I know you guys are dying to see what was in the bag yesterday (ok, probably not but that’s the coolest thing to me…lol), so I’m going to brush over the eats and get to the goods!

But first, man, I had the WORST night of sleep ever last night! I think I was awake for like 4 hours of the night! Ugh! I felt like a zombie at work today! haha

Rice milk oatmeal with dates, coconut, pepitas. Coffee.

More coffee – Starbucks Monday! Grande vanilla soy latte.

Super vegged out salad:

• org romaine
• org spinach
• org baby carrots
• org grape tomatoes
• org green bell pepper
• org celery
• sunflower seeds
• hemp seeds
• Drew’s rosemary balsamic. this stuff never gets old!

Two GH Virginia rolls on the side. These would have been so much better reheated in the oven and drizzled with honey…mmm!

My co-worker left me a treat – TJ’s Seriously and Seedy Wafers. I had to try one. Delish!

Pre-workout snacks. Half a banana (b/c half the darn thing was all bruised up and icky inside) + Cashew Cookie Larabar.

Here’s what was in that bag from yesterday! A punk rock outfit for a punk rock party we had with my dance fitness group.

In class.

Leading Let Me Think About It on stage. SUCH a fun song! If you don’t do this in your class, request it! The video is online (click) by the fabulous Heather Rounds who choreographed this song.

Group shots!

Best couple!

Twins!

Serious

Not-so-serious.

Hit up Big Daddy’s post workout. Split a spiked cookies and cream milkshake 3 ways.

Started with a side salad:

• spinach
• bell pepper
• cucumber
• feta
• strawberries
• walnuts
• balsamic vinaigrette on the side

Alex’s Western burger.

Kat and I split the black bean burger. Yummers! Sweet potato fries on the side!

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Guess what today is? Me and hubby’s anniversary! Two years ago today hubby and I were in the Bahamas getting married!

You can check out photos from our wedding by clicking here. Buuut here are some more:

Pictures from my bridal portrait.

Happy 2 Year Anniversary Hubby! Love you!

After our delicious brunch at Blue Heaven, we said our “laters” to Rachel and Frank and headed out to explore Key West.

Key West is about 2 by 4 miles and is basically comprised of many narrow streets (originally designed for carriages, not cars) with lots of cute, beach-town buildings, house, cottages, inns, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, and shops. It reminds me a bit of Charleston, SC – lots of history, lots of shopping, but not really any beaches (you have to go to surrounding cities in SC to get to the beaches like Isle of Palms).

Main methods of transportation are your feet, bicycles, bicycle-drawn mini-carriages. There’s no real reason to bring a car here. Parking is difficult, hard to find, and expensive.

Some areas are more touristy than others, like this famous bar Sloppy Joe’s, which is known for being frequented by Ernest Hemingway.

There are tons of outdoor bars and restaurants.

As we were walking around, I found a man chopping up a coconut. Score! When I got married in the Bahamas, all I wanted was a drink in a coconut. Alas, I was too busy with wedding stuff to rouse one up. So, 2 years later and I was REALLY excited to see this guy and his little stand.

Success! I was also really happy to get fresh coconut water for the hydration benefits – natural electrolytes.

We walked around, coconut in hand, to explore town some more. We were short on time, so I just snapped photos of everything. Would have been nice to tour more of these places, but we only had a day, so we tried to hit up the highlights.

The Audubon house.

A museum.

Umm….another museum?? I forgot!

We saw a giant cruise ship.

Saw some quirky art work – this building had lots of statues all around posed doing various activities. This scene is a painter statue painting naked statues.

Since we had a late brunch, hubby and I decided to go ahead and do a tour before lunch. We went on the world-famous Conch Tour Train, which lasted 1 1/2 hours long and was very informative. I wish we would have done this first to get a sense for how the island was laid out and what activities and historic sites would be good to hit up.

Here are some photos from our tour:

Shannon was our guide and she was pretty awesome.

We learned about the local trees and other plant life.

Begin Highway 1.

We learned about different house styles.

And passed lots of pretty houses.

We passed many historic sites – too many to remember!

Sand sculpture.

I think this may be the Cuban area of town…eek, we saw so much, I can’t remember!

One of the beaches.

The southernmost point of continental USA.

I thought this scene was interesting – just some random guy staring out at the water.

Roosters and their chicks running around.

Church.

More pretty houses – I loved the flowers spilling all over the fences and all around the houses.

Me + hubby on the train.

Entering the Bahamian area of town.

Painted by a famous painter.

More quirky stuff – a bicycle attached to the second floor balcony.

A shop.

A house designed to look like a wedding cake.

And speaking of wedding, we passed the church where Serena and Dan were married the day before.

Rooster! Why did the rooster cross the road?

We learned about gingerbread – the special cut-outs of the woodwork on houses where the craftsmen left their marks. Here are some actual gingerbread men-shaped gingerbread.

Prohibition gingerbread – bottles, hearts, spades.

Hubby and I really enjoyed our tour. We saw a TON of the island and learned a lot, too. I recommend trying out this tour if you visit Key West, but go as soon as possible so you know where you’re going afterwards.

Next up, our Sunday lunch…

Hubby and I hit up the Simonton Court breakfast bar first thing Saturday morning.

They had bread, bagels, french toast, waffles, fresh fruit, toppings, hard boiled eggs, juices, tea, water, and coffee.

I had a coffee, WW toast with PB, french toast with quasi-syrup (the sickly sweet stuff), and a hard-boiled egg.

I had an OJ for a fruit serving and some vitamin C.

We stayed awhile and eventually the bride, Serena, joined us.

The weather was gorgeous.

After a shower, I headed to Serena’s room to get ready for this fabulous Florida Keys wedding.

We had mimosas. Yum!

Serena got her hair and makeup done up.

We had Subway for lunch. I had about 2 pieces of turkey sub.

Soon enough, it was time to head to the church – Mary Star of the Sea.

The inside of the church was gorgeous.

I didn’t take many photos since I was a bridesmaid, but hubby snapped a few.

First kiss!

I loved how they had doors all down the length of the church open.

We said hello to the guests on their way out.

Aww….Serena’s all married and stuff!

Rachel (she has a blog – check it out!), moi, Andrea. Lexi was here, too, but I didn’t get an OK from her to use photos of her yet, so I cropped her out for now. Sorry Lexi!

We went back in the church for photos.

Then, more pictures on a beach and then a pier.

I grabbed the bride and groom to do a couple quick wedding photos of my own. Does this one look familiar?

Then, back to one of the cottages for a couple cocktails before the reception started.

New ring!

The reception was at the famous Ernest Hemingway house.

The weather was gorgeous…all night long, too!

Cheese!

We found a few of the six-toed cats. I didn’t check this one’s paws, but there were a few of them running around.

I snacked on some of the appetizers being passed around.

Chicken kabob.

Endive leaf with goat cheese, candied nuts, dates, and balsamic vinegar.

Brie and jam puff.

Bruschetta.

Cocktails!

I went with mojitos for most of the night.

But there was also a cool hibiscus flower / champagne concoction that looked really yummy.

Dinner time!

The menu.

Wedding favors – tea and honey.

Bridesmaids getting introduced.

The happy couple!

First dance.

And as the sun set, it was time to eat. Salad with tomato and watermelon.

Cuban Ropa Vieja. Omg…soooo good! Loved this!

Cutting the wedding cake…err…key lime pie!

I missed the wedding cake, but I enjoyed my slice of key lime pie.

As night time hit, it was time to dance!

And we danced the night away!

What a fun wedding! Hubby and I had a blast!

Congrats to Dan and Serena!!!!!!!!!!

After a most-enjoyable, healthy, nutritious, and energy-providing lunch, I got ready with my friend Megan to do a zumba performance at a local park!

The park was packed for a special event featuring some of the local activities and organizations. We were showing off how fun a dance workout can be.

I guess everyone wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather!

The sun was shining and the skies were blue with white fluffy clouds happily floating by.

Me with some of my faves: Kat and Megan

I met up with the girls I was dancing with, and we chit-chatted by the stage before it was our turn.

Hubby showed up with Bailey just in time to take some photos of us dancing.

Now, I know we’ve talked about stage fright and stuff and how I have it big-time, but today…I was fearless! I mean I was honestly not nervous at all. I was excited and happy. It felt great to be dancing in front of so many people!

Here are some photos from our event:

Bailey almost made a guest appearance.

Wheeeeeeeeee! So F-U-N!

Afterwards, Hubby and I headed out to a local shopping center that has a great outdoor eating area. We wanted to enjoy the sun and the beautiful weather some more.

We even took Bailey with us.

He was so stoked.

Hubby really wanted nachos but doesn’t like them sans meat. So, he got chips and queso instead. I had a few of his chips.

Then we headed over for something I wanted…

Ben & Jerry’s Ice cream! Ok, actually, I got chocolate brownie fro-yo, not “ice cream”. It tastes just as decadent as ice cream to me but it’s not quite as bad.

Small Rant on Portion Options

I wanted a kids cone (1 scoop) but they apparently told hubby (I was outside holding Bailey) that was only for 12 and under. Why the heck can’t an adult get a single scoop? I understand that adults shouldn’t order from the kids menu, but they should have a single scoop on the adult one. This kind of goes to the problem I see in restaurants in general in the the states – GINORMOUS portions! Restaurants think everyone always wants everything bigger and more this and more that (and sadly they do). However, I can have a single scoop of ice cream and be perfectly content and I don’t think I should be forced to purchase more than I want.

Assuming a scoop = about 1/2 cup, then according to benjerry.com, a kid’s cone has 170 calories (1 scoop froyo) + 114 calories (sugar cone) = 284 calories for a kids froyo cone (remember, this is for a KID).

Now, for an adult, that’s 170×2 (2 scoops froyo) = 340 + 114 = 454 calories in a “regular” adult froyo cone. I realize everyone eats a different amount of calories they try to eat, but this is more like the amount of calories I’d consider for a whole meal. And yes, I’ve eaten desserts and meals that I’m sure are way over this amount, but I like to do that very infrequently and my point is that one should have the OPTION to consume less calories by ordering a smaller size if they so choose.

The chocolate brownie ice cream version is worse – for an adult 250×2 (2 scoops ice cream) = 500 + 114 = 614 calories in a “regular” adult ice cream cone.

Now, you guys know I love my desserts and I love my sweets and I eat bad things and decadent foods. But, I don’t see any point in eating these things unless I really WANT to. And if I don’t want 2 scoops of ice cream, I should be able to order ONE.

I mean, this kind of goes to the whole, “big eyes” syndrome. My parent’s use the term “big eyes” when your eyes are bigger than your stomach, i.e. you put more food on your dinner plate than you can actually eat because when you look at it, you think you can eat more than you really can. Anywho, put too much food in front of someone and they’re going to try to eat it.

Again, I know ice cream and froyo is a decadent treat. I don’t care about the amount of calories/fat/sugar/whatever in them. My deal is really about portion options and not being able to get small enough size (especially when one scoop is a pretty standard size at most places).

And please don’t read into this little rant too much because I’m not really super mad or anything…just a little peeved. Ben & Jerry’s – I still love you and your froyo, but if you put a single scoop on your menu I will love you even more.

Anywho, my solution was having hubby help me out by eating off some of the top. Thanks hubby!

Random reader question: when the paper sticks to your ice cream cone, do you eat it? I scratched and chipped mine off. No glue for me, thanks!

Aww…he’s such a cute sleeper…

Had to share these cute photos of Bailey asleep on the couch last night while I blogged away. He’s such a goober when he sleeps sometimes.

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On to today…

Oatmeal with coconut milk was calling my name, but so were the eggs and Great Harvest bread which are both about to expire any day.

So, since I was WFH today, I whipped up one of hubby’s fave breakfasts – fried cage free eggs and toast – 2 servings – one for each of us.

Work was so much better today from the comfort of my house. I really think I’m more productive here anyways.

The only break I took today was to take some quick photos of Bails. He’s such a great little model.

For lunch, I heated up more of my healthy vegetarian (guess it’s actually vegan, too) 3-bean chili, which I brightened up with some fresh parsley. I love how vibrant all the colors of this chili are!

On the side, I toasted up more Great Harvest honey whole wheat, which I topped with some Laughing Cow cheese, fresh parsley, and hemp seeds.

I ended up feeling full before I finished, so I decided that rather than forcing myself to finish, I’d save it for later.

Hubby got us some doughnuts from our fave local bakery, which I enjoyed in the afternoon.

Yogi tea echinacea tea.

Yogi tea quote: “If you don’t love where you come from, you can’t love where you are going.” What do you think about this quote? Do you think it’s true? I don’t know about the quote, but personally, I am just recently coming to peace with where I came from. I’ve started to appreciate my life up till now with all the times I felt like both a success and a failure.

I had some more doughnut holes later in the day.

You guys know I love my sweets and I pretty much eat them whenever I want, though usually as a way to say “take that restrictive eating! I eat what I want!” But, I’m coming to a point where I’m becoming more open to change and to possibly even giving up some of my sweets. Note – keyword = “some”. You guys know I’m big on gradual changes, but I’m keeping an open mind and I’m planning to do some research. We’ll see how things pan out.

I met up with some girlfriends tonight for a casual dinner at Earthfare. From left to right: Michelle, Emily, Kath, Moi, and Kate.

(Group shot photo thanks to Kath)

After picking out our eats, we took a moment to capture them on our cameras.

I got a salad with romaine, baby spinach, purple cabbage, broccoli, cucumber, carrot, sprouts, bell pepper, celery, and balsamic vinaigrette.

Plus a minestrone soup.

Of course I enjoyed a whole wheat chocolate chip cookie, which I discovered this week is also vegan.

Oh and Michelle let me sample the vegan blondie she got and it was really good too! I may have to get that next time!

I made use of the Stonyfield reusable tote I got yesterday to do some grocery shopping tonight.

I picked up some staples: whole wheat pastry flour, tofu, roasted chili paste, wheatberries, walnuts, sunflower seeds and a new frozen mea to try – Macaroni & Three Cheeses.

I also got some Augisa & Co Organics vegan body lotion (locally made!) and some all natural almond extract.

It turns out the lotion is made by a lady I met once. She had the booth next to me when I was selling my handmade jewelry at a local craft show. Neat! I’m glad to see she’s doing well – I always liked her lotion.

By far the best deal was the granola and Larry’s coffee beans I scored for FREE! Yes, that’s like $15 worth of stuff for free because I am signed up for the Earthfare email newsletter and they sent out a coupon for free granola and coffee with purchase! I forgot which flavor of beans I got but the description said something about being smooth with hints of vanilla or something and that sounded pretty good to me. For the granola I selected the Berry flavor.

If you live near an Earthfare, you must sign up for the newsletter! Such great deals! You can sign up at the bottom of their homepage at earthfare.com.

Also, take their Boot Challenge. It’s easy – they show you 2 products and you guess which one Earthfare would not sell in their store due to their policy on only selling high quality, healthy products (you can read their list of banned ingredients here). After submitting your guess,they tell you which one they would not permit in their store and why. I think the challenge is a fun and easy way to learn more about products you consume. Knowledge is power people.

Oh and I swung by Barnes & Nobles quickly to pick up a gift for a friend. These aren’t the gifts for them. These are things I picked up for me: Well Being Journal and Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food. The magazine looked like a good read and though Kath said I could borrow IDofF, I decided that it may be good to keep in the house for reference, so I bought. But thanks for offering Kath!

On another tangent, I washed my new (yes, I got it for Christmas but still haven’t used it) Martha Stewart blue food processor parts today. I have a fun food project planned and just need to put it together. I’m so excited to try out my food processor – I’ve been wanting a good one for a long time!

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Tidbits

Heard about Zumba but not sure what the fuss is about? Want to know what to wear to class? What to expect? Check out my post on Zumba 101 – read the questions and answers for those new to Zumba.

I’ve answered more Formspring questions – see answers on my last post. Ask me some more questions on my Formspring profile (click).

I’m workingon some more detailed pages, but I did a quick update of my About page. Check it out.

Is Society Too Caught Up in Figures for Diet?

On another note…did anyone else see the news article today that Weight Watchers and McDonald’s have teamed up? Yup, McDonald’s is going to start promoting and selling WW-friendly meals. Is anyone else reminded of the so-called Taco Bell drive-through diet.

Is it healthy to make your WW points if all you ate that day was overly processed fast food? Are 1200 net calories of chicken sandwiches and french fries better than a day’s worth of whole foods?

I understand that counting calories, fats, and sugars really help some people lose weight, but, personally, I tend to get lost and confused trying to keep up with too many figures. I do okay focusing on one area at a time, but my best success in getting healthier has been when I returned to my roots and what my Dad has taught my family: eat the best quality food possible – the less processed the better. When I focus on eating as much whole food as possible, I have an easier time maintaining a weight loss (or losing weight) and I feel better, too. Instead of stressing over every gram of fat I’m consuming in a day, I can enjoy my food and know that I’m nourishing my body and that the fuel I’m providing it is high quality.

Do you think our society has gotten too caught up in figures when it comes to their diet (diet as in “food and drink regularly provided or consumed” as defined by Merriam Webster)? When you’re grocery shopping or deciding what to eat, what’s most important to you? Do you worry more about making sure you don’t go over your calories for the day (whether those calories include fast food and overly processed food) or do you focus more on the quality of your food (opting for whole foods, organic, etc)? Or something else?

I’ve created a poll so people can weigh in on their personal preference:

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I’d absolutely love it if you elaborated on your answer or provide an answer you don’t see in the poll in a comment.