Soaking up the City

My sister Alison talks about "soaking up the city (Chicago)" all the time.  She's always on the go.  From one thing to the next... she doesn't want to miss anything.  I spent just one weekend day with her recently and I was exhausted from all the fun.

I've decided to take a cue form her.  Sunday night my folks came for a quick visit to South Bend, so I wanted to try something unique to the city. 

We went to Cafe Navarre on North Michigan Street in a renovated bank building.  Let me tell you... it was really good!

My parents were celebrating their 40th anniversary this week.  I think they're having more fun now tha they ever have!  Talk about "soaking" up life... they've really gotten good at it! 

Gunthorp Farms free range "airline breast" grilled with garlic and herbs, vegetable risotto, and chicken demi

Cafe Navarre offers a $25 "restaurant week" menu every Sunday.  The chicken was really fresh.  The waitress made sure to mention it was locally raised... so my Coach Chris would be thrilled to know it was fresh and hormone-free. 

So ... thumbs up to Cafe Navarre.... and to soaking up South Bend.

Oh... and guess who we ran into on the way out? 

Coach Brey. 

So that was cool too!

Feeling Alive



Before

There's something about working out outside that makes you feel alive.  Cheesy ... I know.  But it really does.  Coach Chris took the class out to the field near Primal today.  It's right behind The Cove.  I look gigantic in these pictures... but I'm working on losing those extra pounds. 



After

 Chris says you have to fix the machine before you can really get into the hard work.  I wonder what that feels like?  This already feels pretty tough.  He does this thing where you're half way through your workout and he says, "Ok... finish that set... then we'll start working out."  He thinks it's funny. 

My back is feeling stronger. 

Keep going.

Eventually I'll get this machine back in working order.

This is a game... I'm going to Win!

My sister called me today.  It was urgent. 

"Tom!  You have to do something right now," she said.

This must be big, Right?!

"Download the Jillian Michaels Podcast... the one where she's talking to Bob Harper," she said. 

What?  THAT was her must share news?

But I trust Alison.  So I quickly downloaded the podcast and listened to about 15 minutes worth on my way to work. 

It was just what I needed.

I'm going strong on my new Primal Workouts.  I know I'm getting stronger.  I feel way better too.  I'm not dropping a ton of weight.  But I know that will happen. 

Bob talked about his outlook on life.  "This is a game, and I'm going to win," he said.

Workouts.  Relationships.  Work. 

Think about what things would be like if you applied that philosophy to those areas of your life.

I'm going to try. 

I'll report back.

Cooking With Chris and William

Do you have an oven mitt?
Nope. Sorry.

Milk? 
Nah.  Don't have that either.

Bowls for mixing?
Who are you kidding?

When I told Coach Chris I don't cook, I wasn't kidding.

But we improvised over the weekend as he and his son William came over to get me to grow up and take control of my own health!

It was Cooking 101 with Coach Chris!

William couldn't understand how an adult didn't know how to make an egg-white omelet.  Eating healthy is just part of his life. 

It hasn't been a big part of mine.  Especially lately. 

The egg-white omelet with pepper, onion, organic cheese and a little sea salt was pretty awesome.  We also made bison burgers which were fantastic.

Then there were the kale chips.  I wanted to like them.  I really did.  But I'm not there yet. 

I've been doing well since they left me to my own devices. 

The journey continues.

On Monday's Menu:

• Chicken
• Baked Sweet Potato Fries