Workout Wednesday: 90-day Slimdown Postponed

Tummy bug + migraine = no Workout Wednesday

Once my system is clear, I'll head out for a long walk, maybe a short run.

Tackle-It Tuesday: Paint Supplies

We've been updating the kids rooms over the past few months, which means painting projects both large and small.  Our paint supplies, however, were a mess.  The garage (which is also a mess) has become the dumping ground for everything we're too lazy to find a home for.  And with only one shelf unit, nothing is organized.  I'm going to tackle the entire garage at some point this fall.  For now, I'm just trying to get all the paint supplies in one place!

First, I went through the entire garage and pulled all of our supplies together.  See what I mean?  We've bought rollers and painters tape multiple times, simply because we couldn't find it.  Big waste of $$$ and time.

Next, I pulled an empty storage bin from the basement.  Putting like items together, I was able to fit all our supplies (even the drop cloths!) into the bin,

which fits nicely onto the shelf.  Now when we start a painting job, all we have to do is grab the bin and get started :D

All in all, this project took me maybe 10 minutes. What was I waiting for?!

Next week I'm putting the finishing touches on a chalkboard for our daughter's room.  Stay tuned!

Menu Plan Monday (10/14)

Even though this is a short week, it is CRAZY busy.  Sports practices + business trips + meetings = lots of love for the crock pot and go-to easy favorites :) 

Monday - Spaghetti with Chicken Meatballs

Tuesday - Slow Cooker White Bean Soup

Wednesday - "Bangers and Mash" (aka Aidell's Turkey/Apple sausage links over Mashed Potatoes)

Thursday - Taco Chicken Bowls

Friday - Leftovers and/or Freezer Pick

Saturday - Chili

Sunday - Crock Pot Baked Potato Bar


Chili -  My chili recipe could not be easier.

1 lb ground turkey
medium onion diced
large green pepper diced
2 cans diced tomatoes (no salt added)
2 cans pinto beans
1 pkg Carol Shelby's chili mix

Saute the turkey, onion and green pepper until brown.  Add all other ingredients plus 1 cup water.  Simmer as long as you like.

Some people make their own chili mix (and that is great!) but I find the Carol Shelby mix to be flavorful, inexpensive and quick.  Which is exactly what I need on weeks like this one!

At least once a month (usually when the hubs is on a business trip), we do a leftover/freezer pick night to clean out the fridge and use up what we have. The kids like getting to pick their own dinner (there aren't really any rules on freezer pick night) and I like using up things that would normally go to waste. Win-win!

Thirsty Thursday

Wednesday is "date night" at our house.  With our crazy schedules and non-unlimited budget, it is more often that not a "date night in".  We put the kiddos to bed and enjoy drinks and tasty take-out. My sweet husband likes to play bartender.  Last night he created this little beauty. 

A twist on the Tom Collins, it is sweet and sour with a hint of spice that makes me think of fall.  Even my creepy raven looks like he want a sip. 

To make one of your own, mix together:

2 oz gin
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp apricot preserves
2 dashes angostura bitters

Shake and strain into a collins glass filled with ice.  Top with tonic and a lemon slice.  Enjoy!

Workout Wednesday

Back in March I started a 90-day slimdown plan.  I really liked it and was cruising along...until I dropped a weight on my foot and broke my toe.  Not fun.  Also not an excuse for taking 7 months off before getting back into the workout routine.  So next week I'll be climbing back on the workout wagon and starting the 90-day slimdown plan - from square one - again. 

It's not quitting if you keep trying, right?

Tackle-It Tuesday: Halloween Decorating

I love Halloween!  It is one of my favorite holidays, during my favorite season, and it kicks off all the wonderful holidays to come in November and December.  As soon as October hits, I pull out my box of Halloween decorations and sprinkle a little Halloween love all around the house.

We don't really do too much on the front porch - no scary spiders or ghouls.  Friends host a Halloween party every year, so we trick-or-treat in another neighborhood.  And our house is deep in the neighborhood, on a cul-de-sac, so we don't get many trick-or-treaters.  Our October wreath is one I made a few years ago.

It's very basic - just a grapevine wreath spray-painted black with webs attached.  A few spider rings and we're good to go.  My bow is looking a wee bit sad this year.  Probably need to upgrade to something fuller.

Inside the house, we have a few items sprinkled about. 

Some vintage decorations, a cute plate I found at Home Goods and a pumpkin jar full of dried black beans with spooky eyes peeking out.  I use black beans in my hurricane vases too.  Cheap, easy and reusable.

**Please excuse the horrible photography - bad camera, even worse camera operator.

The kids have a Halloween tree that they decorate (like an Easter tree, but with ghosts and ghouls).  We'll add pumpkins to the hearth and porch over the next few weeks.  Here in the south, it's not wise to get your pumpkins too early.  They rot in the heat.  Spooky - but gross.

All these little touches signal that the Halloween season is here, but don't take too much time to pull out or put away when November 1st rolls around.  That makes the transition to Thanksgiving easy!

Menu Plan Monday

I know, menu planning is a chore.  But that 20 minutes of planning makes the weeknights go smoother and saves you money.  It's worth it - trust me.

Monday - Mar-A-Lago burgers with Sweet Potato Fries
Tuesday - Pasta with Meat Sauce
Wednesday - Caribbean Chicken with Rice and Veggies
Thursday - Sausage, Sweet Potato and Kale Stew
Friday - Date Night In
Saturday - Roasted Salmon with Wild Rice and Veggies
Sunday - Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Veggies

Mar-A-Lago Burgers - The recipe calls for 8 oz burgers (huge!) and a ton of salt -  I make much smaller burgers and use almost no salt. 

Pasta with Meat Sauce - this is a go-to favorite.  It comes together quickly and just gets better the longer you cook it.  Depending on my schedule, I've been known to start it at 10 am and let it simmer all day.  Yummy!  I make mine with turkey, but beef works just as well.  Just make sure to skim off any extra fat before adding the tomatoes.

1 lb ground turkey
2-3 links turkey italian sausage  removed from casing (hot or sweet)
medium onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, diced
28 oz diced tomatoes (no salt added)
6 oz can tomato paste
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp thyme
1 bay leaf

Brown meat, onion and garlic.  Add all other ingredients, plus 1-2 cups water.  Simmer 1-2 hrs.  Serve over your favorite pasta with parmesan cheese and garlic bread.

Caribbean Chicken - Years ago, we had one of those "freezer meal" stores where you can put together 4-5 meals at a time.  This recipe was one of my favorites.  When the owner told me they were closing, I made sure to note the recipe and I've been using it ever since.  It is great for batch freezer cooking - especially when bone-in chicken goes on sale!

Whole Chicken (cut into pieces)
Lemon wedge
Orange wedge
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 tsp red pepper flake
2 tbsp olive oil
2-3 scallions, chopped
medium onion, diced
3-4 garlic cloves, diced
large handful cilantro, diced
salt and pepper, to taste

Dump all ingredients in a large ziploc bag and marinate 4-6 hours (or freeze).  Dump into large baking dish and bake at 400' for 1 hr.  Serve with rice and a green salad.

Links to all other recipes are provided above. 

90-Day Slim Down: Week 4

This weeks focus is strengthening the core which is why each day includes a 30 second plank.  Back to a 5-day week of workouts.  As usual, Monday was crazy and I couldn't get to they gym until late afternoon.  All the treadmills were full, so I went grocery shopping and came back later.  Then the treadmills AND the ellipticals were all full.  Plan B - workout on Tuesday.  So, I'm posting these as Monday through Friday, but the reality is Tuesday through Saturday.

Still trying to drink more water - I'm not sure why I struggle with that so much.

Monday - Endurance Training + 30 Second Plank: Cardio interval training kicked up another notch (5 min/1 min). Kept the slight incline and increased my sprint rate. Definitely tired at the end but made it through.  30-second plank wasn't so bad - at least my feet weren't moving!

Tuesday - Upper and Lower Body Circuit + 30 Second Plank.  The Upper Body Circuit is from Week 2 (pushups, bent-over rows, tricep dips and hammer/bicep curls with jumping jacks in between) and the Lower Body Circuit is from Week 3 (squats, alt front lunges, single leg extensions and plie squats with jump rope in between).  Once through with no repeats and end with a 30-second plank.  I started with 5 minutes on the elliptical to get warm.

Wednesday - Endurance Training + 30 Second Plank: Same as Monday, only on the elliptical. Done and done.

Thursday - Quick Full Body Circuit I & II (no repeats) + 30 Second Plank: A quick strengthening workout that targest both upper and lower body.  I still hate the push-up to T-lift, but they are getting easier.

Friday - Endurance Training + 30 Second Plank:  Same as Monday.  I was feeling a lot of stress today and needed to burn off some steam, so I added another interval and 30 seconds to the plank.

Week 4 is done!

90-day Slim Down: Week 3

This weeks focus goal is "listen to your body".  I'm adding an additional goal:

Monday - Endurance Training:  Cardio interval training kicked up a notch (4 min/45 sec).  I also added a slight incline to the treadmill and increased my rate. I was really impressed at the increase in stamina/endurance in just two weeks. I was working hard, but recovered well after the sprints.  Woo hoo!

Tuesday - Lower Body Strength Circuit:  Squats, lunges, leg extensions and plie squats with jumping rope in between.  No repeat. I kept looking for the repeat thinking surely I need to do this 3 times?!  I can't be done already.  But no, there is no repeat.  A good thing too as I started at 9:30 at night. 

Wednesday - Endurance Training: Same as Monday, only on the elliptical.  Done and done.

Thursday - Quick Full Body Circuit II: 5 minute warm-up (jog, jumping jacks, whatever) then 20 squats w/knee lift, 10 pushups to T-lift, 10 traveling lunges (each leg), and 10 tricep dips with leg raised (each leg).  Complete 3 circuits.  I have to admit this one almost killed me and I'm not always clear on the directions.  Does that mean 20 squats on each side?  Or 20 total.  Same with the pushups to T-lift.  So I either overdid the first 2 circuits or modified the 3rd.  Either way I was out of breath and tired by the end, so I'll call it good.

Friday - I don't know why there is no Friday.  It's good timing though because my parents are coming in town for the weekend and this week has been insane!  Monday through Thursday became Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  But I got them all in. 

Week 3 is done!

90-day Slim Down: Week 2

Every week has a "focus goal".  Last week was simply to find the time to workout.  This week is to give up or reduce one bad habit.  I'm trying to reduce my sugar addiction.  Not going cold turkey on desserts but limiting myself to one dessert each day.

Monday - Running Interval: Just like the Cardio Interval from last week (3 min steady / 30 sec sprint) but on the treadmill.  Would have been nice to run outdoors but I'm not very good at pacing myself and timing intervals is just easier with a hands-free timer in front of you.  I finished strong which means I can add incline and/or increase my pace the next time around.

Tuesday - Upper Body Strength Circuit: Arm workout (pushups, rows, tricep dips, curls) interspersed with cardio (jumping jacks).  Repeat 3 times.  Sort of feels like a non-workout after the interval cardio but I know my arms will be sore tomorrow. 

Wednesday -  15-30 minute brisk walk.  I'd rather run, but I understand the need to pace myself (these are 40 year-old knees after all).  The weather was nice so I headed to the park to walk 30 minutes at a solid pace.  I think my calorie burning was kicked up a notch by the 30-40 mph headwind - wow is it windy out there today!  But the sun was shining and the temperature not too cold.  It does feel good to get out of the gym and into the sunshine.

Thursday - Elliptical Intervals: Same intervals as Monday (3 min / 30 sec) but on the elliptical.  This is the last time before we start increasing the sprints.  I was more tired today than Monday but i think that had more to do with being thirsty the entire time.  Second lesson learned - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  Tomorrow is yoga so I'll be spending some time searching for a video online or on demand.

Friday -  Vinyasa Yoga Class:  I looked up Vinyasa Yoga to see what that meant and it is a combination of strengthening and stretching.  On YouTube I found a 40 minute "Vinyasa Flow" workout that was probably above my level.  Thankfully, the instructor kept encouraging everyone that it was fine to "go as far as you can" - in my case, not far!  I was very impressed at how much muscle strengthening goes into yoga - and with how inflexible I really am.  I would like to try some beginner's yoga to improve.

Week 2 Complete!

90-Day Slim Down: Week 1

Well here we are 90-days until summer vacation and I've begun my 90-day workout plan.  Week 1 starts off easy and only covers four days.  I have no idea why it doesn't start on a Monday.  The plan actually starts on Wednesday and includes Saturday, but I moved everything up a day as we're out of town this weekend.

Tuesday - 30 minute morning cardio of your choice.   The weather held out for me and although cold/windy there was no rain.  So I headed to the park, set my timer for 30 minutes, and ran the outdoor path.  20 minutes at a good jog and then 10 minutes walking.  Not bad!

Wednesday - Cardio Circuit. Squats, push-ups, lunges, and tricep dips....repeat, repeat, repeat!  Finished it and learned some important lessons: (1) I have really poor upper body strength, (2) I need to get my workout in as early as possible before I run out of time, and (3) I wouldn't last a day at basic training.

Thursday - Cardio Intervals.  Headed to the gym to hit the elliptical for this one.  Easier to time myself for those 30 sec sprints and my knees will thank me in the morning.  I know the length of these sprints is going to go up as I move through the program, but today I felt good and was able to finish strong.  Good cardio and calorie-burning in a quick 30 minutes!

Friday - Fitness Class of your choice.  To be honest, this happened on Saturday morning and it wasn't really a "class of my choice".  Friday was positively insane around here with kids out of school, lots of activities on the calendar and several deadlines from work.  At 9:30 I was frazzled, tired and looking at the pilates DVD in my hand wishing it was a glass of wine when I realized I was not in the right frame of mind to be working out.  So I shelved the DVD, drank a glass of skim milk instead and went to bed!  Alarm set for 7am, I got up Saturday morning and polished off the Pilates Fat Burning workout.  I am missing the coordination gene, which is why I do these "classes" in private!  Pretty sure my rhythm was off but my hear rate was up and that's what counts.

So Week 1 of the 90-day Slim Down is complete - 11 weeks to go!

90-Day Slim Down to Summer

After making plans for our summer trips a few months ago, the kiddos kept asking "how many days until....." over and over.  So I hopped on to the AppStore and found a countdown app to count down the days (for free, of course).  I settled on the simplest one with the best ratings - Countdown+++.  It's super easy to set-up, has a range of colors, and lets you create countdowns for multiple events.  Courtesy of that fabulous app, I noticed 2 weeks ago that it was rapidly approaching 100 days until I had to sqeeze myself into a bathing suit.  Ugh.

Needless to say, I am not at my fittest.  I've never been athletic or prone to working out.  A fast metabolism has always kept me relatively within the same 10-15lb weight range although not toned.  And while turning 40 didn't stop that metabolism (thank goodness!), the effect of gravity over the last four decades has left me feeling lumpy and saggy. 

I know from past experience that I need a plan to follow.  It's just the way I work - tell me what to do, give me a box to check off and I'm there.  If I could hire a personal trainer to whip me into shape, I would totally do it.  Unfortunately we didn't win the lottery this week and leprechauns aren't stashing pots of gold around the house.  So I turned to Pinterest in search of a plan.

After many sidetrips I found a link to this wonderful 90-day plan: Get Fit in 90 Days.  I have no idea when it was originally posted.  Broken down into 12 weeks, it slowly ratchets up the intensity level and provides enough variety to keep things from getting boring.  And I love that the exercises are all things you could do without going to they gym.  I'll likely spend some time on the elliptical and the treadmill, but it's nice to not have to commit to being boxed in to the gym 5 days a week.

I've made a spreadsheet of the daily workouts (of course I did - total nerd) and will happily be checking the boxes as I go.  Stay tuned!