Little Things: Carrot-cake pudding!

Workout: 20 min interval run + 20 minute core yoga workout

I was very proud of myself this morning because I almost talked myself out of the workout. I only got six hours of sleep but was feeling ok so I did it anyway and I felt good. Up until around 8 am when my body was screaming for caffeine.

Why do I do this to myself? My body needs more sleep!!! Hopefully I'll start learning this lesson! Any tips?

Last weekend I made the mistake of buying a 5lb bag of carrots. It's Tuesday and I think I'm all carrot'ed out!   Thanks Sam's - thanks A LOT! What's a girl to do?

Make some carrot-cake pudding in a jar:

1/4 c pecans
1/4 c raisins
3 roasted carrots, pureed
splash of water
splash of vanilla
dash of cinnamon, optional
2 T chia seeds

I pureed the pecans first, then added reconstituted raisins (raisins + water nuked in the microwave for a minute.). I added the carrots, vanilla and cinnamon and pureed some more. Then mixed in the chia seeds.

It was good! I served it for breakfast over a whole-wheat sandwich thin two day's in a row.

However, I've had carrots in my salad both days. Plus carrots in some egg-rolls I made last night (BTW, did you know you can bake egg-rolls instead of frying them?)

Carrot overload!

Sam's - I love some of your deals, but I'm steering clear of any 5lb bags of produce from now on!

Do you guys suffer from any veggie overload?

ADios!

The Salad Case: I'm back!

Workout: 30 min Jackie Warner weights power circuit + 20 min interval run

It never fails, anytime I think (or say) "I'm back" I always think of George Costanza. In honor of him, here's a special treat:

It works the same for "I'll be back," but that one's a gimme. Are there any movie/tv lines that you always think of when you say something?

I know, I've been SO SO SO inconsistent with the working out/eating healthy -> not posting about it that  I don't even know where to begin. It hasn't been terrible but there were some unmentionables that shall remain unmentioned. Cough*chocolate b-day cake*cough!

Last night, as I was prepping for this week's Salad Case and roasting away I had a little thought - "It's a shame all this hard work can be undone in an instant (or several).

One of the things Jackie recommends is to have a list of reasons why you don't want to be fat with you to help you make the right choices. One of the things on my list would be to not let all this hard prep work go to waste! What would be on your list?

BTW, I'm pretty much done with Jackie's "This is Why You're Fat" book and fixing to start writing the review this week. I've already incorporated some recommendations into my daily routine, I just need to be consistent about it.

Back to today's case:

• couple of handfuls of spinach
• roasted veggies: eggplant, red peppers, carrots, purple onions
• 1/2 cup roasted chickpeas

Don't you just love my photography skillz??? I work in a dungeon (there's literally no windows) and I fought hard for my office space to only use half the lights - there was too much glare and the people wanted it! 3 out of 15 people fought me on it, but we've compromised :) but now I can't use the flash setting without cluing people in to knowing I take pictures of my lovely salads ;)

On that note, I'm very happy to announce that I have signed up for the following:

Whoop! I can't wait!!! I'm sure you can't either, must be tough looking at my pictures sometimes!

Then there's pictures like these, that aren't that tough to look at!

ADios!

Fitness Fridays

Workout: None :(

After getting back on the fitness wagon last Sunday, I've done the following:

Sunday: 20min run + 30 min walk + 20 min yoga
Monday: 30 min weights + 20min run
Tuesday: 60 min yoga
Wednesday: 30 min weights + 20min run
Thursday: none
Friday: none

Last 2 entries = not so good!

This is attributed to my sleeping schedule, or lack there of it! Both nights I've just gone to sleep way too late and had no energy to get up and work it out! I really have to force myself to to sleep earlier, that will be one of my goals next week!!!

I usually like to not work out on the weekends, but I'm just going to have to make an exception.  I foresee a couple of runs and a yoga session in the near future.

On the reading front, I actually started Jackie's book from the beginning.



I'll do a full book report once I'm done, but I am loving it so far! Very straightforward, plus she hits the nail on the hammer when she says "Sugar is the devil!" She makes an excellent case and presents the results in a way that is easy to understand.

Seriously, I know how bad it is but somehow conveniently forget when there's Corner Bakery blueberry muffins in the break room. There were no such muffins yesterday morning, I assure you!

She recommends trying to limit added sugar to 5g per meal, what? 5 g? Is that even possible? I'm afraid the answer is yes!

Starting today, I'm trying to follow that recommendation M-F, but be more lax on the weekends. Lucky for me tomorrow is a Saturday, hehe!

She also recommends adding in some foods that I already eat, like eggs and oatmeal. Oatmeal is my goto late-night snack, which can be a problem when I'm really not that hungry and I start adding stuff in. Imagine milk, nut butters and/or raisins! These calories can quickly add up!

What's a girl to do when the late-night snacks come a knockin? Jackie Warner to the rescue!!! She recommends a mix of decaff green tea + a fruity/herbal tea to combat what she calls an "oral fixation".

Tea < Oatmeal, my friends!

I've tried it before, but let's see if I can stick to it! Could y'all stick to tea for your late-night snack?

Have a great weekend!
ADios :)

The Salad Case: Oops!

Workout: 30 min Jackie Warner's Routine A Circuit 1 Weight Lifting session + 20 interval run

Yayyyy, I actually got up to workout this morning. Whoop!

I only got about 6 hours, but it was the good quality sleep kind so I didn't awake cursing myself for having set the alarm. 'Twas a good morning:)

I hadn't lifted weights in 2 weeks so this workout was just what the doctor ordered. The only thing is, I kept having to reread the description to decide if she meant to pick one Circuit (from the available 3) for Routine A, or if you had to do all 3 circuits to complete Routine A. I'm so confused!

According to Jackie Warner, these routines should be done at a fast pace with no rest in between sets and it should take about 30 minutes. If she means all 3 circuits, there is just absolutely no way. It takes me 30 minutes just doing one circuit. Do you know what she's talking about?

In terms of healthy eats, I'm trying this new thing of having pre-workout snack  followed by breakfast before work and I'm liking it. I used to get to work starving, so I thik this change just works better.

However, today I was famished by 11 so I had an early lunch. An hour later, I remembered that I forgot to take a picture - I even packed the good camera and everything!

So as a back-up, here's a picture of the one I had a couple of weeks ago but never posted!

Today’s looks kinda different, picture it with the following mix:

• 3 handfuls of spinach
• 3 handfuls roasted veggies: broccoli, carrot, eggplant
• 1/4 cup leftover rice
• 1/2 leftover filet medallion (Texas Roadhouse is good!)

There's some Sunday night prep-work that always goes into packing these cases and last night it made me think. I should really try to remember all the hard-work that goes into a healthy lifestyle before I choose to waste it away on silly indulgences.

Jackie ( I mean Mila Kunis) might be onto something when she says losing weight is all about will power! How do you feel about that?

I know it's a lot harder for some people to loose or maintain their weight, but in my case I would have to agree with her. For me, it's the little choices I make each and every day that add up to the big picture (or weigh-in)!

Off to pump up that will power!!!

ADios!

The Weekend Report: a Birthday Baby!

Workout: 20 min run + 30 min walk + 20 min Vinyasa Core Workout

I honestly can’t remember the last time I worked out! I want to say I was going on 2 weeks and I felt like the Blob!

Blobbydi-blob!!!

We got to sleep late after a double-feature of Just Go With It and Fireproof, which was on TV and we decided to watch it. If you haven’t seen them, they both get A+ recommendations from this lady :)

I woke up a little sluggish and immediately regretted having told Richard that I really wanted to go running in the AM. I tried to play it off and just go straight to the walking portion of our morning, but someone called me out. I’m so glad he did! It inspired me to do some core work, and this 20 minute short little level 3 video kicked my abs in the bootay!!!

I think I may be the sweet’s temptress in our little duo! How about you, are you a gas or a break pedal type when it comes to healthy living? I am so lucky to have a husband that is so supportive of our fitness goals! Go RC, go RC, go!

To top it all off, this weekend was EXTRA, EXTRA + EXTRA special! Our little BB turned ONE!!!

A Birthday Tutu + a happy BB girl was called for!

 

As well as a homemade Tres Leches Birthday cake and doting parents!

Seriously, where did this year go? It’s been year of getting to know our little blessing and filled with a love I didn’t know was possible.

It was a memorable whirl-wind type of weekend and I am so grateful!!!

What were you grateful for this weekend?

ADios!

A Natter: Bloggy blues?

Workout: Wait, what is that?

[The scene: 11 pm last night.]
Me: I need to go to sleep, I want to get back into the fitness swing of things...
Me: I'm pooped, Vegas was fun - but it's so nice to be back at home...
Me: Routines are good, who ever said routines are no good?
Me: I could retire in Vegas, there's so much to do there...
Me: But what if we invest in a condo and they end up running out of water by the time we're ready to retire?
Me: What would we do if we run out of water here?
Me: We live close to the river, but I doubt we could drink that water...
Me: It's a good thing we live in an area close to the water table, maybe we could just build a pump in our backyard.
Me: But what if everyone else around us did that, would the land just collapse?
Me: We'd be screwed.
Me: I really need to set up one of those emergency back-packs to be ready to go.
Me: Just in case the zombie's attack.
Me: Why can't I go to sleep.

[The clock shifts to 12:00 am]
Me: I'm instituting the "it's past midnight so no workout in the am" rule.
Me: Alarm is off, had a handful of raisins, Lightning Bug is on.
Me: Sleep, let's do this!

Yes folks, how do I go from I’m pooped to zombies attacking and needing to prepare for that? I think I need to start some quiet time, or some routine before sleepy time. I'm just afraid if I do this I'm going to open up the flood gates and I'll never get any sleep. How do you guys wind down?

As you may have picked up, we just got back from Vegas. Mind you, a trip to Vegas with a baby - but we got through it and actually had some fun. Among the activities:

• California Pizza Kitchen, when are you coming to EP?
• Touring the Pawn Stars shop, apparently they are now only there while they film.
• H&M Overload (3 floors too much - I didn't buy a thing :( ). I tend to freeze up when there are too many options.
• Buffet Heaven at the Mirage :)
• Baby play time from 2-4:30 AM - yes, please :(
• Enjoying the swimming pool with the BB :)
• Getting to know my Apple Ipad during my BB's nap time - got one for work and I'm liking it :)
• Meeting a playful baby dolphin and wandering through the Secret Garden.

• Town Center in Las Vegas - an awesome place for the kiddos. My BB got to crawl around and we met a PILF  (Parents I'd Like to Friend) couple - wish they lived in EP. Made me realize that "dating" never stops - booo!!!
• Whole Foods, I missed ya!!! Glad I got to visit you, though - your salad bar always mean good times!
• Outlet Mall Shopping :) True Religion, nice to meet ya!
• M&M + Coca Cola store shopping!

• 20 minutes in one of those water massage machines - very worth it :)
• Baby play time from 2-5 AM - yes, please :(
• Strolling through the C Gates while trying to get my BB to sleep and EVERYONE watching = good times. We kept running into another couple doing the same thing, they could have been potential PILFs since we were on the same flight - I'm too shy so I didn't say anything.
• Home Sweet Home :)

In a nutshell, we ate, shopped, walked, saw some family and did some fun stuff, ate some more then walked back and started all over!

The walking offset the eating, so I was shocked that I was pretty much around my happy weight when I got back.

Plus, I got to think some about this blog and decided to keep at it. I missed it! Sometimes I felt like I just scrape together whatever I could for a post, so the quality was definitely lacking *cough* pictures *cough*.

I want to make it a better blog for me and for anyone that might be interested in reading it. If there are any bloggies out there still reading this, I’m taking bloggie requests.

Please let me know if there is anything that you’d like to see more of? Like my attempts at learning how to take better pictures?

Or more doggie pics?

What’d ya say, definitely more doggie pictures. Can’t say no to that!

ADios!

A Beautiful Legacy!

Writer's block? More like blogger's block, I think?

Even as I write this, I'm not sure where to start or what I want to say. Sorry bloggies, I think I'm at a loss for words so I'll try to keep it short and simple.

A couple of weeks ago a dear friend of my best friend was murdered in Cd. Juarez, his name was Jorge Dieppa and he was a beautiful man.

Unsupported allegations have come out against this good man and I just wanted to say, NO - he was a very good man and his legacy speaks for itself.

I had the pleasure of meeting with him a few times, but I can't say I knew him well. What I can say is that there are a lot of people in this world who are better people for having known him.

There were so many facets to his life: husband, father, brother, uncle, pastor, mentor, translator, theologian, instructor, karate black-belt, master of the sword and he excelled in all of them.

I was so inspired by the outpouring of support and love from the community he lived in. It was truly incredible. Martie, his loving wife, was a pillar of strength for all. She has a faith in God that I can't even begin to describe, I can only say that I felt it - you could not help but feel that love.

So there it is bloggies, there it is. I'll try to get back to regular blogging and I know this is probably not the "bloggiest" topic but I kind of felt compelled to write it. Have you ever felt that way?

To honor Jorge, make sure to go forth and seize the day. What a beautiful legacy!

ADios :)