My Fitness Plan and Restaurant Reviews

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Happy Monday!  It’s my last full week of freedom before school starts again.  It’s a shame that I had the flu and was sick all week (note to self – remember to get the flu shot this year…even if it’s just to avoid Tim’s “I told you so”), but thankfully, I’m feeling much better now.  I’m planning to enjoy this week to the fullest.  Thank you for all your well wishes!

Now that I’m mobile, I can’t wait to exercise again.  I was so ill that I didn’t step outside the house even once last week!  One of my New Year’s resolutions is to incorporate running back into my workout regimen.  I’d been focusing on strength training this past year and had to cut back on cardio dramatically to gain some body mass.  I believe I’ve achieved that goal and am thrilled to get back on the treadmill again!  

When I terminated my gym membership, I did yoga at home, mostly following doyogawithme.com, and  Tina’s Best Body Bootcamp and saw some great results!  If you haven’t checked out this bootcamp, I promise it’s well worth your $25.  Talk about affordability!  I plan on doing it again on my own except this time I’m going to do the full version rather than the modified one.

Starting this week, I am going to be working out at our community gym that’s located only minutes away from our place.   The membership for the whole year is just $100!!  As much as it would be nice to have a treadmill at home, this is a much much cheaper alternative, wouldn’t you agree?

So there you have it – my fitness plan for now.  And with that, let’s talk food.  I’m very behind in my resturant reviews, so I want to catch you up.  I try to do a review every Monday for Katie’s MIMM.

Several weeks ago, Tim and I went to Counter Cafe.  Tim’s been dying to go here since Texas Monthly ranked it as the number 2 burger in Texas!

Once you step into the cafe, you may feel a bit claustrophic.  There’s counter seating and not much else.  And that’s exactly what I loved about this place.  It is so charming, cozy, and unpretentious.  The staff was extremely friendly and so were the other diners that I sat shoulder to shoulder with.  I shy away from dining out on my own, but this is a place I could comfortably stop by for a delicious bite to eat.

Just across from where we were sitting, we could see the master chefs hard at work doing what they do best.

Here’s the number 2 burger in Texas, the Counter Burger!  The patty was extremely well-seasoned and cooked to perfection.  They use a sweet sour dough bun baked in Houston that was quite a nice touch.  Look at the cheese….

These guys are so funny and sweet!  It’s not everyday that you get to shoot the breeze with professional chefs ;).  When I asked if I could take a picture of them, they happily obliged…well after saying that they’re not very photogenic.  Hilarious!  I beg to differ.  Tim and I will def be returning again soon.  I have my eye on some of their bfast items.

During the holiday, we ate out quite a bit, which I’m not very used to.  Since I can’t share with you all the places, I shall highlight my absolute favorite restaurant, Ruggles Green (you must take a look at the menu!).  Opening its doors in 2008, it is Houston’s first certified green restaurant.  They support local farmers and use only the freshest, natural ingredients.  With more than 35 gluten-free options, dairy-free and vegetarian choices (e.g veggie burger that contains 14 types of vegetables, quinoa mac & cheese), burgers, wood-fired pizzas, desserts… there’s something for everyone!

My absolute favorite is their 98% lean buffalo burger.  I also love their monster salads.  This time I got the Ruggles Green Atlantic Salmon (chipotle honey-seared) Salad served with mango ranch dressing.  Tim ordered the Quinoa Linguine with Turkey Meatballs.  He’s really starting to embrace this “quinoa business,” as he likes to call it!  Yes!  Mission accomplished.  He offered me some pasta (yes he was actually willing to share this time…rare moment, indeed), and I must say, it was divine!  Def going to try to recreate this at home.

The food is amazing, but the dessert, particularly the White Chocolate Bread Pudding served warm with strawberry sauce and vanilla bean ice cream…oh my word…

They also have desserts like High-Protein Hemp Brownie, Chocolate Creme Brûlée Cheesecake, and Tres Leches.

I eagerly anticipate the day when Ruggles Green will open in Austin.  I have a feeling that it will.   Wishful thinking? Perhaps.  But I have this gut feeling…

With that, I’m going to get my day started.  I have a lot to accomplish today.  On my to do list – grocery shopping, finish my dietetic internship application, work on a recipe, exercise, and catch up on my Korean drama.

Hope you have a blessed day!

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