Forgotten Cookies and a Circuit Workout (because cookies and workouts go together)

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

You’d think with all this free time I have that I’d be able to keep up with blogging everyday. You’d think.

Yesterday afternoon, Layla started drooling like CRA-ZAY. Tyler thinks her drooling is linked to her butt issue (oh, you don’t know about the butt issue? She starts yelping and getting in downward dog position. Apparently her anal glands fill with fluid, so she has to have them expressed at the vet) so of course, I was on edge all last night about it.

The drooling from yesterday made it inevitable that she would start yelping today, but so far so good (knock on wood).

In light of some butt-talk, I have a cool recipe for ya: Forgotten cookies!

I don’t think you could mess these up if you tried. They’re called forgotten cookies because you can mix the ingredients together, put them in the oven and forget about them!

Ingredients

2 egg whites
pinch of salt
2/3 sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat the egg whites and salt until they get foamy. Slowly add the sugar (still beating), and continue until the mixture form stiff peaks.
Fold in the vanilla, chocolate chips, and nuts. Spoon onto baking sheets.
Place the cookies in the oven. As soon as your shut the oven door, turn the oven off and leave the cookies in there overnight (or 5-6 hours).

Yum.

Yesterday, I also got my Glymm Box in the mail.

A couple of goodies: lip gloss, fake eyelashes, $10 gift card, nail polish remover, and $20 off a panty of the month club (umm, no thanks).

Tyler and I are having a date night on Friday, so I’m thinking of slapping those lashes on the ol’ eye curtains. I predict I’ll either look like a drag queen or….a drag queen.

For your entertainment:

The 12 Daze of Christmas (performed by Fay McKay) If you’ve never heard it, you’ll get a chuckle. *and a tree….and a tree…and a treeeeee innn the meaaaadowwwwww*

(Not gonna lie, I’m sitting here staring at my computer trying to think of what to write next. I have nothing else to do except an at home workout that I have yet to write)

Ok, perhaps we should do that! (Give me 5 minutes so I can write it on paper first, then I’ll type it.)

….5 minutes later…

GOT IT. Here’s my workout for the evening that I choose to share with you:

Warm up tabata: alternating between skiiers and jump squats

5 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of:

10 bicep curls
20 reverse lunges
10 crunches
20 donkey kicks

Cardio tabata: alternatig between jumping jacks and side to side lunges

5 minute AMRAP of:

10 deadlifts
20 overhead press crunch
10 sit-n-stands
20 prone ball glute press

Cardio tabata: alternating between mountain climbers and jump rope

Polish it off with the following at your own pace:

50 single leg stability ball squat (each side)
50 pushups
50 leg lifts

What’s your favorite holiday song? What’s your favorite go-to exercise at home?

Pv.body. and stuff.

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Insert proper Monday morning (ok, afternoon) greeting here.

For some reason, I had WAY too much P&V yesterday. I was running around the house, doing laundry, playing with the pup, and annoying Tyler.

Oh, and BAKING. Love me some baking. And after a gallon of delicious Tim Horton’s coffee, I needed me some sugar and buttah.

Then this happened.

It was super duper easy to make. I threw together a batch of brownies. For this baking endeavor, I used this recipe (including the attached recipe for frosting).

I then made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and took spoonfuls and placed them over the brownie mixture. Baked at 350 for 35 minutes. Topped with the frosting them a little holiday decor, and BAM

Insert 30 minute blogging intermission while I called people in NY to book hair and makeup for the w-e-d-d-i-n-g.

I got in a SWEET workout yesterday. 30 minutes of spin. It was SUPER sweaty and I’m pretty sure my face was beet red for at least hours.

Then, MORE TACOS!

This time it was slow cooked steak and sriracha-slaw mayo in corn tortillas. Yum.

Couple of things: I am currently watching the Bachelor Wedding that I taped last night. 1-800-CORNY. US Weekly will report their divorce in approx. months. That’s just my guess.

Also, have you noticed that a ton of bloggers are having a day of no blogging in respect to the shootings in CT? But they POST that they’re not posting that day. Makes no sense. My guess is that the post still generates views which appeases their advertisers which still makes them money. Just a guess. Not trying to detract from the notion of remembering those lost last Friday (no trying to be disrespectful AT ALL!).

Don’t be mad at me for writing that. It’s just my opinion.

Oh hey, so today my pv.body order arrived this morning!

I specifically submitted in my style quiz that I like black crops and racerbacks, yet ended up with bright pants and a long sleeved top. I sent them an e-mail asking where the mixup was. Strangely though, I loved both pieces! I think the leggings will be worn more for casual wear rather than workouts, but the top is super thin and breathable and has thumbsleeves which is awesome.

Interested in signing up for this awesome monthly fitness wear subscription? Click here and you can get 20% of the price! You can cancel any time, and they honor exchanges if you get incorrect sizes. If you order, let me know! And, tell me what you think when you get your package!

Check out this 2012 Pop Music Mashup:

This is now in the crockpot:

I’ll talk about how delicious (I’m hoping it will be) tomorrow.

I totally just purged my entire email inbox. Feels really good.

I already pretend to be on a “sick day” when delivery people come to the door and I answer it at 1pm in my PJ’s.

Tyler has a SWEET ugly-ass christmas sweater that I can wear to said-themed party tomorrow.

I had another nightmare last night that made me sit up and scream in the middle of the night. It was a a combination of Survivor (did you watch the finale last night?!!) and my on-and-off sleep paralysis.

What’s your favorite piece of workout clothing? Favorite thing to make in the crockpot? Favorite thing about this post? Favorite thing about December?

Sunday Blogging

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Simultaneously blogging while watching Home Alone 2 on a Sunday. Ambitious.

But what do I have to blog about? Nothing, really. This is where I ask you, dear readers of this silly little blog, to give me some suggestions. Have questions you want me to answer? Want me to write about a certain something? Let me know. Otherwise, the next 7 months of blogging will consist of only Layla pictures, crap I’ve baked, and my workouts. That gets slightly boring.

To briefly recap the weekend thus far: Friday afternoon I did a nice SWEATY home circuit workout.

Each set is done 3x through before moving on to the next (if it’s one side-specific, 10 reps for each side=1 set). Each move will consist of 10 reps.

Stability ball split squats
Weighted pliet squat

Bicep curls
Up-Down plank (5 with right arm leading, 5 left)

Gliding curtsy lunges
Single leg deadlifts

Pushups
Overhand grip standing row

I alternated the moves in each set (ex: 10 pushups, 10 row, 10 pushups, 10 row, 10 pushups, 10 row) and completing the set 3x through without rest. 1-2 minute rest between each completed set.

Tyler came home with an awesome bag of goodies that were being handed out downtown. AND IT WAS FROM TARGET! OHMYGODIMSOEXCITED.

A sweet reusable bag with even sweeter shades

A fleece throw and a snow/ice scraper thingy.

Friday night was spent on the couch (BOOOOOO-RING). A nice little dinner and Elf.

Saturday’s face:

Tyler was working pretty much ALL DAY yesterday, so Layla and I had even more quality bonding time. We watched The Holiday, then went to the park for about an hour or so.

I started to get really bored, so I randomly got dressed up (it lasted for about 15 minutes before I switched back to jammies) I think I was influenced to dress up because I was watching RHONY. As soon as a wedding show came on, I was all F this noise and F these tights, I’m getting comfy y’all. Anyways- here’s the get-up:

Today was an early wakeup- obviously because of football, but also because we hadn’t yet submitted our picks. Tyler ran to the store to submit them, and came back with Tim Horton’s. Good guy. Good, good guy.

So, ummmmmmm, yeah that’s all I got.

Best Body Bootcamp is over, so I’m actually going to have to plan my own strength workouts. At least until the next round of BBB starts up in January.

This commercial is hilarious:

http://youtu.be/RzbcuwtFCJQ

I started watching Dexter.

The neighbors behind us have all their Christmas lights and blow up things in their backyard. I don’t understand. Backyard? Then only *I* can enjoy them. Thanks, I guess.

Let’s talk about the pigeon lady in Home Alone 2. I never liked her.

The guy from here:

(Source)

Is THIS GUY:

(Source)

Never made the connection before. Crazy pants.

Give me suggestions/questions for future posts

Or, leave me something random.

Thanks!

1-10 Friday

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Happy Friday!

I have no cohesive post to write, so this random blurb of words is about to happen. Sit down, grab a drink and enjoy.

1. Yesterday I worked out. Hahahah DUH! I always work out. I went to the gym before noon (which hasn’t happened in a long time) and I ran on the treadmill for 40 minutes, then 10 minutes on the row machine. I counted the row machine as a strength workout because it kills the core, arms and legs. I intended on staying on the treadmill for an hour, but my legs were feeling heavy from the lower body workout the night before.

I even tried foam rolling for about 30 minutes prior to working out, but it didn’t seem to help that much. Ah well.

2. I can’t believe I am about to type this, but I think I like having brown(er) hair. Perhaps that’s just winter talking. But I am actually getting ahead of myself and thinking that it would go best with my wedding dress. Ew, I’m thinking about that kinda stuff? Yuck. But seriously, I think it will.

3. Last night’s dinner was YUMMO. I made a lightened up version of chicken broccoli alfredo. Real quick, here’s what I did.

Sliced 2 chicken breasts, cooked fully, set aside
Oil, garlic and crown of broccoli florets, sauteed and covered to steam until cooked to desire.
No Yoke pasta noodles, cooked according to directions.

That’s the easy part, now here’s the sauce.

1. In a saucepan, add 1 tbsp oil and 3 cloves minced garlic.

2. Add 1 cup low fat milk and 1/2 cup vegetable broth.

3. Slowly add 1 tbsp of flour to mixture at a time, stirring constantly to ensure there are no clumps. You should add about 5 tbsp of flour total. (Start using a whisk, damnit!)

4. Add 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, 1 tbsp pesto paste, and 1/4 cut grated parmesan cheese.

5. Keep stirring, lower heat.

6. Add chicken, broccoli and noodles. Stir. Eat.

7. I topped mine with sirarcha and loved it.

4. We are on to phase 2 of our beer making. I’m getting more excited for it.

5. I was watching Jersey Shore this morning and thought to myself about how sucky it would be if I were at one of those clubs when the cast was there and they referred to me as a grenade. Because honestly, a lot of those ‘grenades’ aren’t ugly, they’re just not guidettes or whatever.

6. My recent downloads. Very alternative. And I actually listened to it while working out yesterday- and didn’t get bored! I suggest you try it.

7. This article hits home a bit. Part of the tragedy of moving so much.

8. I think cleaning the kitchen has finally surpassed making the bed as my least favorite household chore.

9. I have realized that we almost NEVER get mail on Thursdays or Fridays. Super disheartening. That said, feel free to mail me letters, gifts, postcards, etc.

10. Ok this post is stupid. SO, I am going to stop here, press Publish for some stupid reason, and go work out or something.

FPP reveal and an AWESOME offer!

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Hey guys, happy Friday!

As you may know, I participate in the foodie pen pal program run by Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean.

Every month, Linsday pairs all participants with a partner in their respective country. You are assigned to send your partner foodie gifts not to exceed $15. Then, on the last day of the month, she hosts a reveal day on her blog for everyone to share! (If you are interested in signing up, it is a bit different for December- she is having people donate to charity for Hurricane Sandy. I am assuming it will resume back to ‘normal’ in January. The sign up info is on her blog linked above).

I actually didn’t get my pen pal package until yesterday afternoon, so I haven’t had the opportunity to try any of the items (Lindsay has us send our packages by the 15th every month to allow time for delivery and the recipient to try the stuff). Here’s what I got:

First off, I am super appreciative of this package. I signed up to connect with other Canadians and to try new foods. The SkinnyGirl Granola bars sound yummy and delish, but I don’t normally eat granola bars, so it might be awhile before I get to those. I also don’t use sweeteners. The ginger chocolate I might save for a brownie recipe or something; ginger is way too sophisticated of a taste for me! All this things I will probably use when I am playing around in the kitchen for recipes. We shall see. Thanks, Kim! 🙂

Yesterday’s workout:

I wanted to make sure I could get in some cardio last night before my meds kicked in, so I ran to the gym real quick and busted out a cool 22 minutes on the treadmill and 10 minutes on the row machine. I have been so off my Best Body Bootcamp workouts this week, but I have still pushed myself pretty hard, and have been sore the last few days (I haven’t been sore from any of the workouts from this Round of Bootcamp). My treadmill workout consisted of a couple repeats of intervals: decreasing the time with each interval while increasing speed.

The row machine I haven’t used in AGES. I thought it felt pretty good last night, but soon learned this morning when I tried to scratch my back, that I am super sore. woo hoo!

So here’s some pretty exciting news…..

I was recently contacted by the people at pv.body- they started a monthly subscription program where subscribers take a quick fitness quiz and receive a package every month with one workout top and one workout bottom specifically chosen to fit their fitness activities. The best part is that they use top brands- EVEN LULULEMON– and upcoming brands as well. For just $39 a month, you get over $130 worth of fitness attire! Anyways, they contacted me to see if I was interested in participating in the program. I of course said yes, AND I want to share this awesome stuff with you guys!

If you click on THIS LINK, you will be directed to the pv.body website to sign up. Not only that, but through that link, you will get 20% off the regular price of $39. Act quick, because today is the LAST DAY that monthly subscriptions are offered at this price! If you sign up today, you will be locked into the $39 price. But, starting December 1, subscriptions will raise ten dollars to $49/mo. (You can still save 20% after today- so long as you click on the above link that I have provided).

I have already signed up- but since it is a new program, they do not yet ship to Canada. I am having my box sent to my parent’s house in NY so that I can still be involved in the program. Trust me, I’ll be doing a review post AS SOON as I get it! If you do live in Canada and want to be a part of the program, I highly recommend you sent the wonderful people at pv.body an email 😉

In case you don’t feel like scrolling up, Here’s the link again!

*Note: I got an email today from the company stating that the 20% discount is not currently being applied at check out due to technical issues. They have let me know that anyone who signs up through my link with be refunded the 20% AS SOON as the technical issue is fixed!*

What do you think of monthly subscriptions? To to subscribe to any? Favorite workout from the week?

Share me please!

Share me please!

Share me please!

Share me please!

Share me please!