Category Archives: books

Too Tired

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Hi guys!
Let’s get down to business. The answers from yesterday’s game are:
1. Donkey kick
2. Plank
3. Bridge
4. Jumping Jack
5. Calf Raise
6. Woodchop
7. Roundhouse

Yesterday was busy. And I am paying the price today, because I just feel beat. Like, mentally and physically busted. I still have another bootcamp and noon today, so I am laying low until go-time!

After all of my activities yesterday, I made my last stop at Jugo Juice where I got 24 oz. of heaven. Complete and udder heaven. I also got a shot of wheatgrass- my fave.

This week’s book is Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

Source

I really only chose it because the story takes place in Boston. So far, it’s a good read. I like books that take the point of view of several characters.

This week’s nail color:

Kind of awesome that the purple is called Save the Date…

And, before I go wake up this lazy bum…

to take her for a walk so that we can both stretch our legs…

I leave you with one question: Will you please leave a comment on this blog post? Something? Anything? What do you hate? What do you love? What is bothering you? What did you have for lunch today? Do you like you job?

Ok, that was about 8 questions. I was just trying to get the ball rolling…

Walking the River and failed cornbread. Sigh.

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Yesterday was just your average Hump Day. (I already recapped for you my workout in the last post)

Breakfast was another smoothie bowl (cranberries, bananas, chocolate protein powder and almond milk)

I went back to the library to return my last read, and ended up browsing for a few minutes. I left with three more books. I’m starting with this one:

I am already about 1/3 through and it’s pretty good. The story is about a girl traveling to Burma to find her father that disappeared 4 years earlier.

I ran a few errands in the morning…some of them are top secret, but ONE I will share with you. I brought a bunch of bottles to the bottle return center and I made a whopping $3.30. That can get me about a quart of gas here. Moving on…..

Lunch was another pile of veggies

Layla and I went down to the river and walked around for about an hour or so. The rain has been on and off for the last week, but I really wanted to get her some fresh air. Girlfran got her groove on in that icy water.

We had gone to Bowmont Park where there are some really great trails, off leash areas, and water access. Layla and I even came across some spots that had grassy areas and picnic benches. Noted for better-weather walks!

I have to keep the dang dog on her leash because she would run into the water and never come out. Or she’d run into the woods. Or somewhere -anywhere- that I couldn’t her back. All the other dogs on just about every walk we take are off leash. You’d think she’d get the hint that maybe she should be a little bit more obedient (Insert giant HA! from me)

While we walked, I Skyped with both my parents to just chit chat and show them some of the area we were walking through. Then, this happened:

Yeah, yeah, sure the picture makes that appear much more peaceful than it really was. All of a sudden that thing came out of nowhere. And it was LOUD. So, I started running with Layla away from the train (Still Skyping, mind you). The camera was shaky and I was screaming and the dog was pulling on the leash and darting around every tree. Then the train was gone. Silent. Like it was never there. You’re welcome Mom and Dad for the 2 minute short-action film.

On the way home, I stopped at the store to pick up some dins and I walked out with these puppies:

Dinner turned out pretty OK as well.

Pork tenderloin, applesauce, roasted beets and cornbread.

Unfortunately, the cornbread turned out to be too salty (I think I may have accidently put 1 tbsp of baking soda instead of 1 tsp. whoops) So that was completely inedible. Bummer) Otherwise, it was a pretty satisfying meal. I had rubbed the tenderloin in basil, s&p, cooked on a skillet for about 1 min each side, then roasted at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Perfection, if I do say so myself.

Quick notes: Survivor was good. I hate Kim with a firey passion, and Revenge was PVR’d (that’s what Canadians call DVR. pff).

This morning’s workout was 45 minutes of at-home kickboxing, followed by 15 minutes of upper body strength (as if kickboxing isn’t an upper body workout. HA!)

I am off to a medical exam (for immigration. EW I want to barf. I hate doctors) then a blood test (again for immigration. Again EW and AGAIN I want to barf.) I know for a fact that I will pass out when they try to stick me with a needle. I am getting nervous just typing this. Insert Heebie Jeebies NOW. ahglishdslkajsflkhdgs WISH ME LUCK!

Countdown Survey

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Found this survey on Hungry Meets Healthy so I thought I’d give it a go..

10 favorite musical artists

Beyonce
Lady Gaga
Kings of Leon
Nicki Minaj
Justin Timberlake
LMFAO
Gwen Stefani
Tegan and Sara
Madonna
Pitbull

9 things in your purse

Chapstick
Canadian money
American money
Hunger Games ticket stub
earrings
Keys
Target credit card (Oh how I wish I could use it..)
Passport
YMCA membership card

8 places you want to visit

Italy
Chicago
Australia
Africa
Brazil
Vancouver
England
Grand Canyon

7 movies you love

16 Candles
Anchorman
Pride and Prejudice
Christmas Vacation
Notting Hill
You’ve Got Mail
When Harry Met Sally

6 Favorite Hobbies

Working out
Baking
Walking Layla
(Window) Shopping
Beer/Wine tasting
Reading

5 favorite fruits/vegetables


Strawberries
Brussel Sprouts
Bananas
Broccoli
pomegranate

4 Favorite Colors to Wear

Black
Pink
Orange
Green

3 Things that stress you out


Bills
Bills
Bills
(And now Destiny’s Child is stuck in my head…)


2 things you say too much

For reals
That’s crazy

1 Favorite Dessert

My mom’s wacky cake

And there ya go, folks. Feel free to comment on this post with any of your responses, or blog it yourself!

In other news, I started a new book last night called Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.

Source

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood.  Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared.  It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard.  So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini.  In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails.  As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile.  But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater.  Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion.  His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.

Breakfast this morning was another english muffin with peanut butter and a half banana
Oh my goodness did I lay on the peanut butter..it was a gooey, yummy, delicious way to start my day (that, and about a pot of coffee)
I am off to run errands (Registry, Safeway, mall)
How is everyone getting their week started?

I walk in KILOMETERS now

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Layla and I went from laaaazy to insane today. We started off with breakfast in bed ( for me, not her. She slept).

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And we watched Live with Kelly since she’s in Banff, Alberta this week. Ok, I said ‘we’ but I really just meant me. Again, the dog was sleeping.

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See? Sleeping. And she’s quite cute while she does it.

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I honestly didn’t sleep at all last night- I was too caught up reading Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James. Um, you guys, the book is borderline pornographic. Ok, perhaps it’s beyond that. Ladies: read it. Then decide for yourself how satisfied you are in your current relationship. For realsies, this book is intense.

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source

After I caught up on some sleep (and Layla too) the two of us went for a nice LONG walk. It was 3.57 miles (5.74 km, I did the conversion. Plus it sounds so much longer and badass in kilometers. Like it was a race or something). Most of the walk was on the sidewalk in a residential area, but some of it was on a trail, where I was able to get some nice scenery pics.

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..and just when I thought my dog was SOL for anymore snow to roll in this year, it turns out she also loves rolling in hay (hay is for horses!)

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I then found the need to take a picture of this sign because it said ‘defecation,’ and I’m like 5 years old and laughed out loud at it.

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More scenery shots:

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So pretty.

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I had a dream last night that I woke up and it was Monday morning and I was furious with myself for not having signed up the night before for spin class. I guess old habits die hard. But seriously, there is nothing worse than intending to make a class and getting stuck on the wait list.

That’s not a problem for me any more! I plan on whipping up a good dinner for Ty and I tonight then getting a solid workout in afterwards…more on that later 😉

Meatless Monday

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Mmmk mmmmk, let’s talk more about meeeeeeee. No one seems to be interrupting or even commenting, so I’ll take that as a go-ahead.

I ended up doing 30 minutes of cardio at the Y, then finished off with arms. (I already did a full body workout and extra abs this am!)

I’m gonna jot down some gym pet peeves. It really doesn’t matter what gym you go to, you will most definitely see some of these things. Feel free to add on others I fail to mention.

  • Wanderers. These people look as if they feel satisfactory enough by just having made it to the gym, yet they have no idea what to do. And if they do decide on a machine, it’s for about 45 seconds until they change their minds. Then, because they weren’t on the machine for that long, they feel they are exempt from having to wipe it down. People, I still don’t want your germs.
  • Creeps. I’m talking to you, fellas. Stop checking out the girls with the tights spandies or the low cut tops. Yeah, they’re asking for it, but it’s rude. And gross. And us laddddies feel inclined to either talk to management about you, or just confront you in person. If it gets to that point, you should just be embarrassed.
  • Another one for the boys: Why do you always have to grab your junk between sets? NO ONE wants to see that. Plus, I gag.
  • Sweaty gorillas. I fall under this category. MAKE SURE TO WIPE OFF ANY EQUIPMENT. Otherwise, it’s like the skit from Jackass 3 where Steve-O drinks Preston’s sweat. Not pretty.
  • Groups. Do 14 teenage boys need to huddle around one piece of equipment? No. This isn’t social hour.
  • Naked people. Ugh, they make stalls for a reason. It takes all my might not to gasp in horror when I round the corner and find wrinkly boobs. I just worked out hard, I might be prone to fainting, and nakedness doesn’t help the cause.

One thing I LOVE about my Y here in Calgary is that there is no equipment signup. AKA: No one’s is going to tap you on the shoulder and demand to see the ‘time elapsed’ on your machine to make sure you are not cutting into their allotted 30 minutes. That system is not effective. Anywhere. I have been to this Y a crap ton of times already, and not once have I seen a problem. Good job Crowfoot YMCA!

Phew. I feel better now.

In honor of National Spinach Day, lunch consisted of a Green Monster (frozen banana, 2 handfuls baby spinach, almond milk, 3 ice cubes and a splash of vanilla) and an english muffin topped with Trader Joe’s Cranberry Apple Butter (When you have an obsession and you have limited packing room, you make room for necessities)

After some domestic chores, (laundry, change bed, grocery shop and take a bath)—> ok, maybe that last one isn’t a chore, but I did it anyway, I painted my nails. Woop! Perhaps it was to pay homage to St. Patrick’s Day a tad bit late, or perhaps the spinach smoothie got to me, but the green was calling my name. Warning: Do not zoom in on this picture, I have fierce cuticles. And if you decide to zoom in, don’t judge me, it was a cold winter and I have sensitive skin.

I decided I was going to make tonight’s dinner a Meatless Monday dinner. This was for a couple of reasons; a) We still need to stock up on meats at Costco, and b) I’m sick of chicken.

So, I came up with a little pasta concoction. I packed the meal with a lot of veggies, to make sure a good a good dose of vitamins and goodness.

Whole wheat penne with broccoli, yellow pepper and fresh green beans. Drizzle with EVOO and add a dash of salt.

Ahhh, back to that grocery store trip I mentioned. Only wanted to get some produce to fluff up our pasta dish, but decided to check out the yogurt section to see what they had going on (again, I have to wait for our Costco run, but argh, I couldn’t help myself) Ok, so they have 3 different brands of greek yogurt. Liberte, as I have mentioned before, and two other brands I have never seen. It took me forever to figure out what they were because all the dang containers were French-facing-front! I am sooo not a fan of this two language thing. Anyhoo, none of the yogurts were 0% or even 1%! They were all regular fat, whatever that may be, and contained 18g of fat per serving! My indulgence in that aisle was quickly squashed. I can wait.

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I am almost done with Mockingjay! It took me longer than usual to get through because of my meltdown-of-a-week last week. I am hoping to finish tonight! Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can read next? I don’t like serious books or Jodi Picoult or sci fi (The Hunger Games is an odd exception)