Restaurant Addict: St Jack

This weekend we went to dinner at St Jack with some friends that chose the restaurant and made the reservations.  I really enjoyed not having to make any decisions because I usually have to be the one in charge.  This friend is always checking in on Facebook at unique restaurants around town, some I had never even heard of.  I asked her what her secret was and she told me about The Essential 38.  This regularly updated list by Eater covers several cities including the Portland Metro area and all types of food.  We had an amazing time at St Jack, we ordered several appetizers and a cheese course that we let them choose for us.  We had the hanger steak and the clams and they were all delicious.  The butter lettuce salad stands out as one of the tastiest salads I've had in a long time.  I can't wait to continue checking places off list!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Week 3 Goals and Update

This week was not as successful as last week.  I broke my plank streak and had trouble meeting my step and food log goals as well.  That said I'm not giving up!  I will do my very best this week even though I work late a few nights which usually throws me way off.  I'm going with the same basic goals as last week.

Goals for week of April 21st:

1. 10,000 steps per day 5 days this week.  Keep tweeting where I am when I hit it #10ksteps
2. Resurrect the #plankit streak
3. Record what I eat and try to hit 6 days this week, but 5 would still be great.

I'm almost to 10,000 steps as I write this and I'm going to plank and log my food so far today right now.  I have a good start!

Restaurant Addict: Daily Cafe

One of my favorite places in Portland's Pearl District is the Daily Cafe.  Luckily I moved very close to it and have found that it's just as great for dinner as it is for lunch.  They do two house made soups every day and have a brioche grilled cheese sandwich that is so delicious.  In addition they have daily specials and offer gluten free and vegan options.  I had their house made pasta special with a light cream sauce, mushrooms and ramps and I was very happy with it.  I can't wait to try their weekend breakfast options, Saturday is breakfast all day and Sunday brunch. 

Weightless Project: Exercise For A Cause

As you know, and everyone who has talked to me since Christmas knows, I love my Fitbit.  I started following them on Twitter, and found out about this really cool charity called The Weightless Project.  The Chopra Foundation has partnered with several health and fitness companies to address both obesity and hunger.  People looking to get fit can incorporate their fitness devices such as the Fitbit and turn burned calories into money for food.  They made it so easy that even I was able to do it without help.  I signed up six says ago and I have generated $3.09 already! 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Week Two Goals & Updates

I am really glad I started this goal setting project!  Once again I did not meet all my goals, but I tried harder than I would have with out them.  I picked up extra steps here and there and did planks when I didn't want to all in an attempt to have a great weekly report.  Here's how things went:

1. 10,000 steps per day 4 out of 7 days, but was very close on the other days
2. Plank a day is on a hot streak!  I haven't missed a day yet
3. Recording what I eat was a new goal set in week 2 that I think was a really good decision.  I made it 5 out of 7 days my first week!  Of course the days not recorded were Saturday and Sunday.  

Goals for the week of April 14th:

1. 10,000 steps per day main goal to hit that 5 days this week.  Keep tweeting where I am when I hit it #10ksteps
2. Can't stop the #plankit streak
3. Record what I eat and try to hit 6 days this week. 

I would really like to show some progress on the scale.  I think I will weigh myself this Friday and again the following Friday.  I hope I can handle the pressure!

Restaurant Addict: Oba

Oba has been one of my favorite restaurants for a while.  I think this description from Zagat says it all: 
Food: 26 Decor: 26 Service: 25
A “vacation for your taste buds” is provided by the “inventive, perfectly executed” Nuevo Latino plates on offer at this “lively” midpriced Pearl District resto-lounge; while “professional” service draws “romantic” types and
other serious diners to the expansive “cheerful and colorful” dining room,
“dangerous margaritas” fuel a “high-energy” bar scene that’s “young”, “hip” and “happy.”

Now that I live so close I want to try some new things.  The Happy Hour menu at Oba is a great way to sample their food.  I went with a friend and she said the fish tacos were delicious..  I had Arepas with Yucatan Pork, griddled Colombian corn cakes topped with achiote braised pork.  They were so good I can't stop thinking about it! The house wines for $4 a glass include a Pinot Gris and that never happens.  I can't wait to go back!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: A Week With Goals

Setting goals and stating them in last weeks post was a great idea!  I did not meet all my goals, but I learned a lot. I only met one of my three goals now that I think about it, but I'm excited to try again this week. 
I only hit 10,000 steps twice last week, but I really enjoyed tweeting #10ksteps when I did. 
My most successful goal was do a plank a day.  Previously I had read to hold the plank as long as you can five times.  I hated doing it, so I didn't.  This time I decided to do one plank and hold it as long as I can and I made it seven days in a row!  I think it's improving my posture, and I can't wait to see how long I can keep the streak going. 
Eating in until Thursday was my third goal and I caved in on Wednesday.  This failure actually clued me in to something, it's not where I eat but what I eat. 

Here are my goals for this week:

1. 10,000 steps a day is a worthy goal, so I'm going to stick with it.  I love tweeting #10ksteps when I meet my goal, I may even add a picture.
2. My favorite returning goal is a plank a day.  I had fun sharing my small wins last week on Twitter, so I'm going to tweet #plankit when I complete that goal for the day.
3. My new goal this week is to record what I eat in Myfitnesspal.   I don't enjoy to cook that much, and I do love to go out to eat.  I want to lose weight, but I also need to be realistic about my lifestyle.  Saving money is a very important goal also, but I think I'll try to focus on diet and exercise this week.

I'm really looking forward to meeting more goals next week.  I have been having fun shopping and hanging out in my new neighborhood and I think that's giving me a positive attitude.  I love spring!

Restaurant Addict: Piazza Italia

Even before we moved to the Pearl District I had heard several people rave about Piazza Italia.  It is less than a block from my house now, so I knew I had to try it right away.  This authentic little restaurant is full of activity.  Most of the staff speak Italian and there is a clear love of soccer, excuse me football.  We wisely made a reservation for a beautifully sunny Sunday night.  The place was packed both inside, and at the outside tables.  We sat inside which was nice because it was just starting to cool off.  At times the place felt a little chaotic, but the food was worth it.  I had the home made pappardelle pasta with creamy pesto and mushrooms and it was amazing.  My husband had the special which was spaghetti and meatballs, I tasted it and it was delicious.  I can't wait t go back!