March Foodie Pen Pal Review

I signed up to do a March Foodie Pen Pal, and it was so much fun! You can sign up here: http://www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/

It's easy! You sign-up, and Lindsay matches you with another person who also signed up.  You are in charge of emailing each other, and finding out a little about the other person (including their address).  Then you have about 10 days to put together a box of goodies ($15 worth) to send to them (making sure you know about any food allergies/specifications). 

This past month I was paired with Rachel ( http://runningrachelanne.blogspot.com/ ). My only directions were wheat/egg free for her.  I sent her a Lara Bar, Think Thin bar (brownie), KIND quinoa and maple granola, Greek yogurt covered almonds (chocolate), and Bhuja crunchy seasoned peas. Those are a few of my favorite things!

She sent me all of this:

Peanut Butter M&M's - YUM! These are my favorite! 

Seneca Apple chips- these were good, a little on the sweet side, but I do LOVE sugar :-)

RW Garcia tortilla chips- these were so good! I used them to make chicken nachos for dinner one night

Wholly Granolly peanut butter pretzel clusters- I've NEVER seen these, and they were so YUMMY! I'll be on the look out for them next time I'm at the store!

Mariani tropical pineapple- YUM! Basically Allie ate the whole bag. A great sweet treat for after dinner. 

Maxwell House latte mixes- these make an average cup of Joe taste like something you would buy at Starbucks! I only used about 1/3 of the package per cup of coffee, because it was sweet. 

Quaker Oatmeal- Real Medleys- Summer Berry- OMG! I HATE oatmeal, like can't stand it. But I want to like it so bad! Well this is it folks. If you dislike oatmeal try this one! It is AMAZING! There are berries inside that you mix with the oatmeal (similar to yogurt) but I'm pretty sure they are freezer dried (until you add boiling water). I did add about a teaspoon of sugar or so, but I can't stop buying these now! I just wish I could buy a bigger container :)

Here are some things I've learned- DON'T use a flat rate shipping box, it is about 2x more expensive than using a regular box. And, make sure you pay attention to the calendar. You are supposed to ship the box by the 15th, however when I realized that it was the 15 it happened to be a Friday... Needless to say my I didn't send my box until the 17th. (Sorry Rachel!) 

I can't wait to sign up for April and see what kind of goodies I get next! What a fun way to enjoy some treats you would not otherwise know about! 

Leg day workout!

Hi Friends! I'm back again today to talk about my leg workout! I usually burn about 550 calories in 55 minutes. As always I start with cardio, it just gets my heart pumping and the sweat flowing (when I workout I am usually as red as a tomato and I sweat a gallon! It's nuts!).

I used to LOVE the step mill! I'd get on that thing and bust out 250-300 flights in 30 minutes.  I liked the cardio program at level 9. However now I live in a 2 story house, and my gym doesn't have a step mill, so I haven't done this recently. I still get plenty of stairs in each day.

I also do a cardio interval on the treadmill.  Crank the incline to 2% and do the following:

1 min at 6mph

1 min at 7mph

1 min at 8mph

REPEAT 5 times, and then run the rest of the time at 6mph.

Now if you don't want to do 6/7/8, do something different. 3/4/5, 4/5/6, 8/9/10, whatever just crank it up 1mph each min for 3 minutes, and repeat 5 times.

Then I get to lifting, I do this short cycle 2 times, and make sure my heart rate gets down to 130 before I start my next exercise. Again I use my Polat FT4 to monitor this though out my workout.

12 Deep Squats (no weight) chest up, bottom low, knees DO NOT go past your toes! 

12 Deep Squats with either a squat machine (190#), or a bar (70#- because I have to be able to lift it and put it behind my head all by myself, I haven't upped that weight in a long time). I prefer the safety feature on the machine, however it is not always available...cause I mean wrist extensions have to be done somewhere...SMH...

12 Hamstring/lower back lifts- 80# bar- straight legs, flat back, and chest up. 

12 Double Lunges, alternating legs (24 each cycle) I use 2- 30# weights for these, chest up, knees do not go past toes, do not arch your back or break your form, if you do lower your weights. 

- lunge forward with the weights, set them down on the sides of your foot

- stand back up- no weights in your hand

- lunge forward with the SAME leg and pick up the weights

- switch legs and do it again

12 Side Toe Taps from a bench- I had a difficult time finding a good pic, but you basically step up on a chair height bench with one leg, and tap your opposite toe on the ground, and stand back up. No stopping on the floor, one foot will maintain contact with the bench, the other will be barely tapping the ground, and then floating at knee level before going back down. 12 on each side. I don't use weight because I want to make sure I have good form before adding more weight. (This is a quad exercise) 

If I don't want to do the hamstring exercise with a bar I'll also do an isolated hamstring with dumbells 2-30# weights, 12 on each leg. 

How I burn 600 calories in 60 minutes

I had a friend once ask how I burn so many calories.  Well I am here today to share with you one of my workouts.  This is my cardio/arms workout. I also have a cardio/legs workout, a cardio/rest of body workout, and a random workout day.  I try to lift 6 days a week, leaving only 1 day for random, or "rest" if you will.  I switch things up ALL.THE.TIME. however, this is what I have been doing lately that I have been liking.

Here is what I do to burn about 600 calories in an hour...

I ALWAYS begin with cardio.  I either do 35 min on the elliptical, or 35 min on the treadmill (basically those are the only cardio machines I like at my new gym). 

On the elliptical I try to maintain a heart rate of about 155 beats per minute (BPM) I use my Polar FT4 to keep an eye on things.

I have 2 workouts for the treadmill- my heart rate is usually around 160 BPM during these workouts

SPRINTS- do 15 of these- don't worry about stopping and starting the belt, just jump off
20 seconds running (10.0 MPH at a 5% incline)
40 seconds rest (standing on the sides)

LONG RUN- incline of 2% the ENTIRE TIME!
3 minutes warm up at 3.7 MPH
30 minutes run at 6.0 MPH
2 minutes cool down at 3.5 MPH

Then I LIFT!!!  I love lifting, always have, always will!

I do 10 reps (or as many as I can when I am upping weight), and I go through the entire cycle 2 times. 

Chest press/bench press
I use a bar with 100#, or as light as 2- 40# dumbbells
TIP: Bring the dumbbells or bar down to your CHEST, NOT your face/neck/head

Tricep dips
Straight legs, bend arms to 90 degrees at the shoulder and elbow
I just use the bench that I used for the bench press

Push-ups (CHEST TO THE FLOOR!!)

One Arm Dumbbell Rows - 45#dumbbell
Make sure to do both sides :-) also, note the flat back and weight close to the body, no arching!

 Over-head shoulder press - 60# bar ( I need to up this, but I'm scared... and I need a spot)

 

Cable tricep pull down- 80#
KEEP YOUR CORE TIGHT!!!  Don't substitute with other muscles!  TRICEPS ONLY! 

OPTIONAL- If I don't want to do the overhead shoulder press I grab a set of 25# dumbbells and do a bicep curl  into a shoulder press. KEEP elbows right next to your body during the bicep curl

I hope you got a few good ideas, or new exercises to try!  I will post my leg workout, and my random "extra" lift workout at a later date.  (my random includes more back/abs/hips)

House Updates

As I sit in my freshly painted family room I no longer feel the anxiety that I once had. I am feeling more and more "at home". When we came to look at our house (before we put a contract on it) I have to be honest, I didn't LOVE it, but it was better than anything we had seen. The neighborhood was perfect- clubhouse with nice workout rooms/tanning bed, multiple outdoor pools, a walking trail with workout stations around the pond, and you can even fish in the pond! However the house itself needed a little love. The windows were crazy dirty, the window treatments were full of dust, and the vertical blinds across the entire back of the house were yellowed over time. One thing we did have going for us- the walls were all white, with no wall paper! Well, kind of white. I'm not sure who painted this place last but man oh man, I'm pretty sure they just took a brush or a roller and painted as much as they could in 1 hour...haha! The walls looked pretty bad. After being here for almost 6 months we have the first floor finished (well, walls and ceiling- trim and doors are next week). 

Here is a list of things we've updated to this point. 

1) every light fixture/ceiling fan on the main floor- 8 total

2) all main floor ceiling and rooms painted

3) all main floor window treatments replaced with either new curtains or wooden blinds

4) walls patched and repaired (before Scott primed them for paint)

5) 3 pictures hung

6) new couch

7) new TV

8) replaced carpet in family room, stairs, hall upstairs, master bedroom, and new floor in master bath 

9) new front door- the screen/glass door. It's so nice! 

Outside we have:

1) taken out over 10 rose bushes

2) removed 4 areas that used to have plants/stones

3) replaced 3 outdoor lights

4) made a compost bin

5) in the process of making a landing for the trash cans

Upstairs we have:

1) painted Allies room- except trim

2) decorated Allies bathroom with whales (and a little chevron)

3) replaced 3 ceiling fans (one in each room) and 2 bathroom lights in the master

4) removed tub, dry walled, taped, and primed the area in the master bath

The house is REALLY coming along, and we are making it our home. Here is our list of what we would like to do next.

1) paint all trim/doors on main floor

2) begin painting all the 2nd floor

3) replace back door (one still has vertical blinds) the door itself isn't very pretty, so I don't know what to do besides replace it.

4) refinish the cabinet in the 1/2 bath- any ideas how to do this?!

5) cut down quite a few little trees in the backyard and organize the plants a little better

6) decorate the walls and get a few more little pieces of furniture

7) get the fireplace looked at so we can use it

8) paint the 2nd floor

9) paint all the trim/garage door/shutters visible on the front of the house 

Ok- so really the list could go on and on... There are ao many little things as well- planting grass seed, changing out knobs, but for now that is my list of "bigger" to-dos. 

It's really nice when you start to feel comfortable were you live... My house is becoming my "home". 

BEFORE

AFTER- you can't see but we took all the roses out that are in the left of the photo, as well as the plants around the base of the tree.

BEFORE

AFTER

Happy Birthday Root!!

Happy Birthday Day to my AMAZING husband. To honor him I am going to list the 38 reasons I love him as my other half.

1)      I love the way he loves our daughter

2)      He pays the bills

3)      He does the dishes

4)      He does the laundry

5)      He mows the lawn (although I have to say I don’t think he likes too…)

6)      He takes out the trash

7)      He eats anything I cook

8)      He loves to try anything new

9)      He cares about the Earth- reduce reuse recycle

10)   He is a movie snob

11)   He always kisses me when he gets home, and when we go to bed

12)   He loves his parents

13)   He likes to travel

14)   He never puts me down

15)   He is good looking

16)   He has a good job

17)   He rarely complains

18)   He tries to fix any situation…although this can be annoying at times :-P

19)   He is organized

20)   He likes a clean house

21)   He is a beer snob

22)   He likes to have a good time

23)   He is honest

24)   He makes beer, wine, and soda in our house- we rarely run out! 

25)   He is motivated

26)   He is a good musician

27)   He always has a different perspective than I do

28)   He lets me cut his hair

29)   He is outgoing

30)   He has a great best friend

31)   He encourages me to do my best at whatever I want to do

32)   He has a cat

33)   He has best friends from when he was in high school, and they all still hang out

34)   He lets me go shopping and doesn’t ask questions

35)   He will wear anything as long as it’s comfortable

36)   He will snuggle with me

37)   I can usually con him into doing anything ;-)

38)   He love me like no one else

Happy Birthday LOVE!  I hope you have enjoyed your 38 years on this Earth….and here’s to MANY MANY MORE!!! (with me by your side)

 

What a WEEK!!

I can not believe it is already Thursday.  This has just been a crazy week.  Things are getting done around my house and work is SO crazy busy!

Monday was a snow day for me, but Allie still has preschool, so I brought her there, swung by the gym for an awesome workout (lifted legs), came home and cleaned.  Then it was onto shopping!  I seriously have like 3 pictures up in my entire house, so I am on the hunt for a few more.  I bought 2 new throw pillow covers (to replace the old patterned ones), a throw rug for the 1/2 bath, a picture for the 1/2 bath, 8 new register covers for all the vents on the main floor, and some new nobs for the kitchen pantry and Allie's closet.  Whew!

Tuesday Scott had off and he primed the rest of the house basically, so it is all ready for paint.  We also had 3 outdoor light fixtures and 7 indoor light fixtures replaced.  They look SO much better than the ones that came with the house (it's the little things).  We also had 3 new outlets put in downstairs.  While Scott was at home working all day, I had a crazy busy day of meetings, and trying to recover my lost data from my USB memory stick.  It contains all my daily notes for the entire school year.  OMG I am screwed...So, I had quite the panic attack all day, well in between trying to work with students, test students, and go to their meetings.  Good thing I REALLY love my job, cause it could have been way worst.  I could not imagine doing anything else for my career at this point in my life.  I LOVE my students and my coworkers.

Wednesday was another crazy busy day.  Meetings, trying to see students when I could, trying to figure out how to get my data off my flash drive....etc. After work I was able to get a good burn at the neighborhood clubhouse, and I lifted arms.  Talk about spaghetti arms!  Wednesday night was for more paperwork, and maybe watching a Parenthood episode (have I mentioned those?).  Oh, and have you heard the song #selfie?  If not Youtube it and check it out...super weird...I don't have any thoughts about it.

Today was spent trying to get on schedule a little, bringing Allie to the gym so I could get a good workout and lift legs again (CHECK- that was my goal for the week).  Then we stopped by one of my schools so Allie could buy a bag of popcorn and support the Friends of Fenton group.  AND- because I love my coworkers, and even though I didn't have to work today I would miss them had I not seen them.

I'm crossing my fingers for a fun filled weekend!  I get to see a lot of my family this weekend, and I know the time will just fly by...I hope we get some better weather so I can go running outside without the fear of slipping on ice soon!

Weekend Recap 3/1/2014

What a fun weekend! 

Friday we had a morning play date at a friends NEW house! On the way I couldn't help but gawk at how beautiful Eureka is. The rolling tree covered hills. Beautiful! I drove through a newer neighborhood- Mirasol. The houses are super suburban, but they are awesome! They are in a part of Eureka that is still Jefferson County, so they have lower property taxes, however are still in the Rockwood school district. If only we could have moved 20 minutes down the road :-) My friends house was awesome, she has neighbors, but you can barely see them, and she has multiple acres to play! Allie always has a good time playing with the other kiddos and I was able to catch up with some of my friends. (And met some new ones!) Friday night was low key, baking my king cake for the Mardi Gras party on Saturday.

Saturday morning my mom came over to spend the day with Allie so Scott and I could go to our Annual Breakfast of Champions- Mardi Gras celebration. (We realized this was the first year in 6 years we have not gone to the parade in Soulard!) We were greeted at the door with a Jell-O shot. As always, Liz makes the BEST food! Breakfast was mimosas, Bloody Mary's, pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, and beignets. All made from scratch, with love :-), which makes it taste 1000x better. Lunch was pulled pork, party potatoes, crab dip, king cake, chocolate cake, and about 10 more Jell-O shots. I'm sure I am forgetting other foods I ate...but let's be serious we had mimosas, Jell-O shots, vodka gummies, and beer (UCBC- Winged Nut, thanks to Marv). It's a great combo. Saturday night was spent being a parent, Allie was super good- she was snuggly, and lovey, and pretty perfect; considering Scott and I had been gone all day. After she went to bed, I binge watched Parenthood until I fell apart at 10pm...hard core partier right here...

Sunday I woke up feeling pretty good. There was an ice/snow storm expected, but never seemed to get as bad as it was expected to be. I was bummed because my friends and I planned a last minute play date- before one of my friends has her 2nd little boy (NEXT WEEK!), but we had to cancel because of the ice covered roads. And the temps were about 10 degrees, with wind chills in the negatives, so we couldn't even go outside and slip around! I did manage to get about 45 minutes on my new elliptical while I watched another Parenthood :-) The rest of the day was spent playing, cleaning, eating, and napping. I made our March meal plan, and I am hoping to stick to it pretty closely. I have really noticed a decrease in our grocery spending when I have meals planned and put together, rather than buying random things I think look good at the time. I did make a tuna noodle casserole and a pot of chicken taco chili for the week, so at least we have something prepared for the beginning of the week. Sounds like a perfect dreary Sunday in my opinion.

This week I am looking forward to a snow day tomorrow :-) maybe sending Allie to preschool so I can get some things done around the house...maybe keep her home and hang out with her...I haven't decided, and I'm not sure how the roads are.  Also, we are going to Skyzone for a play date! It should be a lot of fun, Allie loves jumping around, and anything to get out some extra energy is a win in my book! My other goals this week are to workout everyday, and lift legs 2 times. 

Happy March friends!