Rest Days

Hello there!

Finally back into the swing of things....regular gym-going, healthier eats, more arting.

Veggies, get back in my life.

My newest flavor love, Chobani Apple Cinnamon.

Lots of the best flavor of Larabar (thanks to chocolate chips, this is the winner).

My black bean soup!

Saturday we had a little party for my mama's birthday.

For prep, Friday night was shopping trip number one for our food necessities. I dragged Allie along with me to WalMart, where we found Oscar (Allie's boyfriend, if you are new to the blog).

An uncanny resemblance to our Oscar. We also found some pantyhose on the wasabi popcorn. Uhhh?

To add to our adventure, I had to climb a fixture in order to get the last bottle of lime juice. Unfortunately, the only pictures we have of that are mental ones.

After some kickass BodyCombat and BodyPump classes the next morning, I headed to the grocery store to pick up some last minute things for the night.

Family and friends came over for the football games, complete with my parent's homemade wings and lots of pizza. I also made some buffalo chicken eggrolls and my buffalo dip (we had buffalo chicken on buffalo chicken!!!) and they were pretty tasty.

She even got a froggy funfetti cake (she collects frogs).

It was lovely and I think my mama had a fun birthday!

Sunday is normally my exercise rest day, where I can usually be found taking Koda for a nice long walk and/or spending the day watching football in Philly in my yoga pants.....sans the yoga.

And I did both of those things this Sunday. Starting with The Monster's walk (he's a ferocious beast, I know).

Along with a little drawing. Although I usually limit my alcohol consumption to once (occasionally twice) a week, a leisurely beer or two is usually consumed on Sunday. Like this week's local microbrew:

Obviously.

The brewery is in Allentown, where Coop's alma mater is located. Muhlenberg!

I did take off Monday from the gym as well, which is usually a BodyPump class and some cardio. I just wasn't feeling it yesterday; I was absolutely exhausted after work (didn't have off for MLK like all of you luckies!) and in a bit of a weird funk and just wanted to lay on the couch all night and take a bath. Definitely my body's way of begging for some extra recovery time after a hard week at the gym and a double sesh on Saturday morning, so that wish was gladly granted. That means I had time to scour some new magazines for recipes that I want to try.

^Had to buy this one due to this show (please watch this;....you are welcome):

Our new obsession on the Food Network. And my new obsession with the extreme weirdness that is Aaron Carter.

But I ended up loving Every Day with Rachael Ray...who knew! This thing is chock-full of awesome recipe ideas that are organized so well. Can't wait to try my spin on many of them.

Plus, I needed my rest. It will be an exciting week at the gym...new BodyCombat launch tonight with all of the instructors, and a new class on Wednesdays called Fight Club! So I got to buy these pretty little things:

As time goes on, I am becoming more and more passionate about becoming a certified instructor/trainer. Something that is a huge goal of mine for the year. I am just loving the way these classes have been transforming my body! And I am loving being back in a class mode and pushing myself to the max...reminds me of my dancing days.

Other two big goals for this year? Getting my finances in order and trying to consolidate some things, and to move out! These are all very doable, and I am in super-saver mode. Which means my extensive Lululemon collection is going to have to stay content in its current state at the moment. No new additions. That is, unless I find the perfect long sleeve tech shirt in the perfect color...

Some illustration coming at ya later this week!

xoxoxo



How often do you take rest days? Usually 1-2 days on a normal week for me, unless I am traveling/on vacation. I get grumpy when I don't work out!

Total Wine = Heaven

Hey there!

Here is a look at my past week in a big 'ol recap post:

Southwestern Quinoa, via Eating Bird Food...I only swapped a few things. I used cilantro instead of parsley, added in some garlic because I am addicted, and a few slices of avocado on top. LOVED this.

Woke up to an awful lot of fog last week. And cold. Blech.

Koda trying out Oscar's backpack. Ready for school!

My new favorite smoothie after lifting. This is so different than my typical strawberry/banana/peanut butter smoothies. Dark Chocolate Almond Milk (amazing), half a frozen banana, big handful of frozen blueberries, vanilla SunWarrior protein, spinach, and cold water to thin it out. Much appreciated after my two hours of BodyCombat and BodyPump Saturday morning.

Artichoke 'za on whole-wheat naan...great to make for a quick lunch. Heavy on the crushed red pepper, as per usual.

I have been a drawing machine. Here's a little preview! Plus, I am one drawing down for my Christmas cards....two to go, and all three to color, preferably before my trip to Boston this weekend. Yeesh.

Kitty Puss (that's what we call my sister's cat, thanks to my family's, and my best friend's fiance's, obsession with Cookie Puss. Thanks a lot, Pat) loves new adventures in the garage due to all my stuff that I finally got out of Tucson.

The Cookie Puss birthday tradition.

The man, the myth, the legend. Cookie Puss.

BIG thank you to my good friends Joe and Kristin and Sarah for keeping all of my crap for so long! And for Dave, Joe, and the girls helping me pack it all up while I had numerous breakdowns. I owe you big time. Joe and his family, who were hoarding the bulk of my stuff for me while I tried to figure out my crazy life, had moved my stuff upstairs (they were keeping it all in a few rooms in their finished basement) and ready to be put into the truck by the time my dad arrived. With an assembly line consisting of my friend, his brother, my dad, and my dad's good friend who flew out just to be able to share drive time back, they loaded up the truck in no time. You guys are seriously the best.

Oh, and I am super pumped to have this guy back.....if only I can find a place where it will fit, since it is five times the size of me.

My LoveSac (TWSS)....best extraneous investment I ever made.

Also got my wine aerator, decanter, and Houdini opener back amongst all my stuff...so after Coop and I went to see Paranormal Activity 3 (our first movie date, somehow, after over 8 months), we were obviously drawn to one of my favorite stores ever. Like two kids in a candy store.

Total Wine <3

(Source)

We found his favorite wine, and while we anticipated putting together a make-your-own six pack, I am a terrible decision maker and wanted about 130 gazillion beers. We cut it down to twelve different ones and are working our way through them all, splitting them in half in two frosty mugs. Our own little taste-testing, if you will. Best stay-in date ever.

This is what heaven looks like.

So far, this one is my fave. I do have a bit of a bias toward Flying Dog though...Ralph Steadman is one of my favorite artists. I even use some Flying Dog labels as bookmarks. Malty base, easy to drink, little nutty, little spicy, not too sweet....I'm in love. This one will be a winter regular for me.

I will definitely be posting a little review of each one...we wanted to take notes and see which ones are keepers. I love finding tasty new microbrews! Good thing the boy isn't picky about beer, either. I guess with the last name "Bock," I am destined to be a beer lover.

All in all, it was a crazy busy work week, topped off by a fantastic, relaxing weekend. In addition to our little taste-testing sesh, there was dinner at his fave Chinese buffet (one of the many gems of the state of Delaware. Also UDel and tax-free, what whaaat!), lots of show-watching (American Horror Story! So intriguing!), football-watching (Eagles and Ravens, womp womp. Get'chyo shit together. Thank goodness the Patriots won and the game was exciting at least), a gingerbread latte from Dunkin' (it's baaaack!), spending time with the pup and family, and some healthified mac'n'cheese that I made similarly to my buffalo mac'n'cheese. Just omitted the buffalo sauce and used some shredded chicken breasts that had been marinated in verde sauce.

Breadcrumby goodness.

It was a perfect weekend.

Excuse my phone pictures...I am so in the market for a good, new camera. 

Have a great week!
xoxoxo


Send prayers out to my dad if you can, he's going through some tough things this week and I wish him the best...he is the most selfless, loving, caring, wonderful person I know, next to my mama, and he deserves the world. Love you, Daddy!

Wackadoodle.

That is exactly how things have been around here lately...crazy work, gym, yoga studio, illustration commissions, family get-togethers and minor crisises, shows in the city, trying new recipes....I've been all over the place! This post will pretty much mimic that.

You are right, Miss J. I will try.

(ANTM fans out there?)

Little photo recap of my past week:

Birthday Pup!!! No party hats were to be found, so I bought his collar a ribbon. That'll do.

Kissing his birthday bat.

^...those still exist? And Poppy's 84th birthday (with birthday ice creammmm)

Get it, Office fans? Three Hole Punch Jim and Black Cat Pam:

(Source)

I made us Dunder Mifflin ID tags to make it a little more authentic....aaand so that people didn't just think I was a bad version of a black cat. C'mon, I am a little more creative than THAT.

(Pre-Pam Halpert....and that's the date that Halloween episode aired.)

It's FRIDAY again, and you know what that means!!!

The Friday Five

1.) What I'm Reading:

Still the same ol'  LARGE PRINT from last week. I remember the days when it would just take me a couple days to read a book...now it takes weeks! I just juggle so many things at this point that reading has taken a bit of a backseat for me lately. But don't get me wrong...still love it!

2.) What I'm Listening To:

(Source)

The new Coldplay album that was just released...Alt Nation on SiriusXM has been doing a fab job of playing many songs from the CD and I think I am going to buy it on iTunes later tonight. I'm diggin'. The new Black Keys album sounds like it will be awesome as well.

3.) What I'm Watching:

Been waiting for this for a loooong time. And was as impressed as I could've hoped. Same amazing humor and animation laced with current icons like Twilight, Jersey Shore, MGMT, and Skrillex? Perfect storm. That Mike Judge...he's pure fabulousity.

(Source)

Um...Chopped??? Where have I been? OBSESSED! For some reason I had not seen this show before, but had heard of it. Now I have been watching marathons and DVRing old and new eps this past week. Love!!! Also Restaurant: Impossible. 

Really into food shows lately. 

4.) What I'm Eating:

Comin' at ya: Black Bean soup recipe that I made for lunch earlier this week. I wish I had taken pictures, but I will definitely be recreating this soon.

Wawa turkey and veggie hoagie today...heavy on the veg. And their slammin' chicken noodle soup. The noodles are so doughy and delish. Get ready for a recycled pic...

Bam.

Oh...and these freakin' peanut butter filled pretzels. Addicting.

^who gets to wear Lululemon jackets to work? Me. Half because I'm the only female and I don't always have to look like a fashion plate, whew, and half 'cuz my boys keep it ARCTIC up in here.

5.) What I'm Pinning:

Some swoonworthy shtuff I am lusting over:

Vitamix! Nikon1! And that workspace! Oh my!

And in addition to holiday decorating ideas, I've been brainstorming ideas for DIY Christmas gifts. I'm going home with Coop for Christmas this year and meeting most of his family for the first time, and I do not plan on going empty handed! Plus, I love all-things-festive. It'll be fun to create a mixture of homemade and baked little gifts, and decorate them to make them very "me."

(All sources and links can be found via my Pinterest.)

On tap for this weekend:

• My first Zumba experience tonight. Eek!
• A two hour mash-up of BodyCombat and BodyPump tomorrow morning. My thighs are hurting just typing that!!!
• A night in Philly for one of Coop's shows and possibly another Halloween party after if we can make it.
• Make more Black Bean Soup and post the recipe....omigosh I'm in love.
• Catch up on Breaking Bad, How to Make It in America, and a new episode of Dexter on Sunday!

Have a good one!

xoxoxo