Cafe Ena and Race-day accessories!

Chad wanted to go out tonight because we won't be able to hang out all weekend...busy schedules!! I researched restaurants in our area and found Cafe Ena...their website menu showed good sandwiches and a cool atmosphere. I was game!!

I always get excited for a date with my husband...we don't do them enough!! I drove up and he was hobbling around (still recovering from his "ice" accident) talking on the phone. We walked into the restaurant...Wow! They were definitely right about the atmosphere...Latin music, rustic feeling. It was great! We sat down, opened the menu, and realized there were NO sandwiches on the menu. Not only that, but there was nothing on the dinner menu under $18. We (Chad) were looking for a "grab a beer- and go-" kinda place. Guess Not!

Chad asked the server for the beer menu and was told they only serve beer Friday-Sunday....WHAT???????????? I was hoping he wasn't going to explode right then and there. I suggested we go to the place across the street, but he said we should stay. "When in Rome..." right?? So we ordered...him a Sangria and me a wine that was similar to Pinot Grigio (this is a special occasion right??).

We started with bread and a red/sweet buttery thing...I think it was strawberry butter. who knows!!

Look at these fun plates...reminded of us our honeymoon in Mexico!

Sorry the pics are so dark...it was the ambience! :)

Sangria reminds me of my time spent in Florence...we had A LOT of Sangria!!

For dinner, I ordered the special-Filet Mignon with asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes.

Chad ordered the Grouper wrapped in Prosciutto. It was also stuffed with crab...Yummy!

Both were FANTASTIC!!!!!!

Can you tell?

We skipped dessert after we talked about the good things we had at home...

St. Patty's Day 5K Update!!

I was catching up with Tina on CarrotsnCake.com. She was showing pics of her accessories for her St. Patty's 5K. I remembered that I never posted my pics of my accessories for my race...exciting!!!!!

Not going to lie...this is part of the reason I am so excited for the race!! I also got a green zip-up running hoodie at the Nike outlet...

Can't wait to post pics of my first race in 10 years!!!!!

I did it!!!!

So I finally feel ready for my 5K this Sunday. I was getting really nervous because I hadn't even run a full 3 miles without stopping before tonight. I was having troubles with my shins, I was sick for a week and a half and hadn't had consistent exercise in 2 weeks.

Monday I ran/walked 3.1 miles in 37 miles. I ran most of the time but wasn't very fast. My shins were ok, but I had a little pain. It is weird- I have more pain after I walk and start running again. So I guess I just have to keep running!!

Tuesday I did session 1 of Jillian Michael's 30-day Shred.

I wore my old shoes because my new shoes were in my car. (LAZY!!) During the cardio section (jumping jacks, butt kicks, etc) my shins REALLY hurt. I paused the DVD and put on the Shin Compression Wrap I bought yesterday at the Running Room.

(This is NOT my leg...btw)

My shins still hurt but I finished the first session.

I was thinking I was going to be SORE yesterday from my run and today from the Shred...but I wasn't either time.

I went to the gym today prepared to run!!! I got on the treadmill, walked for 1 minute and went right to work. I wavered between 5.5 and 6.0 mph. Most of the time, I run at 6.0. Two weeks ago, I could only run at 6.0 for a few minutes.

Funny Story: I cover up the screen on the treadmill while I run. I don't like knowing how far I have left. I moved my book and saw that I had run 2.58 miles. Stupid me...I was thinking it was time...you know, 60 seconds in a minute kind of deal? When I saw the mileage change to 2.60, I FREAKED out. You know how it is when you think you are almost done and you realize you still have more? Running is such a mental thing and I had to convince myself over and over to keep going and not to slow down. I kept it at 6.0 and finished strong. I even upped it to 6.3 for a few minutes!!

I was so proud of myself!! I DID IT!!!!!

I am just a little bit excited!!!

I am so excited and motivated that I registered for my next race!!! I am registered for the Challenge Obesity 5K. It is around Como Lake, just like my race on Sunday. Makes me feel better!!

My dad is going to run the race with me on Sunday...nice surprise!!

After my big run, I wanted a BIG salad! I stopped at Lunds and got salad fixings from the salad bar. This is the easiest way for me to have fresh, chopped veggies QUICKLY! So easy!!

My salad had:

* mixed greens

* craisins

* carrots

* cucumbers

* broccoli

* red onions

* red/yellow/green peppers

* Hot pepper cheese chunks

* peas

* Balsamic Garlic Viniagarette (Is that how you spell that??)

I also had a grapefruit (LOVE!!), a cup of Baked beans and my favorite water!!

Ok...finishing up an episode of 16 and Pregnant (I know....I'm a teenager!) and heading to bed.

nighty Night!!!

Blogger Block...

I have lots to write about...but just don't feel the desire to write.

Sorry.

Hopefully I will be back soon in full swing!!

Project Glow Check-In

I have searched high and low for all the things I need for Project Glow. I cannot find the St. Ive's Green Tea Cleanser ANYWHERE....I heard from MegaNerdruns that she got hers at Walmart so I will look there today. I did find some eye makeup remover and a day and night lotion.

I use these at night before and after I wash my face with the St. Ive's Apricot Scrub...

These are like a spa for your eyes....soooo wonderful!!

Then I put on Night-time moisturizer...It's like putting silk on my face....yummy!

In the morning, I wash with the St. Ive's Apricot Scrub. Like I said, I am still searching for the Green tea Cleanser for the morning. The bottle says to use the scrub 3-4 times a week so I am a little worried about drying out my face and it being too rough but it seems fine now...

Right after getting out of the shower, I apply the Neutrogena Moisturizer...

So far this experiment is going well. My face feels really soft and I haven't had any recent breakouts...

WHAT IS YOUR FACE ROUTINE???

Green Monsters...finally!

So I gave into the blogger fad...and tried the Green Monster.

Everyone talks about how GREAT they are!! So I had to try it....I added 2 Tablespoons Flax seed, 1.5 cup milk, 2 cups spinach, a banana and ice.

I have never been a fan of green drinks. But I was willing to give it a try.

Isn't it fun to have drinks in a wine glass? Especially nice since I haven't been drinking wine at home :)

So, back to the contents of the pretty wine glass...

I wasn't impressed with it. I have a thing with weird textures and the banana added a weird texture to this drink. The taste was fine but it was frothy and grainy. I had to add some chocolate sauce to smooth it out a bit..

I still have all the ingredients for these but I am afraid to try it again. Maybe I will add a carrot or some berries next time.

Tesa loves to lay in the sun!!

Dear shins...

Dear shins,

You have been giving me some trouble. I treated you well by buying you new, expensive running shoes, I iced you after a hard workout, and stretched you before I ran. I even gave you a week off when I had a cold. But you still break my heart!! Why must you hurt when other runners have no problems?? I have a 5K in 10 days...how will I run if you continue to cause me so much pain??

Please take my worries and concerns into consideration the next time you plan on hurting me.

Thanks,

Joanie

Super Teacher and Book Exchange

I spent today at an elementary school in St. Louis Park. I have to do 30 hours of observation for my Reading License so I really wanted to observe another teacher in my same position. The school I went to also has a similar population to Stonebridge and they are an IB school as well. I have always been interested in St. Louis Park schools because they have a fair share of diversity (56%), they are applying to be an IB school, and St. Louis Park is very close to Minneapolis.

I met the two teachers, (who have an actual classroom, by the way) and kids came in seconds later. It was so fun to see someone else teach Reading! I took 10 pages of notes, typed up many resources, and took a TON of pictures!!!!

These are just two of my favorite. I got so many good ideas of how to better our Reading program next year. I feel so fortunate to have observed such Super Teachers!!!

Ladies' Book Exchange...

A few weeks ago, I saw a facebook post from my cousin. She was looking for book recommendations. I posted a few of my favorites, and my mind kept thinking. I made myself a promise before Christmas that I would not buy any new books until I read more of my current collection. I have a TON of books I haven't read yet, and I am running out of room in my small house!!

Because of this, and knowing I had friends/family looking for good books to read, I came up with the idea of a Ladies' Book Exchange. Some of my girlfriends and I have been talking about having a Womens' get-together anyways, and this gave it a purpose and a fun twist!! So I facebook'd (Is this the new verb?) some friends and family and told them my idea. They were excited and were ready to sign up! We set the date, location and members. Here were the rules:

1. Bring 2 of your favorite books.

2. Put an address label inside the book.

3. Show up

We went to Enjoy! in Apple Valley. It was closest to 3 people that were coming so it was a good place have the first meeting. Unfortunately, 2 members were unable to come so it ended up being Shana, Annie and me. I get together with these ladies and talk books as it is, so this was just another dinner out for us!

Two of my favorite ladies!!!!!!

We started off with an appetizer (and I had a glass of wine...special occasion!!). We ordered the Beef Tenderloin Tips: Pan seared, hand-cut tips of tender beef tossed in a bourbon glaze with tomatoes and scallions with creamy horseradish dipping sauce. We weren't crazy about this appetizer, especially since it was $11.

I ordered the Saffron Risotto with Asparagus and Chicken. It was good, but not for the price of $19.

I might go back to this restaurant again for a special occasion, but not for a regular ole' dinner. I did leave with some good books though...actually only 1. It isn't a book I would normally pick up but Shana's description made it sound interesting!

The top book is the book I got from Shana. The bottom two are the books I brought to share.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was romantic and chill. Dimmed lights, cool lighting and huge chairs made you feel like you were in a castle! The wait staff was a little...absent? But very helpful when they were at our table. Our server even brought out the head chef to talk to Shana about a very specific order...