Assignment: Winesday Wednesday

Well today has been quite the day already!

-The cable and internet weren’t working

-The new furnace wasn’t on

-I slipped and fell on ice in the backyard

-I was almost late for an interview downtown because I couldn’t find parking.

-Traffic

But everything’s fine now. I made it to my interview on time, the cable guy just left, Tyler troubleshooted me through reseting the furnace, and I will probably only have a few bruises from the fall.

MOVING ON.

Let’s talk about my new favorite thing:

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Folks, I love wine. I’m sure a bunch of you out there do as well. Here’s what I wanna do- I want to start a weekly Winesday Wednesday post. I figure the weekly post will give me -and you- an opportunity to share wine(s) (or other fun beverages!) that we have enjoyed over the past week. Does that sound cool?

The answer is YES.

Here’s how I think we’ll get started– each Wednesday, I will publish a post with the various drinks I’ve had throughout the past week (again, doesn’t have to be limited to wine or even booze!) Sharing this can give inspiration to other readers on what to buy, what to mix, etc..

YOUR PART: send me pics or write-ups or what-have-yous regarding these bevvies to me so I can include them in the post!

Here are the ways you can get your fun bevvy stuff to me:

  • You can tweet them to me (@nutcaseinpoint)
  • Post it on Instagram (using the hashtag #winesdaywednesday AND including my handle, @nutcaseinpoint to make sure I see it)
  • Email me: jtougas77(at)gmail(dot)com
  • Post on my facebook page (Nutcaseinpoint)

If you get those to me by Tuesday night-ish, you’ll be included in the post! Sound Cool?!! I think so! I’m looking forward to see what you guys are (or aren’t) enjoying!!!!

For the sake of getting the ball rolling, here’s what I had last night:

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I had a glass of Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2010. What caught my eye when I saw this at the store was that it had notes of blueberry. I had never come across a red that had that flavor, and I could immediately taste it with my first sip! (not overpowering though- it was just right).

And guess what? I only had one glass. WHO AM I?

Well, I had an interview this AM, so I didn’t want to overindulge. And I did my Ab Tabatas at the same time! Crazy.

Alright- get drinking! I’m excited to hear from everyone throughout the week!!! 🙂

Homemade Granola Cereal

Just take a look at this goodness-

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Oh my gosh, you guys- I just HAVE to share this recipe with you. It’s too good and too easy.

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Homemade granola, as I have found out, is near impossible to screw up. So after looking at various websites and blogs on granola recipes, this is what I came up with (keeping in mind I played around with the ingredients I had on hand already!!!)

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Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 6 cup quick oats (yes, quick oats- it’s what I already had and I was anticipating this granola to be more as a cereal than a pour-in-your-hand type snack)
  • 1/2 c honey
  • 1/2 c pure maple syrup
  • 2 t cinnamon
  • 4 t chia seeds
  • 2 c nuts (I had a combo of macadamia nuts and cashews from the bulk bin)
  • 1 1/2 c raisins

Here’s what you do:

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Mix all ingredients except the raisins in a bowl. Make sure mixture is evenly coated.
  3. Pour mixture onto baking sheets and bake for 30 minutes, check and stirring often.
  4. Once granola is ready, remove from oven and pour in a large bowl. Add raisins and stir.
  5. Store in an airtight container.

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This variation is like a maple-honey-cinnamon granola. It made the whole house smell fantastic when I made it last night, and I couldn’t WAIT to have it for breakfast this morning! I enjoyed my granola cereal with a generous portion of HUGE fresh blueberries and unsweetened almond milk. OMYGOD perfect.

And with coffee? Even better. I have no idea how I’m going to contain myself from eating all of it today. 

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Now that I’ve got this pretty basic granola cereal recipe down, I’m excited to try flavor  variations (*I’m pretty sure that it will be more of a snacking granola if you use old fashioned oats, but the only way I really like to eat granola is in more of a cereal form)

Question: What’s your favorite brand, flavor, or way to enjoy granola?!!

No-Weight Workout + Tabata Abs!

Hey Guys!

As you know, since I’ve posted it a BAJILLION times, I am currently taking part in Round 5 of Best Body Bootcamp. BUT- the program that Tina wrote up is really only for Monday-Friday (totally up to you to go in order and on the days specified, but work with me here). This leaves Saturday option for cardio or workout of choice and Sunday as a designated Rest Day. I’ve decided to get ahead of myself and write up a pretty sweet workout to do for my workout of choice on Saturday and I thought it would be only fair to share with you (since I know it’s sometimes so much easier to have something already prepared and to follow rather than making something up on your own!)

This workout is pretty self explanatory. I broke it into 4 sections: upper body, lower body, cardio, and abs. Within those sections there are 5 exercises to complete for the specified time. If you want to really be killer, go through the sucker 2x! The best part of this workout is that it can be done ANYWHERE.

I know sometimes I post a lot of workouts that incorporate a variety of equipment that may not be accessible to everyone, so this is something that everyone can complete. NO EXCUSES!

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Ok, maybe you need 2 things: a floor and a wall. Pretty sure those are easy to come by where you are.

Second workout I have to share is the Ab Workout I completed last night after my sweaty 40 minute spin at the gym. Best part of this workout is that it is in tabata form! Meaning there are rest periods! And lots of them! (Tabata: 20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest, 8x through)

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I don’t think you can really get bored with that workout, either. There’s like…a lot of different ab exercises.

Reminder: I have been slowly but surely updating the Recipes and Workouts pages. Click on over for a little inspiration!

OF ALL THE DAMN RECEIPTS

Another interview day…I thought.

BUT lookie-here at what happened with my morning:

  1. Mid hair-straightening, the straightener broke.
  2. Stockings had a hole
  3. Pre-Calgary work pants felt snug
  4. 5 minutes prior to leaving for interview, received a call to cancel said interview.

Honestly, I can’t catch a break. I immediately got online to see what the warranty on my super expensive straightener was, and found that all I needed to do was include a copy of the receipt of purchase from authorized dealer and cost of return shipping along with the item. OF ALL THE DAMN RECEIPTS, I can’t find this one. Oy. The replacement wouldn’t arrive for at least 8-10 weeks, so I am stuck buying another one here regardless. 

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Yeah, that’s the hairdo I would’ve gone with if it weren’t cancelled. And I think I had already changed back into my ‘jams before I even hung up the phone. Ugh

Now I’m going to complain about how this throws off my WORKOUT. Of all things. Boy, am I selfish. Or obsessed. Or both. Now that I have all this free time, I want to use it by going to the GYM but I know there are group ex classes going on until about 12:30pm. (The group ex studio is open air in the middle of the gym- so my use of the treadmill would give me a view of 40-60 older ladies jazzercizing. Not my cuppa.)

I don’t even want to talk about how I felt in my work clothes. Gross. That’s a whole other post on my thoughts and feelings about my body image insecurities. WOOF.

RANT=OVER. (phew, i know)

Onto bigger and better things: food. HAHA. But seriously, I’m gonna talk about food.

First up, pancakes.

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Not just any ol’ pancakes…SWEET POTATO pancakes!

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1/2 c sweet potato puree 
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/4 c whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 t baking powder
  • stevia (to taste) or 1 t of sugar or agave
  • dash salt
  • 1/4 t cinnamon
  • 1/4 c unsweetened almond milk

Here’s what you do:

  1. Throw everything in the blender or food processor or use a hand mixer to get the batter nice and smooth. 
  2. Cook as you would normally cook pancakes (mine took a little longer on each side to ensure the puree was cooked and not leaving each cake super mushy)
  3. Optional: I topped mine with a mixture of pb2, water, and 1T cocoa. And sliced strawberries. It was perfect.

Next up, Carrot Cake

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I used the recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction. Only problem with mine was that I split the batter into 2-8inch round pans and still baked for the directed time. That, combined with the stupid altitude, and my cake came out a tad dry. (Hence the scary amount of frosting I used to compensate)

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I’m still eating it, though.

Saturday night, Tyler made us ribs! They were so freaking tasty.

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We ended up being out for a little later than expected, and by the time we got home and got these suckers on the BBQ, we had to wait until about 10pm to eat them. It was SO worth it.

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I don’t know what rub Tyler used, but it was the first thing he put together when he woke up that morning. I think he’s going to keep it a secret. Just to WOW me every time we eat them.

TO WRAP UP:

1. Um, why have I never used the MapMyRun app before? (A: Because I don’t ever run outside) I gave it a go for the first time yesterday–carrying my phone with me– and I LOVED it! It maps your route, tells you your splits, distance, duration, calorie burn, yadda yadda yadda.

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2. My dog loves the sun just as much as she loves snow.

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3. I have now officially fallen in love with Bloglovin. If you read this blog, chances are you found it through another blog, and even more chances that you read lots of blogs. Most people are currently using Google Reader as a way of getting their blog fix, but that’s saying adios in a couple of months. With Bloglovin, you can import all the blogs you have on your Google Reader (automatically. there is no long, disastrous process of getting it done). 

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This site is pretty cool because it allows you to open the posts in a new window (or on your phone, it directs you to the original post) so that you can comment or whatever. But, when you want to ‘go back’ you don’t lose the post! Sounds confusing- probably because I am terrible at explaining things. What I’m trying to say is- go register with Bloglovin and get used to it before Google Reader goes away forever.

4. Read about why you don’t like the word Moist.

5. Leftover OJ from Easter? (aka: your mimosas were mi-mostly champagne) MAKE THESE. 

6. Why you should eat bell peppers.

7. You’re Not As Fat As You Think You Are. I re-read this a ton of times, took a few deep breaths, and felt a bit better.

8. BOOKS. I’m reading them. Yay! Here’s what I’ve got under my belt as of late:

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I’m currently reading:

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And have these next to read:

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Question: Any good eats or reads lately? Please share!!

 

 

Exercise and Eats: Week of 4/1

For the sake of keeping MYSELF accountable, let me just write out a recap of last week’s workouts and what I plan on getting done this week.

Sun, 3/24: Off

Mon, 3/25: Defying Gravity Workout (from Tina Reale) and HIIT treadmill run

Tues, 3/26: Full body tabatas + 20 minute treadmill run

Wed, 3/27: Circuit Interval workout

Thurs, 3/28: 60 min hike with Layla; 2,4,6,8,10 workout from Fitnessista, 5 min row, 15 min spin

Fri, 3/29: off

Sat, 3/30: Deck of Cards workout

  • ♠: shuffle jumps
  • ♣: deadlifts
  • ♥: pushups
  • ♦: tricep dips

Not too shabby. Now let’s see what’s on the agenda for this week:

Sun, 3/31: 60 minute hike with Layla; 1.5 mile run (OUTDOORS!)

Mon, 4/1: First day of Best Body Bootcamp!!!! Strength Workout A and 5k outdoor run

Tues, 4/2: 40 minutes spin, 20 minutes of ab tabatas

Wed, 4/3: BBB Strength Workout B, 5k outdoor run

Thursday, 4/4: 40 minutes treadmill intervals, 20 minutes ab tabatas

Friday, 4/5: BBB Strength Workout C, 30 min spin, 10 minute row

Sat, 4/6: Deck of Cards workout x2, possible hike

Now, I never really do this because I end up changing mid-week and then getting upset with myself, but I actually wrote up a meal plan for the week! I have been checking off my eats as I go along. Dinners for the week include:

  • Monday: Turkey Chili Taco Soup from Skinnytaste
  • Tuesday: Chicken Salad Sandwiches
  • Wednesday: Homemade Turkey Burgers
  • Thursday: Chicken Fajitas
  • Friday: Wonton Stir fry

If you’re still reading, I will now indulge you with tons of pictures of Layla. Because she hasn’t gotten much love on the blog lately. 🙂

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Time to take the beast out for a walk!

Question: Do you meal plan? Plan your workouts?