After a long week of late nights at work, even later nights out to start the long weekend and early mornings with the pup, B and I needed some rest and relaxation by Sunday night. After his basketball game we stopped by Whole Foods to grab some snow peas and tomato sauce to compliment the mixed seafood and whole wheat pasta we already had. We decided to make our own “seafood fra diavolo” and were very successful! We followed this recipe loosely but adjusted for our own personal tastes (hot!) and using an awesome spice B had on hand. I had never cooked with snow peas before so we can add another to the list of new vegetables I have tried. Checking new ones off is so fulfilling, especially when they’re as tasty as these snow peas were. They did a nice job of balancing the spice of the dish and in the end it was a colorful and healthy dinner for two tired kids.  

We had a very pinterest-ing valentine’s day! (I am the lamest person ever, I’m aware) B and I wanted to stay in, cook a special dinner, drink wine and watch tv with the dog. We decided on a menu beforehand and it consisted almost entirely of recipes I found on pinterest. I’ve included all of the healthy recipes below. The only thing we did by scratch was all B and it was incredible! I don’t think he’d even be able to tell us what he did or what he used, but the night before Valentine’s Day he made a rub for a huge rack of ribs. The next morning, he transferred the ribs into a marinade in the slow cooker where it cooked for 8 hours. It was fall-off-the-bone deliciousness. Loved every bite. This was after we had a tasty (and soo simple!) appetizer of mussels. For sides we enjoyed baked sweet potatoes and roasted broccoli. It was all great.

I wanted to tackle a new and special for Valentine’s Day recipe so I chose red velvet cheesecake cookies. I prepped the filling at my apt in the morning so it had time to freeze. Because of the filling, the cookies were tricky to get off the pan. I thought I had successfully gotten the first four off, only to smush the entire plate against myself! Suddenly I was scrambling to pick the pieces off the floor and pulling the dog away so she wouldn’t eat any chocolate. She ended up with red velvet spots all around her neck and torso! The next two batches turned out great and after one cookie each, I showed B the plate of cookie mess. We laughed and decide we’d enjoy that and let his roommates eat the pretty cookies. And that, my friends, is all I could have ever wanted for Valentine’s Day, to find the person who would laugh and enjoy my cookie mess with me. Hope your holiday was just as nice. 

B kindly went grocery shopping and made us dinner the other night and unintentionally helped me with two of my 2012 goals - order from seamless less and try seasonal vegetables. He made us a delicious plate filled with sweet potato gnocchi, cannelloni beans, tomatoes, swiss chard and mozzarella cheese. The swiss chard was new to me and I loved the slightly bitter taste it gave the meal, really nicely balancing the other flavors. Have you tried chard? I’d love to incorporate it into my diet more. What are some ways you’ve enjoyed it? 

Monday night, B worked late and I hadn’t gotten in a morning workout so decided to pair doggy duty with exercise. We hadn’t yet taught Sady how to run with us but I’ve been told she’s old enough now (4.5 months) so I laced up my sneaks, grabbed her stuff and off we went. I took her over to the Hudson River running path which she is somewhat familiar with. I was pleased at how she ran next to me and only a gentle “stay with me” would remind her if she got off track. I had been told there was a dog park in the world financial center so I took the rugrat over there, thinking it could be her break. About halfway there she wanted to stop but I encouraged her. She seemed like she was having fun. I let her play for a while in the park while I caught my breath. When we left, she must have realized we were heading home and bolted back. She definitely wasn’t staying with me but rather dragging me back. I found out later she and B run back from the dog park so she was used to this. Since I had only gotten about a mile and a half, I went to the gym and did another 15 minutes of intervals on the treadmill. It was a lot of fun running with Miss Sady and I can’t wait to take her out more!

At my Equinox there is a Saturday morning class that always interested me but I was nervous to go on my own. Fortunately, after a few too many bloody mary’s last week, my friend S and I agreed to go the following week. The class is called 3SUM and the description online is “The math is clear: the sum is greater than the parts. Enjoy the synergistic benefits & metabolic boost of a three-discipline cross-training workout. Volume, force and power unite in a cycling, strength & yoga inspired trifecta to leave you fit & fully satisfied. Bring cycling & main studio shoes.“ 

I met S in the locker room and we headed upstairs to get our bikes. The instructor said this month was about endurance and boy did the spin class introduce that. We pushed ourselves so hard that at the end of 30 minutes, I was dizzy, and I’m used to doing 45 minute classes! S went ahead to set up our strength training stations. I was so grateful because it took me a few minutes to cool down and feel well again. 

The strength training portion was great. Lots of moves using our body weight plus either heavy or light weights, or a medicine ball. The movements themselves were easy to do but with the weights the overall workout was challenging. S got a little lightheaded here as well so she took it easy for a minute before jumping right back in.

We continued to push ourselves and suddenly I realized this third had cut 15 minutes into the last third! Then it turned out that rather than yoga, we were going to be doing core work. I love me some core work, but after this intense workout I was ready for some good stretching of yoga. In the end, I felt like I had gotten a great, well-rounded workout, but I wasn’t about to pass out. I was so happy S was able to come all the way downtown (she lives on the UES) to workout with me. It was such a comfort to have her by my side! I’m not sure if 3SUM will always be a part of my weekly routine, but I definitely plan on going back. Has anyone else tried it?

After a long week, my office decided to send us all home at a decent hour Friday night. After a few happy hour beers with coworkers (what is this happy hour concept?) I went to yoga downtown. It was a great way to end the week. I had recently read about the best yoga poses for your abs and I decided to bust them out when the instructor tells you to do whatever additional things you want to finish your practice. It was a nice addition to the class and I really felt the burn. 

I was really excited to make Seafood Gumbo because I love soup in the winter but I find myself eating less seafood because it feels so summery to me. This seafood gumbo also served to help me try a new seasonal vegetables-okra- which was one of my 2012 goals! It sure packed a punch! In addition to the spices the recipe called for, I added some creole seasoning. With loads of crab meat and shrimp, the soup was very filling, feeding me and the big boyfriend with just a bowl each. 

If yesterday’s morning was all about peace, today’s was about disruption. While taking the dog out at 6:30 before my spin class I was shocked to see the streets already filling with Giants fans. I quickly brought her back inside and scooted through the barricades off Broadway to the gym. Thankfully I had 45 minutes away from the crowds to sweat it out so I was feeling too tired to be too upset at the outpouring of Giants fans in Downtown Manhattan. 

photo credit to my friend K who took this after I was done working out