So I am sure you get the idea now that I am on a mission to lose weight in order to become Phat, Fit & Fabulous. Everyday is challenging, some worse than others. I am excited for the end result, although it is still pretty far down the road so I feel the need to entertain us both in order to get through it. I am going to talk about temptation today.
There are many temptations that surround me everywhere, all day long. Do you remember the smooth talker? Exactly. Need I say more? To be completely honest, it can be very difficult. I am sure "normal" people don't feel this way or may not understand what I am talking about.....or may not understand my intermittent thoughts of Peanut Butter, Pizza, Pasta etc. but I appreciate whoever is listening to me ramble on about them!
I live downtown Toronto at the corner of Queen Street and Broadview Avenue. I have lived here for almost 6 years. Actually this is the longest I have lived anywhere since I was 18. This neighbourhood is also known as Leslieville. I love it here. Although I have had two psycho neighbours and I was assaulted the day after I moved in by two women with mullets, I still love my fabulous hardwood floors, high ceilings and jacuzzi tub. I love the way the streetcars shake my apartment as they go by in four directions 24 hours a day, and that Duke, Meryl and the kids (what I like to call my pet pigeon family) sit on my window sill and air conditioning unit to let me know they are doing well. Also, the flashing lights of Jilly's, a very classy adults only establishment, brightens up the neighbourhood and my kitchen at nighttime and on cloudy days, giving this neighbourhood a certain je ne sais quoi.
Many of you may or may not know, Leslieville is a great little area, which was very up and coming for such a long time, but has now finally arrived. I have been fighting for dignity in this little neighbourhood that could for almost 7 years now and victory is finally mine!
It has fabulous restaurants that tempt me daily like The Real Jerk which brings the essence of the Carribbean to my corner with the best chicken roti ever...Table 17 which is the newest hotspot, Joy Bistro, one of my favourite brunches, The Comrade which is the perfect first date spot and has the most beautiful furniture and exposed brick walls I have ever seen. The Burger Shoppe, Pop Bistro, The Dark Horse Espresso Bar, Pic Nic, Lil Baci, The Citizen and many others make up this incredible food filled neighbourhood. Sometimes, the wind blows the delicious aroma of the freshly baked bread from the Weston Bakery on Eastern...right into my bedroom window which is not the best thing for someone who is trying to avoid indulgence and sticking to a healthy regime.
Then there is the greatest temptation of them all. This one is not down the street, not even across the street but right downstairs, meaning, underneath my apartment right now, I can smell the ultimate in Leslieville dining pleasure, Dangerous Dan's. Dangerous Dan's is exactly that, dangerous. Dangerous for your hips, your thighs, your stomach and your ass. I swear I have put on the pounds by just having the aroma of phat rise into my apartment. I am not going to lie, I have had them deliver before. Honestly, it couldn't be closer, that was just pure laziness on my part.
To give you an idea of what is offered at this greasy spoon, The Coronary Burger is the staple - and if you are able to finish the 2 8oz Patties, 4 Slices of Bacon, 2 Slices of Cheddar and a Fried Egg on top or the Quadruple C Burger that is a 24oz burger served with a quarter pound of cheese, a quarter pound of bacon and 2 fried eggs on top then you are awarded your polaroid photograph on the Wall of Gluttony. Really, take a walk in, you may be scared by the growling men behind the counter or the car seats (for real) as seats in the restaurant. There are women's undergarments hanging, and the clientele ranges from Jilly's patrons who don't want to eat at the world famous Jilly's kitchen to The Opera House crowd to yuppies. There is something called an Elvis Burger that actually has Peanut Butter and Banana on it - surprisingly I have never ordered one - I have had a quarter of one during a girl's night a few months ago and I must say, it was damn good. I usually *meaning once a week* order a small poutine, which is not really small at all - but it is amazing. Not just mozzerella the real cheese curds you get in REAL poutine. I always get it to go, sit on my couch and pair it with a bottle of shiraz - um, I mean glass. Oh, and I have never ordered the deep fried mars bar, I have limits!
When I walk by every morning, drive back by on my way home and enter my building and smell it - especially on cold winter nights, it can be tough - especially when I can easily order Poutine or slave over a hot stove preparing an entire meal for just me. Don't get me wrong, Dangerous Dan's does provide comfort, it is like a warm cozy sweater on a crisp fall morning but I have to remember that although the temptation is very strong - I need to step away from the poutine.
For the past week it has been fairly easy actually, resisting the temptation. Sure, week one is easy! Talk to me during the NFL season. I can guarantee that on one of those amazing fall football, crisp Sunday afternoon's the Poutine will be having a drink with the Starbucks cookie and a jar of Skippy at The Comrade and call me over, knowing that I am committed to my goal. Boy oh boy will they try, but I have to live 'Dangerously' and live with my decision to be Fit and Fabulous!
Blog Soon,
PFF
Editor's Note: This one is dedicated to Baby Momma :) xoxo
Posts
