Are you happy?

I think I've decided after doing an hour workout sesh at home that I'm definitely more suited for a gym workout environment. I can push myself to get through a workout but I definitely don't have the same high energy and intesity as I do when I'm at the gym.

After workout protein shake:

Enjoying every crunchy bite. carsh carsh carsh..

Leftovers lunch:

 

I bleed siracha sauce. Literally.

I try to eat dark chocolate that's over 70% but this was lying around.

The chocolate looks a little stale but the taste was anything but. The dark chocolate flavor imparted hints of orange. SO.GOOD! I had 4 squares and had to stop myself from going back for more.

Mid afternoon study/tea break. Who needs to go out for afternoon tea when I can just make it at home!

This is the greatest invention EVER when it comes to convenience of making tea. You put your cold water in here, press down on the button to the right and VIOLA; you have hot water in minutes. Do they have these things in the states?

Tea time x2 with an extra treat on the side.

In my book, tea is an accompaniment to something. I can't drink it on its own. Enter: shortbread cookies. Yuuuuum. So buttery and delicious with lots o' sugar crystals on top.

Strawberry jam for a little sweetness.

Breakfast this morning:

Hankering for some greek yogurt.

Protein for breakfast=full longer=more workout energy for me!!

Surely this will get me through the afternoon until after my Body combat workout and back/shoulders/chest

Lots of fruit: Blueberries, mangos, raisins, almonds, and agave nectar for sweetness since the greek yogurt is pretty bland.

New fitness reading material. The happy issue.

Some of the things that make me happy: family, friends, salsa dancing, delicious food, christmas time, laughing til it hurts, and gazing at the stars. Happy thoughts this morning :)

Buck what?

Soba noodles made from Buckwheat of course. I like a little variation to my meals every once in a while!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soba

Ingredients: Mushrooms, Onions, sugar snap peas, minced garlic and freshly grated ginger. Next, I added the oven baked chicken, light soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey.

I was pleasantly surprised w. final product.

The noodles were yummy and sweet from the honey. I love the crunchiness of the sugar snap peas.

Breakfast this morning:

Egg whites w. peanut butter toast. Trying to spread crunchy peanut butter is the worst!

As I was blogging, it seemed awfully quiet in the house...

No wonder! It's freezing and Noma managed to sneak in bed. Shh... I might have put my warm nightshirt on her. ;)

Today seems like a perfect day to stay inside and do some cardio via My Fitness Coach.

Time for a mini break for some sexy country mamacita's. Ow ow..
http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20316530_20441127,00.html#20874879

Dog walker wanted

We're currently looking for a dog walker to walk Noma while I'm doing my personal training program. I met with a woman this morning and there were a few things that rubbed me the wrong way.
1.) She came with a sketchy looking male friend who she said walks dogs with her. Uhm.. okay, thanks for letting me know prior to meeting me?
2.) She didn't "look" trustworthy. Okay. I judged. Don't hate me. She looked like she came from the other side of the park. You can decide which park I'm talking about.
3.) When I asked for references, she looked at her phone and pulled up text messages and told me to call "these people".
4.) Neither she nor the man seemed to know how to pet Noma. If you're a dog walker, shouldn't you know how to handle a dog?

After I asked for references, she seemed quite eager to leave. So... it looks like we're back to the drawing board! Too bad my mother isn't around. She was a good caretaker and free! heh heh.

Workout: Arms

Post workout smoothie:

New muesli to try: Gluten-free Nutty Cranberry Maple. Made from crunchy corn flakes and rice crispys with mixed nuts and fruit. It had a delicious maple taste and there were plumb dried cranberries. It made for a perfect topping.

Lunch: 

 Sweet potater seasoned w. Evoo, salt, pepper, and cinnamon

Mini chicken fillets. Excuuuse the dirty pan. I swear no matter how hard I scrubbed it, the caked on black stuff wouldn't come off!!

Side of mushrooms and spinach. Gotta eat dem veggies!

Huuuuge salad with chopped up asparagus, chicken breast, ranch dressing.

Song of the day: "Gold Digger"- Ludacris feat. Bobby V n. Lil' Fate

Indian food overload

Oh amazing Indian food. Where have you been all my life?! 

lovely mixture of vegetables.

That's right. I had to come to London to find you.

This was probably my least favorite. The flavor was there but it was too dry. I managed to eat half and give the rest to T.

Chicken tikka masala. The flavor was spot on with lots of tender chicken. I spotted a hint of ginger as well. Yum!!

Lamb with onions and green pepper. Really onion heavy but I can't get enough of 'em so it's aight by me!

Spinach and potatoes

"Special" fried rice. I'm not sure what was so special about this rice but it went well with the lamb and chicken.

A sweet, yogurt based sauce that I dipped my naan into.

Enormous plate of food for me, myself, and I :o)

Glutenous spread.

Another visit from an old friend.

 

Sticky toffee pudding!! This was made by T's work cafe. The cake was a bit dry but add some haagen-daz ice cream and we're in business.

I'm going to be paying for this tomorrow but for now I'll enjoy every. single. bite.

Breakfast fuel before my run.

Parfait for one

Layers of blueberries, vanilla yogurt, almonds, muesli, and raisins.

With a big mug of coffe, toast, and an egg.

5.79 miles on a very cold fall day. Time to invest in some winter running clothes.

Off to my second workout of the day: Arms

Peace out yo.

Parlez-vous français?

My french lesson was a mess today. I'm currently learning from a skype tutor who lives in Virginia. I must have butchered every other word.

Example dialogue:

tu aimes la cravate de Jean? Do you like Jean’s tie?

oui, mais je préfère cette cravate-là / yes but I prefer this tie

Les étudiants aiment les livres d’histoire? Oui, mais ils préfèrent ces livres-là

Tu aimes l’anorak de David? Oui, mais je préfère cet anorak-là

Germaine aime le chapeau de Colette? Oui, mais elle préfère ce chapeau-là

Ta copine et toi, vous aimez les bijoux de Mme Deschamps? Oui, mais nous préfèrons ces bijoux- là

Les voisins aiment leur appartement? Oui, mais ils préfèrent cet appartement-là

tu aimes les quatiers du centre? Oui, mais je préfère ces quatiers du centre-là

tu aime l’immeuble où habite Jean? Oui, mais je préfère cet immeuble-là

Reading that does not come naturally to me. I wish I could somewhat hear French pronunciations in my head but all I hear is my loud American accent (Chicaaago).  We're taking a trip to Calais at the end of November so I'm going to up my game so I can comfortably order at a cafe in French!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calais

I was at the gym for two hours today. 
1 hour: Legs
2 hour: Zumba class

I had more energy than usual today so I came out of Zumba looking like I had run a marathon. Mmm.. sexy sweat :o)

Today's secret smoothie ingredient: Mangos. I ran out of bananas so I substituted some mango slices. 

Skim milk, ice, vanilla yogurt, mangos,berries,agave nectar. toppings: muesli, and a fruit and nut trail mix on top

I'm a dork. Everything in my house has labels in French. I do what I gots to do!

Lunch is leftovers because I'm lazy and starving.

Mix of whole wheat and fusilli pasta w. leftover brisket and a whole lotta chili flakes for a spicy kick.

Debating what to do with this guy. I have an odd hankering for soba noodles.

Carbs and I are pretty tight these days.

So I got my hopes up for Texas a little too soon because now it looks like we're going to Portland, OR. T's brothers live there so we're going to visit them. Never been but VERY excited. Like super duper exited. 

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g52024-Activities-Portland_Oregon.html

I have the Monday blues...

Literally.

Tucked away on 20 Kingly street, a small jazz bar with a lot of infectious energy. Thanks Eunsol for the invite!!

Good food, good company, good drinks, and great music. What more could you want out of a Monday night :)

I loved this man's voice. It was unexpectedly deep and raspy.

Performing Susie Q. Man, I forgot how much I love listening to live music.

Baby I love you, Susie Q.

This darn man with his glaringly shiny body. Grr.. my epic fail of a picture!

The brass section was amazing!

Random heads. Please get out of my picture dudes. Blergh.

Rocking out.

Prior to the Jazz bar, we stepped out for some snacks.

Chicken nachos. They were actually pretty decent. Guac- YUM!

Crispy chicken fingers w. bbq

...and a random Santa hanging from the sky.

It's almost Christmas time!

Breakfast this early mornin.

Oatmeal w. cinnamon,sliced banana,raisins, and a spoonful of crunchy peanut butter for texture.

Today's agenda: Legs, Zumba, French lesson