Green with envy NO MORE!

Happy Saturday! I'm tickled freakin pink today. We'll go over why in just a little bit. First, lets pick back up from where we left off last night.

My friends made a wine run and brought back one of my favorites. A bottle of Original Sin from Wolf Creek Winery. So delish! Sweet, fruity with subtle apple notes and a crisp clean finish!


We busted out the game...


Snacked on pretzels, spelt pretzels and wasabi peas...


Played, chatted, nibbled and enjoyed wine until the wee hours of the morning. I think I got to bed at roughly 1:30. Good times!

Sadly, I didn't sleep very well. I woke up in the middle of the night to a SEVERE pain in my right calf. This is the second time in two weeks. What the heck!?! I tense up and start stretching while sleeping and stretch to the point of pain. There's nothing quite as soothing as waking up in agony. I woke Nick up with all of my moaning and vigorous leg rubbing. I think I freaked him out. Whoops. Of course I had a hard time falling back asleep. I gave up at 7:30 and came down to make some coffee (chocolate chip cookie espresso with cream and cinnamon). I also chugged a bottle of water. I was PARCHED from last night.


As you can see, I was already enjoying blogland. It's my favorite way to spend a weekend morning. ;)

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 8:30am.

I also woke up hungry. Once again I blame the wine. Perhaps I indulged in just a bit more than I should have last night? I can't resist that delicious liquid candy! I was craving eggs so I made the most brilliant breakfast wrap in the world. The world you ask? YEP, THE WORLD! My world anyways and that's all that matters.

• 4 egg whites
• spinach leaves
• whole grain and flax FlatOut
• broiled acorn squash (from last night)
• guacamole (from last night)
• drizzle of Sriracha

FOODGASM! Seriously. This was AH-mazing! While I was enjoying breakfast, I was violently attacked by the hair nibbler. I kept hearing this strange noise. Then I realized it was coming from behind me. Oliver was freaking eating my hair. RIGHT off of my head. He's crazy.... I love him SO much!


After breakfast I played with laundry, dishes, a wild kitty and then decided to change for the gym. The leg felt better but still not 100%. The plan was to attempt the usual Saturday lower body workout and see how I handle it. If I have to stop because it hurts and move on to another body part then so be it. Going with the flow.

WORKOUT!

Outer Thigh Machine
75lb x 15 (3 sets)
Inner Thigh Machine
65lb x 15 (3 sets)
Seated leg Curl
90lb x 15 (3 sets)
Leg Extension
90lb x 15 (3 sets)

At this point the leg was starting to feel funky. I think the hack squat, deadlifts and leg press would have killed me. I decided to do a few upper body moves instead before my cardio.

Barbell Curls
40lb x 12
35lb x 15 (2 sets)
Skull Crusher (with barbell)
20lb x 15 (3 sets)
Military Press (with barbell)
20lb x 15 (3 sets)
21's (with barbell)
20lb x 3 sets. (I didn't rest at all. Does that make this a single set of 63's? HA!)
Elliptical Cross Trainer, 30 minutes, 2.56 miles, 356 calories.
2 minute intervals of levels 6 & 8. I didn't go any higher due to funky leg.

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

After the gym I followed Ann to her apartment. She whipped up two delicious smoothies made with Almond Breeze, 1/2 banana and chocolate whey protein powder. Sadly my drink went unphotographed. Apologies! I had a LOT on my mind!

We had two URGENT missions planned for today. Renew my drivers license and find Greek Yogurt. Both being equally important! I changed, made myself look human again (I was a red sweaty mess after the gym) and drove to the BMV.

It's at this point in my post that I must backtrack a bit and explain why I was so upset the other day. I was born in Hungary and moved here when I was 8 with a permanent green card. I've had the same exact card since and was never asked to renew it. For some magical reason, they refused it when I attempted to get my license last week and told me that I would need to contact immigration to have it renewed. Say what?? I immediately freaked out and visions of deportation started dancing in my head. I started calling everyone and their mama to try and sort it all out. Things were NOT looking good... At first... And then two days later a MIRACLE happened. Immigration confirmed that Ann and I have been citizens since 1991, when my parents became citizens. We were minors at the time and that's just how it works. It's just a matter of filling out a form, mailing it and waiting for our documents. I don't even need a green card. YEAH! However, I still had my current license dilemma! Getting the citizenship documents takes roughly 5 months. My birthday is in 3 weeks. I called another bureau and explained my "special" situation. They said they "may" accept it but would need to see the card in person to make sure. WELL.... Did they????


SUCCESS!!!!!!! Seriously people. I was SO stressed out about this. What a relief! I'M SO HAPPY! AND I'm a citizen. BRILLIANT!

After the BMV we hit up Super Walmart and loaded up on Oikos. I was actually going there for Dannon's Greek yogurt but they don't carry it yet. Naturally I didn't mind buying Oikos but it did cost me twice as much. I also picked up a new lazer toy for Oliver. Check it out, he's SO excited. (no volume and semi crappy quality, sorry...)


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

I was STARVING by the time I got home. I quickly whipped together a delicious salad.

• Spinach
• Sweet butter lettuce
• Sugar snap peas
• Acorn Squash
• Cherry tomatoes
• Guacamole
• Sprouted sweet curry sunflower seeds
• Drizzle of spray butter

Oh my damn. This was amazing!

SNACK (meal #4) at 7:00pm.

I was craving something sweet a bit later so I came up with the following combo. It hit the spot and held me over until dinner.

• 100g fat free cottage cheese
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 packet splenda
• dash cinnamon
• drizzle of sugar free blueberry syrup (Smuckers)

HEAVEN!

I was reading over Tosca Reno's Eat Clean cookbook (again) while devouring my snack.


I received the book months ago to review and I haven't cooked a single thing out of it to date. I'm such an ass! The book is clearly brilliant. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm such a procrastinator. SO, here is the plan (which I have named TACKLE TOSCA). I'll attempt one of her recipes every two weeks. I can't go wrong here. They all look delicious and we all know she eats clean. The recipes will easily fit into my lifestyle. I CAN DO THIS!

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

I FINALLY found the Asian Morning Star Farms burgers at Walmart today. Of course I immediately had to have one for dinner tonight. Served on a toasted Ezekiel wheat bun with sweet butter lettuce and sweet Thai Chili paste.


I've also been hearing some serious buzz on parsnip fries. I just had to know what all the fuss was about so I picked some up to try. I pealed them just like a carrot and sliced them into strips.


I gave them a nice bath with Pam and spray butter and seasoned them with sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper. I tossed them into a 400 degree oven for 40 minutes (flipped them 2x while baking) and they turned out amazing! NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE how good these were.... Enjoyed with ketchup of course.


I feel so chill right now. As if all the pressures of the world have left my body. I love it when you think your life is turning to &%$#! Then all of a sudden, things just work out a MILLION times better than even expected. Yep, life is good!

Tomorrow is Papa's Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. DASHING! I know you'll read this as soon as you wake up and I wanted to be the first one to wish you a HAPPY DAY.

(I look deranged and WILD in this picture)

I think this officially makes me the BETTER daughter. YOU LOSE ANN! HA!

Goodnight friends.

XOXOXOX (to infinity)
Ildie

Just call me Rudolph!

Hi everyone. I hope you are doing well! How am I doing you ask? I'm feeling a bit better. Just a smidgen better though. The throat feels okay but the eyes are still itchy and watery, I'm still sneezing and my nose is still running away from me every chance it gets. Stupid nose!! I look like Rudolph, with my nose so bright. I bet I could guide a sleigh tonight! HA!


I'm so SICK of being SICK! BLEH! AGHHHH!


I tried to once again cheer myself up with a tasty and warm breakfast. I shall call it a "cozy cocoa concoction".

• 1/2 cup Irish oats
• 1 1/2 cups water
• dash salt
• dash cinnamon
• 1 tbs unsweetened cocoa
• 1 banana, sliced
• 2 tbs sweetened coconut flakes

I'm almost out of my Irish Oats at home. Good thing I'm going to the store tomorrow. I'm HOOKED!

After my first breakfast I had my second breakfast. OH, YUMMY! :(


Lunch on the other hand was MUCH more delicious! I brought in the leftover eggplant from last nights dinner and turned it into a huge salad. I used sweet butter lettuce, tomato, spray butter, the eggplant of course and a tore up LaTortilla brand tortilla for "croutons". SO GOOD! I devoured this plate!


To get out of the office for a bit today Ann and I ventured to Old Navy. Ann was hoping to get some more Christmas shopping done but the place had been PICKED CLEAN. WOW! So instead we walked over to Mustard Seed Market. This is a dangerous place. Why? Because they are OVERPRICED and because they carry a lot of things I love that I can't find ANYWHERE else. Hey Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Why don't you show some love for Akron, OH and come build a store close to me already? HUH? IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR? I would spend my sweet, sweet cash on both of you all the time, I swear it! And look, just LOOK at what I found at Mustard Seed. CELESTIAL SEASONINGS HOLIDAY TEAS! OMG! I thought this day would never come! Now I get to taste liquid Christmas in a cup too. I DO. I DO!


Oddly enough I entered a giveaway for these tasty teas just earlier today on the lovely blog by RhodeyGirl. HA! What are the odds right?

I also found a packet of the same pesto mix that the lovely Janetha B used very recently. I immediately snatched one up to try. Only 40 calories? CAN'T BEAT IT! I never have pesto because it's WAY too high in calories and fat. Thanks for the recomendation Janetha!! YEAH!


When we got back to work I indulged in a second cup of coffee. I wanted something warm. It's COLD out there today. (I hate it) My afternoon snack was a typical yogurt mess. Oikos mixed with splenda and cinnamon. I was going to crumble in a Kashi cherry dark chocolate granola bar but I wasn't all that hungry. So instead a stole a bit of Ann's Shredded Spoonfuls to add a bit of crunch. I love cinnamon smothered Oikos. Yum-Yum!


After work it was off to the gym. I suffered (with snot dripping and watery eyes itching, pardon the graphic visual!) through another cardio session and a bit of an arm workout (finally).

Elliptical
22 minutes, level 3, Interval training, 268 calories
Barbell Curls
20lb x 20
25lb x 18
30lb x 15
35lb x 10
Triceps Pulldpown (cable)
50lb x 20
60lb x 18
70lb x 12
Dumbbell Hammer Curls
10lb x 20
12.5lb x 15
15lb x 7
Barbell Preacher Curls
20lb x 15
20lb x 15

I rushed home after the gym because I had a LOT of things to get done tonight. It was already nearing 7:30. AGHHHHH! Here is a checklist for those of you (like me) who LOVE a good list!

1. Bath
2. Pack breakfast for tomorrow
3. Make healthy pumpkin bites for work X'mas party tomorrow (more on this below)
4. Put together present for coworker & make it all pretty & festive & what not
5. Cook dinner (more on this below as well)
6. Blog about my day (ta-daaaa)
7. Get to bed early (this will probably NOT happen)

Okay, moving on... when I got home I found myself jumping around with exitement like a lunatic. WHY? Because I received this in the mail today. Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Cookbook.


I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK! Which might I add, was sent to me for free by these lovely people! The recipes are clean, easy and full of good for you, wholesome ingredients. I can't wait to try some of these dishes! Thank you for sending me this book Tosca! THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I'm super exited to give my thoughts on these recipes!


Once I finally settled down a bit, I crossed #1 and #2 off of the list above with a quickness. YEAH! Now on to my healthy pumpkin bites for tomorrow.

I purchased some mini Phyllo shells from the freezer section last week just for this occasion. Yes, I'm pulling a SEMI homemade maneuver here. They just needed to thaw at room temperature for 10 minutes. Easy enough.


While they were thawing I made the pumpkin filling. Here is what went into my little decadent (yet completely healthy) mix.

• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 2 packets instant, sugar free vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 packet fat free cream cheese
• 1 tbs vanilla
• dash salt
• 2 packets splenda
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp cinnamon

I blended this until smooth and stuffed the mixture into a large Ziploc bag. Then I cut a small hole in one corner of the bag like so. Look at me, being all fancy. Whoah!


I squeezed the pumpkin mixture into the thawed phillo shells.


Ta-Daaaaa!


The next step was adding some walnuts, which I already toasted on top of the stove. I crushed them, mixed in a bit of splenda and cinnamon and sprinkled them on top. You know, to give them a bit of crunch and PIZAZZ! I also put them in these somewhat over sized cupcake liners. POLKA DOTS! I LOVE POLKA DOTS!


Awe, looky, so pretty. :)


Next on the list was dinner. I was HUNGRY! I decided to try that pesto mix I picked up at lunch. Sounded easy enough. While the pasta was boiling away, I pan fried some boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I seasoned them with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning mix. I cooked the chicken for maybe 10-15 minutes, cut them into bite size pieces and set them aside. I mixed the pesto packet with a 1/2 cup of water as directed, but instead of the 1/4 cup of oil it called for, I just added a splash of olive oil. I brought it to a boil and it was done in a matter of minutes. I poured it over the pasta, tossed in the chicken and gave it a good stir. SO EASY! To get my veggies in for the day I also cooked up some green beans and seasoned them with spray butter, sea salt and pepper. For a bit of crunch I also tossed some soy nuts on top of the beans and the pasta. And of course, I sprinkled a bit of parmesan cheese over the pasta as well. Dinner was so delicious! I don't have pasta very much so I cherish these moments. HA!


And finally, I put the present together for my coworker. It sort of looks crazy with all of the tissue paper shoved inside the basket but I wanted to make sure that nothing broke. Voila...


Wow, what a busy night. I'm tired, and my nose is raw! UGH! Goodnight. Tomorrow is Friday... YAY!