Life Lately - Hippie or Not Hippie, That Is The Question

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If the title of this post made you think of "To be or not to be," then you can officially award yourself ten points. Or maybe I should just go ahead and award those points to Gryffindor. 

1. I went to Grange Hall on Randolph St and loved it. It was hipster through and through, and felt like a scene from Portlandia where they tell you all about where the beef came from and whether it had a good home (it also reminded me of Ft. Defiance in Brooklyn). The menu is mostly burgers, but I had chili and salad. Best of all was sitting outside with this view.

I will never call you Willis.

Also, they brought water with only a little bit of ice, a small slice of lemon and a small slice of lime (or was it cucumber?). Perfection.

2. Hippy move number two... and I'm not sure if this really is a hippie move. I ordered new toothpaste from Vitacost.com (I figured that something more natural would be more sensitive to our teeth). When it showed up, my loving fiance teased me and said he was engaged to a hippie. Apparently even the packaging looks hipstery? Beats me...

Are you there, Jason? It's me, Hippy

3. Do hipsters get manicures? I'm thinking maybe not (at least not the "real" hippies... I'm looking at you, Wicker Park), so perhaps this will balance out the Portlandia restaurant and supposed hipster toothpaste: I'm usually a french manicure girl. I like that I can get a no-chip manicure and make it last for 3+ weeks without having to take the time to go back and get them fixed. But, the last time I went, I decided to be brave and change it up. And by change it up, I mean get something almost the same but not entirely. I think it was called I Theodore You.

Still going strong, Theodora

4. Fourth, and this has absolutely nothing to do with the (not so) epic battle between hipster and not-so-hipster, I'm a Yelp Elite!

In conclusion... yes, I am fully aware that I am not a hippie. I can hardly pass for hipster, depending on the neighborhood. It is really all in jest. 

QUESTIONS:

• Do you ever make purchases that strike you as out of character?
• Are you into all natural ingredients?
• Do you Yelp?

Workout Regimens are Always Tentative

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Last week, I shared my tentative fitness plan. Well, you know what they say. The best laid plans of mice and (wo)men... often go awry when you're having fun?

I actually didn't stray too far from the plan, but there were a few deviations. On Saturday, instead of Spinning, I did a leisurely 4 mile run. I was in recovery mode. You know why...

Then, instead of taking a Muscle Definition Class on Monday, I opted for a 3 mile walk/run because my sister was in the city for an interview. How can you not hang out with your sissy? Not possible. So, instead of going to the class, we had hummus and salads in the beer garden at Grandview Tavern.

Other than that, I think I pretty much nailed it.

Wednesday: 3.5 mile interval run
Thursday: Bodypump (60 minutes), 15 minute Stairmaster Sprint, Body by Science (BBS)
Friday: Mercury Method Hot Pilates Class ("Control" class, 60 minutes)
Saturday: 4 mile run
Sunday: Bodypump (60 minutes), CXWorx (30 minutes ab class)
Monday: 3 mile walk/run
Tuesday: Pilates (60 minutes), 3 mile run
Wednesday: Treadmill HIIT, 4 mile total run

Some thoughts... I apparently have done a lot of short runs this week. I'm not exactly sure why or how they slipped in there, but 3-4 miles seems to be my go-to. It's easy to squeeze that amount of time in, I guess.

Also... I love bodypump. Planning to post later about how I've managed to increase my weight, but let me just say... you can always do more than you think.

QUESTIONS:

• Do you set an exercise schedule in advance or just wing it?
• Have you ever tried Bodypump or another weights class?

Bruleed Bananas and Dates in Chobani

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I used to focus so heavily on recipe posting that my recipe list would grow by 2 or 3 each week. Now? As I focus a bit more on real life, the recipes have been few and far between.

#Oops. I guess this blog is as versatile and changing as real life. #SorryImNotSorry

That said, sometimes I make something that is just so delicious, it pretty much comes out of the oven screaming "SHARE ME ON THE BLOG!" Like a mandrake root kind of scream (Harry Potter for the win). A girl has to oblige.

This recipe is an awesome breakfast, mid-day snack, or even dessert. Don't hesitate to swap out ingredients, like using a different greek yogurt (or regular yogurt, if you must). If you want it a bit sweeter, feel free to use vanilla instead of plain yogurt.

Bruleed Bananas and Dates in Chobani

Ingredients:

• 1 Banana
• 1 tbsp Sugar, for sprinkling
• 3 Dates
• 2 tbsp Organic Shredded Coconut, No sugar added
• 1 tbsp Sliced Almonds (Walnuts, Pistachios or Pralines would be delicious here, too)
• 1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
• Parchment paper

Directions:

1. Slice banana into 1/2-1/4 inch pieces. Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet and sprinkle sugar on top of banana pieces. Broil for a few minutes, until the sugar has browned. Set aside.
2. Chop dates.
3. Scoop yogurt into a bowl or cup. Add banana slices, then sprinkle with dates, shredded coconut, and almonds.
4. Enjoy the heck out of that bowl of delicious goodness.

My Hangover Cure

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...the completely unofficial, and only once tested remedy.

Disclaimer: This is not a normal practice and I don't advocate being in the situation to even NEED a hangover remedy. But, we're all human, and sometimes we wake up with a banging headache that is screaming at us for having one too many drinks.

I woke on on Saturday morning feeling like I took a freight train to the face. Between drinking strong drinks, dancing at a concert, and eating octopus at midnight (why?!?!), my body was pretty angry.

Step One: Go to Brunch. 

If you can handle it, and it's relatively close, WALK THERE. As painful as it is, the fresh air and sunlight will help you a lot. When you're there, order something delicious and filling. I encourage eggs, meat, and bread. I ordered Naan with chicken chorizo and two sunny side up eggs. ALSO, DRINK WATER WHILE YOU'RE THERE!

Step Two: Add Nutrients. Another thing to do at brunch, if possible. We decided to hit up Meli Cafe, where they have freshly juiced beverages. I had a delicious beverage with a ton of freshly juiced ingredients, like oranges, carrots, apples, and beets. If you can't get it at brunch, at least add some fruit or take a multi vitamin. ALSO, WATER!

Step Three: Take A Nap

Now that you've stuffed your face, it's time to fall into a fitful coma for 3 hours. Or as long as you need to sleep. I napped while my fiance watched sports (what sport? no idea. didn't care). I am a strong advocate of napping to golf, because it is by far the most boring sport to me, and I can always nap. Other good options are: Friends Season DVDs, Avatar, any movies that are long.

Step Four: Sweat

This is the hardest one for me. Now that you've eaten and rested, you may feel just a little bit better. No, you're not ready to conquer the world. But, you are ready to sweat a little. Get the rest of that booze out of your system. You will probably want to sleep instead, but trust me, it's worth it. DO NOT FORGET TO BRING A WATER BOTTLE!

If you're worried about balance, stick with a bike or elliptical (don't want you hurting yourself!). I, for one, was brave and hit the treadmill. I ran 4 miles, but it took me a full hour. I alternated between walking (4mph), walking on an incline (3,8mph, 5-9 incline), and a light jog (6mph). 

I know what you're thinking... how on earth will I get myself to work out when I feel like death? Well, the answer, my friends, is water and entertainment. I brought my iPad and started catching up on Revenge (awful show, still have to watch it for some reason) and drank a LOT of water.

Step Five: Get Pretty

Now that you've eaten, napped, and sweated (and PLEASE tell me you've been drinking water), it's time to put yourself back together. I had plans for a friend's birthday party that night, and we were meeting at Blow by Blow to get our hair done, so I showered (had to) and did my makeup, then got dressed. I donned a good old arm party and headed over to Blow by Blow. Before and After pics below... it obviously helped.

Step Six: Have A Drink

Notice I did not say "Get drunk" or "Drink a bottle of wine." Having one drink is fine, but over-doing it will put you in the same predicament you are finally easing out of. So, chill out, have one glass of wine, and don't get too excited about the alcohol. I'm a big fan of red wine when I'm not feeling so hot, because it keeps me warm and feels somehow nourishing (again, this only counts if you're only drinking a little bit!).

Step Seven: Eat Again

Eat again, and eat a lot. You're finally in the clear, for the most part. I was at Pump Room and ordered a Kale Salad (read: nourishment, vitamins), a salmon over rice pseudo-sushi (read: healthy fats, light carbs), and some fried polenta (read: carbs and cheese in my belly). 

Step Eight: Learn From Your Mistakes and Just Go To Bed
Don't go out. Don't go drink more. Just go to bed. I cannot even describe how amazing it felt to crawl into a nicely made bed and curl up, knowing that I could drift off into sleep.

Question:

• What's your hangover cure?

Go Big or Go Home

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More than a few times this week, I've made the decision to Go Big. On Saturday, at CostCo, I spotted my favorite white roses. It's not the biggest splurge of my life by any means, but it's still not something I do every week. But, into my cart they went. Now I'm enjoying them in three rooms in my house. Well done, Carly.



Example two... Pizza and wine. On our way home one afternoon this week, we walked past our favorite neighborhood pizza place and saw that they had half priced wine. Delicious coal-fired pizza and discounted vino? Not a hard decision. Done and done.

White pizza with lots of cheese, basil, and extra parm. Winning combination. So worth it. 

Part three... the next day, my fiance got a text inviting us to watch the Cubs game that night from the skybox at Wrigley. Yet another easy decision... free seats, free food, free drinks, and great company? Done.

And then there's the dessert cart. I had a peanut butter cookie (peanut butter with peanut butter cups in it, omg) with a scoop of ice cream on top and a side shot of kahlua in a chocolate shot glass. Yes, I ate the whole thing. Yes, I enjoyed every bite. #GoodDecisions

Do you go big every once in a while?

What are your big "splurge" items?

Absent Minded Professor - WOTDs

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At my gym, there are lockers with keypads you can use to lock them. This means I can no longer just search for my lock and know that my stuff is inside... because all the locks look the same.

Earlier this week, I totally effed up and forgot where my stuff was. I mean, they all look the same. I had to get someone to let me into like five different lockers before we found my stuff. Pretty sure she thought I was some kind of gym locker bandit. 

Now, I have to resort to things like taking a picture on my phone of my locker number, or writing it in pen on my hand. Actually, the above picture is from when I signed up for a spinning bike and thought I'd forget what my number was. 

This is the story of my life... complicated theories? Got it down pat. Logic games? Nail it. Remembering a simple number? Impossible.

Wearing the same pants over and over? Check. Okay, no, I don't wear these Ellie camo workout capris every day... but I have worn them twice this week and taken a picture in almost the exact same pose. Time to throw those babies in the wash...

And finally, an awful "I just woke up, why the eff am I at the gym?" picture. This is real life, folks. Also, I was terribly pale in that picture. Don't worry. The situation has been remedied.

WORKOUTS OF THE WEEK:

Wednesday: Juice Cleanse, No Workout

Thursday: Juice Cleanse, No Workout

Friday: First day off Juice Cleanse, No Workout

Saturday: 20 Min Ab Work, Spin Class

Sunday: CXWORX (Ab Class)

Monday: Body By Science, Muscle Definition Weights Class

Tuesday: Pilates

Wednesday: 4 Mile Interval Run

I've put together a pretty awesome plan for the next few weeks. If you haven't noticed, I'm a huge planner, especially when it comes to food, workouts, and travel. Here's a sneak peak of what the tentative exercise regimen will be: Weights, Resistance, Cardio, Weights, Resistance, Cardio, Weights.