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

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

Ravenous Beast

My hunger was like a ravenous beast today. I spent all day prowling about, searching for food to devour! Somehow, miraculously, I managed to refrain from eating everything in sight though. I cranked my will power dial up to FULL BLAST and somehow made it through the day. I kept watching the clock, waiting for lunch time, waiting for snack time, waiting to leave work so I can work out and go home and EAT AGAIN! OH TO EAT! One of life's most simplest pleasures, no?

It's so weird how sometimes I go for hours without getting hungry and then on some days (such as today) I want to eat everything in sight. Watch your fingers, they may be next!

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

I was giddy during the drive to work today. Clearly NOT because I was going to work. It was because I knew that a sexy little burrito was waiting for me, patiently, in my sassy little polka dot lunch bag.

I couldn't wait to get to it!

• 4 egg whites seasoned with S + P
• 2 tbs Trader Joe's cilantro and jalapeno hummus
• handful of baby spinach leaves
• Light Flat Out wrap
• a drizzle of Sriracha sauce

Come to me my friend. Let us bond and become one, as it was meant to be!

I spent 9:00 - 12:00 starring at my clock, bitting on my nails, waiting for lunchtime to roll around. It seemed ever so far away. I CRY! I tried to keep busy with work, chugged a bottle of water and made a cup of green tea to take the "edge" off.

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

FINALLY, TIME TO EAT! I made a large salad today with the following and it was absolutely delicious!

• Sweet butter lettuce
• Baby spinach
• Red bell pepper slices
• Bread & Butter pickles
• 1/4 cup cannellini beans
• 1/3 cup fat free cottage cheese
• Drizzle of Spray Butter

I also had a blood orange. MM.


My tummy was so happy! But for how long is the questions! I fearfully pondered over this while I chugged yet another bottle of water.

Not long! We went to TJ-Maxx on our break today and by the time we were walking out I was hungry again! %#$*@! Snack time wasn't going down until 4:00. More tea!!! Yes!!! Brilliant plan! IT WILL HAVE TO WORK!

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

I finally tried Yoatgurt, idea provided by the always brilliant Janetha at Meals & Moves.

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 cup water
• dash cinnamon
• dash pumpkin pie spice

I cooked the oats as usual and then topped it with a 4oz cup of plain 0% Oikos which was already mixed with 1 packet of Splenda and a TON of cinnamon.


My thoughts? AMAZING and it gets a THUMBS UP!


Hot, creamy, ooey-gooey, comfort food!!! LADY! YOU'RE A FOODIE SUPER STAR HERO! ;)


After work it was off to the gym for cardio day. Today I looked at it as get your mind off of food time instead of sweaty torture! I guess being hungry does have SOME advantages.

WORKOUT!

Elliptical (40 minutes)
1-2 min, level 6
3-4 min, level 8
5-6 min, level 9
7-8 min, level 10
9-10 min, level 11
11-12 min, level 12
13-14 min, level 6
15-16 min, level 8
17-18 min, level 9
19-20 min, level 10
21-22 min, level 11
23-26 min, level 12
27-28 min, level 11
29-30 min, level 10
31-32 min, level 9
33-34 min, level 8
35-36 min, level 6
37-38 min, level 8
39-40 min, level 6
504 calories burned total
Treadmill (10 minutes)
5 incline, 3.0 speed
78 calories burned
Stair Glider (10 min)
Level 2, 103 calories burned

Total calories burned = 685

When I got into the locker room to grab my stuff I realized I had a voicemail. We've been invited to a friends house tonight to watch a HORRIBLE movie called the Gingerdead Man with Gary Busey. It promises to be as bad as it sounds. HA! Should be good times but now this meant I had to HUSTLE!

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

As soon as I got home I busted out the blender and made a delicious and massive smoothie.

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
• 1 cup frozen peach slices
• 2 cups spinach
• a baby banana
• 1 packet Stevia
• dash of xanthan and guar gum

Blended to pure smoothie perfection. I decided to have half right then and there and poured the rest into my to-go cup for later tonight and popped it into the freezer.

After I inhaled my smoothie I cleaned up SUPER FAST and dove right into making dinner. Of course, I was STARVING again!

DINNER (meal #5) at 9:00pm

I pan sauteed a bunch of broccoli and white mushrooms in a covered pan with the usual sauce (drizzle of teriyaki and sweet chili sauce) until they were golden. Takes about 10 minutes or so.

I had the veggies with the leftover Tilapia fillet from last nights dinner. How perfect! There was one lonely little fillet left just for me to enjoy tonight. Reunited and it feels so gooooood!


Alright my lovelies. I'm getting COME ON ALREADY BUG EYES from the Mr. so I have to wrap this up and hit the road. Have a great night. Be back tomorrow!! Me and my EMERGENCY SMOOTHIE are off!

XO
Ildie

Lazy + Pain = Sunday

Sunday has been so fantastic. Though MOST of the things I had planned to accomplish did not materialize, I still considered it to be a lovely day. We were out bowling for hours last night and had a blast. We played 4 games and I wont 3 of them. YEAH! I can't even explain WHY but I was actually bowling pretty decent last night. The highest score I was able to reach was only 128. Not stellar but FOR SURE not bad either. YAY FOR ME!


Now for the confession, yes, I indulged with beer. The bowling alley we frequent is TINY so the beer selection wasn't large. We had Lebatt's. I had 4 cups. UH-OHHH. BAD ILDIE! It was tasty though. And I'm sure bowling burned some of the calories off... Right? HA! I had a lower calorie dinner last night so my guilt was minimal. I had a great time!

I woke up pretty late this morning due to our late evening. It was 9:00!!!! I quickly made myself a cup of coffee. I'm still enjoying the heck out of that peppermint coffee I purchased last week. SO delicious!


I decided to enjoy my coffee with open faced breakfast sandwiches.

• 3 egg whites (seasoned with salt & pepper, cooked in pan with Pam)
• 2 slices peppered turkey lunch meat (seared in a pan)
• 1 serving fat free shredded American cheese
• 1 English muffin, sprayed with spray butter

Ta Daaaaa... They were tasty and just the right amount of food.


I also got caught up on some blogs while enjoying my breakfast. This is my favorite lazy way to spend a Sunday morning. Glo-Ri-Ous..... By now I'm sure you've noticed that we did NOT rake leaves this morning OR clean out the garage. I feel slightly guilt stricken by this confession but curled up with a blanket and reading blogs just sounded so much better! What can I say, I guess Sunday brought out the lazy in me!

At about 2:00 in the afternoon it was time to head to Canton to have my friend Blair work on my tattoo again. To prep my body for the upcoming session of pain I took an ibuprofen (to help with inevitable swelling) and made protein smoothies for Nick and I. We weren't super hungry since we had a later breakfast so smoothies just sounded good. It would keep me full for hours while I sat there, enduring the stabbing needle torture. HA!

• 1 frozen banana
• 2 frozen strawberries
• 4 frozen peach slices
• 2 cups Vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder

Blend, pour and enjoy. YUM!


I made Nick one too, and we were off. Blair lovingly worked his diligent little fingers off on my tattoo for what seemed like an ETERNITY OF PAIN! About 2.5 hours. He would have kept going but he had an appointment show up and had to stop. He's working on mine for free and I'm not going to cause the man a paying client. NO WAY! We discussed it he will just finish it all in our next session. I got roughly half of the coloring done already. On my next visit he will finish the rest and add some fine detailing to pull it all together. I'm very excited!! THANKS BLAIR! You're my needle wielding, pain inducing, wicked little HERO!

To recap, here is the original, which was already a cover up, a bad one...


Here is the arm since my first session with Blair...


And here is my swollen little arm now after session two with Blair...


I would also like to give the brilliant artists at Art Bomb Tattoos some props so here is a link to their site. ***CHECK THEM OUT HERE!!!!***

After his appointment showed up we decided to take off and head home to have some dinner. The original plan was to have Sushi with Blair and Nick's brother Dan tonight but because of his unexpected appointment, those plans fell through. We planned to reschedule for sometime in the VERY NEAR future. I LOVE SUSHI! The smoothies had us full for quite some time but I was STARVING by the time we took off. RUMBLES CRIED OUT IN MY BELLY!

When we got home Nick quickly threw together a sandwich for himself. The man was a mission and had NO patience to wait on a cooked meal. HA! Perfect I thought, then grabbed the leftover Tilapia from lunch yesterday. I had it with a sweet potato (seasoned with spray butter, salt, pepper & pumpkin pie spice) and green beans tossed with fresh garlic. I had it all done in roughly 10 minutes. Brilliant!


After dinner I very gingerly washed my tender arm and then applied some tattoo approved lotion. OUCH! Now it's time to curl up on the couch with a nice cup of tea and some cinnamon schoolbook cookies from Trader Joe's.


We're about to watch a new show that was recorded earlier tonight. It's called The Prisoner. Looks promising and interesting. Have a great night everyone! :)