how did i fit it all into one day?

Nicole has been having some babysitter issues so I offered to take Jack on Saturdays from 8-1 until she can find someone better.  When did kids get such crappy attitudes about work?  I mean I didn't love working when I was younger but I still looked at my jobs as responsibilities & respected the people I worked for.  Anyway, this was my first official Saturday with Jack and Joe didn't have to go into work until the afternoon so we decided to spend the morning at the beach.

We went for breakfast at the North End Beach Grill which my friend Stephanie & her husband Angelo own; I even worked there for a summer back when they first opened.  The food is delicious and it's right on the beach in Ocean City so you really can't get a better view with your morning coffee.

When we finished eating we took our gear down to the beach in front of the restaurant.  Little did I know we wouldn't be seeing those seats much for the 2.5 hours we spent there.

Joe is really great with Jack.  We all played in the sand & the ocean then walked up the beach looking for shells.  (there's no way I was trying my bikini for the first time while chasing a 1 year old)

We were pleased to see Stephanie & Jen come down to the beach with their kids about an hour after we got there.  It always good to have more kids to entertain each other.  I'm always shocked to see how big Sophia & Natalie have gotten, it seems like they were newborns just the other day.

We headed home around 11am and Jack passed out as soon as we put the car in gear.  I was determined to get him a good nap so we debated the best way to get him out of the car without waking him up.  We decided the smartest idea was just to bring the whole car seat into the living room and it totally worked, he slept almost 2 hours!  Definitely a great first day with Jack, here's hoping I always have Joe & other kids around to help entertain him!

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  I obviously had breakfast out and it was fantastic!  I always forget what a great cook Stephanie's husband is.  1 meals out.

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:

     Breakfast: egg white omelet w/tomato, onion & cheese, rye toast and home fries = 465 calories

     Lunch: 0 calories

     Dinner: spinach & kale turnovers, chicken empanadas = 524 calories

     Snacks: gelati & oatmeal cookies 471 calories

     Totals: 2256 burned - 1460 eaten = 796 total burned, 2 days total.

For some reason Nicole & I decided to go on a cooking binge Saturday afternoon.  I was planning to try a recipe for spinach & kale turnovers from my farm basket.  She was planning to make chicken empanadas for dinner.  Somewhere in there we decided to make them all at my house and have dinner together.  Oh, and we decided to back blueberry ice cream (so many blueberries from the farm basket) and oatmeal cookie sandwiches.

My kitchen was an absolute disaster but I think we had a great time putting everything together.

Everything came out of the oven right around the time Joe got home from work and we all sat down at the dining room table to give it a try.

The results were delicious and surprising low in calories!  Plus there's plenty left over for lunches & snacks.

Unfortunately the ice cream needs overnight to set so we couldn't give it a shot for dessert.  But the Betty Crocker oatmeal cookies were yummy and easy to make.

I just had to add the shot of my masher hanging out in the blueberry/sugar mixture, he's so cute!

3. Complete 1250 fitness minutes:  Nicole & I had been planning to run all day but time just got away from us with all the cooking.  I was pleasantly surprised when she didn't balk at my suggestion we do C25K at 9pm.  We went 2.4 miles total, a little shorter then usual but not bad & we were both feeling good when we got finished.  40 minutes total.

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  I didn't have any problem getting my steps in.  Nicole & I walked all over the plaza across the street in the afternoon and then our run put me over the top.  12727 steps.  1 days total.

We stopped at Rita's for a snack.  Yummy pink lemonade and vanilla custard gelati totally hit the spot.

We stopped into Five Below and I grabbed some toys for our trip to the beach on Monday.  Oh, have I mentioned we're planning on spending 14 hours on the beach on the 4th of July?  I haven't?  Hmmm, maybe because I'm scared we won't survive...

I'm excited about lounging in a tube & spraying water at everyone though.

5. At least 20 days with 30 minutes of house work:  It took at least a half hour to clean up the mess we made in the kitchen!  Plus I did laundry and other basic cleaning.  2 days total.

what green smells & tastes like

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  I've decided to keep this goal for July because I only missed it by one meal in June.  I'm a little concerned because Joe hasn't mentioned his 2 events a week lately and if he's giving up on that we may end up eating out more...  But at least for July 1st I am triumphant.  We went over to Mark & Kat's for the evening, we didn't eat out but I didn't cook either!  Kat is also taking part in the farm basket program at work and decided to try a recipe using bok choy (green curry w/bok choy).  The dish wasn't something I would try again but it wasn't bad.  We decided it smelled & tasted like the color green if it had a smell & taste, lol.  She also made some baked squash (from Sean & Amy's garden) with tomato, mozzarella cheese & italian seasoning with was delicious!  I'm definitely going to have to try to make that one soon.  0 meals out.

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:  I've kept this goal as well because I didn't achieve it in June.  I know it's partially because of my broken fitbit & lack of definite stats but it's still a failure.  Hopefully this month I can keep things together.

     Breakfast: blueberry & vanilla protein shake = 281 calories

     Lunch: left over Pad See-Ew = 338 calories

     Dinner: green curry w/bok choy & baked squash = 464 calories

     Snacks: pistachio nuts = 79 calories

     Totals: 1915 burned - 1162 eaten = 753 total burned, 1 days total.

3. Complete 1250 fitness minutes:  I didn't even make it to 1000 minutes last month so I'm keeping this goal but lowering it to 1250 minutes.  I'm really going to try harder to get to classes at the gym more often in July so hopefully that will help.  The reason we were at Mark & Kat's was because I offered to help her with her Save The Dates.  They're getting married next June and most of her best friends live a little far away so she doesn't have a ton of help.  I promised to help with anything I can as long as she doesn't go bridezilla on me, lol.  Anyway, we were planning to go for a run at some point during the evening but time just got away from us.  0 minutes total.

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  I really loved my walking goal in June.  It was good for my health and my relationship, Joe and I had a great time talking on our walks to ShopRite.  Unfortunately my lack of exercise also rolled into my steps, we didn't get home until almost 11pm and there was no way I was going to make up close to 7000 steps at that late of an hour.  3355 steps.  0 days total.

5. At least 20 days with 30 minutes of house work:  I think it's obvious that my cleaning goal is a good one.  Just 30 minutes can get a lot done when it comes to keeping my home clean.  I did manage to clean a little before going over to Kat's, YAY!  1 days total.

A Lunch Date & a New Fitbit

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  I had no intentions of eating out on Thursday.  I'd used my 20 meals and there wasn't any reason to think I'd be eating out.  Then Joe went and asked me if to meet him for a lunch date.  How could I say no??  21 meals total.  Goal failed.

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:

     Breakfast: oatmeal w/milk, brown sugar & blueberries = 261 calories

     Lunch: veggie wrap w/fruit salad = 354 calories

     Dinner: cheeseburger on a sandwich thin = 546 calories

     Snacks: Quaker pomegranate/blueberry fiber crisps = 55 calories

     Totals: 2109 burned - 1216 eaten = 893 total burned, 16 days total.  Goal failed.

I got my 2nd farm basket delivery!  It contains Green Bell Peppers, Jersey Tomatoes, Bok Choi, Cucumbers, Cilantro, Zucchini, Baby Arugula, Basil, Blueberries & Bunched Kale.  I'm pretty excited to try more new recipes this weekend!

3. Complete 1500 fitness minutes:  Nicole, Joe & I gave C25K W5D1 another shot around 8pm.  It's way easier when there's little to no humidity and you haven't just done a workout.  I was super proud of Nicole, she's going to be running races with me in no time!  986 minutes total.  Goal failed.

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  My new fitbit came in!  I obviously don't have accurate information for the entire day but I did manage to get in 5404 steps from 6pm-bedtime.  21 days total.  Goal failed.

5. At least 25 days with 30 minutes of house work:  When I got home from work I went to Nicole's to visit for a while before our "run" so I didn't spend a lot of time in the house.  Jack was a big fan of my flats and it was just too cute not to take a picture of!  He'll probably hate me when he's older for this...  I did manage to clean up the kitchen some though between dinner & bedtime.  18 days total.  Goal failed.

As you can see I managed to fail every single one of my goals this month, lol.  I'm not super concerned about it because I feel really good about my health & activity level (ok I could stand to work out a little more).  I've decided to keep my goals pretty much the same for July, maybe require a little less cleaning because the house is staying pretty clean and a little less exercise because I'm doing so much walking.

But, yay!  I'm up to date on my blogging again!  Just in time to fall behind for the weekend...I swear I'll try to post regularly over the holiday!  I don't have much planned so maybe I can actually pull it off...

Bikinis?!?!?

I got a random text message from Nicole on Wednesday morning asking what colors compliment orange.  Now this would already normally be a weird question but it was even stranger because of what I was wearing.  I asked if she was stalking me then sent this picture of myself to her.  I thought it was kind of cute so I'm showing it to all of you, lol.  The funniest part is that it was seriously a really orange day, I mean this is my car and I've recently switched to an orange water cup for work...

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  I met my friend Kat for dinner at The Continental & bikini shopping on Wednesday night.  That's right, bikini shopping.  That past Sunday on the beach she had reprimanded me for wearing a tankini and demanded we hit the Victoria's Secret at The Pier Shops at Caesars.  I in turn, demanded there be alcohol before said shopping.  20 meals total.

We shared a Continental Salad with Chicken & Mahi Mahi Tacos, both were delightful.

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:

     Breakfast: bacon, egg, tomato & laughing cow on a sandwich thin = 309 calories

     Lunch: greek yogurt, orange & smartfood = 302 calories

     Dinner: salad w/chicken, mahi mahi taco & pomegranate martini = 890 calories

     Snacks: 0 calories

     Totals: ? burned - 1501 eaten = ? total burned, 15 days total 

3. Complete 1500 fitness minutes:  I only worked out if you consider speed shopping exercise.  By the time we finished dinner & walked down to the store they were closing in 8 minutes!  Luckily there were a lot of other shoppers there so we grabbed whatever we could and hit the dressing room before they could kick us out.  934 minutes total. 

I was pleasantly surprised.  I really thought I was going to be totally revolted by my reflection in a bikini but it wasn't that bad.  And Kat kept pointing out that I have great boobs which didn't hurt.  I also ordered a couple of fuller coverage bottoms just in case I'm feeling modest this weekend...  No pictures of me in them exist, but if you're lucky maybe I'll have a few after this upcoming holiday weekend.

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  Stupid broken fitbit.  ? steps.  21 days total.

5. At least 25 days with 30 minutes of house work:  I was out of the house from 8am-10pm, no time for cleaning.  17 days total

Yummy Yummy Thai Food

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  I had no intentions of going out to eat on Tuesday night.  Joe was at the Phillies game with a friend so I was just planning to eat something quick & easy.  But then Nicole & Lou invited me out for Thai...I love Thai...  Don't you just love the little art project they stick on the end of the straws?!?  19 meals total.

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:

     Breakfast: oatmeal w/brown sugar, banana & milk = 325 calories

     Lunch: greek yogurt, orange & smartfood = 322 calories

     Dinner: Pad Thai & Pad See-Ew = 631 calories

     Snacks: m&m's = 120 calories

     Totals: ? burned - 1398 eaten = ? total burned, 15 days total 

3. Complete 1500 fitness minutes:  Nicole & I made plans to meet Stephanie on the bike path for C25K or a run or a little bit of both.  Unfortunately Steph had to head home before we could get to her because one of the kids had a mini meltdown.  We did W3D4 on the way to meet her and then decided to attempt W5D1 on the way back.  It was super hot & humid and we were literally melting by the time we got home.  934 minutes total. 

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  Stupid broken fitbit.  ? steps.  21 days total.

5. At least 25 days with 30 minutes of house work:  With Joe at the game I had some time to kill after dinner.  I just did more basic cleaning before bed.  17 days total.

Five for Friday 7/1/11

1.  You triple checked that I really didn't want to see T2 in the theater.

2. You didn't act extremely disappointed in me when I broke another fitbit.

3. You wouldn't let me quit the chair project when I was frustrated.

4. You told me I look great in my new bikini.

5. You ran with Nicole & me after work even though it pushed dinner back to after 9pm.

Def Leppard Concert 6/11

Outfits of the Week ~ June 28 - July 1

Another week has come and gone, although it went pretty quickly since I took Monday off!  And now I have a 3 day holiday weekend followed by another 4 day week!  Seriously I didn't plan it this way but I'm thrilled with how it's working out!  I was excited to wear a some new items I'd gotten on sale the week before so I pretty much based each day around something new. 

Tuesday ~ I obviously brought a black cardigan (from Old Navy) with me to save me from the freezing office but the outfit is way better without it!  Peachy pink shell with ruffle (new) - The Gap, charocal pants - The Gap, black peep toe sling backs - Naturalizer.

Wednesday ~ I got a few dresses on sale and this was the only one with sleeves that had the possibity of keeping me warm.  It didn't really work, I spent the day at my desk under a blanket.  It's from The Limited and the shoes are from Macy's.  

Thursday ~ I didn't feel like putting a lot of effort out and this just kind of fell together.  Purple cardigan with ruffle trim (new & way cuter then in the picture) - Old Navy, white cami - New York & Company, black skinny pants - The Gap, black peep toe flats - Piperlime.

Friday ~ I've been planning this all week!  Brittany is calling it my preppy-skinny-work-outfit and has told me at least 3 times how much she loves it.  Blue plaid button down (new) - Banana Republic, white cami - New York & Company, white cropped skinny jeans - New York & Company, boat shoes - American Eagle.