Found My Groove!

Thank you everyone for all your great comments! I want you to know that I appreciate each and every one, even if it's just a quick hi! I do a little happy dance every time! Keep them coming!

So much to say, I hope that all the jumbled thoughts on my head make it out in some sort of an organized fashion. Where to start?

As you know, I've lost my groove.

I love that movie. I could probably recite nearly the entire thing.

The other night, I took Hunter for a walk along the canal road behind my house. Technically, we're not supposed to go back there, but it's so calm and the water is right there, and I let Hunter wander ahead without a leash.

Speaking of Hunter, he thinks he is a mighty fly hunter. I've tried catching video of his cat-like (he is a little species confused at times) stalking skills, but he must be camera shy.

Here he is eying it as it taunts him.

(That brown thing is his Wubba bear, the one he got for July 4th)

Monday night, I went to pilates, and got my butt kicked. I'm still sore. In a good way of course.

My breakfast this morning was a yummy green monster.

Mmmm. This one had banana, soy milk, spinach, ice and a spoonful of almond butter.

Part two of breakfast was an egg white sandwich. I just started making these and they are so much yummier than anything from a fast food place.

Three egg whites, provolone cheese and a smear of Galeo's sesame dressing on a toasted sandwich thin. So simple and yummy!

Today, I went for a bike ride with my friend Sheridan. I probably haven't ridden my bike in over 3 years, and unfortunately, it needs a bit of maintenance. A casual bike ride was only a little tough because it was stuck in a lower gear. Oh well. It was still lots of fun and sunshine and fresh air.

We went for sno cones afterwards.

Sheridan got watermelon.

"Hey, Sheridan, is my tongue purple??" I got sweetart, of course.

Oh, so happy about sweetart.

Since I slept in and didn't make it this morning, I had completely committed myself to go to Body Pump tonight. I even got there 5 minutes early. To discover that it started at 6:30 not 7. Oops. Darn it! I was pretty bummed but I was there already so I decided to do a 30 minute hill climb on the elliptical. I could watch something on tv with out headphones I supposed.

It was probably better to do the elliptical instead of an intense weight training class, since I hadn't had anything besides a sno cone and a Luna white chocolate macadamia bar since breakfast. Only one teeny tiny setback: the guy (more like old fart) next to me kept farting!

I mean, I'm not going to lie, I've done it at the gym. This was bad though. Pretty bad. Luckily, 1) I have allergies so I couldn't smell too well anyways and 2) I was able to focus on watching tv to distract me from the stench.

Let's see... I flipped though the channels, Khloe and Kortney take Miami? Seen it. Parental Control? Nah. Food Network? Um, that will just make me hungry. Oh, how about...

UFC please! Nothing like watching two guys go at each other punching, kicking and basically beating the crap out of each other with almost no rules. There are three 5 minute rounds (or if it's a title fight, five 5 minute rounds) and each fighter gets points for.. a varitey of reasons, probably all include making contact with the other fighter with his fists, feet or knees. Five minutes is a long time when you're getting your butt kicked. You win the round if you have the most points. You win the whole fight if the other guy "taps out". A tap out is a signal you can give the other player and/or ref to say I give up. A person usually taps out if they feel they are going to pass out or give in before the other fighter breaks their bone. Yes, bones get broken. You can also win the whole fight if you knock the other guy out. UFC was inspired by a tournament in Brazil vale tudo (meaning anything goes). Is it barbaric? Totally. Do I love it anyways? Yup. Jeremy got me into watching it.

Speaking of tv, does anyone watch the Real Housewives of NJ? I know you're out there.

I secretly wish I was a Jersey girl. Teresa is my favorite. But what the heck is up with Danielle? She annoys the crap out of me when she makes herself such a victim but takes every chance to antagonize the other ladies. She is so cunning and such a drama queen. Why do I bother? I guess it's such a train wreck I can't tear myself away. Now you know what I'm rotting my brain out with. Sheesh, I'm exposing all my goofy favorites tonight.

I may watch junk, but at least I don't eat it! When I got home, I was FAMISHED. Tonight's dinner was a moster tuna sandwich (yes, there is tuna in there).

Into the tuna I mixed some onion powder, bit of Miracle Whip, salt, pepper and a smidge of lemon juice. Just a little tang really makes it delish! Into the sandwich went spinach, sprouts, avocado and tomato. Biting into it was huge relief to my hunger.

I also whipped up some deviled eggs by adding Miracle Whip, mustard, seasoning salt and pepper topped with paprika. I love deviled eggs.

Baked beans have become a nightly staple. I LOVE baked beans (my hubby doesn't like that I love baked beans for the repercussions they cause... hee hee).

Then I did something I'm not always good at. I listened to my body. Sometimes, my eyes are bigger than my stomach. After two mouthfuls, I realized I was too full. I decided the beans would be for another day.

This made room to eat a delicious peach and strawberry medley (oh! that would make an awesome smoothie!).

That's a good choice!

So, I think it's official that I've found my exercise groove again. Horray!

Tomorrow, I'll workout with Jackie to make up for my missed Body Pump class and take Hunter for a nice leisurely walk.

One more tv confession. Tonight, I'll be watching The Hills finale. Followed by The City. Followed by The Hills reunion. Yea, big plans. ;)

Take care for now!

What kid's movie (if any) is your favorite?

What's your go to meal when you've waited too long to eat?

Do you listen to your body when you're full or clean your plate?

Being healthy, fit and SAFE

Wow, this summer has flown by. Forget summer, this WEEK has flown by. I've been a little MIA. Oh, I've been around and reading everyone else's amazing blogs. I just needed a rest from my own.

You know, summers aren't the same as when you're a kid. Everyone has to work and even though I'm not working, I'm still doing lots of work around the house. Sigh. I have this expectation that summer is supposed to be filled with so much fun that every day I'm "missing out". Then I get out in the heat and decide to retreat back in to the cool, air conditioned house. And I know I won't get any sympathy, because it's not even humid here.

I'm trying to more actively count my blessings and be happy where I'm at. For example, I was reading Elle the other day and saw a swimsuit for $500 and thought "Holy cow! People actually spend that much on a swim suit?!?" Often in our society, we are encouraged to keep up with the Joneses. It can be so easy to think, I wish that I could justify spending money on those designer shoes or that bigger house or nicer car. Then I think how I'm already in the small percentage of the world to live in a 1st world country. Then I think about being a homeowner, having a husband who works really, really, REALLY hard so I can go back to school and so we can be financially set have kids. At the end of the day, stuff is just stuff. It's the people you surround yourself that make you happy.

Yikes. Ok, this was a little random, but it cracked me up! :D

So I have to say that not working is enough to say summer's been good thus far. After all, I took a trip to Oregon, this week I helped a friend paint a house, went to Roaring Springs with a friend, and Jeremy and I are taking a trip to Moab, UT in August.

I'm still trying to pull out of my lack of motivation funk, but I'll get there. Jeremy and I made an agreement: no TV until I've worked out. Sure, I find other things to do such as reading, napping, cooking and cleaning (I completely cleaned our bedroom, bath room and closet one day) to procrastinate. After a while though, I've been thinking about everything I can do to NOT workout that I just do it so I don't have to think about putting it off any longer. Make sense?

Today, I did a circuit training DVD with Jackie Warner. I can feel the soreness already.

Jackie does not mess around. Jackie. kicks. my. butt every. single. time. This is one of the best strength training/work up a sweat that soaks the carpet beneath you home DVD's out there. So on days when driving to the gym isn't going to happen, this is a perfect solution.

For the first time in my life, I've been on a strength training kick more than cardio. I think I just haven't had the attention span for it. And it's hot outside. Hot driving to the gym. Hot in the gym. Running when you're already hot is not fun. I could get up early before it got hot. Yeah, but don't hold your breath.

My eating habits have been in a great place. That's half the battle, right? I think summer brings out those cravings for fresh, whole food. I've become serious best friends with Green Monsters.

I've gotten a little more adventurous and added watermelon to one and blueberry (pictured) to another. In fact, I even convinced Jeremy (who does NOT do vegetables, much less any green ones) to try them for a week. And you won't miss out, I will be documenting it! ;)

Another common breakfast has been Fiber One.

With a banana sliced up into it. I just can't get into hot breakfasts in the summer.

One thing I always eat if presented to me but don't seek it out is sprouts. I weirdly had a craving for them the other day. So I bought some for the first time in my life.

Mmm... I've been in a sandwich mania. Sprouts went perfectly with my egg salad and avocado sandwich.

Apparently, there are different types of sprouts. There were three kinds when I was choosing mine at the store. I picked the one labeled "deli". Some health benefits of sprouts are:

1. Rich in antioxidants.

2. Rich in vitamins A, C and selenium.

3. Contain calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B.

4. Low in sodium but high in potassium.

Sometimes I actually feel like cooking. Like a healthier Cheeseburger Pasta. You never let me down, Can You Stay For Dinner?

It wouldn't be summer without a little ice cream, right? I decided to give Haagen Dazs Five a try. Surely, by now you've seen this sweet little treat with only 5 ingredients.

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I chose the lemon flavor. In one word this tastes very pure. You can literally taste each ingredient (well, maybe not the eggs). The serving size is 1/2 cup and since it is so satisfying it's easy to only eat that much!

Especially when paired with a ripe nectarine. SO good. The tart of the nectarine and the lemon ice cream compliment each other very well.

One last thing for today. The other night I was driving home after dark and I saw a girl running in the dark. Please, please, PLEASE no matter how safe you think your neighborhood is, don't do this. Just. don't. do it.

Here's a couple of other safety tips I think every woman should read again and again.

1. Don't sit in your car in a parking lot. Get in your car and drive away. You are a sitting duck to predators because generally, you are not paying attention to your surroundings.

2. When driving, especially at night, lock your car doors. It's very easy for a stranger to approach you at a red light, get into your car and put a gun to your head.

3. Make eye contact. Generally, predators look for easy, passive targets. When you make eye contact, it says "I see you, I've seen your face, and I can identify you". Attackers will likely avoid anyone who might be able to identify them.

4. Look around you. Pay attention to your surroundings. When you are aware of who is around you, you can also notice anything or anyone suspicious.

5. Be mean. By all means, be a bitch. I don't use that word often but I mean it. Predators will play on the sympathies of women, asking for the time, directions, help with their car, lost puppy whatever. This also goes for if a stranger is approaching you or you've been attacked.

6. Be aggressive. You can shout "stay away!" if you feel they are advancing toward you. If you're attacked, go for soft spots, such as groin, stomach, throat, and eyes. Be as forceful as you possibly can.

7. Run. Even if he has a gun. Chances are, a predator will only hit a moving target 4 out of 100 shots.

8. Trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable, or get a bad feeling about a stranger, you have a reason for feeling so. Move quickly and confidently.

And last but not least, to quote my dad: "You're not paranoid if they're really out to get you. Better paranoid than dead."

Be a tough girl, like Michelle Rodriguez.

Kind of a serious note but things can happen anywhere, anytime. Don't think that it won't happen to you. Turn on the news. Things happen to people everyday that they thought would never happen to them. We women needs to stick together!!

Not sure what the plans are for the weekend. Probably planting some flowers and perhaps a trip to the farmer's market. Happy weekend everyone! :)

Do you like sprouts?

What's your favorite ice cream?

What's your best safety tip?

July 4th & Call For Motivation!

Well, hello! Hope everyone's weekend was awesome! Some of you even had today off! First, you know I'm giving a shout out to my hubby and everyone else in the armed forces:

Thanks for fighting for our freedom. :)

Yesterday was a beautiful day.

I was STARVING and was pretty sure I wasn't going to make it 3 hours until dinner. So I made myself a big ol' sandwich:

Turkey, pastrami (I've been on a weird pastrami kick lately), avocado, spinach and tomato on a sandwich thin.

Another reason to love fruit: it's so pretty and colorful on the counter!

I picked banana, with a few spoonfuls of Activia yogurt. It works, kids.

For dinner, I went to my friend Amy's house for a BBQ and fireworks.

I made Loaded Baked Potato Salad. Recipe courtesy of Katie at Dashing Dish.

Everyone LOVED it! I was glad I wouldn't be eating leftovers for a week.

Here's some other yumminess:

Hunter got a new toy for the occasion:

A late night snack

On a different note, I've been feeling a little lack of motivation.

(THE LIFE. I haz it.)

I haven't felt the ambition to hit the gym. I've been walking Hunter so at least that's something. I know that I'll feel more energized and accomplished, I just need to get back into the habit!

So help me out here: how do you get motivated when in a rut?

p.s. I didn't forget my friends up north, Canada Day was July 1st!

All Play, No Work!

This was my first week of freedom! So I made a goal this week, but I didn't tell anyone. Well, I probably mentioned it to my Honey, and maybe my fab new gym buddy.

I'd gotten really out of the habit of exercising, so I'm trying to get back into a routine! It seems if I can get into the gym Monday, I'm set the rest of the week.

Monday- Hour of pilates class with Whitney at the gym. This lady doesn't mess around and I love ever minute of it! Even if I feel like I'm going to die 15 minutes in. :)

Tuesday- Went for a 1.5 mile run on the track with my doggie, Hunter. Not super long, but I did a faster pace since I wasn't doing a long run. My Nike+ said I set a new record for myself for the fastest km yet! Alright!

Wednesday- Let me make this clear: I am. Not. In ANY way. A morning person. That said, I got up SUPER early at 5:30 (AM) and went to a weight training class called Body Pump with Laura my new gym buddy. It was great! I was glad I got myself up and to had my workout done for the day. And I'm pretty sure that my biceps are bigger. Almost positive!

Thursday- Allergy attack!! Ugh. I stayed on the couch blowing my nose all day. No fun.

Friday- Still a little sniffly. Took a nice long walk with Hunter.

Saturday- I planned to go to the gym for a nice sweat session, but then I got a call to go ride my dirt bike! For the record, riding a dirt bike is a LOT more exercise than it looks. Those bikes are HEAVY. It's physically and mentally EXHAUSTING. There's so much to think about it, and when I get into a rough patch, I have to talk myself through it and remain calm, even if I'm freaked about wrecking. It was still a short ride, and I didn't have any major spills like the last time I rode. I thought that I was going to have a big crash, but I managed to slow down, hang on, and make it through some rough terrain! :D

After biking, I looked out my back window to see that my lawn was growing taller by the hour. Two hours of weeding, picking up doggie poo and mowing later, I had definitely gotten my exercise for the day.

Sunday- Since for me, Sunday is a day of rest, I don't do any workouts, but walking is perfectly acceptable! So I took a nice little walk just under 2 miles.

So I'm super proud of myself for having a great week!

What fitness goals will you set for yourself this week/month? What's your alternate form of exercise (a.ka. mowing the lawn, yardwork, etc.)?