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...

Spinning Monday Well, today was certainly a Monday all the way around. It's one of those days you could easily forget, with the exception of mishaps. I felt like the clumsiest person from the get go. Oh, and Note To Self moment: check the wind gusts before opting for a dress that may or may not billow out or fly up. Just sayin'. I also got dumped by my running partner already. I swear I wasn't pushing to go too fast. Sigh. Actually, he's enjoying weights right now, which I can totally respect. Things weren't going quite as planned at work either. You know fun stuff like sending emails to the wrong people, test sites not working, a project so close to production that is suddenly not as client wanted. So it was just all around one of "those" days. What did help me today? Another sweaty noon spin class. Such a great way to refocus. It's hard to dwell on anything negative (other than your ass being kicked) when you're so focused on getting throu...

Hectic Hump Day Holy hump day. This day turned out to be a crazy busy day for me at work and then lots of Plan B's taking place. I had anticipated hitting spin after work with my friend (it was on my to-enjoy list). I had also anticipated getting my hair done (also on to-enjoy list). What really happened was I had to reschedule my appointment and ended up hitting spin at lunch. Of course, the noon spin really helped me sort of regroup after a hectic, busy work morning. I am sure my boss was worried I might just go AWOL. So, it really did kind of work out for the best that I was able to get my sweat on earlier rather than later. The only downfall is that I had planned on having time before spin class to get in back today. That'll just have to be moved to tomorrow or Friday though. I can be flexible...sometimes. Hump Day Happy Hour (and Hubby cooking) I typically don't go out on a school night ever. But today was the exception. I worked until 5 then ended up meeting...

Spinning Back to Normal I totally forgot to take pictures from last nights dinner night with our friends. She made enchiladas (including a vegetarian version for me). Everyone loved the Layered Black Bean and Pineapple Salsa Dip I brought. I will most definitely make this again for gatherings. Today I opted for the noon spin class and worked until 5. I really wanted to go with my friend (she was doing the 5:30 class), but I just didn't want a late evening on a Monday. I'll be honest, I was having kind of a blue day. Not sure why, just was a bit down. I was determined not to let it get the best of me and thought getting to spin mid-day may help me out a bit, kind of take my mind off of things and break up the day. And of course it did. It was a good class, and I was smiling at the end (with the exception of almost being hit in the crosswalk going back to my car). Grilling I can really close to doing another dish with pineapple, but decided to go with the corn on the cob ...

Off to the Doctor Well, I had such high hopes for the Mucinex D. While it's definitely helping my sinus stoppage and drainage, it's not easing up the headache at all. I am definitely maxing out on the ibuprophen right about now. I ended up breaking down and making a doctor's appointment. Thankfully they were able to get me in today. Though, I spent 45 minutes sitting on the exam table just waiting....and waiting. Then I saw the doc for maybe 10 minutes. Maybe if they started getting paid by the time they spent with a patient then they may actually take the time to "really" see you. Within minutes he said, and I knew he would, it was a sinus infection and automatically gave me antibiotics, which won't work unless it's bacterial, but he didn't check. Very blase about it. He also gave me a prescription for prednisone (steroid) for inflammation. At least maybe the steroid will help with this massive headache I've had. He seemed to think it should ...

Soup  I do want to thank everyone for their well wishes on a speedy recovery. I know that no one enjoys being sick and sidelined at all. I don't like feeling like I can't do anything. Kind of helpless. And rationally I know that rest is the best thing for me, but mentally it makes me feel like a slug. Having Jason make soup for me last night was definitely a treat. I felt a bit spoiled. But, it's rare that I get sick to the point of spending all day on the couch and not able to make dinner. So, he stepped in and took care of me. Here is what I think the recipe was. Get Well Veggie and Seitan Soup Ingredients: 1- 1 1/2 package frozen Italian style vegetables Handful frozen peas (because they were leftover) 1 package seitan, chopped 1/2 white onion, diced 2 not-chicken bouillon cubes 6 cups water To taste: oregano basil & tomato spice blend, white pepper, red pepper, sea salt 3-4 oz whole-wheat rotini, cooked per package directions Directions: In large so...

Hitting the Gym on Hump Day Wow, so today was another super busy and hectic day for me at work. I did at least leave for a lunch break. Jason and I had some errands to run. It was nice to get out of the building and see sunshine. We've been enjoying going to the Wednesday night Group Ride (spin) class together, so that was the plan for today. After work, I walked over to the gym and did about 10 minutes on the treadmill to warm up then I did biceps and back. I was excited to do back at the gym because I could do chin ups for a change. They lie when they say those pull up bars fit all doorways. Anyway, I supersetted the workout doing 3 sets of 8 reps. SS#1 Hammer curls Single-arm rows SS#2 Alternating curls Pullovers SS#3 Cross-body curls - 3x10 Wide-grip chin ups (assisted) - 5,4,5 1 set of 21's for biceps curls 1 set of 12 reps for double-arm rows My back and biceps workout felt really good. It was a nice change adding in the chin ups. After the weight work...

Weight-Free Wednesday Well, I have some nice DOMS going on today in my shoulders and biceps. My next weight workout will be chest and back, but I decided to take a day off from weights so that when I do chest and back, the soreness won't get in the way of a good lifting sessions. So, today Jason and I decided to do the Group Ride (spin) class at our gym after work. I was really itching to do a workout at lunch, but I had already declared it a weight-free Wednesday. The gym does have Group Ride at noon and we may try that next week perhaps. The only problem is that it will mean a really long lunch and I'll have to actually shower and get ready at the gym. I have never showered at a gym. So, it sort of freaks me out thinking about how much crap I'd have to pack in order to get ready there. Plus, there are only two showers, so if they are in use, then I have to wait, and that could mean even longer getting ready. Do you shower at the gym? Any tips or hints? I will say...

Spinning on Wednesday This morning Jason was getting up at 5 am to go to his swim class. I thought I was going to get up and do Step Blast and abs. Thought is the key word friends. I rolled over and went right back to sleep. I was not going to force the workout this morning. I was even prepared to proclaim today my rest day if need be. The weather is cooling down nicely finally. So I thought I'd be up and out for morning runs, but I just haven't felt up for a run the past few days. I think the temps are supposed to remain just at 90 through the weekend (into the upper 60's at night) so maybe we can get in a longer run this weekend finally. Before I went up to bed last night, Jason had mentioned wanting to go to spin again today. So instead of step or running or weights after work (or a rest day), I decided to go with Jason and try out the the new spin class at our gym: Group Ride. He's been twice and enjoyed it. Since I've been doing legs twice a week, they...