Coming Soon To A Town Near You!

Changes are a happening!!!!
The coach and I are super excited about these changing times.  Both of us recently got new jobs, still doing what we both love to do - fitness and football! 
In other news, we just got a contract on our FIRST house (pending the home inspection and other fun stuff).  So many big things going on.....  Still no excuse on the blog slacking.  But I promise once things settle down.  I will be back!  Till then I leave you with this quote.

Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. -Lou Holtz

Toodles!

Fall Is In The Air

Good Morning!

It has been too long!   I have been super crazy busy since my last post.  Excuses, I know...  Football season has begun, and between work and being a good wifey, I have been slacking on the blogging.  My apologies!  So over the past month here are a couple of things I have cooked up. 

Homemade chicken enchiladas (healthier version) with fresh guac!

Indian food (restaurant)!!! Yes! Chicken Tikka Masla with a glass of Shiraz. 

Bfast fav- egg and egg white with reduce fat cheese (cannot forget the salsa) and banana and strawberries.

I recently tried a coconut water.  For a first, surprisingly refreshing especially on a hot day :)

Fresh chicken spinach feta sausage with wheat pasta tossed in basil pesto and fresh parm

Of course a classic tuna with light mayo and dill relish

One day after work, I recently made a trip out to one of the local farms I had heard about in our area.  It was so wonderful!  As I arrived, I saw some beautiful flowers that I could not pass up.  They were huge yellow mums for only $2.00.  What a bargain!  There is nothing like two huge mums to place on the front porch with your cute fall wreath.  (Yeah I am one of those girls). 

The farm actually has areas to pick our own stuff (whatever is in season at the time).  I will be making another trip very soon to pick a out a couple of pumpkins. 

You can also go the the huge white tent where it is set up like a farmers market.  The place is filled with fresh fruits and veggies and homemade tasty treats.  While I was there, I picked up a half a peck of the pixie crunch apples,  fresh green beans, red potatoes, green bell peppers, couple of pears and onions, and some homemade apple butter mmm!

If you get opportunities, I high recommend to support your local farmers. Buy fresh, buy local!

Now with the days getting shorter and a slight chill in the air, I get this crazy motivation to get outside and get moving.  Here is a great article I recently found. 

Benefits of Walking   

I believe if walking could be prescribed as a pill, it would be the most popular prescriptions in the world.  There are sooo many benefits when it comes to walking.  For me personally, fall is the best time to get outside for a nice walk.  The weather is perfect, it isn't too warm or cool.  Plus, it is wonderful to see all the pretty fall colors.  This is my walking partner. 

 

As you can see she is always ready to go.

Another part about fall that I absolutely love is big sweaters, boots, Starbucks skinny pumpkin lattes, and a nice glass of red wine.... AHHHH! Pure bliss!

So that about sums it up here. I highly encourage you to get a friend, get outside, and enjoy this time of year!   Tilll next time!

Football season is almost here!

Good Evening!

Hope you all have had a wonderful week. YEAH!!!!!! Tomorrow is Friday!

So as we continue to approach the beginning of football season, I wanted to share this special clip with all my football family and friends. I have always loved fall and ESPECIALLY loved football. My love began at a young age, and grew more and more especially during those fun college years.

Going to a big SEC school I know all about the big tailgates and die heart rivalries. It was no surprise to see the huge RVs coming rolling in on Wednesdays to set up their tailgating spots for the upcoming game Saturday. Then Friday thru Sunday you would hang out at the tailgating spot with all your college buddies and family. Man I miss those days!

Of course these days are different, but what better way to stay apart of the game than to marry it!

Early morning tomorrow! That is all for now!

Something to think about: What was your best memory of college?

Fitness tip: Fridays can be a hard day to find the motivation to get in a good workout, so why not try a hip hop dance or Zumba class (you can even try a DVD). What better way to burn calories and have fun exercising!

Heart My Soldier and Football

Good Evening....

Sorry it has been a little while, technical difficulty..... I had all intentions of catching up and sharing good stuff this weekend. Needless to say, it was a no go till Monday evening. You got to love dealing with cable and Internet services. Bleh! I did get to take the extra time to catch up on some great movies, read a interesting book. I even worked in a little evening scrimmage game Monday.

Here are some of my tasty eats for the week.....

Green Monster - Well at least my version of one

1/2 c of berries

1 slice of Cantaloupe

1 handful of spinach

1 c vanilla almond milk

1/2 scoop of protein

1 hand full of ice

Blend and serve.... mmmmmmm

Grilled Chicken with whole wheat pasta and fresh parm and corn

Cajun rice and turkey sausage

Fried (lightly battered) squash

Fresh tomato

Steam corn

Turkey Burger (mini meatloaf on wheat bun?)

with little mozzarella, tomato, and spinach

Steamed green beans and red potatoes

Fresh steamed corn on the cob

So delish!

Indian lentils and rice with steamed broccoli

And of course.....

birfday cake!!!!!!

Oh and here is my little garden..... basil, chives, parsley, tomatoes, small peppers, and cilantro(only buds - nothing to pick yet) .... PURDY!

This week workout wise was CRAZY! I had mentioned we were short staffed at work, so I had to sub on some extra classes. Whew! It was great! I taught Spin 4 days this week, 2 barbell classes, and pilates. I definitely need the Sat and Sun to recover.

So this weekend was extra special since it was my hubby's birthday Tuesday. But of course since it is preseason, we had to celebrate Sunday. (The countdown is still going - 17 days left till kickoff)

So for my hunny's birfday, I fixed him an extra special dinner (football casserole - his fav) with a oooohhhh so yummy birthday chocolate cake and frosting made completely from scratch. Bless his heart, it has been a couple of years since he has been able to actually celebrate his birthday. I wanted to make this one extra special. :) MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

A little back story on my wonderful husband and I, (Side note - In a couple of weeks we have been together for 3 exciting years) we actually met when he was an active duty officer at an Army installation. I had just moved there for my job, and he had just been recalled back into the Army. He was getting ready to deploy (great time to meet your future husband eh?). At that time, I had already been working in military fitness for 2 1/2 years, and got an internship that moved me there. When I got there, I had told myself that I would enforce a no dating active duty policy. Funny huh? Of course, in a military town it didn't last too long. Coach and I met a month later after we both got there. We were both looking but not looking for relationships. Again with the deployment coming, we were not so sure. As the months went by we knew it something serious, and what better way to test a true relationship than a 10 month deployment to Iraq.
After the deployment, we were not sure what was going to happen. One thing for sure we did know was that he was not going to be staying in the Army. When we had first met, he had told me that it was his dream to become a football coach, like his father. I knew he wanted to do this, but I didn't realize exactly what he meant at the time. I was thinking OK, coaching a youth or high school football as a side job. Needless to say it took me awhile to understand exactly what he meant. He was looking EVERYWHERE for coaching jobs, mainly at colleges. BTW, this is extremely hard field to break into, especially Division I colleges. The Lord works in mysterious ways, because low and behold he did it. One summer night, he came to me and told me that he was going to pursue his dream of being a college football coach at a D1 school in Ohio. As promised after the job was found, he told that night at dinner he was going to marry me.

After that it was another long distance relationship for another 10 months (this time I could at least drive to see him). As he promised he put a ring on my finger that fall. We didn't know how the season was going to turn out. So we didn't make any hasty decisions about me coming to Ohio.

Around the New Year, I had interviewed for a job in Ohio doing exactly what I did in North Carolina. I received word not long after that I got the job, unfortunately paperwork took a long time, so I wasn't able to move till March. This ended up turning out for the best since Ohio got pounded with some serious snow this year. (This southern girl is still a little nervous about this whole real snow business).

So I have been here in O_H_I_O now for a little over 4 months. It is a little different, but overall it has been nice. Still have somethings to get use too - working progress. So the coach and I have been enjoying our newly wed life now for almost 3 months. It has been quite a journey for us. The best part it is so far from over, and there is so much more to see and experience. I couldn't be more excited than to share it with my husband, my best friend. Love you babe!

Now it is sleepy puppy bedtime! Night nite!

Monday Monday!

Howdy!

Hope everyone had a wonderful day....

So last night, I finally made it out of my hermit shell this weekend. I wasn't able to make it to the Irish festival :( But I did stop by my favorite store, TJs! Woo hoo!

Had to pick up a couple of goodies, then decide to stop by and pick up dinner on the way home. I was being super lazy and decide to pick up a small steak, sweet tater, and salad from Outback.

Last night after din din, I decide to make a breakfast cookie, compliments of The Fitnessista's recipe. I had been eyeing this one for awhile. It tastes so yummy! Although note to self, use only the 1/8th of milk. It was still a little sticky this morning.

My mix-ins were a banana, golden raisins, and couple of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Here are a couple of pics of the masterpiece.

Back to the grind today! This week will be a long one. So I made sure to pack a good lunch to fuel me thru my day. The containers are a light pasta noodle to mix with a half pack of tuna the other is cantloupe.

We are short staff at work, so I have a couple of classes I will be teaching a day. I actually love doing this sometimes, but too often can cause burn out quick. Tomorrow is Powerbase (barbell class) then Spin (my fav). Both classes are get your sweat on, kick booty fun. I will sleep like a baby tomorrow night!

Off to bed to get plenty of rest!

Night nite!

Summer Fun

Hey guys!

Sorry it is has awhile since my last post. It has been busy busy last couple of weeks.

My sister came in town last weekend, and we had too much fun. We went to the zoo and water park one day. Then of course do what we do best.... SHOPPING :) The time went by too fast. Next year we already decide on a week.

Coach has been super busy lately too. We are getting ready for the football season. Preseason began Thursday. Let the countdown begin till the first game..... T minus 26 day till the first game!

So to sum up the last couple of weeks. Here are some new pictures with my new camera. YEAH!

All in a weeks work!

Nothing like a 10 mile bike ride on a beautiful Saturday!

Favorite eats weekly wrap up.....

Breakfast burrito (whole wheat)-

1 egg 1 egg white

2% sharp cheddar cheese

1 link of chicken sausage

Salsa

With a side of berries and cantaloupe

Homemade chicken cacciatore with whole wheat pasta and fresh parm from the farmers market

Post bike ride smoothie: No name for this one yet

1/2 cup of strawberries and blueberries

1 banana

2 slices of cantaloupe

Handful of spinach

1/2 cup of vanilla almond milk

Handful of ice

1/2 scoop of vanilla protein

Blend and enjoy!

Bfast

Cheerios and 1/2 a nanner

Whole wheat thin slice sandwich toasted

with natural PB and strawberry and raspberry preserves.

That about sums it up! Off to enjoy the rest of the day outside, then too the Irish festival.

Something to think about: What is your favorite bfast that gets you going in the morning???

Be creative! It is the most important meal of the day!

Something to try: A hot new exercise out there right now is with the TRX suspension straps. It is a awesome workout for anyone at any fitness level. Check it out! http://www.fitnessanywhere.com/

Where does the weekend go?

Hey guys!

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. I think they get shorter and shorter. But the good thing about this week is that it is a short one for me. My little sister is coming in Thursday evening, and we have some fun things planned. I cannot wait!
So it was a busy weekend! Maybe that is why it flew by....
I finish work yesterday, ran by a couple of places, then came home and began getting the guest room ready. Coach got in really late last night so we weren't able to dinner. Wah Wah!
Big bummer, but we got to be lazy this morning and enjoy a nice breakfast before finishing up the guest room and basement. Then to make up for not going out Saturday night. We had a nice late lunch (early dinner) at a Mexican restaurant close to the hacienda. Cannot pass up fajeetas and chips and salsa! My all time fav! Hey we all have our bad days! Every once and awhile got to reward yourself for all that hard work.
Tomorrow is a early morning, so off to bed! Have a wonderful night!

If you need some motivation to get started or back in the game, this is a great quote.
“Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired.”
- George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian