The Funky Llama

Sooo…pilates are hard.  Like really hard.  I tried a Pilates work out for the first time ever this evening, and it totally kicked my butt.  I do like that it is focused on dance- I did ballet when I was young, and I loved it so much!  I think I am going to attempt it once a week since it’s the best core workout I have ever seen, but it’s gonna be pretty grueling for a little while, at least.

Chris & I made some awesome Chicken Tacos for dinner tonight!  It was Latin-Style Roasted Chicken with veggies, and I chose onion, red bell pepper, asparagus, carrots, and lemon.  I put those in the bottom of a pan with some olive oil, put a chicken breast on top of the veggies, and sprinkled some seasonings on top (Adobo powder, chipotle chili powder, ancho chili powder, salt, and pepper).  I baked it for an hour or so.  I split the breast in half for Chris & I and layered the veggies and chicken over 2 corn tortillias, and served it with the tomatillio-poblano salsa from the other day (under the Snowy Sundays with Soup- January 9th post).  Again, we have discovered another Sonoma Diet recipe that we would have loved even if we weren’t on the diet!  The Chicken Tacos reminded me of my favorite mexican restaurant north of the Mason-Dixon- Yo Rita.  Yo Rita’s tacos are “upscale”/gourmet tacos (seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it?) with a focus on interesting/new ingredients and incredible flavor.  It’s in Pittsburgh, PA; if you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend it!

With dinner, we enjoyed Funky Llama, a 2009 Malbec.  It was a Christmas gift from one of my attendings at work, along with some chocolates, which I am saving until Wave 3, and a candle- I thought it was so thoughtful!  The Funky Llama was delicious and had everything I love about South American wines- it is a bold red with strong peppery notes.  Perfect to pair with our Chicken Tacos!  Seeing as how it had snowed somewhere between 6 and 12 inches today, we sipped our wines in the lovesac beside the fireplace, and I think I am just so lucky.  What a lovely evening!

And dessert?  Oh, yes.  We made a grapefruit-mint sorbet with the kitchen aid ice cream attachment- and it was so wonderful and refreshing.  And incredibly easy, actually!  The recipe:

Grapefruit-Mint Sorbet
2 c. Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice (or Orange Juice)
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
1/6 c. Sugar
1/6 c. Blue Agave Vanilla- flavored syrup
Pinch Sea Salt- more if you like a “Salted Citrus” flavor- think Margaritas!
1 handful fresh mint, muddled, as if for a mojito

Mix together & refrigerate for at least 30 mintues.  When ready to make sorbet, follow instructions on ice cream maker.  Enjoy your fresh & delicious sorbet!

Day 12- and not so bad!  I have to admit- I had a moment of weakness today.  When I am working in an outpatient office, there are usually catered lunches every day.  These are why I had gained almost 20 pounds since I graduated from college, all of it in the last 3 years.  You see, these catered lunches always have fresh desserts from local bakeries- talk about my Achilles’ heel!  Today was fresh brownies with fudge frosting- and they were still warm.  Lord, help me because that is some COLD temptation right there!  I had the brownie cut- a small, 1/2″ x 1/2″ square, picked it up, had it almost to my lips, when I just couldn’t.  I couldn’t eat it-I knew I wouldn’t feel good afterward… I would have a quick sugar rush and then be grumpy afterward for hours.  So I THREW IT AWAY.  Yes, I did.  I ate almonds and a clementine instead, and I didn’t get the sugar rush…or sugar coma, thank goodness.  I punched the pig for $4, the probable cost of the brownie.  That was a close one! 

3 thoughts on “The Funky Llama”

  1. Oh, girl. You have the strength of TWO funky llamas. =D

    A friend of mine does pilates at this fancy place in California. Her trainer likes to take pics of her with her cell and post them to Facebook so everyone can see how hardcore she is. It is super impressive.

    I am going to try these tacos sometime! Sounds so yummy.

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