Random confessions from the Rodeo...

Happy Monday blogging beauties. I hope you're all having a lovely day!

Mine has been more chipper than the norm. Very odd for a Monday! I'd like to thank Mr. Warm Weather and Miss. Sunshine for my joy filled state of mind. Spring is definitely in the air and it's sweet stench tickles my nose with fury. I'm loving every single second of it!

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 9:20am.

The usual bowl of nutrition to keep my magnificent brain fueled at work.

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 wheat bran
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• dash apple pie spice
• pinch salt
• Splenda
• (Microwaved and topped with 1 tbs ground flax, 2 tbs sugar free cherry preserves, 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter)

Creamy crack goodness to power me right through my morning.

Random Confession #1 - Every time I use the bathroom at work, I do 10 plie squats and 15 "girlie" push ups off of the sink... HEY, every little bit counts. I sit on my butt all day at work and it feels good to get "something" in. I drink the a LOT of water so it adds up. :)

LUNCH (meal #2) at 12:30pm.

I brought in leftover sauteed veggies and edamame to make a quick and easy lunch! I swear they tasted even better than yesterday. I also had a Thomas's wheat bagel thin on the side with a bit of Spray Butter. I definitely got my veggies in today!


Work was a bit WILD. I felt like a rugged cowgirl trapped at a Buckin Bronco Wild West Rodeo Show. YEEHAW. I lassoed up Ann before completely losing my mind and we mozied on over to Barnes & Nobles for a bit of peace and quiet.


I read a few travel books on Ocracoke Island, NC for the upcoming vacation and sipped on a small African Autumn Tea. It was just what I needed to regain my inner peace.

I also found some intriguing leads with my research. :)


Random Confession #2 - Lately I've been having more than one cup of coffee a day. I was doing really well with just one in the morning there for a while. However, I've been craving them like mad lately. I guess it could be worse. If sipping coffee is the worst of my nutritious rebelling then I think I can go on living.

SNACK (meal #3) at 4:00pm.

I smothered a pile of fresh strawberries (maybe 1.5 cups) with plain Dannon Greek yogurt, cinnamon and a sprinkle of Udi's vanilla granola. YUM!


And then we busted out of the rodeo and went straight to the gym. Giddy up yall!

WORKOUT!

I did it a little differently today. I did 4 sets of each move instead of 3 and I started even heavier than usual, aiming for 8 reps of the 1st HEAVY set OR as much as I "could" do.

Tricep pulldown (cable with straight bar)
90lb x 8
80lb x 15
80lb x 15
70lb x 15
Bicep Curls (barbell)
45lb x 8
40lb x 15
35lb x 15
35lb x 15
Front Shoulder Raise (barbell)
30lb x 8
25lb x 15
20lb x 15
20lb x 15
Tricep Pushdown (plate loaded machine, I did the heaviest weight last on this one)
90lb x 15
90lb x 15
90lb x 10
100lb x 7
21's (barbell)
30lb x 21
25lb x 21
25lb x 21
25lb x 21
Standing Military Press (barbell)
40lb x 8
35lb x 15
35lb x 15
30lb x 12
Elliptical Cross Trainer
30 minutes, 2 min. intervals at levels 6 & 10, 2.73 miles

Total time at gym = 1:20
Max HR - 175
Average HR - 144
Total calories burned = 680

Good grief, this left me a sweaty hot mess. I was on the verge of disgusting! Like I walked into a shower with clothes on and then decided to walk around in them for fun. UGH! I flew home with all of the windows down and my sunroof open to "dry" off. HA! It was a GREAT workout though. I left feeling strong and energized.

SNACK (meal #4) at 7:15pm.

I refueled with a nice cold smoothie. I was ready to bust out the blender again to make a frozen magical concoction. I've been taking the easy way out and just shaking a simple shake in my cup lately. I was craving something frozen though!

• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 cup water
• 1 scoop chocolate peanut butter whey protein
• 1 banana
• 2 cups ice
• 3 drops fudge brownie Capella flavor drops

Operation smoothiefication was a success. This filled me right up and cooled me down. Pulling double duty like a protein packed champ!

Random Confession #3 - Nick is playing Modern Warfare again. I would just like to officially declare that I hate the game. I hate the running around shoot em up POW-WOW factor of it as well as the constant loudness blasting out of our surround sound. I've got something I would like to shoot. His X-Box. Oh please, oh please, oh please can I? HA!

DINNER (meal #5) at 9:00pm.

Basically dinner can be summed up in one simple word. DELICIOUS! I sauteed a green pepper and an onion in spray butter and taco seasoning. I also microwaved one serving of Morning Star Farms grounds with more taco seasoning and stirred in 2 tablespoons of peach salsa. I added the grounds and half of the veggies into a honey wheat FlatOut along with some fat free cheddar cheese. I folded the wrap in half and toasted both sides until the cheese got all ooey and gooey. I guess you can call it a Quesadilla.


I had the rest of the veggies on the side and topped it all off with a tomato, 1/2 an avocado, fat free sour cream, more peach salsa and fresh cracked black pepper.


Yes, it's okay to drool if you want to. I did! I could barely contain myself long enough to photograph this sexy plate!

I think we're about to watch another episode of Mad Men. We just started watching the show but I'm digging it. Minus the sexist and completely inappropriate portrayal of weak and vulnerable women of the 50's. I'm so glad I live in the now. Though I do adore the fashion, the makeup, the hair and the cars.

Random Confession #4 - If I really like what I'm watching on TV I watch it smiling from ear to ear with my mouth WIDE open. Not just here and there. No! We're talking for the duration of like a 2 hour movie. I do it the entire time!! I've been caught doing this on numerous occasions by Nick and apparently it's hysterical. He has threatened to capture it on film. I'm scared.

Have a great night!
XOXO
Ildie

I sense danger

Today was just MEH.


It started off like any other day. I was full of smiles and ready to tackle my Wednesday. Though I'll admit that I could sense the danger in the air. It had a stale, potent and rancid like aroma. With these weary thoughts rampant, I made my way to work and hoped for the best.

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 9:00am.

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 wheat bran
• 1 1/2 cup water
• cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, splenda, dash salt
• 1 tbs flax
• 2 tbs PB2
• 1 tbs sugar free cherry preserves

I'm diggin on this cherry-PB2 combo. It truly reminds me of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. So delicious! I also sprinkled the flax on at the end this time. I like it MUCH better this way. It had a great texture with the creamy oats.

Work was sort of stressful today. I KNEW I sensed danger this morning! I'm convinced that my clients are conspiring against me. HA! I bet they meet weekly to discuss strategies on how they can push and test my limits. Like an Ildie fan club where their motto is "HOW FAR WILL SHE GO BEFORE SHE CRACKS?" It got close today but I maintained my cool... for the most part... TAKE THAT CLIENT FAN BASE! HA-HAAAA! :-)

LUNCH (meal #2) at 12:15pm.

Consisted of leftover veggies from last night, a toasted English muffin sprayed with spray butter and a tanjelo. My entire office smelled like broccoli and brussel sprouts for the rest of the afternoon. It was POTENT but tasty so I didn't care. YUMMY!


work....work....work....

SNACK (meal #3) at 4:15pm.

Oh Oikos, I almost hesitate eating your deliciousness. Once I indulge, that will be the last of you and this breaks my fragile little heart. I can't resist you though.

• 4oz plain, 0% Oikos
• cinnamon
• 1 packet Splenda
• 1 pink lady apple
• sprinkle back to nature chocolate granola

I forecast and emergency trip to the Super Walmart across town in my near future. I MUST immediately stock up this creamy goodness again!!

After work it was off to the gym for my favorite workout. Upper Body! YAY!

WORKOUT!

Barbell Curls
40lb x 8
35lb x 15
35lb x 15
30lb x 15

Tricep Extensions
15lb x 15 (3 sets)

Tricep Pushdown
70lb x 15 (3 sets)

Hammer Curls
15lb x 15
15lb x 15
12.5lb x 15

Arnold Press
10lb x 15 (3 sets)

Skull Crusher
20lb x 15 (3 sets)

Barbell Military Press
20lb x 15 (3 sets)

Front Dumbbell Raise
10lb x 15 (3 sets)

21's (barbells)
25lb x 21 (3 sets)

Elliptical Cross Trainer, 20 minutes, 247 calories, 1.74 miles
1-2 min., (level 8)
3-4 min., (level 9)
5-6 min., (level 10)
7-8 min., (level 11)
9-10 min., (level 12)
11-12 min., (level 13)
13-14 min., (level 14)
15 min., (level 15)
16-17 min., (level 12)
18-20 min., (level 10)

This left me WHOOPED! I felt good about this one. My upper body was on FIRE!

SNACK (meal #4) at 7:15pm.

I made a smoothie as soon as I got home. It turned out super thick and delicious. So much BETTER than yesterdays gritty mess.

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
• 1 small banana
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1 packet Splenda

DINNER (meal #5) at 9:00pm.

I had no idea what to make for dinner tonight so I found myself tossing random things into a large pan. I do this sometimes. Most of the time, it actually turns out tasty. Today I decided to experiment with the following ingredients.

• 1 bag of tri color coleslaw mix
• 1 yellow onion, sliced into rings
• 1/2 orange cauliflower
• 2 tbs teriyaki sauce
• 2 tbs soy sauce
• 2 tbs fish sauce
• 1 tbs Sriracha
• dash black pepper
• dash cayenne
• dash garlic powder

I cooked this (covered) for about 20 minutes on low heat until tender. I piled a nice portion into my bowl and topped it with the leftover chicken breast from the other day and drizzled a bit of sweet and spicy teriyaki marinade on top.


On the side I enjoyed an Ezekiel wheat bun sprayed with spray butter.


I also heated up the last of my Edamame but ended up leaving the entire bowl untouched. I got way TOO full from the slaw/chicken bowl.


It turned out really good. Another successful experiment under my belt. Thank you... Thank you very much.

Time to feed my NetFlix/Dexter addiction. I've been waiting ALL day to shut my brain off and get lost in his dreamy, clinically insane yet sexy, rugged eyes.

Have a great night!

XOXO
Ildie

The measure of a woman

Midweek hath fallen upon us my blogging sistren (female equivalent of brethren). This has been a slow week and I'm glad it's finally Wednesday evening. As I sit here curled up on my couch under the warm pillowy comfort of my fluffy blanket, I find myself reflecting over my fantastic day. It started out magnificent. First of all, the sun was shinning. YES! THE SUN!!! In Ohio, in Winter. Amazing!

And then another miraculous event took place. Some of you may remember one of my MINI goals (fit into my old red coat) which I was striving for before the end of the year. It was just one of many goals. The more you have, the more you can meet, the more accomplished you feel. SAFETY IN NUMBERS! HA! Well LO and BEHOLD, on a whim this morning I tried it on again and IT FIT... PERFECTLY! OMG! The last time I tried it on was about a month into my "eat clean and workout" lifestyle change which was roughly 4 months ago. There was at LEAST a 5-6 inch gap from end to end that was consumed by my bubbling gut. I couldn't even get it all the way up on my flabby arms. Now look. LOOK!


It's midway through January so it took longer than the end of the year but only by a bit. I shall award myself ONE mini goal completion point.

I also asked Ann to take my measurements this weekend so I can check them every month and track my progress more accurately. Sometimes you don't lose weight but you lose inches. I KNOW I should have done this before I started but better late than never. I also never took an official before picture. I mean there are pictures OF me, sure, but not a solid set of full body shots. I suck! I will do those this weekend as well. The plan is to lose more weight and once the changes are obvious, share both the pictures and the measurements with you all. In the meantime I'll also try and find an older picture. :)

When I got to work today, my HAPPY morning continued. Ann presented me with this beautiful little thing. This was going straight into my bowl of oats this morning. I was SO excited. I LOVE YOU PB2!

• 1/2 cup Old fashioned oats
• 1 cup water
• lots of cinnamon
• lots of pumpkin pie spice
• dash salt
• Splenda to taste
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 tbs (1/2 serving) PB2

Holly freakin deliciousness. This was by far the best bowl of oats I've ever had the pleasure of inhaling (without breathing) while at work. At home is a different story because I can cook them on the stove and go crazy with the ingredients. At work I'm forced to microwave and keep additions to a minimum. No more. NO MORE I SAY!

Lunch was just as good. I made a wrap with a wheat FlatOut, green peppers, butter lettuce, tomato, bread & butter pickles and the spicy Moroccan hummus I made last night.


On our break today, as much as I wanted to AVOID it, I made a mid week run to the grocery store to pick up a few things. Don't you just hate it when you run out of fresh produce/perishables midway through the week? So annoying! Per Ann's suggestion, I'm going to start doing my shopping on Sunday mornings instead of Friday's after work. This should insure that I have fresh ingredients to get me through the work week. Next week will be the true test I suppose.

My afternoon snack was delicious. It was another slap you in the face mama style bowl of yum-yum.

• 4oz cup Oikos
• Splenda to Taste
• Sprinkle Cinnamon
• 1 protein carrot "cake"
• A sprinkle of Just Granola brand pomegranate granola
• 1 tbs (1/2 serving) PB2

Hold me.... I could CRY because that's how good it was. I ate it slowly. Lovingly savoring every decadent little bite. SO GOOD!

After work it was off to the gym for my daily sweat session.

Barbell Curls
30lb x 15
30lb x 15
30lb x 15
Arnold Curls
15lb x 15
15lb x 15
15lb x 15
Cable Tricep Pushdown w/ bar
70lb x 15
70lb x 15
70lb x 15
Hammer Curls
12.5lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
Cable Bicep Curl w/ bar
40lb x 8
30lb x 15
30lb x 10
Elliptical - Interval training
Resistance 6-8
30 minutes
373 calories burned

I was feeling weak towards the end. Not sure what that was all about. I was going to do some ab moves next but decided to just head home instead. As soon as I walked in the door I ate a banana (which went un-pictured) to get over my light headed slump.

After I cleaned up I immediately started on dinner. On the menu were pan fried chicken breast (cooked with Pam, not oil) seasoned with garlic salt, fresh cracked black pepper, cayenne & dill. I sliced the chicken and tossed it on top of a bed of spinach for a nice salad. I also added diced pickles, one hard boiled egg, red onion, red pepper flakes, black pepper and spray butter. It was Egg-xel-ente!


I also boiled a bag of edamame and had a serving on the side tossed with sea salt.


Dinner was SO good! To warm up later I made a cozy cup of raspberry tea and had a few Trader Joe's schoolbook cookies as well. I never got around to taking a picture though. Forgive me. ;)

Time to hang with the Mr. Have a great night!

I got my FIX

Today was such a feel good day. I slept in until 9:30 and woke up feeling refreshed and energized. I made myself a cup of raspberry chocolate flavored coffee and started on my long list of chores. I did 3 loads of laundry, emptied the dishwasher, washed the bed linens, cleaned the tub (HATE IT) and vacuumed up a bit. I love a clean house! After a while I worked up a good appetite. Twas breakfast time! I made open face english muffin sandwiches with egg whites, fat free american cheese and pan seared lean ham.


So tasty! I love breakfast sandwiches.

After I finished my tasty morning treat I finally, FINALLY got caught up on my blog reading. I won't even lie, I was WAY behind. FOR SHAME!

At 1:30 I left to visit the folks for the weekly Sunday shenanigans. As always I packed my own lunch to take with me. This may seem odd but I like having complete control over my eats. It helps me stay focused and on track. The only thing I was craving was oatmeal. So yeah, I had oats for lunch. And you know what? IT WAS GOOD!

Blueberry Banana Custard Oats

• 1/2 cup (almost 1/2 cup) Irish Oats
• dash of 5 grain cereal (maybe 2 tbs)
• 1 cup vanilla Almond Breeze
• dash cinnamon
• splenda to taste
• dash salt
• 1 banana, sliced
• 3 egg whites, whipped
• 1/4 cup frozen blueberries (stirred in at the very end)

Uhm, just as good as yesterday! Maybe even better. I think it actually gets better every time I make it. AMAZING!

After my lunch-breakfast we played a few rounds of Sorry and Yahtzee. Oh how we love our stupid, mindless little games. We always have a blast. ;)

When I got home I found nick in the hallway ripping the scary, dark brown paneling off of the side entrance walls. OMG! It is official. He can NOT be left alone (with tools) at home. Every time I come home he is "working" on something. HA!!! Just kidding. I love that crazy, ambitious man of mine. I just wish he would work on ONE project at a time.

For dinner Nick had the leftover burrito from the other day and I made myself a quick plate of goodness. Edamame seasoned with sea salt and a Morning Star Farms black bean burger on an Ezekiel bun. I topped the patty with spinach, hummus and spicy mustard.


SO GOOD! And SUPER low calorie, which means I get to have a yogurt treat later. And here is a visual of that sweet, SWEET creamy yogurt mess made with Oikos!


Yeah, that's right, I said OIKOS! Ann went out of her way and picked some up on Saturday. I LOVE YOU ANN!

• 4oz Oikos
• 1 banana, sliced
• 2 tbs Pom flax granola
• splash raspberry Codiak Cakes syrup (YUM)
• 1 tbs Chocolate PB

I HAD MY FIX and instantly felt better. Now I can go to sleep in peace. Have a great night!