Thinking Out Loud 27/02/2014

Wow, two posts in a row!  That’s pretty good for me these days :S  I have kind of been pushing my life to get a little busier these days, busy with friends and getting out more.  And I have to be honest that I am quite enjoying it.  So how are you doing?  How has your week been?  I am so happy that it’s Thursday because that means the last business casual day until casual Friday 😀  Well I feel like today is a good day to link up with Amanda and all the other bloggers and participate in…

1) I have really been enjoying getting out more on weeknights.  I have finally gotten over my “it’s too cold to go out” mentality.  I was starting to feel house bound and needed to DO SOMETHING!  So on Saturday we met up with some friends for a couple of beers and then headed over to the Loose Moose Theatre for a night of improve.  We really had a blast and I think another comedy night should be in our future.  On Monday John and I went out with friends to (FINALLY) see the lone soldier.  Oh my goodness, what an emotional movie.  If you haven’t seen it you really should.  I have to admit that the book, in my opinion, was better but that is usually how it goes.

2) I am currently writing at 8:15 on Wednesday night after doing a quick grocery shop.  I really needed to pick up some snack foods that didn’t include wheat.  I found some things but I am already REALLY missing my nightly bowl of cereal.  I am going to have to make some granola this weekend to satisfy my cereal and milk tooth.

3) I don’t know if I can make a whole month without wheat… these past two days have actually been really tough.  I hope it get’s better however with that being said my parents want to go out for an Italian dinner next weekend.  I am thinking I might have to give in for one night as I can’t pass up fresh pasta.  That is basically a sin.

4) I have finished the only two seasons of Downton Abby on Netflix.  Season 3 isn’t out until June… cruel cruel fait.  This is really sad and means I have to find another show to get into.  My lovely friend tells me Suits is a great show so that may be on the list.  Life is so tough!

5) It got up to 3oC today 🙂  it’s supposed to be a high of -22oC on the weekend 😦  WHY OH WHY IS THE GOOD WEATHER DURING THE WEEK!?

6) I am going for another massage today and this time they are going to try a hip release.  I felt so much better after getting my muscles worked on last week so I hope this fixes the last little niggles.

7) I had my first, albiet short, run on Tuesday and I felt on top of the world!  I felt a little pain on Wednesday morning so I am going to lay off running anymore until the weekend.  If all goes well I am hoping to sign up for the Calgary Half Marathon again in May.  Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!

8) I can’t stop on odd numbers…. now I have writers block… well this counts as 8!

Have a great Thursday!

Photo of the morning…

Questions

1) What are some social activities you like to do during the week?

2) Are you hooked on any shows at the moment?

A Quick Tuesday Post

Well hello there!  I am happy to report my grumpies really dissipated on Monday, thank goodness.  But I think I can contribute the start of a cold to make me so disgruntled.  I can’t believe I am sick again, I just got over a cold after new years.  Hopefully this one won’t be too bad.  Thanks for all of your kind words yesterday, they really helped me to cheer up.

I don’t have too much to report today.  But we did sleep in until 6:30 am yesterday and took the train to work as the temperatures have gotten really cold and the snow has started to fall once again.  Work went fairly well and I was able to get in a light spin workout at lunch.  I am hoping that getting some sweat going helped to kill some of the germs.  I am pretty sure I will be taking a rest day today and maybe tomorrow.

John made a great dinner last night of bbq’d hamburgers, sweet potato and salad.  And I am really excited because we have this in our freezer right now 😀  So rich, So good.  I think this can cure any illness!

Well I am off to go and curl up on the couch with tea and some TV (as I am writing this Monday night).

Have a great day everyone!

Questions:

1) What ice cream do you have in your freezer?

2) Do you try to exercise when you feel a cold coming on?

A day in the life

Wow guys!  I loved reading all of you breakfast ideas and comments on my post yesterday.  Thanks for all of you breakfast thoughts, I might try all of them in the next few work days.  So how was everyone’s Friday eve?  I know mine was busy busy busy but I did try to snap a few photos through out my day so I could bring you my first day in the life post!  Prepare to be astounded and amazed 😉 But seriously I managed to take a bunch of photos so I am proud of that 😀

6 am (the ugh hour)

Yup it’s dark 😦 shouldn’t I still be sleeping!? If you look really close you can see my pillow.  I am not a snooze button person so I am out of bed pretty quick after this.   I think it’s like ripping off a bandaid

6:15 (the getting ready time)

First some moisturizer.  I love the “It’s Potent” by benefit and Clarins HydraQuench.  It really makes my skin feel moisturized all day and the “It’s potent” make all my dark circles go away 😀

The makeup comes next with a little bit of finger creeping in.

6:20 (all dressed up WITH somewhere to go) 

Today’s outfit features a thermal long sleeve, lulu lemon tights, ski socks, and regular socks.  Don’t worry I change when I get to work.  After this I usually head down and grab a nibble and publish my post I wrote the night before.  Usually I get a chance to glance at the news as well.

7:00 (ANDDDDD THEIR OFF)

Usually around 7 or just before we are on our bikes and peddling to work

7:20 (deja vu)

Arrive at work…. Wasn’t I just here!?

8:15 am (starting to get Hangry)

After a quick change, check email, and get started on the work day I scrounge up some breakfast and COFFEE!  

work, work, bathroom break, work and then…

11 am (snack attack!) I feed my coffee addiction once again and munch a banana.  I then decided that wasn’t enough and needed a granola bar (home made).

work, work

12:10pm (I go to the gym… I work out)

The old leg is still sore so I jumped on the elliptical while watching Netflix for 40min followed by a few weights.  No picture because I always get self conscious.

1:30pm (Hangry!!!!!!!)oops…. uhhhh on the plate was a wrap stuffed with black bean chilli and cheese with veggies and a few Food Should Taste Good chips.  This was pretty awesome but I went back for a square of chocolate and a handful of caramel corn.  Our work kitchen is a very dangerous place.

work, work, bathroom break, work

3pm… I am pretty sure there was a snack somewhere in there

5pm (I’m freeeeeeeeeeee 😉 actually I don’t mind work!)

Hopped on the bike to pedal home into the sunset!  WOOOOOO it was so pretty!

6:00pm (Hangry!)

John headed off to Yoga, so I was on my own for dinner.  I decided to go with an omelette (only half shown), toast with PB and fig jam, carrots, celery, and humus.  A little random but very delicious.  I am not going to lie, I have been grazing since dinner.

7pm (A sad time)

I headed off to the Library to pick up my copy of the Hunger Games only to find the library closes at 5pm on Thursday.  5pm?  really? @#$% oh well I also had to make a stop for groceries so it’s not all a waist.  For a bonus strawberries were on sale!

7:45pm 

Time to shower off the days grime and give the hair a good wash followed by folding some clothes that had been sitting in the dryer for a few days

8:00pm

Writing up this blog post with a cup of tea and a chocolate

8:45pm

heading down to watch an episode of Breaking Bad

9:30-10pm

Reading news/blogs and going to sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Well, that about sums up my day.  If you’ve made it to the end you deserve a cookie 😉

I hope everyone has a great Friday and an amazing weekend!

Questions:

1) What is your favourite part of the day?

2) How many hours do you work a day?

WIAW 22/01/2014 and Oh the Injury!

As I was writing the title of my post I almost fell out of my chair, how can it possibly be Jan 22 already?  It felt like Christmas and New Years were just last week!  Time flies when you’re having fun eh?

I haven’t mentioned it yet, but I have been battling some really bad IT band issues this past week or so.  It was getting so bad that it was actually hurting just walking down the street.  I am putting it down to overuse and not a lot of muscle/band TLC.  I think I have it on the mend now but I have been really missing the running.  I have been on the spin bikes quite a bit the last few days and I am just so glad for my iPad and Netflix.  I am running out of training ideas though.  I am getting board of core/upper body workouts 😦  I guess if I look on the bright side, I am still able to do those!  But I am still a little frustrated…

But lets move on to more important things, like FOOD!  HAPPY WIAW Sunday!  Thanks for  hosting Jenn!!

Well now, I love posting my weekend eats once in a while.  I always love my food a little more when I put a little more effort into it.

Breakfast

John made pancakes… I ate pancakes!  These ones are so good.  They are made with mashed banana and whole wheat flour among some other tasty ingredients.  While they were cooking I plopped in some blueberries.  I topped mine with peanut butter, a little maple syrup, coconut, and chia seeds.  On this side I seared apples slices dusted with cinnamon.  I wish all mornings could start like this.

These actually held me over until Lunch!

I guess the filling was shy and didn’t want to be seen!  In the wrap was tuna, cheese, mustard, tomato, pickle, and spinach.  I decided to grill the wrap and get the cheese all melty inside.  I also had some leftover salad on the side.  This made for a really filling lunch but I was still ready for a mid afternoon Snack

A nice hot cup of tea and on of these home made granola bars (x2).  Seriously like I’ve said before, these things are addictive.  I think I will need to make a new batch in the near future.

Before I knew it the day was almost done and it was time to sit down to Dinner

For tonights meal I made black bean burgers topped with brie cheese and served in a whole wheat bun.  These things are really pretty tasty and I had to go back for another patty.  We also had sweet potato and salad.  And I can’t finish a day without some form of Dessert

Home made chocolate that John made on Saturday.  He is really turning out to be quite the chef!

Questions

1) Have you ever had an IT band injury?  What did you find helped it to heal faster?

2) What was the best thing you ate this last week?

HAPPY MONDAY MIMM 20/01/2014

Welcome to another beginning of the week!  How was your weekend?

Sorry I went a little MIA on Friday and over the weekend.  Unfortunately there was an event that occurred that had (has) me really down and just didn’t think it was respectful to try and sound happy go-lucky or anything along those lines.

But the weekend was fairly enjoyable, I am just shocked that it is over already 😦  And once again I took very few pictures… one day I will get into the habit.

So let’s jump into MIMM!  Thanks Katie!

Marvellous is… Getting my hair cut FINALLY!  It was getting a little ridiculously long, read half way down my back.  It is now at a very manageable shoulder length.  And get this, my hair stylist just did Paris Hilton’s hair for a show she was doing in Calgary!  How cool is that!?  He showed me the pics and everything 😀  I think the best one was of Paris (yes we are on a first name basis 😉 ) getting her hair done by one person, her make up by another, and her nails done all while typing with her other hand on her laptop.  I think that might the be ultimate in multi tasking.

Marvellous is… Date night with my man!  After I got my hair done Friday night, John and I headed out to the Coup for dinner.  It is a vegetarian place with some of the best food!  A review is likely on the books for tomorrow so I won’t give too much away, but we had a great night!

Marvellous is… Having two amazing friends over for dinner Saturday night.  We were finally able to have them over for dinner, after they have hosted countless a dinner.  John and I decided on a beer can chicken, roasted veggies, salad, and a Guinness cake.  I think it all turned out really well, we just need to get on top of our furniture/home decorating situation.

Marvellous was… Getting in a little gym time this morning followed by a lovely walk in the sun this afternoon.  We decided to head out to North Glenmore Park in Calgary, and what a great idea that was.  We had never been there and are glad we finally did.  The views of the mountains are incredible and it feels very woodsy in the middle of the city.

Marvellous was… having some great food over the last few days.  Pancakes, wraps, hot oatmeal, chicken, burgers… It was a delicious few days!

Marvellous are… These fabulous chewy granola bars that Amanda at Running with Spoons created!  I have a feeling that these aren’t going to last for long 😉

 

Marvellous is…Watching people become stronger and never giving up.  You know who you are 😉

Questions: 

1) What happened this weekend that you want to share?

2) How long do you go between hair cuts?

A little more snow for ya?

Good morning! Good morning da da da da dum dum 😀  Just a little musical introduction for you to start your day.  How was your Monday?  Sorry about the late post yesterday, I was having some technical difficulties but I think I have them ironed out now.

Want to know what happened yesterday!?….. This….

mmmmmm yay more snow…. and it was my favorite type, the un-forecasted HA.  It really makes me jealous of coworkers is Hawaii!  The winds were just a whipping last night but died down while John and I commuted to work and it was actually quite nice and almost warm.  Fast forward an hour and you have the above picture (I stole it from social media).  All of a sudden the windows were rattling and it sounded like little pellets were hitting the window.  I think my whole office let out a collected sigh of frustration.  Oh well, it made the morning extra cozy in the office 🙂

At lunch I decided to brave the outdoors to get to the gym were got a little cardio done and most of a NTC workout in.  I am not sure if it’s the cold or what but the sweat was just pouring off my face (TMI?) YECH but I guess in a good way.

I just need to reiterate how wonderful last nights dinner was and that if you like shrimp and spicy food you should make this!

Shrimp Creole

Recognise this photo from yesterday?

I had it warmed up for lunch yesterday and I think it might have been even better than last night 🙂  It really hit the spot and filled me up for the whole afternoon.

Have a great day!

Questions

1) Are you counting down the days until spring?  I really noticed that it is lighter already in the evenings!

2) Do you like spicy food?

3) Have you tried the Nike Training Club App yet?  If not you should!

WIAW 01/08/2014

Hi there an happy hump day!  How was your Tuesday?  Mine was pretty average aside from a very early wake up call (5 am and I are not friends).  I have to say that this first week back after Christmas break is DRAAAAAAAAGING and I already can’t wait for the weekend.

Well it sure feels like a long time since I was able to partake in a food filled WIAW!  And to be honest I really missed them, so here we go!  P.S. thanks to Jenn over at peas and crayons for hosting and all the other bloggers that participate!

Breakfast

The best meal of the day in my opinion started out with a coffee (uhhhhh where are the red cups!?) and was quickly followed by…

A big bowl of overnight oats that I topped with raspberries, blackberries, peanut butter, a little granola for crunch, and some almond milk.

I was feeling a little hungry still after that so munched on a banana.  Although this one looks a little green (to me) it was actually really sweet and tasty!

I worked through the morning until my stomach started grumbling around 11am so I grabbed my massive apple!  Envious of my Envy apple?

After working another hour I hit the gym for a 20min elliptical followed by an a shoulder and arm workout on the NTC app that were about 15min long each and had me working up a good sweat.

After a super quick shower I got back to the office and immediately warmed up my….

Lunch

A recycled photo but it was basically my black bean chilli with quinoa and a wrap on the side.

After working a few more hours I broke for a snack break

First up was a delicious orange and some veggies with humus (not pictured) I was still hungry so I put some yogurt and milk into a mug and topped it with some more granola (I am beginning to realize that I eat a lot of oats everyday).

This saw me to the end of the work day and through to dinner (which was really only a couple of hours away)

Dinner

I love a quick dinner and enjoy them even more when they are packed with veggies and shrimp!  I thought together a fast stir fry of a multitude of veggies I had sitting in our fridge along with a heaping helping of brown rice.  It turned out really really well!

Bedtime Snack

I love having a good snack before bed.  If I don’t have one I wake up absolutely starving!  This time while watching a little breaking bad I had another massive apple with peanut butter and a hot cup of this tea (I am in love with it by the way!).  If you like chocolate and coconut please try it!

Questions:

1) Do you still have the red cups at your Starbucks?

2) What is you favourite flavour(s) of tea?

 

CHRISTMAS EVE!!

Good Tuesday morning everyone!  Things are really gearing up for Christmas around these parts so I have been pretty bad on the blogging front.  The days have been full of family, food, more food, and shopping.  I am SOOO okay with this.  I guess we left off on Saturday morning.  Since then we have been to a friends for a Christmas party with a table full of wonderful nibbles.  Sunday started off slow but then quickly became busy as we decided to have my parents and my brother over for a wonderful dinner made by John.  He did wonderful braised lamb shanks, wild mushroom risotto, and beats.  My contribution was salad haha.  My parents brought over a homemade pecan pie for dessert. Lots of drinks were had and it was a very merry time 🙂

Monday… I totally missed MIMM oops c’est la vie.  John and I got up early to meet a friend, who we haven’t seen in a few months, for breakfast.  It was so great to catch up and it had been way too long since we had gone out for breakfast.  I think I will always order poached eggs when we go out for breakie!  After breakfast we said goodbye and I took John to a meeting he had for work and then ran more Christmas errands.   I can proudly say I have most of the shopping now done apart from a couple gift certificates.  After that I finished up baking the gingerbread house (or so I thought).  I totally forgot one of the main support walls which I will have to bake today.  I really need to to this earlier next year!  When John was home we decided to grab some lunch at home and then head out for a run.

It was so nice out we just had to take advantage of it.  Our route is starting to get easier which is great!  I love feeling the progression and feeling that I can start upping distances.

The run really helped make room for the wonderful meal my parents prepared for us Monday night.  Salad, pot stickers, homemade lasagna (homemade pasts too!), and two types of pie.  Yes I needed to try both and they of course were a la mode (cherry and chocolate).  We had to turn down the offer of chocolates.

Random Egg Nogg photo 😀

Today (Christmas Eve) is looking like it’s going to be a busy day as well.  We need to pick up groceries for Christmas breakfast, last minute shopping, a little bit of work, baking one last piece of the gingerbread house, wrapping, building the gingerbread house, and last but not least CHINESE FOOD FOR DINNER!!!  A long standing tradition around our house.

I hope everyone has an amazing day and that santa treats you well tomorrow!

Questions:

1) Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

2) Have you finished your shopping?

3) Have you had any bid meals leading up to Christmas?

Made it!

And then there was….

ONE DAY LEFT!!!  We made it! It’s here!  The last day before two weeks off!  John and I already have some plans for the first couple of days including a pub night tonight, dinner with friends tomorrow night, and Christmas shopping.  I have a feeling these days are going to go by fast!

Well Happy Friday to everyone!  I should likely save this for Monday but it made me laugh so I thought I would share it today…

Cute no?

Alright, how about a little bit of a life recap…

Yesterday went by pretty uneventfully and started off a little like this A recycled picture from earlier in the week but you get the idea.  I think I may have started a bad habit 😉  My breakfast soon followed and was another bowl of overnight oats.  Don’t get me wrong I really like them but man am I craving eggs, waffles, pancakes, French toast… just anything different and special!  Oh just writing this reminded me that I need some Egg Nogg.  It would go so well with most of those breakfast items…. and with some rum and a fire in the evenings!  WOW that was quite the tangent haha.

A lunch time run was then followed by a salmon salad sandwich and copious other bits and pieces such as veggies, crackers, humus, apple, trail mix, chocolate (some pictured and some not)…

 

After work I had to make some returns to the mall downtown.  This has to be the least busy mall in Calgary during off hours (weekends and after work) just don’t go near it between 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  It is absolutely manic during those times.

I came home to a wonderful pasta dinner and salad that John had cooked up when I walked in.  I think pasta has to be up there on some of my favorite foods along with bread.  So basically last night’s dinner couldn’t be much better as I mopped up the last of my sauce with a piece of bread…. oh perfection.  I spent the rest of the night whipping up a double batch of gingerbread dough…. hmmm I wonder what that is going to be used for 😉  Although I did have a half fail.  As I started my second round of dough I saw the brown sugar sitting on the counter.  Funny, I didn’t put any of that into the first batch…. uh oh…. hahaha we’ll see how it turns out.  I might be making a third batch.  After the dough prep adventures I was more than ready to crash in front of the TV and watch the Modern Family Christmas special…. oh I laughed more than a few times!

Have a great Friday everyone!  Hopefully I have a chance to catch up with you during the weekend!

Questions:

1) What is your favourite sandwich filling?  I think I have to go with tuna or salmon for this one  oooo or left over turkey and cranberry sauce!

2) If you celebrate Christmas are you still working on your shopping or are you done?  I am 50/50 on this one.  I think a couple more trips should do it!

3) If you could have anything for dinner tonight what would it be?  I am craving a burger at the moment so it’s a good thing we are going to the pub for dinner!

MIMM 16/12/2013 and a Packed Weekend

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIITS’S MONDAY!!!!  Usually I am not this jubilant about this day but this is the last Monday at work until my Christmas Holiday’s start and it’s 10 days until Christmas.  This girl needs to get her Christmas shopping face on! I have a few people done but the not shopped for list is way greater than the shopped for list.  I really should have started to get some more done on the weekend but it just didn’t happen.  Speaking of weekends, how was everyone’s?  Mine was really great so it will make for a really good…

As always, thank you Katie for hosting!

Marvelous is… Having a wonderful baking date with two amazing ladies!

I Ended up making these as my contributionI wish I could say I took that photo!  They did turn out looking much like the picture though, my photography skills would just not do them justice.

Marvelous is… The Hunger Games Catching Fire.  John and I went and checked out that movie FINALLY!  It was really really good to boot too.  I thought it was very entertaining and had some good acting as well.  I think that starting to read the books over Christmas is a must.

Marvelous is… Christmas parties!  John had his on Friday and we had a pretty good time but Oh My was it ever fancy and big!  I think there were over 700 people there of which John new about 40 and I knew about 1.5 haha.  Great time to meet some really great people and have some fun conversations.  I think I am getting old because my body began to shut down at around 11 (John says I was looking tired at 9) mostly due to a few glasses of wine that were helping to make me drowsy.  Speaking of Christmas parties, I have our companies Christmas lunch on Tuesday that I am really looking forward too.

Marvelous is… Getting a good long run done outside!  Just over 13km in lovely 9 degree temperatures!  Things will likely get icy in the morning this week though as everything begins to melt and then freezes over night.

And finally…

Marvelous is… Being able to count the number of days left until Christmas holidays on one hand

 

(not marvelous is the number of pictures I took this weekend…ooops)

Questions:

1) If you celebrate Christmas when is your last day of work/school?

2) Do you have any Christmas parties coming up?  If so what is your favourite part about them?

3) Are you running outside still?