Till Then Smile Often

July 22, 2013

Well that went quick

Okay when are we going to institute the four day work week and the three day weekend? This needs to happen! This weekend went by too quickly!

Saturday – I started out at the gym doing a killer arm routine. Greg Plitt is well known in the fitness industry and he has a new program out on the www.bodybuilding.com website. It is really intense and I am following it for the most part though I am not doing the two a day workouts or the liquid diet. I am following it more to shake up my weight training.

Here is the arm workout I did, it is not for the faint of heart.

After some cleaning I headed out to the batting cages but unfortunately they were closed. 🙁 They seem to be harder and harder to find one that is open in this area. So I headed to the beach which was part of my plan anyway. Since I was in the area I stopping in at the Quincy Animal Shelter where I used to volunteer and where I got Seamus.

I got to catch up with another volunteer and see a few of the dogs! The beach was five minutes from there and laid out for about an hour then the thunder and lightening came. 🙁 Needless to say I hightailed it out of there.

Headed home for some dinner and some snuggles with Seamus. He got some of the leftover lettuce from my salad.

Sunday – I went for a 3 mile run and then headed down to celebrate my Sister In Law’s birthday. My nieces are just the cutest don’t you agree?!!!

When I got home I did some food prep on the grill. Nothing like some grilled chicken with a litte BBQ sauce to have for the week.

Then I relaxed for the rest of the night with some cocktails and the movie Bridesmaids.

What were you up to this weekend?

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

Also linking up with Postcards from Rachel and Northern Belle Diaries.

July 18, 2013

Let’s Laugh Out Loud Shall We?

I can’t tell you how excited I am for FRIDAY!!! I don’t think I have any plans this weekend but the beach is calling my name now that I have finally stopped peeling. Hopefully I will finally take my kayak out of storage. Well let’s get this weekend started with some of the things I am loving, thinking about and totally lusting over!

ONE: I grew up with my Dad, my brother and me. This kinda stuff happened on the reg. Wanna have an even more amazing friday and laugh till you pee then watch this video!!!

TWO: Even though I have only owned my home for 3 years and already decorated each room it seems I want to re-decorate each room. For my Kitchen: I have white tile in my Kitchen so the light oak cabinets just aren’t working for me. I really want to paint my kitchen yellow (currently it’s blue) and the darker cabinets would really add the contrast needed for yellow walls. With the light cabinets yellow would just wash out the whole room. Kitchen cabinets. Want to do this this Fall BADly!! SOURCE

THREE: For my main Bathroom: I want to paint it this color by Benjamin Moore – Pleasant Valley Blue.

Pleasant Valley Blue - Benjamin Moore This is just that perfectly neutral blue.

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I also want to add some shelving for storage and decoration.

small bathroom ideas

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FOUR: I was on PetFinder again yesterday. I don’t have a big enough yard and my neighbors annoy Seamus as it is so I need to wait till I move to get a second dog but this really doesn’t help! How cute!

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Seriously any of my Massachusetts peeps please adopt these precious pups. It may be time for me to volunteer at another animal shelter to get my pup fix.

FIVE: You know it’s true!

Don't deny it....

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Here is mine:

July 16, 2013

Less than Stellar

Happy Hump DAy everyone! I am so excited for this week to be almost over! It has been a roungh one for my family and I really need this weekend ti recover. So I won’t keep you in suspense. My foods for a day.

Breakfast: I made an egg white scramble and a ham steak. This totally hit the spot! Served with a little diet cranberry juice.

Snack/Lunch: I think I made this for lunch but you can have it for a snack too. I juiced 2 Oranges, 2 Apples, 2 carrots and 2 celery stalks.

Dinner: I saw this recipe on Pinterest and had to try it. Worth a try and much better for you. I may add a little more cheese to the top before baking when I make it next time. For the recipe click here.

With so much going on with my Aunt passing I have been a little lacking in creativity. I have been having a lot of protein shakes as meals or snacks, not wanting to make anything. I promise to up my game next week.

July 16, 2013

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

When I saw this pin on Pinterest I just knew I had to make it. I haven’t had Mac and Cheese in a long time. Gasp, I know! I used to LOVE Velvetta Shells and Cheese in college, but my 20 year old metabolism is long gone. Being able to make a healthy version means I can at least enjoy it once in a while.

Ingredients: 8 cups cauliflower florets (2 – 16oz bags) ~ 2 Tbs. butter or margarine ~ 3 Tbs. all-purpose or wheat flour ~ 2 cups Almond milk ~ 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.) ~ 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese ~ 2 egg yolks ~ 1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs (I used low carb bread toasted and crumbled by hand)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets, and boil 5 to 7 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid, and set aside.

2. Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Whisk in milk, garlic, and reserved cooking liquid, and cook 7 to 10 minutes, or until sauce is thickened, whisking constantly.

3. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese, and egg yolks until cheese is melted.

4. Fold in cauliflower.

5. Coat 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread cauliflower mixture in baking dish, and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

6. Spray breadcrumbs with cooking spray. Bake 30 minutes, or until casserole is hot and bubbly and breadcrumbs are crisp and brown.

I originally was going to use Almond flour in place of the flour but decided to use whole wheat flower so that the sauce would have a better chance of thickening. Now this is not Mac and Cheese but with more than half the carbs and calories saved it was really delicious and I would totally make it again! This would also be good with some bacon bits or ham chunks mixed in.

What do you say, willing to give it a try?

Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

July 15, 2013

Cleaning, Baking and Workouts

I think this post may be a little short as I don’t think I did much that was picture worthy. When I am stressed I bake, when I am sad I clean.

One. I spent Saturday pulling apart my closet and getting rid of anything I haven’t worn in a while. I came up with a full garbage bag of clothes to donate.

Two. The top shelf of my closet is full of my workout clothes and jeans. I took them down refolded and sorted by size. I have way to many workout clothes!!!

Three. I then rearranged all the furniture in my office/craft room. It works so much better and opened up the floor space. I still have to re-hang some pictures and art but it is so much cleaner and organized. Very happy with how it came out. I then scrubbed out my tub, toilets, oven and vacuumed my couch. Yeah, like I said I clean when I am sad.

Four. I then snuggled on the couch with Seamus and caught up on my DVR. It doesn’t matter how much couch space there is, Seamus will always choose the spot that has him touching at least a portion of my body. Stage 5 clinger!!!

Five. Then he finally fell asleep! So presh!

Six. I started the morning with a yummy juice. I juiced 2 oranges, 2 apples, 2 carrots, and 2 stalks of celery.

Seven. I went to the gym for a hard shoulder workout and a 3 mile run. I completed this routine:

For my shoulder routine and videos of how to perform the exercises click here.

After a quick shower and protein shake I headed to the grocery store, then took Seamus for a walk. After it was an all our bake-a-thon!

Eight. I made Seamus some homemade doggie treats, some cranberry pistachio bars (pictured). The Cranberry Pistachio bites were featured on Aileen’s Blog Sparkly & Sweet.

Nine. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (recipe coming soon)

I wish I could have spent some time at the beach but I am still peeling. How was your weekend?

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

Also linking up with Postcards from Rachel and Northern Belle Diaries.

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