My New Favorite Thing

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

I think I have now seen every show that airs on HGTV and Food Network. Twice. Being at home all day every day with a baby that likes background noise will do that. I don’t mind though, because I’m so busy with him or with doing things around the house, that not only do I not really notice but the time just whizzes by.

Whizzes by to the part of the day when Tyler gets home. Which is kinda my favorite part of the day because I can have a little bit of me time. Me time includes: walking the dogs, working out, showering and pumping without a fussy baby to worry about.

This time last year, me time would have been working out *NOT* at home, drinking, and meeting up with friends. Ah times they are a-changin.

Make no mistake, I have MADE time for a few adult beverages over the past week. (don’t get on your high horse and comment on any alcohol/breastfeeding mumbo jumbo. I’m either not finishing the drinks and/or taking the necessary precautions to avoid passing it along in my milk)

For Mother’s day, Tyler got me a pair of spin shoes, a fitbit, and a gift card to the nearby spin/hot yoga studio. A couple of things about this:

Holy Shit that’s a great bunch of Mother’s Day gifts (which prompted me to giddy-up and be on the look out for equally awesome Father’s Day gifts)
Holy Shit I can’t wait to go spinning/hot yoga!

I mentioned that I was given the OK by my doctor to being working out again. Jeeze Louise does it feel good to get back into a workout routine, but ohhhhhhhhh-mah-gawd am I out of shape or what. (to all you non-human parents: you think 6+ weeks postpartum of not working out is eternity, but believe me it FLIES by and you don’t even think about working out). I’ve completed the first week of T25 (Alison, you’ll be hearing from me soon about getting some new DVD’s. I’ve just about worn these babies out!) and walked the dogs each day- anywhere from 1-3.5 miles. I’ve also tried to squeeze in stretching when I can. Which is usually only when I’m brushing my teeth. Forward folds + toothbrush in mouth= hazardous.

We got Wes a mamaroo! I initially wanted to buy one before he was born, but they’re so dang pricey, we didn’t want to risk him not liking it and us kissing a few hundred bucks goodbye. But the kid LOVES it. Which makes this mama LOVE it even more. (we got it used off Kijiji for a steal!)

My new favorite thing? Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Formally my favorite nights to drink, they are now the nights that Tyler does the nighttime routine with Wes and I can go to bed at 10! Oh my god, slap me for this being the new excitement in my life. Someone get me a beer.

Eats and Outfits

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Different than the norm of ‘eats and exercise’ (because let’s face it, you don’t need to see a M-F list of me going to Hot Yoga classes) I decided to go with the outfits I wore to work each day last week…and then corresponding dinners.

As far as the clothes went, I really got to relax with my dress code. I wore jeans twice, green khakis, an A-line dress, and black ultra-skinny pants (not jeans) from the GAP. OMYGOD THOSE SKINNY PANTS ARE FANTASTICAL. Seriously, go to Gap and try them on. And then buy them. And wear them everywhere.

That gorgy-pordgy elephant belt was originally priced at $49!!! Holy shniz, I would not pay that much for a belt. Luckily, I know how to work a sale (and an associate) and I wound up paying $11 for that sucker.

Meals for the week were all SUPER EASY. I mean, I was trying to manage work, set aside a few hours each day for yoga, walk the pups, get laundry done, yadda yadda, so anything that was easy peasy ended up yummy in the tummy.

On the menu: gnocchi with sausage, marinara, roasted veggies; pizza; bulgar with raw veggies; turkey burgers; and an asian chopped salad.

I won’t be posting a recap of this week’s outfits because, well……….. I quit my job. Yeah, after only one week of employment, I opted out of that position in pursuit of a much better opportunity. I’m really excited to start my next job next week (it’s downtown!!!!!!!) because I believe it will be a much better environment for me. Insert all sorts of philosophical thoughts and hopes and dreams here.

Next post: recapping the long weekend. AKA: I drank corona (well, shit. I just ruined the suspense)

Oh, and in case you DID want to know my list of workouts from last week:

Monday: Sprint Repeats around the block/Hot Yoga
Tuesday: Full Body Strength workout/Spin
Wednesday: Hot Yoga
Thursday: Pyramid Workout
Friday: Hot Yoga

Question: Do you have your ‘go-to’ veggies? I almost always resort to buying red peppers, sugar snap peas, grape tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers.

Exercise and Eats: Week of 4/1

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

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. 🙂

Time to take the beast out for a walk!

Question: Do you meal plan? Plan your workouts?

Hi There Ho There!

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Hi there, ho there and happy Monday morning to you all. Let’s get right to it.

I posted last Monday on my planned weekly workouts, and here’s how I did:

Sunday (3/3): Full Body Circuits and 30 minutes spin
Monday (3/4): Lower Body & Core Circuit and 30 minute run
Tuesday (3/5): Deck of Cards workout and 10-10-10 cardio
Wednesday (3/6): TRX circuits and 40 minutes spin

Thursday (3/7): 50 minute run

Friday (3/8): Upper Body Circuits, ~~10-10-10 cardio—~~I was physically exhausted and only managed to push through 10 minutes of row

Saturday (3/9): Active Rest ~~or an old BBB workout~~

Ok, now here’s what I’ve loosely outlined for this week (subject to change since I am traveling!!!!)

Sunday (3/10): Strength Circuits with cardio intervals (workout posted below!)
Monday (3/11): 40 minute run, 10 minute row, lower body pre-fatigue sets
Tuesday (3/12): 40 minute spin, abs circuit
Wednesday (3/13): 30 minute run, TRX/Cardio circuits
Thursday (3/14): Off. Travel Day!
Friday (3/15): Total body workout, run/walk intervals
Saturday (3/16): Deck of Cards workout

Here’s the workout I did yesterday:

It was challenging since most all the moves were compound exercises (target more than one area), but it was really great to be able to break them up with some cardio. Plus, the cardio got my heart rate up (more calorie burn!) and allowed me to move and groove to my playlist.

My playlist that included BSB and Whitney and TLC. It was awesome.

Moving on to recent eats…

I made this Chunky Monkey Mug Cake and it was DEEE-lish.

It was made with: 1 mashed banana, 2 tbsp PB2, 1 egg white, 2 T cocoa powder, a few drops Stevia. After fully combining the ingredients, I tossed in a couple tablespoons of chocolate chips and macadamia nuts. Microwave on high for 2 1/2 minutes and you’re done!

Polenta topped with paleo turkey meatballs (the key ingredient is ALMOND MEAL!!), veggie marinara and cheddar.

My Best Banana Bread

Slaw Dogs. With sriracha, of course!

Slow Cooker Creamy Chipotle Chicken Tortellini

Cinnamon Pear Pancakes

For these, you’ll need:

1 c flour
2 1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
2 t cinnamon
1 t sugar
1 egg
1 cup +1T almond milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 pear

Here’s what you do:

1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients.

3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Stir until incorporated.

4. Stir in 1/2 of chopped pear.

5. Pour on hot, prepared griddle. Flip when top starts to bubble.

6. Top cakes with remaining slices pear and a shake of cinnamon. Makes 8 pancakes.

That’s all for now!

Question: Have any good new-to-you recipes lately? Do you plan your workouts??

Weekly Workouts and Such

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

You know what I haven’t done in a while? Post about my workouts. So…let’s see what I’ve been up to in the fitness department lately..

Sunday (2/24): 40 minutes of spin followed by lower body work
Monday (2/25): Workout A from BBB followed by 30 minutes of spin
Tuesday (2/26): Intervals run for 50 minutes
Wednesday (2/27): TRX/cardio circuit workout at home
Thursday (2/28): 30 minutes spin and 10 minutes row
Friday (3/1): Upper body/core circuits and 30 minute run
Saturday (3/2): Active rest day! Walk all over the Home & Garden Expo then throughout downtown Calgary

It was the last week of Best Body Bootcamp, but for some reason, I wasn’t really into it last week. But I did make sure to incorporate a big enough mix of strength and cardio through a variety of ways (machines, body weight, intervals, steady state, etc.)

On tap for this week…

Sunday (3/3): Full Body Circuits and 30 minutes spin
Monday (3/4): Lower Body & Core Circuit and 30 minute run
Tuesday (3/5): Deck of Cards workout and 10-10-10 cardio
Wednesday (3/6): TRX circuits and 40 minutes spin
Thursday (3/7): 50 minute run
Friday (3/8): Upper Body Circuits, 10-10-10 cardio
Saturday (3/9): Active Rest or an old BBB workout

In other news, here are some foods that I’ve made/ate lately (recipes may have been altered based on either what I already had on hand or modified to make slightly healthier)

Southwest Chicken Chop Salad