I have decided that my first and original blog, My Living Canvas, needs a little brightness and I have decided to pull all the Bright Side blogs back over to My Living Canvas.

While this change will redirect you to a new web site, rest assured the Brightness will Continue!  I love blogging about bright things and this new venture has really caused me to notice things I would not have otherwise picked up on before so I promise the brightness will continue on over at My Living Canvas.

Thanks for being a part of My Brightness!  :)

French Toast… as seen on Giada’s Weekend Getaways at Cafe Nola in Seattle.  See recipe here.

I found the recipe to be delicious but husband wasn’t wild about the orange zest.

I used day old french loaf baked fresh from my local neighborhood Harris Teeter and real Vermont maple syrup – none of that crap that comes in a squeezable bottle.  I just don’t think that syrup tastes good unless its in a glass bottle or jar.  I digress.

Overall this was an excellent breakfast and I had a TON left over.

Next up, we had our dear friend Rick and Colleen over for dinner.  Colleen has food allergies, especially allergic to soy and gluten.  So I took on the challenge and found that cooking “soy and gluten free” was easier than I had initially anticipated.

I made tilapia in citrus sauce, with a side of Lundbergs gluten free wild rice and prosciutto wrapped asparagus.  The tilapia was very east to make.  I bought about 21/2 lbs from the Whole Foods fish counter.  The citrus sauce recipe was really easy… I used this recipe from AllRecipes.com which called for orange roughy but could be used on any white fish.  You really cant go wrong with lemon, lime, orange juice and butter. Yum-o!

The rice I just made according to the directions.  Lundbergs has a large variety of gluten free rices and while my husband and I do NOT have good allergies, we had already discovered and had been enjoying the Lundberg brand for quite some time.

Without a doubt, the star of this plate was the prosciutto wrapped asparagus.

Even if you don’t like asparagus, you WILL LIKE IT when its wrapped in crispy prosciutto.

The recipe is a cinch – buy a bundle of fresh asparagus and a 1/4 pound of sliced prosciutto from the deli counter at your local grocery store. Be sure to get fresh sliced prosciutto — the prepackaged slices do not work as well for wrapping. Pre-heat your oven to 425.

Wrap 4-5 asparagus spears in two slices of the prosciutto and secure with a wooden tooth pick.  Repeat until all is wrapped and ready.  Place the little asparagi bundles on a foil lined cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil and stick in the oven.  Cook at 425 for 10 minutes, then flip the bundles and cook another 10 minutes or until crispy.

I promise you will LOVE it.

And to finish off this rather healthy dessert I made a flour-less chocolate cake. Again, I found a recipe from allrecipes.com and the reviews were so positive I just had to try it.  In a word, it was decadent.  Served with homemade whipped cream and Breyers vanilla ice cream (p.s. anyone notice that Beryers has jazzed up their branding?  I like it!)

After eating such a healthy dinner, I didnt feel bad about having a slice (or two) of flourless chocolate cake… a decadent ending to a wonderful staycation.

Located on the Wilson Blvd strip in the heart of Clarendon, Eventide offers three levels of culinary goodness, starting with bar eats and cheap drinks on level one, fine dining on level two, and rooftop fare on level three.  Husband and I opted for the ground level offering and settled into a booth in the center of the restaurant.

What I liked most about the atmosphere was the cool local art hanging on the walls.  I didn’t get a great picture of it but you can kinda get the idea here.

Once we were seated we were delighted to learn that we had arrived just in time for happy hour on a Saturday no less at a place with really good beers.  Husband enjoyed his favorite Whit Allagash and I tried some local Whits and Heffs from Flyin Dog (not bad).

For an appetizer we had home made soft pretzels with Housemade peach mustard and deviled Virginia ham… this was TO DIE FOR.  So much so it was gone before I could take a photo.  We will go back for these pretzels alone.  They were better than Auntie Anns I swear.

I also tried the fried oysters for an appetizer, they were ok but honestly it wasnt even fair to mention them against the pretzels.  Ahhhh the pretzels…..

For dinner we both tried the  Cuban Style Pan-Fried Skirt Steak with Chimichurri mashed potatoes, caramelized peppers & onions.

The portion size was ENORMOUS for only $16.  Neither of us finished our steaks.  We should’ve split one (word to the wise).

The chimichurri sauce was perfect.  Upon first taste we were instantly transported back to memories of our time in Argentina in 2006.  It was the perfect blend of herbs and spices.  Delish.

After dinner we took the elevator up to the third floor to see what we missed.  The dining patio looked awesome but the bar area was tiny and not worth it, especially when you could see the palatial rooftop bar at Clarendon Ballroom just two rooftops over.  Our advice: if you want the rooftop experience at Eventide, be sure to opt to dine on the roof not just visit the bar.

We plan to go back to Eventide soon to dine in the main dining room and when we do I will be sure to post a brightside blog about the experience.

If you are unfamiliar with the staycation, this is when you stay at home during a time others typically go on vacation and treat the city in which you live as your vacation destination.  You do things you don’t typically do, you eat places you don’t typically eat, and otherwise take a vacation to your own home town.  The benefits of thestaycation are vast the most appealing being the money you save by not traveling but for us the staycation came at just the right time to unwind and let go of some work stress that had been building.

On Friday, the first day of my staycation, I completed a book I had been reading called “Fearless” by Max Lucado. After finishing “Fearless” I hit my apartment pool with another book called “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews.  “The Noticer” was a quick read and a rejuvenating story that I recommend everyone find time to read.  I blogged about The Noticer at My Living Canvas so check that out for a quick book review.

Later that night we drove a missions team out to the airport for departure to East Asia.  At this point, the staycation wasn’t looking as appealing because I was a little jealous of my friends, bags packed and ready for a big adventure on the other side of the world, but then I remembered how relaxing it was to spend the afternoon reading by the pool and decided that thestaycation was indeed a good idea.

The evening ended with a late take-out dinner from P.F. Changs and a Monk marathon on USA.

More on the staycation coming tomorrow.

Carlee Hayse, courtesy of Shannon Stewart

]]> http://dailybrightside.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/cute-baby-bright-side/feed/ 0 ALW IMG_3373_PICNIK http://dailybrightside.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/the-bright-side-of-shin-splints-new-shoes/ http://dailybrightside.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/the-bright-side-of-shin-splints-new-shoes/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:08:31 +0000 AnnieLaurie http://dailybrightside.wordpress.com/?p=72 ]]> I bought some new shoes to compliment my new running program.  Some of my runner friends told me to go to Road Runners in Falls Church to be fitted for shoes.  I have never been fitted for shoes before, but this was the coolest thing I’ve ever done associated with exercise. They call it, The Shoe Dog.

It took about an hour, and my salesperson/shoe expert was delightful and helpful.  He started by having me run in my bare feet on a treadmill while he videoed my feet from behind.  Then he had me step on this pad, once with my right foot and back with my left foot, to capture what I am calling a “radar” image of my foot.  The radar image showed the shape of my arch and how I am distributing weight across my  foot when I take a step.  The video of my bare feet running on the treadmill showed if my feet were rotating in or out while running and some other technical foot stuff I can’t quite remember.  All in all this was really cool and I had fun learning more about my foot, which turned out to be pretty normal, medium arch and no strong rotation.

After trying on Nikes, Brooks, and Asics, I settled on the Asics.  I really loved the gel cushioning in the shoe.  My salesperson/shoe expert recommended a shoe with slight arch support so I got that too.

The next morning I woke up very excited to try out the shoes, went for an early run, and found that the shoes made ALL THE DIFFERENCE.  If it were not for my hip tendinitis, I probably could’ve run faster and longer than I did.  I am really glad I went to Road Runners and let the Shoe Dog fetch me a fine pair of Asics.  A good decision indeed.

My shoe, on my foot

Oh, I also got these cool moisture wicking socks…

Photo courtest of RoadRunnerSports.com

]]> http://dailybrightside.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/the-bright-side-of-shin-splints-new-shoes/feed/ 1 ALW IMG_0328 RRU1037-WH http://dailybrightside.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/couch-potato-to-5k-the-bright-side-of-getting-in-shape/ http://dailybrightside.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/couch-potato-to-5k-the-bright-side-of-getting-in-shape/#comments Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:29:51 +0000 AnnieLaurie http://dailybrightside.wordpress.com/?p=67 ]]> About two weeks ago I had a dream that I ran a marathon. For some reason this dream has inspired me to start running again.  I used to run a lot in my mid twenties, but after I got married my schedule changed and it was difficult to find time to work out.  Life got busier, I got lazy, and ultimately got out of shape.

So I shared this with my friend Susan who runs ULTRA MARATHONS (thats 50 miles people) and told her that I wanted to run a marathon and could she point me to some resources.  She laughed and very kindly suggested I start with a 5K!    Excellent idea!

She pointed me to the website coolrunning.com and a training program they provide called Coach Potato to 5K Running Plan.

I am currently finishing up week 2 of the plan and doing great!  In the past, I always tended to fall to the temptation to over do it especially when the plan starts off easy, but this time I have followed the plan as written and not over done anything and I can really tell a difference in my motivation and attitude toward running. And my body is actually starting to crave the run.  I used to feel this before when I was more into running…  I would wake up early and crave a run like I currently wake up and crave a grande coffee. Evidence of this came on Thursday when I woke up at 5:30 am and was on the treadmill at Golds by 6:00 am.  Eventually I will work my way up to running outside again, but for now I am sticking to the treadmill.

Now I need a 5K to run in November.  If anyone knows of any good 5Ks in the DC area let me know, preferably a FLAT PATH if possible!  I am not up for hills yet:)

PS- Anyone have a good hip stretch?  I have tendinitis in my left hip and knee and all the doc told me I could do for it is stretch.  I need MORE stretches!  Any ideas?  I’ll take ‘em!

For those of you who don’t know, DC, New York, Chicago and other big cities around the US will host a special restaurant week, typically twice a year, and offer pre-fix menu options for about $35 per person.  Many of the restaurants that participate are typically $50 and over per person, so getting to try an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert for $35 is really a great deal.

Photo courtesy of modernmexican.com

Rachel and I decided to dine at Zengo in Chinatown.  This is one of my favorite spots in DC and Rachel had never been so that was an easy decision. 

Zengo is one of those fun places with a chic interior design and fusion menu.  This is the only place Ive ever been where I can eat sushi, empanadas, and steamed dumplings all in one night.

Zengo is Japanese for “Give and Take” and the small plate portion sizes are meant to be shared around the table.

According to OpenTable.com

Zengo, which translates to “give ‘n take”, merges flavors of Chef Richard Sandoval’s heritage with his passion for Asian cuisine. This melding of flavors and cultures results in intriguing shareable dishes.

For Restaurant week, Rachel and I chose one appetizer, one entree, and one desert and shared… give and take style.

Our selections included the Angry Zengo and Volcano sushi rolls for starters. For entrees Rachel ordered the beef tenderloin and I ordered to tuna.

Rachel’s tenderloin was the favorite by far, cooked to medium rare perfection in a bed of onions and peppers. My tuna was also excellent lightly seared in a delightful spice rub and finished with avocado and a red wine reduction sauce.

For desert we both enjoyed one chocolate tart each because girls don’t like to share their chocolate. 

Restaurant week officially concludes on Sunday August 30 but many restaurateurs are extending their restaurant week menus by a week “due to popular demand” so check your favorite restaurant’s website to see if they are extending their offering.

If you missed restaurant week, don’t worry, it will be back in January 2010.

For more from Chef Sandoval, check out his interview from the CBS Early Show, he shares three recipes on the site including the recipe for the popular Give and Take Chicken Salad, which I plan to try my hand at preparing this weekend.

Bon Appetite!

On September 3 I will post my “official review” of this book over at My Living Canvas. I’m not allowed to leak any news before then.  But if you want a look inside check out “The Fearless Times.“

Today’s bright side is spiritual in nature.  If you are a reader who isn’t spiritual, please bare with me today as I share some brightness I have discovered from the spiritual realm.

One of my spiritual heroes is Charles Spurgeon.  If you follow me on twitter you probably already know this because I often tweet excerpts of his morning devotions.  Well, today’s morning devotion from Spurgeon was so encouraging, so hopeful, so BRIGHT to me on this Monday morning that I felt compelled to make these words the daily bright side for today.

“The breaker is come up before them.”
- Micah 2:13

Inasmuch as Jesus has gone before us, things remain not as they would have been had he never passed that way. He has conquered every foe that obstructed the way. Cheer up now thou faint-hearted warrior. Not only has Christ travelled the road, but he has slain thine enemies. Dost thou dread sin? He has nailed it to his cross. Dost thou fear death? He has been the death of Death. Art thou afraid of hell? He has barred it against the advent of any of his children; they shall never see the gulf of perdition.

Whatever foes may be before the Christian, they are all overcome. There are lions, but their teeth are broken; there are serpents, but their fangs are extracted; there are rivers, but they are bridged or fordable; there are flames, but we wear that matchless garment which renders us invulnerable to fire. The sword that has been forged against us is already blunted; the instruments of war which the enemy is preparing have already lost their point. God has taken away in the person of Christ all the power that anything can have to hurt us. Well then, the army may safely march on, and you may go joyously along your journey, for all your enemies are conquered beforehand. What shall you do but march on to take the prey?

They are beaten, they are vanquished; all you have to do is to divide the spoil. You shall, it is true, often engage in combat; but your fight shall be with a vanquished foe.

His head is broken; he may attempt to injure you, but his strength shall not be sufficient for his malicious design.
Your victory shall be easy, and your treasure shall be beyond all count.

“Proclaim aloud the Saviour’s fame,
Who bears the Breaker’s wond’rous name;
Sweet name; and it becomes him well,
Who breaks down earth, sin, death, and hell.”