Mardi Gras At Fogo De Chao

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Coco

Last night we celebrated my son’s 17th birthday with what has become an annual tradition: a family dinner at Fogo de Chao. It’s a teenage boy’s dream with waiters (“gaucho chefs”) slicing freshly roasted meat right onto your plate–top sirloin, bottom sirloin, filet mignon, pork ribs, sausage . . . the list goes on. They also have an awesome salad bar with green salad items, marinated vegetables, pasta salads, crisp-steamed broccoli, roasted beets, and more. It’s an all-you-can-eat place, but the food is very high quality.

They give everyone a card that cues the waiters:

Bring it on!

I’ve had enough (at least for now)!

I started at the salad bar, and didn’t stuff myself with too much sirloin and file mignon before I flipped my card to the red side, but my restraint was partially fueled by the dessert menu.

Sadly, when I perused the options, I saw that they no longer have the tres leches cake that I really like. I wasn’t in the mood for the other desserts (molten chocolate lava cake, cheesecake, flan, creme brulee), so I was going to skip dessert.

My mom had arranged for the waiter to serve my son a piece of their chocolate mousse cake with a birthday candle. After we duly embarrassed him with an out of tune and out of synch rendition of “Happy Birthday,” he told me that he really wanted a different dessert. He likes their mango and strawberry creams, which basically are vanilla ice cream with fresh fruit blended in.  So, I did what any good mom would do and told him that I would have his cake so he could order what he wanted.  The cake had layers of white chocolate mousse and chocolate mousse between the cake layers, and a thick coating of chocolate ganache. Somehow the mousse made the cake seem really “light” and so easy to eat one forkful after another.  Where was that red card when I needed it?  I finally came to my senses and gave the few remaining bites to my mom.

Amazingly, I woke up slightly hungry this morning–hungry enough to want my chocolate protein shake before my workout. Still, I will not be celebrating Mardis Gras with another big meal tonight!

(paper hand towel from ladies’ room)

Do you find that blogging has you looking for cute “souvenirs” that you can take pictures of for your blog? 🙂

Are you celebrating Mardi Gras today?

Are you having pancakes for dinner tonight?

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Training Log – GW Parkway Classic 10 Miler – Week 1

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Coco

Now that I’ve signed up for the Zooma Annapolis Half Marathon on June 5th, I feel like I’ve upped the ante on myself for training. I’ve done one half before, early in my life as a runner. I really like the 10 mile distance, but have a friend who’s relatively new to distance running who wants to do a half, so . . .

For now, I am still going to focus on getting ready for the GW Parkway Classic 10 miler on April 10, and my goal is still to train without getting injured and be able to cross the finish line with a smile like I did last year.

I am going to use this page as a training log for my workouts.

Let me know if you have any tips or comments!

February 27
6 mile neighborhood run, including 3 laps on track
Garmin: 6.15 miles, avg. pace = 9:52 min/mile

February 28
30 min elliptical
free weights routine
dead lifts/overhead press/push-ups
plie squats/tricep dips
squats/lateral arm raises
lunges/bicep curls
side-lying leg lifts/crunches

March 1
TM: 45 min hill program (level 5), 5.7-6.0 mph

March 2 (hotel gym–full description here)
30 min elliptical
free weights
single-leg dead lifts/overhead press
plie squats/tricep dips
squats/lateral arm raises
lunges/bicep curls
push-ups
chest flies/crunches

March 3
TM: 45 min random program (level 3), 5.7-6.0 mph
stretching, rolling

March 4
30 min elliptical
free weights:
single leg deadlifts/military presses/push-ups
side steps (w/exercise band)/bicep curls
3-directional bent-knee leg raises/lateral arm raises
side-lying leg lifts/crunches
hamstring presses/skull crushers

March 5
9 mile run on the bike path
I was planning on 8 miles, but felt good enough at the end to tack on another mile.
Garmin: 9.02 miles, 1:25:31, avg pace 9:29 min/mile
split times: mile 1 = 10:00, miles 2-3 = 9:40, miles 4-9 = 9:20

March 6
20 min program of my Bob Harper Bure Burn Super Strength DVD
Forward Bends program of my Rodney Yee AM Yoga For Your Week DVD

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Confidence-Boosting Run

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Coco

Today was my first long run of my very personalized training plan for the GW Parkway Classic 10 miler (April 10). I was planning on a 8 mile run on the bike path, but as I got closer to the park, I started thinking about doing 9 . . . .

Runner

Remembering my main goal (don’t get injured!), I decided to start off for an 8 mile route, but I found myself debating that 9th mile throughout my run.

Cons
Risk of injury–I only ran 6 miles last week, and 7 the week before. 9 is a big jump that violates the “10%”rule.”

Pros
I felt good, I had plenty of time today, and I wasn’t sure what our family schedule looks like for next weekend.

My first mile felt a bit sluggish, but it was right on target for my normal outdoor warm-up pace of 10:00 min.  For the next two miles, I kept a steady 9:40 pace that felt easy.  Then, a woman who looked to be about my age and size passed me.

 

I found myself unconsciously running faster to sort of keep up with her. My split time for that mile was 9:20 minutes. Even though we parted ways after that, I kept up the 9:20 pace without feeling like I was pushing myself.  As I got closer to my 8 mile finish mark, I still felt good and comfortable, so I decided to tack on a 0.5 mi out-and-back segment to hit 9 miles.

My Garmin data: 9.02 miles, 1:25:31, avg pace 9:29 min/mile
Split times: mile 1 = 10:00, miles 2-3 = 9:40, miles 4-9 = 9:20

So, this definitely was a confidence boosting run. It showed me that I am ready now for my 10 miler in April–I just have to avoid injuries as I continue my training and set a goal for my happy finish time.

Do you find that you push yourself to keep up with other runners, even when you aren’t racing?

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Three Things Thursday (The Grandmommy Edition)

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Coco

This weekend I spent a total of 7 hours in the car with my mom.
Here are three things I learned about her.

1.  My mom does not usually wear a seat-belt.

 

Ack! We talked about this. Or, I at least made my disapproval clear. I know she was an adult (and a parent) before seatbelt use was common, let alone required, but why would any intelligent person not wear a seatbelt? She tried to make me feel better by telling me that she does wear her seatbelt when she drives down to Richmond. Well, that’s good, but doesn’t she think that traffic on the Beltway is dangerous enough?

2.  My mom can strike up a conversation with anyone.I think this is the attorney in her. Unlike me, she practiced law in a courtroom, where she had to elicit testimony from her clients and cross-examine witnesses. While I tend to avoid confrontation and steer clear of touchy issues, she goes right in for the kill. This is one reason why, when we really want to know what is going on in our teenagers’ lives, we suggest that they go out to dinner with grandmommy. 😉

3.  She is the best grandmother in the world.

I knew this already, but there is no room for doubt after this weekend. She took a day off from work on Friday and joined me on a road trip to watch my son wrestle in a “national” level tournament. Seven hours in the car to watch my son wrestle for a grand total of 10 minutes (in two matches). There was never a question that she wanted to stay at the arena to watch my son’s other teammate compete, and when he was eliminated, she agreed to stay even longer, since the coach wanted the boys to see the quarter finals. By the time that was done, we had spent ten hours at the arena. She managed to have a good time and would do it again in a heartbeat.

I love my mom as my mom, but I appreciate her even more as a grandmother. Her unflagging support and genuine interest in everything my kids do leave them no room to doubt that they are deeply loved by someone who will always be on their side.

Have you gotten to know your mom in a different way now that you are an adult?

Does she have qualities that you wish you had (even if they drive you crazy sometimes)?

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Going On The Road Without Going Off Your Fitness Progam

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Coco

I am on my third out-of-town trip in so many weeks. It is harder to keep up with my fitness routine and keep my diet goals in sight when I’m traveling, but it can be done. Here are my top 5 tips:

  1. Book a hotel with a fitness room. I have been pleasantly surprised by the equipment that even more “budget-oriented” hotels offer (like BestWestern and Hampton Inn). They may only have a few machines, but if you hit the gym early in the day, you probably will have it all to yourself.
  2. Bring workout clothes even if you don’t think your hotel has a gym. If the weather is nice and the area is safe, you might at least be able to get in a walk. (Although I run outside without fear on my home turf, I am very reluctant to run outside in a strange city. Ask the front desk/concierge if the area is safe or invite a family member/friend/colleague to join you.)
  3. Pack an exercise DVD that you can do in your room–a yoga DVD is a nice way to unwind (literally) after a long day travelling.
  4. Pack snacks. I always throw several crunchy granola bars (Kashi or Cliff), Cliff Chocolate Brownie Z-Bars, and 100-calorie packs of almonds in my bag. This has saved me from needing to get fast food at the airport or give in to heavy appetizers at a work function. You also can pack instant oatmeal and fix it with hot water from the coffee pot in your hotel room.
  5. Bring water on a road trip and buy water before getting on an airplane. Most hotels charge an exorbitant price for the water bottle they so kindly leave in your room.  Bring your own and refill it at a water fountain or at the cooler at the gym. You can’t bring water through airport security, but you should buy a bottle before you board. Yes, they do serve water on board, but if you are stuck on the tarmac for a while or there is turbulence you may be parched by the time they get to you.

Those are my top 5 tips–what are yours?

Today I had a good workout in the hotel gym. Following my “training plan” for the GW Parkway Classic, I did 30 minutes on the elliptical:

and then my free weights superset routine.  This time I think I remembered everything:

  • dead lifts/overhead press
  • plie squats/tricep dips
  • squats/lateral arm raises
  • lunges/bicep curls
  • push-ups
  • chest flies/crunches

This gym is staffed by a trainer, and he made my day by telling me that I looked like I knew what I was doing with the weights and looked very fit! 😀

Now that I’ve drained my cup of Starbucks Via soon, its time to get dressed, check-out, and head to my meeting.

Posted in Fitness | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments