Till Then Smile Often

August 21, 2013

Weight Training Eats

Happy Hump Day!! I can’t believe it is already Wednesday but I am a little excited this week is halfway over! I also have to confess that I have thought long and hard about the half-marathon I am signed up for in September and I have made the tough decision to not race this year. I have been having a lot of pain in my right knee due to a previous injury and it is sucking the joy out of running. I dread running now versus enjoying it for the quiet time that it used to be. I hate to feel like a quitter but I need to to remember that if I keep damaging it, healing won’t happen. So it is still on my bucket list and hopefully I can still do a race next year. So will that goal out of reach at the moment I am going back to heavy weight training and HIIT workouts. So the following are my eats to help support the growing muscles!

Breakfast: – 1 scoop protein powder ~ 12-16 oz water and 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk ~ 2 teaspoon natural peanut butter ~ ½ banana ~ 1 tbsp of flax oil ~ ½ cup frozen strawberries (recycled image)

Snack: 3/4 cup of liquid egg whites, 1/2 a banana, 1 slice of Ezekial Toast and an Iced coffee.

Lunch: 4 oz chicken breast ~ ½ medium sweet potato ~ ½ cup Broccoli ~ ½ grapefruit with one packet of Splenda

Snack p.m.: 5 oz Chobani 0% plain Greek yogurt with a sprinkle of Sugar-free jello powder ~ 1 scoop protein in 12-16 oz of water ~ 5 almonds

Dinner: 1/2 cup of Whole Grain Brown Rice ~ roughly 1/2 cup of Broccoli ~ 4 oz of Kielbasa ~ topped with my Homemade Pasta Sauce. For the recipe click here.

So it is not that different from what I normally eat but I did add in a little more protein and a little bit of healthy carbs like sweet potato and brown rice.

What have you been eating?

August 20, 2013

Homemade Pasta Sauce

Last week Beth from Clothes and Cocktails share her Homemade Spaghetti Sauce and I mentioned that I hadn’t made mine in awhile. It took me 4-5 tries to get it how I wanted it to taste. So she suggested that I post my recipe this week. Please note that this is my basic sauce/gravy and that I will add things as needed. I don’t add meat to this sauce because I will use this sauce for multiple dishes so if I want to I will add meat and sausage later.

Ingredients: 5 – 15 oz cans of Contandina Sauce with Italian Herbs ~ 1 – 18 oz can of Contandina Tomato Paste ~ 1-1/2 cup water ~ 1 TBSP Garlic – chopped ~ 1 Cup Sugar – I use Truvia or Splenda ~ 1/2 Green Pepper cut in large strips ~ 1 TBSP Red Hot Buffalo Sauce ~ 2 TBSP Coarse Salt ~ 1/2 tsp pepper ~ 1/2 tsp onion powder ~ 2 Bay leaves

*NOTE: I am not a fan of green peppers cooked or raw, I add them for flavor only! So don’t be afraid if you don’t like them either.

Directions: Place all ingredients into a crockpot or in large saucepan on the stove.

Simmer on low for 4-6 hours. Stir and taste ever hour or so. Adjust as needed to taste.

If too sweet add a tad bit more salt or sugar. If too thick add a 1/2 cup more water. Once it is finished simmering replace from heat and remove the two bay leaves and green peppers.

It took me a few tries to get the ratio of ingredients correct, but even then I adjust almost everytime. Usually only a pinch here or there, but it depends on what recipe I am making. I have used this for the sauce in lasagna, on spaghetti squash, to baked chicken (really helps to tenderize it). This time I served it with 1/2 cup of rice, handful of Broccoli and Linguica.

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

August 18, 2013

Weekend of Rest? Yeah right!

Another weekend sadly comes to a close, though I have to say this one was extremely busy so I maybe actually be looking forward to the work week so I get to actually rest.

Saturday: I spent the morning shopping for the bathroom. I went to A.C. Moore to pick up a picture frame, Lowes to pick up some shelves, and Target for some bathroom accessories. After getting home I put the print that I got from Monorail Studios into the frame and hung the sand dollars with Command Picture hanging strips. bathroom-1

I had to head back to Target to return some of the stuff I got. It just didn’t coordinate how I had hoped but I did find some cute boots.

Then I got to putting the shelves up.

bathroom-2

I still have to find a few items since I am not completely happy with how it looks. I want a few more white colored accessories I just couldn’t find anything I wanted yet.

Since it took most of the day to finish, I spent the rest of the night putting everything away and cleaning my house. It seriously needed it since I have kind of neglected it the past few weeks. Then I spent some time snuggling with Seamus.

For some reason he is really drawn to this little mat by the door. It is really small but he tries really hard to fit his body on the whole mat but it doesn’t really work!

Sunday: I spent a little time in the morning with my coffee and some snuggles with Seamus.

He really is the best snuggler! I finished up the dishes, went grocery shopping, mowed my lawn, weeded my front flower bed, and cut the trees back that were overhanging the driveway. After all that it was a little bit of rest time. So sorry there are so many pics of Seamus but really that tongue hanging out was just too much cuteness!!

I took a 45 minute nap then did some food prep. I then watched a boat load of Lifetime movies while parking my butt on the couch! Man I was exhausted!

How was your weekend? Any fun adventures?

Linking up with Sami at Sami’s Shenanigans and Leann at Join the Gossip .

August 18, 2013

Sunshine Award and Following Up

So a few weeks ago I shared that I was nominated for the Liebster award and I nominate some of my favorite up and coming bloggers. Well … LaDawn from the Daybreak Bird decided to be cheeky and sent some follow up questions back to me. I deleted any duplicate questions.

1. Do you have any siblings? Yes both older Sister and Brother.
2. Favourite meal? I really like salad. I know weird but it’s true.
4. Do you have a go-to outfit? Currently a maxi shirt or dress, though I will add a scarf to any outfit.
5. Best book you’ve read recently. I read 2-3 books a week so it is hard to pick a favorite but Live Wire by Harlan Coben was pretty good.
6. A pet peeve. People who are always late.
10. How many cups of coffee do you drink a day? I limit myself to one.
11. What accomplishment are you most proud of? Completing 7 triathlons. Each one was tough and challenging but some people didn’t believe I could finish it and it was such an amazing feeling crossing that finish line.

Then I saw that Kim from Racing Bananas nominated me for a Sunshine Award!!

About the award:

The award is circulated to those bloggers to let them know that their posts brighten your day.

Rules: 1. Include award logo in a post or on your blog 2. Link to the person who nominated you – Kim at Racing Bananas 3. Answer 10 questions about yourself.

sunshine

1. Why did you start your blog? I really was inspired by reading other blogs and the connections that they made with each other. I love being able to document the recipes I have tried, crafts I have completed, struggles I have had in hopes that others will want to try them or share their struggles too.
2. What is your favorite way to stay active and why do you love it? I love strength training. Seeing how hard I can push my muscles and how heavy I can go.
3. Coffee or tea? Coffee for sure!
4. Favorite movie or all time? Really like Boondock Saints (its a little dark but Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flannery – nuff said) for light hearted Elf
5. What is your favorite way to stay active in the winter (if you live in a cold weather state?) I really want to learn to snowboard but for now weight training in the gym works year round
6. What is the best thing you’ve done this summer? This is kinda sad but I can’t think of anything. 🙁 It has been crazy busy but not vey adventurous.
7. What is your dream occupation (if money, school, etc wasn’t a factor)? I would open a Doggy Daycare
8. What is your favorite way to spend the weekend? My weekdays are super busy so I like to spend the weekends really low key, no schedule, nothing to do. This works out half the time, the other times I am scrambling to get a million things done!
9. Who inspires you? Everyone!! Some inspire me to be happier, some to workout harder, some to try something new and exciting.
10. What is your favorite quote? “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far once can go.” – T.S. Eliot

Thanks to LaDawn and Kim for showing some love! Hope this helps get to know me a little better. Hope my blog brings a little sunshine to your day!

Who inspires you?

What sort of adventures have you completed this summer?

August 16, 2013

These Five Things

Happy Friday!! I only had a 3 day work week but it still felt so long! Isn’t that always the way? Rushing to get it all done. Since Monday and Tuesday was all about my Bathroom renovation I didn’t have a ton of time to do all the regular house cleaning so I am way behind. Hopefully I will get caught up this weekend.

On to 5 on Friday where I share 5 things… any 5 things that I am doing, loving, want, basically whatever I want.

One. This bathroom renovation is almost done. I posted a few previews on Instragram, but for those who are not following me, here is Stage 1 of the renovation.

After Stage 1

I have some shelving to hang, a DIY project to update my Magnetic Makeup Board and some pictures and other small organizing items to put in the room.

Two. After Seamus had his annual vet appointment he needs to lose 1-2 pounds so I am taking him for a walk in the mornings. I am totally shuffeling my feet and rubbing my eyes the whole time but I do have to say I enjoy the quietness of the morning.

Three. This dress. I die it is so cute!! The Black and Tan is perfect for Fall.

Chic Shirt Dress

Four. I really do not like the arm bands for the iPhones. They tend to slide down my arm. I like my arms free so this is the perfect alternative.

Running Belt Tutorial

Five. It has been really hard to find a local stylist to cut my hair. I am a little particular about my hair as I think it is one of my better qualities. Needless to say my last expereince was not good and I almost left the salon before the cut was even completed. I went to a new salon based on a recommendation from a friend and I loved it!! She did exactly what I wanted and I am loving it so far! Not to bad considering I am not wearing makeup thanks to my painting marathon.

What five things are you loving?

Do you have a hairstylist that you love?

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