DC Restaurant week

Vidalia DC

Oh how I love DC Restaurant Week!!!   It’s the perfect opportunity to show love to restaurants you would otherwise not visit because of price.  DC Restaurant Week is a week long event in which select participating restaurants offer gourmet prix-fixe meals at somewhat reasonable prices; $20.11 lunches & $35.11 dinners, not  including beverage, tax or gratuity.  So it’s the perfect time to treat loved ones to a special meal at an expensive restaurant:-)  Traditionally my sisters and I have a girls night out during restaurant week and we enjoy a fine dining experience.

One of my favorite Restaurants is Vidalia.  However, I must confess that I don’t eat at Vidalia as often as I would like because of the $$$ price tag as assigned by http://www.opentable.com.  Vidalia offers a Contemporary American cuisine in the middle of downtown DC with a full bar that offers an extensive wine list. 

 

The restaurant offers valet parking for under $10.00 which is a wonderful perk, especially in downtown DC where parking can be a pain and at this fee it is about the same cost of a garage and less than a parking ticket!!!Vidalia

Motivation

Hair Regimen for Winter

I have decided to participate in the 2011 Healthy Hair Challenge posed by http://www.moptopmaven.blogspot.com my goal is to use mostly natural and organic hair care products.

Ref.

Routine:

- Wash on Sundays and Wednesdays and roller set

- Moisturize with coconut oil/Moroccan oil on Tuesday and Friday

- Protein treatment on the 2nd Sunday

- Moisturizing treatment on the 4th Sunday

Products and application process:

- KBB hair milk and deep conditioner found at http://www.karensbodybeautiful.com

- Kinky-Curly Knot Today leave-in conditioner  found at Wholefoods /Target

- Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave-in Conditioner found at Wholefoods /Target

- Coconut oil found at Wholefoods

- Aphogee 2 step protein treatment found at your local beauty supply store

- Moroccanoil found in your local beauty supply store

Glowing Skin

What we eat has an effect on how our skin looks. In keeping with my 2011 healthy lifestyle challenge I would like to have glowing almost flawless skin. I say almost because flawless skin also has to do with genetics and although my mom has wonderful skin there are other members of my family who do not.

Ref.

Diet and exercise are the beginning steps but certainly are not the only conditions necessary for achieving healthy glowing skin. Good cleansing regimens as well as the products used are a very important piece of the puzzle.  Studies have proven that one of the reasons products don’t work as well as they should and could is because we continuously switch to new products, without giving the old ones a chance to prove its worth.  So, in 2011 my goal is to stick to one skin regimen with one set of staple products for a 6 month period. If within 6 months there is no visible difference in the health and look of my skin then it’s time to find something new.

Healthy Lifestyle Resolution

An Inspirational Poetry
Live…laugh…and Love
By John McLeod

Live well dear friends
In all you do,
Tho' paths be old
Or paths be new,
But to yourself
Be ever true,
Live well!

Laugh often friends
Tho' passing years
Bring, sometimes, smiles
And, sometimes, tears,
For mirth forever
Warms and cheers
Laugh often!

Love much dear friends
For love will bring
The healing joy
And hope of Spring,
Where pain and fear may never dwell
Nor anguish touch….

And so Live well,
Laugh often too,
And more, dear friends,
Love much!

It has been almost 6 years since I have lived a continuous, consistently healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise and a nutrient filled diet.  2011 is the year!!!  

This year my goal is to lose weight and become a healthy happy size 6/8 by eating a healthy diet which consists mainly of natural foods.  My consumption of sugar and carbohydrates must be lowered and protein and healthy fats must be increased.  Processed food consumption MUST be reduced if not entirely removed from my diet.  Rest is also a major component of a healthy lifestyle and as such, I will make a conscious effort to sleep 7-8 hours per night.  Relaxation is also a major part of a healthy lifestyle.  Some may think of relaxation as spending time with friends and family, eating out, going for a drink.  But is this truly relaxing?  It’s fun but not necessarily relaxing.  This year I will make time for me.  A walk in the park, a mani and pedi, a midday nap- simple things that we never seem to make time for!!  Make time for the simple things.

Finally, all healthy lifestyles must consist of  Exercise---Exercise---Exercise.  Studies have shown that exercising 3 to 5 times weekly for a min of 45 mins (body starts to burn fat after 45min of exercise) increases weight loss and ones overall health.  So 2011 will be the year of healthy eating, rest and relaxation and exercise.  We only have 1 life in 1 body so lets do this…

2011 Hair Resolution

Ref.

My first resolution for 2011 is related to my hair.  In May 2010 I decided to do the big chop and I went to a place where I have been beforeL.  My hair is now on its way back and is healthier than it has been in a really long time it is now ear length.  So, my 2011 resolution is to continue with my healthy hair journey by doing weekly deep conditions and more co washes.  I am not a big fan of protective styling so instead I will opt for roller sets.  I will also try to use more natural products and fewer products with sulfites and petrolatum.  My 2011 hair goal and self challenge is to stimulate hair growth of at least ½ an inch of healthy hair monthly.

New beginnings

Ref.

I have decided to launch a new blog to share my adventures in fashion, health, diet, exercise, hair and just everyday life in the DMV.  My aim is to post at least once a week.  Having never done something like this I am both hesitant and energized.  I look forward to sharing and hearing about others on the same path for 2011.