Union Kitchen and Tap

Well if you didn't know about Union here you go.

A new place has opened up in Encinitas called Union Kitchen and Tap. And it's exactly what the doctor ordered. Their phone number: 760-230-BEER. Uhhhh Awesome? I went there 3 days after it opened to check it out and then again the next day for a tour of the menu. I have to say who ever designed/decorated this place did an amazing job. There are railroad tracks on the walls and a mural of a railroad union from circa 1920's. Tables that are on wheels and comfy barstools.
In the center of the bar there are probably 20 taps featured that will grab your attention. To the left of that is probably another 20 beers. Here's the kicker...ALL LOCAL! I'm not saying the only good beer is local but I am saying we have a lot of kick ass local beer. Hands down they have the biggest and best selection around. They did their research and picked some good beer. I had Black Market Brewing's Rye IPA, easy to drink and scrumptious. I also had Le Freak by Green Flash Brewing also great.

If beer isn't your thing...well...have no fear they also have Handcrafted Cocktails and Skinny Handcrafted cocktails (if your on a diet). I didn’t venture into them but I wouldn’t mind if I was in the mood to sip on a cocktail. The cocktail, beer, and wine list is all handwritten on a chalkboard very nicely I might say.

We went through almost every appetizer they had on their “Social Hour” menu (that’s fancy shmancy for Happy Hour). Started with a Sausage Platter, featuring Elk, yum. We also had a Proscuitto Flat bread. First Flatbread I’ve had that didn’t taste like Pizza. Over Easy Egg, Prociutto, Arugula and cheese. Heres how to eat it, break the yolk, let it run and enjoy. Everything tastes better with egg yolk in case you didn’t already know that. Next we had some steamed clams and mussels. This was very nice, although I wish there was more. The broth was amazing. This is where my memory starts to get foggy and my taste buds started to fade. We then had some Spiced Chips with a Blue Cheese Sauce and House made smoked Ketchup, not so good, hope they change this item or enhance the dips.

One last note, this place just opened, so if the service is lacking or the food isn’t quite perfect, give these guys a break, again they JUST opened. If you don’t think you can understand, wait a month then go.

After a few hours, a “few” beers and a few appetizers we went into the night with full stomachs and satisfied palates. Again Encinitas needed this. This place belongs in downtown SD, but was brought to North County, and for that I thank the owner. Theres nothing else like it around.  I would categorize this as a gastropub, if you don’t know what that is, you should visit Union and find out. Great Beer & Great Food. 

It's been a year...

Well ladies and gentlemen, it's been about a year since I started this blooging thing.  I've gone through spurts of all kinds: blogging every 2 days to none at all other months.  I have gone from loving to blog so much I couldn't eat a meal with out taking a picture to not even thinking of it.  And lastly I have gone from only thinking about eating to only thinking about working out.  I have gone through two waves of Diet/Work Out blogs and I have blogged about at least 4 states (CA, TX, NY, FL) in depth.  It's crazy when I think about the last year of my life.

I must say I am very happy with where I am.  I'm about to break into the 230's for the first time in half a decade.  My friends in Dallas never saw me the weight I am now.  I am at 40% of my goal and feeling great.  5 more pounds and i'll hit 50% of the goal.  It's taken some sweat and some determination and hard work, but i've lost 20 pounds, and that my friends, is a true milestone for me.  It's feasible I could hit my goal.  Not that I didn't think I would, but when you start, it just seems so far away.  I mean let's be honest, 50 lbs is no small goal.  That's almost 20% of my body weight from when I started!  So, the next 30 pounds...i'm gonna kick your ass!!!

On another note, I finally came up with my new blog name.  It encompasses me perfectly; pre-foodie Anthony and the New foodie Anthony.  It's been tough to blog though.  Not only have I been trying to lose weight and eat healtheir but Sol and I have been trying to save money for the wedding.  Do you know how hard it is to seek out amazing food with no money on a diet?  It's impossible.

I have a few blogs saved up, its just a matter of sitting down to write them.  Hope you all are well.

Day ummm....26?

Good news everybody!  It hasn't even been a full month and I'm down 15 pounds!  4 pounds since my last weigh in day and  I'm hoping to lose another 1.5 pounds by Saturday (Weigh in Day).    I'm excited to get down to the 230's.  OInce I do that I'll be on my 4th decade.  Started in the 260's, then down to the 250's, now the 240's.  Next isthe 230's???  Wholly crapola batman!

It's ridiculous to think that I could possibly be getting impatient because progress is obvious, but i must confess I am a little impatient.  Just to see the final results.  I just want to see it all now!

I'm finally starting to notice in my clothes.  I'm noticing a bit in the mirror.  It feels good, I feel good about this.  I wish I would have done this a long time ago....but no regrets, I'll appreciate it that much more this time and hopefully I can stay at my new weight once I get there.  I have to, and I need to.  I can't wait until I write my next blog from the 230's.  I'll turn the clock back to 2005 when I do that!  Here's to '05!!

Day 23: -10.5 lbs

I haven't written in a while, which I will say is a good thing.  I was writing every day at first because it helped me stay motivated.  Working out has become a routine for me.  A routine that I feel bad about if I break it.  For instance, yesterday I was deathly ill and thought I could keel over at any moment, I didn't for those of you that care, and I still felt bad about not working out.  Today I recovered and didn't go again, which I didn't feel as bad about because I still felt a bit like a train wreck.  But before that I was working out 6 days a week.  Yesterday was weigh in day and I hit the 10.5 pound mark which means I'm averaging about 3.5 pounds a week!  By this Saturday I should hit the 240's which will be a milestone I haven't seen in 4 years.  I can't tell you how good that feels.  I'm excited that I am actually doing this. 

On another note I also got a personal trainer once a week.  I don't think it's really necessary but it will help keep me motivated, and though I got a good price you can't put dollar signs on health. 

I haven't noticed a huge difference in my wieght loss, even though every time I look in the mirror I think I do, I'm pretty sure it's just mental.  But soon enough I will be at -15 pounds, then -20 and on and on.  Then i'll notice for sure.  And this time I will enjoy it. In high school I lost a bunch of weight from middle school but I was so mentally messed up in the head from being the fat kid for the 5 years previous I thought I was fat when I practically had a six pack.  So like I said, this time I will enjoy the skinny life

 The good news is I am already at 20% of my goal of 50 pounds.  At this rate in 3 months I will be at my goal weight and then I can set a new goal.  What do you think? Can I make it in 3 months?

As I said yesterday I was part of the walking dead and was super sick.  I won't get into the details.  But technically even though  I'm not counting it, I lost 4 pounds.  Not the easy way and not the fun way.  But I figure I might as well ride the wave!!!!  Do you think I can keep it up?

Food Bloggers Diet: Day 16 - Weigh In Day

Good news, I am now 8 pounds down.  2 more from last week.  I am actually really grateful just for that alone.  I know it doesn't seem like much but, i'm not sure if I told you but I cheated really bad last Saturday and gained 4 pounds back in 1 day!  So, I've been working that off all week.  I've been pretty frustrated feeling like a plateaued after only 1 week.  I've been getting up in the morning, not getting the sleep I get, which makes me cranky.  I've been depriving myself of the food I like and want, which makes me cranky.  My only saving grace is that I lost a couple of pounds this week and I'm back where I was last week.  So next week I can make a huge impact if I have a good week and get down to the 240's....Good Luck me.

Food Bloggers Diet: Day 13

Well its been a few days.  This is an honest blog so i'll tell the truth.  I went out saturday night and ate and drank alot and jumped back up 4 pounds.  I've been trying to make it up since then.  Good news is that I've only missed one gym day since.  Weigh in Day is Saturday, and i'm confident by then, i'll be down an additional 2 pounds. That means 253 from 261.  I'm eager to get to the next decade, the 240's, but I have to work to get there, its not  going to come off by itself.

More news, I signed up with a personal trainer for once a week, additional motivation.  One thing I hate is wasting money so by golly i'm gonna get my money's worth and make sure i lose some damn weight.  So, he outlined a diet for me and a general work out plan.  Let's see how it goes. 

Food Bloggers Diet: Day 9 - Weigh In Day

After 8 days results are being seen.  I worked out 6 of those 8 days. The last two days I did two a days, sort of.  I decided Saturday Mornings will be Weigh In Day, Sol will steal my scale the other days so I don't become obsessive.  So how much do I weigh?  Six pounds less than I did 8 days ago!  Oh yeaaaaah!  My goal by next Saturday will be 4 pounds.  The great thing is, I'm not starving.  I'm eating a little healthier and working out.  More fruit and veggies and less things that come in wrappers.  Lots of water and less flavored beverages that are considered empty calories.  It's working.  I have more energy.  I am back where I was last May.  Once I lose 6 MORE pounds i'll see a weight I haven't seen since 2007.  10 Pounds after that I'll see a weight I havn't seen since 04-05.  I'll turn back the clock as I go.  4 more pounds and i'll be at 20% of my goal, it's reachable baby - can't wait to work out tonight.

Day 8 & Going Strong!

Got up uber early today but for good reason.  I went to Torrey Pines with Garey to see Tiger and Phil, damn those guys hit the ball far!  It was good times for sure but more importantly it was a lot of walking and there was lots of hills.  I'd guesstimate we walked a minimum of 3 miles but probably closer to 5 (wishfull thinking...), with hills!  I had a chicken sandwich for lunch, and a bottle of water.  A few minutes later I was stuffed!  Then I wished I'd gone without the bread.  Before I eat I need to think about my meal and see if there's anything I can do without.  In this case it was the bread. 

I came home and took a nap, much needed.  That's two days in a row I woke up before 8am on my own accord.  I'm getting all of this laziness out of me and it feels great.  It's work though and I have to fight the urge to go back to sleep, but right now it's a fight I'm winning.  Also, I still havn't weighed myself but I'm hopeful. 

After I woke up I went to the gym.  I hit some balls waiting for someone to play racquetball with but it never happened.  I decided to go over to the bike, I wasn't really in the mood to run on the treadmill after all of the walking we'd done at the course.  So for 20 minutes I did cardio it was tough to make the full 20 minutes but I did.  Then I went over to the basketball courts for a pick up game and got on.  I played full court for about 3 games and got a damn good work out.  Nice job me again, helluva Day 8.  3 more days and I'll match the workout from last may and hopefully the weight loss too. 

P.S. for dinner I had a left over pork chop, romaine lettuce, tomato, balsamic and some apple.  Not bad right!

Day 7! Yeehaw

I'm not going to pat myself on the back about the way I ate today, but I am happy about the way I worked out.   I got up early to go play tennis.  Played for an hour and a half, that was good times.  I definitely need to get my groove back but I hit some good shots and surprised myself.  Went to work for 10 hours, got off a little earlier than expected then shot over to the gym.  I hit the treadmill as soon as I got there.  Ran for about 15 minutes, 1.25 miles which is good for a big boy like me.  Then I went to the bike and rode 5 miles of hills for 20 minutes and got some more cardio.  With a few more minutes I lifted weights and got some blood running through my upper body.  5 minutes to go, I went over to the basketball court picked up a ball and dribbled up and down the court about 12 times working on my lay-ups with out a break. Seriously, there is no one here to pat me on the back, so I have no problem doing it myself.  I'm 7 days in and still going, feeling like I felt last May but nothings going to stop me this time, 50 pounds is the goal.

Sol took my scale away because I've been weighing myself too much.  So from now on Ill get to weigh myself once a week.  Last I saw I was 3.5 pounds down.  Tomorrow is day 8, I'll spend it walking around Torrey Pines watching Tiger and Phil, I should burn a few calories as the course is about 4.5 long.  Then I'll go to the gym ;)

Day 6 and seeing results

With a modification of my diet and a work out 4 out of the last 5 days it's official, the results are steady.  I'm -3 pounds!  And I just finished a Non-Fat, Sugar Free, double iced latte, so started the day off right too!  Don't worry guys I didn't order that in public.  I'm not the fat guy that goes to McDonalds and orders a Big Mac Super-sized with a Diet Coke. 

None the less, I'm happy to see results.  I'm big enough right now that a little work out and a bit of a diet change shows instantly.  In 20 or 30 pounds, that's when its going to get tough.  I'm going to go weeks with out seeing any results and I'll have to keep on going and try not to get frustrated.

Last night was a big step for me though, working my but off all day and still having the motivation to go work out. When I don't want to go the most is when I really have to power through and make myself go.  That's going to be the difference between falling off the wagon and sitting in the front seat.

What I need to do is start watching "The Biggest Loser" and "I Used to Be Fat", that's motivation.  If they can do it, I can do it too.  Determination.  LET's DO THIS BABY!

Day 5...shit

After a 13 hour day, I decided not to give up and go to the gym.  I walked into the house and told Sol we had to go.  I sat down just to take off my shoes, uh oh, bad idea. Then I laid back just for a minute, terrible idea.  But I was up and we were out of the house quickly before I changed my mind.

I jumped on the treadmill, pushed myself to run a mile.  It wasn't much but hell, it's more than I would have done at home, right?  Then I went over to the basketball court and shot some hoops.  My game wasn't in as bad of shape as I thought it was.  Made a few good ones, some people call me Kobe, in case y'all didn't know.  After burning a few more calories I was shot. 

Honestly, I'd be lucky if I burned 200 calories.  I need to look on the bright side the though its 200 more than I burned last week. Gotta keep on trucking...starting to see results on the scale.

Day 3 & Day 4

DAY 3 Didn't eat great, but didn't eat bad.  What I did do was go to the gym!  Yay me, today is day 4.  I'm going golfing, burn a few calories there, then going to the gym to get some cardio.  Gotta keep it up.  I need to loose 3 pounds by the end of January to be on track!

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Golf went well, 88 baby!  Then had pork chops, broccoli, potatoes and carrots.  Good filling meal, I ate early then hit up the gym.  I played some racquetball with a guy, he beat my ass but I got a good work out from it.  Then I hit the treadmill for all of 5 minutes.  My legs were shot from racquetball so I couldn't run too much.  Spent some time doing a few curls and decided I was done for the night.  Sol wanted to sit in the sauna so we sweated our balls off for a few minutes, I did anyways....hehe.

SO, I burned a few calories, a helluva lot more than I would have if I had been sitting on my ass  watching the food channel.  This time I at least went to the gym THEN watched the food network :)

Gotta keep on trucking, I know I can keep it up...

Food Bloggers Diet: Day 2

Started the morning off with some Huevos Rancheros, fancy style. 

Two tostada style corn tortillas, some black beans, two eggs, a little cheese and salsa -sound healthy?

I'm definitely feeling that urge again, the urge to get healthy.  Sol making me join this gym may have re-ignited the fire that was- last April/May.  Some of you that have been reading for a while may remember.  I was on fire, I lost 10 pounds in 2.5 weeks with out trying that hard, I didn't hate it, it was just happening.  Then I went on a trip, then got a promotion, then moved back to Cali and I just fell off the wagon like so many do. 

I wonder if I can do i this time.  My goal is going to be 7 pounds a month.  Totally doable.  Back in my wrestling days I could do 7 pounds in a day!  So 7 a month shouldn't be too bad.  Hopefully keeping up with daily journal will help keep me motivated.  7 Pounds a month till the wedding would be...49 pounds.  That's big talk...now let's go see if I can walk the walk.

Food Bloggers Diet: Day 1...Again

Sol and I joined a gym, $38 bucks, for both of us!  L.A. Fitness, killer deal right?  Tell 'em I sent ya, ;) Anyways, got off of work and went over to the gymnasium.  Played some racquetball with Sol then jumped on the bike.  Pushed myself a little for the first night.  Then we found out they closed early on Friday night, nice one...I went over and pumped some iron, had time for like one set of 9 reps or so.

After that we went over to Henry's Farmers Market and got some Fruit, Veggies and Salmon.  I decided I/we need to learn how to cook healthier food so I decided to take a crack at Blackened Salmon.  I had to slice off the skin, that was fun.  Not, we have shitty knives.  We registered for some nice ones....AHEM.  Then Sol looked up how to cut skin off fish on the World Wide Web and things went a little smoother.  Put my spice mix together and Voila!  I did it!  It tasted pretty good too.  We also had some steamed broccoli and carrots.

Look at us go, we cooked a healthy meal and went to the gym in the same day, not a bad Day 1.