Six in six

2008 will be the first year in a looong time that one of my New Year resolutions will not need to be "lose weight." Which, really, is freaking amazing. However, because "weight loss maintenance" is such a boring and static idea, I am challenging myself to become fitter than ever in 2008.

I will of course continue to do the activities that helped me get to where I am today. That would be walking (20 miles a week minimum), weight lifting (mixing up my exact routine every 6-8 weeks to keep my muscles guessing), bellydancing (live classes and DVDs) and yoga (which I want to actually do more of).

Each of these activities is fantastic, and I love all of them enough to spend many hours a week doing them. But my personal idea of fitness means having the strength, endurance and flexibility to move any which way with relative confidence and little-or-no delayed-onset muscle soreness the next day.

I arrived at this notion gradually over the summer and fall. We did a heavy renovation of our garden, which involved digging and hoeing a lot of heavily compacted soil. Let's just say that traditional ab workouts have got nothing on sustained shoveling. Then this fall, when I had been weight lifting for several months and was looking and feeling pretty darn good, I was humbled by the load of Zoo Doo we shoveled into, then out of, the back of a pickup truck. This time it was my shoulders. No injuries, but lots of the kind of pain that says "you got a serious workout."

At first, I thought I might have trouble coming up with six activities (I chose that number because it meant an average of one new activity per month). I ended up needing to cull a few (although I might do them anyway). Here are my winners:

Snowshoeing. I can't cross-country ski without falling on my behind continuously, so I think this winter activity might be more up my alley. I've read that "if you can walk, you can snowshoe." We'll see about that.

Hooping. A woman I watched hoop at an event last month was fit and toned and sleekly muscular. Plus, you can make your own hoops and decorate them with pretty, sparkly tape. A hot bod and DIY possiblities? Sign me up!

Shadowboxing. I use this term because I have no interest in actually sparring with another person. I bought an 80-pound heavy bag a few months ago on sale, and J finally installed it in the basement for me yesterday. I tried out some basic punches and kicks (with two books for guidance on form). Fun, fun, fun.

American Tribal Style bellydance. This is one area where my bellydance education has been lacking. Now that there is an officially certified ATS instructor near my neighborhood, I figure I have no more excuses.

Shovelglove. This set of exercises, created at home by a guy who was itching for a non-gym workout, uses a sledgehammer for weight, working muscles in a way that traditional weightlifting exercises won't. I think working these into my routine will pay off next time I have to unload Zoo Doo.

Kayaking. When I'm walking along the shore of Lake Washington during pleasant weather, I always envy the glide of the kayakers across the water. Plus, I figure it will be a killer arm workout.

Top 10 tasty bites

J's and my joint devotion to, nay obsession with, "Kitchen Nightmares" naturally leads to conversations about various facets of restaurantdom, including gross hygiene violations, decor and menu. That got me thinking about my favorite places to eat in Seattle.

It was HARD to limit it to 10, people. I decided I had to exclude bakeries from this list, or I would still be whittling. I've been to all but two of the 10 multiple times. Each of the "winners" causes me to develop either acute cravings or a dreamy look on my face when I think of them. Here they are, in alphabetical order:

Baguette Box: I know that the crispy drunken chicken baguette is their big hit, but I luvvvv the roasted pork loin with apricot aioli. And their beet salad with garlic olive oil inspired me to make my own version at home regularly.

Cafe Campagne: I've been here for brunch, lunch and dinner, and it's all good. Croque-monsieur, yum. Lamb burger with pommes frites, yum. Cassoulet, double yum. I already told my coworkers that this is where they are taking me for my birthday lunch next month so that I can order the oeufs en meurette.

Casuelitas: Everything I've sampled here is delish, but I can't bring myself to actually order anything other than the goat curry. With a mojito and some plantains on the side, please.

Dahlia Lounge/Lola (tie): These are both Tom Douglas restaurants, of course, so I don't feel I'm cheating. I am as devoted to the bread salad at Dahlia (with a lavender Dry Soda) as I am to Lola's kabob plate at lunch (with a pot of Moroccan mint tea).

India Express (510 Broadway E. on Capitol Hill): I've been there for dinner more than once, but J and I drool over the lunch buffet (but not in the buffet...that would be gross). Always delicious, always friendly efficient service.

The Kingfish Cafe: Finally (!) went here with coworkers last summer, for lunch. Was instantly smitten by their buttermilk fried chicken breast over mixed salad greens and HUGE desserts. Did I say HUGE? I'm not kidding.

Le Pichet: J and I first went here on the Fourth of July a few years ago. I think I could eat here three meals a day and be perfectly pleased.

Matt's In The Market: Finally (!) went here a few months ago (again with coworkers). I was torn between the lamb burger and the "honkin' hot" ahi tuna sandwich. Lamb won the first round, but I must go back for that tuna...

Tutta Bella: Their Columbia City location is dangerously close to my neighborhood. I love every single thing about this place. Their salads. Their pizzas. Their desserts. The cute little glasses (smaller versions of their water glasses) they serve (most) wine in.

Typhoon: I go here a lot with coworkers, and I never get tired of the green chicken curry and the lengthy tea menu.

It was a very good year

I know it's not Thanksgiving, but 2007 has been a significant year for me. So, as it draws to a close, it seems fitting to declare my thanks for what I'll call my Top 10 Events of 2007. In rough chronological order, they are:

1. Successfully rehabilitated my broken ankle (broken 10/12/06, lots o' metal installed on 10/14/06).

2. Set up home gym in basement with free weights and benches purchased inexpensively on Craigslist. Renewed my commitment to serious weight lifting...as all women should!

3. Resumed weekly bellydance class, this time from a fantastic new (to me) teacher. I feel blessed that both of my long-term teachers (to date) have been top-notch.

4. Completely landscaped our previously boring front yard. Thanks to He Who Puts Up With Me (who I will refer to as "J." from this point forward) for doing the heavy lifting on that one. We're talking rock walls, et al.

5. Reconnected with my long-lost high school-to-college best friend at my 20th high school reunion. (Also: Discovered that high school-to-college boyfriend was not aging particularly well.)

6. Lost 47 pounds since February (when I could start going for proper walks again), and am now at a healthy size 8.

7. Took an amazing workshop from Amy Sigil of Unmata. Marveled at the complicated ways in which the human body can move.

8. Welcomed a healthy (albeit a bit premature) niece into the world.

9. Walked a half-marathon for the first time, and saw my months of dedicated training pay off with a good finish time.

10. Discovered my next avenue for fitness fun, after a chance encounter with a visiting hooper named Spiral.

S.L.U.T.s and slices

Nothing says "holiday" like a tasty Christmas lunch of arguably the best pizza in town...especially when your boss is footing the bill.

Yesterday my department of four hoofed it from downtown to the latest outpost of the lovely Tutta Bella. We had intended to ride the S.L.U.T. (South Lake Union Trolley*, for those non-Seattleites scratching their heads and saying "What the huh?"), but after waiting for 15 minutes at its first stop in front of the Westin, we gave up and walked the several blocks (fine with me, because walking is my preferred mode of transportation). Two blocks from our destination, we passed the S.L.U.T., temporarily inoperable, and only three days into official operation. Nice.

But not as nice as lunch. I'd already enjoyed dinner at Tutta Bella's other locations in Columbia City and Wallingford, and although I prefer Columbia City for its atmosphere, the new location is also worthy.

If I could, I would eat the Insalata di Mista (fresh field greens, sweet red onions, white beans, matchstick carrots, kalamata olives, house roasted red peppers, white balsamic viniagrette and optional crumbled gorgonzola) every single day. I love that salad more than words can say. But I have to always share it, because otherwise I would be too full to savor the exquisite Neapolitan-style pizza.

On this occasion, we shared the Pizza Bianca (extra virgin olive oil, roasted garlic, oregano, roasted onions, formaggi della case, goat cheese, Grana Padano and the optional rosemary ham) and the Mediterranea (Pomodoro San Marzano, formaggi della casa, goat cheese, herb mushrooms, eggplant, fresh basil, kalamata olives and Grana Padano). I preferred the Mediterranea, but my heart still belongs to the first pizza I ever had at Tutta Bella, a September special featuring figs and a balsamic reduction. Divine, truly.

Their tiramisu (serves 2!) is out of this world, but I went for the affogato (scoop of gelato served with a double shot of Attibassi espresso). On my last trip, I followed our server's recommendation and poured the espresso over a scoop of cinnamon gelato. That flavor wasn't on the menu at this time (or this location), so I went with chocolate. Good...but the cinnamon was so much better. Mmmmm...Tutta Bella.

*For the record, in case anyone is wondering, although in our hearts the S.L.U.T. will always be, well, you know...that is no longer its official name. As soon as the horror of it's unfortunate acronym (giggle) set in, the name was promptly changed to "South Lake Union Streetcar." The name has since morphed to "Seattle Streetcar." Yawn.

Blog Abandonment

You know you've let too much time elapse between posts when:

a) You become AFRAID of even looking at your blog.
b) You can't remember your blog's username and password.
c) Almost two full calendar years have elapsed.
d) Oh, heck. All of the above.

Yikes.

So here's the plan: play a bit of catch-up the rest of this month, then dive in full force with the New Year. Yeah. Sounds good.