I’m blogging from 35,000 feet in the air!

As I type, we are currently on route to Cincinatti and from there Milwaukee. I’m sandwiched in between my parents and since Ryan was sort of “late” in getting his flight, he actually lucked out and got a non-stop flight. This morning the alarm went off at 6 and we waited until all three alarms were dinging that we set. I felt like my eyes were glued shut! There wasn’t much time but I still managed to get something substantial in my tummy before heading out the door.

a banana with raw almond butter and unsweetened almond milk with chocolate Amazing Meal. I have to admit, I think all Amazing Grass products are best when mixed in a smoothie or at least sweetened vanilla almond milk, but this wasn’t too bad. It tasted like unsweetened chocolate milk and I instantly had a surge of energy. However I didn’t get to finish it in time and had to leave the rest in the car because we were at the airport without a second to spare. Once at the airport, I waited in the ridiculously long Starbucks line to get a double Awake tea. Booyah!

Now I have to say, I think I’m a pretty good traveler. I like to plan ahead and always bring a plethora of snacks because you never know what could happen! I brought two baggies for this trip:

We’ve got SuperFood, teas, almonds and bars. I love bringing teas, especially on airplanes because all you have to do is ask for a cup of hot water. Much better than getting a soda during beverage service, I’d say!

When we got to Cinci to change plans I was quite hungry—Starbucks oatmeal was perfect!

My dad got a chocolate banana vivanno and I tasted it—–woah, it was SO good! I wish they could make it with soymilk though rather than 2% milk. Starbucks, you should really market a vegan vivanno!

I was a much happier camper once I had eaten…..I was seriously starting to feel FAINT!

Wisconsin winters a bit too harsh for me but summers are absolutely gorgeous. Here are in my grandparent’s back yard. The weather was so nice!

After lunch we drove the 90 miles over to Madison (my grandparents are headed over in the morning). I shut my eyes for a brief second….

Then dove into a Greens bar! Its going to be a long night—gotta keep my energy up!

Just now got into the hotel and we both are POOPED. I’m sort of mad, too, that I had to pay $30 for internet. All hotel rooms should come with that included, no?! Ryan has totally crashed on the bed but I’m about to get him up to either go take a walk or exercise before dinner at 6:00.

We are going here for the rehearsal dinner tonight—I hear good things! Being the history buff I am, I am just excited that it is 150 years old!

Last time I was in Wisconsin it was SNOWING!! It was also the very first time I blogged!

Stay tuned for Madison Part II

Tags: Breakfast, musings, starbucks, tea, traveling

We are only hours away from a long weekend—anyone excited?! I know I am. I’m very excited to get out of Tampa this weekend and have a change of scenery. And I just love weddings!

This afternoon I snacked on one of Angela’s granola bars before heading to the gym.

Once at the gym I had a nice easy 2 mile run on the treadmill and long steam. I’ve just been so tired today….no more staying up till midnight hanging light fixtures!

I stopped by my parent’s house after the gym and had a glass of red wine and a few blue corn tortilla chips with my mom and dad. Forgot my camera!!!

Since it was STILL raining (can you believe it?!) and Ryan was working late I decided an Amy’s pizza was the best option. I’ve been staring at this pizza for days in my freezer and it definitely did not disappoint!

These personal sized pizzas are delicious but tiny, huh?! I love Amy’s crust though—really nice and chewy!

Twas nummy in my tummy

Now dessert was rather interesting……

Cookies & milk!

Maybe its all in my head or maybe I’m just tired, but I swear I have a case of the sniffles today and feel a little under the weather. Well that just won’t go so I’m taking all the preventative measures I know to knock whatever is in me out tonight while I sleep! This was a cup of almond milk with chocolate SuperFood and I discovered it tastes much better if you have a bite of cookie, then a sip of grass and so on.

I just finished packing and now I am watching one of the best movies EVER created

Oh my, I just love Iron Will. I have three favorite movies of all time—Legends of the Fall, Little Women and Iron Will. If you haven’t seen this I suggest watching it asap, as in tonight. I tear up every time!

My flight leaves tomorrow morning at 8 am so I won’t be blogging first. However, you can expect a full recap later in the afternoon. We get into Milwaukee around noon and then are headed straight to my grandparent’s house so Ryan can meet them and we can visit for awhile before driving up to Madison.

G’nite!

Ps–

Awwwww my first blog post EVER on Dec 9, 2007 was when I was traveling up to Milwaukee to visit my grandparents. Does this sound familiar:

“This morning I was supposed to run 9.5 miles for my half-marathon training but stopped after 6 because of my shin splints. I think I’m going to have to take a week off of running because they were throbbing today…the race is def. not worth getting injured! I need to be more careful.”

Wow, have I been blogging forever or WHAT?!

Tags: Amazing Grass, cardio, Dinner, Exercise, frozen dinner, musings, Snack

Gahhhhhh no one told me Costco was heaven on earth!!!!!!!!!

The Costco people were incredibly nice and gave me a little free pass to walk around to my heart’s content. I probably roamed for about half an hour (could have spent all day) before making the executive decision it was a worthy investment.

And you know what did me in??

No, not the almond butter or the amazing produce….the books! They had a great selection of brand new hardcovers, which at the bookstore would be $27.00 and Costco had them for only $14. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can see us using our membership a lot, but mainly for produce (and Ryan’s pepperoni pizza lean pockets). No more shall I have to go to the store four times a week just to buy pre-bagged organic lettuce, spinach or bananas! I was shocked that the exact same 1 lb organic spinach container was $9.50 at Whole Foods and only $4.00 at Costco. Other noteworthy produce items included bags of avocados, crates of cherries, blueberries and blackberries, organic carrots (for juicing) and tons of citrus! I was in hog’s heaven. I also stared for awhile at the BIG crate of Chobani yogurts and larabars. Bliss.

So what did I walk out today with, you ask?

I was SO good!!!! As much as I wanted it all I took into account that I already had to pay $50 for the membership and we were going out of town tomorrow morning. No need to buy spinach when it would just sit and wilt all weekend! I couldn’t help myself with the book though—-Dor0thea writes excellent “plane books” and I’m a sucker for anything about the Lowcountry. Her books are pretty light and easy to read but they make for great traveling companions!

I plan to go back to the store early next week to stock up on produce and then Ryan wants to go next weekend to get his card made and pick out some of the food he likes. lol

Despite it being 11 miles away, I zipped home on the interstate and made it in only 9 minutes! I was tempted for a brief second to just grab lunch at Crisper’s or Tjuanna Flatts right next to Costco but I know this weekend I’ll be eating out a lot and I had a big bag of organic spring mix that had my name on it at home!

Thus, I used my HUGE container of hummus and guac to compile the best salad yet.

One bite and I was very glad I waited. This salad totally rocked my socks off!

I used:

• 1 whole bag organic spring mix
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 cup cannellini beans
• bag of mini carrots
• 1/4 cup Sabra’s Sundried Tomato Hummus
• 1/4 cup guacamole
• BIG drizzle of texas pete!!

Guacamole and hummus combined is a match made in heaven. Seriously. It doesn’t get better. Oh wait, yes it does—-if you add hot sauce it takes it to a whole new level. Costco membership was worth it just for this!

Because whenever I go out of town I get incredibly paranoid of coming down with something, I loaded up the vitamins with a shaker full of Berry SuperFood and ice water

Dessert was a tiny handful of these little gems:

I’m just resting now with some herbal tea but I’m going to head to the gym later for cardio and a long steam. Still haven’t packed because Dexter won’t get out of my suitcase and he’s just too cute to move.

Murphy-Goode Fact of the Day:

Did you know that the Murphy-Goode website features recipes?! Yes they do! You can actually find a four-course dinner menu, with recipes included, for every night of the week! Check it out here.

Tags: Lunch, musings

Morning!

Thank you guys SO MUCH for all your wonderful insight on shopping wholesale!! You  made it sound so exciting! When I was growing up we were members of Sam’s Club for a little while and my mom would take me for “lunch” so I could feast on all the samples. It was the highlight of my week. Yep, I was a cool kid! Since the majority of you said Costco is better I  mapped it out and actually found out that there’s one 11 miles from my condo. I have some time today after I pack so I think I might just go check it out and ask them if I can roam around the store before purchasing a membership. I was a little anxious asking Ryan about it but he immediately said YES and then got as excited as a little boy at Christmas. Ryan LOVES finding a good deal. Seriously. When I was all set to buy the oven we have now he had to extend the process by three days just so he could personally go to every discount appliance store within a 25 mile radius to check who had the best deal. We ended up buying one with a ding on it that Ryan talked down to the guy and we got for mucho cheap. Boys!

We were up until MIDNIGHT last night, as Ryan was, errrr, trying to be an electrician and hang a new light fixture. Without getting into details lets just say the light fixture is not yet up and the place is a mess. This morning I tried again to make a GM with frozen spinach. I used a naner, frozen spinach, frozen blueberries, unsweetened almond milk, 1 scoop Amazing Meal and 1 scoop almond butter. The verdict? Not so much. It has GOTTA be the frozen spinach! It makes the smoothie so thick its almost undrinkable. I gave it to Ryan and he loved it (lol).  I’ve gotta get some fresh spinach up in here—I’m dying!

So instead, I had my last hard boiled egg with my last Ezekiel english muffin with almond buttah and preserves—

We desperately need a major grocery shop but I’m waiting on Costco and when we get back from Wisconsin. No point stocking up then leaving town!

On the agenda today:

• Cardio (even though my legs are quite sore from those lunges and squats yesterday!)
• PACK!
• Check out Costco and maybe Sam’s if I have time to compare
• Clean house
• Write
• Library for book to read on the plane?

Busy! See you in a bit!

Tags: Breakfast, musings

Hi guys!

Just finished watching Revolutionary Road….guys, I really WANTED to like this movie but I just thought it was awful!!! Surprising actually because normally the inner English major in me really loves dark, deep books and films. I have been wanting to see ever since it was in the theater but it was just soooooooooooooo slow. I liked the theme of the movie but it moved at such a glacial pace that I found myself checking my watch to see if it was almost over. Anyone, anyone?!

Anyways! I wore my sweet new t-shirt today in celebration of making it on the Amazing Grass website! lol

Midafternoon I snacked on a delicious and green bar—

Such a rainy day and Dexter didn’t move all day (I wouldn’t either)!

Such a rainy, rainy day. Hate to tell you all but I had split pea soup for the THIRD time tonight!

It was just sooo good and I hate to waste. Plus, its raining and I’m in jeans and a sweatshirt—what better weather for soup? I did jazz it up tonight though with a diced hard boiled egg (yep, craving still there) and Parmesan cheese. It seemed like an odd combo but worked really, really well!

This is definitely a combo I will have again in the future!

Dessert was my last Vita Muffin with almond butter—

Since we, errr, don’t have a microwave anymore I tried heating this up in the oven while Ryan’s dinner was re-heating (he had Cuban roast pork & yellow rice). Guys, not a good idea. I love these chocolate delights but they really are made for the microwave. It got all hard and crispy and wasn’t as delicious as it normally was….even with a glob of almond butter

Ryan and I are thinking of joining Sam’s Club (a wholesale club). Anyone have thoughts? I feel like we go through food SO fast, especially produce, and it would save money buying things like bananas, berries and spinach in bulk. I’m just worried though because its just the two of us—are there real deals to be had at these places (Costco included) or are they really just meant for large families?

Off to the tub to read MFK

Tags: dessert, Dinner, leftovers, movie reviews, musings, Snack

Yep, still raining. It didn’t deter me from the tasks at hand though this morning and I have to say, I feel pretty productive!

First up was a workout with the boy since he worked from home this morning. It was sort of a quickie but got the job done.

• 15 minutes on elliptical
• 2 sets (each leg) lunges, 5 lb weights, 15 reps each set
• 2 sets squats with stability ball against the wall (ever tried this? it really works!)
• 2 sets of bicycle crunches

I haven’t done lower body strength training in for-eva! Reason being is because when I was in the midst of all my extreme shin drama, my doctor told me to cut it all out. No lunges, no squats, no calf raises…..just focus on walking and stretching. I think this was the first time I’ve actually done lunges in, err, months and I definitely can already feel it!!

When I got back I snacked on a piece of raw milk cheddar—

And got to researching my new True/Slant article. Just made it live so check it out—its all about FATS and how you really shouldn’t be scared of them! I know I could never give up my nut butter so its very good to know how healthy it is for you!

Lunch was a gigantic salad!

For some reason I literally woke up this morning dreaming of hard boiled eggs. Don’t ask. I know I’m weird. I actually do love eggs but not for breakfast. An omelet, in my point of view, is the perfect light dinner when you are alone and its a dinner I ate many, many times in my tiny apartment in Paris. I also love poached eggs and actually have a poached egg maker from William Sonoma! So this morning, I set out and hard boiled three eggs so I could have some leftovers for tomorrow if the craving persisted. I used one in my salad and it totally made the salad complete!

I also used:

• 1 entire bag organic spring mix
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 cup cannellini beans
• a few rosemary quakers
• a few Mary’s Gone Crackers
• drizzle of Annie’s Woodstock Dressing

All together with watermelon, chai green tea and my book (thanks, Gena!) in front of a very rainy window!

Yum:

Just received word that most streets are shut down in South Tampa because of flooding! Oh my!!! I was hoping to make it down to visit my parents later this afternoon and now I might have to take a strange, alternate route.

LOL:

Yours truly made the cover! Hahaha well sort of, not really. Too funny—Ryan is jealous!

Tags: Exercise, Lunch, Snack

Okay seriously, what is up with this weather??!!

I don’t think I’ve seen it storm so badly in a looong time. We woke up this morning to rain pounding on the bedroom window and thunder roaring…poor Dexter was scared and hiding in the bath tub! Just checked the weather and its supposed to be like this all day long. I’m with Katrina—did we miss the memo and there’s some hurricane out there?!

I went to bed late and woke up early, yet for some reason am not tired! I have had a ton of energy lately and don’t get tired until around 11:00, which is totally unlike me because usually I love to go to sleep early! It gives me more hours in the day to work though so I’m not complaining. Now if I only had my own office or at least a desk so I wouldn’t have to spread out everything on the guest room mattress!

Breakfast was a great big bowl of cereal mix! I received some Post Honey Nut Shredded Wheat in the mail and was excited to eat it! I don’t think I’ve had this cereal since I was about 12 and I forgot how much I love it! Ryan was pretty excited too

I used about 1/2 cup Nature’s Path Banana Almond Optimum, 1 cup Post Honey Nut Shredded Wheat and 2 tbsp MixMyGranola Recovery Mix in unsweetened almond milk. A finally ripe kiwi on the side!

Dark skies!!

Ryan is working from home this morning so I think we might exercise together—doesn’t look like I’ll be swimming today!

Murphy-Goode Fact of the Day:

The first vineyard planted back in 1978 still remains the source for Murphy-Goode’s Island Block Chardonnay. This vineyard is located on the western bank of the Russian River and consists of small clusters of grapes, which make for the Chardonnay’s intense flavor and unique taste.

Caitlin’s Team in Training!

I’m so proud of Caitlin for signing up to run her first marathon with Team in Training in honor of one of her best friends who just found out she has cancer. How scary would cancer be at age 25?! I can’t even begin to imagine. Please support Caitlin as you have supported me as she begins this journey to raise money to battle the disease!

Tags: Breakfast, musings

Hi friends—still raining!

This afternoon I was actually quite productive and got a bunch done on the “top secret project” front. My lips are sealed! Midway through the afternoon though I broke for a snack of an Oikos + MixMyGranola—best combo ever!

I dragged my suitcase to begin to pack for this weekend immediately my little beast hopped in and has been sleeping there with his mouse ever since! Dexter LOVES to sleep on bags, in bags, on clothes, on papers, on pillows, in suitcases…..its funny!

Dinner was obvious—

Leftover split pea soup + baby carrots and raw rosemary quakers!

Ryan’s dinner (he really doesn’t “do” split pea soup. lol)—-

I “beefed up” some Annie’s mac & cheese by adding fresh Parmesan, a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese and fresh ground pepper. Don’t worry, he got his veggies in (and those are nitrate-free hot dogs!)!

After I ate I spent a ton of time doing some “at home alterations” to the dress I plan to wear to the rehearsal dinner. I really don’t want to pay for it to be professionally done and so with a twist of a safety pin I think I got it! I’m still going to need a ton of fashion tape (love this stuff) though but I think its doable.

Dessert was a chocolate sundae!

OMG!!! It was so good! I used some So Delicious Coconut Milk Chocolate Ice Cream and topped it with unsweetened coconut and extra dark chocolate chips. I almost died. These coconut milk ice creams are seriously the BEST ice creams I’ve ever found at the supermarket. I can’t believe they are dairy-free!! This was rich and chocolately but with a fraction of the calories and saturated fat that ice cream has. Plus, it is super satisyfing!

Murphy-Goode Fact of the Day:

Murphy-Goode’s Cabernet Sauvingon isn’t called the King of Wines for nothing. It packs a serious punch with blackberry, bay leaf, thyme and black cherry. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to age all red wines—-this Cab is perfect now!

Thirsty?

Try Zesty’s POM giveaway!

Tags: dessert, Dinner, Murphy-Goode, Ryan's meal, Snack

Mmmm I’m so much happier with Mexican food in my belly :). This morning I had a great 2 mile run on the treadmill and then headed over to St.Pete to meet Ryan for lunch (and bring him his gym bag. lol). On the way, I snacked on a new snack that came in the mail for me to try!

This packet was only 110 calories and was very, very tasty! The almonds and peanuts had an all natural berry glaze on them and there were little pieces of dried berries in the packet as well. It was the perfect snack when you don’t want something large because you are about to eat but still need something after exercise. Also, these are perfect for traveling!

At Burrito Boarder I ordered the same thing I always do–it never lets me down!

My bowl consisted of:

• black beans
• grilled fish
• hot sauce
• hot peppers
• lettuce
• guacamole
• cilantro
• onions
• black bean and corn salsa

You really don’t even need the cheese—its just so good as is! Of course Ryan and I shared a basket of their chips, which are the best chips ever. So hot and perfectly salty!

To drink, I had an organic iced jasmine green tea—

Its STILL rainy outside and I love it! I have some herbal tea, my big soft socks on, and am wrapped under a blanket with Dexter. I love my sunshine but the occasional rainy day makes me happy (just not when we are having a garage sale!).

Tags: cardio, Exercise, lunch out, Product Reviews, Snack

Good morning!

Its a rainy, rainy day here in Tampa—I want to crawl back in bed and read all day!

I had a yucky GM this morning! Ryan has been getting on me to just double the smoothie ingredients in the Vita Mix and make it as one then split it into two glasses. I did it today but think I got the wheatgrass sludge from the bottom. It was SUPER thick and not very tasty. I actually didn’t finish it for the first time ever!

Here’s what I used to serve TWO:

• 2 frozen bananas
• 2 scoops Amazing Meal chocolate
• 1 overflowing scoop wheatgrass
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 2 scoops TJ’s pb
• big handful frozen blueberries
• FROZEN organic spinach

This was my first time using frozen spinach instead of fresh but I don’t think that was the contributing factor for the ickiness. I think I just like to make my own to serve one person….call me selfish!

Ryan forgot his gym bag at home so he is coercing me to bring that to him and as an exchange, he will take me to Burrito Boarder for lunch. I do love that place!!

Just finished writing new True/Slant article on the big debate between pasteurization and raw milk cheese. Its such a hot topic lately that I had to dig a little deeper in my research! It actually was very, very interesting!

Off to do a short treadmill run! Hope it is sunny wherever you are!

Tags: Breakfast, green monsters