Home at last

I've decided it's been far too long since my last post.  I feel bad.  Life has gotten pretty crazy, and somewhere along the way, in the hectic mess that is my life... I lost you.  But here we are again, like old friends, speaking as if no time has past at all.

Right? Well, same to you!

I'm going to try to have more direction and organization here.  Hopefully that will make it easier, and maybe a little more urgent that I make my daily posts.  So, beginning next week I will be introducing a few new sections:

Move It Monday
This will be where I post my workout plan for the week and discuss AT LEAST 5 new workout tools (new exercises, new videos, new gadgets, etc...) that I will use to grow my fitness regime.  (How very militant of me!)

Trashy Tuesday
This is my free day.  I won't be working out today, and I get to EAT WHAT I WANT.  In moderation, of course.  Everything in moderation.  (If only you could see my face right now.....)  And I will capture every glorious moment.  Every cupcake.  Every Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.  My outer inner fat-kid child is getting hungry just thinking about it!

What Grinds My Gears Wednesday
Hey, Family Guy!  This is where my mental health and sanity come into play.  I get to complain on this day.  But then I have to find AT LEAST 5 things that are making me happy at the moment, or that bring me some semblance of peace in my times of chaos.  You can join in, too!

Tempting Thursday
All about food.  Well, ok, this whole blog is about food.  But, seriously, I will post one recipe (with results) that I have tried the past week.

Forget-Me-Not Friday
It's Friday!  I think today I will post...um...any suggestions?

Saturdays and Sundays will be free days.  I will post about my workouts, food, and fun adventures with my sweetie, and our [evil] pups.


Until then, why don't you go check out my current favorite blog!

What inspires you to keep pursuing your hobbies?

Get'ur Grind On

My [future] stepson and stepdaughter spent the night last night.  We had a good time: KB (the little lady) drew pictures and played with stickers with me, and her brother TJ was on the xbox with his dad.  Then my sweetie decided to fall asleep on the couch, and I was left to entertain/distract both the kids.  The computers (my laptop and his PC) saved. my. life.  KB watched Strawberry Shortcake on Jaroo (<-- have u seen that? it's like Hulu, but just for kids!!) and TJ watched some Power Rangers on Hulu.  Thank you, tv-on-the-internet!

So... who wants to help me clean up the kitchen...?

On another note... I had a pretty good workout today.  I've totally been in a funk lately, and I must admit my eating habits have SUCKKKKKED!!!  Can't help it with all the crap we keep in the house (uhhh, why are you here, Nutty Bars and Tulip cakes?!?)  Well on our recent trip to the grocery store (*Stupid grin*) I stocked up on fruits and veggies.  I have a great new Quinoa Salad recipe (to be posted a little later on), and I'm totally excited.  Diet and fitness kick is back on!

[Here I am after dancing around my living room...aren't I lovely?] 

What is your least favorite housekeeping chore?

I Think I Might Go Crazy

I want one of these shirts.

[The Insanity Workout]

Sometimes, just sometimes I actually watch those annoying infomercials that are on tv on the weekends.  And sometimes I actually want the product being advertised.  Case in point, The Insanity Workout DVD (program?).  This thing looks fierce.  And real.  Like, as in it actually has real results.  And I am actually tempted to buy said fitness program.  I want to "earn" one of those Insanity t-shirts getting in the "greatest shape of [my] life in 60 days."

Should I?  Would you?

I'm one of those people who likes encouragement while I'm exercising, and who doesn't particularly like traditional modes of fitness; I do love cycling, and weightlifting is awesome but running is not for me (or my knees) and I would much rather be outside hiking, walking, biking, whatever than in a gym or my living room.  Maybe it's the illusion that I'm not actually working out.  Correction, maybe it's because I'm not dwelling on the fact that I'm working out, and that I'm just having fun (and outside, which is always a plus).  I don't know.  Either way, I don't want to be painfully (pun intended) bored during a workout.

There are some indoor workouts I enjoy.  Particularly there are some workout DVDs that I enjoy, and it's mostly because I like and can easily follow the trainer and/or their directions.

[I like her]

[...and her]

Could Shaun T be one of those trainers?  Could Insanity be one of those DVDs?  I'm tempted to find out.  And I'm curious to know if any of you have taken the Insanity challenge.  Weigh in below.

What's your favorite way to workout?  If you watch DVDs, what is your favorite training program or trainer and what it is about their product that motivates you or keeps you interested?

I love my bike.  Nothing beats a five-mile ride taking in great scenery while getting a killer workout in the process!  I love trainers who work at a steady, even pace, and who build on routines step by step to give watchers enough time to learn/pick up on them.