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!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: It's Not Easy Being Good

All of these convenient and fun restaurant options in my new neighborhood are very tempting!  It's so easy to say "Screw it, let's go out!".  One way to put the brakes on that is to realize you are out of money until payday.  Luckily I was over do for a relaxing weekend at home.  We made tacos and used the low carb tortillas again.  I swear they taste the same and they're smaller so I instantly eat less.
I have good intentions of making progress towards my weight loss goals, but I lack focus.  I read some blogs and started following some motivating people on Twitter and I found a lot of great ideas.  First, I'm going to use my twitter account @Daily_Grievance to report where I am when I hit my #10ksteps.  I figure if I make it a fun celebration I'm more likely to pursue it.  Second, I've decided to try listing out my goals for the week and then I'll  report back on my progress at the end of the week. I'm hoping these additions to my routine will add the accountability I need. 
Here goes:

1. Walk at least 10,000 steps per day using my fitbit and tweet where I am when it hits #10ksteps
2. Do one plank per day
3. And for my most challenging goal,  eat in until Thursday night.

 I only have to hold out until Thursday, then I get to have my hair cut and go to First Thursday.  I know I can do it!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: New Neighborhood

We moved two weeks ago to my dream neighborhood and it's as great as I hoped it would be.  I live in the middle of shops and restaurants, my apartment is nicer and I'm having more fun.  My commute to work has gone from a 15 minute walk to at least 25.  While this is not my favorite in the morning, it seems to be helping me maintain my weight.  I have one month until my birthday and 10 year anniversary and I really think I can kick it up a notch and lose a few pounds.  The interesting thing about a fun and lively neighborhood is people tend to pay attention to their grooming which in turn makes me more interested in looking my best.  I'm making meatballs and salad tonight to kick off the week on a low carb note.  Another perk of my new place is I live less than a block from a Safeway grocery store so keeping up on ingredients is easier than ever. 

Restaurant Addict: Apizza Scholls

We finally got to try Apizza Scholls after hearing people rave about it for years.  We made an attempt to dine as walk ins a few weeks ago on a weeknight and were turned away.  This just made me more determined to try it, so I made a reservation.  We ordered two pies; pepperoni with mushrooms and olives and Canadian bacon and pineapple.  They're known for a slightly "charred" crust, and for me the pepperoni pizza was a little too much so.  The Canadian bacon was fantastic!  They cure it in house, and it was done just right.  I would definitely go back, but I probably won't make an effort to do so right away.  I liked it, but that's not my favorite type of crust and making a reservation for pizza is not very practical.  I would say that you should at least go once so you can be part of the conversation.  I would like to try Ken's Artisan Pizza next and compare. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Moving = Excuses

Wow!  I know myself well, because I knew as soon as moving became a topic that I would use it as an excuse to over indulge.  I'm up a few pounds and we don't move until Saturday!  On the upside our new neighborhood is very walkable and I have been getting a lot of exercise both riding my bike and packing the house.  I better go, I have reservations at the hot pizza place I'll tell you about next time. Happy Fat Tuesday!