Back Home

Hello from NY!

Ok, I just gotta say it: Yesterday was one of the best days I have had in a LONG ASS TIME. Sure I woke up at 2:30am, and yes I sat uncomfortably close to a dude on the plane. BUT. My 9 hour layover in Chicago was a-may-zing. Katie picked me up from the airport and right away we started gossiping. Oh god, how I miss that! We got to her place and immediately hit the pavement for some exploring. First stop: a bar. Obviously. At 11:00am. Sam Summer Ale, how I love you so. Fast forward a few hours, and we had shopped, hung out at her place, and hit another bar for apps and more drinks. Back at the airport by 6pm and more bevvies while waiting for my connecting flight. I can’t wait for my return flight in a couple weeks (Ok, i can wait. But it’ll be exciting) because I have another 9 hour layover in Chicago!

Today was recoup day.

And go to Target day.

 

And eat homemade guac and salsa (ALL the ingredients were from the garden!) day

 

And little old ladies (aka: mom) walk around the house in my brand new shoes day

 

And ravage my parents forest garden for some goodies day

 

And steak and veggies for dinner day (minus the steak- I just wasn’t feeling the whole red meat thing today. I think somewhere pigs are flying right now)

 

And Frozen Dreams for dessert day. I was LONG overdue.

 

Workout of the day was 20 minutes of sprint intervals on the treadmill followed by some full-body strength exercises that incorporated the ideas from Best Body Bootcamp‘s Phase 2 workout schedule. I changed up the tempo of the movement for each exercise- so I varied between 1, 2, 4, and 8 counts for both direction of each move. It really fatigued my muscles a lot faster and I was able to get in split squats, weight bosu squats, chest press, flys, deadlifts and tricep dips in enough time to get home for dinner. I didn’t want to overdue it because I’m looking to do a long run around the neighborhood tomorrow. Sidenote: I was able to increase my speed on the treadmill this week (maybe it’s the lower altitude?)

Toodles!

Pooped

I feel like I have nothing good to say. Probably because I’m EXHAUSTED.

I cleaned. I ran errands. I shopped. I did homework. I worked out. I walked the dog (aka: workout #2). I watched more of the Olympics. And now, I’ve gotta somehow spit all this out so I can get to Tyler’s football game.

So, I’ve been watching one of the American channels to get good coverage of the olympics (Bob Costas is WAY better than any of these lame-o Canadian broadcasts. Fo’ real) And they recapped the opening ceremony- music included. I SWEAR TO GOD I’VE HEARD THAT INTRO SONG BEFORE. And then it hit me- this is where I know that song:

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/d7e5ec2c55/highfive-from-almost-twins-jake-bob-turton-and-jack-packard

I might have to reenact this. Any volunteers?

I had Layla wear her name scarf

I painted my nails in a variety of purple

 

And I painted the bathroom

 

Tackling those cupboards next. Anyone know the best way to do that? Spray paint? Help!

Today’s workout was courtesy, once again, of Tina from Best Body Bootcamp. It was almost identical to last Monday’s sweat session, except we did an extra set of the ‘to fatigue’ exercises. 4 rounds of upper body supersets and 20 minutes of 60/60 HIIT. I actually got to the HIIT portion just as the US Men’s Beach volleyball team played Poland, so I ditched the idea of going to the gym and did my intervals in front of the TV. After 20 minutes, the US lost and I won a lot of sweat .

 

Is it sad that one of the things I’m most excited about when I go home is my workouts? I have been in Calgary for 5 months and have been adjusting to the high altitude. I can’t wait to see my running capability when I get back to NY!

(Sidenote: I am selling my Kayak, paddle, life jacket, and Thule rack since I can’t take it back to Calgary with me. If you are in the upstate NY or Boston area and are interested, let me know! BTW, the Kayak is pink. So I’m guessing I’ll have no male takers.)

I am also excited for Frozen Dreams (this is right down the street from my parents house. I am totally walking there everyday. EVERY.DAY.), Trader Joe’s, Dunkin Donuts, and TAR-JAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY (Target, people. You have no idea how good you guys in the states have it. There are no Targets here. And I am unemployed. DO YOU KNOW how much time I can waste in that store?! SO EXCITED TO USE MY TARGET CARD. AHHHHHHHHKLKHGSLDHSDF(—-> that’s a little too much excitement). I’m also gonna buy a shitload of stuff while I’m home. I’d rather pay the $25 baggage fee per bag at the airport than have my mom ship stuff to me. Or buy it here.

(Sidenote: There are a lot of the same stores up here, but man oh man so I miss me some American Malls, y’all. Macy’s, I’m coming for you. And Urban Outfitters, watch out. Seriously)

I just mapped the route Layla and I took for our walk. We went 3 miles (4.83 kilometers). Girlfran hadda plunk it on someone’s yard for a bit. It was hot. And hilly.

 

I hosed her down when we got home. Considered doing the same to myself. But I didn’t want to scare the neighbors.

Still looking for people interested in guest blogging. I’d be insulted if you didn’t volunteer. Pleaseeeeee?!

Bunnies!

My neighborhood is infested with bunnies. Correction: small child eating hares. Yesterday, I saw about 300 of them in my front yard…and I actually got pictures to share.

 

 

 

 

BUNNNNNNIESSSSSSSSSS!

Today’s workout: Day 4 of BBB (Total Body circuit + 20 minutes of steady state cardio)

Today’s eats: Multi-grain cheerios w/almond milk, grapefruit, edamame salad, blue corn tortilla chips, 3 slices of oven roasted turkey,

chicken apple sausage w/roasted peppers (haven’t had the last one yet, but I’m about to make it as soon as I finish this post)

Today’s extracurricular: Walk w/ Layla that ended up in a mile spring home when we were stuck in a torrential downpour.

 

Homework is done, blog post is done, now I just gotta paint my nails neon for tomorrow’s 80’s party!

What’s something from your day today?!!

 

Two Workout Wednesday

Yesterday’s national tequila day resulted in this:

A grapefruit margarita from Earl’s. I was supposed to teach bootcamp last night, but when I got there, the front desk notified me that the client cancelled. So, I rung up my good friend Nicole, and we had a drink! She got a strawberry one:

 

I ended up just having dinner there as well. I had a salad with cajun chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and tortilla strips. It hit the spot. AND perfectly complimented my margie!

 

TODAY was a different story. I got my Best Body Bootcamp workout in this AM at the gym by my house, then I drove straight downtown and taught a seriously intense bootcamp. Here’s the recap!

Intervals on the treadmill:

Followed by 2 rounds of the core circuit given to us for Week 1.

SWEATY!

Then, at bootcamp:

Each move was performed for 50 seconds with 10 seconds of rest. Each round was done 2x through. In the first round, the 3rd and 4th move were done with the left leg, and in the 2nd round the right leg. Got it?

Round 1

  • weighted squats
  • jump squats
  • weighted lunge pulse (first time through, left leg forward. second time through, right leg forward)
  • weighted side lunge (first time through, left leg steps to the side, second time through right leg steps)

Cardio Set

  • high knees (30 sec)
  • butt kicks (30 sec)
  • 180 degree jump squats (30 sec)

Round 2

  • kettlebell swing (you can use a dumbbell)
  • squat hold
  • squat and press (hold weight in left hand, squat, and as you come up- press the weight up over your head. switch to right hand the second time through)
  • reverse lunge and twist (first round, step back with your left foot, twist your torso and the weight to the left. Second time through, do it to the right)

Cardio Set

  • high knees (30 sec)
  • butt kicks (30 sec)
  • 180 degree jump squats (30 sec)

Ab Circuit

  • Crunches
  • V-ups
  • Plank holds (60 sec)
  • Bicycle crunches
  • leg lifts
  • 2x

My workout plan for this bootcamp was inspired by Day 2 of the Best Body Bootcamp workout- my class loved it!

******

Tonight’s dinner was the Chicken Enchilada pasta that I posted yesterday. And it didn’t disappoint. It was super easy to make, even easier to eat, and I’m guessing the leftovers are going to taste best!

 

I’m off to walk the pup!

Tomorrow, I’ll be talking about bunnies. No, really.

Still looking for anyone interested in writing a guest post. Contact me!

 

 

Frittata-ing and Sweating

Gah. I am sore this morning. I’m getting old, so I’m sore just about every morning. But this time, it’s from a super sweaty workout I did last night. I was dripping with sweat halfway in, and couldn’t wait to get this thing done. Afterwards (aka: after I caught my breath and could stand upright), I was pumped to get it under my belt. I’ll give you the workout, but first I want to recap yesterday’s eats first(and a recipe!)

Breakfast: Multi-Grain Cheerios with almond milk….in my new bowl!

Lunch: Plain 0% Greek yogurt, salsa and a dash of taco seasoning (eaten with blue corn organic tortilla chips)

 

Oops. I already ate it before I could get the shot.

Dinner: FRITTATA! I searched around the internet for a recipe, and ended up concocting my own (to make do with what was in the fridge)

 

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup diced zucchini
  • 1/4 cup diced onion
  • 1/2 cup quartered tomatoes
  • 1 cup cooked ground beef (I added a touch of taco seasoning to mine)
  • 6 eggs
  • salt
  • pepper
  • basil
  • olive oil
  • 1/3 cream cheese (I used light)

Directions

1. Heat 2 tsp of olive oil on a 10 inch skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini and onions; stirring for 1 minute. Cover the skillet, stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes, until zucchini is tender but not mushy. Add the tomatoes, basil and desired amount of salt and pepper, and cook until the moisture is gone- about one minute.

2. In a bowl, whisk eggs. Add the zucchini mixture, ground beef, cream cheese, and additional salt and pepper if desired.

3. Set the broiler to low. Clean 10 inch skillet, then coat with olive oil (about 2 tsp). Put the skillet over medium-low heat. Add the frittata mixture. Allow it to cook for approx 4-5 minutes; until edges are browning. As this is cooking, lift the edges and tilt the pan to allow uncooked egg to cook.

4. Take skillet and place in the broiler for about 3-4 minutes; until top is golden. Slide onto plate and serve

******

Now, the workout you’ve been waiting for. All you need is a set of weights. This should take you about 45 minutes. Each set will be titled with a set of numbers. You will do each exercise through for the first number of reps specified, do another set with the second number, etc. (i.e.: If it reads 1-2-3-2-1 you will do 1 pushup, 1 situp, 1 burpee, 2 pushups, 2 situps, 2 burpees, 3 pushups, 3 situps, 3 burpees, 2 pushups, 2 situps, 2 burpees, 1 pushup, 1 situp, 1 burpee. Get it? For moves requiring work on both sides- like lunges- you will do that number of reps for each side.)

Get ready to sweat!

Pyramid/Cardio Progression Workout

10 minute warm up (dance around, hop on an elliptical, walk the dog)

5-7-9-7-5

  • weighted lunges
  • 180 jump squats
  • jump squats

2 minute cardio blast: 30 sec. jumping jacks, 30 seconds jump rope x2

9-11-13-11-9

  • bicep curl
  • overhead press
  • single leg deadlift

2 minute cardio blast: 30 sec. plank jacks, 30 sec. jog in place x2

13-15-17-15-13

  • crunches
  • leg lifts
  • heel taps

2 minute cardio blast: 30 sec. toe taps, 30 sec. jump rope x2

DONE!

(see what I did there? Progressed those pyramids to increase in reps. I’m so clever. Bwahaha)

Check out those sweaty gams. Ps: I have no idea why there appears to be a dimple in my right knee.

 

And in other news: Prior to my legs getting drenched in sweat, Layla and I hit the pavement for a walk. It was hot, and she has a fur coat on. Not a good combo. Her AC was on high for quite some time post-walk.

 

And now, I get to spend my Friday doing homework. Because apparently this week the professor wanted to bombard us with work. One paper would have been fine. But, I get to do TWO group projects (do you have any idea how hard that is when your group members are scattered all over the world?!!) and some blogs (that should be easy since I am kinda doing something similar -ummmm- now).

What has everyone got in store for the weekend?