polka dots and candy bars

Grateful grams ! I read an article somewhere about how one of the easiest ways to be happy is constantly keep a running tally of what you're grateful for. I like the idea of, no matter how bad a day seems, there are always some things that you can be grateful for. Today, I'm having an especially optimistic day (hence the bright colors in the list), so I thought I'd share some of my sunny outlook. Here are some of mine: 1) IT"S SPRING!!!! Though, in DC, it feels like Old Man winter is still knocking on our door (it is seriously still glove weather), I saw a school (a flock, a gaggle?) of red-breasted robins when I was walking to the metro this morning and it reminded me that, even though I could LITERALLY see my breath, spring is here! 2) This sign:                                                                   ...

HAPPY WEDNESDAY! Beef noodle soup courtesy of A&J's Rockville location Is it just me or has the non-spring like weather had you really craving soup? DC's weather has been incredibly up and down this year. One day it's 50 degrees and the next it's SNOWING. Yes, this week it SNOWED...in MARCH. Sorry for the caps you guys, except, sorry I'm not sorry. It is out of this world that we're having snow in March. I've heard of March showers, but not snow showers. Gracious! Anyway, the constant change in weather has had me craving soup. I can't get enough--from ramen (mostly ramen) to basic chicken noodle to Pho, I"M OBSESSED. Though, arguably, I'm obsessed with most things once I get into them.I've been known to say that among one of the things that I like about soup is that it's an easy food to eat---no chewing.  I recently found a delicious recipe for chicken soup on Restored Style. I plan on trying it before...

Being single in a city like DC, can be both frustrating and liberating. There comes a time in every girl's life (especially when that "girl" is a twenty-something woman) when your friends start to pair off into couples that it makes you wonder when your card is going to be picked. It can be liberating to have the freedom to have spontaneous adventures, meet new people, and feel like it's the first day of  summer camp all over again, but it can also feel a tiny bit lonely. Friends can definitely fill the void, but sometimes you just want someone (other than your best friend) to have inside jokes with and fight over the remote with. Does that sound a bit boring? Well, sure, but there's something to be said for meeting a person that you want to have around while you do nothing. Trust me, I've met/dated a lot of people that I'd rather be alone doing nothing than hanging out with them doing something . While on the way to meeting Mr. Right, Mr. Big, or Mr. Ha...

I'm actually one of those weird people that enjoys  working out, but I get bored and need to change it up. Here's a circuit workout that I completed the other day. I went through the circuit twice and it took about 30 mins, but you can do the circuit more times to increase the amount of time or add a run, elliptical stint or time on the cycling bike. Without any extra time or extra cardio, I was definitely wiped. Enjoy! Exercise Weight                 Reps            Set Burpees 10 2 Leg Press 70, 90 15 2 Step Switch 1 min 2 Row machine 30 15 2 1 leg balance w/curl + shoulder press 10 x 2 15 2 1 leg balance w/alternate raises 5 x 2 15 2 bench supine knee pull-in 20 2 supine isolation twist 5 20 1 Romanian chair isolation 10 ...

So, I'm incredibly food motivated. My emotions can generally be judged by where I am on the feed cycle. As in, just ate = code level GREEN! You're dealing with a happy, cheery E. Whereas, hungry/hangry = code level ORANGE to RED aka Godzirra (depending upon how much time has gone by since my last meal) proceed with extreme  caution. I have been known to give bad advice, get overly cranky and generally be less than ideal to be in contact with if I'm in between meal times. I mean, they don't call me Godzirra for nothing (picture a large dinosaur pushing aside skyscrapers and trees and eating large handfuls of fries or tater tots with ketchup and you'd be somewhat  in the realm of what I'm like when I need to be fed). Anyway, I say this for two reasons: 1) I once went on a first date post-workout  and only had a banana in my system (Godzirra cannot subsist on a banana alone). Things were going well, lots of smiles, furtive glances etc. We'd passed multiple ...

Welcome to Polka Dots and Candy Bars! I'm so excited to start my journey with you guys/gals! I'll try to keep my posts on a somewhat regular schedule and keep the randomness to a minimum. Though, the minimal randomness might be a stretch. Lots of funny anecdotes, delicious food pictures, and random musings to come! xoxo, E