Jet Setters

Ohhh, so close to Friday that I can taste it but it's not quite here yet. Today started out a bit hectic. I was only working until 11:30 and work was craaaaaaazy busy. I could barely pull myself away long enough to make breakfast, which by the way was inhaled in a matter of minutes.

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

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

Work. Work. Work. Weeeeeee...

I don't know how I managed to but I turned the computer off, pushed my chair in and slithered out of the office just a few minutes past 11:30 like originally planned. I do... I DO believe in miracles!

Ann and I drove to Mama and Papa Babushka's house to hang out with them for a bit. As you know, they're leaving for Hungary today. There's LOTS of excitement in the air!

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

While there, I whipped together a quick lunch. I was STARVING! I made a wrap with 4 egg whites + roasted garlic hummus + spinach + Sriracha.


I also had some red grapes on the side.


After eating, we made sure that they were all packed up and ready to go. They were so happy, nervous, fidgety and ready for their Jet Setting adventure. The original plan was to drive them to the airport and drop them off. However, they made a last minute decision to drive themselves. Those crazy critters. We hugged it out, said our goodbyes and they were off. :)

Afterwards, Ann and I went straight to the gym to get our sweat on.

WORKOUT!

Tricep Pushdown Machine (cable)
80lb x 15
80lb x 15
70lb x 15
Bicep Curls (barbell)
45lb x 12
40lb x 15
35lb x 15
Shoulder Front Raise (barbell)
30lb x 15
25lb x 15
20lb x 15
Skull Crushers (barbell)
30lb x 15
30lb x 15
30lb x 15
Hammer Curls (dumbbell)
20lb x 11 (whew)
15lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
Standing Military Press (barbell)
45lb x 15
40lb x 15
35lb x 15
21's (barbell)
30lb x 21
30lb x 21
30lb x 21
Elliptical Cross Trainer
30 minutes, 2.67 miles, 2 minute intervals at levels 6 & 8

Total time at the gym = 1:13
Max HR = 163
Average HR = 135
Total Calories Burned = 557

After the gym I came home and found a lovely box waiting for me from Sonia at Master Of Her Romaine. AWE SNAP. It's nutritional yeast party time. I finally get to try it. Of course that Miss Sonia went above and beyond and sent me more that agreed upon. Thanks so much Sonia. You're the sweetest! I got some of her favorite tea, a gorgeous little makeup bag, a packet of Jay Robb whey protein, the nutritional yeast (of course), a Kind Bar and a makeup sampler from Mary Kay. THANKS LADY! I love it all.


SNACK (meal #3) at 3:30pm.

I immediately put Mr. Jay Robb to work and made an amazing smoothie.

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 packet of Jay Robb Chocolate whey protein powder
• 1 tbs sugar free coconut Torani syrup
• 1/2 cup frozen cherries
• 1 frozen banana (frozen in chunks so as to not murder my blender)
• 1 cup ice

Oh man, this smoothie was a good one. Thick too. I was sipping on it for close to 45 minutes. While watching my last recorded episode of Millionaire Matchmaker.

I would like to declare something. Being at home with my remote and my smoothie with a workout already under my belt is so much better than still being at work. I wish I could leave work early every day!!

I grabbed a quick bath and cleaned my messy self up before Nick even got home from work. GLORIOUS! While waiting on him to come home, I contemplated hiding his Wii controllers or perhaps disconnecting something behind the TV to mess with him. In the end I decided that it was probably a bad idea and resisted. Though it would have been amusing to watch him flip out. :)

By the time I came down from my bath, Nick was already positioned on the couch, controller in hand and consumed with the television. HA! He was only going to be home for a bit though. He was meeting his dad and his two younger brothers for dinner to celebrate his brothers Birthdays. They were both born in April. I thought about going as well but in the end, decided against it. The bar food and beer was tempting but I need to be GOOD! Tomorrow is weigh in morning and vacation is right around the corner. Must.....Be.....Good.....

SNACK (meal #4) at 6:00pm.

I had a delicious Fuji apple...


And a cup of coconut mango oolong tea courtesy of the lovely Sonia. YUM! This tea is delicious and smells heavenly! It was so good in fact that I forgot to take a picture of my cup. I'll make up for that by showing you the wrapper. ;)


When Nick took off I dove deep into DVR recorded paradise. I curled up on the couch and watched two episodes of What Not To Wear. Love that show! Makes me cry every time. I'm such a wimp!

DINNER (meal #5) at 8:30pm.

I wanted roasted veggies so I sprayed my trusty cookie sheet with Pam and loaded her up with broccoli and white mushrooms.

At first I had no idea what to actually have with the veggies and then it came to me. I topped the roasted veggies with 1 tbs of nutritional yeast (thanks again and again Sonia), 1/4 cup of Bertoli Arrabiata sauce and a Morning Star Farms black bean burger.


Let me tell you what, this worked BEAUTIFULLY! I devoured my plate. YUM-YUMMERS!

Nick is still gone so I'm going to enjoy some more TV freedom while I still have a chance. I hope the folks are doing okay. They should be well above the Atlantic by now. :)

Have a great night! TOMORROW IS FRIDAY! YAY!

XOXO

Ildie

Romantic dinner for Moi

Happy Tuesday Lovelies! I only had two things on the brain this morning, food and fashion. Let me explain. My soupy dinner was not as substantial as usual and I woke up starving. This is never a good thing! Then there was my annoying fashion dilemma rearing its ugly face again. It's getting nicer out and I have NO Spring clothes that fit. As in fit right without being either an over sized trash bag or a snug tube sock. I find neither of these looks to be aesthetically pleasing!! I will clearly need to go shopping soon! SIGH!

I found myself humming, smiling and singing all the way to work today. Visions of beaches, cocktails and sunshine were running rampant in my head. I'm clearly still enjoying the afterglow of our successful vacation planning. I'm currently happier than a pig in --it! ;)

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

I NEEDED oatmeal and I needed it BAD! My stomach felt like it was eating itself from the inside out.

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

Oh....so....good....

Work was... well it was quiet today. SO STRANGE! The last few days of the month (and in this instance, the quarter too) are usually riddled with insane demands, temper tantrums, whining and threats. All was well in florescent paradise though. I got a lot of filing done and cleaned my office up a bit. I think the sunshine was fueling my inner workaholic!

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

I present to you a tasty salad, served in my new office bowl. I was sick of eating large salads off of a plate so I picked this up the other day for less than $2. Not bad right?

• Spinach
• Tomato
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Morning Star Farms Asian burger
• Kaia Foods Garlic & Sea Salt sesame seeds
• Spray Butter

We left with ambitions of enjoying some fresh air and sunshine on our break today but somehow found ourselves roaming around Pier1 like a bunch of drooling babies. I could just go crazy up in there if money were no option. I managed to refrain and left with nothing though. Nothing except refurnishing and redecorating dreams that were crushed by those little annoying things called "price tags". :)

SNACK (meal #3) at 4:00.

A plain cup of Yoplait Greek yogurt livingly accompanied by a juicy Fuji apple, cinnamon and a sprinkle of Udi's vanilla granola. YUM!


DILEMMA - I am STILL struggling with my water intake. No idea what the hot heck is going on. I used to drink way more, no problem. Lately I struggle to get in over 60oz. Not good! You would think that with the nicer weather, it would be easier. NOPE! I need to work on this some more! I just wanted to vent. All done now...

After work we went straight to the gym for Chest, Back and Cardio day.

WORKOUT!

Advanced Chest Press (plate loaded)
40lb x 15 (3 sets)
Row Machine (plate loaded)
50lb x 15 (3 sets)
Seated Chest Press (plate loaded)
70lb x 15
60lb x 15
50lb x 11
High Row Machine (plate loaded)
100lb x 15 (3 sets)
Seated Chest Press (cable)
75lb x 15 (2 sets)
60lb x 15
Face Pull with rope grip (cable)
90lb x 15 (3 sets)
Lat Pulldown with V-Bar (cable)
70lb x 15
60lb x 15
50lb x 15
Elliptical Cross Trainer
30 minutes, 2.64 miles, intervals at level 6-10

Total time at the gym = 1:18
Max HR = 169
Average HR = 139
Total Calories Burned = 638

I was a sweaty mess of a human being by the time we were done. GROSS!

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

I rushed home and made a quick recovery shake with 1 scoop of chocolate peanut butter whey protein powder, 1/2 unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze and 1/2 cup water. Shaken, not stirred, thank you very much!


I was all by my lonesome tonight, unless you count the cat. He is my forever and always there, in your face, by your feet staring at you while you pee companion. HAHAHA! He's such a little pervert! Nick was at his Mama's having some sort of an unhealthy FEAST per the usual.

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

I set the mood for a romantic dinner for one this evening. I lit some candles, placed the remote within reach for some girlie DVR lovin and grabbed the necessities for a pedicure/manicure. Sometimes I love being home alone!

I actually felt like making something special just for me tonight. I had no plan but somehow managed to come up with the most amazing dish. A bowl bursting with healthy mexican style goodness. It couldn't have been simpler.

Into a saucepan I added the following...

• 1 serving of Morning Star Farms grounds
• 1 tbs Taco seasoning
• 1/4 cup pinto beans
• 1/2 cup cooked Arborio rice
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• Sauteed and chopped onions, mushrooms and red bell pepper (which I cooked up with Pam & S+P right before adding it to the mix)

The entire meal was done in a less than 15 minutes and that includes sauteing all of the veggies first.


Topped with sour cream and enjoyed with a few low fat blue corn chips on the side.


The only thing it was missing was corn but I didn't have any at home. It was still insanely delicious though. And filling! Good grief! I will definitely be making it again.

Time to get my cry on and turn on one of my recorded episodes of What Not To Wear. I always cry when I watch that show. I just can't help myself! I bet it will only fuel my desire to go shopping even more... OYE! I wish someone would hand me $5,000 and tell me to spend it in New York. OH NO! PLEASE! YOU'RE REALLY BENDING MY ARM HERE! Pshhh, I would be ALL over that card baby! All over it!

Stay Sassy!
XOXO
Ildie

Busy Beast

WHEW, WHAT A BUSY DAY!! This post is going to be super fast because my time is precious and limited today. To be honest, I'm sort of losing my mind. GO-GO-GO! YEAH-YEAH-YEAH! WEEEEEE!

I woke up, tossed in a load of laundry, tidied up the house, read a few blogs and then made a delicious bowl of oats.

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

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 wheat bran
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp apple pie spice
• (topped with 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter, and a sprinkle of Udi's Au Naturel Granola, and 1 tbs sugar free strawberry preserves)

I love the addition of Udi's granola. You could really taste the wildflower honey and it had a great chewy texture. Sometimes granola is TOO crunchy (which I hate) but this was nice. I seriously can't wait to try the other varieties. The Au Naturel flavor gets a 10 out of 10.


After breakfast I put some laundry away and then changed for the gym. I was feeling motivated to sweat today and I ended up having a stellar (exhausting) workout.

WORKOUT!

Leg Extensions (cable)
90lb x 15 (x2)
80lb x 15
Seated Leg Curls (cable)
90lb x 15 (x2)
80lb x 15
Outer Thigh Machine (cable)
75lb x 20 (3 sets)
Inner Thigh Machine (cable)
65lb x 20 (3 sets)
Hack Squat (plate loaded)
60lb x 15
50lb x 15 (2 sets)
Single Leg Press
100lb per leg x 15 (3 sets)
Stiff Legged Deadlifts (straight bar)
45lb x 15 (3 sets)
Squats
Body weight x 15 (3 sets)
Abs
I did 20 minutes or random ab workouts, including ab machine, floor crunches, sit-ups, two 1 minute planks, side twists, dumbbell side bends and the bar torso twist.
Elliptical Cross Trainer
20 minutes, 2 minute intervals of levels 6-8

Total time spent at gym = 1:36
Max HR = 170
Average HR = 139
Total Calories Burned = 725

After the gym I ran to the pharmacy, the bank and then went straight to Ann's new apartment to help her move furniture around, decorate and organize. WEEEEE.... I WAS STARVING! Ann had no comfort food to offer me. Basically, she had NO food to offer me at all. She did manage to find me this delicious Braeburn apple though, which I INHALED!


She also made me a quick chocolate whey protein shake which I drank in maybe 10 seconds flat. I was NOT fulfilled but it was enough to get me going.


I also snacked on some wheat thin crackers, another apple and a cup of coffee throughout the afternoon. I didn't take any pictures though. I had my hands full!

We spent the next four and a half hours (YES, FOUR and a half!) pushing furniture, cleaning, putting things away, decorating, hanging things and organizing. At about 6:00 I decided I had enough and called it quits. I flew home, devoured a banana and a handful of pretzels (which I forgot to photograph) and quickly wrote up this blog.

Now I must rush off again, clean my messy self up and get ready for my friends 30th Birthday dinner. I can't wait to eat some tasty Middle Eastern food.

A. Because I LOVE the restaurant we're going to! Aladdin's Eatery!
B. Because I'm completely and utterly starving for REAL FOOD!
C. Because I don't have to cook it! I'm exhausted!!

I'll be back with a regular (FULL) foodie post tomorrow. Have a great Saturday night!

Gotta GO GO GOOOOOOOO......

XOXO
Ildie

Brain Pain

Oh hay there. Today has been a hectic, hot mess. I felt like I had 999 things to get done and not enough time in the day for even half of it. Still super busy at work. My brain hurts!!!

Let's start from the beginning.

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 9:45am.

Yeah, that's right. I didn't get around to breakfast until almost 10:00 and I was still finishing it up at 10:30. It was that kind of a morning!

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 wheat bran
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• dash pumpkin pie spice
• pinch salt
• Splenda to taste

And of course, I topped it with the usuals.

• 2 tbs peach preserves
• 1 tbs flax
• 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter

Never gonna give you up. Never gonna let you down. Never gonna run around or desert you. (I just wanted to sing a little ditty for Better N' Peanut Butter because I LOVE IT!)

Breakfast calmed me down a bit, but not much! My hair ripping, mind unraveling, stress party continued all the live long day.

LUNCH (meal #2) at 1:00pm.

It seems that all my meals were late today. SIGH! At least they were delicious!

I had an everything bagel thin sandwich with smoked turkey and romaine. On the side I had roasted garlic hummus with green peppers and carrots. SO GOOD!


SOMEHOW, by luck and a hint of black magic, I managed to sneak out of the office today. I HAD TO! Nick's Birthday is this Thursday and I had yet to buy him anything. I worked quick like a bunny and managed to find him the perfect present. He'll be so excited! :)

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

I had a Dannon Greek yogurt with cinnamon and pomegranate granola. I have decided that I LOVE this yogurt. It's so creamy, thick and DELICIOUS! It's officially my second favorite after plain Oikos.


We hit the gym after work for biceps, triceps, shoulders and cardio day. My favorite. ;)

WORKOUT!

Tricep Pulldown Machine (cable)
80lb x 15
70lb x 15 (2 sets)
Skull Crushers (barbell)
25lb x 15 (3 sets)
Seated Barbell Military Press
25lb x 15 (3 sets)
Barbell Curls
40lb x 15
35lb x 15 (2 sets)
Barbell Front Raise
20lb x 15 (3 sets)
Upright Row (barbell)
35lb x 15 (3 sets)
21's
20lb barbells (3 sets)
Hammer Curls
12.5lb x 15 (2 sets)
Barbell Curls
35lb x 15 (snuck one more set it)
Elliptical Cross Trainer, 30 minutes, 2.62 miles
Min. 1-2 (level 6)
Min. 3-4 (level 8)
Min. 5-6 (level 6)
Min. 7-8 (level 8)
Min. 9-10 (level 6)
Min. 11-12 (level 8)
Min. 13-14 (level 10)
Min. 15-16 (level 8)
Min. 17-18 (level 10)
Min. 19-20 (level 8)
Min. 21-25 (level 11)
Min. 26-30 (level 8)

Total Calories burned during my workout was 664. My max heart rate was 171 and my average was 144.

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

I indulged in another delicious recovery smoothie the second I got home.

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 scoop peanut butter chocolate protein powder
• 1 banana
• LOTS of ice

I'm loving this new protein powder flavor. Even the smell is amazing! YUM!

Nick and I were giddy with anticipation all night. We had planned on watching the last episode of Dexter Season 3 tonight. This meant Dinner would have to be QUICK! I'm not known for my patience, you see.

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

Nick was having leftover pizza. I should add that it was several days old. He's a brave little soldier. OLD leftovers freak me out. It's why I always eat them as soon as possible or freeze them, if they can be frozen.

I took a whole wheat and flax Flat Out and stuffed it with leftover tofu from last night, fat free american cheese, green onions and roasted garlic hummus. I folded the FlatOut in half and toasted both sides in a frying pan. URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT! This was delicious! I topped it with Trader Joe's smoky peach salsa and devoured it.


I also enjoyed some green beans with spray butter and garlic and sea salt sunflower seeds.


Oh so good! I licked the plate clean.

Alright lovelies. It's Dexter time. Going to finish the season while I cuddle with the Mr. and then call it a night. Time to unwind!

HUGS!
Ildie