And Fish Kitchen and Bar – The View from Lajeune

With the arrival of Lent it got me thinking of what I would like to give up this year. But before I get to that, here are 20 things I do not want to give up in 2020 (in no particular order):

Kombucha – I discovered this delish drink during Dry January at the beginning of the year when I was purposely seeking out cool refreshing drinks with a kick (smile). Kombucha hit the spot and the fact that it is Gluten Free and Dairy Free is an added bonus.

Red Wine – It’s no surprise that this one made my list before: 9 things I do not want to give up in 2019. My new favorite reds are Pinots and my new favorite Pinot (discovered on my recent trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL) is Meiomi.

Kickboxing – I joined the specialty gym I Love Kickboxing this month because I needed something that was going to challenge me and kick my butt all at the same time (smile). So far…so good.

Golf – It’s still cold here in New England (at least for another month or so) but once it warms up I will be back with my ladies hitting the links in Golf Fore Women 401.

Hot Green Tea – I like to order hot green tea when I eat in or out of a Japanese restaurant. It not only tastes good but it’s extremely good for you.

Speaking of Japanese, I def do not want to give up Sushi this year, it’s become a regular part of my bi-monthly cuisine and just thinking of it makes me want to call in an order or two (smile).

Love me some sushi with edamame and hot green tea – delish!

Staycations – what a novel idea – discovering fun things to do in your own state. I feel like when we staycate in Connecticut the time to go back to work moves slower (smile). Check out my blog post: Vacay in CT

Bikini Waxes – Summer is not the only time to get a bikini wax (Vacays count too!) and Tommy K’s Wax Center offers your first bikini line for free, if you are a first time customer – check out my blog post: Brazilian bikini wax for my Mexico vacay!

Blueberry Ale – I’ve never been a big beer drinker but Elm City Market in New Haven has this delish brand from Wachusett Brewing Company that tastes more like something you eat than drink.

Oysters – I can eat this delicacy any season of the year but I have to admit that they taste infinitely better in the Summer than they do in the Winter.

Homemade Soups – I love soups made from scratch especially in the Winter so I’m truly enjoying the likes of homemade Lentil, Split Green Pea, Red Kidney Bean, 16 Bean Soup and more~

Candles – I like burning things in a safe way (smile) so scented candles are high on the list – check out my blog post: Put your slippers on….

Bananas – I buy and eat bananas on a daily basis as the potassium and fiber help me out during super intense workouts – and I buy organic so I don’t have to worry about pesticides.

Salad – This was on my list before because it is also something I can eat any time of the year (as long as it contains protein). Cafe Java in New Haven has my all time fave Bosco Salad which I probably eat at least once a week…

Love me some Bosco Salad at Cafe Java in New Haven, CT

Spinach and Mozzarella Pie – New Haven, CT has the best Spinach and Mozzarella Pizza I have ever eaten – I love veggie pizza and this does it for me!

Edamame – Steamed lightly salted soybeans are my favorite appetizer before a japanese meal. They are high in protein and fiber and relatively low in calories so for me they are an obvious snacking choice.

Trail Mix – I might have hiked maybe once, maybe twice in my lifetime but if you saw me eating raw trail mix you might think I was an avid hiker (smile).

Sirius (XM) radio – I love listening to music and happen to have eclectic tastes so my satellite radio (at just $6.99 a month) puts Terrestrial radio to shame and keeps me entertained (smile).

Netflix TV and Movies – I just love the original content of the re-occuring Series on this channel as well as the Movies. It takes binge watching to a whole ‘nother level for me…

My Iphone – I won’t leave the house without it, I won’t sit still anywhere without it nearby, I won’t rest knowing that it needs re-charging, am I addicted (the answer is a resounding YES!! Check out this blog post: An Apple a day…

Sincerely,

TVFL

Me and my man just returned from a 6 day 5 night vacay to the sunshine state of Florida. We chose Pompano Beach in Fort Lauderdale on the East Coast for this trip because we had most recently (back in May of 2019) traveled to the West Coast and stayed on St. Pete’s Beach in Clearwater.

My 58th birthday was another reason why we chose this destination. Instead of taking turns shoveling snow with our teeth chattering in the wind and/or dealing with the super drab Winter blahs, we opted instead to celebrate my Valentines Day Birthday in 80 degree weather along with the cool breezes of the Atlantic ocean.

Besides, there’s no shoveling sunshine right (smile).

Our travel agent Karen made all of the arrangements once she learned of our needs: namely warm sunny weather, cool ocean breezes, nearby golf courses, outdoor music, a decent nightlife, good restaurants, sightseeing and shopping.

We stayed at the Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa in a standard King room with ocean views.

You could literally see the ocean from our small balcony…

A view of our hotel through the swaying palm trees

And the Concierge James truly lived up to the reputation of his position.

Pompano Beach time – Day 1- soaking up the Sun is one of my fave things to do at the beach

Nice and hottt – 80’s perfect beach weather

Loved the resort lounge chairs all set up for us at the beach and on prime real estate

On our first night (of Day 1) we dined at And Fish Kitchen and Bar (the Marriott Hotel Restaurant and Bar)

Our waiter Chris at And Fish Kitchen and Bar was spectacular!

Our Waiter rocked and he introduced us to Meiomi wine which we loved!

Day 2 – Carlucci’s Trattoria – a Pompano Beach Restaurant – I was famished after walking a couple of miles and this place hit the spot!

We enjoyed al fresco dining on the street while under a big umbrella

Seaside Grill – a Pompano Beach restaurant (night of Day 2)

Our Concierge James recommended this restaurant which was quite literally up the street from our hotel

We were not disappointed as the ambience was comfy cool and the food and wine delish!

Day 3 – 9Face Sushi – another Pompano Beach restaurant – dining al fresco – out here it seems as if everyone and their grandmother owns a dog (smile)

By the way, even though we were on vacay we still took the time every day to work out in the hotel gym

The fact that the hotel gym faced the ocean was a pleasant surprise

On Day 4 we Uber’d over to Nauti Dawg Marina Cafe in Lighthouse Point – a restaurant my friend and former News 8 co-worker Terri recommended.

Couldn’t go all the way to the East Coast of Florida without looking up my good friend and former co-worker Terri Guerra and her husband Paul Guerra. We all met for a fab lunch at the Newt Dawg Marina Cafe – a must try restaurant 😎

Sun Surf Sand (S3) – Fort Lauderdale Beach (night of Day 4)

S3 came highly recommended by another News 8 former co-worker – we were late to the party so to speak so we could not get inside but we still enjoyed drinks and apps in front of the restaurant🥰.

Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course – on Day 5 it was not as windy as the first half of the week so we decided to borrow clubs, buy balls and tees and go golfing up the street at the municipal course

Rusty but ready to play – not used to golfing with borrowed clubs either (smile)

Speaking of weather – It was in the mid 70’s the first half of the week with strong winds and the early 80s the second half…

This is what weather looked like in South Florida (smile)

Traffic – It wasn’t really a concern for us as we Uber’d everywhere (smile)

This is what traffic looked like in South Florida (smile)

Day 5 – Delray Beach – this town was highly recommended by Karen our travel agent because it offered up the type of vacation lifestyle we were seeking – so we ended up spending the entire day here…