Joe and Lizz got stuck in Atlanta on Tuesday night – their flight was delayed from Austin, so they didn’t get to Chicago until yesterday morning. I knew we were going to be meeting them out to for dinner to meet her parents, but I didn’t know where we were going so I decided to make my breakfast and lunch as healthy as possible.
I wanted to make a smoothie for breakfast, but my blender is so old and loud, and it was early and Tony was still sleeping. I decided to blend it outside! Yep, I am a hillbilly like that. 
- 1.5 cups coconut milk
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 a frozen banana
- 1/2 a cup frozen raspberries
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
While I know it doesn’t look pretty, this tasted really good. I sipped it on my way to work.
I had to do a Sam’s Club run for work to stock up our beverage fridge. I stopped at Mariano’s to hit up their salad bar to accessorize my lunch. This whole container was $4, which I don’t think is too bad. I had fat free ranch dressing at work.
I also had a cup of my Cincinnati chili with jalapenos – wish they were spicier!
We ended up meeting them at Nick’s Pizza. We got there before them so we sat at the bar. Love a bar that has good beer on tap! I got a Fat Tire. Tony? A fucking Miller Lite. Always Miller Lite – gah! And peanuts are everywhere – you just throw the shells on the floor!
We ended up eating chicken wings as appetizers (I had 4) and then a double decker pizza, which is dough, sauce, cheese, more dough, sauce and toppings, then cheese. I didn’t take any pictures at dinner – we were enjoying getting to know Lizz’s parents.
They are wonderful. Very down to earth, they love Joe and welcome him into their family. Lizz’s parents were both born in Mexico and didn’t come to the states until their teenage years. Lizz’s Mom was so apologetic about her English, but she was just fine. Lizz’s brother was also with us – he’s in 8th grade.
After dinner we headed back to her parents house. I felt right at home as soon as I walked in. Want to know why?
There were snowmen everywhere!!
She has my dream Christmas tree – every single ornament is a snowman!! Skippy, you would have loved to see this tree!
Yep, I was in snowman heaven! If I could decorate today, I would, but Tony doesn’t like the decorations up for very long – I think after December 10 he’s okay, but literally by New Year’s Day he wants everything gone. Bah humbug!
We ended up talking for hours and didn’t get home until nearly 1:30 a.m. last night! Needless to say, I didn’t wake up until 10:15 this morning. 
So we have plans to meet the kids for lunch today, not sure where yet. I had a piece of toast to tied me over until then. And I have to get to the gym at some point today. I took a rest day yesterday and I am so glad I did – I was so sore from that exercise class on Tuesday night!
So thank you to Maria and Arturo for a wonderful dinner and evening!
So how many points did I earn on my Snowman Challenge yesterday? 35 points
- 10 points for having veggies at breakfast and lunch
- 10 points for logging my food
- 10 points for getting my water in
- 5 points for 5 positives for the day
- Thankful that Joe and Lizz got here safely
- meeting Lizz’s parents
- taking a rest day from working out
- double decker pizza – it’s amazeballs
- sleeping in today
Off to jump in the shower and I’ll see where the day takes me – make it a great day!
That smoothie actually *sounds* really good. I copied the recipe. 😉 And Snowmen are my favorite decorations this time of year!
I love that you blended outside. Why not! That chili looks great and that salad for 4.00 great deal! Glad you had a great visit!
Sarah!!! So nice to “see you!” Hope things are well with you. 😀
Sounds like a great evening out. Tony can come live with us. In Holland we put up the tree around December 10th and in my house the tree has to leave on January 1st. I love starting the new year in a clean house.
Those are some of the best snowmen I’ve ever seen! Now that Thanksgiving’s over, I’m ready to get into Christmas!
So glad you had a great time meeting Lizz’s family. The first time I met Darren’s whole family, I was SO nervous, because they are so close and nothing like my family. They are very nice though (which is good because Darren is really into seeing them all the time…like three times a week haha!)
So glad you like them Errign! I am still so happy you are happy!!
Poor Tony with the Miller Light! I LOL’ed at that. I totally get it girl except my husband is a Bud Light man…which I enjoy too but if I’m out at a bar with good taps, give me craft! 🙂
I agree… blending outside in the cold is LOVE! Your mother raised you well, so polite and thoughtful of others:)
I too love snowmen, they do however come in second place at my home. I am a penguin junkie ( and not just at the holidays). In addition to our regular tree, I do have my own personal penguin tree. I told my family to cut me off… If I get any more ornaments for it I will have to get a bigger tree.
It looks like you had a great time meeting the family. It is always nice when you get lucky enough to have good chemistry with the in laws.
Miller lite? Seriously? LOL!
We put up the tree Thanksgiving weekend and take it down New Years’ day. That has become our tradition since getting our fake tree.
You know, snowmen really signify winter and can be left up until March! 😀
I agree with you Lori! Actually, I think snowmen should be allowed to stay out all year round.
It sounds like you got some wonderful in laws for Joe, how lucky for him and for you guys! The blender outside thing made me chuckle, your neighbors must be amused 🙂
“A fucking Miller Lite. Always Miller Lite – gah!” Oh that makes me laugh. 🙂
LOVE all the snowmen…so cute! 🙂
I really love the detailed, well-rounded focus of the Skinny Snowman Challenge! It’s great to see HLBs focusing on ALL aspects of a healthy, happy life.
How fun to meet the in-laws (well, Joe’s in-laws)! You and Lizz’s mom must have bonded big time over the snowmen, lol! Enjoy your days off!
Thanks Shelley!
I think it would have been funny if the neighbors were watching you blend your smoothie outside. We bring our popcorn maker into another room to make popcorn late at night so we won’t wake my brother who is right under the kitchen.
So nice that you had a good time but with respect for you, I so cannot comment on the decorations. Ugh. 🙂
You and my husband would get along beautifully at a bar! He’s a huge fat tire fan, and feels the same way about Miller Lite. lol. Man–I haven’t been to Nick’s Pizza in eons! Seriously, it’s been at least 10 years. I loved the peanuts–and being able to toss the shells on the floor. 🙂
Michelle, I was wrong – we were at Village Pizza & Pub, although they seem like the same place to me!
I love your Miller Lite comment! We feel the same way–why would waste calories on beer flavored water!
So nice that the families got together! I know you were in Snowman heaven Biz. Good thing Tony is not married to a Latina – in that culture, all decorations stay up until Three Kings Day, which is January 6, 2013 this time around.
mmmmm- so in the mood for chili! Looks fantastic! Glad y’all had a nice meeting.
the ingredients in your smoothie sounds awesome! It’s exactly what I put in mine, except I use mango instead of banana. So delicious and filling!
And I love all the snowmen! I my Mom loves reindeer so they take over our house near the holidays!
Next time I go to Trader Joe’s I am going to buy frozen mango – it does sound good in a smoothie. 😀
Blending outside when it’s like 30 degrees do you don’t disturb Tony? THAT right there is LOVE. lol
I saw Shock Top has a new beer….End of the World…I’m dying to try it. lol I love to try microbeers. Cleveland is really big on them, so lots of choices on tap!
What a fun time it looks like you had getting to know everyone!
Our store just started to sell Shock Top – I need to try it, I’ve heard great things about it. 😀