Escaping for Good Food

I realized this morning that I haven’t mentioned my workouts much this week.

I know I had planned on taking it easy on the running front – I forgot to tell you that I can get a little bit stubborn at times when it comes to running.

Aside from Monday’s 4.25 mile run, I also ran 5 miles on Tuesday and a surprise run of 8 miles yesterday.

I don’t normally run more than 5-6 miles on a weekday morning but it was so crisp and pretty outside yesterday and I had a little time to spare so 8 miles it was.

I kept the pace easy each day and thankfully I am feeling good.

I will do my best not to run this morning (insert elliptical machine here) so that I can enjoy tomorrow’s long run.

I am super excited that today is Friday….All week I have struggled to complete all of the work I have on my plate so instead of forcing my brain to work when it clearly didn’t want to, I took some time away from the computer at random times to relax and regroup.

The other day I needed a break to the point where I even let someone else make my Red Mango parfait.

You may think I am slightly crazy, but, I hate having someone else make my parfait. What if they don’t layer it correctly? What if they don’t put enough yogurt or they put too much yogurt? What if they get the whole ratio of fruit to granola to yogurt all wrong?

Like I always say, if I am going to eat something, not only must it be good, but it must be RIGHT.

If you follow me on Instagram, you have already seen the final parfait product. It was quite divine I tell you.

Notice the chocolate sprinkles? Yeah, that was our only glitch.

I asked for “A SPRINKLE OF DARK CHOCOLATE CHIPS ON TOP” and I guess she interpreted that as, “CHOCOLATE SPRINKLES”.

It was actually really good though. I may even make it with sprinkles next time myself.

As I relaxed and walked the mall while eating my parfait (how exciting that the mall now has a Red Mango) I popped into Crumbs Bake Shop to check out the new cupcakes.

I am totally feeling the Chocolate Cream Pie cupcake. Oh yes.

But must they go ruining the pretty picture with the calorie count?

Another day this week I randomly ended up out for lunch at a place I haven’t been in a while, Cheeburger Cheeburger.

Obviously I don’t order burgers anymore but the Cheeburger menu has an awesome variety of choices including veggie burgers, salads and sandwiches.

I ordered the Portobello mushroom salad and was able to choose a ton of toppings from the toppings list. Cucumbers, artichokes, tomatoes, roasted peppers, onion rings (my fave), hot peppers, pickles, chick peas and who remembers what else.

In case you are interested, the burgers look like this:

And the cheese fries look like this:

I am all about the onion rings though. And the shake menu.

But I didn’t get a shake – the little boy loves the shakes so much that to respect the fact that I went without him, I didn’t even glance at the  list. I know, I know I am such a good mother.

Speaking of burgers and shakes, it seems that burger restaurants are all the rage these days. A new wine and burger bar is scheduled to open soon at the mall near my house.

Based upon the reviews, the food and atmosphere is a good time and the menu  even includes nonmeat options.

I am excited for Zinburger to open so I have another good place to go to when I feel like playing a little hooky.

I kinda love escaping from life for random meals during the week day or even on a weeknight. Sure, weekends are fun, but unscheduled plans at off times can be even more fun, don’t you think?

I am all about mixing it up, keeping it fresh and thinking out of the box.

Have a great weekend!

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I NEED TO KNOW:

What are you doing this weekend? I know a bunch of you have races  – good luck!

Do you ever play hooky during the week?

Favorite Crumbs Cupcake? Toss up for me between the Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Boston Crème and Chocolate Fudge Chip

Do the calorie counts displayed for desserts bother you?