Fantastic Friday

I had an amazing Friday...and I needed it. My husband is the most amazing guy ever. So thoughtful, so sweet, so amazing, so caring and the best!!

After work I went to the gym like planned. Lifted lower body and did a little cardio in between. Then I came home to find a note and a pile of neatly folded comfy clothes by the door. So I changed into them as the note instructed and went upstairs to find the bed made, some relaxing music playing and Jimmy set to give me a back massage. It was heaven!! Then he asked me if I'd go out on a date with him and he pulled a little cotton dress out of the closet that he went and bought for me from Old Navy to wear. We had gotten the Old Navy ad in the newspaper the day before and I asked him what he thought of a dress in there that I liked...well he bought me that one to wear out tonight!!

We then went out to dinner to a little cafe on the water downtown and had dinner. Nothing too exciting or special, but just relaxing and nice not to have to cook.

Don't know what I did to deserve him...but boy am I glad I've got em!!

Now we are back and I am ready for bed. This has been a long and exhausting week, but it had an amazing ending...now onto the weekend.

Tomorrow is weigh in...until then...

Adios :)

Hard Workout Day

First things first...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JEANNIE!! Jeannie was my AWESOME February partner in the Make Yourself A Priority In 2007 Challenge. And she ROCKS! So go to her blog and wish her a Happy Birthday and tell her how awesome she is doing!!

Well I survived...Spinning...Running...and Abs Class...now my legs hurt going up the stairs. Eh. I guess I pushed too hard, but then tomorrow is only lifting, but it is lower body, so we'll see how well that goes. I am still going to do it, just don't know how hard I will be able to push myself. Doing something is better then nothing, so either way I will be set.

TOMORROW IS FRIDAY!! WOOHOO! I need the weekend so much, even though it is jammed packed with things to do, they are fun and relaxing things so that is good.

Sitting on my butt and watching TV went well tonight, even though it wasn't until about 8:30 that I got to do that, but still 2 good hours of doing nothing sure helped.

Back up and at em tomorrow...work at 6am hopefully to the gym by 4pm and then home to relax again...ahhh weekends.

I am in for the April Challenge, this is helping me more then you will ever know. All of your support is amazing. Thank you all for your comments and even for those who just stop by to read. Thanks!!!

Off to bed...until tomorrow...

Adios :)

A Tired Girl...

Yesterday and today were both very very long days…I am already wishing for the weekend.

Yesterday I was up at 5:15 to go to the gym and run…even though it was going to be 80 degrees out, I had to run on the treadmill in the morning :( since I was meeting a friend after work for shopping and dinner. Shopping and dinner…sounds fun right…not so much. See here are my good deeds for the week. Going out to dinner and shopping with one friend and doing lunch with another. Both of whom Jimmy likes to call 'Debbie Downers' It is like a chore to go out with them sometimes…like they need someone to talk to and ll, but it is one bad thing after the other after the other…about how their lives stink. I don't know if they want answers from me or if they are just talking to let someone listen.but it is so uncomfortable and draining…exhausting actually…and NO FUN. So last night I left work at 6, met up with her at 6:30 and didn't get home until 11.

I was beat.

Today is my long day with working, working out, then refereeing until 10. It went well I actually ran into one of my old college roommates that I haven't seen in about 6 years, it was great to see her, but a little awkward since we didn't really know what to say to each other, but it is great to see that she is still the same.

I just finished up packing up all of my meals for tomorrow during the day. Tomorrow should be a little better of a day though I am working out extra hard tomorrow. Spin class at 6am and then a run with Jimmy at 6pm after he gets off of work at the gym and then his friend Doug from the gym is teaching an abs class for 30 min at 7pm...and since it is his first class he wanted people in it that he knows and some people to fill the class, so Jimmy signed us up...I might kill myself tomorrow, but then I won't feel so bad about coming home and sitting on my butt and watching tv :)

Work today was ok, a little frustrating though and I am still debating on saying something to one of my co-workers about something he did to make me mad. He is sort of my superior, but we are kind of friends as well so I think I could say something to him and he'd take it ok. We'll see if I am still mad tomorrow and then I will go from there.

Lent update: 35 days down and still no pizza or french fries!! When we went out for my birthday...to a burger place...by my choice, it was tough, but luckily they had a side of mac and cheese as a substitute!! Didn't have to twist my arm on that one :) And tonight when I was at work Jimmy and my cousin got their fill of pizza for dinner...and it was all gone by the time I got home. Now don't get me wrong, I am planning an Easter meal of Pizza and French Fries... :) But come on after 40 days without both...I should be allowed a little indulgence.

Well I need to get into bed and watch LOST on Tivo and then get some sleep...until tomorrow...

Adios :)

Day 1, Week 4, 9 Weeks to go...

Happy Monday!! Sorry I have been out of the loop for a few days, but it was my birthday weekend and it was packed full of fun things to do, so there was no time for blogging! All in all I had an amazing 28th birthday! Mostly thanks to my wonderful husband who arranged dinner and a night out with a bunch of my friends and pampered me all weekend long!! :) He's the best.

I ended up down 1.2 pounds on Saturday as well, but have decided that the money I am spending on WW to just go and weigh in is no longer needed since I am doing Body-For-Life now and not following the weight watchers plan. So from now on, I will still have my Saturday morning weekly weigh-ins, they will just be on my home scale with my husband as my witness.

So I have lost a total of 5.8 pounds in my first 3 weeks on Body-For-Life! I am pumped. I feel better, I think I look better and it's so easy!

We completed the Baltimore Stadium Trek on Saturday morning as well...and I have a picture I will post a little later from after the race. We did awesome, 2.75 miles, up and down ramps inside both Raven's Stadium and Camden Yards and up and down stairs too...all in 24 min. (24:03 to be exact :)) It was fun, cold and rainy...but fun. And we have come up with our next challenges, which I will blog about when I have a little bit more time.

Today we both took off of work to get the basement cleaned up and gutted. We are going to start finishing it this summer, in hopes to have it all done by the fall. We want to have more space for when babies start coming along... So all day long we have been tossing stuff, taking stuff to both Goodwill and the dump. It has been an exhausting, fun, and productive day. But I have to run and get the dogs for their walk while it is still light out and then hit up the gym with my cousin.

Until tomorrow...

Adios! :)

Happy Friday!!!

Happy Friday everyone!! I am so excited for this weekend...and the fun has already begun. Tonight was birthday dinner with the family...Kobe's Steakhouse. It is a Japanese Steakhouse type place where the cook the food right in front of you, it was delish! Though I did learn that after almost 3 full weeks on Body for Life and eating 6 small meals a day, it is not all that great of an idea to go and eat 3 small meals and then stuff your face for a big meal at night. My stomach already can't handle it. Which is a good thing...I think. But the food and company were both great.

One of the fun things about birthdays...PRESENTS!! Jimmy gave me my present tonight, even though my birthday isn't until tomorrow, because he wanted me to be able to show my parents. Check out what he got me... ISN'T IT GORGEOUS!!I had no idea what he was getting me, though he said it is something that I needed. See I have sensitive skin, I can only wear 'real' gold or platinum etc, or I break out in a rash if I wear something too long. So the only watches I ever own are sport watches, with like Velcro wristbands...not all that professional. So he got me a really nice watch that is all stainless steel and he said that he did the research and it should not make my wrist break out :) How sweet of him to do research and check into all that for me.

Then I got a bunch of clothes from my parents, all that I had helped my mom pick out :) and my brother and sister in law gave me a housekeeper for a day!! Yes!! A lady to come in and clean our house!! She might have a heart attack when she gets in here...but she'll do laundry, make beds, vacuum, do dishes...how exciting!!

Before we went to dinner though we had to go to the mall to the jewelry store, because one thing that I was blessed with was tiny wrists...now I'd trade them in for say a tiny waist, but nope, I got little wrists. Go figure. So we had to go and get my new watch sized. They took out all but 2 links, and it fits perfect and I LOVE IT!! I don't want to take it off :)

All of the birthday celebrating aside, I did get to leave work early today right after graduation (oh and the cake student didn't bring any cake!! :)) so I was out of work at 2:30 and to the gym by 3 and lifted upper body and jumped some rope. It was a great workout...my shoulders and arms are a little achy so I know it was good. That made me feel better about going out to eat and all.

Tomorrow is the Stadium Trek...rain or shine...and it is raining out now and it is supposed to rain ALL day tomorrow. woohoo. We are in for the long haul and are going in the rain...because now it is a challenge for us, as we came to realize exactly how many steps there are and how we might die...so we are determined to see if we can do it and if we do it in the rain, we'll feel even more challenged. Or so we keep telling ourselves. So wish us luck and hopefully I'll be able to walk when we go out for my birthday tomorrow night!!

Weigh in is first thing in the morning...hopefully my big meal tonight won't out-do all of the hard work I have put in for the last 3 weeks...I doubt it, because I can tell I am getting in better shape and losing and one meal isn't going to take that away...but we'll see what the numbers say.
Until tomorrow...Have a great weekend everyone!!

Adios :)

Dog Wash Day...

Well it finally got to the point last night where all of the dogs needed a bath, so after returning from a hard spin class, I went to work. Dog washing and fish tank cleaning have always been my job...Jimmy is of course willing to help, but I take care of it most often. And let me tell you, I would do it one hundred times over for my wonderful babies.

They are usually pretty good while they are in the tub, that is once I get them in the tub. Now I don't have to wrestle them in there or anything, all I actually have to say is "go get in the tub" and they all know what it means...but then they try to circumvent the bathroom door with as much dexterity as possible! it is quite funny. Especially since our bathroom has 2 doors, one to our bedroom and one to the hallway. So I either have to get them in the bedroom then into the bathroom through there, or straight in from the hallway with both of the doors to the bedroom closed...then it is the hokey pokey to corner them in the corner with the tub until they get in. Don't know where they think they are going to escape to...but it is funny.

We have a connection on our shower that I can spray them down with so it goes pretty quick. As long as they are not dirty, it is about 5 min in and then out. Then the rampaging begins...I towel them off as much as possible, but being that they are 2 labs and a lab mix...they don't dry off very well, their double coats wick away the water and kind of hold it in at the same time. So they get dried off on the surface and then they shake and it all reappears.

So one by one when they are done they get out of the tub, shake, run into the hallway and rub their bodies all over the carpet. Hence, the bathroom always gets a through cleaning and the carpets a nice baking soda and vacuum treatment on dog wash day.

Here is a picture from about I'd say a year and a half ago...of all 3 doggies after their respective baths, in our old house in Arlington...how well behaved and clean do they look... :)






So last night was exhausting, which is why I am posting this morning.

I think I might have gotten more of a workout at home washing the dogs, then in spin class...and spin class royally kicked my butt last night! So all in all a good workout day...had a small piece of homemade cake yesterday...and boy was it yummy. Our students graduate today, so if there is cake today (which I am assuming there will be) I will probably have another small slice. And then no more baking students! That will make life a lot easier.

Oh and I don't really care for cake all that much, but the cake she makes is amazing. And the worst part is, tomorrow is my birthday, so more cake is coming tonight, when my parents come to take me to my birthday dinner...and I am caked out. Good thing probably though, because that means one tiny piece and I am done. And I think for my actual birthday tomorrow I am definitely going for ice cream instead of cake...I love me some ice cream!!

Since today is graduation day, it should be a short day, then off to the gym to lift upper body. No cardio today, because tomorrow is the Baltimore Stadium Trek and I will need all of my legs in full force tomorrow.

Like I said tonight is family birthday dinner night...at Kobe Steakhouse...one of those hibachi type places. I picked it as I can eat a lot, since it is mostly shrimp, chicken, veggies and rice. And since weigh in is tomorrow I didn't want anything heavy like Italian. I am excited...I love stir fry!

I hope everyone has a very happy first FRIDAY of SPRING!! Until tonight...or tomorrow...

Adios :)

Happy Spring!

Happy Spring Everyone!!

First I need to thank Jeannie at PointsandPounds for another pledge! Jeannie pledged my final $10 for the Baltimore Stadium Trek this weekend! THANKS JEANNIE!!

Today was a great day...I was only at work for 4.5 hours :) then I got to come home and take a nap with the doggies, eat some yummy soup, go to the gym, then go and referee. A pretty filled but at the same time a little relaxing day.

Now for tomorrow...it is supposed to be 72 degrees! WooHoo!! Spring here we come! That is what I like to hear.

Hopefully the rest of the week will fly by...tomorrow night is spinning class then cleaning around the house as my parents are coming here on Friday to take me out for my birthday dinner (it is my brother and his wife's birthday dinner too since our birthdays are so close) and of course Jimmy will be there too. I can't wait...it will be the start of my birthday weekend :)

I am making this a little short tonight, since Jimmy and I are going to watch TIVO'd American Idol and LOST then off to bed!

Good night all...until tomorrow...

Adios :)

A forever long day...

Today seemed like it was forever long...until I left work. Isn't that the way it always is? I left work today at 4:30 to go to the gym for my 6pm spin class...yes I got to the gym an hour and 45 minutes before class started. So...I hung out and talked to Jimmy for a while and he convinced me to go running with him again instead of go to spin. He has a way of doing that. :)

So I went ahead and changed and did some sit ups and then looked up some new lifting exercises in his Core book and we both waited for his replacement to show up at the gym. She finally came and we decided to do a 5.5 mile loop that a running group does every Monday (they kick off at the gym). So off we go with a print out of oh...about 26 turns!

We did the whole thing, though I am not too sure it was 5.5 miles, but when we got back, it took us an hour, we were running a little slower then I think we would have normally, but not knowing the course (except for the many directions) I wanted to be sure I had enough energy to make it back! It felt good, we even mixed in some stairs into the run. Thanks to Jimmy for getting my butt out and running. Now I just hope we both survive the Baltimore Stadium Trek this Saturday, check it out...also if you'd like to sponsor me, please do so here! I only need $15 more dollars and it all goes to benefit Lung Disease!

So when we came home and made salmon, couscous and veggies for dinner it was a well needed meal. I was STARVING!

Tomorrow is going to be a little bit of an unusual day as I am out of work at 11 for a Dr's appointment and have decided that I am not going back...just taking the rest of the day off. Going to hit up Rita's Water Ice for my first day of spring Free Water Ice :) Yummy. My one pleasure of the day...I can't wait. Then I will hit up the gym to lift lower body and then off to referee. A lot less of a longer day then today, so it will be great.

Also for those of you who like coffee, I know here in Maryland Dunkin Donuts is offering a free iced coffee tomorrow too. I don't like coffee so that helps me, Rita's is all I need :)

Here is to the start to a great Spring!! Until tomorrow...

Adios :)

UPDATE!! I only need $10 more for my donations for the Baltimore Stadium Trek thanks to Sarah at Living to Feel Good who donated $5 to help benefit Lung Disease. THANKS SARAH!

Day 1, Week 3, 2 weeks down, 10 to go...

CLOSED…CLOSED…is what the sign said when I got to WW on Saturday morning for my early 7am weigh in…CLOSED! Ok, so we did get a inch or so of an ice/sleet mixture on Friday night, but c'mon! Week #2 for BFL and I really wanted to weigh in! Plus Saturday is my day off from eating for BFL so I definitely didn't want to weigh in on Sunday! So I went about my day, went to the gym after my no-weigh-in weigh-in and did lower body lifting and 25 minutes of cardio. Then I was off to meet my friend Shannon for our St. Patty's Day trip to OC.

Saturday turned out to be a lot of fun. Too much beer, but a lot of fun. Then when we got back home on Sunday, I went back to bed with Jimmy (who had bar-backed until 3am the night before) so he was the perfect napping partner…well he and the 3 doggies :) Sunday was a lazy day, I have to say though, that I didn't make it to the gym on Sunday and for that I am both lifting and doing cardio today to make up for it. I did get in a good 15 min walk with Jimmy and the doggies, so all wasn't completely lost on the physical activity front.

Food wise I didn't eat my 5 little meals, I just wasn't feeling up to it. I did have a square breakfast, 1 scrambled egg, 2 pieces of bacon, a small bit of potatoes and one slice of wheat toast. Then I had a small milkshake, because for some reason my throat was hurting from the beer or yelling at the bar all night.. And then for dinner Jimmy and I split a chicken cheese steak. So I bet I got all of my calories in…just not the best calories and not the right amounts of food.

So today was a new day, I woke up and since today was Day 1 of Week 3 and I have been weighing myself at home on all of my Day 1 days, I weighed myself to find out I am down 1.8 lbs! Not exactly sure if that is what it would have been if I had weighed in before my weekend of debauchery and on the WW scale, but it is still a loss in my book. We'll just have to wait and see what WW says next Saturday. So I am right on track…BFL says you should expect to lose 1-2 lbs a week…so 1.8 is right at the top of that range, and that works just fine for me!

This morning I started everything off on the right foot…got up, made all 4 of my meals that I eat before I get home and got out of the door, a little late, but got to work in ok time. I also had my bag packed so I headed to the gym right after work lifted my upper body and got in a good 20 minute interval run on the treadmill. Then I came home and made crab cakes for dinner and got some stuff done around the house. I also went ahead and called the gym this morning and signed up for tomorrow nights spin class. I really liked the Thursday night spin class I went to last week and the Tuesday night one is the same instructor, so I am pumped. I am glad I have found something else I really like to do in the cardio arena, it makes it so less more of a chore.

Also, this weekend I passed up french fries twice!! Yep, 2 times I could have gotten them with my meal or in addition to, but I didn't. The first time I got french onion soup instead…well I thought I did, but I guess I got french onion soup in addition, now while they didn't bring me the fries too like they did last time, they didn't bring them to me at all and charged me for both! Oh well, I guess a little price to pay to stay on track. 27 days in and still no pizza or french fries!

So BFL Week 3 here I come…I am ready… now if it would just get warm outside and stay warm!

Have a great week everyone!

Completely Exhausted...

A day off…no not a day off from BFL…but a day off from working out. It is not going to be detrimental to my BFL program, because Sunday was going to be my day off from working out, now today is instead and I will go work out on Sunday. I just got the most horrible night of sleep last night imaginable and I am struggling so incredibly bad today I just wouldn't have a good work out at all. Plus Jimmy just called me to tell me it is sleeting outside and he didn't want me driving around in the sleet in the Honda since it doesn't do well in the snow and ice. So he called my trainer and canceled my appointment for today.

So I came home took a nap, ate my crock pot enchiladas then went to the mall with my cousin and got a manicure and pedicure (she treated as my birthday present). I was completely on track with eating today. My "mini chill" was 1/2 a piece of homemade red velvet cake…damn this one student that we have that bakes something every night then brings it in…then comes and specifically serves me a piece. Thank goodness there is only one more week left of this class!!

Also I have only seen Jimmy for like a total of 10 minutes all week and since he didn't have to work at the bar tonight, we could hang out and take a nap together...which was wonderful.

So tomorrow is my day off from my strict eating. But I will be up at 7am to go to my weigh in and then to the gym with Jimmy for a cardio and lower body lifting session. Then to party away St. Patty's Day…then right back on track with eating and working out on Sunday. I love this one day off a week thing with BFL. I look forward to the day all week and what I would like to have and I can have it :)

Here is my 2nd day of the Mini Challenge from Michelle at the Make Yourself a Priority in 2007 contest:

This is meal #1 for the day. Ate at 6:30am. Egg beaters (1/3 cup), one slice of 2% cheese on a ww english muffin. And my trusty bottle of Fruit2O that got refilled all day long.



The 1/2 a slice of red velvet cake falls right in here… no picture though.

This is meal #2 for the day. Ate at 9:45am. Yoplait Light Vanilla yogurt, one granny smith apple with some slivered almonds.


I was still so exhausted at lunch I had to run out and buy one of my Low Carb Monster Drinks.

This is meal #3 for the day. Soy beans (edemame), light string cheese and carrots. This meal was eaten a little later then usual due to being full from the cake and meal #2. Ate this around 2:00pm.

This is meal #4 for the day. An EAS Ready-to-Drink shake and some green pepper slices. Ate this meal around 5pm on my ride home from work.


This is meal #5 for the day. Crock Pot Enchiladas…skinless chicken breasts cooked in the crock pot, put into ww tortillas (2), with a little reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese and then spread with a tsp. of enchilada sauce on top with a tbs. of reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese. And FF sour cream garnish. DELISH! And waiting for me when I get home :) BTW -- my two are the back 2...made with the wheat tortilla...the other 2 are my cousins...Jimmy was still napping :)


No meal #6 for the day…but on a side note, I did have one small square of a chocolate bar last night around 10pm…not a 6th meal, but just a tad of chocolate.

Today when I got home I had one of these delish lollipops, 1/2 chocolate, 1/2 caramel lollipop...yummy and only 80 calories...maybe a little much for a lollipop...but it is 1/2 chocolate!

After my cousin and I got back from getting our manis and pedis I was freezing due to the sleet outside...so I made us some hot peppermint tea with some honey.


Now until tomorrow and the weigh in. I won't get to post about it until Sunday since I will be going directly from weigh in to the gym to meet my friends to head to the beach. So until Sunday…

Good luck to all for a great weekend. And Happy St. Patrick's Day too!!

Adios. :)

March Picture Challenge...and a New Look!

First let me start off for saying Thanks Jeannie!!!

Hello!! So how do you like the new look? It is all thanks to Jeannie who was my February partner for the Make Yourself a Priority in 2007 Challenge. She ROCKS!! She helped me with my new chart, my new clicker and opened my eyes to all that you can do with the blogger. I am so excited!

Today went well. I had my first presentation for our level 2 class at work and it went great! I have only been at my job for now a little over 5 months and I had given 2 presentations in our entry level class and I sucked them up pretty bad. But this presentation went great, I did something different by using a quiz and catching their attention. So I am excited...now I feel relieved and I can handle what lies ahead with work...more and more teaching and presenting. woah.

So after work I went to the gym to go to my spinning class. Jimmy was working there from 12-5 and then at the bar from 6-whenever. He is such a sweetheart and waited at the gym to see me...then he gave me these beautiful flowers!! They are the same flowers in the same colors we had at our wedding...such a sweetheart.


Now on to the new Challenge from Michelle for the Make Yourself a Priority 2007 group...

To take pictures of everything that we put into our mouth for the entire day...here is my day one. Now keep in mind this will probably look like a lot of food but I get to eat a lot on Body-For-Life. And there is a picture missing of the 1/2 a homemade blondie that I had today during work because one of our students made them and brought them in and cameras aren't allowed in my work...or there would have been a picture. But as you will see it is written down on my journal page which I have also taken a picture of for your viewing pleasure. :) Also you will notice that all of my food is in baggies etc. and not opened, that is because it is all getting packed up to take with me to work!


This is my egg beaters sandwich, with one slice of 2% cheese on a whole wheat english muffin that I had for breakfast at 6:30am. Also here is my fruit water...this bottle got refilled about 5 times today at 20oz a bottle!



This is my Monster Energy Drink that I have in the morning to keep my butt awake at work, when you get up as early as I do and don't like coffee you need something...this is the low carb/low sugar version.


This is my 2nd meal of the day...3 Wasa 7 grain Crisps, spread with 2 wedges of Light Laughing Cow cheese (garlic and herb), and then topped with a little bit of light turkey lunch meat. I also then had a sliced blood orange (the first time I have had one of these...it was pretty tasty!) I had this at 9:30am.



This is my 3rd meal of the day...a single serving cup of brown rice, with some shredded chicken and 1.5 tbs. of BBQ sauce. I also had a baggie of sliced green peppers and a light string cheese. I had this meal at 12:30am.


This is my 4th meal of the day...a light Yoplait yogurt (vanilla) with sliced strawberries and slivered almonds. (my favorite meal...like a mini parfait!) I had this meal at 4pm.


This is my 5th meal of the day...first I did eat these veggies on my way home from spin class...then I made salmon pattys, with zucchini fries....and a little ketchup. Also, here is my Sprite Zero that I had with dinner. I had this meal at 8:30pm.



I haven't yet had my 6th meal, it is 11pm...so I don't think I will be having it but if I do...I'll post the pics tomorrow.

Ok...now my hands are hurting from all of this typing...and I need to get to bed!! Tomorrow night at 6 is my first meeting with my new trainer, to lift lower body and do abs...and I have to admit, I am a little bit scared!!

Until tomorrow...

Adios. :)

Crock Pot Taco Chicken

Many of you left comments asking about my Crock Pot Taco Chicken...so here is what I do. It isn't rocket science...all of my cooking is far from that, but it is Yummy!!

So here it goes...

• I take a package of frozen skinless chicken breast and place it in the bottom of the crock pot.
• Then I sprinkle the top of the chicken with taco seasoning (either from a packet or a shaker like I found at Wal-Mart this week)
• Then I cover the chicken with a large jar of salsa (we like Medium) The large jar is about the size of 2 regular Tostitos Brand salsas. If it doesn't look like it is enough salsa don't worry, because the salsa will cook down and it will all cook fine.
  
• Then I turn the crock pot on low and let it cook for 6-8 hours. If the chicken is thawed it will only take about 1/2 that time.

Then we make some no-yolk egg noodles to go with it and I sprinkle it with some taco seasoning and eat it all with a little bit of FF sour cream. There are many other things you can do with this recipe...like make enchiladas with the meat or instead of noodles you can have another side.

Let me know if you have any further questions!

Enjoy!

It is ONLY Wednesday...

For real?!? It feels like it should be Friday twice over. I don't know what it is, but this week seems like the longest week in creation. I have so much stuff to do and so little time to do it, but it seems like the days are so long, but go by so quick. I know it doesn't make any sense, but I am beat.

I think the working out and getting up at 5am is getting to me. It is not going to stop me as every day I keep seeing positive improvement. So on I forge waiting for a weekend day when I can sleep in or just relax. Though I don't see one of them coming anytime soon. As here are my up and coming weekend plans...no stop packed as usual.

This Saturday: up to weigh in at 7 to the gym at 8 and then off to Ocean City for St. Patty's Day...then Sunday is recover day, though I will be up early again because I am riding to the beach with Shannon and Brian and they have to be back for Shannon's Nephew's 2nd birthday party by noon. So hopefully I can come home and go back to bed.

The following weekend is my birthday weekend. Dinner with my Fam on Friday night. Then out to dinner with friends on Saturday night and to see a hypnotist comedian after that. Then Sunday Jimmy wants to take me on a birthday hike and picnic with just the 2 of us...and the doggies.

Then the next weekend it is off to home to Delaware to catch up with some friends and go outlet shopping with my mom...

on and on...I like it that way don't get me wrong, but I need a day off. I might just take one off of work after our class graduates and relax and DO NOTHING.

Lifting went well this morning...got it all in in 40 min and then showered and to work on time. So now I know I can at least lift in the mornings before work if we have class. Which is good to know, because I was worried I wouldn't have time and then would get caught not being able to go on Wednesdays at all when I ref. But it is all working out.

I signed up for spinning class tomorrow night for my cardio day, since I didn't go to class last night and chose to ran outside. So I will only have to do my treadmill workout once this week which will be nice.

I know I have gotten a lot of comments about my Crock Pot Taco Chicken. I will post exactly what I do for it tomorrow...as I need to go to bed and get some sleep...well get in bed and watch Lost then go to sleep...so until tomorrow.

Adios :)

Workout Change and Awesome Weather

So as I said last night I signed up for spinning class tonight. Well I got to the gym early because our class got out early and then talked to Jimmy since he was working and getting off of work in 30 min. He then convinced me that it was too nice to stay inside and workout, that we needed to go for a run outside. Since he was feeling better and up to it and I hadn't seen him all day, I said yes! So I worked out on the elliptical for 30 min, going at a moderate clip, since I wasn't sure how long or far he'd want to run...or up what hills. Since the gym is located in Federal Hill. :)

So the elliptical went well then we went out for our run. We left at 5 after 6 and got back at 37 after. So not bad for our first run outside in a few months. Plus we ran to Federal Hill...and up it. When we got up all of the stairs we walked a little bit...partially my fault because there were a lot of doggies up there with their owners and I like to say hi to them :) I am just a major dog lover and can't help myself. I must have said to Jimmy a good 15-20 times in 5 minutes about how we should bring our dogs there one day after work. I hope we can soon, they'd love it. Anyways, back to the run...it was good. GREAT to be outside and kicking some butt.

So long story short...or long...my workout did change, but a change in this case was really good. I had fun, got to spend time with Jimmy and got to be outside...how much better does it get!

Well it does get a little bit better because I came home to a crock pot cooked dinner...not having to cook is a pretty sweet deal! Plus it is one of my favorite crock pot meals...chicken breast put in the crock pot with some taco seasoning sprinkled on top (which I found in wal-mart in a shaker can!) and then covered in a large can of salsa. It cooks all day, we come home make up some egg noodles and have crock pot taco chicken, with a little FF sour cream...yummy!

Then I cleaned our fish tank. It was foul, I had been majorly slacking on cleaning it since I have been so incredibly busy and told myself this morning I was going to do it tonight, because our fish deserved better then to live in filth. So I did and the fish seem so happy. I gave them frozen shrimp for their dinner since I put them through the cleaning trauma and they are all doing swimmingly :) heehee

Then we watched American Idol, now I am typing this...and then I am off to bed. I have a morning lift session tomorrow and need to get my butt up extra early! Good night all!

Here is to a great 'hump day' and knowing the weekend is closer!!!

Adios :)

Day one, Week 2, 11 weeks remaining

Week one went amazingly well and this is seeming all too easy. I pack my meals at night, eat all day long, spend no more then 45 min at the gym and I am set! This week is a little harder because we have a class going on at work, so that means working out before work is a little tougher because I need to make it to the office before 8 and the gym opens at 6...I might be able to swing it. I will find out on Wednesday when I have to go before work, because I referee after work.

I signed up for a spin class tomorrow night since I won't be able to go to my regular one on Thursday morning since I have to be on the podium teaching at 8. I have to prep and all so that would be cutting it way too close, especially since the spin class is 45 min, but with stretching and all usually lasts at least and hour. So tomorrow night with a new instructor, whom my husband says is an awesome teacher because her classes are always packed. So we'll see. I am up for whatever as long as it mixes up my cardio routines for the week. One day of not running on the treadmill helps, since that gets old really quick.

Tomorrow it is supposed to be 72 here!! YEAH! Which I would love to run outside, but since Jimmy is still getting over his sickness, I am going to stick with the gym and hopefully he can run with me later in the week. Though it is supposed to be back to 40 degrees by the weekend. eh. Just stay warm please!! I have had enough of the cold!

I can't wait to see what this week brings. I have all of my workouts planned out and Jimmy went to the grocery store for us today and got me all of my healthy foods for the week. So I am set. Figuring out when my workouts will be are the hard part so here is my plan:

Monday: Lifted both upper and lower body (was only supposed to be lower body, but I got back from dropping my friends off at the airport too late to get in lifting yesterday, so I made it up today...I love the flexibility of BFL!)

Tuesday: Cardio -- Spinning Class :) and abs

Wednesday: Lift upper body in the morning

Thursday: Cardio at night after work -- Treadmill Interval Run 30 min

Friday: Lift Lower body -- possibly with my trainer -- and abs

Saturday: Cardio -- Treadmill Interval Run 30 min (then off to party my free day away for St. Patty's Day at Shenanigan's in Ocean City!!)

Sunday: No workout day...but back on plan food wise

That is the plan...week 2...week one flew by, here is to week two doing the same.

Adios.

Whirlwind Weekend...

Whew. It is now 7:30 pm on Sunday and I have no idea where the weekend went. My friends arrived on Thursday night and it has been a whirlwind ever since. I am beat. But it was a blast!

Saturday morning weigh in was a major success too!! Down 2.8 pounds. Yes, almost 3 pounds after being on BFL for only 5 full days!! Can you imagine what next weekend will bring! I am so incredibly pumped!!

The surprise shower was a success also! She cried she was so happy! It was great to have everyone together and spend time with Erica. She got a lot of great gifts, all which fit into 2 boxes that she could actually check on the airplane with her at no additional charge too!

Saturday night the bachelorette party was a blast as well. Got some awesome photos. Everyone had an amazing time, Erica was so thrilled to go back out in Baltimore and dance all night long! I enjoyed Saturday night even more because since I planned everything I rented a van to take us all downtown (so I was the DD and wouldn't feel inclined to drink...therefore saving tons of calories...though Saturday was my BFL free day) and then I wasn't hung over this morning. And...since we danced all night long I even burned more calories! It was all in all a win-win situation!

Saturday was my free day and I didn't over do it at all either, which I was proud of. Yes, I had my piece of cake at the shower and had a little bit more crab dip and cheese and crackers then I would have normally had...but I didn't stuff myself. One reason is I didn't have the time. I was running around getting things ready, being sure everyone had what they needed and such. The for dinner we were putting together E's wedding invitations since I helped her make them and so we decided to eat in...so it was pizza or Chinese. So since I gave up pizza and they all knew that, we went Chinese. I even got sushi and shared a chicken lo-mein with Lisa. So I didn't eat too much dinner either. Then when we all rolled home from the bar at 2 am, I didn't need to eat, like everyone else, because I wasn't drunk and didn't have the munchies...though I did have a sliver of the chocolate cake, because I could! :)

This morning was a little rough for most and my house needs a through cleaning. Which I am not fond of at all, b/c you clean so that you can have the party and then you need to clean even more after it is all over...one cleaning is enough for me!! But we also had our championship basketball game today. We kicked some butt!! In the beginning of the game it looked a little rough, with only 6 players, 2 of which were playing hungover...then Ann showed up and we rocked. We had 2 subs, just what we needed and we ended up winning by 9. And this was one of the teams to beat, the team with the attitude. It was great. So "we are the champions my friends" heehee. And it feels darn good. Got a workout in and won it all. On to next season...

I hope you all had as great or better of a weekend then I did. I am now off to Enterprise where I have to return the van (they gave me a great rate!!). Then to the grocery store to stock up on my BFL foods for the week. Happy Day Light Savings Time to all...here is to being able to work out after work in the sun!! WooHoo! I love that!

Until tomorrow...

Tomorrow is the test...

Ok, so I have been on BFL for the past 5 days. Worked out all of those 5 days, lifted for 2 of them and did cardio on the other 3 (did a little cardio on the 2 lifting days too). I ate everything I was supposed to eat and when I was supposed to eat it too. So now tomorrow. Is weigh in day. (It is my WW weigh in day, I figured I'd keep it since their scale is probably the most accurate and it will make me get up and move my butt early on a Saturday morning).

So the real truth will come out tomorrow. I know it has to be good. I mean I feel good. If it is not good, I am definitely not going to stop because I feel so much better already. And I know it will get good and the scale will go down eventually. Though the book says expect to lost 1-2 pounds a week. So we'll see.

My friends are in town from Chicago and the surprise shower is tomorrow. So I have to go and clean now and get all set up so that when everyone gets here we will be ready to roll. I can't wait to surprise her...it will be great. And also great to get to see all of my friends and to go out dancing for the bachelorette party. Oh and I rented a 15 passenger van and am the DD so that I won't have to drink, since I am on BFL and lots o' beer isn't on that plan :) (it might be next week for St. Patty's Day though...I do get one 'free' day a week)

I also wanted to share my biggest accomplishment of the day. So I gave up pizza and french fries for our lenten challenge and today on day 17...almost 1/2 way there...I go out with my friends from Chicago and my friend Lisa. We go to a crab house here in Baltimore and I get a crab cake wrap with a side salad INSTEAD of french fries. Pat on the back for me. So I eat my salad and then our food comes out...and it HAD FRENCH FRIES!! I was like, WHAT!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I got the salad INSTEAD of french fries. So I told my friends about what I gave up and asked them if it would gross them out if I put my tartar sauce all over my fries, that way I wouldn't eat them. So I did. And it grossed me out a little bit, but I DIDN'T have a single french fry!! I was so proud of myself...and still am :)

So here is to a great weekend for everyone. I need to go nurse my husband back to health...he has one of those fun stomach bugs...his body doesn't like any food...eh, wish I had that problem.

Adios :)

Day 4 and counting…

Ok I'm back.

I have been so busy this week getting the house ready for the shower this weekend and busting my butt at 6am workouts and eating right. I have been doing a darn good job if I do say so myself. I feel better already and have more confidence, and it is only day four! I am so excited about where this new journey is going to take me that I can't even contain it. :) Ok…after that little overzealous rant…

First let me start off by saying how wonderful my husband is in supporting my new BFL lifestyle and even partially doing it with me! He is the greatest!! He has also been a tremendous help in helping me get everything done around the house for the shower. I came home from reffing last night and he was painting the kitchen (the 2nd coat) at 11pm!! He is amazing. :)

Ok on to what I've been doing...

Tuesday: I had to get up early (5am…eh) to go to the gym in the morning before work, b/c I got a call to remind me that I had a Dr's appt. that day at 4:30. So no working out after work. So I got my butt up and hit the gym and lifted my upper body. It was good. The next day, not so good. But I actually like feeling sore, because then I feel like what I did made a difference. Even after I lifted I did about 15 min on the elliptical because I had some time before I had to shower and get to work. So some cardio and my upper body lifting…CHECK!

Wednesday: Had to get up early again to get to the gym, because I ref volleyball on Wednesday nights and have to be there at 5:30 so no working out after work again. I got up, got to the gym and did a 30 min treadmill interval workout. It kicked my butt. This BFL workout scheme is pretty good (I am hoping it is enough to actually show results though) because it only requires 30 min of cardio 3 days a week. Before I was spending an hour of doing cardio…30 min is much more fun and I can get myself more pumped for it and it goes by a lot quicker!!

Thursday: Today…got up and made it to the 6am spinning class…2nd week in a row. It was great. Got me moving high speed for about 50 min. Oh and get this…such a small world. I found out that my spinning teacher grew up in the same town as I did and went to a rival high school. Crazy. More working out for today though. Today is lower body lifting day. I didn't have time to knock it out this morning, because I once again have to leave work early, because my Dr. told me on Tuesday that he wants me to get blood work done to test for some allergen. Eh. So I am out of work at 4 today to get that done, then home to take care of the doggies (b/c Jimmy works at the gym tonight) and then off to the gym to lift legs, then to the airport to pick up my friends who are flying in from Chicago!! I can't wait!!!

The shower for Erica is on Saturday…and as of now it is still a surprise. :) I talked to her on the phone and she HAS NO CLUE!! It is great. I am so excited to do this for her. We are going to have a great time!!

Ok, gotsa get some work done.

My partner Meghan leaves for Spain tomorrow…so stop by her blog and wish her a great time on her trip!!!

Day One. Week One.

Day one went great. So far I have had 5 of my 6 mini meals and have felt satisfied all day. :) That is a big plus, because if I am going to be hungry it is trouble. I went to the gym and did my 30 min of cardio after work. I was going to go longer, but I didn't have my inhaler with me and I didn't want to push it. See I have had exercise induced asthma since I was about 6 years old. Not bad, but then some days, depending on my allergies it can be, I just never know. But the workout was a hard one and a good one.

This week is going to be very challenging, but at least it is the first week, so I won't slack. The next 3 days I have to go to the gym before work, that means getting up at 5am and out the door by 5:30 (so Jeannie...6:45 is not that early :)) heehee But I am determined and am going to get there and get my workout over with so that I can come home and get things done for the shower and clean the house.

So all in all it was a great day. I went to the mall after the gym and picked out some clothes that my parents can get me for my birthday which is always fun :)

Oh and I sent my February Challenge partner her gift for doing such and awesome job last month. Jeannie keep your eyes open for your package! I can't wait until you get it, I am very excited about it! I hope you like it!!

Have a great night and happy Tuesday...only 4 more days till Friday!!

A first step in a different direction

Tomorrow is a new day. A great day, I am very excited about my new journey. It is my first day on the Body-For-Life for Women way of life. I have read the book and am ready to get to my 12 week weight removal challenge. It is called weight reduction, b/c as they say in the book, when you say you 'lost' something as in 'lost your keys' that means you want to find them again. It is called 'weight removal' because you want to remove the weight and never find it again. So here I go. The plan has me eating 5-6 protein/carb meals a day for 6 days a week with one day off and exercising (lifting and cardio) for 6 days a week with one day off. Hence my March Goal of working out 6 days a week.

I am doing this to get in better shape physically and mentally for the things that my husband and I want to do in our future. And, the when I begin tomorrow, the last day of my 12 week challenge will be the day before Jimmy and I leave for Belize.

I just finished packing my lunch with my 3 meals which I will have while I am at work tomorrow. I got a new lunch bag to help me along (I didn't think my old one would be big enough) and it is really cool, it has a velcro pocket on one side that will hold my food journal/mental journal perfectly. I have to do 30 min. of cardio (I may do a little more) tomorrow for my first of 3 cardio days for the week. I am working 10 hour work days this week so I can take off on Friday as my friend Erica is coming to town for the weekend from Chicago.

Today we had our next to last basketball game...we had to beat this team to get into first place and be in the running for a trophy as they were the only team we lost to all season. AND WE WON!! And not by a little but by like 12 points! It was great, we really pulled together as a team and kicked some butt!!! Next weekend is our last game for this league, then on to another league in April.

Here is to a great week for everyone!! My new partner Meghan, I will write you tomorrow.

Happy Monday all...only 5 more days till Friday!! :)

Fabulous Friday!

First off TGIF!! This week seemed so incredibly long...it just dragged on and on and on...but now it is Friday!!!!

I had a great Friday. I got up early to go to work so that I could leave early...at 2pm to be exact to go and meet Jimmy at the bowling alley...yep the bowling alley :) We wanted to do something today, but not tonight, b/c we wanted to come home, walk the dogs and take a nap then have dinner and catch up on our shows. So that is exactly what we did. Right after I kicked Jimmy's butt at bowling! :)

Yep, I was one of those kids who was in a Saturday bowling league for 13 years when I was younger...so I can bowl a little bit...heehee. Jimmy isn't all that big of a fan of going bowling with me, not b/c he loses (which he does) but because I am one competitive person. I admit it. And I am especially competitive when I know I am good at something. But we had a great time an awesome time.

Then we went right along with our plan and came home and took the dogs for a long 40 min. walk and then took a nap. We made Tilapia for dinner with wild brown rice which was really yummy.

Now I just have to hope that tomorrows weigh in goes well. I worked out hard this week, but might have sabotaged myself with little things. We'll see. Until then...

A long Thursday...

Well yesterday was a long day...but well worth it. I got up at 5:15 to get to the 6 am Spin Class. I had never taken it before and it was pretty good. I was worried I'd be the only fool there, but not so, there were a total of 5 fools :) So I got my workout out of the way early which was great because I had to work all day then drive to VA for dinner with some friends.

I had dinner with my friend Michele and my old boss/mentor Toni. It was a great time. I hadn't seen Toni in over 2 years...way too long. But great thing, it seemed like we never missed a beat. Boy does it make me miss living in VA though. Oh well, one day when we hit the lottery we'll move back.

I didn't get home until 1130 last night though, then asleep by 1215...up at 600 this morning and back to work by 645...eh. At least it is Friday and I came in extra early so I could get out early and hang out with Jimmy some. It seems like I haven't seen him all week, since we have both been so busy. So we have a date, we are meeting at the bowling alley at 230 for some bowling fun, then to dinner and home to sit on our butts and catch up on our shows. I can't wait.

Happy Friday to all!!

Biggest Loser Celebrity Sighting!!! (and some gossip maybe)

Ok guys...so I was so excited about this last night and the only one I could call was my husband and he was on the phone!! I so wish I had one of your phone numbers so I could call you and you would be as excited as I was about this...though it is pretty lame.

Well, let me start off at the beginning...on Wednesday nights I work for Baltimore Sports and Social Club as a Volleyball Ref. So on Wednesdays I go to work early, go the gym after I get out of work and then head to Subway to grab my Turkey Sandwich and Baked Lays then head to the arena for Volleyball. It is a pretty jam packed day, but that is my set routine every Wednesday, same sandwich and everything. But this Wednesday...

I get to Subway and am ordering my sub...usually it is only me in there or me and one other person. The location of this Subway I guess is important in this story...it is in Canton, which is a young hip Baltimore City neighborhood. It is also right across the street from a running trail that my husband and I run all the time on that goes around the Inner Harbor.

So...I am ordering my sandwich and 2 people walk in, so naturally I look back to see who it is and I look and am like, I think I know that girl. So my head starts churning, maybe she plays Volleyball for BSSC --we do have over 100 teams--, did I go to college with her?, maybe she is a friend of a friend...so I do a double take. She is about my height around 5'10", dark brown shoulder length hair and wearing workout pants and an Under Armour half-zip (everyone in Baltimore wears UA since it is HQ here)...so I kept saying she must play for BSSC, b/c she is dressed for working out. Then **LIGHT BULB** IT IS AMY FROM THE BIGGEST LOSER!!! She died her hair...but looks exactly the same...(for those of you who can't remember her, she was the blond on the show from Maryland, Baltimore to be exact that got voted off of the blue team I'd say about 2/3 of the way through). So I do another double take and I think she realized that I realized who she was...of course I didn't say anything...big chicken...I was thinking to myself...what do you say??? "Great job on the show??" "Way to go" lame...so I just kept my mouth shut and took joy of being in the same Subway as her.

Now here is the gossipy part...So now I take a look at the guy she is with...and it was MARTY!!! The blue eyed school teacher, who almost made it all of the way but was too big of a threat so they voted him off too. He was the one doing all of the muscular poses at the finale. His eyes are gorgeous in person. So here I am thinking...wow not only was I in Subway with one of the Biggest Loser contestants...but TWO!! And TWO OF MY FAVORITES!! So my head starts going again...what is Marty a school teacher from Michigan doing in Baltimore in the middle of the school week with Amy??? hmmm... I'll let you all make your own assumptions. :)

They were both dressed for a workout, so maybe they just got back from a run, it was gorgeous here yesterday sunny and almost 60. I was in workout clothes too...smelly and sweaty too since I came from the gym, so I felt good about that. And I was so enamored about being in the same room as them, I didn't get my Baked Lays!! I totally was all out of sorts so I just grabbed my sandwich and went...I did regret that later when I was still reffing at 10pm and hungry!!

So that was my excitement for the day yesterday. Yes I know I might have been a little too excited about this...oh well. :)

Though Lost was good too and I got in a 50 min cardio workout at the gym. So all in all a good long tiring day.

March Goals

Ok...for my March Goals...I am upping the anty and I will explain this further this weekend when I have more time to blog.

-10 Glasses of Water a Day
-Get to the gym or workout 6 days a week
-Lose or Maintain my weight every week (thanks Jeannie for this idea!)
-To complete the Baltimore Stadium Trek (click here if you'd like to sponsor me! --Carrie Dallhoff)

31 days of hard work...24 days of going to the gym...and a wedding shower, bachelorette party, St. Patty's day and birthday in between there somewhere. (which is why going to the gym 6 days a week is a MUST)

Here is to a great month everyone!! Keep going strong!!