Thursday, January 31, 2013

The cliff

So I am feeling on the verge of getting sick. I am on the invisible cliff -- if I fall one way I will be all better, if I fall the other way I will get very very sick... I hate that feeling! Like just now, I felt great about 5 minutes ago, now I feel like poo again! yuck! well, it is nothing a long night of sleep will fix, which is where I am headed in about 15 minutes!

This week I have had a rough time getting back into my fitness grove since getting back from Dallas. It is crazy how your body can adjust to healthy eating and working out so dramatically in just 3 weeks. But this week has been off. I am still eating well, just feels harder this week somehow. However, I see the silver lining and know I can fix it and I will fix.

After feeling blah the last couple of days I needed to see the humor in things. Once I stopped and looked, there was things all around me to cheer me up. Like this....
 
Welcome to our "big redneck bed!!" Since the last few days have been super chilly our dogs have refused to come downstairs in the morning when we leave for work. Our lovey puppy Oakley has a slight drooling problem and well, long story short we didn't notice the sheets and comforter needed to be washed until bed time last night.. so enter "PATTERN CITY!" There is quite a plethora of colors, designs and patterns going on here. I didn't notice how country-fied our bed looked until today when I got home and B made it! haha! made ME laugh!
 
Another thing that made me smile today was this...
 
 
Juno-Bear can be found in this exact location every night around 7:00 waiting on daddy to get home. Me, she runs to me at the door and says HI, but for her dad, she waits him out and is over the moon when he gets home. B's mom said that when she dog-sits for us when we go out of town, somehow Juno knows the day we are coming home and she plants herself in her spot, watching for her daddy to get home! Such a sweet baby girl!
 
Okay, I am ready to start over tomorrow and get my wrinkles in my workout/eating plan ironed out! I am headed to bed to hopefully sleep off this funk and start fresh in the morning! TTYL HAPPY FRIDAY!!
 
Smiles!



Wednesday, January 30, 2013

A good Start

Well, I don’t want to jinx myself and talk about how fast my week has flown (did that last week and all of a sudden it was like time had S.T.O.P.P.E.D.... ). So just infer that is what I am going to say without saying it! :)

My day started off great! I was a little bummed because I overslept for my treadmill alarm and did not get my morning run in. I was afraid I would beat myself up about it, but, I still felt pretty darn good! Then I made myself the BEST most energizing shake for breakfast! Meet The "Cheryl Shake"... One of my girls taught me to make the most delicious protein shakes and today I kicked it up a notch! Check out my new "Chilly Green Shake"

It was so good and so easy to make.


All I had to do was pop some simple ingredients into the blender and "viola" PERFECTION! And a great way to start the day. And bonus, it completely filled me up until my morning snack! Can’t wait to experiment with some more shakes soon!

My workout this evening was pretty awesome! I went to yoga and the instructor was an instructor I had taken before at Bikram and he is fantastic! This was his first time to teach at my studio and I absolutely loved the class. I swear I walked out of there feeling at LEAST 3 inches taller!!

Off to make dinner, breakfast for dinner... one of my FAVS!! TTYL!

Smiles!





 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

A Perfect Weekend!

Man, I have missed my blog the last couple of days! Trying to get back on schedule after my min - vaca has taken a day or two. So let me catch you up on this wonderful weekend!

I took Friday off from work so I could fly in to Dallas a little early and get some extra girl time in! But first I went for a fantastic 4 mile run outside near my house. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere electric! They were having a fun run at the school in my neighborhood and it was kind of motivating to see those kids and their families excited about running! It pumped me up to keep running as well! I logged 4 miles in exactly 60 minutes. Still not ideal, but getting better every day!

I figured I needed to start my weekend off on the right foot so I got in one last healthy meal before I hit the road for the airport!
 
It was delicious and kept me from making poor choices at the airport!
 
I LOVE flying out of Hobby Airport! It is so bright and welcoming and has THE BEST chairs ever!!

And I made myself at home a quickly as possible...
This was the perfect way to relax and read before take off!

I had a fantastic flight and found the MOST hilarious thing in Skymall Magazine...
 
Seriously! This is hilarious! Would love to meet the person who buys this! Love the cats expression!
 
 
Dallas this weekend was so much fun! I got to spend much needed quality time with my besties and my girls! The main reason for the weekend was my Bestie Cheryl's baby shower. She is having her first boy and everyone is so excited! Cheryl has two adorable girls who couldn't wait to give us makeovers before the shower!

Ahhhhh, nothing like hot pink lipstick all over your mouth and blue eye shadow ABOVE your eyebrows to get you ready for a big night out! I also got the most beautiful blue toes from my precious cosmetologist!

Sunday was a perfect end to the weekend with the baby shower! I was in charge of the favors and I think they turned out pretty well...
 
A little homage to the daddy and his love of baseball! The bags where full of crackerjacks! Just in case people were confused I wrote a poem to go along side.
 
Getting to see all my girls and spending time with them made my weekend complete and perfect! I flew home Sunday night (after a 35 minute delay) to B and our puppies! I was so revived after such a great weekend I got up giddy Monday morning and ran on the treadmill! It felt great!
 
 
I am already excited and planning for our next weekend to Dallas to visit family and friends! Time to hit the hay so I can get up bright and early and treadmill it up!!
 
Smiles!
 




 
 


Thursday, January 24, 2013

Short and sweet

So this blog is going to be uber short. I have been working frantically on my besties baby shower favors for the last 2 days getting them ready for Dallas tomorrow and I have FINISHED! I cannot post a picture yet in fear that she may see them. But I cant wait to take pictures on Sunday and upload them! Well, I am crazy tired and apparently making a TON of spelling mistakes (Thank Goodness for spellcheck!), I am headed to bed. I hope to find Internet connection during my trip this weekend, so I can blog away! But if not, I will see ya on Sunday!! Have a fantastic LONG weekend!!

Smiles!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The little things

Well, we FINALLY have Internet back! We have no clue what is going on with our Internet and our router, but something is not working the way it should! I felt so disconnected last night when I couldn't get online and blog! Crazy how much I look forward to this... but I really do! It is the perfect therapy.

With that said, I NEEDED my blog today! I had a pretty yucky day. Some days are just like that. You just have to roll with the punches and misunderstandings. I almost even skipped my workout tonight, in favor of falling into an old habit of going home, sitting on the couch, sulking and eating. But, my body and brain seemed to go into automatic pilot and next thing I knew I was in front of my yoga studio with 20 minutes to spare. I am SOOOO glad I made the choice to go in and get my sweat on! It was just what I needed. While in my "Zen Zone", my mind wondered and relaxed. I was able to de-stress my mind and focus on the things in my life that make me smile!
The little things. Like...

 
Like, my new awesome routine of giving myself 10 minutes every morning between treadmill and shower to go downstairs and make a cup of coffee (while I pack my lunch). It relaxes me. It makes me stop rushing around in the mornings. I have to slow down and drink it (Or I will spill - YIKES!) as I get ready for work. Feels like it puts me in a great, chill mood and ready to tackle the day. Oh and this is my NEW Starbucks mug I got last weekend super cute and on sale! SCORE!
 
 
Our little bear being a goof ball! This was the other night when I was trying to make the bed and Oakley felt playing was waaaay more important (and I think I have to agree)... oh and disclaimer.. ALL our puppies make me happy! Oakley just happened to have the picture of the day!!
 
 
This one is a little hard to see, but this was tonight after yoga at 6:15ish. Can you see it is STILL daylight outside?? I remember January getting dark by 6:00pm... I have noticed the last few nights, it seems it is staying lighter longer. Has anyone else noticed that? It feels like Spring and I LOVE it!!
 
There are SOOOO many more little things that make me happy, B, my family, my friends, and so many more!
 
I am ready for tomorrow and MORE little things that make me happy!!
 
Smiles!
 
 




Monday, January 21, 2013

Bananas Is Good!

As another great weekend comes to a close, I am getting exited for the upcoming week. I am excited because I love my class and my coworkers so I am ready to go back to work. And I am especially excited because this is a 3 day work for me! I am off on Friday to fly to Dallas, for a mini girls weekend. Cheryl's baby shower is on Sunday and I am staying with the guest of honor for the weekend! I am so excited! I love flying out of Hobby! It is like my vaca starts as soon as I get through security! They sell beer right in the middle of the airport, kind of like at a baseball game, they have little vender's hanging out in the middle of the seats! I am so excited!!

So this blog is not only a diary of my day to day activities but also a journal for my cooking... or my need for massive HELP with cooking. I found this recipe for an amazing sounding smoothie that calls for frozen bananas... So stop reading right there and ask yourself, would YOU know what do if you needed to freeze bananas?? Well, apparently it is not as easy as it sounds. I went to the store and bought extra bananas and popped them into the freezer. In the back - far far back - of my mind I thought, "I wonder how to cut these once they freeze, but I am sure there is a way". Well, 24 hours after putting the bananas in the freezer I called B into the kitchen to tell me what I did wrong... what do you think...
 
The bunch on the top came out of the freezer. The pretty yellow one has a home in the bowl on the counter. B couldn't stop laugh at how nasty the frozen ones looked. And I had to admit as they began to thaw they only got nastier! Oh well, B's mom came over tonight and I showed her, needless to say I got a crash course in freezing bananas, and now well, I am a pro!
 
 
My workout tonight was great! I logged 3 miles on the treadmill at a speedier pace than I have done in a while. So I was very happy with it. My goal for this coming week is to run a minimum of 2 miles every morning before work. I accomplished this goal my first week of my workout routine, but last week allowed myself to sleep in a bit.
 
I have to keep reminding myself, that getting and staying in shape is a marathon not a sprint, so if I flub up a couple of times, I just need to remind myself that it is okay, I am only human. But not to give in or give up. One day at a time, and occasionally, maybe even one hour at a time. It can be done.
 
Smiles!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

I'm too old for this sh**.... maybe...

My free day yesterday was pretty good! I got my nails done, did a little shopping and even almost took a nap (I have never been much of a napper, I always feel like I could be doing something productive). Last night was great fun celebrating B's birthday! We went to one of our favorite places, Flying Saucer. We meet up with some great friends and family. B's brother ordered the most interesting beer.. It was like chewing a piece of bread...
 
Needless to say, it was a first and a last for this one! haha! We had so much fun last night!!
 
Today for B's birthday he awoke to breakfast in bed...
 
What a nice wife I am!! Its funny though, I used to be able to polish off a plate like this no problem (mine is the one on the right). But, since I have started my new workout/eating plan I got full less than halfway through! Go me!!
 
My workout today was supposed to be a 3 mile run. I am still sore and tight from Fridays 6 miler, so I stretched for super long. Once on the treadmill I couldn't get myself going or stay going once I started. I guess that is one of the negative side effects of going out and enjoying yourself a bit too much the night before. I remember when I used to be able to drink until all hours and then get up bright and early and go about my day. Not so much anymore. I mean, I am not hungover today, but I feel BLAH! So, I only made it through a rough 2 miles on the treadmill. I am not too happy with it, but I will take it. And look I even had a workout buddy today..
 
 
I think she may have had sympathy pains for mommy! haha!!
 
Well, tomorrow is a new day and not only that, it is a day off work! So I plan to get in a great run to make up for today AND my usual yoga! I am excited!!
 
Smiles!




Friday, January 18, 2013

Run Meggie Run!!

Well, B and I decided after Christmas we both needed to do something for our emotional, mental and physical health! So I looked it up and found us the Big D Half Marathon in Dallas in mid April... Totally do-able, so we signed up.. 14 weeks.. no big deal right I can do this, I just need a plan...
 
 
Sorry this is in 3 parts.. I just learned how to use "snipper" and I do not think I am very good at it yet! Plus I cant get this darn box to go away! haha! Oh well...

So, I came up with a plan.. Again, totally attainable. Then one of my friends at work asked me to do a half marathon with her near my house in Sugar Land. And it was not so much me not saying no, it was more like me getting UBER excited about a challenge and said, "sure, ya, that would be fun!"...
Well, this half marathon is the day AFTER my birthday on March 3rd about 7 weeks SOONER than planned (or on my training schedule).
Yikes! well, so far I have adjusted well, and am loving the results of new more aggressive workouts.. Now, I am still training for April with a goal of beating my PR, my goal for the March race is just to NOT finish last, I need to finish in 1299th place or better and I will be STOKED!!
With that said, tonight's run was phenomenal! I took advantage of the slightly warmer weather and ran 6 miles outside! I think my new play list REALLY made a difference on this one, cause I improved my time to 14.5 minute miles (2 minutes better than Wednesday!)... I am getting there slowly but surely!
Now onto my free day tomorrow!! Oh and B's birthday weekend! I am excited!
Smiles
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

what...



Enigma, conundrum, duty (cause it just sounds funny!), and echelon.... These are some of my favorite words... they always make me laugh! Some say it has something to do with simple-mindedness (haters), same say it has something to do with being easily entertained (relatives), I say I just like to laugh and for some reason these words just make me giggle... well enigma was defiantly my word for the day.

Most of the girls I work with and a lot of my best friends say that my favorite word is, "what?" (With a head tilt to the side -- I never noticed it till they pointed it out). I usually am either the last one to know, or just have no clue I am supposed to know something I need to know. Well, today I felt like I was "what-ing" a lot. Every time I turned around, I felt like I was walking in on a deep convo and I had to know (but was supposed to already know -- again of course I didn’t). Then at the gym this evening several "what’s??" came together all at once...

Let me privies my story by saying I just created the BEST running playlist on my iPhone and could not wait to run to it... But, as my close friends know, I have a very eclectic taste when it comes to music. My playlist varies from rap, to country, to 80's and sprinkled with a little Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick Jr. So when I stepped up on the treadmill and excitedly pressed "shuffle" on my new playlist I was not sure what to expect first. Well, I should have checked to make sure that my headphones where firmly placed in the sound jack of my phone before pressing play, because all of a sudden you can hear "Nelly's" voice booming through the cardio area of my gym! Then about 7 seconds in, about the time it took me to reach for my phone to frantically to push the plug in and turn it down, Nelly dropped the F-Bomb.... classy! I got a lot of looks from men and women and even a snicker from an employee giving a new member tour... SCORE ONE FOR ME!! haha!! Well, I at least thought it was funny... However, the rest of the time I was on the treadmill people kept looking at me. I hope it was for my musical faux-pau... but I am not completely convinced, a few people who were not in the cardio section would even walk by me and look... so of course the rest of my warm up on the machine I checked my jack about 20 more times to make sure it was snug and no one could hear!

Now to the highlight of my day! This morning, I put on a pair of pants I had bought but had never worn. They are a size smaller than I have been currently wearing, but hopped to fit into one day... drumroll please... THEY FIT!!! And not crazy tight either!!! I am soooo excited! Now the pants are crazy long because I never got to take them to the tailor because I couldn’t zip them up... Well guess where I am going this week?! Whoop Whoop!!!

Smiles!

 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

A dogs life

While B and I ate dinner tonight (subway veggie patty for me -- if you have not had one, try it... strange but delicious! I seem to be on a huge veggie burger kick right now, I cant get enough... but I digress...) we started talking about the cushy life our puppies have. The ridiculously cold weather we have been having is not agreeing with our dogs. I came home this afternoon and 2 out of the 3 dogs had been upstairs all day in our bed. B said when he left for work this morning, he could not convince Oakley (our forever puppy) and Juno (the queen) to come downstairs for him to leave. We now have to have a baby gate block the stairs, to keep Dutch (the lovable giant) downstairs since we got the new wood stairs (she is not at all graceful on them!). Oakley and Juno instead, opted to sleep in ALL day! Man, must be a nice life they live!
Look at that face... who could say no to that! Sweet Oakley Bear! She is so spoiled :)
 
I had a FAN-TABULOUS run this evening! After a sub par day, the first kind of yucky day since starting my new workout/eating regime, I was not feeling ready or willing for a workout. I missed my morning run for a tummy ache, and feared my afternoon may succumb to the same outcome. However, after some uplifting words from one of my amazingly awesome friends, I knocked out 5 miles!! The first 3 were mixed sprints. 1 minute on 1 minute off at a levels 6 and 7. The last 2 miles was a regular run. And the best part was I finished 2 minutes faster than my last 5 mile run! YAY!! Stepping off the treadmill, I felt my good mood and runners high return! So grateful for the kind words of a sweet friend! I needed those today!!
 
Smiles

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

On a roll....

Today was another fast and furious day! I still haven't figured out what is different about this week, but I am hoping it keeps up. I feel like I am getting so much done with my class, I love that feeling! Lets shoot for 3 in a row!

Today's workout was a GOOD one. I had my staff meeting after school and that caused me to get to the gym later than planned. However, I was able to get a quick warm up in, before meeting with my trainer. I KILLED it today! I had a great workout. My trainer even complemented me on my triceps and then I went and stuck my foot in my mouth and said, "ya, that's from yoga!"... Oops! I think I may have hurt his feelings, his workouts are great, but again I am loving my yoga!

Dinner was a change of plans. I made all the meals for the week on Sunday, and the meatloaf I made was accidentally left out over night, and rendered ruined! So that forced me to get creative, and dinner was pretty delicious...
 

Cobb Salad! Loved it!

Well time for bed.. My shoulder is a bit sore and I need to stretch it out! Hope I didn't over do it! TTYL

Smiles

Monday, January 14, 2013

HOT date...

For a Monday today was pretty awesome! School went by crazy fast and my students were on point and well behaved. They were happy and I was happy, they stayed busy and I was busy. Especially for a rainy day recess and the kids not having a break, it was great... I have NO clue what was different about today, but I am going to try my hardest to replicate today and make tomorrow just as good! ha! (good luck to me... if I have learned anything in 5 years of teaching and 20 years of working with young kids in general, nothing is ever normal... everyday is new and everyday is different... well, here's hoping!)

I stayed on track eating today and even experimented having a "Cheryl Shake" at a new time (this is a fantastic protein shake that one of my bestie's, Cheryl, taught me and they are pretty darn good). I made the shake around 7:00am but didn't drink it until 10:30 and I was pleasantly pleased it stayed good for a few hours in the fridge! YAY for yumminess!

Meet my HOT date after school today....

My workout today was one of my favorites! I recently joined a yoga studio near my house and I absolutely LOVE it! I have taken yoga at MANY different gyms and this is by far the best! It was a class called "Flow and Fly" and it was heated. In the class we went through a lot of the same power yoga moves I am used too, but then the instructor spent several minutes leading a mini workshop on 2 particular poses. The Crow and the Headstand... last week my Crow was pretty traditional and my feet came no where near leaving the floor. Today, I was a little braver and lifted one foot and held the pose for several seconds. I was so excited! I was sweating my tail off too.. I love to judge my workouts by the amount of sweat that flies off me, and I must say, I had maximum sweat flingage today!

I left yoga on a yoga high and came home to a pre-made dinner I cooked yesterday erasing my chance to snack or make an unhealthy choice! Gotta love it! Time to get ready for tomorrow. I plan (hope) to get up by 5:00am to get my run in because I have staff meeting after school! TTYL!

Smiles!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Funday...

Today was full! B has been feeling under the weather the past couple of days and we have been laying low. This morning he woke up feeling a bit better! Being the amazing wife I am, I made us oatmeal mixed with fresh bananas and blueberries, in bed. So, the day started off great. I got a bunch done, from cleaning, to cooking, and I even made all the meals for the week! But, my favorite part of the day was my workout!

I was really proud of myself getting my run in this morning. I logged 5 miles on the treadmill. I am VERY happy with my run and it felt great! I pushed myself to not walk as much as the other day and to keep my speed to a level that was tolerable but still challenging. I even beat my time from Friday's 5 mile run. Today I ran 5 miles in 80 minutes (which is 4 minutes better than Friday). That comes out to around 16 minutes a mile. Slow, but for someone like me, making this lifestyle change (to get back in shape) I am TOTALLY happy with it! I can only go up, and I WILL go up!

Yesterday B and I went shoe shopping and I got some new gym shoes and I heart them!
I have owned Under Armor in the past and have LOVED them. So we will see! I am super happy because now I can wear my running shoes strictly for running and not wear them down so much at the gym.

I get to try them out on Tuesday when I train so I will let you know! Gotta get up early tomorrow to get a run in before work so off to bed!

Smiles!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Nummm Nummm Nummmm....


One of the first resolutions I have made for 2013 is to improve my cooking skills. I know many have heard about my escapades in the kitchen. My brothers love to tell the story about the time I made the beautiful Oreo cheesecake. I made this gorgeous Oreo cheesecake for a family dinner. I mixed, I creamed, I crushed the Oreos, it was the most beautiful creation I think I have ever made... Well, it was quite a shock when we all bit in and I had forgotten one small ingredient.. I forgot to add the sugar! YUCK! It was bad. And then there was the time I made sugar cookies and I used confectioners sugar instead of real sugar (the dogs wouldn't even eat them!). Or there was the time I made green bean casserole and I failed to defrost the green beans and well, the casserole was crunchy, but not from the crunchy onion strings. And lastly, lets not forget the time I started a kitchen fire boiling water for tea... There are many, many more stories like this.

The past 2 years that B and I have been married I have desperately tried to change this vicious cycle of disastrous meals and change my nickname from, "nightmare in the kitchen" to "nummmm, nummm in the kitchen" (get it? that yummy noise people make when they like food... nummm, nummm, nummm). B has said I am a much better cook when I make healthy foods that I am when I make unhealthy ones. And this my plan for the new year. To improve my cooking and have people want to eat what I make!

Here is some of this weeks groceries... ground turkey, veggie pasta, asparagus, knorr vegetable soup mix and steak.... throw in a few more yumm yumms and you got yourself a menu!!

Pictures to follow!

Smiles!



Lets try this one more time....

Welcome back to my blog! Yes, yes, yes, I know I have said it before, but I am BACK! This time I mean it. Even though I have not blogged in 9 months, does not mean I have not been thinking about it just about every day. I have missed this online diary. Not only was it good for my body (the exercise part) but it was good for my soul (or sole!). After much thought and some encouragement from a very sweet co-worker (my nerotic but lovable next door neightbor!!) I am writing again.

This time, however, I would like to tweak the blog a bit. I still am going to keep blogging my exercises and fitness, but I also want to write about my attempt at improving my cooking skills as well as other fun things we are doing (hence the Fikac family funness!!). So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride! Smiles!