Intention and Expectation

Body:

WOW- I did 7.75 miles total!

I ran 6.5 of that at a steady pace of 8:34 for the first 3.25 then at a steady 7:47 for the last 3.25! It felt like I was floating the whole time! I read a magazine during my 1 mile warm up walk and then just… RAN! Visualize lady on the bus stop bench from Forrest Gump " so You just Raaaaaaan !?"

Mind:
I read this article in that magazine while warming up about how positive thinking really influences your behavior and why "saying so" means that it will become a reality. It goes on about "Intention and Expectation". 

This reminds me of how I type on here my "plan" for the day, or my list of what I intended for my body.mind.soul.  That is my "intention" and that intention helps give me the determination to act. After I have the determination to actually do "it", there is a level of "expectation" left by imaginary readers, real readers and myself to accomplish that intention.

I wrote the other day how writing out these plans seem to make me really accomplish most of what I intended, it was pretty darn cool to read an article affirming just that!

It also mentioned how you can use positive thinking to influence all areas of your life, such as "I will eat healthy today" to improve dietary habits, or "we will get along for this project" with co workers or " I will get that promotion" to help you get ahead at work. I think it could just work for relationships too…

"Jeff and I will get married, Jeff and I will get married, Jeff and I will get married…"

– well it’s not instantaneous, but you get the idea!

Soul:
Off to shower with my new stash of Victoria’s Secret Body Wash and lotions! Thanks Momma Mo and Melissa!

Then its off to return another shirt I got Jeff, and see if I can find a replacement. Who ever thought guys were picky about clothes?

Lunch:
Steamed Veggie Salad: romaine, carrots, snap peas, bean sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, red pepper, squash, cauliflower

you can really see the steam i guess!

The salad base before I put on all the steamed veggies- I forgot i had reduced fat

feta too

 
Leftover chicken breast- made intentionally for lunch last night- does that still mean its "leftover" if it had the intention for another meal?
Whole wheat wrap

Scrub a dub dub

Warm Fruit, Cottage Cheese and Blueberry Oats

I wanted something warm so I heated up frozen blueberries and pineapple. The juices came out of the fruits and I thought I would make fruity-oats, so I put in some quick cook steel cut oats and added a little water. In they went to the microwave for a couple minutes and on top went Cottage cheese (cabot is delicious!!), Cinnamon, Banana (organic) with Smucker’s All Natural Peanut Butter.

With Black Coffee:

Blueberry Oats Underneath:

Up early today thanks to jeff (really thanks because I hate sleeping in!) … HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!

the plan:

gym ? run ? keep your fingers crossed for a 6 miler depending on my knee/toe status.

yoga- it really does fill body, mind, and soul.

Maybe looking at trucks with Jeff, we might drive down to the beach tomorrow to look at one ( its only about 1.5 hr away)

Maybe heading to his parents for new years eve festivities !? I don’t think we really want to spend money on going to a bar to stand in there, sweat, be squished, and drink crappy free champagne. I am always in the mood to dance though!

I usually don’t even photo what I drink unless its something other than water, but just so yall know- I drink a glass of water before each meal and another 4-5 throughout the day as well. Water is SO important to help with proper digestion and helps your body cell functioning. If I drink something else, I usually make note of it.

Speaking of drinks, hope all of you have a safe, fun plan for tonight!

Sweet Potato, Chicken, Brussel Sprouts and Healthy Fried Onion Rings

I know, you are probably thinking, healthy fried onion rings ?

Well, I consider them healthy. Here’s how:

Batter ( in separate bowl):
2 Tablespoons Nonfat Greek Yogurt
2 Tablespoons Egg Beaters ( no cholesterol!)
Mix very well to a batter consistency

Breading (in separate bowl):
equal parts yellow cornmeal and flour- For one small onion ( me and Jeff), I used about 1/3 cup of cornmeal and 1/3 cup Organic Whole Grain AP Flour.
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Dash of Parm Cheese

Prep:
Heat 1 tablespoon smart balance oil in pan on medium. Slice onions into rings. Separate Rings. Dip and shake em in the batter…

then dip and cover them in the breading bowl…

Drop em in the hot pan! A few minutes on each side.

I microwaved brussel sprouts, then popped em in the toaster oven. While all of this was going on, I was browning chicken breasts in a pan and then microwaved a sweet potato for 5 minutes in the microwave.

I topped the potato with Nonfat greek yogurt because the chicken serving looked too small (I prefer to eat a lot of lean protein )

So that was dinner for four/two. I made four chicken breasts (two for lunch tomorrow for each of us and enough onions and brussel sprouts too)!

Body:
Dancing with the stars Latin Cardio: I did 3 of the 4 dances and the toning/strength section.
Gym: Elliptical 45 minutes.

Mind:
I played suduko, read some of my never ending wonderful book, and had to comprehend the dance steps! I am getting better every time!

Soul:
Shopping! Well, sort of. I returned something to the store and bought Jeff a sweater and shirt I had been eyeing up, they were now on sale even more than before. He likes them!

I really enjoy and miss dancing. I am still looking for a new gym with classes, but also trying to sort out finances etc.

I like grocery shopping too, usually spending money bothers me a ton. For groceries though, I almost always feel better knowing I am buying healthy things that will give me energy.

We tried to book our romantic getaway trip but the website didn’t let us through. So try try again tomorrow.

Happy Eve of New Years Eve!! Does anyone have exciting plans? W

-we still haven’t made any definite plans.

Salad and Sandwich

1/2 slice of bread with Ham, mustard, 1/2 slice colby and 1/2 pickle
1/2 slice of bread with Turkey, colby, pickle 1/2.

Salad: romaine, bean sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, radish, snap pea, cabbage, hummus, a little goddess dressing

Grocery Store

I forgot I had gotten these frozen sweet potato frites and stopped at Lowes to get sweet potatoes since Trader Joes was out of sweet potatoes!)
Other items: frozen mango, wild organic blueberries, organic bananas, organic fiji apples, organic fair trade bolivian coffee, whole wheat pizza dough ( so delicious and only $0.99 cents), mung bean sprouts, mozzarella cheese ball, marinara, parm cheese, cage free eggs…nonfat greek yogurt!! I haven’t had any in about a week (gasp). These bad boys are good for another two + weeks. At $2.99 I have to say they are worth it because when you make it, you have to get yogurt as a starter anyway. True, you save on overall cost but it takes so much time and preparation! Time is worth money too…

I spent $43.

Pumpkin French Toast

Pumpkin French Toast ( batter: 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup egg beaters, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, cinnamon. Bread: Light Style Pepperidge Farm, 7 grain. )
with cottage cheese, blueberries fry pan bananas, flaxseed butter.

the plan for today : grocery shopping at Trader Joes, more after-christmas shopping ( the clothes I bought for jeff didn’t fit so I returned some yesterday and may exchange some today). I might do a combo of dvd’s ( yoga, dance) or do a gym session. We’ll see. Happy Tuesday!

Update to Last night* These were our seats at the basketball game!

I was really thirsty! I had half of this guy Jeff bought for me and I stole a couple of his fries too. Only a few fit the craving!

On the way to New Years Eve!

I know, I should have made this look much prettier but I didn’t and it was delicious nonetheless. It was pumpkin pie for one, with steel cut oats as a crust and pumpkin “filling” . I didn’t have anything else in our fridge really and no fresh fruit- so I threw frozen blueberries on top since it was too hot to eat immediately anyway.

Quick and Easy! I spent the morning putting away presents ( new hairdryer, candles, clothes, pillows etc etc!) and I went to the gym for a great workout. Stopped at the grocery store on the way home, had lunch, showered, then headed out to the bustling stores to make some returns.

Lunch:

Salad!! I LOVE VEGETABLES! My salad had romaine, raddichio, radishes, carrots, snap peas, purple (red) cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower! I added some reduced fat feta ( BOGO at Harris Teeter!) and lovely Athenos Lemon Garlic Greek Hummus (also BOGO at Harris Teeter). I had a whole wheat wrap with a salmon burger, pickle, and some goddess dressing. Delish!

Off to the stores, Bath and Body works is having their semi-annual sale and although I was considering more, I got another wallflower (Black Ameythst) and a scented oil as a gift for Momma Mo ( they are on sale for $3!!). I also stopped at Micheal’s Craft Store and picked up some clips I needed for frames I made for Jeff ( he doesn’t know exactly what they are yet!)

Jeff’s football team was playing in a bowl game this afternoon, so we are watching it now.

with Popcorn

Tonight, his brother Jonathan bought us tickets to his alum’s basketball game ( lower level!) for christmas and we are going with his brother PJ too!

Dinner: Sandwich and veggies (turkey and ham with mustard and a pickle)

Body:
Cardio at the gym: I ran a 5k in 23 minutes! It felt great aside from my toes still being weird. I have tried new shoes but now I know that it has something to do with my knee. I kept running but at a slower pace for another 2 miles. So total- 5.3 miles.
I cooled down with the elliptical for 5 minutes.

Mind:
suduko was super fast… organize house stuff now that we are back home. Next week I am planning a trip back to my parents before school starts. We also havent figured out what we are doing for New Year’s Eve yet.

Soul:

I love running. I love my new leather purse, I love the beach ( going there while I am at my parents), I love all of my christmas presents from everyone and I feel spoiled but in an enjoyable way.

The football team lost but the basketball team won.

I am also conjuring up new year’s resolutions, new blogging ideas, a romantic getaway ( one of the presents Jeff gave me) and hoping that my brother will be able to visit this week! I would LOVE to see him, that would be the most wonderful present ever.

Christmas Weekend

How does time fly so quickly!!?!? I need to catch up! We left my parents the day after the day after christmas (Saturday the 27th, my dad’s birthday!) and drove to Jeff’s Nana’s house for the remainder of the weekend.

Body:
Woke up early and jogged/walked 2.5 miles around the neighborhood twice with my mom.
Mind:
Played a hilarious game, Apples to Apples, after dinner at the Lake.
Soul:
Had lunch and opened some cards in the morning, Walked/Talked with my mom, had a wonderful drive with Jeff to Nana’s, Opened more presents at Nana’s!
Jeff’s sister made us these incredible charcoal drawings that go perfectly with our living room! She also got me my first tackle box! I am excited to have my own so that I can stock up on lures to fish with when Jeff and I go fishing.

Breakfast at my mom’s was truly INCREDIBLE!

her new snowman mug (we bought together) filled with coffee, and then to eats she warmed fruit in a big pot- peaches, cherries, prunes (?), pineapple…. yummm – O. I also had egg whites , bacon and hashbrowns.

On the drive, I thought I would show you one of my favorite christmas presents- it sat in my lap the entire drive.

Red Leather Coach Tote!

I picked it out, but only because purses are so personal- I had tried so hard to decide between this and a purple leather bag. The purple I had knew I wanted initially but after trying on purse after purse- I saw this beauty sitting up on the shelf. I figured I would try it and knew immediately it was the one.

So we arrived at the lake, and I was so hungry and had so many things in my hands I forgot when I had scarfed down Nana’s fantastic soup that I had left my camera in my lovely new Red Leather Coach Tote!

I had a turkey sandwich on a crossiant,ended up giving half to Jeff since I was full after the bowl of turkey soup.

Sherry while opening presents. I learned this is “not a proper Sherry”. I was supposed to fill it up all the way to the top but there was only a little left in the sherry holder. I then found the two unopened bottles in the bottom of the bar.

Dinner:
Baked Potato, Steak, Onions and Wine

We officially invented a drink for the Lake in october and we use ginger ale ( or tonic) , gin, cherry juice, lime juice. It is called “Lake Water”. How appropriate !?
Here is my first glass, I believe I had about 2.5

I slept in soooo late! I even went to bed early! I wasn’t hungover at all I was just exhausted!
For breakfast I just has a banana and half of a grapefruit ( 10:30 am) and then we worked on the boat ( the plugs got messed up and need to be in for winter).

Lunch: Lasagna

It actually does look bigger than it was- but it was delicious. Lasagna used to be one of my favorite foods.

We headed home and stopped at a furniture store to look at chairs and ottomans but didn’t have any luck. It was straight to Jeff’s parents to pick up Jack and we stayed for dinner as well.

A glass of merlot, this Bogle was reallly tasty! sweet but not a “sweet wine”.
Dinner:
Caesar Salad, Grilled Chicken, Brocolli Rice Casserole, Roll

Dessert: Christmas Cookies!!!!!!

So delicious, I had peanut brittle ( a couple smaller pieces than this too) and a brownie.

The Day After Christmas…

was just as event-filled, gift-filled, family-filled day as the past two!

My mom and I ran out to grab some things (which I can’t exactly reveal since my siblings read – I don’t want to spoil gifts). We left early in the morning- My grab and go breakfast was a slice of my pumpkin carrot bread ( sooo delicious) with natural peanut butter, half a banana, a cottage cheese single and a piece of cranberry meringue. (unpictured black coffee)

Off to shop

which was SO much fun! We got back much later than expected and were hungry for lunch as soon as we got in…

Lunch: Egg whites with leftover stuffing, green beans, and a little provolone…

After lunch, Jeff and I went to the dealerships in town to test drive a couple trucks he is considering. After test-driving, we met up with my mom at her gym. My brother got in around dinner time, then it was more present exchanging!

Body:
Circuit Training with Jeff… Strength: shoulders ( sooo tough, press and extensions combo) (with jumping jacks), chest (dumbell press) ( with roman chair lifts), biceps ( curls) ( with side to side bends), leg presses. Cardio: Treadmill and Elliptical 20 minutes.

Mind:
oh my the shopping deals, the truck test driving and number crunching, I typed up my christmas day post and I had to help bake a cake for my dad’s birthday.

Soul:
I love getting to see my family, and working out with jeff is so fun when do the circuits when we lift one muscle group, the other person does a cardio type thing (i.e jumping jacks). I think we help each other stay strong and finish out.

I helped pick out part of my sister’s present and both of my brother’s girlfriends’ presents- If you ladies read, I hope you like them as much as I did!!

Dinner:
Lasagna- mmm one of my most favorite things my mom makes
Salad ( Jeff made it out of bell peppers, tomato, and mixed greens – all organic)- IT was GREAT!

My plate:

with a glass of red wine, a piece of garlic bread and “Momma Mouse” . My mom made this from scratch, how many christmass’s ago, about 15 ? Isn’t she darling!?

Christmas Day Recap

 

Santa Came to Momma Mo and Preston’s! Jack was ecstatic to be disguised as a present. Well, keep reading…

We opened half of our gifts, then took a break for breakfast. Jeff’s Parents spoiled us rotten… ROTTEN! I feel incredibly lucky to have two wonderful families in my life. Thank you for everything!! We love you!

Fruit Salad ( grapes, marshmallows, mandarin orange, blueberries, coconut, sour cream AND Breakfast Casserole- It was made via Crockpot with layers of hash browns, cheese, eggs, peppers, onions,

 

Christmas Late Lunch, after we had finished opening presents, figuring out how everything works, trying on etc. etc. Showered, ya know the basics.
 

Tangerine, Pickle, Newmans Own Double Fiber Bun filled with turkey, a little mustard and a little sweet potato ( extra on the side).
And the most delicious brownie….

 

After we packed up the car, Jack decided to run away from Jeff’s Parents. We looked for him but then decided he would show up after he was done fishing in the lake. Jeff’s family was so nice to offer to keep looking for him and bathe him when he decided to come home and watch him for the rest of the weekend so we could make it to my parents for Christmas Dinner.  (this is not a first for jack, we miss him but i bet he misses us just as much).

My parents tree- they always put cards on it- Do any of you have that tradition as well?

 

Christmas Dinner ( we do a "thanksgiving" because its just so good- turkey, a half a small sweet potato, stuffing, green beans and gravy…

Wine by the Fire

 

Sampling of a few of My mom’s cookies…

A cranberry meringue tart, a seven layer bar, a piece of peanut butter fudge

Oh it was a fun-filled, gift-filled, event-filled Christmas Day! We had a lovely evening by the fire chatting but we were so exhausted that we fell asleep fairly early.

Body: Much needed rest day

Mind: drove to the parents, searched for jack..

Soul: we miss jack, but luckily halfway through our drive Jeff’s sister called and Jack was sitting on their doorstep covered in fish smell. Yuck!
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!!!!!!!!!!
PARENTS!! FAMILY!!

Jeff surprised me with a gift… I can’t say now because if sister reads, she will know. It was SOOOOOO SWEET! No worries, it will be on here. Jeff is the best.