Hi loves! I hope you’ve all had a fabulous weekend. I’m still in New York, soaking up the heat and enjoying life. So many people hate the city in the summertime, but it’s my favorite time of year here. I love going out sans coat and walking around without freezing my tail off. Cafes are full of people with tables on the sidewalk, and you don’t have to worry about layering before leaving the house. The city is so much more alive!
Friday I took a morning train and got here by one so I could wait for my mattress to be delivered. No more air bed on the floor!
Lunch on the train: Pink Lady apple, baby carrots and Maranatha PB on Whole Foods’ oat bread
That night, Mike and I headed up to the Bronx for an amazing Italian dinner at Zero Otto Nove. It’s a bit of a hike, but if you’re ever in New York I highly recommend making the trip up to Arthur Avenue. It’s the best Italian food I’ve ever had in America!
I started off with a huge piece of sundried tomato foccacia from the bread basket. I loved that there were whole cherry tomatoes in it!
For my entrée, I chose a pizza Napoletana: incredible fresh tomato sauce, olive oil, basil and garlic on a thin but chewy crust. To live for.
Even though I was stuffed after finishing this, I always have room for dessert. Mike and I shared the Sogni di Cioccolato: chocolate layer cake filled with chocolate mousse and topped with Nutella ganache.
For years, I passed on the bread basket and dessert menu because I’d always heard that they were the best way to “eliminate calories” while eating out. Bull. Good bread and decadent dessert is my favorite part of any restaurant meal. Why does every health magazine out there make us feel guilty for enjoying these things? If you want dessert, have dessert. If you want bread, eat bread. Unless you’ve studied at the Cordon Bleu, it’s unlikely that you’re whipping up chocolate mousse cake and foccacia for dinner on a daily basis. To me, eating out is an enjoyable experience, and I refuse to let the rules of what I “should” eat ruin it for me.
After dinner, we headed to a party at one of Mike’s friends’ apartments for a few hours. I love being able to stay outside, instead of standing in a packed room!
Later, we headed back into Manhattan to meet up with our friends Maggie and Steve. We ended the night at a chill bar in Tribeca. I haven’t seen Maggie much this summer, and it was nice to catch up!
The four of us met up again on Saturday to wander around the city. I didn’t take any pictures, but we ended up eating two dinners- Mexican around five, and sandwiches at nine. Mike and I also split a slice of dulce de leche carrot cake at dinner #2. What can I say, I’m a cake (and frosting) fiend. Later that night, we met up with some friends at a bar in the Time Warner center at Columbus Circle. The view was breathtaking- I wish my camera had a night setting!
This morning I made use of my still-active gym membership with 30 minutes on the elliptical and a few weight machines. I’ve spent the rest of the day organizing the apartment, going grocery shopping and wandering around Soho. I even saw Alessandra Ambrosio with her baby a few blocks from my apartment! She’s just as gorgeous as she looks in magazines, but incredibly tiny. As recently as a year ago, I remember idolizing her as having the perfect body. While she’s undeniably beautiful and doesn’t look unhealthy, her body isn’t realistic for most women. I’d rather rock what I have than starve and sculpt myself into something that doesn’t come naturally.
Some eats today have included:
Tonight I’m going out to dinner and getting a good nights’ sleep before heading home tomorrow morning. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Do you eat out often? What’s your favorite part of a restaurant meal?
What’s one celebrity you admire for having a realistic body? I think Kate Winslet is absolutely gorgeous. She has a woman’s body and she’s confident in it!
41 comments:
On first glance I thought your cereal was a bowl of worms! Kashi is definitely better than that!
I totally agree with you about the city in the summer. Unfortunately I don't get many occasions to visit, but the last time I did was the middle of winter. It was freezing cold and I swore next time I go back it would be during the summer!
I love to eat out when I have:
1. the chance
2. the money
My favorite time to eat out is actually for breakfast. I love me some pancakes... and they are just better when I don't make them myself.
Bread and dessert are necessary! Take the entree home :) The pizza looks fantastic, I just love pizza. And...dessert with Nutella - my mouth is seriously watering!
good quetions tonight!!
1. dessert without a doubt!
2. julia roberts, jennifer garner and anne hathaway....and kate boworth....when she actually has a little junk in the trunk!:-)
looks like u had an awesome weekend! and i luv the city in the summer too! anything beats running thru the streets in the freezing, gray cold days!
xoxo
We eat out alll the time! My fav part of the meal is the appetizer. There is a delicious Thai restaurant we go to that serves amazing veggie spring rolls before the meal. Yum! I am usually too full after the meal for dessert. :(
Way to go for enjoying that bread and dessert! I don't eat out very often so when I do, I like the live it to the fullest...thats the only way to do it! :D
what a fun weekend!!! you look SOOO cute in that black shirt thing! shooot BREAD and dessert when out to eat is DEF NECESSARY!! yeahh girl!!!
Dessert and the bread basket are the BEST! I hate to think of life without bread :) No fun! And that pizza.. and the cake.. oh boy! SERIOUSLY jealous!!
And I second what Katie said, super cute top!
I like Kate Winslet and Anne Hathaway. And Scarlet Johanson, they all have really great bodies and they aren't stick thin!
Love you girl!
Looks like you had such a fun weekend!! Good for you - and YAY for a real mattress! haha. The city sounds like so much fun in the summer - I hate the cold and having to wear so many layers it's hard to move, too.
I rarely eat out - but I looove good bread, too :) And extravagant pasta dishes! Your pizza looks spectacular, though.
I love to eat out but we don't eat out much at all. Usually just on the weekends and maybe once or twice, but twice is rare!
I used to love to eat out, but now with food allergies I do not. I love to cook my own food anyways, but it was always fun to eat out. I love trying new things. And yes there is always room for dessert, I think I have a separate stomach for it!
i love eating out! i still fear the bread basket a little bit though but i no longer pass on it every single time.
in the summer i eat out with my parents once a week or so for dinner and i get whole foods salad bar lunches about once a week too! i consider spending money on healthy foods and fun nights at restaurants an investment in my health and sanity ;)
i love alessandra. she's drop dead gorgeous but i like what you said about not trying to be someone else's exact body shape by controlling your food. instead we should embrace our own bodies and nourish them, flaunting what god gave us :)
i do think that vanessa hudgens & hilary duff seem pretty healthy with body weight/image. i always see them w/pilates mats or at the gym in celeb mags yet they also have womanly curves and are seen dining out with their boyfriends a lot, just living and loving life!
I ate out every meal this weekend...ahh I guess its the curse of being in Athens and moving out of my apartment,no food and lots of friends willing to grab a bite. I love eating out though when it includes tasty meals :)
That tofu salad sandwich looks insanely delicious, and I must agree, there is always room for dessert!
Have a safe trip home & a great week!!
i adoreee eating out. i completely agree with you.. its imperative to keep a positive mindset. I tell my self all the time.. i don't eat like this daily.. live it up!
my celebrity would be Jennifer Aniston! I think she has such a strong, healthy body!!
happy sunday :)
the eats look great, especially that tofu scramble sandwich! looks super tasty!!!
and i def love scarlett johansen...and there is another woman i was thinking about and totally forgot about. i'll remember eventually!
Your post title = SO TRUE. First of all that pizza looks amazing, but nutella on your cake?! Ahh I bet that was so delicious!
As far as celebs, I really love Jennifer Garner because she looks like she eats and I think she is so pretty!
I love it when my college campus seems so much more alive when it is sunny out. It's like people actually go there. lol.
I love real Italian food and will def. have to try that restaurant some time! Mmmmm. I admire you for recognizing how unrealistic celebrities bodies can be. I hate that. I admire J. Lo a lot, as well as Oprah, since she has been honest about her struggles yet still always seems so strong. Have a great week girlie!
I just wanted to say that I love what you said about bread and dessert- I couldn't agree more. The last think I want to think about at a restaurant is my eating disorder, as hard as that may be. That being said, I rarely eat out, but when I do, its usually for really good, brick oven pizza...Just like what you had!
your photos are always so yummy, and beautiful! you are gorgeous, my dear!!
favorite part of a restaraunt...Hmmm, their drinks!! haaha
I dont admire any celebrities or their bodies really. I do admire athletes and bodybuilders and yogis and runners and people who are out their living their real life and doing it for themselves. So many celebs are just well, it's not realistic to live their life, i.e. trainers, dieticians, super expensive food, etc....I admire women who have had babies, take charge of their own life, their own food and diet and exercise path, and rock that out...on their own. I am proud to call myself one of those women :)
Love that you love the bread and dessert. You forgot to include wine on that list!!
xoxo
I've gotten really into appetizers! I think I like the sharing aspect of them. I love NYC in the summer, too, as long as I'm not carrying three tons of stuff around and yelling at the slow tourists!
I love going out to eat - the overall experience of it (atmosphere, company, trying new things) can't be beat.
Lately I've been loving on Tina Fey. In addition to being awesome in general, she has a REAL BODY.
I also agree that Scarlett Johannsen and Anne Hathaway have great real bodies - and actually, Lauren Conrad comes to mind too! She is super toned but also still curvy!
I seriously love how healthy your attitude is about eating out and enjoying yourself. You've really helped me realize that if I have a piece of cake one day, I'm not suddenly going to balloon up overnight. Plus that cake looks delicious and it would be a shame to pass it up!!
I admire Jennifer Garner for embracing her post baby body and rocking it!
"Good bread and decadent dessert is my favorite part of any restaurant meal." <--- me too! I seriously resent the fact that we're always sent the message to skip them. And sorry, but 9 times out of ten "fresh berries" isn't going to be a satisfying dessert either (haha).
My favorite celebs are Kate Blanchett and zooey Deschanel. I find Kate to be absolutely *stunning* and Zooey has such a cute quirkiness about her!
my favorite thing about the summer is definitely the outside parties too. HATE sweating in January in a crowded room.
I dont eat out too often. I like to spend my money on groceries and then maybe an outing once a week. But yeah... if you want dessert--have it and don't look back!
I don't eat out often on my own dime - except when I'm with you haha - but I love to go out with my dad/mom/boyfriend/whatever. I honestly don't do it often, and depending on where we go, hell yeah I'll eat the bread AND dessert. I once read in Cosmo that you should "decide" whether you're going to eat the bread, drink a glass of wine, or "savor three decadent bites of dessert" - hello?? What world do we live in? I don't want three bites of cake, I want the whole thing!!
Loved your wall post about the maxi dresses haha. Glad you're having fun!
totally agree w/ your title!! Zero Otto Nove looks awesome!! pretty dress!
We eat out on average once a week and I always indulge with what I want. I know that one night isn't going to set me back in my health and fitness. It's all about balance. Isn't it a great thing to be able to do?
I love eating out because it gives me the chance to try new foods I wouldn't have at home.
I think Jennifer Garner and Jessica Alba have beautiful, realistic womenly bodies. They are beautiful because they are confident and accept who thy are!
I agree with you about good bread and dessert. But it has to be GOOD bread. I won't waste my time with crappy bread in the bread basket. Maybe because I DO make my own foccaccia.
Oh my god, girl - Inception was awesome! Go see it with your boy!
I love good bread but more so good desserts that I wouldn't normally bother with making. :)
AGREED kate winslet has a killer body and looks real! i also feel that way about julia roberts a lot :)
cake + bread mmmmm!! i would totally hit up that italian food joint if i liked italian food hahaha
I couldn't agree more with this post. I really want to work on just having dessert and feeling no regrets about it. It's a struggle, but at least I'm trying to do better.
I love Scarlett Johanssen's body! She always looks stunning.
I so agree. In fact, I always look at the desserts first when I'm out. I figure that's the most important part of the meal. As for celebs with healthy body images, I like Kate Winslet, too.
I go out to eat waaaaay more than I should, but my favorite part is ordering an appetizer, entree, and dessert whose flavors all complement each other. I know, I'm such a food dork! :)
I really like America Ferrera! She seems like such a genuinely nice person who's not obsessed with her body!
It sounds like you're having so much fun in the city! And I love how you've already had a celeb sighting--us Midwestern folk get really excited over that sort of thing.
I'm not huge into eating out--I love to cook too much!
Ahh nothing like a perfect matress! Hope you sleep amazingly now! :) Kelly Brook has a realistic body! And also Coleen Rooney! She's not super skinny or toned but nor are most of us! she looks great after having Kai tho!
I do eat out often, and if I don't have dessert out, I almost always have some kind of dessert at home. ALWAYS room for dessert. i completely agree with the whole bread and dessert thing too- I really like Bethenny Frankel's whole eating thinking, because she always eats what she wants, just not a hugeee amount of it, and if she does eat a lot, she eats less later. Simple concept no? But I also agree with the lady above me! Bad bread is bad bread. Life is too short to avoid the bread basket, but it is also too short to eat crappy bread!
When we put rules in front of us, or compare ourselves to what they say in the magazine, its like setting ourselves up for failure or "breaking" the rules. SO dumb!
Ah, I love the city in the summer too. Loving it more and more these days.
i love mashups! great for doing cardio :). have you seen this site? http://bandcamp.com/tag/mashup?artist=1286572660 definitely one of my favorite latest internet discoveries :).
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