This Week

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It’s Monday and time to put noses back to the grindstone. Or, in Luna Bell’s case, nose to the iPad.

This week, I vow to:

-stop looking at the 10 day forecast. So depressing.
-tackle every item on my to-do list, not just the ones that I want to do.
-cancel our paper subscription to the Wall Street Journal. We only read it on our mobile apps and throwing away a paper every day is so wasteful.
-drink more water
-read for enjoyment
-see my grandmother
-take my mother to tea

What about you? Anything on your “I will” agenda this week?

Zoodles and a Gluten-Free Update

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When I decided in January to go gluten-free, it was to see if a change in my diet would have any affect on how I was feeling- lethargic after I ate, stomach pains and overall just not great.

And the answer is absolutely yes.

Now almost 2 months in, I am seeing the food I eat feel like actual fuel, I have noticeably more energy (which is saying something with this weather) and my stomach issues are all but gone.

Now, because I don’t have celiac disease/gluten won’t hurt me, hurt me, when I have wanted a piece of pizza or real pasta on weekends, I have gone for it. With the exception of the night of grilled cheese and craft beer (hello, middle of the night agony), it’s been fine and I’ve enjoy the balance.

However, because there are SO many options when going out and I have found new recipes I love, I am finding that choosing gluten-free is actually becoming my choice. It makes me feel good and I genuinely enjoy the foods I am eating. And it’s fun. Why?

Because zoodles.

Zucchini Noodles = Zoodles.

And I thought spaghetti squash was radical…now I have 2 options when I want g-free Italian goodness.

Step 1: spiral whole zucchini with a spiraler- mine is GEFU.

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Step 2: season with salt and pepper; cook for 3-4 minutes, tossing until fully cooked.

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Step 3: Top your zoodles with your topping of choice. For me, that meant steamed kale and marinara sauce.

Picture Wall Cool

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2 things I am into right now: images of cool offices and career profiles of cool women. The Everygirl delivered both today.

Adding this to my archive of picture wall inspiration…I’m fairly convinced that despite all of the inspiration and how-to guides, my wall will end up looking more like Aunt Bethel’s staircase wall (you know what I’m talking about) and less like the effortlessly cool look I am going for.

Made Up Holidays for The Win

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Kathie Lee and Hoda alerted me to the fact that it’s National Margarita Day so tonight is make your own taco salad and marg night at our house! It’s concerning how seriously I take the 3rd hour of the Today Show, I didn’t even fact check this holiday. But margaritas and Mexican food make me think of summer and this is a weekend of rut busting so…cheers and TGIF!

Rut Busting Weekend Plans

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I need to level with you: this weekend ain’t lookin’ good. Below 20 degrees again, maybe snow and if that wind outside is any indication…yeah. No bueno. I cannot handle another weekend of hibernating (or questionable shoe choices in snow banks) so let’s brainstorm, bust out of our Chiberia weather ruts and make this weekend awesome, shall we?

Eataly: just going to dinner isn’t going to cut it- you need food built into an activity to make it worth venturing out into the cold. Grab a glass of wine, peruse the cheese emporium, glass of wine, slice of focaccia pizza, glass of wine, salami section, Nutella bar, glass of wine. Double points for making friends at the communal tables while commiserating about the weather. Bottle of wine.

Headquarters Beercade: Awesome selection of craft beer and free arcade games. Yes, the crowd is a little weird but throw people watching into the beer-game combo and you’re adding time to this activity. Extra point.

Cooking Class: learn something new this weekend and take a class at The Chopping Block or Cook Au Vin. I am about 29 years overdue for The Chopping Block’s knife skills class so I may be taking that this weekend so Ryan stops yelling “you’re going to lose a finger!” every time I go near a knife.

Fairways: 2 words: indoor golf & old fashioneds. Okay, 4 words. Tee times are booked for this weekend already but let’s be honest, next weekend is going to be freezing too and they book 7 days in advance so make a reservation to work on that golf swing.

Olympic Viewing Parties: basically every bar in Chicago has something going on but the tater tot eating competition at Olympwick’s (i.e. Sedgwick’s), the 10 Days of burgers at Kirkwood’s and Howells and Hood’s Winter Game Flight are piquing my interest. Also, wear something patriotic while you’re at it.

House of Cards: I know, this was probably your activity last weekend but if you really want to lay low this weekend, order some pizza and pop this on. I have never better spent $7.99 a month- season 2 of this series on Netflix is legit.

Fickle

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From thundersnow to 45 degrees and sunny…please, please, please stay like this, Chicago.