Working out for work?

I think my job is trying to tell its employees something. GET OUT OF BED AND WORK OUT! Ash and I have participated in a walk and a run that were both work related this month. The first event we took part in was to help raise money for the JDFR (Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Research). A mile walk was not bad, but the waking up to just walk a mile...ehhhh not so cool. However it was for a good cause. So YAY us! GO TEAM MCC!

I think Ash was a little too excited.

Our next event we woke up extremely early for was Corporate Cup 5k. On this day I had a personal best. I have ran a couple of 5k's before this one, but have never had a run that was under 30 minutes. This run I clocked my time at 26 minutes for the whole run. After the feeling of wanting to barf on everyone and everything around me wore off, I had to find my sister. 

 After having to convince Ash to finish the race, she pretty much collapsed on the ground. I think this was a sign to her to start working out. 

Our free mug we received after finish the race.

So everyone, get off the couch or out of bed and go get that booty in shape! I know I am, and sometimes not even by choice. Lata gata's!

Variety is the Spice of Life...And it Tastes Good

I have officially changed my name to The Cookie Monster. Seriously you guys, nom, nom, nom, people have been telling me that I would gain weight living in a city known for food. I of course Snap.My.Fingers. and say ummm never me guys....I workout out constantly knowing that my weekend will be filled with delicious drinks and good eats at new restaurants I have not been to. Look at me planning ahead! GO JANELLE! Anyway so back to food. So Ash and I love to eat and drink as well as try new restaurants. Since I have not posted about food in awhile I do have a couple of places I would love to tell you guys about! Annnddd here we goooo......

First Place:  Parkway Bakery & Tavern

Janelles Delicious Rate: 10 out of 10!

 Who knew that Po' Boy stood for Poor Boy??? ....... Seriously guys I had no frickin' idea. I felt pretty stupid when I admitted that to my fellow po' boy lovers! One of my coworkers who tagged along (Mr. Don) told stories of how he would come to this place when he was a drunk hungry teenager. The stories he tells...I could write a book!

The po' boys here by the way are amazing! I have tried them at other restaurants, but I have to say that this was the BEST! The employees were incredibly nice and the place was very clean! LOTS AND LOTS of outdoor seating! If I can't eat outside, I AM NOT EATING HERE! I guess I'll complain about it for 3 minutes and then eventually get over it.

Sam and Janelle on our lunch date. They also have delicious sweet potato fries

I was supposed to be Janelle #2. I guess Channell #2 works just as well

Ignore my work face (no makeup kinda day) This was half a po' boy by the way! Cant imagine a large!

So if ever you are craving a delicious sandwich, Parkway is your place!

Second Place:   Verti Marte

Janelle's Delicious Rate: Can I say a million out of 10?

I don't think I would have ever came across this little shop if my sister had not mentioned it before.

All of the amazing items on their menu.

This place had EVERYTHING! Pork chops, sandwiches, wraps, salads, potatoes, broccoli and cheese fish, chicken, veggies. YOU.NAME.IT! We got the sandwich called All That Jazz. A medley of grilled ham, turkey & shrimp, swiss & american cheese accompanied by grilled mushrooms, tomatoes, on grilled french bread with our original "wow sauce".

3rd Place: The Delachaise

Janelle's Delicious Rate: Wine-tastic!

This wine bar located on St. Charles is a trek from our apartment but man is it worth it. They have amazing food, outdoor seating and pretty decent specials. It was worth the walk let me tell you guys. I was feeling pretty good after just one glass. They have telly-visions and beers for the guys. It is seriously adorable. Pop a bottle of champagne with a side of OJ on a 75 degree Sunday and voila!, we are all living the good life.

4th Place:  Saucy's

Janelle's Delicous Rate: 8 out of 10

This BBQ place located on Magazine was LEEEE-GITT! Who knew to put bleu cheese crumbles on a pulled pork sandwich? NOT ME! I also tried their boudin sausage. Seriously amazing on every level. I cannot say that it was better then OT's Up in Smoke in Battle Creek, but it definitely was unique. 

If you do go please, please, please try the macaroni and cheese and baked beans. They may be just another side on the menu, but man oh man do they know how to make a simple food taste completely different and wonderful at the same time. The only reason I gave this restaurant an 8 out of 10 was because they didn't serve adult beverages. However you can bring your own wine or beer, and they will keep it in their cooler. SO if you are broke and need a cheap place to take a date, then Saucy's is your place!

 This pulled pork had bleu cheese and pj cheese on it.

Boudin Sausage with yummy mac and cheese and baked beans


After talking about all of this food I have noticed a hunger pain in my tummy. See ya later bloggas!

Halloween & Aww-dough-bon

Happy Belated Halloween everyone! I hope you all had a safe Holiday weekend! So since I work on a construction site, finding a costume that was work appropriate and able to get dirty was not that hard to find. It was more accepting how boring of a costume it was going to be. I don't know if anyone has ever tried to convince old scrooges to dress up for Halloween but man that is not fun. Here was a typical conversation I had with some of my coworkers: ME: "Hey Mark. So what are you dressing up as for Halloween?"
Mark: "I was thinking a construction worker."
HAHAHA  That might have been funny the first time I asked someone, but when the tenth coworker said that exact same thing, I thought I was going to pull their hair out. 
So here are the THEE ONLY PARTICIPANTS for Halloween.

The "Costume" Janelle and I came up with for Mack.

This is my hungry face.

I love the sign we came up with for Kevin!

A nerd and an 80's chick.

Tanya passed out after our big lunch!! Haha :)

My boo Janelle Loves her pumpkin cupcakes!

I was a judge for a pumpkin cupcake competition. It got pretty heated!

The Cutest baby alive (Calvin) Ash as Waldo and her snacks for her work party

I was proud to say that we did get the guys to sign up and bring different dishes for a potluck we held on Halloween. I think what they heard when we mentioned the potluck was, if you don't bring food you don't eat OUR food! So I am very proud of Sam, Janelle and I for kicking their butts in gear to make up ladies happy!! 
So Ash and I have been munching on candy and sweets before the holiday. So we decided we needed to be more active. Since we live right off of St. Charles we decided we should walk to Audubon Park. Let me just say that Audubon Park is ahhh-mahhh-zing. There is a path to run/walk/rollerblade and bike. As well as a golf course in the center of the park. It is just one amazing place to go if you want to workout or just be a bum in the sun. On our way to the park we passed a house that was PUN-TASTIC!

My favorite Pun in the yard.

Ash and Pop Eye.

This is definitely one of my favorites!

The Rib Room is a popular restaurant in New Orleans.

Pretty awesome yard if I do say so! I couldn't believe someone could think of that many puns for Halloween. After taking several pics with all of the skeletons we headed to the park. The park is located right next to Loyola. So pretty much charm is located everywhere in this area. 

I love that they have workout stations located all over the park.

These trees are amazing.

This park is truly all about living a healthy life.

The beautiful entrance.

If you get the chance to just get away for a little then definitely come experience this park. It is truly a wonderful place.


Well I am off to squat it out. I am attempting to do the 30 day squat challenge. Today is Day 9, which consists of 100 squats today.  You know the saying, See ya wouldn't wanna be ya. Yeah I would take anybodies life for the next hour! 

Until then blogosphere...