Where's the Beach?

More Spinning Today was a spin day for me. I've really been enjoying alternating the spin and run days. The only downfall, is that I'm having a hard time fitting in my weights unless I do a two-a-day. While two-a-days are ok, I know I can't do them all the time. I'm already burning out on them. And of course I don't have to run 3 days or do spin 2 days. It's just that I'm enjoying those things a lot right now so that makes me want to do them. On the flip side, I still love my weights. I know that there is always talk about lifting and cardio. I want the two to go together so badly, but can they ? More Pineapple Salsa Since we made a larger than usual batch of the Pineapple Salsa , I have been trying to think of different ways to use it - going for creativity. I thought that the spicy/sweet combo of the salsa might go really well with a blackened seasoning. I've been craving my Blackened Seitan recently. So, last night I made some Blackened Sei...

Mopey Monday Apology  I wanted to back up to yesterday's post just a minute. I think I may have come across as super negative. I know Monday's typically stink for most people - no one wants the weekend to end. Also, we all have "those" kinds of days when shit happens (over and over). I hope I conveyed that I tried to turn the day around though. I probably should have put more emphasis on the fact that while all the crap was happening, I really, truly do try to remember to be thankful. So I sent out an email to the wrong person, in the end it was no big deal. Projects crumble all the time; I still have a job. I am super luck to work for a great company and boss. I was a klutz, but I didn't break anything, unlike a friend who broke her toe this morning. I was able to go to spin class - I am physically capable and have the financial means that allow me to belong to a gym period. Some of you lost loved ones yesterday or mourned the loss of a loved one (annive...

Pool Time Recap Yesterday we had a fabulous afternoon with some of our friends. We mostly just lounged in the pool all afternoon. Then we decided we were water logged so we snacked on some of this. It's hard to beat lots of fresh fruit on a hot summer day. The Black Bean & Corn Salsa and Kalamata Hummus were a big hit too, along with the Peanut Butter Cranberry Cookie Balls . Gym Time This morning I really had to fight off the urge to run rather than hit the gym. We had a front move through so it was only about 71 degrees at 7:30. But, I knew I really needed to hit the gym instead of trying another run. So, I procrastinated for a bit before making my way to the gym for shoulders, legs, and abs. I started with 10 minutes on the elliptical then did shoulders and legs as supersets of 3x8 unless noted. SS#1 Shoulder press Alternating rear lunges SS#2 Upright rows Plie with low-end pulse SS#3 Lateral raise Squats SS#4 Rear leg elevated lunges Calf r...

Early Morning Run I had really hoped to go for a run with my friend, Thad, this morning. If I plan on running at all, I'm going to have to really get focused on getting up and out by 5:30. He wasn't really up for a run though, which I totally understand. I don't want someone to feel like they have to run with me of course. Since it's not completely light by 5:30, I am a bit leery of going to the river trails alone. It's pretty empty at that time of the morning. I thought today may end up being either a rest day or maybe a leg day. However, I found myself up and awake at 5:30, so I did something I haven't done since the fall - I ran in my neighborhood. After my IT band injury, I stopped running in the neighborhood because of the severely cambered roads. And of course, once I got going, I remember all this. It wasn't the best run for me, but I really enjoyed watching the world wake up around me. It's just so peaceful at that time (too bad I'm not ...

Summer Salad Dinner last night ended up being a Grilled Tempeh & Veggie Salad . I grilled sweet potatoes, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and tempeh (which was marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette). We piled everything on top of a mix of red leaf lettuce and baby spinach. This has become one of my favorite summer meals I do believe. Missing My Mojo So this morning I slept in rather than get up for my workouts. I was planning on either biceps or shoulders at lunch and knew I could get in cardio after work. I decided to change up my splits this week. I've been doing biceps and triceps together for too many weeks now. Change is good. So I went with biceps and abs at lunch: Dumbbell bicep curls 3x8 Hammer curls 3x7 (just couldn't manage 8 reps with the weight I used) Concentration curls 3x8 Dumbbell biceps curls - 21's I did abs from Cathe Friedrich's Cardio & Weights DVD. After work I did a cardio only premix from Low Impact Circuit . I must admit that to...

Monday Meant Makeup Funny thing I realized this morning as I was putting on my makeup (other than the fact that I really need to clean the toothpaste splatters off the mirror), I had not put on makeup or done my hair all weekend. Love it when that gets to happen. The only time I left the house was to go on the run and picnic on Sunday. No makeup required on that one. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy dressing up.  Gotta show off my clothing collection somehow right? But every once in a while, it's nice to just stay home donning comfy clothes, and the natural look.  Do you enjoy weekends when you don't have to get dressed up, fixed up, decked out? Monday Workouts Today was Week 2 Day 2 of my 8-week rotation. On tap was upper body only followed by plyo legs. It was the same set up as last week doing 3 sets of 8 reps only supersetting the exercises and increasing the weights from the previous week. SS#1 Shoulders - Upright rows Biceps - Alternating curls SS#2 Chest -...

Mid-Day Monday Workout  Ok, so the time change thing really sort of sucks. It was pitch black this morning when Jason's alarm went off at 5 am, at which time I promptly rolled over and dozed back off. It was STILL pitch black as I walked the 3 blocks to my office at 7 am. I know that I'll appreciate the additional sunshine tonight (especially since it is indeed sunny today), but the morning are really going to stink. Since I didn't get up and do my workout this morning, I decided to do it during my lunch break. I went home and did Cathe's Shock Cardio Athletic Step and then an ab workout. It was nice to get the added boost of energy from a mid-day workout at least. How is everyone else handling the time change? Salsa Kind of Dinner We bought a pineapple the other day so I decided to make a dish I haven't made in ages. It sort of reminds me of spring, probably the salsa aspect. Quorn Cutlets with Pineapple Salsa with Colorful Black Beans and Barley with Tomatoe...