This is going to be a fly by post because I have to be at work at 7:00 a.m. this morning – oh well, at least I’ll be busy! (p.s. – thanks for all the comments on my blog post yesterday – I know I will have days where I just don’t want to get out of bed, but I appreciate all the virtual hugs! – and to my cousin Sue, thanks for your email!)
Hannah worked again yesterday morning so I swung by for another parfait and a Café Au Lait. I forgot how much I like that kind of coffee, I can’t even remember the last time I ordered one – need to fix that the next time I go to Starbuck’s with my gift cards!
I ended up doing about 10 minutes of abs with a 10 pound medicine ball, then finished off my lunch time workout with a 2.25 mile walk. I used to think that “just” walking was kind of a cop out for running, but guess what? I can walk for miles and miles and nothing hurts – my knees, my feet – if I would have had more time I would have kept on going! And when I wear a light weight jacket and walk on an incline, um, it’s a pretty good workout!
Still flying by the seat of my pants meal planning wise this week. I saw I had a chicken breast that either needed to be used up or put in the freezer, so I cooked it before work and then threw that and a bunch of other stuff to make a “panini quesadilla” using LaTortilla factory low carb wraps, sliced chicken, fat free refried beans, Cabot cheese, baby spinach and had baby cucumbers and spicy salsa. The quesadilla came in at 402 calories, 28 carbs, and a whopping 17 grams of fiber and 47 grams of protein – bam!
There were thoughts that I may have had to work late last night, but at the last minute, I was asked to come in early this morning. So I got my ass back to the gym and ended up doing 4 miles in just over 60 minutes.
I watched a whole show of Property Brothers – I love that show! It’s amazing what they can do to “fixer-uppers” and well, typically $125,000 budget to makeover a whole house. And they are easy on the eyes!
I got home and had a package from blog reader Lynne from Wisconsin. She sent me a very nice card and this apron – how cute and thoughtful was that? And yes Lynne, I would definitely come up to Madison for the farmers market this spring for a meet up!
I ended up making a super quick dinner – ground beef nachos with black beans, corn, baby spinach and more Cabot white oak cheddar cheese. If I were on a desert island and could only have one thing, it would probably be cheese!
Check out how many steps I got in yesterday!
I really wanted to walk around the house until I hit 20,000, but I ended up making some super delicious enchilada soup that is ready in literally 15 minutes which I will post the recipe for tomorrow. One of the attorneys at my office is back today after being on maternity leave, and I texted her that I was going to bring her lunch today since that would be one less thing she needed to worry about. I sent that to her in a text and she replied “you don’t have to do that . . . but OKAY!” I also made some coffee cake muffins, if they taste good I’ll share the link to that too – the recipe I used called for only 1 1/2 cups of flour for 12 muffins – I added an extra 1/2 cup of flour because I thought the consistency wasn’t where it should be, and I ended up only getting 9 muffins out of the recipe. We’ll see!
Make it a great day!
If you come to visit Lynne in Madison, come visit me too since I’m here in Madison as well. Or I’d be willing to hop in the car with Lynne and come down to visit you! I remember that you said you would want to go to Pizza Brutta when I was taking about pizza places here in town, come and let’s shop at the biggest farmer-produced farmers’ market in the US and let’s go out for lunch.
Hi Biz – since I got my Jawbone a few weeks ago I’ve been doing a lot of walking at the mall and I really enjoy it! I get a locker for 25 cents and throw my coat in there and just walk. I agree that’s it’s my fave form of exercise along with Zumba which I love.
I’m glad to see you blogging regularly – you remind me often not to sweat the small stuff.
How could anyone turn down a meal prepared by the amazing Biz Velatini?! They’d be INSANE, whoever they are. Love the idea of having refried beans in a quesadilla. That would probably help me cut down on how much cheese I add… 🙂
Ha, you are too funny Erin, and there is no need to cut down on the cheese – just sayin! 😀
biz, thankfully I have never lost a husband. But a son Tsgt Phillip Myers in 2009 in Afghanistan. Hang in there. You will have good days and bad days. Sending hugs your way .i love to walk outdoors it is relaxation to me. I prefer it to indoor activity. So relaxing hugs. You are an inspiration! I just don’t know how to walk in such cold temps. Lol.
Oh, I am so sorry for the loss of your son – but thank you and him for his service! Sending big hugs your way. 😀
Regarding Property Brothers (or basically any home buying/fixing show on HGTV) Laura and I always wonder, “Who ARE these people?” It’s always like, “I’m Bob and this is my wife Julie. We have two young kids. Julie stays home and takes care of them. I have my own business where I make one web site a year, so unfortunately we have a hard budget of only $1,250,000. Think you can help us out?”
That’s exactly what I think too Charlie! And on the destination ones? I literally just watched a show, they looked to be in their late 30s – both quit their jobs to be able to “enjoy” their lives, and they had a budget of $600,000 and in the end they said “we just love being able to ride our bikes around the town, go deep sea fishing, enjoy wine on the beach.” WTH?!
Those nachos look so yummy! I love property brothers too. 🙂
Sending you love!
Thanks Sara – I appreciate it! 😀
The Property Brothers are hot! There, I said it… 🙂
Funny story Roz – I did the shot put in high school in track ONLY because I could stand behind these totally hot twins who did it! 😀
Walking is so much better for your body overall!!! I walk sometimes to give my body a break from the running – it’s not my favorite but I know it is a good workout. (I do the incline, too!)
Hope today is a good day for you!!
If I were as thin as you, I’d probably give running a try again, but it’s just too hard on my knees – once I drop 40 pounds I may give it a go.
Hugs!
Bullets today!
~ I agree about walking. In the summer, walking new parts of the Twin Cities is one of my favorite things to do. I’m plotting out some areas for next year. As for the winter, I wish I had Netflix or our DVR in our basement where the treadmill is. That way, I’d only allow myself to watch my favorite shows if I was working out.
~ Thanks for writing about the La Tortilla Factory wraps. I was trying to remember the name of them and kept forgetting to look them up on your blog!
~ I adore the Farmers Market in Madison!
~ I agree with you on cheese on the desert island, but that’s not a surprise!
~ Looking forward to your Easy Enchilada Soup recipe.
Have a great day, Biz. Cheers~
Carrie, you know I love your bullet point comments!
You can get a Netflix app on your phone – I puffy heart netflix – I have it on my tablet and on my phone – for only $7.99 a month, totally worth it. I love documentaries and once I finish one, it gives me suggestions for more.
Have a great weekend!
My Fitbit is arriving tomorrow & it will help me to get more steps in every day! Looking forward to something new to inspire me. You’re doing great with yours and keeping up with the exercise. Looking forward to the coffeecake muffin recipe – the idea of my own personal coffeecake is very appealing 🙂 I hope you’ll think of this flaky, internet friend in Wisconsin when you wear that apron:)
(PS, I’m thinking it’s going to be a lasagna soup weekend) Have a really nice day 🙂
Yeah! Let me know when its up and running and I’ll send you a friend request.
Damn, forgot to link the coffee cake recipe, but they were a hit – I did add 1/2 cup more flour to this recipe, and it had a much better “batter” consistency.
http://www.crunchycreamysweet.com/cinnamon-coffee-cake-muffins-recipe-card/
I will definitely think of you when I wear it Lynne! And you will start making that lasagna soup every week once you make it!
I absolutely love walking too. I get addicted to the endorphin high.
I just like the fact that my legs are feeling toner already – after my gym workout after work, I will have walked 45 miles in 5 days!
I would love to be your fitbit buddy. I need someone to challenge me to get walking more. https://www.fitbit.com/user/228F9Q is the link to my account and any one who wants to be friends that would be great. 🙂
Woop! We are now friends on FitBit! The more the merrier – I think I am up to 30 friends?
Look at your rocking the workouts! Whooooop! That apron is hilarious. Sorry I didn’t comment yesterday- its been a crazy week. You know you’re always in my thoughts and prayers!!
Thanks Erica – I appreciate it! Hopefully the weekend will be relaxed for you!
If you walk a mile, you’ll burn about 100 calories at a low intensity. If you run a mile, you’ll burn about 100 calories at high intensity. You should do the one that you WILL do. I just have never understood people who try to make themselves do an exercise they hate. That’s why people quit!
I had never seen Property Brothers then got caught up watching it over the weekend while I was in my kitchen. Man, would I love to see what they could do for my house!
OMG, I would love to see what they could do to my house! Starting with my kitchen – and even if they only did my kitchen I’d be okay with that! 😀
I recently read that 1 hour of walking is equal to 30 minutes of running. I run for my cardio but I walk because I love it, especially alone so I can look around me and enjoy everything around me. How is it going with Hannah, didn’t you mention you would be walking buddies or is it too cold at the moment outside? You are rocking on Fitbit this week, great job!
All your meals look delicious as usual.
Have a great day Biz.
It’s been a bit cold lately, and our schedules are different – I am up early, she likes to stay up late – when it gets warmer we can do our long walks on the weekend! 😀