Picture Perfect

Hello bloggies. Today has been a SUPER long and busy day so this is going to be a be a pictorial recap only. A super duper informative, picture perfect story of foodie perfection.

I wish I had more time to elaborate but it's late and my bed is calling out to me.



That's all she wrote today. I hope to be back with a full post tomorrow. Have a great night.

TOMORROW IS FRIDAY! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! I seriously can NOT WAIT!!

XOXO
Ildie

Random Deep Thoughts...

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin for
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Sing it Johnny, sing it!! Even though your brilliant lyrics are full of lies and deception. Today was another dreary and wet day in Northeastern suburban paradise. Gone are the days of sunshine, warmth and bliss.

I better change the subject before my disgust of all things gloomy scares you away. Be gone evil Wednesday spirits! Be gone!

INSERT EMERGENCY ADORABLE KITTY PICTURE!! Strategically timed to keep you interested. Seriously! OMG! I want it! I want 10 of them!


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

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 wheat bran
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Splenda
• (Microwaved, EXPLODED, cleaned up (sigh) and topped with 1 tbs Chocolate Better N' Peanut Butter and cinnamon)

So uhm, I do NOT care for the Chocolate version of Better N' Peanut Butter. IT'S BAD! NEVER TRY IT! You all know that I'm a fan of the original. However, the chocolate one tasted super artificial. A bit like sugar free chocolate syrup, but WORSE! YUCK! Seems as though my breakfast was just doomed from the start today. HA!

RANDOM DEEP THOUGHTS: I have yet to pack anything and we leave this Saturday. I realize it seems like I have plenty of time, but in FACT, I barely have ANY! Time, such a funny thing. It seems like everything in life has a specific time and a chosen place. Constant schedules based on suns and moons, hours and minutes, seconds and moments. I so long for a place without the ticking.

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

Another salad. I bet you're not even surprised anymore are you?

RANDOM DEEP THOUGHTS: Repetition, though mind numbing, provides comfort and embraces you gently with the familiar.

Spinach + Avocado + Leftover Eggplant + Cherry Tomatoes + Spray Butter + Sriracha sauce + a toasted Thomas's English Muffin on the side.


A bit later Ann and I found ourselves at Macy's again. What is it about this place??? The ALLURE is uncontrollable. As is my inability to stay away from the junior department. I am NOT a junior. What is wrong with me?

RANDOM DEEP THOUGHTS: Denial is the fountain of youth.

I bought 2 shirts..... from the denial department..... ??

SNACK (meal #3) at 5:20pm.

Nope, no delicious yogurt snack today. I lost track of time again today and worked clear through snack time. Instead, I inhaled this Granny Smith apple in the car on the way to the gym.


WORKOUT!

Free Weight Squat (with straight bar)
45lb x 15
55lb x 15
65lb x 15
Stiff Leg Deadlifts (with straight bar)
45lb x 15
45lb x 15
65lb x 15
Leg Extensions (plate loaded)
100lb x 15
100lb x 15
90lb x 15
Seated Leg Curls (plate loaded)
100lb x 15
90lb x 15
80lb x 15
Inclined Leg Press (plate loaded)
180lb x 15
180lb x 15
180lb x 15
Outer Thigh Machine (cable)
85lb x 15
85lb x 15
85lb x 15
Inner Thigh Machine (cable)
75lb x 15
75lb x 15
75lb x 15
Treadmill
Long story short, I was going to run for at least a mile but a certain SISTER was whining to leave already so we could go feed the cats. I guess she was in a hurry to get home? This translates into a pathetic 6.5 minutes, .57 miles and a lot of frustration.

Total time at gym = 1:02
Max HR = 180
Average HR = 142
Total Calories Burned = 517

RANDOM DEEP THOUGHTS: Coffee makes everything better. Sweet, delectable, aromatic beans of caffeine heaven. Take me away...

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

LARGE espresso + dried apricots + butter pretzels + a Fuji apple. I actually did NOT eat the apple. It sounded good at first but in the end, I changed my mind.


After my MUCH NEEDED coffee break, I took a nice, long, EXTRA HOT and relaxing bath. I washed this stupid day right out of my hair and felt a million times better.

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

We're working with slim pickins at the moment. I didn't want to buy more than we could consume for the week since we're leaving on Saturday morning. I think I grossly underestimated how much we would need though. This translated into Nick having boxed Mac & Cheese and me having Thai Kitchen Bangkok Curry soup + a Flat Out wrap with the last of the leftover chicken breast + swiss + spinach + honey mustard. It was actually quite tasty. Disaster averted.


RANDOM DEEP THOUGHTS: To sleep is to be free of woe, distress and the entrapment of the never ending tic-tocking. Sweet slumber wraps me in worry free ignorance and embraces my weary thoughts in a thick layer of darkness. Oh what dreams may come.

GOODNIGHT lovelies!

XOXO
Ildie

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

Shocking Revelation...

Hello lovelies. I hope you're all having a fantastically mundane, repetitive, predictable and boring Monday. Oh wait, that's what my day was like..... I wish the exact opposite for the rest of you.

I feel like this day has slipped right through my clammy little fingers. It's 11:00pm and I just sat down to type out this post. I think we all know what that means. INCREDIBLY FAST RECAP POST! Can-she-do-it? Only time will tell. And heeeere we go!

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

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

SHOCKING REVELATION: I didn'tt really enjoy my bowl of oats this morning. SAY WHAAA? You all know I'm an oatmeal fanatic. I couldn't believe my taste buds. How dare they! Maybe I eat oats too often? Maybe I'll love them again tomorrow? Just not sure! More research is necessary!!!

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

I had a large salad with spinach + cherry tomatoes + Morning Star Farms black bean burger + leftover sauteed veggies from yesterday's lunch + cannellini beans + spray butter.


After my salad feast, I got caught up on some more work and then Ann and I headed out to World Market on our break. I shouldn't be allowed in that store. I am physically incapable of leaving without purchasing something. Sometimes I contemplate leaving my wallet at work. Perhaps this should be mandatory. Ann, I know you're reading this. I put you in charge of this highly important assignment. WATCH ME CLOSE. I'M STEALTHY AND SNEAKY!

Today's purchases included a bottle of Dutch chocolate wine (YES, CHOCOLATE) and some Banana Bread Beer (YES, BANANA BREAD). I've been dying to try both and no time seemed more perfect than vacation. :)


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

Plain Dannon Greek yogurt with Udi's cranberry granola and fresh strawberries for dipping. I had about 5 more strawberries on the side which went unphotographed.


5:00 rolled around in the blink of an eye and we were off to the gym. I felt like I needed a good one. Something to sweat the weekend right out of me!

WORKOUT!

Tricep Pulldown (cable)
80lb x 15
70lb x 15
70lb x 15
Bicep Curls (barbell)
45lb x 15
40lb x 15
35lb x 15
Front Shoulder Raise (barbell)
30lb x 15
25lb x 15
20lb x 15
Hammer Curls (dumbbells)
15lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
Skull Crushers (barbell)
30lb x 15
30lb x 15
30lb x 15
Arnold Press (dumbbells)
15lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
21's (barbell)
30lb x 21
30lb x 21
30lb x 21
Elliptical Cross Trainer
30 minutes, 2.73 miles, levels 6-8

Total time at gym = 1:16
Max HR = 165
Average HR = 142
Total Calories Burned = 625

Afterwards we hustled to Mama and Papa Babushka's house and did the usual ditty. We fed the kitties, got the mail, cleaned up a bit, made sure everything was locked up at least 10x over (to be sure) and called it good.

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

I had a Green Goddess Smoothie. Why do people call them monsters? I hardly find spinach to be horrifying. I doubt anyone does except maybe a 5 year old little boy staying with wicked veggie lovin grandma for the weekend. HA! Green Goddess sounds much more appealing to me. This had....

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 very ripe banana
• 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
• 3 cups of spinach (not even kidding, I'm on spinach overload today...)
• a few pieces of frozen mango (maybe 1/2 cup)

Blended to pure perfection. YUM!

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

After cleaning myself up Nick and I invaded the kitchen like famished, enraged maniacs. He decided on leftover spaghetti from Friday. I decided on leftover chicken breast from last night accompanied by a lovely pile of green beans and a teeny tiny spinach salad with cherry tomatoes and cannelloni beans. Yes, I just HAD to have more spinach.


Of course the chicken was smothered in Frank's hot sauce.


And there you have it my gorgeous friends. This concludes another magnificent tutorial of all my meals today. RIVETING wasn't it? HA! So how did I do? It's officially 11:38 and I am done typing. I kept getting distracted by the TV. I shouldn't write in the living room! However, I'm not done yet. Now I must retrieve the pictures from my camera, decide which ones I want to use and upload them to the post. Sometimes this step takes me for EVER! I try to be a picture perfectionist. Let's see how long it takes me. Be back in a flash!

Annnnnd I'm back. Official time is 11:59. Sleep beckons me. Goodnight!!

XOXO
Ildie

I dream of daisies..

Hey heeeeeeey.... I'm BACK!

This has been one of the nicest, most relaxing and calming Sundays I've had in a really long time. I woke up before Nick as the sun was coming up. I tiptoed around, opened all the blinds and let the sun filter in. I got a head start on Laundry and filled the French Press with delectable coffee. It was a bit chilly today. I wrapped myself in a blanket and read blogs all morning with coffee in hand and a lazy cat rotting beside me. It was brilliant.

Nick woke up a few hours later and I decided to make us a more involved breakfast than usual.

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 10:30am.

For the Mr. I made home fries with red skinned potatoes, onions, butter and olive oil, seasoned with black pepper, sea salt and cayenne. Served with bacon (a bit burned... Whoops...) and wheat toast with butter.


My version was made with sweet potato, onions, spray butter and Pam. I had mine with a Morning Star Farms breakfast patty (crumbled on top) and a slice of wheat toast with Spray Butter.


This was SO good! I don't know why I've never though of sweet potato home fries before. I wish I had bell peppers at home though. That would have made it even more brilliant.

After breakfast the Mr. and I got dressed and went to one of MY ALL TIME FAVORITE PLACES EVER! Dayton Nurseries! He was on a Mother's Day mission. He was having a late lunch with his Mom and some other family members later and in typical man fashion, he hadn't bought her anything yet. :)

We roamed around the place for EVER! At least two hours! We spent the entire time fantasizing about what we would like in a garden, backyard, herb garden etc... We were in landscaping heaven. NOT for the current house we live in. For a future home...eventually...sometime...in...the...future...together... OH MY!


Some of the highlights. We both LOVE funky, unique, sculpturally interesting, wispy trees. My favorite being the Laceleaf Japanese Maple. So delicate, soft and gorgeous!


I also loved this Weeping Pea Tree.


And of course, Perennials galores.


Nick got his mom several different hot pepper plants (LOVED THIS IDEA) because she loves spicy food. He also picked her up "Something Else". I can't elaborate on what else because I may or may not have gotten a certain someone else the exact same thing for Mama's day. :-O Our brilliant minds just worked alike. We both fell in love with it as soon as we saw it.

After our secret garden filled fantasies, Nick dropped me back off at home. He headed over to his grandmothers house to meet his mom and family for a mothers day lunch. I decided to stay home, unwind some more and clean the house up a bit. I want to make sure we leave it in decent condition before we leave at the crack of dawn next Saturday. I DOUBT I'll have time to clean during the week so it's now or never. I'm sure my schedule with work, the gym and the usual will keep me busy enough. I just want to come home to a clean house after vacation. That will make me very happy! :)

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

I sauteed some yellow squash, zucchini and broccoli with Pam, Spray Butter, dill, sea salt and pepper. When the veggies were nice and tender I tossed in some cannelloni beans and sprinkled red pepper flakes on top. YUM! On the side I had a honey wheat FlatOut wrap with peppered turkey and light string cheese. I toasted the wrap in a pan until it was nice and golden and the cheese got all gooey. Freakin amazing! The dill on the veggies just added something special! I love dill!


I watched the FoodNetwork for hours this afternoon. My foodie filled heart was bursting with joy. I never really get to watch TV anymore. Between work, the gym, cooking, blogging, living my life, TV rarely fits in. Even when I do watch something it tends to be from NetFlix or our extensive DVR collection. I RARELY watch TV shows when they are actually on. Sometimes I wonder why I pay and arm and a leg for cable..... I have no answer.....

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

I had another cup of coffee with a handful of pretzels that went unphotographed.

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

For me: I made baked, breaded, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I had them marinating in a combination of Teriyaki, Franks hot sauce and Sriracha hot sauce all day long. I tossed them in flour, eggs and then a mix of Panko + regular breadcrumbs + basil + Italian seasoning blend + paprika. I placed my two pieces into a PAM sprayed pan and tossed them into the oven.

For the men: I used chicken with skin (two thighs, two drums and one breast) and the same method for breading. However, I pre-fried them in about 1/2 inch of oil for 15 minutes or so before adding them to my already baking chicken breasts. Just to get them nice and golden. Nick begs me to get a deep fryer all the time. I just can't bring myself to do it. It's like dipping things in heart attack juice in my opinion. I never deep fry anything!

We also had roasted brussel sprouts and parsnip fries to go along with the meal. VOILA! This was fantastic.


Nick's brother Dan joined us for dinner tonight. He came over to watch more Rally Racing. Now that I'm done eating, I think I'll head upstairs for some HGTV and Food Network lovin. Looking forward to it. Sometimes there's nothing better than watching TV from bed on a lazy Sunday evening.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.... ;)

Have a great night my friends....
XOXO
Ildie