Why say no when it feels so good to say yes?

Body pump, bng iced coconut, beach, burritos. In that order.


If you aren't familiar with body pump, let me paint a picture. Improves strength, bone density, and general fitness and burns 600 calories in 1 hour. No brainer. Each class is 60 minutes of cardio strength training designed to work the entire body. Large and small muscle groups are challenged by using a barbell and your choice of a different weight selection. The workout is fast paced but led by energetic and encouraging instructors and great music (a different song for e. muscle group). Every three months the fantastical fitness minds behind body pump release a class with new tunes and choreography to surprise the muscles and forgo boredom. The gym I belong to launches the new classes on Saturday. I have never attended a launch "party" but have heard good things. I have often speculated that the instructors drink red bull prior to the 5:30 Tuesday/Thursday classes and if that is true, before Saturday's launch they drank 2 or 3. They woke me up; 74 is a doosy. Lunges and I don't get along and 74 didn't and won't improve our relationship. Longest, most grueling lunge track of body pump history. Not a fact, but it has to be. Ouch. I LOVED the back track and the squat track. I could clean and press my way through anything. Don't test me on that though. The bicep track to Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom Pow was awkward. Everything about it. Maybe because it was just the first time? Time will tell until then I'll be popping advil and hoping I don't hear Boom Boom Pow until Tuesday.

After a refueling breakfast of creamy oats (1/2 c oats, 3/4 c milk, 1/2 smushed banana for substance, chia seeds, lil scoop of pb, blueberries and strawberries) Amanda and I grabbed our breaking new grounds iced coconuts and headed to the beautiful beaches of Rye, NH.


Hawaiian tropic 10 did not fail me and neither did the forecast. Saturday was a very pleasant day at the beach.


Our roomie day continued with a date at Loco Coco's in Kittery, ME. Saturday marked my first visit to Loco Coco's because I am avid burrito buyer at Dos Amigos. I almost feel as though I cheated on Dos but comparing the two isn't exactly apples to apples so I must get past the guilt complex. And why say no when it feels so good to say yes? And I might get Dos tonight.

Moving on.


Loco's is separated into different parts. The recent expanded dining area and bar both equipped with waitstaff and the main dining area where you order at the register, find a table, and wait for your name to be called. Last but not least you can always take your fresh order to go. Last night Amanda and I sat in the bar.

Sipped on a jalapeno margaritas which were a little TOO spicy for my liking.

...and devoured monster burritos with chips and guacamole.




With so many different burritos to choose from I had a tough time deciding. My go-to at Dos Amigos is usually the sweet potato, pulled pork or chicken burrito....I guess I don't really have a go-to, huh? All of Dos's burritos are generously filled with rice, black beans, lettuce and cheese, with the choice of salsa, white or wheat tortilla, and sour cream or yogurt. There are only a handful of burritos on Loco's menu with these same ingredients. In fact the burritos at Loco's are quite creative: the Chicken Fajita burrito with sauteed green and red peppers, onions, chicken, sour cream, the California Burrito with steak, french fries, jack and cheddar cheese, lettuce, guac and sour cream, the shrimp burrito with cabbage, zesty sauce, avocado sauce, salsa, and sour cream... so like I stated earlier, comparing Dos and Loco's is like comparing apples to oranges.

Sorry to keep the valuable information, I enjoyed the shrimp burrito: grilled, light on the sauces with no sour cream please. DELISH. The shrimp was refreshing, the salsa was authentic and fresh, the avocado sauce creamy and cool, the zesty sauce, ZESTY! I hate when I order a shrimp dish and the shrimp comes sans taste. Loco's knows authentic Mexican food and delivers a variety of complex flavors all rolled up in freshly made flour tortillas.

An exciting perk to Loco's; it has a salsa bar with freshly made salsas ranging from fiery hot to smokey chipotle to a cool, refreshing avocado. I ordered a side of traditional guac and got into the avocado sauce. No messing around.

Dinner definitely tantalized the tastebuds but there is one minor complaint. Check out the pepper top Amanda pulled out of her Chicken Fajita burrito. Nasty.


Even though it isn't right to compare Dos and Loco's I will. I prefer apples to oranges and will always be a Dos Amigos girl at heart. If you are in the area, don't take my word for it though, try both!

And I'm done. It's snack time.

Staycation

Saturday and Sunday turned out to be quite a staycation. Exploring the farmers market, tastes of BNG, Flatbread, and Cava, perusing shops downtown, touring Strawberry Banke and Attrezzi wine tasting made this weekend the bees knees. The camera played main, supporting and non-existent roles.


After a heavy duty sleep in which I only have myself and the martini's consumed to thank, I wandered over to the Portsmouth Farmer's Market, late. So late, in fact that just about everything was gone. I did manage to sample some zesty salsa from Appledore Cove exclusively sold at and made for the Farmer's Market. A single waft of fresh peppers, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and lime juice and six dollars came out of my pocket faster than one can remember their own age. Also purchased, the last bag of spinach and arugula. Score. I do believe that this past weekend's market hosted the theme of "start your garden days." Organic seeds and compost was for sale and transplanting demos and "ask the farmer" booths were abundant! Next time I will make it there before the samples have vanished and the merchandise sold.


Next up, Footnotes. My eyes, heart, mind and feet were all connected the minute I laid eyes on Mari's hot Frye sandals the night before. I had to check out the goods myself. The lady at Footnotes helped my sanity, bank account and feet as she located a pair of Frye sandals on clearance (blog appearance to come). Lucky day, lucky lucky day.


Like I said the camera wasn't always around. That is what a late night will do to a girl.


Later that afternoon Matt and I headed downtown for coffee. Coffee turned into a stroll to Prescott Park. Little did I know Matt was ready to channel his inner tour guide as he took me through the historical roads of Strawberry Banke. Don't quit your day job boy.









Flatbread, that brick oven dynasty of natural pizza, was in the cards for Mari's last dinner in Portsmouth, NH. I managed to snap dos photos before the camera died on me. I'm a rookie.

Sunday's trip to Cava for Kelly's birthday and Attrezzi wine tasting raised the roof. It was on fire.

I have heard mixed messages about Cava, small space and overpriced but delicious wine and tapas delivered with excellent service. To a T what we experienced. Since it was a beautiful day, we sat outside, embedded in Commercial Alley. Just gorg.

All in attendance ordered a version of Cava's Sangria. Red for me, please.


I refrained from ordering any tapas but did sample the chickpea "fries" which were served with a cucumber sauce, harissa and a mint garnish. The girls ordered the serrano ham, dijon, pear on a mini baguette. As served, one (aka Amanda) could think this was a single serving, but no, 1 portion per person. Good thing we figured that out prior to the mini baguette monster devouring the tastiest of tapas.


Overall I would recommend Cava, but with an asterisk. *Do not go hungry. *Do not go for dinner if your dining companion is a "more than an appetizer to satisfy" type individual.

Onward, Attrezzi wine tasting!

Every Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Attrezzi hosts informal but complementary wine tastings. We sampled three wines: a crisp white, a bold Syrah and a sparkling red. The last wine, Petali di rose was superb and purchased. The cold, light and fruity taste of Cava's sangria still hung on my lips and this Piemonte Brachetto from Italy was an afternoon delight. Slightly fizzy and reminiscent of fresh picked berries with just a hint of sweetness on the finish, this wine will pair well with dessert or a fresh light summer meal.

Saving you for a special occasion!

The Dolphin Striker

In a few days, my dear friend Mari Fisher will be returning to Canada. Her year long work visa is expiring and a proper farewell is mandatory. With a few nights left in the US Mari's requests were simple: yummy food, "favourite" friends and live music. Pff easy!

We headed downtown Friday evening without much hope or agenda of getting into a classy establishment, after all it is UNH graduation eve, but managed to score a fabulous window seat at The Dolphin Striker, located on 15 Bow Street adjacent to the Portsmouth harbor.

The ambiance is very quaint with a hint of understated elegance. A warm welcome greeted us and the attentive hospitality only continued throughout the evening. Local art and nautical antiques compose the decor and the wooden floors creek naturally reminding one of the history anchored in Portsmouth harbor and The Dolphin Striker.

While mulling over the menu, I sipped on the infused cocktail which was made fresh that day with rum soaked strawberries and blackberries.

Our meal started off with warm, doughy bread and balsamic dipping oil. You can tell a lot about a dining establishment from what they serve before the meal. The fresh rolls were very telling of what was to come:

Shrimp & Scallop Hot Pot
With shitake mushrooms, cucumbers, scallions, daikon, spinach, kimchi & soba noodles in sweet & sour aromatic broth

Steak & Cheese
A 12 oz. NY Strip grilled to your liking & topped with a smoked gouda bearnaise sauce, chive sour cream mashed potatoes & sauteed peppers, onions & mushrooms

Wild Mushroom Ravioli
Baked golden with a saute of porcini, cremini, shitake & morrel mushrooms in a white truffle cream sauce

All entrees were absolutely delicious. So delicious that parting with the last few bites of my Shrimp and Scallop Hot Pot was not an option. Despite the night of live music we had ahead of us, I attempted to doggy bag the leftovers. Scallops in a purse for 3 hours = epic fail.

Before heading downstairs to the Spring Hill Tavern (The Dolphin Striker's bar) a toast to friendship (running, bread and BNG coffee) was in order!

Oatmeal Cookie
Butterscotch and cinnamon schnapps, mixed with Baileys and shaken

The Spring Hill Tavern provided live acoustic after dinner tunes. The band's name escapes me, but the trio wove an artistic tapestry of folk, blues, pop, bluegrass and alt-country as we sipped on Coors lights and Espresso martinis and waited for a few more friends to arrive.

Playtime continued at Ri-Ra's. I have mentioned this Irish Pub before, and to be blunt, the food at Ri-Ra's always leaves something to be desired. The drinks and live music, however, never fail.

I think Mari had a blast!

Portsmouth, NH

While running downtown this evening I was smiling. Smiling while running you ask? Yes, check out where I live!



*sigh* I love Portsmouth.




**Note** these pictures were not from this evening, but they were taken by moi.



I graduated from UNH in May 2006 and thought to myself, BOOO YAH JERSEY HERE I COME! I went, but just for a few months. Visiting friends in Boston and Portsmouth that summer made me realize I was not done living in New England. Oh no, far from it, my life as a northern belle was just beginning. So in August of 2006, I found a job, an apartment and rented a UHaul (all with help of course).




I remember talking to my parents before the big decision and their wise words will always stick with me: "The things we regret most in life are the things we don't do." Thanks mom & dad


So here I am, a Portsmouth NH resident for just about 4 years.





Loving summer evenings down by the decks ...

afternoons by the water...

snowy winter christmas parades...

and the ever growing population of five star (in my opinion) restaurants.

I won't live here forever, but I live here now so don't mind me as I jog around downtown with a smile, take pictures of cute kids on the beach, snapshots of my delightful entrees and drinks and people watch while sipping on breaking new grounds iced coconut coffee all as I soak in the beloved Portsmouth, NH.

Be sure to check out the Delicious Destination page for more Portsmouth lovin'