Weekend Fun and an Elliptical/Upper Body Workout

We had such a fun afternoon and evening yesterday.  We walked around downtown and hit up the hot dog stand (for Daddy and Oma) and indulged in some frozen yogurt.  I got cake batter with berries and felt good about my healthier choice, but when my mother in law got full and couldn't finish her chocolate and peanut butter concoction, I didn't hesitate in helping her finish it off.  It was like dessert for my dessert.  Lucky me!

Thanks to a built-in babysitter, we also got to celebrate Coffee Bar Blue Door's one year anniversary.  It was so much fun to hang out with friends who have become like family to us.  We had some yummy champagne and wine too.  It was the perfect way to wrap up a wonderful Saturday.  If you live in the Stuart area and haven't checked it out yet, you are missing out on some yummy treats!

I tried out something completely out of character for me this morning, as I pretty much NEVER make baked goods from a box or can, but I kept reading rave reviews of bacon cinnamon rolls and decided to give it a try since we had company in town.  It got rave reviews.  I found the recipe here.  I served some scrambled eggs and spinach on the side to "healthify" things a bit.  I inhaled mine before remembering to take a picture.  It was YUMMY!

We enjoyed a great church service and came home to relax and let the boys play a bit before nap time, which served as my workout time today as well.  I love lazy Sundays.

Last week we decided that we'd dedicate Sundays to kicking our butts with cross training circuits, but I had to go to my back-up plan at the gym today since I'm pretty sure my mother-in-law wouldn't have wanted to witness our butt kicking session and I'll be honest, after yesterday's run, a lighter recovery workout sounded like a welcome relief.  Don't worry; I'll be tackling the "butt-kicking" workout with my husband tomorrow.

Today's workout involved a set of 15 lb dumbbells, the elliptical, and me.  I wanted it to focus on muscle recovery for my legs, a moderate upper body workout, and I wanted to get in some core work too.  It looked like this:

I left the gym feeling good for getting some movement in, but not depleted.  It was exactly what I was looking for.  SUCCESS!

While I was on the elliptical, I was multitasking and reading more of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.  It's a real page turner.  I even continued reading it while I downed my lunch after I got home from the gym.  Talk about being anti-social.  Woops!

The boys woke up happy and hungry from their naps.  I whipped up some smoothies for them with banana, spinach, blueberry yogurt, and orange juice.  They enjoyed drinking out of their straws with daddy.  So cute!

I'm looking forward to our BBQ dinner tonight and more family time the rest of the day.  I'm SOOOOOOO glad we've still got another day left in this weekend.

Making the Most of Rainy Days

It's a good thing my family does not live in Seattle.  We get so tried of rain are so over rainy weather.  We have found some ways to entertain ourselves inside, however.

A box was delivered yesterday, so that provided at least a half hour of entertainment.

We went to Family Place at the library again.  Thank goodness they were open even though the schools were closed today.  Mason was really into the markers and the easel today while Colton stuck to his favorites, balls and vehicles.

I decided to get a head start on dinner after torrential downpours stalled our Wal-Mart outing  (I was hoping it would provide entertainment for all of us and allow me to accomplish something as well...)  and the boys decided they wanted to get in on the action, so they pulled their chairs over to watch me.  Gotta be careful where I put the knives now...

Maybe they can start helping me make their smoothies.  Today they chugged down smoothies containing:

• spinach
• banana
• avocado
• yogurt
• orange juice

For these guys, smoothies are where it's at when it comes to eating their greens.  I'll take it!

I can't say I've gotten a whole lot accomplished today but I did manage to fit in another early morning workout at the gym.  I could get used to these mornings to myself.  Hope my husband feels the same way :-)  I feel more ready to tackle the day after taking a little time for myself before taking care of everyone else the rest of the day.  Thank goodness for treadmills in this rainy weather.  

I did a cool down for half a mile after I snapped this photo but the first 4 miles looked like this:

• Mile 1: Gradually build up speed starting at 6.5 mph and working up to 7.5 mph
• Miles 2 and 3: Alternate quarter mile speed work at 8.5, 8.6, 8.8, and 9 mph with quater mile recoveries at 7 mph
• Mile 4: Alternate tenth mile sprints at 9 mph with tenth mile recoveries at 7.5 mph

It was an excellent workout!  I always get nervous going into speed work but end up being so glad I did it.  I am really hoping it helps me to get a PR in the half-marathon.

Well, it looks like the rain is letting up so we're going to go see what we can find to entertain us at Wal-Mart.  Wish us luck!  Make it a great, active day!

Nice Day for a Duck

It's another dreary day here on the Treasure Coast but we are counting our blessing that this is a tropical storm and not a hurricane.  My husband likes to say it's a nice day for a duck.  I'd have to agree.  The tornado warnings are a bit unsettling though.  At least in Indiana we had basements.  Here in Florida, I guess I'll be crawling in the kitchen cabinets if things get scary.  Wouldn't that be fun for the boys!

Speaking of the boys, I completely forgot to show off their cuteness on the rides at the mall yesterday.

Today started bright and early.  I actually did something I've been wanting to do for a while...I got up before everyone else in my household just for ME.  I know, it sounds crazy to get up when no one else is demanding my attention but I keep hearing this advice from other moms, and even from the Bible, (see Proverbs 31) so I decided to give it a try and I must say, it was quite nice.  I had my coffee and did some reading, greeted my husband, used the bathroom in peace, and then went to the gym.  What a nice way to start the day.  The boys were still sleeping when I left but they were awake when I got home.  They got to have some daddy time.  I think if I can get up a little earlier, I can still squeeze everything in before the boys get up so Daddy doesn't have to do the morning wake-up call all alone.  It's definitely something I'm going to be pursuing.  The only drawback is an earlier bed time but as they say...

I wouldn't mind being all of the above!  It's worth a try. 

This is week 2 of my half-marathon training plan and today called for cross training.  After alot of jumping around yesterday, I opted for the elliptical in order to give my legs a break from the pounding that running and plyometrics provide.  Don't worry though, I kept the intensity high by increasing the resistance or incline every 10th of a mile for a total of 5 miles.  My workout looked like this...

• Mile 1: from easy resistance, increase resistance every tenth of a mile
• Mile 2:  slightly decrease resistance and increase incline every tenth of mile
• Miles 3-4: from low resistance and flat incline, alternate between increasing resistance and incline every tenth of a mile
• Mile 5: alternate between decreasing resistance and lowering incline every tenth of a mile

I liked this pattern and the constant changing helped pass the time quickly...so did reading my book.  I'm about a tenth of the way into Gone Girl  by Gillian Flynn and it is a page turner.  Anyone else out there read it? I'll let you know my overall opinion when I'm done with it.

When the boys got up from their nap, I had a smoothie waiting for them and couldn't wait for their feedback.  So far they've liked spinach in pancakes and muffins so today I decided to give it a try in their smoothies and it was a winner.  For those of you who have trouble getting your kiddos to eat greens, I seriously suggest you try it.  You can't even taste the spinach.  

I made two smoothies for them using:

• 1 Chobani champions yogurt
• 1 small banana
• 1 BIG handful of spinach
• 1/2 cup orange juice

They gulped them down.  This will definitely be a repeat on their menu.  Hopefully they like the spinach stuffed meatloaf we'll be eating for dinner tonight too.  I'll let you know.

Time to turn this cabin fever upside down with a little dance party and the best dance partners a girl could ask for.  Stay safe and dry...and don't forget to MOVE!