Snow Day

You look thinner…

So we had a fire drill yesterday, and on the way back to our desks a coworker said to me “you look thinner, have you been trying?”

I was in shock.  What was I supposed to say to that?  I didn’t know that was something anyone would say to me around so many people.  I mumbled something about how I was trying a little bit, but didn’t think it was noticeable yet.  In reality though, I’m not really trying to lose weight.  I just want to get fit, strong, and be able to run the Broad Street run in May.  If I lose weight in the process, so be it – but that’s not my ultimate goal.

It’s funny to note too that Robert and I had a conversation about this just yesterday morning as we were getting ready for work.  I admit – I had gotten on the scale that morning, and the number was lower than it was before.  I mentioned this to him as we were getting ready for work. 

R:  Oh, that’s good.  How many more are you looking to lose?

(Side note:  we are really open with each other regarding weight.  I feel absolutely comfortable with him, no matter how I’m feeling with myself.  He is my biggest supporter.)

C:  I don’t know how much I want to lose.  I’m not really putting a number on it.  When I stop losing weight, that’s where I’m supposed to be.  I’d rather not lose any weight, so long as I’m toned and healthy.

What I guess I’m trying to say is that I’m trying to get a grip on my life.  I don’t need to lose weight.  I am enough just as I am.  If I can improve my life by eating healthier, excercising more, and setting fitness goals for myself, then things will just fall into place after that.  By setting up my healthy habits now, I hope that I will be able to pass them along to my children, and live a long happy life.  Health shouldn’t be a race to lose the most amount of pounds in the shortest amount of time. 

While I’m glad that obesity and health are in the spotlight now more than ever, I think that we are having conversations about the wrong things.  While I do bring my dinner to work, and I do wake up early to make sure I have time to work out, this isn’t a crash diet.  As a society, we are bullied into focusing more on losing the pounds as opposed to overall health.  Between 100-calorie packs, The Biggest Loser, and co-workers who notice that you are losing weight, it is almost taboo to mention overall health and fitness without sounding like a preacher.  My hope is that one day this will no longer be true.  I am grateful for this healthy blogging community for truly inspiring me to be my best self, and until the rest of the world catches on, check out Operation Beautiful for a fantastic example of a blogger and a community that gets it.

[source]

Is weight loss a big topic where you work?

Four Course Friday

So it’s Tuesday… but Friday’s dinner is still rolling around in the back of my brain, so I HAVE to share it with you guys!  As I mentioned last week, it is restaurant week here in Philly, and I was lucky enough to follow up my Three Course Thursday with a Four Course Friday! 

My Friday was pretty excellent, if you’d allow me to back up for a minute.  At 4pm, my seniors decided to send us home!  Considering our dinner reservations weren’t until 7 (and the fiancee doesnt get out of work until 6:15…) I did what any normal girl would do with a few hours to kill would do: SHOP!

I started here, at the cutest little second-hand shop on Chestnut Street.  Everything was an additional 50%!  Unfortunately I didn’t find anything in my size, despite my most valient efforts

Next on my shopping tour of Center City was Ann Taylor Loft in Liberty Place.  I may or may not have walked out with this cutie… picture it in black though.

I found banana republic too, and got an olive green turtleneck for $13!!  Fabulous.  No pic though… it was only a turtleneck!

Right outside of Banana was a gorgeous stretch of Broad Street… check out the sights:

The Union League is one of my favorite buildings in Philadelphia.  I attend an SJU dinner there every year, and the history and beauty of the building blows me away. 

Finally, it was time for dinner.  I was meeting Robert at the restaurant we chose – Smokin’ Betty’s on 11th and Sansom.  It was a cute place, with a bbq theme.  While I was waiting for Robert to get there, I sipped on a raspberry lemonade cocktail, which was DELICIOUS!  It was so sweet and light, and it reminded me of summer!

Unfortunately, this was the last picture I took of the evening.  I’m still a  little camera shy, even around my darling fiancee.  Any suggestions for getting over this fear while blogging?!

Anyway, our dinner was ah-maz-ingg!  The whole meal reminded me of my childhood.  My first course was a cheesesteak springroll.  While it wasn’t very bbq-y, it was so good!  The chinese restaurant in my hometown used to make something similar, and it brought me back to the good ol’ days!  It was paired with a yummy tomato jam that gave it a nice tangy flavor.  Robert’s appetizer was enough for a whole meal… 3 bbq sliders.  He didn’t seem to have any problem polishing them off though!  One was pulled chicken, one was beef brisket, and one was pulled pork.  I stole a few bites – I think the brisket was my favorite! 

There was a quick garden salad course, which freshened our palattes for the humongous plate of ribs heading our way.  I have always had a soft spot for good bbq, as my family vacationed in the south every summer of my childhood.  These ribs were perfect – delicious tangy bbq sauce, and the meat just fell off the bone.  Just thinking about them makes my mouth water!   About 6 big ribs were paired with grilled asparagus, and mac+cheese.  I ate all of my veggies (and Robert’s too!), and most of the ribs.  The mac was actually very garlicky, and not what I was hoping for… but I certainly didn’t miss it amongst all the other great food on the table! 

By the time dessert came around, we were both stuffed.  I only had room for a few bites of my chocolate mousse – it was so rich.  It tasted just like chocolate gelato, but it had such a fluffy texture.  It was truly divine.  Somehow I managed to find room for the whipped cream and berries that came with it though  

All in all, our dinner at Smokin’ Betty’s was so much fun, and a great dining experience.  Our server was so happy and enthusiastic, and the service was fast.  Both Robert and I agreed that it was a fun change from the typical italian BYOB that we usually frequent during restaurant week.  I highly recommend it!