Guys, this week has been LONG and TOUGH. I was on the verge of tears on my way home this afternoon, just feeling quite a bit anxious about everything I have to do between now and July 1 (including work tomorrow with no rest day for the weary 🙁 )
But I decided that I needed to pull myself together and Put On A Happy Face to greet my husband. Fake it until you make it, right?!
Matt and I had plans for a bike date. So I forced it on:
And when we returned from our adventure, I was beaming!! Why is it that exercise is the only thing that can calm me these days?! It’s the only time I feel like I don’t have to be doing anything else.
So yesterday I emailed Matt and asked if there was any way we could combine:
- Hanging out
- My workout
- A no-cook dinner
I devised a plan!
Bike (the really long way) to the greenway and up to Panera where I had a gift card! He was game!
Davidson x2
Soon enough we were on the greenway. (I only bike on sidewalks, bike lanes and greenways, FYI)
We biked for about an hour and arrived at our destination. I was starving!
Dinner for 3, consumed by 2!!
I couldn’t decide between soup, sandwich and salad and Matt wanted sandwich and soup so we just decided to share all three!
The Garden Veggie soup with basil – I was very impressed! I ate half.
Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich with Cilantro Hummus – really good!! I ate about 1/3.
Fuji Apple Salad [no onions, dressing on the side]. I ate about half of that too.
We got these two breads to compare – a multigrain and a French. Didn’t Panera used to have a sourdough baguette!?!? I used to think their bread was the best ever, but this French was NOT anything special. The multigrain was overcooked and burned. I only had a bite of each.
We shared the apple for dessert!!
It was a lot of food, but I felt just comfortably full when we were finished. And non-full enough to bike home about 4 miles!
*Currently listening to Etta James “At Last” and it’s making me happy*
Off to take a rinse-off shower and get in bed. Early wake-up call tomorrow!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
That’s so cool that you can bike to places like that! Around here, we don’t have a greenway 🙁 Boo.
Kelli says
You remind me of Reese Witherspoon in that first picture. Your dinner looks delicious! I wish I were having that tonight!
Kath says
Awwww she is my idol!!
Amber K says
I totally see that!
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
I love how you and Matt wore matching Davidson t-shirts. Too cute 😀
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
You are so great at handling stress Kath… life does get insanely hectic at times, but it’s so important just to take a deep breath and learn to cope. A bike ride and spending time with Matt sounds like just what you needed!
Augh, sorry to hear about the Panera bread! I usually love their whole grain!
L @ WholewheatOrbust says
Back in the day, I used to love Panera! But now I really have no interest in going because I could make the entire menu at home! Im sure you feel the same way about many places 🙂 Why spend more there when you can make the same thing in your cozy casa?!
Lizzie says
Take it easy, girl! You deserve it.
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Exercise releases endorphins that make us happy. 😀 It’s a healthy drug to be addicted to. 😉
Love your Panera buffet! That’s exactly what Dustin and I do sometimes. I love a little taste of everything, especially when salad and bread are involved.
Jenn
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
I love combining those three. Hunni and I do it about twice a month. So much fun to bike or walk to the restaurant and enjoy each others company.
Danielle (Coffee Run) says
I know what kind of weeks you’re talking about 😕 Try to make time for yourself & relax! And yes, sometimes faking happy can bring happiness 😀
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
Hang in there 🙂 Dietetic internships have a way of making you feel like the whole world is on your shoulders. Just remember it’ll make working seem like a breeze 😉 And you’re almost done!!
Marisa (Loser for Life) says
I wish there were more bike trails around here. I love biking but am scared to do it on the road with cars!
Hang in there, Kath. You’ve had an emotional week. Hope you get to relax a little this weekend (after work!) 🙂
Meghan@traveleatlove says
Yummy pics! Working on the wknds stinks. My busy season at work is all summer, so I am stuck working on boring projects over the wknd too.
Kaci says
Hang in there you can do it!! 🙂 You’re dinner looked super yummy! Those are all my personal favorites. The vegetarian black bean soup is really good too. Now that you mention it, I think they did have a sourdough baguette, but I don’t know what happened to it…
I hope work goes well tomorrow! *chin up*
Stacy Grows Healthy says
It is nice when exercise makes us feel better.
Dinner looks great!
Lauren @ eater not a runner says
Looks like such a fun date night! Hope everything calms down a bit….
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Panera is one of my favorites. I have had that soup before it’s good. I also like the black bean. The Mediterranean sandwich is what I always get, it’s my favorite.
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies says
Self-portrait while biking = talent! And that Panera looks good – I haven’t had it in forever!
Rachael says
I am trying to pretend to be fearless and bike on main roads. But, give a greenway any day of the week.,,
I hope the weekend serves as a relaxing point for you, or provides ample time to get stuff done – whatever you need more 🙂
Rachael says
I am trying to pretend to be fearless and bike on main roads. But, give me a greenway any day of the week.,,
I hope the weekend serves as a relaxing point for you, or provides ample time to get stuff done – whatever you need more 🙂
wishful nals says
looks like an awesome bike ride. i love ‘at last’ by etta james, such a feel good song!
Mastering Public Health says
My family enjoys Panera Bread, and it is potentially one of the healthier choices when eating out, but why their soups have to contain *so* much sodium is beyond me. I’m generally not a stickler for sodium (in fact, I sometimes think people take the low-/no-salt craze too far), but we’re talkin’ ~1000mg in some of them; that’s just ridiculous. (Nutrition facts on their web site.) Unfortunate, too, because they’re so “diet”-friendly for those interested in that who believe they are making a very healthy choice. Looks like a fun day, though!
Kamaile says
Perfect date night. Sorry you have to work tomorrow!
Alycia @ FitnFresh says
i can’t believe you took pictures while you were riding!! you’re crazy girl!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
Awww that sounds like an absolute blast! That would be the perfect way to end my day. Seriously Kath, I need to find myself a Matt 😉
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Never seen sourdough at Panera–I always get the whole grain–but I liked their food a lot more before I went veg. Although the new pesto veggie soup is AWESOME. 😀
Camille says
Mm, I love Panera!
All great choices 🙂
Christine says
Kath,
I have been following your blog for awhile now however never had commented before. I am always inspired after reading your blog and very impressed with how balanced you eat even while dealing with a hectic schedule! Thank you so much for the inspiration to stay positive and healthy while being stressed 🙂
Kath says
Thanks!
Hannah says
Take care of yourself, lady! You’ve had a rough week (and that’s only considering what you’ve shared with us), so it’s okay to feel a bit blue. BUt ‘fake it til you make it’ is a good idea – I use that phrase myself a lot 🙂
Jill Will Run says
I always find the multigrain baguette at Panera to be burnt and overdone. And yet, I keep ordering it because I want so badly for it to be tasty!
Glad the exercise and date time with Matt was able to help soothe you, hang in there!
Lisa says
It’s been a brutal, stressful week too. You’re much better at putting on a happy face! I believed the pic. 🙂
Rochelle @ Princess Hotcakes says
Definitely inspired by you and your hubbs!! Glad you got some fresh air and endorphins to help override the stress… One day at a time….and sometimes, one minute at a time, eh? At least that’s how I felt towards the end of my MA degree in Counseling Psychology. Soo many things going on at once… 🙂 Take care.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
sometimes you do gotta just put on a happy face. but it’s important to allow yourself to feel your emotions, which i’m sure you’re doing too. hope you find some release, kath – it has been a hard time for you.
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
Gosh you need a break so badly! When will all this crazy rush be over? I so know how you feel – I keep wanting to cry (and crying a lot) at them moment cos I just have so much on my plate 🙁
I hope today goes OK! I’m thinking of you 🙂
Marina says
I totally know how you feel, I have so much work to do until I can relax, even a bit…
Exercise always makes you feel better, but unfortunately, I think I won’t have the energy for it for the next few weeks…
Yummy dinner!
Laura says
Oh dear ;( I’m glad your escapades last night helped your mood- I’m finding the only things keeping me on an even keel are exercise, family, 5 min yoga sessions (!!!) and candles at the moment. Hopefully working Saturday will be a nice change of pace from the hectic, bustling nature of weekdays- I always found everyone tended to be a little more relaxed and happier! I hope you get out at a decent time today… each day down is a day closer to the beach- and the top of that great learning curve you are on at the moment!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Biking does wonders for the mood, doesn’t it? I hope things slow down for you soon, Kath. It’s no fun being super busy all. of. the. time.
Glad you had a fun dinner out though! 😀
Kath says
Thanks everyone 🙂
Anne P says
I’ve been the same way lately – exercise is the only time I don’t feel like I have to be doing anything else and can let myself breathe!
Clare says
Exercise is awesome that way isn’t it? I go 6 days a week because I really feel like I’m more productive and a better person, mom and wife when I make time for it in my day. It’s almost like putting on a pair of rose coloured glasses…
Hopefully things slow down for you soon!
Maria says
You guys are just too cute! Hope you get a chance to relax after your long week.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
isn’t it great how working out and spending time with the hubby can set things right again? you guys are so cute and i love how you work together on everything. i think that’s another part of healthy living that’s not explored enough: how husbands and wives work together to keep eachother healthy. you guys do a great job!
Mrs. Money says
I’m so sorry to hear you are stressed 🙁 Let me know if you ever want to talk! <3
Christena says
With my job I work every other weekend, Sat and Sun 12:30 – 9 pm. It is stressful, but what you get when you work at a hospital. 🙁 Today is one of those days and I logged on and read your post from yesterday…put me in a much better mood. I am just going to have to fake it this weekend and put on my happy face! You are an inspiration.
Brittany says
I just started working at Panera & we’ve actually had a couple of customers ask for the sourdough baguettes as well! Apparently they got rid of them a few years ago, so now we’re stuck with the French 🙁
Trust me, I miss the sourdough as well lol :((((((((
And by the way, I really respect the positive outlook that you manage to maintain throughout all that is going on in your life. Keep your chin up 🙂 When life hits you hard, hit it back harder!
Jackie (Peaces of Earth) says
Etta James makes me smile. She is one of my favs!!