Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Mommy Needs Coffee: Family Time

Workout: Boost of Energy Yoga - 30 min + weights

Apparently, Dice (the instructor) was telling us back-bends are like taking a shot of caffeine, they provide a boost of energy. I, however, prefer my caffeine in the the form of a yummy caffeinated beverage known as COFFEE.

Today was of the cold-brewed, overnight iced variety with coffee ice cubes. The first of the season. 'Twas a good morning! But not as good as this, someone caught them having family time!


Ahh, family time!

I am so blessed to have a really tight-knit family. RC, the BB and I are known to spend most of our weeknights and weekends together.

Weeknights involve inside playtime while Mommy cooks, dinner, outside playtime, clean-up time, bath time, sleepy time followed by some decompressing time with RC. It's a routine, sometimes it's grueling and repetitive but those hugs/smiles/little things in-between make it all worth while.

Decompressing time is must for us, we usually watch our shows, websurf/read and sometimes RC and I will have some good conversations. I read this article last week and I have to admit I never really thought about our marriage as something the BB wants us to focus on.

I wholeheartedly agree, though - I know as a kid I knew when things were no-bueno for my parents. I was always blessed, though because they made their marriage a priority.

RC and I are trying to do the same, but for me there is a little feeling of guilt associated with not spending all our free time with BB. I have to get over it, I know. Maybe we should start monthly date nights?

If you're married + kids, how do you make your marriage a priority?

ADios :)

Monday, April 23, 2012

The Salad Case: side planked

Workout: Side Plank Power Yoga 30 min

The lady was not kidding when she said to "Get ready to sweat!" I didn't listen and was soaked by the time the class ended.

This was a level 2/3 and I managed to keep up, but side planks are a little intimidating to me. I decided to tackle my fear of them and am so glad I took this class. It was tough, but it gave me something to work towards and I can tell my core and my back were liking it!

After a hiatus from the Salad Case due to part laziness + part thinking we got a staff discount at the campus cafeteria, it's back:


In the mix:

  • Handfuls spinach
  • Roasted potatoes, carrots, asparagus
  • Avocado
Not too shabby; plus, I didn't feel like I was slaving over the stove setting it up. On Sundays, I just have to learn to keep things as simple as I possibly can because I can get a wee-bit carried away on things I want to make for the upcoming week.

On to today's "things that make you go, hmm?"


The comments section is hilarious!

ADios :)

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Taco Thursday: Rational?

Workout: Have Fun Morning Flow 30 min

Yes, that would be me having fun by squeezing in yet another yoga session this AM. This one was slow placed but I could still feel my heart rate up in certain spots.

One of the poses was a headstand - ha ha. Ha ha. Me? A headstand? Ha ha.

Even doing those headstand attempts is difficult for me, but I've never in my entire life been able to do anything that involves me on two hands. It's probably a mix of NO upper body strength and my fear that I will hit pavement right on my face?

Ever have that fear? Is it rational?

Pretty sure it’s not, but no worries – tacos to the rescue:

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Fish Tacos that is!

  • 1 lb tilapia
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 caramelized onion
  • 1 packet taco mix
  1. Stir-fry bell pepper and onion until tender
  2. Add fish and taco mix and follow directions
  3. Assemble and add your toppings
  4. Enjoy!

I like to heat the tortillas on a griddle until they’re nice and crispy. RC, not so much – but we make due ;) He’s ok with it because you save TONS of calories from not frying them!

What are your favorite tacos?

ADios :)

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Work It Wednesday: Yogaglo!

Workout: Serious Core

Last week, before we left for Austin I got an email informing me that youble.com was going under. So sad :( I guess not enough people were signing up and so it goes.

I absolutely loved their Power Body and Body Pump classes and had grown to really like their yoga session format. Know of any online body pump classes?

I immediately re-activated my yogaglo.com account and have been yogaglo’in ever since – even on vacation. See:

W: Athletic Cross Training Yoga – 20 min

Th: lots of walking in downtown Austin

F: Continuous Flow – 45 min

Sat: driving back

Sun: recovering + lots of walking + chores

Mon: `Where did the time go? Yoga – 45 min

Tue: Power Packed Flow – 30 min

Imagine that?

I think I’m going to start adding my weekly workouts on Wednesday as a way to track them. Hopefully it’ll shame me into doing something other than yoga + walking. I know I need to throw some weights and running into the equation, but it’s just so easy to roll out of bed and get started.

So, onto today’s Recipidea which is more of a Guessipidea. Can you make out the ingredients?

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I took this picture sometime last month, so my guess it had the following ingredients:

  • roasted red bell peppers
  • roasted sweet potatoes
  • caramelized onions
  • Queso Fresco (awesome awesome awesome)
  1. Roast red bell peppers and sweet potatoes until done
  2. Stir-fry onions until caramelized
  3. Throw it all together and top with cheese
  4. Enjoy!

Don’t you hate it when you make something really good, then totally forget about it?

On to chill with these guys:

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ADios :)

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Taco Thursday: Shrimp + Kale

Workout: 30 min Youble.com Body Sculpt class

Loved it - such a great class :D

Work has been on overdrive lately, so working out definitely helps keep me somewhat sane. Plus, I had my chiropractic therapy to look forward to and the promise of a full week away from work on the horizon. Can't wait!!!


I'm going on a conference and the fam is tagging along to to Austin, TX - one of my favorite cities (minus the humidity).


I could have sworn I took pictures of the awesome easy-peasy recipe below, but I didn't. Instead, you get a cute puppy pic to go along with the recipedia :)



Shrimp + Kale Tacos
  • 1 bunch kale broken up into small pieces
  • 2-3 servings of frozen shrimp
  • butter/margerine/olive garden
  • Garlic seasoning
  1. Toss the kale in the butter and stir-fry until wilted (~5 min)
  2. Add lots and lots your favorite seasoning
  3. Add shrimp and stir until fully cooked (that's your call)
  4. Serve in tortillas
  5. Enjoy!
ADios :)



Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Work It (minus Wedge) Wednesday!

Workout: 30 min Conscious Flow? yoga

Yes, I’m still here – taking it day-by-day; and by it – I mean LIFE :)

I’ve had to slow it down and simplify things (or try to) in the last month and I have to admit I’m liking it. The back troubles continue, the chiropractor has been a HUGE help and I’m feeling better but it definitely made me realize I needed to switch up my routine.

Among other things, here’s what I’ve been doing:

  • No running, more walking – speed-walking is where it’s at. I split it up throughout the day but I think it adds up.
  • No more wedges (or heels) to work. All Birki’s  - ALL THE TIME! I know it’s not fashionable, but I figure my back will thank me one day.
  • I’m trying to get more sleep (as always) so I’ve given up on the idea of getting up at 5. Instead I’m getting to bed by 10:30 (yay) and wake up at 5:45 to get a good 30-min workout. It feels weird not planning for a full hour, but I still feel the endorphin post-workout rush.
  • Prepping for my breakfasts and lunches on Sunday was taking a toll on me, so I’ve learned that
    1. rice-bowls with frozen veggies make GREAT salad cases for lunch
    2. my work has some good sushi rolls that I can pair with some spinach for a healthy lunch
    3. hard-boiled eggs are a breakfast life-saver. You can pair them with so many things, my fave-combo involves hummus in a tortilla – so good!
    4. opting for some pre-cut veggies sometimes is NOT the end of the world
  • Simplified weekly meal plans – the easier the better. Finding that balance between simplicity and nutritious meals can be daunting, but it is possible (or so I tell myself).

Realizing that maybe I don’t need to make a batch of my own almond butter(among other things) every weekend has freed up my Sundays.

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Can’t complain too much ;)

What are your favorite ways to simplify your life?

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Abacus likes it when I go mid-week grocery shopping and bring home some healthy roasted turkey.

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Add some roasted asparagus and some whole-wheat mac-n-cheese and you have dinner in < 10 minutes.

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But then you may also have to deal with your own counter surfer, so beware!

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ADios :)