sidebar | life and training 11.27 – 12.3

Tried to feel festive this week, and it sorta worked.

I tell you what, there’s something rather empowering about taking oneself on solo dates – especially to places that are typically associated with social gathering. Not to say you should put yourself into a potentially compromised scenario just for the sake of being alone. There is, though, a strange stigma around going out to eat solo, or visiting a bar, or a brewery, a movie, a show, etc. I’m not sure why those stigmas exist.

For my part, this past weekend I made it a goal to explore some new sites on my own. I worked 10 days straight over the last two weeks and felt like treating myself (within some measure of reason, though I’m not sure I accomplished that wholly) was a proper celebration for tolerating my recent schedule. One of the nicest set of days I’ve had in awhile.

Thursday I went on a dinner date with my good friend, to Anchor & Brine. I was craving a bowl of their steamed mussels and was totally hyped to get one. We caught up, spanning our conversation over a few weeks, and it was just lovely.

Friday, I wandered over to Hidden Springs Aleworks after trying unsuccessfully to wrench a friend out of their house. It was early, around 4:30, so not much traffic going in and out. The tvs were streaming Fred Claus, there was a cozy couch corner where a few folks played some games, and a small handful of other folks meandered around the tables with their sips. I sat at the bar, popped in my earbuds, enjoyed a 4oz pour of their Eternal Nightmares stout (recommend), and listened to some tunes and my recent podcast binge while texting a few friends. So peaceful. I drove to my mom’s after and picked up a pizza en route to bake once I arrived.

Saturday was a weird vibes day. Peeps at work were acting odd and unstable – just a random hyper energy mingled around and didn’t feel right – and then we learned one of the district managers nearby passed away. The air was also sticky and heavy, and on my way home from work I witnessed the aftermath of a nasty head-on collision. Not sure how that happened or how the folks involved fared.

Either way, after that morning, plus a sour mood, I decided to get out of Tampa completely. Drove to St. Petersburg and hung out at 3 Daughters brewing for a spell, and enjoyed some tacos while I sipped my beer. That place is popping, even at 3pm. They have a few sitting areas: a smaller more intimate bar (where I sat, it was decorated nicely with a Christmas tree and other trinkets), a large garage-like patio in the warehouse, and an outdoor picnic area with cornhole and other bar games.

Finally, Sunday, I went to the mall. I fucken hate the mall. I was supposed to meet up with a friend but she bailed last minute, so I ventured on my own. I was exhausted all day and the weather was shit again, plus I didn’t really intend to buy anything specific from the mall – more so went to get ideas. Bought a coffee, strolled around, befuddled as usual about the lack of spatial awareness in society nowadays, then left rather overwhelmed and underwhelmed both.

I did watch Quantumania in the evening. It was an alright movie. The plot was kinda lame and lacking but it was adventurous and fun, a good film to just enjoy for what it was.

So far, this coming week looks a bit more normal, albeit strange, as the weeks have been. I wrote out a daily self-care calendar for myself with a little thing I can do each day to ground, nourish, and connect. We’ll see how well I stick to it. Was really tempted to book a pedicure appointment today but not sure if I want to subject a nail artist to my horrific runner’s feet. And, y’know, money.

Have you started Christmas shopping yet? Below you’ll find a little snippet on kitchenware gifts that I put together in case you’re stumped. I myself am stumped. I’m becoming a lackluster gift giver and an even worse receiver. Usually, I wing my Christmas gifting since no one in my closest circle really needs anything I’m financially able to provide. I usually turn up with some last-minute things – and coffee/wine, because that shit’s always appreciated.

Cheers to a decent week. Let’s make the most of it. Love on yourself extra hard – these final weeks of the year can be really tough. Big hugs. We’ll make it through.

The Fuck We Cooking This Week?

…A merry and festive margarita.

…Probably a pizza because that’s all I eat nowadays.

…A simple treat to include in your cookie boxes!

A Few Things I’m Digging

Breweries…Been exploring some local places of late and found a couple gems. Love Hidden Springs Aleworks in town, awesome stout selection, then I wandered to 3 Daughters in St. Petersburg. Their pumpkin nitro in stellar and the tacos were quite tasty as well.

Veggie burgers…Been enjoying the Morningstar Farms Grillers with my almost-daily dose of fries. They’re not mindblowing but are tasty.

Not cooking…Yeah, sounds awful coming from a food blogger. But I’ve very much liked the freedom of going by my cravings, even if that means buying pre-made shit because it’s easier. Today, I really want veggie egg rolls, so by golly I’m gon find some…

Midday running…I’ve been really fatigued lately, probably stress, so the extra sleep in the mornings has been quite welcome. I usually wake up and quickly walk 2 miles, then fall right back into dreamland for an extra hour or so.

Gifts for the Kitchen

Kitchenaid mixer, monogramed serving board, wine glasses, Ooni pizza oven, alphabet mug, peppermint coffee, hot chocolate sampler, mule mug, 14 cup food processor, build-a-bottle bourbon, tongs, gnome mug

Week in Training

Monday, 11.27: 9.3 miles, 10:34 pace

Hangover + no sleep = yikes, but I blazed through this run anyway, maybe because I was running on fumes or maybe because it was really windy and I was kinda cold. Regardless, a nice little trot.

Tuesday, 11.28: 6.2 miles, 9:52 pace

Chilly day! Bundled up for this cozy, hazy midday trot.

Wednesday, 11.29: 7.28 miles, 10:18 pace

Lovely midday run that I definitely overdressed for. Stopped by Publix after for some soup since I was craving it hard all day.

Thursday, 11.30: 6.01 miles, 10:04 pace

Nice little midday trek.

Friday, 12.1: 5 miles, 10:08 pace

Much warmer day but I enjoyed being outside.

Saturday, 12.2: 45 minute full body strength

Did not want to run whatsoever since it got real nasty outside, so opted to get a lift in. Glad I did. Gym time felt very satisfying.

Strength:

• 3 x 10 squat to deadlift 70#
• 3 x 20 leg drop 30#
• 3 x 12 triceps pressdown 32#
• 8/10/12/12 mid row 70/60/50/50
• 4 x 12 narrow leg press 170#
• 3 x 16 T raise 15#
• 3 x 20 ea. dumbbell pass 25#
• 15/15/10/10 pull apart 15/15/20/20#
• Core work

Sunday, 12.3: 6.35 miles, 10:15 pace

What a fucken nasty day – it felt like summer. I ran/walked with a 4 minute/1 minute split, and it was still shit. I think it really tuckered me out because I felt weird even the next day, but least I got some miles and fresh air.

Total running mileage: 40.14