Salmon Spell

Well I didn't stay away for long did I!! I have a slight (severe) addiction when it comes to blabbing about my thoughts. I have to let it out or I get all fidgety and anxious.


Sooooooooo here we go....

While on vacation I didn't exercise at ALL. There was no sexy, slow motion running on the beach. No strength training on the deck with my ocean view. No yoga poses, no stretching, no NOTHING! On one hand, it was glorious, on the other hand, I've felt like a HEAVY SLUG ever since I got back.


I think the combo of stuffing my greedy little face with whatever I wanted and not working out for 11 days straight really did a number on me. I feel better today than I did on Sunday but I still don't feel like myself. I went back to the gym starting Monday and I'M SORE AS ALL HECK! Like I just started working out for the first time EVER! I don't feel weak (thank goodness), I just feel SUPER sore!

So strange how our bodies get used to the foods we eat regularly and the exercise abuse we inflict upon it. It's almost like I collapsed physically without it. Would I do things differently next time? Probably! I would perhaps only indulge ONCE a day instead of at EVERY MEAL and I would probably try and squeeze in a little exercise here and there.

Okay, moving on. Don't you just LOVE random posts?

I have not been taking photos regularly. THE HORROR! BUT, here are some of the things I have enjoyed since getting back into the swing of things.

Oh oatmeal, how I missed your gooey goodness. I've had the same exact breakfast since Monday and my body thanks me for it. ;)


Fruits. LOTS and LOTS of fruits. Apples, Kiwi, Berries, Bananas etc... I can't seem to get enough!


Wrap your brain around this wrap. Spinach, bread and butter pickles and ham. I seriously LOVE bread and butter pickles! They are the BEST in my opinion! I even add them to my salads. SO GOOD!


Smoothies to cool down and refuel with after my workouts. It's been HOT around here lately. Mid 80's since I got back. Above average for this time of year in Ohio I do believe.


And of COURSE, Greek yogurt. I missed this while I was gone. I missed it severely!


And I MUST talk a bit about my dinner last night. Nick had dinner at his moms the night before and brought me home some recently fresh caught and grilled Salmon. UN-BELIEVE-ABLE! It was the most tender, juicy, perfectly cooked Salmon I have ever had in my entire life!!!! EVER!!!! I cooked up some fresh green beans, seasoned them with soy, spray butter, black pepper and minced garlic. I placed the Salmon on top and topped it all off with a drizzle of creamy horseradish sauce and fresh Wasabi paste. I also had a toasted English muffin on the side. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! I can't say that enough.


My nose was on FIRE. I adore Wasabi!

Alright lovelies. That's it for now. Be back when I have something new and exciting to yap about. :)

XOXO
Ildie

Picture Perfect

Hello bloggies. Today has been a SUPER long and busy day so this is going to be a be a pictorial recap only. A super duper informative, picture perfect story of foodie perfection.

I wish I had more time to elaborate but it's late and my bed is calling out to me.



That's all she wrote today. I hope to be back with a full post tomorrow. Have a great night.

TOMORROW IS FRIDAY! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! I seriously can NOT WAIT!!

XOXO
Ildie

Shocking Revelation...

Hello lovelies. I hope you're all having a fantastically mundane, repetitive, predictable and boring Monday. Oh wait, that's what my day was like..... I wish the exact opposite for the rest of you.

I feel like this day has slipped right through my clammy little fingers. It's 11:00pm and I just sat down to type out this post. I think we all know what that means. INCREDIBLY FAST RECAP POST! Can-she-do-it? Only time will tell. And heeeere we go!

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 9:30am.

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 wheat bran
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Splenda
• (Microwaved and topped with 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter and a mix of golden and regular raisins.)

SHOCKING REVELATION: I didn'tt really enjoy my bowl of oats this morning. SAY WHAAA? You all know I'm an oatmeal fanatic. I couldn't believe my taste buds. How dare they! Maybe I eat oats too often? Maybe I'll love them again tomorrow? Just not sure! More research is necessary!!!

LUNCH (meal #2) at 12:00pm.

I had a large salad with spinach + cherry tomatoes + Morning Star Farms black bean burger + leftover sauteed veggies from yesterday's lunch + cannellini beans + spray butter.


After my salad feast, I got caught up on some more work and then Ann and I headed out to World Market on our break. I shouldn't be allowed in that store. I am physically incapable of leaving without purchasing something. Sometimes I contemplate leaving my wallet at work. Perhaps this should be mandatory. Ann, I know you're reading this. I put you in charge of this highly important assignment. WATCH ME CLOSE. I'M STEALTHY AND SNEAKY!

Today's purchases included a bottle of Dutch chocolate wine (YES, CHOCOLATE) and some Banana Bread Beer (YES, BANANA BREAD). I've been dying to try both and no time seemed more perfect than vacation. :)


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

Plain Dannon Greek yogurt with Udi's cranberry granola and fresh strawberries for dipping. I had about 5 more strawberries on the side which went unphotographed.


5:00 rolled around in the blink of an eye and we were off to the gym. I felt like I needed a good one. Something to sweat the weekend right out of me!

WORKOUT!

Tricep Pulldown (cable)
80lb x 15
70lb x 15
70lb x 15
Bicep Curls (barbell)
45lb x 15
40lb x 15
35lb x 15
Front Shoulder Raise (barbell)
30lb x 15
25lb x 15
20lb x 15
Hammer Curls (dumbbells)
15lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
Skull Crushers (barbell)
30lb x 15
30lb x 15
30lb x 15
Arnold Press (dumbbells)
15lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
21's (barbell)
30lb x 21
30lb x 21
30lb x 21
Elliptical Cross Trainer
30 minutes, 2.73 miles, levels 6-8

Total time at gym = 1:16
Max HR = 165
Average HR = 142
Total Calories Burned = 625

Afterwards we hustled to Mama and Papa Babushka's house and did the usual ditty. We fed the kitties, got the mail, cleaned up a bit, made sure everything was locked up at least 10x over (to be sure) and called it good.

SNACK (meal #4) at 7:30pm.

I had a Green Goddess Smoothie. Why do people call them monsters? I hardly find spinach to be horrifying. I doubt anyone does except maybe a 5 year old little boy staying with wicked veggie lovin grandma for the weekend. HA! Green Goddess sounds much more appealing to me. This had....

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 very ripe banana
• 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
• 3 cups of spinach (not even kidding, I'm on spinach overload today...)
• a few pieces of frozen mango (maybe 1/2 cup)

Blended to pure perfection. YUM!

DINNER (meal #5) at 9:30pm.

After cleaning myself up Nick and I invaded the kitchen like famished, enraged maniacs. He decided on leftover spaghetti from Friday. I decided on leftover chicken breast from last night accompanied by a lovely pile of green beans and a teeny tiny spinach salad with cherry tomatoes and cannelloni beans. Yes, I just HAD to have more spinach.


Of course the chicken was smothered in Frank's hot sauce.


And there you have it my gorgeous friends. This concludes another magnificent tutorial of all my meals today. RIVETING wasn't it? HA! So how did I do? It's officially 11:38 and I am done typing. I kept getting distracted by the TV. I shouldn't write in the living room! However, I'm not done yet. Now I must retrieve the pictures from my camera, decide which ones I want to use and upload them to the post. Sometimes this step takes me for EVER! I try to be a picture perfectionist. Let's see how long it takes me. Be back in a flash!

Annnnnd I'm back. Official time is 11:59. Sleep beckons me. Goodnight!!

XOXO
Ildie

Steady

Aaaaaaaaaaand I made it! Sweet, delectable, beautiful, glorious Friday, you're finally mine. I've missed you SO much!

I think we all know how hectic this week has been for me. Saying that I'm glad it's over is an extreme understatement. My brain is tired and I was in desperate need of a break. I plan to spend this weekend focusing on mental recovery and well being. HA! The main goal will be RELAXATION!

Lets talk weight. I'm only down 0.8. Steady as she goes sure has gotten STEADY! Oh well, such is life. Next week is another week. I'm just going to keep going because that's what I do. I go-go-go. Official total weight loss to date is 53.7. ;)

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

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup wheat bran
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• (Microwaved and topped with 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter, golden/regular raisins and a drizzle of Wildflower honey.)

Uhm, the honey in this was incredible! Sweet, gooey goodness.

Work was busy. Nothing new and exciting to report on that front. I never left for a break. I worked clear through the day to try and get things done. I did manage to stop for lunch though.

:)

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

I had a salad with Spinach + Black Bean Burger + Corn + Sprouts + 1 egg white + Hummus + another drizzle of honey. I know what you're thinking... Honey? YES! It was delicious!

Workety-----workety-----worky-----work-----work........

Guess what! My afternoon got so crazy again that I forgot to eat my snack at 4:00. That's two days in a row now. NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS! By the time I looked up it was past 5:00 and time to leave work. Sigh.

I got my grocery shopping done and out of the way with right after work. By the time I was done with shopping, driving home, putting things away, emptying dishwasher, reloading dishwasher (exciting) and a few other chores, it was nearing 9:00pm. I STILL HADN'T EATEN! Where DID this day go? I swear it was over in the blink of an eye.

DINNER (meal #3) at 9:30. I only had 3 meals again today. I'm not liking this new pattern of mine! Sigh!!

I was DYING for pasta. I boiled a box of spaghetti (Smart Choice) as instructed.

While the pasta was cooking I sauteed some mushrooms until they got nice, soft and tender. I tossed in a can of Mids (basil, mushroom, garlic) sauce and some precooked turkey meatballs. Yeah, I sort of took the easy way out. So sue me. Long week = EASY Friday night dinner.

Oh yeah, this was amazing. Mids sauce is so amazing. If you can find it. BUY IT!

Yep, that wraps up my MEGA exciting day. I'll give you a minute to recover from how AWESOME it was and how EXCITING this post has been.

There is a crazy thunderstorm outside right now. I think I'll crack a window in the bedroom so I can enjoy the sound of rain and get to bed early tonight. I'm feeling exhausted.

Be back with a more chipp-chippery-chippery-doo-dah post tomorrow. I promise. ;)

XOXO

Ildie

Office Time Travel

Contrary to popular belief, spending the bulk of your day stuck behind a desk at work is neither enjoyable nor desirable. Especially when it forces you to miss a workout the day before weigh in morning. Grrrrrr! Of course I'm referring to the refreshing 11.5 hours I spent at work today. Holy my goodness! Waaaaaaaaaaaay toooooo long!

This post is going to be short and sweet because my brain is tired and I just want to relax for a bit tonight.

Let's back it up a bit.

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 9:30am.

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 wheat bran
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• (Microwaved and topped with 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter and a mix of golden and regular raisins.)

I started eating this bowl at 9:30 and was still eating it at 10:30. I kept stopping to answer emails and would forget about it. It got all cold and weird but I still ate it. I HAD to. It was oatmeal!!

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

It seemed like lunchtime rolled around in the blink of an eye today. It's that rare phenomenon known as "Office Time Travel".

I had a honey wheat FlatOut wrap with spinach, alfalfa sprouts, peppered turkey and smoked ham. On the side I had some sugar snap peas and a SUPER juicy pear.


It was after lunch that I made the WORST DECISION possible. I decided to leave for a bit of a break and went shopping with Ann and Target. WHAT WAS I THINKING!?!?!? Insanity ensued as soon as I got back to the office. I opened my emails and almost passed out.

:-O

I was so engulfed with work that I completely forgot to have my snack at 4:00. INEXCUSABLE! I just had no time. Ann tried to pry me away to go to the gym but I had to pass. I just kept on working... working... working...clear through till almost 8:00pm. Just a lonely little soldier, carrying the email flag for all mankind. HA!

I was STARVING by the time I got home. 8+ hours had passed since my last meal. You all know this is NOT like me. I eat every 3-4 hours on the average. I swear I felt lightheaded.

DINNER (meal #3) at 9:00pm.

I quickly fried (with Pam) up two eggs over easy and also seared some ham lunchmeat in the same pan. I had two open faced lettuce, egg and ham sandwiches on a toasted Ezekiel wheat bun. I need to eat whole eggs more often. I was drooling. These were INCREDIBLE!


On the side I had the snack I was SUPPOSED to have at 4:00. A plain Dannon Greek yogurt with Udi's original granola and some pumpkin butter. Droolworthy. I've never had pumpkin butter with yogurt before. DELICIOUS!


Sadly, this was IT for eats today. I'm super tired (mentally drained) and I think I'm going to call it a night. SORRY IF I HAVEN'T COMMENTED! Trust me, I can't WAIT to get more free time so I can catch up with all of you. Don't you forget about me... Don't...Don't...Don't...Don't...HA!


Tomorrow is Friday. I CAN'T WAIT!

ONE more week before vacation. I CAN DO THIS! ;)

Miss you guys!
XOXOXOXOXO

Ildie

Veggie-Hulk-Dafied.

Don't hug or squeeze me. I may just sweat vegetable juice all over you. I can't get enough lately! It's Tuesday night and I've eaten most of the veggies in my fridge already. I'm not sure if I can make it till Friday, which is when I usually do my grocery shopping. I swear my skin has a slight green glow to it. I've been Veggie-Hulk-Dafied. HA! ROOOOAR!

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

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 wheat bran
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• Splenda
• (Microwaved and topped with 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter and organic raisins.)

Work was steady today. Not WILD and CRAZY (thank goodness) but steady. It made the hours fly by. Weeeeeeeeeeeee.

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

I couldn't get yesterdays salad out of my head so I had the same thing today, in a wrap. I stuffed a multi grain FlatOut with cool, crisp spinach and hot Acorn squash. That's it. Simple and delicious!


I also had some sugar snap peas, a kiwi and a sugar free peach fruit cup on the side.


We ran to Ann's apartment on our break today. She made us some coffee (which I forgot to take a picture of) and we hung out with this little furry lady. PEPPER, you're so cute! Now if only you'd sit the heck still! "Phantom Kittieeeee"...


And then it was back to work. My afternoon was a bit more hectic than my morning but still manageable. I'm working really hard to try and get some things wrapped up before vacation. In all honesty though, it's not something I have a whole lot of control over. Things are due when they are due and deadlines come and go all the time. I can only do so much with my current projects. Acceptance is the first step right? Or is that the second? In any event, I must STOP obsessing about things that I cannot control. :)

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

A plain Dannon Greek yogurt with Udi's cranberry granola and some cinnamon. I was going to add an apple to the mix but decided against it. I wasn't craving it.


In all honesty, I wasn't craving a workout today either. As always though, I found myself heading to the gym after work.

WORKOUT!

Lat Pulldown with straight bar (cable)
70lb x 15
60lb x 15
60lb x 15
Seated Chest Press (plate loaded)
60lb x 15
60lb x 14
60lb x 13
Low Row (plate loaded)
50lb x 15
60lb x 15
60lb x 15
Advanced Chest Press (plate loaded)
60lb x 14.5
50lb x 12
50lb x 10
Dumbbell Fly
15lb x 15
12lb x 15
12lb x 15
Dumbbell Row
20lb x 15
20lb x 15
20lb x 15
Treadmill
1 mile, 12:26 minutes, 1 minuter intervals of 3.4 - 6.5

It was basically at this point that I decided I was ready to go. It felt glorious to leave a little bit earlier than usual. I still had a great workout. I just decided to skip the alluring call of the Elliptical. I left about 20 minutes before I usually do. I'M SUCH A REBEL!

Total Time at Gym = 1 hour exactly
Max HR = 185
Average HR = 135
Total Calories Burned = 400

SNACK (meal #4) at 6:45pm.

I made an oddly colored Green Monster Smoothie. I think the cherries took it from vibrant green to greyish, greenish purple in a matter of seconds. No matter, it was still delicious.

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 10 frozen cherries
• 5-6 small chunks of frozen pineapple
• 1 scoop vanilla whey protein
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup ice

I collapsed on the couch and watched a few episodes of Say Yes To The Dress while sipping my power cocktail. I LOVE that show! I love all things wedding. Wedding dresses, veils, cakes, receptions, pictures, dancing, romance, cries, laughter, flowers etc... I just love, love. What I would also love is to have a reason to shop for a wedding dress. OH NO SHE DIDN'T!

Oh yes, yes I did! :-O

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

It was another vegetable extravaganza this evening. I roasted some brussel sprouts, broccoli and sweet potato slices in the oven at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. I just seasoned them with salt, pepper and oregano and sprayed the cookie sheet with Pam. Easy peasy. I also tossed in a smoked turkey sausage to have with the veggies. When it was all done, I piled the veggies into my bowl, sliced the sausage on top and added a few cherry tomatoes. Twas delicious!


Nick just got home. I think I'll go cuddle on the couch for a bit and then call it a night.

Ta taaaaaaaa...
XOXO

Ildie