Belated Birthday Dinner

#11. Try a new restaurant every month

Every year I go out with my two girlfriends for my birthday, but this year with hard to plan around schedules all around, it took us a month to actually do it - not that I can complain to celebrate my birthday a month after the fact! This year I chose a place that my coworkers had raved about - Back Forty - and they weren't kidding! This place was amazing - the food, the drinks, and the atmosphere were all great. This place only serves fresh ingredients, so the menu is always changing. I had the roasted brussel sprouts to start (insanely good), a special of the day, which a delicious steak with roasted winter vegetables, and DO NOT MISS the Fresh Doughnut for dessert - yes I said doughnut, trust me.

Pre-New Year's Resolution Part 2

#40: Make meal plans every week
#41: Try a new recipe at least twice a month
#44: Make (or order in) one vegetarian meal per week
#45: Make fish at least once a month

Along with my workout kick, I'm also trying to cook more (both dinners and lunches for J and I), both as a means to save money AND be healthier! So far, it's been pretty great!

I've tried a bunch of new recipes from EatingWell and they've been a hit:
Chicken Paprikash
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Honey Soy Salmon

I've also made a delicious Turkey Chili recipe for lunch this week from the Food Network.

Pre-New Year's Resolution

#26: Workout 3 times a week for a month

Since I didn't make it last time, and I'm starting anew...I will start counting this again! This time I will count how many times I work out, my total goal is 3 times a week for a month...which comes to 12 workouts (it sounds so much easier to attain like that, doesn't it??)

I had a great first week back, going to the gym to walk on the treadmill twice and doing my 8 minute Arms and Abs workouts twice. Yesterday was my first gym blowoff (I was tired and was having dinner with my parents!) but I'm going to return strong tonight and tomorrow, doing one arms and abs workout and one treadmill.

Harry Potter Marathon? Yes please!

#9: Have a lazy day Harry Potter Marathon, Star Wars Marathon, and Lord of the Rings Marathon (1/3)



Counting it! This weekend was cold and rainy and thank goodness for cable networks in December! ABC Family was having an all weekend Harry Potter Marathon! I found out towards the beginning of #2, and was glued to the TV for the rest of the night through the end of movie #3. The next night #4 aired, and I happily watched. While I definitely would love to have a full marathon of ALL the movies (perhaps over a weekend...) I'm going to count it for now. Funny also, TNT was having a Lord of the Rings Marathon on Sunday, and I watched most of the second film while I was home (and tivoed the 3rd but didnt have a chance to watch it)

Chasing Harry Winston

#2: Read 1 new book every 2 months



Another chick lit book - what a surprise! This time, I went for Devil Wears Prada'a Lauren Weisberger's next book - Chasing Harry Winston. I loved Prada and her second book, Everyone Worth Knowing, so I was excited to put this next title on my library queue! While probably being my least favorite book of the 3, Harry Winston was very cute and fun to read. The book follows three best friends since college, Leigh, Emmy, and Adriana. The POV shifted between all girls within each chapter - I am a fan of the shifting POVs!

The friends are 29 and facing life before turning the big 3-0. Emmy was just left by her boyfriend of five years for a young, virginal personal trainer (who she bought for him as a present). Leigh seems to have it all - the perfect job, the perfect apartment, and the perfect guy, but for some reason it isn't cutting it but she's scared of letting anyone know how unhappy she is. Adriana is a gorgeous brazilian heiress who loves getting the attention of strange, handsome men. One night, Adriana and Emmy make a pact - within the next year, each will drastically change her life - Adriana, who goes through men like Kleenex, will be in a monogamous relationship by the end of the year, while Emmy, who's only ever slept with her 3 long term boyfriends, will become more uninhibited and have an around-the-world sex-fueled adventure.