Monthly Archives: January 2012
All Over the Place
OOh Weee!! It’s been a while huh? Let’s see what I got to recap for ya. And if you can’t tell by the post title, this one is pretty random.
Stephanie and I did indeed go skating last Wednesday, we’re officially 2 for 2 now. We didn’t so as much skating, as we did manicures. Weird, but lemme finish.
That’s funny.
Stephanie bought all the stuff needed to do gelish manicures, so let’s get a WHOOP WHOOP to saving some money!!
On Thursday, Adam and I went bowling with his brothers and their ladies.
Seems like I just can’t get enough of sticking my tootsies in someone else’s stanky footwear. 
I wasn’t as concerned with taking photos as I was with drinking some beers, so this is all I got.
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I got a surprise half day today! I wanted to come home and watch TV, cause that’s my thing right now, but I resisted, and went to the gym.
Honestly, I wanted to take it pretty easy today. For starters, I haven’t been to the gym in a while and I always get a little over zealous and I don’t want to over do it. Also, my knee is bothering me today.
I may have had a collision with a ceramic tile floor Saturday night. I don’t remember hitting my knee, but I don’t remember falling on my face and the subsequent bloody nose either, so I’m gonna assume that’s what happened. 
Anyways, back to the gym. I hopped on the tready and did a moderate 2 mile walk. I did a few spurts of running, because I just wanted to see if I could.
I could, so that’s cool.
I decided to do some miscellaneous ab and arm exercises, but I had no direction, so I wrapped it up. I need to give some thought to what I intend on doing, so I can get my head in the game and do it right.
I’m actually bloggity bloggin from my in laws house, where we have plans for a family dinner. Fettuccine alfredo is on the menu.
Reeaally? Isn’t that like THE worst pasta dish in the world.
Oh well!
Celebration Dinner
Adam and I headed out to dinner last night to celebrate with his family.
Adam’s brother, Brad, graduated from college and with everyone’s cray-cray schedules, yesterday was the day to all get together.
Seeing that it was Brad’s special day, he got to choose the restaurant.
He picked Gordon Biersch. It’s a new(ish) brewery restaurant in the Galleria Mall.
I was intrigued by the place right off the bat, because I am a fan of beer, and seeing that I’m trying to broaden my beer horizons, I couldn’t wait to try it.
Speaking of the beer; they have 5 signature brews and 1 seasonal. I was interested in seeing what the seasonal brew was, but it wasn’t available. The waitress started rambling on about why, but I had already made a new decision and tuned her out. Thanks to my Father-in-Law, I decided to go with the Hefewenizen.
This traditional German wheat beer is left unfiltered to bring out its sparkling, yet subtle notes of banana & clove.
A beer with notes of banana? Sign me up!
I was afraid it was going to be really heavy, but it wasn’t. I found it pretty refreshing, and you could really smell the banana and clove.
The table decided to order the “famous” garlic fries, and while delicious, never seemed to leave my presence, long after we left the restaurant. I really like garlic, but it was a touch too much.
For my entrée, I ordered the crab stuffed yellow tail sole. Perhaps a touch out of my normal ordering comfort zone, yet delicious.
The fish was stuffed with crab meat (think the inside of a crab cake) and topped with a lobster sherry sauce. It was accompanied by jasmine rice and steamed green beans.
Everything was so delicious and I was really happy with my choice. It seemed everyone else was happy with theirs too.
I’d go back there. 
They have some discounted happy hour appetizers and drink specials, and that is right up my alley.
After dinner we all went back to my in laws for cake to celebrate Brad’s accomplishments.
Ice cream cake=heaven.
And I seriously just woke up from the food coma. I’d also recommend not coming into close contact with Adam or myself anytime soon, cause seriously, those garlic fries are major, and we most definitely have garlic seeping out of our pores.
GAG!!
As a side note today, I thought I’d try my hand at doing more restaurant reviews on the blog. Lord knows Adam and I go out to eat A LOT! Some places are great, and some a just “meh”. I’d love to share my thoughts with you guys.
Fun, right?
A Day Late
Let me start by giving my Dad a shout out. Yesterday was his birthday.
We all went out to dinner to celebrate, and even though the camera was in the purse, I got nothing. 
Happy (One day late on the Blog) Birthday Daddy!!
I guess I’m going a little “memento” on ya, and I’ll recap skating from the last time I blogged.
So, on Wednesday nights, it’s only $2 to skate. I love a cheap night out.
I could have brought my rollerblades, but I really wanted to get a wicked foot fungus go old school. REPRESENT!
It’s so much fun to roller-skate. It reminds me of birthday parties from my youth, especially the smell of the rink. It’s a distinctive aroma, I can’t really describe, but it knocks you on your ass the moment you walk through the doors.
And it never leaves your nasal passages until you walk out the door.
Even after all that, I can’t wait to go back.
We’ve done this before, we’ve gone skating, had a great time and promised to go back every Wednesday. We’ll see.
Let me leave you with this today.
It’s cold outside, but someone is toasty warm…
AAhhh!! A PUPPY WITH A COAT ON!!
Hilarious!!
You’re Welcome 
Really Left Ya Hanging
I sometimes always peruse my past posts. I’ve noticed on more than one occasion, I mention something new I’m trying, and promise to give you a follow-up post with my opinions. Well, with a lack of healthy living material to fill a normal post, I figured it was time to do just that!
Wen:
Way back when Wen (hardy har har) my mother in law had gifted me a bottle of Wen cleansing conditioner. I used it for about a month, noticing how soft it made my hair. However, I don’t wash my hair everyday, maybe every 3 days, and I noticed that my hair would look greasy as soon as the next day. My mother in law had then purchased me an additional bottle, this time it was the seasonal scent, pumpkin spice, and I was in love. My hair never seemed as greasy as it did with the original Wen. After some research, I realized that there are different formulas, and the pumpkin was for volume. I used that bottle until it was gone baby gone.
I professed my love for the volumizing Wen and matter-of-factly told Adam, I was abso-frickin-lutely going to use $50 shampoo for the rest of my life.
The follow up: Am I crazy? $50 for shampoo? Yeah, that ain’t happening. I went back to using whatever cheap(er) shampoo tickled my fancy on the Target shelf, and right now, it’s the Aussie brand. Honestly, it’s working out just fine.
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Crest White Strips:
I purchased the 2 hour white strips, and on Christmas Eve, I sat for 120 minutes, with the strips on ma teef. When the buzzer rang, I ripped those babies off, only to be hugely disappointed with the results. As you may (or may not) remember, I paid $40 for them!
I kindly sent an email to Proctor and Gamble, asking them if it was ok to use another strip right away (the package said use one strip every 3 months). I got a swift reply from them, apologetic, and offering me the better white strip package, The Advanced Whitening System. With this kit, you wear 1 strip everyday, for 30 minutes, and I must say, my teeth are whiter.
But my teeth hurt. They feel sensitive, and it almost feels like those strips are eating away at my gums. GROSS. Obviously, I’m cooling it with the strips.
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Lastly, and this one been hanging for a looong time. My hip:
I think it’s been pretty obvious from my blog posts, that exercise has been eluding me. I suppose that’s just the rest that the Doctor ordered BACK ON NOVEMBER 9TH!!
Whoa, I actually had to look that up, and I am a little embarassed that I’ve been rocking that excuse for so long.
Nevertheless, my hip feels just fine. The pain has almost completely gone away, and I’m not about to start running again and stirring up that pot. A friend of mine said to me a while back, that some people just aren’t runners, no matter how hard we try. I finally learned to accept that, but it still really stung last night, when a kicked off Biggest Loser contestant ran a half marathon.
GAH!!!
Ya know might be my thing? Roller skating. Stephanie and I are going to do that tonight with her kiddos. FUN!!
Perhaps there’s some Roller Derby in my future.
I just told Adam the other night, that I wish I played a sport that involved me getting mysterious bruises. (Random, right?)
Well, there we go.
Happy to Report
I had an awesome day!
I had a half day at work today, so I decided to no longer make excuses, and get my butt to the gym.
Plus, I figured at 12:45pm, I’d be there well before all the “resolutioners”. 
I hopped on the StairClimber for an intense 10 minutes. Level 8, fat burner program, alternating skipping steps every two minutes.
Then I hopped on the the treadmill to do 2 miles, power walking, varying the incline every quarter mile.
I finished out with another 10 on the StairClimber. Only because I really wanted to push myself and die.
I did the manual program at an 8, bumped it to 12 for the last minute.
So, a solid minute at level 12 was frickin fast, and my heart was pounding, but when I was done, I felt great.
I love cardio overload!!
I also did a pretty good job eating right today!
I started this morning with some overnight oats, that I actually made a few nights ago, but they still tasted great.
It got me thinking that I want to make them more often, and I will.
When I got home from the gym this afternoon, I made myself a late lunch/early bird dinner.
I grilled up a piece of salmon, and on the side…
I made myself some quinoa, with grape tomatoes, red onion and 2 tablespoons of gorgonzola cheese.
I made enough quinoa that I can incorporate it into other things, like the overnight oats!
Full circle, readers!!
Happy Birthday Momma
Today is a very special day…
Today is my Mom’s birthday!
My mom is a wonderful woman, and even though I don’t say it enough, I love her very much.
I was a difficult teenager, and I will always be eternally grateful for the love and strength my mother gave me during those trying years.
She is an amazing woman…..
With so much love to give….
And I am honored to receive that love everyday!
Love you Momma, Happy Birthday!!
Lady Date and Birthday Surprises!
As I mentioned the other day, Stephanie and I went on our Lady Date Thursday night.
We went to Russell’s, and it was amazing.
I didn’t take a photo of every thing I put in my mouth, but I should have, because it was all sooo good, and I wish I had the visuals to remind me.
We also will never be doing that again. I mean, we knew that it was “fine dining” which would be expensive, but we definitely had some sticker shock when the bill came. 
After dinner, we headed out to get our big ass drinks, but unfortunately, a belly full of food, only makes for some sleepy ladies. We called it an early night.
Which was good because I had some plans for Friday night anyway.
Ya see, I’m a super secret party planner.
Craig and I were in cahoots to plan a little impromptu surprise birthday party for my friend, and his wife, Julie.
It was a great night out with friends, and I’m glad that everyone could come out and celebrate for her birthday.
I also, for the first time in my life, played darts. I know that’s weird. But seriously, I’ve never thrown a dart before. A Jart? well, that’s a different story!
So, yeah, first time….
Ok, so maaaaaybe those aren’t my darts…
But they were my teammates, and that’s kinda like it was me, right?
Go Craig!!
It was an awesome night out.
I’ll be taking off soon to cheer on my hubby while he plays hockey. He’s playing in his yearly “Winter Classic”. It’s at the outdoor rink in East Aurora, and then there’s a little shin-dig afterwards.
This is turning out to be a super fun weekend!!
Infamous Food Post
So, back in the good old Bananas and Beer days, I actually used to blog about what I ate.
Imagine that!
A blog post about something other than me drinking too much on the weekends.
That’s a lot of links, friends.
“All ya gotta do is put a drink in my hand…..”
There’s been far too many of those lately…
So this morning, when I woke up, I grabbed my new camera and got to snappin’ on my breakfast.
I had 2 scrambled eggs, with red onion and tomato.
The for dinner, I went way back, and went with a flatbread.
Tonight’s was steak and gorgonzola.
I added a little mozzarella to hold it all together and grape tomatoes for color. 
It was just alright, but I do love that crispy crust. 
Now, don’t look for me tomorrow, I’m going on a lady date with Stephanie.
We decided not to do Christmas gifts, in favor of a really nice dinner out and perhaps definitely a big ass drink.
Give me some steak and a giant margarita!! 
My Marshmallow Coma
We can thank Adam for this title, it sums it all up perfectly.
Adam and I were invited to spend New Years Eve with some friends at a party. The party was hosted by Jerry and Adrienne.
This is Jerry and Adrienne, but obviously, this photo is NOT from last night.
Mental note: I MUST be better about taking pictures of the party hosts. Less Emmarie, More party people. DONE!
I had purchased myself a big ol bottle of marshmallow vodka to get me though the night.
It started out ok…
But suddenly it went downhill fast.
Yep, seriously, what is wrong with me?
My contribution to the party (aside from my awesome dancing) was an un-photographed appetizer.
I made a some really easy stromboli (or garbage bread, as Courtney calls it.)
I just took a roll of refrigerated pizza dough, spread it out and fill the whole thing with toppings of your choice.
I made a pizza one; sauce, cheese and pepperoni, and I made a second one with BBQ sauce, chicken, red onion and cheese.
Roll them up, poke a few holes in the top, to prevent an explosion, and bake at 350* for 30 minutes.
Slice and serve.
They must have been good, cause they were GONE!
But look for them on the blog on the future. 
After the cab ride back to Julie and Craig’s house, that’s when it really got ugly. Like BBQ chips and cherry pajama pants ugly.
Eew, I disgust myself.
I almost forgot that Zeus got loose and was running like hell down the street. Adam, Julie and myself were running after him outside…barefoot. 
We spent the night at their house, and almost the entire New Years Day. I was so exhausted, and so I just kept on sleeping. woke up a few times, I guess to prove I was still alive.
My actual wake up time was like 4:30 pm. PM, as in ALMOST NIGHT TIME!!
So, yeah, marshmallow coma…..it’s all making sense now, right?
I think the marshmallow vodka is being added to the list of vodkas I can never drink again.
YAY, Rang Tang and Purple, a new friend for your nasty little group!!
