Lovely

After my stressful week, I was d r e a d i n g going to work on Friday.

Dragged myself out of bed to get in The Shred: Day 10.

I made sure to have chocolatey oatmeal to try and put me in a better mood. 

And packed a nutritious lunch, along with some snacks.

But there was nothing to worry about.  Friday turned out to be lovely.

<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

 

It was puzzle day, so the kids brought in puzzles to work on. Ahhh, lovely.

We celebrated  Valentine's Day, so there were lots of goodies.

heart shaped muffins

pink, red, and silver kisses saying "eat me!!!"

so. good.

I got some sweets to take home too!

 Shane's Vday gift from me...I mean my students ;)

I love all my princess Valentine's!

And my partner in the afternoon was back so it wasn't me and a sub.  Sooo much less stress.

And to make it even more lovely...it's a 3 day weekend!

And Shane and I watch Jersey Shore on Friday night! 

And we had a light, quick, easy to eat while you sit on the floor and watch tv kind of dinner.

Plus some candy for desert!!

How lovely<3

Just Another Manic Monday...Oh Wait

Today was c r a z y.  Some might even suggest it as manic.  I just felt like my stress level was up for most of the day and it was all go, go, go. And is it just me, or this week dragging?  Womp womp...sorry to be a Debbie Downer. 

Ok, now that I've vented and realized that I'm sounding like a complainer, I guess it's not so bad. 

Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency.

Natalie Goldberg

Tomorrow I'm going to make an effort to take a deep breath whenever I feel a bit frazzled.  Sometimes it's hard to think outside your little bubble of stresses, but not everything is a big deal, and you just gotta roll with it.  *Easier said than done*


When I got home I did The Shred: Level 2.  I'm on Day 7!  Today I listened to my shuffle and muted Jillian.  Girl annoys me sometimes!  The only problem with that, was I had to keep looking up to see if the moves were finally done! So many planks in Level 2!


To get me out of my manic "Monday" funk, I made myself pancakes for dinner!

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 + some cups rice milk

topped with sunflower butter + blueberry jelly

I wanted something quick, simple, and sweet but not enough sugar to keep me awake.  This made 4 pancakes.  The first 2 were plain, the second two I added frozen blueberries to the batter.

Sweet.  I have pancakes for breakfast now!

Do you like sunflower butter? By itself, not really.  With jelly it's pretty good, although I don't think I'll be buying it again.

Comparing TJ;s Sunflower seed butter to TJ's Organic Crunchy PB

 Same calories for 2 TBSP

16 g fat vs 15 g fat

120 mg vs 45 mg sodium

4 g vs 2 g fiber 

3 g vs 2 g sugar

7 g vs 9 g protein

Overall, I declare PB the winner!  I think I need to try almond butter next!

Juice it UP

I mentioned the other day that I was the lucky recipient of a Jack LaLanne Power Juicer.  

Juicing is an awesome way to get a variety of fruits and veggies into your diet.  Some other benefits include:

*Juicing helps your body to absorb all the nutrients from the veggies.  Think about it, the juicing process sort of pre-digests the veggies, so your body uses less energy trying to get the nutrients.*

*Juicing helps you eat enough servings of veggies.  You can pack quite a few vegetables in a tall glass of juice, rather than try to cram them all in a salad.  And think of how long it takes to eat those veggies, compared to a quick glass of juice.*

*Variety!  Juicing is a fun way to play with different combinations of veggies, using your favorite fruits and veggies to mask the flavor of healthy, yet not so tasty vegetables.*

I am so excited to incorporate juicing into my (almost) daily life.

Ingredients ready!

We're running a little low on produce.  Shane and I don't get paid till the 10th, wah!  So I made due and got ready for my first juice!

The color of the juices are so vibrant as they flow out!

Not so pretty all combined.  But oh so delicious.

We need more counter space!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed using my new juicer.  

There is not really prep for the produce, except for washing since it basically fit.  I just had to rip off leaves of romaine and roll them into a ball.  And I cut the apple in half since it was a little wide.  It's pretty awesome that I could leave the seeds in the apples, and when I use grapes I can leave on the stems!

Washing the juicer took less than 10 minutes, and I'm sure as I get more accustomed to assembling/taking it apart, it will be even quicker.

Although the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer, boasts 30% less pulp, I still had a good amount of pulp in the container, which is a good thing.  No complaints here!  I put it in the fridge and then tossed it with my salads this week for lunch.  No waste!

It's not loud, so I think I could juice in the morning.  After I hit the supermarket and actually have produce to juice, I'll let you know ;)

Quick Shred update.

Monday: Rest- I was so sore from yoga/ Level 2.  

Tuesday: AM- 2 miles on treadmill, made my legs feel so much better and loosened up my muscles  PM- Level 2 Shred

Level 2 is kicking my butt!  In level 1 I didn't really break a sweat.  No more of that.  I get home at 6:30 work out, and was super sweaty when I went to pick up Shane at 7.  Yes, I skipped the cool down, threw on a hoodie and ran out like a hot mess. 

It's almost hump day.  Thank goodness because it has been crazy busy in my classroom this past week!

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Not really. 

I've been reading a book during most of the game, taking breaks to watch the commercials.  

They've been pretty good!  The one with all the dogs serving beer was super cute.  The bloodhound looked like Scarlett, Shane's dog back in NJ!  

What a cutie

Well that's it on the football front.  But let me fill you in on pre-Superbowl activities.


I tried a new yoga class at the gym today.  It was packed, but I can see why.  I really liked the instructor, which I think is very important for yoga.  She had a calming voice, helped me focus on breath, and played good music.  Looks like I'll be back next week!


When I got home I shredded it up with Jillian; day 5.  Level 2 is no laughing matter and  was dripping by the end.  It must have been a pretty comical scene.  As I'm working out in the middle of the living room, Shane is also in the living room folding clothes.  Of course there is commentary.  Of course I'm yelling at him to get his butt up and try it.  He wimps out.  Says it looks too easy. Hah!

And then we went to the pool because it was just to gorgeous out not to.  

hellooooooo

Anywho, I've been pretty boring with my eats today. Oats and coffee, quinoa, mashed taters, and meatloaf!  You have to try the "meat"loaf, it's delicious.


"Meat"loaf
adapted from  Peas & Thank You

What you'll need  
 
- 1 c rolled oats
- 1 can chick peas, drained & rinsed
- 2 stalks celery
- 1/4 onion 
- 1/4 c sunflower seeds
- 1/4 c pepitas
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- poultry seasoning, salt & pepper




1) Preheat oven to 375.  Grease loaf pan.
2) Use food processor to finely grind celery and onion.  Put in large bowl and set aside.
2) Grind oats and add to celery/onion mixture.
3)  Process chick peas and leave some texture.  Add to mixture.
4)  Pulse pepitas and sunflowers in processor a few times, so as not to over grind them.  You'll want to leave them big enough to add some crunch.  Add to mixture, along with the rest of the ingredients.
5)  Mix until combined.  I used a wooden spoon.  Add to greased loaf pan.
6) Bake for 20 minutes, or until edges begin to brown.
7) Serve and enjoy!

I added more ketchup to the mixture!!

Pop this bad boy in the oven

Don't forget the ketchup!

To 1/2 Marathon or Not?

I have designated Saturday as my long run day. 

Wearing my happy tye dye shirt =)

Now, I'm currently not on a training plan, since I'm not signed up for any races.  But I'm thinking about doing the La Jolla 1/2 Marathon.  

Any So Cal runners ever do this/ are you signed up?  The website claims it's "one of America's most picturesque and challenging runs".  And it's a little intimidating because of the "challenging climb to the summit of Torrey Pines".  


Uh, I don't know about you, but I have a love/hate relationship with hills.  Emphasis on the hate.  


Since I'm contemplating this 1/2 marathon, I thought it would be appropriate to map out a run lots of hills...oh yea//ugh.

Pre run fuel: handful of these + 1/2 cup coffee

Then 5 miles of this

 It was gorgeous out.  Too bad these pics can't convey it!

 Love the mountain in the background.  

I forgot my watch in the car, so I took along my clunky cell phone so I could see what time I started and what time I ended.  Real high tech, I know.  Since I had it, I figured I'd snap some pics.

These signs are funny looking.  We get the point!

When I got home I got my day 4 Shred on.  Last day of Level 1!  I'm getting bored with it, so I muted the TV and put on some pandora radio. Ohhhh yea!


After all that activity I was starved.  So I made the fastest lunch I could think of.

Couldn't wait to take a bite!

And then I finally used my mystery gift. Any guesses?

.........

JACK LA LANNE JUICER!!!

Thanks Mom, Alli, & Matthew<3

I spent the rest of my day cleaning, juicing, & cooking.

Dinner

Quinoa/Millet cooked in veggie broth

meatless meatloaf

 

Would you sign up for this 1/2 marathon?  I'm on the fence!

Do you incorporate hills into your training?  Only outdoors.  I don't think I could handle running on an incline on the treadmill.

The Shred: Day 3

I slept in again!  So I had to rush the gym, and all I wanted to do was a quick run on the treadmill.  Well, the row of treadmills that I like to run on were filled up (boo going later) so I went to the first row, set up my stuff, and pressed quick start.  Nothing.  Actually, Error21, but it doesn't matter.  

So I collect my things, and as I'm about to step onto the treadmill next to me, in swoops some guy.  Okay, no biggie, I walk to the last row with these big, old treadmills.  I start pressing buttons.  Nothing.  The middle row is in my eye sight and someone steps off, I quickly walk over but they left a water bottle so I'm sort of wavering between just hopping on and not.  

I walk back to the old treadmills, determined to get my run on.  A few seconds pass by and another treadmill opens up!  I speed walk over and finally get to start my run. 

People must have thought I was crazy walking all around the machines.  I guess I learned my lesson, no more hitting the snooze!

Breakfast  

1/3 c. oats

cocoa powder

spoonful nutella

nutella biscotti crumbles

Lunch Box

11: apple + biscotti

1:30: salad- spinach, quinoa/millet, sunflower seeds, craisins, walnut oil

curried carrot soup

grapes

3: someone brought in m&m's!  dixie cup of peanut and regular

6: more m&m's!

Got home and did Day 3 of The Shred.  My arms are seriously sore!  If you've done The Shred, do you do it every day?  Can I move up to Level 2 whenever?  

Did I mention my arms are sore?

7:00 Dinner

bow ties in vodka sauce

roasted sweet potatoes and ketchup

grapes

Tomorrow is Friday, woo hoo!

The Shred: Day 2

Hello!  I hope everyone had a fabulous Wednesday =) 

Started off with a quick trip to the gym, followed by lemon tea and these bad boys.

2 1/2 whole wheat pancakes topped with PB and 1/2 banana

 I love when I have delicious breakfast left overs from the weekend.  The most I "cook" on a weekday morning is to microwave my oats, I'd relax around and read your blogs!

Lunch was a little crazy today, as it was our Italian potluck for all the January birthdays.  I had a small, okay medium, piece of veggie lasagna and 1/2 roll.  

I also had a cup of coke zero.  Let me just preface this by saying I never buy soda for myself, and when Shane does buy it I'll sneak a sip here and there.  Now today I had a whole cup, and it made me burpy.  Woops.  One just slipped out and my co-workers called me out on it!  I thought it was quiet...guess not.

And for desert, I had this awesome yet simple pie.  Graham cracker crust, vanilla pudding filling, and chocolate top.  Perfect!

*Didn't want to be a weirdo taking pictures of my food, sorry for no pics!*

When I got home at 6:30 I ran to get changed and did The Shred.  I really have wimpy arms!  And the stair climber this morning did not make those squats any easier ;)

 

After picking up Shane at 7 I was starved.

• roasted sweet potatoes with lots of ketchup
•  quinoa and millet
• curried carrot soup

You need to make this soup, I'll make sure to post the recipe.  I made it a while ago, froze some, and busted it out this week.  I've been having such a better time with dinner, especially after I posted about my dinner dilemma. 

It's really helpful to make big batches of things on Sunday and just use them throughout the week.

Now I need to go lay on the couch!  Night!

 

Question: Do you take pictures of your food in public places?  Do you feel awkward? Do I just need to get over it?

The Shred: Day 1

Good morning Jillian, I'm ready for my butt kicking now.

Today was my first time ever doing a Jillian Michael's workout and I'll admit I was nervous.  But I got 'er done and it wasn't too bad!  

This morning I learned that my arms are sort of wimpy.  By the end of the 30 days I want to be able to do real push-ups.  

After my quick 20 minute workout, I started to think about breakfast, mmmm. 

I recently began starting my mornings with lemon water.  I just heat a cup of water with lemon in the microwave like I would do with tea, and drink that before I eat anything.  

I'm trying to cut back on coffee consumption because I don't like the idea of being dependent on a cup o' joe  to get me through my day, and I felt like I was heading in that direction.

After some lemon water I had oats in a jar.  I loveeee when I hit the end of a nut butter jar and get to have oatmeal in it.  Shane has accidentally thrown away some jars before I could get to them...I don't think he'll do it again any time soon ;)

ps sorry for the lack of pictures this morning, I don't know what I was thinking

Lunch 

Here's a breakdown of my lunchbox

11 am snack- orange

1:30 lunch- spinach/mixed greens salad with quinoa/millet, sunflower seeds, nooch, baby carrots, crushed red pepper flakes and some walnut oil drizzled on top + slow cooker ugly yet yummy 7 bean & barley soup

4 pm snack- apple

Dinner

quinoa/millet simmered in veggie broth and sauteed mushrooms

Dessert

A little bit of this because I was baking something for our Italian potluck at work tomorrow!

And I got something special in the mail for my birthday, I shed some light on that this week as well =)


Goodnight!

The Shred

Welp.  I did it.  

I joined the Jillian Michael's bandwagon.  It wasn't a premeditated purchase, it just sort of happened.  Similar to many of the purchases I make at Target.

I lurveeee Targe

Like, oh wow, how did those cute wedges just happen to fall into my cart?  Why in the world am I trying on this amazingly cute dress?  Did I just buy another (insert random item here)?

Word in the blogosphere is that Jillian Michael's  workouts are awesome and kick your butt.  So I'm actually quite excited about this purchase!


I took my measurements, took some pictures and I'm putting the 30 Day Shred to the test.  Starting tomorrow I will begin the program.  Each day I'll post about my workout and also post my eats for the day.  I think this will help keep me accountable and on track!

Wish me luck, I don't think I know what I'm in for!!!