Happy New Years!!

 

Last breakfast of 2010. I can't believe how fast the year has flown by. 

Last workout of 2010: 10 minute running warm up followed by the same total body strength training routine using lots of these:

I have such a grateful heart for what 2010 has given me. I have a wonderful life here in London and an amazing husband who has supported me through many changes. I'm excited for what 2011 has to offer.

SmOoThIe BrEaK!!

Ingredients: Skim milk, frozen berries, spinach, banana, chocolate whey protein, agave nectar, ff vanilla yogurt, splash of water to unthicken the smoothie just a tad bit.

Give it a 10 second whirl in the Vitamix.

Tasted like a sweet thick chocolate berry smoothie today. Yum!

 

topped with raisins from the good ole U.S. of A!! Courtesy of Whole Foods.

2010: Year of the Vitamix.

Lunch:

While waiting for our pizza to cook, I had some veggies from last night.

Pizza Express at home. Their frozen pizza's are pretty tasty.

Perfection in the oven!

the cheese became nicely browned, just like I like it :)

topped with some basil, oregano, and EVOO from earlier.

I need my sweet fix! There was a 6 month period where I lost my desire for sweets. I'm so glad I have it back.

Some goals for 2011:

• Build my career 
• Become a better salsa dancer
• Get stronger, leaner, more toned
• Run half marathon
• Live, laugh, love deeply :-D

Throwback song of the day: Loon feat Mario Winans "Down For Me" 

Happy New Years!!

Love and Other Drugs

 Sushi day!

T loves raw fish. I'm a fan as long as I can sit and read my book in peace ;)

I'm a huge fan of the Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Another blogger had a holiday reading list on her site and this book was one of her top 10 (along w. the American Wife that I picked up). The book touches on a sore subject but overall is a pretty enjoyable light read.

T putting the finishing touches on all our plates. He's such a stickler for presentation. I must work on my patience. Just gimme da food!!

Salmon, seabream, tuna, scallops, seabass. lots o fresh fish from Steve Hatt Fishmonger.

Salmon maki with spicy scallop on the inside

Spicy tuna with panko crunch and trout roe

 

Kamikaze roll with tuna, salmon, seabream, seabass, pumpkin seeds, and a whole bunch of other schtuff. Everything was delicious and very filling. I tried desperately to stay awake but not even a good book could stop my eyes from shutting from time to time.

I dragged my mom and T to go see Love and Other Drugs this evening. I've been waiting for this movie to come out in the UK for a long time! It was cute, romantic, cheesy, predictable, sappy... and right up my alley! :o)

Side note to anyone who didn't know but now you know: There are lots of sex scenes in this movie!!

Dinner was leftovers

 

Poor momma! She's been doing all the cleaning ever since she got here and now she's doing the cooking. I've been so lazy with the house chores. I swear I maintain the house better than this!!

Kale and onion sautee. Delish and healthy!

Not so healthy fried chicken and lamb

We also had some unpictured ramen noodles because my dad had a hankering for them.

 

Mac n. cheese and mashed potaters. We also watched another episode of Top Chef All-Stars. So disappointed that my girl Jen left the show. She was a bad ass chef. Booo!!!

Time to hit the hay- I've got a major case of the droopy eyes!!

Freud

http://www.singaporegarden.co.uk/

What has us both so captivated? Patiently waiting for our food to arrive!

Ma po tofu, green chicken curry, and bok choy in garlic sauce.

Beef randang with pineapple chicken fried rice.

Wasabi prawns- the prawns were plump and juicy smothered in wasabi mayo. Yes please!

Everything was delicious but since it was a stop on our way to our final destination, I don't think we will make a repeat visit

My dad really wanted to see the Freud museum. Freud lived here 1938-1939. There were no pictures allowed inside but we were able to take some outside pictures

I loved these little circular signs that tell you who famous lived in these London homes.

Dinner @ Cafe Des Amis.

Scallop appetizer with a sort of basil pico de gallo.

My dish- crabmeat risotto with parmesan shavings. It was warm, satisfying, and tasty!

V's dish of Seabream with olive tapenade. It was pretty good but the fish itself could have been prepared a bit better. I like my fish crispy on the outside yet still flaky on the inside :)

A's dish of tuna steak w. sweet potato and tomato relish. The tuna steak was bland so a lot of salt was needed. tsk tsk! Underseasoning is a big no no on Top Chef.

 The vegetable accompaniment was lovely though!

All together now!

Hi pretty ladies!

Did you save room for dessert?

warm chocolate cake with black pepper ice cream. Standard chocolate dessert and the ice cream really just tasted like regular vanilla to me.

I love the presentation of the sorbet in the martini glass. Very claaassy.

Raspberry sorbet with strawberries in syrup and basil flakes. I think the restaurant is in love with basil but that's alright because so am I!

After dinner, the ladies and I went out for a bit of salsa dancing

Aside from a few creepers who I believe come to the club to grope women (uhm no thanks!), we had a lot of fun.

Breakfast:

Choco fix for my poor aching feet. Hey it's an excuse in my book!

Veg time.

whatcha looking at swan?

I feel like Chicken tonight. Chicken tonight.

Lots of greasy fried Chicken!

with hot sauce for dipping. :-D

After all that greasiness last night, I definitely needed a run this morning.

Regent's park was very foggy but beautiful.

I was rudely interrupted by these geese!

 So then I stopped to take a picture of these swans. So beautiful. I'm in love :-D

he he he.. so cute!

5.73 miles in about 57 minutes. My running pace has been slowing down lately. I think it's the colder weather and my sore muscles.

My dad's Christmas gift finally arrived.

Wine for the Win-O

He'll be here til the 3rd of January so he'll have to drink two bottles a day :o)

Afternoon agenda: Freud museum