Ladies Who Do Lunch
I’ve been so busy lately. It’s all been good stuff and fun stuff, so that’s in no way a complaint. First, I met my friend Star for lunch one day after a swim and we celebrated our birthday together (a month late but oh well). We met at Tao of Tea, one of my favorite tea houses in Portland. The place was packed for a Sunday. I was surprised.
We got a table and ordered our lunches immediately because we were so starved. I ordered the Chana Chaval, which was chickpeas in curry sauce over basmati rice. It was topped with fresh cilantro and sliced tomato chunks. It was so delicious and filling. I loved Indian food. It feels so healthy and I never leave feeling hungry.
I forgot what Star got, but it was bread stuffed with spinach and cauliflower with Dal sauce and yogurt. Look at how tasty her lunch looked:
I got the Pitta Ayervedic tea and we shared some biscotti for dessert.
We exchanged gifts and toasted our mutual birthdays. Star gave me the new line of Mary Kay skin products (she’s a Mary Kay Lady). It was a cleanser, toner, moisturizer and a mask. I’ve tried it a few times now and like it a lot.
The Happiest of Hours
One Friday night after a swim, I met up with my cousin Anna for Happy Hour. The original plan was to go to Bunco together but the Bunco night was cancelled (boo). I was disappointed but it actually ended up working out nicely. I went to the pool, skipped my pre-workout snack, and swam my little butt off! It was such a good swim! And I was done just in time to meet Anna at Produce Row. Produce Row is a little cafe down on SE Water right by the train tracks. It’s been AGES since I was at Produce Row! The last time I was there, it was a total dive–not nice at all, with picnic benches inside the restaurant. They’ve since remodeled and it’s a cute, classy, romantic little place with lots of seating, pretty decor in the restaurant, and an enclosed patio for the summer months.
We got happy hour (which lasts til 7!) and started with beers. I got my new favorite beer (discovered in Bend) called Boneyard IPA. I absolutely LOVE this beer and I wish I could find it in bottles so I can enjoy it at home. Boneyard is a strong, hoppy IPA and tastes like grapefruit. My favorite.
We split the happy hour order of nachos: nachos cheddar cheese & black bean sauce melted over tortilla chips and topped with chili-spiked sour cream and salsa fresca. These were GOOD nachos! I kinda wanted some more and was kinda sad when we cleaned the plate.
We shared our nachos, slurped our beers and got caught up on all the good, bad and ugly that’s been going on with us lately. It was a nice time. I always feel so much better after my “girl time” with friends. Even though we split the small order of happy hour nachos, I was really full from them and called that dinner.
I’m so glad I’ve been doing better about scheduling FUN into my life. It’s too easy to get bogged down with chores and routines and not take care of “ME” when I really need it!
I’m enjoying the long weekend and a quick update on Maya: she’s finally eating (Sunday). She ate on Friday but on Saturday she seemed to go backwards and refused to eat anything. I was starting to worry about her, but she ate a little bit this morning after much coaxing. She’s been really good about holding still long enough to receive all her medicines–but she’s definitely not having fun being caught twice a day! She’s showing some signs of her normal behavior and personality so that’s a good sign!
QUESTION: Do you take care of YOU? How often do you schedule “YOU” time?
Deb
Time out with friends can be so important! I always feel so much better after I get some time with my bff, who I rarely get to see. I’ve been trying to make more time to see my friends, but its hard with most of them having such packed schedules.
Glad to hear Maya is finally eating again! Something has to really bother an animal for them to go off their food, poor girl.
Lisa Eirene
Agreed, Deb! My bff lives in Seattle so we chat all the time but only see each other a few times a year.
Maya is a skittish little kitty and didn’t eat a whole lot before the tooth issue.
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
Hope Maya continues to improve xx
Lisa Eirene
Me too, Lisa. 🙂
Denise LaFave
It is so nice to see you, Lisa. I love the post. Me time? I love listening to music and walking Have I done that lately? No. I love going out to eat and seeing movies. I do that almost every weekend with my husband and son.
Do I schedule time? No, but you have reminded me that I need to begin. You have given me something to really think about.
I work hard as a teacher, including many additional duties at the school. I am one of those “yes” people! It seems like work always comes first, my boys second, myself third, when speaking of my time. Here is what I would like to change it to: God first, my boys second, myself third, and work last.
I used to live in McMinnville, close to where you live. I love Oregon, but we moved to California because of a job for my hubby. There is nothing like Oregon in the summer months, however! It is absolutely beautiful, not too hot, fresh produce and flowers everywhere.
Congrats on your accomplishments. I will continue to read about your progress. Thanks for the insight.
Lisa Eirene
Hi Denise! Thank you for reading and leaving your great comment. You make a good point–it’s so hard sometimes to say “no” and to think about ourselves first. Often times the only me time I get is the gym. Which is nice, but not always relaxing and replenishing. It’s good to have real down time…with ourselves, friends, family…without the obligations.
Oregon summertime is the best and honestly the only reason we stick around through the loooong winters here!!
Jodi @ Jodi, Fat or Not
I end up skipping “girls night” a lot because I’m terrible at making healthy choices when eating out. It’s easier for me right now to just stick to my routine – but I really need more of it in my life! Obviously avoiding it is not going to be good for the long run, but it’s something I’m working on.
Lisa Eirene
I get that, Jodi! I stopped doing stuff like that when I was trying to lose the weight because I didn’t trust myself to make good choices in a restaurant when the happy hour foods are things like mozzarella sticks and nachos. But eventually I started making plans again and if there’s salad and soup as an option, that’s what I choose.
You could also invite your friends over and YOU do the cooking! I hosted a lot of “girl’s night in” where everyone brought something. And it was usually healthy stuff.
Diane Fit to the Finish
I don’t spend enough time with friends and it’s totally my fault. Plus, since we moved here I don’t have the kinds of friends I had back in FL. Thanks for the reminder.
Lisa Eirene
Moving is hard! When I first moved down to Portland I didn’t make many friends. I desperately needed to because I was spending a lot of time alone. Thankfully the internet makes it so easy to make new friends now. And with the blog world it’s even easier!