Ben and I did a little exploring around our neighborhood yesterday and ended up stopping at a Korean restaurant for dinner.
They start you off with kimchee and two other things that I can’t identify / am too lazy to Google. 
Ben ordered the tempura Udon and I drank most of the broth.
I got some dish called bibimap 
Okay I googled this one and found the Wiki definition for your reading pleasure:
Bibimbap (비빔밥, Korean pronunciation: [pibimp͈ap̚][1]) is a signature Korean dish. The word literally means “mixed meal” or “mixed rice”. Bibimbap is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul (sautéed and seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chili pepper paste). A raw or fried egg and sliced meat (usually beef) are common additions. The ingredients are stirred together thoroughly just before eating.[2] It can be served either cold or hot.
The waiter advised me to put this bbq kinda sauce on it before eating and I gave it a whirl. Eh. I wasn’t into that red bottle, but I drowned this thing in soy sauce.
After dinner I got a text from someone named Skinny Runner telling me to get to Yogurtland immediately or she was kicking me out of the Mediocre Bloggers of the OC Club. 
Yes, it’s a real club and we have meetings where we dress up in costumes and brain storm dumb blog ideas. You’re welcome. 
Anyways, she said I had to try the Birthday Cupcake Batter fro-yo as research for our meeting tomorrow and I jumped on this project!
I don’t know if you are aware of the blogger hierarchy, but when SR says to eat fro-yo – you eat fro-yo. 
That, or I really wanted fro-yo anyways…
Okay – on to Sunday!
I started my Sunday with a nice little stroll while talking to my mom on the phone. Ben slept in, but chatting made it feel like I was on the walk with someone 
45 minutes later I got back and Ben was just waking up. I asked him what he wanted for breakfast and he said, “Hamcakes”.
I’m sure he was joking, but I delivered. I made pancakes and added some chopped ham to his. He was very impressed. 
I’ve been so busy with work and traveling that I haven’t cleaned since before Chandra came to visit! I would be embarrassed, but I’m not. I’m messy and not at all Type A so it is what it is.
But, it was getting pretty gross over here so Ben and I spent most of the day cleaning.
I went through part of my closet and found my college diploma! Um, but it was empty?! I never even put my diploma in the frame!
I know it’s hard to believe by the less than stellar quality of writing on RER, but I have a degree in Communications. 
I also found Ben’s fancy degree. P-town writes the entire degree in Latin! So, I have no idea what he studied. I think it was Ivyleagueology, but I’m not sure. 
We cleaned all the way through to lunch and broke around 1pm. I made Ben a snack plate and stole a cracker with cheese. 
It’s all about the presentation.
I had a huge salad and of course cherries and watermelon. 
By this time we had enough of cleaning for one day and I went out to run some errands. I had to hit up the health foods store for more natural supplements for my thyroid.
I spotted a rice cream treat on super sale and grabbed one, but my very very long Target trip turned it into a pile of mush. Sad sad face.
But the Target trip wasn’t a complete loss because I got a new head band to try. At first I thought I finally found a head band that would fit my HUGE HUGE head, but this is already slipping off. 
I’m Mexican and not in the habit of sharing my food with my pets. But I do let Vegas lick the Chobani container when I’m done. 
Now Ben’s cooking up dinner while I blog. Today has been a very productive day!
Meal plan for the week:
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Sunday: Ben cooks
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Monday: Leftovers
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Tuesday: Sweet potatoes and veggie burgers
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Wednesday: Fourth of July bbq
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Thursday: Frittata
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Friday: English Muffin Pizzas
Exercise:
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Monday: Speed run
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Tuesday: Strength/swim
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Wednesday: Run
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Thursday: Yoga
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Friday: Easy 3 and abs
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Saturday: LR
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Sunday: Rest
Okay, time to watch the Real Housewives!
I think I hear a piece of dark chocolate calling my name…
Question: How as your weekend?!
What’s calling your name right now?
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Is that a pineapple yogurt? I hear that it is delicious!
I didn’t know your middle name is Melinda?! My middle name is Marie. I love your Sunday Set-Ups, I’ve been inspired to do the same because of your blog of the mediocre oc or something like that.
So… thoughts on Tree & Joey’s therapy session?
I’m pretty sure I have no idea where my diploma even is! Oh well…
I wish there was a Yogurtland closer to me…even though a bajillion (actual count) of other self-serve froyo chains have opened up near me I still feel like I’m missing out.
Hey, I have issues with headbands fitting, too, even the no slip ones. I usually put snappy-barrette things in to hold it, one behind each ear and facing forward. It works wonders! Might wanna give it a try?
I’m impressed with the hamcake, too!
Did you get your bike fixed?
My weekend was great, especially since it’s not over yet (three-day weekend for Canada Day)! Love it.
I am dying over that running picture.
My weekend was good! Had a fun playdate with a co-worker and her granddaughter yesterday. Today I had to work, but only for a few hours.
My husband is scooping mint cookie ice cream as I type. It was call our names.
Your Korean meal looks good. I should give Korean a try, I think I would dig it. I get nervous to try things I can’t pronounce, I worry they will slip in some mystery ingredient. Not sure why I care, I am not a picky eater but I want to know what I’m eating before I eat it.
My weekend in Vegas was fantastic- so much so that the only thing calling my name right now is my comfy bed.
Hamcakes. Whoa. Nice!!!
That snack plate looks awesome. I would cry if my treat melted. Lol.
Eh only 3 side dishes for a Korean starter? We usually gey about 8-9 dishes here – some times, I feel that those alone is good enough for a meal with a bowl of rice or noodles. Bibimbap is good! Although it’s difficult to find vegan versions.
I have to try a few different places and find these starters!
Bibimbap!! I love Korean food (as it should be, I married a Korean guy), and bibimbap is one of my absolute favorite dishes. I often make it at home. The toppings are a lot of work, but totally worth it.
The two side dishes in the first photo are probably sweet’n'sour radish (the yellow one, you often find it in sushi/gimbap), and fermented radish cubes called ‘kakdugi’.
I have to agree with fellow Sue above, only three banchan and one of them probably from a plastic bag? That’s little lame.
hmm.
step one: get me a Ben
http://www.sweatybands.com/
AMAZING!!! I swear! I have a ton of thick hair…the band does not move an inch during a run or other workout!
and…they are cute
I second Sweaty Bands – I have the worst time getting bands to stay put while running & these work. I’m addicted to Sweaty Bands. Every race expo I see them at I have to buy more.
I can never find a headband that stays put! I’m pretty happy with this weekend. Made it through 2 birthday parties without eating my weight in cupcakes!
If you’re still looking for a hairband solution, I’ve used prewrap for athletic tape cut to size and with the ends tied together. It’s hard to reuse these after they stretch, but the prewrap isn’t too expensive in the first place.
I agree with Marcy. Go to http://www.sweatybands.com. They are the best. I have thick long hair and they never slip and fit perfect. I have to make myself not go to their website they are so addictive!
My Dad graduated from Dominguez Hills, as well. I don’t remember the year but I remember attending the graduation.
I really love that race pic of you and SR at Tinker Bell. It’s a great shot!!
Go Toros
great snack plate..looks delic.
if you’re looking for headbands, I found these and luvvv them for running
http://www.bicbands.com/ I think you can even customize the size if your noggin is larger =)
“Yes, it’s a real club and we have meetings where we dress up in costumes and brain storm dumb blog ideas. You’re welcome.”
You always brighten my day and make me laugh.
and for real – we need a fro-yo by my house!
How long is your long run going to be? I know you’re traing for the NYCM but I have been meaning to ask you, when you are NOT training, how do you decide how long to make your long runs?
If I’m not training for anything I just run what I feel like. It’s just a hobby so I don’t make myself run a certain amount if there is nothing to train towards
How’d you like the bibimbap? Dolsot bibimbap is the ONLY thing I order at Korean restaurants because I love it that much! SO GOOD. I even posted about it on my blog a few weeks ago (http://goinggulia.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/hot-bowl-of-goodness/).
I loved it!
being a fro-yo junkie myself…what constitutes a darn good place for you? Flavors? non fat, low fat, soy? Protein? Having tried several in my town…I definitely can taste the difference between quality ingredients and faux-yo. you?
I don’t care about non fat or soy options and actually don’t prefer the “sugar free” kinds. Good fro-yo has quality yogurt (taste, consistency) and A LOT of flavors and toppings.
So curious what thyroid supplements you take – I have hashimotos/hypothyroid, and use iodine and kelp. I’m always interested in other natural splmts because my thyroid is so whacky!
same question as above, what thyroid supplements do you take? have you noticed a difference at all yet? i just bought whole foods thyroid complete this weekend, hoping it will help some!
Mmmmm I love bibimbap. There are no good Korean places around here! Sad.
My pretentious school also writes their diplomas in Latin… they gave us a translation at graduation but obviously I lost that pronto so I have no clue if my diploma says “Congrats, you graduated!” or “bummer for you, you failed some classes! come back next semester!” I think that if they aren’t going to make Latin mandatory, they should obviously put the diploma in English so us non-Latin-readers can read it.
What do you use for natural thyroid supplements. I am on prescription meds for a hypothyroid and always wonder if I am not doing my body any good…
i have got to try english muffin pizzas-what a great idea!
You seem like an adventurous girl when it comes to eating out! Props! I love that you plan your meals and workouts in advanced. I think it would make everyone a lot less stressed if they did that!
Wow! Your fro-yo place has cinnamon toast crunch?! Amazing. I have to make myself avoid our fro-yo place, but that would make it so much harder!
Yes, it took all my effort not to fill an extra cup with just Cinnamon Toast Crunch. That stuff is so good…
Ben’s diploma lead to the following train of thought: “Ben went to Princeton?” *click on Ben tab** “Ben’s an aerospace engineer?” “Wait, where did he and Monica meet?” **click on FAQ** “How did I not remember reading the “How Ben and Monica met?”
Anyway, thanks for the distractions. My cousin went to Princeton and graduated the year after Ben. And my BFF is an aeronautical engineer who keeps saying that she needs to get on eharmony.
Random thoughts.
Ha! Sorry for the distractions? Yeah, I totally scored with conning him to marry me
I love bibimbap! Did you try it with the red pepper paste? It’s so hot but so good! Also- the frozen yogurt place near me has a cake batter flazor that’s super delicious. You post made me crazy hungry :/
Is the red pepper paste what was in that bottle? It’s not Sricha right? Because I tried the paste and didn’t think it was that hot. But I can take the heat
Dear Monica,
I’ve been reading your blog for about a month now and I think you are so lovely and personable. I love your sense of humor and reading this post was a great start to my day. You seem to have such a great balance in life–keep it up and keep smiling! Great Ariel costume by the way!
Awwww, thank you so much
I love Korean food! We are currently living between there and Hawaii so I get to visit often. Being a vegetarian is a little difficult there but you can never go wrong with bibimbap!