Family Brunch and Grilling!

I have to say I am SO lucky to have my family!! Every family function is a foodie's dream :)

Sunday's Birthday Brunch for my grandmother was no exception...although I was slightly disappointed that there were no scones, but I got over it real fast when I had one of these:

Homemade caramel rolls!! Caramel Rolls (or sticky buns as we like to call them), are a family staple...even 1 of my uncles makes homemade dough to whip these babies up! Usually they involve a sweet yeast dough, rolled with cinnamon sugar, and placed in a pan with a mixture of brown sugar, butter, maybe Caro syrup? Which caramelizes on the bottom while baking then the whole pan is flipped over after they are done to let the caramel drip down.

THESE however, were made with HOMEMADE CARAMEL!!! Don't know what she did (My aunt...one of them, I have 5 on this side of the fam)...made a caramel for these and they were AMAZING!!! Thank god I split it with Brian.
Other DELICIOUSNESS from the day:

Asparagus Frittata

A spinach and cheese frittata with potato crust

Poached salmon with a yogurt dill sauce
the BEST roasted vegetables I've ever had...must of been roasted at a lower temp for longer because they were SO caramelized! (potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, Brussels!)

1/2 of a chocolate croissant (I think it was Nutella in there!)...mmmmmm

One dessert: A wild berry tart by my pastry chef aunt (it was at her house)

There were also 2 black bottom pies and a gorgeous rum cake with whipped cream frosting! I wish I could have one of these at the wedding but they need to be refrigerated up until it's served so it wouldn't work out on display.

My only gripe I ALWAYS have is that I eat too much!! Oh but its SO worth it :)

Brian and I had big plans to take advantage of the GORGEOUS weather and grill out! (Hard to believe I was grilling outside yesterday when it was SNOWING all day today...grrrr).

We had a big package of chicken tenders marinating in:

• olive oil
• cider vinegar
• lemon juice
• lime juice
• brown sugar
• salt & pepper
• garlic
• I think that's it...Brian made it
  
  

It marinated overnight which made the chicken SO flavorful. We also amazingly saw some corn on the cob at WF's!! SO excited! We threw that on the grill as well.

I also FINALLY made KALE CHIPS!!

• Kale
• Olive oil
• salt & pepper
• freshly grated Parmesan
• 375 for 15 min

AWESOME!!! Now I see why these things are so popular. Brian even loved them...said they were a great substitute for potato chips and obviously much healthier :)

We were still not that hungry from Brunch but we had a little; my plate:1 1/2 pieces of chicken, corn, Kale! With a POM cocktail (Pom, lime seltzer, lime wedge)

COME BACK WARM WEATHER!!!

Yoga Update:

Finally got back into yoga on Saturday (work just gave me no time Thurs and Friday).

Brian and I did Yoga for Runners after our run! Yes it was his first time...pretty funny, but he did good. He said it was REALLY hard and he probably wouldn't normally have the patience for it. I was happy he tried it though :)

Sunday morning I did 30min Morning Flow.

Tonight I went to my 90min Hot Yoga class...I think the 90 min can make up for missed yoga last week :) Man it was SO Hot, a lot hotter than normal!! Sweaty sweaty!!

Work really interferes with Blogging!

And the rest of my life for that matter. I hate feeling so out of the loop!! We had one of our big submittal deadlines Friday so I was working long hours and barely had time to do anything...forget blogging OR working out :( Hate when I miss the gym (for the whole week), but when you get home at 8:30/9 you pretty much want to have a snack and go to bed.

At least today's GORGEOUS weather came at a perfect time!! I actually got to enjoy it!

After waking up kind of early for a Saturday (7:30...and man I could of used more sleep!), I got ready to meet up with one of my friends (bridesmaid) and her other bridesmaids to go shopping for our dresses (her wedding is after mine in October)!! In record time we all loved the first dress I picked out!! It was so flattering on everyone, I love it! It is going to be in like a grey/platinum color.

Before I headed out I had some protein in the form of TJ's Greek Yogurt!

With 1 jarred peach half, strawberries, raspberries and some Kashi U! I also ate a handful of PB puffins from the box :)

It was so nice I had to stop for an iced coffee with soy milk from Starbucks!!

After our speedy dress decision we went to lunch at Tavern in the Square at Porter Square in Cambridge. No pics because none of these girls know about the blog (yeah yeah I know, I should tell people), but anyways...every salad on their menu sounded awesome!! It was a tough choice!

I went with the: Marinated Feta and Avocado - Ripe Avocado, toasted pistachios, and marinated Feta, tossed with mixed greens, white beans, and citrus vinaigrette, and I added grilled chicken! DELICIOUS!! Just what I needed...veggies and protein!

Then it was FINALLY time to EXERCISE!! Brian and I went for a run! We ran for about 2.5-3 miles and walked maybe 1.5-2miles...our total route was 4.5 miles.

• 4.5 miles
• 1 hr 6min
• 474 cals
• 45% fat
• Max HR 184
• Avg 145

I could of actually ran more, but HE was the one who got tired...well more like his muscles tightened up after stopping to walk at one point. I can pretty much go from run to walk to run whenever, but he needs more steady running or he tightens up fast.

This made me feel great, especially that it was a great run for me OUTSIDE FINALLY!!! This makes me very excited to improve once we have more consistently good weather!

We later decided to go out to eat. We decided on Tremont 647 in Boston's South End. I've been twice, once with Brian, and have really enjoyed it. It's described as "Adventurous American Cuisine", and definitely has influences from all over the world. We hit many countries flavors tonight!

Hmm, they just changed up the menu and haven't updated it on the website...dammit! I'll try my best to describe.

We started with a delicious bread basket containing some amazing cornbread and like an herb bread (yeast bread)...mmm.

Then our appetizer...Wild Mushroom Gnocchi - black winter truffles, baby spinach, creamy sauce vermouth.

DE-LIC-IOUS!! Wow! Melt in your mouth Gnocchi with a rich flavorful truffley cream sauce. Perfect start!

Then for our entrees we decided to share the Lamb Skewers appetizer and the 4 tastes of Asia.

Lamb Skewers (can't remember the real name) but I know their is harissa involved, there is a cucumber and red onion salad with a yogurt dill dressing under the skewers and I don't recall the sauces unfortunately.oh yeah and on the top was some frisse but it was definitely mixed with a very flavorful and pungent vinaigrette! Awesome!!

This was the BEST thing I've had in a while. Everything on that plate was just BURSTING with flavor!! And all the flavors just melded so well together...just incredible. I would go back and order this any day.

The 4 Tastes of Asia had -

• tofu gyozo's (there was other items in those too just cant remember) - second from right
  
• a brown rice with like a seaweed salad on top I believe (far right)
  
• Thai vegetable spring rolls (YUMMM) (left)
  
• and a papaya, carrot, and something else salad...with peanuts, cilantro, and it was a bit spicy...but cool and refreshing at the same time! (under spring rolls)
• dipping sauce! (far left)

We really went all over the world with our flavors tonight!! Their menu always has really different and very flavorful food, plus its a cute small place with an open kitchen!! You know how much I LOVE watching the kitchen do what they do best!!

We headed over to Fanuel Hall to possibly meet up with my cousins (that didn't happen) so we just split a small ice cream :)

Not done yet...

We then hit up the grocery store for some goods so I could make something to bring to my Grandmothers Birthday brunch tomorrow at my aunts!!! YUM!!

I opted not to add another carby item because I know tomorrow will be full of them...so I went the savory route.

Sun dried Tomato Cottage Cheese Muffins (by Rose Elliot via 101cookbooks)

I've made these once before and they were great! Almost a quiche texture...but there is a tiny bit of flour and the base is cottage cheese and eggs.

p.s. While I was getting these babies together Brian was working on a marinade for our chicken we are going to grill up tomorrow!

Some of the key players:Pre-Mix

The Batter!

Mini muffins ready for the oven

Golden brown and smelling Delish!!

Well between getting up early, a great workout OUTSIDE, and losing an hour tonight (don't forget to Spring Forward tonight!)...it's time for B-E-D!

I PROMISE to catch up on all your wonderful blogs in the AM!!!

Dinner Notes and Spring Color

Busy work week = no time for anything else. The past two days I've worked 12-hour days and its amazing how much more draining of energy working at a desk for 12 hours is compared to a regular work day + a good workout!! Expending my energy through physical activity is way less exhausting than using my brain...haha!

Must of been perfect timing for the 31-day Yoga Challenge, because at least I know if nothing else I will get in 20min of yoga on these long days.

Last night was my night for staying at Brian's (although I had to miss his soccer game as I was still at work)...but he was cute and left a note on some leftovers that I could eat in the fridge. He made Shrimp scampi the other night and labeled it so:Haha...he used "modified" because he did not have the classic linguini or angel hair pasta usually used...he used rotini! For me, 90% of the time pasta is pasta and I don't care the shape :) (Actually I really don't like Angel Hair...not enough bite to it).It was DELICIOUS!! Garlicky, flavorful, and simple. I also found some frozen green beans to round out my quick dinnerOf course there is usually 1 or 2 things in his apt that I normally do NOT purchase but love to have as a treat when I am here...this time it wasOh yes, that's right, SPRING time Double Stuffed Oreos!!
I had one...And maybe went back for a half of one later :) This reminds me of college...one of my roommates would always by only the colored holiday double stuffed Oreos when they came out, and she would totally hoard them in her room hahah!

Other bright Springy colors from yesterday...

• TJ's Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt
• Strawberries, Raspberries, and a couple stray Blueberries!

Sugar Snap Peas!!!! LOVE these! I munched on these crunchy fresh pods with my lunch.

And maybe not springy, but I treated myself to Star Bizzle this morning

Grande Non-Fat Cappuccino with Caramel Drizzle on top...mmm, Caramel!

Well it's still crazy busy here...glad I squeezed this post in!! Happy Thursday!

Winners!

Time for Winners!!!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

8
20
35

Timestamp: 2009-03-04 01:59:37 UTC

(not sure what time zone is UTC, but it must of been 8:59 PM here in Boston)

8 = Andrea! (from Boston!!)

20 = balancemycake

35 = Ashleigh

Email me your addresses and I will make sure your packages get on their way!

Thanks so much everyone for participating...I actually have another fun one and hopefully I'll get around to that this weekend!

Back to Tuesday

It's another busy work week...big deadline Friday. When you get up at 5:45 to get ready for work and don't get home until 8:30...that doesn't really leave much time to MOVE around!!! Esp when you're glued to a desk most of the day. No dance or gym :(

BUT...I am about to hunker down in my room with a short relaxing yoga session and then hit the hay!

I only have two delicious eats to share from today...but they are gooooood ones!

Oats! For some reason I feel like I haven't had oats in a while...man they tasted good this morning.

• 1/3 cup oats
• 1/3 cup skim milk
• 1/4 cup water
• salt
• 1/2 banana
• 1 tsp pumpkin butter

Toppings:

• 1/4 cup Kashi U - slightly crumbled
• a 3 choc. chips, a couple dried cherries and a couple nuts from Tempting Trail Mix
• spoon of White Choc. Wonderful PB
  

I feel like the PB melted so much better than usual too!!

The other AMAZING treat of the day was after my lunch...leftover Butterscotch pie from Sunday Dinner at Moms.

Honestly, if I wasn't eating this at work I would of licked the bowl clean :) Its A-mazing!!

Well its time for yoga then bed...Good Night!

Yoga Back-Up Plan

I had big plans for Day 2 of the 31-Day Yoga Challenge...I was going to go to my 90 minute Hot Yoga class! Plus this Hot Class (mon evening) is always hotter than the Saturday morning class so I like it even better!! I just love the heat and sweating :)

Well I rushed to get there, even ran a little through the icky snowy sidewalks, and because of the snow it was apparently moved up an hour...class was almost over :)
(guess I should of checked the website)! Lesson Learned.

I was SO bummed...but I came home, went into my room, shut the door, dimmed the lights, layed out my mat and did 30 min Power Yoga #1. This was definitely more challenging than anything I've done to date...worked my arms, legs, and core a lot more than normal, but I really liked it. Plus I think my frustration from not getting to my Hot class made me focus better on my breathing and I was a lot more focused than normal.

Day 2 - complete!

Not too exciting on the food front today...but still delicious as usual; I find it pointless to eat foods that you don't LOVE, which is why it takes me so long to pack my lunch sometimes haha...I have to have all the little components to make my meals and snacks complete.

Breakfast, I was a bit rushed to pack breakfast with the snow storm looming on my morning commute, so I packed a quick one:

• Vanilla Chobani
• Strawberries
• Bare Naked Fruit and Nut granola sprinkle
• ...perfect

No pics of lunch or snack...I'll just let you know it was left overs from Dinner last night at Mom's: Roast Chicken and Roast Veggies! Oh, and a little piece of Pie...and 2 rolly pollies I ate during the day :)

After Yoga tonight I had a finger food dinner

• 1/2 Spinach Flat Out wrap with seafood salad
• 1 sliced small tomato
• 1 pickle spear
• 1 slice prosciutto, 1 slice fresh mozzarella, 1/2 slice salami from my leftover antipasti I had for dinner the other night in the North End
• a few of TJ's Roasted Gorgonzola crackers

Delicious!!For dessert I FINALLY opened up my box of Chocolate Vita-Top Muffin Tops!! I bought them like over a month ago and just opened them tonight!! I had one, with some Spread Cookies and Cream PB!!Ok, I LOVE these! They totally satisfy that craving for warm/chocolaty/baked good without tasting super rich or sweet!

mmmmmmmmm melty chocolate!

Now some bizzzzzzzzzzness!

Tomorrow will be the last day for the Yo-Plus Giveaway!!

Other Giveaways...
Krista is giving away an AWESOME gift pack!! I want that damn coconut spread!

One Frugal Foodie is giving away a TON of loot...I'd be happy with just 1 breakfast cookie!

Last but CERTAINLY not least, the amazing Heather at Hangry Pants gave me a Kreative Blogger Award!!! I was SO SO SO excited to see it on her site one day, and it felt so great to be recognized by such an awesome blogger!

Thank you SO SO much Heather!!

Well I've seen this award around the blog world ALOT lately...so its hard to think of people to pass it on to. So, I think I will share it with a few bloggers that I've had the pleasure of meeting in REAL LIFE recently!

Sabrina at Rhodey Girl Tests
Shannon at Tri To Cook
Elina at Healthy and Sane
and
Sarah at Our Kitchen Adventures

Big blog love to my local girls!

Dear Snow...STOP IT!

Haha...yeah we're supposed to get like 12" by the morning...sweet. How is it that I was so happy about the weather Friday and three days later its back to a winter MESS!! So in a few, Brian and I are going back up to his apt for the night so we will have the short commute tomorrow morning. I haven't been at the computer much this weekend so I want to:

Extend the Giveaway Deadline Two Days!

I know the suspense must be killing you, BUT, I do have THREE prizes to give so I'll give it a little longer :)

Well, that cold/sore throat that I thought I squashed earlier in the week came back. I woke up yesterday all stuffy :( Grrrrr!!! Like every person around me has been sick but I was REALLY hoping to avoid this. Luckily it hasn't been too bad, and I was NOT going to let it impact the Yoga Challenge!

I was really excited to read about Tina's Yoga Challenge for the month of March! I have been loving the Hot Yoga lately so I figured this would be a great addition. I downloaded a handful of yogadownloads, and got to it this morning.

I did the 30 minute Gentle Hatha Yoga #1. Because of my cold, I didn't want anything too strenuous, but more of a relaxing stretch for the morning. This was great!! I really liked it. I followed along with the pose guide on my screen and never felt like I had to stop and check my pose on the screen.

I am hoping to go to Hot Yoga Class tomorrow, but we'll see with this damn snow!!!

Wedding Things!
Saturday, Mom and I went to meet with our caterer at the rentals place to pick out all the fun stuff...linens, place settings, flatware, stemware...etc. They have everything in their studio, and tables you can"dress up"!My Mock Table!!

• Chocolate Brown Satin Table Cloth
• Tan/Camel colored striped napkin
• Ivory dinnerware with gold rim
• Silver Plate flatware
• Wine and Water glass
  

With chair - Natural Wood Garden Chair.
P.S. NOT my flowers...those were just there. My Flowers will be Bright and Dark pinks!!
Close up...the pink "napkin" tucked into my napkin was just to show where the menu card will go (and the menu card will be pink), so it will be tucked into the napkin. It's behind the plate because I am going to have the salads already plated when people sit down (saves some time).

Fun!! Not pictured, but Brian and I are going to have a sweetheart table and its going to be a higher cocktail table so we can look out at the crowd...with high bar stool-like Chivairi chairs!

Something to remind me of warm weather...Watermelon!! Picked this up at the grocery store...precut, it was delish! Mmmm summer.

We had a quick breakfast this morning of scrambled eggs and TJ's Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin British Muffins. I had 1 half with smart balance, the other with PB and banana.Brian and I spent alllllll day driving around different towns that we may want to live. We know the geographical area that we want to look for houses in, but we don't "know" those towns well...so we drove them! It was a really good thing to do...can't wait to really start looking at houses!!!

Then we had a Sunday Dinner at Moms.

Roast Chicken:
Roasted Veggies: Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Garlic!
(there was also a little mashed potato, gravy, and cranberry sauce!)

Then I noticed these babies on the tableThose would be Rolly-Pollies!! And Rolly-Pollies only come when there was PIE CRUST made...I knew it had to be somewhere...
My FAV...Butterscotch Pie!! (she'd HATE this picture because she gets SO mad when the meringue separates from the crust, but its still SO good...any professionals out there with a solution to the separation issue???)

I cleaned my pie plate :)Hope you all had great weekends!!