End of Week 4 the First day of Week 5

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I did much better limiting my drinking than I have in weekends past.  Although this is technically my 6-week challenge, I have not stuck to it 100%... but you could have figured that out from looking at my logs.  I am just trying to focus on changing bad habits.  Since the start of the challenge I have not had any coffee, no SAD desserts, and have exercised more than I was before.  I think these are definitely good habits I can continue even when the challenge is done.  For the rest of the challenge, I hope to eliminate all processed breads and grains (except for Daves Killer Bread, which I eat only once or twice a week), to increase my bean/legume intake to 1 cup a day (now at 1/2-3/4 cup), and to add more cooked greens to my dinners.  Now on to my daily logs...

Saturday, Day 6 of Week 4
Food Log:

• Breakfast: 1 apple, 1 banana
• Lunch: veggie sandwich with hummus, guacamole, and spicy mango balsamic; 1 slice Greek artisan bread; whole grain chips and hummus; strawberries
• Dinner: salad with cashews and tahini dressing, bean burger on 1 slice of Daves Killer Bread

Exercise Log:  Walking along the beach

How I felt:  On Saturday, Kevin and I went with my parents to go boating on our favorite local lake.  I was a fun day, but at the end of the day I felt a bit dehydrated.  In the evening Kevin and I watched a couple of movies that we have been meaning to get to on Netflix.  Overall it was a good eating day, but perhaps with a bit too much processed bread/chip products.

Sunday, Day 7 of Week 4

Food Log: 

• Breakfast: 4 small plums
• Lunch: green salad with nuts, black beans, and homemade tahini dressing; 1 beer
• Dinner: tomato, onion, and shrimp bruschetta; Red Lobster Cheddar biscuits; 1 beer
• Extras: dessert of homemade vegan strawberry milkshake

Exercise Log: walking around the mall, shopping

How I felt:  We spent most of the day out and about with our couple friend on the North side of Spokane.  This included going to Flamin Joes (wing and burger place), where I ordered a plain garden salad and brought my own nuts, beans, and dressing to add to it.  I was a little ticked, because the menu said "mixed greens" for the salad, but when it came, it was clearly all iceberg lettuce.  Not to be a greens snob, but that is one of the least nutritional of all greens.  I wish it was more of a spinach or spring mix.  Bummer.  After hanging out with our friends for the afternoon, Kevin and I decided to stop in at Red Lobster to use up a gift card my work had given me.  I ended up getting a bruschetta covered with tomatoes, onions, and a little bit of shrimp.  I was happy to see so much tomato on the dish, but unfortunately, I filled up on Cheddar Biscuits (I know!  Its a huge No-No!), so I didnt eat too much of the appetizer I ordered.  Then, in the evening when we got home, I made myself a strawberry smoothie, while Kevin had angel food cake* with strawberries and whipped cream.  At least I didnt cave for that!  Overall, not the healthiest day of eating, but I tried my best and gave in to a little bit of temptation.

Monday, Day 1 of Week 5

Food Log: 

• Breakfast: 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 apple, 1 peach
• Lunch: spinach salad with broccoli, red onion, cashews, black beans, and tahini dressing; tortilla chips
• Dinner: salad with leftover tomato bruschetta
• Extras: 2 beers in the evening

Exercise Log: Engine 2 workout in the morning (Morning!?  I know, I did it!)

How I felt:  Today I felt a bit bloated, probably from a bit of the saltier foods I ate the day before.  Overall, Im feeling optimistic to finish out these last two weeks strong, and probably continue with what I have been doing.  This morning I did a work out before I got ready for work.  Normally I am not a morning exercise person, but I actually kind of liked getting it out of the way.  I made sure not to let it be an excuse not to do well on the other aspects of my day.  Hopefully I can get in 3-4 more solid work outs in before the end of the week.

What time of the day to you try to exercise?  How does it make you feel for the remainder of the day?

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HAWKSMOOR AIR STREET WEST END

Pascal and I had the most fantastic evening on Tuesday night - supper and then the theatre to see the Book of Mormon. It is outrageously rude and politically incorrect but hysterically funny - I would really recommend it….if you are not easily offended.

For supper beforehand we decided to go to Hawksmoor which has been on my list for donkeys years although I have always been put off by the prices - steak restaurants are always super expensive - but I would say this was definitely worth it. There are 5 Hawksmoor restaurants in London and one in Manchester.

According to the website, Hawksmoor travelled the world to find the perfect steak but actually it is from here in Britain. The menu offers lots of fish as well as meat and a good mix of starters (steak tartar, ribs, Caesar salad). I wanted the Bixham crab on toast with mayonnaise to begin with however they were unfortunately out of crab and lobster. Instead I had the roast scallops with white port and garlic.

These were delicious - big juicy scallops in a garlicy sauce - it reminded me of snails in garlic and I even ordered some bread and butter to mop up the sauce!

Pascal ordered the smoked salmon which came with a delicious herby cream cheese and brown bread. This was very tasty and fresh.

For mains we both had the 400g rib eye steak which we agreed is one of the best steaks we have ever had. It was so tender and full of flavour - I dont think I have ever tasted anything like it.

Being the little piglets that we are we each had our own portion of mac and cheese which was divine. Restaurants can so easily get this simple dish wrong but this was perfectly cheesy with a crispy topping.

We also shared a side of the English lettuce and herb salad which was very light and crisp - a perfect accompaniment to the steak and pasta.

I ordered the Stilton hollandaise as a sauce which was good but not very stiltony and a bit too creamy - next time I would go for the béarnaise although to be honest the steak was so good, it would be perfect without a sauce….which is something I never normally say!!

Even though I was so full I could barely breathe I had to try the salted caramel rolos which were literally mouthfuls of Heaven. I was a little put off by the dark chocolate as I am not really a fan but the rolos were utterly incredible.

A superb meal -  Hawksmoor definitely lived up to its reputation of being the best steak restaurant in London and I think has made it on to my list of my top favourite restaurants.  Great food, fantastic atmosphere, friendly efficient service and a really warming, comfortable decor - the kind of place you could stay all day. I cant wait to go back - the restaurant also offers a pre / post theatre dinner / set menu and a Sunday roast and a whole array of puddings that I cant wait to try!

Hawksmoor

5a Air Street

London

W1J 0AD

Tel: 020 7406 3980

 

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