The Welcome Committee
Hi guys! How are you?? Hope youโre having a fabulous weekend.
After a weights sesh, 1/2 spin class and 1/2 Latin Cardio class (I wanted to do both so I split it up!), I enjoyed a lovely dinner at Seasons 52 with the Orlando Welcome Committee:
Raya, Jeanette, Katy, Katy and Julie ๐
Seasons 52 has been my favorite restaurant since before the bloggy days (over 2.5 years!) and I was so excited to have my first โI live in Orlando nowโ meal at their restaurant.
They greeted us with sparkling wine and seats at the chefโs table, which had the most beautiful viewโฆ
of the desserts ๐
Heh heh.
I had a lovely glass of Reisling
and the chef prepared an amuse-bouche of smoky salmon with mango and pineapple salsa.
We also shared a bounty of incredible appetizers:
Goat cheese ravioli
(The goat cheese was warm and salty – perfect with the herbs and soft tomatoes)
Goat cheese and artichoke flatbread
Chipotle shrimp flatbread
and edamame with green tea sea salt.
For my entree, I chose my favorite lemon grass salmon salad. The salmon at Seasons is always cooked perfectly – Iโm super picky about salmon being too well-done (because then it tastes like a pink eraser).
And then, the best part.
MINI DESSERTS! ๐
They left the entire tray of desserts at our table so we could wreak havoc on them ๐
We played musical desserts and each took a bite of one and passed it down. This is an excellent idea for those who arenโt afraid of cooties ๐
Dessert domination occurred:
Except for the lowly fruit cup. Iโm all about some fruit, but Iโm not about to waste precious dessert-eating space on fruit when I could be munching on baklava ๐
It was the perfect meal, with even better company ๐
During dinner, we talked a lot about life and also blog stuff, like:
-Why itโs important to blog for YOU instead of for traffic
-experiences with negative comment haterade
-That running marathons must be similar to childbirth because you forget how painful it is
-Fashion blogs
-How people in the blog world, whom you donโt physically *know*, can actually be considered friends ๐
Such a blasty. Thanks again girls for welcoming me and to Seasons 52 for my legendary food baby ๐
Iโm off to take a dance class (apparently itโs like being in a hip hop videoโฆand I am ALL over that) and then meeting some more blog friends for lonchi.
Have a great day!
xoxo,
Gina
Todayโs tip: Since itโs a great idea to switch things up in your routine to prevent plateaus and boredom, a good rule of thumb is: if you did it yesterday, donโt do it today. If you ran yesterday, go for some yoga or weights today. If you danced yesterday, spin today. Remember *change creates change* and by altering your routine on a daily basis, consistency will be even easier ๐
what a fun night! i’m the same way with salmon…overcooked and chewy is NOT something i’d pay money for – blech! have fun at your hip-hop video dance class ๐
Aw! It is so great that you already have built in friends in Orlando! Fabulous!
Fun! So good that you get to be back with friends ๐
I love “change creates change” — that is so true in so many areas, not just plateaus! It goes along with that saying “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”
What a nice welcome committee — enjoy your weekend Gina!
I want to dine at Seasons 52 so badly! It looks incredible. I’m applying to a school in Orlando, so maybe it’d happen sooner than I last expected!
Sounds a lovely night. Love the look of those mini desserts!
LOVE!!!! You, some of my favorite bloggies, and Seasons 52 all at once?! The only thing that would make it better would be if it were HERE ๐ Or I were there… Love you girlie!
Wow…what a fun event! When are you all coming to San Diego huh!?! I loved the comment on the overcooked salmon tasting like a pink eraser. I couldn’t agree more!
Looks like a great time ๐
I’d love to get a summary/ outline on those discussions, lol ๐
Looks like a really fun evening.
I love going out to eat with people who aren’t afraid to share! I love to try everything! That is such good advice about switching it up…too much of something is never a good thing.
Yay!!! So much fun ๐
musical desserts sounds like the best game everrrrrrrrrrr
All of the food looks great! Especially the flatbread and mini desserts. Glad you are enjoying Orlando, yay ๐
Looks like a great time!
It looked like you ladies had a great time! Seasons 52 is one of my favorite Orlando restaurants. Yum!
That Tip of the Day is so true for me! I need to constantly switch it up, and that really helps me stay active consistently.
Glad you have a nice welcome wagon in Orlando! ๐
I want to be in Orlando!! Do any of you have an extra room I can move in to? ๐
THANK YOU for today’s fitness tip. I recently got out of an exercise rut, and I’m trying really hard not to get myself into another one! It’s easy for me to fall into the trap of doing almost the same exercise routine repeatedly, so the general rule of “if you did it yesterday, donโt do it today” is simple enough for me to remember…and hopefully stick to!
Those lil desserts=Most likely the best thing I have ever seen in my life! Every restaurant should do that, plus it would help with portion control right!
Great advice on swtiching it up.:)
Looks like a lot of fun! The food looks like it was really good.
Thanks for the tip today!
Yay blogger buddies! What a great welcome dinner.
Aaw, looks like you had a wonderful welcome dinner!!
Oh HLS ghost stories ๐ Mummm Baklava > Fresh fruit ๐
your roons are on the way, little lady! ๐
thatd be so fun to get together with a bunch of bloggers like that. Theres only one in my area, but we’re close.
Kind of wish i lived in a big city
All that food looks great! I’d have trouble deciding between your salmon and the chipotle shrimp flatbread, and would probably have to have both. You ladies look like you had an amazing time – I’m sure with blogger friends like that you’ll have no problem adjusting to your new home!
Looks like a great group of bloggers, it’s always nice to know a blogger wherever you may go.
oooh green tea sea salt?! what was that like? i picked some edamame this week at the store, had a hankering and they are great for ya!
Looks like you had a blast! ๐ You deserve it!!
I’ve been loving changing it up… I did something different for each one of my work outs this week and feel great.
“Iโm all about some fruit, but Iโm not about to waste precious dessert-eating space on fruit when I could be munching on baklava ;)”—OH THAT IS SOOOO TRUE!! Love that attitude and I employ the same thinking ๐
Musical desserts, in my younger days I used to do that w/ my friends drinks when we were out. Like if theirs was pinker, cuter, had an umbrella, looked good or better than my drink, I wasn’t above taking a sip. It’s a great way to mix your liquors ๐
Looks like an awesome time with great girls, soooo glad you’re settling in!
Enjoy your weekend in O-town!
๐
G, you look like princess jasmine from aladdin in that last pic! <3 <3 <3
hahah thank you! ๐
Thrilled to have you in Orlando! I’ve lived here for three years and am a huge fan of the area. As a fellow hot power yoga, Whole Foods, and Season’s 52 lover, we’re bound to cross paths at some point!
Looks like a fun night. What a great looking group of bloggers! ๐
That’s awesome that you have all those bloggers in Orlando to keep you company while you’re there. ๐ Sounds like a fun night!
I totally agree about overcooked salmon. I’d *rather* eat a pink eraser than overcooked salmon. ๐
I love how you said that overdone salmon tastes like a pink eraser. Hahaha! It most certainly does! What an analogy ๐ but so true!! Glad you are having a great time in Orlando!
So excited for you having a local Seasons 52 now! And now I’m excited to try out their new fall menu…yum.
it comes out NEXT WEEK!!!
Hey Gina!
Glad you girls had a good time.
That same day we enjoyed Season’s 52, so I couldn’t get you some pics ahead of time. It looks like you picked some delicious items though!
This is what we had…
Seasons 52 on DishMagical
P.S. The lake view and sunset was a welcome treat. You guys should have sat outside ๐
i had so much fun on friday! ๐ i’m so glad you’ll be in orlando for a while. can’t wait to see you again soon!