Gym-Time Wednesday

So I only get to hit the gym on Wednesdays... and that's because we have group PT and we've been doing individual PT, I get to do my own personal work outs.  I still work out 6 days a week but being able to go to the gym is such a bonus!

Here's today's workout:

Warm-up jumping jacks (Yeah, let's get this on!  Woo hoo!  I'm gonna build me a butt and some nice thighs)
Warm-up arm circles (Woo hoo!! I'm at the gym!)
Warm-up burpees (I HATE burpees.  But yay I'm at the gym!)
Stretch (Here I come, sexy body!  I'm gonna get you!)
50 squats (That last ten was a little tight)
30 squats (Whoa... do it for the butt!!)
20 squats (I can do this... I can do this)
30 squats (Ouchhhh...DO IT DAMMIT)
5 slow squats (Feel the friggin buuurrrrnnn)

30 seconds rest (Yay I did it!!  135 squats!  Boo yah!  My jeans are gonna hate me)

40 sit ups (Yay!  Since I've had my kids I've neglected my belly)
38 crunches (Yikes... that was a little tough but manageable.  Made sure to keep my form.)
33 second planks (Was gonna go for 1 minute but let's stick to the workout plan, shall we?)
20 push-ups (I really don't like push-ups.  I really don't.)

30 seconds rest (Okay, so I need more belly work.  And my push-ups suck but I think it's because I did 135 SQUATS YEAH BABY!)

40 sit ups (Get that belly in shape.  I can do this.)
10 TYIs (This is where I lean my belly on a balance ball and do 3 different styles of supermans.  My upper back is gonna get in shape!)
30 Russian twists (Okay I'm tired.)

10 minutes Elliptical set to butt toner! (I ran out of gym time, but was really enjoying this because I got to watch Judge Judy while burning my butt and legs.)

I'm pretty happy with today's workout!  The other 5 days are spent doing the squat challenge and abs challenge.  I feel pretty good that I'm at least doing something, but I sure do love the gym.

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Expressive Monday

Sean and I were feeling a bit expressive last night.

I got a stylus for my iPhone and I was so excited!!! I was able to sketch up a horse.

Sean drew what looked to me like a monster. I don't know what it is. He drew it and left it at the table.
But it looks awesome!

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Caprese Salad!

I learned about the Caprese salad from a friend of mine who was on a health food and raw eating diet.  She made one for me years ago and I've since had a love for it.  In fact it is my favorite salad.  For one, I love veggies and I absolutely fancy cheese.  And two, the basil makes this whole concoction smell amazing.  The fragrance just brings you to another place.  

All you need is one large tomato, one red onion, a few stems of basil, and a ball of fresh mozzarella.  If you get the tomato fresh from a farmer's market, I promise you will absolutely go crazy for it.  Fresh tomatoes just have a wonderful flavor and fragrance.  And I promise it really does make a difference when making this salad.  Oh!  I forgot-- you'll need a few things for the dressing:  extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.

 Slice the tomatoes into large patties and dice up the onion and basil.  While cutting the veggies, I swear I get just a little happier.  The basil is always fun because the fragrance just fills the air.  BTW, I didn't get the farm fresh tomatoes this time... I wish I did.

Next, you'll want to cut up the cheese.  You can do this any way you like.  A friend of mine slices up the cheese the same way she slices her tomatoes.  It comes out neater in appearance.  But I'm a little less organized.  I like my salads to be a little more sporadic.  So I usually chunk the cheese up a bit.  Say that five times.  Chunk the cheese.  Chunk the cheese.  Chunk the cheese.  Chunk the cheese.  Chunk the cheese.  Did you say it out loud?  hehehe Gotcha.

 After you get everything nice and diced, sliced and chunked, you'll want to lay the tomatoes down on a large plate.  I like using my bright plates because it really brings out the colors in the vegetables.  The sky blue really presents a nice contrast with the red tomatoes.

Now you're going to put everything on top of the tomatoes.  I usually throw the cheese on next, then the onion, and finally the basil.  The basil is kind of like the finishing touch because it's so light and ... well, leafy.  It acts as a garnish as well as an ingredient.  Once your veggies are all prettied up on the platter, you're going to add your dressing.  It's super easy.  Sprinkle some extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and then add a little salt and pepper.  Try not to drown your salad in the veggies. I promise you'll only need a little bit.  The taste of the veggies should be enhanced by and not drowned in the dressing.

This salad looks, tastes, and smells amazing.  My meat eater, Sean, loves this dish.  As soon as I put it on the table today, he said, "Mommy, what is THAT!  Can I eat it?"  We both finished the entire salad.

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Peanut Butter & Jelly

Breyers has this Peanut Butter & Jelly ice cream that is AMAZING.

 

 

Who would've thought that what should only be a sandwich

is also a fantastic ice cream.

Yup.

It's delicious.

Brilliant.

I love Breyers.

They make dreams come true.  :P

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When One Brother Is Too Strong

Caden to Sean: 

SUPER PUNCH!!!

UNGH!!!!!!

DOUBLE PUNCH!!!

HYAAAAAAA!!!

I kick you!!

Sean: 

Bruuuuce!!!!!

 

Caden:

Huh?

Sean:

Hehehehe

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Exploding Pork Roll

This pork roll is done all over the nation and in many different ways.  I call mine the Exploding Pork Roll because it looks just like it sounds.  It has an amazing blend of sweet and salty.  I'm leaving you the recipe and instructions below, but remember-- I usually don't do measurements.  I go by taste, so you'll have to figure out what works for you.  Thankfully, this recipe is super easy!  I hope you like it as much as I do.

What you'll need:

Pork loin (the unseasoned package)

A few strips of bacon

1/2 onion minced

Dried cranberries

Dried apricots (diced)

What to do:

Saute the cranberries, apricots, and onions in a little olive oil

Season the mix with salt and pepper

Set aside

Slice the pork down the middle to make it open up like a book

Pound the crap out of the pork with a meat tenderizer

Cover the pork with strips of bacon

Pour the fruit/onion mix over the bacon

Roll the pork until it is one big fruit roll

*You can use a toothpick to hold it all together if you like.

Wrap it up in foil and place on a baking sheet

Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until fully cooked

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Doodling

I love doodling. :)

I can do anything I want

Patterns

Swirls

Eyes

The weirdest combinations

To compliment my inner self

I'm weird

And it's cool. 

:-)

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Coconut Salmon Dinner

Tonight's dinner was fantastic! It's one of my favorites.

I usually don't do a whole lot of precise measurements when I cook. I just go by taste, so if you make this and you're a stickler for measurements, try to go by taste just once and take note of how much you end up using!

You will need:

Salmon

Onion

Garlic

Green onion

Zucchini or squash

Olive oil

Can of coconut milk

Lime juice

Salt

Red curry paste

Cayenne pepper

Cilantro

Don't forget to cook your jasmine rice!

Dice half an onion.

Sauté it in olive oil and some minced garlic.

Carefully lay the salmon down. Be careful not to smash it or break if apart.

Season the salmon with salt and some garlic powder.

Brown the salmon evenly. Turn it only once.

Pour the coconut milk in.

Squeeze the lime juice over the pan.

Put in half a teaspoon of cilantro.

Drop in about 2 teaspoons of curry paste.

Stir it all up around the salmon. Then gently fold the sauce over the fish.

Add chopped zucchini and half a chopped onion.

Cook covered on medium high until the zucchini is both firm and tender.

Serve with jasmine rice.

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Caden's Tree

My little artist came home with a canvas painting of a tree and mountains.  He was so excited!

 

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Snow White

My own version of Snow White. After Prince Charming rescues her.

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