St Patty's Treat!

I know that I've been super MIA...school and work are just taking up all of my time!  But I had to share this wonderful treat for the St. Patty's Holiday!

I love when St Patrick’s day rolls around each year because that means that McDonald’s brings back the shamrock shake!  Delish—of course!  But also packed with calories!  Total in the small?  Over 400!

So Wednesday I decided while craving one of these tasty treats that I could re-make it!  After all it only contains the ice cream, green coloring, and high fructose corn syrup that is spearmint flavored, plus the whipped cream and cherry on top.

So Rene and I made a trip to the grocery store….on the list?

Almond Milk (we already had this but I’ll add it here anyhow)

Sugar Free Vanilla Ice Cream

Spearmint Extract

Green Food coloring

1 cup almond milk (sugar free vanilla) (45 calories)

½ cup of sugar free vanilla ice cream (100 calories)

1t spearmint extract

3 drops of green food coloring

Blend—Pour into a glass and enjoy!  Total calories in one of our healthy Shamrock Shakes?  145  and perfectly delicious! 

Fit with FitBit

A couple of weeks ago I posted about my fun little purchase of the FitBit--we'll I've been using it for a little over 2 months now and it's really eye opening how much you walk throughout the day without even trying!

Studies say that 10,000 steps a day is necessary for "good health" approx 5 miles a day...so that's where my "goal" has been set since I started tracking things.  Here's last weeks progress report-I like getting the little updates on my "progress"

Loving the fact that steps and distance and calories burned are up from last week....

Not so much loving that the sleep duration is down but I guess that will happen as long as I am getting at least 7 hours that will work for me!

How active are you throughout the day? Do you make an effort to walk around the office regularly? Walk down the hall rather than emailing or calling a colleague or taking the stairs?

Cake for the boss

This weekend in the midst of school work I whipped up this....

I was pretty impressed!  Yellow cake "bun", edible Easter grass "lettuce", brownie "hamburger patty", sugar sheet "cheese" and sprinkle "sesame seeds".

Here's hoping the "boss" is as impressed by my baking abilities as Rene and I were when he gets to the office to find this waiting on his desk for his birthday!

Pinteresting Thursday!

Here's what I've been Pinning this week....a mix of a little of everything!

My next DIY item? I think so!

 A couple of quotes to live by....

 Snack to make this weekend? Sweet and Spicy Chickpeas-Yum

How cute would this be on my desk?!  

What I'm Loving

So I'm a bit "off" this week and completely forgot my Wednesday Loving Post...so here it is, better late than never!

I’m loving….that I am only 2 more Starbucks trips away from “gold card”status! that means a free coffee for every 15 purchases! And personalized coupons...I love my coffee!

I’m loving….that I am only 3 weeks away from Spring Break-yeah it’s not much and there’s no big trip like in undergrad but a week of no school work is always nice.

I’m loving…that it’s starting to stay a little lighter later in the day-6:30 last night when I was driving home wasn't pitch black!

I’m loving…that my work trip to Orlando is officially booked-yes it’s work but it’s nice to not be in the office-and of course it’s a plus that the boss is letting me say the weekend and Rene came come hang out at the hotel with me too. Coronado Springs here we come!

I’m loving….that the weather man is calling for temps in the 60’s over the next week-spring is slowly coming, at least I hope so!

8 down....

We're into the 7th week of the year, and I've officially finished off 8 books!  Still ahead of target!

Now I'm in the midst of reading:

The End of Illness
By David Agus MD

 

While I'm not saying it's a must read for everyone, it is interesting to read about the current changes to medicine and one physician's take on what we should/shouldn't be doing when it comes to treatment options.  The main focus thus far has been cancer and trying to prevent as many of the factors as possible...but of course much of it is what we've been hearing for years.  Interesting read nontheless, if you're into that sort of thing.

What have I polished off this year already?

Better Each Day: 365 Expert Tips for a Healthier, Happier You
by Jessica Cassity

Pretty Little Liars: Pretty Little Secrets
by Sara Shepard

Taking People With You: The Only Way to Make Big Things Happen
by David Novak

Dollhouse
by Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian

Summer and the City: A Carrie Diaries Novel
by Candace Bushnell

Alibi in High Heels
by Gemma Halliday

Undercover in High Heels
by Gemma Halliday

Killer in High Heels

by Gemma Halliday

Now only 44 more to go!

Seeing Red

I'm wearing my red today for Valentine's day are you?  Here's wishing you a very Happy Valentines Day.

The Mr. and I will be enjoying a nice quite dinner at home tonight - together!  That's super exciting since we've been only seeing each other a little in the morning and then right before bed.  Yes, we'll still be working on work and school stuff but at least we can enjoy each others company.

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

It's been a little while since my last what I'm loving post, so here goes!

I'm loving--that it's Wednesday!  That means half way done with the week!

I'm loving--The fact that Rene and I have a date day/night planned this Sunday!  It gives me motivation to get all of my school stuff done...we're heading to Grapevine for the Valentine's Wine Trail and then dinner at Simply Fondue! Wine and fondue what could be better?

I'm loving...My APY60 Yoga Program...if you couldn't tell already

I'm loving...that I am halfway through the first mini-semester for the spring!  4 more weeks then "spring break" and another 8 week class then I'm DONE!

and of course I'm loving my wonderful Husband!

Week #3 APY60

I officially started week #3 on the APY60 Program this Monday and I am still loving it!  Each week the 40-60 minute yoga routine gets a little different to target new muscle groups. 

While I don’t feel like I am losing large amounts of weight by any means (I’m down about 4.5 pounds since January 1^st) I do feel like my stomach has flattened out (partially because of diet) and I’ve noticed that some of my clothes are fitting a bit loose (bridesmaid dress included).  Overall I just feel healthier.  I am not feeling the aches and pains in the morning and my hips while typically very tight feel amazing!

I know I’ve said it before but I really feel like practicing yoga is going to be an everyday thing for me…now if only I could convince Rene to join in.  

New Fave Finds

I usually don't really change up my beauty routine.  I'm a Clean and Clear girl when it comes to my face wash and I've been using it for as long as I can remember.  I've never been a big face routine type of person but as I have rounded into my mid-to-late 20's (eek!) I thought maybe I would try to outrun mother nature and look at an anti-wrinkle type lotion.  There are a million and one different products out there of course but figured that I would give this one a try.

I have really liked the few Philosophy products that I have tried in the past and this one had rave reviews...and let me say they are well worth it!  It's a super easy to use system which consists of 3 parts.  Retinoid solution that is used at night, a moisturizing lotion to be used morning and night and eye cream to be used morning and night.  

Within the first week I will say that I have 100% seen my skin become smoother and more moisturized.  I haven't been using the moisturizer day and night mainly because I tend to get a little oily but the eye cream for sure is an AM/PM for me.  I would highly suggest this to anyone!

My next new find that I love is Baby Lips by Maybelline! 

It's a clinical strength moisturizing lip glass in clear or colored options.  Perfect for the winter weather and come on how cute is the packaging?!

How fun are these?

How fun are these? Rene read about them on a little Disney blog on Friday of last week, so clearly I needed to buy them!

The Steelers one is clearly the cuter of the two!  I can't wait for them to arrive.

Yoga does wonders!

I know that people say all of the time that yoga is good for your body and mind.  While I love yoga I've never actually done weeks at a time consecutively...I can honestly say now as I come to the end of the first week of the APY60 program that I really am a believer!!

I feel so much more relaxed after an awful day, I feel like I am getting stronger, breathing deeper and letting things go much easier than normal.  That's not to say that I don't get stressed--yesterday was a crazy day!  But doing the yoga when I got home last night really helped me reflex and clear my mind.

Add to that I feel like drinking 100oz of water or at least 75oz a day my skin looks brighter and I just feel healthier.  I can't wait to start week number 2 of the program!  I've become a true believer in just one week of what daily yoga practice can do!  Maybe I should add becoming a certified yoga instructor to my bucket list...just kidding!

APY60 Day 3

I'll admit this morning it was really hard to get out of bed.  I'm not sure why, even my Fitbit said that I slept better last night than the night before (98% efficiency only woke up 5 times).  So this morning I have to admit that I didn't do the full morning blend of stretches.  I know day 3 and already slacking!  I did about half of the stretches from memory to get the blood pumping...a small setback!

Breakfast this morning I had a healthy porridge from the little recipe book that came along with the DVDs...Yum!

The "porridge" is actually a whole apple and 4 strawberries just quickly blended to a porridge like consistency with a little almond milk (unsweetened) and a dash of cinnamon.  I threw it in the microwave for about 45 seconds (could have heated it up a little more) and then topped with raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, pecans and a little chia seeds for some protein.

It was quick and simple and got me moving and heading out the door for work.

Tonight more power yoga and a tasty smoothie since Rene is working late before I hit the gym for some cardio....Happy Tuesday!

Chinese New Year

Did you realize that yesterday was the Chinese New Year?

  I was wearing red for good luck, were you?

One of my colleagues families celebrate the Chinese New Year, so she and I checked out what my horoscope had in store.

I was born in the year of the rat..."Chinese horoscope 2012 predicts that people born in rat year will be energetic and demonstrate high endurance and withstand in the adverse circumstances. However, all the rats are prone to stress and full of stress sometimes due to illogical reasons"--I guess we will see what the new year brings!

FitBit Sleep Tracker-Day 2 APY60

So apparently even though I feel like I wake up a million and one times at night it's not that much!  Per the FitBit I actually only woke up 6 times last night, and had a 97% sleep efficiency...who knew! 

Now today will be the first day of tracking all of my steps--the goal that you should strive toward to 10,000 per day!  I'm going to go ahead and say with sitting at a desk for 9+ hours a day that's going to be hard but we shall see.

Day 2 of APY60 going well!  Rene even got up and did the morning blend of stretches with me.  Now it's off to start the day!

Challenges today...

• No sugar
• No judgment - try not to label things good or bad but just accept them as they are
• 100 oz of water
• Daily Yoga Class

APY60 Day1

Last week my APY60 finally arrived. Today I started the program...60 day to a healthier me! 

Each day starts out with about 10 minutes of stretching and warming up your muscles to get you started for the day.  After which I had a veggies & eggs for breakfast.  The program doesn't give you a full meal plan but does give you some ideas and changes out and challenges you to eliminate things from your diet. 

I am really looking forward to how it works!

Here are the key things that I was to do today!

• Eat breakfast 1 hour after waking up
• No eating 3 hours before bed
• Daily morning stretches
• Clean out the pantry (get rid of the processed stuff! ) - we didn't have any of the "no" foods! Yay for us!
• Today's elimination challenge: Refined sugar - super easy since we don't eat it really anyhow.
• The goal is to drink 100 oz of water- I'm at at 30 right now at 2pm...I've got a bit more to drink before the end of the day.
• Blue Dots
• Daily Yoga

The program also came with some little blue stickers that you are to put around your home and office.  These are to remind you to breathe deep, and soon the goal is to associate blue with breathing deep, simple enough right?

And of course this evening (after Rene finishes watching the Pats game) I have a 60 minute power yoga video to work through. 

I also plan on keeping up at least 30 minutes of additional cardio each day.

Let's see how things shape up over the next 30 days!

I also got a new little gaget today - called the Fitbit!

 It's about the size of a flash drive and it keeps track of how far you walk, time of inactivity, stairs climbed, and the main reason I got it - it tracks your sleep!  I feel like 9 out of 10 days I wake up a million and one times so I plan to use this to figure out when I sleep the best (ie no TV 1 hour before bed) and when I sleep worst (ie after we've been drinking). 

Here's to a healthy 2012! And knocking one of my goals off the new years list --1 day down 59 to go!

First week at 27

Well I've just about lived through the full first week of 27...yep I feel old!  Anyhow I figured I would give a quick recap of the birthday festivities...what can I say Rene and I are pretty boring...no big blow out parties for us...

The birthday weekend started out pretty good though, Thursday I got home and opened the mail and found a card from mom and dad waiting in the mailbox.  Plus a Seen It-Twilight for the Wii...yes Rene is super excited to play that, and a Starbucks gift card -- YUM!  You can bet I stopped for a Venti Latte on my way to work Friday morning!

Friday I also go these beauties delivered to my office!

 

The white arrangement was from my team of recruiters and the roses (though the picture cut them off) were from Rene of course!

Saturday we did a bit of errand running and stopped by Sprinkles to pick up some birthday treats!  I love the cupcakes from Sprinkles and have a new fave for the month of January--S'mores!

We even made some birthday cake cocktails while we watched some of our backlogged DVR TV shows....

You must try these yum!

2 parts whipped cream vodka

1/2 part amaretto

1/2 part cream(or milk)

1 part godiva white chocolate liqueur

While I would like to say the night was nice and quiet one of my recruiters decided that 27 wasn't too old to take shots for your birthday-- so arrived at my apartment with another recruiter from my office with a bottle of Goldschläger in hand and decided shots were needed.  It was all in all a pretty quiet night, though Rene was feeling a little "under the weather" Sunday morning.

But wait the celebration wasn't over just yet....

Monday morning (after having to move my cubical due to us expanding) I arrived to this....

Lots of decorations from my recruiters...they know me so well (notice the Disney theme?).

All in all it was a pretty good birthday this year, lets hope that 27 has some good things to come!

MIA.....Again

OK I feel like this post comes up at least once every couple of months, yes I've been MIA!

The semester started this week and I'm feeling a bit behind already (yes it's only 3 days in) but I swapped classes because the professor did not sound like she really wanted to be teaching...and let's face it my last 2 classes I don't want a professor who is awful!

I've been bogged down with work stuff and trying to get ready for the semester so sooner rather than later I will be back and posting on a regular basis.

This semester is actually broken up into 2 mini-mesters...I have 2 classes to finish but they will only run 8 weeks each...lots of reading and lots of writing coming my way!  Graduate is in sight!

I promise this weekend I'll post a little birthday celebration update and updates of life in general...the days just seem to be running together right now!

Having the hard conversations

No matter where you are in your life, there are certain conversations that are always harder than others.  The conversations that people steer away from...some of the conversations we have with ourselves, others are with friends or family, co-workers or our bosses.

Today was the day that I had to have one of those hard conversations with my boss.  Today was my annual review at work.  It's been a hard year for me (2011), I didn't hit the work related goals that I had set for myself and overall it was my third straight year of rebuilding my line of business.

After almost a 3 hour conversation I've gotten a lot off my chest and I'm hoping that now I can officially put 2011 behind me and hit 2012 full force.

My thought of the day is that no matter how hard that conversation is to have--have it sooner rather than later, you may not get the exact outcome that you want but at least you've put your thoughts, feelings and concerns out there...

Return of Green Juice

I switched things up a little bit today after having a bit of smoothie overload to a green juice mixture to start off the morning on the right foot!

Ginger

3 small handfuls of spinach

2 granny smith apples

fresh pineapple

This is I think my fave mix of the greens (lots of spinach but you can't taste it) and it was the perfect way to start off my Wednesday.  Rene of course has to be the over achiever and head to the gym in the early morning while I grabbed an extra 30 minutes of sleep or at least rolling around trying to sleep.  Here's hoping today shapes up to be better than that last 2 days--I'm staying positive!

Happy Wednesday!