Tooting My Own Horn A Little More

Lunch was PERFECT.  And, by perfect, I mean EASY and such a great example of a problem solver moment.  Evening entertaining is a different animal and I was procrastinating that like crazy.

Don't mind my humble brag ...

All the food was made ahead except the roasted sweet potato chunks that were just finishing in the oven.  (Kept the SP and chicken warming while I gave the house tour.)  One of the ladies was on a work lunch break so we got right to lunch.

Everything was homemade, healthy-ish and simple.  Deviled eggs, SP, grilled chicken and a salad with all the veggies.  I used the mandolin to slice everything super thin -- chilled the salad, but kept the tomato and avocado room temperature (my pet peeve).  Simple vinaigrette with the fresh pressed olive oil my friend brought me from Greece -- it's so delicious.

I put the apple bars on the table as a centerpiece -- sliced small and not very sweet.  I figured this would entice everyone to have one and it did -- even the extras were eaten.

As expected, no one wanted wine and LOVED the black peach iced tea.  One of the ladies said it was the best tea and didn't even need sweetener.  So often the choice is alcohol or water.  It was fun to have tea.

It's NOT that I'm a great cook, but I am an observant entertainer.  Certain things please people and nothing is more enjoyable than having someone make a meal for you.  Presentation of the food.  Location of the food (convenience or not -- what's on the table).  Simple (aka not trying too hard), but prepared well (chicken warm, salad cold and SALTED, iced tea chilled in a pretty pitcher on the table with pretty glasses, enough choices without overwhelm).  Noticing it's January so lunch was healthy, not decadent.  It makes a regular lunch an "occasion."

And, no one needed to bring anything.  Too often women need to "work" to have fun.  Just come over and relax.  They all commented on that -- nice to have someone make a lunch for me and relaxing to have a midday conversation and it was healthy (no food coma for the afternoon).

Brag over ... LOL.

Today is the Chi Running clinic.  I'm not particularly excited about going.  4 hours seems like a lot.  It's at a gym so I bet we are sitting on the floor (I'm throwing a folding chair in my car) -- hope I'm wrong.  It's also a strange time ... 11-3.  Over lunchtime -- how do I make this work?  Lara Bar, I guess.  I want to learn about it and this is my only choice.  I guess it's better than an evening clinic.

I did the yoga youtube video yesterday.  It was Bob Harper, but not the same as my old DVD.  It kicked my butt.  Dang, I need to do more of that kind of thing.  Glad I found another FREE option for working out until my leg feels better.

Still going strong on my Desperate Eating Plan.  Not much difference in my pants (of course, not even a week later), but I think this week will start showing improvement.  Fingers crossed, snacking-mouth closed and I'll be A-okay.

Prepare for a Running 101 recap tomorrow.  Hope I didn't get SUCKERED!!  Later gators.