Lara Let Me Down
I love date nights! We haven’t been going out much lately in an attempt to watch both the wallet and the waistline(s), but last night we decided it would be a special treat 
We went to Coal, which I have blogged about a few times before. It’s a fun bar/grill sort of place that we like, because I can order shrimp, Matthew can order steak, and it’s right by the movie theatre.
We started with a glass of red wine and some olives…
I knew I wanted shrimp, but I was also in the mood for steak, so I went for both
I ordered the grilled surf ‘n’ turf with salad. It came with a peppercorn sauce on the side but it wasn’t very good so I skipped it. It also came with a baked potato, which I wrapped up and took home for lunch today! I have come to learn that “doggie bags” are really uncommon in Britain. The waiters always look at me funny when I ask to take something home. But it was a perfectly good baked potato and I don’t like to waste food!
We shared the berry cheesecake for dessert
We ended up seeing Dorian Gray. For a “book to movie” interpretation, I thought it was actually pretty well done. The story has always been very eerie to me, though! I had to watch something light-hearted before bed!
This morning I woke up late and thought breakfast on the lighter side would be good. I made a spinach, blueberry, and banana smoothie with a scoop of vanilla protein powder and my new unsweetened vanilla almond milk
I love this stuff! I wish almond milk was more readily sold in the UK. I have found it in specialty shops but it is so expensive that I just can’t justify the cost. It is so good in smoothies and with cereal.
No workout for me today. I have a lot of stuff to catch up on from my time away and I know I will make the time during the week for the gym.
Lunch, as planned, was my baked potato from the restaurant last night! I ordered it plain so it was perfect to fancy up for today. I added a little olive oil spread, grilled mushrooms, 1/4 avocado, and a Laughing Cow Light cheese wedge. It was a perfect lunch with some grapes:
I know it seems like random potato toppings, but as it turns out, avocado tastes great on a baked potato!
A few hours later, I needed a snack. I probably didn’t need it, but I was so excited to try the new PBJ Larabar.
I hate to report that it was a huge disappointment. First of all, can we talk about the size of Larbars these days?! Have they shrunk?
It wasn’t only the size. The flavor just wasn’t there. I wonder if I’ve over done it on the Larabars and perhaps I am just being too harsh? After a while, they all start to taste the same…just an overwhelming date taste. Does anyone else agree?
Oh, while we’re on Larabars, it’s funny timing because a lot of readers/bloggers have been asking me how to pronounce my name recently. I think I’ve talked about it with four or five people in the last few weeks! Hehe. I don’t mind; I would rather people ask than pronounce it wrong. People have struggled to pronounce my name my whole life. Visiting Santa was really traumatic for me when he pronounced it Lare-uh (rhymed with “hair”).
It’s actually pronounced with a short “a,” I believe the same way as the Lara in Larabar. So the “lar” rhymes with “car.” Just wanted to clear that up 
Have you tried the PBJ Larabar? Do you like it?
And, for fun, do you know any other Lara’s? I know I have one reader who shares a name with me (Hi, Lara!), but other than that, I don’t know any!
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I really hate getting such a small bar for a (somewhat) larger amount of calories. I always squish mine down to trick myself into it seeming bigger
But I totally love the pb&j flavor!
Hi there! Found your blog through another blogger
I actually have a hard time finding Larabars here where I live – south texas. The city of Brownsville is just starting to get in the bandwagon of healthy living. I’ve been wanting to try Larabars out but I would need to go out of town to look for ‘em. LOL. For a first timer, what would you suggest?
That dinner out looks good! I love your heart-shaped plate.
I think you may have gotten a mini Larabar, because that looks tiiiny!
I completely agree that for the price (in dollars and calories) Larabars are ridiculously small! I can see why those who only eat vegan/raw foods love them, but for me it just doesn’t do the trick!
I totally agree about not wasting food. Growing up my family ate leftovers from restaurants and regular dinners all the time!
Larabee, sorry to hear the magic of the Larabars are starting to fade for you!! I have always remained a little skeptical of the bars as I’ve had some that I just don’t like. Totally agree that if you’ve had one too many, the flavors all start tasting the same…all in all, like dates. That’s pretty natural to believe though as that is pretty much what the whole thing is made of. Hahahah I actually liked the peanut butter and jelly, however I remember thinking to myself that I would definitely rather make my own PB&J on some chewy, nutty bread than eat this little bar. Hahaha Thanks for being brave and speaking up for us!!
Haha… nice to *meet* you too!
My friends that are used to saying “Lar-a” will call all Laura’s my name as well. Once they go Lara they can’t go back!
Paige: It better not have been a mini one–I paid $1.39 for it! I don’t think they make minis in that flavor? Not sure…
LadyLara: LOL. I like it
Oh good, I’ve been pronouncing your name correctly in my mind.
I’m with you on the Larabars. Too small, and they all kind of taste like dates. Fortunately, I love dates.
Cherry Pie is my favorite – love the tartness, but I haven’t tried any of the new flavors yet. Personally, I’d rather make a big smoothie. Same amount of calories and much more satisfying.
Dorian Gray is creepy – I always feel so dark saying it’s one of my favorite books, but I love the story.
Glad you guys had a fun date night, and I think avocado ALWAYS makes a great topping.
Good for you guys – we don’t eat how much but it’s nice when we do.
Surf and turf looks AWESOME! I don’t know a Lara – you’re my first!
Sorry you had a bad Larabar experience. Your dinner out sounded great. I love a good surf and turf.
That dinner looks absolutely amazing! Date nights are so fun.
I just started eating Larabars and have only had the Peanut Butter Cookie version. It was definitely an interesting first bite. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but it’s starting to grown on me.
I’ve actually been on the lookout for the PBJ one and haven’t be able to find it.
Your dinner looks soooo good!! Yum! Funny about ‘doggie bags’ in the UK, here they’re so common kwim? I haven’t ever tried a Larabar, I can’t eat nuts so that puts out 99% of bars that I can’t eat! lol!
I don’t know any other Lara’s, you’re the one and only!
lol!
i’ve tried the pbj and really liked it! i dont’ really eat them that much though so its liek a treat. coconut cream pie will always be my fav though! they are tiny little things though, i wonder how small the mini ones are!
Oh wow that baked potato looks so good! Yummy indeed. I’ve never tried a Larabar! By the sound of it I wouldn’t like it, I’m not a big fan of strong tasting bars. I have made my own granola bars before, they were great.
Glad you two had a great date night! I’ve never heard of Dorian Gray so I’m off to Google it once this is posted.
Sorry you weren’t wowed by the PBJ. I think that flavor is really hit or miss – the first one I had was awesome, the second was ehh.
Haha we’ve already had the name convo before
I haven’t tried the pb&j larabar yet but I’ve been dying to find it since it got so many rare reviews from all the bloggers. Maybe it’s ok that I haven’t found it in stores yet
wow that restaurant looks amazing! especially the dessert
i am so addicted to UVAB! mmm. your lunch really does look perfect. and i love the presentation! sorry you didnt love the PBJLB 
i loved it! hope your tuesday is going fantastic!
I have never really been a fan of larabars because I agree, they all just taste like ground up dates. Not a fan. I am however a HUGE fan of the unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Uber yum. I am interested in trying avocado as a baked potato topper, sounds so good! Perhaps I will have to pick up an avocado on my way home tonight?!
I agree that those larabars are too small!! I think they taste great, just too small for a volume eater like me!!
I noticed that recently too about the Larabars. I’m glad someone brought this up bc I thought I was just going crazy!
Your eats look so good! I love the olives.
No Lara’s, but I had a roommate in college named Cara – everyone thought it was Care-a, so she would correct them by saying “Cara, like Car-a.” That reminded me of it, and her!
I also thought it was funny because I love in Rhode Island and born and raised Rhodeys would have the HARDEST time with your name! They drop r’s and add r’s like you wouldn’t believe. It’d be something like “Lar-er.” Gotta love the accents, even in the states!
haha my name is Lara! I know how you feel about the mispronunciations. I always tell people that it’s “Lara, like Lara Croft”…