"My Fat is Crying!"

I like to say that when I'm working out. Only then because I sweat all the time regardless of physical activity, humidity, or temperature. The reason for the stinky talk is because Saturday & today's workouts were some wet ones.  Saturday, I went out around 4pm (minus Paul) for Week 1 Day 3 Couch 2 5K work out & it was hot!!! I learned a few things:
#1. DRINK MORE H20
#2. Listen to my program.
#3. Turn around regardless.
Explanation: I was severely dried out not even half way in. On top of that, I didn't even hear when I was half way in. I knew we had covered at least a mile & a half, ignored it & kept on truckin until I heard her say "alright, cool down." Then Dallas & I headed back towards the house. My feet hurt. My lips were dry. The dirty pond to the North look appealing. Dallas' tongue was almost to the ground. My stomach was starting to hurt - & not the sore sit-up kind, like the 'I need a john ASAP kind.' We just wanted to cut through my work, unfortunately I didn't know who was working & they'd make me go around anyway. So, there we were, like a couple stranded in the Sahara... left. right. left. right...
Results 2.14 miles at 14 minutes a mile then on top of that was 1.62 miles in 29.49 minutes

Today's workout went better. Paul accompanied me for our Week 2 Day 1 Couch 2 5K. I like it a lot more when he's there. There's this hill that he rocks & I lag on, but he gives me the umph to finish it... along with a tiny, little 'I think I can, I think I can,' voice. Pretty proud I haven't walked that darn thing yet!
Results 2.16 miles at 14.19 minutes per mile. So, as a team we have improved our time 22 seconds!
Not only that but our shirts were soaked which brought me to Google how much water a human is supposed to intake a day. We have all heard the 8-8 ounce glasses. Paul told me to take your weight & divide it in half & that's how many ounces (mine would be 100!!!). According to an article by Mayo clinic the Institution of Medicine states men should have around 3 liters & women 2.2 liters. Basically if I drink 3 of my Tervis cups at the very least... well, I've done that & with the way I sweat, I think it should be 5 Tervis.'
While reading I also found out that if you're doing a lot of exercising &/or sweating you should drink something with a little extra, like Gatorade or Propel.
Gatorade (or any sports drink) will give you 3 needed items:
1. Hydration.
2. Fuel (carbohydrates which will also delay the fatigue- 14g per 8ounce recommendation).
3. Electrolytes/minerals - since sodium, potassium & chloride are all lost in your sweat.

As I raise my glass of Gatorade.... CHEERS to Week 2!

A Skinny Sip

I know I've been slacking on my blogging lately... promise I'll pick it up. I just have to get used to work this week, which is taking one of these (above) once in a while ;)

This sangria made by Skinnygirl & is pretty excellent. I'm normally a Moscato, Marco Negri, Pink Zin, sweet wine drinker, but a glass of this with some fresh strawberries is a nice evening chiller.
Plus, it's 0 grams fat and only 132 calories. In comparison to a regular Sangria which is usually around 175 calories. Another bonus is, it's only about a $9 bottle!

The Rambling Post: May

May. Most people think: May flowers, Cinco De Mayo, Kentucky Derby, & Mother's Day;
Or Taurus, the Lily of the Valley, & Emerald.

However, did you know it is also:
- Foster Care Month
- National Barbecue Month
- National Bike Month
- National Blood Pressure Month
- National Egg Month
- National Family Month
- National Hamburger Month
- National Photograph Month
- National Recommitment Month
- National Salad Month
- Older Americans Month

A few of my favorite days this month are:
1st - Save the Rhino Day
6th - Beverage Day & No Diet Day
8th - No Socks Day
9th - Lost Socks Memorial Day (must have been from not wearing them the day before)
11th - Eat What You Want Day
14th - Dance Like a Chicken Day
To find others click here.

I enjoy looking up to see what 'National Day/Month' it is, even if it's just for fun or serious. I hope you enjoy hearing about them and pay tribute to at least one....
... On Tuesday, the 8th, I plan on running around like a sockless hooligan :)

The Blue Moose

 NEW RESTAURANT #3:

The Blue Moose

3030 Wanamaker

Topeka, KS

Friday, April 27th, Paul & I were craving a new restaurant. Something in Topeka that we haven't tried yet...which these days that list is getting narrow. After a post on Facebook for any recommendations, we went with The Blue Moose. Even the name is catchy! However, as soon as we were ready to head out the tornado sirens went off. After 20 minutes of watching the news & waiting for the big red blob on the radar to pass over us we were out, no rain will stop us.
After arriving, the atmosphere was nice, very large place with lots of seating. I even noticed a room for private parties. They also have a bar area.
Price was reasonable for a nice sit-down place. Not cheap by any means. Prices ranged from a small salad for $3.99 to a pasta dish at $12.99 to Filet Mignon at $26.99.
Service was great! Very timely, checked on us but didn't hover & answered our questions.
The menu was large & had something for everybody. They have an after 10pm menu & nightly drink specials (10 bottles of wine for $10 each, $1.50 beer/draft & last nights: $3.50 Moose-ritas). I taste tested the Moose-rita -YUM!!! It looked like a blue margarita. Two things I always have to get when trying a new place: 1. Fried pickles 2. Spinach artichoke dip. This time I went with the pickles (above picture). They were horizontal slices (a first for Paul & I), the breading stuck nicely to the pickle, & the ranch dip was fabulous! Thick & a hint of garlic. Then onto our entrees. Paul & I had a hard time deciding (guess we'll have to return). Paul ended up going with a Chicken Madeira Pasta: "Sauteed chicken & mushrooms in a rich Madeira wine cream sauce. Tossed with tender Campanella pasta & Parmesan cheese." It was amazing! I, being the cheese lover I am, went with the build your own Mac & Cheese (picture below): "Cavatappi pasta tossed in our rich six-cheese sauce. Topped with garlic buttered bread crumbs." I added Pit-Smoked Ham. The sauce was delicious! The ham on the other hand, there was nothing special to it. I will add Sauteed Mushrooms & another meat next time.

For dessert, Paul went with a cheesecake & I did a trio sampler (creme brulee, peach cobbler, chocolate peanut butter parfait). The cheesecake was the more cream cheesy type, not the rich, small kind. The peach cobbler Paul liked, too many oats for my taste. The parfait was rich, but good. The creme brulee, awww-mazing!

We left with full bellies, empty pockets, leftovers, & as couple satisfied critics ;) 

If you're in the mood to try something different I would highly recommend The Blue Moose, because their menu changes up those 'regular' dishes.

Strawberries with a zip!

A few weekends back for my friends bachlorette party I decided to get a little creative!

It all started with my new addiction site Pinterest, I tend to collect recipes & delicious appearing dishes or drinks. I stumbled upon Strawberry Margarita Jello shots... only they were actually served in the strawberry. This one fit the bill for Jaclyn's bachlorette party! It took me two nights to make them and paid off in the end as they were DE-Lish!!! :)


First, the strawberries need a place to sit up

 

of coarse I had to make it appealing



and it had to sit up off the bottom so the bottom of the strawberries were able sit in the holes



At bed, bath, & beyond I found a strawberry pitter, it worked alright, a knife would've probably worked. Then I dipped them in sugar. If I do it again I would save the sugar dipping until after the jello has set up, the berries produce too much juice with sugar



the Jello! My dad taught me some tricks with jello making, he's a pro jello shot maker! Have boiling water ready & put ice in the measured out alcohol portion to make it "chilled" then you can either pull out the cube right before you add the booze or after you've stirred it into the jello mix. Since they were Margaritas of coarse I used Tequila for the kick



key limes, regulars would probably work too



my mess! I had left over jello from the strawberries so I made just regular margarita shots





They look pretty cute... and delivered quite the bite!!



the finished product!!!



they took a little work but were amazing in the end!



Hope you enjoy them as much as I did  :)

Project 365 catchin' up

PHOTO #66/365  Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
Finally ate my cannaloni from Sunday at the Italian Deli.... YUM!

PHOTO #67  Wednesday May 18th, 2011
My new Purple Petunia Pig Pot!

PHOTO #68/365  Thursday May 19th, 2011
My strawberry margarita jello shots for Jaclyn's bachlorette party. Made them early since I had even better ones to make on friday :)

PHOTO #69/365  Friday May 20th, 2011
My strawberry margarita jello shots actually poored into a strawberry (check out other blog entry)

PHOTO #70/365  Saturday May 21st, 2011
Night of Jaclyn's Country Cruisin' Bachlorette Party!!!