Earlier this week I took a personal day from work to spend some quality time with my sister. She wasn’t due to arrive in the city until mid-morning, so I woke up at my usual time and hit up the gym. My back’s been bothering me a bit lately, so instead of running I hopped on the elliptical for 35 minutes, swam laps for 15 minutes, and finished up with some strength training. It’s 2 days later and my butt and hamstrings are STILL sore. Do these moves at your own risk:

• 3 x 10 curtsy lunges
• 3 x 10 squats
• 3 x 10 calf raises
• 3 x 10 tricep dips
• 3 x 10 bicep curls w/ 12.5 lb weights

My pre-workout mini breakfast was a key lime pie lara bar and after the gym I met my sis for a Starbucks latte.

While doing a little shopping (J. Crew sales!), I finally found the elusive Lindt dark chocolate and sea salt bar and treated myself to a few squares. Probably not the healthiest mid-morning snack, but if sure did taste good. And dark chocolate contains iron and antioxidants – that has to count for something, right?

Next on the agenda: Indian food! Rachel loves this cuisine, so I found a little place nearby and off we went. Basera had a great lunch special – naan, rice, and any vegetarian, chicken, or lamb entree all for $8.95.

Along with my rice and naan, I ordered the saag masala (spinach and chickpeas). So good! I had a generous second helping and left feeling stuffed.

I usually eat at my desk during the work week, so it was nice to enjoy a relaxed lunch with friends.

With our bellies full of naan and vegetables, Rach and I headed over to Broadway for the day’s main event, Wicked. The show tix and the day together were my birthday present to my sis

After the show, Rach and I popped into a nearby bar so she could enjoy her first legal drink in NYC (she just turned 21!). The appletini looked good, but I had a long night of writing and other work ahead of me so I opted for a diet coke instead.

Isn’t she cute? hehe.

Alma offered to make dinner and I definitely appreciated the night off from cooking. My roommate made a yummy whole wheat cous cous, peppers & onions, & tofu combo. Topped with a little salt, pepper, and hot sauce it was a perfect filling meal for a wintry evening.  I think Alma has plans to guest blog about the recipe, so stay tuned!

Dessert was a warmed up vita brownie topped with lots of peanut butter and a container of Fage 0% greek yogurt on the side.

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Question: What’s your lunch hour like? Do you usually eat at your desk? At a restaurant? At home?