New Week, New Perspective, New Goals

Okay.  It is time to reevaluate my goals.  I'm not feeling on track.  My shorts are still nowhere close to buttoning.  And I've made plans to go boating for labor day weekend.  Eek!  This means me in a swimsuit in front of people!

This is why I have decided to set some shorter term goals to help me reach my long term goals. 

This week, I will:

1. Run a total of at least 12 miles in addition to my regular Bleacher Club and CrossFit workouts.  If this means waking up at 5:30 AM, so be it.  I WILL get these runs in!

                                     

2. Not cheat with my eating.  No more cookie binges!  No more beer! Clean eating all the way!

                                          


3.  Lay off the dairy.  My go to snacks of late have been yogurt, string cheese, and more yogurt, on top of the cheese and sour cream I have been using in my meals.  I always opt for fat free or lower fat, but I still feel like I have been eating entirely too much dairy.

                                    

4.  Push myself at my workouts. I will not take the easy way out.  I will finish every rep strong.

                                      

5. Finish painting, hang curtains, and put some things up on the bare walls.  Ugh.  I have one room left to paint; I primed it yesterday.  It is going to take at least 2 coats of paint.  Hopefully I will be done by Thursday.


The massive bag of pecans I stole from my parents' house inspired my dinner last night. 

The best salad I ever ate was at Commander's Palace in New Orleans, and it consisted of mixed greens, candied pecans, peach slices, and blue cheese crumbles.  So I used the pecan and blue cheese combo, reminiscent of that perfect salad.


Mixed greens, garden fresh peppers, asparagus, a few chopped pecans, chicken, a light BabyBel blue cheese, sugar free Raspberry vinaigrette, salt, & pepper.

 

Yum! The pecans were so good!  And just a few add so much flavor. The raw asparagus adds a crunch, and the cheese was creamy and delicious.

What is the best salad you ever ate?
& What is your favorite nut? Mine is definitely pecans.  But I love all nuts!

Arts & Crabs Fest

After my long run yesterday morning, I went to my parents to collect a few more of my things.  I found this little treasure in the fridge.

Spinach, boiled shrimp, white beans, boiled eggs, & green onions.  Which led to this text to my mother.

Then, I ransacked the rest of their house.  I left with a bag of pecans, a jar of pepper jelly my mom made this week, the latest Southern Living, and my mail.

I read the magazine poolside with the brownie.

Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana hosted the 2nd Annual Arts & Crabs Fest yesterday at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

                                           
Local artist displayed their work, local musicians played, and 10 local restaurants prepared crab dishes.  Each dish was paired with an Abita beer.  Wristbands for the tasting were $25 each and all the proceeds went to the Arts & Humanities Council.  They had me at crabs & beer. 

It was an authentic display of what Southwest Louisiana has to offer.  Great music, great art, & great food!

The tastings were as follows:
Big Daddy's: Crab Etoufee & Abita Turbodog
Lake Charles Country Club: Mini Crab Cakes & Abita S.O.S.
Sha Sha's of Creole: Crab Stuffed Jalepenos & Abita Amber
Cajun Cafe: Crab Stuffed Mushrooms & Abita Mardi Gras Bock
Steamboat Bills: Crabmeat Au Gratin & Abita Andygator
Cypress Grill/Graywood: Gazpacho & Abita Abby Ale
121 Bisto: Mona Lisa Pasta & Abita Golden
Harlequin: Crab Cevice & Abita Restoration Ale
Coyote Blues: Crabmeat Poblao Bisque & Abita Jockamo IPA
Pujo St. Cafe: Crab & Avocado Salad & Abita Wheat

My favorites were: Pujo's Crab & Avocado salad, it was so refreshing and light; 121 Bistro's Mona Lisa Pasta, there was not only crab in it but also shrimp; and the LC Country Club's crab cake, I am a sucker for a crabcake and this one did not disappoint.  It was mostly crab, with little filler and had a light crispy crust.

Least favorites: Big Daddy's etoufee and Cypress Grills Gazpacho.  Crab has a naturally sweet flavor, but both of these dishes were too sweet for me.

While I have tried most of these beers, the S.O.S., Golden, and Mardi Gras Bock were new to me. I liked the S.O.S., LOVED the Golden, and hated the Mardi Gras Bock.  The after taste was strong and bitter. 

Unfortunately, I forgot to take any pictures at the event.  I wore my new dress I made with my thrifted material and an old tank top.  I did snap some pics after I made it, but decided later to hem it above the knee.

Pre-hemming.

Its much more flattering with a belt.

After the event, we met some friends for drinks and dancing. 

My camera got passed around and I ended up with 60 pictures!  Most are very fuzzy, dark, or inappropriate.

It was a late night.