Despite my back still giving me problems, I’m trying to focus on good things. Like surrounding myself with positive thinking, daily affirmations, and…
…delicious and healthful foods. Like this Green Monster I started today off with. I used my Basic GM recipe and added a few frozen blueberries and a scoop of Amazing Grass. I like to think all the goodness in healthy eats are helping to heal me.
It would be easy for me to wallow in self-pity that I still cannot do so many things I love, especially teaching Zumba, but I’m really thinking this positive thinking is helping me pull through with good spirits. I heard somewhere that back injuries usually take 6-8 weeks, and I’m only at 4, so maybe I’m going to go with the positive thought that I will back into the swing of things in 2 weeks (yup, I’m going to try that optimism thing).
Daily Affirmation – I am healthy, happy, and fabulous…with a little I am in perfect health thrown in for good measure.
Rinse
Repeat
After work I got together with a long-lost friend, Dana. Since it was a work week, hubby and I teamed up to make something simple and easy. We made rosemary lemon grilled chicken (I think I owe you guys this recipe), grilled potatoes…
and Fanny Farmer’s okra with tomatoes, corn, and green pepper. The Okra and green pepper are from my parents’ garden!
It was so good catching and chillaxin with my friend. You may recognize her from my wedding (click). Yup, she was one of my bridesmaids. 😉
What better treat for a friend than dough balls?
These are my newest flavor – Sugar Cookie Dough Balls with a Quick Drizzle Frosting and sprinkles. Oh and HLS-ers, these can be yours this weekend! Be sure to follow my twitter for details on how you can get your hands on some. 😉
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Speaking of HLS, I’m super excited for this weekend! Philly, here we come!
I’ve started making a timeline for things that I need to do this week before leaving. I’ve also made a packing list and rough plans for what to wear each day. Now, I just need to get some clothes laid out and then pack them! The picking will be the hard part since I’m not shopping for the conference…well, I guess I’m “shopping my closet”. 😆
(photo from last year’s HLS trip)
Check out these posts from last year’s Healthy Living Summit conference:
Ziti Catchup
Baci Blogger Lunch
RAW Sampling + Par-tay
The Next Frontier in Oatmeal
The Bean
OpenSky Par-Tay!
Greetings from HLS
HLS Lunch and Learn
Short Saturday HLS Post
HLS Zumba + Vegan Foodie Heaven
Running at HLS
Late But Home
Photos From Sunday’s Chicago Run
Sunset From the Sky
I can’t wait! 🙂 Are you going?
Also, does anyone have restaurant recommendations for any of the following cities (with good vegetarian options):
- Greensboro, NC
- Durham, NC
- Richmond, VA
- DC
- Baltimore, MD
- Philadelphia, PA
These are the major cities Katie and I will pass on our epic road trip to HLS. Not sure we’ll stop in all of these cities, but it’s good to have options, right? 😉
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Do you entertain during a work week? What are your tips and tricks for having a good (and stress-free) time?
If you’re going to HLS, are you ready? What are you doing to prepare?
I live in Greensboro – Boba House is a great little vegetarian restaurant on Tate St. behind the UNC-G campus. Plus, Tate St. Coffee is just a few doors down (my favorite coffee in the city).
http://bobahouse.com/
I sometimes have friends over on a weeknight. If it’s more than one extra person I will prep the night before – chop the veggies etc. I always prep dessert the night before too – takes the pressure off timings-wise so I get to relax a bit too.
Enjoy HLS!
I live in Richmond. One of my favorite, quick, veggie friendly shops is Crossroads Coffee, which is vegetarian & vegan friendly! Two places that I haven’t been to yet but have heard amazing things are Harrison Street Coffee Shop and Ipanema, both of which are mostly vegan and just around the corner from each other. Have fun!!!!
Ahh we ALMOST went to Crossroads! Wish we could have stopped there, but the weather was crazy! Thanks for the tips!
Thank you so much for the tip on the Life Planners… I ordered one and can’t wait until it comes in!!!
I prefer not to entertain during the week but if I do I make sure that the menu is stress free by premaking everything the night before and/or using the crockpot if it is a dinner.
You’re welcome! Hope you enjoy using it! 🙂
I’m so bummed I can’t make it to HLS! I’m moving from Philly to DC this weekend. Hmph!
I feel I should at least give you restaurant recommendations- Philly is seriously RIFE with amazing places to eat.
-For a quick lunch, try sweetgreen, a locally sourced salad place. Their Philly location is at 3925 Walnut St by the UPenn campus. They also have a number of locations in DC!
-My absolute favorite restaurant in Philly is Beau Monde Creperie, at 6th and Bainbridge. Go. Eat delicious savory and sweet crepes. You will not forget this meal.
Enjoy Philly! I’m so jealouuuus!
I wish I was going! I’m jealous! Have fun!
Just read through all of your HLS 2010 posts and they are great. I’m really looking forward to it!! I’m a long time reader that lives just over the bridge from Philly and this will be my first HLS. I’m still trying to pack for the weekend as well as preparing/packing my family for our vacation that starts on Sunday. Lots to do!!!
I can’t wait to try those dough balls 😉
What did you think of HLS? Hope you had a good time!
I doubt if you stop in Greensboro because it’s so close to Charlotte but the Iron Hen is a place you must check out one day. They use local food that ranges from delicious Shrimp N’ Grits to Quinoa of the Day. One taste and you’ll be hooked. http://www.ironhen.com/
Well, it didn’t work out this trip, but I’ll keep these ideas bookmarked because we drive that way often and have some friends there. I love the quinoa of the day idea!
Oh, I agree with Mika…The Iron Hen is amazing!
I hope your back heals quickly!! And safe travels this weekend, I can’t wait to hear about the HLS this year.
Drive safe! See you soon!
Boba House is a popular vegetarian restaurant in Greensboro, I’ve never been though. My favorite isn’t all vegetarian but has lots of good options: Lindley Filling Station. The Iron Hen Cafe is great too!
Although GSO might be a little soon on your trip to stop for lunch. 😉
Hope you are back to all the things you love in two weeks or four at the most!
http://www.missshirleyscafe.com/ Miss Shirleys in Balitmore is amazing there is 2 stores and a food truck! Do not miss this one
In Downtown Philadelphia– there are 2 highly-recommended places that are farm-to-table. One is called Fork, and it is right next to Franklin court. They have kinda weird hours, though– I think they stop serving lunch around 2:30 so you have to go early. There’s another one called… well now I can’t remember. I will see if I can think of it. I’ll get back to you. If you have time, you’d love Manayunk. It’s not TOO far from downtown, but you’d need to drive there.
Green Monstahs are my favorite! 😀
Diana — The Black Sheep in Richmond. Brunch/lunch.
http://www.theblacksheeprva.com/
Have fun! And hi to Katie! Been awhile.
Hi! just started reading your blog- so I’ve never commented before, but
being a philly local I couldn’t resist thowing a couple (ok, a lot) of reccomendations your way:
barbuzzo (one of my fav restaurants in the city- tough to get a table on short notice though)
Trio- for amazing thai byo goodness. seriously go here. you will leave very happy. Its in the art museum neighborhood so its not right in center city, but its def. walkable on a nice day and worth a cab if the weather isnt cooperating.
varga bar- amazing gastropub- its my go to fancy beer and yummy food place.
Kanella (right across the street from varga bar) fantastic byo upscalish greek.
for drinks/people watching:
the corner (used to be called apothocary, its at 13thish and sansom)- interesting drink menu, great roof deck.
Continental midtown- right by rittenhouse sq.- lovely drink list- great people watching, also great roof deck if you can get a spot on it.
tria wine bar- there are two, one by rittenhouse and one at 13th and spruce- great wine list, small bites, great beer list as well
Have fun!!
Natalie – thanks so much for the detailed comment! My trip was too short to check any of these places out, but I will refer to your comment next time I’m in Philly! 🙂 Thanks!