I'm back BABY

I'm about to give you the oldest excuse in the world. "I've been busy" Its not a lie though, I've been working two jobs. I'm coming back, and going to be stronger than before. I like blogging, and sharing my stories with those of you who actually read this.

Lately I've just had this urge to get even healthier than I have been lately. I've just recently quit smoking in the past two weeks, and I have no desire to go back. I hope that my will power will stay this strong. I am going to need encouragement so please help out with this.

I have recently started running again. I'm taking a very slow pace though. I'm still so scared that my legs are going to break open again and re-fracture. I've been about 1 mile 2-3 times a week. I upped the distance this past time 1.25 miles but I could feel my bones being strained for the next 4 days. So there has been no running this past week, and lots of Calcium pills. I will do my next run again on Wednesday.

I realized that I have actually completed all of my New Years resolutions for 2009:
1. Quit Smoking
2. Lose 50 Lbs
3. Go Vegetarian

I have also compiled a list for next year:
1. Run 10K
2. Lose the last 10 Lbs
3. Go Vegan
4. Save $4,000
5. DON'T DROP OUT OF SCHOOL
6. Cook 9 out of 10 meals

I went to Whole Foods today, and got tons of good food




Then cooked some lunch



Long grain mixed rice, grilled squash, zucchini, and green peppers. I also sliced 2 pieces off of my Field Roast, Stuffed Celebration Roast.

I made the last part to help me decide which way I want to make it for Thanksgiving. PETA is giving away coupons for them, you can print them off HERE. I have to go to work now....as always.

Tomatoes, Tomatos

The past couple of days have been very hectic. Most peoples weekends are my busiest days at work. I hate being a server. I was at the gym Saturday and most days I don't may much attention to how much time I have left. I'm normally in my zone/ own little world rocking out to my iPod. Nope not this time, I looked down after what I thought had been forever. Wrong, I had only been on my cross-trainer for 15 minutes, and still had 45 to go..It was agony, but I finished. Afterwards I had to go to work, I brought all my clothes and shower stuff. I had an extra 45 minutes to spare since I didnt have to drive home, and go all the way back to that side of town. I stopped at Whole Foods and decided to treat myself to some delicious Hot Bar.


Oh it was all so yummy. Vegan sweet and sour Chicken, pineapple Basmati rice, Bok Choy, and a Veggie Eggroll. It was 3/4 Lb of food.


I also picked up a couple of Bars. I tried this new one I saw for the first time. Raw Revolution-Chocolate Cashew flavor. It was pretty good, I did like that it didn't have the sticky consistency that the Raw Organic Food Bars have. I still love them though.









For a snack/ dinner Saturday night I had some Edemame and 3 dried Apricots. Not the best thing. It was 11 at night, I wasn't very hungry, and my cabinets are getting a little bare.


Last night I played poker with some of my boys at Mi Casa. I did a rush cleaning last night, just dishes and tidying up the place. I normally come in 1st or 2nd, but I was second out last night, only had one good hand the whole time. So I'm out $20, but I had a good time with my boys.

I have today off of work, and I'm taking full advantage. I've gotten a jump start on my cleaning. I'm about to go to Hubers, its a family owned Farm and Restaurant. You can pick your own fruits and veggies. I've been told they are all organic, so I'm hoping that's correct. I also want to get a pumpkin. One to make pumpkin soup with, and the other I'll carve. I'll probably use the insides for pumpkin soup as well. I'm super excited, I've never been there before. It is time for me to get going.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce and Margaritas on my roof

Last night after work, I waited on a friend to get off, and we came back to my place to hang. Since everybody at work knows I'm a vegetarian, most have avoided my cooking since it lacks Misery & Death. I've made food for some of them a few times. So I was in the mood to cook at 11 PM, I have an evening job. It gets kinda lonely always cooking for just yourself.

I decide to make some Gluten free Spelt Spaghetti, and I wanted to prove my prowess in the kitchen so my sauce is from scratch. 2 cans tomato sauce, 1 can tomato paste, and one large can peeled and stewed tomatoes. I added in a tube of the Gimme Lean sausage, and some minced garlic. Then a whole bunch of spices, oh yeah I also put in one of my favorite things of all time hot sauce. I would of loved to add in mushrooms, olives, and onions, but I literally created this in about 15 minutes start to finish. It was delicious. It almost reminded me of my mommas.

Martha and me ate, made a couple of margaritas. Popped the screen outta my living room window and climbed onto the first story roof of my building. Hung out, drunk the tequila thats been in my fridge for like 3 months now, and talked till about 4 in the morning. It was a blast.

My friend Martha and I work at a nice Italian restaurant, and my Spaghetti with "meat" sauce was way better, and way better for you. Sorry, no pics. It made for delicious leftovers today too, and tomorrow.

I've been pinching every dime I can lately. I am SOOO broke, its just not even funny. So I haven't gone out to get drinks with friends lately, no shopping. I'm gonna apply for a second job tomorrow. I have a few places in mind. I know the cheapest places to get all the stuff I buy. The only stuff I'm willing to pay high prices for are my organic veggies, and healthy foods. I've actually found some good-for-ya foods at Big Lots, and they are crazy CHEAP too. I know that sounds odd, but check it out. Then TJ Maxx has a lot of sauces, dressings, and things of nature from Trader Joes. I wish there was a Trader Joes close to Louisville.

I'm hoping to make a trip up to Cincinatti to the Ikea store in the next couple of weeks. I bought what I thought were these glass paneled lights that mount to the wall. I actually only bought the the glass panels, I didnt get the mounting wall brackets or the invisi-cords. I know I won't be able to make the trip to Cinci for at least a month or so.

I've been writing this blog for about 2 1/2 hours now. I was watching TrueBlood, and now I'm finishing up The Express. Not Pineapple Express. This movie is SOOOOOOO GOOD. I recommend it to everyone. It's just about over, so goodnight all.

Back in Action

Hi all!!! I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the obnoxiously long lack of blogging. Generally the only reason I get online is to blog, see what my friends are up to, and occasionally google something. I was too busy actually being with the friends to blog, so I figured my camera deserves a break.

My last post basically talked about the Kentucky Derby. It was a complete blast.

Last Tuesday, my first real day out of surgery I ended up going to a concert about 1 1/2 hours away to see Soulcrate and Mac Lethal (for the second time). They are very underground white hip hop artists. Their music is very unconventional but I love it.



That is Soulcrate



My friend Larissa whom I went up there with and Mac. The pic of me and him was ridiculously blurry (sad).

He actually remembered us from the last time he played in NC, but we didn't get to chill with him this time. He's got a new song out called Undertow which you can find right here. Once u get past the first minute, it gets really fun to dance to.

Nothing too exciting happened while I was home. My foot actually started hurting a bit yesterday. I had my flight back home today, because my follow-up with the ortho doc was today. I was really hoping they would finally take the pin out of my foot. No dice, all they did was look at it. If I'd known that, I would have had them push it back a week, and I would have spent another week back home. I hate to say it, but I miss home A LOT. I just know that I can't move back there. I get too lazy, too comfortable in my routine of pretty much having a paycheck to paycheck job. That is not what I want out of life. There is just so much more for me here, and I need to keep reminding myself of this.

Oh and here is a pic of my broken self



I'm not going to lie, I was not the healthiest eater in the world while I was home. I did manage not to snack though. I am very proud to say that I only gained 1 Lb while on my trip, and considering I usually put on 10 Lbs. I live this super healthy life-style here in Louisville and lose weight, just to gain it back there, then have to lose it again. Its a horrible cycle. I am hoping that I finally broke it.

I can't put absolutely any excess weight or pressure on my foot. Walking for any more than a few steps kind of sucks, not because its painful, but I'm just super slow.

I went up to the Home Goods store, and I was really needing a new quilt (bedspread) because my down comforter is entirely to hot right now. I found this awesome organic cotton one, with matching pillows too. Lots of light blue and green. I love it

Now I'm back here finally, laying on top of my own bed, and its pretty nice. I need to go to Whole Foods, almost my entire stock of veggies went bad while I was gone.

I was super hungry for my dinner,there was nothing that I could have really made besides spinach fett, and vodka sauce.



It was nothing special, but I figured I should at least include 1 food pic.

At Last

Hi everybody. I've had an awesome past couple of days. My parents came up to Louisville, and we all went to the Kentucky Derby. It rocked, my mom and I both wore a big hat.




It was an absolute blast. I lost $30 on betting. My mom actually bet on the biggest longshot, Mine That Bird; number 8, and actually won some decent money. That horse had the worst odds 50-1 out of the entire derby. My mom was so happy. If I'd known that Borel was its jockey I would have bet him too. Borel rode the horse that won in '07, and 3rd in '08. Its all good though.

Sunday was spent showing my parents some cool stuff in Louisville, and we actually went on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail a little bit. We stopped at Heaven Hill Distillery and got a tour.

We all learned some really neat things about Bourbon. For instance it can only be called Bourbon if its made in Kentucky, otherwise its just Whiskey. That is a small pic of one of the warehouses. Each warehouse holds 20,000 barrels. Each at 500 Lbs. There are 49 warehouses. Heaven Hill produces Evan Williams, along with Americas oldsest Bourbon Elijah Craig. We were going to visit the Makers Mark and Jim Beam distillery too, but we were running short on time.

Then at the end of the tour they take you to get two free shots. One was an Evan Williams 12 year, and the other was an Elijah Craig 18 year.



It was a very nice trip, and I was so glad my parents really liked Louisville, and they are very proud of me, for moving away and trying to do something with my life.

Yesterday was my foot surgery, and then we drove back to NC. My foot doesn't even hurt. They gave me some percocets. I don't like taking them, I hate the feeling of being on drugs. I'm going to go up to Kohls in a little bit with my friend Ashley to buy a pair of shorts. Then we are just going to lounge around and hang out. I'm glad to finally see my friends and family again. I can only stay till the 12th. I have to be back in Louisville on the 13th to see my orthopedic doctor again.

I'll update again soon. Promise this time!!!

Spin cycle

Thank goodness Tuesday is over. Although, mine wasn’t bad. As soon as I sat down to write this I completely forgot half of yesterday. So we’ll start with the part of yesterday that I do remember. I dropped off some old clothes at Goodwill, cleaned my car inside and out. She is beautiful once again. I picked up a few things from the old apartment. Then I went to Whole Foods for a real grocery-shopping trip. I got ton of goodness.


Whole wheat bread, oat bran, Brown rice syrup, organic canola oil, green chili peppers, a seafood spice rub, squash, bell peppers, artichoke hearts, cilantro, portabello mushroom caps, asparagus, sea salt, the most ripe strawberries I’ve ever had.


Baby carrots, compari tomatoes, almond milk, fresh clover honey, baby swiss, salmon stuffed with feta spinach and pinenuts, sea bass, saffron shallot butter, medijool dates, goat cheddar, eggplant, pear, sweet potatoes, fuji apples, spinach, red quinoa, and bananas.

While still at Whole Foods, I got some lunch.


Vegan general tsau’s “chicken”, garlic kale (no good), roasted veggies, then some fruit. I got a vitamin water with it.

I went to Hobby Lobby with a friend, came home, heated up Sundays' leftovers. I sautéed the spinach fett, roasted red peppers, and salmon all together. I think it was better than when I made it originally.

Last night was a sleepless night again. Instead of being lethargic I made good use of myself and went to the gym at 4:45. I got there an hour before spin, so here is my entire routine.

10 minute warm-up on cross-trainer, level 5, cross-ramp 10
STRETCHING
3 sets of 50 sit-ups on ball
3 sets of 50 crunches with legs elevated, on ball
3 sets of 50 bicycles, both sides equal 1, not 2
3 sets of 15 x-files
3 sets of 25 side bends with 10 Lb weight on each side
SPIN CLASS

I came home, made breakfast:



1 egg, 2 egg-white omelet with chili peppers, and hot sauce. Toast with Brown Rice Syrup, Tomatoes, which I sauteed. I started doing this after reading a tip from Oh She Glows. In one of her posts, she simply pointed out that the cancer fighting antioxidant lycopene in like a gazillion times more potent when the tomatoes are cooked as opposed to raw. Has anybody else ever tried Brown Rice Syrup? If so, what did you think. I liked it, small doses is definitely a rule of thumb for it.

The rest of my day was spent hanging with my friend Rob going to furniture auctions, I helped him buy clothes at an outlet mall. We also stopped my a peddlers mall, it sucked. He took me to a mediterranean cafe for lunch. I got a veggie platter. It consisted of grape leaves, spinach pie, fallafel, and hummus. (sorry, no pic) Rob ate almost half mine after he finished his chicken wrap. I was full, so it didn't matter.

I finally got to see Slumdog Millionaire, it was good. I was so tired though, and now I'm on the serious verge of collapsing on the computer. I've actually nodded off a few times. Goodnight all.

Bright Shiny Morning

Hello all!!! I must inform you that I'm not singing the "I hate Mondays" song today. Although it started out bad. NO sleep, thats right, not a wink. I don't think my insomnia issues are coming back, I mostly blame it on Breaking Dawn. Haha.
Today was a lucky sock kind of day. I know it may sound a bit odd to some of you, but whenever I need the odds to be in my favor I wear one of my "lucky" items. I'm not superstitious by no means, other than lucky socks, hat, and shirt.

I got the bone scan. I'm radioactive till about 9:00 tomorrow night. The screen was showing the cracks. It's not the first time I've had this done. They are definitely there, not as prominent as they were when the original injury occured last May. I just want to be back to normal, and able to work out, do cardio again. I really miss yoga the most. I meet with my doc next week to discuss the "findings". I'm hoping that he will actually recommend yoga, since it is technically "bone strengthening",and maybe he'll let me do some light cardio. More than anything I would love to tell me that I'm mentally insane, my legs are fine, and I'm imagining the pain. Then I would be happy, and could go on about my business, and workouts.

NOW FOR THE BEST PART OF MY DAY:


MECCA!!!!!!

I brought my friend Rob who had never been in Ikea either. We spent almost 5 hours in there. I had 1 shopping cart, and 2 push carts for big items. He got one chair.
I managed to haul out of there with all this. His enormous truck was packed full.


I hit the jackpot!!!!, only $680 for

1. Love seat
2. armchair
3. High backed chair
4. Cover for love seat
5. 2 Covers for high backed chair
6. Coffee Table
7. End Table
8. Floor lamp
9. 2 accent lamps
10. 3 pillows
11. Huge Rug
12. TV stand
13. Set of 3 cannisters
14. 100 pack of tealights ($3.50, almost the same price I'd pay at Walmart for a 10 pack)
    
15. Lint Roller (????)
16. 2 cushions for my kitchen chairs

Technically my kitchen chairs are my metal outdoor furniture. Since I don't technically have a porch, and they fit in perfect with my eclectic decor, I repurposed them. The table is turquoise, with a lime green, and hot pink chair.

I finally made it home around 10, and had to make some dinner. Its super late, but considering I didn't sleep last night, my metabolism is already shot for the day.


Veggie sausage link. I was sage apple flavored. I think the apple was much to strong. Also, the texture kind of weirded me out. The leftover rice was great though.

Tomorrow I have to go up to Home Depot and buy primer for this place and paint for the new place, along with the needed accessories. Like tarps, I really wish my mom could come up here and help me. She loves this kind of stuff as much as I do.

After the new place is painted I will start the assembly process of all the new stuff (ughhhh)

Hissy Fit

Tuesday, not a day worth repeating. I could not sleep last night, I finally fell asleep around 5!!!! Woke up at 11, way too late. I managed to get about another 50 calls this morning too, arghh.

I've spent majority of my day dealing with my retarded furniture company. They call me and tell me that I can go pick out a new dinette set, because I'm not happy with my old one. Later, on a separate issue they arrive late to exchange my coffee and end tables. Only they don't bring me my new ones. I call up there and they forgot to put in an order form and the earliest they told me they can get them to me is Friday. So my living room looked very bare. This is when I got pretty mad, and started to throw what I like to call a dignified hissy-fit. After that they managed to bring out my new tables. I don't like them. So I went up there, and I'm just sick of dealing with them in general so I told them I don't want to exchange them I just want my money back for both the dining set, and living room tables. For the pure purpose of doing it, I want them to take back all the furniture I've bought from them. I am just so fed up with this company.

I've already decided that I'm going to get my new stuff from Ikea, but I'm going to wait until I move. I expect my new place will be a lot smaller than what I have now. I'm completely okay with that, it will give me the chance to be more creative with my design concepts.

I didn't go to lunch with Paul, I woke up too late. I also haven't been very hungry today. We discussed the apartment situation, and at first he failed to see how me moving into a smaller place would be beneficial until I broke it down for him, and just over the course of him going away for 4 months, he would be saving $2,500. Now he is all on board.

The only thing I ate today was an Amy's roasted veggie lasagna. It was decent. I've also started taking my vitamins again regularly. I take those GNC vita-packs which have 7 pills in them. Then I take this other stuff from GNC, called Calcimate Complete. Its supposed to help bone density, which I have to take 4 of. The only kind of vitamin I don't mind taking is my Emergen-C, which is basically vitamin C, and it tastes like Sunkist.

I wished that all that drama hadn't happened because instead of going to the gym like I wanted, I had to spend majority of my day dealing with that, and now I have to go to work in about an hour. All in all, I hope tomorrow is a lot better.

Busy Busy Bee

The doctor went fine. Got the prescription I needed to get refilled. This doctor was new and he passed the test with me. He did not cut me off, which I hate when they do that. We talked for a while, and he didn't try to rush me out of there, so that made me happy. He also got my referral to see an Orthopedic doctor because of my injury in the Army. Which I still hurt from, and it makes me sad that I can't even run. Which I did do the other day, and I've been in pain since then, and its been at least a week. So maybe this doctor will be able to help me, or least tell me if my bones have seen any progress in healing.

Before the doctor I went and had lunch with Paul (my brother, in case I haven't mentioned his name yet) at Texas Roadhouse. I had no clue TR was open for lunch, I think they just changed their hours. I did not eat a single roll, drank water and ate all vegetarian.



I didn't even touch the green beans. I was too full, there was also a Cesar salad.

After the doc I shot over on to Walgreens and dropped off the prescription. I had a lot of extra time before work so I figured I could go to the gym. I did the elliptical for an hour, then headed home and got ready for work. I got there right on time. I ate one of these bad boys on the way to work:



I was smart enough to take the picture before I was in the car. I've also stopped most of my texting in the car too. I only do it at stop lights now.

Work was a drag. I did get the chance to catch up on some very interesting news articles. I can already say that I'm pleased with Obama. He went ahead and lifted the ban that Bush's administration had placed on publicly funded stem-cell research. He also reversed a lot of Bush's policies and plans for our environment. Obama is doing a great job in my book.

Now I'm home, in my awesome SV swim team sweats. I am now using my strongest will-power not to eat late at night. Doing this especially in the last month has really stopped my weight loss progress. Its just I work so late, and after working anywhere between 5-9 hours I want to come home and eat. What I make is normally not the best for me, or too much of what is good for me. So tomorrow I'm going to plan a menu for the week, that way I can pre-make some of the food to just reheat later. This will also reduce the amount of stuff that I throw away. I don't know why I didn't think to do this earlier. At least its getting done now.

I want to get up early tomorrow and get a work out in before me and the guy go antiquing. I like that he lets me drag him to these places. If I made enough from tonight I would like to find a really cool old metal sign.

Project Desk: 101

Happy Hump Day!!! Oh, if that were true. Today was full of adventures for me, and pictures for you.

My day started off with a bowl of yogurt with grapes, granola, and goji mix-ins.


I worked on the desk. Then when the assembly portion was over I went to a few stores to get accessories for it. Stopped by Calistoga first and got the yummiest sandwich ever.


At Home Depot I returned a few things that I ended up not using on the desk project. I also bought two small plants. I will now be conducting an experiment to see how long it takes to kill them.

Then Big Lots, this store was not on the planned agenda but I saw it and swooped in. I am so glad I did, I bought an awesome rug for my living room. I will post pictures just as soon as the new tables arrive. Also some little decoration thingy for the table. Then for the piece de le resistance Home Goods. This is where I picked up an awesome lamp. I almost bought a similar one at Big Lots for $30 MORE. Haha, glad I didn't. A good pillow, picture frame, and chair. I also got some knick knacks for my kitchen. All in all the Home Goods store cost me $135. I didn't want a typical computer chair. I wanted some a bit more contemporary, and sleek.

So here it is

I have to admit that I am pretty darn proud of myself. It took forever. I went up to my work just have dinner with my bro. I get half off. Got a super yummy salad.



You can see my brothers greasy food on the left. My salad was spinach based, with a pinot noir shallot vinegairette. Topped with dried cranberries, walnuts, roasted corn, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, feta, and apple slices. All in all "pure heaven".

I did not make it home in time for my Bikrams yoga, its all good and well though. My arms and legs are pretty sore from yesterdays workout. I'm going to relax now and watch some lovely T.V.

Heavenly faux chicken

I did not mind work today. Actually woke up before the alarm went off. I got off at 4, like I was scheduled. I was worried they were going to keep me there all day, like they normally do.

I went shopping. Yes, me actually went shopping. Not on groceries, or household needs either. I bought 6, shirts. It was a good sale day at NY & Company, I also had a coupon. i just grabbed my receipt out of my purse, to see exactly how much I saved. My total would have been $176. 69, but I ended up only spending $111.57. So I'm happy that I finally got some new clothes, 1 work shirt included.

Then I went to Whole Foods. Bought some goodies. I have realized something. Every time I screw up food it is always meat. So, although not a complete vegetarian, everything that I bought was vegetarian, or vegan.

The only thing I'd eaten all day was a Clif bar. So I decided to go to the hot bar at WH. I got this yummy food. It was General Tsau's "chicken". Only it was fake chicken. Honestly, it tasted better than any other Chinese chicken I've ever had, the meatball was fake too. There were roasted veggies, rice and a veggie eggroll as well. Perfectly filling, it seems like a lot, but they were all in small portions. It was heaven, truly.

Now I'm at home, and actually getting to relax. I have plans on doing the exact same thing all of tomorrow. Except that I'll be going to gym.

Today was kind of a sad day for me too. I think that one of the reasons I haven't been shopping is because I have nobody to do it with. This was something I normally would do with Ashley, or Larissa if Izzy would allow it. I hope that my stuff looks good, since I had no feedback.

I need to put up my groceries now.

Losing my cool

The not smoking thing is really starting to get to me. My jaw actually hurts from chewing so much gum. Not to mention I have bitten my tongue twice in the past two days. I still keep eating, also I didn't go to the gym. So here is my recap on the day.

• Woke up at 9, ate cereal
  

• dropped T off at daycare at 10
• went to Target
• Picked up tipshare from work
  
• picked Trendon up at 1 for a doctors appt.
• Ate, Arbys-so ashamed
• Doctors appt
• Brought T back to daycare
• Home Depot, I bought a star-key.
  
• Came home, snacked, played online.
  
• Continued to snack-almonds and dried Apricots
  
• Back to home depot, got paint swatches
• Went to Ear x-tacy and got 2 cds, and a movie that I love, "Once"
• Heine Bros Coffee, got my usual India Asaam Tea.
• Drove around
• Home again, 2 grilled cheese sandwiches
• Currently killing some Stride gum, while typing this.
• About to go watch Once with the guy at his place.

Those are the 4 colors I narrowed it down too. I put them on the cabinets to see what the contrast would look like. There are so many cabinets in my kitchen it is overwhelming. I like the pinkish/orange, and the olive the best.

Driving Doggie

Went up to my favorite store big ol' WHOLE FOODS. Saw this and just had to take a pic. Thought it was just pretty darn awesome. Got all the stuff to finish off my dishes for the night, and a few necessities like paper towels, which happened to be made out of 100% recycled paper.

I didnt go to bed till almost 5 A.M. I got caught up watching one of my all time favorite movies, CASINO. It didn't disappoint, never does. Still woke up at 10. Went and picked up my tip-share.

Then headed off to the gym. I was determined to make this a good workout. So I did the mountain setting on my cross-trainer at level 10. AYE AYE AYE. At my gym they have these set of machines grouped together with a giant timer overhead. Its 20 machines. You do as many reps as you can for 45 seconds, then it gives you 15 seconds to switch machines. So 20 machines, in 20 minutes. Works out your entire body. I will give results tomorrow. I hope to be decently sore.

Made it home. I showered, got pretty, and did the first step in the polenta process, so it is chilling in the fridge right now. It was actually after this that I went to WH. I finally put away all the laundry, I am honestly so proud of myself. I've accomplished quite a bit today.

I am just hoping that the dinner tonight goes good. I'm nervous that I'm going to screw it all up. I'm going to do some last minute cleaning here shortly. You can bet that I will be taking pictures of my dinner tonight. I'll make sure he is in the other day. I doubt he knows about my blog, and would probably think I'm odd for photographing food.

Wake-up Weirdness

When I woke up this morning I just felt so out of place, like something was amiss. I made sure everything was taken care of. No late bills, no forgotten pills. I just cant explain this feeling I had.

Anyway I went to the HomeGoods store. That place is awesome. they are pretty much all over, except where I am from. Its connected to TJ Maxx which I love. So awesome I got these awesome canisters from Vintage Kitchen. I got a really cute soap dish for my bathroom. It looks like a lady bug, and some new dish towels. They are st. patty's day. I just really wanted to inject a little bit of subtle color into my kitchen.


I used my my MB (magic bullet) twice yesterday. First in the morning I blended some smoked salmon with chive and onion cream cheese. Spread it on my bagel. Later it was just some soymilk, banana, soy protein powder, and granola. I was a bit pissed that when I bought my powder and opened it up and it was half empty. I was a bit peeved, they should either fill it all the way up, or make it half as big. I was not in much of a mood to cook so I ate my new Larabar. This one was icky. I've been hearing awesome things about those Larabars, but that one did not live up to the reputation.

That is one of my new dish rags.

So I worked out yesterday, I had told my dad how I really wasn't seeing a lot of results lately. So he told me to up my resistance, which I did, majorly. I could only do 30 minutes at the with a 15 resistance and 8 cross-ramp. Then i did 20 minutes on an 16 crossramp, and 8 resistance. I was so tired. That was the excitement of my day. I also caught the latest episode of Burn Notice. I love that show.

Today is pretty blah, I think I'm going to take a nap in a little bit.

Saving the Planet

I am doing my darn best to keep busy. I had a late start today, my nephew slept till 11, so I did as well. I ate a medium banana with apple butter. I got use my new eco-friendly laundry detergent. It smells super good. I got it from Whole Foods, I am really falling in love with that store. I really enjoy the fact that I am doing something good for my body, and the environment. I feel healthier, and it makes me want to keep on going. That has always been the number one motivator for me, results.

I couldn't get to the gym in the early afternoon because the kids care section closes at noon and doesn't reopen till till 5. So I just did a mini yoga session in my room. Just a few downward facings dogs, cobras, planks, chatarungas (sp), and goddesses. Followed up with a round of stretching and a Clif bar.

It was Apricot, and oh so yummy.

At around 7:30 after my brother got home I was able to go to the gym without having to lug my nephew with me. I did 45 minutes on the Cross-trainer, and 15 on the Stair-stepper. Its weird because as soon as I got out of the car my legs started aching from all the squats, and leg-lifts I did yesterday. After I was good and sweaty I stretched, then went and did my abs. They are still super sore from Sundays workout. I did 3 sets of 50 crunches on the 65cm exercise ball. 3, 1 minute bridges. Then 2 sets of this one where you lay down and pass the ball from your legs to your arms, almost touch the ground and then reverse. Did some obliques. I was aching so bad, so I stretched some more. Then I did 3 sets on my bi's and tri's a piece. I think I did 45Lbs for each one, not too sure. I felt the need for a little social interaction so I went and got an organic India Asam tea, from my favorite local fair trade coffee shop.

I was starving by the time I got home. I had made whole wheat linguine with a vodka sauce for lunch. My nephew ended up eating all of his, and polished off half of mine. I didnt mind. Anytime that I can actually get him to eat is a miracle. So after the gym I made a 3 oz packet of tuna, 1 tsp of vegainaise (like mayo, only egg-free and made with grape-seed oil), and some yummy relish. Anything pickle related is a weakness of mine.

It wasn't as pretty once it was all mixed together.

Motivated

MOTIVATED MOTIVATED
DOWN RIGHT DEDICATED
OH AH I WANNA KILL SOMEBODY
OH AH I WANNA KILL RIGHT
NOWWWWWW

That was a chant we did at basic to get pumped up sometimes. Today I am the human example of motivated. Woke up made some cottage cheese with tangelos, and a half of a whole grain english muffin. Shortly after I went to the gym. Did an hour on the cross-trainer, ramp 10, resistance 10. It was all good, but my Ipod froze just 5 minutes into my workout. I was not deterred, and persevered. Then worked 30 minutes on my belly (one day to be abs) and another 30 on my chest, shoulders, and a bit of arms.



I finally made it down to the locally owned Amazing Grace foods store. I bought polenta, more hummus, and pumpkin butter. I went home and flipped throuh my Giada's Everyday Italian cookbook. Found one the way that she prepares polenta. It involved marinara. So instead I just lightly fried two pieces and grilled some eggplant. Oh, by the way, I almost caught my kitchen on fire.


It was super yummy.


Two hours later I was hungry again. My sandwich was about as big as a biscuit. So i made a good hearty SALAD, it involved baby leaf spinach, cherry tomatoes, portabello mushrooms, eggplant, and julienned red peppers. I grilled the last 3 on my awesome GF grill. I finished it off with a vidallia onion vinagrette. It was good, I think I will use a lighter dressing. This one was much to over-powering. I'm finishing up the salad right now, while typing this. Also I'm half watching the Golden Compass.

Later on tonight Paul and I are supposed to go out, possibly Phoenix Hill. We were supposed to go out but he had to wake up at 7. So instead we headed to Texas Roadhouse, where I drank 2 roadies. and got pretty buzzed. It involved tequila, triple sec, grand marnier, and cranberry. Very delicious. The food was followed by a trip the movie theater where I watched Gran Torino. That was possibly one of the best films I've seen in years.

My Body

I have never had a great body. The past year I've come to like it a lot more than I used to. January of 2008 I weighed 190 Lbs.....I know, right. I dropped down to 175 when I joined the military. After going through physical therapy, getting out of the Army, and moving to KY, I shrank again to 160 pounds.

Since I have moved to Louisville, I have worked my ass off in a gym 5 days a week. I just spent two weeks at home with my family, and even though I worked out some (not rigorously) I came back 8 Lbs heavier. So its back to the gym, and now Im just back-tracking to get to where I was when I left.

I am so much more aware of everything that goes into my body. I just spent $100 at the grocery store on nothing but fruits, vegetables, tofu, yogurt, and a toothbrush. Oh, yes I also bought this 8 pack of steaks, they are only 3-4 oz. a piece so they wont be too filling.

Most yummy snack EVER

The one and only thing I really wanted for christmas and didnt get was the George Foreman 360 degree grill. I think I am going to take my 20% off coupon from Bed, Bath, and Beyond and splurge on it. In my opinion it is a smart investment.

I have finally gotten so sick of my skin that I am about to go see a dermatologist to get something stronger than what I am currently using. Which are BenzaClin, and Retin-A Micro. Its either that or start tanning again. I personally like the latter of the options. I miss being tan, its almost worth the risk of melanoma. Until the set apt date, I bought this.