Dinner for two, grilled over charcoal in the backyard. Hanger steak, sweet potato and leeks from YDFM. Kale and arugula from our garden. Red wine from Trader Joes.
Why this red meat and booze meal still counts as heart healthy:
1. Hanger steak is a comparatively leaner cut of beef.
2. Sweet potatoes are a super food! They're high in: dietary fiber, vitamins, protein, iron and calcium. Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables around. And arugula is pretty good for you too.
3. And enjoyed in moderation, Red wine is still considered beneficial for hearth health (I say "still" because the reasons are debated).
For breakfast Oliver made three flavors of crepes: blueberry, blackberry and banana. Each one perfectly light and naturally sweet. After breakfast we walked up to historic Oakland Cemetery. Founded in the decade before the Civil War, the cemetery has picturesque rural garden design and is a lovely place to wander around for a few hours. Notable residents include Margaret Mitchell (Gone with the Wind author), Bobby Jones (golf legend) and the "Lion of Atlanta" - resting place for 3,000 unknown Confederate dead.
We just returned home from a walking tour of our historic neighborhood park, Grant Park, lead by the Grant Park Conservancy. It was a beautiful day to be outside. Thanks to our tour guide Alisa!
"The Phoenix Flies" is currently celebrating Atlanta's many living landmarks with eight more days of free events and tours at more then 60 sites around town. Tomorrow's tour of Inman Park and next Sunday's Unseen Underground tour have piqued my curiosity. If the weather stay this beautiful I think I might check out both tours!
In late January, after being told by a doctor that all my heretofore efforts at lowering my blood pressure weren't good enough, I challenged myself to lose eleven pounds by my 34th birthday. That would put me at 134lbs and 34 years old (I liked the symmetry of it). As a person who prides herself on healthy eating there wasn't a lot I could do to alter my diet - so my options seemed limited to restricting alcohol consumption and increasing exercise (I was already working out three days a week) - so that is what I have done.
There are just two weeks left in my personal weight loss challenge and tonight I weighed in at 138lbs! I know that losing four more pounds in two weeks is unrealistic for me - especially because there seems to be a direct correltation between motivation and how hard it has become to keep a bra on. I do want to say - even though I am already really happy with how I feel at this weight - I will continue to try and reach my goal just because I am that kind of person.
For me, the last few weeks have been a great reminder that fad diets are crazy. To lose weight and keep it off a person must change their habits. As an individual who tried Jenny Craig in high school, a lazy version of Atkins in college, Slim Fast and one frightening week of diet pills as a young adult I feel I have the experience to say "there are no short cuts to genuine health". Take your time, do it right and enjoy the feeling of knowing that your health is more then just skin deep.
Oh and by the way - my blood pressure is looking GREAT.
We spent Saturday night visiting with the world's best next door neighbors. (Yes, we happen to be the lucky couple who live next door to those elusive neighbors). Cool night, big moon, warm fire, TRAMPOLINE, a couple glasses of scotch and lots of talk about adovating healthy eating habits for Atlanta's school children. Thanks Margaret and Eric!
Tonight was another gorgeous night; so warm that we ate outside. (Dinner had to be photographed by smart phone because I accidentally left my digital camera on my desk at work.) In addition to our favorite jerk chicken we cooked mustard greens for the first time. They were - interesting; very bitter. (I preferred the brussel sprouts and mashed sweet potato.) Oliver also threw an eggplant on the grill for us to snack on later in the week. Looking forward to some baba ganoush!
For dinner Oliver made a mushroom risotto using dried mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, parsley, chicken stock and Parmesan cheese. A 100% real food meal that may not be the best example of heart health (also not the worst). Deliciously rich; quite romantic for a Monday too!
Check out our new springtime centerpieces. Made from moss growing on the side of our house! I'll take a better photo of them soon.
The beauty you see before you is my trusty bike. A 1997 original. A gift from parents when I went off to college. It was too awkward to carry up the narrow flight of stairs to my college apartment so it spent those years chained outside in the rain and snow. Have I mentioned it's very heavy and exceptionally slow? I get passed on the street by senior citizens riding featherweight bikes. For years Oliver has been suggesting I buy a new one. I've refused. My unexplainable loyalty to this bike has been going strong for fifteen years - but sadly I think our time together has finally come to an end.
Yesterday, while riding around Piedmont Park, my front tire blew. Neither of us even considered fixing it. We just looked at each other and knew. Oliver cycled home and came back with our pick up truck to ferry the old girl to the house. That means it's bicycle shopping time; I have no idea what I'm looking for. I'm could use some suggestions. The majority of my rides are in the city and Atlanta has a decent number of steep hills so keep that in mind. (Guess I'll need some new stickers too.) What kind of bikes do you all ride? Do you like them?
