Zzzz…

I finally got my gym key back for my apartment and have actually been going! I know it has to do with the whole time change thing. I am just way more productive during the spring and summer. Once it's dark it is my bedtime. I don't know why my body works like this.

My mom sends me cute pictures of our cats sleeping all the time. That could contribute to my wanting to curl up in the bed and sleep.

I have really been enjoying spinning. I don't go to a class I just do my own thing and spin away. I usually get bored on the elliptical or treadmill but time flies when I am biking. I am contemplating on purchasing my own indoor spin bike. I have been comparing brands but have not committed yet.

These are the ones I have been looking at:

Proform 290 Spx

Sunny Health & Fitness Pro – I am leaning towards this one because of Janae’s great reviews on it.

Last night, I went over to a friend's apartment for wedding crafts and wine night. I ended up leaving around 9:30 to go home and crash. Like I said, when it gets dark my body shuts off.

Today after work I went with Perry to her dress fitting! This was my first time to see the dress in person and on her. It is beautiful! She looked gorgeous! I still can't believe my best friend will be married in less than 7 months!

Since I can’t function at night time I guess it is time for bed :)

Question:

• Do you have an indoor bike? If so, what brand, likes, dislikes, suggestions, etc.?

Turkey Chili

I invited some friends over for dinner on Thursday night. They were my first dinner guests!

Turkey Chili
Makes enough for 6

Ingredients:

• oil
• 1lb ground turkey
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• 29oz tomato sauce
• 6oz tomato paste
• 16oz can reduced sodium kidney beans
• 16oz can fat free black beans
• oregano
• chili powder
• garlic powder
• cumin

Instructions:

1. In a large pot cover the bottom with oil. Not a lot just enough to coat bottom. Heat on medium.
2. Place ground turkey in pot. Season with garlic powder. Chop up pieces with a spatula or mash with a potato masher while cooking. Add onions after meat is almost done.
3. When meat is completely done add tomato sauce and tomato paste. Stir until mixed.
4. Add beans and seasonings to taste.
5. Cook on medium until chili begins to bubble and is thoroughly heated.
6. Simmer on low until served.

Serve with cornbread, tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheese, hot sauce or any other toppings you like.



I made Jiffy corn muffins.



For dessert Ashley brought cupcakes from Gigi’s.



These are the Italian Cream Wedding Cake cupcakes.



This morning I finally made it to the gym workout room. My apartment building has a fitness center. It has 3 treadmills, 1 elliptical, 2 bikes, 1 stair stepper and a really old full body weight type thing. Not sure what it is actually called. I think parts of it were broken or else I just didn't know how to work it.

It felt good to workout after several weeks off… Also it is pretty nice being able to walk to the fitness center instead of having to drive. Very convenient.

When I got back to my apartment I found $5 beside my patio! It was pretty windy this morning so I have no clue where it could have come from.

For breakfast I had these amazing eggs with onions, spinach, tomatoes and cheese. I had a side of turkey bacon and grapes.



I am going over to my friend/ex-roommate/new neighbor, Leigh’s apartment to watch the game. She is making a taco salad bar. I am making Pumpkin Banana Bread with Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese spread to take. It’s in the oven as I type so stay tuned for the recipe. That is if it turns out good! I have already tried the Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese spread to go on it and it is really good!

TV dinner turned healthy-ish

For lunch I tried another Amy’s frozen meal. It was pretty good. The rice and enchiladas both did not taste frozen but fresh.



Here are the nutrition facts:



For a snack I had a cinnamon roll yogurt with granola. I only ate the yogurt that had granola with it… I don’t care for just yogurt. I want a crunch!



After work I almost decided to just stay at home and not go to the gym but I am proud of myself for not giving in! I will say my workout wasn’t as long or intense as it could have been but I am just happy I went at all! Plus my body still feels like I did something so I am okay with it.

This is what I did:

• Elliptical 10 minutes (10 intense minutes! My legs were burning!)
• Shoulder press 20lbs 10 reps 1 set
• Arm curl 12 lbs 10 reps 2 sets
• Triceps extension 65 lbs 10 reps 2 sets
• Leg press 80 lbs 10 reps 3 sets

Running is not fun!

Yesterday for breakfast I had another Kashi blueberry waffle with peanut butter. This is one of my favorite combinations but I like it best with White Chocolate Wonderful PB.



For lunch I had left over chicken salad, pretzel thins and diet citrus green tea.



Last night I ended up not going to the gym and going out to eat with my friend, Leigh. No pictures were taken. We went to Logan’s. I had not been there in probably years. It was good. I had the Teriyaki Chicken. It was lots of fun to catch up and visit with an old friend. She has moved back to town so I am looking forward to seeing her a lot more!

This morning I knew I had to be at the office early so I ran out of the house without breakfast or lunch. This is never a good thing… But luckily the court reporter who was recording the depositions at our office brought everyone Chick-fil-a. I limited myself to having only 3 chicken minis but having a huge platter of them sitting on our kitchen counter was extremely tempting. Thank the Lord for will power and self-control! Now lunch was another story….



The Sunday Morning Roll from Bento… and a ginger salad… and I may or may not have had some fried rice too… You got to splurge every once in a while. Or at least that’s what I say!

At the gym I did this today:

• Treadmill 15 minutes 1 mile 108 calories
• Bike 20 minutes 4.5 miles 100 calories
• Arm curl 12 lbs 10 reps 2 sets
• Triceps extension 65 lbs 10 reps 2 sets
• Leg press 70 lbs 10 reps 3 sets

While at the gym I have come to the conclusion that I do not enjoy running. I just don’t like it. I am not saying I am giving up or will stop running. I will still be doing the 5k on Saturday but I am not expecting a good time but I will finish! I love doing the weight machines and seeing improvements. I like the bike too. I definitely hope it is true what people say about the more you run the more you will like it. We shall see!

Chicken Salad

I woke up extremely sore this morning. I could not move fast at all. I made myself go to the gym today and this is what I did:

• 20 lunges with 7 lbs
  
• Arm curls 10 lbs 10 reps 1 set
  
• Abdominal 40 lbs 10 reps 1 set; 50 lbs 10 reps 1 set
  
• Back extensions 55 lbs 10 reps 2 sets
  
• Triceps extensions 60 lbs 10 reps 2 sets
  
• Bike 20 minutes, 4.8 miles, level 3, 114 calories

For dinner I decided to make chicken salad. I thought that would be good to pack for lunch tomorrow too.

Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 10oz chicken
• 3 heaping tbs greek yogurt
• 1 heaping tbs sweet relish
• 2 tbs onion, chopped
• 1 tbs green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 single stalk celery, chopped
• 2 hard boiled eggs
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil eggs and set aside to cool. (I am not a good egg boiler therefore, I am not posting instructions on how to do this part!)
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. 
3. I like to let it sit in the fridge for an hour or two before eating it.

I hope everyone has a good night!

Guess What Came in the Mail Today!!?

My boss flew to Missouri today for a deposition, my coworker/friend/pledge sister left for the beach, the runner started law school this week... I was left alone at the office today. I got a lot of organizing and work done. It wasn't so bad but I like having others in the office to talk to. I am glad the boss will be back in the office some tomorrow!

So I guess you are wondering what came in the mail today?! My gym membership card! After work I headed straight to try it out! It is not big like I am used to but I think I like it. It was quiet and only a few people were there working out. One of which I knew! I love running into people when I least expect it. Well at least some times. The gym had one bathroom it looked like with a shower. No huge locker room but I think I can manage since it is less than 2 miles from my house. Also, all of the equipment looked really new and clean.

When I go to a different gym for the first time my workout usually isn't very strenuous. I don't know if I am shy or what but I like to scope the place out and usually only do cardio for the first time. It is were I feel the safest. Call me it strange but its just what I do.

Today's workout:

• 15 minutes elliptical at level 4
• 10 minutes bike at level 4

Tomorrow I plan on diving in and trying out the weight machines. They looked like my old gym's so I should be good to go. I may or may not try to get in a workout before work. I'm not making any promises.

Sorry no pictures today but I didn't have anything to take pictures of and don't want to fill this blog with pointless pictures.

Whole Wheat Blueberry Glazed Donuts

I have yet to received my gym access card in the mail. I am hoping it will be here today! My exercise log is looking a little weak and so is my body…
This morning has been very lazy and relaxing. I started off by baking some donuts! While the donuts were in the oven I tried out my new granola with some vanilla yogurt and a glass of milk. I am new to buying granola but this is definitely good. I can’t wait to try other kinds.

Whole Wheat Blueberry Glazed Donuts
adapted from Healthy Diaries

Ingredients:
For donuts

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
  
• 1/2 cup sugar
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 overflowing cup blueberries (frozen or fresh)
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
  
• 1 cup organic 0% fat milk
  
• 2 tbs oil
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1 dash cinnamon

For vanilla glazed

• 2 tbs organic 0% fat milk
  
• 1 cup powdered sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, oil, and cinnamon together. Add in flour, baking powder and baking soda.
   
2. Once these ingredients are mixed well, fold in blueberries.
   
3. Spray donut baking trays with cooking non-stick spray. Fill donut molds with the dough. I did this by using a small spoon. Do not fill to the top. Donuts will rise. My first batch almost didn’t have holes in the middle! I would say fill up half way. The picture below is the first batch and way to full!
   
4. Bake for 14-16 minutes. I also used a mini donut pan and cooked those for about 10 minutes.
   
5. Once they are golden brown I took them out of the oven and let cool for a few minutes before removing them from the pans. I stuck a toothpick in one of the donuts to check if they were done and when I pulled it out the donut came with it. So I continued using the toothpick to remove all of them and place on a cooling rack.
   
6. To make the glaze I mixed the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a small bowl. I used a small spoon to drizzle the glaze on top.
   
7. Let glaze cool completely before putting in a storage container. It should harden a little so it will not stick to the other donuts.

I need a new gym!

I am in desperate need of a gym. After trying out the gym that was over my budget I requested a trial membership at another local gym. My membership card is supposed to be on its way. I hope it hurries up and gets here! I am feeling a little deprived. I know you are probably thinking why not run outside or get some at home free workout to do? (1) It is so hot in Alabama as I am sure it is everywhere else in the U.S. right now and I have not made it to the point where I can get up before the sun yet. (2) I am a little short on space at the moment so no room to be jumping around. Excuses, excuses... I know... The 5k is approaching fast so I got to get on this!

In other exciting news we got a new Keurig coffee maker at work! Our old one broke. I know this isn't exciting but that's all that happened today.... It was pretty much an uneventful day. I am hoping to get some new recipes up soon so stay tuned!

• Have you ever been in between gyms? What did you do in the mean time?