Weekend Recap and BETTER than the $1 (Dollar) Menu

So Friday afternoon I sped outta work because THIS is what the weather was like:

75 degrees in January?!  CRAZY SAUCE!

It was so gorgeous I threw on my LuLuLemon Run Speed shorts as soon as I got home and raced out the door.

I tried to run my Challenge Nature Run and completed the 6.4 miles in 1:04 (9:55 avg pace).

Apparently I needed to eat more, I'd only had oatmeal and berries for breakfast plus coffee then 2 Gu Chomps before the run... I run better when I don't work through lunch... Still, the weather was gorgeous!  I was also slightly slowed down because they were doing construction on the trail and I had to 'limbo' under caution tape a few times.  There was no stopping me.

I hurried in the door after my run to have a quick shower and change for a dinner with several couples from work.

So fresh and so clean!!!

We went to Buca Di Bepo which has Family Style dining so you order a few entrees and it feeds the whole table. 

Thank GOODNESS they brought out some salad first because I was famished!!

For our entrees the group ordered two versions of spicy pasta (one with sausage, one with chicken) and the Eggplant Parmesan.  I had the eggplant which was AMAZING.  I am not a fan of spicy pasta...

Afterwards most of the couples went home, but M & I joined another couple for a few drinks at a local bar - we felt like being young and crazy since it was Friday night.

Saturday we woke up and hit the gym - I managed a 3 mile run on the treadmill but it was rough after my longer run the day before, and my legs felt like lead.

I also managed to get in a pretty good strength session with some Tone It Up Sunset moves.  I've been doing a great job so far this year at continuing to work strength into my workout plan!  2012 Week I = complete!!

We ended up meeting a bunch of friends at Top Golf for lunch.

I'm just a beginner, but Top Golf is still a lot of fun for me.  They have 'bays' that remind me of nice bowling alleys where there are tables and TV touch screens with your 'score' and of course additional TVs with sports playing.  There are different colored flags in front of you and you simply shoot at the different flags and depending on how close your ball lands that's how many points you get - simple, right??

I only shoot at the closest flags because I don't have any sort of a long shot yet.  I also get bored easily so I like to be on a team and take turns swinging :)

The food isn't bad either - especially for a sports venue:

M & I split the chicken wrap and Asian Chicken Salad.

Oh, and a few light beers - mine with lime :)

After spending 4-5 HOURS at Top Golf, we headed back to Mikesta's Casa and placed a few card games before our friends went on their merry way leaving us to decide how we wanted to spend our Saturday night.

We decided the GROCERY STORE was the best call.

WERE. WE. RIGHT!!!!

If you are one of those people who is excited by the DOLLAR MENU try these specials on for size!!!

FIRST the produce aisle greeted me with

$1 Raspberries or Blackberries

and then the frozen vegetable aisle followed up with

$1 Mixed Veggie Bags

in a million styles!  The Bell Pepper and Onion Blend is one of my favorites but I also stacked up the cart full of Broccoli, Spinach, and Tuscan Style Mixed Veggies.

You can't beat $1... and although I love fresh vegetables, I always keep some frozen in my freezer to heat up last minute and add to pasta dishes and rice.

I told Mike it was like a very belated Birthday gift -- Thank you Kroger :) :) :)

After returning home from our successful grocery store date we decided to get fancy and pull out the Lobster Tail meat we'd bought from Costco the previous weekend. 

Lobster Tail Meat + Veggies + Smart Noodles + Tomato Basil Sauce

That's Mike's plate -- his always looks nicer than mine because I just throw everything in a cereal bowl since that way I'm less likely to spill over the sides.

We watched a few episodes of Dexter we have on Net Flix and called it a night!

via

I'm still not caught up with the current season so don't spoil it for me!! We're at the point where he has befriended Julia Stiles (ya omg remember her from Save the Last Dance?!)

The show is a little bit dark for me... but I do appreciate how good typically wins over evil :)

Sunday I started my day out VERY HAPPY.

Doesn't that look like a HUGE smiley face to you?!?!

Egg White and SUPER VEGGIE omelette with toasted artisan bread.  YUM.

I also added a slice of Munster Cheese which was DELISH.

A big lunch fueled another workout at the gym - but I stuck to a sweaty elliptical session to give my running muscles a bit of a break.

The rest of our Sunday was spent researching a few things that I will talk about on the blog ONCE they actually happen, that way I don't jinx anything ;)

I hope everyone has a fabulous Monday!

(lol)

Questions for the Day:

How's the weather where you are?

was gorgeous all weekend - but super rainy and 40's today! blech

Do you have anywhere like 'Top Golf' near you?  Do you golf?

Still very new to golf!  I am working on my swing using a 7 iron and refuse to try any more until I get this one down - I'm a bit of a perfectionist.  And also, I don't go but once every few months.

Have you ever had 'Date Night' at your local grocery store?