I like my butt whoopin's with a kick...

The latest JM workout arrived on my doorstep today!!! Eeeppp!

Woop! Woop! I was seriously excited. The last few workouts of Ripped I was actually beginning to get a little bored. Don't get me wrong, it was still kickin my @$$, I was just bored of the moves. Enter Extreme Shed & Shred. This workout infuses kickboxing, yoga, Jiu-Jitsu, cardio, and strength training. One of the main reasons I like JM's videos is because the moves are simple, yet effective. To be honest, I...how can I put this...I almost completely lack hand/leg/foot/arm-eye coordination. It's a wonder I can put one foot in front of the other without falling on my face. (I may stumble a bit, but I don't fall down) So this workout was going to be a real challenge. 

There are three options: Level 1 (30 min), Level 2 (30 min), or Level 1 & 2 combined. She recommends doing 1&2 straight through...I however know better  then that when starting one of her new workouts. As I expected, it was awesome. The warm-up seemed extra long, probably because the workout was longer than the Ripped 20 min. I loved all the different moves, but definitely struggled through the kickboxing parts. I'll get it with practice (maybe). 

I huffed and puffed, felt muscles I didn't know I had....

But I lived to write this blog ;)  Muscles willing I'll be trying out Level 2 tomorrow before proceeding to the 1&2 combo.

I'm off to bed! It's been a fun few days, but I have some serious beauty sleep to catch up on.

xoxo

"I savored every last bite..."

Seems the Crock Pot Beef Stew was a hit :) So as promised here is the recipe:

1 package ( 1+ lb) of stew meat
1 can of Campbells condensed Cream of Mushroom
1/4 c. onion
1/4 c. celery
1 1/4 c. water
1/2 c. red wine (I used Merlot)
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 small package of baby carrots
1 small bag of baby yellow potatoes (halved)
salt & pepper

1. Combine the water, wine, and cream of mushroom soup in the crock.
2. Add all other ingredients, stirring to combine.
3. Cook on low for 10-12 hrs. (Yours may take a shorter amount of time. I had it on for 12 hrs while at work)

and....Voila!

The bestie and G came over to enjoy with me! G was especially fond of the carrots, as was the bf. Something about wine infused carrots that's just sooo 'licious. 

We ate; we talked; we played with the doggies; we had cupcakes....

Mommy & G

G lovin' her cupcake

Dear Santa, I've been VERY good ;)

It was a great night....but wasn't over yet. An 11:10 pm (yes, PM...you read that correctly) soccer game followed....I know. Blasphemy. But there's nothing I love more than going to support my boy and watch him dance circles around the other team ;)

Total domination... Poor guys. They were good spirited though. Probably a sign that they're used to losing.

I think those shoes would glow in the dark.

If anyone has any slow cooker recipes (or any recipes at all) to share, feel free to comment!

xoxo

Today is the day!!!

Or so I thought.... I pre-ordered JM's latest DVD over a month ago. Today was the release date and supposed delivery date. Amazon has failed me. I'm choosing not to hate because they have treated me so well in the past ...and also because I really don't have time tonight to try it out.

My bestie and G are coming over for dinner!! I found a recipe on the Skinny Crockpot site for a beef roast... modified it slightly for beef stew. If it comes out good (which it better since I was up late chopping and crying over an onion), I'll post my version later...

Wish me luck today. I'm gonna need it. I'm extremely tired after Ripped Week 3, a 30 day Shred bonus, chopping (and crying), 5 hrs of sleep, and Ab Ripper X this morning.... oh and I get to stay up late tonight to watch the bf play soccer at 11:10 pm. It's gonna take a lot of coffee (maybe a lil crack) to keep me awake.

Xoxo

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You know it's time when...

You see your greys glaring back at you in the reflection of the microwave door.

Although the first clue should've been when the bf was playing with my hair and I caught him looking more closely, eyebrows furrowed.

Yep, I'll be getting a hair cut and touch up immediately after work. #shouldvewornahattoday

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Oh snap!

I just downloaded the blogger app! Be prepared for more random posts.

Happy Monday! Xoxo

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Simple Pleasures

I could basically sum up this weekend in one picture:

There was ALOT of snuggling :)

Saturday morning I stopped and had coffee with my biffers and G. We talked, watched cartoons, and danced (we left that to G). It was fabulous. 

Fully energized, Lulu and I headed home to be slightly productive. I wanted to clean and run a few errands. One of the purchases included a new shower head. (yea, I know...exciting) I was over being pounded by a thin stream of water. Now I like to think that if I needed to, I could take care of myself and do some guy-ish type things (within reason of course). I had changed out a shower head or two in my day...but this one was seriously stuck. Fear not! Our handy man lives right next door! Loooove this! I put in a service call and when I came home tonight it was in. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and take a luxurious shower. Once the errands were done, I came back to do some light cleaning, mainly vacuuming. 2 vacuums in the house. Both crap. One shot dusty furballs out the back, which I tried to suck up with the second. Not a chance. I resorted to a broom and dust pan. *Shudder* Completely frustrated, I opted for a nap. Napping is my favorite and I needed to be well rested for the night ahead. 

Today was by far the highlight of the weekend. Brunch and some serious cuddling. I was granted a Sunday with the boy since the Eagles played on Thursday. For this I am grateful! I finally was able to experience brunch at the place everyone raved about. If I could have tried every one of the menu options I would have. It was seriously hard to decide, but I settled on a mimosa (slurrrp!) and the Crabby Benny: crab cakes topped with poached eggs, potatoes, and salad. One word: Foodgasm. The rest of the day was filled with movie watching and naps. Pure, simplistic pleasures. Couldn't have asked for a better day or weekend.

This week it's time to get serious though. I've finished my Christmas shopping. Yay me! So now I have no excuse to not have a date with JM all week. The holidays are rapidly approaching and I need to step up my game. 

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! 

Here's a few more snugglicious pics:

xoxo

Give Unto Others…

Sharing is Caring!

‘Tis the season to dig deep and give unto those less fortunate. Granted this should not just happen once a year around the holidays, but it happens nonetheless. Bins for toys & contributions will start popping up everywhere you go. Reach into those pockets and grab whatever change you may have and throw it in. Some may have more than others, but every little bit is appreciated! Time is also extremely valuable…if you truly can’t donate money, volunteer your time. And if you don't have either...well, you should probably reevaluate your life. Jus' sayin.

Open your eyes!

Sometimes we need to be reminded to stop and take a look around us. We get accustomed to our environment and stop noticing the constants.

If a 3 year old can do it, so can you!

Think before you do…

Before you throw that uneaten sammich in the trash can, remember all the homeless people you just passed on your way to work/school.

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Christmas Everywhere!

I work in the Christmas capital of the world....or so it seems to me. You can't walk into the Wanamaker Building and not smile at all the festive decorations. Well, maybe you could...the only reason I may not be smiling on the outside is because 1) it's too early, 2) I'm going to work, but nevertheless, the smiling is occurring deep down.

Carolers when you first walk in:

Ahhh Christmas tree magically appears going up the escalator:

Today I checked out the Macy's Holiday Light Show. Apparently it's a big deal and has been an ongoing tradition since 1956. Who knew?! Not I. It was pretty cool!

 

Next up was the Dicken's Village on the 3rd floor....Little background: this has been a tradition for the past 20 years and consists of a 6,000 square foot village that reenacts the classic, A Christmas Carol.

^Little creeping looking, right?

Guess who was at the end of the village....yep, Santa!!! Eeek! He DOES exist! I sat on his lap and told him what I wished for....I'm pretty confident he'll make it happen...He is after-all Santa!

To keep up with the Christmas theme goin on today, we decided there was no time like the present to take pictures for Lulu's holiday cards. The tree is up in our living room and had a pretty red present box underneath...where do you think I'm going with this? If you think I decided to put Lulu in the box, because what better present could you receive?!, you would be.....correct! It took some smushing and pupperoni, but it happened. At the end I couldn't even get her out of the box! (maybe a little too much smushing?)

Keeping her eyes on the Pupperoni!

She's still a little traumatized...but the cards have been ordered!! Success! Happy Birthday my little munchkin! Sorry to have tortured you on your special day! Hehe, but it was worth it!

I'm looking forward to seeing the Christmas tree at City Hall in a few days, and also Love Park! <3 .....I'd even like to check out NYC's decorations this year...(Hint Hint, BF!!)

xoxo

25 Days til Christmas!

It's been brought to my attention that I've been slacking on the blog lately....'Tis true. So sorry. I'm going to try to update once a day until Christmas, mostly holiday themed. If you're in a Scrooge-type of mood you should probably avoid this blog like the plague.

 Special birthday wishes to my baby girl, Lulu! Mama loves you! You entered my life when I needed you the most and have been my lil shadow for 13 months. You know when I need to laugh and when I just want to cuddle.

xoxo