Thursdays=The New Fridays

I hope what I talk about is remotely competent, because I am falling asleep right now! I think my body is just not used to waking up at 5 am two days in a row. Also, it's moving towards the 11:30 pm mark. The good news, though, is that I can sleep in tomorrow. I don't have class on Fridays, so my Thursdays are like the new Fridays!

I jumped out of bed bright and early this morning and completed my favorite (and only) elliptical interval workout that I have ever done. I'm not sure what it is about the machine in my basement, but I swear it is harder than the ones I used to use at the gym in Adelaide. Either way, it was a great workout. After that, crunches, stretching and rolling on the foam roller, it was time to eat breakfast (overnight oats- no photo) and get ready for school.

It poured all night and all morning, and it felt freezing when I walked outside of my morning class. Chicago weather has multiple personalities (many of them angry) even without this El Nino/global warming/whatever stuff that's going on in the world. It has been nearly 100 degrees (37 degrees Celcius) over the past couple of days (first time in early June since the 1930's), and suddenly it feels so cold that I need to wear a jacket during the day. 

Anyway, since it was so cold compared to the weather of late, I really wanted soup for lunch when I got home. I heated up a bowl of Amy's Organic Lentil Vegetable soup. 

I also toasted whole wheat sandwich thins and spread Laughing Cow (herb flavor) cheese on them. It was a great combination. I dipped the bread into the soup. It was a must. I ate it in the kitchen standing up while talking to my mom. It's a habit. 

Yard House

Later on in the evening, after my second class, I met my friend Kate at Yard House in Glenview. I've been going there since it opened years ago, and it's still one of my favorite restaurants. 

For one thing, they have an astonishing beer selection. The two pictures below didn't come out well, but it should at least give you an idea of how many beers they have. Both pages are their beer menu. Wine and cocktails are on other pages. 

I find comfort in knowing that I can get my favorite Belgian beer (Delirium Tremens), but I can also find a new exciting brew just by telling my server what I like. Tonight, for example, I told my server that I wanted something fruity. He pointed out a few different kinds (flavors including apricot and raspberry), but I got very excited when he recommended the Sea Dog Blue Paw Wild Blueberry beer. I mean, it has the word "dog" in it, and it's blueberry! As it turned out, it was amazing. 

Kate said that it reminded her of blueberry pancakes. You could taste the blueberry, but it didn't overpower the taste of the beer. I would had consumed four glasses if I didn't have to drive home. Since it doesn't take much alcohol to affect me these days, I only drank about half of the glass. 

I snacked on Mini Babybel Cheese and cantaloupe before Yard House, but that didn't stop me from ordering my favorite salad. I always get the BBQ Chicken Salad when I go there. I just can't help myself.

From the menu: roasted pasilla, tomatoes, sweet corn, pinto beans, cheddar and jack, cilantro and corn tortilla strips tossed in chipotle ranch dressing and topped with avocado, fried lace onions and citrus bbq sauce

Same salad; different side.

I never tire of that salad. It's one of the enormous salads where after 20 minutes of eating it, you're still finding hidden goodies under all of that goodness. There are just so many wonderful flavors in there. 

Kate had a small dinner before (it was her dad's birthday), but she still ordered the hummus plate. Pretty, yes?

That's all I got for today. My body really wants to sleep, so I will listen to it. 

Happy Friday!!!!