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

Get R Done!

Good Morning!

So I apologize for no entry yesterday. It was a crazy long Friday! I started off my day with part II of the super berry and nanner smoothie. Love them!!!
There has been a heat advisory the last couple of days, and our gym isn't air conditioned. We ended up closing early due to safety reasons. It was nice, because I had some much needed errands to get done. Before I left work, I had to get my workout in. No better way to start off the weekend than with a kick booty TRX workout, especially in a gym that is 97 degrees. I do not recommend that to just anyone. Please listen to your body and stay hydrated when you workout during these hot summer months.
After work, I ran into Best place ever for cool electronic stuff. I finally got a new camera!!!!! Woot Woot! Read the directions (DUH!) and charge it up, so it is ready to go.
While I was looking at cameras I decide to take a peek at some fun games for our Wii, per request from Coach. I ended up picking a fun golf game. We will be trying it out this weekend, will let you know how it goes. Tip: If you don't want to go to the gym why not break out a Wii or any other game over the weekends and have fun while being active!
After that, I headed over to a thrift store. Coach and I are getting ready for my lil sis to visit next weekend. So I am finishing up getting the guest room ready. I have been shopping for queen box springs. I didn't think it would be that hard. I was sadly mistaken. Plus, not having a truck here makes it a little tougher.
I finally found a box spring for $4.99 (that is my kind of shopping). Couldn't pass it up! With a deal like that I knew that it wouldn't make it till Sunday when Coach would be back home. Of course the thrift store couldn't put it on hold for 24hrs???? Frustrated, I called Coach to share my poor me story. Being the supportive husband he his, he told me, "if you want that bad just throw it on top of your car, you aren't going that far!" With a certain determination, I ran to Wally world picked up some rope. Ran back to the thrift store and purchased my queen box spring. The most interesting part of this whole story, was me going down the road in my little car with a mattress strapped on the top of my car during rush hour traffic! Luckily, home is less than a mile down the road, and I got stopped by every light. I never even got above 35 mph. A picture would have been awesome for this one!
When I got home, I asked this little teenage boy who was riding his scooter to help take the mattress off. I tried to give him a couple bucks, but he was too nice. Everything worked out, and I got my mattress home to finish the room.
To finish the get - r - done story, while I was at Wally World, I figured what the HEY, why don't I get the stuff to hang my bike up in the garage, and move my grill on to the porch. What a way to finish a Friday evening??? Whew! I was exhausted by the end. Morale of the story, when a girl whats something bad enough.... she WILL figure out a way to get it done. ;)
Dinner was nothing special, left over roasted chicken, herb pasta, and steam broccoli. Then two of my awesome "Super- Super Charge Me" ahhhh bliss!
Saturday, off to work early morning. MUST HAVE BIG CUP OF JOE!!!!!! Taking the day off from working out, but have major house cleaning to look forward too. That is a workout by itself. BLEH!!!! This evening I am looking forward to a lovely night out with Coach for some dinner and maybe some jazz?
Hope everyone is has a wonderful weekend! Stay cool!

Productive Day

There is no better way to start off your day than having a nice huge super berry and nanner protein smoothie. Sorry no pic, but I promise it was delish!
I am in somewhat of a camera dilemma, but it will be taken care of soon, actually tomorrow. So pics are coming soon!
Here is what I put in my super berry and nanner smoothie:
1/2 c of strawberries, 1/2 c of blueberries, 1 banana, 1/2 c of original almond milk, 1 scoop of protein, and a hand full of ice. Blend and serve! YUMMY!
Then it was off to work. Fun Fun! Work was pretty eventfully, especially for a Thursday. I finished up my marketing on a new fitness program coming up in the fall. Got the aerobics schedule for August ready to go. Then finished off my day with teaching a heart pumping calorie busting sweat your breakfast and lunch off spin ride! Whew!
I love it when you felt great about a ride with an awesome class. Makes working out that hard even more fun.
Then it was back home for dinner and a little relaxing time. Dinner was roasted chicken and herb pasta, and steamed broccoli. I had a little extra time, and have been sooo wanting some "Super Charge Me Cookies"found off of Eat, Drink, and Be Vegan. Last time I made these Coach (my hubs) ate almost all of them. He LOVES them. I will admit they are the bomb! Although, I did make some minor changes to add a little extra protein. Of course, I ate one right as I was taking them off the pan. Couldn't resist!
As I was getting the cookies ready, the Roo (my little fur baby), is right under my feet in the kitchen. I can not be in the kitchen without giving her a treat. Some how she knows that good things come from the kitchen, so if I am in there she is always in there too. So I gave her a nice puppy PB frozen treat. They get a little mess, so we had to take it outside to the porch to eat it. Again, a picture would have been really good of this. It was pretty funny watching her eat it. :)

Now time to relax! Ah!!!!!! Tomorrow is Friday! YEAH!
Then off to bed! Night nite!

Something to think: What exercise gets you excited?
Exercise to try: (of course consult with your Dr. before beginning any exercise program)
Bosu Push-Up - This is a great exercise for the entire body, core and all. First you can flip the Bosu over bringing your hands on the far end of each side to do a push-up from the knees or a full push-up. Stability will be a factor, so use caution beginners. Then for the more advanced fitness levels, you can flip back over again bring your hands to the edges or the middle for the push-ups. Stability will be more of a factor with the unstable surface. Keep the core engaged and breath thru out the exercise.

New to this blogging thing

Hello!
So for the last couple of years I have been reading a ton of blogs. I am now even to the point that I have too many I follow on a regular basis. It is getting hard to keep up with all of them. So finally, I decided I was going to create my own. SOOOOO drum roll please..... here it is!!!!!! Ok.... nothing special yet, but it is coming! Promise!
With this blog I hope to share with you cool new workouts, fitness ideas and tips, yummy healthy recipes, and of course there will be other things about my crazy life with my husband (the coach), and my pup (Roo). I am super excited!!!!!
That is all for tonight.

Night nite!