It’s Monday and I’m back on Track

 

Last week was interesting and very frustrating, and I was going to write all about it on here, but decided that it would just ruin my good mood. Hence, no recap. It’s in the past and I do not want to think about it.

On the very bright note, my Monday started out with a free morning and afternoon. So I went to the gym. I fixed my membership issues, which should allow me to have access to my online account now.

I spent 35 minutes on a stationary bike, per recommendation of my doctor.This was the first time I was on a stationary bike, and I think I like it. I might even take a spinning class in the near future.

Even though it only burned 150 calories in the 35 minutes I spent on the bike, I could feel it working my quads, and my knee didn’t hurt once.

After the gym I headed over to Shane Co. To get my ring cleaned and another one resized. Another, thing off my to do list is complete now.

When I got home, I wasn’t too hungry but knew I should eat something, so I made myself a fruit and cheese plate.

I had aged Gouda and some Gruyere, which are two of my favorite cheeses. A whole black plum, half of a Granny Smith apple, some grapes (which were super sweet and awesome) and a few butter crackers. It hit the spot and was defiantly a good choice.

For now, I’m going to finish drying my hair and head out to the library to try and teach a 10 year old to like reading. If you have any suggestions of books or tips on getting a kid to learn to like reading, I’d greatly appreciate you sharing. 

PS: Don’t forget about my very first give away

What’s On Your Mind Wednesdays

 

There is a lot on my mind today, so I am linking up with a newly discovered blogger, who’s blog I am loving. Tanya over at A Taste of Tanya has the cutest blog, and you should check it out. 

 

If you read my previous post for the Wednesday Wants, you’ll see what is preoccupying my mind today. Life is too short, and no one is guaranteed a tomorrow, so please don’t take today for granted and live as if it was your last day. And please, please, please keep the Higuchi family in your prayers.

I’m also wondering how well I did on my Chem quiz, I felt that I knew what I was doing, but honestly that’s when I get the worst grades, when I feel like I know.

The gloomy weather out here is making me really consider a move to Florida where we could live on the beach and go to a school a block away.

I am dreaming of taking a year to travel the world, maybe two.

I’m looking forward to the gym and Body Pump, hoping to get my knee working again. I also hope that it doesn’t start acting up again.

Really craving some Italian food, but really don’t know why.

And finally, I love Wednesdays because I get to have lunch with my grandfather who is my biggest fan. I love hearing his stories and enjoy his company over tuna sandwiches. While we are creatures of habit with our very predictable Wednesday lunches, it makes me dread the day when I am back to working full time and can’t make our lunches or when we move and I can’t have a weekly lunch with my grandpa.   

I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday filled with joys and memories.

Body Pump 77 killed my legs a little

 

 

What a phenomenal work out today!!! I am defiantly feeling my legs right now and know I will feel them even more tomorrow. Yup! It was fantastic! I almost didn’t go, just because I’m wanted to sleep in a bit longer since we went to bed around 2 AM. BUT… since I had a friend waiting for me at the gym, I got my butt out of bed and went. I am so glad I did.

Before the class I also did a 15 minute abdominal workout with one of the trainers. It was very worth it!

After the Body Pump, I grabbed a NrGize Banana Split Meal Replacement shake for my drive home. I must say it’s pretty delicious and they add extra vitamins and protein. So pretty much it is winning! The Banana Split is a total of 300 calories and 280 carbs, which is perfect for a lunch meal and for an after workout shake.

Now I’m off to the grocery store for some healthy food buyin’.

I’ll be back later today with a Day 7 Post for 25 Days of Fitness!

We’ll be talking about some good power foods!

Y’all have a great Sunday!!!

PS: Check out the new Body Pump music track! I really liked it!

BODYPUMP 77 tracklist

Warmup: Commander – Spacegliderz
Squats: It’s My life – Swade
Chest: DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love – Usher feat. Pitbull
Back: Hold Me Tonight (Manox Remix) – Manian
Triceps: I Like It – Tokyo Haze
Biceps: Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom) – Shinedown
Lunges: Only Girl In The World (E-Nergy Remix) – Nick Skitz vs DJ Lotus
Shoulders: Ti Sento – Scooter
Abs: We No Speak Americano – Yolanda Be Cool vrs DCUP
Cooldown: One Last Chance – Daughtry

(Source: NZ Glen: BodyCombat fanatic)

Introducing 25 Days of Fitness

For the past week, I have put all extra activities on hold to study up on Chemistry and the exam coming up on Monday. From Monday to today I’ve really felt a lacking in energy, inability to gain a good nights sleep and constantly feeling tired. Not only that, but my skin has gone bezzerk on me, and started breaking out like mad. Granted I break out when I am stressed, but not to the level of breakouts that I am having right now, so I am contributing all the negatives to my lack of working out.

In order to keep myself motivated I’d like to introduce you to my 25 Days of Fitness Challenge! But first let me tell ya about this new deliciousness that I have discovered! 

Say hello to my little friend FAGE!! It is the king of all Greek Yogurts, and I love it plain, with home made cottage cheese, with fruits, on crackers and any other way that you can think of eating yogurt. It reminds me of my grandmothers homemade strained yogurt, and it is AH-mazing!



This was my breakfast. Two tablespoons of Fage plain 2% yogurt, with 3 fresh strawberries, and a 1/4 cup of Udi’s Hawaiian flavored granola. It was so good! I use to make this with just regular yogurt, and it was good, but no where near as good!

       

I couldn’t help myself, and for lunch I had some more of Fage! This time I made a plate with some Honey Oat granola bites, grapes, and a mix of home made cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. It was unbelievably good!

Bottom line, if you have been on the hunt for a new Greek Yogurt, tries this one. I’ve tried several other brands, and none of them have compared to this! YUM!

 25 Day Fitness Challenge!

I am challenging myself and anyone else who’d like to play along, to go 25 straight days with at least 30 minutes of some kind of an exercise! Studies conducted by the American Heart Association show the following:

Even moderately intense physical activity such as brisk walking is beneficial when done regularly for a total of 30 minutes or longer on most or all days.   

The benefits of regular exercise are crucial to good health. My grandfather was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent a surgery that removed the lower lobe of his left lung. He survived the surgery, and is back at home after only 6 days in the hospital due to his excellent health, which shows when he rides his bike for 80 miles at the age of 78. The American Heart Association states the following regarding regular exercise:

Regular aerobic physical activity increases your fitness level and capacity for exercise. It also plays a role in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke and is linked to cardiovascular mortality.
Regular physical activity can help control blood lipid abnormalities, diabetes and obesity. Aerobic physical activity can also help reduce blood pressure.
The results of pooled studies show that people who modify their behavior and start regular physical activity after heart attack have better rates of survival and better quality of life. Healthy people — as well as many patients with cardiovascular disease — can improve their fitness and exercise performance with training.

So whether its getting up and going out for a walk, running, jogging, lifting weights, or taking a class such as Body Pump or an at home program like P90X, I encourage you to do at least 30 minutes of it, for 25 days and let me know how you feel afterwards.

I’ll be starting my challenge on Monday, right after I am done with my Chemistry Test! I’ll have a badge to grab up sometime before Monday!

Good News Monday

I am really starting to hate the weather in Colorado. It’s unpredictable, and changes every 15 minutes… literally!

This morning, I had to put on a winter coat because it was snowing, and it was snowing good! There was a layer on the cars parked outside, on rooftops and on the laws. My drive to school was an average of 15 miles an hour due to the snow, poor visibility and people who freak out when there is “wet” on the road.

By the time I got to the school parking lot, it had stopped snowing, a there was a light sprinkle of rain. When I got out of class, it was overcast with no rain. Then when I was walking back to school from my visit to my old office it was raining AGAIN. By the time I talked to my professor and started walking towards my car it was sunny and HOT. … Come on Colorado make up your mind!

Now that my rent is over, I can say that I had a fantastic morning visiting with my friend, who I use to work with downtown. We had coffee and breakfast!



The above mixture of yogurt, fruit and granola is one of our favorites of all time. To recreate this just follow these easy steps:

[1] Get your favorite flavor of yogurt (plain works as well)
[2] Cut up some fruit, my favorite is banana with berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and so on)
[3] Get your favorite granola

Mix the above ingredients together for a delicious, light and super easy breakfast!  

After my breakfast, I headed back to school for a meeting with my chemistry professor and give her my sob story. Well it turns out that as long as I pass my next two exams I should be good to go for graduation.

Hence, I will be cramming for chemistry in the hopes that I will actually graduate as planned in May!
The next set of good news is that my grandfather’s cancer is all out, and he is recovering fast and breathing at a 100% without extra oxygen and with only 3/4 of his lung power.

WOOHOOO!!!

When I got home I made myself a plate of leftovers, since I was starving!!!



Some BBQ chicken and mac ’n’ cheese. It was okay. The chicken didn’t taste right, so I didn’t eat all of it, but the mac ‘n’ cheese was awesome. I think it should be a food group of its own.

   

I accompanied my lunch with some Pomegranate and Honey Green Tea, and finished up my lunch with some chocolate mousse!!

Now, I’m going to attempt to make lasagna from scratch for dinner!

 

Spring is in the Air – Day 5

 

Once again, I’m sorry this is a little late. I was at the hospital longer then planned, and had a nice chat with my grandfather about random topics that we always seem to talk about. As an update, he is doing great and should be moving from the ICU to a regular room with a discharge date of Monday or Tuesday.

 

Today is the last day for the Spring is in the Air Blog Challenge with Amber and Meghan.

Today’s Question is:

What recipe or food do you look forward to most during the Spring time?

I am addicted to eating, and eating all kinds of food. When Spring and Summer come around I start craving fresh and light food.

For example: TACOS!!!

 

When I’m in the mood I make my tacos super fancy with home made pico de gallo!!!

 

My recipe for pico de gallo is pretty easy, but I don’t have exact measurements. I kind of eyeball everything and toss it up, taste it and if it’s missing a flavor or needs more of one I just add it. One of these days I’ll actually write down the recipe and give exact measures. However, everyone including the husband LOVES my salsa!

Here is what you need:

2 to 3 Roma Tomatoes (gutted and diced)

1 to 2 Jalapenos (diced)

2 to 3 cloves of garlic (crushed)

1/4 to 1/2 of a red onion (diced)

handful of cilantro (chopped)

1 to 2 lemons

salt

pepper

Here is what you need to do:

After chopping and dicing everything up, combine the tomatoes, jalapenos, garlic, onion and cilantro in a bowl. Then squeeze in one lemon, careful not to drop the seeds in there! Add about a teaspoon or two of salt and pepper. Mix well and taste.

I usually like the jalapeno flavor to be there but not overpower everything else. You also have to be careful with the lemon, sometimes one is just right, sometimes you need one and a half and so on. So really its up to your little taste-buds to decide what to do. If you like it spice add the second jalapeno, or more salt or not salt at all. This is a recipe that I just pulled together one day when I was in a desperate need of pico de gallo but didn’t want the store bought one. It turned out great, and now I just tweak it depending on what I feel like having.

PS… my mom also adds this pico de gallo to her avocado mix to make a spicy guacamole!!!

ENJOY!!!     

 

And I am back…

After a very interesting weekend spend with my mom and mother-in-law in the middle of the no where “scrapbooking.”

While I love photography, putting pictures together and making memories, this weekend was full of uncomfortable beds, bitchy women and no internet. 

I had so much to do between Thursday and Friday afternoon when we left that I wanted to shoot myself in the foot or just hide in my bed!!!

But now I am back. Somewhat sane, and ready to get cracking on work! I started out this morning with much productivity and have been moving along at a pretty impressive pace (at least for my slow-poke and procrastinating self).



This sight I saw as I drove to work this morning! It was beautiful, and this picture taken on my phone (while driving … oops) does it no justice. Sights like these are the reason I love CO so much. The mountains peaks covered in a sheet of white snow with amazing sunrise colors!



While Irina and I worked away, I had a toasted bagel with a cup of vanilla latte. It was satisfying and kept me going until I got home for lunch! While at Barnes & Nobel, I picked up a book for Donald’s Grandma’s birthday and will be sending it to her tomorrow with my mother-in-law.



My nails were chipped and yucky, so I repainted once I got home. This is my construction orange, the color is an old OPI I have called It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s OPI. I don’t know how I feel about this color.


What y’all think?

                  

Lunch consisted of some hot green tea, much needed on a cloudy and some what chilly day, and a sandwich made with prosciutto and smoked gouda on French bread!

It was fantastic!

Now I must run to work, but expect another post with my run update and some packing tips later tonight!

<3 Z