Good food, bad food and my weekly workouts
Happy Monday! I feel like I have so much to report from my weekend. But I’d like to get started with this: Have you seen the Justin Bieber roast on Comedy Central? It’s nearly two hours long, and it is worth every minute. It just debuted last week, and Dave and I had the pleasure of laughing-out-loud to it on Friday night. I mean, it’s a little raunchy, but it’s hilarious. Do yourself a favor, and set it to record.
Outside of that, my weekend included quite a bit of eating, sweating, working and just enough relaxing.
A couple of stories about dining out and the weekend
Next up … food. I know that so many of you do not live in the Bay Area and probably don’t care about my restaurant experiences. But as a foodie, I feel the need to cover them. And many times there are happenings that anyone can enjoy reading about.
For instance, first up was a fail of a dinner out on Friday night. I must say, Dave and I have not been impressed with many of the restaurants that we’ve explored in our new neighborhood. I’m afraid we’ve become food snobs, which is pretty unfortunate. But Friday night was bad. We walked up to Modern China in downtown Walnut Creek and snagged an awkward table in the bar area. At first glance, Modern China seemed cool. Very busy, with a young crowd and reggae music playing. There’s a large outdoor area and amazing food and beverage specials, with happy-hour deals all day.
The best part about Modern China? That generous pour of Chardonnay was under $5, which is 100 percent unheard of in the pricey Bay Area. Also shown is the seared tuna salad, some shrimp rolls, salmon over veggies and a beef dish. Sub-par, all the way.
Yet, you get what you pay for. Our food was pretty bland, and the portions were incredibly small. And now for the worst thing ever — I bit into a piece of GLASS in my food. Yup. When we told our friendly waitress and showed her the glass chunk, she came back after speaking with her manager and took half off our bill. Needless to say, I didn’t finish that dish. Modern China seems to be a good scene for after-work beverages, but I highly doubt I’ll be eating there again. We laughed it off, though, and ended the night with Bieber’s roast at home. Evening salvaged!
On Saturday, Dave and I did our respective workouts in the morning, hit up the grocery store, walked to Starbucks for an afternoon treat and laid on the couch to relax for a while. I also spent quite a bit of time preparing BODYATTACK choreography, trying to break up my learning across the weekend days.
Just a few colorful things. My yellow sweater, a green tea matcha latte and an Easter basket.
Saturday night, we went out to dinner again. This time, we cancelled a reservation at a fancy place in exchange for a cheaper place called Opa, also in downtown Walnut Creek. We showed up without a reservation and got a nice little table right away. While Opa was really bright inside (as so many restaurants tend to be outside of San Francisco, we’ve noticed), the energy and vibe were good, as was the service.
As you can see, we were happy campers at Opa that night. Also shown are some things we ordered, including a mojito, a Greek beer, a Greek salad and an absolutely tasty gyro meat platter with all the good stuff.
And our meal? Delicious! I tend to love all Mediterranean food, and Opa did not disappoint. Dave and I shared two big plates of food and walked out super stuffed. It made us very pleased to finally enjoy nearly everything about a dining experience in Walnut Creek. Once we got home, we watched the final episode of season three of “House of Cards,” and I have to say, I didn’t love it. But boy, the show does suck you in. Now that we’ve finished “House of Cards,” we’re looking for a new series on Netflix to enjoy. Please let me know if you have some suggestions.
Easter Sunday on a rainy day
On Sunday, I woke up to a surprise Easter basket from Dave, waiting for me in the living room. It was funny that he got me one, because I told him I would NOT be getting him one for the first time ever. After breakfast (which included candy for us both), I spent a lot of time learning group fitness choreography again. During that time, Dave did some cleaning, and it was terrible out, with a lot of rain. While we usually go to church on Easter Sunday, we elected to stay at home in our jammies in the bad weather and get some things done. In the afternoon, we cooked up a lovely little Easter feast on the grill, went on a stroll through our neighborhood, watched some TV and had two slices of carrot cake for dessert. Although it was a holiday spent without our families, whom we missed, we still did what we could to make it festive.
That about covers it for our weekend. I’d say it was a good one! But ladies and gentlemen, it’s back to the grind again today …
My weekly workout recap
Now it’s time to take a look at all the ways I got moving over the past week …
Weekly Workouts
- Monday – Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class, did a 30-minute CXWORX core workout at home, foam rolling
- Tuesday –Taught a one-hour BODYPUMP class, foam rolling
- Wednesday – Practiced one hour of BODYPUMP
- Thursday – Practiced one hour of BODYPUMP, did a 20-minute online yoga class
- Friday – Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class, practiced 25 minutes of BODYATTACK at home, did a 20-minute online yoga class
- Saturday – Practiced one hour of BODYPUMP
- Sunday – Rest day
What was good about my week of workouts?
This past week had plenty of variety in movement, with three cardio sessions (BODYATTACK), four resistance sessions (BODYPUMP), a core workout (CXWORX) and two short yoga sessions. While I taught a few classes, I spent much of the time working out alone, while practicing the latest Les Mills class releases that I will be debuting today and tomorrow. I actually really enjoyed splitting my usual once-a-week one-hour yoga class into two shorter sessions, because it gave me two opportunities to feel a deep stretch during the week. This past week also featured a rest day, which is great.
What could have been better about my week of workouts?
Because I spent a lot of time practicing group fitness routines, I wasn’t able to carve out time for a solo weightlifting session in the gym incorporating heavier weights. However, I’m not complaining, because I still got in more weighted work this past week than I have in a while.
Last chance for the giveaway
Today is the last day to enter to win a free ticket to a Les Mills Super Quarterly event near you, so enter now.
Alright, folks. I’ll be spending a bit more time preparing today before launching BODYATTACK 88 tonight. I cannot wait to teach this latest release, because it’s good stuff! I hope you guys all have a wonderful Monday. See you back here tomorrow!
Questions of the day
What did you do this weekend?
Did you get in a good workout this weekend? If so, what was it?
Did you get or give an Easter basket? What was in it?
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Oh god the idea of glass in your food sounds terrible- sorry you had to experience that, Ashley! My weekend was lovely and involved drinks out with a few friends, dinner out on Saturday and brunch on Sunday – lots of eating out and spending time with loved ones…the best kind of weekends :)!
Hi Khushboo — sounds like a perfect weekend to me! I need to get into brunch out more, that’s something we don’t do very often. Have a fabulous day!! 🙂
Wow, glass in your food?! That is awful! I’m glad they gave you a discount but really it should have been free!
We didn’t do Easter baskets this year but my mom gave us some chocolate, which was good enough for me:)
Hi Lisa! Chocolate is always good! And I know — terrible restaurant experience! I hope you had a nice weekend!! 🙂
Love that yellow cardigan of yours, I love YELLOW tooooo 🙂 Looks like some gooood eating, and your workouts are definitely keeping you in great shape! I wish I had an easter basket….but I did make sure my mum picked me up some easter eggs from england for me to enjoy when I am home. I am doing my best to keep my nutrition under wraps now until the marathon…booooo
Hi Tina! That’s smart of you! Too much sugar isn’t going to do you any favors. However, I tend to LOVE sugar hahaha. Yellow is such a fun color, and wearing it makes me feel happy! Hope you had a nice weekend! 🙂
Brian and I didn’t do Easter baskets this year, but my parents gave us each one. I got a reeses peanut butter egg, and a new bikini and flip flops from old navy. I got spoiled 🙂
Hi Chrissy! A bikini in your Easter basket? No way! You are spoiled. heheh LOVE IT! 🙂
Oh no! Glass in your food?? I’m glad you weren’t hurt and realized it before anything worse could have happened. Sounds like the rest of your weekend mirrored ours. We did a ton around the house and spent whatever time we could outside despite some just “ok” weather. I guess it’s the ok days that make us appreciate the good ones even more! I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on 88, I have a few mixed opions but mostly good things to say! Have a great class tonight!
Thanks, Jenna! I will certainly do a full review of 88 after I teach it a few times! Hope you have a lovely Monday! 🙂
That is a generous pour for $5 – too bad the food wasn’t up to expectation. My mom and I always comment on restaurant pours. Happy Monday!
Hi Sara! YUP – A GP (generous pour) is always a good thing heheh! 🙂 Happy Monday!
I cannot believe you found glass in your food! I would have been traumatized! Glad you realized it before you swallowed it!
No kidding, Stacie. It was NOT fun! Hope you had a nice weekend! 🙂
UGH. As a former server, I can’t even. That is such carelessness and makes you concerned for the rest of your meal! Like the time that Alex got a piece of chicken foot in an empanada and they tried to tell us that things happen because they use the whole bird. NO JUST NO
Oh Susie, that’s awful too. For as much dining out as we do, this is one of the first bad experiences like that we’ve had. Gross. Sorry for Alex too hehehe. Oh well. Hope you had a nice weekend! 🙂
I cannot believe you but into a piece of glass and they ols took half off your bill. The manager should have come over. That’s insane!
Hi Megan! I know. That’s why we won’t be eating there again! UGH! Happy Monday to you:)
Gosh, I’m sorry about that glass – we once went for ice cream and my grandfather found some in his scoop of vanilla, but he thought it was just ice and tried to chew – nope!
Oh Alyssa, that’s awful too! It was the first time something like that had happened to me. EWW!! Hope you had a nice weekend:)
I hate it when I have a disappoint meal (especially if it’s more expensive!). This year for Dan’s birthday, we went to one of our favorite restaurants that’s a bit more expensive. It was not very good this time..seems like the quality has gone down a lot since we were last there. SO disappointing! (it’s actually called Sonoma and all the wine is from California and the food is inspired by the west coast!)
Hi Gretchen! Well I like the theme of the Sonoma restaurant, too bad it’s not been consistent though. And because we go out to dinner a lot on the weekends, I guess I have high expectations. Bad experiences = not fun! Hope you had a lovely weekend!
The Easter Bunny came for the kids, but we’re not super big into Easter. I’m mostly in it for the Peeps.
I like restaurant reviews! Especially since you’re in East Bay now. We’ve expanded the house hunt to East Bay as well, so it might make it a little less painful to leave the city. I don’t want to go! 😉
Hi Emily! Take it from me — leaving the City is not a bad thing! I LOVE the changes. Even if the restaurants aren’t quite as good, there are tons of benefits. Hope you had a lovely weekend! 🙂
Glass in your food? That’s awful! I wouldn’t eat there again either. But that Opa! place looks amazing. I am such a sucker for greek food.
Sarah
Midwest Darling
Hi Sarah, Me too! I hope you had a lovely weekend! And plenty of glass-free meals. 🙂
I love your Easter basket! And I need to watch that Justin Bieber roast now!
Oh it’s sooo funny, Erin! Happy Monday to you! 🙂
I have not tried Modern China yet, thanks for the head’s up. You are right, WC restaurants ted to be too bright inside for dinner! Have you tried Stanfords in the Broadway shopping center? I remember them having onion rings, but they may be under new management now. Also in Concord there is a great locally owed Italian place http://restaurantfiore.com/ It’s in a strip mall but I haven’t had a bad meal or experience there. Plus it’s not too bright inside.
Hi Alexa, So glad you agree on the brightness thing! And I haven’t heard of Stanfords or Fiore. Thank you for the suggestions! Hope you had a nice weekend!
Glass in your meal?!!? They should have refunded the ENTIRE tab. That is super dangerous – Good thing you didn’t swallow it. Yikes! At least the wine was cheap? Trying to find a silver lining for ya 😉 Haha.
Thanks, Becky. Cheap wine helped, but won’t make me forget about it heheh! Happy Monday! 🙂
A piece of glass?!?! Yikes!!! I could understand why you don’t plan on returning there. At least Saturday made up for it, eh?
Do you have your own barbell for BodyPump at home? Or do you practice at the gym? Good luck launching BodyAttack tonight!
Thanks, Ash! I just got a barbell for home, which is SOOO much better than trying to get to the gym at off hours. I highly recommend it!
I love reading about restaurant experiences! I travel a lot too, so I try to take note of new places to try. I can’t believe there was glass in your dish! They should have comp’d the whole meal.
No kidding, Laura. Mark that on your DO NOT VISIT list. Of course, I have a whole list of fabulous places for you as well if you find yourself in the Bay Area! 🙂
It looks like you had a wonderful Easter weekend! My boyfriend is from Orinda, and I haven’t gone out to eat much in Walnut Creek, but I’m sorry you’ve had so many bad experiences! Glad the Bieber Roast saved the night! haha! Happy Monday!
Leave it to Bieber to save the day!! hahaha And Orinda is quite nice! Not sure of the restaurant scene, but I believe there are a few. Happy Monday, Ashley!:)
Choreo practicing here too! Hope you have a great launch week! The rest of my weekend was good too though. I went to a wedding on Saturday and then spent Easter went my family. I was glad I had a decent working knowledge of my releases before the weekend because I was able to listen and practice and repeat on many long drives over the course of the weekend. I need to fine tune and do some physical practice, but I’m feeling pretty good. 🙂
Happy Easter!
Hi Breanne! So we both had weekends with practice and a little bit of fun mixed in! Good luck launching!! 🙂
I can’t believe you bit into a piece of glass! They should have credited your whole bill considering the damage it could have done. Sheesh. I’m glad you’re okay though and that Opa was a better experience. We came really close to trying it one day but my in-laws weren’t adventurous enough. Don’t even get me started on that topic!
I’ve heard House of Cards is really good but we haven’t seen it yet because we don’t have Netflix. If you haven’t seen Homeland, I would highly recommend checking it out. The second season wasn’t that great but the rest of it is. It keeps you on the edge of your seat!
Hi Sarah! Yes, I’ve heard Homeland is good, so thanks for that suggestion. So the in-laws aren’t adventurous enough for Mediterranean?? hahahah! That’s funny! Happy Monday, friend!
I had quite a great run on Friday for my marathon training and then elected to take the next two days off, although lots of walking was involved! I felt ready to hit the gym this morning and tackle another week of training!
Hi Hilary! What a good choice! Sometimes your body will tell you when it’s time for a little extra rest. 🙂 Happy Monday!
I’ve never thought to use quinoa instead of oats – great idea!! Definitely adding this to my breakfast menu for the week.
And yes, I saw the roast – epic haha 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the roast too, Whitney! Such funny people all on one stage! Have a great day! 🙂
Wow, I can’t believe there was GLASS in your food. That is crazy! They should have given you the whole meal for free and been thankful that you didn’t injure yourself. I wonder if someone in the kitchen dropped a glass or something and that’s how it got on your plate?
Oh Sam, I don’t even want to know how the glass got on my plate. So awful, right? 🙁 Ugh!
AHHH! I would have been so angry if I found glass in my food. I’m sorry that experience was sub-par. The Greek food does look great though! We have a place here in Austin called Opa! that I love. Probably not related, but you can’t really go wrong with Greek! I’ll have to watch the Justin Bieber roast.
You can never go wrong with Greek food, Carissa! And YES, please watch the roast and let me know what you think. So funny!! hehhe! 🙂
My life was consumed by French pastries this weekend :P. That tuna looks so delicious!! We can’t really get good seafood around here in Central VA, but I’m SURE out there it’s to die for.
Hi Jess! No good seafood in Central VA? That’s a shame! Oh well! Glad you had some nice pastries over the weekend. Hope your week is going well so far! 🙂
I’m so behind on my blog reading…did you move to Walnut Creek? I LOVE Opa…definitely one of my faves here in the South Bay! Sorry to hear about your glass-in-food experience though!
xoxo,
Andrea
http://www.andreaeveryday.com
Hi Andrea! Yes, about two months ago, this city gal moved to the ‘burbs! I even got a car and loving it! 🙂 Hope you are doing well! Yay for Greek food!
Oh my God. Glass in your food and they only gave you half off? They’re lucky you didn’t sue!! I’m horrified for you. 🙁
(That roast WAS awesome. I’m with you. Still doesn’t make up for GLASS IN YOUR FOOD, but it’s something? :))
I know, Carla! Add Modern China to the list of DO-NOT-NEED to visit. 🙂 UGH! Thank goodness for the roast!