After publishing yesterday’s post I realized that while getting back into my normal routine has been tough this week, I really wasn’t doing anything to prevent myself from feeling lethargic and tired in the evenings. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people complain about something that they can change, so I decided to do something to combat my fatigue (besides drinking a gallon of coffee).
One of the reasons I feel so tired after work is the fact that it’s pitch black out when I leave the building. As I run in the morning (dark) and usually don’t have much time to step out for lunch, the only daylight I’m really experiencing is on my commute to work. Then when I get home and it’s dark out, all I want to do is eat dinner, put on my sweats, and curl up on the couch for the night. Sounds pretty anti-social right? Well, this winter I’m challenging myself not to hibernate. Obviously everyone needs a little downtime, but I’m really going to push myself to go out more during the week, see friends, and have date nights with Ian.
Which brings us to last night, after a week of “blah” evenings, Ian and I decided a date night was in order! We decided to go to Three Aces, a fun gastropub in Little Italy. We’ve been there a few times (including once for brunch) and have always had good drinks, good food, and a great time 
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Three Aces is on the “trendy” side so when I got home I changed out of my work clothes into my favorite only hipster clothes.
I almost wore my glasses but decided against it at the last minute 
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The dinner menu is not exactly food allergy friendly but I was able to make-do with a few substitutions. In addition to a glass of wine for me and a beer for Ian, we split the apple and fennel salad (without cheese) to start.
It was awesome and the smoked almonds were so good! I didn’t even know that people smoked almonds but I liked them .
For my actual dinner, I ordered the beer steamed mussels. The broth was fabulous and there was even some butternut squash at the bottom of the bowl. So good!
Ian had a risotto that came with ham and black eyed peas. He really liked his meal but couldn’t keep his hands away from the mussels either. I’ve always thought that Hopleaf had the best mussels in Chicago but Three Aces sure gave Hopleaf a run for it’s money!
It was so nice to get out of the apartment on a Thursday night and have a nice meal. I’d highly recommend Three Aces to anyone who likes craft beer (their beer list is super impressive) and farm-to-table food.
This morning I woke up feeling much better. My legs weren’t as stiff (must have been that long foam rolling session yesterday) and I felt ready to run. My workout was on the shorter side (5 miles w/ 6 x 100 m strides) but I felt much stronger and looser than I have all week.
It actually wasn’t too cold outside this morning but because I had more time than usual I decided to make stove top oats for breakfast.
I cooked 1/2 cup oats, 1 1/2 cups water, and 1 tsp chia seeds on the stove and once the oats started boiling, I added in 1/2 mashed banana and 1/3 scoop vanilla protein powder. Toppings included banana slices, salted pistachios, sunbutter, and fig jam.
Now I’m off to tackle my last workday of the week. Have a good one!
I love your outfit! That’s pretty much all I wear now…cute, comfy, shirts with leggings and a scarf. I guess I’m a hipster too! I totally know what you mean about the hibernating thing…I need to make a conscious effort to be social in the winter. Hope your last workday goes well!
Megan @ runnningonjava recently posted..High Five Friday 11/30
Thanks Megan! I love comfy shirts + leggings, it’s the perfect outfit for winter!
Have a great Friday
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You should wear your glasses all the time. They look so cute! Plus I like to recruit people for the glasses only club that seem to be president of.
Emily recently posted..Easiest bean soup EVER
Hahaha I need to get used to wearing my glasses before I can venture out into the public in them. Right now I only wear them before bed so when my glasses are on it feels like sleepy time and I get sooo tired. Ha.
I’m the same way girly. I hate people complaining about things they do have the power to change. Glad to see you making some awesome improvements and I know you’ll get back to it. Have a great weekend!
HollieisFueledByLOLZ recently posted..Foodie Pen Pals
Thanks Hollie- glad to know I’m not alone in this. Have a great weekend too!
I’ve run/walked past Three Aces several times and if I can just get my husband to go out to dinner occasionally I will try it! Or, you know, girls night out?
Erin recently posted..Grant Park Turkey Trot 5K: Home Turf Race
We should go for a girls night out!
Way to take control of the situation! That’s seriously awesome, and I love that you’re challenging yourself to not hibernate–SUCH an easy thing to do when the weather is gross.
I’ve never been to Little Italy, but that restaurant looks amazing! Somewhere I need to remember!
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted..Thursday Things
Definitely check it out. The area is cute and there’s a couple of nice breakfast spots as well as good Italian
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We should all go out for drinks or something next week!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..My Christmas List
I hope you know I’m inviting myself to this.
kelsey recently posted..Friday Searches!
Already done.
Yes please.
that apple fennel salad looks to die for. i’ve been LOVING apples lately (honeycrisp and gala most of all) and i always love fennel so i’ve been thinking about recreating an apple fennel panini i saw on pinterest and now i’m also thinking i’ll have to add it to my salads as well.
molly @ heart, sole & cereal recently posted..run ‘em back
OOh that panini sounds awesome!
That shirt is so cute. I have never gone to Little Italy but have heard great things about it. I tend to hibernate when the temperature gets below 40. I am a wimp when it comes to the cold.
Christina recently posted..Saucony Ride 5
Ha. It’s not so much the cold for me as it is the dark. I feel like I should be in bed already!
Three Aces is on my long list of resturants to visit! I’ve read good things about their brunch but it sounds like the dinner menu is tasty too.
The getting dark at 4:30pm thing is rough – it makes me think the day is over and I all I want to do is go home and get in bed.
Cate recently posted..Charleston Turkey Day Run & Wobble Gobble 5K: Race Recap
That’s how I feel too! You should definitely check out Three Aces, we’ve had both their brunch and their dinner and both were great!
That place looks awesome. I need to check it out because I LOVE Hopleaf’s mussels! Also, you look cute as a hipster!
Katie @ Livehalffull recently posted..Eat the Rainbow and Friday Faves
Thanks! I love Hopleaf too but Three Aces mussels were pretty fantastic!