Double Date Us

There is something about getting out of any pattern, thats just refreshing. Even if its just a spontaneous outing after a long day at work.

Yesterday, for instance, David picked me up from work and excitedly told me were going to a new pizza place he had found in our area. I was so excited, and felt loved to know he wanted to take me out, and do something other than going home to make dinner, watch TV, go to sleep (all of which I also love). Sometimes you just need to do something different.

On our way to PIZZA we got a call from my sister and her husband (who live really close), they had walked to our place and were waiting for us to come home to grab dinner. I find so much joy and love in moments like that.

We went to this place Jerry's Bar, Sarah (my sister) Colin (her husband) LOVE this place. After spending the evening there I love it too. Between the decor and restaurant seating options, to the menu and service, it's the perfect place to take friends or family.

I look up to my sister so much, she's just cool there's no other way to say it. When she loves something, even if I don't love it I'll at least pay attention. So when it came to the Sazerac she ordered, I had to try it. Granted I didn't like it at all, but I tried it. I ordered a "fancy drink" too called Just Like Honey, it was really delicious. Sarah had the spicy peanut wings- SO GOOD! David, Colin and I all ordered the burgers, they were some of the best! I loved our time together with all four of us. I'll go back to Jerry's bar again, maybe with those three again.

Green Tea That Tastes Good (For a Change)

Here are my main feelings about green tea in no particular order:

I hate it
It smells bad to me when it's hot
It leaves a very weird after taste
Ew.
My husband drinks it regularly

Those are very real feelings. Until yesterday that is.
I've found a type of green tea I can actually tolerate... and kind of like.


I have heard through the grape vine that green tea is a "fat buster" so with a lot of trial and a ton of error I figured out I only like it cold and flavored. When I brew my tea I make it very concentrated so if I add a lot of ice it still has a non- diluted flavor. The type of tea I've been drinking (iced) thanks for David, is naturally flavored with berries and rhubarb- yum! Sort of like my favorite type of pie....


According to evidenced based sources green tea's use as a metabolism booster is best absorbed after a cardiovascular workout. Read a little about that here!

Eating Healthy (From a Girl Who Loves to Eat)

My whole life I have loved food. This manifested itself in a number of ways:

For instance, flashback to me, as a high schooler hopping into mom's minivan after soccer practice. To my mom who is turning down the radio, bass bumping, because NPR's fresh air is BLASTING in our eardrums, "Hi mom, what's for dinner?" practically in one breath.
Also in highschool, I both entered and won a number of baking contests, what high school kid loves doing this? I did.

Meanwhile as a 25 year old HAPPY newlywed, I love food, maybe even more than ever. I have the opportunity to experiment making new recipes, and testing them out on my husband.

All of that to say, I am making big attempts not to snack, and to make meals that are not only "healthy" but full of nutrients and proteins.
Here's what I'm making tonight, Colorful Quick Quinoa Grecian Salad (Thanks to Cooking Light for the recipe). Basically David and I have been obsessing over quinoa lately and I have tomatoes and feta.

Here's what you'll need, or if you're like me you'll use some of these things and cut out others.  I'm cutting the kalamata olives and feta cheese down in an effort to stay away from too much dairy and cut back on sodium.

• 
  
• Recommended Ingredients
• 
  
• 2 cups uncooked quinoa
• 3 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 
• 2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil 
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh mint
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 
• 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered 
• 1 cup thinly sliced radicchio
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper 
• 1/2 cup chopped English cucumber 
• 1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons chopped pitted kalamata olives
• 1 tablespoon minced shallots