Let Them Eat Carbs

I love double posting days!! I lasted at the pool for two hours this afternoon. I was sweating bullets after I hopped in the pool a few times and even had a little sweat rag to help me out a little. I really need one of those fans that mist water on you and then I will be all set.

I got back to the dogs and made chicken tacos with red peppers, onion and avocado for lunch topped with T Marzetti’s Light Ancho Chipotle Ranch (I am sure you are sick of seeing this but I am going through all of my food and still have half a bottle left!)

Scrumptious. Avocado, you never fail me. I was soon on my way to hit up some different stores in search of clothes for NYC this wk. I went to Kohls and got a cute top for $30, umm, yeah that’s expensive in my book. I used to love their stuff but lately find it a little meh. I was in a different area of town and saw a Ross and quickly turned that way to see what goodies I can find. I got two dresses, two tops and a new workout DVD all for $40! I love you Ross.

But the big event of the day was next. The big event that has been four years in the making:

YES!!!!! I haven’t been to Ikea since I lived in Tempe and we had one right near my apartment. We got Ikea this past year but it’s on a completely different side of town for me and I heard it is a crazy house there. I recruited one of my co-workers to meet up with me there since she has a truck and with list in hand, we got to shopping!

I ended up getting a bed frame, tv stand, kitchen cart, two rugs and some other random goodies

All of this came to $100 under my budget for Ikea so I was loving that. I was expecting to be absolute madness on a Sunday afternoon . It was crowded but nothing over the top and we got out of there within an hour and a half, not bad at all.

Dinner came next and I was at a loss as to what to make. I am loving this whole “Let’s eat everything in the fridge and freezer” but I don’t have anything that’s calling out to me “Eat me!!”

I noshed on the last of my Tribe 40 Spice Hummus with Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil Triscuits

And I present, a most random meal: Pierogies, baked sweet potato and zucchini

This wasn’t anything too spectacular. The sweet potato was too crisp and the zucchini too mushy. I normally cook my zucchini on the stove top and will be sticking to that routine from here on out. The pierogies were good but I usually make sautéed onions and mushrooms and a side of plain greek yogurt with them so it was a tad bland.

Random thought of the day: How does David Caruso have a job? I am watching CSI Miami right now (purely because I don’t have a remote control and am being lazy) and this is just horrible. Is his acting supposed to be a joke? Please someone fill me in because this makes me believe I can obviously become an actor or a big Hollywood agent, who helped him get this role.

Hope everyone is gearing up for a great week! It’s quarter end for me which means the next three days will be dead at work but then things pick up on the first of the month (wake up wake up wake up) but who will be off on the the first of the month? Moi. I need a day before going on vacation to get things in order, get last minute shopping done, lounge by the pool, get my nails and my brows did and sadly, take Lincoln to the boarding place he is staying. Also, there is a Charlotte blogger meetup in the works for this Wednesday so that is super exciting to look forward to b/c that will be my first blogger meetup and then when I go to NYC I am meeting up with the lovely Mo and Mari–can’t wait!

What I liked About Today

It’s Friday! But au contraire Chris Tucker, I DO have a job and DO have shit to do! Can’t believe that movie is 15 years old, oh how time flies……and who would’ve thought Ice Cube went and pulled a Eddie Murphy and started doing all these family movies?  I guess no more f*** the police huh?

My Kashi Crunchy Bar that surprisingly kept me full throughout the morning

A gyro that was actually a gyro-as opposed to the crappy gyro wannabee I had last wk. And crinkle cut fries with it all for under $6? Sounds good.

A slow afternoon-it was nice and slow. I got to take a 20 minute coffee break and flipped through recipes a good part of the afternoon, nothing wrong with that.

Giving to the homeless-I was walking to catch my bus and this homeless man approached me and asked if I had cash or something to eat. I really don’t give anything to homeless people on the streets b.c I just don’t trust them. I know that sounds bad but I don’t. Instead, I donate to the Salvation Army and local food banks where I know it will be used. Anywho, this homeless guy was younger and hot (this right here is why I have problems with my love life, don’t worry I won’t date a homeless man. Men with jobs who I’ve dated have had issues with my job, pay and success, I can’t imagine how a homeless man would feel) I told him I had an apple and he graciously accepted. When I’ve offered food in the past, they just walk away (example A why I don’t trust the homeless) but it felt good knowing he took the apple. And he didn’t hurl it at me which is nice. Now if I could give them some of my half empty bottles of body splash from B&BW……

Arnold Palmer Lite-I never see this stuff on sale anymore and I went to CVS in hopes of getting a soda but nothing appealed to me…..and a 20 oz bottle being $1.69 may have had something to do with that. When the eff did it get that expensive?? That will definitely keep me from buying the soda.

Random Dinner-yet again, I had nothing planned for dinner. I had a pork chop defrosting in the fridge while I was at home but didn’t plan what to make. I usually plan out a few meals during the weekend for the upcoming week and have just sucked at this lately. I really need to look through my recipes and get on the ball. I cut up half a pork chop and cooked on the stove top along with zucchini, onions and peppers with extra virgin olive oil, pepper and garlic salt. While that was cooking, I found some pierogies in the freezer and fried those babies (not to be confused with Lincoln’s babies) up.

Nap time with Lincoln-after dinner I was exhausted. I hate commuting 2 hours a day and am over it. Luckily, one more month in ghetto apartment and then I will be 10 minutes from work. I didn’t take any pictures of nap time (because….um…I was sleeping) but Lincoln decided to revive nap time as I type. When I am typing and I am not paying attention to him, he pouts because I’m not rubbing his belly. I think he got the whole “It’s all about me” state of mine from me though 🙂

Caffeine drinking in the pm-without having to worry about work or waking up at 6A. I love it.

The wedding I’m going to tomorrow-I haven’t been to a wedding in almost two years. I don’t even know the people getting married but weddings are just exciting and fun….. except the bouquet toss, I absolutely hate that. I don’t like being called out because I am single and attention on me (but I pout like Lincoln when attention isn’t on me..hmmm) and I have a competitive side of me and am no holds barred so I really want to throw elbows and trip the other girls but don’t want to be that girl at the wedding. I have my outfit all ready (there will be pics)  and my fake name in place (Gina) in case I come across any creepers (given my track record, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I do).

With my caffeine high in place, I need to do laundry, wash dishes, take a shower (hello water consumption) and clean my place before I leave tomorrow morning. We are doing pool time at the hotel I’m staying at with my friend who’s in town and then wedding time is on. I also have to pack Lincoln’s stuff to go since he will be crashing with my friend and her dog.

Hope everyone has a fabulous wknd!!

Sunday Funday

Some of you may have noticed that I didn’t post pictures from dinner last night. Why you ask? Because I had a date last night. And it was a first date so I really didn’t feel like whipping out my camera because they could have made it awkward 🙂 Anyways, I’ve been talking to this dude online for the past two wks and he seemed pretty cool so I decided why not?

We went to Encore which is a nice restaurant I’ve been wanting to check out for some time. I had the Pan Seared Tilapia with jasmine rice and seasoned vegetables. One of the best pieces of fish I’ve had in awhile! I think it went pretty well, good conversation throughout the meal then we had a couple of beers afterwards. I finally got home around 1230A and passed out from lack of sleep during the day and all the fun activities. So yay date 🙂

I slept in until 10A which was sooooo nice since I wake up early during the weekend. I had intentions of making an omelet with onions, cheese and avocado but it somehow turned out like this

Ugly yet delicious. Nothing wrong with that.

I have absolutely no meals for the week so I got working on pierogies since there’s none left from my last batch.

The potatoes with cheese and onions

The dough (which was way stickier than last time I made pierogies, anyone have any thoughts why or what I can add to make it less sticky?)

After boiling them (I made 13 with that little ball o’dough!)

I went to get a much-needed pedicure afterwards. I was super proud of myself since I didn’t get red this time like all the pedicures I’ve had and went with OPI’s “You’re a Pisa Work”

Target was the next spot and I went with the sole intention of just getting aluminum foil but made the mistake of wondering over to the clearance rack in the accessories section and found this beauty 🙂

 And how adorable is the inside?

I came home and got some Lincoln love

Then made a turkey and cheese sandwich on a Thomas Whole Wheat Bagel Thin with a side of honeydew

I’m going to pop in Couples Retreat soon and then get ready to head to Crave Dessert Bar for dinner and drinks with my women’s networking group. Never been there—excited 🙂 And people who say Sunday is a day of relaxation? Liars, I tell you.

Oh—and click here for a chance to win a coupon for a free SILK ALMOND MILK (and one winner will also get a reusable shopping bag!)

Whole Lotta Catching Up To do!

Hi all-I have been totally MIA for the past few days due to A) it being gorgeous outside and B) too much to do so this is the catch up posts of all catch up posts. But I do have lots of pictures of food so redeeming myself there!

Starting off with Friday, I had the greenest green monster I have ever had!

I got to work and was covering my desk + another person’s so needed a Starbucks stat……and I went venti this time which I never really do anymore.

Since I am a nice co-worker (and don’t want my butt to get any bigger) I brought in Dove chocolates and set them in the break room

I went back into the break room five minutes later to make my breakfast and they were gone. The people live their Dove!

I made a bowl of Chobani blueberry greek yogurt, sliced peaches, unsweeted coconut and flax—it was delicious!

The morning went smoothly without too many issues

Lunch was Annie’s Shells and Cheese with broccoli florets

And then the craziness started and lasted all afternoon. I did pack along a salad to have along with the shells but didn’t have a minute to get over to the break room to prep it. Nothing too horrible but just a lot going on and was happy when 5 o’clock hit!

I was riding along on the bus home and you could hear my stomach growling and the salad was just sitting next to me so I broke it out. I want to apologize to other bus riders who had to smell my salad with tuna salad and vinegar. But there were only four other people on the bus and I was starving!!!

I took Lincoln for a long walk and by the time we got back, I was mentally wiped clean. I couldn’t think after the craziness that occured at work and wanted something easy for dinner so I fried up some frozen pierogies and grilled mushrooms and onions on the side.

Oh pierogies, I will never quit you

I settled down and finally got a chance to watch this past wk’s episode of Lost which was all about Richard.

I soon had someone watching me

What an episode!! I may have to watch it again today because it answered so many questions.

Lincoln started inching himself towards me so he could beg for food

Ha, he looks drunk here

I was in bed by 1030 on Friday night because I am lame but I did get a nice eight and a half hours of sleep which is unheard of for me!

I tried out my Sticky Bun Coffee I got on sale at Bi-Lo on Saturday morning

And we all know about BFD but what about DFB? I feasted on mashed potatoes with avocado and greek yogurt for breakfast

I was tempted to add some garlic, salsa and lime juice to make guacamole potatoes because it just sounds magical.

Lincoln was due for a check up and we spent a half hour at the vet getting his shots so he can be a healthy boy!

I came home to a nice surprise—my Crazy Richard’s peanut butter I won from

I had to break into this right away because…..well….no specific reason other than I just wanted to!

I made a Morningstar Chicken Pattie with Frank’s Red Hot topped with cheese on a Thomas Whole Wheat Bagel Thin and tomato with a sliced banana topped with Crazy Richard’s Creamy Peanut Butter.

 The verdict? AMAZING! It was super creamy which I am a total fan of and not too thick (I am just starting to like peanut butter again because it’s thickness turned me off). I will definitely start using this kind and can’t wait to try the chunky)

Lincoln wasn’t feeling so hot due to his shots so he sat with me while I caught up on some reading

Soon after, I decided to take on the mall since JCP was having a great sale. I don’t like going to the mall because it just seems like madness each time I go and too many people. If I do ever go, it’s right when it opens in the morning and I go in and get out stat. I got two tops at JCP then went to Steinmart and got two more tops(those are for work though so nothing too saucy).

WVU was playing at 7 so I got on my gear and headed to a bar a few blocks away from my place to watch. It was $2 Corona’s and yeah, pretty much stayed with those all night. I was alone so just sat and the bar and needed nourishment. Confession…..I absolutely love bar food. I know I shouldn’t but I do and could eat it every day if I could.

I got a cheeseburger with french fried potato chips

So I know it doesn’t look like much but this was one of the BEST cheeseburgers I’ve ever had. I can’t describe why, it was just amazing. I stayed there the rest of the night, made new friends and watched WVU beat Kentucky to move onto the Final Four!!!

What has two thumbs and a sister who lives in Indianapolis? THIS GIRL!

Pending I can get Friday or Monday off of work, I will be making a beautiful nine hour drive to Indianapolis next wknd. I really don’t want to drive but refuse to pay $500+ for a plane ticket. I don’t have tickets but think it would be fun to hang there with all the basketball madness going on. Plus my sister went to Butler so a little bit of a rivalry there which makes it even more fun!

Anyways, after too many Corona’s I made it home and once again, famished. I made nachos, which is just fabulous drunk food. But I wasn’t too drunk that I couldn’t take a picture 🙂 They had Morningstar veggie crumbles, cheese, avocado, jalapenos with greek yogurt and salsa on the side.

And I devoured every last bit!

This morning I was looking forward to a big breakfest….well, a super huge hungover big breakfast: scrambles eggs with mushrooms, cheese and avocado and a Thomas Whole Wheat Bagel Thin with TJ’s Superfruit Spread

Nom Nom

It’s supposed to be absolutely miserable out today which I am excited about because

*I’m hungover and don’t want to move

*Have blogs to catch up

*Need to cook lunch meals for this wk

*Have Netflix movies to catch up on:

 

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Beautiful Day

What has two thumbs and had a fantabulous day? THIS GIRL!

Maybe it was because I finally chatted it up with the cute Josh Hartnett lookalike on the bus for almost the entire ride. He is just so cute and I kept smiling the whole time because he is that cute.  Turns out he was laid off and is going back to school and was formerly in the military. I will be getting more details from this slice of heaven. No longer are the days of acting aloof and uninterested like I was in my 20’s, I am in my 30’s now so bring it on!

Maybe it was because it’s spring time and absolutely gorgeous out. I love the tulips blooming all over uptown Charlotte

 Those two things just started off my day on the right step. I noshed on some oats, unsweetened coconut, flax and fresh strawberries for breakfast.

Confession time. I have not been tracking for the last wk on Livestrong.com and am starting to feel the repercussions of that. I am a grazer so occasionally will have some chocolate, salt and vinegar chips (I don’t know why I keep these in the house, I seriously need to throw out the bag). So from here on out, if it goes in my mouth, it’s getting a picture. I need to start tracking again and not justifying what I eat to myself or anyone else—-as crazy as said justification may be (ex. two desserts in one day). Sorry if seeing more pics if boring for you all but that’s how I am going to roll.

I got a grande drip with two pumps of sugar free cinnamon dolce and soymilk. I really need to start cutting down on my calories from liquids. I don’t like drinking my calories and should be savoring instead.

Anyone have any tips on transitioning over? I want to go black and never go back!!

I snacked on a granola bar before lunch

I had a great morning-got a lot done, caught up on emails and felt accomplished. This positive thoughts stuff is for real! I am trying to make a conscious effort to think positively about my day when I am at work. Bye bye negative thoughts!

I had the final piece of Danica’s Bubble Up Pizza Casserole I made a couple of weeks ago. I froze one last piece to see if it would be good and it was delish!

One of my co-workers went on a 25 minute walk this afternoon since it was so beautiful out. If I could just live in a place that was 70 and sunny year round I would be a happy girl! I needed a little pick up afterwards so we went to Starbucks and I got a grande iced coffee with soy milk and three splendas….for free!! The Starbucks people know me now and apparently that comes with perks 🙂 They saw me earlier today and just counted it as a refill–thanks fabulous Starbucks baristas!

I took one of the earlier buses home but no cute Josh Hartnett look-a-alike but oh well, there shall be other days. Lincoln and I went for a 40 minute walk on the greenway when I got back home and he got to socialize with other doggies.

He was happy when we got home!

I made kielbasa, grilled onions and the pierogies I made a few weeks ago for dinner.

I was planning on going for a run since I haven’t been in a week and a half but was still feeling a little off today and kind of light headed so I decided running wasn’t the best idea.

I went to Trader Joe’s to pick up some produce since I have close to zero in da house.

Reason #597 Trader Joe’s has my heart:

Pet Board!!! More like a dog board, which is even better 🙂 Who doesn’t smile when seeing these cute faces? And you bet your bottom dollar I am submitting a picture of Lincoln, this is out chance to get famous! I rolled out of there with tofu, oranges, potatoes, avocados, broccoli slaw, apples, greek yogurt, mushrooms and tomatoes along with this sweet treat.

I was putting the groceries away and came upon this mess

Beautiful. Turns out, my soy sauce bottle tipped over and spilled all over the place. I’ve been wanting to clean my fridge so this was a perfect opportunity to clear it out and clean it up!

All in all, today was a great day. I am a little groggy from this funky sinus cold/headache thing I have going on and am looking to getting a good night’s sleep tonight. I need to look cute in the AM in case Josh Hartnett look-a-like is on the bus 🙂

AND

 I have my year-end performance review tomorrow with my manager. I have been preparing what I want to go over (i.e. I hate my job and the don’t like the people I work with) and think I have it down pat where I won’t go off and start cussing or crying. I am planning on going over what I achieved this past yr, what I learnedI liked  doing (training other’s and work that is interactive), what I think we could use on the team to make everyone more efficient (seeing how my co-workers are always behind on their work and I always help them) and what I am looking for in the future. Wish me luck and any thoughts, comments, etc. please send my way!