Every week, there are a ton of events that I want to go to - whether it’s a festival, concert, new restaurant, or party. The holidays are coming up, and there will be more fun things happening than I can imagine. For now, just a few highlights. The list will become more robust over the coming weeks. Think of this as Daily Candy marrying the Going Out Gurus.

SHOP TO IT (SHOPPING AND INDULGENCES)

Stop by Sephora for some yummy calorie-free treats. Philosophy is serving up goods that range from hot cocoa bath and shower gel, s’mores, gingerbread, and cranberry scented lip gloss. Don’t forget to indulge in the pumpkin pie. You can stay fresh, clean, and fat-free with these delicious products.

If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, Bath & Body Works is running a special on their Signature Collection scents online. Buy 5 for $25. I’m a fan of Black Raspberry Vanilla, Sensual Amber, and Pearberry. It’s not part of the Signature Collection, but Vanilla Bean Noel is a great once a year scent to stock up on for the holdiays. I usually buy at least three.

Love bling? Go to the International Gem and Jewelry Show at the Dulles Expo Center for FREE if you’re a Goldstar member. Find a sparkling holiday gift for yourself or a loved one. Friday, December 19 - Sunday, December 21.

SCENE AND BE SEEN (EVENTS AND PARTIES)

Jack’s Mannequin (and other guests) will be performing tonight at the 9:30 Club. If only I had heard about this event sooner, I would have definitely tried to make it. The show is now sold out, but check out 9:30 Club for the latest and greatest, including a three-night show in January by Thievery Corporation.

Sports and fashion collide with the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund’s Fashion Forward event. Tomorrow night from 7 pm to 11 pm, join Washington Redskins and Wizards girls at the hottest spot in town, Shadow Room, for a charity fashion show. Mingle with some of DC’s best philanthropists and party people, all in one spot. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door.

The 14th Annual BB&T Classic is December 7th this year. Always a good time, the schools competing include Virginia Tech vs. Navy and Maryland vs. George Washington. A local crowd favorite, make sure to get your tickets now. The tournament benefits the Children’s Charities Foundation. Tickets are $15, $40, and $125 from Ticketmaster.

Fun for the whole family. One of my favorite childhood books, Miss Nelson is Missing!, will be shared at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. This musical comedy is sure to please kids and adults alike. There’s plenty of time to see it. The show runs November 22, 2008 - January 4, 2009.

For the more grown up side, Hi-Ball events presents their annual New Year’s Eve blow-out will be held at National Harbour this year. Big Night DC will feature multiple floors, open bars, live music, and more. All-inclusive tickets are at their cheapest right now. A general ticket is currently going for $109.99, and VIP tickets are going for $169.99. While it may not be the cheapest event in town, it will certainly be the largest. Although, you may want to skip NYE this year in favor of an Inaugural Ball ticket. If you are looking for another big party alternative, check out the Downtown Countdown. Tickets range from $119-$200, with group rates available.

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY (FOOD AND DRINK)

My friend Mar wrote up a great review of Georgetown Cupcake. Whether you prefer Georgetown Cupcake, Hello Cupcake, Buzz Bakery, or CakeLove…there is certainly not a cupcake shortage in this town. With this economy, a cupcake is a sweet treat that won’t break the bank.

Speaking of money, there are a ton of recession specials around town. If you’re into the post-college kickball scene, head over to Kelly’s Irish Times for a $15 all-you-can-drink special featuring Miller Lite, Miller High Life and Blue Moon. Every Saturday night from 8 pm to 11 pm.

Taxi drivers beware, there are multiple Thanksgiving bar tours this weekend. Who knew it was time to give thanks and…drink? On Saturday, November 22nd, residents in DC, Maryland and Virginia can enjoy a full day of bar hopping across the metro area. The 2nd Annual Bethesda Fall Bar Tour and Upper East Fall Bar Tour (in DC) are sponsored by Lindy Promotions. Get $2 Miller Lites, food specials and more for just $10 per ticket. The Turkey Trot Tour in Arlington is sponsored by the Arlington Athletic and Social League and is only $5 (free if you’re a member). Features $2 Miller Lites, $4 Wild Turkey and Coke, and food specials.

For those who know me really well, you know that I am a self-professed “Mexi-Whore”. I LOVE Mexican food, and can pretty much eat it any day of the week. Fajitas, flautas, tacos (crispy), and burritos are my usual orders, and I have to get chips and salsa. There are so many people who consider Chipotle the be all and end all of burritos, but (as much as I bow down to the “Mexican McDonald’s”) I think there are better places out there. In fact there are better taco and burrito trucks and street vendors to choose from (though unfortunately I have yet to sample some of the best), so why waste your time at Chipotle?

So, with that thought, I’d like to give a shoutout to my favorite lunch and dinner destinations, which I’m sharing with you below. A few alternative runner ups will be thrown in as well. I included my personal “home base” locations as the starting points, but most of these restaurants have multiple locations.

NOTE: I may have to go in and add more detail to this list when I have more time…but this is a good start.

Feel free to chime in with your favorite local Mexican place…I do not discriminate!

LUNCH - Chipotle no more!

Teocalli Tamale - Herndon, VA with one other location in Crested Butte, CO

The brisket says it all. In fact, I have a group of old co-workers dubbed “The Brisket Boys (and Girl)”that are dedicated to meeting there for lunch at least once a month, if not more. If you ever go here, do yourself a favor and order the “Mike’s Mex-o-Lina” brisket - we prefer hard shell tacos. You won’t regret it. We joke about stealing the metal bins of brisket, and we savor every last bite. The guacamole is good here as well, but if you’re going to skimp out, forget the chips - they often have a “store bought” flavor and are almost stale. (The only exception is if you get nachos…with brisket of course.) Teocalli also has a nice wall of hot sauces to choose from, so you can pick your poison. I would seriously think twice about moving away from the area if I knew it meant I could no longer get this brisket.

Burrito Grill - Old Town Alexandria

I’ve just discovered this place, and I’m happy to add it to my staple of lunch places near my office. I’ve only ever had a steak burrito there, but that’s enough for me. The steak is thinly sliced and not too heavily seasoned, so it has a great flavor. Combined with Spanish-style yellow rice or white rice and your choice of beans and toppings - and it’s enough to make it your meal for the day. The chips are hot, not too greasy, and have a crunchy thickness, and the salsa has a good tomato flavor. It’s simple, and good. The black beans, cheese and guacamole (with big fresh chunks of avocado) all hit the spot, and combined with the natural flavor of the meat…mmmmm. So good.

California Tortilla - Cleveland Park, Washington DC, and various other locations

I crave the honey lime dressing. I love the BBQ chicken crunchy ranch burritos. And hey, they serve it at Improv so it can’t be bad! My favorite thing to get at California Tortilla are the salads. I love the plain garden salad, with corn, black beans, cheese and tortilla strips. It’s filling and so delicious (of course, with the honey lime dressing).

DINNER - Not your average Chi-Chi’s

Rio Grande Cafe - Reston or Ballston, VA, and various other locations

The fajitas are amazing, and the portions of meat you get are insane, you can easily split it. Salsa is always fresh and spicy, and every meal I’ve had there leaves me satisfied.

Mi Rancho - Silver Spring, MD

The margaritas here are delicious, perfect to sit on Mi Rancho’s huge deck in the summertime and enjoy a few. The chips and salsa compliment the margaritas with their salty light crunch, and the sopapillas wash it all down with gooey sweet pillows.

Guapo’s - Shirlington/Arlington, VA, and various other locations

One of my go to choices, Guapo’s never disappoints. I love the tacos, burritos and fajitas here. The queso is good and comes with thicker chips than the normal chips and salsa. The fajitas come with generous portions of meat and the tacos have shredded beef if you ask.

Lauriol Plaza (and Cactus Cantina) -Washington, DC

Ah, is it worth the 45 minute plus wait? Sometimes… if only for the scenery. The pitchers of margaritas here will be my downfall one day, but a hot summer day with a swirl margarita on the deck at Lauriol…a DC rite of passage.

Silverado - Annandale, VA

Part of the Great American Restaurant Group, the fajitas here are enough for two (especially the jumbo portion). But, the real star here is in the salsa…seriously if they bottled it up and sold it I would be a lifetime customer.

Tortilla Factory - Reston/Herndon, VA

The fajitas here don’t come out with the sizzling greasiness of most other places, instead a hefty portion of meat is served chargrilled with awesome rice, black beans, tons of onions and peppers, and sides of guacamole and sour cream. The chips here are decent, and the salsa is fresh, tomato-y and spicy. Chicken fajitas are the way to go.

South Austin Grill - Old Town Alexandria and various other locations

You can’t go wrong with the queso, made with beer it’s a guaranteed to be gone in a flash. Fajitas, tacos and burritos are all decent, but the chips can be too thick and oversalted sometimes.

On the Border - Reston and Tysons Corner VA, and various other locations

I love the flautas here. They are my favorite thing to order. The salsa is spicy and the queso is processed tasting but still pretty good.

RUNNERS UP - In a pinch

Chevy’s - Pentagon City or Fairfax,VA, and various other locations

The thing I like the best about Chevy’s is the smoky salsa. The other food is mediocre, although the dessert with the ice cream rolled in coconut and caramel is pretty good.

El Paso Cafe - Arlington, VA

Apparently President Bush likes to frequent this joint. The fajitas are good and slightly spicy. Chips and salsa are mediocre, and the salsa is hit or miss with spiciness.

Rosa Mexicano - Washington, DC

My first experience there wasn’t that great, but I think I need to try it again to make an accurate evaluation. However, the guacamole was pretty darn good. Plus, if I am going to pay for more expensive Mexican, I’d rather go somewhere like Lauriol Plaza.

NEED TO TRY

Zapata’s True Mexican Food Restaurant - Columbia, MD

I hear the mole is to die for.

Oyamel - Washington, DC

Not sure if I’ll like it, but I’ve heard good things about it.

Alero - Cleveland Park, DC and Dupont

Heard it’s pretty decent…

BONUS: BEST CHIPS AND SALSA

Personally, I’m addicted to the light crispy chips at Rio Grande with the smoky spicy salsa. Mi Rancho however, might give Rio Grande a run for its money with its fresh salsa and delicate chips. I love the fresh tasting chunky salsa at Guapo’s, and I can’t say no to Lauriol Plaza either. But everytime I go to Silverado, whether it’s for salads, filet mignon, or fajitas…I order chips and salsa. They are that good.

If I had to rank, I would say:

1. Silverado
2. Lauriol Plaza
3. Mi Rancho
4. Rio Grande
5. Guapo’s

So I was thinking…that dieting and eating right are so easy in theory…so why is it so hard?

It’s kind of like quitting smoking, only not because you can’t REALLY ever quit eating. Smoking is an example of something that is bad for you, and you know it is…but eating, that’s something you have to do, but it can turn into the enemy.

Everybody knows what to do to lose weight. Eat less overall calories, eat more fruits and vegetables, fill up on “good” foods and proteins, maybe even cut carbs or start eating whole wheat carbs. Sleep more, drink more water, try to do cardio for at least 30 minutes 3 days a week, avoid processed foods…the list goes on. But you know what, it’s hard. Anybody who says dieting and losing weight is easy is wrong. Mostly because in the end, you have to find out what works for you. Atkins may be amazing for you, or you could not be able to give up carbs. Weight Watchers could be wonderful, but you don’t have time to count points and plan meals. Jenny Craig can be great, but you don’t have the money to purchase the meals to stay on it. It’s a personal decision, and what may have worked for one person may not for another. And honestly, it’s a full time JOB to do it right. I don’t have time, energy or money to sit and plan out my meals, grocery shop, and make healthy food all the time. The best I can do is eat Lean Cuisines, salads and South Beach wraps and hope for the best. It’s hard to be at work and not grab lunch with coworkers. And it’s hard to know what your schedule is going to be like and if you’ll have time to come home and make something good for you.

A recent article in the NYT also points to the neverending question of “nature vs. nurture”, in that genetics influence weight gain and body shape moreso than activity or eating habits. The study led to some interesting and surprising conclusions, including:

“…fat people who lost large amounts of weight might look like someone who was never fat, but they were very different. In fact, by every metabolic measurement, they seemed like people who were starving.”

“…subjects also had a psychiatric syndrome, called semi-starvation neurosis, which had been noticed before in people of normal weight who had been starved. They dreamed of food, they fantasized about food or about breaking their diet. They were anxious and depressed; some had thoughts of suicide. They secreted food in their rooms. And they binged.”

“…every one had physical and psychological signs of starvation. There were a very few who did not get fat again, but they made staying thin their life’s work, becoming Weight Watchers lecturers, for example, and, always, counting calories and maintaining themselves in a permanent state of starvation.”

“The implications were clear. There is a reason that fat people cannot stay thin after they diet and that thin people cannot stay fat when they force themselves to gain weight. The body’s metabolism speeds up or slows down to keep weight within a narrow range. Gain weight and the metabolism can as much as double; lose weight and it can slow to half its original speed.”

“The two major findings of this study were that there was a clear relation between the body-mass index of biologic parents and the weight class of adoptees, suggesting that genetic influences are important determinants of body fatness; and that there was no relation between the body-mass index of adoptive parents and the weight class of adoptees, suggesting that childhood family environment alone has little or no effect.”

“Those who doubt the power of basic drives, however, might note that although one can hold one’s breath, this conscious act is soon overcome by the compulsion to breathe. The feeling of hunger is intense and, if not as potent as the drive to breathe, is probably no less powerful than the drive to drink when one is thirsty. This is the feeling the obese must resist after they have lost a significant amount of weight.”

The funny thing is, that even when people lose weight, it doesn’t completely change who they are. Sure, they may become more confident, more aggressive, more desirable…but it’s not a cure-all. Just the same as gaining weight doesn’t totally change a person. If you lose or gain weight, it doesn’t mean that your debt will go away, that your relationships will be any better or worse, or that your career will be any different. It all comes down to how you feel inside, and how you present yourself. I admit, that slimmer, more attractive (and taller) people are scientifically shown to get more of a “break” in the professional world…but that doesn’t mean that the more average or overweight people are living unsatisfactory and unfulfilling lives. I know just as many unhappy, single, boring skinny people as I know amazing, married and exciting people who don’t have “perfect” bodies. It’s not a black and white issue.

I mean, in the end, it’s horrible that I spend so much of my time, energy and conversation thinking about and talking about this. If the biggest problem I have in my life is struggling with my weight (which has only been for the past few years), then I’m pretty lucky. Overall I’m a happy person and I enjoy my life, so maybe that’s why it’s harder for me to obsess and restrict myself, I enjoy good food and I enjoy social interaction (that usually involves food to me). Being somewhat overweight doesn’t make or break me as a person. And you know, if I died tomorrow, I doubt anybody would be like, “it’s too bad AM never lost that weight” or “so sad she never got skinny and hot like she wanted.” So, why do I worry about it so much?

OK a little help fellow DC-ers…I’m going to a play at Studio Theatre this week…where should I go to dine beforehand? Somewhere not too expensive…

I’m fairly familiar with the area, but wanted somewhere maybe I haven’t thought of before. I’m open to other places like Dupont etc… as well.

So this past Friday I was lucky enough to experience Chima Steakhouse’s new Tysons location - for free! This was my first time at a Brazilian steakhouse, and I definitely was not disappointed. Well, the only disappointment I had was that I couldn’t eat more!

The restaurant was absolutely beautiful, with modern and warm decorations and a pleasant atmosphere. I gathered together a few girlfriends to use the coupon I got which offered a complimentary lunch or dinner during the past week. That sure beats Restaurant Week!

When we arrived we started with some drinks, I had a mojito which was perfectly minty and refreshing. The combination was just right and I could imagine enjoying it outside on a warm summer night. Once we were seated, the waitress came over to explain how it all worked and we began our churrascaria adventure.

The salad bar was much more than the usual salad fare you would see at any other restaurant. In addition to some mediocore caesar salad and regular greens, there was a “hot” bar with rice, beans, and potatoes in addition to the features of the “cold” bar. The cold bar featured over a dozen kinds of salads with different kinds of beans and vegetables, and also some plates of fruit and a ton of cheeses (fresh mozzarella balls!) with raw vegetables and pretty much anything else you can think of.

The main event of course, was the meat. There were about a dozen gauchos walking around the restaurant who served the meat. They came to your table and asked you to try any of the 15 varieties of meat offered…top sirloin, new york strip, filet mignon, lamb chops, roast beef, beef ribs, and even chicken (with or without bacon), fish, and shrimp! The meat comes on a skewer that they slice off for you, whatever you want and as much as you want. It was funny that some of the guys were pretty cute, so it was almost sexual when they would come over and ask if we wanted some of their meat. Haha. That could have just been the alcohol talking though. As for the food, let me just say that the meat was AMAZING. It was all perfectly cooked (a nice medium/medium rare - although you could get more well done portions) and the steaks were seasoned with salt and pepper. The meat melted in your mouth like butter. Although the main focus is meat, I think that many vegetarians would be happy eating here too as the salad bar is certainly adequate with a variety of foods, and for those vegetarians who eat fish - the swordfish and shrimp would be a welcome addition.

We ordered dessert that we couldn’t even eat, a molten chocolate cake and a warm banana and ice cream dessert. Both were awesome, the bananas came with a mini candle to heat them up and had orange juice, cinnamon, and maybe caramel to the sauce with sliced bananas. Poured over the vanilla ice cream (which was more like ice milk)…it was to die for. It smelled as good as it tasted! The molten cake was really rich and fudgy, and went well with the ice cream. It was a shame we couldn’t finish it all.

All in all, we had a great time made all the sweeter by the fact that it was a free meal. When they brought us our bill (over $200), she came back and we only had to pay for our drinks and desserts (as they were not part of the meal). Usually a dinner there would cost about $45 a person, so this was a great deal! I had such a good time though, that I would definitely go back there and be happy to pay. Which is what they want to hear.