Tag Archives: P90X

Agave Grill

I was in a Mood last night. I came home from work after getting out late, which hence caused me to be late for an appointment, which I ended up feeling like I wasted money on since it ended up being cut short due to my late-ness.

Bad mood face?

I picked up an extremely disappointing take-out meal from a local Mexican place I had a Groupon to, Three Amigos. It was set up just like a Chipotle or Moe’s, but the food was SO greasy. Probably explains why the prices were so much cheaper. I ended up throwing out most of what I brought home and eating leftovers.

The cherry on top was that lately I have been coming home and just not felt like talking to my parents. I pretty much just crave me-time at night and even telling them about my day politely when they ask feels like a chore, though I know it’s not and I sound like I’m 12 right now, not 22. But I need to vent – I can tell they’re getting sick of me acting rude sometimes, and I can tell when I’m being short with them. But it’s times like lately when I really do wish I lived alone. Still, the money I’m saving by living at home is too much to ignore.

That turned into a longer rant than I intended. So I started yesterday feeling pretty good, and ended it feeling like a highly irrational person. I guess it happens to everyone. Can anyone else relate to any of this?

I wanted to quickly review and recap a meal I had this past weekend (Saturday’s dinner), in which I used a LivingSocial deal to Agave Grill. Now this Mexican meal was much more satisfying and of higher quality (and obviously, more expensive, but the daily deal cut us a good bargain).

Image courtesy of agavehartford.com

My mom and I called ahead, and still had to wait about 20 minutes, because this place is both popular and small. That combo can be lethal, so if any CT locals plan to visit Agave, I highly recommend you call ahead because they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more! It does stink when restaurants do that, but there really aren’t that many tables at Agave and I’m pretty sure that if they took reservations for all, they’d essentially be reservation-only like J. Gilbert’s ends up being on weekends (just because they fill up). It’s nice that they give anyone out in the city who decides to go out to a spontaneous meal a chance to dine at their restaurant.

Waiting to sit!

We expected a wait and settled back with drinks by the bar, me with a glass of red and my mom with a Dos Equis. It took me awhile to decide to have some wine but I was craving a nice glass and it ended up doing a good job keeping me company while we waited!

We were served warm chips and salsa right away. Both were great, but I do wish the salsa was the chunky type. That’s my favorite!

The specials looked really tasty, and I almost went with appetizer special of Ceviche Mixto, but then something fancier caught my eye…

Why hello, lobster enchiladas with black beans and grilled veggies! You were AWESOME.

Seriously, these enchiladas were stuffed with fresh lobster meat, no gloppy mayo or sour cream hiding its pure lobster taste. Mixed in the enchiladas’ filling was a corn and black bean salsa that was also to die for. I dumped a ton of the chip salsa into my black beans after this photo was taken. The grilled veggies were a little oily, but nothing too heavy!

My mom ordered a grilled veggie quesadilla, which I helped her finish. I agreed with her opinion that it was quite amazing, though still not as amazing as a Loco Perro quesadilla.

Woke up this morning and had time to finally try the P90X Ab Ripper video. Quick and dirty, perfect! Dirty as in effective…

In other news, I’m going out for lunch today to use a SaveNowCT deal to a local sushi place, Sakimura. This is a big deal for me because I ALWAYS pack my lunch each day and it’ll be my first time since starting my job that I haven’t! But for a soon-expiring daily deal, I think I can make an exception 😉 we’ll see how this lunch is!

Do you ever get into random moods – how do you deal with it? Any good Mexican meals to share? Ever tried the P90X Ab Ripper? Do you pack your lunch each day, go out, or mix it up?

Tennessee Recap: Part Four

Thanks to daylight savings, my 9pm bedtime last night (aided by me being a grandma, and the glass of wine I had with dinner) combined with the time change had me awake at 5:30am on this lovely Sunday morning. As in, the gym was not even opening until 7am. I looked at my phone and saw 28 degrees – a run was out of the question. So I did the P90X Yoga video I have on my laptop for these very occasions. I hadn’t done this since I was without power/gym access during Hurricane Irene, and though it was tough to get through the 90 minutes (I’m more of a short and sweet workout person), it was really a good thing for me to stop myself from fast forwarding through stretches and through corpse pose at the end. The workout also had a lot of heat in terms of lower body. I really like this video – it’s all-encompassing!

The video also includes one of my favorite poses: standing shoulder pose. I actually used to do this all the time when I was little without even knowing it was a yoga pose, so I guess it’s always been my favorite!

I still have more to share with you guys about my trip to Tennessee – food and shopping, I’ve got it all!

On Sunday I woke up thinking I’d be headed back to CT that day, and ended up having a full Tennessee experience after we found out that due to the snowstorm, we wouldn’t be headed back home for another day. But before that change was made, I put on my sparkly orange hat and went to Starbucks with my sister and my Nana Connie, one of our traditions.

Looking hairless?

I had the usual, a nonfat bold misto. Hannah had the same and sprinkled cinnamon dolce powder on top of hers, looked so cozy!

The coffee came to us so hot that it was time for brunch before we were done, so I kept it classy and poured the rest of my coffee into one of the hotel restaurant’s cute mugs.

I have the spindliest fingers of all time.

I ordered a salad of baby field greens, cocktail shrimp, mango, sundried tomatoes, celery, and balsamic on the side. It was AWESOME. I love being impressed by restaurant salads, it’s always a pleasant surprise. Hannah had a Greek salad with grilled chicken salad and let me finish hers off.

Funny story: The first time I ate cocktail shrimp, I ate the hard tail part too – I didn’t know you had to remove it!

My mom had a veggie egg white omelette with home fries and an English muffin. She gave me the rest of her home fries and they were AMAZING, especially dipped in ketchup.

My dad had a sausage, green pepper, and mushroom omelette with home fries and wheat toast. The toast looked crisp and hearty.

Hannah and I took a walk to her dorm after brunch, where we decided to stay the extra day. I worked on blog stuff in her room while she showered so I brought my backpack along. Don’t I look legit?

We went shopping later and couldn’t help but buy some tasty-smelling candles at Bath & Body Works – they were having a sale AND handing out coupons!

I got these four candles – oatmeal raisin cookie, gingerbread, s’mores, and eggnog – for $20! And it’s a good thing since I headed home to a power-less house the next day.

We stopped at Wal-Mart, and I know they have some questionable corporate practices, but I am impressed by some of their grocery areas. It was clean in there, well-organized, and there was a huge variety. I have to admit that for someone on a budget, Wal-Mart is an affordable grocery option, and even has a fair amount of healthy choices at affordable prices, which I think is something our country is seriously lacking.

I love displays of Halloween treats at grocery stores too. These treats looked so good!

I loved the selection of University of Tennessee by Pink gear at Victoria’s Secret. I really wanted some of that underwear, but couldn’t let myself pay $26 for just three pairs.

I came out of this shopping trip very well stocked. A little too well stocked, I’d say. I’m putting myself on shopping sabbatical until Black Friday.

In addition to the sparkly hat…TN cap, football jersey, and boxers!

Workout gear: Old navy running capris/top, and PINK yoga pants.

Who knew Old Navy sold cute Colts gear? Buy 1, get 1 free!

We went to dinner at one of my favorite chains, Bonefish Grill. Unfortunately they aren’t chain-like enough to extend any farther north than Poughkeepsie, New York (I’ve checked…many times). Whenever we vacation anywhere south of that city, we’ve got to hit up a Bonefish. Our extra night in Tennessee gave us a chance to do just that!

Their bread is beyond amazing. It comes with olive oil, pesto, and herbs for dipping, like Bertucci’s and Carrabba’s, two more wonderful chains. I’m beginning to see a trend here.

I got the swordfish special, with broccoli and steamed veggies on the side instead of potatoes. It was so great. I had every last bite, plus my mom’s leftover fish and Hannah’s leftover broc.

So ends my last full, but not my last delicious, day in Tennessee!

Have you ever heard of Bonefish Grille?  What do you think of Wal-Mart and their grocery sections? What was your last shopping purchase?

Meet Caitlin

I’m a 28 year old full-time working girl living in Boston (previously lived in Connecticut). I’m passionate about food/drink, restaurants, self-love, fitness, and the ever-present search for balance. I write about that journey on this blog – I hope you enjoy!

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