12/09 Pics from the Weekend & Fitness for the Week

Morning friends!

Hope you all had a great weekend. I had another family pre-Christmas dinner last night. I will be posting a full recap of the Christmas-y activities either later today or tomorrow :)

As a side note, I (not so secretly) wish that 'adults' get snow days...all I want to do right now is go outside and frolick in the snow! And, yes, I just called myself an 'adult'. Yeeesh.

Fitness for the Week

Two pre-Christmas dinners in a row makes for a pretty indulgent weekend, so I am going to give’r this week and try to get in some quick and efficient HIIT workouts and hopefully run at lunch a couple of days this week.

Here’s what I’m planning:

Monday: HIIT (total body)

Tuesday: Run @ work

Wednesday: HIIT (arms and back)

Thursday: HIIT (legs)

Friday: Run @ work

Saturday: OFF

Sunday: Runday

Mini Christmas

Hi friends!

Hope your weekend is going fabulously :)

I didn’t end up doing a post yesterday since I was busy getting in as much quality time with the fam as possible.  Gotta live in the moment every once in a while!

I’m just on my way back to Ottawa on the Greyhound bus now – they surprisingly actually have an internet connection, which is rare. I decided to just suck it up and take the bus instead of trying to organize a rideshare since it would have been a bit tricky to organize the two different legs of the trip – Ottawa to Toronto, and then Toronto on to London.

On a side note, I have to admit that I actually love it when the bus driver gives the little welcome speech on the bus – they stopped doing it for a while (I would know this since I have made the back-and-forth trip to and from London and/or Toronto MANY times in my life time. Many, many times) and now I feel all nostalgic and fuzzy and warm on the inside whenever I take a bus and the driver takes the time to introduce himself and whatnot.

It’s the little things, amiright??

First Friday

On Friday night, my Popser, Step Momster and little brosef (the youngest one) went to ‘First Friday’ in Sarnia. It’s this cool event organized by the city on the ‘main strip’ in town where all of the stores stay open late on the first Friday of the month and have art exhibits or live bands playing and you can go from one place to the next and enjoy the art scene in Sarnia, Ontario ;)

We met up with some family friends who are musicians, and ended up going to a bar where an awesome jazz band was playing. We ended up staying there for most of the night and even hit up the dance floor a bit.

If you are ever in the area, I would definitely recommend checking it out and supporting the local artists!

Mini Christmas

If I was to give the weekend a theme song, it would have to be a tie between these two:

• Timber - Pitbull feat. Kesha
• Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt

Both are equally awesome at getting you into the baking mood ;)

  

As I mentioned the other day, I won’t be in Canada for Christmas (for the second year in a row, oops!) so I decided to go for a wee little visit with my Popster ahead of time.

Although there was no snow for our annual snow angel competition (I win every time, obvi) we did manage to make and decorate gingerbread cookies, decorate the Christmas tree – which was cut in the backyard – and have a big turkey dinner with the extended family in the area and sing some carols. And eat ALL THE DESSERTS.

My little sister actually played the clarinet for our carol session, so talented!

Due to my iPhone incident *ahem* dropping my phone into the toilet *cough* I wasn’t even able to take any pictures the entire weekend, but I have been promised that some will be sent to me soon, so I will post them as soon as I receive them ;)

Workout

I feel like I’ve eaten enough delicious Christmas pastries (and icing) for about 3 years worth of Christmases, so I did a quick little workout yesterday before dinner.

I did three sets of the following:

30 squats

30 jumping jacks

30 forward lunge (alternating legs)

25 push-ups

20 side plank dips

And then went for a nice, although slightly freezing, walk with my little bro and sister and the dogs. I think we worked off at least one serving of turkey ;)

I actually have another early Christmas dinner tonight – I may not fit into my jeans by the end of the weekend, for serious – so I will post my fitness for the week tomorrow morning.

Have a great Sunday evening everyone!

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Yogi

Hi friends,

I am currently making my way to good ol' southern Ontario for a visit to my Dad's place. Aka trying to be a good daughter/sister and make up for the fact that I won't be in Canada during Christmas for the second year in a row by having an early celebration full of snowy walks, Christmas carols, life chats over buckets of tea, family dinner, and possibly even eggnog ;)

I am looking forward to making some snow angels (assuming there is snow in southern Ontario...?)

And taking some jumping pics with these hooligans - hopefully Alec gets the memo this time ;)

We still loaf him even though he hasn't quite managed the vertical jump.

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Yogi

As I mentioned yesterday when I posted a gift guide for the fitness-lovers in your life, bloggers tend to go a bit crazy cray with different themed gift guides around this time. So, here's a couple of ideas for the yogi in your life :)

Yoga Mat

[Source]

Yoga mats are a bit of a personal thing, but if your yogi is just starting out their practice, this is a great gift. Its a bit on the higher price range, but Manduka mats (pictured above) have a lifetime warranty. I highly recommend them!

Earth-Conscious Yoga Wear

[Source]

Want to really treat the yogi in your life? Opt for Earth-conscious yoga wear. Gaiam is a great organic clothing option. I am loving their thermal sweater wraps - perfect for going to-and-from the yoga studio!

Head-Gear

Same goes in the head gear department from my last gift guide [see post here]. It's a pretty general rule that someone who works out on a regular basis - or a not-so-regular basis - can never have too many hair-ties or headbands. In many colours. 

You can quote me on that ;)

Buddha-Themed Kitchen Appliances

You may think that this is not a thing, but it is definitely a thing. I got this Buddha butter dish for my Momster last year and she loved it ;)

[Source]

I can't believe its not buttah!

Anywho, those are a few ideas to surprise the amazing yogi in your life with something that just screams 'OM'. Okay, I kid. But seriously, this will get you some serious bOMnus marks ;)

Hope you all have a wunderbar Friday! 

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Fitness Fan

Hi friends!

Happy its-almost-Friday!! Oh wait, it really is like my Friday :)

I know, its not nice of me to rub it in...but I took tomorrow off work so that I can make the long journey to southern Ontario to visit my Popster as an early Christmas present//as a sorry-I'll-be-out-of-Canada-during-Christmas-for-the-second-year-in-a-row weekend.

I'll be hanging out with these crazy cats, minus the tall one - Lukas unfortunately has to be a responsible University student and stay in Ottawa and do these things called 'exams'. Lame sauce. And add a couple of heaps of snow and some parkas.

 We will make sure to have a stand-in picture of him for all photos taken ;)

Last night I had total intention of going to hot yoga, but then the phone debacle happened, and I had to go top-up my Presto card (bus pass), and then I got sidetracked and might have bought some new running shoes...anyway, I got home and my roomie and her friend were on their way out the door, so I obviously ditched the rest of my 'THINGS I MUST DO TONIGHT' list and went for sangria and nachos with them at Wooley's on Elgin St. in Ottawa. We sat by the fire in these big comfy chairs and it was amazing. Clearly, a much better use of my time ;)

I am trying to mentally and physically prepare myself for my bus ride to London, Ontario. Taking the overnight bus so I can maximize the time that I can see the fam. Pray for me ;)

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Fitness Fan

It's that time of year where bloggers post a flurry of Holiday Gift Guides.

You can see a couple of my favs at the following links:

Peanut Butter Fingers

Simply Lulu Style

Fitnessista

I thought I would put together a gift guide for all of you who are still thinking of what to get the fitness-lover in your life.

Compression Socks

[Source]
Any runner will tell you that these are God's gift to (wo)man-kind in the way that they minimize shin splints and help with the recovery from long runs. Also, they come in funky colours.

Fuel Belt

These are good for the runners and cross-country skiers in your life.

Personally, I use the kind with a large water bottle, since I feel like it stays more secure on my back and doesn't flap around while I run and also because I prefer this style when I go cross-country skiing. Double purpose :)

[Source]

There are also belts that have smaller water bottles, which is a good style for distance runners since it allows you to fill some of the bottles with electrolyte mix to maintain endurance during a long run.

[Source]

Vitamix

My friend Bev just started a blog [check it out here] and confesses her love for her new Vitamix. I personally don't have one (*hint*hint*wink*wink*) but I have tasted the deliciousness that it creates and am a huge fan. From a distance.

[Source]
It is a super powerful blender, so it is amazing for anyone who loves to get their protein smoothie on. It's a bit of a higher price point, but I guarantee that it will put you in the recipients good books for a good year. Maybe even two.

Head Gear

This is a bit of a general category - you can't go wrong with getting a true fitness-lover a new headband

[Source]

Cute hair-ties

[Source]

Or a warmer headband for those who live in colder climates - perfect even when your fitness-lover has her hair up in a ponytail.

[Source]

Vino

When in doubt, you can always go for the gift of vino. Here are 23 reasons why more vino is always appropriate ;)

Question of the Day:

• What do you plan on getting the fitness-lover in your life for Christmas?

I'll (hopefully) be posting a Gift Guide for Yogi's tomorrow :)

12/04 What I Ate Wednesday - Phone Fail Edition

Hi friends,

Hope you are all had a better morning than myself.

I mean, I don't really have that much to complain about, but...at the same time...I really do.

I was in a rush this morning, taking pics of my lunch as I prepped it for this blog post, and - without thinking too much about it - put my phone in my back pocket. No big deal, right? WRONG!

[Source]

My iPhone fell into the watery depths of the toilet this morning. 

Literally the saddest end to an iPhone of ALL TIME. I felt like the silliest person ever - I mean, how many stories have you heard of your friends dropping their phone into the toilet?! [Or is this just a girl thing...?] You would think that I would have learned from their sorry tales, but no. I didn't. And now I am phoneless. 

Le sad trombone. 

The worst part is that I only got the silly thing a couple of months ago after resisting the urge to get a smartphone for SO LONG. I was seriously one of the last people on Earth who didn't have a smartphone. For serious. 

I was just starting to get used to the amazingness that they call iPhones - the convenience of being able to talk, text, listen to music, google, instagram, take pictures, email...ALL IN ONE PLACE! Don't even get me started with the hilarity of snapchat...and now it has been washed down the toilet. 

[Source]

Well, almost. 

Anyway, it is now resting in a bag of rice - I am praying to the phone gods that it might just miraculously fix itself - but in the meantime...anyone want to sell me an iPhone for real cheap? Eh? Friends...?

What I Ate Wednesday

Since I have zero photographic evidence of my meals for the day, today's post will be a little bit less exciting than usual.

Breakfast

I woke up to a text from my roommate, who was in a baking frenzy last night, that said "YOU MUST TRY A GINGER COOKIE". So I did. And it was delicious. And, yes, this is what happens when you live in an apartment with 5 ladies ;)

I then made my regular protein pancake with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and a bit of maple syrup. I needed something to make me feel better after the phone fiasco...

Morning Snack

Since I kind of indulged at breakfast time, and I had an urgent tasking to do this morning at work, I wasn't hungry until about 11:30 and I didn't really feel ready for lunch yet, so I had an apple as a snack. 

 [Source]

An apple a day, amiright?

[Aunt Kim: you will be happy to note that I actually went grocery shopping last night, although I still think that online ordering service you found might come in handy in the near future...]

Lunch

I threw together a salad beast this morning:

Lettuce

Kale

Flaked salmon

Corn (from a can...I know, super lame. But so tasty)

Balsamic vinegar

Afternoon Snack

I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but I am a snacking queen during the weekdays. Since I have breakfast so early, I usually can't make it to lunchtime without a little something - this is usually in the form of Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and/or fruit. 

I really have no excuse for my afternoon snacks, but they are a necessary part of my life. I usually go for a mixture of veggies and hummus (which is what I have packed for today), fruit and nuts (almonds, cashews, etc) or a green juice. 

Lately, I have also been indulging in the (almost) daily pastries that my coworker brings in that are made by his wife in her Cordon Bleu baking class. She has a particular gift with dough. I'm serious. 

Today was particularly indulgent: some sort of scrumptious cake with crème fraiche (I only took a little piece) AND someone on the team just got back from traveling in Switzerland, so there was also a mega bag full of Swiss chocolates. How can I say no?! 

The answer: I can't.

The solution: An hour and a half hot yoga class tonight. And lots of water. 

Dinner

I made a big lentil medley with steamed spinach instead of kale last night, with a huge dollop of Sriracha sauce, so I have leftovers waiting for me in the fridge after work :)

 [Source]

On a related note, have you heard about the Sriracha factory closing?! I clearly need to stock-up ASAP. I wonder if this is some sort of strange ploy by the company to increase sales and jack up the price...elaborate, but clearly a little bit genius. Sneaky Sriracha.

So, that's it follks! A full day of eats :)

Hope you all have a great hump day, and I'll (hopefully) be back tomorrow 

with a gift guide for the fitness-babes in your life!!

Tea and Wine

Hi friends, hope your Tuesday is treating you well :)

I am trying to stop whining about all of the travel prep that I have to do, and just git'er done. [Yes, I just said that]. I have officially made myself a to-do list (about 15 pages long), and I've started checking things off - feeling good!

Workout

I did the Tone It Up 'Holiday Hotties' workout that I did on Friday again last night, and my obliques are DEFINITELY feeling it today.

I'm thinking tonight is going to be an arm night, so I'm planning on doing a couple of Blogilates routines. I expect my arms to feel like jelly afterwards - the routines seem ridiculously easy at first, but they definitely catch up with you!

I wish that I could go for a run instead, but work continues to be busy, so I can't really sneak out at lunch AND I don't really feel like running in the dark on slippery sidewalks. Safety first, n'est ce pas?

Tea and Wine

I met up with two of my besties last night for dinner at Saigon in the Byward market [I know, I just went there the other day] - its one of my current favs. It is the last time that I am going to see my travel buddy before we meet in Thailand...so crazy to think about!!

Us at the MoMA in NYC, being awesome.

We couldn't make up our minds, so we decided to get green tea and red wine. Antioxidants for days.

I got the sweet and sour soup to start. It is seriously the best thing ever - it is sweet (I even had a few pieces of pineapple in mine, so good!), it is 'sour' (à la hot & sour soup) AND it is deliciously spicy. I would def recommend it ;)

I also got the vermicelli plate, but I was so full from the soup that I got most of it to go. 

 

I added some extra lettuce and spinach to it this morning et voilà - lunch is ready!

Gotta love leftovers. 

Also, I got two of the same , clearly a lot of honour coming my way soon...?

Anywho, hope you all have an awesome day, and I will [hopefully] be back tomorrow with a full day of eats for What I Ate Wednesday! [And, yes, I realize that I promised to do this last week, but things kind of got away with me...]

A demain :)

12/02 Pics from the Weekend & Fitness for the Week

Hi friends!

Hope you all had a wunderbar weekend!

I had a great time with my loverly ladies in Kingston on Saturday night. My friend was house-sitting, so we decided to stay in and drink vino and have a dance party. Got my cardio in for the day ;)

Most delicious salad.

 

Breakfast of champions

 

Snowball fights mandatory

 

My knight in shining armour

Smoothie time

Such a great event - my little brosef was the M.C. for the Casco charity event last night, 

and did an amazing job!

I did not get very good pics from the event, I was too distracted by the amazing dancing and singing number that they did! 

There was even syncronized skipping routines. Amazing.

 

Me with the brosef, his grandma, my little sis and my popster (kinda in the dark...)

Me and two of my fabulous siblings

We even won something from the raffle - 'the student package'

We tried another group shot of the fam, but all the rest were blurry (our photog tried his best, but using smartphones is clearly not his forté). A great night out :)

Fitness for the Week

Monday - HIIT (full body)

Tuesday - Run

Wednesday - Bikram Yoga (I'm addicted...)

Thursday - HIIT (arms)

Friday - OFF

Saturday - Run

Sunday - Yoga

Have a great day!