Happy Birthday, America!  My red-coat Husband and I will be celebrating your independence to the fullest today. πŸ˜‰

 

Our anniversary dinner at The Melting Pot was so fabulous.  We honestly sat around for about an hour trying to decide where to go eat — one of the most difficult and annoying aspects of being a vegetarian (for me) is that I don’t want to go to a fancy restaurant to eat $30 worth of cheesy pasta.  I can make that at home for $5!

 

We chose The Melting Pot after checking out an online menu and discovering that they had a unique and delicious-sounding veggie meal.  Plus, we figured it was OK to spend a lot on vegetables when we’d be getting a fondue "experience" as well!

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We decided to forgo the cheese and bread appetizer and had yummy salads instead:

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I had the Caprese Salad, which had juicy tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. 

 

I ordered the Vegetarian Platter for my entree. 

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It came with asparagus, tofu, artichoke hearts, Portobello mushrooms and spinach and Gorgonzola ravioli.

 

We also had a side of veggies, which included broc, potatoes, and mushrooms:

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Everything went into a boiling broth called Coq au Vin, which included fresh herbs, mushrooms, garlic, spices, and burgundy wine.  It smelled delish!  (I was just informed by a reader that coq au vin has chicken in it… Dammit!)

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We also had an assortment of sauces — our server brought us about 7 little sauces in some dishes for dipping!  I forgot to take a picture (too busy inhaling the yummy food), but it included a curry sauce, BBQ,  a cream sauce, and more.

 

After our entrees, I was pleasantly surprised I wasn’t filling STUFFED to the brim yet.   There was definitely room for the famous Melting Pot chocolate fondue!

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We ordered the Chocolate Turtle (milk chocolate, caramel, and pecans), which came with this amazing assortment of desserts for dipping:

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I drew a metaphorical line down this plate and told the Husband he better not touch any of my dippers! :)  The platter included Oreo-covered marshmallows, Graham-cracker marshmallows, bananas, strawberries, brownies, pound cake, rice crispies, and cheesecake.  Drool!

 

OK — after dessert, I was DEFINITELY stuffed and so was the Husband.  We rolled ourselves home and I promptly fell into a deep food coma.   I woke up around 4 AM with a killer stomachache from eating so many sweets, but let me tell you that every single bite (especially the dessert) was SO worth it

 

It’s unsurprising that I was not the least bit hungry when I woke up.  Normally, I’m ready for breakfast within 10 minutes of waiting up, but I was up for about an hour before I even began to think about food.  I did some chores, posted on Operation Beautiful, and did the C&K 10 Minute Strength Routine challenge.  It’s such a fast and effective strength training exercise, you guys have to try it!

 

Today’s routine included:

 

  • Push-ups – 2 sets of 10
  • Physical Therapy knee moves
  • Bicycle crunches – 2 sets of 25
  • Reverse crunches – 2 sets of 10
  • Physical Therapy knee moves
  • Chair dips – 2 sets of 15
  • Wall Squat – 10 squats held for 10 seconds each
  • Plank – 45 seconds

 

And then I ate a light and delicious breakfast:

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My Oikos Yogurt mix contained banana, flax, cashews, and a crushed Kashi TLC bar.

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Yum!

 

Operation Beautiful

The Saturday notes for Operation Beautiful are up. Check out this gem that Katrine from Jane Nation posted at a gas station:

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PS – Check out Zesty Cook for a great recipe – Kicked Up Sugar Topped Rhubarb Cupcakes!  That would be delish at a 4th of July party!

{ 37 comments }

 

  • Island Girl Eats July 4, 2009, 6:31 am

    That looked like a really fun meal. I can't remember the last time we did a fondue meal?

    Happy 4th of July!

  • Tami July 4, 2009, 6:34 am

    check out this watch

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S2RCXM/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

    it hasn't been released yet but should be soon-july 20th

    i sold my heart rate monitor and have been waiting for this one.

  • Justine July 4, 2009, 6:39 am

    I LOVE the Melting Pot. And especially the dessert! The bread & cheese appetizer is delish as well. Needless to say, I always leave there STUFFED! Glad you enjoyed your meal and anniversary!

    Happy 4th of July πŸ™‚

  • Pam July 4, 2009, 6:44 am

    Congratulations! That is a BEAUTIFUL toasting glass!

    Pam
    http://www.alovefornewrecipes.blogspot.com

  • Dori July 4, 2009, 6:46 am

    Omg that dessert! I would DEVOUR that!

  • haya (living and learning) July 4, 2009, 6:48 am

    looks super delish!

    happy anniversary & happy 4th!!!

    (coq au vin means chicken in wine. that broth was probably not veg, but. oh well! πŸ˜‰ )

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point July 4, 2009, 6:51 am

    haya – are you serious? ahhh! oh well. i try. LOL.

  • K from ksgoodeats July 4, 2009, 6:58 am

    I always wondered if that restaurant was veggie friendly – I love the sounds of it but I've never been! Glad you guys enjoyed yourselves πŸ™‚

  • leslie July 4, 2009, 6:58 am

    i looooove the melting pot. it's such a fun, slow meal, and the vegetarian options are great (as are the desserts!). glad you had fun!

  • RhodeyGirl/Sabrina July 4, 2009, 7:06 am

    awww looks like fun! i was confused at first because i KNEW it hadn't been a year since your wedding, but now it makes sense. happy 6 months!

    also, i do a similar workout every morning… except i do some funky pushups like with my feet on my bed or plyometric pushups and do old school leg exercises like the scissor hahahahahahaha! i bring it back to the 80s πŸ˜‰

    i tell all my friends that THAT is how i have maintained my weight loss and muscle definition over the last 18 months… it's the small minutes that count!

  • Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) July 4, 2009, 7:10 am

    That meal looks so fun!!!

  • mayapamela525 July 4, 2009, 7:16 am

    The melting pot desserts are to die for! Especially the cheesecake and brownies dipped in the fondue…mmm!

    americangourmande.wordpress.com

  • Jennifer @ His N' Her Health July 4, 2009, 7:21 am

    I got the coq au vin last time I went there too. damn. I thought I heard our waiter tell the table next to us that is was vegetable broth. oh well. Good thing I found out now or I would have kept ordering it! I draw a line in the desserts too! I love the bread and cheese you should try that next time!

  • roseyrebecca July 4, 2009, 7:44 am

    There's a Melting Pot right down the street from me that I've never tried! It looks so good though (and expensive)

    After seeing your pictures, I may have to take a trip over there!

  • MarathonVal July 4, 2009, 8:06 am

    What a fun, romantic, and yummy food-filled anniversary!

    I found your blog recently so I wasnt sure when you were married… I got married in October so am a newlywed as well.

    Have a great holiday!

  • Amanda (My Summerizations) July 4, 2009, 8:09 am

    i've been craving fondue for awhile now! this makes me want it even more. glad you had a great time!

  • Heather @ Alis Grave Nil July 4, 2009, 8:13 am

    I love the Melting Pot! Check again–our uses veggie stock for the broth. I don't think you accidentally te hicken. As long as nobody else dipped meat in your broth, you're fine.

  • Casey @ Double Scooped July 4, 2009, 8:16 am

    Yay for six months!

    That's longer than Kenny Chesney and Renee Zellweger, Britney Spears and Jason Alexander, and Drew Barrymore and Tom Green!

    I think this love is much more official than those mentioned above though πŸ˜‰ Congrats!

  • Rachel July 4, 2009, 8:20 am

    I don't think the Coq au Vin has chicken in it…it's just what you WOULD cook the chicken in if you were making the traditional dish. And like a previous commenter said, if the server said it contains veggie broth, you were probably safe!

  • Anonymous July 4, 2009, 8:22 am

    haha- that's funny, i would've eaten that dessert all by myself

  • Matt July 4, 2009, 8:39 am

    I love the melting pot! I always pig out there!

  • Mara @ What's For Dinner? July 4, 2009, 8:41 am

    Coq au Vin is a simple wine and veggie broth, no meat in it! Glad you had a good time… only 5 months til I'm a married woman too!

  • Anonymous July 4, 2009, 9:24 am
  • Ada July 4, 2009, 9:27 am

    That dinner looks like it was a blast! Have a great fourth of July:)

  • Carly July 4, 2009, 9:44 am

    happy 6 month anniversary!
    we love the melting pot, but it's annoying that for a 2top, there's only one burner. E has to be able to cook his entire veg meal before i can cook mine to avoid animal contamination! it's definitely a fun meal, though, and reminds me a lot of back home.

    (btw, marshmallows are also not veg-friendly, due to the gelatin)

  • Allyson July 4, 2009, 10:55 am

    I'm also a vegetarian and feel the same way! Why would I spend $19 for a chopped salad at a nice restaurant? Fondue is such a fun alternative!

  • Normal Gal July 4, 2009, 11:13 am

    Ah that looks amazing! I NEED to go to the Melting Pot. Congrats! DH and I celebrated 6 months in March πŸ™‚

  • Christina July 4, 2009, 11:23 am

    That dessert plate looks AMAZING!

  • healthy ashley July 4, 2009, 11:26 am

    Happy anniversary! The dinner looks fantastic. It's good to know they have a veggie option!!

    Living today to the fullest.. that's right!!

  • heyitstay July 4, 2009, 12:36 pm

    Melting Pot looks divine! I've heard such great things, I wish I had one around me!

    Glad you're not stressing/regretting your food indulgences. Special indulgences are A-OK once and a while, and you have a great attitude about it!

  • jesslikesithot July 4, 2009, 12:59 pm

    I just finished the 10 minute strength session and i'm sweating a bit and shaking, hahahaah!! It was great! πŸ™‚

    And all that food looks delicious, ESPECIALLY the desserts!! I'm glad you loved it!

  • Susan July 4, 2009, 1:10 pm

    The crappy restaurant choices is the one thing I don't miss about being a vegetarian.

    I've only ever had oil fondues before – your fondue feast looks amazing!! What a great choice for your anniversary!

  • Girl on Top July 4, 2009, 1:18 pm

    I have yet to try the Melting Pot, but it sounds fantastic!

  • Natalie M. July 4, 2009, 9:54 pm

    Happy Anniversary!

    The Melting Pot was a great choice I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE that place! My girlfriends and I get together and go crazy.. the dessert plate always does us in.

  • Sarah July 5, 2009, 9:19 pm

    Wowzers, your dinner looks amazing. And very fun to share!

  • sunny February 17, 2013, 4:44 pm

    you didn’t eat the marshmallows as well did you?
    you know marshmallows contain gelatin, yes?
    gelatin is made from animals hooves.
    “kosher” gelatin (not sure if the melting pot uses the kosher kind though) is made from a fish product.
    are you a vegetarian, or a pescetarian?

  • Karen February 27, 2014, 9:13 am

    Been there 12+ times in last few years.
    I was told by the manager that the Worcestershire sauce is made with anchovy and therefore is not be suitable for vegetarians- they put that in the cheese fondue. So ask for that omission when the server makes the cheese at the table.

    So refuse the marshmallows (they will give you more of whatever other dessert options you’d like.)

    Also you can ask for more veggies after you run out of the ones you like best and they bring them free- same w/ dessert- we’ve gotten more of ANYTHING we’ve asked for!!! You can also customize your vegetable tray for the entrée.

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