Monthly Archives: June 2011
New things for me!!!
My mom didn’t want any visitors today 
she’s not feeling too well. So since our plans to visit her fell through, our plans to go out to dinner fell through too.
We both decided to do whatever for dinner. We seem to be having a lot of “whatever” dinners lately.
I found some turkey(?) burgers in the freezer and grilled them up. I had one on a sandwich thin.
We usually only buy turkey burgers, but these seemed a little dark. Eesh, it’s all good.
Must have been, cause I ate the second burger with a lil ketchup.
Gimme more (mystery) meat
Adam wanted to run to Best Buy, to do their buy back program for our old phones. My phone was worth about $29, so I was getting some stuff.
I’ve had my eyes on the headphones for months now, and the dvd, well, it was an impulse buy. I couldn’t decide between Jackie Warner and Jillian Michaels, but this one is five separate workouts; 1 -40 minute total body workout and 4- 15 minutes workouts (total body, abs, upper body and lower body). I’m thinking about trying a couple of the 15 minutes ones, but I might not have enough time cause I wanna get some quality time in with this guy…..
You don't know how long I've waited for you.
Oh yes, my friends. That is the new Ninja Kitchen System 1100!!
I’ve already CRUSHED some ice!! Adam really liked it, and it was just ICE!! I can only imagine all the yummy things I’ll make with it. I already know I’m going to pulverize a parsnip in a smoothie tomorrow morning.
Feeling hot, hot, hot!
Last nights dinner needed to be pretty fast, as I was originally planning on visiting my mom at the hospital. I made myself scrambled eggs (2 whole + 1 white). I also toasted up the last piece of ciabatta bread with a little buttah.
She's got eggs, she knows how to use 'em
I added some hot sauce that I bought from Moe’s the other day.
This stuff is hottt!! Like nose running, lips tingling hot.
Once I knew the hospital visit was a no go, we decided to head to the grocery store and get a few things. We went to the Price Rite store on Elmwood. It’s a little out of the way, but they have alot of ethnic products I’ve never seen at Wegmans and they’re pretty affordable.
We bought a few of these…
I know they’re pretty sugary, and definitely not the best yogurt choice, but I figured they’d make a better dessert option than ice cream. And they we’re 45 cents each. What a steal!!
They also have Chobani yogurt for only 99 cents! So, I picked up a few of my favorite flavors.
I also bought a beet, which is a new experience for me. I’ve actually been thinking of ways that I could incorporate a beet into my morning smoothie, and after peeking around online, I found a recipe for a Red Velvet Cake Smoothie. So, yeah, I gotta try that.
When we got home from the store, we threw everything in the fridge and headed out for a bike ride. We got in a little over 6 miles, which was ok with me.
When I woke up, I just couldn’t imagine doing Tae Bo, my knees were a little sore, but we’ll see what the rest of the day brings.
Just a quick update
Adam and I just got back from a bike ride, and I need to hop in the shower and head to bed. But I wanted to update my readers on my Mom’s surgery.
They started later than anticipated, it was originally scheduled for 1pm, so by 4 I was really getting antsy. But my Dad called me a little after 5 to let me know that she’s out of surgery and in the recovery room.
I was planning on heading up to visit her tonight, but she JUST got into her room around 8ish, and visiting hours ended at 8 (go figure). So, I’m heading there tomorrow after work to spend some time with her.
Keep sending Momma good thoughts, she’ll be up and movin in no time.
Wonder how long until she can go on a bike ride with me?
Appetizer Overload
Last night, Stephanie, Kim and I went to Russell’s Steak and Chop.
They have a special on Tuesday’s where select appetizers are only $5. We ordered quite a few to try while we chatted the night away.
HUGE bowl of calamari.
We also had some martinis.
I went with the Pineapple upside down cake.
We also splurged on dessert.
Perfect lil dessert
It was a creme brule sampler. There was raspberry, vanilla and blueberry.
I have some really light meals planned for today, to compensate for everything I shoved down my gullet last night.
And I’m hoping the rain goes away so Adam and I can get in a bike ride.
Serious Note: My mom is having hip replacement surgery today. So send some good thoughts for a quick recovery her way! 
Hope this makes you smile
Heavy weights, light lunch.
Last night, after my plyo workout, I ate my candy apple from the Lawn Fete saturday.
While it was delicious, it wasn’t cinnamon, which is how I like my candy apples.
I actually have a recipe for plain popcorn drizzled with a crunchy cinnamon coating. It’s amazing, and impossible to stop eating, so I don’t make it very often.
This morning, I attacked my P90x Shoulders and Arms disc! I was actually pretty excited to do this one because A.) It’s my favorite and B.) I couldn’t wait to increase my weights.
I decided to give my 10 pound weights a try, as I was finding this disc to be on the lighter side, and not really challenging. It made quite the difference, and I was feeling it!
I did something slightly different for breakfast. My sister had bought some ciabatta bread over the weekend. There was a little left and I’d hate to see it go to waste, so I toasted it up, and topped it with PB, bananas and chia seeds.
It was crunchy, warm and ooey gooey. It would make for an excellent dessert.
I had some of the leftover Chiavettas chicken, with a cheese stick and pomegranate chobani, which is gross by the way. The flavor is good but I almost cracked a tooth on a pom seed!
I tried to keep lunch on the light side. I’m going out for happy hour hors’ d’oeuvres with Stephanie and our friend Kim.
The available appetizers sound so decadent, and I’d like to try a few (or all of them 
)
When you go out for happy hour, what’s your favorite drink of choice?
Why so serious?
I’m about to go all “Afterschool Special” on ya’ll, but I’ve been thinking about this today…
In all my years of trying new diets and exercise fads, one thing remained strong all along. I always had pretty high self esteem.
Even when I was at my heaviest, I never really thought I was “fat” or “ugly” and I certainly never called myself those things. In fact, I often said, “I’m beautiful no matter what my size”. Something I continue to remind myself today. But perhaps, it was that mentality that contributed to my weight gain.
It was the summer of 2009, when pictures started to surface of myself, and I really noticed that I’d let myself go.
Takes guts, to sho ya my gut.
I’m sure I had many a moment, looking back, where I may have said awful things about my body, I may have even said that I “HATED” it!!
But nothing breaks my heart more now, than hearing other women bashing their bodies, all parts. “I hate my knees”,” I hate my arms” ”You’ll never see me in shorts, I hate my legs” etc.
Working out and eating right, has slowly, but surely, made me appreciate my body, all parts of it, for what it is.
And it is strong, and it is beautiful!
Happy Girl
So please, put on the shorts this summer, and the tank tops and maybe even a mini skirt. Because what makes you beautiful, ALL parts of you, is how you feel about yourself, and if you feel great, you’ll look great!
Ok, stepping down off my soap box.
This morning I completed the P90X Shoulders, Chest and Tricep disc.
*I updated the exercise tab with the breakdown of that disc.*
I cannot do pushups, even the girly ones. And that disc consists of pushups a whole buncha ways. 1 handed, clap pushups, side to side. Humph, they’re tough. I managed to squeak out about 10 of each, except the 1 handed.
I also increased the tricep exercises to my 10 pound weights, and I was feelin it.
I’m doubling up on the P90x today because I took yesterday off, so I gotta bust out some Plyo later too.
But first, dinner.
I threw 2 frozen chicken breast in the crock pot with 1 cup of Chiavetta’s.
It shredded up, and I had it with some salad on the side.
If you don’t know what Chiavetta’s is, I feel bad for you it’s a vinegar based marinade, and its amazing!
On to Plyo!
Happy Father’s Day
After work yesterday, Kate Adam and I went out to lunch to have some sushi. I know Kate likes it, and we wanted to go together so she could suggest other items I might enjoy. I went with a sweet potato roll again, and a spicy crab and spicy tuna rolls.
They were different than the other restaurant. Am I wrong in thinking that a spicy crab roll should be the same regardless of where you order? I think next time I’m sticking to the sweet potato and cucumber. Maybe skip the fish all together.
We also ordered the crab filled tuna dumpling appetizer.
mmmmm......nope!
It took everything in me to not puke on the table when I bit into one of these guys. Maybe sushi isn’t for me.
We continued our “Kate weekend” last night by having everyone over some (more) pizza and wings.
I love when we all get together, there’s so much laughing, usually at someones expense, but it’s all in good fun.
The “kids” decided to walk over to a Lawn Fete that was taking place about a block from my house. We left Ma and Pa behind, with the promise that I’d bring back some fried dough for them.
First stop, these baby piggies.
Some Pig
Are you friggin kidding me!!?? Are they not sooooo cute??
We played some games, tried the mini donuts and got a candy apple. (My Favorite)
This morning started early, like workday early. We had to get Kate back to the car rental place by 8 am, so we decided to do breakfast right after that to beat the crowd.
We all met again for breakfast at Perkins. I ordered scrambled egg whites and a short stack of pancakes (3). It came with the crispy potatoes, I picked at a few, but ultimately passed on ‘em.
I thought about getting some bacon…..
But I couldn’t.
I enjoyed my pancakes! Mostly because I just LOOOOOVE their syrups. Apricot and Mixed Berry.
After breakfast, we headed over to my in laws new house, they just closed on Thursday, to get in some QT with the father-in-law.
We spent a few hours getting the tour, but then we were ready to gome home and chill. But first we stopped at Moe’s for a late lunch/early dinner.
Welcome to Moe's
I got a Joey Jr. burrito, and I devoured it, and all the chippies too.
Then I got home and took a niiiice, looong nap. It was a great day!
Happy Father’s Day!
I wanted to wish my Dad a very happy father’s day! My dad is an amazing man. He is kind, and gentle. He has accomplished so many wonderful things, and is a shining example of a great man. He has done many, many years of volunteer work, paying special attention to under privileged children.
When I was young, my father organized a Christmas program for children who normally wouldn’t get a Christmas. We would collect gifts and deliver them to the school. I will NEVER forget, as long as I live, the looks on the kids faces, when they saw us walking in with box upon box of wrapped gifts, from Santa.
I recently was thinking about our beach trips with Dad. We would push him in the water over and over and laugh until our bellies hurt, and he never tired. I often think of the tolerance he had for us as children, and also as we got older. As some of us may have been a little rebellious.
He is the best man I know. I love him more than any words can say.
Let’s not get impailed now…
Last night started our Friday Night Jart League! Kate came to join in the festivities too!
Sisters!!
They're the 3 best friends that anyone could have.....
After finishing our games, and in my case some serious running away from a rogue jart (Thanks again, Adam), it was time to eat dinner.
Everyone say "Hi" to Jack
It was pizza and wings for week 1.
Luckily Stephanie made a big salad. So 1 slice of pizza and salad made it onto my plate.
I was pretty proud of myself for resisting the sweets. There were brownies, and even an ice cream cake, but I passed on both (HOLLA).
But I was crushing the Jello shots. And I’m kinda dragging today. I was extremely grateful that it was my off day from P90x. But as crazy as this sounds, I got my new heart rate monitor in the mail yesterday, so I kinda want to work out and put it to use.
Adam, Kate and myself have made plans to get some sushi when I get out of work. Yay! Then the whole family is coming over later for pizza and wings. (I know, pizza 2 days in a row. I’ll be making a salad too)
Fun Family Time
So last nights event for dad went on without a hitch. Dad was shocked and literally speechless to find out he had won the award, so then to see all of us there, I think he was emotionally overwhelmed.
Mom and Dad
The Kids
The Gang
The dinner started with the standard salad, which was awesome! My brother is not much of a salad guy, so he let me and Renae split his.
Then we moved on to the main course, filet mignon. It came with a twice baked potato and baby carrots that were swimming, SWIMMING, in butter. Kinda gross. But I ate them, I couldn’t leave a veggie behind.
EEk! Bad picture.
There was also dessert served, ice cream and a brownie. (I’ll spare you a picture, they’re all super blurry )
We were all so proud of Dad. He has some great public speaking skills, and he busted out a GREAT speech off the top of his head. You could tell he was trying to keep it together, but he’s awesome, so everything was perfect! Love you Dad!!
And we might have been a little too rowdy for the other guests. I definitely noticed my dad giving us the stink eye a few times last night. OOps, sorry Dad!
This morning started bright and early with some Kempo X and Jello shots. No, I wasn’t eating ‘em, I was getting them ready for tonight.
It’s opening night of our Friday Night Jart League. It’s a fun group of people, throwing some outlawed lawn darts. But it’s always a great time.
Dad’s Big Day
I know, I know, Father’s day isn’t until Sunday, I’ll explain in a bit. But first….
I started today with a little Tai Bo, courtesy of one, Billy Blanks.
I had to allow myself a little extra time getting ready so I could be über dressy!
Bathroom shot!
My dad is being presented with an award this evening, recognizing his years of service with the Erie County School Boards Association.
But it’s all a big surprise!!
That’s the reason my sister came in, we’re all going to show up to dinner with big smiles! We’re very proud of him! What a great way to kick off the Fathers day weekend. Too bad we all still have to work tomorrow, right?
I enjoyed a rather large iced coffee for breakfast, but when a coffee run was mentioned to work, I hopped on board and ordered another one.
For lunch, I’m keeping it light, because of the big dinner later. Filet mignon? you betta believe it!!
Yogurty Cereal Bowl
I had a mango chobani with some cereal added in for texture and a cheese stick. I’m sure my small lunch is going to turn me into a beast (i.e. Hungry Beyotch), and I will attack my steak like a wild animal.
