To Market to Market

a mini snack before heading off to Zumba. I don't know why I don't buy cut up vegetables more often. This makes healthy eating so much easier! A heading tablespoon and 1/2 of all natural chunky peanut butter on celery sticks. Yum!

My first zumba class was a success.The class was very small with about 10 people but I really enjoyed the experience. I was nervous of course but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. A little bit of good stress is always good. :) Here's to more classes in the future!!

After class, the hubby took me out to celebrate. We went to a modern British cuisine restaurant in Camden called Market.

http://www.marketrestaurant.co.uk/

hehe.. I liked the pitcher that our tap water came in. I also got a glass of pinot grigio to start!

6 maldon rock oysters. These slippery guys are delicious with a squeeze of lemon, shallot dip, and some tabasco if you like it spicy.

We were trying to get rid of that shadow but it seemed to follow us everywhere! Gratuitous shot! :-P

lamb sweetbreads on a bed of lentils and chicory. The combination of the tender sweetbread and lightly seasoned lentils melded so well together. Mmm mmm!!

T ordered the plaice. I took a bite out of it and it was very good! I wasn't really in the mood for fish though so I only took a small bite.

buttery cabbage on the side

I ordered the onglet with fries. The onglet was kind of tough to chew but the flavor was spot on.  The fries were garlicy and salty... yummmmmm!!

We ordered the apple crumble with vanilla custard. WOW is all I have to say!! What a great ending to a fantastic meal. I would definitely go to Market if you're in the Camden neighborhood.

Breakfast this morning:

We finally tried the Irish bread that T brought back. It tasted a bit cinnamon-y and sweet from the raisins. It was nice lightly toasted and w. some butter.

Purple hues

T made us another delicious omelet with American cheese... time to work out!

Song of the day: Chris Brown "Yea 3x"

California King Bed

Lunch: Leftover quinoa and salmon with some courgettes mixed in.

T came back from Ireland last night and brought me back some treats. I love goodies!! :-D I haven't tried the bread yet but it looks amazing.

I had a feeling he was going to bring me back something that said the Luck of the Irish! I haven't had such great luck these past few months. In fact, its been pretty shitty! lol.. but hopefully things will turn around.. I'm feeling more positive about it.

I requested T make us grilled cheese sandwiches upon his return. His are the best! He used American, blue cheese, and truffle oil.. yuuumm!!

Quick bowl of cereal before heading off to the gym

added sliced bananas and seeds on top

mmm fresh coffee in my new cup!!

Workout today was back and chest: 12 reps per exercise. I was going to do three sets but I haven't lifted in a while so I decided to stick with two today.

• Wide grip pulldown
• flat bench dumbbell press up
• one arm row
• machine chest press
• Rest and repeat once more
• Seated row
• Incline dumbbell fly
• bent over bent arm row
• calf press
• Rest and repeat once more
• Stretch and go home

Protein smoothie to aid in muscle recovery:

• skim milk
• greek yogurt
• pineapple
• mango
• frozen fruit
• agave nectar
• ice 
• scoop of protein powder

I sauteed some roasted broccoli in my leftover zucchini and quinoa mix. I also added in some sauteed shrimp. The shrimp was overly coated in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder. I might have forgotten there wasn't a lid on top of the chili powder. Oops!! It was still tasty though :)

Song of the day: Rihanna "California King Bed"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhBorPm6JjQTeaching my first small Zumba class today!!

Where are my blueberries?

I needed a protein filled breakfast to get me through a 2 hour morning of zumba practice. I'm hoping to teach my first class tomorrow **fingers crossed I don't get cancelled on again!!*

0% fat Fage greek yogurt with grapes, pineapple and seeds on top

I had a slight hunger pang midway through my workout so I had a snack of whole wheat toast w. nutella and bananas :)

lunch was leftover pasta from the freezer. It originally came with white pasta but I made myself some whole wheat penne to substitute and added some spinach.

Random tid bit:
According to my Women's Health Magazine May 2011 issue: "Blue-violet produce, including blueberries, plums, and grapes, may help ward off neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and keep your mind sharp as you age. A report in Archives of Toxicology suggests that purple produce is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that may block the production of toxins that can damage the brain and other organs." They recommend eating two servings a day. I already ate one serving of grapes for breakfast and I don't really eat plums so I guess I have to buy some blueberries!

Burnt pizza

when left to my own devices... I burn the pizza!! Blergh.. as simple as it may seem I somehow manage to screw it up!! I ate it anyway. ha!

Woo hoo!! I finally got my certificate in the mail. I'm a level 3 personal trainer. Yippee!! So, I've decided to get myself back into fighting shape before I start training anyone. I've definitely let myself go in terms of lack of exercise and eating badly..

I finally went to the gym today and did a PUNCH kickboxing class and Zumba. Now I don't really advise doing more than 1 hour of exercise but I felt like staying for an extra class today. I probably won't be doing that again.. my one butt cheek is sore! :-D

Now someone either misses the hubs or she's missing her friends. I'm not sure which!

sad face!

after salsa class last night, I made myself an oven baked sea bass, spinach, and asparagus dinner. Quite healthy and tasty!!

Breakfast this morning: eggs, whole wheat toast, and some fruit. I love tropical fruits!

salmon dressed in EVOO, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and chili powder.

Quinoa, salmon, spinach, and lettuce w. korean dipping sauce.

snack of peanut butter M&M's and giganto pretzels... I think I deserve this one after the workouts and taking the Noms for an hour long walk! Phew..

Agenda: Korean class, Salsa!

Pho sure

We're back in London and SO tired!!! Nothing like a bowl of Pho to put you straight to sleep.

fresh spring rolls w. a peanut dipping sauce

Vietnamese baguette of both chicken and beef on a whole wheat baguette. I've never had one of these before. I didn't even know it was a thing in the Vietnamese cuisine culture. It was like regular sandwich but with the classic Vietnamese herbs and spices. Quite yummy!

bowl of cereal for breakfast with sprinkled seeds and germ on top. Our fridge is almost empty; no eggs and bread!! Time for an Ocado order ..

http://www.kobos.com/Coffee-Tea-Espresso/Gourmet-Specialty-Coffee/Dark-Roast-Coffee/

I'm back to drinking coffee! While we were in Portland, we stopped by Kobos coffee and bought two different dark blends. I love their coffee's because its dark but doesn't taste bitter and has a rich and smooth taste. It's a nice way to welcome coffee back into my life :)

Today's agenda: Zumba, Korean studies, salsa class, relaxation.. The hubs is in Dublin, Ireland for a couple days leaving me all alone!! What the funk we just got back home!! Booooo!!!

HE DID IT!

Chicken lettuce wraps

crab cakes

california roll

my preggie friend opening her gifts

I love buying baby gifts and living vicariously through my friends :)

either that dress is really unflattering or I've gained a TON of weight. eeek!!

We've arrived at U of I for my brother's law school graduation and we're here to eat some fried foods!

my bro making the recommendations on what to order

this was a very delicious fried fish sandwich.

the fried chicken was good but it still doesn't measure up to the greasy fried chicken in London.

U of I is such a cute college town. definitely brought me back in time..

we went to a Korean restaurant for dinner and received amazing service and pretty decent food.

we stopped at a local college bar for a sample of beer and some socialization

lots of beers to choose from

3 years of school sure go by fast.. Congrats to my older brother for finishing law school cum laude!!

Unfortunately, we brought the camera that doesn't have a very good lens :(. These pictures were the best I could do!

proud momma

"lets get a back shot"

snacking after the ceremony

future Judge?

..hey I can pretend!

We went to a Thai restaurant for Joe's graduation dinner. We all ate till we were STUFFED!! Dwaeji's! The food was all very tasty..

thai iced tea

mango strawberry cheesecake

fried banana dipped in honey with vanilla ice cream. Yuuuuuuummmm..

One last photo before heading back home!