Five Friday Favorites 1/31/2014

Okay, slow down 2014, we are already a month into the new year! If you missed it, check out my post from yesterday about recent deliveries and packages! I need to really focus on my goals for 2014, although I have been better at trying new recipes and have used far more than one this month. I plan on sharing some of my favorites here next week! Also this weekend is Super Bowl Sunday, which is less exciting that it was last year when I celebrated the Baltimore Ravens victory in streets of Charm City.  I'm feeling pretty nonchalant about the whole thing, but at least there will be some good food with good friends. Here were are again for another five of my favorite things!

Five Friday Favorites

1. Favorite quote: SOTU speech: "I believe that when women succeed, America succeeds"-Barack Obama

Whatever your politics are, it's important to still hear about what is going on and what our nation's leaders think. I happened to like the State of the Union speech a lot this year and especially the focus on girl power. With lots of problems in the world, people seem to forget the inequalities that still exist between women and men.  Also Joe Biden is hilarious. 

From People.com

2. Favorite workout: Core Workout for Runners from Crazy Running Girl

This workout looks awesome because it has some core moves specific for runners that does not involve just a million crunches.  These reverse plank leg lifts below look especially difficult! 

3. Favorite recipe on my must-make list: Fudge 'Ems from Barr and Table

I have seen and pinned multiple recipes for black bean brownies but have never tried them. This recipe for more a black bean fudge looks super easy and delicious-good thing I have a couple cans of beans lying around! 

4. Favorite meal of the week: Grilled Bronzini from The Food Market

Last night I had an amazing dinner at The Food Market in Baltimore. It's a super hot and trendy restaurant that has been open for less than two years. I had a really nice brunch there about a year ago so I was excited to try their dinner menu. We started off with the hot nuts, street tacos, pan roasted popcorn (with grated basil parmesan and truffle oil!), and lobster fingers to share for the table. Lobster fingers are like chicken fingers, except made with lobster. They were amazing. Anyways, for my entree I ordered the grilled bronzini which was a massive piece of fish, perfectly cooked and paired with asparagus and a caper-raisin butter sauce. I also got some soy roasted brussel sprouts instead of potatoes because I love brussel sprouts.  I'm so glad I was not disappointed!

5. Favorite feature: Featured blogger on Miles to Blog

Sorry for the self-promotion, but I am super excited that I was picked as the featured blogger on the Miles to Blog directory this week! Miles to Blog is a newer running blog directory that organizes running bloggers by location and allows runners to connect with each other by sharing blog posts and race recaps. 

Any big plans for the weekend?