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31.1.13

Link ups enable randomness


I've been so out of the game lately that I'm diving right in thanks to some really random pictures I've taken with my phone over the last week. 

My completely insane homeless person lumber man. 

New pixie hat that was picked out by popular demand

I am obsessed with his face, and how short I appear in this picture. 

Sometimes it's 3am and I'm still awake so I give myself a combover. Don't judge.

Yoga & Candles = best day ever.

Light Butterbeer Latte  to warm a frigid fussy afternoon. 

Hipster baby stole my glasses. 

Sick beard.

Completely cold turkey, absolutely no slip ups. 
I've entered the phase where I can't help but roll my eyes when ever I hear someone say
 "OMG I need a cigarette." 


It's fun, go link up!
Mamamash


Workout Wednesday Week #2


I'm in the process of a 12 week fitness program. I'm using the blog to hold myself accountable.
I'll be checking in on the Monday through Sunday prior every Wednesday this will give me enough time to compile my stats and sort out my notes. I'm always too busy on the weekend and I really want to have a solid honest check in, hence the delay. 




Stats for the week: 
1/21 - 1/27

Workouts completed: 
1/7 

Extras:
60 minutes yoga

Miles for the week:
 3.92 miles

Miles total: 
12.82 miles

Cheers:

  • I forgot to bring food to work one day and had to make due with less than healthy substitutes and it kind of bummed me out but I didn't let it completely derail me.
  • I've been great about preparing meals ahead of time and it has been a huge help.  
Jeers:

  • I'm spending too much time focusing on the scale and not enough focusing on my fitness progress.
  • The temperature dropped & we lost water for most of the week which made it hard to work out because I had to shower at other peoples houses.
  • I got the respiratory infection from hell that made me winded from walking to the bathroom and made me almost pass out from anything more strenuous. 



Noteworthy Recipes:

Nothing new, I'm living off of leftovers from last week and cereal. 



28.1.13

Bleh...


I had a really rough week last week and I'm currently sick with a cold that appears to live only in the indescribable spot that is somehow located behind my nose and on top of my throat. I'm miserable. I haven't blogged in a few days though and I feel like I'm approaching that amount of time where it's been so long I get scared to come back, so here I am just checking in and stealing some questions from Salt so this entry isn't completely pointless. 

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Kind of, Dad suggested naming me after Christie Brinkley, but my mom wasn't totally alright with that so she thought altering it to Christine would do rather nicely. My father has operated the last 28 years under the assumption that the "n" in my name is silent. 

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
I'm pretty sure a horrific nightmare had me crying in my sleep the other night. Waking up with tears on your face is disturbing. 

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I've been told I have serial killer handwriting....


4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
No, and I hope pregnancy isn't a contagious condition because I am seriously surrounded right now. 

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Absolutely.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Not as often as you may imagine.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes though at the moment they don't seem too happy with me.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I have no desire to be a human yo yo.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Anything Kashi makes. 

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No, even when I should, hence all the broken backs on my sneakers.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I know I am. *flex*

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
The answer probably depends on my hormone level, right now I'm in more of an orange sorbet mood.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
If I could take them in a fight or not, aka are they taller.

15. RED OR PINK?
Red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I would probably benefit greatly if the amount of time between having a thought and having it exit my mouth was a bit longer. 

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Tom Hanks, I need him to promote another movie so he's all over the TV again.

18. WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
My balance, I'm tired of tipping over during yoga.

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
None, my feet are naked.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Steamed Peas 

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The gurgling of god knows what deep in my face as I try to breath.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Periwinkle 

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
I'd like to be able to smell anything at this point.  All of my candles seem to either be some kind of cake or cinnamon bun if that's any indication though. 

24. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS TO YOU?
Not important enough to lose friends over, which is why I don't participate in political conversations.

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
I already live in a beach house.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
NFL

27. HAIR COLOR?
The beef says pumpkin seed I don't know what that means. It's my natural hair color which means it's a dirty blonde but if I spend any time in the sun blonde and red highlights pop out. It's a wonderful trick if I ever happen to venture outdoors. 

28. EYE COLOR?
Blue or Green or Grey, or a combination of any or all of those depending on I have no idea what.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
I just can't...

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Peas

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Scary

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Death by Murder, so lame, so funny. 

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
I have on a green plaid bathrobe.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Ugh, winter, I guess. 

35. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Cheesecake

36. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Cardio, I get so distracted during strength training that trying to keep track of reps stresses me out big time.

37. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
Computer

38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Nothing at the moment

39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I don't have one.

40. FAVORITE SOUND?
The ocean, dry leaves crunching underfoot, cooking in the kitchen noises, laughter. 

41. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?
apparently it's heavy metal, and country, and alternative and golden oldies.

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
I went to San Diego once.

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Whether it's appropriate or not I can find the humor in any situation, see #16 for more on that.

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Mt. Vernon, NY

45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
New Milford, CT

46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Greenish

47. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Red

48. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 48 QUESTIONS?
I just like answering questions.


Peace, Love, & much needed Chicken Soup.


23.1.13

Workout Wednesday Week #1


I'm in the process of a 12 week fitness program. I'm using the blog to hold myself accountable, so please please please stay on my ass. I've read in psychology journals that on average it takes 66 days to form a habit, so the 84 that I'm planning on undertaking should certainly do the trick.

My lifestyle has become so stagnant that I'm challenging myself this way to keep moving.

I'll be checking in on the Monday through Sunday prior every Wednesday this will give me enough time to compile my stats and sort out my notes. I'm always too busy on the weekend and I really want to have a solid check in, hence the delay. 



Stats for the week: 
1/14 - 1/20

Workouts completed: 
5/7 I picked up double shifts over the weekend and figured the extra 8 hours of running around and lifting people out weighted the 2 work outs I was missing.

Extras:
60 minutes yoga

Miles for the week:
 8.9 miles
Miles total: 
8.9 miles

Cheers:

  • I downloaded the Noom app on my phone and it's really holding me accountable.
  • I stayed on budget for my calories every single day. 
  • I feel like I have more energy overall.
  • I haven't had any headaches or stomach issues because I'm eating properly.
  • Losing inches from my neck, bicep, natural waist, stomach & thigh for a total of 3.75".


Jeers:
  • A few times I got distracted after breakfast and didn't start my workout right away which left me feeling shaky and weak by the end of it. I think that energy water stuff I was drinking made it worse also, so I threw it away. 
  • I need to keep reminding myself to drink more water.
Noteworthy Recipes:






21.1.13

Breakfast Time!


I am notorious for skipping breakfast. I have an arsenal of excuses. As I'm trying to eat healthier I've recognized the importance of breakfast and I'd like to share a few of the meals I've been eating incase it'll change someone else's mind too. 

1. Cereal
I know, so boring and predictable right? The truth is, I love cereal, It's been on sale like crazy so I've been buying it like crazy. To keep it exciting I actually combine my cereals. For instance this morning I had one serving size of Fiber One Original (which looks like the stuff you get out of the vending machine at the petting zoo but tastes amazing.) and one serving size of Fiber One Chocolate. Toss in a half a serving of light vanilla soy milk and you've got yourself 175 calories of pure heaven. 

2. Hot Cereal 
Also boring and predictable, right? Well, morning is my mortal enemy and my brain isn't firing on all cylinders yet so I need to keep it simple. 
What I do though is take one packet of original plain instant cream of wheat or oatmeal and mix in 1/3 cup of  granola (withe ingredients you can see & pronounce!) . I use Cinnamon Oat Clusters with Flax Seeds (5g fiber, 720mg omega-3, etc) so when I pour the water in the flavoring distributes and I have no need for whatever that shady quaker oats guy is lacing his oatmeal with. All for only 230 calories and great when it's freezing out. 

3. Bacon, Egg & Cheese
That probably through you for a loop, didn't it? And honestly this version doesn't take much longer than throwing together my oatmeal. In the microwave wrapped in paper towel I zap a piece of turkey bacon for about a minute, take it out and crumble it. Then in a microwave safe bowl that I've sprayed with non stick spray I zap 1/2 cup liquid egg whites & 1/4 cup regular egg substitute (you can do just regular egg substitute but I use the egg whites b/c they have less sodium) for 90 seconds. Take it out, toss in bacon and stir, zap it for another 45 seconds, take it out, mix in 3 tablespoons of shredded reduced fat cheddar , stir it up and zap for another 20 seconds and you're all set. My only advice is to wash the bowl right away after you're done because that cheese is a pain in the butt to get off when it hardens. And this super yummy comfort breakfast will only set you back about 200 calories. 


I'll keep you updated as I continue to navigate the strange new world of breakfast. 



18.1.13

Confess yourself



Psychoanalysis is the confession without absolution. 

I confess...
That I finally used the ceramic pots & pans sets that I got for Christmas and they are amazing, I am obsessed. I can't believe I waited so long to use them. 

I confess...
That I still haven't had a cigarette and at this point I feel like my biggest motivation is being able to say honestly "yeah, I just up and quit just like that" to people I used to stand around smoking with. I'm kind of a prick like that. 




I confess...
That I am finally on the Chobani bandwagon, a bad experience a few years ago scared me away but it was on sale this week so I thought I'd give it another try now I am completely obsessed with  it's delicious goodness.

I confess...
That I never give myself enough credit and need to stop talking myself down. Example of the week: A friend of mine came over to do yoga and before we started I blabbered on and on about how I wasn't flexible anymore and when we were done she commented on how surprisingly flexible I actually am.

I confess...
That this is just as yummy as this because they're pretty much the same dish and I know this because I made both the other night due to a surplus of chicken in my fridge.

Want to join the party? You can link up here.

Photobucket



17.1.13

Crockpot Veggie Stew


Since Tuesday's post made us fat I thought I'd balance it out. I'm trying to eat healthier and I think this just might become a regular dish for me. The finished product while not pretty can only be described as OMG good. 



You will need:
1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 eggplant, peeled and cute into 1/2" cubes
2 cups coarsely chopped zucchini
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1 cup cubed butternut squash
1 cup chopped onion
1 tomato, coarsely chopped
--
1 1/2 cups fat free vegetable broth
1 6oz can tomato paste
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/3 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 no-calorie sweetener packet

Place the chickpeas and all the veggies in a crockpot.


In a large bowl, combine all other ingredients. 

Mix well and pour evenly over the contents of the crock pot. 

Gently stir to allow the sauce to coat the veggies.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. 
Enjoy!

Serving size 1 cup: 100 calories, 1g fat, 296 mg sodium, 20g carbs, 6g fiber 7g sugar, 4g protein.
Makes 8 servings. 






16.1.13

I love to laugh

I could just leave this entry with the new header I made for these posts because I think it's the one of the funniest pictures I've ever taken with my phone. That would be too short of an entry though so I went though my phone looking for other pictures it's taken that make me laugh.


When I first got this phone my father was really excited that I could take a picture of him and set it as the caller ID, so excited that he made this face.

Have you ever heard of "the game" my friends and I play it, imagine their surprise when I served these cookies. 

Mrs. Claus gazes upon you in judgement. 

We got 1/4" of snow, lets do something useful with it.

Rough night?

I took this picture of what is hopefully my last cigarette ever to remind myself how dumb I looked while smoking. 

It's fun, go link up!
Mamamash


15.1.13

My All American Boyfriend


“Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.”
Jane Austen

If you remember I made my very first pie back in November. The Beef on the other hand has a bit more experience with pie making than I do. He decided to show off for me the other night and allowed me to document because I'm not sure anyone would believe me otherwise.

He started out by making the crust.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons shortening
6 to 8 tablespoons ice water




Mix in a large bowl:
2 cups all-purpose flour
I teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar



Then cut in using the dough blender (or in this case, your hands): 
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons shortening
6 to 8 tablespoons ice water



Wrap your pie crust in plastic wrap. Then place in refrigerator for 20 or more minutes, while you make the pie filling. 




For the apple pie filling you need:

5 Tart Peeled Apples
1 Cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice


Peel and slice your apples.



Soak them in water with a tablespoon of lemon juice. This will prevent the first apples cut from turning a funky color. 


Mix in large mixing bowl:

1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vinegar

Now, drain the water off of the apples and mix them with the spices.

Now that your pie crust has had plenty of time to cool, divide it into two, equal halves.  
Roll one of the balls of pie crust out until it is around 1/8th of an inch thick.



Once you have rolled out the dough, wrap it around the rolling pin and unroll it onto your pie pan.
Once you have shaped it to fit the inside of the pan, take a fork and poke holes in the bottom of the crust. This will let the steam out as the pie bakes.

 Dump all of the apples in the pie. Place about 4 chunks of butter on top of apple filling. This will give the filling rich flavor.



Roll out the remaining pie dough and place it on top.



Cut long strips of tinfoil and place them around the edge of the pie.
This will prevent the crust's edge from burning while it bakes. You will want to take the tinfoil off about ten minutes before the pie is done. This way, the apple pie will have a golden brown edge.
Bake your pie at 400 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

For a glossy effect, brush a small portion of egg white on top of the crust when you remove the tinfoil.
Wait longer than he did to cut it so it has time to set and then serve with ice cream because that's even more delicious.