Weekend Cooking and Workout

This weekend I accomplished something I am quite proud of. I didn't eat out one time Saturday or Sunday. To most people this doesn't seem like that big of a deal but for me this is quite large. Weekends for me tend to make me lazy and want to go grab tacos and stuff my face.

I do not pretend to be a master chef  and baking forget it! However I do like trying new things and making simple food with "real" ingredients. I have been trying to make everything a balanced meal with my plate looking something like the picture below from One Medical Group. While not every meal is going to be perfect I challenge you to try to make 2 meals a day look like this!

In my breakfast life I tend to go for savory. Bring on the bacon and biscuits with gravy-gravy makes everything better and you fatter. (Think about that before you slather it on and lick the plate.)  This weekend I had time to make cheese eggs, toast and an apple for my Saturday morning meal.

Later in the day I decided it was time for a game of "What is in the fridge that needs to be used" I came up with the ultimate leftover food- Shepard's pie! I used turkey meat instead of the usual beef and just plain ol corn and potatoes. I think next time I am going to add more veggies and less potatoes!  Not going to lie very tasty and not too unhealthy since I didn't put any butter in the potatoes or 18 inches of cheese on top. We all need a little good cheesy fat in our lives- a little people.  

The key with dishes such as this is portion control. I made enough for 2-3 people to have correct portions so since I am one person I go one portion- it was about a cup. I am not going to weigh my food or carry around measuring cup but try going for half of what you want then think seconds if you
 are still hungry.  My sister the nutrition major tells us all the time how we can eat what we want but eat just for one! I had my pie with cucumbers and my Greek Yogurt Ranch.

This graphic from the CDC says it best in my opinion!  More on this topic coming soon- I find it absolutely fascinating.

This or That?

Everyone has likes and dislikes when it comes to working out! I found this on another blog and thought it was absolutely wonderful. I think we all need to figure out what we like about working out and focus on that piece of the pie! This doesn't mean only do the things you like in workouts we all have that one thing we hate to do at the gym. The key is to be positive and find preferences! 

This or That?

• Run or Work Out in the Heat and Humidity or the Freezing Cold?

I would have to say cold. Your energy gets zapped so quickly in the heat but the cold reminds me of early morning cross country workouts which were HORRIBLE. 

This is a lovely picture from maybe 7th or 8th grade! Cross country dedication! 

• Have Washboard Abs or Flat Abs 

Flat abs! 

• Dr. Oz or The Doctors?

To be perfectly honest I try to stay away from shows like this because I am a nut job.   They borderline put me into a  panic about my own healthy and body- I just don't think that a person can do everything they suggest to be healthy. I always seem to finish the show trying to decide what I am going to die of first. 

• Cardio or Strength Workouts?

Cardio! I am really starting to like the mix of strength and cardio circuit workouts. Puppy Sophie likes cardio best too! 

• Cravings: Protein or Carbs?

Carbs for sure- nothing like a good bowl of chips and salsa. 

• Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper?

Bob he just seems a bit nicer and I loved his book The Skinny Rules was a great read. I do like Jillian's workout videos and try to do her 30 day shred video when all else fails. 

• Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream?

Frozen yogurt! I love all the goodies you can put into the yogurt and if you want to be cheap just put less in the bowl its all done by weight. 

• Strength Training Upper Body or Lower Body?

I personally love to do legs for one reason its easier for me. I don't mind arm workouts but I just feel like I am weak and have to push myself harder on those workouts 

• Protein Powder or Food with Protein? 

Either depends what is easier- sometimes a protein shake is just easier than cooking some type of meat! 

• Lunges or Squats?

Squats- again it seems easier in reality I am sure this is absolutely false however in my head squats with a little weight its just right.

• Sweet or Salty?

SALTY! SALTY! SALTY! I usually reach for something that is more salty and savory than sweets. I haven't read this book  Eat Right for Your Blood Type  yet but its all about eating for your blood type and how this could impact your cravings.  Its on the list

• Workout Attire: Cute or Comfy?

I tend to go towards what works and cute. I like having nice workout clothes but at the same time I am NOT going to be a girl that is only in a sports bra on the treadmill. 

• Body Pump or Heavy Lifting?

Body Pump, there is a class that I am wanting to try at my gym but I haven't made it yet. I am also planning to sign up for Best Body Bootcamp in a few days. I am so excited! 

• Yoga or Pilates?

Yoga- I took a Pilates class in college and HATED it. The instructor was not fun and wanted us to learn all the names and forms but we didn't spend much time doing anything. I love my Bethenny Frankel DVD Body By Bethenny

• Nike or Adidas?

I tend to buy Nike just because I think it is cuter. I love the colors they offer and have always been a fan of Nike running shoes. I will admit that I just purchased some Under Armor gear and loved it.  I am debating about trying a pair of their running shoes. 

• Running: Treadmill or Outdoors? 

Depends but I seem to run on the treadmill more than outside. I have vowed to run outdoors a couple times a week now that it has cooled off a bit. The 100+ degree weather just makes me want to die so I have not been running outside. In preparation for our 5k in October I need to hit the pavement! 

• Summer or Winter Olympics?

Summer- I love swimming and gymnastics.

• Exercises Classes or Exercise Videos?

I like videos however a little puppy named Sophie tends to get in my way when I do them. I don't mind classes but for some reason I honestly don't like going to them by myself. I should just go I know but I don't want to be the crazy lady that can't keep up. I need one fitness focused friend that will attend with me. My mom loves classes so I plan on getting a guest pass to her gym when I am home each time to attend with her. Her favorite class is water aerobics- she tells me she is the youngest by 20 years!  

• Steamed veggies or roasted veggies?

Roasted veggies rock! I like this since you can add whatever spices you want and they can be a little crunchy.

What would your answers be? Take time to answer a few and then get your bottom in gear and do something active today! 

A Shot of Cool

Today when I took Sophie out for our morning romp I was shocked- it was not hot outside! It was beyond pleasant and a great moment. I started my weekly cleaning and laundry so very fun! I also talked to my parents for a bit which is always a nice treat!

Breakfast was me not being sure what I wanted to eat so I had a little bit of everything. I had two eggs and a bowl of Raisin Brand with almond milk.

I then ran to the store and grabbed my weekly fruit and veggies. I did not need much of anything else which I love shopping trips like that! Duane told me he would grill some chicken and a couple different meats tomorrow so I'm set!

I am actually very excited today. One of the guys that Duane works with created a diet for some of them to stay in shape and eat right. He has decide it is something that he wants to follow and I completely am on board. However after I heard what the diet was I wanted to hit him- it's exactly  what I have been trying to do for him! Whatever it's easier when he is eating healthy with me and not trying to take me to 50 cent wing night.

For lunch I honestly couldn't decide what I wanted. Nothing sounded good even though I was hungry and very thirsty! I made a green tea icey to drink.

Green Tea
1 Tsp Honey
Juice of one lemon

Lunch consisted of blue cheese wedge salad with light blue cheese dressing, pulled pork and a nectarine.

I am about to head off to the gym for a nice long workout. I am very stiff from taking 2 days away so I need to get a moving.

Surprise Breakfast and Lunch

I woke up this morning feeling a little under the weather. I like everyone else had to attend work today so I scraped myself out of the bed. A happy surprise awaited me! 

Duane had me a perfect cup of coffee waiting and a cheerful smile! 

I enjoyed my coffee then took my little Wiggle on a walk. Wiggle is what Duane calls Sophie since every time she sees him she wiggles around and slaps the sides of her body with her tail. Then she pees everywhere...lovey. 

After our walk, I came back to the house and Duane asked what I would like for breakfast! What?!? I get coffee and breakfast?! It was a lovely surprise and breakfast was wonderful. Duane is an AMAZING cook and even with something as simple as eggs he masters it. I had scrambled eggs, bacon, a peach and blue berry Greek yogurt. I ate everything but the yogurt- I was too full and it made a perfect snack at work later in the morning. 

I received second surprise today when Duane asked if I would meet him for lunch.  Well of course I will! This sounds like something so small-but it was really nice for us.We were talking at lunch and decided this is the first time we have met for lunch during my work day. It was nice to see him and talk about the day so far. 

Duane is on the hunt for a good Thai place so we tried Thai Pepper.  The food was amazing my favorite part was the starter soup but my main dish was fabulous as well. I ordered Pad Thai, it was different than anything I have had previously much more peanuty.

I forgot to take pictures of the entire meal so here is my dish!

 After lunch Duane made me get a Thai coffee to go. The coffee was much stronger than my standard iced coffee from Starbucks. I like the sweet and coffee flavor but it was made with real sugar which I am trying to reduce! This was the best idea for keeping me up all afternoon at work though. 

Overall it was a wonderful day and I am so happy that Duane and I got to do some "normal" day stuff since he is usually asleep and I am usually at work. 

Do you have something special that you do with a significant other that might seem "everyday"? 

Do you like a big breakfast or would you prefer to eat something smaller?

First Chiropractor Appointment

In my quest for health I was at the gym and a local chiropractor was giving health exams. I decided sure I have fifteen minutes so I went through the quick process. Much to my amazement my head actually sits TWO inches forward from where it needed to be! I scheduled an appointment for me and Duane (he loves it when I just sign him up for stuff) I went last week go x-rays and so forth. Turns out my neck is in no bueno shape!

This is a sample picture of what my neck looks like right now. This could also be a factor in my shoulder tension and headaches!

No curve in the neck 

Here is an example of a healthy neck shape! 

Natural Curve 

See the difference? 

I had a great experience today. We first did exercises that will help align my spine all the way through and work the muscles to minimize the chance of my neck going back to the straight shape. My adjustment was not painful at all but felt really good. I am a bit sore a couple hours later but that is common. I am just drinking lots of water! The only think that I think is hard is the time- I have to devote about 45 minutes 3 times a week! Sophie isn't happy she doesn't get to see me until about six pm! 

Today's workout! 

Elliptical 

Time  Resistance 

0-3          5 

3-10        11

10-12:30  13

12:30-15  14 

15-25       11 

Also ran 1 mile run wahoo! I have a beauty of a workout planned for tomorrow workout. Hopefully  my neck and shoulders will be happy! 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or chiropractor these are MY thoughts and MY experiences. Please consult your own doctor for personal information! 

Not Much Labor Weekend

As I sit here writing I am sad that the weekend has already ended! Three days have gone way too fast and I need more I tell you moooorrrreee! To be perfectly honest I just like wearing workout clothes everyday instead of my business casual- I absolutely love the job part!!

Onto the weekend! We did not do much on Saturday but run errands and watch TV. Duane brewed beer after I was asleep on the couch so here is my one picture! Promise I will do an entire post on the beer brewing.

Beer making

We were planning to eat meals off of the pulled-pork shoulder Duane made but seemed to only eat a couple and decided on Italian for date night! The pork was unbelievable and I will convince Duane to make it again. I also love it because I have a weeks worth of meat to create different plates. 

Out of the Oven

All Pulled Apart 

Lunch: Little mustard and BBQ sauce on my sandwich

I also made one of my favorite cookies this weekend for a sweet treat. Since I honestly am a terrible baker I of course made No-Bake Cookies. They were really good! At the end I started making them bite size and will do this from now on. I do not need a whole cookie just a couple bites! 

The puppies were in full form this weekend. It was mostly my  fault- I usually take Sophie and Bogey on walks or working towards runs! However it was HOT in Texas this weekend and relaxing in the cool house was much better as an option. So they ran around the house. We try to put them in the back yard to play but they just sit at the door looking like an ASPCA add. Aren't they so mistreated??

While Bogey and Sophie are going nuts Arnold is a big fat baby and wants to be held. The 90 pound golden retriever fits nicely in all laps yes? Duane is by far Arnold's favorite person (I'm a close second!) but he wants attention from Duane and is a pest if he doesn't get it. 

Beer Brewing and Morning Workout

Happy long weekend everyone! I am planning a weekend of relaxing with Duane and the puppies!

Duane has adopted the hobby of beer brewing so we (he) is going to brew beer and I plan on drink it. I love all his different kinds of beer. He honestly loves experimenting with flavors and different kinds of beer. I have a couple favorites: Lemon Beer and Blood Orange Beer. He made the Blood Orange Beer for me it has become favorites of many but he knows its alllllll mine! I will post more pictures after we complete our beer today! 

On to my morning workout! 

I started off with 15 minutes on the elliptical. I wanted to do about 30 but oh heavens I was so bored with it today. I knew I wanted to do something different so I stole pieces of a workout from one of my favorite blogs! Peanut Butter Fingers (LOVE this blog) I am working on creating workouts like she does and posting them! Here is what I did today! 

I had a shake for breakfast and not sure what we are going to do for lunch!