Monthly Archives: August 2013

A Beautiful Morning to Begin a Weight Loss Battle

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Since Patrick and I started dating a little over two years ago, I’ve gained 30 pounds.

I know, I know – it’s somewhat normal and expected to gain weight in a relationship but this isn’t good at all – not for me or for Patrick, who has weigh-ins coming up in a few months for work.  I don’t know about you, but this weight gain phenomenon has happened to me in almost every relationship I’ve ever been in.  Granted, this is my worst, and that’s exactly why I now need to put my foot down and focus on me.  Why do we let ourselves go?  Here are a few reasons that you are probably familiar with but I’ll remind you of these culprits for fun, or at least from my experience.

1) When we are in a relationship, we are comfortable!  We got the guy (or girl) and we aren’t “fishing” anymore in that vast sea.  No need to be in tip top shape to impress or attract a potential fish-mate.

2) We want to spend all of our time with that person.  Especially in my situation, where my boyfriend’s and my schedules rarely match up – when we are together, I want to be with him!  I don’t want to be running off to an exercise class or to go for a run and part ways with him.  So we end up relaxing in front of the TV together, or even worse… (continue to #3)…

3) Your time together usually involves meals, and those meals aren’t always healthy.  Conversations and memories are made over a meal, and these meals are usually had out out at a restaurant where you are “treating” yourself.  Therefore, the calorie intake is rarely paid attention to, or you justify your actions with a celebratory, or an “I deserve this” type of mindset.  Not to mention that random weekdays by the TV sometimes end in the venturing out for a “treat” such as ice cream.  Relationship or not – you could probably tell by my food posts that I love eating, and that’s not something I’m entirely willing to give up.  (And I haven’t even gotten into the calorie content of alcohol!).  So, I’ll have to find another way (or some additional activities) to help me battle this bulge.

As I was going to bed last night and thinking about these things, I prepared myself to begin to combat this relationship poundage.  I figured I’d at least start by taking a few extra steps outside of my comfort zone in order to prove that I mean business.  So, today I added in a run, but not just any run.  Today I ran BEFORE work.  I am 27 years old.  I don’t think I’ve EVER fit in exercise before school or work EVER, unless it was mandatory on a team (and normally any dance team, cheerleading, soccer, or lacrosse practices I had in the past would only be in the morning on days that we didn’t have school afterwards).  But the alarm went off at 6:00am, and around 6:40am I stumbled out of bed, brushed my teeth, threw on some workout clothes, and hit the pavement around 7:00am.  (Waking up on cue to my alarm and not using the snooze button is a whole other task I’ll try to combat one day… lol).

And let me tell you, I’m so glad I got out of bed and went out for a run.  It was beautiful!   I mean, it wasn’t even that early but there were very few people out and about and it was just so peaceful.  The sun was shining, yet there was a lot of dew in the air (or perhaps it had rained throughout the night).  I had tunes blasting in my headphones as I was working out my body.  It was wonderful!  Here are some of the pictures I grabbed during my peaceful run:

The run can wait... I couldn't help but stop and take some photos!

The run can wait… I couldn’t help but stop and take some photos!

Weeks Road - Usually VERY busy yet it was so peaceful today.

Weeks Road – Usually VERY busy yet it was so peaceful today.

A canal/bridge that I passed over on my run.

A canal/bridge that I passed over on my run.

On any given day the Patchogue River is bustling with boats. This morning? So tranquil and not an engine to be heard. (PS - That's Patrick's boat right there) :-)

On any given day the Patchogue River is bustling with boats. This morning? Look at that tranquility.  Not an engine to be heard. (PS – That’s Patrick’s boat right there) 🙂

Guilty as Charged... here I am sweating but smiling. So happy with my decision.

Guilty as Charged… here I am sweating but smiling. So happy with my decision.

My run. :-) Love the Nike+ Running app!

My run. 🙂 Love the Nike+ Running app!

I am hoping that this is the start to getting back on track with my weight-loss goals as I commit myself to some additional training (and maybe even a little bit better eating habits).  I hope this post has inspired you in some way as well!  Especially you, Patrick – countdown to October weigh-in’s has begun.  Let’s kick some weight loss butt, starting now!!

Summer-Flower-Retro-SunshineMARKED

Zumba Summer Sale!

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Hi everyone and happy Wednesday to you!

It’s still early but my hump day already started with a smile on my face.  If you know me personally or at least have read my Meet Me! page, then you know that I teach Zumba as a part time job.  Well, as I was driving to work today a random question popped into my mind so I started the day with a visit to zumba.com to access my instructor dashboard as well as the ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network) forum to answer my question.

Low and behold, the first thing that caught my attention was a big graphic that says “SUMMER SALE – UP TO 50% OFF!  HOT SUMMER SAVINGS!”  You know I had to go.  Zumba clothes aren’t cheap and my wardrobe could use a few new pieces!

Well, let’s just say that I am now the proud owner (or at least, purchaser – but I’ll own them in a few days when they arrive!) of 13 items, for a grand total of $163.05.  Here’s my bounty!  I can’t wait!

zumbasummersale

Between these pieces and some I already have in my Zumba Fitness wardrobe, I think I have a lot of mixing and matching possibilities, don’t you?  I can’t wait to wear the Totally Twisted Top with a bright bra underneath (maybe the yellow Flash V-Bra?) and leggings.  Or, the Radius Bubble Top (which i have in black already – can’t wait to own the purple!) with the Spark Capri Leggings for a quick no-effort outfit when I’m packing my gym bag in the morning.

So, in the end I was curious how much I saved with this Summer Sale.  I added up the regular prices and  it turns out that I saved a total of…. (drum roll please….!): $244.50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you get a chance to check out the Summer Sale while the items are still there!  Believe me, I’ve seen things on their site before and didn’t purchase them and they were soon GONE!  Even better – since you can’t get the ZIN Price (I’ll explain more about the ZIN membership another time), I can offer you one consolation:  Enter the promo code “JP0511” for an additional 10% off your purchase. 

Happy shopping!  Peace, Love, Zumba!

“Working with what you’ve got” = Homemade Pork Fried Rice

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I hope you had a chance to read all about the wonderful upstate N.Y. town of Lake George and my recent vacation there!  Well, before we (Patrick and I) went away, we chose not to go food shopping for about two weeks prior.  It was a challenge that we took upon ourselves to both save some money for vacation, and to try to empty out our freezer, fridge, and pantry of the items that we seem to pass over when planning dinners.  The goal was to work with what we’ve got.

As we scoured the freezer to see what we were working with, we decided to start with a package of thin-sliced boneless pork chops as our base.  Now, in the man’s brain he automatically went to pork chops on the barbeque with mashed potatoes.  My female brain (as most female brains probably are) decided to start checking out the endless condiments that we have on the door of the refrigerator.  Hmnn… we have a wok, and I once made beef mei fun (thin rice noodle) so I had plenty of leftover asian sauces, and there are peas in the fridge.  The only thing I had to buy were the scallions.  Bingo!

I proposed the idea of pork fried rice.  “With what else?” Patrick said to me.  “No, that’s the meal,” I countered. “It has meat, grain, and veggies all in one.  It’s perfect!”  And that is how I got my way and how the following recipe is here for you.

Homemade Pork Fried Rice... Delish!

Homemade Pork Fried Rice… Delish!

Ingredients (This will feed about 4-6 people comfortably, as a full meal – or more people as a side)
One package (Ours was almost a pound and a half) thin boneless pork chops

6 cups white rice

8 eggs

One package frozen peas

One small cluster scallions

Sesame Oil

Oyster Sauce

Soy Sauce

Directions

1.  Bring six cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan.

2.  While the water is boiling, slice the pork chops into thin strips or small cubes (to your liking), and place in a dish with oyster sauce to marinate.

3.  Cut the scallions into rings and place aside as well.

4.  When the water boils, add the rice, cover, and remove from heat.  In 10-12 minutes, check back on the rice and fluff it with a fork.

5.  Time to cook with the wok!  You could probably do most of these in any order but here is the order I did:

6.   Scramble the eggs in the wok, place aside.

7.  Line the wok with sesame oil.  Cook the marinated pork until just about well done, place aside.

8.  Cook peas and scallions until just about well done – leave in wok.

9.  Coat the wok with more sesame oil.

10.  Add your previous ingredients – eggs, pork, and rice and mix together!  (We needed to do this in two different batches!) Keep the heat on, and add more oyster sauce and soy sauce to your liking.  Toss and mix around ingredients frequently.

Here are some pictures of my experience:

Pork chops... never my first choice of meat for some reason but this recipe tasted great!

Pork chops… never my first choice of meat for some reason but this recipe tasted great!

Here are the sauces I had leftover that I used. :-)

Here are the sauces I had leftover that I used. 🙂

Eggs First

Eggs First

Meat second...

Meat second…

Veggies third!

Veggies third!

Everything together!

Everything together!

 

 

 

 

 

Vacation Destination: Lake George, N.Y.

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I’m back!  That’s right, we all deserve a vacation sometimes and that’s exactly what I did!  If you read my post about Rachael Ray and upstate New York then you may already have guessed where I was.  Sure, there’s internet access up there (not at our houses though) and it’s not the boonies by any means.  But nevertheless, when we go upstate (and as it should be on any vacation!) we try to appreciate the place we are visiting and squeeze in as many activities as possible; so blogging wasn’t even an option.

Now that I’m back, let me share some of my favorite things about the Lake George area in this “Vacation Destination: Lake George, N.Y.” post.

1) The house that we stay at.  Sorry, but this is one thing you won’t be able to experience but I have to say it first and foremost because it’s a great house!  It’s built right into the mountain so neither story feels like an upstairs or a downstairs.  Patrick’s parents did a great job when they bought this house two years ago, and his mom has a great HGTV-like eye for decorating.  The house has a cozy upstate feel without being too overly/commercially “Adirondack”.  The yard is huge – there’s a firepit way out back, and a smaller patio with a chiminea where you can sit and be near the house.  Bonus:  The bedroom that Patrick and I stay at is on its own floor so it feels like a little apartment.

2) The LAKE!  Here on the south shore of Long Island, I get to enjoy both the bay and the ocean but taking a dip in the fresh water lake is the most refreshing feeling ever.  Plus, it’s huge… and absolutely gorgeous!  There are so many things you can do on the lake – swim, rent a boat, kayak, canoe or row, jet ski, go tubing, just lay on the shore on a rock or on a beach.

Sharing a canoe trip on the lake with my love!

Sharing a canoe trip on the lake with my love!

3)  The laid-back feeling.  We never really pay attention to time or keep a tight schedule when we are up there – whether it’s just me and Pat, with his entire family, or even when I used to go up with my family!  We know the activities we want to do and may designate a day for them but for the most part we go with the flow.

Believe me, there are plenty of activities in Lake  George so there’s no way you can fit them all in but that leads me to the next thing I love about Lake George!

4) There’s lots of activities besides the lake for when you decide to stick to dry land!  For example, you just have to play a round of mini-golf while you are there.  Whether it’s at Pirate’s Cove, Around-the-World, or at Hillbilly Fun Park (where we went this time around), there is nothing like a little sport and friendly competition.  (PS – Click Hillbilly Fun Park for a coupon!  Also, if you play there – you MUST try their ice cream.  It was delicious, fresh, huge portions, and inexpensive.  The best of every world possible.

This is at the "Around the World/Around the US" golf course. This hole is for Maine!

This is at the “Around the World/Around the US” golf course. This hole is for Maine!

Another must-do activity, or at least worth a visit is the Adirondack Winery.  I love going to the tasting room in the middle of Lake George Village where you can sample SEVEN of their wines for $5, and keep the glass too.  You can shop for their homemade cheeses, have a wine slushy, and shop their novelty gifts.  We love trying the wines every time and bringing some bottles back home with us – and represent the Adirondack wines here on Long Island!  *One disclaimer:  It is a tasting room which therefore has no chairs or public restroom.  Plan some time to stay and check out all the goods but not too much time!

There are so many activities that I haven't even mentioned hiking yet! What beautiful views from the top!

There are so many activities that I haven’t even mentioned hiking yet! What beautiful views from the top!

5) Shopping!  Not that Patrick is ever happy with this one at all, but right off the NYS Thruway are a bunch of outlets and if the weather’s bad, it never hurts to check out the sales!  I also like checking out the stores in Lake George Village where you can get a nice piece of sterling silver jewelry, a souvenir t-shirt (I’m a sucker for souvenir t-shirts… especially tie-dye or a cool women’s cut), or any trinkets that will always remind you of your trip!  Or, hop in the car and go to Bolton Landing just north of the Lake George Village (be sure to visit the Indian Teepee gift shop!), or go exploring and stumble into some other small neighboring towns where you can go antiquing, or cities such as Lake Placid to learn about each town’s uniqueness!  🙂

Overall, there really is so much to do upstate that I could go on and on about… and I haven’t even gotten into the historical aspects of the land up there, or where the good places to go to EAT are!  I’ll leave more discovering up to you and www.lakegeorge.com but of course, feel free to comment if you are planning on heading there and have any questions such as advice on where to stay, etc.  I’d love to help you out!

Thanks for discovering Lake George with me, one of my favorite places to vacation.  I hope you get to visit soon!

Random Adirondack chair in a random town. What's more Adirondack than this? lol

Random Adirondack chair in a random town. What’s more Adirondack than this? lol