Weird dreams

I've heard it said before, that weird dreams are usually a part of pregnancy. I can't recall any dreams out of the ordinary, if I can even say that, when I was pregnant with Isa. My memory isn't what it used to be so I'm guessing I had a few here and there.

Last night, however, I had a dream, or set of dreams that kept me from sleeping soundly. Not anything freaky or anything. They just got my mind racing. Of course, I'm not sure I would qualify the dreams as weird, but I wanted to mention them since they got my mind racing.

Anyway, my first dream of the set I believe was a direct result of me watching Raymond Blanc's The Last Restaurant Standing last night before I went to bed. I'm addicted to the show, as with Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. So, in the dream, I was actually a part of the show, as the chef of one of the couples. I vividly remember discussing the menu and describing in detail some of the dishes I wanted to prepare. I woke up not too long after that thinking about the menu. Of course, it featured authentic Mexican dishes but presented in a modern way within the British background. It makes me laugh just thinking about it.

I've told Matt before that I would like to open a restaurant at some point in the future and give the Columbia folks a true Mexican treat. I love cooking for my friends and family and I've been thinking about how I can make the transition from home cook to commercial chef. Blanc's show has been quite enlightening in that regard. I assumed it's a tough transition, but the show has made it clear that I would require some serious training if I ever made that leap.

The second dream was an extension of the first. Almost like a continuation. I found myself going the catering route instead of becoming a restauranteur. Again, I discussed a similar menu and actually met with a potential client about everything.

Both dreams were very crazy but felt so real, I couldn't go back to sleep because my mind was going 100 mph over the menu and the little flavors each food item presented. Crazy. Maybe it's a hint of something to come. Or, it could just be that I got into the show. Who knows?

Extra Value Meals and Calories

I was caught going through the McDonald's drive-thru yesterday because we have no food at home. Neither me nor my husband has gone to get groceries so we've been eating out more than normal. Not a good place to be and I will go no longer without stopping by the grocery store to pick essentials.

I know that fast food is not the best for you, but I wasn't aware of the number of calories in a 'extra value' meal. I usually order the No. 2, two cheeseburgers with regular fries and a Sprite. I've been keeping track of my caloric intake and had to log my meal. I was agast when I saw that this meal alone was 1,190 calories! Yikes! Again, because we had no food at home, we stopped by the same McDonald's for a quick dinner and I grabbed the Premium Chicken Sandwich meal instead. This meal ran a total of 780 calories. It would've been more but I only ate a handful of fries and drank a few sips of the Sprite. I couldn't bring myself to eat or drink more.

So, where does this all fit in the whole Challenge scheme? Well, we've had to push back the official start date to next Monday, Sept. 24th. We couldn't get an appointment for our body fat measurements until Saturday, Sept. 22nd, so we're starting the following Monday. I'm still trying my best to eat healthy and will be working out throughout the week. Yesterday really was an anomaly for us and hopefully, we won't be visiting a McDonald's for a long time.

Challenge Day 2

I had a rough start this morning. The alarm didn't go off (I think I forgot to set it) so I didn't have time to do my cardio. I can only hope that I don't run into any snags tonight. Breakfast was hardly anything, I grabbed a cup of mixed nuts, cashews and pistachios, and ate them on the way to drop off my daughter at daycare and head into work, late of course. I have to say, cashews are just good. I could eat more than I should if I'm not careful, so I'm glad I was on the move.

Lunch today was pretty good. In my rush this morning I forgot to grab the leftovers in the fridge as well as my employee badge (we have a cefateria at work). And, my husband stole my cash to pick up some nuts for snacks. So, no cash in the wallet. Luckily, my husband dropped off a cup of Wendy's chili and a side salad. That chili hit the spot. I'm waiting to eat the salad in a couple of hours since the soup surprisingly filled me up.

I'm hoping to leave work a bit early and grab a quick workout and shower before a meeting at 6:30pm. Dinner will have to wait and will probably be out somewhere. I'm craving a good hearty chicken salad with fresh greens. Maybe some cucumber and tomatoes. Yum.

When a taco isn't mexican food

I mentioned to a friend of mine that I was gonna grab a quick bite at Taco Bell. She looked at me in astonishment, "you eat at Taco Bell?"

"Well, yea," I replied. "Why wouldn't I?"

I'm guessing it has something to do with, I don't know, the fact that I'm hispanic. And sure, I'm a bit impartial when it comes to Mexican food. But, Taco Bell serves food right? Not the greatest food in the world, but it's edible.

I'm not offended by any means. I have a few friends that react as she did. But, in all honesty, most people enjoy a good American taco. I happen to be one of them.

Stuck behind stupid people

Just my luck. I did something out of the ordinary this morning, I stopped by McDonald's on my way to work. I was hungry and needed something in my stomach. Since it's on my way to the office and just 2 minutes from there, I figured I could get in and out in no time. Unbenounced to me, a stupid person decided to grace me with their presence.

I was behind a filthy Kia Spectra turning into the driveway. It's a bit bumpy as you turn in so the lady decided to take it slow. Too slow. The driveway is not that bumpy. So, I'm hanging behind her hoping I don't block the cars at the nearest stop light. Luckily, the light remained red. We turn into the McDonald's and head to the drive-thru.

Take our turns, order our food, and I wait for her to move forward to the 2nd window so I can pay for my food. No movement. The clock ticks and the song that started when I made my order is almost over. What in the world is going on? I figured there was a car in front of her waiting for their food (my site was obstructed by her vehicle). Once the light bulb went on, she moved forward to get her food. No car in front of her. What the heck?

I get to the first window and pay. "I guess she didn't know to move forward for her food," exclaimed the lady at the register. It's really not that difficult to figure out, or is it?

So, I pay and I wait for her to get her food. And wait. And wait some more. Then, after a lengthy conversation with an employee, she hands them a couple of dollars. Apparently, she didn't order what she wanted or forgot to order something. I don't know. All I know is she must have been beaten with a stupid stick while she was sleeping. Ugh.

The lady at my window apologized to me. She disappeared for a few seconds and returned with my order in hand. Finally! I could get out of there and head to work. No. Her car was blocking my way out, and the car behind me was too close. So, I waited for her, again.

I did finally make it to work. A little later than I had planned, but I did make it.