Traditions

I don't think of myself as someone who follows traditions, but over the time, the chef and I have created some of our own traditions. One of them being excursions to the beach. We live only a few miles from the beach, but somehow we only end up going before one of us is traveling for extended time or...well when big things are happening.

So this morning we ventured out to the beach and instead of running, I rollerbladed and the chef ran. Even though I was on the wheels, he still kept up to me. Now you understand why we don't run together...he pretty much leaves me in a dust. What a difference it is to rollerblade on the boardwalk and in our neighborhood. The breeze, the sun, the smell of the ocean, the smell of the sun lotions, it all makes me feel like I am on vacation. Perhaps I always feel so relaxed while we are there. I have no concept of time or what awaits me when I get home.

One of our other traditions is to come home and make pancakes. Not today - we were too hungry to wait, so we stopped at Dunkin Donuts. I know, I know, you are probably thinking I am cheating on Starbucks, but I have to admit, I love D&D's ice-coffee. Oh and I love the price of it too. I decided my iced-coffee need something else with it, so I had the toasted multigrain bagel with cream cheese. It was perfectly toasted and crunchy. Yum, Yum, Yum....

Now that we are home, it's back to the "home life"...laundry, grocery shopping, pool time and than we are off to a foodie adventure - the TOP CHEF competition, and let's just say I am the tasting judge:)

"Dining Divas" Turns 2

Wow...we have been dining together every month now for two years. It's crazy how fast time flies. The date has been on our calendars for months, but only today did we decide to meet at Michy's, where it all began two years ago. As always, we were all late, some 15 minutes, and others an hour and fifteen minutes. But most importantly, we all eventually made it there.

A lot has happened in two years, especially in the last month. During the past month one of us discovered a food allergy, some got new jobs, some have new love in their lives and some, enjoying the fruits of the new found freedom. Actually, there was a lot more but perhaps I will leave that for some other time.

Now let's get to the important things. The moment we agreed on Michy's, my mind was only thinking about one thing - the Bread Pudding. It is absolutely divine - creamy, sweet, and savory; topped with delicious chunks of chocolate chips, a bit of cognac, and French vanilla ice-cream. I think the secret to this bread pudding is the chocolate that is melted on the bottom and the chunks of raisins throughout for added sweetness. Oh simply orgasmic!!!!

Don't fret, I had a little more than dessert tonight. Actually, I had the usual - Jamon serrano and blue cheese crocketas with fig jam, a watermelon arugula salad and steak with tasty shoe string fries. Surprise, surprise, I actually shared the appetizer and the salad. I know it's hard to believe it, but since I wanted so much tonight, sharing was the best option. Baby steps people, baby steps.....

As usual, everything I ordered tonight was delicious and satisfying. Oh and there were many glasses of wine and thinking back, we would have been better off ordering a bottle of wine and sharing. Maybe that's a lesson to be learned next time.

When I came home, I found a little gift waiting for me....he knows me well - a gift from Starbucks. Little things like this make my heart flutter.....

Delicious Breakfast

What a weekend it has been so far...filled with amazing eats, drinks and a lots of shenanigans. I had grand plans of outdoor activities planned - running, biking, paintball wars, and laying out at the beach, unfortunately, due to the undesirable weather, most of the weekend was spent indoors, reading, googling, TV watching, and a short visit to the gym.

Since the weekend was filled with many of these....

I have decided to start the "Week" off on the right foot, by going out for a longer(ish) run. You would think getting up at 6am would have not been a problem since I slept more than 10 hours each night, when the alarm went off this morning, I decided to sleep for one extra hour and dream. Well, I certainly paid for that "dream" as it was dreadful running in the heat and humidity. The good thing about the run, is that I took some time and smelled the roses.

Is this path not the most gorgeous site you have seen. Who wouldn't feel inspired to run here??

While running and gasping for air, I decided I would make a healthy, satisfying and delicious breakfast. The more I eat at night, the hungrier I feel in the morning and it was no different today. I could have probably ran for another mile or so, but the hunger prevailed.

As soon I as I walked into the house I pulled out all the ingredients: granola, flax seeds, pinch of salt, banana, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, coconut butter and the chocolate dream. It was truly a dreamy breakfast.

It was sweet, salty and crunchy. Absolutely delicious. And the best thing about it, it keeps me full for a long time. Since the sun is shinning at the moment, I am off to the pool to get some vitamin D and continue reading "The Happiness Project"....if you can, you must pick up this book. Review is in the works.

P.S. While I have already ran, ate breakfast, got ready for the pool, look what's happening in the bedroom......my sleeping beauties....

Weekly Menu

Hello Blog World, Yes I know it's been awhile, but a lot has happened.... so instead of going into details, let's get into the eats or rather what will be this week's eats.

Sunday: Grilled salmon and red+yellow+green peppers

Monday: Chicken +Feta Cheese Pita Pockets

Tuesday: Spinach Ravioli

Wednesday: Dining Divas Dinner

Thursday: Baked Tofu+Cous Cous Salad with avocado+black beans+mushrooms+corn

Friday: Night Out on the Town, so who knows

And now, I am off to clean the fridge, take the inventory as we have had slim pickings (yup, chef was/is exploring the world again) and than my favorite - grocery shopping.

With all those big changes in my life, one of my favorite is the new office. Of course that means only one thing, it's time for some furniture shopping. I see a trip to IKEA in our future.