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A Birthday Story and Wednesday Indulging

Step and Weights
Jason got up at 5 am to go swim. While it was tempting to just stay in bed, I got my lazy self up and did 3 step combos from Low Impact Circuit's cardio premix plus abs. It was a nice wake-up workout. Not too high in intensity, not too complex in choreography - ideal for 5:30 am.

I ended up doing my weights at lunch. I had planned on running some errands then doing weights after work, but changed my mind. Today is the last day of Week 7 from the 8-week rotation. It was 3 sets of 12:

Biceps - Zottoman curls
Triceps - Weighted dips
Quads - Squats
Inner thighs - Plie squats
Chest - Flat bench dumbbell press
Back - Underhand rows
Legs - Alternating lunges with pulse
Calves - Calf raises (theses I did 3 sets of 20)
Shoulders - Upright row
Shoulders - Rear delt raise

Also added Deadlifts for hamstrings.

Next week I get to do it all again, only as a superset!

Wednesday Rewind
Today happens to be my nephew's birthday (my sister's son). He turns four. It's so hard to believe that much time has passed since we met the little man. It's really a fun story that I want to share (if you'll indulge me in some sappiness).

My sister knew she would have to have a C-section. She told me what date it "should" be so that we could go ahead and schedule our annual beach vacation. Well, I'm sure you know what happened - it ended up being scheduled for the Friday we were leaving for FL.

Talk about sinking heart. Crushed. Both of us. She kept saying it was fine, to go. We really couldn't change the condo reservation at that point. The only option was to go down a day late. She said not to do that of course. We paid for a week, take the week. So, the Thursday evening before the the C-section, I talked to her on the phone. We both cried of course. However, I was crying in part because it breaks my heart when she's sad and also because I was so happy about a secret I had managed to keep. I was actually heading to our hometown and staying the night with a friend rather than getting ready to head to FL. Rather than leave in the wee hours of the morning, we would leave directly from the hospital and just arrive late in the evening.

I called my sis from the cell phone when we arrived at the hospital telling her we were on the road and asking how she was (more crying). When in actuality, I was walking to her room. I rounded the corner and she just kept talking on the cell while staring at me. The heart rate monitor was going nuts, and I thought the baby was going to be born right then and there. I finally had to hang up and tell her to hang up. Of course there were more tears! I would never have missed meeting my nephew on his birthday. I would never have chosen the beach over my sister. Needless to say, this day brings back a lot of memories.

Wednesday Grilling
Since we have rain in the forecast for the next few days, I thought I'd take advantage of the weather and grill out. We had some giant portobellos that Jason had wanted to do portobello "burgers" with goat cheese, spinach, and bell pepper. Since they were so big, I decided to just grill one and sliced it up as a topping for a Grilled Tofu with Portobellos, Red Bell Peppers and Goat Cheese sandwiches along with grilled sweet potatoes. 

There really isn't much of a recipe. I marinated the tofu and portobello in a balsamic vinaigrette then grilled. I had roasted red bell peppers in a jar (was out of fresh) so I used those along with spinach and tomato basil goat cheese for a slightly indulgent Wednesday meal. We don't do much cheese anymore, so that's why I say indulgent, and goat cheese has a decadent quality. Maybe it's the creamy texture.

So it might like look too pretty, but it tasted good!

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 19, 2010

    AWW!!! I love that story!! You and your sis are JUST like me and my sisters, SUPER close, would do anything for one another, including what you did for her. I'd be bawling too! Loved reading this, thank you for sharing it :-)

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  2. AnonymousMay 19, 2010

    Awww! I loved reading this story! You and your sister sound just like me and my sisters. Super close, would do anything for one another. I'd totally bawl my eyes out too if I was able to pull off that surprise! Such an awesome story, thank you for sharing it :-)

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  3. Oh, I am so glad you got to be with your sister and nephew! There is nothing like a sister's love! I have 3 of them. Your dinner looks delicious! Oh and thanks you to yesterday...I allowed Cathe to kick my butt today! Have a great night!

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  4. What a great sappy story. I was a little teary-eyed reading it. You are such a good big sister! :-)

    talk to you soon,
    Alicia

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  5. Aw, what a sweet story! I know from experience how important it is for certain people to be there so I know that meant a lot to her.

    Also, I love how you made it you can read the post in your Reader. I prefer reading my normal blogs that way because it's easier. But I will still click out to comment.

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  6. Jessica @ EatDrinkBreatheSweat I could definitely see you and your sister doing that for each other too!

    Sarena @ The Non-Dairy Queen Good job with the kick-butt Cathe workout!! She's great for that isn't she LOL

    Thanks Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean . I try to be a good big sis!

    Tina @ Tina Bit of Faith Fitness and Fun You can thank Janetha @ Meals and Moves for letting me know about that set up! Glad you like it better. Hope it works better for everyone.

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  7. Goat cheese is definitely my favourite cheese!!!!

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  8. Goat cheese can definitely make a sandwich more decadent! That looks delicious!

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  9. Aww, I love that story, so sweet :) I'm sure your sister was in shock!!
    And those sandwiches look PERFECT- two of my favorite things- tofu & portabellos :) yummmmyyyy
    Oh, and I have to tell ya- I love that you workout on your lunch break- I'm sure it gives you a nice little boost in energy to get thru the day :)

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  10. Love your nephew's birth story. Makes me wish I had a sister! :)

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  11. THAT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL STORY! your the bestest sister <3 i agree, family always comes first <3

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  12. AnonymousMay 20, 2010

    Awwww...such a sweet story!!! I loved being there for the birth of my niece-- it's such a unique moment for two sisters to share :-)

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  13. AnonymousMay 20, 2010

    awww, thats such a cute story!! i am really close with my sister too and i would NEVER miss something like that either. awww, i really want to cry right now!!

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  14. What a great story!! I love reading stories that sound so similar to my sister and ! We are very close.....though neither of us have kids, it still reminds me of us!

    YUM! I need to get some portobellos! You know I have never bought any before!

    XXOO

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  15. Jolene @ Everyday Foodie For me it's a toss up between goat cheese and feta!

    Thanks
    Lindsey @ Cardio Pizza ! It tasted pretty good too ;-)

    Holly @ Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices A mid-day workout definitely helps with the energy levels!

    Eunice @ rainbwsnkittns I'm very lucky to have my sister and also lucky that we are indeed close.

    Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel I certainly earned Sister of the Year award that day LOL!

    Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg It's definitely a special experience isn't it?!

    Jessica @ Living in the Kitchen, Gym and Mall Love to hear that you and your sis are also close!

    Kris @ iheartwellness Seriously? Never bought them??? You must remedy that one! LOL!

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  16. That is so sweet :) Happy Birthday to your Nephew :)

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  17. AnonymousMay 20, 2010

    what a great story! happy bday to you nephew!

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  18. Aww what a great story! :) Happy Birthday to your nephew!

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  19. That's so awesome you got to meet your nephew on his birthday! Tell him we all said happy birthday :)

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  20. Gelareh @ Nutritious Foodie
    Kalli @ Fit and Forty Something
    Dawn @ Healthy San Diego Living
    Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries

    Thanks you all!! I wish he could read all of the bday wishes!! I'll be sure to have his mom explain why he's getting all the love ;-)

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  21. AnonymousMay 20, 2010

    What a cute story! Happy birthday to your nephew!

    I love all the tasty ways you prepare tofu. I have so many more ideas since reading your blog! Thanks!

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  22. Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian So glad I can give you some ideas. I'd love to hear back if you try out any of the recipes!

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  23. loved the story. happy beeday to the little one! and YAY thank you for switching your feed. can i even express my excitement!? haha

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  24. Janetha @ Meals & Moves I'm glad you let me know what you meant and brought it to my attention. I think the default setting was to just show a short blurb.

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