Introducing: Run Eat Play RVA Running Food Tours!

I am so excited to finally reveal a new project that I have taken on with my good friend and running buddy Katie - Run Eat Play RVA Running Food Tours! A bit of a mouthful, right? (Punny!)

This blog was my first attempt at combining my love of running, food, and Richmond. For a while now, I've been trying to develop a scheme to bring these three things together in real life. Then, one morning on a run, Katie and I were talking about what we'd like to do if we could quit our day jobs and just run for a living. The first thing we both said was "do running tours in Richmond!"

One strategy session (at Lift, naturally) later and Run Eat Play RVA Running Food Tours was born. The idea is simple: runners love to eat; Richmond has a lot of great places to eat. So, we put together a series of 5k running tours that explore different culinary themes around the city to hopefully introduce you to some new places where you can gain back all of those calories that you work so hard to burn.

Each run will begin and end at a selected eatery, where we will nosh on the house specialty post-run. (Your registration will include at least a portion of the post-run nosh.)We are trying to strategically pick spots that are located throughout the city so that each 5k route will take the group through a different distinct Richmond neighborhood, giving you the opportunity to not only get to know a new place to eat, but also a new part of this awesome city.

Right now we're starting small, so each run will be led by me and/or Katie.

So let's get to the fun part: the theme of the first series.

In case you live under a rock and somehow didn't know, today is National Donut Day, making it probably the most appropriate day ever to launch the first ever Run Eat Play RVA Running Food Tours Series: The Summer Donut Dash!

This summer, we are going to check out three different donut styles made right here in the RVA. First up is Sugar Shack on June 22, 2014.

 

Since opening just one year ago in June 2013, Sugar Shack has taken the Richmond donut scene by storm and has since opened a second location in Downtown with a third Manchester location on the way. This place is so hot that just days ago, Sugar Shack was named by USA Today as one of the 10 best donut shops in the country!

Having eaten more than my fair share of Sugar Shack donuts since they opened last year, I can guarantee that you will love this donut experience. The selection, which USA Today describes as "whimsical" but I can only describe as delicious, includes everything from classic glazed, cinnamon sugar, and chocolate iced varieties to house specialties like maple bacon, samoa, caramel apple cake, and Baby Ruth style. This is but a sampling; the menu is augmented almost daily by creative new taste sensations like kettle corn, bourbon walnut, red velvet cake, and cookie crumble.

Image Source

The Sugar Shack run will take off at 8 am from the original location at 100 N. Lombardy Street, Richmond, VA. Although the Shack does have a small parking lot, we ask that you find street parking in the vicinity and not use their lot.

Your registration fee of $20 will include one house or specialty donut, coffee, and water along with your 5k guided run.

Check out the "Running Food Tours" tab for more information, FAQs, and the rest of the scheduled tour dates and locations.

We encourage you to check back often for updates, contests, and more as things continue to develop.

Be warned: we are runners, not web gurus, so we are still working on getting the fillable registration form and waiver up. If you are interested in participating on June 22nd, please give me a shout at reprva at gmail.com and we'll get you signed up.

Hope to see you there!

The Year in Food

Obviously, 2013 was a big year in running.

But it was also a huge year for food!

So here are some culinary highlights from 2013.

Haunts

Lift -  I would be afraid to add up all of the cash that I spent at Lift in 2013. From "Meeting of the Minds" breakfasts with Prabir to grab and go lattes, spontaneous lunches, and post-run noms, Lift was my go-to spot. Favorites: Caramel Latte, Fancy Oatmeal, Everything Bagel with Hummus and Greens, Turkey, Apple, & Brie Panini.

Turkey, Apple, & Brie Panini with Pasta Salad

Garnett's Cafe  - This has become known as "Our Place" for Marcey and I. If we can't think of any other place to go, one of us says "How about Our Place?" and it's a done deal. Always a winner, especially for Happy Hour. How can you beat $3 glasses of wine - and not just house wine, but the entire list? Favorites: Devils on Horseback, White Bean Crostini,  Grilled Beef & Gorgonzola Sandwich, WBLT Sandwich, Kale Soup.

Devils on Horseback - so good I had a collage of photos 

Richmond on Broad - When my friend Gail asked if I wanted to meet her for lunch at Richmond on Broad Cafe, I had no clue what she was talking about. This little spot opened in 2013 and is part of the University of Richmond's Downtown presence. It became a hit with me thanks to its build-your-own-salad menu, which is mind-bendingly difficult to figure out, but worth it. Downtown was lacking a good salad place and this filled that culinary dearth nicely. Just take your thinking cap. Favorites: Build-Your-Own Salad, Roasted Butternut Squash and Chicken Salad, ROB Cobb Salad.

Richmond Favorites

Stella's - I don't really think I need to further expound upon the perfection that is Stella's. The Stella's Filet that I ate post-marathon was gastronomical heaven. Favorites: Kreatopita, Mushroom Saganaki, Dolmades, Kalamari, Keftedes, No. 5 Pasta, Stella's Filet, Pikelia, Souvlaki, Stella's Crabcakes, Kotopoulo

Proper Pie - Take your appetite, because I insist that the only way to properly enjoy Proper Pie is to eat both a Savory and Sweet selection in the same sitting. Favorites: Mince & Cheese, Chicken Chile Verde, Sausage Role, Strawberry Rhubarb, Apple & Cheddar.

Bistro 27 - Be adventurous and go for the Chef's Choice. You won't regret it. Favorites: Chef's Choice, Beef Carpaccio, Scallops and Bacon, Beef Ravioli, and whatever the special is (it's always amazing).

Lemaire - A no-brainer when it comes to the question, "Where can we go to feel fancy?" A confession: I've never actually eaten dinner at Lemaire (outside of a wedding reception, which I don't officially count), but I've gone to plenty of Happy Hours, including my 30th Birthday Party.  Put on your LBD, call your girlfriends, and go feel fancy. Appetizers are 3 for $20 and each night features a different drink special, so you won't have to spend fancy. Favorites: Sushi Grade Ahi Tuna Crudo, Artisanal Virginia Cheese Platter, Cornmeal Fried Kosher Dill Pickles, Local Charcuterie Platter, Fried Black Eyed Peas and Shiitake Mushrooms.

La Grotta - When you go to dinner in this subterranean Italian restaurant, you can almost feel like you really are in Italy. My suggestion is to eat like an Italian when you go to La Grotta, meaning have ALL of the courses (split some with your dinner date) and stay there for hours. Feeling Italy withdrawal, Husband and I treated ourselves to a long, four course meal that was worth every penny. We were so full that we could barely walk up the stairs to leave - a sure sign of a good Italian meal. Favorites: Calamri Fritti, Antipasto Del Giorno, Carpaccio di Manzo, Insalata Mista, Insalata Del Cuoco, Fettuccine alla Papalina, Agnolitti alla Panna, Vitello Verdi, Salmone Adriatico, Mousse Cake, Profiterole, Tiramisu, Frutti di Bosca.

Can-Can Brasserie - Since spending a few weeks in Europe this year, I have developed quite a taste for cappuccino. I also learned that the only way to truly enjoy a cappucino is by sitting and drinking it in a leisurely fashion. Taking one to-go is simply a travesty for all involved. With this in mind, I have taken to skipping lunch hour and instead taking a cappuccino hour instead, heading to Can-Can at about 2:30 in the afternoon to enjoy a leisurely cuppa and pastry. Can-Can is also home of the "fragel" - a french bread bagel - and the best croque madame this side of Paris. Favorites: cappuccino, fragel with cream cheese, Croque Madame, Onion Soup Gratinée, Chicken Crêpes, frites.

The Dairy Bar - Feeling like a big, fat breakfast? Head right on over to The Dairy Bar. The benches are uncomfortable as all get out, but your belly will be happy. Due to its proximity to Sports Backers Stadium, The Dairy Bar is a post-MTT-run favorite that we hit up numerous times throughout the training season. Most of my runner friends love "The Griff" - a breakfast sandwich and peanut butter and banana shake combo. Personally, I just love their biscuits. And a Milkshake is an absolute must - it is what they are known for. Favorites: The Mayor, Chili & Cheese Omelet, peanut butter milk shake.

New Richmond Discoveries

The Daily - If I had the money (and was running enough to offset my consumption), I would make The Daily a daily event. Marcey and I enjoyed our "Christmas Date" here the other night and it was nothing short of fabulous. I have a feeling it may become a haunt in 2014. Favorites: Seared Scallops, Edamame Crostinis, Pork Chop with Kale and Sweet Potato Puree, Seared Salmon with Crispy Quinoa Cakes, Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Ice Cream.

525 @ The Berry Burke - When I worked for the Symphony (YEARS AGO), a vacant space catty-corner from the entrance to the concert hall had "Coming Soon!" signs plastered on it. We waited and waited... and waited. Nothing happened which I worked there, but at long last, this year 525 opened up in the space. Not only is it a great spot to grab a meal before going to see a concert or show at CenterStage (make reservations... everybody else does the same thing and the place is absolutely packed until 8 pm on show nights), it also has a great lunch menu with divine salads. Favorites: Onion Dip, Pot Stickers, Baby Field Green Salad, Prosciutto & Arugala Salad, Seared Sea Scallops, Bourbon & Pecan Bead Pudding, Key Lime Pie.

Dinamo - I haven't yet had Dinamo's dinner, but if you're looking for something different for breakfast, I can't recommend Dinamo enough. The cappuccino is the most authentic Italian-style that I've had stateside and the Eggs in Purgatory are not to be missed. Favorites: Cappuccino, Eggs in Purgatory, Latkes. Edit: I just checked out Dinamo's website and apparently they aren't doing breakfast anymore. Glad I got it while the getting was good! I would still go back to try out Lunch or Dinner.

Eggs in Purgatory, how I will miss you!

Lunch - A tiny, tiny hole in the wall place in the Scott's Addition neighborhood, I discovered Lunch when I attended a production at the nearby Richmond Triangle Players theater and the ticket included a coupon for the restaurant. Seats are hard to come by and if you're lucky enough to snag one, you'll find out why. Thought I've only been at lunchtime, they also serve breakfast and dinner. Favorites: Loaded Spinach Salad (it's huge!), The Old Country Kitchen (Grilled Cheese Sandwich & Soup), The Fay Sandwich

Loaded Spinach Salad with side of Potato Salad

Beyond Richmond

Lu Chat Noir, Washington, DC - Ever since BFF and I went to Paris in May 2010, we take every opportunity that we can to try to capture a bit of Paris here in the States. I can tell you that it pretty much impossible... Paris is Paris and there is nothing like it. But we did find this restaurant in Northwest DC that comes close. Just this past weekend we had an absolutely wonderful brunch, complete with baguette that was perfectly crusty yet chewy. Favorites: Crèpe fourrée, Salade au chèvre chaud, Bijoux de boeuf sauce au poivre, Poulet grand-mère, Saumon nordique, Eggs Norvégiens, all of the crepes.

Grano's Pasta Bar, Baltimore, MD - In September, Husband and I traveled to my least favorite city for a wedding. Deep into marathon training, I needed to do a long run on Saturday morning and therefore needed some good carb loading the night before. An Urban Spoon search later and I found Grano's Pasta Bar. It is pretty much a kitchen with a few chairs - you build your own pasta, which is then cooked right in front of your eyes. A very authentic Italian experience, I loved it so much that I dragged Husband back the next day for lunch. Favorites: Pomodoro, Pesto, and Vodka sauces, any of the fresh pastas (cooked to al dente perfection), meatball, cannoli, and cappuccino.

Penne with Pomodoro Sauce, fresh bread and spiced olive oil 

L'amuse Guele, Paris, France - The two hours that I spent at L'amuse Guele were the single most heavenly 2 hours of my life during 2013. I have to tell  you how I found this place, because it is a wonderful tale of connections.

I was feeling melancholic and missing Paris, so I searched for books about Paris on amazon.com and came across Karen Chase's "Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log".  I downloaded and devoured the book. I loved it so much and found that Karen and I had loved so many of the same things about Paris that I sought our her website and left a note on her blog. I also "liked" her on Facebook and soon discovered that she too lives in Richmond. A few months later, she published the book in hard copy and I entered a contest put on by another local blogger, Kelly of Austen Hill, to win a copy. I did win, and suggested that instead of mailing the book, we should all meet at Can-Can to sigh about Paris together. Which we did! I had so much in common with these two ladies that we are now all good friends who happy hour/breakfast/lunch regularly. In September, I had the opportunity to be in Paris for 24 hours, so I naturally asked Karen for her advice on how to spend that time. She insisted that I go to L'amuse and connected me with its owner, Dorothee, via Facebook.

When I walked into L'amuse a few weeks later, Dorothee recognized me immediately, kissed me, and treated me like an old friend. To be honest, I can't even recall what I ate there beyond telling you that I ate it slowly and cherished every bite to its fullest, trying to make those moments last forever.

Every Single Place That We Ate At in Italy (except the crappy tourist trap in Venice) - Everything we ate was delicious. All food tastes better in Italy... even the packets of sugar and honey. No, I am not exaggerating. Most of the places were holes in the wall that I will never be able to tell you the name of, but I did carefully record some:  Ristorante Antico Gatoleto in Venice, Ristorante Fortunato in Rome, Giolitti Gelateria in Rome, Li Rioni a Santiquattro in Rome, Osteria del Porcellino in Florence, Casa Tratorria in Florence.

The Restaurant in St. Goar, Germany Where I Ate This Jagerschnitzel: 

I've always said that one of the main reasons that I run so much is because I like to eat a lot, and the above clearly shows that! Frighteningly enough, I didn't even cover all of the places that we tried out in Richmond this year (yes, there are more!).

That's what 2014 is for, right?

Now if only this injury would calm down and I could get back to running to offset all of my culinary adventures.

Ice Cream Break

Today, Bev's tweeted that they had Key Lime Pie Ice Cream.

Obviously, I had to go get some right away.

This was a mini-celebration, as I managed to run 6.75 miles this morning relatively pain free.

Yup. You heard me.

On Wednesday, I put up a pathetic plea on the Team Navy Facebook Group, asking if there was anyone willing to accompany me on my Thursday 6-7 miler in case of the worst. I didn't want to be alone if I broke. 

My awesome teammate Kit responded that he'd be glad to provide the assist. Kit and I often end up running together near the front of the pack during MTT long runs. We are generally a good match for each other, although we both admit to being terrible pacers and running much too fast. I was absolutely thrilled that he was willing to wake up early on a vacation day and come run with me.

Despite serious humidity and a bit of a route fail by me (we had intended on running 7... didn't quite make it), we had a great tempo run with an average pace of 8:15 (!). 

Based on this, I'm gonna go with the theory that that tiny piece of glass was the culprit and that I am now 100% healed. 

And I am also 100% tired. What I want to do right now is take a clue from Wonton, the resident cat of the used book store Chop Suey Tuey, who I espied doing this in the window:

Tough life.

But alas, I am a not a cat but a human with a job and responsibilities.

Marathon Training = Munchies

I've noticed that lately Run, Eat, Play RVA has been more like Run, Run, Run RVA. I apologize to all of you non-runners out there for my endless prattling about boring topics like marathon training, hydration belts, bonks, and shoes. If you can't already tell, the thing about marathon training is that it pretty much takes over a person's life.

This is not to say that I haven't squeezed in some "playing" and I certainly have been doing more than my fair share of "eating" lately too. 

Especially the eating. 

As I alluded to in past posts, being in marathon training mode has caused me to have an insatiable appetite and brought on some intense food obsessions. Strangely enough, most of these obsessions are with foods that I would not have touched with a 10-foot pole in the past.   

Example 1 - Key Lime. Prior to last August's trip to Key West, I wasn't that big a fan of Key Lime flavored items. Probably because pretty much the only thing I'd come into contact with before then was fake, neon green "key lime" pie. But once I got a taste of the real thing, I was hooked. Luckily (?) for my waist line, I discovered Key Lime near the end of the season last year. 

This summer, my newfound love of Key Lime has turned into a complete obsession. Wherever we go, if there is a Key Lime flavored item, I must obtain it. It's gotten to the point where local cupcake shop Carytown Cupcakes actually Tweeted me to let me know that Key Lime was included in this week's featured flavor list.

I'm not a big fan of baking, but in June I unfortunately discovered how easy it is to make Key Lime Pie. Since then, I've somehow restrained myself and baked only two. At Broad Appetite back in June, I nearly fell over myself to get to the King of Pops cart to get a Key Lime Pie Popsicle, which I then raved about non-stop for the rest of the day. Oh, and have you had Oikos Key Lime Greek Yogurt? That stuff is (forgive the 90's slang) DA BOMB. Especially if you stick it in the freezer and then enjoy. 

Other favorites have been Bev's Key Lime Pie ice cream:

...with graham cracker crust crumbles, natch.

And Dixie Donuts' Key Lime donut:

Even my wardrobe is Key Lime inspired.

Peanut butter has also become a food that I just can't resist. This is something that I go in phases with; I can remember times in my childhood when I absolutely hated peanut butter, but then I went through a major peanut butter sandwich phase in high school. I haven't really eaten much as an adult, but since "becoming a runner" it has become a staple in my "running nutrition" palette (a term I use incredibly loosely because let's get real... I don't really do running nutrition in any way, shape or form). 

My traditional pre-race food item is half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on wheat bread, but these days, I find myself reaching into the cupboard, opening the peanut butter jar, and just eating a spoonful. I have never ever done that before. I have also started to eat half a peanut butter sandwich at random times (like at 8:30 at night as a before bed snack) and go for the peanut butter flavored ice cream, milkshakes, and chocolate bars. 

Drug  Protein of choice

You know what else I love? I LOVE EGGS.

Yes, from my head down to my legs.

Omelets, scrambled, over easy, over hard, eggs in a frame, in purgatory, deviled, hard boiled, on a salad, on a sandwich, on a burger, in my pasta, in a breakfast skillet - I don't care, just give 'em to me. 

Dinamo's Eggs in Purgatory are more like HEAVEN.

And then there is avocado. Like Key Lime, I would not come near avocado until fairly recently. But now, if it's included in a dish, it's a given that I am going to be ordering said item or making said item. Guacamole is my absolute favorite form of avocado consumption; I made a huge bowl of it this past weekend for a picnic gathering and I swear I ate more than half of it on my own. Nevermind the fact that I had eaten a big old bowl of it the day before during a quick trip to D.C. with my good buddy Shannon. 

I also love it in a salad or on a sandwich, but the major coup in my culinary world is getting a burger with guacamole AND a fried egg on it. Talk about heaven!

Then there are the snacks. I can't stop eating Mi-Del Ginger Snaps or Quaker Popped Mini Rice Cakes in the Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper flavor (use of the word "crack" is totally appropriate there!). I can't keep tins of mixed nuts around the house because every time I come into eye contact with a nut of any variety, I can't resist the urge to eat a handful. Or two. Same goes for ice cream. A few weeks ago, I bought Turkey Hill's new Natural Vanilla with Sea Salted Caramel Swirl. Eating one serving at a time was out of the question. It was just too delicious. One day I just decided to sit down with the container and finish off the entire thing just so I could get it out of my house. 

With all of these addictions, it is no wonder that I've gained a solid 5 lbs since marathon training began. I never thought that I'd be a victim of marathon weight gain, especially since running has done nothing but help me slim down since I started three years ago. But it's real and I don't like it. Even though I love avocados and key lime and eggs and peanut butter, I'm going to have to reduce my consumption of these items before things get away from me...

but first, I just have to have one more Key Lime cupcake...

Richmond Rave: Garnett's Cafe

What follows is going to be one big long love letter to my most favorite Happy Hour spot in Richmond - Garnett's Cafe. Ever since my first trip there, I have been meaning to write a Richmond Rave about Garnett's, but for some reason it just never happens. I've been collecting photos with each successive visit and have finally decided that it is high time that I sit down and tell you all just how much I adore this place.

Garnett's is nestled in the Fan on the corner of Park and Meadow. It's a tiny tiny place that makes me think of my grandmother's kitchen, circa 1950. There's a Kit Cat Klock on the wall along with mish-mash collection of prints and photos; colored glass vases catch the light from the windows; the well loved dishes might be chipped; and your menu is likely to have battle scars. 

It all adds up to a retro, kitsch, pleasantly scruffy, cozy atmosphere. 

I was first introduced to Garnett's as a good Happy Hour spot. Every week day they offer $3 happy hour snacks and glasses of wine until 6:00 pm (I think... could be 6:30...). And on that snack list is my most favorite food item in all of Richmond: Devils on Horseback.

What, exactly, is a Devil on Horseback? All that you really need to know is that they would be more accurately be referred to as Heaven on a Toothpick and are also known as bacon wrapped dates stuffed with gorgonzola cheese. Here, let me show you:

Just the fact that I got to make a collage of these
babies has made my day.

I know, I know. It sounds a bit weird. Maybe even scary. Before I had DoH, I had never even consumed a date. And truth be told, I am not one of those bacon-obsessed people who has to eat bacon wrapped things if they are available on a menu. But the combination of the sweetness of the date plus the savory, salty bacon and the sharp, pungent gorgonzola is just perfection. 

Marcey and I have been known to order a second plate of these. At $3, it is nearly impossible to resist. 

But it's not ALL about the DoH. The other $3 Happy Hour snacks are delightful as well.

I love how worn this card is

My second-favorite item is the White Bean Spread Crostini

The $3 glass of wine isn't just some sub-par house red or white either; I've had excellent Riesling, Pinot Noir, and a Viognier. Bonus that they are served in these adorable stemless RVA wine glasses.

On one Happy Hour date with my Work Wife, we each had 2 glasses of wine and split 3 appetizers. We walked away full and happy for the total price of $15 each including a 20% tip.  It simply can't be beat. 

Beyond the excellent Happy Hour specials, Garnett's menu offers a huge variety of sandwiches, a handful of salads with unusual but delicious dressings, and a unique sampling of side items. Sandwiches are conventional with a twist: Roast Beef with gorgonzola, for instance; or the Grilled Cheese made with gouda and gruyere. Some other beauties include:

Turkey and Bacon
 {with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and garlic aioli}

WBLT
{roasted garlic white bean spread with lettuce and tomato}

From the special VCU Basketball 2013 Seniors-themed menu:
The #10
{bacon, hard boiled egg, green tomato relish, lettuce, and avocado}

MLT
{sliced cold meatloaf, lettuce, and tomato on ciabatta,
choice of garlic aioli or gorgonzola cheese}

My favorite side is the black-eyed pea salad. Until I went to Garnett's, I had never really eaten black-eyed peas before, but I find that this "salad" is a perfect light accompaniment to the hearty sandwiches.

Like many Richmond restaurants, Garnett's offers a slew of vegetarian options and any of their sandwiches can be made with Gluten-free bread, making it a good choice if you have a group of folks with a variety of dietary styles. It's extremely reasonable prices (at $9.75, the Big Daddy sandwich is the most expensive thing on the menu) also keep it accessible to just about anyone. 

For a no-fuss, no-frills, casual, down-home with a twist kind of meal, take yourself right on over to this gem. And even if you think you don't like dates, get the Devils on Horseback anyway. You'll love them... and if you don't, at $3, they will at least have been a cheap adventure. 

The lowdown:

• Parking is on the street and not metered, so bring your parallel parking skills. I always find something on Park (punny!).
• It is a tiny place, but I've never had trouble getting a table. Then again, I'm always there extremely early and by the time I leave all of the seats are filled. So if you aren't an early bird like me, you might be out of luck.
• Their Happy Hour is the best deal in Richmond.
• They also offer a $30 Date Night Deal every night from 6-9 pm: any two menu items and a bottle of Virginia wine. Not a bad deal, though I have never partaken of it myself. 
• If you're looking for a fancy, sleek atmosphere, this isn't your spot. This is casual with no frills - in a good way. You'll feel just like you're sitting at your kitchen table, except someone else does all the work.  
• Service is fast and attentive without being annoying or overbearing. 
• Devils on Horseback. That is all.

Sugar Monster

For most of my life, I have been a salty snack kind of girl: french fries, potato chips, pretzels, pita chips, crackers. Resisting chocolate and desserts was never hard for me and my only real sweet spot was for ice cream, which I would eat happily every day.

Then something weird happened. I started to eat cookies with my tea at work. If there was a bowl of candy, I couldn't pass it by without getting a piece. I went on afternoon runs for a sweet - a donut, a cupcake, fro-yo.  I would even eat a piece of chocolate cake if it appeared in the office, which I never would have done in the past because I don't even LIKE the stuff.

And I realized that my iPhone was full of photos of sweets. Just look!

Dixie Donuts... one of the many dozens that make their
way into my office

Pecan Pie... the first of two

Lemon Birthday Tart

My birthday cake
(I can safely say I ate at least 1/4 of it)

Jason's birthday cake

Donuts from WPA Bakery. 

Bev's Ice Cream

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Those aren't even all of the photos.

And then there was my desk drawer...

Obviously, I have a problem.

A big fat SUGAR problem.

At some point over the last few months, I have become an insane sugar beast. I crave desserts like nobody's business and eat multiple sweets a day without giving it a second thought. Then I got on the scale last week and did not like what I saw... up 4 pounds, and most of them probably pure sugar.

I'm not really sure what happened. I partially blame my boss (who is a man and is also the biggest sweet tooth that I know) and my coworkers (who are all wonderful bakers and like to share the fruits of their labor). The close proximity of Carytown to my place of business is also a problem. It is way too easy to pop over and grab some Dixie Donuts, or a Carytown Cupcake, or a Ukrop's cupcake, or some Sweet Frog or Bev's.

Is my newly renewed regular running partially to blame as well? I don't recall ever having this insane craving for sweets before... but I guess it is possible that my return to clocking 20 miles a week could have something to do with my incessant need to stuff my face full of refined sugar.

Now that I fully recognize just how out of control my dessert obsession has become, I am trying to kick it. From what I understand about sugar, the more you eat, the more you crave it. This perfectly explains how I went from someone who would eat one brownie every once in a while to a girl who purchased an entire case of Savannah Smile Girl Scout cookies.

I figure the only way to kick my dependence on sugar is to drastically reduce my intake... which is why, as of April 1, I am committing to a month of extremely reduced sugar consumption. I'm a firm believer in everything in moderation, so I am not going to completely cut it out of my life. My real goal is to not eat any donuts, cupcakes, cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, frozen yogurt, ice cream, milk shakes, or candies.

My drawer full of Cow Tails and the 10 remaining boxes of Savannah Smiles are exceptional challenges to my will power.

I am allowing myself sugared tea, lattes, and greek yogurts with fruit. And, every once in a while, a small piece of candy or a single serving of cookies at the end of the day.

...and one slice of pie when I have my Proper Pie date with a friend mid-month.

Dammit. Now I want pie.

I think this is going to be a lot harder than I thought.