Random Thursday Thoughts

The Fresh Market

Has anyone been to this place? I took a trip up there during my lunch break yesterday and was so impressed. I could have spent 3 hours just looking around.

I took this photo from their website to give you a quick peek inside...since I was one of the only people in there and felt weird snapping photos. Beautiful, right?

I had been given a tip from Ashley (another MD blogger) that they sold Barney Butter there...I definitely opened it in my car and took a taste. ahhh - love it. :)

Since I have been on a beet kick lately - I grabbed these as an impulse buy. I ended up deciding on a California Roll for lunch. Mainly because there was a sushi chef there rolling it, so I knew it was fresh. It better be, at the FRESH market.

Annabel Lee Tavern

Last night, Kevin wanted to go out to dinner. I don't think I have ever said no to that suggestion. We walked 2 blocks to a local favorite - Annabel Lee Tavern. One of my favorite things about city-life is being able to walk a few blocks to a great restaurant.

Annabel Lee is semi-new and has an Edgar Allen Poe theme going on - if you couldn't already tell by the name. Inside, it has a very cozy feel. There are always a ton of unique, mouthwatering specials and I have never been disappointed with any dish I've ordered.

Another nice thing is that Kevin went to college with one of the bartenders there, so that translates to extremely heavy pours of wine and maybe even a discount here and there. :)

I forgot my camera, so the pictures above have been borrowed from the website to give you a peek inside. But, the point of this story is that I overindulged.

It all started with my HUGE glass of red wine. Then, we ordered shrimp potstickers as an appetizer and I got roasted vegetable ravioli with a gorgonzola/mushroom sauce for my main meal. Kevin got the shrimp/scallop/crab risotto special that I, of course, tried a few bites.

Hello - self-control? You there?

Thursday

I vowed to get up early and go to the gym. Well, I got up early (5:30!!), but realized that Exercise TV was much more convenient than going to the gym. I also found a 1 hour "Boost Metabolism" workout with Jillian Michaels that sounded perfect to help burn off my dinner. Jillian is no joke and makes sweat pour out of me - I love that.

I worked up an appetite for oats.

• 1/2 c oatmeal
• skim milk to cover oats
• sprinkle of cinnamon
• handful of blueberries
• drizzle of agave nectar
• sprinkle of bee pollen
• spoonful of Barney Butter! (this stuff is a little runnier than I remember, but still has the same great flavor)

Running Resource

I wanted to provide a good resource to the running folks out there - my dad's running blog - Running with Tom!

I am not sure if I have provided it before, but he lists out a bunch of different treadmill workouts where you can adjust the starting speed to your pace and then follow his intervals. His friend actually manages the blog, but my dad provides the input.

He is waaay faster and a more experienced runner than me - so I know he would be happy to answer any running/training questions you have. He has run over 50 marathons and at least 10 ultras!

Have a great Thursday!