Perfecting "Lazy".

Hello beautiful people.

I've just enjoyed the most amazingly lazy day. Seriously. LAZY!!! I feel almost ashamed at the absurd amounts of NOTHING that went on today. I did find enough motivation to visit Mama and Papa Babushka for lunch. Let me be clear though, that has been the full extent of my "activities" today. I've also indulged in a lot of couch bonding and TV brain washing. In the wise words of Mr. Campbell. It was "Mmm Mmm Good".

I woke up at 8:00 but decided to rot in bed until almost 9:00. Why? Why not? Why hurry? No one was waiting on me. There was nothing that needed to be done. Nowhere I had to be. I need to cherish these moments pf nothingness and savor them. So I cuddled with my fluffy comforter in my cozy bed, half asleep and half daydreaming about what to have for the most important meal of the day.

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 9:15am.

I decided on an egg white scramble. 4 egg whites + red, green and yellow peppers + tomato.


I also had a Morning Star Farms breakfast sausage with Smucker's sugar free syrup.


And a wheat Thomas's bagel thin which I topped with a mashed banana (which I added cinnamon and a dash of Splenda to).


Enjoyed with a frothy and light whip and cinnamon smothered cup of mocha java French Press coffee.


Foodie perfection. I proceeded to rot my brain with two (one was not enough) episodes of The Millionaire Matchmaker while I nibbled. Why do I love this show? WHY?

I followed up my bad TV session with blog reading and another cup of coffee. I was in full on Lazy Mode. Apparently I was also in a daze because I lost complete track of time. I'm pretty sure that 2 hours were somehow stolen from me this morning. I looked up and it was almost time to visit the Babushka Family. I quickly cleaned myself up and rushed over there to see my adoring fans. I didn't want to disappoint and skip the visit. I'm just so freakin fantastic that they cry when I'm not around. HAHAHA! Right Papa? (cry with joy sometimes I'm sure....) :)

LUNCH (meal #2) at 1:30pm.

Mama baked up a bunch of tasty chicken. I made a lovely salad topped with one of them.

• Sweet Butter Lettuce
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Dried Cranberries
• Oven Roasted Chicken Breast
• Spray Butter
• Black Pepper

I don't know how that woman gets her chicken so tender. Mama secrets I'm not privy to I guess. :)

After lunch we played a could of WILD rounds of Sorry. Aghhhh, I love that stupid STUPID game. I also sipped on another cup of coffee. I know, I know. LOTS of coffee today. I love the stuff. Don't judge!

To TORMENT me, the family busted out several boxes of Godiva chocolates and truffles to splurge on. Ann was ALL up in the research on which ones to devour.


Mama and Papa just dove in to get whatever. I (like a good little angel) stayed away from the sweet temptation. I won't lie. It wasn't easy!!!!!


When I got home Nick talked me into watching Shutter Island. SURE, I'll rot my brain some more with the dull, flickering light of television wonder. BUT FIRST, I NEEDED A SNACK!

SNACK (meal #3) at 5:00pm.

I've had a pint of pistachio ice cream (MY FAVORITE) in the freezer for about a month now. Purchased in a moment of weakness and briefly attacked with a spoon on a random Saturday night. Only a few bites were missing and every time I open the freezer, I stare at it, lovingly... and then shut the door... So did I eat it? NOPE! I gave it to Nick and made myself a tasty bowl of Banana + Cherry Soft Serve ice cream.

• 2 frozen bananas (guessing, I have a large bag of frozen banana chunks in the freezer)
• 4 frozen cherries
• 1 packet Splenda
• splash (maybe 3 tbs) of unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze

Blended and whipped to creamy perfection in my food processor and topped with Udi's original granola from a bit of texture and crunch.


TAKE THAT my beloved pistachio ice cream. Though I miss you DEEPLY, this concoction fills your delicious void. I WIN!

The movie wasn't bad. Sadly, as with a lot of movies (because I'm brilliant) I figured out the plot well before the ending. None the less, not bad. After it was over, I did something horrible... I made ANOTHER cup of coffee. Hey, I have to fuel all of this NOTHING I'm doing today. Right? (for shame Ildie.... for shame....)

(insert more random moments of nothing here.........)

(and some more............)

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

I brought home some of Mama's incredibly tender chicken for Nick to have for dinner. I decided to make shrimp for myself. It's been too long my crustacean little critters. Far, far too long!

I peeled them, seasoned them with Himalayan pink sea salt, black pepper and key lime seasoning mix. I tossed them into a very hot pan (sprayed with Pam) until they got nice and pink. This only takes a few moments.


I enjoyed them with leftover roasted veggies from last nights dinner.


And sweet Thai chili sauce for dipping.


Simple, quick, delicious and perfect.

Well, I think It's time to go do some more of that there nothing that I'm working on perfecting today. Might as well enjoy it while I can. It's back to cubicle florescent paradise tomorrow (AKA work).

Have a great night!
Oh, and stay lazy.....

XOXO
Ildie

I live in a jungle

Hello lovelies.

I adore waking up to sunshine on a Saturday. I celebrated with a caramel drizzle flavored coffee infused with cinnamon fresh out of my French Press. I cuddled with Oliver and his typical attention whoreish ways. He's only like this first thing in the morning. Trust me! Fluffy Butt and I cuddled for a bit while I read my favorite blogs. Morning perfection!

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

I made a quick egg white scramble with 4 eggs, S+P, chopped fresh spinach and diced tomato. I toasted a wheat, Thomas's bagel thin, sprayed it with a bit of butter and topped each slice with the eggs. Simple perfection!


Enjoyed with two kiwis on the side, skin and all. YUM!


I let my food digest for a while and then got dressed for the gym. I was feeling extra motivated to sweat and KILL myself today. I always feel like I get my BEST workouts in on Saturdays. The gym is less busy, I have more time and I get to go in the morning which lets me enjoy the rest of my day.

WORKOUT!

Hack Squat (plate loaded)
50lb x 15 (3 sets)
Leg Extension (cable)
90lb x 15 (2sets)
80lb x 15
Seated Leg Curl (cable)
90lb x 15 (2 sets)
80lb x 15
Inner Thigh Machine (cable)
65lb x 20 (3 sets)
Outer Thigh Machine (cable)
75lb x 20 (3 sets)
Ab Machine (cable)
100lb x 20 (2 sets) WHEW!
Single Leg Press (plate loaded)
100lb (each leg) x 15 (3 sets)
Squats
x15 (3 sets)
Stuff Legged Deadlift (barbell)
45lb x 15 (3 sets)
Elliptical Cross Trainer
30 minutes, 2.78 miles, 2 minute intervals of levels 8-10

Total time at gym = 1:28
Max HR = 175
Average HR = 143
Total calories burned = 747

I looked like a deranged, sweaty and overly red beast by the time I was done. Ann said I looked "weird". I guess parts of my face were bright red and others looked jaundiced. ?? Whatever. NO PAIN NO GAIN!

I drove home with the sunroof open and loved every minute of it. I LOVE YOU SPRING!

SNACK (meal #2) at 12:30.

I refueled my quivering little legs with a green monster smoothie.

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 scoop chocolate peanut butter whey protein powder
• 1 packet of Amazing Grass green superfood

• 1 tbs sugar free chocolate Torani syrup
• 1 banana, sliced
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves
• 2 cups ice

Blended to perfection and sipped on for what seemed like an eternity. This made a MASSIVE amount! So delicious though. You better believe that I drank it all. :)

Nick and decided to work on the "Jungle" for a bit this afternoon. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before or not but I have a Super Hybrid Mega Jungle taking over a portion of my property. Junk grows taller than me every Spring and is UNCONTROLLABLE! I think we're in denial about needing professional help but I'll play along! At least I got to enjoy some nice weather while we slaved away.

LUNCH (meal #3) at 4:30.

I made a quick lunch after our outdoor adventure. I was STARVING! I made a quick FlatOut quesadilla with a wedge of light swiss Laughing Cow Cheese, fat free refried beans and jalapenos. Toasted in a pan with Pam and topped with Trader Joe's pineapple salsa.


I also had cauliflowers, green peppers and roasted garlic hummus on the side.


This meal made he happy. So happy that I did a little dance. No, not really, but I thought about it. :)

After lunch I FINALLY got to sit down and do nothing. Lame? I THINK NOT! I miss downtime. It seems like I'm always rushing around and doing something. Working, working out, cooking, cleaning, laundry, blogging, visiting with family and friends etc... I cherish "nothing" time.

DINNER (meal #4) at 9:00pm.

Tilapia was on the menu tonight. I've been craving them for days. I seasoned the fillets with pink salt and dill, dipped them in egg whites and coated them with panko bread crumbs (which were seasoned with garlic powder, rosemary and key lime powder). I also seasoned some asparagus with pink salt and black pepper. I put the fish and asparagus on the same cookie sheet and baked them at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Dinner turned out perfect! I had some low calorie tartar sauce on the side and drizzled some Sriracha over the fish. MMM!


Deeeeeeeeeelicious!

I think Nick and I are about to play that new board game I got him for his Birthday. It looks VERY involved. He has been reading and re-reading the rules for over an hour. EEEK!

Night!
XOXO
Ildie

Productive Critter...

I'm a walking coma patient today. A daydreaming, tired and drained zombie with no ambition. I'm not even sure how I managed to get anything done today. Oddly though, I was quite the productive little critter today. Go figure! Maybe the thought of being done with it all and rotting on the couch is what kept me going. Couch paradise was my fiery fuel!

I slept like POOP last night. Not sure if it was the beers I had with dinner or just an unexplainable and annoying circumstance. I'm guessing the two are related though.
Okay, let's pick back up where we left off last night. Before we left the house, I gave Nick his presents. He LOVED the game I got for him. ;)


Then we were off to the bar to meet his dad, stepmom, brother and his brothers girlfriend. We got there right on time and were met by Spongebob and Sam Adams Boston Lager. Deliciously satisfying!


I ordered the blackened chicken salad for dinner with fat free ranch dressing and a side of mango habanero sauce. That stuff was HOT. My mouth was on fire. It burned so good. I ate every last delicious morsel.


After dinner we enjoyed some more beer and hung out with his family for a few more hours.


We didn't get home until 11:30. We were both beat and went straight to bed. Sadly I was already awake by 3:30 and couldn't fall back asleep until 5:00. WHAT THE HECK!? I managed to get maybe 2 more hours of sleep (sort of) and finally gave up at about 7:00.

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 8:00am.

I enjoyed my egg white omelet so much the other day that I decided to have another this morning. I stuffed it with fresh spinach, tomato pieces and fat free American cheese. I had it with a Thomas's bagel thin and two Morning Star Farms sausage links. Perfection!


I also had a cup of French press coffee which went unphotographed. It was a mix of fudge brownie and vanilla biscotti flavored coffee. It was SO good!

I met Ann at the gym for legs, glutes and cardio day at 10:30. I had a great workout. My thick little thighs were BURNING. HA!

WORKOUT!

Treadmill Warmup
5 minutes at 3.2 speed
Outer Thigh Machine
75lb x 20 (3 sets)
Inner Thigh Machine
65lb x 15 (3 sets)
Leg Extensions
90lb x 15 (3 sets)
Seated Leg Curl
90lb x 15
80lb x 15 (2 sets)
Hack Squat
50lb x 15 (3 sets)
Leg Press
190lb x 15 (3 sets)
Stiff Legged Deadlift
45lb x 15 (3 sets)
Elliptical Cross Trainer
30 minutes, 2.6 miles, 2 minute intervals at levels 6-8

Total workout took 1:29 minutes.

Max Heart rate = 177

Average Heart rate = 156

Total Calories Burned = 751

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

After the gym we went straight to Mama and Papa Babushka's house. I had a super quick and bland protein shake with 1 scoop of peanut butter chocolate whey protein powder and water. Mama didn't have any Almond Breeze at the house. Tragic. It was just so-so but at least I got my protein in to feed my tired little muscles.


LUNCH (meal #3) at 1:00pm.

Mama baked some deliciously tender and juicy chicken breasts and made a massive salad to go with them.


Here is my portion, topped with red pepper flakes, Sriracha and spray butter. It was delicious but oddly left me a bit hungry?


We hung out for a few hours chatting, arguing, getting sassy and lippy with each other in typical crazy family fashion. We were discussing their trip back to Hungary at the end of April. Yes! I'm jealous! I never travel anywhere. Not even out of Ohio. I'M SO LAME! I'm very excited for them though! This trip is LONG overdue and I'm so glad they're finally doing it!

When I got home I started work on a HUGE pile of laundry. Ohhh, my favorite!!! I also started prepping dinner early. I was still fantasizing about getting to sit down and doing NOTHING. I was feeling super drained at this point.

DINNER (meal #4) at 8:00pm.

I busted out the trusty food processor to help make prep work easier.


I haven't made black bean burgers in a long time and I couldn't stop thinking about them. Here's what went into the mix.

• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1/2 can chick peas, drained
• 4 tbs cornmeal
• 1 whole egg
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 tbs chopped garlic
• 1 small onion
• 2 tbs corn
• cumin
• salt + pepper
• cayenne
• hot chili powder

This was enough for 5 patties.


I cooked them in a frying pan sprayed with Pam for 5 -7 minutes on each side. Easy peasy. I had mine with an Ezekiel bun, fat free american cheese, spinach leaves, onion slices, sharp mustard and low card ketchup. OMG so good!!!


I also made a huge batch of carrot and parsnip fries. I seasoned them with black pepper, garlic powder, cinnamon, sea salt and spray butter and popped them into a 400 degree oven for roughly 30-35 minutes. I flipped them once and they turned out perfect!


AHH I enjoyed the heck out of this dinner. And guess what? I have NOTHING left to do tonight. Couch paradise here I come. I'm going to bond with some pillows, a blanket, my Mr. and my remote for a few hours and hopefully get some sleep later tonight.

Be back tomorrow!
XOXOXO
Ildie