Friday, March 30, 2012

Nice little Saturday planned...

"Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time." (Old School, 2003)
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I feel like I've been lost in a land of uncreative thinking the last few weeks. I haven't had much time to blog or do anything for me.  But, that's-a-changing this weekend, friends! 

Now that the CrossFit Opens are finished, I can start back to weekends of relaxation and fun.  It's not that the games weren't fun, but they were also nerve wracking and I put a lot of pressure on myself. 

Credit: Aaron Poach Photography, LLC (or something like that)

I even won myself a foot injury which I'm now nursing and dealing with.  Sigh.  That's not what this post is about, though.

This weekend, namely tomorrow, is going to be awesome!  And, when we wake up and start the day, I'm hoping Mike will still want to do these things...

Kicking if off with the 9am WOD at www.crossfitnewhaven.com with my gym homies



Then... home to grab Mike and Darcy the wonder pup for.... drumrollllll.....

The PEZ Visitor's Center (I know it's dorky, but I really want to see them making the Pez's and learn more about this hidden CT gem whose candies I love)  www.pez.com/visit_us or http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/12/prweb9058886.htm for some awesome pics



http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/12/prweb9058886.htm
Then....  it's Westport for some Lululemon, dog walking, and

Shake Shack www.shakeshack.com for some good old fashioned burgers and fries.  And, the best part is that they actually have a dog menu, here, so that the little Goat Dog can get some grub too. Look at the bottom for the pup treats. 

Photo: Paul Schott / Westport News
And then, I'm going to be it will be nap time.  And then, then, if all goes well, a pajama-jammy-jam in New Haven with some wonderful and talented ladies.

What are you doing this weekend???????

yours in reclaiming the fun,
whit

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Spring Sprang

Spring Sprang... see for yourself:




I sure hope she stays a while.

yours in spring fever,
whit

Thursday, March 15, 2012

A new spin on some old faves

For the past two weeks, I've had the privilege of being part of an elite group of women chefs who spend one evening a week training a new chef in the ways of paleo cooking.  All the while, swapping recipes, taste testing our specialties, and laughing at ourselves.  Yep, I'm part of the CFNH (Crossfit New Haven) Cooking WOD group. 

And, last night we had a ball!  Our team leader and Mama Bear, Barb, created this site, http://cfnhcookingwod.tumblr.com/, to help us keep track of our recipes for each week.  Last night the theme was Cauliflower (and other things).  I'll bet you never knew you could make such healthy versions of some of your old favorites.  Check it out:

A new spin on PIZZA

Paleo/GlutenFree Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Primal/GlutenFree Pizza on the crust! (Primal due to cheese)

  

The newly named 'CFNH SisterWives' or 'Chefs'

A healthy Fried 'Rice'

Cauliflower Fried Rice- totally paleo and gluten free! (no actual rice necessary)
 And my favorite recipe of the night, Zucchini Latkes

Zucchini latkes (pancakes) in coconut oil
 

Because it helps if you dance to the latkes to get them to brown faster
 


Finished product... so good!

So check out our site and follow along as we try out new recipes and teach our sweet peach how to cook!

***Apologies for the formatting issues... not sure what happened here.

Yours in a food coma (in the best way),
whit

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Treat Yourself... you should go Blonde!

Happy Treat Yourself, Tuesday! 

Now I've never been Starbucks #1 fan.  In a pinch, or with a group of 'Starbs Lovers' I'll stop in for a coffee or a latte, but it's never been my first choice.  Me, I'm a fan of my locals. You remember my beloved Nica's coffee line incident, right?  So when I have the choice, I'd rather go to my local coffee shop or deli and mix my coffee getting with a little neighborhood social interaction.

BUT, times, they are a changing. Starbucks (conveniently located next to my spinning gym) has introduced the Blonde Roast.  Burnt, smelly, bitter brunette coffee beware! The Blondes are moving in!  There are two versions of the Blonde roast- the Veranda and the Willow.  I have a slight preference for Veranda over Willow, but I drink coffee with a touch of cream so I'm not sure if Willow might be better as a black coffee. 

Either way, these two roasts blow the old Pike's Place and other Starbs blends out of the water.  I always, always find the other blends to taste burnt, old, and extremely bitter, whereas the Blondes are both really smooth, fresh tasting. 

Check them out here: http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/blonde 



We now buy a pound of this blend each week to brew at home... but have no fear, favorite locals; I still come to you for my additional cups each day!

happy tasting,
whit

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

SERIOUSLY?!?!?

I have one little paleo cooking party, we produce a moderate amount of garbage, we give doggy treats for good behavior, and this is what the Goat Dog does to show appreciation while we're at work all day...


Someone's in T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

Poor Mike had to come home to this today instead of a peaceful, sleeping pup. I think Darcy is definitely in the doghouse!

sigh.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Goat Dog strikes back!

Happy Monday!

Last week, Darcy, the Goat Dog, struck again, again. She ate my favorite LL Bean furry flip flop (just one!), a Victoria's Secret bra (destroyed!!!), my M.A.C foundation brush ($35!), more pizza, a bag of brussel sprouts (I don't like to refrigerate fresh produce), and she made attempts on many more items!  Why my stuff?  Do you think she even sniffed twice at Mike's stuff?  Nope!  But, alas, I knew this was a possibility and so I have learned my lesson. All doors locked during day, make-up put away in back of drawer, no food on counters, and pray for everything to be in one piece when I get home.

But, after a challenging week of chewing, Darcy had a wonderful day with some new friends during a long hike up West Rock in New Haven. 

Tanna (left), Darcy, and Scooter (right) on the run (Thanks Ashley for the pic)

It was awesome to see Darcy follow the lead of Tanna and Scooter as we let her off the leash for the first time. The other dogs trained her (mostly) in terms of how far she could wander, and what appropriate play is. Mike and I were so happy to see her have so much fun and finally connect with other dogs without being intimidated or aggressive. And Tanna and Scooter... well, they're just awesome pups and so well behaved. It gives me hope that Darcy will eventually be fully trained.  *And would you get a load of those ears?!?!

Following the hike, the pups each had their very own pupcake from Taste&See in Milford.  They loved it!

Dad, can I please have my pupcake?

Look who's sitting nicely and who needs a little more work :)

With all of the terrible storms and damage that struck much of the country this weekend, I am thankful for a lovely day of play and the blessings of a sweet girl who loves us despite her hound dog sensibilities.

How was your weekend?