After a fun & relaxing weekend with my family I’m feeling energized and ready to tackle the day. Last Thursday & Friday Marc was in Buffalo, NY for work travels and a golf tournament so I was home with Ava and Cooper until early Saturday morning. While I didn’t like having Marc gone I did catch up on housework, computer work, and sleep.

Friday night was a very low key night.

Ava and I took a trip to Bruce Park to play on the playground.

She had so much fun and I loved seeing her smile the whole time she was playing.

After we got home my mom and brother stopped over to keep me company and we hung out and chat, until 10pm rolled around and I decided I was ready for bed.

Saturday morning we got up bright and early, I took Cooper for a long walk and then we headed to the YMCA for Ava’s Soccer Kick & Play program.

The program is for 12-24 month old kids and they alternate between soccer kicking and play time. It’s a great program that helps with hand eye coordination, balance, listening, communicating and play time skills.

We look forward to the next class next week.

After class Ava was wiped! She had a snack and then took a nice long nap. Marc also napped with Ava so I took advantage of the sleeping house and ran about 10 different errands around town! In the afternoon we headed to our neighbors house for a play date and then Marc and I had a date night dinner at Barcelona restaurant.

It’s our go to date night spot. The service is great, the food is awesome and it has a great atmosphere.  We love their tapas!

We started with the Spinach & Chickpea casserole & meatballs. (MY FAVORITES)

Plus some calamari, smoked trout pate,

& broccoli rabe.

We also indulged in some red wine.

It was a great date night and we left with full bellies!

Our Sunday morning started off similar with a long family walk and then we made a trip to Trader Joe’s. Is anyone else obsessed with that place???? I literally could buy every item in the store. I had to hold back from some purchases but I love all their stuff.

Our evening was spent hanging out with our neighbors on our porch while our daughters played until bedtime! It was a great weekend.

What was something fun you did this weekend? 

Are you a pumpkin fan?

Friday night we headed to Marc’s softball game at Byram Shore. The weather was perfect for some softball and Ava got to run around and play in the dirt which was pretty fun except that she had a bath already!

Miss Ava has been waking us up super early these days and during the week I don’t mind but on the weekends its torture. Saturday morning Marc got us some coffees at Dunkin and we ate some breakfast before taking a trip to the YMCA for a quick workout. I lifted my back and did a little cardio. Clearly I over did it because my back is very sore today but I needed it!

The rest of the day was spent outside playing in the yard and at the dog park, plus running some errands. At around 6pm we left to head to my best friend’s surprise 30th birthday party in Stratford, CT at The Sitting Duck Tavern.

It was such a fun night with my friends, and I think the Birthday Girl enjoyed her celebration.

I have known Lauren for 30 years (our parents planned our births) and I can truly say I’m lucky to have a friend like Lauren.

The night was filled with laughs and great food.

I had Mahi Mahi with Mango Salsa over mashed sweet potatoes it was delicious.

Marc had a burger with pulled pork, onions & pickles!

I’m not a big strawberry shortcake fan, so I didn’t indulge in the cake but everyone said it was yummy.

These are my 4 best friends, Danielle, Shannon, Lauren and Megan!

 I went to bed at about 12:15am and Miss Ava woke me up at 5:15am, so lets just say the morning was a struggle. I chugged some coffee, well not literally, but it gave me the boost I needed to entertain her for a bit.

I was fortunate the weather was amazing because we spent the day outside and I didn’t have to think about how tired I was I guess I’m not 21 anymore and staying up late really effects me hard these days.

Luckily I went to bed early last night so I am feeling energized and ready to go this morning! It felt great to have a sweat session this morning in Group Power!

 Does lack of sleep catch up with you?

What is something fun you did this weekend? 

Yesterday afternoon I had a special lunch date with Ava & my mom. It is very rare that I eat out at a restaurant mid-week let alone at lunch time. Since it is school break this week I have a little more free time on my hand and I’m not complaining.

We headed to my mom’s best friends restaurant in Stamford, CT called Villa Italia. This is hands down my favorite restaurant. Who doesn’t love good italian food?? When you know the chef its even better

When we pulled up to the restaurant I was already starving… that’s mistake #1 right there. Never go to a restaurant hungry. That bread basket came out right away and you know what?? My mom and I said no thanks but we kept one piece for Ava. (The girl is smart… she loves warm bread from Villa Italia and we were pretty jealous)

My mom asked if I wanted to split a small salad to start since we were both hungry, I said absolutely! Splitting a salad is always a good option because it’s portioned right. These days an appetizer salad is practically a full meal, but the split serving was the perfect amount to hold us over.

Before even looking at the menu I knew I wanted either a salad or fish. It was Ash Wednesday so I was trying to not eat meat. I love eating fish out at restaurants because they cook it so much better then me! My mom and I ordered Filet of Basa Francese and we held the “egg batter friedness.” Don’t hesitate to ask your server for other options to make a meal healthier. The fish came served over spinach and the sauce tied everything together.

The sauce was lemon, white wine, & garlic… and if I could have drank it or packaged it up in a bottle I would’ve, but clearly that’s not acceptable.

Anyways.. back to the point of this blog. There are healthy options wherever you go! Here are my main tips for eating healthy while out to eat:

1. HOLD the bread basket.
2. Drink water or ask for a pitcher for the table.
3. If you order a salad ask for the dressing on the side.
4. Ask for your fish or chicken grilled, broiled or poached. Ask for veggies steamed or roasted and without butter (It can be done)
5. Choose meals that don’t have buttery or creamy sauces, and skip the fried foods.
6. If your meal looks really big, it probably is! Eat half and wrap the second half for leftovers!

The nice part of eating fish for lunch was I didn’t feel stuffed and I was able to workout shortly after with out any stomach issues!

This quote is for my Clean Eating Challenge Group.. for keeping me motivated and giving me positive energy this week!

Do you hesitate to eat healthy out at a restaurant because you feel bad asking for substitutions?

Whats your favorite meal to order out?