Category Archives: Uncategorized

Blink of an Eye

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Boy do weekends fly by in the blink of an eye!  My Monday isn’t off to a great start (and now that it is almost 6 pm I can consider the day a total wash) so I’d love to recap my busy but fun weekend.

Friday after school I headed for a run with Ali.  We did a quick 3.5 miles from Charlestown to the North End and back.  I was surprised at how easy running felt considering the fact I haven’t run at all the past couple weeks.  Of course now that I feel like I could run this week’s weather in Boston does not look conducive to doing so (and I mangled my toed by karate-kicking my couch this am but we will get to that later).

After the run I got showered and changed and met up with Ali again to head to trivia night to benefit Charlestown Lacrosse with Avalon Crossfit.  We had two teams competing against each other with the other tables.  Over all my team “Avalon Crossfit 2″ came in second place!  We missed first by one point.  *pats on the back*  It was a lot of fun and on the way out Ali snapped this picture of the two teams:

After trivia Ali and I headed to the Warren Tavern to chat over a few beers.

Saturday I woke up and met my friend Maureen to volunteer for a race.  It was my first time volunteering and I had high hopes.  When we got to the race site there were a few people setting up but no one was checking in volunteers and I had no idea what to do.  Finally after 20 minutes or so of awkward standing around we helped put up a tent.

After that we had a bunch of waiting around to do.  We grabbed a couple of t-shirts and helped out a bit, but ultimately decided to duck out early.  I probably will stick to running races from now on :)

Lunch was at the Cheesecake Factory.  I had 2 strawberry martinis.  They are so delicious, completely refreshing, and made with fresh muddled strawberries (remember when i made them at home?).

I also started with a few pieces of their brown bread and a salad with balsamic vinegarette.

Pizza is always a good decision so that is what I got for my meal.  BBQ chicken pizza with a side of ranch.

After having pizza for lunch Saturday I officially ate pizza 5 of the 7 days last week.  Ooops.  Well worth it, trust me.

Speaking of pizza, I can’t wait to tell you about my new reason to love Monday.

Stay tuned to hear about it!

~l

nji

It’s Friday, Friday….

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“Gotta get down on Friday. Everybody’s looking forward to the weekend, weekend..”

That song was AH-mazing on Glee Tuesday.  I can’t believe how decent they made the song that has gotten Rebecca Black such criticism!  I mean, it’s still not a good song by any means, but it was a fun way to kick off prom, no?

I began my Friday by immediately turning my alarm off and then by proceeding to push the time I can stay in bed to 6:40.  That is an all time late and I can’t believe it took me until May to take it that far!

Lucky for you (and thanks to my cool new iphone) I was able to take lots of food pics today.  Using the phone I can email them and post them much easier than getting out my camera cord and such!  Just in case you weren’t sure: I do NOT document everything I eat, just what I feel like taking pictures of during the day.

First stop was Dunk’s for an iced coffee.

Second stop was Luberto’s for a warm, fresh-from-the-oven blueberry muffin.  The sugar on top added a sweet and pleasant crunch to every bite.

Lunch was left over pizza.

See the water in the background?  It has been on my desk, unopened all week.  Some days I don’t drink anything but a coffee in the morning and water at Crossfit.  I know how important drinking water is but I just hate peeing all day and night!

Mid-moring Ali texted and asked if I’d like to go for a run when she got out of work.  I wasn’t planning on running today (or doing anything for that matter) but the sun is actually out AND I am running a half marathon in two weeks.  I guess a run at some point before then wouldn’t be such a bad idea.   Also knowing that I will be having a few drinks tonight while we play trivia with other Avalon Crossfit members gives me some motivation to run before I drink.

When I got home I immediately tried to hydrate but pouring a big ol’ glass of purple G2 Gatorade.

I also dogged a Go Lean Crunchy! protein bar.  The chocolate peanut flavor is bomb.  I think I could eat 10 of them in one sitting!

After the run I am going to shower up and head to the Charlestown Lacrosse fundraiser.  Like I said, I am volunteering to be on a trivia team to help Avalon Crossfit kick some butt.  I hope all they ask questions about is pop culture :)

Tomorrow I am volunteering for my first race!

Later

~L

G Fit

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Happy Thursday!

I miraculously woke up today with my first alarm, not the tenth time I hit snooze like I have been for the past 6 months!  I don’t know why I woke up with such a spring in my step but I was ready to leave for school at 6:34.  6:34!!

I stopped and picked up an iced coffee on the way (French Vanilla with skim milk, no sugar) and proceeded to procrastinate cleaning my desk until I had to do door duty at 8:20.

Breakfast was a waffle sandwich made with 2 Van’s whole wheat waffles, some super chunky peanut butter (teddie’s brand), and a half a banana.  I ate the other half of the banana after I finished my waffle-wich.

I also snacked on some strawberries after lunch.  They have been on sale the past  few weeks and I buy two containers every time I go grocery shopping. I ain’t sick of them yet ;)

Today I also had the pleasure of going to the dentist.  Ya know, nothing gives me diarrea of the mouth the way seeing a dentist does.  In the first 5 minutes I had explained why I haven’t flossed regularly for the past 6 months, apologized for downing several pieces of chocolate as I walked my from car to the office, and gave her my tentative plans for summer vacation.  I think this is partly due t the fact that it is hard to talk while your teeth are being cleaned, and there just isn’t enough time to make excuses while you are rinsing.  When all was said and done, this girl had no cavities and a sweet sample-sized toothpaste and new toothbrush!

When I got back into my car it was around 3:00 and I needed to have a small snack to hold me over until after Crossfit tonight.  Tonights class is called “Kettle bells, abs, and more” and even though I really, really dislike kettle bells, I really, really like this class.  I woke up today with no aches and pains so once I am fueled up I will be ready to go.

Fuel today was something new I picked up at Walgreens this morning: G series Fit

I got the cinnamon flax flavor.  It comes in a pack with 4 individually sectioned pieces so you can choose how much to eat pre-workout.  I had two.  They weren’t bad and tasted very similar to a Larabar.

The odd part was this white paper on the top and bottom of each piece.  I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to eat it or take it off.  I went the safe route and ate the first one with it on and the second with it off.  It dissolved in my mouth and tasted like nothing.

Turns out, the site explains that the white paper is edible potato paper that they use to prevent your fingers from getting sticky.  Who knew?

Right now I am kinda hungry again.  Next time I will stick to my Clif bars.

It is really funny how the end of the week really makes my body want to become one with the couch.  Even with the sun shining out of my window, the thought of moving is unbearable!

I can do anything for an hour…even kettle bells!

Do you have any mantras that get you through the day?

~L

Dirt

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Dirt.

Worms.

Oreos.

Whipped Cream.

Vanilla pudding.

True definition of “cookies and cream”.

Super simple.

Conversation piece.

Kid friendly recipe.

Oreos….

I already said that.

Enough said.

Dirt

Recipe from: my Auntie Eileen and cousin Casey

2 packages of Oreo cookies, crushed

2- 8oz packages of room temperature cream cheese

2- 8oz containers of Cool Whip

2 tblsp vanilla extract

2 boxes prepared instant vanilla pudding

2 cups Confectionary sugar

1 package gummy worms (optional)

Flower pot

bunch of fake flowers

1) In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, Cool Whip, prepared pudding, confectionary sugar, and vanilla extract.

2) In an un-used planter, alternate layers of crushed Oreo cookie and above mixture.  Be sure to end with crushed Oreo on top (for that “dirt” look, get it?!).

3) Before serving, place fake flowers in center and top with gummy worms (optional).

Currently Loving: South End Athletic Company

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As I said in my previous post, I didn’t work out too much this week.  I did make it to Tristan’s class on Wednesday morning and I LOVED being there so early in the day (class started at 11).  Not only did I not have it “hanging” over my head all day but there were only 2 other people in the class.  The night classes, especially on Monday, usually fill up with 10-12 people so having only 3 was a treat.

I tend to quickly fall out of routine the second I do not have to be up with my alarm for school so this week was no different.

By this morning though I was craving a sweat session.

But instead of going for a run I found myself heading over the the South End to get a new pair of kicks.  You are supposed to change running shoes every 6 months/400 miles and since I got my Asics in October for my birthday, it is time for a new pair.  However, I refused to buy a THIRD pair of the same shoe.  Previously I had gone to Marathon Sports to get fitted for shoes, and while I loved their service, I wanted to check out another store and see what they thought of my foot.

The South End Athletic Company is a small, local business on Treamont Street in Boston’s South End.  I happened upon their Facebook page while perusing marathon websites.  I loved them immediately because of their cool merchandise.  Their website describes the store as follows:

“SEAC was founded on the idea that fitness, fashion and fun should coexist. SEAC’s product mix will keep you at peak performance with the best technical footwear, apparel and accessories while also offering a fun selection of sport heritage lifestyle wear. It’s a place where hardcore fitness and style finally meet!”


It is a running store owned by runners nonetheless!  I got to chatting with Justin, who is a co-founder, about my half marathon coming up and he offered some tips and suggestions.  I could talk to runners all day long!  He informed me that they do free group runs from the store on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings.  Some of the runs include drills and speed work, while others are just long distance runs.  It definitely sounds great, and it is really fun to run with a group, so I am hoping to try it out soon.

Interestingly enough, upon walking in the store I felt the immediate need to own one of their t-shirts.  Each simply say: South End Athletic Company” on the front, but each gave off the vibe of being a part of secret club (that anyone could be a part of for $25).  Of course I bought an ash grey one with purple writing (and yes I am wearing it to Avalon Crossfit tonight).

the lower back

I brought in my old pair of shoes and explained that while I love the fit, I did not love the style.  Of course I understand you can not always have the coolest, brightest, most fun pair when you need a stable shoe like I do, but there had to be more than my boring Asics.  Justin, one of the co-founders of SEAC, helped me try on three or four different pairs of shoes.  He watched me run in one of them to get a feel for what my stride looked like.  My right leg and foot look great, while my left turns out (hey, they both turn out, yes like a duck, when I walk!)  Bummer ;)

Though I really, really, REALLY wanted the cool purple pair that fit me OK, I decided on the ugly (at least I think they are ugly) Saucony Progrid Guide 3.  I was proud I did not sacrifice a good run for a cooler pair of shoes.

I also bought a black polka-dotted no-slip headband by Sweaty Bands to hold back the little whispy hairs that NEVER stay put while working out.  It actually is cool enough to wear regularly too.  It was $15 so unfortunately I could only buy one, but I will wear it until it falls apart!

I got lots of goodies today and tried each of them tonight.  Nothing like buying new clothes and wearing them all in the same day, huh?

Hey, whatever works!

~L

Sam Summer, Aquarium, and Doyle’s, Oh My!

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I had a pretty amazing weekend.  Hung out with friends and family, enjoyed many tasty beverages, ran 5 miles, got an awesome sunglass tan.  Sunglass tans rock :)  Unfortunately it doesn’t photograph too well, I still look winter-pale, so I’ll spare you a picture!

Friday I headed to the mall to find a dress for a wedding next weekend.  I got a black dress from White House Black Market and a pair of kick-ass purple heels from Charlotte Russe.  I feel like these shoes paired with that dress create a pretty bold statement, and even though my right foot barely fits in the shoe, I am going with it!  I will also be sure to pack a pair of Old Navy flippies :)

Friday night I met Amy for dinner at Max and Dylan’s.  It was pretty crowded with a random assortment of after workers and post-opening day-ers.  Many of them were already drunk and rowdy.  We situated ourselves at the bar and I had two glasses of Sauvignon Blanc.

Dinner was buffalo chicken mac-and-cheese.  It was amazing, though slightly on the spicier side than usual.  I ate most of the pasta and a couple of pieces of the chicken.

After dinner we headed to the Warren Tavern where we met up with Ali.  We all hit it off and chatted most of the night away.  It is amazing how easily the conversation flowed considering the first time we ever met was Wednesday!  I pretty much ended up spending the entire weekend with her.  Well, we didn’t hang out Saturday, but I think we shared the same post-Friday-fun feeling all day (if you know what I mean).

Saturday I was up and at ‘em (though very hungover groggy from my Friday night festivities) to get my eyebrows done.  Embarrassingly enough I was feeling way to crappy to make it to bootcamp (sorry Tristan!), so I headed to the New England Aquarium with my cousins and brother instead.  First thing we saw were the penguins, then some turtles and a whole bunch of fish.  There wasn’t much to do there (thank god teachers get in free), so we were in and out in about an hour and a half.

After we all headed to the Black Rose for some lunch and some beers (gag).

We shared the spinach and artichoke dip, but it was nothing to write home about.  Very salty, not too creamy.

For lunch I got the most adult thing on the menu: a diet pepsi and a grilled cheese.

On the walk home we stopped at Max and Dylan’s to sit outside and have a couple of beverages.  I love outdoor eating and drinking.  It is seriously the best part about warmer weather (well, besides the beach).  I enjoyed 2 blue moons while we were there.

Sunday was a blast.  I ran the Doyle’s 5-Miler in Jamaica Plain with my friend Maureen, Ali, and her friend Julia.  I love running in groups because chatting the time away goes by so much faster than listening to music!  Let me tell you, it was perfect race weather!  Slightly breezy and just warm enough.  I ran in my new Nike Dri-fit pants and gray t-shirt.  I also ran in a hat but it was so hot I wish I hadn’t.

Before I left my house I devoured a Clif bar.  This is my go-to pre-run food.

I saw runners with numbers up to the 2,000’s and on such a narrow path, many points at the race got congested.  I got stuck behind many strollers and slower runners which was so frustrating.  I was not trying to be a speed demon by any means.  I wanted to go at a comfortable pace where I could still enjoy the experience.

Of course I sprinted which I got to mile 4, forgetting that a mile is still pretty far to go.  At that point I just wanted it to be over with!  When I finished I got into the free beer pandemonium that was going on outside the bar .  It was kind of stressful.  When one of our friends got to the front he just kept handing them back to us.  I ended up with two Sam Adams’.

Mo and I enjoyed them immensely while we waited to meet back up with Ali and Julia.  I also met up with mi familia.  My cousin Carney, her husband Mark, and my cousin Brendan came out (with a cooler).

I got hungry around 2 and went inside to order a pizza.  While I waited I enjoyed listening to the live Irish Band play.  They were amazing- people were dancing and singing at the top of their lungs!  I brought the pizza outside for others to enjoy too!

I headed home around 4 and I was BEAT.  Jack picked me up some food from Kowloon but I was too tired to even eat it.  Ok, I managed to eat a few chicken fingers, fried wontons and broccoli.  But I literally, I went to take a nap at 4:30 and didn’t get out of bed until this morning!  Guess I needed to recover before taking on this last week of school before April vacation!

Phew- that was my weekend.  I got to start blogging on the weekends!  I think this Friday I will instate a “5 Word Friday/Saturday?Sunday” so I can keep ya up-to-date in a more timely fashion.

Crossfit is outside tonight!  Woop woop!

~L

New Deal

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Today was parent-teacher conference day and I knew it was going to be one long-ass day since I got out of bed.  Conferences were 1-3 and 4-6 but our schedule fell behind 20 minutes on each end (it happens) which was a huge bummer.  The only saving grace is that A) tomorrow is Friday, B) Tomorrow is Red Sox Day at school C) I am a judge to find the best dressed Red Sox Fan in the school.  Good times, good times!

My day started with a chocolate strawberry smoothie, just like yesterday’s.

This afternoon, I made the best last-minute lunch decision.  EVER.  And the good decisions kept coming right from the sandwich all the way down to the drink.

I went to the New Deal on Broadway in Revere for a fresh sandwich.  This place really does it up right, cutting the cold cuts right in front of you, and they slice ‘em nice and thin.

Today I decided on pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and pickles.  No I am not pregnant.  This combination just made total sense and I do not regret the choice one bit.This sub was gigantic, and I knew it would be, so I put the pickles on the side and BAM, I have lunch for tomorrow!

While there I perused their super fresh produce and decided on two seedless oranges.  This sign promised they were the best batch of the season!  I munched on one during my break at parent-teacher conferences today.

I also had half a bag of smaht-food popcorn and a Vitamin Water Zero.

Conferences went 20 minutes over time but I was excited to head to Renzo’s on Revere Beach for a quick chapter of “book club” with a couple lovely ladies.  It is located right on the beach and, man, it got me psyched for summer to get here.  There was a dj playing jazz (then disco) music which helped me relax and created a warm, inviting atmosphere in the restaurant.

Renzo’s has delicious wood-fired pizza, which I eventually had for dinner.  But more important things first: drinks.  I started with a grape-infusion martini.  It was kind of disappointing because it did not taste very stiff, and I like my martinis to “put hair on my chest”.  This one was supposed to be grape-infused, but I think it tasted similar to purple Gatorade.

We split an order of onion rings at the table and the were sooo good.  Not too oniony, with just the perfect amount of crispy.

We also split some creamy spinach and artichoke dip with pitas.

I had a glass of reisling with the few slices of cheese and Bianca pizza I had.  The Bianca pizza was a white pizza with ricotta cheese and spinach.  It was delicious.

I am so happy tomorrow is Friday.  This week has seemed to last a lifetime.  On tap for this weekend is a run tomorrow, bootcamp and a trip to the aquarium Saturday, and the Doyle’s 5 mile road race Sunday.  Besides looking forward to the weekend I am excited for 80 degree weather for the beginning of the week as well as confirmation that my “6-Pack” running team got picked in the lottery to participate in the Harpoon 5-Miler May 22.  I did this race last year , and it is definitely “the ultimate beer run”.

Ok, must get my beauty rest so I will be in tip-top-judging shape for the Red Sox contest tomorrow.

What are you doing this weekend??

~L

 

 

 

Big Mistake

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Happy..errr.. Tuesday folks.  In what seems to be the norm each week, I thought we were a day ahead of where we are and was devastated to find out that it was not, in fact, Wednesday.  Mistakes like that just seem to make the week go by that much slower.

I started my day off with a shakeology smoothie (made with frozen banana, a scoop of chocolate shakeology, almond milk, water, and ice).  It was so smooth and cold.

I also had a coffee which hit me weird today and for some reason made me feel frantic and anxious all morning.  Caffine has been known to do that to me at times.

It is also that time of the month where my hallow leg shows up and I could eat all day, every day and not feel satisfied.

Eats today have included:

  • smoothie
  • a pear
  • watermelon
  • another banana
  • left over lasagna
  • salad
  • Black cherry Almond Clif Bar

I have become the queen of Tupperware BTW.

I also planned on eating a little something-something before bootcamp, but I got home from school a little too late and I do not dare eat too close to a workout.  If I can’t squeeze in a bite about an hour before than I don’t eat.  Tummy troubles tend to cramp my bootcamp-style if you know what I’m sayin’.

On that note, I was hoping that the sun would come out so that I could run to Crossfit and home.  I thought that would be a great way to sneak in a quick 2 miles today.  Now, I know that running in inclement weather has never stopped me before, and I am not so sure it should stop me now, but it might.  But it might not.  Ok, I should run to Crossfit…but probably won’t.

~L

 

 

 

 

Getting Crafty

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Let’s get something clear: I am not crafty.  Everything I draw looks like a foot, and none of the lines I sketch or cut out are ever straight.  They probably never will be, and I am OK with that.

So when I concocted this bright idea to redo the header for my blog I turned to the craftiest person I know: Amy :)  She may tell you otherwise, but I knew she was the right girl for the job.

Friday I stopped by Michael’s and stocked up on card stock of all shapes and sizes, mini Crayola markers, glue, scissors, and a very sparkly piece of red paper.

Then we opened a bottle of wine and I did this…

While Amy did this…

I shared with her the most vague vision for this project as I could:  I run.  I wear sneakers.  I like wine.  I live in the city.

She came up with this:

I came up with this:

(It is an Easter Egg, not a foot ;) ) and hid a couple of them around her apartment.

When I got home I got fancy with my Mac and created this header using Amy’s creation:

But since I happen to be un-crafty, and computer illiterate, I couldn’t get that to fit in the space provided for my header.  So I got frustrated, cropped half of it out, and settled for what you see above.  (Anyone out there who wants to offer their CSS skills to help reinvent the rest of my blog, feel free to offer your services.  I make a mean Easter egg after all!)

Arts and crafts sure are fun!  Thanks Amy for helping me get my blog on!

~L

This Little Blog O’ Mine

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Blogging is super fun, I just want you to know that.

I think about possible blog post topics all day long.  I plan them out in my head while I sit at lunch, drink a couple of beers, and workout.  It is kind of fun to know I can play my life out on here and make me look as cool as I want to look, haha ;)

So don’t ever feel like I am giving up on it when you don’t here from me for a couple of days week.

Truth is, sometimes I feel like I have a lot to say, sometimes I feel like I am sounding like a broken record (being the creature of habit that I am), and other times I don’t feel like I have much to share at all.

Most recently I have been trying to decide what direction I wanted to really go in with this little blog o’ mine.

Part of me really wants to increase my readership by posting daily, redesigning the site, and developing a variety of post topics.  I mean I love the writing part of the blog but kind of want to focus on developing posts that are more than daily life posts.  I also want to take better pictures to help tell my stories.

I want to meet other bloggers and participate in blogging events.

I want to tweet.

But another part of me (that part that is drained after work) feels like I don’t.  Period.

And that is where I am now.

Deciding between do or don’t.

That doesn’t mean that it is an all or nothing decision.  I am just hoping to figure it out soon.

Please bear with me!

~L