8th wonder of the world...

My morning started extra bright and early today. I had a fun and fantastical doctors appointment at 7:50am. Ladies, you know the one. The one we ALL love and wait for breathlessly every year. I was SUPER excited about it to say the least! (I just lied to you.....)

After my appointment I rushed to the office. I was both starving and anxious to get started on my work. I had a hunch that a lot of emails would be waiting on my arrival. I'm very popular you see!

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 10:00am.

I had the privilege of a very sexy "almost" empty Better N' Peanut Butter jar again today. YAY! Who knew empty jars could make someone so happy? Not I! Weeeeeeeeeeeeee.


This had 1/2 cup old fashioned oats + 1/4 cup wheat bran + cinnamon + pumpkin pie spice + Splenda + raisins. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! I still can't explain WHY oats taste better out of a jar. I just can't. It's like the 8th wonder of the world. A great statue of an oat filled jar should be erected to honor its magnificence. Standing 50 feet tall with a massive copper spoon. Now that my friends, would be something magical!

Considering my late start today, work was semi decent. Could it be? Am I actually starting to get caught up? Do miracles really happen? I believe.... I believe....

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

I indulged in a delicious breakfast wrap for lunch. One of my favorites. 4 egg whites + spinach + vegetable hummus + Sriracha stuffed inside a honey wheat FlatOut. So messy but oh so good!


I also snacked one some Granny Smith apple slices. I forgot how much I love these sour little babies. Crisp, tart and delicious!


While on our break today, Ann and I received the most pleasant surprise. A call from Mama and Papa Babushka. It was the first call we've gotten from them since they left 2.5 weeks ago. Their cell phones don't work in Hungary so we've been emailing instead. I guess they just couldn't STAND IT anymore and had to hear our voices. They're so damn cute!! I can't wait to see them already. Sadly, it will be some time before I do. They come back SUPER late this Friday and I leave SUPER early on Saturday for vacation. It will have to wait until my return. Sigh.. :(

SNACK (meal #3) at 4:15pm.

Plain Dannon Greek yogurt with cinnamon and Udi's cranberry granola. My second of four Udi's granola bags is officially gone. :-O One is also going on vacation with me. I don't know what I'll do when I run out. The stuff is incredible! :)


After work it was time for the gym.

WORKOUT!

Advanced Chest Press (plate loaded)
60lb x 15
50lb x 15
50lb x 15
Lat Pulldown with V-bar (cable)
70lb x 15
60lb x 15
60lb x 15
Face Pull with rope grip (cable)
80lb x 15
80lb x 15
80lb x 15
Seated Chest Press (cable)
75lb x 15
60lb x 15
60lb x 15
Inclined Dumbbell Press
12.5lb x 15
15lb x 15
15lb x 15
One Arm Dumbbell Row
20lb x 15 (each side)
25lb x 15 (each side)
30lb x 15 (each side)

After the strength training we mozzied up to the cardio room only to realize that every single machine was taken. Neither one of us was feeling SUPER PUMPED or motivated today. The full room had us declaring the workout DONE in about 30 milliseconds flat. SHOCKING I KNOW! We never do that...

Total time at gym = 48 minutes (We didn't even break an hour. I think this is a 1st.)
Max HR = 135 (booo)
Average HR = 106 (booo)
Total calories burned = 220 (SUPER booo)

After the gym, we went to feed the kitties at Mama and Papa's and continued our "Mission Clean House" challenge. We're almost done. I know Mama will be very happy to come home to a sparkling house. REMEMBER PAPA, IT'S A SURPRISE... SHHHH!

We're such AMAZING daughters. HA!

SNACK (meal #4) at 7:30pm.

When I got home, I wasn't feeling a shake. Perhaps because I didn't really feel like my half assed attempt at a workout merited a smoothie? Whatever the reason, I didn't make one and instead snacked on some strawberries with fat free whip and a TINY sprinkle of crushed walnuts.


I love berries! I can't wait until raspberries are more affordable. They're my absolute favorite berry. Possibly even favorite fruit!

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

I had an eggplant, spinach and avocado sandwich on a sprouted whole grain Ezekiel bun. I cut the eggplants into rounds, salted them and let them sit for 20 minutes before patting them dry to get the bitterness out. I sprayed a pan with PAM, coated the eggplant with a bit of parmesan cheese and basil and baked them for 30 minutes. So easy.


On the side I had a warm green bean salad with leftover green beans from last night, cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes and a bit more avocado. Great flavor and texture combo. The beans were hot and the tomatoes and avocado were cold. YUM!


It's been a long day. I've already been up for 17+ hours and I'm feeling it. Time to sneak in a quick recorded episode of Lost and then I must SLEEP!

Have a great night!
XOXO
Ildie

Word To Your Mother!

Hello lovelies. I'm hope you're all having a fantastically titillating and delicious day. My day was fabulous, with one slight hick-up. The title of today's post is a subtle hint. I'm not going to tell you about it just yet though. I'm going to drag it out and lure you along with promises of humor, shock, reflection, denial, anger and laughter.

Our story begins with a delicious bowl of grandma approved, oat infused goodness.

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

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup wheat bran
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tbs unsweetened dark cocoa
• Splenda
• (Microwaved and topped with 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter and a mix of golden and regular raisins.)

I was feeling the work flow today. My nearing deadline of "get crap done before you leave for vacation" has me in super-maximum-mega-warp-speed-overdrive. Ahhh the subtle scent of burnt flesh. Caused by my speed typing which produced sparks and smoke from my fingertips. It's essence was oozing from my office all day today. A rich bodied aroma with hints of Hungarian paprika. Very odd. HAHAHA!

Lunchtime rolled around in what seemed like minutes today. I couldn't wait to dive into my magical polka dot lunch bag. Packed full of nutritious, delicious, scrumptiolicious (yes I just made that word up) goodies.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Miss. Awesomely Amazing Salad. Please give her a warm round of applause. She was loved while she lasted. Though her time in this bowl was limited, she will never be forgotten. Oh Miss. Salad, you had me at first bite.

• Spinach
• Cherry tomatoes
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Leftover Roasted Brussel Sprouts
• Black Bean Burger
• Corn
• Alfalfa Sprouts
• Spray Butter

I don't know what it was about this combo but I was all sorts of OVER IT. I ate every single last little morsel. No bite gets left behind!!!!

Ann and I went to the grocery store on our break today. It's like my second home. SCARY how much time I spend gazing at fresh produce and perfectly organized isles of packaged goodies. LOVE IT! Sometimes I envision myself dancing, singing and twirling with a basket full of apples in slow motion while hugging boxed cereal. Envision The Sound Of Music if you will. Brilliant right?


It was during our shopping adventure that my one hick-up of the day occurred. We were getting in line to check out when the CLEARLY wise and CLEARLY brilliant (IDIOT) cashier asked us if we were mother and daughter. You know, because we look a like? MY JAW HIT THE FLOOR! You son of a _____! Really???? Sisters doesn't come to mind first? Fifteen months separate Ann and I. IS HE KIDDING? OMG! I'm not sure if you can kill with a look but mine was definitely throwing a full set of rusty knives at this man jugular. Ann kept silent. I think she was fearful of her life and made NO eye contact with me what so ever.

We checked out and got out of there as quickly as humanly possible. You know, before things got ugly and I ended up on Americas Most Wanted for violently attacking and ripping apart a complete stranger. Ann attempted to console me by saying that maybe he thought she was the mom. Then I reminded her that Mr. Charming carded her for her bottle of wine and did NOT card me for mine. HA! I'm pretty sure this points the Mama fingers in my apparently aged direction.

After a while we were laughing at it. Hard. However, I just have to say, HOW RUDE! Ann and I are both in our early 30's. If he saying I look 50? HAHA. I mean seriously. I immediately blamed my new orange glasses. I HAD TO BLAME SOMETHING! :)

SNACK (meal #3) at 4:15pm.

I had a plain 0% Fage with a very ripe pair, Udi's cranberry granola and cinnamon. A tasty, healthy good for you treat that even a MOTHER can appreciate. :-O


After work it was off to the gym.

WORKOUT!

Treadmill
5 minute warmup at 3.4 speed
Seated Leg Curl (cable)
100lb x 15
90lb x 15
80lb x 15
Leg Extensions (cable)
100lb x 15
100lb x 15
90lb x 15
Inner Thigh Machine (cable)
75lb x 20
75lb x 20
75lb x 20
Outer Thigh Machine (cable)
85lb x 20
85lb x 20
85lb x 20
Free Weight Squats (straight bar)
45lb x 15
55lb x 15
55lb x 15
Side Leg Raises
BW x 15
BW x 15
BW x 15
Treadmill
1 mile in 12:17 minutes, Speeds 3.4-6.5, (shaved another 24 seconds off.)
Treadmill
.5 miles, 10 minutes, 10 incline, 3.2 speed (there's gold at the top o' that thur hill.)
Elliptical Cross Trainer
.85 miles, 10 minutes, Level 6

Total Time At Gym = 1:16
Max HR = 180
Average HR = 141
Total Calories Burned = 631

Not bad for a 50 year old if I do say so myself. ;)

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

I made a quick shake the second I got home. I just stirred a scoop of chocolate peanut butter whey protein into a glass of 1/2 vanilla Almond breeze and 1/2 water. I added some ice and cinnamon to make it perfect. Tasty tasty... I'm pretty sure that cinnamon is my favorite spice of all time!! Cayenne being the close second!


After cleaning my sweaty self up, I started prepping dinner. All I wanted for dinner was soup and salad. A thunderstorm hit shortly after I got home and soup just sounded SO good.

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

For the sandwich I pan seared some peppered turkey and smoked ham in a pan with a bit of spray butter for just a few seconds. I added them to two slices of wheat bread with a slice of Munster cheese. I had already sprayed the outside of each slice with a bit more spray butter. I tossed the sandwich into the same pan and toasted the outsides until they were nice and golden. When it was done, I peeled it apart and added some crisp, cool lettuce for a bit of a crunch. This was delicious!


For the soup, I made one of my favorite little packets. Thai Kitchen, Bangkok Curry. Not the GREATEST ingredients, I know, but it's freakin delicious. Calorie wise it's only 170 so not TOO bad. I followed the microwave directions and added some red pepper flakes and fresh green onions on top. LOVED IT!


Yeah, it was sort of a lazy attempt at dinner but it was super tasty. I used to make sandwiches like this all the time. MAKE ONE, they are tasty! Trust me, this "Mom" knows what she is talking about, for I am wise. As wise as a 50 year old apparently. HAHAHAHA!

Okay, ENOUGH already. I must get over it and MOVE on.

Before I forget, I have not FORGOTTEN about you. If I haven't commented it's because I'm STILL behind on reading blogs. FORGIVE ME! My days have just been so busy! Like right now, it's past midnight and I'm just now about to hit publish. I'm also about to pass out so I need to take my sassy butt to bed. OH, I better remember to take my dentures out first so I don't choke on them while I sleep.

I had to sneak another OLD mama joke in there. Sorry! HAHAHA! I'm done now... I promise...

XOXOXO

Ildie (aka,Mad Mama.) :-O

Cauliflower Power...

Little Miss. Sneaky Sunshine is hiding from me again. It's another grey, damp and gloomy day here in fabulous and exciting Ohio. I'm stuck inside with no plans, no tasks and no real ambition to do much of anything. On one had this is magnificent. On the other hand, I'm also trapped with Monster Hunter.

(proof.... he had no idea I was taking pictures.... I'm so sneaky....)


The Mr. has been playing it nonstop. Granted that I play on the computer all day, but somehow, that's just different. You guys feel me right? Watching him all day is like a slow and agonizing eternity spent in sword yielding hell. Someone come and rescue me. Take me away from all of this senseless dragon murder. HA!

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 11:00am. (I slept in and LOVED it!!)

I had the tastiest little breakfast wrap. I stuffed a multi grain FlatOut with spinach, sprouts, 4 egg whites (seasoned with S+P), hummus and Sriracha. Seriously messy and seriously delicious.


Enjoyed with my new favorite coffee, Archer Farms coconut macaroon. It's AMAZING people. Go get some!


And yes, it was a doggy-dog kind of day. This cup just seemed perfect. Makes me laugh every time I drink out of it. I don't even know why I got it. I'm a cat person. I haven't owned a dog since I was like 6. HA! ????

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

I had an eggplant sandwich on toasted wheat bread with mozarella and spinach. On the side I had some acorn squash, sugar snap peas and tomatoes.


Delicious! Yeah!

The rest of my afternoon was spent being lazy. Lounging on the couch. Reading blogs. Playing on Facebook. Sipping on way too many cup of delicious coffee. You know, really serious and important business! ;)

SNACK (meal #3) at 6:00pm.

I was craving something sweet and this strawberry Dannon yogurt was on its last leg. I HAD TO RESCUE IT! Enjoyed with banana slices and a sprinkle of Udi's granola and cinnamon.


DINNER (meal #4) at 8:30pm.

NEW TO ME RECIPE! I came across this in BlogLand and immediately became intrigued. Mock pizza crust made with cauliflower and fat free Mozarella cheese? YES PLEASE!

The steps seemed easy enough. Add a head of raw cauliflower into the food processor using the shredder blade. It should somewhat resemble the size of "rice". Microwave the shredded cauliflower (I covered my bowl with a barely damp paper towel) for 5 minutes. Stir with 1 cup of fat free Mozarella cheese, 1 egg, one wedge of light Laughing Cow Cheese and season with garlic salt, pepper, Italian seasoning blend and oregano.

I sprayed a cookie sheet with Pam and formed the mixture into a "pizza crust". I baked it at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Once the crust looked nice and golden, I topped it with a bit of Bertolli Arrabbiata red sauce mixed with tomato paste, onion, yellow, orange and red tomato slices, eggplant, green olives and acorn squash. I topped it all with a bit more Mozarella, red pepper flakes and Parmesan. I popped it back into the oven for maybe 10 more minutes. Just until everything heated through and cheese got nice and bubbly. (Sorry for the bad pictures. Nighttime lighting in the house sucks a whole lot...)


AHHHHHHHH! SUPER TASTY! My life is complete now. I can have "pretend" pizza again. With no guilt. Granted the texture and flavor wasn't ANYTHING like real pizza, but it was damn delicious! I love you BlogLand. I love you so much!

We're about to watch Red Cliff. I love Asian movies and I love John Woo. This one looks amazing. Very visual. Have a great night. It's back to the grind tomorrow. BAH!

XOXO
Ildie

Mr. Gassy...

Well, I won't keep you in suspense. Mr. Stupid Scale won this morning. I resisted grabbing the hammer to show him my "inner demons". Instead I kicked him (delicately) just once and stomped out of the room! HA! I gained 1 pound. What can I say.... It happens. I could try and come up with 10 things to blame it on but what it all boils down to is that womens bodies are crazy. I did nothing wrong. Next week is another week and I'm moving on. I refuse to dwell on it.

On other news, only 36 days until we take off for vacation. Don't even lie! I know you were all dying to know! I have the final countdown playing in my head now. Great! It's an amazingly horrible song. Te-Heeeeee....


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

The traditional, the classic, the wonderful, the wholesome, the usual.

• 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 raspberry preserves (Smucker's) and 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter.)

Work was busy but not hectic today. I think I had the Friday glow going on though so nothing could get me down. I got a ton of work done and it felt great. I set some new projects up, filed, organized and updated all of my spreadsheets. FASCINATING I KNOW!

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

I had the BEST salad for lunch. Spinach + tomato + green pepper + bread & butter pickles + sunflower seeds + Morning Star Farms black bean burger + steamed broccoli + spray butter.


Yes, I use spray butter instead of dressings. I'm a freak. I think it tastes amazing with veggies. It doesn't mask the flavor like dressings do, it accentuates it. I LOVE it and you can think what you will of me but I assure you it's great. I don't use a TON or anything crazy like that. Just a little drizzle. :)

I had to leave the office at 3:30 today to meet Mr. Gas Man at my house and have the meter inspected. ANNOYING! Someone was out less than a month ago to check it but they "have no record" of him ever being at my house. So either they are a disorganized mess at the gas company or I let a strange man (not from the gas company) into my house last time to play in my basement. HEY, he was sporting a bright orange vest and tool belt. He looked the part. UGH!

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

While waiting on Mr. Gas Man, I made a quick yogurt mess. To put it simply, it was freakin AMAZING!

• Plain Dannon Greek Yogurt
• Fresh Pineapple
• Fresh Strawberry
• Cinnamon
• Udi's original granola

Uhm, this was seriously tasty. Udi's original granola is by my favorite variety from the flavors that I have sampled. I also loved the fresh pineapple with the plain yogurt. HEAVEN!

Mr. Gassy finally showed up at 5:00 and was in and out in a matter of minutes. YAY! They better document their findings this time!!

I tossed in some laundry while I waited on Nick to get home. I also filled up the French Press with Dulche De Leche flavored coffee. It was a dreary, dull, raining/snowing at the same time MUST have coffee kind of day. (Yeah, I said snowing, I hate Ohio!! It was 80 degrees just last Tuesday!)

SNACK (meal #4) at 6:00.

I also had some pretzels. I love pretzels with coffee!


No more than 3 minutes passed before Nick turned the Wii on after getting home. HA! Oddly enough (shocking even) I'm not complaining. We spent hours bowling, flying, and shooting arrows together. Sadly I suck even at fake bowling. Figures! It was fun though. :)

DINNER (meal #5 at 9:30pm.

I was craving Mexican so I decided to whip up some chicken fajitas. I love this dish because it's full of veggies, healthy and relatively low in calories.

In a large pan with a lid I sauteed some yellow pepper + red pepper + green pepper + onions + mushrooms. I never use olive oil. Weird I know. To me the healthy fats aren't worth the high calories. Instead I used my non-stick pan and added a splash of water. My food never sticks so WHY in the world would I even fathom using oil?


When the veggies were nice and tender (not mushy) I took them out of the pan and tossed in a large chicken breast which I cut into thin strips. I seasoned it with pink salt, black pepper, cayenne and a sprinkle of taco seasoning.


When the chicken was done I tossed the veggies back in to heat them through and dinner was done.


Nick enjoyed his with flour tortillas and I had mine with a FlatOut wrap.


I just had one with some extra veggies and sour cream on the side per the usual.


I would normally add avocado but the one I have at home is not ripe enough yet. I died a little on the inside when I realized this! I did have some spicy hot sauce which made up for it. Sort of.


I have a SERIOUS workout scheduled for tomorrow morning. Lower body, abs and cardio. My "delicate" parts are feeling just fine today so I should be up for a full workout. It's time to get serious!! I still want to lose 10 more pounds before we leave for vacation. Or close to it. Time to puuuuuuuuuuuuush it and RELEASE THE FEROCIOUS BEAST within. Time to build up those sweet-sweet muscles for Summer.


I'm going to go "golf" and "sword fight" now. Have a great night. I LOVE FRIDAY'S!

XOXO
Ildie