Thursday Things

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1. Check out this little craft I did yesterday that cost only $5 and took about 5 minutes to complete:

Each of those 81/2×11″ frames were 25 cents and the scrapbook paper was 99cents a sheet!

I have two other christmas craft projects that I might wait to complete over the weekend (it includes paint and candles and glitter and glue and all that jazz)

2. Last night’s dinner was FANTASTIC. I took the recipe from SkinnyTaste, and only tweaked it a bit. <—because I am terrible at converting ounces to grams and then usually halving the recipe for just the two of us. Yes, pretty much everything here is in grams which drives me freaking batty.

Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole

Here’s what you need:

  • 2 large boneless chicken breasts
  • 3 cups no yolk noodles
  • 1 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large crown of broccoli
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1/8 cup minced onion
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar
  • 3 tbsp parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp bread crumbs

Here’s what you do:

1. Put the chicken in the crock pot on high for roughly 4 hours and shred with two forks when it’s done. (submerge the chicken in chicken broth, enough to cover the meat- this is not included in the list of ingredients0

2. Cook the noodles until they are almost al dente. Strain and set aside.

3. Preheat oven to 375, spray 8×8 with cooking spray.

4. Put the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and allow it to simmer for about a minute. Then add the broccoli florets. Turn the heat to low and cover the skillet to allow the broccoli to steam.

5. In a large pot, add the butter. Once it’s melted, throw in the onion and allow the onion to soften for a few minutes. Add the flour until incorporated. Then add the chicken broth and whisk thoroughly. Add the milk and bring the mixture to a boil (stirring occasionally). Once brought to a boil, turn it back down to medium heat and allow 6-7 minutes for mixture to thicken. Remove from heat, and add the cheddar cheese and 1 tbsp parmesan. Mix well.

6. Add shredded chicken, noodles, and broccoli to the cream mixture in pot.

7. Pour the mixture into the 8×8 dish. Top with remaining 2 tbsp parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.

8. Bake for 20 minutes, then allow it to sit under the broil for a couple minutes to allow the top to brown.

9. Eat! (We added some sriracha to our portions. yum!)

 

(I always use the smaller plates for my meals, and leave the big plates for Tyler. Perception of having the plate full can really deceive your eating habits!)

3. I worked out at home yesterday and did the strength workout B from Best Body Bootcamp. It was an interesting workout, and I adjusted a few moves to accommodate the equipment I have. The toughest one was what I substituted for hamstring curls- I actually used my gliding discs for these. Yikes, my hammies were screaming after that set. There were cardio intervals within the supersets and I finished it off with some kickboxing. Check out this super flattering picture.

(Notice that my HEAD is wider than my entire body. Oy)

4. It was during my workout (in ‘my’ room) that I noticed it’s been a while since I updated my calendar.

Just a few months off. No biggie. But July is my favorite. 4th of July, my birthday, summer= all happy things.

5. A lot of people do throwback thursday pics. Since I am now 3000 miles from home, I couldn’t really bring any of my stuff with me, so I don’t really have any of my childhood pictures. But I do have this gem that my mom somehow brought this summer.

It was my understanding that in 5th grade, prescription sunglasses were HOT. Looking at it now: NO THEY’RE NOT.

6. I got shout outs on both Leigh AND Alison’s blogs today (ladies, I am totally stealing that post soon!) Woo hoo!

7. It’s not a new song, but it’s been a huge player this week in my workouts. Love me some hip hop/electro mixes (mostly the hip hop part though). The best part:

Ugly girls be quiet, quiet, pretty girls clap, clap like this
Ugly girls be quiet, quiet, pretty girls clap, clap like this

(I obviously clap)

Pretty Girls (Benny Benassi remix)

What song (new or old) do you have on heavy rotation lately?

Wednesday Things

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1. The roofers have been on the house for three days now, and there is not enough Excedrin Migraine in the world to fix the headaches I have from all the banging (thats what she said).

2. Yesterday’s workout from Best Body Bootcamp was cardio intervals and core work. I PLANNED on running outside, but then I changed my mind last minute. I hit the gym and did the prescribed intervals on the treadmill, then tacked on an additional 30 minutes of spin. Needless to say, I was exhausted afterwards.

Oh, and I had to walk to the gym since the roofers had thrown nails and crap all over the driveway and I couldn’t get my car out (kind of reminded me of Boston- I specifically chose my apartment based on it’s distance from the gym. Priorities, people. Priorities)

3. The movie Brave is a total mother-daughter movie.

 

(Source)

I also managed to perfect my scottish accent. Mom, don’t watch it because you’ll probably cry.

4. Do you love nutella? (The answer is most likely YES) Great, so here’s what you should try: Mix 1 cup nutella, 2 eggs and 10 tbsp of flour. Pour into lined cupcake pan and bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

 

5. I seriously couldn’t be on twitter or facebook at all for the last 24 hours. People, STFU about the election. I was cringing left and right reading the idiotic things my “friends” were saying. And it didn’t matter if it was about the candidate I favored or not. Just shut up, people. SHUT. UP.

(Ok you don’t have to shut up, but at least respect other’s decisions, yadda yadda yadda)

6. I took the dog to the park yesterday and ummmm IT WAS MUDDY. Good thing my dog is already brown. Holy cow, the dogs there were DIR-TAY. Just before bed last night, I couldn’t tell if she was just tired, or she did something bad that I have yet to discover (that never happens, tho)

 

Actually, she always randomly sits facing the corner or the wall or something. She’s super weird. Just like her mama.

7. Today’s agenda: Natural Food Store and Michael’s. Just livin’ the lyfe.

8. And today is my 1/3 birthday. Might have to add another store to the above-mentioned 😉

Yummy Chili

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Recipe you MUST try: Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili from SkinnyTaste

 

 

Holy Moly, was it tasty (and there’s a bit left, so I get some more today!) I actually made half of what the recipe calls for since the two of us are pretty sucky at using up all the leftovers. I topped mine with a dallop of greek yogurt and a pinch of cheese.

Yesterday’s workout felt GOOD. I did the strengh “ladders” from this phase of Best Body Bootcamp at home, then went to the gym to bust out a 30 minute interval run and 20 minutes on the spin bike. Here’s what my run looked like:

 

Hey, so I am going to be boring and do another survey. Mostly because the coffee hasn’t kicked in yet and I am brain dead. Yay!

1. Last thing you ate:

Multigrain Cheerios (my weekday breakfast of choice)

2. Last beverage you drank:

Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

 

3. Last workout:

See above

4. Last thing you pinned:

 

Lace wrapped mason jars

(I totally forgot about pinning this, by the way, but I ironically took a bunch of used glass candle jars- put them in the freezer for a couple hours, popped out the leftover wax, and now they’re ready to get some similar decorating!)

 

5. Last text message you sent:

Well, it’s not the last one, but I thought this rant I sent Tyler yesterday was pretty funny

 

6. Last blog you visited:

Meh, I sort of skimmed over a ton and Marked as Read when I woke up- haven’t clicked back over yet to check more out. Actually, I lied. I clicked on Its Linz post on pumpkin muffins (through twitter)

7. Last tweet you sent:

 

8. Last place you visited:

Yesterday I went to Safeway, Pet Planet, and the Y. Super exciting stuff.

9. Last time you did ab work:

Sunday night. I did side crunches on the bender ball.

10. Last show you watched:

We have been recording this season of Revenge because I was obsessed with it. But I watched the first episode of this season this morning, and I am so over it.

 

(Source)

11. Last thing you baked:

Pumpkin Bread!

 

12. Last thing you Instagrammed:

 

Some pre-workout powder I got in one of my Bulu Boxes

13. Last Item on your to-do list today:

Well, ummmmm…..

 

And I leave you with my thoughts about school right now:

 

Ok, your turn- answer one or some or all of these!

Weekend Things & A Survey!

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This weekend was fun! (well, maybe not Sunday)

  • Friday night I went to Ship & Anchor to celebrate a friends birthday. Here’s what NOT to do: drink a couple beers and not have dinner. I definitely paid for that mistake when I got home
  • Saturday I met up with Leigh at Starbucks. Skinny peppermint mocha and a new friend for the win!
  • Later that day, Tyler and I went to Brewster’s for dinner (and a Pumpkin Ale)

 

  • Sunday morning I woke up to the best text ever: my best friend delivered her gorgeous baby girl, Keagan Lynn, late Saturday night. Many many many congrats to her and her family! I can’t wait to hold this little bundle of beautiful!

 

(ps: we’re totally connected since we have the same middle name!)

  • the rest of the day was FILLED with lots and lots and lots of homework. Tyler has a long weekend next week, so I really have to not procrastinate so we can watch football and (him) eat wings!

And now, a survey I thought I’d do (found it on Christina’s blog)

What is currently on your wish list?

For the longest time, red pants were on the top of the list, but I scored those just a few days ago. Now at the top of my list? Winter clothes and accessories!

 

(Source)

Crocheted head wraps

 

(Source)

Infinity Scarves

 

(Source)

 

Printed leggings

Share a new app that you’ve recently discovered that we all need.

Meh, I’m super sucky at apps, but I’m kind of afficted to Wanelo

 

It’s like pinterest, but for only items you can purchase. When you click on an item, it tells you the price and where you can buy the product online. And the items are unique/awesome/different.

What is a new fall TV show you have added to you DVR? (Or as they call it here, PVR)

 

(Source)

 

(Source)

Share your social media links for us to follow you on

What is a TV series or Movie or Song you could listen to or watch over and over and over and never get tired of…feel free to name one of each. 

TV Series

  • Golden Girls
  • Friends
  • Seinfeld

Movie

  • 16 Candles
  • Notting Hill
  • You’ve Got Mail

Song

  • Love Like This- Faith Evans & Fatman Scoop
  • Shoop- Salt-N-Pepa

Alright, now it’s your turn! In the comments section, answer any and/or all of these questions! I love to know what other people are lusting after and watching and listening to and ‘app-ing’ (I just made that up, but I want to know what apps you have on your phone!)

Random Bits

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I still love Fridays even though I don’t work. Same reason why I still hate Sundays.

Random bits:

I have been drinking sparkling water out of a wine glass all week. You bet I feel fancy.

Layla went into the river when I took her for a walk earlier. She is dumb.

I pulled the emergency stop cord on the treadmill last night. I went from 7.5 mph to 0 FAST. Such a bummer to have to start from 0 all over again.

I am officially addicted to Essie nailpolish. I saw an ad for a sale and went to the store for 3 more bottles.

Kysha’s baby is due today! She better have her, dang it.

Today is workout from home day. Usually when I workout at home, I do it barefoot. I kind of love it.

Speaking of barefoot, I used to have those Vibram shoes a few years ago when they FIRST came out. And I used to wear them running all the time. Until I broke my foot for the second time. Then they were retired to strictly using them when kayaking.

I saw somewhere on Instagram that there’s a bacon chocolate cupcake candle now. UM WHAT? Actually, I could just fry up some bacon and bake chocolate cupcakes simultaneously. More cost efficient since we can actually EAT it.

I can wait to go home to NY next month and hang out with mom and dad. AND SEE MY GIRLS IN BOSTON!

Last night, I looked at treadmills and spin bikes to buy. That might be happening soon. And I’m kind of so excited I could pee.

When I run, I always count out a 4-count on my right hand. People must think I’m crazy, but I think that’s the instructor side of me.

Awww, now I just thought of how I’m not teaching anymore. Tear.

I ordered our Christmas cards last night! Ooh, I’m so excited because they’re cute!

I just realized I don’t have a dresser for my clothes. Since I came to Canada with nothing, I guess that makes sense. Literally everything I own fits in our master closet. That’s sad, right?

Mom: Can you mail my North Face winter boots? I think I need them already. Thanks

I’m not voting this election. Is that terrible? I didn’t get my absentee thing in in time. Plus, I’m not sure what my technical state of residency is in the states. I still have a Massachusetts license, but all my mail goes to my parent’s house in NY. Hmmm

Do you know what came up in my homework today? The quadratic equation. OMG kill me now.

Santa, if you’re reading this, I’d like a grey Scuba hoodie.

I LOVE TO DANCE. Ok, let’s start a rant. Ready….GO. Since I moved here, and obviously not knowing that many people and living in suburbia and what not- I haven’t gotten into the scene of people who just bar hop and dance in clubs and get silly and maybe lose a scarf (well I did lose my coat 2 weeks ago…) I love losing my voice from singing all night, and waking up with mascara down my face because I was too drunk the night before to really get it all off. And I miss wearing sequins. And getting wristbands. I don’t miss paying covers though.

I think my personality is a combination of Penny from Happy Endings and Jess from New Girl. Can anyone back me up on this? I am socially awkward, funny, clumsy, cute(please agree with me on this one for my sanity), and I come up with fancy fake words.

Lately, I have been calling my dog “Bobby” The part that’s really strange is that she’s actually responding to it.

Tyler and I PVR a LOT of shows. One of them is Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Usually, when there’s nothing on TV, we will catch up on a few of his episodes. I’m sorry, but every time I watch him, all I can think of is this. And all I want to do is dance funny. Hahaha I actually always remember listening to this song Junior year of high school and my friend Jess and I would drive around our town blasting it. One time, I was driving my 1998 Toyota Corolla down the main street and Jess and I were singggggging it having a grand ol time, then Jess screams and points at what I thought was my side of the windshield. Turns out, a spider was making it’s way down from the ceiling almost reaching my face. As soon as I saw it, I threw my car in park and jumped out. Best part, I didn’t come to a complete stop before I put it in Park and the car kept rolling…with Jess screaming in it.

Hahaha, that’s probably only funny to me and Jess.

If I could shop at one store for the rest of my life, it would probably be Nordstroms.

In the States: Cinnabon. Canada: Cinnzeo. NOT.THE.SAME.

My pants problem used to be muffin top and crack shots. Now, it’s just puffy crotch. That might not make any sense to anyone.

I have a bag full of American money hidden in the house. Ok, before you contemplate robbing our house, it’s mostly pennies and nickels.

I CAN’T WAIT TO WEAR MY RED PANTS.

ok, that’s enough bits for now.