Healthy Living Summit

I didn’t know what to expect, I just knew as soon as I heard Healthy Living Summit was going to be in Boston this year I signed up. As we got into the week before, I started getting a little nervous that my introverted awkward self would basically just be on my own for the entire weekend. What was I thinking signing up for something where I didn’t know a soul?

I was also concerned over the fact that I’m not much of a blogger. Lately I only blog once every week or so, there just hasn’t been enough time, but I enjoy it enough that I want to continue. I was scared I would be the only one where this was the case and then someone would wonder, why are you here?

Couldn’t be farther from the truth. As soon as I arrived at the cocktail party two people heading in at the same time quickly introduced themselves and made me feel welcome. From there it was easy, I felt during most moments someone either proactively reached out to me or I felt confident enough to introduce myself to a new group. This sort of thing is so far out of my comfort zone and it felt great to overcome my nerves.

Even better than expected, I met two women, one that was training for the upcoming Marine Corps Marathon (and had run marathons before), Theodora from Losing Weight in the City, and one that had run this same marathon twice before, Melissa from Melissa Runs. I was feeling a little lack of confidence over the past week or so, mostly my fault, with my lack of mileage during the week, but it was helpful to talk to both and get even more excited about the race ahead!

I got to connect with many different women that are local to Boston also and who I am so excited to get to know even better soon! Wish I had been better with the pictures of all of us, photo fail, but you aren’t surprised by this are you?

As if that wasn’t enough, I also attended several helpful and motivating sessions. I really took a lot from each one of them, but a special note of appreciation to Gretchen for her photography session. As you know, I need some serious help in this arena.

I did manage to take some photos, mostly of the delicious food, take a peek! Thank you to Wild Harvest!

I loved these, never had them before!

Something else awesome? Free shoes! Thank you Reebok!

Pretty excited about those, totally my colors too. Thank you to the fabulous team that planned everything this year, I have no idea how you did it, that is a large undertaking, thank you Meghann, Julie & Heather. I had an awesome time!!!

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Lolita & Citizen Public House

I was very lucky to eat out at two places I hadn’t been to before in Boston this week. Yum!

Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera handy and I attempted pictures with my phone which had terrible results. So you will just have to trust me!

First, I had dinner at Lolita with my friend, Heidi. As soon as you are seated, your server arrives with a presentation of grapefruit granita within a container of dry ice and pours a shot of tequila over. This was definitely unexpected, but enjoyable. Next tortilla chips with a tomato salsa, chipolte cream and a tomatillo salsa. Thankfully, Heidi thought to order us some fresh guacamole also as it was the BEST guacamole I have had yet, so creamy!

The drinks at Lolita are awesome, I could not help, but order two. The first I had was the Liquid Gold Margarita, which included St. Germain, my favorite. Second, they offered Sangria with white wine, rose or red wine and I went with the rose. I’m always happy to find a Sangria that is not made with a sickening sweet mix and these are not.

I wasn’t as excited about the fish tacos that I ordered, but I make the mistake every time I visit a Mexican restaurant of eating WAY too many chips. I need to learn my lesson and just follow with an appetizer for my meal and not a full entrée. (I bet you thought I would say eat less chips, but really, is that possible?) Besides the amazing granita and chips and salsa complimentary with every meal, you are also brought a puff of cotton candy with a sprinkling of pop rocks. Now, who doesn’t love free cotton candy? You should probably visit Lolita, real soon.

Ben had been talking about visiting Citizen Public House since it opened in Fenway. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew for sure we would be ordering the Beer Battered Brussel Sprouts to start. They were delightful! Everything at this place had such a perfectly subtle, but amazing taste that kept you wanting to eat more. Definitely a fan of those brussel sprouts, the red wine I had and then of course my main entrée. I ordered the Tuna Burger, SO good. I highly recommend checking out this place. And if you are looking for a unique dinner party idea, get together a group of 10 people for the Whole Roasted Suckling Pig dinner with all the trimmings. Ben and I happened to sit right next to a large table enjoying this meal and it looked great!

Alright, I’m having a hard time with the lack of pictures in this post so far so here’s one that’s not so great, but it is my very own creation!

As you know, I am a huge fan of anything almond and anything cherry. And if you are too, you should definitely make this smoothie. An extra incentive, it’s pretty healthy and actually filling too. Try it out and let me know what you think.

Cherry Almond Smoothie

1 serving

• 1 cup frozen cherries
• 1 cup vanilla soy or vanilla almond milk
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Throw it all in a blender and enjoy!

The Best BBQ in Boston?

I think we discovered it last night! Ben and I took a brisk walk over to a place he has been super excited to check out, Sweet Cheeks in Fenway. Please excuse the awful pictures, I was not prepared with my camera.

We started out with Crispin Apple Cider and Stoweaway IPA. I love the mason jars. Even their martinis were served in mini-mason jars!

Now here’s the really fun part, we each picked our own “tray” which comes with your choice of meat, one hot scoop, one cold scoop and automatically comes with white bread, homemade pickles and onions.

Here’s my tray…

Pulled chicken, their “farm salad” (brussel sprouts/nuts/grapes & deliciousness) and broccoli cheese casserole.

And Ben’s tray…

Pork belly, macaroni & cheese and coleslaw.

I had a really, really, really hard time not consuming this entire tray. I LOVED the farm salad, LOVED the broccoli cheese casserole (it was just like broccoli & cheddar soup, but in casserole form) and the chicken was amazing. Ben felt the exact same way about his food and I also might have had a few tastes of his macaroni & cheese which was made with super sharp cheddar, which gave it the bite that typical mac & cheese is always missing (to me).

Best barbecue in Boston? Yep. Check this place out.

NOW

That’s it for now, I’m very busy sitting in my lovely fuzzy pink bathrobe and sweatpants, watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding, drinking Pistachio ice-cream coffee and wondering how I am going to get myself off this couch and into the cold, cold, day for a run. Wish me luck!