2011 and 2012 Resolutions

2011 was wonderful and unexpected. I started the year off at a job I hated. I cried on my drive in every morning and felt as though I was wasting my life away. I spent every day scouring the Internet for job postings, feeling like a jerk for being lucky enough to have a job in this economy and complaining about it. Thankfully, a friend and previous co-worker recommended me for a job at her new company.  By the end of March, I was on my way to a great and rewarding position that I thank my lucky stars for every single day. The rest of the year was a whirlwind spent traveling with aforementioned job

training and not training for races

and planning/celebrating my SIL’s wedding and all the events that went along with it!

(Richard Barlow Photography)

So this brings me to reviewing my 2011 goals and setting new ones for 2012.

My 2011 goals as referenced from this post:

1.  Train and finish my first half marathon.  Bonus?  In under 2 hours.  I have already signed up for the Princess Half in Disney on February 27.  I’m a little nervous about it.  Although, I didn’t think I could run 6 miles, and I did that.  So 13.1 isn’t an impossible feat.

Outcome: We decided to run the race together and finish together.  We had a string of injuries, Sarah with a pesky IT band, and me with plantar fasciitis.  We had lofty aspirations of finishing super fast, I even said I wanted to finish sub 2 hours.  With the lack of training (I only ran once a week) and string of injuries, we finished in 2:53.  I am beyond proud of that, but we can do better.  You can read my post about the Princess Half here.

2.  Obtain my personal training certification by March 2011.  I’ve already received and read through my study materials, and was going to take it in December, but my grandfather passed away and a lot of time was spent visiting him in the hospital and with funeral activities.  After that, the holidays were in full force and the testing site wasn’t open.  I’d like to do a full refresher of the materials and buy and take a practice test before taking the real thing.  I’m not trying to do this multiple times.

Outcome: Goals and people change.  That’s really all I can say.  I spent some time in and out of gyms, observing trainers, training with them, and I ultimately decided this was not for me.  While I absolutely love working out (debatable), I don’t think training people is for me.

That brings me to my goals for 2012:

1. Train and finish my second half marathon, under 2:30.  I think this is entirely within my reach.  I have a training plan this time, that requires running at least 3 times a week and strength training with my trainer twice a week.  I was very naive the first time around and thought that running once a week was plenty.  So stupid.  My second race will be held in the Outer Banks on April 22nd.

Oh and it’s not just a half marathon, we’ll also be competing in the challenge which requires us to run a very hilly 5k the day before!

2. Establish and maintain a budget.  Which includes seriously reducing the amount that we eat out.  I’m leaning towards twice a week.  Our current rate is bordering on disgusting.

3. Recommit to the blog.  I’m not sure what this will entail, because I don’t want to post if I have nothing to talk about.  This might mean a post every month, a post every week, maybe a post a day, whatever.  I do want to continue on with it, I’m just not sure yet in what fashion.

Apparently I like to set the bar low, because that’s it!  I’m not one that wants to set unattainable goals.  That’s really lame.  I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

Here we go again….

I must be crazy.  More to come….

Friday Workout.

So I’ve been working out pretty heavily with a trainer three days a week.  She thoroughly kicks my ass and I hate her for it.  Not really.  She’s great.  But I do complain.  A LOT.  I’ve said before that my new company is da bomb (just went there) and they pay for my trainer…in full.  Side note:  If I ever talk about leaving my job for another one, please reach through the computer screen and smack me.  K thanks.

The studio is what I would call traditional training.  Lots of deadlifts, squats, bench presses, etc.  But sometimes they throw stuff in there that will throw you for a loop.  Things you don’t think will be hard, are really hard.  I thought posting my workouts with explanation videos would probably be a great idea for anyone who doesn’t go to a trainer and would like workouts they can do on their own (sometimes with a friend who can spot).  So here is the first, which is a total body workout:

First group: Three sets:

• Single leg lunges on weight bench with two 15 lb dumbells x 15 reps

• Tricep extensions with rings x 10 reps

If you don’t have access to rings, try regular tricep extensions

Second Group: Four sets:

• Step ups on weight bench with 15 lb dumbells x 10 reps each leg

• Bicep curls with 10 lb dumbells x 15 reps

• Weighted crunches with 5-10 lbs x 15 reps

Third Group: Three sets:

• 250 watts on a row machine or 1/10th of a mile sprint on the treadmill
• Close grip barbell bench press

• Crunch frogs x 15 reps

Happy workouts!

 

Photo Catch Up Post.

Ice cream cone cupcakes!  Single most annoying thing I’ve ever baked.  Don’t make the same mistake I did; stick with flat cone bottoms or waffle bowls.

Sarah’s bridal shower

Please don’t take my picture after I’ve been on my feet for 8 hours and am doing my least favorite chore ever.

It’s been ridiculously hot here…like it has been everywhere.  Feels like walking into a sauna every time you walk outside.  What’s the point in showering?

Trade show in Las Vegas.  Finally saw the Bellagio fountain show.  Awesome!

Freemont Street.  Plenty of interesting characters.

My sweet boys.

Finally finished the “stripe” project…that took way too long to complete.  Still need a few white knick knack pieces, but other than that, it’s ovaaaah.

A good one and a bad one.

Hi friends! I hope your weekend was as great as mine was. And the best is yet to come..Big Brother and True Blood!! Maybe not the best, but I am certainly looking forward to them . We went out Friday night with a bunch of my co-workers. It was a blast and I did not take any photographic evidence. Let’s just say it ended at 2:30 a.m. eating a slice of pizza on a curb. It was lovely. I was surprisingly *not* hung over on Saturday, so we got quite a bit done and enjoyed sushi out at a restaurant we have never been to called Bento Box. It was okay. Not as good as my beloved Yosake. I again have no photographic evidence as a group of One Tree Hill “actors” were at a table behind us. I didn’t want them to think I was stalking them. (I think that show is terrible btdubs.) The only one of them I recognized was Minkus from Boy Meets World. I have no idea what his character’s name is on One Tree Hill…he is and always will be only Minkus to me.

(source)

Anyway.  I made one really good meal today, and one was an epic fail.  Let’s start with the really good meal.

“Ranch”-Herb Pasta

-1 box of whole-wheat shells

-1 c. frozen green peas

-1 cooked chicken breast (I marinated mine in olive oil, thyme, basil and salt and pepper and cooked for 20 minutes on 350)

-1 c. radishes

-1/3 c. reduced-fat mayo

-1/4 c. almond milk

-3 tbsp. chives

-1 tsp. dill

-1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

-1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes

-3 cloves of garlic, minced

-salt & pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Add frozen peas during last 3-4 minutes of boiling pasta.  Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.  Add thinly sliced radishes to pasta and peas.  In a separate bowl, mix together remaining ingredients.  Pour milk mixture over pasta and mix thoroughly.  Chill for 20 minutes before topping with sliced chicken and enjoy!

I had a serious craving for that Kraft ranch pasta salad that is usually served at cookouts.  You know the one I’m talking about…don’t lie.

(source)

Instead of buying the box at the grocery store yesterday, I decided to try and make my own.  It turned out really well and was the perfect meal for lunch after we spent 2-3 hours out in the sun working in the yard.  I wish I had let it chill in the fridge for a little while longer, but it was good all the same.  We have tons of leftovers and will be enjoying it quite a few more times this week .

So on to the epic fail.  I’m not giving the recipe yet, but let’s just say I got the bright idea to try to grill pizza.  I know it can be done, I just haven’t figured out how to do it yet.  Greasing the grill racks *might* have helped.  When it came time to flip the pizza, it didn’t so much flip as fall completely through the cracks and disintegrate.  Instead of being a total bust, we salvaged what we could and came inside to make as Alex called it “pizza bites.”

Yes.  Those are pears.  And yes, it was still delicious, just not perfect.  Recipe to come!!

Grilling Fiends.

After four days of very heavy (yet delicious!) food and every meal spent in a restaurant, I haven’t had the desire to eat out since getting home. We’ve taken summer grilling to the extreme and have used our grill for every meal this weekend. So extreme that when we ran out of propane in the middle of cooking yesterday, instead of bringing it all inside, I ran to the nearest store to exchange tanks.

The spread was quite ridiculous

I promise it wasn’t just the two of us eating .  We decided to cook the corn in the husks for a change.  We usually just shuck them and then wrap them in aluminum foil.  I always thought keeping the husks on would be a hassle, but the whole process was painless and the result was delicious!  All you need to do is strip them down to the very inner layer, place them in a bowl of water for 10 minutes and then throw them on the grill for about 20-30 minutes.  You need to place them in the bowl of water to help prevent them from catching fire.  After we pulled them off, I peeled back the husk and rubbed butter all over those bad boys.  I think I ate mine in 3 seconds flat.

Tonight I grilled a piece of chicken and decided to turn it into a sandwich.  Best decision ever, btw.  I also made some sweet potato fries in the oven.

See?  Best decision ever.  I might make one of those every night this week.  I also think I finally perfected the sweet potato fry recipe.  It takes cooking for 15-20 minutes at 350 and then broiling for a few minutes to crisp them up.

You’re welcome.

San Francisco Rundown.

Hey guys! I made it back from San Francisco! I took the red eye home Saturday night and got in around 9 this morning. I’m pretty freaking tired. It’s safe to say that I love San Francisco. It’s such a cool city, with plenty of things to do and see…all within walking distance. I think it helps that we stayed really close to union square and the convention center.

We stayed in a fairly small boutique hotel called the Taj Campton. The rooms were, as far as I’m concerned, awesome!  I don’t really require all that much to be happy.

We had four ridiculously good meals while we were there.  I couldn’t take a lot of pictures, because a majority of the dinners were with clients and I really didn’t want to freak anyone out.  Taking pictures of food is a little weird.

When we got in on Wednesday night, we headed to The Slanted Door in the ferry building. The Slanted Door is a Vietnamese restaurant that uses organic produce and ecologically farmed meat. They had an extensive vegan menu, all of which sounded delicious. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and entrees and passed them around the table. Have I ever mentioned I LOVE people that share food? I love trying as much as possible, and it’s great when you’re around people who feel the same way. I can safely say that they have the best Spareribs I’ve ever had (barbecued in honey-hoisin sauce!!)

The second night we headed to Bix, located in an alley off of Jackson Square. I’m not sure how long the restaurant has been around, but the decor was straight out of the 1930′s, complete with a piano player and jazz singer. Here I ordered some yummy Kobe steak and mini caramel brownies. Clearly there was no diet on this trip!!

The third night we went to my favorite restaurant of all.  We headed to Limon, a Peruvian restaurant.  Here we again ordered a bunch of small plates and passed them around.  Three kind of ceviche, paella, calamari, short ribs, etc, etc.  I did manage to get a picture of some of the damage we did…

Ridiculous.

The last night we headed to an italian restaurant called Credo.  It wasn’t my favorite, but I really enjoyed my food.  So much so, that I told everyone I HAD to take a picture of it.

Rigatoni with italian sausage covered in pizza dough.  Um, yes please?  Wish I had the rest of that in front of me right now!

And that’s pretty much the gist of the trip.  Other than the fact that we worked hard at the trade show for 3 days.  But talking about work instead delicious food and awesome hotel rooms doesn’t really seem to make much sense.  I’m off to enjoy a bottle glass of wine and probably hit the bed early.  I’m only operating off of about 3 hours of sleep!  Have a great July 4th

Baby’s first birthday and other random events from the weekend.

Hey guys!  I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I know I certainly did.  We had absolutely no plans.  Well, with the exception of a certain little girl’s first birthday party we attended!

  She destroyed that cake like a champion!

The rest of the weekend was pretty much spent doing whatever we felt like doing.  I had a killer workout on Saturday morning.  I don’t think my trainer likes me very much.  Eight rounds of pure torture for my quads and glutes:

• 20 air squats
• 10 alternating lunges each leg
• 10 alternating step-ups on a weight bench
• 10 back extensions on the GHD

If you don’t know what a GHD is, be glad.  It’s nothing but a medieval torture device.  And as if that wasn’t enough, I had to do 3 rounds of the craziest ab exercises I have ever done.  So crazy that I am unable to describe them.  All I know is that shiz hurt.

After working out and the bday party, we went to see Bad Teacher, and it was so.funny.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen Cameron Diaz so foul, but I loved every minute of it.  I highly recommend it!

Today was spent sending out bridal shower invitations for SIL.

The actual invitation looks like this

Super cute, right?  I ordered them from minted.  In their own words, minted is “global community of independent graphic designers and an online store that prints and sells the best of their designs in the form of paper goods.”  Pretty cool, huh?  We decided to have a southern themed shower, and when I randomly googled the phrase, I happened upon minted and that particular invitation.  I’m so happy I did, it’s absolutely perfect.  The shower isn’t until July 30th, so stay tuned for the decorations and all that jazz.

After the invitation frenzy, I had my favvvvveeee

Grilled corn on the cob!  I also had a bland piece of chicken…but that’s not really worth a picture.

I’m getting really excited for the True Blood premiere tonight.  We have watched the first three seasons in two weeks.  I may or may not have developed a slight crush on Alexander Skarsgard.  And Ryan Kwanten.  Bill looks like a sack of dead shit on that show, so I’m sorry to say I can’t add Stephen Moyer to that list (even taking into consideration the british accent).

I will leave you with this cute picture I got of Charlie this afternoon.  It was nearly impossible to get him to hold still!

Rest assured.

I feel like I need to put this out there, as it seems everyone in the blog world and in the real world is either having a baby or is trying to have one.  I want you to rest assured that I will remain childless and self-centered for a very, very long time.  I enjoy being a carefree 26 year old.  I have no desire to change that.

Now I might get a lot of flack for this next part.  I don’t exactly understand the desire to procreate.  Perhaps it’s because when I think of children, I think of dirty diapers, screaming wal-mart children (the very thought terrifies and angers me), and no longer having the ability to leave the house after 7 p.m. unless you have a babysitter.  I don’t think of playing dress up, or how “magical” it will be to see my husband’s face reflected back in my child’s.  I think of as life as you know it (and love it, in my case) ending and life existing just to take care of another human being beginning.  I’m not ready for all that shit.  And honestly, I don’t know that I’ll ever be.

All that being said, I love kids.  Other people’s kids.  I know a particularly cute baby that I could play and snuggle with all day long.  But she’s a very happy baby.  And I get to leave her in the care of her parents after a visit, and am not responsible for her .

Bottom line?  This blogger (not sure I can consider posting 2 days a week a “blogger”???), is NOT pregnant.  Okay.  Random side tangent = over

I made some gnocchi (store bought of course) covered in tomato sauce for Alex for dinner

and I had a custom fit meal that I should have had at lunch instead of going out with co-workers .

Yeah, sorry.  I forgot to take a picture.  I ate the entire teaspoon of meatloaf and veggies, sans the pictured cooked carrots.  Cooked carrots are not my thing.

I also had this delicious cupcake after the lunch outing…what can I say?  I am the picture of perfect healthy eating

Yes, I totally meant to focus on the background instead of the cupcake.  I’m an artist.  P.S. That gas-masked mannequin freaks me out every time I walk by it.  She doesn’t even have any hands!!!

Well, I’m off to watch some True Blood and inhale enjoy a bowl of popcorn.  Have a great night!

Grilled Pineapple Rings and Weekend Rundown.

Happy Sunday!  I have literally spent the entire day on the couch watching the first season of True Blood.  That show is addicting!  The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful.  Friday night we stayed in because I had the beginnings of a cold and thought rest was probably a good idea.  I felt better on Saturday, so we ventured downtown and hit up the farmer’s market and our favorite lunch spot…

Chops!  I got the chicken salad wrap and Alex got the special with clam chowder.  I had plate envy.  It was black forest ham, pimento cheese, tomato, banana peppers and cajun remoulade on raisin bread.  I had one bite and realized my chicken salad wrap paled in comparison.

We also had to go buy Alex a new wedding band because he lost his in the ocean last weekend.

Instead of getting another $500 ring, he decided he wanted a $28 ring from Walmart.  I wasn’t going to argue considering I didn’t really want to shell out the extra money just for him to lose it again!

After ring shopping, we met some friends to see the Hangover 2 and to get some pizza.  I really wasn’t expecting to like the sequel, but I loved it.  It did follow the same basic plot, but it was still hilarious.  Zach Galifianakis is ridiculous.

As I said earlier I spent most of the day on the couch watching the first season of True Blood.  I did manage to FINALLY get back into the kitchen and prepare a meal.  Sort of.

Barbecue chicken and corn on the cob.  Yum.  That corn was the freshest I’ve had yet this year!  Wish I had another one.  I guess I could have taken Alex’s, but that wouldn’t have been very nice.

I also had Alex grill some pineapple slices that I coated in

1 tsp. brown sugar,  1 tbsp. agave nectar and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.

Then topped with a little vanilla bean coconut milk ice cream .  Delicious!

We’re about to start season two (I have a serious problem), and then I’ll probably hit the bed early tonight.  I get my stitches out tomorrow!