Happy Monday! I worked a lot this past weekend so I’d be lying if I didn’t say that some of these pictures were from the end of last week. But regardless, the weather is finally cooperating, making it officially summer in Chicago! (Sidenote: no matter the weather, someone around me is ALWAYS complaining. First it’s too cold and everyone’s like, “where’s summer?” and now everyone is complaining about the heat. At what point do people just STFU and enjoy the day?) All I know is, when it’s light out until 8:30pm and the whole city is out playing softball and drinking beer on a Wednesday night, I’m happy.
PS if you are good at something in fifth grade and try again when you’re 23, you most likely will suck at it. But it was a blast!
The highlight of my weekend was a run that I absolutely crushed! I felt like my old self again and it was a fabulous run (minus a bug flying into my eye).
I’ve also been doing a bomb job of sneaking veggies into things every which way, so thumbs up all around!
I also tried a Flywheel class for the first time and absolutely LOVED it. The instructor was so passionate about what she was doing and really gave 100% to the class. That always makes or breaks classes for me, and a reason why I can’t wait to be an instructor one day. Someone needs to share the kool-aid with me that makes them so peppy, though, because even after a few cups of coffee I can’t pull off that level of cheer. Something to work on 🙂 I’ve done spin classes before but this was my first experience with cycle shoes. Luckily pretending I knew what I was doing worked this time around and I didn’t look like a total goober. The best part was a song she played…it was a mashup of “I Want It That Way” (BSB) and “I Could Be The One” (Nicky Romero) – if anyone has any idea what I’m talking about send it my way because I haven’t had any luck finding it!
I’m also pretty sure I’ve become too comfortable at Starbucks. Their soy iced coffee + spinach/feta wrap happens at least two times a week and my wallet isn’t happy. But my stomach is, and in the battle of Hunger vs. Wallet, hunger always wins.
In case this post hasn’t been random enough for you all, I can’t leave without including best thing(s) I ate all weekend.
On Friday a few friends and I went out for dinner and drinks. I mentioned last week that I’ve been on an Office-watching bender, and ever since I saw the episode where they went to Benihana, it’s been on my mind. I’ve been craving Japanese food like crazy, especially since it’s not something I eat very often. So on Friday night I managed to convince some of my girlfriends to meet up there.
Terriyaki chicken with white rice, veggies, and White Zinfandel
Terriyaki chicken never. gets. old. So sweet, so buttery, so delicious. The zin tasted like church wine, though, so I think I’ll be trying something else next time. I love hibachi grills because the whole meal is a production, with separate courses and communal eating. Not enough of that happens these days.
After dinner we went to a local martini bar for a few drinks. I have never had a dessert martini before so I quickly decided on a Vanilla Cake martini that dreams are made of.
I followed it up with a Key Lime martini, which I closed my eyes and pretended was this:
Totally the same thing, right? 🙂
All in all, a wonderful night with my girlfriends that felt like we were starring in a suburban version of Sex and the City.
If you stuck around for this whole post, you’re a trooper.
Questions:
- Have you ever been to a hibachi grill? Do you like those types of restaurants?
- If you were a Sex and the City character, who would you be? (I’m definitely half Charlotte, half Carrie)
- Have you ever gone to Flywheel before? What did you think?
i had a big lunch 
Love hibachi! Oh and I’m always complaining about the weather. haha. Esp marathon training in the TX summer heat, but I do it anyway 🙂 They have Flywheel here in Dallas and it’s pretty fun! Not as much fun as actually teaching the class…but it was definitely a great experience.
I ran in Dallas once and it was craaaaaaaazy hot!
Key Lime Chobani = ❤ . I love love love love love key lime pie anything, and that is hands down my favorite yogurt flavor. One of these days I need to actually get myself some actual key lime pie, though. I don't remember the last time I had any, which is kind of unacceptable 😛
Especially in the summer…that’s when I crave all things citrus. Lemon bars, key lime pie, all that good stuff!
Reasons why we are destined to become great friends: a) you get all the food that I want to try but can’t necessarily eat and because we are great friends you would let me try some 😉 b) you said the phrase that in the battle of Hunger v Wallet, Hunger wins.
I may or may not marry you.
Key lime is the bomb diddly. I had a key lime yogurt with lunch. Cheater key lime is to get plain (because you can buy in bulk for cheapness), add a little stevia/sweetner to it, then squirt bottled key lime or regular lime juice in and stir. It is made of magic. I did that with lemon juice today. And then the key lime yogurt at lunch. hot damn. Also, Key lime pie used to be my favorite dessert, I eat lemons, and we had a strawberry lemonade wedding cake (fresh strawberries with white chocolate butter cream, limoncello cake and a lemon curd layer.)
I just got way too excited about this.
OH and I have a coupon for a free flywheel class. I want to goooooooooo.
Hahaha sharing food is NOT my forte, but I’d make an exception for you! I used to be a plain-greek yogurt-only girl but have gotten lazy…not good, especially when I have liquid stevia at my fingertips. Limoncello cake sounds awesome! I love limoncello! You either love citrus desserts or you hate them lol.
Hibachi = amazing! Now you have me really craving it!
I REALLY want to try out a flywheel class but it’s so freaking expensive. I mean, I get that you pay for the experience, but I just can’t justify the cost for some reason. It seems like you would be a great time though!
Oh I feel ya. Luckily I got to go for free because of my new job. I’m trying to try tons of studios at least once, though, since there are so many cool workouts in the city. It was definitely worth the drop-in fee, at least once.
I was so sad to miss out on this beautiful weekend being sick from my couch. I want to try Flywheel or SoulCycle so badly. We need one by us!
At least by taking care of yourself maybe you’ll recover faster so you’re all good for this upcoming weekend! I wonder how different SoulCycle would be…oh well, another one I’ll have to try, I guess! 🙂
I’ve only been to hibachi places once or twice but I like them- I’m not sure why we don’t go there more.
I would probably be mostly Charlotte with a little Carrie mixed in there!
Looks like a fun weekend/week with awesome food! I had a starbucks addiction for awhile too…I had to go pretty much cold turkey a couple months ago.
It’s funny…most people really love hibachi grills but rarely go (at least that’s the feeling I get). I hate saying that I even have an inkling of Carrie in me but I have to admit it….but there’s definitely a little in there. I hate her character in so many episodes though!
Ughhh Starbucks wins every. single. time. How does it do that?! I agree about the weather… People LOVE to complain about it but I’m just trying to enjoy summer before it’s over!
totally! especially because summer is over in the blink of an eye
I totally agree half Carrie and half Charlotte too haha depends on what kinda mood I’m in for sure!
I know…I hate the days when I’m full-out Carrie haha but it definitely happens.
Oh how I love getting free Starbucks, my wallet would not love me if I didn’t either. HAHA. HELL YEA to that run, and I so wanna go to a Flywheel class. They sound awesome. I do go to a pretty legit one at my gym though. I think…if I had to choose I would be Charlotte? Maybe..not really sure though haha.
I miss all the free coffee I got in college from working at a coffee shop. Definitely an amazing perk! And it’s funny because I think everyone just settles on Charlotte because she’s the nicest haha but let’s be real: we’re all a blend of the four
It is all about sneaking the veggies in. Especially with green smoothies.
I love habachi grills – I would love to have a go at throwing everything around.
Thanks for commenting on my blog. I have bookmarked yours, so I shall be back daily 🙂
I know I’m so happy to have found yours! Can’t wait to keep reading 🙂
The zin tasted like church wine.
I just spat water on my laptop screen. although..when i first read it I thought it was a Japanese side dish. Where was the sake?! I love hibachi restaurants, except when the waiter pours rice on you instead of the bowl.
Hahaha that was the best way to describe it! Did you have a personal experience where the waiter poured rice on you?! Lol I’ve only ever had broccoli thrown at me.
Wow that Japanese restaurant looks amazing! Would love to go to something like that… Maybe if I hunt around I might find one in glasgow somewhere!
It’s so funny, everyone is doing the same thing here too about the weather – it’s either raining and too cold and everyone moans or it’s sunny and too hot and everyone moans! Such a British thing to talk about the weather all of the time! But as you said, who cares, let’s just enjoy the day! 🙂
I know! I’m determined to move somewhere where weather is NOT a casual topic of conversation. Imagine all the things we’d talk about if we didn’t automatically divert to weather!
Cycling shoes seriously make all the difference. I am too cheap to buy a pair, but I wore my friend’s shoes one time to spin class and I LOVED the workout.
Basically the ONLY place you can move where people aren’t talking about the weather is California. And even there they’re probably bragging about how awesome the weather is all the time. Or they’re talking about forest fires, which – no thank you.
California sounds pretty good right now…I just want to talk about something other than the weather! How boring! haha
Is the spinach and feta wrap from Starbucks good?! I’ve been wanting to try it every time I go in there but never do!
It’s amazing!! Really. I’m not usually a fan of egg whites only but it’s delicious and filling.
I love Flywheel so much! It’s my favorite spin class. They are consistently good and I love the leaderboard info! Glad you enjoyed!
I 100% agree with you that people are annoying about the weather. But I love the summer so I never complain even when it is really really hot!
Yeah I think I’m going to make Flywheel a regular in my workout rotation. The energy in there was so fun!!
Awesome post, looks like a great weekend!! I love hibachi – and only have it for a cheat if I am really craving it but I love sushi!! 😊👍
I love Sex and the City, such a great show and movies. I would have to say I half Carrie and Charlotte also!
I have never been to Flywheel but many of my friends like it!
Half Carrie and half Charlotte – the perfect combo! And you’re right about Japanese food the amount of butter I saw put in there was unreal. And delicious 🙂
I love hibachi grills – they’re so fun! Also agree about half and half – Carrie and Charlotte! What a great show. 🙂 I’ve never taken a flywheel class.