I don’t think you can ever really get used to Chicago weather in April. True, this is only the second April we have lived here, but I’ve heard this same sentiment expressed by a number of long-term residents.
I woke up Saturday morning to a nice dusting of snow. What?
As soon as I had breakfast, I set out cutting all of the dates I received from Costco that were squishy, sticky, and completely unappetizing to me. As I mentioned last week, I bought a dehydrator and knew this would be a perfect solution.
Confession: I had a smaller box of dates that I did a test run on Thursday and managed to eat all of them in two nights. Whoops.
Note: If you don’t have a dehydrator (affiliate), you can always follow my earlier recipe for caramelized ones.
It was SUPER easy to set up and leave alone while I set out to help teach our second BLACKOUT class at Sweat. Normally the workouts are pre-programmed, but for this advanced workout we each programmed our own section.
I picked legs because they are my all time favorite to train and I think I sufficiently killed some people. For more behind-the-scenes photos and videos, feel free to check us out on Instagram (shameless social media director plug)!
We had a massive class complete with a live DJ and the energy was infectious. I can’t wait until we do our next one!
Afterwards, I was seriously hungry because when I wasn’t teaching my portion, I was kicking butt with everyone else. I stopped by a local favorite, Goddess & Grocer, since I was craving a lox and cream cheese bagel like whoa. They’re a little expensive for my taste, but this bagel is on point.
I came home, took a shower, and spent most of the evening on the couch. I did head out one more time to replenish spaghetti squash and had a completely frustrating shopping trip. They were out at TJs which meant I had to go to another store. TJs was also out of my beloved ghost pepper flakes that I use in my eggs every day. Apparently it is seasonal, and I’ll have to wait until summer to get more.
After finally locating spaghetti squash (and buying 9 lbs of it), I realized I was specifically craving some Gingerade kombucha. Most of the time the Walgreens next door carries it, but of course when I stopped in they were all out until Monday. Dejected and thirsty, I headed home and complained to Neil that my life was ruined until I rehydrated myself with water.
Thankfully, he was prepared for my melodramatic reaction since I had been texting him during the whole process (censored for you impressionable youth).
He had already started making salmon by the time I got home. I just popped my spaghetti squash in the microwave and I was feasting like a king in no time.
Saturday night we started Daddy’s Home, the movie with Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell, but I got bored and we ended up switching like 30 minutes in. We changed it to Ip Man 3, which if you like martial arts movies (and even if you don’t), is amazing. It’s one of the few trilogies that I’ve seen where every movie was awesome. They are based on Ip Man (obviously), a legendary grandmaster who trained Bruce Lee. Check them out.
Sunday was another lazy morning. I slept in until 7:30 am, had breakfast and tea, then wound up falling asleep again at like 9:30 am for another hour. Sundays are tough.
Around noon we headed to the birthday party being held in the Loop. It was on the 49th floor overlooking Michigan Ave and the views were phenomenal.
Here’s what happens when you try and take a picture with 3 different cameras at once.
Blurry action shot.
Since Neil’s birthday was last week, he was invited to join in the cake cutting ceremony. How sweet.
It was such a great space and we filled up on all sorts of food. Then we headed home so I could play with my dehydrator some more. Here is my first attempt at some homemade fruit roll-ups using apples and blueberries. SUPER fast. Let’s see how they turn out.
Shout out to Lindsay and this recipe for making me realize I need this in my life.
Sunday evening was filled with more movies and turning in early for a busy week ahead. I hope you all had a great weekend and that you’re actually starting to experience some spring weather!
Questions:
- What was the best thing you did this weekend?
- What’s the best thing you ate?
- WHAT ELSE CAN I DEHYDRATE?
Salmon. Make salmon jerky.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…My Nonchalant Birthday Weekend
yes!! do it! so good. actually, can i just come visit you both? dehydrator party? LOL! thanks erin
Yeah that sounds like a great plan. It’s a date!
What an excellent idea.
Hence why I no longer live in the Midwest! I remember several years growing up having snow on Memorial Day. Yes, that is May. Snow is nice in December but it shouldn’t be in April.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…Perfect Paleo Coconut Pancakes {GF, Low Cal, Paleo}
Agreed. It’s all so very confusing.
Dehydrated mango is my FAVOURITE! Now I kind of want one.
Bri recently posted…Five Things Friday: Beat the Blerch, print magazine features and why I’m loving spring right now
I have a serious problem w TJs dried mango. I eat an entire bag in one sitting!
Don’t worry. I rage at grocery stores sometimes too. And, dude, that bagel looks amazing. I don’t even eat lox but I grew up in NY and my whole family is obsessed. Your workout sounds brutal.
Rosey Rebecca recently posted…Currently: April 2016
And that was only 1/4 of the workout! Usually I’m so happy at grocery stores but I was not having it that day.
Looks like a great weekend. I get so frustrated in grocery stores too.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Weekend Recap – Exercise, Eat, Repeat
Usually they make me so happy!
I think your rage was transferred to me this morning. I literally hate everyone and everything AND I’m at work, so I’m super fun 😉
I remember my mom making fruit rollups in her dehydrator when I was a kid – so tasty!
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Weekend Recap and Orangetheory Fitness
Haha I hope you found some peace at some point!
I definitely did a double-take Saturday morning when I saw the snow. Whaaaat. And now I need more dates. I demolished my last batch over the weekend.
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…5 Reasons You Skip Yoga – And Why They’re Bad
I know! I can eat them so quickly…especially when almond butter is involved!
duuuuuuuuuuude, it started snowing on us yesterday when i was on my way for lunch. what the hell! its absolutely insane. sighhh.
i love that photo of the dates. they sound delicious!!
Beverley @ Born to Sweat recently posted…Seafolly Swimwear & Sleepless Nights
I know it’s crazy! Now that all the dates are the way I like them I just keep eating them all day haha
ugh we had a few inches of snow in Pennsylvania on Saturday…so angry! I just want to live somewhere warm!!! 🙁 Those views are really amazing!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…Good Eats On Repeat!
It’ll be warm soon enough (fingers crossed)
Gorgeous views!
I really want a dehydrator, but our kitchen is so stuffed full of useless (and useful) gadgets that there’s no way I’d get one. I’m so curious to see how your fruit roll-ups turn out, though!
On second thought, maybe I could spin it as an investment for my picky toddler? 😉
Catherine @ foodiecology recently posted…How to Overcome a Fitness Rut
Absolutely! Make healthy snacks! They turned out really well and were so easy to make. I was too lazy to nicely roll them up so I just ripped them into pieces
Bananas! Cherries! Blueberries?!
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Roasted Hazelnut Chocolate Peanut Butter
I know! I want to dry it all!
I finally got a beach day in this past weekend and it was amazing. Exactly what I needed! I also really want a dehydrator but haven’t purchased one yet. You have me really wanting dehydrated fruit.
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…Spring Fashion
Do it! It’s only like $60!
AH! What a fantastic use of the dehydrator! We got one for a wedding gift, and I have yet to use it… though I think I might have to now!
Jeanette recently posted…Eat all the foods!
It’s super easy!
“They’re a little expensive for my taste, but this bagel is on point.”
I’m sorry, is Nobu WALMART?!
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Coffee Talk #10
You give me weekend envy, regardless of the weather!
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Coffee Talk #10
Bahahaha. That was like a one time thing and it was obscene!