HCG Weight Loss: Round 2, Week 1

Playing catch up, here…but I started my next phase of HCG this week with Trim Nutrition, and I’m super excited!  If you’re new to the blog, I’ve lost around 20 pounds with Trim Nutrition, specifically through their HCG program.

Halloween, being trapped indoors during hurricane Sandy, a week of sickness – all things I blame for the fact that I did gain back a few pounds of the weight during my 1-month maintenance period.  And, if I’m being honest, when you’ve been on a crazy-strict diet for a month, it can be fun to spend a few weeks being “bad” and relaxing just a little.

But here I am, on day three of the VLCD (very low calorie diet) that’s part of the HCG plan…and I’m settling in again quite nicely.  Not to mention, I’m now only 3 pounds from getting back to where I was a month ago.  Can’t wait to be back to 173 and to start adding to my official “pounds and inches” lost number again!

I’m really feeling great and loving the way I look.  This dress I wore out on a date night a few weekends ago – it was way smaller and more fitting when I wore it in August for my birthday dinner.  Score!

SO, stay tuned and follow along with me!  My goal is at least ten more pounds this next round – but I’d be just fine with more!

We’ll see!

Interested in checking out Trim Nutrition for yourself?  Trim Nutrition offers vitamin injections and weight-management products that fit every lifestyle.  Visit their website and check them out!  Enter code “TERRIHCG” in the additional comments section when you check-out to let them know you heard about their products from this blog!

Disclosure: I received products for review from Trim Nutrition.  I am not being compensated for my review of this product, nor for my opinions of the product. I always give my honest opinions, feelings and beliefs about the products reviewed on this blog.

Gordon Biersch VIP, Baby!

We had the best date night about two weeks ago at the new, Baltimore location of  Gordon Biersch Brewery.  I certainly intended to blog about it sooner, but there was a hurricane and I’ve been swamped with freelancing and Andrew has been out of town for the past week and the dog ate my homework…

We were invited to attend this posh (Clearly, I’ve been reading too much “Fancy Nancy” with Kennedy) VIP reception to celebrate the Grand Opening of the restaurant.  Passed hors d’ouevres were included in the night, and drinks were $1 and benefited charity (Woot woot, Waterfront Partnership!)

Hello, my-kind-of-night.

Mmmm, tapenade, flatbread, sweet potato fries…some kind of bread with crab and artichoke -

And really, the star of Gordon Biersch – garlic fries.  Oh.  My.

Or, is the beer the star of Gordon Biersch?  Maybe.  I had lots of both.

It was for charity, after all.  I’m very charitable.

The new Baltimore Gordon Biersch is located in Harbor East, and is in a gorgeous location.  We sat outside on the patio, enjoying our view of the water, and were catered to all night by seriously the nicest server I have ever had at any restaurant.  (Gordon Biersch people, if you’re reading this, my receipt said his name was Bron and he was amazing!)

We really had an amazing time, and I am so thankful to both Gordon Biersch and the people at Profiles PR for inviting us, and for going all out to provide us with a great night out!

We even got to stick around for the big, official grand opening toast…

And Andrew and I both drank out of the passed-around “boot-filled-with-beer.”

So far, we have not shown any sign of having contracted any communicable diseases.

Such an awesome night.  We will definitely be going back to Gordon Biersch Baltimore again soon – I’m craving beer and garlic fries – YUM.

Thanks again, Gordon Biersch Baltimore and Profiles PR!

Fort McHenry Family Field Trip

Bennet recently learned about the Star Spangled Banner at preschool.  He’s been singing it non-stop, and has developed a bit of an obsession with all things “War of 1812” and “Francis Scott Key” related. 

Oh, and with the Americans being the “good guys” and the British being the “bad guys.”

Back at the start of the school year, Andrew had taken off work this morning to attend the kids’ pumpkin farm field trip. We found out recently that it was going to cost $30 for all of us to attend – $30!

We decided instead to take the kids to Fort McHenry, so that Bennet could see the birth place of the Star Spangled Banner.  Since we used to live IN Locust Point – the neighborhood where Fort McHenry is located – Bennet was also excited to go back to the “house he was a baby in.”

Also, YES, the kids wore Captain America shirts.

It’s gut-wrenching for me that Bennet has no recollection of the 2 1/2 years we spent living in Locust Point before moving to the ‘burbs.  I told him today that I spent many-a-morning walking Baby Bennet around the fort in his stroller.  Perhaps that’s why he appreciates the history so much?

The kids busied themselves with racing around the paths of the fort, and climbing on statues.  I’m shocked that we didn’t get in trouble for either.

We did, however, get in trouble for letting the kids stand on the seawall.  It’s a historic sea wall, you know?  And there is a sign that says “no standing on the sea wall.”  Sheesh.

Bennet’s questions about the war and about our boy Francis were amazing.  “Are the bad guys still alive?” and “Did Francis Scott Key use the American flag to blow up the British?” 

Oh well, he’s four.

After walking around the fort, we hit the new visitor’s center, and the kids each got an American flag in the gift shop.

Bennet also got a book about Francis Scott Key, and a post card to take to show-and-tell at school. 

I hope his teacher is at least a little impressed that we went on such an educational trip.

After our time at Fort McHenry, we hit up an old South Baltimore fave – a little Mexican restaurant we used to frequent.

$30 spent on enchiladas, margaritas, and American flags – THAT seems like $30 well-spent to me!

Also worth the money spent?

Hearing Bennet run around the driveway with his flag when we got home, saying, “KENNEDY, Let’s play Francis Scott Key!  I’ll be the American and you be the British and I’ll blow you up with my flag!”

Weekend Fun!

This past weekend was one of those ones that go too fast, but are lots of fun! 

After a Friday night dinner with my family, we woke up on Saturday morning ready to volunteer for our friend Nic Kipke’s park clean-up.  It was the kids’ first opportunity to volunteer and they did a great job!

We hiked through the nature trails of the park, picking up trash and bagging it up.  Then, Andrew and the kids pulled weeds for an area that’s being made into a butterfly garden.

We were all exhausted after our morning, so we came home and took a long Saturday afternoon nap!  Then, we took the kids to a bonfire at my friend Rose’s house.

I took this cute jar full of glow sticks for all the kids – love it!

Our kids are early bed-goers, so taking them to a party that didn’t start until 7 was a big deal for them!  They did great – playing with their friends and eating hot dogs and smores – I couldn’t believe how late we got to stay before everyone got sleepy!

Kennedy wasn’t a fan of the heat from the bonfire.

So I let her run and play and instead sat by the fire and got caught up with some good friends!

Eventually, the kids ran out of steam and we headed home.  Such a fun time!

Yesterday we had a little pumpkin-carving party. 

Such a great end to a super-fun weekend!