Wednesday, July 31, 2013

#augustbreak2013.

Hey Guys! I just wanted to pop in and invite you to follow and/or join me on Instagram for the August Break 2013 photo a day starting tomorrow! Here is the list create by Susannah.
Every day in August you post a photo on Instagram (hashtag augustbreak2013) or your blog based on this lists criteria for that day. It's that easy! 

Other girls are taking this opportunity to do short daily blog posts in order to allow them to take some time away from their computers but I have other plans for my blog in August!

The first picture tomorrow is breakfast, so eat something yummy and snap a pic! 

Happy Hump Day!!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Rollerblading.

Since I find myself unable to run due to painful shinsplints I am forced to find other ways to workout. Last night I was planning on going for a walk but as I headed out of my garage I noticed my dusty rollerblades on the ground. I grabbed them, wiped them off (I may or may not have thrown them around in the yard a bit to rid them of any unwanted critters) and then put them on.

I can't remember the last time I went rollerblading, so standing at the top of the driveway knowing there was only one way down was a bit scary. I let to of the wall and as slowly as I could, rolled down to the end of the drive and attempted a smooth left turn onto the sidewalk. It took me about 2 seconds to realize that the sidewalk is no place for rollerblading and I decided to transition into the road. Once I got comfortable with my technique (or lack there of) and set my Map My Run app I was on my way!

I had no set time or distance but I knew I wasn't going to allow myself any stopping or coasting. I ended up gong 1.5 miles in about 12 minutes. My legs and abs were achy and I worked up a really good sweat (it's 90+ degrees, humid and sunny)! I took off my blades, went inside and did 20 push-ups and 200 crunches. 

I really enjoyed rollerblading, so much in fact I think I will go again today for longer distance! I am definitely going to keep it as a part of my regular workout routine. The best part of it all is that I woke up this morning with no shin pain (besides what's already there)!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Family Time.

My sister, Chelsea her boyfriend, Tyler and my nephew, Elijah have all been here for a few weeks now visiting for the summer! It has been really nice to have them here and spend time together. We went to my mom's (where they stayed) a few times and Nick and I also had them and my Dad and Step-mom over for my Dad's Birthday last Friday.
 
I have really enjoyed catching up with my sister and seeing how much my little nephew has grown. I can't believe he is almost 10 months old! It is so crazy how fast time has gone by since he was born. They leave today so I headed over to my Mom's house last night to say my goodbyes and spend a couple more precious hours with them before they leave.
 
We are lucky enough though to get to go up to North Carolina for Elijah's first birthday at the end of September! I cannot wait! So without further ado, here are some of the pictures I took (mostly of Eli) during the time they were here. WARNING - major baby photo dump about to happen here!!
 
Elijah playing with Uncle Dylan at Mimi's house.
Eli and Mama.
Just some of the food we made for Dad's Birthday party.
I absolutely love this picture of Elijah smiling at his Daddy. 
 
 
 It was a lot of fun to get to help Chelsea give Eli a bath!
Chelsea and Tami.
It has been really nice having them here for such a along time. I'm really going to miss them and I'm counting down the days until Eli's birthday!


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Ouch.

Shin splints were never a problem for me before now. I guess going from being a very active teenager to a twenty three year old who works 40 hours a week sitting on her butt may have something to do with it. I'm not sure what to do; I want to run but I'm in pain. My first two days of running were great last week but after day three I woke up with that same pain in my shins that started back in January! I want to be able to run and not worry about whether or not my shins will hurt for weeks after. I suppose I could walk instead but just walking doesn't get me the results I want, I find workout videos to be repetitive and boring so I'm only doing them twice a week... I don't know what to do. Sorry if I am ranting but I am at a loss with these shin splints and wanting to run but not being able to. What do I do to get rid of them? What are alternatives to running? 

I am considering changing it up and doing a combination of these three:
Yoga
Walking
Weight lifting

I tried yoga a few times and liked it. Walking is low impact and since I won't get great muscle tone from walking, the yoga and weights should do the trick.

I guess I need to go back to the drawing board and make a new plan for myself since I won't be running again anytime soon. I'm really disappointed that running isn't an option for me right now but I'm looking forward to trying something new and seeing what results I will get from it.

Look for an updated fitness plan from me soon!!

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Cucumber Canapés.

Another new recipe I tried yesterday was cucumber canapés. They are delicious! A lot like my cucumber bagels but with a few more ingredients.
I cut the following recipe in half since I only wanted to make a dozen of these.
 
Cucumber Canapés
1 cup mayonnaise
 1 (3oz) package whipped cream cheese
1 tbs. grated onion
1 tbs. minced chives
1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/8 tsp. curry powder
1/8 tsp. each dried oregano, thyme, basil, parsley flakes and dill weed
12 slices whole wheat bread
2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced
Diced pimientos and additional dill weed
 
In a food processor, combine the mayonnaise, cream cheese, onion, chives, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. Cover and process until blended. Cover a refrigerate.
 
Peel and slice cucumber. Using a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter, cut out circles from bread slices. Spread mayonnaise mixture over bread and top with cucumber slices. Garnish with pimientos and dill.


Saturday, July 6, 2013

Summer Guacamole.

I wanted to make a couple appetizers for the Tigers game today and decided to try something new. Since it is summer, I thought guacamole would be fitting. Here is my guacamole recipe. I had never made this before but will definitely do it again in the future. It would be great for a party!
Summer Guacamole
4 avocados
1 medium tomato, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
Tortilla Chips (we use multi-grain)
 
Cut avocados in half lengthwise. Discard pits. Carefully remove avocado pulp, leaving shells intact and mash avocado with a fork in mixing bowl.
 
Dice onion and tomato and add into smashed avocado. Mix in the lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic, cilantro and cayenne pepper.
 
Spoon the guacamole into the shells and serve immediately or chill up to 2 hours.
Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!


Friday, July 5, 2013

Reception.

Our Wedding Reception was a blast! Everything was perfect and we had such an amazing time celebrating our marriage with everyone! We could not have asked for a better night spent with our family and friends.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

While the wedding party was riding around in the limo, our guests were enjoying the cocktail hour outside in the garden.
Then we arrived to the reception and the party started!
The toast's began.
Father-Daughter Dance {Smashing Pumpkins - Landslide}. 
 Mother-Son Dance {Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man}.
Our first dance {Led Zeppelin - Thank You}.
Bridal Party Dance {Billy Joel - This is the Time}.
Then there was the cake cutting.
After that... a lot more dancing and fun ensued.
 
At the end of the night the DJ got all of the guests outside to prepare for our trolley departure. While the guests were exiting, Nick and I had one last dance together and then we headed out.
It was the perfect day!