The night tomatoes became the center of my universe.

First off, when I spend money at a restaurant, I expect it to be as good, if not better than what I can make in my own kitchen. That being said:

There is nothing more exciting/terrifying about seeing Fried Green Tomatoes on a menu anywhere north of the Mason Dixon. Exciting, because I can't usually find them anywhere up this way. Terrifying, because I never know if they're going to turn out like mine, (not that great, half burnt, half mush) or the right way. As it turns out, I've found somewhere close that does it right.

Let me back up.

Rusty wanted Ice Cream and I was only slightly hungry when 'dinner time' reared its head. We talked out the options and ended up going to "The Treat." The chalkboard of specials was mostly ribs and other BBQ items, but there it was... "Green Fried Tomatoes."

I immediately started weighing my options, and debating on whether or not to order them. I was wondering if they were done right, would they be over or under cooked, or if I should even bother risking the disappointment. Rusty's blank stare and slight shake of the head made me aware of the fact that my pondering was out loud.

Sidenote: I had a lot of time to babble on about my decisions. We do love going to "The Treat" but the service is painfully slow. I do believe this has a lot to do with the kitchen making most everything as it is being ordered, and not so much to do with the waitstaff. This wait is even worse during peak hours. You've been warned!

I ordered my buffalo chicken wrap, and decided to take the plunge and order the tomatoes. What's the worst that could happen? Rusty ordered a peanut butter cup flurry for dinner. Sometimes, that's ok.

When the food arrived, I was initially happy that they looked right. I asked for a side of ranch just in case, and when that arrived, I now had two waitresses staring at me, intent on gauging my reaction to the plate. Apparently, they were just as excited/terrified as I was. I felt like I was a New York City food critic, tasting the special of a brand new restaurant on the first day it opened.

All of this, over 3 slices of tomato.

The taste test passed with flying colors. They were perfectly done, and not over seasoned. Browned, not burnt, and the right amount of crispy with the right amount of give. They definitely passed my test. I was half tempted to get another order, but they are fried, and my sandwich at lunch was on a grilled doughnut. That's another story for another day.

I assume that Rusty's flurry was good, because it was gone before I was done praising the tomatoes. I felt bad for my buffalo chicken wrap, as it had to take a backseat to the side dish spectacle. You did well, chicken wrap. You were tasty and spicy and smothered in bleu cheese just as you should have been, you just weren't the star of the show this time.

We had a good meal with a well executed side dish for $10 before tip. My taste buds and my wallet are pleased, and my husband is happy to have had ice cream for dinner. I'd say it was a good night.

A New Post from the Jobless Blogger

Yes, it's true, I forgot about blogging. I've been so busy lately and I feel like I'm chasing my tail. I was terminated on Friday, July 1st. Fired. Let go. The exact words were "Well, we were going to give you a raise, but after this e-mail... we've decided we're going to let you collect unemployment."

And that was it.

So I did what any normal person would do, and I went to the beach. Hey, it was already planned.

Hubby and I had an amazing time, and got to see some fireworks from a pretty cool spot right in the bay. Oh, how I adore being on/in the water. I was just saying to a new friend of mine today, the only thing I really enjoy about this time of year is the water (and fireworks, but I'll take fireworks any day). Lakes, pools, beaches, streams, rivers... you name it. Otherwise, give me snow and 30 degree weather.

Neither of us have been to the gym in a while and I can feel that I'm putting some of the weight I lost back on. We both need to get back there. I didn't feel like a total cow in my bathing suit this year though, so that was an accomplishment.

What else is going on.... Well, I got called that I'm actually singing the National Anthem for the Staten Island Yankees this year again, and apparently I'm going to audition for "The Voice" in a couple weeks. Sounds like a plan, I say. I'm waiting for a call back for a third interview for a new job, so in the meantime, I suppose I can let the talented side of me out to play for a bit. Heck, I even started writing another song while we were at the beach on the boat in the bay. The sky looked like cotton candy, and as many pictures as I took, not one could truly capture what I saw. It was amazing.

I can't think of much else to say at the moment, mostly because I'm avoiding giving my piece of social commentary on the Casey Anthony trial and everything else going on in the world. Maybe I'll get to that tomorrow.

And now, inspired by a different Casey: A Picture!

That's all for now...

And in the middle of week two, a fighter emerges...

Alright.

I'm sold on this gym/running/C25k/exercise/losing weight thing going on in my life right now. So sold that I nearly doubled the time that is on my plan for this week. My mother is worried about my knee/back/health/heart/everything and I know she loves me, and that is why she is worried, but I'm really feeling good.

I was worried about all of that too until I realized one thing: Exercise is doing good things for my body. I've already dipped under the 230lb mark. I haven't seen that weight for a few years. I haven't EVER run like this in my life. Aside from my Jazzercise days, I don't think I've gotten my heart rate up to target in years either.

I don't use an inhaler anymore.

I'm bound and determined to get under 200. I weighed nearly 260lbs nine months ago tomorrow. Probably more than that, but I didn't want to get on the scale to show it. Now, I'm fitting back into clothes that I haven't worn, AND I'm not *just* fitting into them. I'm comfortable in them. It is a truly great feeling. It hasn't been easy at all, but most of the best things in life aren't easy to begin with.

Something changed last week, though. We completed Week 1 of the C25k two weeks ago, and then we both got sick. Knock down, drag out, go to bed at 6pm and not eat dinner sick. It was horrid. No energy and no way we were going to the gym. In the past, it probably would have been like pulling teeth to get me back there. I would have had excuse after excuse.... but like I said... something changed.

I was anxious to get back. Anxious to start week 2. I was looking forward to exercising. I seem to always look forward to it now. I keep my soundtrack rotating motivational pushing kinds of songs and I look forward to the mixes that I throw together. I'm looking forward to a body that doesn't go directly to the plus size section when clothes shopping, and its a great feeling.

Being sick felt like I had a murky blob in my body. It felt like we had just pushed through this great week of exercise and then something took over and brought us down so that we wouldn't continue. Let me tell you this: that murky blob got its butt kicked yesterday and today, and if it ever thinks about coming back, the same thing will happen.

Makes me that much stronger...
Makes me work a little bit harder...
Makes me that much wiser...
So thanks for making me a fighter...

What's so special about today?

February 14th.

A day of first dates, marriage proposals, wedding anniversaries, births, deaths, and a day to remember to love your significant other.

Wait. Whoah. Slow your roll there...

Isn't that every day? Don't those things happen every day of the week? What makes the 14th of February so special??? I could go into the history of Valentine's day, the Valentines Day Massacre, Hallmark, Hershey's, Whitman's Samplers... But I won't. I've found my very own reason that February 14th is special.

Today, Rusty and I started the Couch to 5k Running plan. Basically it takes you from... wait for it...

The couch....

to...

Running a 5k!

I'll let that one sink in for a second.

It's not a fast process, and if you find it too hard, you repeat the week that gave you trouble. Also, its a free program. You don't have to sign up, you don't have to pay money, you just have to be able to read, be able to run, and be determined.

Granted at this point, I should feel like crap, right?. My legs hurt, my lungs are a little constricted, but all in all, I'm OK. It's amazing to me that I didn't even need my inhaler. I alternated 60 seconds of jogging with 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes, following a 5 minute warm-up walk. I'm still ALIVE! We're both still alive! (yes, this is an accomplishment)

So now, we're looking for 5k's in the May timeframe to solidify the agreement. Here's hoping we can find something close that falls on a weekend that suits. Talk about a special day to make a special agreement!

But hear this, followers and creepers:

WE WILL do this, WE WILL finish this, and WE WILL be held accountable!!!

MAN that sounds GOOD!

Now, I'm off to bed. That is, as long as there are no more fire sirens... the whiskers have taken a liking to 'singing' along with them (read: yowwwwwlinnnng)

GOOD NIGHT! :D

Baba Yetu and The Smoothie Song

Anyone else out there have a battle song?? You know, the motivational beat with the lyrics that just make you want to take down anything in the way of achieving your goals??

I start with this:

Baba Yetu... If you'd like the translation, it's the Lords Prayer in Swahili.

And I follow with this:

Mmm... Smoothies...

Anyway...

I have a list of these psych up battle songs, and most of them make it onto my Gym playlist. Thank goodness for that, because tonight it was war! My inner Jillian Michaels against my inner Queen Latifah. Now that's a match-up that gets real ugly, real fast.

We got to the gym tonight and I took a second to read a sign on the wall that reads:

We're not here to kiss your butt, but to kick it if that's what you need.

Oh yeah.

That is what I need. I pushed through a mile on the treadmill and then did the unthinkable, 7 miles on a recumbent bike. My butt was numb. My thighs were rocks, and I felt...... GREAT. What an odd situation... I go in not wanting to work out, feeling like poo. Blare a little fight music, turn up the notch on the motivation and I come out feeling 110%.

If this kind of butt kicking is going to make me feel that good, I want more. Plain and simple.

PS....

I'm sorely disappointed with Ms. Aguilera.

PPS...

Bless you, Peppers. LOL

Tossing my cookies? I think not!

I really need to make this Blog more of a daily thing.

I generated quite a buzz on my facebook page last night, when I questioned my decision to buy cookies. Now, we all know that the hubby and I are on a quest to lose weight. Another thing we all know about, is our budget. I spent $2 on a pack of chocolate chip cookies. Considering my options, I got the most for my money, and was pleased with my purchase. What I didn't expect is how much I wanted those cookies because....drumroll...

They were there, looking at me.

I think, just maybe, the cookies are good friends with that can of soup from the other day. This time I yeilded... I had three chocolate chip cookies, knowing that a 'full serving' is five. I felt pleased with my decision to have less than a serving...pleased, until I went back to my computer and saw 17 notifications. All of them were friends commenting about what I should do with the cookies that I bought and were now staring at me. Half of you wanted me to toss my cookies! (ha ha ha) Seriously? I just spent $2 on them to throw them away? I THINK NOT! I may as well have eaten the $2. Given it to the whiskers to play with. Flushed it down the drain. Wiped my... um... tears? with it. Why in the world should I throw the cookies away?

Then, it dawned on me. How many times to people buy something as a reward, and then end up eating the whole package because they've starved themselves on a diet? Its a classic situation! I'm going to watch what I eat. No snacks, no cookies, no sweets. If you seriously decide to go that route with your diet, you're bound to crash and burn, and yes, eat a whole package of cookies. Its a classic situation, and I know that my friends were just looking out for me. But I'm ok, really. If I ration the cookies I'll get more over the course of the next week or so, and I'm ok with that.

(I should add that a year ago, those cookies would have been gone in the car on the way home. But I won't.)

So, thank you, friends for looking out for me, and thank you other friends that told me to just eat them. I love you all, equally.

Talking soup...

I have identified a problem that I need to fix. I brought a sandwich and a can of soup to work today. I made the sandwich for lunch (yes, I make mine 'fresh' right before I eat it) and was not hungry for the soup. This is fine, I thought to myself, I'll have something for tomorrow.

But now, 3 hours later, I'm staring at the soup can. I want soup. Its not even the good, homemade Italian Wedding Soup that we made this weekend. Its Campbells Tomato... Condensed. I want it. It's looking at me... saying "Come get me!" And I almost gave in! ...Almost!

Then I had to ask myself: Are you REALLY hungry? Do you REALLY need that soup right now? Can it wait? No, No, and Yes. I only want that soup because it is looking at me. I want that soup because I can see it. I want to eat it because it is THERE. BAD BAD BAD BAD! Remember I said I could start a bad habit in the blink of an eye? Yeah... done.

"But... I'm creamy tomatoey goodness in a can!"

I don't care, soup. I'm not going to do it.

We started at Planet Fitness last night and I think I'm in love. They have one of those nifty 30 minute Express workout areas where you get to work each part of your body, alternating with steps. Oh! And I don't have to do reps with soup cans anymore, as that is worked into the workout. I also won't have to benchpress the cat again. I'm sure the cat is OK with this.

I digress...I guess the point is, I'm noticing my eating habits can be a bit... well.. impulsive. I'm making a body resolution RIGHTNOW. If I find myself going to get something to eat just because it is there, I'm going to make a nice hot cup of tea or get a glass of water... Something... but I'm not going to eat.

"But... what about me?"

Its ok, soup. I'll deal with you tomorrow at lunchtime.