Blog Power!

Another Monday is upon us. Don't fret, if we stick together we can make it! REMEMBER! Stay low and keep focused. Our super bloggy powers will protect us! BLOGGETTES UNITE!

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

The office was cold (prison like) this morning. The only thing I could think of was warm coffee and steamy, gooey oats. I'm pretty sure that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I swear I wake up thinking about it! Slight obsession, I do declare!

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

This warmed me right up. It also got me really full. Too full! Which in turn made me tired. I just felt like slithering into a corner and taking a nap. I also contemplated hiding under my desk. I bet my gym bag would've made a decent pillow. I'm NOT known for my luck though. I'm sure it would've only been a matter of minutes before I was discovered by some nosy coworker. Drooling on myself curled in a fetal position. Pretty picture no? I drank my coffee instead and tried to slap myself awake.

And then it happened. I WON! BY GOLLY I WON SOMETHING! I've never won anything in my entire life. No joke! NOTHING... NADA... Well wait, once I won an autographed football for SOMEONE ELSE! A friend of mine entered my name (along with the name of everyone she knew in the world) for this football that she wanted to win for her brother. Go figure.

But back to MY win now. I don't even know what it is but I'm excited none the less. From my lovely friend at SweetLifeBake. YAY. I'm excited. I can't wait to share what I got with all of you. I adore surprises!

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

I rocked this fabulous salad in my office. Yeah, you can be jealous. I'll allow it.

• Spring Mix
• Artichoke hearts
• Tomato
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Bell peppers (red, green, yellow)
• Hummus
• Sprouted sunflower seeds
• Spray Butter

Followed up by this lovely red pear. Looks can be deceiving. It appeared to be perfect but was quite hard. Don't you just hate that?


We fed our Target addiction during our break today. I accidentally ended up with a lovely purple tube top (purchased for vacation) and a sassy little pair of flats. I can't wait to wear them!

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

I made a tasty little yogurt mess with plain Greek Dannon + strawberries + a cupcake courtesy of the lovely Ann. She made Naomi's recipe for apple cinnamon protein muffins. The flavor was good but the texture was a bit off. It was too dry. I think Ann followed the recipe for the most part but it just needs a bit of tweaking.


After work it was SWEAT time!

WORKOUT!

Tricep Pushdown (cable with straight bar)
90lb x 8
80lb x 15
70lb x 15
70lb x 15
Bicep Curls (barbell)
45lb x 15
40lb x 15
35lb x 15
35lb x 15
Shoulder Raise (barbell)
30lb x 8
25lb x 15
25lb x 15
20lb x 15
Overhead Tricep Extension (cable with rope grip)
70lb x 8
60lb x 15
60lb x 15
50lb x 15
21's (barbell)
30lb x 21
30lb x 21
25lb x 21
25lb x 21
Standing Military Press (barbell)
40lb x 15
35lb x 15
30lb x 15
25lb x 15
Tricep Extension (barbell + dumbbell)
20lb x 12 (this felt "off" and my form was bad so I switched to dumbbells)
20lb x 15
15lb x 15
Elliptical Cross Trainer
30 minutes, 2.74 miles, intervals of levels 6 & 10

Total time at gym = 1:20
Max HR = 173
Average HR = 142
Calories burned = 671

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

I refueled with something that I've been hearing about for weeks now. A chocolate cherry bomb smoothie. I did NOT use Quick chocolate mix though. I used protein powder.

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup water
• 1 scoop chocolate whey protein
• 1 tbs sugar free Torani chocolate syrup
• 14 frozen cherries
• 1 cup ice

Blended to pure cherry perfection. Yummy!


Nick was slaving away in the kitchen with his dinner. He was making pierogies (which were swimming in oil) with sauteed peppers and onions. It smelled magnificent but I refrained from indulging. I enjoyed a nice healthy meal instead.

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

I sauteed broccoli + cauliflower + sugar snap peas + radishes + bell peppers in Pam + Spray Butter and seasoned them with garlic powder & S+P.


I also made a quick burger with a Morning Star Farms black bean burger on an Ezekiel bun with swiss + hummus + low carb ketchup.


A bit later I had a MINI indulgence. I made a cup of blood orange cranberry tea and enjoyed them with a small handful of CUTE alphabet cinnamon cookies.


I can't seem to keep my eyes open right now. I may have passed out for a second before hitting publish. I think I better go to bed!!

Goodnight my lovelies. Be back tomorrow!!
XOXO
Ildie

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

My Inner Grandmother.

The sun is slowly setting on this glorious Sunday and I'm currently sipping on coffee in my pajamas. Yes, I realize that frolicking in my pajamas at 7:15 in the evening makes me lame but I'm finding it hard to care. I call moments like this "connecting with my inner grandmother". HA! My weekend has been full of fun and I can't think of a better way to end it. I'm curled up on the couch, my coffee is delicious, my laptop is by my side and the sun is peeking through the blinds making my room glow in orange happiness. Ahhhh. Lovely!

Let's recap last nights art show. I made a TRAGIC mistake and left my cameras memory card at home. I could only take 10 pictures before my camera was full. LAMETOWN! Nonetheless the place was hoppin and it was great to see all of our friends. A few of them were taking pictures as well so maybe I can give you a more "photographic recap" in the future. For now, the below is all I have to offer. Sadly the best art they had was not photographed.


There were talks of going to the bar across the street after the show was over. However, the discount piercings they were offering had the place so PACKED that they had several customers left after 11:00 that were still "waiting on their turn". Needless to say the bar never happened. We improvised and just hung out with everyone in the back break room instead. I passed on the beers like a good little girl. I had plenty of "liquid fun" on Friday night. We got home at about 1:00am and I went straight to bed. I was beat!
_______________________________________________
Sunday....

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

I woke up at 9:00 with oatmeal on the brain. I'm pretty sure I dreamed about it. I immediately went to work on some stove top goodness. I cooked it slow and low until it reached a nice, thick and creamy consistency. It took about 15 minutes or so.

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 wheat bran
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• dash apple pie spice
• Splenda
• pinch salt

I topped it with 1 tbs ground flax, 2 tbs sugar free strawberry jam, 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter and more cinnamon. It was perfect!


I followed up breakfast with some supplements. I've been doing GREAT with them (Ginseng, Centrum, Fish Oil and Calcium). I haven't missed a single day in over two weeks. However, I had to stop taking the Ginkgo Biloba. It was making me nauseous and I had chronic headaches. :(


I spent the rest of my morning being lazy. That's what Sundays are for right?

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

I visited Mama and Papa Babushka's house at 2:00 for lunch as usual. I sauteed broccoli, mushrooms, cabbage, carrots and onions in soy, teriyaki, Thai chili paste, Thai chili sauce and red pepper flakes till nice and tender. I also seared a turkey cheddar sausage in a pan and boiled some edamame. Lunch was GLORIOUS!


We spent the afternoon chatting and playing Yahtzee. It was so nice and relaxing. AND THEN THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENED! My Mama busted out my FAVORITE Hungarian desert. Kremes!!! It's a puff pastry, powder sugar covered, custard cream pie full of delicious brilliance!! Resistance was pointless. I caved and ate every single rich and decadent morsel. I only have it once a year, if that. AHHHH. IT WAS SOOOOOOO GOOOOOD!

SNACK (meal #3) at 4:30pm. KREMES!!!!!!!


The rest of my day was very relaxing. I got home at about 5:30 and basically did absolutely nothing for several hours. It was perfect in every way possible. I made some coffee and hung out in my PJ's, on the couch with the Mr. We watched It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia for like 3 hours straight. I love that show. I also love lazy Sundays!

DINNER (meal #4) at 9:30pm.

The plan was to have a very LIGHT dinner because of my Hungarian pastry party. However, I was starving by the time 9:30 rolled around. A full and substantial dinner was absolutely necessary. I was definitely having an indulgent day. It happens!

I dug around and found some vegetarian cocoa chili in the freezer. I jazzed it up with some fat free cheddar cheese, sour cream and fresh avocado. I also had some low fat blue corn tortilla chips on the side. It was so good!


Time for some more R&R. I can't seem to get enough of it today.

ONLY 40 DAYS UNTIL VACATION!

XOXO
Ildie