1. On Friday evening my mom drove in to Chicago from Michigan. Even though Ian and I were home not too long ago, I was really excited to see her, I love spending time with my mom! We decided to go to one of Ian and my favorite restaurants for dinner, The Publican. Ian and I have been twice before and unfortunately the experience was much better then than it was Friday night. We ordered some oysters (amazing), I had the apples salad without cheese, my mom and Ian split the frites with eggs, I had the fish stew, and my mom and Ian split the blood sausage and the porchetta. While nothing was bad per say everything was just okay.
2. On Saturday morning I woke up early and went for a 5 mile run. I switched things up and headed south along the lakeshore trail and ran through one of my favorite spots in the city, the path around the aquarium. I don’t run there often but the view of the city is always breathtaking and I just had to stop and take a picture.
Booping idea courtesy of Sierra.
3. Back at the apartment, my mom and I each had a small breakfast and some coffee before heading out to enjoy the overcast city. Our first stop was Fleetfeet where I finally replaced my FuelBelt. I decided on something similar to my previous one that carried two 7 oz bottles and had a little pouch to store gels, cash, a credit card, etc.
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I also picked up enough gels to last me about a month. Besides Fleetfeet I haven’t found a store in Chicago that carries a decent amount of flavors and kinds of gels. As it takes me 30 mins to get there and it’s out of my way, I don’t want to be running over there every week. I’d be so tempted to buy everything in the store!
4. We also stopped in a Starbucks so I could use the restroom and my mom could get a latte. She ended up buying Ian and me some Starbucks Thanksgiving Blend too! Yum, thanks Mom!
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5. After shopping, my mom and I met up with Ian (who slept in and then avoided a trip to Fleetfeet) at Frontera Grill for a late brunch. Over a year ago we all went to Frontera for dinner and loved it and I knew we’d have to go back for brunch eventually. After my mom told me which weekend she planned on coming to Chicago, I made sure to make a reservation ASAP.
We all started with the guacamole which was absolutely amazing and so simple. I could have just eaten chips and guac and been content.
Ian ordered the sapitos (A trio of Xalapa-style gorditas (corn masa cakes) in chipotle-black bean sauce each with its own topping: scrambled eggs, grilled chicken, chorizo, plantains; homemade crema & queso fresco)
My mom had the enchiladas de mole poblano (Homemade tortillas rolled around Gunthorp free-range chicken, doused with Mexicos most famous mole. Black beans)
And I had the vegetables in oaxacan green mole (Corn masa tamales, vegetables from local farms, Oaxacan green mole, crispy epazote).
Everything was amazing and we all left the restaurant in foodie heaven.
6. After lunch we walked around the city some more. We went to the Anti-Cruelty Society to look at puppies and kitties and then walked over to my new office so my mom could see where it was. It was starting to get cold and we were starting to get tired, so we headed back to the apartment to veg on the couch and watch Arrested Development 
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7. Lunch was pretty filling and had it been a normal evening I probably would have made a salad for dinner and called it a night. However, I had 20 miles on my schedule for Sunday morning and I knew I needed to eat something more substantial. We kept things simple and headed over to Amarit, a thai restaurant near our apartment.
I started with one of my favorite lighter thai dishes, green papaya salad.
And then ordered their mixed vegetables over rice.
It was good and safe for my stomach but nothing fabulous. I kept eyeing my mom’s pad thai and Ian’s pad see eiw 
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8. We debated going to see a movie but we were all pretty tired and decided to watch a movie on Netflix instead. Has anyone else noticed how bad the streaming movie options are? Every time I want to watch a movie on Netflix it takes me like 30 minutes to find one that I remotely want to watch. Ugh. Anyway, we finally decided to watch I Love You Phillip Morris and while it wasn’t my favorite it was interesting.
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9. Sunday morning I got up super early and headed out for a long run (you can read more about my training last week here). The extra hour was greatly appreciated and it got light during my first miles (yes!). I also finally think I’m figuring out how to fuel during my runs. Yesterday I took 1.5 gels, 1/4 of a gel every two miles starting at mile 8. It was kind of annoying to remember to fuel every two miles but I didn’t have any stomach issues which is more important. I have also been paying with GUs vs. Clif Shots and caffeinated vs. non-caffeinated gels. So far I seem to prefer the caffeinated Clif Shots.
10. After my run, I iced, stretched, snacked, showered, and then my mom, Ian, and I walked over to Hackney’s for brunch. I ordered the tilapia tacos that normally come with black beans and quinoa but shortly after telling our waitress that I was allergic to dairy, she told me both the black beans and quinoa are cooked in bulk in butter. Boo. We talked through my other options and I ended up with tacos, broccoli, and fries. Random but delicious. Plus, I was too hungry to care at this point!
11. My mom left shortly after brunch (:() and Ian and I vegged on the couch, watched some tv, and eventually did our grocery shopping. I also had about 30 minutes of work that I wanted to get done before going in on Monday so I did that too. Why do weekends have to end?
12. For dinner last night (and for lunches this week) I decided to make my favorite chili recipe and one of my favorite cornbread recipes.
I followed the recipes but swapped the bell pepper in the chili for a sweet potato and really liked it. It gave the chili a heartier texture.
I had the chili with a little veganaise and some daiya shreds. Delish!
13. Ian and I spent the rest of the night catching up on our DVR, watching Walking Dead (ummm what happened?), and then doing some reading. I definitely crashed early, I was a tired lady.
14. This morning I whipped up some delicious chocolate pomegranate protein oats but cooking my usual protein oats base, stirring in some pomegranate seeds, and then topping the oatmeal with more pomegranates, enjoy your life chocolate chips, and sunflower butter. Chocolate for breakfast is totally acceptable on Mondays.
How was your weekend? What did you do?
all of your food looks so delicious! i’m super jealous you had a mom weekend. i’ve been craving spending some time with my mom and this is making me green with envy. i’ve never been to frontera grill but always wanted to try it and seeing your pics have me sold – next time i’m in chicago i’m making someone go with me!
molly @ heart, sole & cereal recently posted..bootcamp week 2 recap & eating all the orange things
Definitely go and make a reservation (if possible). We did and sat down right on time but I guess the wait was an hour and a half otherwise!
Wow all your food looks seriously good. I could come live with you and used to that! Awesome. Anyways. Also nice work on the run and I’m not feeling the cold and having to wear headwarmers now!
HollieisFueledByLOLZ recently posted..Chocolate Pancakes
I know. It’s hard enough to wake up early to run but its soo hard to wake up early to run knowing its going to be so cold out! Haha. We’d better get used to it though!
1. I love the path around museum campus too! I never get down that far unless I’m training for something. I miss that area!
2. I’m glad you liked Frontera’s brunch!!! Yum, yum, yum.
3. There you are again with your talent for taking 1/4 of gels at a time. Seriously, how are you not a sticky mess?
4. I love moms!! They are the best!
Emily recently posted..Workout recap
Frontera’s brunch was delicious. I want to go back every Saturday!
I just fold them over and put them in a small pocket. Yesterday I was wearing crops with a non-zip key pocket right by my hip and I slipped the gel in there to avoid it spilling out. My hands get a little sticky sometimes but nothing too bad!
I’ve been to Topalobampo once, and while it was really good, I realllllly want to try Frontera Grill sometime. I looove watching Rick Bayless’s show on channel 11.
Maggie recently posted..Training, Oct 29 – Nov 4
Frontera is fabulous. Everything I’ve tried, ordered, sampled, etc has been so tasty.
I’ve never been to Topalobampo though, it’s really fancy right?
I’m having chili and cornbread for dinner tonight and I am now officially 2033739273x even more excited than I was. It’s my first venture into chili making AND crockpot using AND cornbread baking. All fingers crossed!
I never really run down by the aquarium unless I’m doing a race in that area, but I get so nostalgic whenever I’m around there. The path from Jackson to the aquarium-ish is where I started running (or re-started running, if you want to get technical), so it’s pretty special to me
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted..Best Body Bootcamp Week 2: Same but Harder
I love that area but I tend to run north instead of south. It really doesn’t make any sense.
I hope your chili comes out tasty! I don’t own a crockpot so all of my chili making is done on the stove. It still tastes good but I’m sure it would be better in a crockpot!
I went on a 5 mile trail run this weekend and I loved it! I think trail running is starting to warm up to me. Thats so awesome that your mom came to visit me. I have never visited Frontera Grill but I have gone to Mercadito. I love Mercadito so maybe I should check out Frontera. The Museum Campus path is so gorgeous! I love running around their because you get to see the city and the lake all in one.
Christina recently posted..Manic Monday’s
I’ve never been to Mercadito but I’ve heard it’s good. Nice work on your trail run… trail running is not easy!
*You
They cook black beans and quinoa in butter??? That’s disturbing, it makes me question what’s in the food I eat at restaurants… And your Mexican brunch looks amazing. I want to eat it all. Now.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..Thirteen Reasons Why
Haha seriously the butter thing, who would have known?? Our waitress kept coming back to the table with everything I ordered and telling me they cooked it in bulk in butter. The last time she came back (seriously I ordered like 4 times) she just looked at me and said “apparently we use a lot of butter!”. Haha no really?
Sounds like you spent a good amount of time with your mom, that’s priceless! I’m glad you had a great time.
All that food looks sooo good!
TorontoRunner recently posted..Operation Beautiful
Thanks! It definitely was. I love momma time!
My friend is coming into town at the end of the month and I think I’m taking her to Frontera Grill after seeing all your yummy dishes. She is a vegetarian and it looks like there are a lot of great options.
Sierra @ Posh Meets Pavement recently posted..Thanks Blog
You definitely should! If possible make a reservation, otherwise you’ll end up waiting for a table all morning!
I LOVE the view from the museums. It never gets old!
Julia recently posted..18 mile run before work
I know! It’s one of my favorites in the city!
Have you thought about ordering gels online? I mostly use runningwarehouse.com. Free shipping! (I don’t work for them or anything, but I’ve been shopping with them for years. Great service.)
I haven’t but I’ve heard about runningwarehouse.com. I’ll look into it, thanks!
What a fun weekend!!! All the food! NOM!!!
I thought that movie was entertaining. Very different than how I thought it would be!
kilax recently posted..The Fancy Schmancy Theater [16]
Yeah me too! I always like seeing actors in non-traditional roles (for them) so Jim Carrey playing a serious[ish] role was cool.
So much delicious food! Looks like a great weekend. Have you visited REI? I buy all my gels there and they have a huge selection of gels, GUs, and chews. I’m not sure if there’s one in the city but it’s worth looking into.
Irina @ Chocolatea Time recently posted..Frames From The Weekend 11/2/2012 – 11/4/2012
I haven’t been to REI in a loong time but I want to go and check it out again. I think there’s one on North in the city but if I can’t make it over there I’ll check out one in MI when I’m home for Thanksgiving (they always have amazing Black Friday deals!)
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I love Fleet Feet! I live like a half mile from one of their stores and can’t walk by without stopping in. I went to the Fashion Show last night and wanted to buy everything! They just revealed that they are going to build a store in the South Loop to open in the Spring which would be more convenient for you!
I NEED to go to Frontera! That meal looks delicious.
Cate recently posted..Time to Make a Change
I wanted to go to that but knew I’d be too tempted to buy something plus it was a little late for me (I like about 35-45 minutes from a store). I’m glad you had fun!!
That’s so awesome they’re opening a South Loop store!