Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Kiss my Tiara

I love Julia Mancuso for rocking a tiara at the Winter Olympics.
Doesn't the little girl in all of us secretly want one? 
There are some bold ladies out there that have no problem buying one for themselves.
Kudos to those girls. For whatever reason, I am not one of them. SO- for every girl out there reading this blog. You should buy your girlfriends a tiara for any big event (or small- it doesn't matter). Because I think deep down all of us want one. And by that I really mean- if you are MY friend you should buy ME a tiara.

Moving on...
I've got a huge progress update
tonight
for dinner
I had a vegetable
with a side of vegetable
and
LOVED IT!

I told you THIS would work.

Tonight we had spaghetti squash with a little olive oil, parmesean cheese and salt with a side of roasted broccoli.
Roasted broccli is one of the best veggies I've ever had. Click HERE for the recipe (his enthusiasm for this is right on) We paired our veggies with this wine:
Which is appropriate with our dinner companions
Today's Eats:
  • bfast- 1 egg, ww mini bagel, applesauce coffee
  • snack #1- Kashi cereal, banana, coffee
  • Lunch- 2 small slices of WW pizza with artichokes, tomatoes and mushrooms
  • snack #2- 1 large apple with almond butter
  • Dinner- spaghetti squash, broccoli, 1 glass of wine
  • Fruit/Veggie count: 7 (servings)
  • Workout:  Ran 3 miles on treadmill

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

One step closer to being "the crazy dog lady"

Hello all my blogaritas!
*****
Who says you can't find a good man online?
This weekend I found the perfect guy.
 He's cute, loyal, he listens and has the most adorable eyes.


Blogworld, meet Archibald Dupree- my new furbaby.

Archie is a rescue. We've been passively looking for a friend for Bunkie for about a year. My boss was doing a search for a dog of her own and came across Archie. I ended up falling in love with him and Abbie and I drove for 6 hours this weekend to bring him home.

It's a little stressful having to figure out a new routine with Arch- but I think he is here to stay! 

On the fitness front I've been failing. I'm still not 100% feeling better - and I've been wanting to get home quickly to spend time with the baby.
You gotta see the bay-bay! (any Seinfeld fans out there?)

But I have been eating pretty healthy. Fitnessista says that what you look like is 80% diet 10% genetics and 10% workout. I'm not sure if that is true or not- but I've been eating as if it were. 
******
Today I'm testing out my new Stainless Steel water bottle and coffee cup.
 I did some research on BPA and decided to move on to safer alternatives.
If you want to learn more check out this website:

BPA is a big deal for children and baby products. To be honest when they first started coming out with information on BPA I ignored it.But now I figure any step I can take to help live longer and healthier is a good step to take. Changing the containers I drink out of is really no big deal.

Today's Eats:
  • bfast- (my favorite breakfast of all time) ww mini bagel, veggie sausage, 1 egg, organic apple sauce coffee
  • Snack #1- Kashi whole wheat cereal and 1 more coffee from home
  • Lunch- huge bowl of romaine lettuce with ginger dressing and croutons
  • Snack #2- chocolate biscotti ( i needed something sweet!)
  • Dinner:
  • Fruit/Veggie:3
  • Workout: 


Wednesday, February 17, 2010

To run or not to run... THAT is the question

So I brought my sorry butt into work today. So silly of me to think I could miss a day- it was CAH-RAE-ZEE!

Ashley's Thoughts:
It's 5:00 
I still feel kind of poopie
this would be the 4th day of not working out
am I really that sick?
I did manage to work 8 hours
could I manage 45 min on a treadmill?
would a workout make me feel better
or worse?

One thing I enjoy about being at work is that my diet is so much better.

Today I ate things like:

And at home there is a plate full of these enticing, pink icing, chocolately cups of goodness:

Out of site out of mind.

OK- it's 5:30 now. I still don't feel well. I'm going home- no gym. Tomorrow though- it is Body Pump no matter what!

Today's Eats:

  • bfast- WW arnold thins, 1 egg, hot sauce, 1 banana
    • 2 coffees
  • Snack #1- bar pictured above
  • Lunch- Caesar salad with tbs of dressing, sun dried tomatoes, croutons (this lunch is working for me so I'm sticking with it
  • Snack #2- organic applesauce with white/green tea fusion. 
  • Dinner-
  • Veggies/Fruit: 4 so far
  • Workout- Bunkie's long walk (probably doesn't count but I'm adding it in to make me feel better)
** I'm giving up GUILT for lent. 

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Sicky Mcsickerson

I'm not feeling well. I ended up leaving work early yesterday and coming home to bed. Today I called in as well. I feel so guilty not being at work. I feel so guilty for not working out. It sucks.

I think Bunks paints an accurate picture of how I'm feeling today:
(she feels my pain)

Monday, February 15, 2010

Valentine's Day Recap

Wouldn't you know it- the rare occasion where my boyfriend offers to take me to nice restaurant- I feel sick! Despite having no energy this weekend was very romantic. 
Saturday I wasn’t feeling well so we stayed in, ate some comfort food (dominos pizza) and relaxed. Sunday was my Valentine’s Day for him. Since he loves sushi more than life itself- I bought all the fixins’ for a Make-your-own-sushi-night. It was a success.
I’ve been failing on the weekends at both eating healthy and getting a good workout in. This weekend was no exception. Saturday I at least made it to the gym. I decided it was too cold and windy to run outside so I hit the treadmill for 45 minutes- running for 7 minutes and walking for 3. It was frustrating not being able to run longer. But I just keep telling myself over and over that it can only get easier.

Right?

If I can just run 3 days a week it HAS to get easier/more enjoyable for me. I have to believe this.

Sunday I was feeling so crummy that I simply had no energy to workout.

Yesterday’s Eats:
  • Bfast- leftover pepperoni thin crust pizza- about 4 squares (don’t judge- it was the only thing we had in the fridge!)
  • Snack #1- nothing
  • Lunch- 1 cuke, 1 tomato, couple of cashews, ½ avocado, handful of baked snap peas, and goddess dressing (which was gross)

    • Naked smoothie drink

  • Snack #2- nothing
  • Dinner- sushi rolls, some with shrimp, tuna, salmon, crab, avocado and cukes  (loaded)
    • sake
  • Dessert- 1 chocolate cupcake with 1 spoon of ice cream (it was Valentine’s Day afterall!)
  • Fruits/Veggies: 4-ish
  • Workout- zilch

Today’s Eats:
  • Bfast- 1 egg, 1 ww Arnold thin, 1 Horizon’s cheese slice, 1 coffee, organic apple sauce
  • Snack#1- snack bar, 1 coffee
  • Lunch- 1 cuke, handful cashews, sun dried tomatoes
  • Snack #2- 2 chocolate cupcakes with a scoop of ice cream
  • Dinner- handful of cashews and a banana (can you tell I don’t feel well?)
  • Fruits/veggies- 3
  • Workout- none

Friday, February 12, 2010

Love to love to love ya

I LOVE Valentine's Day!

And when I can sucker my man into celebrating all weekend- it's even better! Tonight he is making me dinner and Saturday he is taking me to dinner. He knows that for me no gifts are necessary- all I want is a good meal.
Seriously though, how cute are we?





Sunday I told him that I would cook a special meal for him.

I only hope it doesn't turn out like last night's disaster. Did you know that a sweet potato takes about 2 hours to bake? I Googled before popping the potatoes in and the first website I came across said to put them in for 45 min.  

7:15   I put them in.  
8:00   They were as hard as rocks
8:30   I was too hungry to care and ate crappy hard ass potatoes.

No worries though- I'm sure the Love of the holidays will fall upon me, blessing me with the Betty Crocker touch.

I'll leave you with my Valentine's Day get-your-lovin'-on playlist:


Lost without you- robin thicke
Because of you- Ne-yo
Love Song- 311 (and the cure)
Wicked Game – Chris Isaak
Crush- DMB
No One- Alicia Keys
Anna Begins- Counting Crows
Slow Dance- John Legend
After an Afternoon- Jason Mraz
I Need Love- LL Cool J
She will be Loved- Maroon 5
Blue Eyes -Cary Brothers **From my favorite movie**


Today's Eats
  • bfast- 1 egg, ww english muffin, coffee, strawberries
  • snack #1- Odwalla Snack bar- I didn't care for this one at all
  • Lunch- HUGE bowl  of Caesar salad with croutons and sundried tomatoes
  • snack #2- organic applesauce (this stuff is LOADED!)
  • Dinner:
  • Fruit/Veggies: 4
  • Workout:

Monday, February 8, 2010

all this living is so much harder than it seems

Forgive me bloggers for I have sinned… it has been two days since I’ve had a vegetable and 3 days since I’ve worked out. 

Yikes.

Yesterday we had some people over for the BIG game. I may or may not have drank 1, 2,3…. Bottles of beer. And I may or may not have had 1, 2, 3, 4 slices of pizza and 1, 2, 3 handfuls of crackers and cheese. Oh it was a fitness and healthy weekend failure.  I’ve been sulking all day about it. 

So. Hard. To. Bounce. Back.

It’s very rare that I drink enough to have a hang over the next day- but it is even rarer that I would do this on a “school day.”  But it’s 5:00pm now. I survived. **high five**

I SHOULD go to spin class to celebrate – but my body is going to break down if I don’t take a nap.
So that’s that.

Highlights of this weekend:
  • Saints won! Which- I am not a fan of the NFL- but to make things interesting Abbie and I placed a bet on the superbowl. If the Colts won I would have had to watch Saw VI. But since the Saints won he has to watch Glee with me for a month!

  • I finally got my haircut this weekend. Before:


After:
And this is the best part. My hair dresser said to me “you have the healthiest hair I’ve ever seen!” I don’t think anyone has ever said that to me my whole life.  But since I've stopped dying it- it is really looking better! J
  •  Abbie and I finally bought a HUGE piece of art for our living room. I’ll post a picture once we paint the wall it is going on.
  •  I found these delicious treats at Publix to add to my daily snacks


Thanks for tuning in- hopefully tomorrow I'll have something HEALTH and FITNESS related on my HEALTH and FITNESS blog! (to be read with sarcasm)

Today’s Eats:
It was really hard not to lie here:
  • Bfast- 1 egg, coffee, ww English muffin (out of fruit at the house)
  • Snack #1- bagel with cheese, egg and bacon (the hangover saver)
  • Lunch- Turkey on WW with tomato, no mayo, no cheese, Kettle BBQ chips
  • Snack #2- no snack
  • Dinner-
  • Fruit/Veggie- none so far
  • Workout- nada

Lessons learned: I get in the habit of thinking that food=celebration and every single time I feel horrible about it. No more celebrating with food- it is just not worth it.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Spanx a lot

I really don't have much to write about on the fitness front.

But I thought I would share:

One of my friend's clients told her that she wears Spanx to the gym!

Is that funny to anyone else?  She said that she likes to wear cute lil' workout clothes so the Spanx are necessary. Now I'm staring at everyone trying to see if anyone else is pulling this little trick.

Just goes to show you- not everything is what it seems.

Abbie asked me what Spanx were, after watching an episode of 30 Rock when Liz wouldn't let her boy toy see her get undressed.
I considered quoting him a line from Melrose Place:


"The first thing you need to know, is that perfection is as easy as a good push up bra and some spanx."

Well, I'm off for a run at the gym. 
Today's Eats:
  • Bfast- dry ww english muffin, coffee, 1 egg, strawberries
  • Snack#1- PB Puffins
  • Lunch- Caesar salad, berry granola plain
  • Snack #2- almond butter (I forgot to pack snacks today- I'm starving!)
  • Dinner-
  • Fruit/Veggie count- 2 (so far)


Wednesday, February 3, 2010

I'm a Juicehead

"A juicehead is a hot, Italian, tan guy, typically muscley. And loves, working out, you know, lookin' buff and brawlic." Snookie


Not this kind though.



That's right baby. I'm hitting this every morning and every night.
Shots!Shots!Shots! 
sing with me!

Here are some facts:
The health benefits of aloe vera taken internally include: improved circulation, regulation of blood pressure, promotes healing of bones and joints, strengthens the immune system, defends the body against bacteria, heals internal tissue damage, heals ulcers, improves and even eliminates constipation, blood sugar regulation, and reduces itchiness in psoriasis helping it to heal.

Drinking two to four ounces a day is all that is required to gain the many benefits of aloe vera juice. If you drink it daily, aloe vera can aid your digestion, improve your circulation and detoxify your body and cleanse your colon.

The detoxification properties of aloe vera juice also act to detoxify your blood stream. If you have intestinal or stomach problems it can help your digestive tract to work smoothly.

Aloe vera also helps to dilate the capillaries and support cell growth, thereby improving circulation.

One of the most important health benefits of aloe vera juice is its operation as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent, helping to prevent the onset of disease in the body. Thus, taking aloe vera juice daily helps to maintain good health and provide a sense of wellbeing and energy.

Abbie can't stand the taste- but it really doesn't bother me. I've been taking it for about 3 days now. I'll keep you posted if I notice any benefits.

Off to meditation!

Today's Eats:
  • bfast- 1 egg, ww english muffin, strawberries

  • Snack #1- puffins and a banana

  • Lunch- Caesar salad, croutons, 1 pear with Almond butter
  • Snack #2
  • Dinner- black beans with salsa, diced tomatoes and 5 organic corn chips (loaded!)
  • Fruit/Veggie Count: 5 (big salad!)
  • Workout:Off

Monday, February 1, 2010

ooohh she's a little runaway

Slow and steady wins the race.
Thanks Bob for whispering in my ear on Saturday.

I ran.
I didn’t stop.
Goal #1= complete.
(notice the uber red face)

It. Felt. Wonderful!

I’m choosing not to beat myself up over the fact that I was smoked by a 7 year old boy at the last mile. I had one goal- to not stop running- and I achieved it. 

My results:
Time- 30:43
Place- 199 out of 500-ish
Age Division- 15 out of 27

(Abbie ran too- he placed 60)
(I wanted my # to be in that last picture)
My next goal is to run another 5k and beat my time (I seriously hope to one day laugh at this post one day)

Lessons learned:
Must buy running shorts if you want to be a runner- I had major wardrobe malfunctions while running- not of the Janet variety- just a pair of shorts that I had to keep pulling down…. Heeyyyyy.

Today's Eats-
  • bfast- 1 ww english muffin with egg and cheese
  • shot of aloe juice
  • Snack #1- Green monster and PB Puffins
  • Lunch- Caesar salad