HAPPY FRIDAY!!!
It is a beautiful day here in Charlotte. Although it’s rather cold, the sun is shining and the sky is cloudless. My day is going to be pretty relaxed and low-key. I am only teaching one lunchtime yoga class and then computer work (must catch up on email), blog stuff, a Trader Joe’s shopping trip and a happy hour date. Sounds good, huh? I would also really, really like to fit in a chiropractor or massage appointment but that’s a stretch. I am one big ball of tightness right now.
I spent some time on the torture device foam roller after teaching BodyPump and doing cardio last night and while it certainly helped, I need to call in a professional. There were audible groans on the floor of the Y as I was working knots out of my IT bands. 😯 (Check out my Foam Rolling 101 videos for instructions on how you can also experience this “hurts so good” pain!)
Enough about my mess of a body…let’s move on to the food.
I hung out in Columbia until my mom finished her morning meetings so that we could have lunch. I received a recommendation that The Gourmet Shop was the spot for lunch so we decided to give it a try. I have a bit of an addiction to sparkly water and ordered a Pellegrino.
The Gourmet Shop had a great selection of sandwiches and pre-made salads. Their specialty was chicken salad on a croissant and after seeing so many of them come out of the kitchen I couldn’t resist ordering my sandwich on a croissant. I went with egg salad, something I don’t eat often but really enjoy. I am so glad that I chose the croissant instead of wheat bread…it was buttery, delicious and worth the splurge!
And then I let my mom talk me into taking a walk by the dessert case and the next thing I knew there was a turtle bar sitting in front of me! Told you we are trouble with the sweets when we are together! 😉
I balanced it out by eating a big salad for dinner after my evening workout. Spinach, apples, dried cranberries, carrots, almonds, goat cheese and a Trader Joe’s veggie burger with honey dijon lemon vinaigrette.
And finally, a couple of Friday faves for you.
Something to listen to…
Loving this song to power me through cardio sessions this week. Did anyone see him perform this on the New Year’s Eve show? It was amazing.
Something to read…
Heather Eats Almond Butter wrote about “Giving Myself Permission” in her latest post and many of these statements really resonated with me. Read it.
You have permission to not be the best of anything – just the best of yourself. And some days, just the best you can do that day.
I’m “luckily” not a big fan of croissants. They’re always easy for me to turn down. That dessert, on the other hand, would be demolished.
croissants can be pretty hit or miss but i love the good ones! i can’t turn down any desserts…such a weakness of mine!
Oh man, the croissant and the dessert would have been demolished by me as well, excellent choices!
I totally passed Heather’s blog piece onto one of my on-line clients. I loved the piece as well. Cannot remember the last time I had a croissant, but for some reason egg, tuna, or chicken, all seem to pair perfectly with that buttery roll. Stay warm and have a wonderful weekend!
it was a great post. definitely something that i will refer back to when i need a lift.
Thanks so much for the shout-out, and I’m really glad you enjoyed the post. It’s one I’m going to need to re-read over and over myself. 🙂
Oh my gosh, the foam roller. Rolling out the IT band is definitely the most painful, but it definitely helps. Looks like a lovely lunch with your mom. So glad you went for the croissant as well. Nothing like a butter croissant sometimes. Enjoy your weekend Jen!
heather – thanks so much for your amazing post. it will definitely be one of those “read over and over” for me too!
I’m on my way to read that link about giving yourself permission–thanks so much for sharing!
I haven’t had a croissant in forever! The buttery flavor and texture of a croissant can NOT be beat. Glad you got some down time and splurge time with your mom.
the turtle bar, id dominate. but ive never been a fan of croissants. weird because i think butter on pretty much anything is delicious.
i am a huge fan of butter. i actually just bought some kerrygold salted butter today. it is soooooo good on warm bread.
A really good, fresh croissant is one of my favorite things. There’s a French bakery here that does chocolate ones..mmmm… And I have a love/hate relationship with my foam roller. It’s true…it really does hurt so good. I usually yell expletives and moan while I roll around on mine. I think my boyfriend thinks I’m totally bizarre.
i agree…there is something about a good croissant that is just perfect. i especially love them for breakfast with jam. it’s one of our favorite vacation treats! 😉
Next time you go, you HAVE to get the chicken salad…it’s literally my favorite chicken salad on the planet! Egg salad is delish too though…good choice 🙂
oh wow, now i’m sad i missed out on it! it looked amazing. i thought about getting some to go…i should have!
I definitely need to buy a foam roller and watch your videos! I’m running in Houston this weekend and I’m always so stiff after a race! Have a great weekend!
foam rolling would help so much with your recovery! good luck with the race!
My sister and I are the same way with desserts! I always call her a food bully because she manages to convince me to get dessert after every meal – and by convince, I mean she simply asks and I cave! I hope that turtle bar was as delicious as it looks!
haha…i love this! i think your sister and i would be friends! 🙂
Croissants are so good! They make a boring sandwich into something devine! And mixed with chocolate is just heaven. 🙂
Yum egg salad on croissants is one of my favourite splurges! I love your food mentality – splurge on lunch & eat a healthy dinner.
I am getting better at this, but sometimes if I splurge at lunch the whole day becomes a write-off. Definitely working on that!
I love croissants. I ‘m french, so I’m proud of our french croissants 🙂
I used to eat them with strawberry jam or nutella !! (Croissant with Nutella is the bomb, not healthy at all, but insanely good !)
That croissant & fruit plate looks awesome! Yum!