Day 361: New Recipe + Book Review + New Shoulder/Tricep/Chest Workout

So I ended up staying up WAY too late to finish Beyond Reach. I had to! I read 15 more pages after the blog and the killer was introduced! So had to read the other 85 to see how they did it and whatnot. The book was awesome. Had me all over the place, dead bodies turning up in crazy places and none of it seemed to make sense as it was told from multiple perspectives. Then all of a sudden it made sense – great mystery. And the end?! Crazy… can’t wait for the next book!

This morning I woke up and headed in to work still loving listening to At First Sight. Can’t wait for my new books to get in tomorrow! During lunch I walked 3.5 miles and started a new book – Stupid and Contagious (borrowed from Shana).

I only read 50 pages or so but it’s hilarious so far! After work I went back to the gym to walk another mile, then me and Stacy did shoulders, triceps and chest – this workout.


Then I headed home, had the planned dinner, packed up tomorrow’s breakfast/lunch and snacks and settled in for True Blood (weird; maybe the weirdest episode yet. Still love Eric) and Entourage (SO over Andrew...and I hate that E likes that Ashely girl. Blah).

So I forgot – here is the meatball recipe from yesterday! It was from Biggest Diabetic Loser. I used her recipe for Italian Meatballs (makes four servings) to make Spaghetti & Meatballs for two!
1 pound Laura’s beef 96/4
1/2 cup Italian style bread crumbs
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 egg
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
¼ tsp Salt, ¼ tsp pepper and ¼ tsp dried basil for taste
Other: 1 cup low-fat spaghetti sauce, 4 oz. spaghetti, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, salt and red pepper flakes to taste

Mix together the ingredients and roll into equally sized meatballs (I did mine about 1.5” in diameter). Put half in the refrigerator for another recipe. Set water to boil, and cook 4 oz. spaghetti according to package. Drain and divide into two servings. Spray a pan with olive oil nonfat cooking spray. Drop in the remaining meatballs and brown turning with tongs until the outside is brown. Add sauce to pan and continue turning meatballs until they cook through, about 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes. Stir and then serve over spaghetti. Top with parsley. Nutritional Information: 532 calories, 64 carbs, 12 fat grams and 40 protein grams.

It was good! I used the remaining meatballs in today’s lunch from For the Love of Cooking (named Baked Penne Meatball pasta) by heating the oven to 350 degrees, cooking 4 oz. pasta and adding pasta to bottom of square dish. Top with meatballs and sauce, then mozzarella cheese and parsley. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil then bake for 5 minutes. SO good!

For dinner, I made another For the Love of Cooking recipe: I call it Breakfast Fried Rice!! Basically, we used 2 servings of basmati rice, 2 eggs scrambled, 2 pieces fat-free turkey bacon cooked and crumbled, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped green onion and salt and pepper to taste. Very yummy!! Our variation only had 311 calories, 40 carbs, 11 fat grams and 13 protein grams. I forgot to take a picture but don't you worry - i'll be making it again! :)

After dinner I took it upstairs, made new leg and back/bi workouts, watched drop dead diva and am about to pass out! I ended up at 1,846 calories, 244 carbs, 57 fat grams and 91 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Days 359 & 360: Pillows, Weekly Menu and a Low-Carb Snack

Saturday ended up being a great day!! I had a wonderful trip to the grocery store and got everything I needed (and more!) for the next two weeks.


I also got to spend time with my sister and mom and got 2 dining chairs (to replace those 2 from the Ikea incident) – love ‘em! And the price was nice too (on sale for $100 each… had a couple of dings on the legs that can be easily fixed so I got 10% off!). (i'll post pics tomorrow!) They headed home after our shopping and then we got ready and went to my sister’s before heading to Twain’s for a birthday gathering for Scott! We had a great time (no pics, sorry!) – love them! The only semi-bad thing that happened was that they didn’t have “energy drinks” (i.e. no SF redbull) and if you remember the mean girl who said Reuben wasn’t cute?? Well the girl who brought her to that party was there and it came up (not by me – swear) and she was very upset – like she cried… and it was awkward and I felt like she didn’t believe that it was true. So weird. Who would make that up? Anywho – other than that it was super fun! I got home at 2 a.m. to my sister’s and we chatted with her and Zach then hit the hay. I realized I didn’t have much to eat. At all – but I ended up at 1,891 calories, 199 carbs, 29 fat grams and 78 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. And really drank - wowza!

Today I woke up STARVING! I ran downstairs at Devie’s and made a piece of toast with wheat bread and spray butter. We got Reuben ready and headed home, stopping for gas and sour gummy lifesavers (tiny pack – I had maybe a third of it!) We got home and I went straight for the fruit, and Austin made eggsadillas but I couldn’t eat all of mine.


Then I napped, watched some TV, did some laundry, and did LOTS of cooking. I made a new recipe i'll post tomorrow! Spaghetti and meatballs!! (i've made turkey ones before - these were with ground beef.


Also, I’ve decided to put my menus in the sidebar to remind myself and (hopefully) help me focus more on staying on track calorie wise- we’ll see! Here's my menu for this week!

Monday: bacon/egg/cheese muffin (b); baked penne meatball pasta (l) new!; fried rice (d) new!
Tuesday: bacon/egg/cheese muffin (b); pasta salad with veggies and chicken (l); feta & sun-dried tomato stuffed chicken with quinoa (d)
Wednesday: bacon/egg/cheese muffin (b); red curry chicken (l); greek style scampi (dinner)
Thursday: cereal + banana (b); creamy chicken tostados (l); portobellow tetrazzini
Friday: sausage & egg burrito (b); yellow curry (l); enchiladas w/chicken in verde sauce (d)
Saturday: omelet (b); summer garden pasta (l); lemon chicken (d)
Sunday: eggsadilla (b); TBD (l); TBD (d) - new stuff!

Around 8:30 I decided to take a bath – I hadn’t taken one since we moved here! It was great – read more of Karin Slaughter’s Beyond Reach, then hopped in the shower, blow dried, had a snack and did this post! Low-carb snack! Can you believe it?! haha

I ended up low today – 1,264 calories, 175 carbs, 35 fat grams and 80 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. I’m guessing it’s because I haven’t worked out since THURSDAY – wow! So not like me to go 3 days in a row. I had EVERY intention to go Saturday but there really wasn’t time! Oh well – I’m excited to get in the gym tomorrow and finish my book!!

I didn’t have time to gather all of the house photos/new stuff – but here are the new pillows in the spaces!! There’s also a pic of the pillows when they were shipped – loved it!

Happy Sunday – I hope you guys all have wonderful, sunny (no rain, please!) Mondays. I’m off to read now, bye!!

Day 358: Book Talk & Book Review….Eating My Feelings (sigh!)

Hola! So Thursday night ended up being nice! I worked on organizing my training class (typing up notes on things I want to work on; creating an action plan). I also read some more and chilled out with the fam! We’re doing SO GOOD eating what’s left at the house – it’s kind of crazy! I’m even bringing cereal to work tomorrow (with milk!) as we’re out of eggs! Very cool. Hehe I ended up at 1,860 calories, 267 carbs, 46 fat grams and 100 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

So I forgot to mention – at book club last night we chose a new book from my sister’s list! We’re going to read The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson, and we’re meeting in late September to discuss! Also, Shana (book club leader!) said I was to choose the next set of books for the book club – yay! So I need to bring 4-6 titles to the September meeting for the group to choose from. I was online purchasing ‘Swimming and looking for audio books and was like WHOA – these books sound GREAT! So I went ahead and bought them. Even though the club only reads one, I want to read/listen to them all! So here were my purchases (all audio books – it’s working wonders on my road rage!):

• Walter Moseley’s The Wave
• Janice Kaplan’s Looks to Die For
• Anita Shreve’s Last Time They Met
• James Patterson’s Sail
• Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook
• Nicholas Sparks’ The Wedding
• Mary Jane Clark’s Dancing in the Dark

I’m going to research them further to ensure they’re good book club reads, so I may put in some others for club! It just hit me – I can do my Time Traveler’s Wife review now that my club has reviewed it!



Here goes: I give it a 4 out of 5. I loved the story. I loved and believed their romance. I was very interested in his time traveling abilities, how it happened, the medical side, how he overcame it, etc. I flew through it and just enjoyed seeing how it all played out. So sad, but so good. I just thought it was a great story. Cons: there were some parts I could have dealt without – too weird, too disconnected from the story and/or didn’t add anything to the story. It took me a while to get into it. But – overall I could take the little bit of bad with the good. I cried. I laughed out loud. It was good stuff and I can’t WAIT to see the movie. Grrr Phipps Plaza grrr.

Friday started out good, but work got me down for various reasons outside my control. And I ate and ate and ate. And didn’t want to go to the gym. At all. During lunch or after work. I got home and had a long talk with Austin which made me feel SO much better, then we were off to a high school football game (Austin’s cousin is a senior this year). It was great to see Austin’s aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. His cousin won the game – yay! – then we headed home and ended up having a few glasses of wine, some snacks and great conversation! We don’t do that often enough, but it was great to just chill out together, just the two of us. I ate and drank way too much though – ending up at 2,470 calories, 331 carbs, 63 fat grams and 88 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. WAY too much food, snacks, crap. But it’s cool. Today is Saturday and I’m going to the gym and tracking BEFORE instead of the next day going…. Whoa… way too much food! Haha What do you to ensure you don’t eat more than you need? Do you track ahead of time, listen to your body, avoid random work food – what? Help me! Thanks, friends. Happy Saturday – hope you’re all have wonderful days. I’m off to read your blogs!

Head's up: My next post will be happy - i'm determined to have a good, productive day today, have fun at a birthday party tonight and I have home updates (in pictures) - woo!! :)

Day 357: A Day of Fails.... boo

Attempt: I just KNEW I could squeeze 3 miles in to the hour I was given for lunch (and get there…. Change… eat lunch). Not realistic. FAIL. I got in 2.25 miles instead.

Attempt: I wanted to be at the Grape by 6 p.m. Possible? Yes. FAIL. I got there at 6:30, but doing another 1.75 miles in the gym and heating up dinner made it impossible!

Attempt: To go see the Time Traveler’s Wife with my besties. We all get to the Grape. We have our book discussion. We walk over to the 7:40 p.m. showing at Phipps and guess what? The projector is broken and that movie is cancelled. We whip out iPhones. Nope – the other theaters all had 7:10 showings. 7:30 showings. And then 9 p.m. showings. So it didn’t work out.... FAIL.

Attempt: Hang out with Austin since clearly girls’ night out was officially ruined. Grrrr. I call him when I leave Phipps and he’s gone. Already left for poker. But says he’ll be in early. FAIL. He comes in at 11 p.m. when I’m sleeping.

Attempt: Stay under 1,900 calories. Nope.... I was tired, and carb-craving and just ate when I wasn't hungry. FAIL.

So yes, one of those days when I had the BEST intentions and exciting plans but was left disappointed and alone. Total bummer, right??!!

However, there were positives...

• I got to see the girls! Even though we didn't get to see the movie and all were in the midst of busy, hectic weeks - it was nice to see everyone, catch up, have a glass of wine, etc. I enjoyed it!
• Training went well! My training was called Collaboration For Results - all about using different communication tactics in different situations - loved it. I think it's going to help change my perspective at work (i.e., not get so dang annoyed by my perceptions of other people... here's hoping!) My trainer was AWESOME, too.
• I got to spend time with Reuben! When I got home I got in PJs, folded some laundry, cooked and ran the dishwasher. I also read more Karin Slaugter so it was nice to relax (when I thought i'd be getting home late!)
• I got to read your blogs! I thought I wasn't going to be able to but it worked out perfectly.

So there's my lame post! Sorry, friends - wasn't the best day!! I ended up at 1,922 calories, 255 carbs, 43 fat grams and 119 protein grams. Here's what I ate. And to be honest - today has been pretty blah too! I got up, was in training all day (got in 2.75 during lunch this time - woo!), and then at 3 p.m. she let us leave early. Awesome, right?! Well... it was raining... I live off of a major highway... need I say more? It still took me 45 minutes to get home and I just, exhausted, got on my sweatpants and crawled in bed for some soapnet (The O.C., 90210 - the glory days, people). I'll post today's stats tomorrow - I may eat more! :) I hope you're all having good nights. I'm going to take a nap now - It think i'm still recovering from the weekend - geez, system - get over it!

Day 356: New Curry Recipe, Completed Wedding Wall, 5 miles & a Book Update

Woo – I was SWAMPED at work today. It’s been that way lately which isn’t bad but it is busy! During lunch I walked 3.5 miles, and after work I walked 1.5 miles then did legs and abs. I haven’t made my sheets yet, but basically we had a machine day with legs, and a crunchtastic day with abs!! I got home and cooked a ton- lunch and dinner for tomorrow and dinner for tonight. Tonight I threw together a weird one – I think it ended up being yellow curry pasta? Haha I dunno – we liked it though. I’m trying that whole “finish what you have before you buy more” thing. I’m so bad at it, but here is the new recipe somewhat based on this philosophy – Austin loved it, I had to add salt and liked it a lot!

8 oz. shrimp
½ tbsp canola oil
½ small onion, diced
1 garlic cloves, minced
½ tbsp curry powder
½ tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp fresh minced ginger
1/3 cup light coconut milk
¼ cup water
Salt & Pepper

Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add shrimp and cook until thawed, about 2-3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a plate. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add onion, garlic, curry powder and ginger to the same skillet. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add coconut milk, and water; simmer, stirring occasionally, until onions are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add shrimp back to the pan and cook until sauce is thickened and reduced, about 4 minutes. Serve hot. Nutritional Information: 407 calories, 44 carbs, 10 fat grams and 34 protein grams.

It was pretty yummy! I think I would have liked it better with angel hair (I don’t know why?) – but again – good stuff! A few shares – our wedding wall is complete outside of our bedroom!!

Also, a few book updates. (1) I’m loving Karin Slaugter’s Beyond Reach, the fifth in her Grant Park series. I started it yesterday and am flying through it – fabulous!

(2) To help combat my growing road rage, I began listening to Nicholas Sparks’ At First Sight. I got through a CD in yesterday and today’s commute alone – it’s so nice. I forgot how much I enjoyed audio books. Those narrators’ voices are so calming! (3) Me and my book club are going to see Time Traveler’s Wife tomorrow night. We’re meeting up first for the book discussion, a drink and to pick a new book – can’t wait! K- I’m off to hopefully catch up on blogs. I’m in training tomorrow and Thursday and with the movie tomorrow night I don’t know where I’ll find the time – SAD! And no work from home day this week. DOUBLE SAD! I hope you’re all having less hectic days than me – although I must say Friday is FAST approaching!! I ended today at 1,840 calories, 209 carbs, 56 fat grams and 133 protein grams. Not a bad day – but a little high on fat (chocolate!) and protein (lots of chicken and shrimp!). Here’s what I ate.

Days 351 – 355: Shower Recipes, Reuben’s new Cut, Weekend Update, More Workouts, Playing Catch Up!!

I’m back to regular programming – yay!! Before backtracking to Thursday, I want to thank you guys so much for your support on my home projects and first time hosting a shower! I love sharing my projects and recipes on this blog and really appreciate your sweet, thoughtful comments. And I’m SO GLAD you thought the food looked good! I was super happy with the way it turned out and have decided it will be my go-to menu at any future events I host! Thanks so much!!! If any of you are interested, here is the entire menu with recipes (it was too much info for the last post so I made it its own!). The formatting is a bit of a mess but it’s legible, promise! All right… here goes!

Thursday I worked from home! Austin took Reuben to the groomers and he was ready for pick up at lunch – SO CUTE with his new haircut!


During lunch I walked 4 miles, then I shut down at 5:45 p.m. and began cooking. Then at 9:30 me and Reuben ran to the grocery store for a few more ingredients. I closed the kitchen at 11:30 p.m., ended up eating some of the pasta salad for the party – eek! My calories were too low – I guess I was just so busy I didn’t realize I hadn’t eaten enough. I ended up at 1,281 calories, 176 carbs, 50 fat grams and 46 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. You guys I’m not going to lie – I had SO much fun cooking!!

Friday I woke up exhausted but excited – couldn’t wait to see my friends and for Austin to get back in town! I didn’t eat the best (had processed food to avoid cooking MORE after cooking all the party food) but it was all good. During lunch I got in 3.5 miles, and after work I walked another mile then did the leg and ab exercises below – GREAT workout.



I headed straight home to see Austin, help him hang the wedding wall/mirrors in dining room/painting in half bath, etc. We got it all done, hopped in the shower, split a chicken salad sandwich (open faced) and had turkey/hummus/provolone sandwiches. Before we knew it we had a house full of friends: Forrest/Teresa came in from Auburn, Ryan/Kelly from B’ham and Mon/andy (they live here – stopped by for a drink!). Forrest ordered pizza and I had 2 slices…. And lots of alcohol – standard! It stormed so we ended up partying it up in our garage with a laptop + Pandora + a card table and chairs. It was like college all over again! Haha We stayed up too late, as usual, then passed out around 4. Grrr. I ended up at 2,329 calories, 236 carbs, 55 fat grams and 109 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Saturday…. Well Saturday was pretty well documented in my last post!! But I will say that I got up hungover, but Austin made the group our bacon/egg/cheese muffins. After breakfast, I got on the gym clothes and headed over to the gym for the last 2 miles I had planned for the week+ back and biceps. I walked a ½ mile and was just ITCHING to run. Couldn’t stand it. so I took it to 6.3 mph and ran. It felt great. I ran a ½ mile then stopped. Did my right foot hurt? (past injury last fall) No… Hmmm. I walked another ¾ mile then ran the last ¼ mile at 7 mph. I felt amazing!! I think I may start running…. SLOWLY (unlike last time). Perhaps I’ll do the couch to 5k?? I dunno… I’m thinking about it. Once I decide I’m going to need tons of running advice from you guys!! After the gym I came home, made two pizzas (a veggie pizza and a meatsa pizza with turkey pepperoni & chicken sausage).






Everyone seemed to love them and they were SO easy (and cheap too - wow!). Afterwards I went to the pool, met some nice neighbors, was invited to a cul-de-sac party in October and finished Undomestic Goddess – LOVED IT.

At first I was like this is just silly – who would do this? Then once they introduced a character who asked the questions I was begging to ask it got SO much better and ended up surprising me a lot and making me smile. It would make an adorable movie that I would buy and keep on whilst doing other things – cute and fun and LIGHT! After pool it was time to shower, prep all of the food (thanks, Teresa for helping so much), and then as you know we had TONS of fun!! I ended up at 1,982 calories, 185 carbs, 38 fat grams and 58 carbs. Most of my calories were in alcohol for sure – I was running around so much that I really didn’t eat that much! Here’s what I ate!

Sunday I was woken by Austin at 10 a.m. to say bye to the expecting couple! I was OUT – but I got up of course! We said bye, made eggsadillas for the rest of the crew, said our goodbyes, showered and headed to Ikea to return 2 of the dining chairs (last day to return them – they didn’t fit together right). Long story short – the item was discontinued, so now I’m searching for two fabulous end chairs!! Exciting Challenge. Afterwards me and Austin went to Crate & Barrel to return two mirrors and to Pancho’s for Mexican! I got chicken nachos. I ate half at lunch… then the other half for dinner. Nice! Started up the laundry, read your blogs, watched Drop Dead Diva and passed out!! I ended up at 1,834 calories, 184 carbs, 86 fat grams and 35 protein grams. WOWZA – eating nachos all day long takes you to 86 fat grams and practically no protein grams? Shocking. Grrrr. Here's what I ate.

Today was somewhat rotten. Blah. Lots of people in bad moods being rude. I tried not to let it get to me – and it worked okay! During lunch I walked 3.5 miles (burned 270 calories) and after work I walked another mile and did the chest/shoulders/triceps workout below (burned another 230 calories taking my total exercise calories to 500!).

I raced home, had yummy pasta with Austin and watched our shows (Entourage – eh… just not feeling it; True Blood – WHOA – amazing, better then last week – loved it). Then it was time to update this blog! Haha And watch some Army Wives – love it! The day’s almost over and I’ve stopped eating fo sho, ending up at 1,875 calories, 242 carbs, 55 fat grams and 103 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

My First Hostess Experience in Photos: Shower Menu, 7 New Recipes and GOOD TIMES!

So... I had an amazing weekend!! I will do a separate post catching up on everything (eats, finished a book, tons of home projects done, etc.) but I wanted to devote this post to Saturday evening - the baby shower I hosted for Jimmy & Mary. It was SO much fun having so many of our closest friends in town to celebrate and just hang out. I personally think they're all hilarious and so to have them all in one place was awesome!! Three couples stayed over too so it was like a big spend the night party! Most importantly, I think Mary and Jimmy had a great time, the game I made up seemed to go over well, they got lots of beautiful gifts and it was just GREAT!!

As far as food, I wanted to do a mediterranean/Greek theme for a few reasons. 1) I've been loving the food lately! 2) It's pretty. It's just so colorful! 3) Mary and Jimmy are Greek! Perfection! So I began scouring my favorite food bloggy sites and put together the menu below. I was so nervous and so excited. Were they going to work out? Would they look good? Would it taste good? eek!! I made everything Thursday night, but about an hour before the shower I put items together and set it all up. Here goes! And a special thank you to For the Love of Cooking, Recipegirl and Cooking Light...

Shower Menu

Greek Appetizer Skewers from Recipegirl.com

Greek Salad Bites from Recipegirl.com

Marinated Mushrooms from Recipegirl.com

Penne with Chicken Sausage AND Pasta Salad in Vinaigrette from For the Love of Cooking

Herbed Greek Chicken Salad Pitas from Cookinglight.com

Tomato & Fresh Basil Crostini with feta and roasted garlic cheese spread from For the Love of Cooking

Pitas + Hummus from Trader Joe’s (1 bag of mini pitas and 4 flavors of hummus)

Baklava + Chocolate cover Pretzels from Trader Joe’s

Please note: We LOVED every recipe. Seriously! The recipes are posted below - AMAZING - I was so happy with it. ALSO, we had A LOT more food than shown above - I restocked the pasta bowls at least 2 more times, same with the greek Salad bites, skewers, etc.

The Spread

The Good Times

The boys... always a good time

Our best friends on our porch! i'm a cheeseball...

Reuben had friends in town, too - Teresa & Forrest's Cassie

It took a long time to get this group shot!

See what I mean?

Jimmy being Jimmy hehe

And Ryan being Ryan.

A "candid" hehe

The boys!! With their cigars of course.

The Girls (the hand on hip bookends were not planned!)

Me and Austin - not our best photo but what are you going to do?!

Teresa and Daisy!

Mary and Jimmy were SO cute opening gifts and playing the game I made them play. hehe

The Velotas's and their prezzies

Mary and Mary - reunited and it feels so good!

The boys being forced to be in more pics!

Cassie girl ran security all night SO cute!

Last but not least - part of our beverage center - WOWZA we went through so much beer, wine and vodka!!

THE END!!

Tomorrow I will post:

• A book review (finished Undomestic Goddess!)
• Thursday, Friday and Saturday's workouts (I even ran you guys!)
• My eats
• A bit more about my weekend - the house seems so empty now!! :(

This week I will post:

• More house pics (a lot of our projects are DONE!!)

I hope you all had wonderful weekends!! I'm going to catch up on your blogs.... NOW!!!! Yay! I missed blog world!