Hittin' it hard.

I have had a super busy week.  The couple of times that I have had to get in here to get a post done, blogger was down.  Boo-Hoo!

Anyway, I am here now.

Here's what has been going on:

I have started Insanity: The Asylum, every muscle in my body is sore.  It is pushing me and this is a good thing, but geez o' pete! 

I'm taking a training class for my Beachbody job.  I've had to focus on this so much and I am loving it.  It is giving me the info and push I need to be better!

Monday was a busy day with getting things done, had a great walk with a friend, ended up having lunch and made a stop at Sam's and the Farmer's Market for some produce!

We had Fit Club Tuesday as usual, such a great group of people coming!  We danced it out to Rockin' Body Disco Groove.  Talk about fun.  Laughing and getting fit together is just the best!

I had Miss Madelyn on Wed.  We weren't sure what day this week I would be keeping her, but it was our usual day and we had a BIG day!  The weather was perfect and we had lunch with Grumpy and went for a walk.  After Mads left, I had reached a goal for my online training, so Robin and Denisa came over and we had a great time chatting and eating!  Then the storms came up and we called it an early night!

Thursday was a day for office work.  I was behind and needed to get caught up.  Almost completely done, should be caught up on Monday!  Keep your fingers crossed that I can stay focused.  Brian's office picnic/cookout was last night - everything was rolling right along until we were leaving to go to the lakehouse.  This is what the sky looked like:

yes, that my friends, is a funnel cloud in the distance.  We thought we'd be safer going the other direction, but the farther we went, we found out that the storm was also in the direction we were going.  So, we turned around and went to a friends house until the storm passed.  Thank goodness no tornadoes.  Lots of rain, hail and wind.

This morning we got up and headed to the lakehouse.  We are going to take it somewhat easy for a day or so and then hit it hard again!

Happy Mom's Day!!!!

I've had the best Mother's Day!  It's been a long day, but we've had sooo much fun!

This afternoon, we were at the lake and Nick, Lauren, Jake and Morgan came down for lunch with Grandma and the family!  We had tacos and mini-cupcakes.  A few of us (shall remain nameless) had a few mini-cupcakes.....

I got on of my favorite junk foods - OH Ding-Dongs, how I love and loathe thee at the same time....

Then we headed over to Chase and Meredith's for a family dinner!  I love that I don't have to cook all day long :)

The only way the day would have been perfect would have been if I could have been with my Mom!  I saw her last weekend and will see her again in a couple of weeks, but still it is Mother's Day!

Love you Mom! 

Busy, Crazy Days!

Wow, it's been a crazy couple of days.  It seems that is how my life is going these days.  It's all good, but whew, I'm worn out!

I ended up meeting my father-in-law and nephew for a great lunch yesterday, then had some errands to run. Got in the door just in time to turn around and head out with Brian for a quick trip and then back home to watch Madelyn for the evening.  She was in rare form and was on the go NON-STOP!  She didn't even want to slow down to eat. 

Since it was Cinco de Mayo, we had a Mexican feast! 

We couldn't let the day go by without a margarita.  Skinnygirl style with my twist - strawberries and a couple drops of stevia - YUM!

Then we had chopped salad tostadas.  Double YUM!

I might have had 3!!

Brian added chicken to his, I rolled with the vegan version!



The Chopped Salad is one of my favorite recipes from Marilu Henner's Healthy Holidays book.  If you don't have this book, grab one today!  It's one I go to all the time!  Of course, I love all her books, but for holidays and entertaining, this is a MUST!!

Madelyn finally wore herself out and laid down, not long enough to go to sleep before Mommy and Daddy got there, but Nona had to lay down with her.

It was a great day!

rueben love

When I quit eating meat a long time ago, I cried because it meant no more rueben sandwiches.  Truly.  Not joking.....

But......

I made the BEST tempeh rueben sammy yesterday and I want to share it with you guys - that is just how much I like you all :)

First of all, get your tempeh.  I used 3 grain, but there are all kinds available.  It looks like a block and is shrink-wrapped.  I forgot to take a photo before I got it in the marinade.

I cut it the short way, but if you prefer cut it the long way - YOUR CHOICE!!

Then mix up the marinade:

I don't use measurements, just throw it in the pan.

bragg's liquid aminos or soy sauce
liquid smoke
lemon juice
chopped garlic
couple dashes of tabasco sauce
one dash of ume plum vinegar ( any kind of vinegar will do)

I like to marinate the tempeh for at least one hour.  Longer is usually better and a stronger flavor.

Then mix up your dressing:

veganaise (or mayo)
ketchup
dill pickle relish

When the tempeh is done marinating,  I put it and the marinade in a pan and just brown it.

Then you are ready for some sammy magic:

I like to toast the bread ( dark breads are my faves, but whatever you have on hand will work)
then a single layer of tempeh (don't be greedy here and eat it all at once, you will want a second sammy!!)

Pile on the sauerkraut and the dressing.

You could add some daiya or cheese if you want, but it really doesn't need it.  Try it both ways and let me know which way you like it better!

I ate the sammy before I took a photo, you'll just have to use your imagination!  I'll take one when I eat my second one!

Discussion:  Is there a food you don't eat anymore that you miss?  Have you tried to make a re-creation?  Did it work?

It's all about Shaun T!

Hey hey Hey!  It's Tuesday!!!

FIT CLUB WORKOUT:

May is all about Shaun T.  Yesterday was his birthday and we are celebrating tonight with a Hip Hop Abs workout!  Get ready to have some fun!  Dance away those lbs and inches!!

The plan for May is Hip Hop Abs, Rockin' Body, Insanity and Asylum.  One extreme to the other :)  I can not wait!

Looking at Shaun T certainly makes those workouts a little more fun!!

FIT CLUB RECIPE:

I've been having a lot of fun with my Shakeology lately.  Trying out some new recipes:

Twilight:
1 scoop chocolate shakeology
10 oz water ( I like mine thinner)
1 tsp vanilla
ice to taste

Cherry Monkey:
1 scoop chocolate shakeology
1/2 cup dark, sweet cherries ( I like to use frozen)
1/2 banana
8-10 oz water
splash of almond milk
ice to taste

Blueberry Dream Shakeology
1 scoop chocolate shakeology
8-10 oz water
splash of almond milk
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 banana
ice to taste

Shakeology Ice Cream
One of my favorites - recipe from Mike and Tami French:

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 cup coconut milk ( or mimic creme)
1 tsp natural peanut butter or 2 tbsp PB2
2 scoops protein powder (vanilla, I love Sun Warrior brown rice protein)
1 scoop chocolate Shakeology

Mix for a few seconds and then add a lot of ice to make it thick like soft serve ice cream.  When it is the thickness you like, scoop into a bowl and top with shredded coconut, sliced almonds or even a crunched up protein bar!

Be sure to check out the May issue of  O Magazine for a great article about some of the healthy ingredients in Shakeology.  Great article and the best part, all the ingredients are IN Shakeology!! 

  

Rain Rain - Go Away, please!

This rain is really cramping my style :)
Busy weekend, my parents were in town and we had a GREAT time.  For some reason, I only took 1 photo.  We were having too much fun to think about anything else!

I got up early this morning, excited!!  Got my workout in, my homework done and then left the house because:

Today we went to the Springfield Cardinals game.  It was sprinkling a bit when we left Joplin, but we were thinking positive. 

We got to the game and it was down right raining, but still thinking positively.  We got GREAT tickets - Can you say SKY-BOX????? 

So cool, we had our own personal waitress.  She brought us food and we got busy eating.  Luckily, while the game was rain-delayed, we watched The Incredibles and chatted and ate.

 Thank you so much to The Great American Title Co. and Pro 100 Realtors for the tickets to the game!!!

The the dreaded announcement we knew was coming - Ladies and Gentlemen, we are sorry to annouce that the game has been canceled.  By this time it was REALLY pouring and the wind was howling.  So, we did what everyone else at the stadium did - went to Bass Pro!

Shopped around and then headed home. Of course on the way home, it stopped raining.  I've had enough - UNCLE!!

Thank you so much to The Great American Title Co. and Pro 100 Realtors for the tickets to the game!!!

I really lead an exciting life!

Yesterday was a good day!

Ran errands, got my work done, closed a couple of deals, spent time with Brian and we ended our day with a trip to Grove to see the in-laws.

Here's a few highlights:

Stopped by the health food store and found this lovely slice of heaven

WHOO-HOO!!!  It really doesn't take much to get my excited, obviously.  I've been wanting to try this one!

We went to the in-laws and I got a present.

you'll just have to turn your head sideways to look at, I can NOT get it flipped.

But it is beautiful!

We ended our day with a great dinner.  I had some very yummy gazpacho.  The walls of the restaurant were interesting and I thought this was a cool photo.

Wait until you hear about my day today ;)

Discussion:  What kind of excitement do you have in your life these days?