep me full longer! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ljllAGLtsjs/VgGclYUTrYI/AAAAAAAADzw/8b4DMUm5vMs/s1600/reset3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ljllAGLtsjs/VgGclYUTrYI/AAAAAAAADzw/8b4DMUm5vMs/s320/reset3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I may have also snacked on some Special K - once the box is gone I'll be better, promise ;)</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lunch was a Juice Press protein shake. The. best. flavor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqMgogaE8DI/VgGclpt1t_I/AAAAAAAADz4/5KL_lXSDneI/s1600/reset4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eqMgogaE8DI/VgGclpt1t_I/AAAAAAAADz4/5KL_lXSDneI/s320/reset4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pre-running store snack was a huge, juicy Gala apple and<a href="http://www.advocare.com/products/active/A7093.aspx" target="_blank"> Spark</a>! There were a bunch of free samples of Spark in our work pantry one day and I actually love it - I actually notice that I have more energy after drinking it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For dinner I made myself a delicious salad FULL of greens. My problem with salads is they usually end up a total mish mash of random ingredients. I guess that's not really a </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">problem</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> but Sunday night at the grocery store I tried to pick a theme for my salad - Asian! Mmmm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spinach<br />Broccoli<br />Snow Peas steamed with <a href="http://bragg.com/products/bragg-liquid-aminos-soy-alternative.html" target="_blank">Bragg's Liquid Aminos</a> and Chili Flakes<br />Avocado<br />BABY CORN<br />Cashews<br /><a href="http://www.annies.com/products/dressings/lite-gingerly-vinaigrette-8oz" target="_blank">Annie's Lite Gingerly Vinaigrette </a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VeNsKrCTA68/VgGclbH2kWI/AAAAAAAADz0/If_1QDvZZEA/s1600/reset5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VeNsKrCTA68/VgGclbH2kWI/AAAAAAAADz0/If_1QDvZZEA/s320/reset5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It turned out so good! And there's definitely something to be said for not just tossing a ton of random crap in with your spinach. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I got home at 10:30 I knew I should eat, but I was HUNGRY. So instead of grabbing chocolate, which is what I really wanted, a made a bowl with frozen banana slices, a scoop of peanut butter, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It totally hit the spot and got rid of any dessert cravings, plus filled me up! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtiFH_ntQ_s/VgGcmO__qwI/AAAAAAAADz8/uDhAbj9PUl0/s1600/reset6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtiFH_ntQ_s/VgGcmO__qwI/AAAAAAAADz8/uDhAbj9PUl0/s320/reset6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, I also finally checked out Vitacost - a website so many fitness and health bloggers I follow use to buy their healthy kitchen staples. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Living in Manhattan, I was definitely pleasantly surprised by the prices! For sure cheaper than Fairway, Whole Foods, Morton Williams, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's what I ordered: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) QuestBars - Double Chocolate Chunk<br />These are my favorite. I eat them as dessert or breakfast - heated up in the toaster oven. I've been eating them for about 3 years, but recently they've becoming SUPER popular - 7 Eleven even sells them now if you want to try all the different flavors instead of ordering a box of just one kind - but you do save money buying them in bulk! They're full of protein, low on carbs and sugar, under 200 calories, and delicious. They totally fulfill my sweets cravings without making me feel guilty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2) Bragg Premium Nutritional Yeast Seasoning<br />I've been meaning to pick up a container of this for awhile now - ever since Rebecca used it in delicious spinach dip and Kayla used it to season roasted cauliflower! It makes things taste super cheesy - without using cheese! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3) Vitacost Peanut Butter SLIM<br />This is essentially a generic brand of PB2 powdered peanut butter, which I used to use CONSTANTLY and have been meaning to restock in my cabinets. I mainly add it to my oatmeal or smoothies instead of spoonfuls of actual peanut butter because it's literally half of the calories and still tastes great. We'll see if this brand is a good substitute for PB2! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4) Let's Do Organic COconut FInely Shredded Flakes (Unsweetened)<br />I used to hate coconut, but now, it's nice to add some shredded coconut to my oatmeal, chia seed pudding, yogurt and smoothies! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5) Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pads<br />I've been hitting the gym a lot during my lunch breaks to do my Kayla Itsines circuits (yay, 30 minutes and done!) - and don't always have a chance for a full on shower afterwards, usually just a rinse. I don't want that to translate into awful breakouts - so I thought I would give these a try - seems easy enough to toss the container in my backpack and use them to wash off my face after each workout. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="deviceWidth" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding: 20px 0px 3px;">Item(s) Ordered </td><td></td><td style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding: 20px 0px 3px; text-align: center; width: 50px;" width="50">Qty. </td><td></td><td colspan="2" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding: 20px 0px 3px; text-align: center; width: 50px;" width="50">Price </td><td></td><td colspan="2" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding: 20px 0px 3px; text-align: center; width: 50px;" width="60">Discount </td><td></td><td colspan="3" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding: 20px 0px 3px; text-align: center; width: 60px;" width="60">Total </td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" rowspan="2" style="padding-right: 10px;" width="50"><img border="0" src="http://www.vitacost.com/Images/Products/50/Quest-Nutrition/Quest-Nutrition-QuestBar-Protein-Bar-Double-Chocolate-Chunk-888849000241.jpg" /></td><td rowspan="2" style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td>Quest Nutrition QuestBar Protein Bar Double Chocolate Chunk -- 12 Bars</td><td align="center" colspan="2" style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; width: 10px;" valign="top" width="10">1</td><td style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">$ </td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">24.99</td><td align="right" colspan="3" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top"> </td><td style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">$ </td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">24.99</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;"><b> Item No: QST 9000241</b></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="15" style="padding: 10px 0px; text-align: center;" valign="center"><img class="deviceWidth" src="http://www.vitacost.com/Images/Mailer/Transactional/h-border600.gif" height="1" width="600" /></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" rowspan="2" style="padding-right: 10px;" width="50"><img border="0" src="http://www.vitacost.com/Images/Products/50/Bragg/Bragg-Premium-Nutritional-Yeast-Seasoning-074305066054.jpg" /></td><td rowspan="2" style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td>Bragg Premium Nutritional Yeast Seasoning -- 4.5 oz</td><td align="center" colspan="2" style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; width: 10px;" valign="top" width="10">1</td><td style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">$ </td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">5.59</td><td align="right" colspan="3" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top"> </td><td style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">$ </td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">5.59</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;"><b> Item No: BRA 5066054</b></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="15" style="padding: 10px 0px; text-align: center;" valign="center"><img class="deviceWidth" src="http://www.vitacost.com/Images/Mailer/Transactional/h-border600.gif" height="1" width="600" /></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" rowspan="2" style="padding-right: 10px;" width="50"><img border="0" src="http://www.vitacost.com/Images/Products/50/Desert-Essence/Desert-Essence-Natural-Tea-Tree-Oil-Facial-Cleansing-Pads-Original-718334220406.jpg" /></td><td rowspan="2" style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td>Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pads - Original -- 50 Pads</td><td align="center" colspan="2" style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; width: 10px;" valign="top" width="10">1</td><td style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">$ </td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">5.39</td><td align="right" colspan="3" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top"> </td><td style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">$ </td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">5.39</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;"><b> Item No: DES 4220406</b></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="15" style="padding: 10px 0px; text-align: center;" valign="center"><img class="deviceWidth" src="http://www.vitacost.com/Images/Mailer/Transactional/h-border600.gif" height="1" width="600" /></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" rowspan="2" style="padding-right: 10px;" width="50"><img border="0" src="http://www.vitacost.com/Images/Products/50/Vitacost/Vitacost-Peanut-Butter-SLIM-tm-Powdered-NON-GMO-Gluten-Free-844197019670.jpg" /></td><td rowspan="2" style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td>Vitacost Peanut Butter SLIM(tm) Powdered - NON-GMO - Gluten Free -- 6.5 oz</td><td align="center" colspan="2" style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; width: 10px;" valign="top" width="10">1</td><td style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">$ </td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">3.25</td><td align="right" colspan="3" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top"> </td><td style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">$ </td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">3.25</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;"><b> Item No: VCT 7019670</b></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="15" style="padding: 10px 0px; text-align: center;" valign="center"><img class="deviceWidth" src="http://www.vitacost.com/Images/Mailer/Transactional/h-border600.gif" height="1" width="600" /></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" rowspan="2" style="padding-right: 10px;" width="50"><img border="0" src="http://www.vitacost.com/Images/Products/50/Lets-Do/Lets-Do-Organic-Coconut-Finely-Shredded-Flakes-Unsweetened-043182005203.jpg" /></td><td rowspan="2" style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td>Let's Do Organic Coconut Finely Shredded Flakes Unsweetened -- 8 oz</td><td align="center" colspan="2" style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; width: 10px;" valign="top" width="10">1</td><td style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">$ </td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">2.29</td><td align="right" colspan="3" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top"> </td><td style="width: 0px;" width="0"></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">$ </td><td align="right" style="text-align: right; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">2.29</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-size: 11px;"><b> Item No: LSD 2005203</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can't wait for my goodies to arrive :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One thing I was thinking of ordering but held off on is a protein powder to use in smoothies- any recommendations out there? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://goo.gl/DuHVSK" target="_blank">If you click this link and make an account on Vitacost, you'll get $10 off your first order! STOCK UP! </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-43033817110082499592015-09-21T08:36:00.001-07:002015-10-25T13:49:10.024-07:00Happy Birthday Peter! Hanging Onto Summer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everyone warns you that you shouldn't wait until something's gone to appreciate it. You know, "Don't it always seem to go, that you you don't know what you've got til it's gone." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But lately, I've been suffering from something we'll call "Missing Something While It's Here." I'm trying desperately to cherish every last bit of summer we have. Soaking up every last ray, taking advantage of every opportunity to eat outside or run at dusk in shorts and a tank-top. But it's making me SO SAD thinking that any day now, restaurants will be packing up the al fresco dining option and going out for a run will require a whole lot more "hmm, which layers do I need?" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Luckily, while it's creeping into late September, we had another week of beautiful weather. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Monday was Kayla Itsine's leg day workout and DAMN was it a killer. No joke, my legs didn't feel fully recovered from it until Saturday. X jumps, weighted step ups, jump lunges (does anyone else find these to be the most difficult thing ever?), tuck jumps, sumo jump squats, split squats, weighted walking lunges and broad jump burpees. My legs hurt all over again just thinking about it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w26FpvQlop8/VgAdzsG23vI/AAAAAAAADwI/OrXcwHhix2U/s1600/it11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w26FpvQlop8/VgAdzsG23vI/AAAAAAAADwI/OrXcwHhix2U/s320/it11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A closing shift at the running store made for a late night. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tuesday was arms and abs with a little post-work yoga session. Then, I finally got back into the world of theater - writing a review of the Off-Broadway play Laugh It Up Stare It Down. The story wasn't my cup of tea, but the creative design was wonderful and one of the actresses from the cast of 4 graduated high school with my aunt and played for the same field hockey coach I played for! I stuck around after the show to introduce myself and Amy Hargreaves (Homeland) was extremely friendly and gracious. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iEqs0SnG-sU/VgAdcYd0V_I/AAAAAAAADwA/wBthDUqoyx8/s1600/amy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iEqs0SnG-sU/VgAdcYd0V_I/AAAAAAAADwA/wBthDUqoyx8/s320/amy1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was a first - during intermission, my friend was really hungry so we successfully took a pizza break in 15 minutes and didn't even miss the start of the second act! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday morning Peter and I went to 5:30 November Project where we ran a whole lotta stairs! My ankle and shins still aren't all too happy about it. We had planned to do the 6:30 workout until around 7 but one of the worst things for IT Bands are stairs and hills so I didn't want to push it. Instead, we went for a nice flat 2 miles along the river. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uHwFS_D7J6c/VgAeP-kEZXI/AAAAAAAADww/HYroQ9fC3iM/s1600/amy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uHwFS_D7J6c/VgAeP-kEZXI/AAAAAAAADww/HYroQ9fC3iM/s320/amy2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Nothing like it!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And again, a night at the running store. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thursday was PETER'S BIRTHDAY! He's old. Basically 30, now. We started the day with a 5:45 a.m. wake up call and journey downtown to Yoga to the People for my first ever hot vinyasa class. It was sweaty. And our teacher LOVED plank and chaturanga. My arms didn't love our teacher. But it was a good class - and for $20 for Peter and I ($5 class + $2 towel + $1 water bottle + $2 mat), it didn't break the bank either. (Although WHY does the NYSC yoga class schedule SUCK?!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">During my lunch break I finished Kayla Itsine's workouts for the week with abs and cardio. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After dinner it was time to celebrate! Peter had picked out a restaurant he wanted to go to for his birthday and DAMN did he pick well. Marc Forgione is an Iron Chef with a restaurant in Tribeca called...Marc Forgione's. There will be a review to come, but first, I need to see if it helps me win a Time Out New York contest that I entered to find the next NYC food critic! I'll let these pictures that I spent a lot of time perfecting speak for themselves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCJS4J9CWGo/VgAeP1mq4HI/AAAAAAAADw0/ZZR-BYubyGA/s1600/amy4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCJS4J9CWGo/VgAeP1mq4HI/AAAAAAAADw0/ZZR-BYubyGA/s320/amy4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iMj4VUmrKEw/VgAeQ922LhI/AAAAAAAADw4/p8J-RjuEjz4/s1600/amy8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iMj4VUmrKEw/VgAeQ922LhI/AAAAAAAADw4/p8J-RjuEjz4/s320/amy8.jpg" width="320" /></a>|</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7lJVJmLpas/VgAelj3itgI/AAAAAAAADxI/-LC2LRecYbs/s1600/amy9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7lJVJmLpas/VgAelj3itgI/AAAAAAAADxI/-LC2LRecYbs/s320/amy9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(There was even champagne waiting for us when we sat down!)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYkQkw6JDro/VgAemjIjJMI/AAAAAAAADxQ/uuTmW3HOH7s/s1600/amy10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYkQkw6JDro/VgAemjIjJMI/AAAAAAAADxQ/uuTmW3HOH7s/s320/amy10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No birthday is complete without birthday cake, so after dinner I told Peter we were walking over to Parm for their famous, ginormous slice of ice cream cake. Pistachio, Strawberry and Chocolate ice cream with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top. Doesn't get much more classic than that! While there was certainly a TON of ice cream (think: Ben & Jerry's container) it was served super frozen and the chocolate crunchies in between each layer of ice cream just didn't measure up to Carvel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bEQ5k_BBq4/VgAeQeQ4bxI/AAAAAAAADxA/fBkPfDxv7IM/s1600/amy5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bEQ5k_BBq4/VgAeQeQ4bxI/AAAAAAAADxA/fBkPfDxv7IM/s320/amy5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The fancy diner interior of Parm, though not at all what I expected, was cool and made me want to stop by for an eggplant parm hero at a later date. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We went to bed fairly early because Friday:<br /><br />Up at 5:00 a.m. to run 6.5 miles down to Pumphouse Park near Brookfield Place for a November Project workout. AND we did the workout - loops of the park + pushups + squats + dips. The pace was a little slower than our run to Southstreet Seaport the previous Friday, but both of our bodies were still functioning relatively pain free so SUCCESS. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DdXP3Qdvc0Y/VgAeQlU4RzI/AAAAAAAADw8/ciya3fwyrk4/s1600/amy7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DdXP3Qdvc0Y/VgAeQlU4RzI/AAAAAAAADw8/ciya3fwyrk4/s320/amy7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then Peter did a million and one push-ups because that's what you do when it's your birthday at NP. And when you want to show off but forget that yesterday you did chaturanga approximately 1 million times. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uQyLD4LUaA/VgAeQYWUgaI/AAAAAAAADws/W9s4mobFY1s/s1600/amy6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uQyLD4LUaA/VgAeQYWUgaI/AAAAAAAADws/W9s4mobFY1s/s320/amy6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Friday during lunch I went to my favorite yoga class and stretched it all out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That night I honestly don't remember what I did. A lot of laying around watching Orange is the New Black and baking a LOT of cookies. Bed early so I could get up and workout before Peter's birthday party on Saturday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5EJ14Z7NEK0/VgAfwWLOXRI/AAAAAAAADx8/bo8JVvoBPqU/s1600/amy20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5EJ14Z7NEK0/VgAfwWLOXRI/AAAAAAAADx8/bo8JVvoBPqU/s320/amy20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(S'Mores and Snickerdoodles!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First up on Saturday morning, 50 laps at the pool. Each and every time I go I feel a little better, and this was no exception. It's probably the most I've swam in one workout too! After swimming I went to a 45 minute spin class. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The spot for Peter's party was Loreley - a German beer garden on Steuben Day at the start of Oktoberfest. So fitting. We had a great time, and I even had avocado toast with my free beer from the keg they tapped at the bar to kick of Oktoberfest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNh6BvGNUv4/VgAfu6CnjPI/AAAAAAAADyc/MOPJ24Df7kg/s1600/amy12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNh6BvGNUv4/VgAfu6CnjPI/AAAAAAAADyc/MOPJ24Df7kg/s320/amy12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QhfKYmELfGw/VgAfvHLzLLI/AAAAAAAADyU/71laSI3zmy8/s1600/amy14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QhfKYmELfGw/VgAfvHLzLLI/AAAAAAAADyU/71laSI3zmy8/s320/amy14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They also paraded around this POOR LITTLE PIGGY!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IcJpL8A1CIE/VgAfuwjhwAI/AAAAAAAADyg/ww0DKlxzC08/s1600/amy13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IcJpL8A1CIE/VgAfuwjhwAI/AAAAAAAADyg/ww0DKlxzC08/s320/amy13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My millions of cookies were a hit, and I unintentionally followed a German tradition when I decided to bake Peter a cookie shaped like a heart. Oktoberfestherzen are gingerbread cookie hearts! Mine was a snickerdoodle but close enough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HL-oK9b0ZM8/VgAfvXT8_xI/AAAAAAAADyQ/GO1hUPLmibE/s1600/amy15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HL-oK9b0ZM8/VgAfvXT8_xI/AAAAAAAADyQ/GO1hUPLmibE/s320/amy15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">During the day drinking we took a TO to stop by Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream which is supposedly one of the "Finest" Ice Cream "parlors" in NYC. Peter and I disagree. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAR5TisGTdg/VgAgNht8F4I/AAAAAAAADyo/smqcreIyssM/s1600/amy21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAR5TisGTdg/VgAgNht8F4I/AAAAAAAADyo/smqcreIyssM/s320/amy21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, you can tell that this stuff is definitely made fresh and with care. Each is in a TINY container. Like, I have bigger tupperware in my apartment. Talk about small batch! And yes, they have some interesting flavors. But you'll never know which ones are good because each customer is only allowed one sample. So when we tried one and didn't like it, obviously we weren't going to spend money on "Salt and Pepper Pinenut" without because able to give it a taste. That's not exactly a flavor I can conjure up in my mind and decide if I'm a fan. So instead we went with Raw Milk and plain old chocolate with their "homemade" whipped cream that was literally soup. For $8, I'm going to give this place a big old "OVERRATED." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyone else have a better experience with Morganstern's?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The night went on, we moved locations, we had fun, we ate nachos. I helped myself to a piece of cake when we got back that night because Peter's mom is a wizard when it comes to baking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JSFnHiiCA0/VgAfvr9sVlI/AAAAAAAADyE/y4Bx6YbYo_o/s1600/amy16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JSFnHiiCA0/VgAfvr9sVlI/AAAAAAAADyE/y4Bx6YbYo_o/s320/amy16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunday when we awoke I was the least hungover but that didn't mean I was feeling refreshed. There was a lot of lounging around (and maybe another slice of cake) before exploring the 92Y Street Fair on Lexington Ave. I finally bought some succulents to hang in little glass orbs about my bed! One is up and hanging and he other WAS up and hanging for about 5 minutes before crashing down, shattering, and spilling dirt all over my bed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CnLcNG1zws/VgAfwPs62mI/AAAAAAAADyM/RwvVYfDXEvI/s1600/amy18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CnLcNG1zws/VgAfwPs62mI/AAAAAAAADyM/RwvVYfDXEvI/s320/amy18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the street fair I also bought 3 beautiful fall/winter colors of ESSIE NAIL POLISH for $10. Favorite part about street fairs, for sure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The weather on Sunday was ridiculously gorgeous. The sun was hot, there was a cool breeze and not a cloud in the sky. We were lucky enough to snag one of the four outdoor tables at Meatball Shop for brunch where, after considering everything on the menu for a solid 10 minutes, I ended up ordering what I order every single time. Everything But the Kitchen Sink with veggie balls and pesto. Sunday's plate included broccoli rabe, zucchini, red cabbage slaw and fennel. It made for a great brunch/dinner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCVopLyFWqc/VgAfvyVv63I/AAAAAAAADyA/brfnOQOgV2g/s1600/amy17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCVopLyFWqc/VgAfvyVv63I/AAAAAAAADyA/brfnOQOgV2g/s320/amy17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After Meatball Shop, we were too close to 16 Handles NOT to go. A heaping cup of Graham Cracker and Birthday Cake froyo later and I was in a sugar coma. I left the boys to watch football and promptly passed out in bed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dgD-uS_IKlw/VgAjTZ8hJ6I/AAAAAAAADy4/JAKQUR2ladI/s1600/amy22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dgD-uS_IKlw/VgAjTZ8hJ6I/AAAAAAAADy4/JAKQUR2ladI/s320/amy22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(This is how I could get into football...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I woke up I managed to motivate myself to do a 50 minute yoga video from YouTube and then headed out for some speed work in Central Park because it was such a beautiful night and I really wanted to get a picture of the sunset at the reservoir. So why not run, right? Right. A ran .5 miles to Engineer's Gate and another .5 miles on the Bridle Path. When I hit a mile, a kicked things up a notch for .5. Slowed down for .25. Kicked it up for .5. Slowed down for .25. Kicked it up for .5. Entered the reservoir loop and did two quarter mile intervals. My ankle was bothering me a little bit, so while I initially wanted to do 3 miles of fast running, I settled for 2 and comfortably ran myself back home for a total of 4.25 miles and a beautiful picture of the sunset. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2oNyVzCqWM/VgAfwaCjx-I/AAAAAAAADyI/Qb3w88lNRlc/s1600/amy19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2oNyVzCqWM/VgAfwaCjx-I/AAAAAAAADyI/Qb3w88lNRlc/s320/amy19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And a huge case of "Missing Something While It's Here."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next up was grocery shopping, food prepping, an episode of Orange is the New Black, leftover Meatball Shop and bed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My alarm this morning was supposed to get me to the gym for Kayla Itsine's leg day but - that didn't happen so it will have to be a sweaty lunch hour today since I have work at the running store tonight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's to hoping this week is just as wonderful and filled with happiness and sunshine as last week! (Although there was a definite chill in the air this morning!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Funny story: Friday night I was shaving and, since I'm terrible at shaving, somehow managed to shave off a LARGE strip of skin on my ankle. It WOULDN'T stop bleeding! And of course, I had no bandaids in the apartment. So how did I improvise? Pantyliner wrapped around my ankle and held in place with an Ace bandage until I could get to Duane Reade in the morning. When I unwrapped it in the morning, it was STILL bleeding! Ugh. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-64655406124720705052015-09-21T08:07:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:45:19.574-07:00Restaurant Review: Libertador<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For months, Peter and I have passed<a href="http://libertadornyc.com/yorkville" target="_blank"> Libertador in Yorkville </a>and thought that it looked super cute. It's always full of people, and has a really nice outdoor seating area with a spacious dining room and bar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Sunday, when my parents came in for a quick day visit, we stopped by for brunch. Despite an iffy forecast, it had turned out to be a wonderful morning to spectate at the Fifth Avenue Mile and remained nice for brunch al fresco. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Libertador is an Argentinian restaurant - but don't let the ~ethnic~ name scare you off! There's something for everyone on this menu. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We started by sampling four different empanadas, one of my mom's favorite things! None of us were very impressed with the beef saltena empanada, but the ham and cheese, chicken and potatoes and black bean and mozzarella ones were delicious! I liked that they weren't just giant fried blobs. The casing was doughy with a crunch - and they didn't skimp on the fillings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaDVBHepf9k/Vfsj3d3PXYI/AAAAAAAADvk/KvbouNqUYxc/s1600/lib1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaDVBHepf9k/Vfsj3d3PXYI/AAAAAAAADvk/KvbouNqUYxc/s320/lib1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I went the brunch route, ordering poached eggs over asparagus with hollandaise sauce and a side salad (instead of the fingerling potatoes that it usually comes served with). Not anything life changing, but solidly tasty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lALuwtpCpdw/Vfsj4L-8QcI/AAAAAAAADvo/jgtZsGzlRKQ/s1600/lib4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lALuwtpCpdw/Vfsj4L-8QcI/AAAAAAAADvo/jgtZsGzlRKQ/s320/lib4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Simple yet satisfying) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mom ordered a salad - which they offer many varieties of. You can add steak, chicken or tuna to any of the salads, which is definitely what I would do if we go back for lunch or dinner one day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mom's salad was the Mozzarella and Avocado Salad with tomatoes, black olives, and grain mustard in white vinegar olive oil as the dressing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZdwOIH6vxE/Vfsj3SNg2oI/AAAAAAAADvY/SZ2UO3gD71c/s1600/lib3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZdwOIH6vxE/Vfsj3SNg2oI/AAAAAAAADvY/SZ2UO3gD71c/s320/lib3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My Dad ordered meatballs (see, I told you they have everything) and Peter got a prosciutto and mozzarella omelet that was BURSTING with meat and cheese. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'd also like to give a shout out to Libertador's cocktail menu - I ordered a drink that was St. Germaine, White Wine, fresh mint, and a bunch of fruit. It was super refreshing! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you're a Brooklynite, Libertador has</span><a href="http://libertadornyc.com/brooklyn" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"> another location in your borough</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Though not particularly inspiring, Libertador was a solid choice for brunch, and may be worth a return visit to check out their lunch and dinner entrees - if only for the nice atmosphere!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After our meal we walked off the full-ness through a street fair on 3rd Avenue! I'm going to miss these summer weekends with good weather and fresh air :( </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oaAordX8Uxo/Vfsj3Xirc3I/AAAAAAAADvc/zNbchCt_c2w/s1600/lib2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oaAordX8Uxo/Vfsj3Xirc3I/AAAAAAAADvc/zNbchCt_c2w/s320/lib2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Thanks for checking out the hood with me Mom and Dad! And I promise you'll get to go to Heidelberg some day dad - in the winter!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-32384052478603611392015-09-20T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:45:01.124-07:00Restaurant Review: Two Hands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last weekend, I convinced Peter to journey to Little Italy to get breakfast (ok, it ended up being lunch) at one of the places on my bucket list. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sure, I could have gotten an acai bowl at Juice Generation on the Upper East Side - but traveling to different neighborhoods in search of new food is fun to me. Plus, we ended up finding ourselves in the middle of the San Gennaro festival, which was fun to wander through for a little while. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfcCmE_-S_Q/VfsVZcl774I/AAAAAAAADu0/u40Ky5OGheA/s1600/th5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfcCmE_-S_Q/VfsVZcl774I/AAAAAAAADu0/u40Ky5OGheA/s320/th5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Obviously needed a picture with this awesome street art that we passed!)</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our destination was an Australian Cafe called <a href="http://www.twohandsnyc.com/" target="_blank">Two Hands</a>, located on Mott Street. Two Hands is my favorite type of place. Small, healthy, with a great atmosphere and attention to presentation. These people know how to plate a meal to make it Instagram worthy! And like many places on my bucket list, I discovered it through Instagram. Mouthwatering pictures of fresh fruit, perfectly captured yolk porn and carefully crafted cappuccinos are what convinced me that I needed to make a visit. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fklCEPkJ3hI/VfsVYsLZyxI/AAAAAAAADu8/p14zwVr5zWk/s1600/th2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fklCEPkJ3hI/VfsVYsLZyxI/AAAAAAAADu8/p14zwVr5zWk/s320/th2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(So damn trendy. Look at all the basic b's brunchin')</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unfortunately, though expected, there was a solid 40 minute wait for a table. We opted to place our order at the To Go window. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The salads on the menu made a really strong case for straying from my original craving for an acai bowl, but in the end, I stuck with my gut. Their acai mix includes blueberries and bananas with cocoa and acai powder and almond milk. It was topped with all the yummy goodness you could ask for - granola, hemp seeds, chia seeds, coconut, cacao nibs, blueberries and raspberries. I also tasted some dates in there! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The wait wasn't long at all, and soon enough my to-go cup was placed on the counter. Everything was super flavorful, and I was able to taste each other the ingredients. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_IhS7mzrBw/VfsVZIDiCsI/AAAAAAAADu4/uBpTRtGy_QM/s1600/th4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_IhS7mzrBw/VfsVZIDiCsI/AAAAAAAADu4/uBpTRtGy_QM/s320/th4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peter ordered a slice of the banana bread topped with fresh ricotta (so creamy) and honey. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKQ0eJii7fk/VfsVYiiqiOI/AAAAAAAADuw/n8PvFBsHLEw/s1600/th3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKQ0eJii7fk/VfsVYiiqiOI/AAAAAAAADuw/n8PvFBsHLEw/s320/th3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(I didn't get a picture of Peter's banana bread - so here's another picture of my acai bowl!) </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The menu is jam packed with options - and I'm pretty sure I would like every single one of them! From Avocado Toast to smoothies and corn fritters. Depending on the season, the salads and soups change to include the freshest ingredients. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Good Food by Good Dudes" is the restaurant's motto. I love looking at the menu and seeing so many nutritious, fresh meal options! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Where did the name come from? They explained in an interview with<a href="http://eatboutique.com/2014/09/08/interview-two-hands-cafe-in-new-york-city/" target="_blank"> Eat Boutique</a> that: </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;">The name was originally inspired by Heath Ledger’s first film by the same name. The initial appeal came from both the film and Heath being Australian, without it being </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;">too</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;"> obvious. Heath was inspirational to both of us, in his acting career and in his vision to open Five Leaves in Brooklyn, which we both love so much. But even beyond that, we felt that it had so many meanings; you use your two hands to create things, and that’s what we did with the cafe. It also represents the handshake that started this business and the many high fives we’ve given each other during this crazy process.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/dining/australians-arrive-serving-breakfast.html?_r=0" target="_blank">More and more Australian Cafes are popping up around NYC</a>, and if you don't believe me you can read this New York Times article about it! <a href="http://bluestonelaneny.com/" target="_blank">Bluestone Lane</a>,<a href="http://littlecollinsnyc.com/" target="_blank"> Little Collins</a> (highly recommend!), <a href="http://brunswickcafe.com/" target="_blank">Brunswick</a> and <a href="http://tobysestate.com/" target="_blank">Toby's Estate</a> just to name a few! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A01YQ_SHdOs/VfsVYhnLA8I/AAAAAAAADuk/QGOXXTxJfXc/s1600/th1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A01YQ_SHdOs/VfsVYhnLA8I/AAAAAAAADuk/QGOXXTxJfXc/s320/th1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(My sister and I ate at Little Collins last year and absolutely loved it. In this pictures is the Avocado Smash (avocado and FETA smash on toast with chili flakes and pepitas!) and the Big Dill (cured salmon, scrambled eggs, dill, mascrpone and chives)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two Hands features a tribute to it's owners' homeland with the Outback Cap - a cappuccino with cocoa powder dusted espresso served with chocolate-covered Tim Tam Cookies!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So basically, I would recommend Two Hands for breakfast, brunch, lunch OR dinner if you're looking for a ton of healthy options and you're okay with getting it to go (though later in the day the wait may not be as long!) It's not necessarily worth the 40 minute trip from the Upper East Side, but if I ever find myself in the area again, I would certainly stop by to try something else from the extensive menu. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-40238036016934172332015-09-18T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:44:18.015-07:00Review: Blue Apron!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For WEEKS I have been trying to successfully receive my free trial box of Blue Apron Delivery (thanks, Tina!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first two times my delivery was supposed to come, it never showed up! I was convinced it was stolen from the lobby of my building. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Luckily, both times, Blue Apron Customer Service was phenomenal - putting a new credit on my account so I could try again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well it turns out I had the wrong address inputted into my account settings, and someone at that address received two complimentary Blue Apron deliveries. Oops! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But before I figured that out, I had changed my address to have the third box delivered to me at my office. It arrived, and it was embarrassing. A giant box with giant ice packs filled with food that I had to take out and refrigerate in the tiny little pantry refrigerator. I then transported all the ingredients back home over the course of two days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So - the moral of the story is this:<br />1) Make sure you have the right address in your account. Duh, Lauren.<br />2) Blue Apron Customer Service is wonderful<br />3) Probably best to have the delivery sent straight to your apartment </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was amazed at how well organized and labeled the shipment was. There's really no way to mess this up. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VcTAIL5Dukk/Vfh45U-5cSI/AAAAAAAADto/VUogd7iH02Q/s1600/ba7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VcTAIL5Dukk/Vfh45U-5cSI/AAAAAAAADto/VUogd7iH02Q/s320/ba7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Everything in its own little package with labels!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first night I got home and realized I had failed to bring ANY of the tomatoes home with me (the featured ingredient in all three recipes). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Luckily, they weren't really necessary for two of the recipes, so I powered through without them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First up were the Thai Chicken Burgers with Hoisin Mayo & Roasted Potato Wedges. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each meal comes with a recipe card with a lovely description of the meal, a list of the ingredients (and calories per serving), and step by step directions (with pictures!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqAPzOVLCCQ/Vfh438d9-QI/AAAAAAAADtg/ZfTzVPY13ao/s1600/ba2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqAPzOVLCCQ/Vfh438d9-QI/AAAAAAAADtg/ZfTzVPY13ao/s320/ba2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of the three meals, Peter and I liked this one the best. The hoisin mayo was tasty and there was a lot of flavor to the burger. Looking back, I probably would have made three patties with the meat instead of 2 - the burgers were huge! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2MvMVhxQ7I/Vfh438NrkHI/AAAAAAAADtQ/PkNAt80dvt0/s1600/ba3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2MvMVhxQ7I/Vfh438NrkHI/AAAAAAAADtQ/PkNAt80dvt0/s320/ba3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Thickest burgers ever!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That night, I also whipped up the Crispy Catfish & Freekah with Corn-Cherry Tomato Saute and Marjoram so that Peter and I would have meals ready to go on Wednesday night - he was heading home to Long Island to feed his kitty and I had work at the running store. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Td4XCSdt54w/Vfh5ZWyfCuI/AAAAAAAADt8/FKuTSQtlAXk/s1600/ba8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Td4XCSdt54w/Vfh5ZWyfCuI/AAAAAAAADt8/FKuTSQtlAXk/s320/ba8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Just an excuse for Leo to make an appearance on the blog)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While making crispy catfish sounded intimidating, it was surprisingly easy! They forgot to send me the recipe card for this - but all of Blue Apron's recipes are online as well so I just looked it up there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My Corn-Cherry Tomato Saute was just corn saute, and I discovered that I DETEST the taste of marjoram. You know how some people CAN'T eat cilantro? I was immediately repulsed by the taste of marjoram and had to pick every piece out of my Tupperware. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grtBuJWbw1w/Vfh436D6dlI/AAAAAAAADtU/DYgQ0A_YCT0/s1600/ba1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grtBuJWbw1w/Vfh436D6dlI/AAAAAAAADtU/DYgQ0A_YCT0/s320/ba1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Other than that, it wasn't the best meal ever, but it was definitely better than a pita, hummus and an egg which is probably what I would have thrown together otherwise. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last meal included in this delivery was Seared Steaks with Romesco Sauce and Roasted Potatoes. Peter helped me with this one - we discovered that finely chopping roasted veggies into a sauce consistency is very time consuming and that leaving it chunky tastes just the same ;) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7i92fPP43Hs/Vfh44xxB4xI/AAAAAAAADtk/Du1aCBO-IPA/s1600/ba6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7i92fPP43Hs/Vfh44xxB4xI/AAAAAAAADtk/Du1aCBO-IPA/s320/ba6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another cool feature is that people comment on all the recipes with tips - and after perusing them, I noticed a lot of people saying to go light on the sherry vinegar, which I did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5a7nzKdZxas/Vfh44kTuqRI/AAAAAAAADt4/oNW6sVpoh4I/s1600/ba4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5a7nzKdZxas/Vfh44kTuqRI/AAAAAAAADt4/oNW6sVpoh4I/s320/ba4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was my first time cooking steak - it was definitely a little tough but I'm not sure if that was just the pieces of meat they gave us, or my lack of skill. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Again - my mind wasn't blown away by the taste, but I definitely enjoyed it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DLWZsm2HrHI/Vfh44q32UkI/AAAAAAAADts/qVg_2oSUo94/s1600/ba5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DLWZsm2HrHI/Vfh44q32UkI/AAAAAAAADts/qVg_2oSUo94/s320/ba5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(My favorite part were the crushed pistachios on top! My not favorite part was attempting to chop the pistachios without them shooting off the cutting board and all over the kitchen. Proper nut crushing technique - help?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Final thoughts: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-I'm not going to tell you to milk the system, but...when I signed up, I was given three codes to give friends free meals - you can definitely use another email address to make a new account and I plan on sending one to Peter so we can use them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">HOWEVER - you need to stay on top of this. Once you make an account, Blue Apron automatically schedules deliveries. You need to actively go on and skip deliveries in order to avoid charges. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each delivery of 3 meals (with 2 servings per meal) is $60. When you think about it, that's $10 per meal, which really isn't awful! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-I originally thought I would use Blue Apron during busy weeks when I didn't feel like thinking of dinners. But after trying it - I would definitely not suggest Blue Apron on a busy week. It's time consuming to cook all of the meals! Not overwhelming, but definitely more enjoyable if you don't have to rush around. That's how I did it, and I made a complete mess of my kitchen (not to mention a LOT of dirty dishes to clean). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-I love knowing exactly what I'm putting into my dinner. And not going to lie, knowing the calories is a good thing too. It helped me decide if I really needed to eat alllll the potato wedges. All the fresh, real ingredients are the way I like to eat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Plus, there's no doubt it makes you feel like you have your shit together when you sit down to eat a meal that you cooked that has fancy names like "Steak Romesco." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"NBD, whipped up some Crispy Catfish and Freekah for dinner." "My laundry is overflowing and I desperately need to clean my room, but my Thai Chicken Burgers were really bangin'."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Make sure you have olive oil! It's the one thing included in the recipes that Blue Apron doesn't provide you with. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-I've heard that if you select the vegetarian option, you end up getting a lot of pasta based dishes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-I love that you can look at the weeks ahead and see what the three meals are before deciding if you want them delivered or not!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know there are a ton of other services like this out there - I'm curious, has anyone tried some of them other than Blue Apron? What did you think? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy cooking!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-86124869408846186942015-09-17T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:43:57.984-07:00Toronto, Eh?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week I hopped over to Toronto for a quick work trip - and a visit to the newest November Project tribe! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-chMYL6UVGRE/Vfcs2VttIoI/AAAAAAAADrY/GpT9okciXIo/s1600/npt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-chMYL6UVGRE/Vfcs2VttIoI/AAAAAAAADrY/GpT9okciXIo/s320/npt1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tina and I ran the 3.5 miles from our hotel to Casa Loma and as soon as I saw the stairs I'm pretty sure I cursed. 110 of them! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everyone was super welcoming, and Sam and Claire led a team relay-style workout. Each team went through a series of exercises while rotating through and sending one runner to go down the stairs and up a hill around Casa Loma. The hill was no joke, and the view at the top was beautiful! Bummer I failed at getting a picture. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krqM8zrWDAw/VfctrLHFqmI/AAAAAAAADrs/tTWIZ8dOt1s/s1600/npt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krqM8zrWDAw/VfctrLHFqmI/AAAAAAAADrs/tTWIZ8dOt1s/s320/npt3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt pretty good, and was going to run the 3.5 miles back to the hotel, but then it started drizzling, I didn't want to push it, and Tina was getting a cab soooo - I opted for the cab option. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was a lazy foodie this trip - I had done some research but just had no energy to actually follow through and get to any of the restaurants I had read about. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first night I found some take out falafel and froyo and ate it in my hotel room. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-afneUfcrQGU/VfctrEirLkI/AAAAAAAADro/lEHjPUNhdqc/s1600/npt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-afneUfcrQGU/VfctrEirLkI/AAAAAAAADro/lEHjPUNhdqc/s320/npt2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The second night we went to Canyon Creek for dinner - and I had a tasty salad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The third night I spend way too long walking around and taking pictures of the sunset and then when I was starving for dinner, all the fast-casual takeaway places were closed, so I plopped down at a British Pub across the street from my hotel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pisup4xV-yQ/VfctsWhX_MI/AAAAAAAADsY/_DfMnWBePo4/s1600/npt7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pisup4xV-yQ/VfctsWhX_MI/AAAAAAAADsY/_DfMnWBePo4/s320/npt7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rHSYNivdSsg/Vfctr-evCvI/AAAAAAAADsM/lql7_qtAZ5I/s1600/npt6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rHSYNivdSsg/Vfctr-evCvI/AAAAAAAADsM/lql7_qtAZ5I/s320/npt6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMLRgK5NMQk/VfctruwyGjI/AAAAAAAADsU/O2yJNCOUNzo/s1600/npt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMLRgK5NMQk/VfctruwyGjI/AAAAAAAADsU/O2yJNCOUNzo/s320/npt5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeling like I had wasted away an opportunity to explore the culinary offerings of Toronto, I tried to make amends by ordering poutine and a beer flight of local beers. AND a wrap. Because why not? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05jl-TQjjFc/Vfctsedb6XI/AAAAAAAADsc/dh_UhBszHHI/s1600/npt8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05jl-TQjjFc/Vfctsedb6XI/AAAAAAAADsc/dh_UhBszHHI/s320/npt8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My favorite of the beers was the Barking Squirrel. I also tried the Steam Whistle, Brickworks Ciderhouse Cider, andddd two more that I can't remember. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also DID enjoy a Tim Horton's maple donut, All Dressed chips and maple popcorn too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Other things to note about Canada: </b><br />-They are obsessed with the credit card chip reader and I felt like they all hated me because you need to swipe my card. <br /><br />-It's weird that they bring the card machine over to the table at restaurants and then stand there as you fill out the tip. <br /><br />-They have lots of weird potato chip flavors like All Dressed, Ketchup and Dill Pickle! And Poutine! <br /><br />-They have lots of British candy like Mars Bars and Aero Bars. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While I didn't have much energy for exploring I did manage to find the energy for 2 Kayla Itsines circuits, an NP workout, and a swim in the lap pool! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tZBH4RoOplo/VfctrZ9EhOI/AAAAAAAADsE/F-oMHcZ3UHM/s1600/npt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tZBH4RoOplo/VfctrZ9EhOI/AAAAAAAADsE/F-oMHcZ3UHM/s320/npt4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-52873662001746348452015-09-16T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:43:30.402-07:00The Running Update!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's time for a recap on my fitness life for the past oh, I don't know...4 months? The last thing I blogged about was really the Brooklyn Half Marathon back on May 16. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And unfortunately, that was my last real run where I felt good (well, I was even hurting by the end of Brooklyn). </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8XzM_V7Fjw/Vfch61O03FI/AAAAAAAADp8/btieHJMntfQ/s1600/it6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8XzM_V7Fjw/Vfch61O03FI/AAAAAAAADp8/btieHJMntfQ/s320/it6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
(Remember when I ran a <span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1:40:34<b> </b>half marathon?)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you remember way back to May - <a href="http://peanutbutterismyboyfriend.blogspot.com/2015/05/122-days-until-marathon-3-eeeek.html" target="_blank">I had boldly declared that I would be attempting to BQ</a> at the Suffolk County Marathon. Well, that race was on Sunday and needless to say, I wasn't there to even slowly run the half. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The problem has been my IT band and it's been frustrating to say the least. For 4 months I've attempted to rest for weeks at a time (and by rest I mean no running) only to feel pain 2 or 3 miles into a run when I finally decided to give it another try. A run in Tampa - ended in stabbing pain. My first "training run" for the Suffolk County Marathon in Las Vegas - awful. The first attempt at 8 miles in Central Park with Peter? Frustrated tears and stabbing pain. There were a few three mile runs I was able to run without pain - but they mainly made me grumpy because I realized how much speed and endurance I had lost. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not to mention not exactly feeling my best in terms of the weight department either - if you've been reading my blog and reading about my summer - it pretty much consisted of a LOT of eating out and drinking. Pair that with practically no running - and I haven't been feeling super confident rockin' my bikinis. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BUT I also had an amazing summer and just keep trying to tell myself that this whole not running thing won't last forever (please, don't last forever!)<br /><br />The most frustrating thing about IT band pain is when you try Googling ways to fix it and half the Internet tells you foam roll, foam roll, foam roll and then other people tell you rest rest rest while simultaneously telling you to strengthen your hips and glutes and then other people tell you that foam rolling will only make things worse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, what have I been doing in an attempt to get rid of this awful tightness in my IT band? And still exercise? (By no means should you follow my lead here if you're trying to overcome ITBS).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) Not running - but not exactly resting. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was <i>pretty </i>good about taking a serious break with running. Every two weeks or so I would lace up my sneakers and head out for a run to see if things had improved, but most of the time the answer was a big fat no. I listened when that was the case and I never went more than three miles (OK, except for the time I ran to NP Chicago). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T9_7L3KM9XM/VfclZ9qf2NI/AAAAAAAADqg/WeLCtE4-Opk/s1600/it8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T9_7L3KM9XM/VfclZ9qf2NI/AAAAAAAADqg/WeLCtE4-Opk/s320/it8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But should I have been going to spin class twice a week? Probably not.<br /><br />I know it wasn't helping speed up my recovery - but it was low impact cardio and it didn't bother my knee when I did it. So that's what I've been doing - spin twice a week. Some days I was actually OK with the break from running because I was able to find other things I like to do. And one of those things was getting back to spinning. So while it may have slowed down my recovery, it at least kept me sane. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2) Kayla Itsines 12 Week Bikini Body Guide. </b><br /><a href="http://www.kaylaitsines.com/" target="_blank">This chick is all the rage on Instagram. </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She's from Australia and she created a workout and nutrition guide that has completely taken off. The other day, myself and another girl were both doing the same routine at the gym! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I first saw all the posts, I rolled my eyes. And to be honest, I thought the workouts would be a joke. I'm hear to admit that I was wrong. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just started week 6 of the workouts and while I haven't noticed much of a change (I haven't exactly been following the whole nutrition aspect of this guide...) I am consistently sweaty and out of breath at the end of the workout. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yiBvENp3BgQ/VfcoBOpwe9I/AAAAAAAADrE/YRLzovbm_FE/s1600/it11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yiBvENp3BgQ/VfcoBOpwe9I/AAAAAAAADrE/YRLzovbm_FE/s320/it11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The way the program works is this:<br />3 days a week you complete a strength workout - either abs, arms or legs or some combination of those with some cardio. Each workout consists of 2 circuits that you complete twice each. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Circuit one is 4 exercises. You set a timer for 7 minutes and go through the circuit as many times as you can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Circuit two is 4 different exercises. You set a timer for 7 minutes and go through the circuit as many times as you can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, you repeat circuit 1. Then, you repeat circuit 2. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">28 minutes of work and you'll good to go! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The guides call for 30 seconds of rest in between each 7 minute circuit but I usually take more than that if we're being honest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Set-up to finish is usually 45 minutes for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other days of the week you're supposed to do either low-intensity steady state cardio or HIIT but I've just been doing my spin classes as cardio.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really like these because they aren't super time consuming but I definitely feel like I'm getting a good workout in. After leg day, it's pretty daunting arriving at Peter's apartment and knowing I have to walk up 5 flights of stairs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Should I be doing 28 minutes of jump squats and lunges and burpees when I'm trying to heal my IT band? Debatable. I will say that my legs have felt stronger, which can't be a bad thing for a runner in the long run, right? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3) Hip-Strengthening </b><br />Last time I had IT band problems I consistently did a few hip strengthening exercises that I attribute to getting things working again. I've started to do them again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Hip hikes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHh-P3sKZic/Vfch5xuWLMI/AAAAAAAADqE/kqe0eMgp1Z0/s1600/it1%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LHh-P3sKZic/Vfch5xuWLMI/AAAAAAAADqE/kqe0eMgp1Z0/s1600/it1%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />-Single leg squat onto box</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uAQ0ABxTDc/Vfch50BF3xI/AAAAAAAADqQ/pJs1_MlgjGs/s1600/it2%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uAQ0ABxTDc/Vfch50BF3xI/AAAAAAAADqQ/pJs1_MlgjGs/s320/it2%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />-Clam shells with resistance band<br />-Leg lifts with resistance band<br />-Side shuffle with resistance band</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://running.competitor.com/2015/03/injury-prevention/10-exercises-to-treat-it-band-syndrome_125083/2" target="_blank">Here's a video that includes some other good exercises</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>4) Foam rolling...sometimes.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My foam rolling game has, admittedly, been pretty weak. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>5) Icing when needed.</b><br />Sometimes after an attempted run, my knee would KILL. Any time I have knee discomfort just from walking or sitting, I try to ice it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>6) Yoga.</b><br />I've been trying to get to yoga twice a week, even though sometimes it's only once. It's crazy how fast I lost my flexibility. During Pittsburgh Marathon training I was killin' it with yoga - sometimes going three times a week. Slowly but surely I'm getting back into it and it definitely makes a difference. The other day in the store, I told Peter my chatarunga was on fleek AND HE DIDN'T LAUGH! Someone tell me I'm funny. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>7) Daydreaming about all the things I'm going to do when I can run again. </b><br />And that still includes a big fat BQ. Recently, I've allowed myself to start thinking about a spring marathon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMc96bY-6FI/Vfch57YKSJI/AAAAAAAADp4/h7HXX5GtVdo/s1600/it3%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMc96bY-6FI/Vfch57YKSJI/AAAAAAAADp4/h7HXX5GtVdo/s320/it3%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(This is what I do in my free time...anyone run any of these marathons? Suggestions for a good spring BQ course? Minimal travel? Early May?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even bigger than that is this crazy idea that has always semi-existed in my head of completing an Iron Man. I always said I was going to be a bad-ass 50 year old completing an IronMan but recently I've been wanting to do it sooner. But not soon. Like, 10 year plan soon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But that means that I'm gunna need to start somewhere in the world of triathlons! Which is why I am officially saving up to buy myself a bike (I'm also accepting donations! And recommendations, advice, etc.) I've got a loooong way to go - as in my current savings are at $35 and I figure I need $1,500. But what's important is that I've started! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I already bought myself a pair of cycling shoes and cleats so I can start clipping in during my spin classes just to get used to it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the biggest step in all this triathlon jazz is that I started...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7) Swimming. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">GULP. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You're talking to the girl who DOESN'T put her head under water for fear of instantaneously getting swimmer's ear like she did as a child - ruining many a pool party or summer day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can swim fine - just not <b>for real</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peter has been enlisted as my swim coach. 5 minutes into my first lesson I was totally over it, getting cranky and frustrated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mdLoiWh044/Vfch6YRPvHI/AAAAAAAADqA/vVvox5jJ2Og/s1600/it4%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mdLoiWh044/Vfch6YRPvHI/AAAAAAAADqA/vVvox5jJ2Og/s1600/it4%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I've been consistently going at least once a week and have improved a TON from that first trip to the pool - there's still so much work to be done though. I can basically get about 15 meters before I'm hanging onto the side of the pool gulping in lungfuls of air. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Yes, I love lifting weights and strength training - but I need my cardio! So swimming has been good for that too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>8) Plunging. </b><br />I bought a $7 sink plunger and I use it on my IT Band. Yes, this was a day I was feeling particularly desperate. But I've read a bunch about it and it's a real think! Similar to cupping - it's supposed to distract the soft tissue and increase blood flow to the area...or something like that. It feels weird but I'm willing to try anything at this point. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgaDek5JlVk" target="_blank">You can watch it here. </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>9. Reading a lot of running related books. </b><br />It helps keep me motivated instead of convincing myself I'm over running completely just because it's going to be a lot harder now. <a href="http://peanutbutterismyboyfriend.blogspot.com/2015/08/books-read-them.html" target="_blank">Read these if you need to get yourself out the door!</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two weeks ago, I went to November Project for PR Day and Yearbook picture day. Really, I went for yearbook picture day. The PR day part I was dreading. I woke up and went out to get to the 5:30 workout and on my way there I swear I almost turned around and ran in the opposite direction. I suddenly felt <b>so </b>self-conscious. I know it sounds stupid, but I didn't want my seriously diminished running abilities to be out on display to a bunch of bad-ass, speedy-ass people pushing their limits to PR. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But then I realized - if there was any place to make a comeback run, it was at NP - home to not only some of the speediest runners, but home to some of the most motivating, understanding, supportive people in Manhattan. Tons of these people know what it's like to come back after an injury. And the best part of November Project is celebrating everyone's accomplishments - not just the super fast and impressive accomplishments. A BQ is just as impressive as someone running their first mile without taking a walking break. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I made my way to the East River, got my bounce on, and threw down 3.5 miles that were far from a PR but were a start. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LrHtp93RNXk/VfclZ31WiTI/AAAAAAAADqk/HbNsKDlk_GA/s1600/it9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LrHtp93RNXk/VfclZ31WiTI/AAAAAAAADqk/HbNsKDlk_GA/s320/it9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I am happy to report that I had a pretty good 3 miles last Sunday when Peter was on Long Island, and a solid 3.5 mile run to November Project Toronto on Wednesday of last week. So Peter and I set out to run the 6 miles to South Street Seaport for November Project on Friday - and it was wonderful! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was on cloud 9 when we reached the pier. I'm pretty sure I told everyone that I saw, "I JUST RAN 6 MILES! I JUST RAN MY LONGEST RUN SINCE BROOKLYN! I HAVEN'T FELT THIS GOOD IN 4 MONTHS!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was expecting to be super frustrated with my pace and had mentally prepared myself with a "Just be happy if you make it there pain free" speech, but with Peter by my side I was able to run close to my Pittsburgh pace! Granted, 6 miles vs. 26.2 miles is a lot different, but it was awesome to feel my legs underneath me and to feel them giving me a little power. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJgoaWFNAXo/VfcoAL5J5hI/AAAAAAAADq4/Q56tLbror8Y/s1600/it10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJgoaWFNAXo/VfcoAL5J5hI/AAAAAAAADq4/Q56tLbror8Y/s320/it10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I feel like a weirdo but on Friday it really felt like my body was telling me, "Okay, you can start running again - but ONLY if you promise not to be stupid about it!!!!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That second part is what I know I really need to focus on. Saturday I was already asking Peter, "Should I run the Hartford Half on October 10?"<br /><br />The answer is most certainly no. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But already I feel more like myself. On Sunday morning, Melissa and I jogged the mile and a half over to 63rd Street to cheer on November Project people running the 5th Avenue Mile. Just being back with running friends in the race environment on a crisp early fall morning made me so happy. I jogged with Peter to a Starbucks. I jogged the mile and a half home. Being able to use my favorite mode of transportation was exciting to say the least. More exciting? The half mile from 86th to 97th street where I really let my legs fly. And they worked! I flew! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am so ready to ease back into runs a few nights/mornings a week with a little longer run on Saturday mornings. With no humidity too! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just hope all this excitement and optimism isn't going to come crashing down this week or in the next few weeks... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So that's the update. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But enough about me. I'm also really happy that Peter's feeling better too, though still having some foot aches and pains, his hip seems to be holding up and he was able to break 6:00 at the 5th Avenue Mile this year :) And he looked good doing it too. Like a Disney Prince, some might say! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VEhLLJsKe4k/VfclZ5rVw4I/AAAAAAAADqo/in7MryBVnMo/s1600/it7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VEhLLJsKe4k/VfclZ5rVw4I/AAAAAAAADqo/in7MryBVnMo/s320/it7.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The best part about being back to running is being able to do it together - I just hope we can both stay semi-pain free for the best running weather of the year!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nu0ljS8-CA/VfcothBNDuI/AAAAAAAADrI/THAovb87fZo/s1600/it12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nu0ljS8-CA/VfcothBNDuI/AAAAAAAADrI/THAovb87fZo/s320/it12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">More running, more smiles!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-68190272823559155462015-09-14T08:57:00.002-07:002015-10-25T13:42:55.861-07:00The Most Perfect Weekend Ever.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once you've "grown up" and moved out of your parents house - it's becomes very sentimental. At least for me, thinking about home makes me think about how lucky I was to grow up where I did - on the water, with aunt and uncles and grandparents a quick car ride or walk away.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trips home are a time to visit the places I used to frequent - and absence makes the heart grow fonder - so the places that I used to be sick of are now some of the places that I miss the most. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's why if you ask me what my perfect summer weekend looks like, it's a weekend home in Miller Place where every moment is filled with family, friends and some very key places and activities. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For Labor Day Weekend, Peter came to Suffolk County for my attempt to show him this ideal summer weekend. I don't know if he would agree - but for me, I'm still floating on cloud nine about how amazing it was. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I headed home after work on Friday and was greeted by a new iPhone 5S...yep, I cracked already.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I spent awhile getting it all set up and then went to the beach with my parents for some live music and beers down by the water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8OE4BKYah4A/VfbstA5sE9I/AAAAAAAADnU/80KUtMj0tCk/s1600/ldw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8OE4BKYah4A/VfbstA5sE9I/AAAAAAAADnU/80KUtMj0tCk/s320/ldw1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After that it was off to dinner at one of my favorite local restaurants - Alexandro's. It was a beautiful night and we were able to sit outside. AND they had my favorite special - the tuna tartar tower! MMM! For an entree I got a giant Greek salad with shrimp. And of course I filled up on pita and their amazingly fresh homemade hummus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1QUKIhNsCA/VfbsxPtKlgI/AAAAAAAADoQ/VPltgsbV_LI/s1600/ldw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1QUKIhNsCA/VfbsxPtKlgI/AAAAAAAADoQ/VPltgsbV_LI/s320/ldw2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We got home and watching some TV while I made myself a heaping ice cream sundae with Tonight Dough and Speculoos Core Ben and Jerry's ice cream. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the morning, I failed to wake up and work out before Peter arrived as planned - something about my bed at home just never lets me escape the covers in a timely fashion! Oh well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We ran a few errands - picking up a phone case, picking up bagels and cream cheese for Sunday morning, and stopping for breakfast and lattes at Crazy Beans. SO delicious. It's the kind of place I would love to open one day. Filled with odds and ends, cozy, offering music and art and open mic nights with wine and beer - all that it's missing is avocado toast and green juices. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrsmKexn-Zc/VfbsxxSzf1I/AAAAAAAADoY/rZkQyseX_SA/s1600/ldw3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrsmKexn-Zc/VfbsxxSzf1I/AAAAAAAADoY/rZkQyseX_SA/s320/ldw3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTGzQx81ufc/VfbsyYDZc-I/AAAAAAAADok/pi0AKNTWkmg/s1600/ldw4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTGzQx81ufc/VfbsyYDZc-I/AAAAAAAADok/pi0AKNTWkmg/s320/ldw4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Salted Caramel Latte for Peter and a Rainbow Cookie Latte for moi. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We got home and hopped in the truck for my dad to bring us down to the water for some kayaking! It was gorgeous out - a cool breeze, sun shining, and we paddled around the harbor for awhile before a quick relaxation break on beach. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VM_YUk_5Unw/VfbsyuQV5aI/AAAAAAAADos/TmKfelFZWpw/s1600/ldw5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VM_YUk_5Unw/VfbsyuQV5aI/AAAAAAAADos/TmKfelFZWpw/s320/ldw5.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After showering it was off to the Yacht Club for a RUM BUCKET, a plethora of chips and pretzels with the world's best honey mustard (Ken's), and appetizers (wings, shrimp and mini tacos) and this delicious summer salmon salad that we split. All the while, Peter was enthralled in the Penn State football game. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eADhObuFG7c/VfbszC0WlyI/AAAAAAAADpE/j2EM9iWusK4/s1600/ldw6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eADhObuFG7c/VfbszC0WlyI/AAAAAAAADpE/j2EM9iWusK4/s320/ldw6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqJ6_zqJVYk/VfbszfggyNI/AAAAAAAADo4/3W_h7qDyfR0/s1600/ldw7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqJ6_zqJVYk/VfbszfggyNI/AAAAAAAADo4/3W_h7qDyfR0/s320/ldw7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KBs_Y0FCE1g/Vfbs0BFgPZI/AAAAAAAADpA/74J6lDlvrGE/s1600/ldw8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KBs_Y0FCE1g/Vfbs0BFgPZI/AAAAAAAADpA/74J6lDlvrGE/s320/ldw8.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Driving away we caught the beginning of what was sure to be a beautiful Cedar Beach sunset (which to this day has never been beaten - not even by the sunset in Santorini). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUG8mV21tQg/Vfbs0kMr6MI/AAAAAAAADpI/LiH9QG3N-X0/s1600/ldw9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUG8mV21tQg/Vfbs0kMr6MI/AAAAAAAADpI/LiH9QG3N-X0/s320/ldw9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We picked up my sister and went back to Crazy Beans for some live music and beer. In the beginning if was kind of dead, but by 9 it was hoppin'. The best part was catching up with friends who I hadn't seen in wayyy too long. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ns4GLWFQ60M/VfbstNyKRTI/AAAAAAAADpc/qnkvF1XSOd8/s1600/ldw10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ns4GLWFQ60M/VfbstNyKRTI/AAAAAAAADpc/qnkvF1XSOd8/s320/ldw10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfHYRdW8Kac/VfbsxovyB-I/AAAAAAAADog/xPjlXnMrt0g/s1600/ldw20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfHYRdW8Kac/VfbsxovyB-I/AAAAAAAADog/xPjlXnMrt0g/s320/ldw20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not ready for the day to end, we headed Down Port where we wandered, complaining about every bar, before settling for a table outside at Tommy's.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PeUOcwDu_bY/VfbstAYAnUI/AAAAAAAADpc/WmQ6Ge3zq78/s1600/ldw11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PeUOcwDu_bY/VfbstAYAnUI/AAAAAAAADpc/WmQ6Ge3zq78/s320/ldw11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We went home and I quickly fell asleep. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the morning, I managed to force myself into a circuit workout in my basement during which I felt every bite of food and every sip of alcohol threatening to come back up - luckily, that didn't happen. When I finished my pathetic attempt at a workout I woke Peter up and we went for a run - any perfect weekend in my book includes a run - and it was fun to show him what my usual little 3.5 mile route is when I'm home. The IT-band was hurting by the end, but nothing too terrible which left me feeling pretty positive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The run was followed by another Long Island staple - BAGELS! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We then spent an hour helping my sister write a cover letter because we are SO KIND. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also showed Peter how to shuck corn in preparation for that night's barbecue. Can you believe he had never shucked corn before? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WAQHMrrRzsk/Vfbs1jYRe-I/AAAAAAAADpY/IK0miAD9XAw/s1600/ldw12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WAQHMrrRzsk/Vfbs1jYRe-I/AAAAAAAADpY/IK0miAD9XAw/s320/ldw12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then Peter, my sister and I went down for a swim at the beach. Peter complained about the rocks and the murky water but I LOVED IT. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We met my parents for a drink down at Ralph's where a local favorite was playing guitar and singing some good tunes (James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet!) The song of the weekend was "Southern Cross." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBME9ymC0aU/VfbsuTXA2iI/AAAAAAAADpQ/cT_mpPdNYeE/s1600/ldw13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBME9ymC0aU/VfbsuTXA2iI/AAAAAAAADpQ/cT_mpPdNYeE/s320/ldw13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next up with BARBECUE time! My dad makes THE best hamburgers where he grinds the meat himself - I'm not a huge burger person, and I almost never order one out, but no summer is complete without one my dad's homemade hamburgers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To lead up to the main course, he served a ton of clams on the half shell with his homemade cocktail sauce. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0ZCParMYm0/VfbsvOWVPsI/AAAAAAAADno/O9Z2Z1LcAVs/s1600/ldw15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0ZCParMYm0/VfbsvOWVPsI/AAAAAAAADno/O9Z2Z1LcAVs/s320/ldw15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite my mother saying some not so appetizing things about clams, we all enjoyed them and we also enjoyed our giant margaritas (my dad ALSO makes the best margaritas!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4pPM_PjPXw/VfbsviL505I/AAAAAAAADn0/EXMwEQ6tHDs/s1600/ldw16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4pPM_PjPXw/VfbsviL505I/AAAAAAAADn0/EXMwEQ6tHDs/s320/ldw16.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, I forced Peter to play the guitar while I attempted to sing along and my mom and dad and sister looked on in horror as I butchered every song. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDmRPCM58Lc/VfbsuU3iUBI/AAAAAAAADng/WrEM6ByXkl8/s1600/ldw14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDmRPCM58Lc/VfbsuU3iUBI/AAAAAAAADng/WrEM6ByXkl8/s320/ldw14.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I slowly and steadily devoured my burger - topped with mashed avocado, American cheese, ketchup + mustard (yes, I mix!), onion, tomato, lettuce and pickles on the side. PLUS two ears of fresh Long Island corn on the cob and my dad's tomato salad with fresh basil from our garden. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AYKL3VeFPqA/VfbsvxTgOCI/AAAAAAAADpM/c1spS2Ib4qM/s1600/ldw17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AYKL3VeFPqA/VfbsvxTgOCI/AAAAAAAADpM/c1spS2Ib4qM/s320/ldw17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Could it be any more perfect?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was so content at the end of this meal. And by content I mean bursting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last thing I had planned was a fire outside at my grandparent's house - complete with aunts, uncles and little cousins. We got there and I couldn't even touch the chips and guac, which shows how full I was from dinner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QV0_fIm8B14/VfbswdPRcUI/AAAAAAAADoA/A6f8qjTReC8/s1600/ldw18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QV0_fIm8B14/VfbswdPRcUI/AAAAAAAADoA/A6f8qjTReC8/s320/ldw18.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br />Eventually, Peter and I DID manage to join my little cousins in making some s'mores. Okay...we initiated the s'mores making...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">AND we pre peanut butter and Nutella'd our graham crackers. We don't mess around when it comes to dessert. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wish I had more pictures from the fire because my grandparent's backyard is absolutely gorgeous! I'll have to be a more diligent photo taker next time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Po18D8gqEXM/VfbswkjKbrI/AAAAAAAADoE/xNPpW0UUdfA/s1600/ldw19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Po18D8gqEXM/VfbswkjKbrI/AAAAAAAADoE/xNPpW0UUdfA/s320/ldw19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sadly, with the end of the fire came the end of the weekend. Even though it was a long weekend, I had a 4:00 a.m. alarm on Monday morning to leave for a work trip to Toronto. So we got home, took a quick nap, and I was on my way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What could have made the weekend better was some time spent on the boat (with tubing and water skiing preferably) and Peter and I sitting to watch the sunset at the beach. But this was the absolute most perfect way to end my summer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know I can be a demanding person - I basically gave my parents a list of things I wanted to do in two days and created a lot of work for them (we also cost them a lot of money in food and alcoholic beverages...) And from the second Peter arrived to the second I left I had him in constant motion. I invited about 10 people over to my grandparents house. But I hope everyone knows how much I appreciate them putting up with me and making everything happen and how incredibly happy the whole weekend made me. I'm the luckiest :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-44086810985042630512015-09-04T09:46:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:42:37.156-07:00Finally All Caught Up! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week I went home for one of my first Long Island weekends of the summer! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My grandparents picked me up from the train and I was immediately treated to a delicious sushi dinner (yes, MORE sushi - never enough!) at our favorite place in town - <a href="http://www.bentensushi.com/" target="_blank">Benten</a>. Kenny the sushi chef there is the man. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We OBVIOUSLY started with the lobster tempura salad. Big chunks of battered lobster with a spicy mayo dressing. The lettuce is not even necessary. We picked on edamame for the greens! And then I meant to order the sauteed oysters (my dad is a huge fan but I'm not in love) and accidentally ordered the fried oysters instead. They were good - because what isn't made better with a little deep fried dough? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the three of us, I ordered 4 sushi rolls - and it was a struggle to finish them all. However - I managed, obviously ;) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HawjdZSpwY/VenKRRQacVI/AAAAAAAADlo/Pxx0l63wMZM/s1600/a1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HawjdZSpwY/VenKRRQacVI/AAAAAAAADlo/Pxx0l63wMZM/s320/a1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Benten 2: Eel, shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, crab stick, avocado with soy pepper<br />This one was probably my favorite! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Green Dragon: salmon, cucumber, avocado outside </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">John Jr.: Tuna, scallion, tobiko, spicy mayo, tempura </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wrong Island: Tuna, eel, avocado, scallion, tempura, spicy mayo and a fresh salmon outside<br />This one's crazy! All the things! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After dinner, Nanny insisted (and I didn't put up much of a fight) on stopping by our local homemade ice cream shop - McNulty's - for some dessert. I haven't been there in ages, and it brought back so many memories! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We used to think we were <b>so </b> cool in 6th grade when we were finally allowed to walk there all alone after school on Friday's. All .25 miles. FREEDOM! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJUMFHeZHwQ/VenKSk97dGI/AAAAAAAADmE/lym-KBold7g/s1600/a8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJUMFHeZHwQ/VenKSk97dGI/AAAAAAAADmE/lym-KBold7g/s320/a8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nanny and I were both upset that they were out of Heath Bar but I went with Mint Oreo and Chocolate Pretzel with granola (?) on top. A definitely strange combo but you're talking to the girl who used to insist on ice cream cakes that were half mint half strawberry - so, whatever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I got home, I set to work on cleaning out my childhood bedroom. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I knew my parents would like me to straighten up, organize, and get rid of some things. Obviously, if I'm been living without it for 3 years (7 if you count college), then I don't really <b>need </b>it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OViKHegteqY/VenKRQ-bcCI/AAAAAAAADmY/bPgp5J0KTyw/s1600/a2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OViKHegteqY/VenKRQ-bcCI/AAAAAAAADmY/bPgp5J0KTyw/s320/a2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Surprisingly, I was very productive and filled a bunch of bags with things I could donate or toss. The biggest struggle was figuring out what to do with CD's like Brittany Spears and Backstreet Boys. So sentimental! Will I one day what to pop them in for my kids to give a listen? Or will I just play them on Spotify and Youtube? So odd to think about. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1vPnwGXzpg/VenKSS1cVlI/AAAAAAAADmI/NEUspdU2iRo/s1600/a7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1vPnwGXzpg/VenKSS1cVlI/AAAAAAAADmI/NEUspdU2iRo/s320/a7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saturday morning I woke up and attempted a run - and it was a pain-free success of 3 miles! I felt like I could have kept going but I didn't want to push it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next, Mom and I parked our butts at the beach and soon, Allison joined. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We followed the beach up with a rum bucket at the yacht club - ahhh, these are summers as they are supposed to be!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lgl2XsMedeg/VenKR3HeQbI/AAAAAAAADmM/rmCemKvaM3Q/s1600/a5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lgl2XsMedeg/VenKR3HeQbI/AAAAAAAADmM/rmCemKvaM3Q/s320/a5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDV9tVHYP1U/VenKSIhj48I/AAAAAAAADmA/bPha9PzQWGg/s1600/a6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDV9tVHYP1U/VenKSIhj48I/AAAAAAAADmA/bPha9PzQWGg/s320/a6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I got home and was quite burnt. I did a bunch of nothing, which was nice for a change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunday morning my parents and I went down to the yacht club for brunch - I ordered the "MYSC Open Face" which was English muffin with bacon, tomato, cheese and...no egg? That seemed super weird to me, so I had them throw an egg on top. Because everything is better with an egg on top. Especially at brunch. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0yIULm93xlQ/VenKRWlA3CI/AAAAAAAADmc/ZmV4afucwo8/s1600/a3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0yIULm93xlQ/VenKRWlA3CI/AAAAAAAADmc/ZmV4afucwo8/s320/a3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Can you just LOOK at these prices? Not in Manhattan anymore)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZqCtvrnxOM/VenKR4jBMTI/AAAAAAAADmQ/9YeodKM7sb8/s1600/a4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZqCtvrnxOM/VenKR4jBMTI/AAAAAAAADmQ/9YeodKM7sb8/s320/a4.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After brunch I sat around the beach some more with Emma and Allison and it was so nice to catch up with everyone. We all have such REAL LIVES NOW and it's weird sometimes to think about - we used to do this every day, all summer long, and now it took an entire summer for us to finally find a day we could all lay on that rocky beach and gossip together. Sigh. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sadly - all too soon it was time to get back on a train and head home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week was pretty uneventful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I find myself settling back into a more standard routine, which I suppose it a good thing. I work Monday and Wednesday nights at the running store and I hope to start reviewing some off-Broadway shows again soon on Tuesday nights. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The highlight of this week was my first BLUE APRON experience, which I will write up shortly! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another highlight was Roots Hummus sending me a lovely little package to thank me for the kind words I had to say about them! A koozie, cooler, sticker, and some coupons! Awesome :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And there you have it - am I actually caught up?! Indeed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I head out to Long Island for a Labor Day weekend spent doing ALL OF MY FAVORITE THINGS and my favorite person will be along for the ride. Monday morning I leave at 4:30 AM (EW!!!) for a work trip to Toronto. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe the fall weather hasn't quite arrive yet, but the feeling that the crazy days of summer have come to a close has certainly arrived for me. And to be honest, the change of pace to more laid back and structured is actually pretty welcomed. </span></div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349164554725372100.post-15291842309297539752015-09-04T09:07:00.000-07:002015-10-25T13:42:08.018-07:00Sushi For Days <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my favorite things, besides peanut butter and besides froyo, is sushi. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So naturally, when there was a Groupon for ALL YOU CAN EAT sushi on the Upper East Side - I told Peter he better buy one and come eat endless raw fish with me. Luckily, he agreed. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Typically, the deal at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/chinatown-restaurant-new-york-3" target="_blank">Chinatown</a> is $33 for all you can eat sushi and a little more expensive for the all you can eat and drink option. Our Groupon was AYCE + 3 drinks (wine, beer or sake). </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From what I gather, the place is pretty raucous on the weekends. But Peter and I went on a Tuesday night and it was pretty empty. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was kind of overwhelmed by the fact that the AYCE options don't only include sushi, but include Chinese dishes like General Tso's Chicken, egg rolls, dumplings, fried rice, etc. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But you are quickly given the "rules" of this AYCE experience - and those rules include being charged for any food leftover on your plate at the end of the night. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Including </i>rice. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While Peter and I joked around about just taking whatever we didn't eat into the bathroom to flush it away - I do see where the restaurant is coming from. With big groups of people, the waste could get a little out of hand. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We started with an order of pork dumplings and there were SO many. Already we weren't loving this "no leftovers" rule - we wanted to save room for the main event - sushi! But the peanut sauce with these dumplings was STELLAR. We actually used it later on for dipping our sushi into - since the one dumpling we knew we would have to finish eventually sat there. And sat there. They definitely weren't going to clear it, and they were definitely going to charge us for it unless we ate it. Ugh. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the dumplings we moved onto sushi - ordering one at a time from the specialty roll menu to pace ourselves. I loved that some of their rolls were out of the ordinary - not just "spicy salmon" and "California roll."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First I tried the Spicy Yellowtail roll because it came with cilantro and jalapeno! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peter's first choice was the Sexy Roll - shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, topped with white tuna and avocado! The shrimp made it soo sweet and delicious. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Next I got t he Spicy Salmon Roll - standard crunchy salmon with avocado on top - because when you're eating all you can eat sushi - <a href="http://peanutbutterismyboyfriend.blogspot.com/2014/03/sushis-healthy-right.html" target="_blank">why not splurge and go for alllll the tempura</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OXNwG6_-J0/VenBegKMV6I/AAAAAAAADlM/jVdabO1oShM/s1600/sushi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OXNwG6_-J0/VenBegKMV6I/AAAAAAAADlM/jVdabO1oShM/s320/sushi.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peter got the Amaebi Roll - Spicy crab and crunch inside with sweet shrimp and avocado on top. The name kept reminding me of the little girl in the movie Signs who says, "Morgan took a sip and it's got his amoebas on it!" Anyone, anyone? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Usually, I claim that sushi never fills me up, I can eat it all night. And typically, I can eat 3 or 4 rolls no problem. Seriously, ask my parents, they're always in awe of how much sushi I can eat. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But Peter and I were both slowing down so we decided to split one more roll and order an eggroll because I reallllly wanted one. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The eggroll was an eggroll. You basically like it for the fried outer part dunked in duck sauce. They may as well leave out the cabbage filling. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last roll we split was the Dancing Mango - lightly fried white fish, mango inside and topped with kani and tobiko. Kani = crab meat and tobiko = the little crunchy fish eggs! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We left the restaurant stuffed to discomfort - as is typical for "All You Can Eat" affairs (see, <a href="http://peanutbutterismyboyfriend.blogspot.com/2015/08/one-of-those-weeks-and-wedding.html" target="_blank">Fogo de Chao</a>). </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I would definitely recommend this place, if only for the hugeee variety of <a href="https://groupon.s3.amazonaws.com/sponsorship-imgs/new-york/All%20you%20can%20eat.pdf" target="_blank">things you can order!</a> </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
elayeyouareeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09560238564900119322noreply@blogger.com0