Hi there šĀ This weekend was a blast, but today I feel like I need to recoup from it!Ā Do you ever have that happen?Ā I need a break from my break!
Yesterday for lunch we went to BJ’s Brewhouse for lunch with some new friends!Ā We had some chips and salsa to start off with:
And at the recommendation of Ethan, we got the Buffalo Chicken Pizza:
It was really good!Ā I’ve never had celery on a pizza before (and honestly am not a big fan of celery to begin with), but I enjoyed 2 slices.Ā YUM!Ā When we got home we got to call our moms and grandmothers and tell them all how much we love them and appreciate them šĀ Then we might have taken a nap (oops!) and then played frisbee while the dogs ran around a field by our house.Ā ‘Twas the perfect Sunday afternoon!
Since I am a fur-mommy, we celebrated Mother’s Day by visiting a new-ish restaurant:
Bagali’s New Orleans Inspired Italian!Ā The first time we ever drove by we were intrigued by the “New Orleans Inspired” part of the sign.Ā Growing up in Texas we always had pretty easy access to New Orleans, and if you’ve ever been there you KNOW that the food is absolutely heavenly:Ā tons of spice, richness, and flavor!Ā We started off with some Prosciutto-Wrapped Jalapenos:
Oh.my.word.Ā The prosciutto was caramelized around the jalapenos, and those were stuffed with an herbed cream cheese.Ā VERY different (in a good way) from the usual deep-fried jalapeno poppers!Ā Next, Nate and I split the Beet, Walnut, and Goat Cheese Salad:
This was my first time to ever try beets, and I have to say that I was NOT impressed.Ā I feel like all over the blog world people have been ranting and raving about how beets are this incredible food, both sweet and earthy, and the best accompaniment to salads EVAH.Ā Not so in this case.Ā I ate the whole thing because great goat cheese and toasted walnuts can cover a multitude of foodie sins, but I don’t forsee myself eating beets again for a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time!Ā For dinner Nate ordered the Baked Ziti (sorry, the lighting was really dim):
And I got the Not Your Mama’s Mac & Cheese!
I know that photo isn’t good at all, but this dish was amazing!Ā I had about 2/3 before I decided I was full, but I should have stopped a little earlier than that.Ā It was truffled ziti with a spicy, creamy, cheesy sauce and herbed bread crumbs.Ā HOLY YUM! Bagali’s has great food and a great atmosphere; the only thing I would change is make the prices a little lower.Ā It’s a great place to go on a nice date, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable suggesting it for a group of friends to eat out at because it’s more expensive than other good options out there.Ā To finish off the night we rented It’s Complicated:
This was a good movie, but not nearly as good as I had really hoped.Ā The best parts for me were the shots of Meryl Streep’s home and the parts that had John Krasinski (Jim from The Office) in them.Ā Still, it was a great way to relax and unwind before going to bed!
This morning we got up early and got ready early since I was meeting with LeeAnn for my PT/chiropractic.Ā Have I mentioned lately she’s awesome? Well, she is šĀ Before we left I made myself a chocolate peanut butter GM:
This never ceases to be amazing!Ā I took the time this weekend to cut up a bunch of bananas and put them in baggies in the freezer to make the GM-making process a lot smoother in the mornings.Ā It definitely worked today!Ā LeeAnn hasn’t released me to run just yet, but I think that’s probably a good thing.Ā I would really like to be able to find a greater balance with my eating habits before trying to introduce a higher calorie-burning exercise into my life again.Ā The thing is, I would justify eating crap because I would run, but I want to eat well because it makes me feel great, and run because it makes me feel great.Ā It’s still a struggle to find a way to convince myself to make a change in my eating habits, but something I read on the Fitnessista’s blog this morning really struck a chord with me:Ā “Change creates change.”
This was definitely something I needed to read.Ā Last night I thought about ordering a huge salad, or even just getting some grilled chicken & veggies for lunch.Ā I always THINK about getting something healthful at restaurants or friends’ houses, but have trouble following through.Ā If I do that a couple times in a row, it really gets me down.Ā And throw in a little less activity?Ā Fuggedaboutit. It’s a cycle that I’m trying to break, but that quote really made me see that if I expect change to happen, I really have to change.Ā Apparently I’m clueless sometimes…
Do you have a quote that has instigated a change in your life?Ā What was it?Ā And what change did it help you make? I’d say “change creates change” is definitely at the top of the list right now for me!
Beets are the best! You’ve gotta give pickled ones a try, they’re my favorite.
BJs buffalo chicken is the best! Might be my favorite pizza. We had that restaurant in my college town in LA, and it was a popular place to go. That was always my order. š
In terms of quotes, it changes depending on my situation and where I am at in life. Living in Mozambique, the quote that has really helped me is “do one thing every day that scares you.” Living here, so far away from everything I know, is SCARY sometimes! But that motivates me in the morning to get up and face the fear head on. It doesnĀ“t always work, but I have survived for 20 months so far š I also love “You are so much stronger than you think.”
i love, “too blessed to be stressed!”
That’s a great quote! There is often a desire to change but no real change if there is no action. Follow-through is key. I’m bad about it, too, but this is inspiration to act not just plan.
I used to run so that I could eat crap and high calorie food too.. and now I know how SUPER silly that was!!! And I feel like even though it’s going to be a LONG time til I can run again, hopefully by then I will at least have a healthy balance in terms with food!
Oh, girl, I HATE beets!! I am so with you! One of the only foods I WILL NOT touch! Gross!
I just found your blog! And now I am starving, Yummy food! Awesome pictures š
I am not sure I can pinpoint exaclty how this quote changed my life but I LOVE it and I tell myself this whenever I feel like quitting or giving up:
“One day I will not be able to do this; today is NOT that day!”
I agree that for change to happen we have to actively seek out ways to make it happen. Find ways to do that, but also don’t do keep yourself from enjoying things either. It’s a tough balance. You don’t want to end up resenting the changes you make is I guess what I am trying to say. š
My favorite quote is “Be the change you want to see in the world.” perhaps thats why I got it tattooed on my side?? lol….I’m glad I have that tattoo especially right now in my life…reminds me everyday why I am alive.
Yep, you really can’t beat New Orleans for food! Sorry about the beets– I’m a HUGE beets fan, but I know that not everybody likes them!
I’m the same way– I catch myself justifying certain foods for long runs, when in the end, I should just work more on eating AND working out for pleasure. Balance is hard to reach!
The day after I gave my resignation I bought a fridge magnet that says “Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.” I can’t wait until June 4th (last day at work) when I can begin creating myself!
I can’t believe I totally forgot to celebrate Mother’s Day yesterday for being a fur mom š Drat!
I have two quotes I try to live my life by; I try, I’m not sure how well I succeed!
Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.”
-Josh Billings
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”
-Robert Frost
I love beets, but it took me years to fall in love with them š
Your dishes look amazing, those jalapenos are calling me!(I happen to have jalapenos and prosciutto in the fridge, hahaa!) š
I saw “It’s Complicated” too… it definitely didn’t live up to what I’d hoped it be. It was entertaining though.
Those jalepeno’s look incredible!!!!
Everything looks incredible!
Omg really?! I LOVED It’s Complicated! Haven’t laughed that hard in a movie in a long time!
I’m not a jalapeno kinda girl, but I’d make an exception for those bacon wrapped & stuffed jalapenos. Yum!! š
Love that quote…so true!
Sooo I just found your blog and have to say…. those wrapped jalapenos look ridiculous! In a good way. I kinda love spicy food š
I’m also always up for chips & salsa and a night ending with a good movie! It’s complicated was super cute when I saw it in theaters….but maybe that’s because I was with my mama and she was lovingg it!
Great eats!
I like “It’s complicated”…I thought it was funny when they all got high hahaha
I always feel like I need a break after my weekends! Mondays are brutal and I play so hard on the weekends.
Your dinner looks good. But then, I’m a sucker for anything wrapped in bacon. š
One of my favorite quotes is ‘make changes, not excuses.’ Would use it all the time on my clients, as well as myself. I don’t take any crap! š
What a great idea to pre-freeze your bananas… chopped up! (Smacking myself on the forehead…) Duh!
I’ve frozen really ripe bananas before for smoothies but my blender doesn’t like them whole. I’m totally going to zippy bag them all chopped up! Thanks!