Monday, February 28, 2011

TGI...M??

Good morning everyone!

Hope you all had a fun & relaxing weekend!

Friday night we had dinner at Geja's for restaurant week. It was AH-mazing. Just as I remembered it.  Dim candlelight, wine flowing, and food that will instantly warm your frozen February self right up!

We split a 4-course meal: 1) simple salad with a good vinaigrette, 2) cheese fondue (swiss & guyere) with apples, grapes, and little pieces of bread, 3) the main event -- small portions of steak, chicken, scallops, lobster, and shrimp, which we cooked at our table and dipped into 1 of 8 (yes 8!) different dipping sauces... holy condiments!, and 4) chocolate fondue with orange liquor, with various fruit, pound cake, and marshmallows! Wow...that was a mouthful.


We used the coupon we had from last time for some Lynfred wine, which I was really excited to try.  I am hoping to finally get out to Lynfred winery sometime this spring.  We have a 2 for 1 tasting coupon to use and my wine club bought a Groupon, so I see 2 trips in the near future :)

After our dinner, I very boldly stated that I think Geja's is my favorite restaurant in Chicago.  It has a mix of all of my favorite things! Cheese, chocolate, and wine...what more could you really want??

Saturday Justin's parents came into town for a late lunch at Gino's East.  This pizza was insanely thick & filling. I had a hard time finishing one piece!


I was glad to try it, but I still think Lou Malnati's is my favorite for deep dish.  We had a great time catching up with his parents (as always!) and it was so good to see them.

Sunday I had a nice day out in Geneva, Illinois with my friend Christina & her mom Donna. We went to the Geneva Bridal Walk (she's getting married this October!!) to check out everything the cute stores and local vendors have to offer. I absolutely LOVE Geneva. It is the cutest little town. We got a lot of walking in & collected a ton of FREE SAMPLES! One of life's simple pleasures.  Thanks for including me Christina -- perfect girls day!

After leaving Geneva I was able to do my grocery shopping out in the suburbs at a SuperTarget!!! It was so nice to walk down the aisles and not feel like I was playing a game of Mario Cart.  I am thankful when I can get some groceries in a little more sane environment! I was even able to pick up an old friend: I got my Camel BACK!!!!


Oh, how I have missed YOU! I love these water bottles because they are virtually spill-proof, and I need all the help I can get with that.  They also feature a "bite valve," which is great for working out!  I used to use a Nalgene, usually ending up with only 1/2 of the water actually going into my mouth.  I lost part of my pretty pink Camelbak recently after I left it at a Barre class :( I have been doing without, but I just can't seem to take in as much water without carrying one of these around.

So, you may have noticed that I have titled this post "TGI-M." I'm sure you're thinking "who put the pepp in her cheerios?!" (silly you, it was oatmeal, and the pepp was probably the peanut butter)

Since I did say this blog is about being healthy and HAPPY, I am going to be adding in a dose of the "happy," on Mondays.

I have been trying for a long time to unlock the secret of making Mondays more enjoyable.  Some people have suggested waking up for a workout, others have suggested planning something fun for Monday nights.  None of this really seemed to do the trick...although, having the Bachelor on Monday nights certainly does not hurt! ;)

I do an awful lot of "wishing my life away." I'm always saying, "I can't wait until 5 o'clock," "I wish it was FRIDAY," "I will be so happy when it's finally Spring," ...you get the idea.  Slow. down. sista.

I recently came to the realization that maybe having a happy Monday doesn't mean unlocking some magic answer about making the day a little less depressing.  Maybe that's really the problem -- the Monday "attitude."

I have been trying to work on living more in the present, being grateful for each day as it happens.  Even Mondays! There are people in the world who truly live their life for EACH day and are thankful just to wake up, no matter what day of the week it is, or the time of the year.  Remembering that really puts things into perspective and makes me feel silly about all of the "wishing" I do.

Maybe if we all keep that little thought in our head, we will have less cases of the "Mondays" and we really will wake up saying "TGI-M!"

Remember: Every day is a gift. That is why it is called the PRESENT! :)

Hope you all have a fantastic day!

xoxo

Jess

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