The Big Apple

A lot of you have had to hear me complain about work (apologies and thanks for listening!).  Well, now that things have slowed down a little (mostly due to the fact I’ve taken on the “I’m not working 18+ hour days anymore” attitude), I’ve had the opportunity to explore NYC outside the two block walk between my hotel and the office.  Yes, I am in the fashion, entertainment, and financial capital of the world, and I’m going to share my experience with the burger joints I’ve been to.  Sad, I know, but I’m always down for a good burger and isn’t NYC also the food capital of the world – it only seems appropriate.  :)  The burger joint phenomena has exploded in the DC area (as I’m sure it has in most of major metropolitan areas), but here in NYC, the “new thing” is healthy burger joints.  Yes, I did just say “healthy” and “burger” in the same sentence.  But as I mentioned above, I’m always down for a good burger and if it’s a healthy burger that tastes great, even better!  

 A few weeks back, some of my co-workers took me to this place called Energy Kitchen for lunch.  I didn’t really know where we were going, but when I got inside and checked out the menu I realize that it’s a burger and sandwich place where nothing on the menu is over 500 calories.  Really!?  A burger for under 500 calories!? How can it be!?  Well it be.  I had a Barbeque Turkey Burger, which comes with a slice of turkey bacon and cheese, and it was actually pretty good, so good that I got it again the next week after a run.  The sides – meh – not too keen on.  They are legit healthy.  I tried the broccoli, and I’m used to cooking my own broccoli with seasoning (and olive oil, but that’s not the point), and this was straight up steamed broccoli, very bland. 

www.energykitchen.com

 Today I was walking after a run and saw a place called Better Burger and was intrigued – was this yet another healthy burger joint? – so I went in.  Kinda.  I wasn’t able to find nutrition information, but they did advertise that their fries were organic and air-baked.  What does air-baked mean?  I’m not 100% sure, but I do know that they are not fried and have two-thirds less fat.  The chicken burger was pretty good – the cashier talked me into it over the turkey burger because of its moistness.  All in all – I’d go back.  Plus, they had fresh squeezed orange juice!  I was starting to feel sick today, so I figured loading up on Vitamin C couldn’t hurt. 

www.betterburgernyc.com

Well, this one doesn’t quite fall into the ‘healthy burger joint’ category, but I couldn’t resist including it because I didn’t think this place actually existed.  Remember that stupid-funny movie back when we were probably in middle school, what was it called…oh… Good Burger.  :)  I’m not even sure I saw the movie, but I do remember the catchy saying, “Welcome to Good Burger. Home of the Good Burger.”  Well there actually is a place a few blocks away from my hotel (plus five other locations) called goodburger.  And let me tell you, they are good burgers.  And so are their fries!  I did not check the nutrition facts to compare it again the other two burger joints I’ve been to, but something tells me that’s for the better…

www.goodburgerny.com

Now that I’ve bored everyone (didn’t I saw in my first post that I’d try to keep this interesting?!?), I’m signing off to do some work.  Tomorrow is Thursday, which feels like Friday for me since I get to go home!  Hope everyone is having a great week!

<3

K$

What kind of dog will you be getting?

Some folks have been asking the above question, so I figured I would do a post about the breed:

Vizsla

Background & History

To get an in depth overview of Vizslas from the most trusted source on the web (right, G$?) – check out the Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizsla

For those who want the abridged version:

Originally from Hungary, the Vizsla is a medium-sized, short-coated hunting dog that is essentially Pointer in type, although he combines characteristics of both pointer and retriever. An attractive golden rust in color, this "dual" dog is popular in both the field and the show ring due to his power and drive while hunting and his trainability in the home. The Vizsla’s ancestors were hunters and companions for the Magyar hordes, a tribe that settled in what is now known as Hungary. A favorite of early barons, Vizslas are depicted in etchings as far back as the 10^th Century.  Nearly extinct by the end of the World Wars, the Vizsla gradually regained popularity and began to be imported into the United States in the 1950s.

From: http://www.akc.org/breeds/vizsla/

How We Heard About It? 

As many of you know, I used to live across the street from the dog park in Clarendon.  G$ and I would watch the dogs from my window or as we were walking by.  We always like the looks of the Weimaraners that were there.  Back in September 2008, we were in Hawaii – yes 4835 miles away from DC – and were reading through the free newspaper at our hotel while jetlagged.  I was perusing the Dogs For Sale section and saw what I thought looked like a Weimaraner in a picture.  Upon reading the blurb, found out it was actually a Vizsla, a breed we had never heard of, which prompted us to Google it.  After reading about the breed, we found out that it has a similar build as a Weimaraner, but smaller with “golden rust” colored fur.  The smaller size appealed to us as one of G$’s dog conditions is not having a dog that can “take us.”  You know, never know when a dog is going to start a fight with his owners… :)

Why We Chose It?

G$ started researching the breed and we were initially attracted to the fact that they were excellent hunters.  Ok, not really.  But the fact that they were easily trainable was a huge perk.  Mostly, we decided on a Vizsla because we love the way the look and love their temperament – which Wikipedia describes as: “very high energy, gentle-mannered, loyal, caring, and highly affectionate. They quickly form close bonds with their owners, including children. Often they are referred to as "velcro" dogs because of their loyalty and affection. They are quiet dogs, only barking if necessary or provoked.”

Unrelated to the dog search…

We had a great Easter weekend – Saturday at my parents’ house for an afternoon out on the deck then a delicious steak dinner and then Sunday at G$’s parents’ house for a cinnamon roll-filled Sunday brunch (yum!) and an Easter Egg Hunt.   Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures…  Something I guess I need to start doing.  But since I don’t have any – why not another cute Vizsla puppy picture:   

Wrinkly face and big ears!!! :)

 <3

K$

Welcome!

I’ve be reading a few friends’ blogs over the past few years and have always wanted to start my own, but I kept thinking – is there anything in my life that others would want to read about? – and the answer remained, “No.”  As I’m sure all who are reading know, G$ and I got married last November (Yes, similar to H’s D, my husband prefers not to have his name on the blog, so from here on out, we will be G$ and K$ - yes, read as G-Money).  I was tempted to start a blog after we got engaged, but really didn’t think people would want to read about all the stupid wedding research (read: over-analysis) I was doing – centerpiece ideas. DIY program options.  spreadsheets galore – I’m sure most would pass.  I know a lot of people who started blogs to outline the trials and tribulations of life as a newlywed, but post-wedding, I was thrown into new role on my project that required 18+ hour days while traveling Monday through Thursday.  As G$ liked to joke (and rightfully so), he was a weekend husband since we were technically only together three days a week.  A sad way to start a marriage and even sadder to document and share with other people, so that was out. 

Finally, I think I have something blog-worthy!  Many of you have heard G$ and I talk about getting a dog for the past two, three, maybe even four years.  Well, the time has finally come!  We signed a lease at a new apartment that allows dogs and have contacted a number of breeders in the VA, PA, NC area.  We are on the puppy waiting list for the next litter at a NC breeder and are anxiously awaiting responses from a couple other breeders.  We are hoping to bring home the newest addition to our family sometime in the mid-June through July timeframe. 

My goal of this blog is to keep family and friends in the loop on our puppy-raising and life in general.  I look forward to reading my friends’ blog updates and I hope I can keep this entertaining enough to have folks check in on a regular basis. 

Signing off for now, but I did want to leave you with my favorite Vizsla puppy picture:

Aren't they the cutest things ever! :)

 

<3

K$