Weight Watchers was a full house on Saturday morning, and I give all the credit to Mickey, our leader. She’s funny, upbeat and sometimes we don’t get to the weekly topic, but that’s okay – it always renews my inspiration when I attend every Saturday.
I ate out twice last week when my cousin was in town – both times I ate burgers and beer, so I am quite alright with a gain of .8. I also averaged 16k steps a day, so it all balanced out. So while I’d rather be maintaining my weight 35 pouns lighter, I am going to enjoy the summer and not over think every lick and taste.
What a gorgeous weekend we had in Chicago! Saturday was my “chore day” although I am rethinking how I do that. If I broke up my chores into four sections, I could do one thing Monday through Thursday leaving me wide open spaces on the weekend during the summer. When I finally sat down on Saturday evening while I was grilling, I started looking around for things to do on Sunday.
But first, let me talk to you about this BBQ rub – so good! Code 3 Spices sent me a care package, and I realized I never took a picture of their amazeball BBQ sauce (that is 1 point for two tablespoons and delicious), but I’ll be using it all summer, so there will be plenty of opportunity to see it. $0.25 OF EACH BOTTLE PURCHASED IS CONTRIBUTED TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT POLICE, FIRE, MEDICAL & MILITARY PERSONNEL – yes I am shouting that because that is so awesome. You can check out their products here.
That his not an affiliate link, but I like to share products and companies that I actually use and like.
I did bone in chicken thighs. And I ate the delicious skin – that 5 ounce chicken thigh is 8 points and worth every point. So good.
Part of my meal plan this weekend was making waffles – haven’t made any for so long. Hannah was making corned beef hash. Oh my Lerd, I love canned corned beef hash. 1.5 ounces was only 2 points so I added it on top of my egg waffle. Half of my waffles is 2 points, topped with egg and baby spinach, 1.5 ounces of the hash (2) and then a drizzle of sugar free syrup – 5 points for the whole plate.
It was while we were eating breakfast that Hannah said that she and Jacob had no interest in going to Swedish Fest in Geneva with me yesterday. That’s what I decided to do. Geneva is only 45 minutes from where I live and it was too gorgeous of a day to stay inside.
Geneva has tons and tons of shops, and of course they were all open because of Swedish Fest. Um, let’s just say that some of the stores were a bit pricey! Take that candle below for example – I loved it, until I saw the $90 price tag. I went to another store that had really unique jewelry, and was told there was a 50% off table in the back of the store – yep, you know I was all over that. Until even at half price, the cheapest thing was $200 š
It was just nice not to be in a hurry and wander in and out of the shops before the parade started.
“Create your own happiness.” I could have easily skipped my trip just because I didn’t have anyone to go with, but I wanted to go, so I went! And so happy that I did.
I got to pet an Alpaca! That’s the closest I’ve ever been to one and it was so soft. No wonder they like to use their hair to make apparel. They had a store right behind this tent called Alpaca to Apparel – so cool.
This parade was long – maybe two hours? After watching it for about an hour, I was getting hungry so I decided to see what my lunch options were.
Um, I’ll take one funnel cake, corn dog and french fries please! #ha – no
http://www.mybizzykitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_0931.mov
In the end I made my way to a restaurant that was right on the parade route and I enjoyed some shrimp tacos and a tecate light for the last hour of the parade. I had a great time, even if I was by myself. The only thing is that when I asked for a table for one, the hostess was like “just one?!” Yep!
Then I sat down, and the server came by and asked “do you want me to wait for the rest of your party to arrive before ordering?” Um, no, it’s just me. Pretty sure I am not the only person to have eaten by myself at that restaurant.
I’d definitely go back to Geneva again – probably with my Mom and Hannah next time because I know they would love it.
Since I ate a late lunch, I didn’t think I’d be hungry for dinner, but around 7:45 I got really hungry. I decided to make sweet and savory breakfast toast. The one below was 1 ounce of bread (2) topped with a tablespoon of avocado (1), a fried egg, 1/2 piece of bacon (1) and Tapatio hot sauce.
It’s nice when Hannah is home to take my food photos – she’s a much better photographer than I’ll ever be. Photo credit for the breakfast toast goes to Hannah – š
But this toast might kick my beloved avocado toast to the curb – I saw someone I follow on Instagram (ZeroPointsGiven) make this ricotta and strawberry toast and I immediately took a screen shot of it to remind me to make it. The next day my sister tagged me in her photo and was like “this screams you!” Yep!
So simple – 1/8 cup of part skim ricotta (2) spread on toast, with strawberries, balsamic glaze, agave nectar (1) and fresh basil. Yum! Sweet, salty, crunchy – perfect.
I found a farmers market in Geneva that was just breaking down when I walked by, so I got two loaves of bread for the price of one. So delish.
And I got my 10k steps in yesterday – that sometimes rarely happens on a weekend. š
Pretty sure I should have bought this š
Question of the Day: how often do you dine alone? Does it make you feel uncomfortable or you just don’t care?
Happy Monday friends – make it a great day!
I travel a lot internationally for work and I like to tack on a fun trip at the end or find a free weekend to explore the country and I am usually alone. Examples include going on a safari in Ghana, connecting through Istanbul on my home from Ghana and staying for five days, going to Bali on my way home from Timor-Leste, etc. Either I do this shit alone or I don’t do it at all and life is way too fucking short. (I don’t have a partner or children now but even if I did, I couldn’t take them on business trips.) I have had the best fucking time exploring – and having AMAZING meals – by myself. I will remember this one meal I had in Istanbul for the rest of my life – all the courses were various types of the freshest fish you’ve had in your life, it was in this beautiful courtyard with twinkling lights as the sun was setting, and there were DOZENS of cats everywhere. Instead of feeling like a loser for doing shit by myself, I always have the most unique and interesting times! When you are by yourself, you have the most random and unique experiences and conversations that you would never have had if you were with other people. I remember a conversation I had with a local professor about Spanish architecture (in Spanish!) I had in Sevilla, Spain when I ducked into a ham and sherry bar when it started raining cats and dogs and then got to try all the different types of sherries they had. Traveling alone has also made me grow in so many ways, taught me so much about myself and given me a confidence I never knew I had. Sorry those people were rude and small-minded. Life is short and honey badger don’t give a shit!
So glad you went out on your own. It is tough at first but gets easier as time goes on. If I go to a restaurant by myself I ususally eat at the bar. I have often found myself talking to other solo diners that way. Also, if there is a good variety of beers on tap, its fun to talk to the bartender about them, and even just get to try a taste before committing to something I may or may not like.
Cheers!
I don’t dine out alone much anymore because I am married and have a child but if I feel like it I never hesitated. I was a waitress and I learned a lot from eating by myself at restaurants! I have had people act odd and over friendly and even ignored me. I always thought it was fun to wait on solo guests, life is an adventure so I love to just do when I feel like it. Yesterday I was going to stop at Starbucks but the line was forever long, so I meandered over to Cheesecake Factory and got me some cheesecake, way faster then waiting in the Starbucks line, and I got my long run in yesterday, so I totally deserved my splurge! Life is short, splurge now and again!
It was funny because I felt like the server was almost too attentive because I wasn’t slowed down by conversation at the table š
I agree – life is short not to enjoy tacos, beer and um, Cheesecake Factory š
Since I have been married, I am always with husband. My sister often tells me I am so wrong for spending all my free time with him. That it is so unhealthy but he is my best friend so I donāt listen. We are both shy so we donāt have friends outside of work. Sounds like Geneva is a neat place to visit. I will have to check it out.
Paula, I couldn’t agree more. While I am a very social person, my husband was my best friend, and why wouldn’t you want to spend all my time with my best friend?! And when we moved 17 years ago an hour away from my hometown, it was no longer convenient to get together with my friends.
And since he died, our couple friends don’t invite me to anything more – maybe because I am more like a third wheel? Enjoy the time with your husband as long as you have him š
I dine alone at places like Panera, but not usually at a restaurant – but that’s more because we go out to eat SO MUCH that when I have the night to myself I’d rather cook something my husband won’t eat!
I do, however, go to movies alone ALL THE TIME
I am not sure I’ve been to the movies by myself! I need to do that! š
I really struggle with doing things alone! My husband just doesn’t want to do a lot of things plus he has a hard time getting around due to side effects of many years with diabetes (not well controlled I may add). I often tell myself to just go to things on my own but when the time comes I just can’t make myself do it! I’ve even driven to venues before and then turned around and went home because I don’t want to go in alone. š The last time I ate alone I told them it was ‘just me’ but they must have thought I said ‘three’ because they put me at a table for four right in the middle of all the action! When you’re alone wouldn’t you rather be in a quiet corner? I know I would haha! Anyway I respect you for going on your own! It looks like it was a wonderful day! Also I’m so trying that strawberry toast!
Well I hope that I could convince you to do just one thing YOU want to do and enjoy it. I have to tell you though, if my husband were still alive and I suggested Swedish Fest and a parade he would have said “no thank you!” It was so nice to wander, go into any store I wanted and touch all the things and take pictures like I do, and not feel rushed. š It’s okay to date yourself š
I rarely dine alone as I rarely eat out. Too many plain jane chain restaurants here. If we had some place that had some of the wonderful dishes you post I would maybe eat out more often. Looks like you had a great time. I would have loved to have went. My husband won’t do that kind of stuff and my daughter’s work schedule usually doesn’t give us the opportunity. Love the swearing block too cute. $90 for a candle, was it made from the tears of a unicorn or something?
Could you imagine all the shit we’d do together if lived closer?! Tony would have never gone with me if he were alive either, but after I showed Hannah all the shops I went to, she was a bit bummed she didn’t go with! And yes, I think that the candle was made of gold or platinum for that price!
I used to go out to eat alone all the time. Now its just occasionally, since I don’t eat at restaurants as much as I used to. I usually took a magazine with me just to look at the pictures while I was waiting for the food.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself! I will do it more often for sure – why should I let company stop me from doing what I want to do?! š
I travel for work about once per month, so I dine alone all the time. I don’t even care anymore. Sometimes it’s nice to sit at a bar; sometimes I spread out at a table. If the place is slow, I’ve even read a magazine/book. Most servers don’t care if you’re not there all night and you tip them decently. It doesn’t even phase me anymore. Don’t sweat it – no one else really cares.
Okay – let’s talk about the tip. I kind of feel that servers feel “gyped” if they are given a one top – so I almost always overtip to compensate. I mean, I know I always tip 20% because I was a server for many years of my life, but tipping 20% on a $20 tab isn’t all that much. And I am not that self conscious anymore, but it’s still the awkward “only one?” when I ask for a table. š
I dine alone occasionally when I travel for work, it doesn’t really bother me but I cheat and am on my phone or take a book.
If I wasn’t watching the parade going by, I probably would have been on my phone too š