Busy List of Weekend Plans!

GOOOOOOD AFTERNOOOOON! How are you guys? Today flew by, huh? Lunch was around 12:30pm. I had a Ezekiel wrap with pine nut hummus, goat cheese, turkey and spinach. I mean a lot of spinach 🙂

On the side I had some ranch soy crisps and a clementine (only thing I currently like about winter).

Around 3:30pm it was pre-workout snack time. Coffee and 1/2 of a chocolate chip clif bar. I am saving the other half for post workout since I want to get home and make a nice meal without wanting to chew my own arm off.

Well, I have 30 minutes and it is the weekend for me. So what on earth do I have planned?

Tonight:

• Run
• Body Pump with my friend Melissa (YAY! Love workout buddies)
• Dinner
• Relax, watch opening ceremonies, read?

Tomorrow:

• Up early to run
• 9am Body Jam (Body Pump’s dance style sister…it will be truly comical!)
• Shower and get dressed at the gym
• Trip to Trader Joe’s for a few things 🙂
• Stopping by a secret location to get Valentines Day treats for both of my boys 🙂 Yup I am getting Adam’s and Oscar’s treats at the same place…what on earth could it be?
• Lunch and laundry at home
• Home Show with my Mom, Dad and Adam followed by dinner
• Meeting our friends Jeremy and Ashely for a little Valentine’s Bowling Date! ❤

Sunday:

• V-day Run with Adam (what don’t all couples celebrate V-day with a Run?)
• DATONA 500 SUNDAY FUNDAY!!!!! This is an annual tradition, it doesn’t usually take place on V-day, but we do this every year!! You will see tons of pics from this I am sure :)I will tell you a little more about it as it get closer.

Monday:

• Meeting Tina and Beth for noon time Body Pump
• Working at my part-time job
• Grocery shopping
• RELAX!!!!

What are you doing this weekend? Is it busy, relaxing, somewhere in between?

In Other News:

1. My bestie May and her fiance Rick only need about 100 more votes to make it into the next round of the Crate and Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest. Please vote…pretty please!  To do that, click here! Thanks in advance!

2. I am still accepting “Ask Me Anything Questions” so don’t forget to submit your anonymous question you want to ask me by clicking here!

Well, I am going to finish up here. See you guys later on tonight!

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Self-Esteem Inventory.

Hey everyone! Well, my snow storm beers last night are making me feel a little less than 100% today. I didn’t drink that much, but I have a little headache that has just been a pain in the butt all day 😦

Lunch was leftovers from dinner on Tuesday night. A turkey burger on a whole wheat sandwich thin, topped with mustard and laughing cow cheese with a side salad.

I had an afternoon snack of grapes and Siggi’s Acai Yogurt!

This flavor is by far my favorite! It has a sweet berry flavor and again, no fruit on the bottom 🙂

This afternoon, I headed downstairs to the office of the the Education and Human Services Department to get a psychological test for a paper I need to write for one of my classes. I love going to school where I work it makes things so much simpler! The professor told us to pick a test would be interested in so we could really learn about it and enjoy writing the paper.  Care to take a stab at which kind of test I picked?

Yup, a Self-Esteem Inventory. Self-esteem is a topic that is so interesting to me 🙂 While perusing the different tests, I sipped a coffee.

Well, I got to get a few more things done here before heading to class. I am taking a workout rest day today and have 2 booty kicking workouts in mind for the next two days. You are going to have to stick around to see what I have planned!!!

Don’t forget:

To vote for my bestie May for the Crate and Barrel Ultimate Wedding .  To do that, click here!

I am still excepting “Ask Me Anything” Questions so don’t forget to submit your anonymous question you want to ask me by clicking here!

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Snowy Day.

Morning! Well, the snow has already started falling in Boston! It is just flurries right now, but we are expected to get a lot of snow.  I am not sure how much exactly we are supposed to get because different news stations have different forecasts. So anywhere between 5 -12 inches…I know that is a big difference, right?

In honor of my Van’s giveaway, I decided to have a waffle sammie for breakfast.I made it with 2 Van’s flax waffles, natural peanut butter, 1/2 of a banana and this superfood spread!

This one was really great too. Just like the “North America” one I tried yesterday, it had chucks of fruit in it. But, this one was a lot more tart, I like tart things so I really loved this one.   I could really taste the pomegranate flavor, which I liked a lot.

On the side I had a clementine and some coffee in my Tink mug…I love Tink, she is my favorite Disney character! I love her little no-nonsense personality 🙂

Today’s outfit:

Striped sweater (Bitten, By: Sarah Jessica Parker), Khaki chinos (J Crew), Brown Flats (Steve Madden).

In Other News:

1. Don’t forget to vote for my bestie May and her fiance Rick for the Crate and Barrel Ultimate Wedding .  To do that, click here! Thanks in advance!

2. Don’t forget to enter my Van’s Giveaway! To do that, click here!

3. “Ask Me Anything” Questions:

Q: How many calories do you eat per day? and how often do you run?

A: Well, I can’t say for certain, because I don’t actually count my calories. But, my guess would be between 1,800 and 2,200 calories per day? It maybe more of less on certain days. I run between 4-6 days a week.

Q: I am in recovery from an Eating Disorder and I was wondering if you have any recommendations for light forms of exercise or exercise classes that I can take that are conducive to recovery??

A: First, I would like to do a mini disclaimer: I am not a Medical Doctor, or RD. So, if you are recovering from an ED, I would highly suggest consulting your physician before taking part in any exercise routine. But, for light forms of exercise in general, I would recommend walking, ballet (so beautiful and relaxing) or a slow flow yoga class.

I am still excepting “Ask Me Anything” Questions so don’t forget to submit your anonymous question you want to ask me by clicking here!

4. I just got word that we will be released from work at 12 noon! I will be heading to a yoga class at noon to get in my workout before the snow gets too bad. I had initially planned on going to a 6:30pm Body Pump class, but I am certain it will be canceled, so I am going to yoga instead. I am partially annoyed that the snow is getting in the way of my regular schedule and partially excited to do a yoga class instead as I have not gone to yoga in a while. 🙂

See you all much later! Have a great Wednesday!

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A WHOLE CANTALOUPE?!

Morning! Sorry if you missed me last night. At 9:30 pm I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open, so I just went to bed! Let me tell you about my night. Around 3:30 pm while getting through some work, I snacked on the last of the cantaloupe I bought this week. I just realized I managed to eat a whole cantaloupe in three days!!! What can I say, this girl loves fruit!

At 4pm I headed down to the gym at work for a run. I planned on doing 5 miles, but that didn’t end up happening. Around mile 2 my stomach started cramping and I knew I had to um…go use the restroom (TMI? I think these “Ask Me Anything” questions are making me feel a little too open!). I tried to ignore it, but by mile 2.5 I knew that 5 miles were not happening, I made a deal that I would run 3. Once I hit mile 3, I jumped off the treadmill and went to the bathroom. I felt better. While walking back into the gym I noticed how tight my legs left. I used the extra time I had already planned to run for a nice long stretch. It felt great to get the stretch in! The running and Body Pump this week has taken a toll on my hamstrings and they were begging for a good stretch.

After the run and stretch, I took a quick shower then jumped on the bus and headed home. Once I got home, I started working on some stuff for my part-time job. I was really hungry, fruit goes not hold me over when I am running. I snacked on a pretzel rod and a clementine.

After the work was done, I started dinner. Adam was home for dinner tonight! That makes twice this week that we ate dinner together 🙂 I like that a lot! I made some whole wheat tortillini with marinara sauce and side salads. I beefed my pasta up with some extra veggies, steamed zucchini and artichoke hearts. I also had a small glass of red wine.

The spend the rest of then evening watching TV with my two favorite boys before heading to bed at 9:30 pm. Right before bed, I had some chamomile tea and….it totally helped me sleep well again last night. Although I did have an awful dream that all my teeth fell out!

I actually looked up what dreams about teeth falling out means and I got a few interpretations:

1. Being self-conscious about your physical appearance
2. Worrying about being embarrassed in a certain situation
3. Feelings of powerlessness
4. Fear of failure
5. Financial worries

Not sure I really buy any of them. Do you ever look up what your dreams “mean”?  Do you believe in “Dream Meanings” or think it is all junk?

I actually took today off to get some things done. Breakfast was banana oats:

• 1/2 of a banana
• 1/2 a cup of oats
• 1/2 a cup of water
• 1/2 a cup of almond milk

Toppings:

• Blueberries
• Organic unsweetened coconut
• Barney Butter

Ask Me Anything Questions:

Q: Transitioning from a private person to a public person can be a tough and crazy experience. Do you (or Adam) ever get worried with posting private photos and/or information online?

A: Good Question! I get this question a lot from friends and family. I keep a lot of my life private still even though it seems like it is all out there for the world to see. I am very careful with the personal information I post online and try to make sure that I keep certain things to myself. So, sometimes I get a little nervous about it, but I always make sure that I don’t post anything that I wouldn’t be okay with ANYONE seeing.

You can  submit an anonymous  Ask Me Anything question by clicking here.

Well, I am off to get some things done. Have a great Thursday!

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Boring Apple Transformed!

Good afternoon! It has been a little messy here today. They are switching over something with our e-mail here today (to be honest I am not sure exactly what they are doing) but it has caused my work e-mail to not work and I have lost some important e-mails, so yes it has been frustrating. Lunch came around 12:30pm when I heard my tummy start talking to me. I had a turkey sandwich on whole wheat Tuscan bread with spicy hummus, guacamole, tabouli and spinach. YUM YUM!

I brought an apple on the side and thought it looked a little boring. Sorry, apple, but it’s true! So I cut it up, put it in my soup bowl, added cinnamon and microwaved it for a minute and a half. Warm cinnamon apple = not so boring!!!

FYI: cutting up an apple with a plastic knife is not easy can can be dangerous! Don’t try this at home, kids! 😉

Ask Me Anything Questions:

Q: Hi Ali. I just wanted to let you know how much I love your blog and how positive you always are!
OK, now to my question:

I’m a high school senior, and am going to college next year (either Suffolk or Northeastern). What’s your advice on eating in college? If it were my choice, I wouldn’t have a meal plan and just get all of my food from TJ’s, but it’s required. Any tips?

A: Wow! I had no idea I had readers in high school! That’s great! So glad you love my blog 🙂 First of all congrats to you for being almost done with High School, so exciting. Second, congrats for even caring about healthy eating at your age, Lord knows I didn’t and wish I had.

I understand where you are coming from, eating healthy in a college dining hall is hard! I do have a few tips:

1. Eat breakfast! Get up before class and go. It will keep you from being starving around noon when they bring out the fries and steakums. Plus, you will be able to concentrate in class better too! If you don’t have time for a sit down meal, grab fruit, dry cereal a whole wheat bagel and pb..something.
2. If you have to eat fast food choose wisely: Choose pizza with half the cheese, a regular size roast beef sandwich, baked potato, or green salad with reduced calorie dressing.
3. Keep healthy snacks on hand so you are not temped to go to the vending machine and fill up on junk. Try kashi bars, fruit, nuts or yogurt.
4. The salad bar is your friend!!! Have a side salad if you are choosing to eat the mac and cheese it is all about balance.
5. Use the suggestion box! Most dining halls have them, use them to make healthy suggestions to the staff. I am sure they will help you out and your fellow health conscious students will thank you!

Hope that helps and good luck with applying to college! This is such an exciting time for you 🙂

Q: What time do you usually eat your meals? I leave the house by 6:45am so I bring my breakfast to work and eat around 10. Causing me to eat all my meals late, like dinner at 8 because I don’t get home till 7:30. Any tips on timing your meals for a busy body?

A: Well, this one is hard because the time I eat a measl depends on the day, seriously. I eat breakfast at about 7am, lunch between 12pm-1pm. Dinner is a little wonky. On days I have class, dinner will not come until 7:30pm-8pm. On days I don’t have class and got right home from work dinner is between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. On days I don’t have class, but workout after work it can be between 6:30pm and 9:00pm. So I guess I am not the best with timing. My tip would be to have snacks on you in case you need them between meals. But for me, I am so busy, I eat when I am hungry and when I have the time. But, I always make sure I eat 🙂

Q: What kind of salad do you eat? Is it packaged? If so, what brand?

A: Well, the salads I eat are not packaged. I make them myself at home with whatever I have on hand. But you may be referring to the lettuce I use, and that is packages and it is by Olivia’s Organics. Adam and I love their Spring Mix. Hope that helps!!!

Q: What kind of peanut butter do you eat?

A: Well, I have been eating Naturally More peanut butter for the past few month and I love it! But I also eat, Barney Butter (Almond Butter) and The Store Brand (Stop n’ Shop) Cashew Butter as well. I guess I love nut butters!!!!

You can  submit an anonymous  Ask Me Anything question by clicking here.

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Energy Wall

Good Afternoon! Well, I honestly feel like today flew by. I got a few important things at work done, but honestly, there are not enough hours in the day. Have I been saying that a lot lately when it comes to work? I think so! I don’t know if I told you guys this, but I have taken on some new responsibilities at work. I actually really like the new stuff I am doing, but it adds a lot more work to my plate, so I am super busy.

Lunch was eating while responding to a million (exaggeration)  e-mails from faculty. I had a can of Amy’s lentil soup ( SOOOOO YUMMY)!

On the side I had a few Kashi Heart to Heart crackers, a laughing cow cheese and a clementine.

All together:

I wrote about my love for morning workouts this morning, which is still very much the case. But, what I forgot about is the energy wall you hit around 3pm. UGH…I am feeling like I could fall asleep at any minute! I think some coffee will be in order before heading to class. How do you deal with hitting the energy wall?

Well, back to work for me for a little while. Tonight’s plans include:

• Class 4:30-7:10
• Meeting a few customers at my part-time job, and doing a little work there
• Going to my bestie May’s apartment to watch the Pregnancy Pact movie

See you guys later on, have a great rest of your Tuesday!

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Pizza= best leftovers ever

Good Afternoon! Well, thanks for all your e-mails and kind comments about me addressing my break! I will be back to working out as soon as this knee feels 100% and I have my schedule worked out (oh, and when I get some much needed z’s). I have been a busy lady today at work, getting stuff done, crossing things off the list! I hate that I am getting things done, but I feel like I still have a long list. Oh well, it will get done,it always does!

My dad called me today to inform me that he has mailed all 140 Save The Dates for me this afternoon! YAY! Thanks, Dad! It really does help to have people around that are willing to pitch in to get some things done for you. I can’t wait for people to get them, I think they are so cute!!! You can read more about them in this post.

Lunch was delicious left over homemade pizza from last night with a side of fruit. Pizza= best leftovers ever!

Blueberries and a clementine! Prefect combo!

Well, I want to finish a few things up here. After work plans include:

• Coffee with coworkers/classmates (two co-works and I take the same classes)
• Class 4:30-7:10
• Train ride home, stopping for toilet paper and paper towels (TMI?)
• Dinner
• Looking for my thumb drive for school I have managed to misplace (I am mildly paniced over this).
• Reading and homework
• Watching Jersey Shore 😉

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Addressing The Break.

Good Morning! Well, I did get some sleep last night, but I still woke up looking like this (and still with a headache).

Actually, I didn’t wake up looking like that, that is after doing my hair and makeup. 🙂 You all thought I naturally looked like that? Oh, please! It is not 100% better, but there is am improvement. I still have those tired eyes! Oh well, duty calls, I have a full day of class and work.

Breakfast this morning was fantastic and simple.

Vanilla Chobani, Kashi Go Lean Crunch, Blueberries. I also had coffee with half and half and stevia. The mug I got from Stephanie and Jimmy’s shower is slowly becoming my favorite mug 🙂

Today’s outfit:

Gray Pants (Express), White Cami (H&M). Green Cardigan (A gift from my parents, not sure where they got it), Black Anne Klein Sling Backs.

Confession: I totally wear these slippers while sitting at my desk, gotta keep those feet toasty. I have always had “work slippers” since I starting working in an office.

In Other News:

1. So, you may have noticed I have not worked out in a few days. If you read this blog regularly, you know I usually work out 6 days a week. I have been getting some e-mails asking what gives, I figure I will just talk about it rather than have you all speculate. I have been asked if I am pregnant, hiding and injury, or going through a difficult time. The answer is NO TO ALL. No “real” injury, I am not pregnant (I have to get married and finish my masters degree first), and I am not going through a hard time at all 🙂 I appreciate your concern for those who wrote me.

I have not been working of for a few reasons:

1. As you may remember, I did talk about some slight knee pain I have been feeling. Oddly enough, I don’t experience this pain when running, but when doing Body Pump during the squat and lunge tracks. I don’t feel as if it is an injury per se, but I think it may be a little muscle strain. Rather than stress it more, I have been resting it. It is way more important to me not to get injured and to be able to run for a very long time (I want to be one of those 90 year old ladies you see jogging and think, ” Is she serious? “) So, my muscle is telling me it needs rest, I am giving it rest!
2. You all know I started classes this week. You all also know that I am a huge routine person, I love to have a routine. Well, having classes Tuesdays and Thursdays has changed my routine a little bit. At times when I used to be working out I am in class now. So there is a little learning curve here. I am just trying to figure out my routine so that I can get back into the groove of things. It won’t take long. But planning is very important, and if I did not plan, I would not be able to juggle everything.
3. I have been TIRED! Maybe a result of my new routine, maybe the winter, maybe I am getting sick? I don’t know for sure, but my tired eyes this morning and last night speak for themselves!

I think I am at a total of 5 days now with no workout. So and I panicing? Am I worried I will gain those 30 pounds back? GOD NO! First of all, 5 days without a workout will not make me gain weight. Second, my appetite has adjusted it. The burn less calories, therefor I am less hungry. Case and point, I didn’t eat my whole half of the pizza like a normally do last night. Thirdly, I love working out, I love running. It is my passion. When the knee feels better (which it really is starting to virtually no pain or weirdness today), I am no longer exhausted and I am used to/ have planned out my routine, I will be right back at it like always.

2. Self Love Tip of the Day: Take a Day Off: Ever heard the saying “a change is as good as a rest”? Every once in a while take a day off from your normal routine and do something different. It can be a simple as walking to work a different way, eating a lunch you very rarely eat, or taking a day off and going on a picnic or to a museum. It is refreshing and breaks you out of your shell a little bit! Plus, you may find something you really love doing!!!

Well, I have got a LOT of stuff to do around here, see you at lunch!

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First Grader's Lunch!

Hey everyone! Thanks for all your great tips about getting up early!!! I am hopeful that this new wake up time will workout. 6am here is come, should be easy right?! 😉

My day has been busy, I didn’t get home until 9pm! WOW, long day! After work, I stopped at Starbucks for a grande skinny cinnamon dolce latte. I usually get a short or a tall, but I knew I needed the extra boost today. I sipped it throughout class.

Class went well, I think it will be an interesting class and that I will learn a lot about myself through it. I hope I enjoy the class as much as I think I am going too. 🙂 Time will tell. We got out of class at around 20 past 6, which was great. I hoped right on the train and worked at my part-time job until about 8:30 pm. While working I had my dinner, which was a Barney Butter and Trader Joe’s Blueberry Jam Sandwich on whole wheat bread and an apple that has been in my fridge since before Christmas…it was time to eat it.

Doesn’t it look like the lunch of a first grader? Oh well, I enjoyed it and it was really easy to work while eating it. After eating, I made myself a deal that I would enjoy my breakfast tomorrow like a real meal and not work while eating it, I honestly cannot remember the last time I ate a meal without working on something while eating. It has been a few days for sure.

After working, I headed to the grocery store to get some stuff we really needed, mostly produce. I think the only fresh produce we had in the fridge was a few clementines, it was time for a re-stock for sure. When I got home, I did some stuff around the house, and then worked on putting together all the different wedding lists (our parents made lists and then we made a list- so I am trying to get them all on one spreadsheet) and chased some more addresses. I think we just need a few addresses from Adam’s dad’s side of the family and then we are ready to mail our Save The Dates!!!! YAY (if you are on Adam’s dad’s side and are reading this please get your address to Minnie…THANKS 🙂 ).

Well, as you all know I have a 6:00 am wake up call and if I get to bed now I can get 7 hours of sleep, I best get going! Night Night!

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First Grader’s Lunch!

Hey everyone! Thanks for all your great tips about getting up early!!! I am hopeful that this new wake up time will workout. 6am here is come, should be easy right?! 😉

My day has been busy, I didn’t get home until 9pm! WOW, long day! After work, I stopped at Starbucks for a grande skinny cinnamon dolce latte. I usually get a short or a tall, but I knew I needed the extra boost today. I sipped it throughout class.

Class went well, I think it will be an interesting class and that I will learn a lot about myself through it. I hope I enjoy the class as much as I think I am going too. 🙂 Time will tell. We got out of class at around 20 past 6, which was great. I hoped right on the train and worked at my part-time job until about 8:30 pm. While working I had my dinner, which was a Barney Butter and Trader Joe’s Blueberry Jam Sandwich on whole wheat bread and an apple that has been in my fridge since before Christmas…it was time to eat it.

Doesn’t it look like the lunch of a first grader? Oh well, I enjoyed it and it was really easy to work while eating it. After eating, I made myself a deal that I would enjoy my breakfast tomorrow like a real meal and not work while eating it, I honestly cannot remember the last time I ate a meal without working on something while eating. It has been a few days for sure.

After working, I headed to the grocery store to get some stuff we really needed, mostly produce. I think the only fresh produce we had in the fridge was a few clementines, it was time for a re-stock for sure. When I got home, I did some stuff around the house, and then worked on putting together all the different wedding lists (our parents made lists and then we made a list- so I am trying to get them all on one spreadsheet) and chased some more addresses. I think we just need a few addresses from Adam’s dad’s side of the family and then we are ready to mail our Save The Dates!!!! YAY (if you are on Adam’s dad’s side and are reading this please get your address to Minnie…THANKS 🙂 ).

Well, as you all know I have a 6:00 am wake up call and if I get to bed now I can get 7 hours of sleep, I best get going! Night Night!

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