Foodie Penpals

This month my foodie penpal was Ashley from Cooper's Cravings and she sent a ton of goodies, most of which are already gone...

Chocolate, nuts, and fruit, how could you go wrong?
The chocolate was delish, too bad I had to share with hubby and kids.
Thanks Ashley!!!


If you want to sign up for foodie penpals for May, here are the details:


Here’s a detailed explanation of the program:

-On the 5th of the month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you can choose to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.
- Foodie Penpals is open to US, Canadian residents & UK residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada!

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I got my hair cut and highlighted on Thursday night, and 3 hours later, I hated it!  It was BAAAAAD.  Like fried all of my hair, which was ALL white blonde by the way.  I've never had an experience like that. I've always heard salon horror stories, but was lucky enough never to have it happen to me.  So, I spent Friday "fixing" my hair.  I'm still not happy with it, but at least now I can live with it.  It's really truly fried though and unfortunately that is not reversible.  

Other than that the weekend was pretty craptastic.
I still have this ankle pain and cannot run. I don't know what to do, or how to get it better. Very frustrating.  We tried to plan a lot of out door activities this weekend, but it was too hot for the kiddos. Plus my 1 year old will not sit in a stroller, she has to walk and trying to do that with 20,000 other people around, is very difficult.  She got trampled a few times.

I'm trying to run a 5k on May 20th, so I am going to down some IBProfin, suck it up and run.

Have a great Monday!

WIAW - Lunch Ideas

I don't know about you, but lunch seems to be my most difficult meal of the day.
Breakfast is easy because I literally eat the same thing every single day. Dinner is always planned out for the week so I always know what I'm going to make. Plus, I plan dinner with the whole family in mind, not just me.  Dinner always tends to fall to the same pattern:  Salad, Veggie, Carb, Lean protein, in some form or another.  But lunch... lunch is hard for me.  I work from home, so I don't have to pre plan this meal.  Also, I'm the girl that ate peanut butter on whole wheat pita for 2 1/2 years every day when I did work at an office.  Well, that and a salad.  I never got sick of it, nor could I ever get sick of it, but in the name of clean eating that's not the best option.  Plus, I workout after lunch, so it's an important meal.  I'm usually too busy to actually cook something, sometimes I'm too busy to throw ingredients into a bowl for a salad or wrap.  What usually works best for me is to cook something and eat it all week, but sometimes I get sick of that too!

So here are my goto lunch ideas WIAW style:

Hop on over to peas and crayons for tons of other WIAW'ers to see some yummy eats and to get the scoop on how WIAW works!

Salad: grilled chicken, hard boiled egg whites (mostly), greens, onions, cuke, tomato, peppers, balsamic

Left over's salad, left over dinner, over greens!  Chicken, quinoa, purple potatoes

Grilled chicken, spinach, grilled sweet potato (left over's re-purposed)

My standby: Quinoa Salad, over greens, with chicken, in a wrap, it's sooooooo yummy

La Tortilla Factory wraps... Ahmazing! Grilled chicken greens, salsa, jalapenos.

  I also love this wrap with egg whites and salsa

Turkey muffins (all in one lunch)... Turkey, sweet potato, flax

It's lunch time and I've just made myself very hungry!

My foot is still bothering me, I did plyo yesterday and it hurt a little, but no running. That definitely hurt it.  I'm stubborn so I'll give it another go today.  Other than that, I've got back and biceps and abs today! 

I'm off to eat lunch!

Question

What is your most difficult meal of the day?

My 100th Post!

That seems like a lot! I guess considering it took over a year to get to 100, it's not that much.
Hopefully it's not another 13 months to 200.

I'm cold.  It was in the 30's last night, 2 days ago, I was laying on the beach...
Geesh!  A month ago it was 85, right here, and I think it will be in the 80's this weekend.
The weather seriously baffles me, I do not understand these 50 degree temperature changes.
Whatever, I'll be complaining about the heat in a couple months.

Hilton Head was great. We stayed at the Westin and it was our first stay at that particular hotel.  It was really nice, the hotel gym was super awesome, the weather was better than expected, and the kids had a blast. All in all a nice little mini vacay. It makes me even more excited for our Sanibel trip in June!

 

My eating wasn't terrible,  I kept things as consistent as possible and I didn't miss a workout. I think I actually got an extra strength session in!  I've been a bit under the weather the last few days and I've have a heel/ankle issue that's making running kind of miserable.  My Thursday run was HIIT and it wasn't too bad because I was running 1 minute and walking 1 minute, but Saturday's run was excruciating and left me severely limping for 2 days. Needless to say I did not run yesterday.  I am going to try and run this afternoon, but if it hurts I will stop immediately. 

I think the next few months will be busy weekends.  There are always lots of fun activities in the Spring.

Progress (or lack there of) pictures will happen this week!
I feel like I am seeing changes, very small changes, but they are there. I don't think they are enough to see in a picture, but I have to remember this stuff doesn't happen over night. I also have to remember that comparing myself to other's will get me no where!  If I want what someone else has I know what work goes into it, so there really are no excuses!

Question?

Does all of that Pinterest pseudo motivation actually motivate you, or depress you?

Tomorrow at this time...

I'll be en route to the beach! I've been on weather watch all week, and it hasn't been looking good. It's been looking like rain, but as of this morning were down to 20%, I'll take it!  Am I a nerd because I'm looking forward to the hotel gym?  Yes, yes I am!
 
I've gotten some good runs in this week, finally.  Runs where I don't feel like I'm dying. I would really like to get just a little bit faster, but I hate speed work. I figure if I run my normal 5-7 mile runs 10-30 seconds faster per mile, I'll get faster, so that's what I'm doing.
We'll see....

I have been a food monster this week. I don't know what it is. Seriously, some times it seems no matter how much I eat, I am still starving.  I know I'm eating enough, and I know I'm eating clean food, but it doesn't matter I am still hungry. I don't know how to control it.  I'm pretty sure it's from the running, for some reason upping the intensity just a little bit, sends my appetite into a tailspin.  I definitely need to figure out how to control that!  I've worked hard at this whole strength training bit and I'm seeing results... I would like to "lean" out, and I don't do well with being hungry.  So I need to figure out how to eat less but also be more satiated. Is that possible? Probably not.

In other news that no one cares about:
The Yankees are 6-6, ummmm not cool.
and
Derek Jeter hit his 4th home run of the season last night.  Odd that he's like more than half way to his HR total from last year.  I however, called it. He will have a career year this year.  Annnnnnd what the heck is up with CC Sabathia?!?!?!?  Get it together dude!  I wonder how Pettite is doing in the minors... hopefully really really good.

Question?

Do you like sports? What sports?

I love baseball. I love all facets of the sport. The statistics, the mental aspect, the walk-offs.
It's such a complex game, but it's also the most simple.  I know most people think baseball is boring. I tend to think their not smart enough to enjoy the sport, but I'm biased.

Weekend Fun, goals, and what I did last week.

My workouts have been the same for a while (it's about to get switched up) I've been consistent and I am happy with my current schedule.

Monday: Run 5.8 miles, P90X chest and Back, Ab Ripper X
Tuesday: Run 5.2 miles, P90X Plyo
Wednesday: HIIT (20 min, almost died), P90X Biceps, Tripceps, and Shoulders, Ab Ripper X
Thursday:  Run 7 miles
Friday: P90X Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X
Saturday: Run 10.5 miles
Sunday:  OFF

This week I'm going out of town on Friday morning, I'm hoping to wake up really early and get a run in, but I'm not good at waking up really early, so, we'll see.  As for P90X this week is the "recovery" week.  I'm going to start the next month with 15lb dumbbells!

The weather has been so nice these past few weekends it's hard to stay inside.
Saturday we went to the Farmer's market and than hit up a new Froyo place for FREE FROZEN YOGURT!  Free always tastes better, I had ferreo Roche and original tart, It was a monster portion (b/c it was free) I have no picture because I was too busy eating... oops.
Saturday evening we went out for new to us Ethiopian Food. We've heard from friends that it's great and we've never tried it.  It's really good, you don't get utensils you scoop the food with this thing bread called injera and it's all served family style.

Too cool for school, but not too cool for Ethiopian food!

The food, the bread underneath is the injera, sooo yummy

our group... I'm in the Red, hubby is there, but he is completely hidden.

Sunday I attempted to shop... I had grand plans to have an entirely new spring/summer wardrobe, but I ended up with a pair of shoes and a dress... so much for a new wardrobe.  Annnnd... new clothes for the kids, they're easier to shop for anyways.
We went to an art festival, that made me feel poor.  Seriously I can afford nothing. They had a lot of cool local jewelers and artists, and fun stuff for the kiddies.

Back to the grind today. But it's a short week for me!!!

Questions:

Have you ever had Ethiopian food?


What's the most adventerous food you've tried?

I wouldn't call Ethiopian adventurous, I mean I had chicken.
I'm not really an adventurous eater, I think the weirdest thing I've tried was goat.
Which I hated...

Let the countdown begin...

This time next week I'll be en route to Hilton Head, hopefully it's warmer than it is now.
We got this weird cold front, after temps in the mid 80's there was a frost advisory the other night?!?!?
I had to bring my newly planted herbs inside and I've had nothing to dress the kids in because I put all of the winter clothes away... oops.
Georgia is tricky like that.
I love the weather as far as running goes though. It just feels a 1000x easier when it's cooler.
I mailed my taxes in... wah wah wah.  I actually had a dream last night that I was owed a $20,000 refund.
Ha only in my dreams.  I used to prepare income taxes, so I love doing taxes.  Just not my own... unless I get a refund... which I didn't.
Today is legs and abs.. I am loving my workout schedule right now.  I made up a HIIT workout the other day. I got way too ambitious and had myself running 9 mph at 9% incline (in 60 second intervals) and I almost died. I think I pulled a muscle in my quad.  I adjusted and knocked the speed down to 8.
I need to start working my arms with heavier weights... but I am cheap and don't want to spend the money. Right now I'm using 10# dumbbells and it's not challenging I can go 15-20 reps easy.  I know I'm not ready for 20's because I have a set of 20# dumbbells and I can only curl like 3 reps before my wrist feels like it's going to fall off.  So I need 15's but knowing that I eventually hope to get to 20, I don't want to spend the money on them.  What can I do in the interim?

I'm going to eat Ethiopian food tomorrow.  I have no idea what it entails, but I've only heard good things.
I know they have a lot of vegetarian options, which I like.  Oh and you sit on the floor... so I'll keep that in mind when dressing myself.
Other than the Farmer's Market... duh.  I have no other weekend plans.  Well 15 miles Saturday morning, but that's a give in too.

OK, done with the randomness.  I will leave you with some random food  pictures!

Yesterday's lunch Salad Monster!  Grilled chicken, hard boiled egg (mostly white), greens, tomato, red pepper, onion, cuke, balsamic... amazingness

Dinner Salad Monster

 

 

Peanut Butter "everything" granola... recipe to come... too good not to share!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekend Redux

The weekend went by too fast, as it always does. But, I'm counting down to a short, spur of the moment beach trip in a couple weeks and I've got some races planned out! 

Friday started off the weekend with the first Yankees game of the season (and the first of 3 losses, don't want to discuss it!)... baking... and a leg workout that I am STILL sore from.

These were magnificent.  Seriously the BEST cupcakes I have ever made... They were so simple and good, the flavor was 100% on point. 

Fresh Strawberry cake with Fresh Strawberry Butter cream

Turned into this

Would you believe I managed to only eat 2 out of the 2 dozen I made?  It worked out great I gave some to neighbors on each side and accidentally melted the last 3 on the toaster oven!  win/win.

Saturday started off with a 9 mile run, my legs were so sore from Friday's workout, I'm lucky I got those 9 in!  I ran on the treadmill with the windows open (you know to get that outside feel!) and watched an episode and a half of Felicity <----- AKA the best show EVER.

Than it was off to the train museum with Adam!

He LOVES railroad crossings more than the actual Trains

It's a Train Tunnel!

The General - It's famous

Our SaturDate

It ended with froyo... DUH

 We had a blast!  Saturday ended with whole wheat pizza topped with every vegetable imaginable.
Seriously, roasted red pepper, onion, mushrooms, spinach, basil, tomatoes, and fresh garlic.  It was amazeballs.

Sunday began like any with a trip to the Farmer's Market.... only it was Easter.  Which meant there weren't 1,568,983 people there, only 789,343... which made for a much more relaxing shopping experience.  We spent the rest of the day hanging with some Florida friends (and there pup) that just moved here by way of DC.  All paths lead to Atl!  And playing kickball at the park. 

All in all it was  a great weekend.  A good combination of relaxation and fun.  I always like Monday's because I am ready to workout! Hopefully my still sore legs will cooperate.

I hope everyone had a weekend and Easter filled with family, friends, and fun!

Question

Did you indulge in any Easter Treats?

I had 2 cupcakes, one Friday and one Saturday (worth it)

It's a good Friday

Because I'm watching the Yankees... Even though c.c. Gave up a grand slam, geeesh! I've got legs and abs today and hopefully 10-12 miles tomorrow. We'll see, ive been kind of under the weather this week.

I made cupcakes... I'm giving them away... Most of them. I would post a picture, but I'm on my iPad and I don't know how to get it! Oh and I found dark chocolate Cadbury eggs... So suffice it to say, a cheat meal will happen this weekend. It will include those eggs and a cupcake.

Happy Easter!

What I ate Wednesday 3

This month's WIAW challenge should be a breeze for me!  I'm great at getting the veggies in!  

 Egg white omelet with lots of veggies... mushrooms, tomatoes, asparagus, red onion, and spinach with half a whole wheat english muffin.

Quinoa Salad over greens!  + unpictured mini ground chicken breast meatballs

Post run, Pre Strength protein shake.  (protein powder, cocoa powder, 1/2 banana, water + ice)

 

Salad... duh

Whole Wheat pasta, Kale, ground chicken breast, mushrooms and onions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 It was a good day of eats!  Tonight I'm making shredded chicken in the slow cooker, it already smells sooooo good.  On the exercise front I've got cardio + biceps, triceps, and shoulders + Abs.
My favorite exercise day of the week!

April Goals

I always have goals in my head, but rarely put them down on paper. I guess I should though, it would keep me more accountable.
With the weather getting warmer and warmer it's getting harder and harder to run. I notice I run a lot slower in the heat and the effort seems greater.  Also, I have to drink ice cold water when I'm running in the heat. Even though it's harder, I actually think I prefer to run in 80 degree weather.  There is something to be said about dripping in sweat after a run.  I guess it's a little more rewarding that way.  Anyway on to the goals.

1. Cut down on sugar.  I'm sure you've seen all the latest on how toxic sugar is and while I don't think I'll ever cut it out completely, with my sweet tooth, I could definitely stand to decrease it.  I don't eat a lot of sweets these days, but it's everywhere. In bread, in condiments, almond milk, protein bars, plain greek yogurt etc... everywhere.  I want to be mindful of all added sugars, including fruit.  I blend up fruit to add to my daughter's (plain) yogurt and for smoothies.  It adds up.
2. Increase weights in bicep, shoulder, and tricep exercises.  Right now I'm doing 10 lbs at 15 reps. I need to up weights and decrease reps... obviously.  
3. Eat better on the weekends.  I don't wild out on the weekends, but I do get off my normal schedule.  
4. Sign up for a race!
5. Organize my desk (and keep it organized)
6. Get to sleep by 10:30 on week nights.

I think all of this is very doable!  We'll see...

I love busy weekends and lots of activities, but sometimes it makes it so hard to start Monday off on the right foot. We had 2 different Easter Egg hunts, farmer's market, herb planting/yard work, car washing, hanging with neighbors, the other usual weekend stuff and I have a cold.  I am dragging right now.

Question?

Do you prefer quiet or busy weekends?

For me it depends... I like both at different times, but I think overall I like busy weekends.