Tuesday, April 26, 2011

a little bit of everything...

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the MN. While I was not able to get out during the day to enjoy it, I had the window down on the ride home from work and was greeted by my husband working in the yard when I got home. He loves being outside and doing little projects around the house and it is fun to see him have that opportunity since we live in a house. He didn’t have those opportunities in the apartments we have lived in.

Today is quite the opposite however. It is cold and rainy. For sure a day I could have easily crawled back into bed! I spent last night making some more WW healthy cookies and some cookies to cheer a coworker up who has had a crazy week which is trickling into this week too.

I am getting excited for a relaxing weekend as I have no real plans except to go out Saturday night with my Auggie ladies! We are looking at hotel rooms DT so it could be a wild night!

Tomorrow night we will be heading to our first Twinkies game of the season, as long as it is not rained out and Thursday I am going to a book signing by the author of my favorite blog, www.mattlogelin.com. Super excited for this opportunity! And then, Friday morning will be a grand occasion as I will be completely and utterly focused on my tv watching the Royal Wedding. My mom and I may even head to Brit’s Pub to take in the occasion with an early morning brunch!

I am not sure why I am so obsessed with the Royal Wedding. It could be the little part of me that bleeds red, white, and maple leaf. Yes, of course no one can be Canadian unless they have citizenship there but my dad’s side of the family is Canadian and that has had an influence on my life. We compared my great grandma to the Queen Mum, and I can remember my grandma playing Elton John’s tribute song on the piano, and I even remember being in 8th grade and saying I was going to marry Prince William! None the less, the Royal Wedding is a huge historical event in my mind, and being a history buff, I am excited to watch this piece of history live.

I remember when I was maybe 10 or 11, Princess Diana has just died, and my parents woke us up to watch her funeral. We all crawled into their King size bed and watched from their small bedroom tv. These are memories and occasions I want to be a part of and always remember and this will be an especially great event as it is a joyous historical occasion taking place!

Monday, April 25, 2011

i crave the good stuff...

I love reading blogs for two reasons. One, I am a snoopy person and I like seeing how others live their lives. Two, I like seeing how others live their lives while watching what they eat and exercising. And my favorite part of the later is when recipes get posted, especially if they include WW points values!

I have posted some of my favorite recipes on here, but really, there are so many I have not even tried yet! Ah, the future holds so many possibilities! But I am not going to miss out on one of them! I have started a binder specifically for recipes I find online. I copy and paste it into word, include the url of where I got it (I am a stickler for citing my sources), print it off, three whole punch it, bring it home and store it for later! It really is quite ridiculous how much more I am cooking being on WW. I mean, you name it. Cookies, breads, meats, desserts, side dishes. There are endless possibilities and I have only run into one or two things I really did not like.

So with all this cooking and baking of sweets, and treats, and rich decedent dishes, one might ask, how are you not indulging and over doing it? While, that is actually pretty easy! I mean, it is not EASY. Of course I would love to sit down with a big bag of cookies and down them all every once in a while, but that is part of will power! I am still working on that but I have gotten much better over the past few months! Alright, back on track. Reasons I don’t (or try not to) overindulge.

· One, D. Lo has purchased an extra freezer! I freeze everything from cookies to breads to baked spaghetti and what not! Have I showed you my baked spaghetti recipe? I will post it below! But yeah, I freeze everything!



· Two, and quite a nice trick here. Share your treats with other friends trying to watch what they are eating! Nothing like brightening a person’s day with a treat that actually won’t break their bank! Actually, share with all your friends. I bring 2p+ cookies to work and everyone is shocked when I tell them they are WW friendly.

· And the third part of my success is to make treats that really allow you to indulge in a few, not just one! 2p+ cookies allow you to have 2 or 3, or maybe one on top of some light ice cream! I just feel it is important to not deprive myself so rather than banish this food, I just make it easier to enjoy in smaller proportions!

There, so now you have a few tips to help you enjoy some nummy treats without over doing it!

Friday, April 22, 2011

pink...

This is a song by Pink and honestly, I will probably never ever get sick of it, which is rare as I usually hear a song about 20 times and then I am SOOOOO over it...but not this one. And that is not because of the beat, or the sound, or Pink's voice, although those are all really great in this song. Nope, it is none of that that attracts me to this song but rather the words. When you really listen, and take it in, they just hit, deep, and I love! And love her for putting it out! Here are the words but consider getting it on itunes...it's worth it!

(I am including the original lyrics with the naughty words!...naughty words are good now and then!)

I have also taken the liberty to bold my favorite part...enjoy!

Pink - Fuckin’ Perfect Lyrics

Made a wrong turn
Once or twice
Dug my way out
Blood and fire
Bad decisions
That’s alright
Welcome to my silly life
Mistreated, misplaced, missundaztood
Miss “no way it’s all good”
It didn’t slow me down
Mistaken
Always second guessing
Underestimated
Look, I’m still around…

Pretty, pretty please
Don’t you ever, ever feel
Like your less than
Fuckin’ perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
You’re fuckin’ perfect to me

You’re so mean
When you talk
About yourself
You are wrong
Change the voices
In your head
Make them like you
Instead
So complicated
Look how big you’ll make it
Filled with so much hatred
Such a tired game
It’s enough
I’ve done all i can think of
Chased down all my demons
see you same


Pretty, pretty please
Don’t you ever, ever feel
Like your less than
Fuckin’ perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing

You’re fuckin’ perfect to me
The world stares while i swallow the fear
The only thing i should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in lying and I tried tried
But we try too hard, it’s a waste of my time
Done looking for the critics, cuz they’re everywhere
They don’t like my genes, they don’t get my hair
Stringe ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that?
Why do I do that?
Why do I do that?

Ooh, pretty pretty pretty,
Pretty pretty please don’t you ever ever feel
Like you’re less then, fuckin’ perfect
Pretty pretty please if you ever ever feel
Like you’re nothing you’re fuckin’ perfect, to me
You’re perfect
You’re perfect
Pretty, pretty please don’t you ever ever feel like you’re less then, fucking perfect
Pretty, pretty please if you ever ever feel like you’re nothing you’re fucking perfect to me

Thursday, April 21, 2011

it really never goes as planned...

Well my plans for an amazing week were caught a bit off guard. While I had every intention of relishing the bounty of grandness this week held, my immune system was not on board and sabotaged the week with one hell of a cold.

Sunday night once my hockey weekend ended, I took in a 4.5 mile run! I felt on top of the world! I am in love with running right now and I like it even more when it is a good run and I can really push myself. Then I headed to CPK and a movie with my bff Alyssa! Great way to end a busy weekend and I felt relaxed!

But then, it hit!

I woke up Monday morning with a nasty head cold. I decided to stay home from work, and I slept a bit, but my cold pretty much kept me up.

Tuesday I forced myself into work, and after a crap load of medicine, I began to feel better. Since it was on that day 9 years ago that my husband asked me to prom, we decided to still head out and celebrate and I tried my hardest to be upbeat and with it. Instead of dressing up however, we went to dinner in comfy clothes, took in a relaxing movie (Arthur-go see it!), and enjoyed vodka, but with some much needed vitamin C in the form of orange juice! I went to bed and thought I was maybe on the up and up.

FALSE!

Woke up Wednesday to the worst day of the cold yet. I decided to stay home (I can not recollect ever missing two days of work in one week due to illness), and I actually got some sleep! Through this all my husband has been so amazing, taking care of my every need and giving me lots of attention and cuddling. That really is the best medicine. And all of that may have finally paid off as today is Thursday, I am still hacking up a lung, but my throat and head feel soooooo much better! My nose is bright red from blowing it but I will take that over a sore throat and throbbing head any day!

So here's to a better weekend! I have seen Laura and Dave's new house and it is beautiful! I can not wait to see it once she gets all her furniture in it! What a blessing they have been given! I couldn't be more proud/happy/excited for them!

Easter is also on the horizon and after Thursday service tonight, I am excited to take in Sunday morning church service for a renewed outlook (kind of fitting after a sick filled week) and some great family time!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

A week to already look forward to...

After a busy weekend, I will be heading into a busy week, but I really could not be more excited! My weekend thus far has been great points wise! I feel like I have held my self accountable and really counted EVERY LITTLE THING! that right there makes me excited for Thursday weigh in!

Tomorrow night I head to get my hair done! I have not had it done since January and my word does it need it! My roots are longer then the Mississippi! And what perfect time to get a new 'do then right before my 9 year dating anniversary with my man! Even though we are married, we can't let go of all that time we put in prior to saying our marriage vows so Tuesday night we will celebrate with good food and a movie. AND, I have had a dress since January just for this special day!

Is it weird that I use so many exclamation marks? I don't know what it is, I just love them! Anyways!

Wednesday will be another big day as my best friend Laura and her husband will move into their very first home! I am beyond excited for my best friend as this is an insanely huge step into adulthood! She is still young at heart but boy is she growing up and making big girl decisions! Good thing one of us is on track! So Wednesday night, they will close, and we will be there ready and waiting with paint brushes in hand. This weekend she has movers coming and then viola! They will have their homestead! I mean, seriously! What an exciting week coming up. Let's just hope my homework stays caught up with me! If it falls behind, I will be very disappointed in it!

............

Also looking forward to spending some hard core cash from these hockey weekends on Mother's Day gifts, graduation gifts, and anniversary gifts, and housewarming gifts....seriously, bring on the shopping! I love shopping and even more when there is a reason!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

food for thought...

This weekend is another weekend in the rink. Luckily it is cold and snowing outside so being inside is not too terrible. And I have set up my computer in the back so I can use my free time to hop on and do some homework. Since alot of my job is making coffee and keeping the food stocked, I am trying to pretend I am in a coffee shop, just enjoying my Saturday...a girl can dream!



Weight Watchers has been going pretty well, but last week I did gain a pound. Rightfully so as last weekend I was not as strict with my points while working the hockey event, and I had little time for work outs. But you know what, that is life! Some weeks will be good, some will be average, and some will suck. That is why I love Weight Watchers. Just because I gained a pound does not mean it is time to throw in the towel! hell no! I get to pick myself up and continue on my journey!


I am making the goal this week to not dip into my weeklies as Tuesday will be our 9 year dating anniversary and we are going out to dinner! I am also tracking EVERY LITTLE THING I PUT IN MY MOUTH! Yesterday was day one at the hockey event and I passed with flying colors! No little nibbles, no sneaking unneeded calories..if I ate it, I tracked it, and if I needed a snack, I looked for fruit or veggies or peanut butter and other healthy options! Good thing I organize the food so I make sure there are healthy options!


I am excited about this adventure, just as much today as I was at the beginning. I don't obsess over it, I just live it. That is what WW's has taught me in three months! You can eat ANYTHING, you just have to be accountable!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

making the most of it...

My husband and I do not have a boat load of money. We are a single income family, as my husband completes his schooling, and we live with my grandma. We do however rarely feel pinched with money (although I am sure my husband would disagree) but even during difficult times, I find it rewarding to still help others.

We have been blessed with insanely supportive families. Not that they throw money at us, but they love us, and encourage us, and always provide us with the smiles and generosity that bring us emotional support! Of course our families help pick up tabs, or offer financial support if we really need it, but generally, we do just fine, and I think it is largely in part to our upbringings and families. I would say we live above our means, we have luxuries like cable and we go out to dinner. And we make it a point to help others who may not be as fortunate as us.

Both of our cats were adopted from shelter situations. Faith was a feral cat that was caught and tamed. When we first got her, she was very shy, but has since come around to be the biggest softie! All she ever wants to do is cuddle and paw the bed.

And Kea is an 11 or 12 or 13 year old white cat that we got a few months back. She has a gimp leg and was one day away from being put down at animal control. We took her in, vetted her, found that she has a brighter outlook then we imagined and she too has become such a ray of sunshine in or house.

Since adopting Faith, we have donated money to the foundation we got her through. We even sponsored the spay of a kitty this past January. We send boxes of treats and cat food and catnip.

But don’t worry, it is not just the furry friends we help out! We purge our clothes often and donate to clothes closets whenever we realize we have too much crap! Chaz loves putting change in any bucket he finds sitting out helping this cause or that cause. I like to work United way and volunteer events at work, and Chaz is always asking D. Lo what he can do to make her life easier. He has cleaned her garage and her storage room and put up shelves around her house. Those things count! That’s helping another individual!

I don’t spread this message to show you what we do so that you can be proud of us and shower us with compliments. I don’t want that. I don’t need that. That is not what fuels my volunteering. I just put it out there to encourage you to find something you are passionate about and really help out. I can bet that everyone in this world, even the wealthiest of people, could use help in some way. Help comes in a variety of ways, whether it be financial, emotional, or physical. It will make you feel better and it will certainly make someone else feel better!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

piece of mind...

My husband is pretty great...even when he is a butt head!

it has been a while...

It has been a week since I last posted! I am on a every Tuesday cycle and I fail to get another post out during the remainder of the week!

This weekend was busy though so I have a bit of an excuse. We worked a hockey event and were going from sun up to sun down…well, even past sun down! It was a good weekend but I am so busy, there is really no time to be on the computer or any social media for that matter! Plus, I took any free time opportunities I had to read the new book out by Matt Logelin. I have been reading his blog since spring 2008. His wife and him are from the MN and now live in LA. She passed away the day after his daughter was born and has since been blogging about his feelings, his insecurities, and his joys. He is a great writer, and now has written a book. Needless to say, it is even better than the blog! I have been hooked and only cried once or twice! Check out his blog if you get a chance…www.mattlogelin.com. Or buy the book! I recommend it! You can also donate money to the non-profit he has set up to help other individuals who have become widows and their families. Click on the yellow link to the left of my page for more info!

In other news, I am down 22.5 pounds. I am very close to losing 10% of my starting weight! I have been a bit more lax in my counting but I am making more of an effort to actually measure (not eyeball) and track everything I munch on! I have run a few 5k’s since actually participating in the St. Patty’s 5k race around lake Calhoun. I am enjoying running a lot, I am just having to work with my shins as sometimes, they are not on the same level as me!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

family and chocolate

Last night, my brother came over and it was a perfect evening! We had dinner with D. Lo and my hubby, made some delicious treats, and went for an outdoor workout/run! It was so nice to just hang out and talk and really just banter like the good old days!

We also made these delicious Mock Moon Pie Cookies that were featured on a blog I read! You can find the recipe here!

http://danicasdaily.com/mock-moon-pie-cookies-2-points/















I made two batches. The first were a bit of a mess so I adjusted my process a bit. 1 tsp. of peanut butter and fluff proved to be a bit much so with my second batch, I spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the crackers, chilled them, spread a thin layer of fluff and chilled them again prior to dipping in the chocolate. I also found that I needed to melt more chocolate for how many I made...I think I made around 40 and needed a whole bag of chips (I used Ghiradelli chocolate chips).

I have been storing them in the freezer and can atest that they are wonderful right out of the freezer! In addition, Danica features a recipe with out the fluff for a Mock Tagalong cookie! Both are 2 p+ so I say bring on the fluff!

So that was my night last night. Dinner, treats, and my family!

Monday, April 4, 2011

day by day

Grey days like today, ones that still have a little nip of chill in the air, I want nothing more than to crawl back under my nice warm covers and just relax. In the summer, when it is warm, I feel more enticed to be active, but not when there is a bite in the air. This morning it was so hard to crawl out from under the covers and emerge from the darkness of my basement bedroom. This may have been due to the grey and dullness peeking in from outdoors, or possibly due to a bad night’s sleep, but whatever it was, I had to force myself to stop yawning while brushing my teeth and washing my face.

I actually do look forward to the varying days of the year. Each day is interesting and appealing in its own way. And my body enjoys a day like today, a day to move a little slower, push off a tedious task one more day, and just pick up a book or watch some tv.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

So many colors, so many choices

Sometimes the hardest part of a wedding is picking the colors. Yes, the bride has probably dreamed of this day for a while, but when it comes down to it, you have to pick colors that are seasonally right, colors that will look good, and colors that will essentially match your theme.

It was easy for me to pick my colors. I have always loved very traditional, rich colors, and maroon and gold have always sounded beautiful. Then when I asked the husband what he would want, and those were his exact colors, I knew our fate was sealed.















My other friends have really had to play around though to find their right combo.

Tonya planned her wedding in a few short months and really had to play around to truly find what she wanted. Of course in the end, she chose green with hints of purple and honestly, I would call the colors perfect for her! The wedding was truly reminiscent of her style!





















And another of my BFF’s, Laura, was all over the place when picking colors! Her mind changed daily and many of the colors were bold and funky! In the end, she did purple with hints of green (colors like Tonya’s but played out differently!), and I would say that the wedding was very much her style too!















The Knot.com actually has a great area on their website where you can pick your main color and see what nice pairings would be for that color. They show pictures of the colors being used and it really is helpful for those wanting to see some different color variations. Here are some great ideas for color ideas using orange as the main color.

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-colors/orange-wedding.aspx

Seriously, the orange seems to be a very fun, hip color to use! There really are so many combinations and hues out there, it really should be an enjoyable experience and true expression of the couple.

I have a wedding coming up in May and I am already so excited to see some new colors and ideas. It has been a few months since I have been to a wedding!