Blown Away

Almost.  That was a great concern when I hit the trail at the forest preserve after work last night.  How is it possible that the trail is a loop and I was against the wind the majority of the time?  Seriously… I feel that physics would debate this.  But it happened.

And I swallowed a bug.  No need to eat meat for the rest of the week… my protein needs have been met.

The loop is 2.8 miles.  And despite the forces of nature, I trudged through it all.  So when Mon texted me for a Tuesday Suckday drink, I happily obliged.  I needed to finish off and get rid of that bottle of wine in the refrigerator anyways…

Before the wine, I was able to cook this mean dish up:Spinach and feta wrap with zuchinni.  I picked up some wraps yesterday and am sure I’ll be making the most of them this week!  Which means I will be using them pretty much every other meal until they’re gone so they don’t go bad.  Anyways, the spinach wrap was A-mazing.  I sauteed the spinach beforehand- I sort of prefer it that way over raw when I’m given the choice.

Oh and I’m glad I’m not the only crazy who frequents the grocery store like it’s my hangout…  Being as how I cook for just myself most of the time, I find it necessary to do so if I want to eat fresh.  Because I’ve tried stocking up and only going once a week.  This ends up with me going nuts trying to cook as much as I can the first few days and then everything else going bad before I can get to it.  So lately I’ve found that buying one or two fresh things at a time and incorporating them into a few meals with other things works best.  Any other tips for the single lady in the kitchen?

Ok guys, we’re halfway through.  So let’s put on a happy face, shall we?  Just so you know, this isn’t my happy face.  This is my “I just watched the news and traffic is a standstill in every which direction”.  Ugh.

Normalcy setting in

Because I took Monday off, this feels like it’s only Tuesday.  So the fact that it’s Wednesday already is just wonderful.  And since today is also a holiday, how much more could I ask for?  Oh… there’s going to be cake in the breakroom because my boss is a leprechaun and his birthday is on St. Patty’s.  It does get better!  And it wouldn’t be so funny, but he’s kinda short and full of energy.  So he really is kind of like an excited leprechaun. 

As long as I don’t dive head first into it and inhale buttercream icing until a sugar coma or the sugar shakes set it, I should be good.  Good times.

I think I am done with the “weekend hangover” of exhaustion and sleep deprivation.  Small confession when it comes to that topic- didn’t do anything after work last night.  I worked later hours and by the time I got home, I was a pile of worthlessness.  Ugh.  Either way, I brought clothes to change into after work today and will be heading to a nearby trail after work.  So excited!  It’s supposed to get dangerously hot today- 60+ degrees… nice.  Anyone else going to try and enjoy the weather?

While Ashlee was here, she noticed my love of nut butter.  Specifically the almond butter.  She told me about this comic she gets daily emails from and had me read this one: Awesome, right?  It makes me giggle.  She had never heard of almond butter until she saw this comic and visited me.  I told her it’s very possible it could change her life.  She seemed skeptical.

The Shamrock Shuffle is officially 4 days away.  I haven’t done the full 5 miles since I got a little nervous about my leg, but I’m ready for it.  I think it means more to me than it originally did because it’s my first race since my stint on crutches in December.  And the fact that it’s the first race of the season gets me pretty giddy.  I’m not so  happy that it’s almost 60 degrees today and supposed to be in the 40′s and rainy/snowy on Sunday.  Knowing Chicago weather, this could change the day before.  Which leaves me clueless as to what the hell I’m going to wear.  It’s always the small details that get me…

If you’ve ran the Shuffle before, suggestions/warnings would be greatly appreciated.  March weather is such a crap shoot here!

One thing that is not completely back to normal is my morning routine.  It may be the sleepiness or daylight savings, but I’ve been choosing the coffee over the green tea for my morning wakeup call.  Hmmm… Yesterday I was out of control.  I wasn’t using coffee breaks as an excuse to get up and walk across the office to the break room, but as a way to survive the workday.  I’m pretty sure if I had actually worked out, I would have sweat out skinny latte creamer.  Which may have made me smell better than what I usually do after a work out… hmmm… But I’m wondering if maybe this explained part of my afternoon crash into worthlessness?  Too much caffeine?  Maybe?

Alright kids, I’ll just end it here today being as how this is the most random post I’ve written in quite some time.  Super exciting stuff, I know.  Obviously I have no awesome workout recap.  Nor do I have super exciting eats to share- leftovers from the weekend still getting me through…  Crazy, right?  I wasn’t kidding.  Burrito the size of my head.  I’m still astounded.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  I have no plans to drink green beer or eat corned beef, but uh… let’s just pretend I do… 

Not what I expected…

Yesterday was just one of those days that left me guessing the entire time.  Here’s why:

Usually Hump Day is not on my shit list of long and awful days to get through.  But yesterday was different.  The work day could not have seemed any longer.  Ugh!  Why was that?  Most of what I had to do was in the form of tedious paperwork.  I love monotonous work.  Weeeee…..

The weather was partially to blame, I’m sure. I was thrown off- but in a good way!  After a dreary and icky drive to work, it’s like the skies opened up.  The sun came out to play.  Or at least I think it did.  I watched it from my desk.  Slightly bitter that this is my later week at work and wasn’t able to enjoy the crazy beautiful 60 degree weather except for maybe five minutes after I left the office at 6:00- which at that time, it was already well on it’s way to getting darker and cooler.  Oh daylight savings, you can’t come soon enough! 

Another thing that left me surprised?  This:I have a loving relationship with Clif bars.  I’m a big big fan.  But I was not so crazy about this one.  I expected more of a “toffee” flavor.  But it could have just said “peanut butter” because that’s what it tastes like.  Don’t get me wrong- I’ll eat peanut butter until my insides stick together. That statement was meant as a joke, but now I’m not sure if I’m actually kidding… hmmm. But anyways, I just wasn’t so hot on this bar like all the others.  Oh well.  Now I know.  I still ate it, of course (not like it was bad or anything).  Gotta have that energy for my run later, right?

And yeah, I ran.  Sadly, I didn’t get to enjoy running in the sunlight, but that will happen soon enough.  I took it outside with my Nike+ and said I’m running at least a mile.  I wish I had taken a better look as I started my run- didn’t push the button the right amount of times to get the sportsband to record.  Oops.  Damn! I’m not making up this sore feeling- as much as a worrywart as I’ve become about such things.  That happens to be in the same area as where it was on my left leg when I injured it.  So I got outside and did a little over a mile zig-zagging through the complex because the lighting was not nearly as good as I thought it was on the sidewalk that connects my complex area to the other neighborhoods that I wanted to go.  I did it knowing the entire time it wasn’t going well.  Then, I swung by the workout room on the way back to my apartment and hopped on the elliptical for awhile to see if that would go better.  It kind of did.  After some weights, I went home. We’ll revisit this issue at a later time…

My dinner was this veggie-tacular dish: Great combo of roasted veggies I threw over a salad.  Bad dressing for this particular combo.  I have this Asian Sesame stuff that I’m not particularly crazy about, but I keep giving it a chance.  Sort of a fail on this one.  It was actually fine until the end- where I realized I had used too much and the bottom of the salad was soaked in the dressing.  In moderation, it was acceptable. I’m thinking I might just use it as a marinade or use it in stir fry from here on out… 

Over Christmas, my mom and I went through my grandma’s house a little more.  She passed away when I was in highschool, but we’ve been extremely slow with going through her stuff.  We own the house (so it’s not a pressing issue) and that side of the family is pretty small, so it’s been a slow slow process.  Anyways, I grabbed a few things (like her super awesome heavy as hell skillet that I can finally make frittatas or possibly knock an intruder out with) and an old cookbook.  I finally flipped through the cookbook tonight, and had to smile a little when all these random recipes and clippings fell out:

I love that I get to see a few of my grandma’s favorites or things she may have wanted to try.  Unfortunately, I don’t share her love of fruit-filled cobblers and pies (sorry grandma- I really don’t like fruit!). But I noticed a honey whipped icing recipe that looks like serious decadence (Which I don’t doubt- my grandma was curvalicious ). 

Anyone else have fantastic family recipes or findings that get passed down?   My grandma made THE BEST sugar cookies of all time- soft and buttery and just sweet enough- which is a recipe I grabbed years ago already because my mom had also written it down for herself.

So yeah, it was an interesting and random day.  But that’s life, right? 

Today, I’m excited because my friend Ashlee, who I rarely ever get to see, is flying in and I’m meeting her for lunch!  She’s doing family fun activities until Sunday- then we’re reuniting and I’ll be taking over as Chicago tour guide until Tuesday (did I mention Monday is a vacation day for me???  Yea!).  So now I’m trying to find new and interesting things that she’d like to do while she’s here… if any of you Illinois kids (or peeps who have visited Chicago) have any thoughts (that don’t include Navy Pier, Sears Willis Tower, Shedd Aquarium or any of the other top 10 touristy things to do in Chicago), I’m all ears!  And this includes good eats!  I assume her family will do deep dish pizza at some point, so I’m thinking of taking her for a super awesome gourmet hot dog somewhere…  She’s kind of like me and I think would appreciate the tour off the beaten path.  I’m looking forward to the challenge.  I’m a huge nerd like that.  The end.

Ick.

That’s how I feel about Tuesdays (if you’ve been reading, you probably know that already).  It was a gray day outside.  Work wasn’t really exciting.  Nothing really newsworthy happened.  Yeah… typical Tuesday.

I’m not down or anything, it’s just my “eh” day of the week.  I did do well on my run- which easily the highlight of my day.  Five miles in 43 minutes… slowly but surely getting to where I want to be before the Shuffle…    Also did The Shred again- pretty sure I’m addicted to the dvd. Level 2 again- not ready for my butt to be beaten down in Level 3 just yet.  But I’ll get there!

Now that the Olympics are over, I don’t know what I’m going to do when it comes to downtime in front of the tv.  For two weeks, I had a fall back for whenever I couldn’t find anything else to watch- and now it’s gone!  I guess I’ll be forced to be more productive once again?    Probably for the best- I was starting to wear down a spot in my futon from the excessive television watching.  Oh Apollo and Shaun… when will I see you again?  I don’t like the growing distance between us!!!

This morning, I realized I had ramsacked through another jar of almond butter.  So what did I do?  Another solid attempt at oats in a jar!  And another little mess to clean up in my microwave.  I really suck at this… but they turned out eventually.Wtf, Vince?!?!  Did you eat some of my oatmeal???  Because I know I didn’t hoover it down THAT fast… because that would just be ridiculous.  And slightly embarrassing.

Concluding from this picture and my lack of almond butter in the pantry, I’ll have to hit up Trader Joe’s again… even if it’s for almond butter alone.  I can’t stay away from that place.  I start to get the shakes otherwise.  The workers there probably think I’m building a bomb shelter with as much nut butter that I’ve shuttled out of that store.  For lack of a better excuse for my overindulgent ways, if anyone asks, that’s what I’m doing.  I’ll soon be posting a sign up sheet for whoever would like to join me in the bomb shelter in case of world disaster.  I’m sure there will be plenty of room.  All I ask is that you provide your own toilet paper… and peanut butter.  Then we’ll kick it like Brendan Frasier and Alicia Silverstone- Blast From the Past style.  (Yeah, I know you remember that movie- as awful as it was.)

Another place I can’t stay away from?  Bridal shops. I’m going tonight to get fitted for my bridesmaid dress for my friend Ashlee’s upcoming wedding.  She found the dress we’re all wearing at a boutique in Missouri, so I tracked it down up here so I could get sized for it and possibly try it on before I order it.  Which is an issue I’ve run into before- bridal shops really aren’t a fan of you doing that.  If the bride’s not registered there, they give you a look of disgust at the thought of helping you (from my experience).  It’s annoying.  I’m totally going to order from them.  Sorry my cash for the one dress isn’t good enough.  Not my fault my friend didn’t get her wedding dress from your overpriced racks.  Just measure me already!  Grr… Fingers crossed that it’ll go smoother than last time!

Ok, done with the oddly random post.  It’s Wednesday, so uh… humpa humpa…. (Sorry Low, I know you hate the name…)  Have a good one!

The Next Level

So Hump Day kicked my butt yesterday.  Not sure what it was, but I was yawning the entire drive home (and I got stuck in traffic, so it was a whole lot).  I was going to do The Shred and yoga when I got home.  It’s a running rest day.  But I didn’t budget my time very well for if I still wanted to get a service in for Ash Wednesday.  My excuse is numbers really aren’t my thing.  Remember- I was a marketing major for a reason.

I decided on The Shred.  And it was time for Level 2.  The curiosity of what it would consist of was really starting to get to me.  And it was…. different.  I think I like the Level 1 workout better.  Don’t get me wrong- Level 2 kicked my butt.  Or, to be more specific, my arms.  I feel like the arms got a crazy workout this time around.  I may have whimpered a little.  I just wasn’t a fan of all the moves- walking push-up?  It’s just awkward.  Maybe that’s just me.  But then again, so is “downward dog” in my opinion, so hopefully I’ll just get used to it.  I trust your judgement, Jillian.

Maybe part of the reason I liked Level 1 better was I had fallen into my comfort zone.  So I’m going to keep on truckin’ with this new one.  For now.  Hopefully my arms don’t fall off in the meantime.

I ran out of peanut butter yesterday. Booo…. I smell a Trader Joe’s shopping trip over lunch!  Yes, I am excited.  Yes, it could be the highlight of my day.  No worries- I’m totally ok with that. 

Oh and who wants to see Shutter Island with me?    I am not a huge fan of seeing scary movies in the theater.  I’d rather duck and hide under the covers in the comfort of my own home.  But this one looks pretty good- I’m more of a “thriller” and “chase scene” kinda gal- not a “blood and gore” type.  Some of those slasher movies really creep me out.  Like The Strangers (I think that’s what it was- with Liv Tyler?)- just the concept of the movie scared the crap out of me.  I was living by myself my last summer before I moved to Chicago when it came out- couldn’t even watch the commercials.  Yeah- the commercials scared the crap out of me.  The commercials!  So I stay away from those…  But Leo looks like he’s got control of the situation in this one- and it’s one that won’t haunt my dreams and make me drive to a friend’s house to sleep for a couple weeks.  So that’s promising.

Because yesterday was so “blah”, this is how I started out my day:A little chocolate and coconut goodness to my usual oatmeal and cereal combo was completely necessary.  But for the record- I didn’t realize I may have overdone it on the chocolate until I saw this picture uploaded.  Whatev- it’s still up for debate if there is such a thing as too much chocolate…  And it’s not like there’s peanut butter in there since I ran out.  So the calories evened out?    Don’t say anything- just let me believe that.

Happy Thursday, kids!  We’re so close to the weekend!!!

Let’s try this again

This morning needs a do over.

Apparently there was an earthquake at 4:00 this morning and the Chicago area could feel it.  I slept through it.  Good to know how aware my body is.  But that’s not the only thing I slept through.  I woke up wondering how it could be so light in my room.  Oh- it’s 7:30, that’s why.  Wait- 7:30?!?!  OMG.  I’ve never jumped so quickly out of bed in my life.  Well, that’s a lie- but I was up in a flash, nonetheless.  Somehow the earthquake must have turned my alarm clock off and made me sleep in 45 minutes later than normal.  That must have been it.

Then came breakfast.  So after my first oats in a jar fail, I decided to try again.  Because I’m not a quitter! 

Ignore my super dry hands- this winter has been a rough one for my delicate skin…

And yes, I got through my almond butter in lightening speed.  Don’t judge.  So I got it all  in the jar and threw it in the microwave…  I wasn’t really watching it.  It didn’t explode like last time, but there was a bit that escaped from the jar and all over the bottom of my microwave.  Awesome. I ate it anyways. 

Back off Vince, this one’s mine.  Make your own.

Yes, I was able to sit down to enjoy it because I had made up a considerable amount of time (or so I thought).  On my later week, I wake up earlier than I actually have to so I can watch the news and piddle a little bit.  This morning was not as relaxing, but I was still able to listen to the news and have a word or two with Vince as I checked my email really quickly. 

So when I walked out the door, I was only about five minutes behind schedule.  Not bad.  And then I get outside and see my car.  Damn.  That is my car, right?  I think so, I’ll just start digging…  Yep- my car!  Good… that only took 15 minutes… blah.

Luckily, I still beat my boss in because he got stuck in his alley and had to recruit people to push him out. 

Moving on to a happier note… Happy Hump Day!  Not to rub it in- but yesterday was hump day for me.  Ok, maybe I am just a little…  Today is like my Friday- last day of work for the week!  So yes, the Friday dance will be happening as soon as I get home.  But not for too long- I have 2 1/2 miles to  pound out at the gym along with my fav new 20-minute work out, The Shred.

Then what, you ask?  The baking madness begins.  I originally was just going to make the Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes.  But then realized how many people I had promised to bring them to.  And since I’m making the majority of them for boys with bottomless pits for stomachs, I figured I might as well throw something else in there.  So I’m revisiting the blondies I made with Snickers and Reeses Pieces.  Just to make sure they don’t go hungry.  I love to bake.  And I love having people to bake for.  So even if I’m going to enjoy them in moderation (of course), I want to make sure I’m not the only one…  Adam’s hosting quite a few guys at his place over the weekend.  And he may be able to cook up a few mean dishes, but I think he’s pretty much lost to what the inside of his oven can do.  So hopefully they’ll all appreciate it a little to have something to munch on as we all party it up in St. Louis. 

My parents and brother are coming up on Thursday to hang out with me my first night in St. Louis.  Which is really nice because I haven’t seen them since Christmas.  We’re staying at a casino.  Yes, my parents have a hobby they enjoy so much that they get free rooms on occasion.  I don’t mind.  It’s also nice when they actually win a considerable amount- I get a little cut of it in the mail. 

I’m really not a gambler- can’t say I enjoy it at all really.  But I won’t stop them from doing it so I may reap the benefits from time to time.

Have a good day!  Hopefully my streak of luck won’t get much worse.  Knock on wood…

Stuck in the Middle

Unfortunate…. it’s only Wednesday.