Grits in the City - Fitness. Family. Food.
Hope you enjoy all these as much as I do!
If you’re looking to cross off a lot of those need to buy gifts for on your list, I have a list of easy gift ideas to help get you started. This pulls from some recommendations on my Amazon storefront and on my LTK.
I’m playing a bit of catchup on all things reading. From what you see on the site here, it looks like I am behind on my reading goals for the year — and that couldn’t be further from the truth! I’ve read 25 books so far this year — and I’m close to finishing several at the same time right now! A little to share on some of my recent reads to hopefully help inspire you across that 2025 reading finish line with me.
[Read more…]Some anniversaries call for flowers. Some call for dinner reservations. And then there are the rare, unforgettable milestones that deserve something entirely different—something extraordinary. For our 10th anniversary, we went all in.
Or rather, Topher did.
To mark a decade together, he surprised me by bringing a sushi chef and a maître d’ straight into our home for a 15‑course, sake‑paired omakase experience. Yes, in our own kitchen. If “sushi spoiled” were a real condition, consider me officially diagnosed.
Some Sundays just feel charmed from the start, and this one certainly did. The Cranford Cupcake Run delivered everything its name promises: miles, smiles, and a well‑earned cupcake waiting at the finish line. It was the perfect day to lace up, breathe in the crisp air, and enjoy a community race that blends fitness, fun and a whole lot of heart.
What can I say. The Boston Marathon has me behind on all things on here. Lots to catch up on and share, especially books! I admittedly just laughed reading this title quickly since it could easily be misread as “weeds” for “reads”. No weeds here though but definitely seasonally appropriate nod (achoo.)
While I might not have been posting about it as often on here, the reading has definitely continued — a lot of it continuing to happen from the road! Sharing a few of my latest reads below. What have you been reading that’s amazing that I’ve missed?
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I did not realize that the weekend before the Boston Marathon coincided with Easter this year. I did not love having to miss Easter for the first time with the kids. It was also very strange to be in a different city by myself for a family holiday. Once I realized all of this, I decided that I needed to book myself a dinner, stat. But where?
When I did some digging on places for great Italian food in Boston, everything said the North End. But I wanted a more specific recommendation than that. I called in one of my former managers who used to live in the area who prides himself a foodie and he came through as always. Contessa it was!
I was already a fan going in because they were willing to take a reservation for a party of one on Easter at all. Fun fact: I found a fair amount of places that were not so interested! Contessa was also able to accommodate my other must have — early dinnertime!
[Read more…]While I was recently in Boston, I decided to carb load in the finest fashion possible — cannolis, obviously. I have transparently had both Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry Shop before but could not remember enough details for my liking, so it required a repeat visit.
Wanting to get more active this spring? Join me for 7 days of movement as I round out my training cycle and elevate stroke awareness in our daughter’s honor at the same time! 🏃♂️🚴♀️ Registration for Spokes + Strides is NOW LIVE through a $25 donation to my Boston Marathon fundraising site or $35 if you want 5 extra raffle tickets. Register anytime between now and end of the day on Tuesday. The fun starts the morning of Wednesday, April 9th. I’m at 78% of my fundraising goal and aiming to get closer together with you all through this event!
The first 50 registrations will receive a FREE Spokes + Strides beanie hat.
[Read more…]I entered the lottery for the United NYC Half kind of out of habit. I assumed it was just something to check off my to do list — and then was shocked to get the message that I was in. I figured it would be a good training push going into the Boston Marathon. But fast forward to getting sick with the flu in March. Could I swing it?
I went into the race very realistically. I had nothing to prove. I wasn’t trying to set a new PR. I definitely didn’t want to risk injury before Boston. I also didn’t want to miss out on the first race ever to run across the Brooklyn Bridge. That and getting to run through Times Square? Totally hooked me.
[Read more…]When I came in to pick up my packet for the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, I knew exactly where I wanted to go for breakfast. Even though I am not strictly gluten free, I have been trying to take steps as of late to continue to minimize inflammation in my body, cutting back on all the empty carbs in favor of things that better fuel my body. Somewhere along that journey, I was introduced to Modern Bread.
Everything at Modern Bread is gluten and nut free. Items are created intentionally to provide an alternative to some of the most tasty and common baked goods. I periodically order from them, ordering their bread loves and always checking out their special bagel of the month while eyeing the other goods that are flagged as “in store only” items. Getting to go in person and order whatever I wanted? A true treat!
Right now there are two locations in California and several in NYC, with one coming (hopefully sooner rather than later!) in Penn Station. Though I’d already eaten overnight oats, I had to make some space to try more while I was there.
I got one of their strawberry donuts. I took home two chocolate chip bagels (one specifically to eat before my race) and 6 of their blueberry hamantaschen. If you haven’t had hamantaschen, it is a Jewish triangular filled-pocket pastry associated with the Jewish holiday of Purim and they are so good. They were definitely a hit with the family! And I had to try their chocolate babka latte because it sounded too amazing to miss out on.
So great to get to finally go in person and, of course, already planning my next order!
Modern Bread and Bagel – 139 West 14th Street – 646.437.7157