Muscles, Miles, and Meals: July 2011

Friday, July 22, 2011

Almond Butter Whey Cookies

Rich and I are easing ourselves into cleaning eating again. It really is how we should always eat, but with eating out so much and teenagers who demand snack foods it is hard to do. I think we've done pretty good this week and we will do even better next week. I am always looking for clean meals to cook and Rich is always looking for clean desserts:) I came across quite a few clean desserts in this month's edition of Oxygen magazine. We baked the almond butter whey cookies, with a few changes of our own. They turned out to be really good!

This is what they looked like before I put them in the oven. I was so excited when I took them out that I didn't take another picture!

Almond Butter Whey Cookies (from Oxygen)

1/2 cup oats
1 tbsp almond butter (i used natural pb)
1 scoop of whey protein powder (i used egg protein powder)
1 egg white
2 packets of Stevia, to taste
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 cup carob chips (i used mini dark chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Combine all ingredients together in a mixing bowl and mix with clean hands.
Shape the dough into golf-ball-sized balls. Place onto the cookie sheet, about an inch-and-a-half apart. Bake for about 10 minutes. Serve.


Rear double bicep

I haven't had time to take any good pictures, but here is one I got Rich to snap the other day. There is definitely a difference in the size of my triceps (the curve at the bottom of my arm), but still working on leaning up a bit.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

HOT, HOT, HOT!

We didn't get Hailey on our anniversary weekend, so we hope that she is doing well! It was strange to have an empty house, but it was a nice break and we were able to get a ton of things done around here! We picked up E and J last night from the train station, and then picked up Brooklyn as well. As we speak there are three adolescent/teenagers roaming the house. There is no bone in my body that feels like entertaining these guys for several days on end. It is so much easier to just go to work and come home and not worry about being worried to death about what to do with all of their free time. Trust me there is plenty of cleaning and weeding that can be done if they keep asking!

As for the above picture, I don't even think I could handle being on the screened in porch today for two minutes. It is 98 degrees and way too humid for my liking. This kind of weather definitely makes me want fall to get here sooner than later. I tried to walk the dogs at 7:00 am and broke a sweat before I got out off the driveway! I feel bad that they aren't getting exercise, but what are you supposed to do?!

It's Our Anniversary

The kids were away on the 15th when we celebrated our 5th anniversary. We had a fun day of finishing up summer school, cleaning carpets, and moving furniture;) It wasn't too bad. We took Carol, Isiah and my mom to one of our favorite lunch spots, Stone Soup, during a break from the cleaning. Rich and I both had our favorite meal there; 1/2 smoked turkey and cranberry chutney on grilled mulitgrain and 1/2 signature salad that has cranberries and spiced walnuts....so delicious! They have a nice shaded patio which is perfect for cooler summer days, not the 100 degree days that we've had this week!

Isiah enjoying his grown up soda.

So happy that summer school is over!

After lunch and finishing up the carpets, we headed over the mountain to the Ivy Inn for dinner. I had not been there since Megan's rehearsal dinner. I dined on a fabulous crab cake, green beans, and potato cake while Rich had the best chicken he has ever put in his mouth! The chicken came from a local farm, Polyface, that also supplies Chipotle in Charlottesville. All in all, it was a great day to celebrate our time together and the beginning of summer for me!

Getting ready for dinner!

Rich's chicken, fettucini, and mushrooms

Awesome crab cake!!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Tootsie

I went back to the podiatrist today and the new plan is to lose the boot over the next two weeks. He customized some Powersteps for me, which was much less than the orthodics ($375) that he started out suggesting. I wore Powersteps in my soccer cleats when I was in high school and they helped them, so I'm hoping these do the trick. Of course everything has to be gradual, so I am in my running shoes with inserts for an hour the first day and then back in the boot, two hours the second day and back in the boot, etc. until I can get a full day without pain in my running shoes.

I'm thankful that the doctor understands my frustration about not being able to run. I promised I'd stick to the bike for the next two weeks, making it six weeks total. It is so boring that I am still getting in two workouts a day. I go at 5:30 to get in 30-45 minutes on the bike and then in the evenings to lift and get in another 30 minutes on the bike. You'd think I'd be dropping weight like a champ, but nope the scale is staying steady at 124 lbs. I'd like to get just below 120, but it is going to take a better diet. Right now, we are eating out way too much because the kids aren't here, but I'd say I deserve it! Plus, I am gaining a considerable amount of muscle in my legs from these bike workouts. Maybe I'll post some pics next week depending on how I feel;)

Monday, July 11, 2011

U.S. Women's Team

It has been a long time since I have watched a soccer game as exciting as our win over Brazil yesterday! The officials couldn't get it right, but we were still able to pull through. I can not wait until Wednesday's game against France. I watched France beat England and then Japan beat Germany, so I feel like I have an idea of what these teams are like. Boy, do I miss playing this game!!!

Love these two! Abby Wambach and Hope Solo

The Wedding

Thankfully, the storms came through and then the sun appeared right as Matt and Shannon were about to get married. This was also good news for those of us who don't do so well in 95 degree weather. The newlyweds looked gorgeous as usual! After a beautiful ceremony, we were off to the Jefferson Theater for the reception. Harvest Moon did the catering and we all thought that the food was outstanding. I was a big fan of the zucchini corn fritters!

After eating dinner and getting in a few too many rum and diet cokes, Rich and I made it out to the dance floor. It's amazing how well you think you can move after a few drinks even with a boot on one foot and flip flopo on the other! Hope there are no videos! I do know that we made fools of ourselves at the photobooth that was set up though. I don't think there is a better combination, drinks and a camera with a remote to snap as many crazy pictures as you can. I thought the younger crowd would be going nuts over this, but there are going to be some wild pictures of all ages, including Mimi! HA. I, for one, can NOT wait to see these shots! I think I have finally recovered after two full days of being exhausted.

I didn't get to take many pictures and the ones I got are pretty rough because of the lighting and the alcohol consumption, but boy did we have fun!

Shannon and all of her "Bridesmaids"

Shannon and Matt co-stars in "Twilight"

Matt and Shannon in "The Wedding Date"

The Jefferson Theater....before the dance party.

Wish this was a clearer shot, but it was really dark during the reception.

No surprises here. It only takes a couple of drinks before the talking starts.

The food was delicious.

You know Mimi is serious about dancing when she goes home and changes clothes!

Becky, Shannon, and Matt

Having a LOT of fun!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Matt & Shannon's Rehearsal Dinner

The day has finally come that these two lovebirds finally get married. They've been together for what like 10 years now? Just kidding, but it is time! They hosted the rehearsal dinner at Ashlawn and Mel's did the catering. The food was great and other than the 90 degree heat, it was a very nice evening for all. E and J were glad that they were able to make it and see the rest of the familiy. I'm excited for the wedding bells to ring tomorrow night!