Covering all the bases

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Sit down and relax, this is gonna be a long one.

After I spent pretty much ALL morning on the phone with different immigration/customs people, I threw my hands in the air ~~singin’ aaaaaa-yo~~ and called it quits for the day. Moving to Canada has been by far the hardest thing I have ever done. Harder than college or fit tests or solving mathematical equations.

I rewarded myself with a trip to Safeway with Tyler’s credit card. I didn’t go crazy- mostly tons of produce. After I got home, I reheated some leftover tortellini for lunch.

I gave most of the kielbasa to Layla. A) Less calories consumed for me; B) Layla is most likely going to be a gassy mess tonight. Sigh.

I think she felt guilty for having such an indulgent snack that she gave herself timeout.

Funny story: Tyler bought Layla two new toys yesterday, both of them with strategically placed squeakies. Before going to bed last night, I put both of her toys in her bed- where she so conveniently decided to sleep that night. Well, in the middle of the night, she must have readjusted her sleeping position, because the toy squeaked and her, Tyler and I all freaked out. Like, she jumped a foot and Tyler and I instantly sat upright out of a deep sleep. It reminded me of the scene in Home Alone with Kevin’s parents realized they slept through their alarm.

Moving on.

I baked a healthier version of no bake cookies. (Ok, i didn’t bake them, but you know what I mean)

I found the healthier alternative on Eating Bird Food. Really, the only difference is using a mashed banana rather than a stick of butter.

I don’t know if you know this, but bananas are better for you than butter. Unless it’s Sunday, then who cares (I repeat: Calories do not count on Sundays)

These cookies (yes, cookies is plural, I had three because I am the baker and I am allowed) were enjoyed while I read through two new magazines:

Not too many things caught my eye in either of these. Bummer. When I did my prelim flip-through in the store, they looked like they’d be winners.

Hey, remember when I posted about some stuff I bought? Honestly, you should remember because I haven’t been buying anything since I had a job. (Other than health insurance and almond butter from Costco.) Well, it arrived today!

The raspberry ketones and protein powder plus a muscle magazine and two trial packets for free. free. I am really pumped to give these a go tomorrow before an early morning workout!

Speaking of workouts (see how this post just naturally flows?) I thought I’d show you guys my workout from last night:

10 minute HIIT on the elliptical

weighted squat series (x2, make sure to go through on each leg twice with 12 reps)

-split squat

-elevated squat

-reverse split squat

10 minute HIIT on the elliptical

arm series (12 reps of each x2)

-bicep curls

-tricep kickback

-chest press

-dumbbell fly

-shoulder front raise

-lateral raise

-front/lateral combo

-overhead press

10 minute HIIT on the ski-machine thingy. I Googled an image for you if you don’t understand my techincal lingo:

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ab series (I just did a ton of each until my core was burnt out)

-stability ball crunches

-stability ball weighted russian twists

-stability ball plank

-stability ball side crunches

Overall, decent workout.

This morning, I put my daily fitness goal on facebook

And I did it. And it was hard. And I loved every single burpee. Surprisingly, the burpees got easier the closer I got to 100- my body was in the rhythm to really push through and explode on the jump. That makes me a happy lady. I got so pumped up, I ended up doing a bit of kickboxing as well!

Check out one of my guns

For dinner, I decided to make stuffed peppers. But not our regular ol’ stuffed peps. These were healthy and different and good.

I found the recipe here. I cut it in half so that Tyler could have two, and I would have one. I put some ground beef in Tyler’s because he’s manly and needs meat and protein. Woof.

My lil lone pep. Cute. I decided to dissect it a bit to let you see the innards (Terrible way to describe food, btw)

Last one, just a little bit closer…

Couple of new songs on the iPod for tonight’s workout

Sometimes only adding one or two new songs in the mix really amp up a workout. They helped me get through those burpees!!

On a final note, I am seriously considering buying a Lululemon skirt. Not for running- but for normal everyday summer wear. Yes? No?

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Ok, I think that just about covers all the bases. I have run out of things to write about. Hopefully you were entertained? I was…I love blogging this stuff.

I am off to the gym with my 4 new songs and 100 burpee-in guns and I am going to get a serious sweat session on!

Photo Shoot

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Yay! I’m done with the course! The days were starting to get long with all the information/in-classness. For lunch, I walked to the nearest Safeway and picked up a Greek themed meal.

Liberte yogurt

And a Greek salad

But I ate only like 2 pieces of the feta..too much cheese + my belly= no bueno

I also changed my nail color-
don’t mind the terrible condition of my fingers- I had just pumped gas bare-handed and it was freezing and windy and snowy.

Now that I have finished this Basic Theory course, I only have one more 8 hour day for a Group Fundamentals course and I’ll be able to teach! You say: Phew. I say: Phew is right.

I decided to have a photo shoot with Layla when I got home. No biggie

Then I wanted in on the action

Then we were done.

******

I am off to the gym to get in a good sweaty session, then back here for a relaxing Sunday evening with the manfriend.

The Golden Workout

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

I had a terrible dream last night that I was being chased by people with guns and knives and bombs and they wanted to kill me. I’ve had the exact same dream before- it took place on a street I used to live on, and I just could seem to ever run fast enough. Then, I have the thought in my dream where I know it’s a dream, but my mind can’t get it to stop. Perhaps that’s why I had a terrible night sleep. That, and the fact that I kept getting tangled in the damn sheets. They’re too big for the bed. And between Tyler and a squirmy dog and me- well, it gets ugly.

Breakfast this morning was chocolate almond butter oats

Nothing super special, but they keep me full for a long while. Doesn’t hurt that it tastes great.

Layla and I went for a walk afterwards. 4miles (6.5ish km)
I tried Skyping my mom while we were walking, but the dog was pulling me too much and Canada’s reception sucks so I kept freezing. But it was a funny try.

Little bit of snots

Great view (my favorite pic from our walk)

Im about to grab a bowl of leftover chili for lunch. This is a pic I took of the chili from last night

Pretty dang delicious, if you ask me.

Once this bowl of yum yum digests, it’s off to the gym for this workout:

The Golden Workout

(because everything is done in sets of 50)

10 minute warmup

50 squats (weighted)

50 jumping jacks

50 lunges (weighted)

50 jumping jacks

50 pushups (take breaks if necessary- as long as you get to 50)

50 jumping jacks

50 leg lifts

50 jumping jacks

50 hip raises (weighted)

50 jumping jacks

50 side crunch pushups (25 each side)

50 jumping jacks

1 min plank

10 min cool down

******

That, plus a long, hilly walk should suffice for physical activity for the day. However, if I still have energy, I might throw in a quick run and/or abwork on the stability ball.. I’m aiming for it!

Anyone have a a favorite workout/move they’ve been loving lately?

Errand day

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

We had a selection of three different kinds of beers last night. First up, Coors Light Iced Tea. No, I didn’t stutter. Coors Light + Iced Tea + extra cold = delicious.

Tyler and I shared a few of those, then we went in to have our own beers. He had Heineken

And I tried Granville Island Brewery’s Cypress Honey Lager. I had never had it before ( another Canadian beer- from Vancouver) and it didn’t disappoint. I think my new favorite type of beer is the lager, and the hint of honey in this brew was just what I needed to easily suck down a few 😉

All in all, last night was fun and relaxing!

This morning, I tried something new in my bowl of oats. Instead of cooking them with unsweetened almond milk, I used chocolate almond milk (and obviously topped with a generous serving of almond butter.)

Lots of errands were on tap for today. It started with a trip to the pet store to get Layla a new ID tag.

Tyler and I were amazed that her name and info were lasered in there. We must’ve looked like geeks because we almost had our noses pressed to the glass while we were watching it get done. The end result ( I’m not showing you the back, I don’t want y’all to know my address!)

Second stop, Costco. No shopping was to be had- just had to run in and get my very own card!

I’m an executive member, haha sweet.

Starbucks was next in the order of operations. I was feeling all loosy-goosey and ordered something other than my usual black coffee.

I got a tall mocha light frappuccino…and you know what? I liked it.

Weird thing: Starbucks in Canada doesn’t offer iced coffee in the colder months. Umm, excuuuse me? It could be a blizzard outside and I’d still prefer a cold brew. I asked the barista today about it and she said it should be available next week. We shall see about that!

Last stop: the mall (dun dun dun- hate going to the mall on Saturdays. For starters, it takes 4 1/2 years to find a parking spot, then everyone in there has about 15 children in tow who are either screaming their toothless faces off, or trying to dodge their poor parents grasp- resulting in them crashing in to me). Tyler surprised me with getting me this little gem

Coincidentally, I had bookmarked this exact tank a few days ago when I saw it on a Lululemon blog.

I love my Lululemon
..almost more than breathing.

More fun things are to be done today- I’ll check back soon!

Starting Easter weekend

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

I have some serious catching up to do. Especially with food pictures. Because I eat a lot of food. A lot.

Last nights dinner was quick as painless.

Chicken strips with broccoli and quinoa. For the chicken, I cut the breasts into strips, dipped them in egg, coated in cornmeal and baked at 350 for 15 minutes. Yum.

It was obviously a great meal, because Layla wanted every bite.

Then, Tyler and I sampled quite a few of those cookies I mentioned yesterday. They were all-too tasty. And I love them.

Mmm, chocolate never goes wrong in my eyes

We watched the third Harry Potter movie and were off to bed. I finally finished Fifty Shades of Grey and have moved on to Loce the One You’re With by Emily Giffin

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Thank goodness for Facebook, I got some great suggestions on what to read next!

Oh, and I finally changed my dang nail polish

Easter festive!

Speaking of Easter, I gave Tyler his basket early. 1) because I suck at holding on to presents because I love giving them, and 2) because some of the candy in that basket was for me and I wanted it!

I.love.easter.candy.

This morning’s breakfast was nice and hearty because we were going for a hike with joe, Twyla, and all the doggies. I had oats mixed with 1/2 mashed banana, raisins, cinnamon, honey, almond milk and almond butter.

We drove to the mountains for our hike and I was able to get some b-e-a-utiful pics.

And my water dog..

Tyler had put some chicken in the crockpot before leaving, so dinner was practically made when we got home (and finished painting the living room!!!!!!! Yay, no more painting for a LONG while!!!! Jen is happyyyyy!)