Cookin' (and eatin') up a storm

I can't believe January is nearly over - where is all the time going???

As I've settled into the new year I've kept on full steam ahead with my resolutions (I've been doing pretty good with most of them!). I'm close to accomplishing my goal of reading two books this month. I've been taking lunch (and breakfast for that matter) at least 3 days a week to work. I've cooked one new thing a week. I got coffee (well, hot cocoa) with one new person. I traveled more (trip to Salem). I've met with my trainer, I'm exercising, I'm walking. I've been going to a new church. I'm updating my wardrobe on a budget. It feels really good to be able to see all that I've accomplished and to hold to the resolutions I've made this year!

The pictures in today's blog are mostly....food. (Surprised? I'm assuming no...) I cooked a couple of things this evening - I tried a new recipe using quinoa (which I've never eaten before) and my new favorite breakfast (leek, sundried tomato, and goat cheese frittata) is cooking behind me. Take a look at some of the stuff I've made (and eaten) this week:

Ok, so this first picture isn't of food...but I went out to grab a cup of coffee from Starbucks with a coworker and couldn't help but snap a quick photo of the office. Sometimes I still can't believe I work here.

So I've started going to Meetups which are topically based groups that meet on a relatively frequent basis. They happen all over the world and there are some pretty interesting ones out there! A couple of weeks ago, I went to a "Europhile" Meetup and had the pleasure of meeting Erica, an ESL instructor here in Boston. After we exchanged contact info, Erica invited out to dinner at a Senegalese restaurant called Teranga and I went! This is a picture of the lamb and couscous dish I tried - it was DELICIOUS! 

Finally - some snow! Not that I haven't been loving this mild winter, but I've missed having some snow. Luckily this one melted off before I had to trudge out in it (and I still haven't gotten some serious snow/rain boots yet so that's a good thing!).

I decided to make some healthy potatoes au gratin - aren't they pretty?

And to accompany my potatoes...some southern comfort food! Pinto beans, collard greens, and a big tall glass of super sweet tea on the side (smackin' my lips) yummmmmmmmmm... Dad I bet you never would have thought I'd make myself some 'beans 'n' greens' huh? ;-)

Can I just say - I love Groupon! (And Living Social, BuyWithMe, ScoutMob, and the rest...) Being able to buy coupons for restaurants and activities for 50%-75% off really helps me go out and try all the things I want to! I treated myself to a quiet and cozy dinner at Pigalle, a French restaurant on Charles Street. With my Groupon (which I purchased at $25 for a $50 value) I was able to get this HUGE rib eye steak (which lasted me 3 meals) smothered in Roquefort sauce and frites, a salad, the dessert below and cookies to take home. Can you believe it???

My dessert of choice? Crème brûlée of course! 

An example of the updates I'm making to my wardrobe... Aren't they FABULOUS????? I can't wait to have some place where I can wear them! (Well, I'll wear them to the office sometimes, but I mean some place really special.)

One resolution is go get coffee with one new person a month. I went to another Meetup on Tuesday and got to meet several cool ladies from the Boston area over coffee at Pavement. Today I had the pleasure of meeting up with a new friend, CJ, at Max Brenner Chocolate Shop for a cup of cocoa and some amazing fondue. It's such a cool place - I can't believe I've walked right by it so many times! Look at the unique cup - it's a 'hug mug' because you have to hug it to drink. 

Delicious chocolate display... 

And tonight's newest cooking masterpiece - aptly titled Quinoa and Black Beans. I made some steak strips (found at Shaw's for only $2!) with fajita seasoning to top it off and at lunch tomorrow I'll garnish it with some fresh-squeezed lime juice and half an avocado (look Mom, I spelled it correctly!). Not bad eh?

Breakfast for the week! I eat it with 2 slices of light whole wheat toast and a cup of coffee or hot tea in the morning...

Fresh flowers for my bedroom because they make me happy...and only cost $4 :)

Don't mess with me - I'm a Kitchen Ninja!

And lastly - gotta walk off all this eating! I've been tracking my steps (you're supposed to walk 10,000 a day to stay healthy) and I traipsed all over Boston to get some exercise in.

So there you have it folks - my life over the past couple of weeks! Now off to pick out tomorrow's outfit, pack my gym bag, and get ready for bed :)