French Feasts

It’s Friiiiidayyyyyy!

Last night was a great night.  Right after work was the second kOlympics event – my company’s two week long Olympics.  What did we participate in? kChopped of course!  Last year my coworker and I participated in the Chopped competition and it was so much fun/stressful, exactly like the t.v. show.

When we walked into the cafe at 5:30 p.m. all of the ingredients were already laid out on the chopping block table.  There were so many different ingredients, but the real challenge was that we had no stove or oven!  There were a couple George Foreman Grills available, two flat top grills, a couple blenders and a random crockpot.

The competition this year was a little different in that there were no “secret ingredients”, rather the judges decided each course had to be based off a specific theme.  The appetizer had to pair with the ‘Sears Tower’ theme (aka the Willis Tower, but if you’re a true Chicagoan you don’t call it that), the main course had to have a ‘Bears’ theme and the dessert round had to incorporate a “kCura”, or company, theme.

I was only able to stay and participate for the appetizer round as I was meeting up with the family to celebrate my sister’s 21st birthday!

For those of you who are curious, however, we made a stacked caprese/avocado salad as our appetizer – the tower representing the Sear’s tower, of course.

Right after that was over I headed over to Hubbard Inn to meet my mom and sister for a pre-dinner cocktail.  I’m fairly certain I’ve already told you this, but the Moscow Mule is my new favorite summer drink. hands Down – so refreshing!

Shortly after we finished out drinks, we headed over to Paris Club for our main event.  A bottle of crisp, dry Rose was ordered for the table as well as the pretzel croissants and puff pastry escargot.

Kristan and I LOVE escargot.  So buttery, garlicky and delicious.  The best part about these little suckers was that they were wrapped in a light and flaky puff pastry topping.

They are a MUST order.

For my entree I ordered the Skate Wing , which came in a light lemon wine sauce with roasted potatoes.  It was deliciously light and flaky, if you have not tried Skate Wing I highly recommend it.

The rest of the group ordered more French items such as Steak Frites, Duck Confit with a L’Orange sauce and creeps, and their delicious Hamburger with Gruyere cheese and port wine onions.

We were all full and happy at the end of the meal!

I can’t believe the HALF MARATHON weekend is finally here – eek.  I’m going to take it easy these next two days and just stretch and relax.  I might go on a really light 2 mile jog Saturday morning to work out some of my nerves, but ill play it by ear.  Any words of advice for my final few days!?

Also, to get my pumped up for more races to come, my friends and I just signed up for the encore of the COLOR RUN!  I was out of town the first time it came to Chicago this year, so I am so excited to participate this fall!

Have you ever done a color run?

BIRTHDAY MONTH!

Good Morning!

You know what today is? No I’m not talking about the Blackhawks parade… It’s ONE WEEK until my birthday! Partttyyyyyyy!  I don’t know about you, but birthdays have always been a big deal in my family.  Instead of one day you pretty much get a whole month which is why July is the greatest.

Brian decided that he is taking me to the new Brewery/Restaurant that opened up just down the street from us – DryHop! I’m so excited, I can’t think of anything I want more on my birthday other than delicious craft beer and some mussels!

Doesn’t this picture make you want to play hookie today and enjoy the weather? 😉

My little sister, Kristan, was also born in July and will be turning 21 just two weeks after my birthday! FINaLLLy!

I may be more excited about her turning 21 than she is.

Yesterday after work, I headed straight to the gym because rain was in the forecast and it was rolling in quickly.  The gym was pretty empty, which was awesome! I completed a quick 3.5 mile run on the treadmill followed by a lot of stretching and a quick ab circuit.

On my way out, I grabbed a couple Quest Bars to go because my friend and I are tackling 10 miles on Sunday and it will be a great way to refuel.  P.S.  Look how cool the sky looked when I left the gym – right after it had stopped raining!

Before dinner, I snacked on some fresh pineapple while my body cooled down and I stopped sweating.

Fresh pineapple is so delicious and affordable right now when you buy it in its whole form.  Love.

For dinner, Brian and I made “garbage bowl” salads with pretty much anything that was in the fridge including the leftover quinoa and chicken from the night before.

His and Hers.

They were very large and very filling 🙂 to end the night on a sweet note I finished with a brown rice cake topped with Greek Yogurt, honey, cinnamon and some dark chocolate chips.

This weekend is going to be pretty chill, which I am thrilled with considering all of the birthday activities that are coming up.  Also, I am going to try and stay as lean, clean and green as I can in preparation for the 4th of July!  Have you checked out all the new 4th of July inspired workouts on the ToneItUp blog?  They look awesome – cant wait to try one tonight!

Have a good weekend, friends!

Mother’s Day Extravaganza

What a great weekend we just had!

Friday started out with one of our best friends from New York flying in and meeting us at our favorite bar – Hopleaf.  We stayed there all night catching up, drinking delicious craft beer and splitting an order of frites!

The next morning we all woke up bright and early to prepare for the big bachelor weekend Brian and our friend were participating in.  I made a big batch of protein pancakes to fuel our mornings and then they were off!

All of the men wore personalized Jerseys that accompanied the theme of the bachelor weekend — the groom is a huge soccer fan and part of the day-long celebration was going to a Chicago Fire game.

While the men were out drinking, my mother and sister made their way down to the city to start the Mother’s Day Extravaganza.  Before I met up with them, I went on a light 3 mile jog and completed a few Tone It Up! toning videos.

I met the family in the Lincoln Park area where we spent 3 hours shopping and strolling the area.  One of our pit stops included a bakery gem called Interurban Cafe and Pastry Shop.  This amazing bakery is located just off Armtiage in an ALLEY.

Seriously, you might miss it if you don’t look closely, but it adds a little charm to this sweet spot.  My sister and I split a homemade apple cinnamon “poptart” that tasted like a decadent apple pie.

We also picked up a few lemon spice cake pops and some homemade trail mix.  Everything was so delicious, it was the perfect shopping snack!

After we finished shopping, my sister and I headed back to my apartment and my mother headed into the city to spend the night at the Marriott with my dad.

Kristan, my sister, and I relaxed with Bailey for a few hours, ordered some Thai food and then headed out to a birthday party for my sisters friend who was turning 21!  I cannot believe my sister and her friends are turning 21… This means I’m getting old.  We’re only four years apart, but still 🙂

Sunday morning, Kristan and I headed down to my parents hotel room so we could start the Mother’s Day festivities.  We packed my mom’s gift, some coffee to go, flowers and a bottle of champagne – obviously!  My mom opened her gifts and loved what my sister and I got her – a CamelBack Hydration Pack!  My mom and dad go on a lot of bike rides in the summer and my mom always talks about how she wishes there was a more convenient way to carry around water.

She was very happy with all of her gifts 🙂

Around 11:00 a.m. – we headed over to GT Fish & Oyster for brunch!  I have been to GT several times for dinner, but never for brunch so I was VERY excited.

Of course, the food was amazing!  My mother ordered the Biscuits with Lobster Gravy which was creamy and succulent, my dad got the Homemade Lox, I got the Crab Benedict, and my sister got the shining start of the morning – the Duck Chilaquiles.

Oh my word – so many wonderful textures and such an amazing fresh taste.  Seriously, if you go there for brunch make sure someone in your group order’s this!  Way to go, Giuseppe Tentori.  What topped off the whole experience was that the restaurant gave my mother a $20 gift certificate to spend on her next brunch there!  Amazing.

After brunch, we parted our ways and I gave my sister an extra big hug because she is leaving to study abroad in Italy/Greece.  What an awesome experience that will be for her!  I studied abroad in Paris, France after my Junior Year of college and it was honestly one of the most life changing experiences I’ve ever had.  Plus, I got to learn a lot more about my favorite subject – food!

The weekend ended with my scheduled training run.  Honestly, it was very difficult to get off the couch and go run after a weekend filled with mimosas and delicious treats,  but it had to be done!  Surprisingly, my legs felt great and the six miles flew by!  It was definitely a chilly and windy run, but there were plenty of people out on the trains to keep me company.

Cheers to a productive Monday!

Hopleaf

Rise and Shine!

Last nights dinner was INCREDIBLE.  I woke up this morning still full and extremely happy – isn’t that the best way to wake up?  Brian and I went to a restaurant/bar called Hopleaf last night with two of our friends.  Hopleaf is in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago which is one of my favorites.

When you first walk into the bar you are immediately greeted by the door man who casually checks your id while simultaneously flipping through some Earnest Hemingway book.  The decor of the place is trendy but casual – exposed brick walls, wooden bar booths, shiny beer taps and a open concept kitchen.  Hopleaf has a some-what recently added addition (since we have been there last) that really brightens up the place.

The craft beer selection is extensive.  I’m talking a 10 page booklet with excellent Belgium offerings.  The waiters are all very knowledgeable about every beer and are not pretentious about it.

To start, the group ordered a round of appetizers: Belgium style mussels steamed in Wittekerke white ale with frites, the sausage plate and a caramelized onion and goat cheese tartlet. All of this was brought to our table within 20 minutes and we could not believe how much food it was!  The mussels were succulent and juicy with a delicious aroma of shallots and thyme.  The sausage that I tried had an amazing spice to it and it was paired with a mustard dipping sauce that I could have licked straight from the container.  The onion tartlet was good – but the frites – oh those frites – to. die. for.  I’m not even a huge “french fries” fan, but these were so thin and crispy they practically melted in your mouth.  Did I mention they came with a heavenly garlic aioli?  yum.

As if we needed anymore food to stuff into our bellies, our entrees came out just as the last fry left the basket.  I ordered the Diver Scallops which came with a roasted pumpkin puree and crisp apple slaw.  It was delicious.  The scallops were cooked perfectly and the slaw added a nice acidity when paired with the earthy pumpkin puree.

The scallops were technically on the appetizer list, but I was grateful for the small portion because I was already pretty full.  The rest of the crew got the Tilapia Sandwich with gribiche sauce, the Organic Black Earth Farms Brisket Sandwich and Brussels Sprouts with breadcrumbs and bacon.  I think it’s safe to say at this point in the meal we were indulging in pure gluttony.

I highly recommend Hopleaf to anyone who loves craft beer and Belgium-style food.  Their menu is a slam-dunk, I would have easily ordered everything listed.

Happy and full!

After we left, we were walking down Clark and noticed a dog store that had all of these adorable doggies running around and playing.  We literally could not help ourselves and went inside to see what was going on.  There was an event called ‘Woof and Wine’ going on where dog owners could bring their dogs and have a cocktail while getting to know the other owners in the area.  Clever!  Brian and I went ahead and bought some dog food for Bailey to support the local store, and my friend bought her a nice treat!  It was truly a great evening with friends and food.

I have indoor soccer tonight at 9:30 p.m., which is later than I was hoping for…  but at least I can get a few things done around the apartment before I leave.

Ta Ta for now!