Fitness Friday - She's BACK!

I can’t tell you just how good it felt to be back in the gym this week!  For the first time in a few weeks, I was able to feel a little more like myself and could tell my energy was returning.  I kept it easy this week as I didn’t want to push myself too hard and hinder recovery, plus I developed a bit of a cold that I’m still working through.

SAT 12/3/11

15 mins abs and stretch

35 mins stationary bike - level 1

SUN 12/4/11

Rest

MON 12/5/11

Rest

TUES 12/6/11

15 mins abs and stretch

35 mins stationary bike - level 2

WED 12/7/11

Rest

THURS 12/8/11

20 mins abs and stretch

33 mins elliptical

FRI 12/9/11

15 mins abs and stretch

25 mins yoga

**In all technicality, this workout hasn’t happened yet but as soon as I hit publish, this is what will happen.  And then I’ll sleep.**

I’m sad that I won’t be participating in the 10k I started training for several weeks ago, but after all that has gone down in the last few weeks, there’s no way that could happen.  I know I will have an opportunity to train/run one in the future so I won’t get too disappointed.

Meanwhile, I’m working on some fitness plans to begin after recovery from my up-coming (rescheduled) surgery and I’m looking forward to returning to the weight room at the gym.  I look forward to feeling super strong again.

Foodie for a Day // Comfort Food

It’s been a rough few weeks for me with all that has gone on.  I’ve done everything in my power to remain positive as I know that this will all pass soon.  But at the end of last week what I really needed was some comfort and what better way than with a recipe that has been passed down in my family for years?  A little taste of home; a little taste of comfort.

So I set out to make my (German) great grandmother’s French Coffee Cake recipe.  I remember when my cousin’s would come to town and we’d make the coffee cake and it would hardly last through breakfast.  It’s been a favorite in the family for years.  Comfort food at it’s finest.

French Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup margarine

3 cups flour

3/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

Mix the sugar, margarine and 2 cups of flour with your hands and take out one cup.

Blend the remaining ingredients and put into 2 buttered 8 x 1 1/2 pans.  Sprinkle the crumbs over the top.  Bake for 25 mins and 350 degrees.

I made a few changes to the recipe - swapping out some of the white flour for whole wheat flour, soy milk instead of regular milk and cut the whole recipe in half to only make 1 coffee cake vs 2.  It was so delicious and brought me the joy and comfort I was looking for.  It hardly lasted a few days in my apartment and I had no help eating it... ;)

It’s moments like these when I’m happy I’ve bothered my family for those recipes so I can recreate them at my will and want.  And this was exactly what I needed that night.

Music Monday - Holiday Edition

I remember when he walked into the store last holiday season.  I was standing in the accessory section and there were two men looking at cases together.  I looked around at them and said “can I help you guys find anything?”  They looked to me and told me what they were looking for.  I pointed them in the right direction and then I saw their faces.  I only recognized one of them but I didn’t think it could be.  His credit card proved it was.

I remember hearing one of his songs at a school dance in high school and becoming obsessed with it.  I then would just sit in my bedroom and listen to his CDs on repeat and just relax.  He’s got one of the most soothing voices I’ve ever heard.  

While this isn’t new music I’m introducing you to, I’m always on the search for more holiday music to help put me in the spirit.  Go listen to Brian McKnight’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas album on Spotify or buy it from iTunes.  Go now.  Seriously, what are you waiting for?  Go!

Source

I’m a happy girl. 

London Calling?

Lately I’ve had these strong urges to move to San Francisco, back to New York City, or as in this morning’s case - London.

...uh what?!

I learned fairly quickly after moving to LA, that this isn’t where I’m meant to end up.  I’ve been okay staying here because I don’t want to spend the precious money moving all over the place in my attempt to find the place that “feels right” and I did come out here for a reason and I’m not completely sure I’ve fulfilled that just yet.  But I’ve found these urges to move somewhere else occurring more and stronger than they have in the past.

I was surprised when I woke up this morning and one of my first thoughts was “I want to move to London” while I was eating my breakfast.  I honestly had never really thought about living abroad.  Maybe this is the adventurous person in me that’s realizing I haven’t seen enough of the world or I haven’t done enough traveling.  (I’m sure my sister is nodding her head thinking I could have told you that.)  Or maybe it’s the part of me that’s itching to figure out what my next steps are and move on from my current pace.

What also surprised me was the crazy support I got for what felt like a random idea to me when I posted my sudden urge on Facebook this morning.  I wasn’t necessarily surprised by my sister’s outpour of support but everyone else’s “go for its” (especially the one from an ex-bf I haven’t heard from in over a year).

And while it was so amazing to realize how much support I have out there, it also really messed with my head and made me realize how much I really need to figure out what I want to be doing right now so that I can figure out how to do it.  There is clearly a major part of me that’s ready to move on from where and what I’m doing now.

New York City? Maybe.

San Francisco? Maybe.

Source

London?  Maybe.

Source

Somewhere else? Maybe.

A Step Towards Normalcy

After weeks of living off of mainly carbs, feeling completely exhausted and not being able to go to the gym, I’m starting to take the steps to return to my normal state of affairs.  To what I deem normalcy.

Really, it was as simple as making my way back to the gym this morning.  For all of you worried that I’m over-exerting myself, please relax; I kept it easy.  I kept myself to 35 minutes on the stationary bike at level 1 while I read a magazine.  I stretched out my muscles (and boy were they tight!) and did just a bit of abdominal work.  As much as I would have loved a good sweaty run + weight lifting session, I know I can’t push myself too hard right now and that I need to ease my way back into it.  As simple as this morning’s workout was, it felt amazing just to move.  And quite honestly, it was a great spirit lifter.

I returned home from the gym and with energy in place, I got productive!  I cleaned my apartment, did a load of laundry and tidied/organized a few things astray in my room.  I can tell I’m on the path to my normal self and that’s the best feeling in the world.

And there’s no better way to end the day than a movie night with a couple of amazing friends.  It’s a good Saturday.  Can’t complain. :)

Source

Just a bag in the wind

I mentioned the other day how I’m emotionally ready to return to my normal exercise routine.  Today couldn’t prove that point any more.

It wasn’t a bad day but emotionally it was challenging.  I wasn’t feeling well + my exhaustion peaked (tomorrow’s day off couldn’t come soon enough) and to top it all off, I returned to my car to find a ticket because my registration is out of date.  That brings up a whole other issue and my annoyance with the state of California but I’m pretty sure I can fight this.  At least I hope so....(I really can’t afford to pay for things that aren’t necessary right now).

Also one of my friends looked at me today and said “you should move to NYC...and we can frolic through the leaves together.”  ...I really do miss it there.  I’m not sure that’s where I’m supposed to be but I’m also not sure LA is where I’m supposed to be either.  I kind of just feel like I’m a plastic bag being blown around on a windy day.

I know I will eventually find my place and get myself settled but right now, with all that has been going on with my health, career, family, car and finances, I’m having a hard time feeling content with where I am.  I’m working on that though.

Source

Meanwhile, I’ll keep being the bag blowing in the wind.

World AIDS Day

Did you know today was World AIDS Day?

In case you don’t know much about it, here’s a little blurb about World AIDS Day:

World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st each year around the world.  It has become one of the most recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.  (Source)

One of my favorite ways to help support the cause, is through Product (RED).  And today I was excited by my company’s support for the cause as they chose to turn the logo on our store from the usual white to (Red).

If you want to join the cause, there are so many ways you can get involved and products out there for purchase that will help.  And if you’re low on funds and just want to do something simple: raise awareness!

Head over to 2015quilt.com, create a patch and invite someone else to do the same.  I’m pretty sure it doesn’t get much easier.  I made one, won’t you join me in the fight?