Hiatus

Putting this blog on hiatus for a few weeks. My work conference is coming up the first of April and I really need to stay focused. I'll be back soon so don't leave me for good!

Stay well my lovelies,

Birthdays & Boot Camp

I spent my birthday weekend with some amazing girlfriends in my favorite city, Charleston. We had so much fun, and I can't wait to go back again with them soon. We spent Friday on the beach at Sullivan's Island and ate a late lunch at Poe's Tavern. Saturday had brunch at Toast of Charleston and then shopped on King Street til we dropped. Saturday evening we ate dinner at Bocci's (still dreaming about my spaghetti marinara), and walked next door to my favorite Irish pub Tommy Condon's where the Irish eyes were smiling upon us. The same bartender still works there from when I was in college at CofC. Whoa. I felt so old!




















A special thank you to my sweet friends Jenn and Lisa for making this weekend SO fun and amazing!

Monday evening was my first boot camp session. And it's official: I am sore in places I did not even know had muscles and sitting on the toilet is excruciating. However, I can honestly say that I had fun! I am going back tonight for more butt kicking. I'm just glad my friends J and C are enduring this pain with me. Together, we will survive ladies! :)

Here is the line for boot camp - 140 women registering! It'll be interesting to see how many come back tonight. Looking forward to Friday, so I can have the first week over and done with!



















Happy HUMP Day!

Boot Camp TONIGHT

Boot camp starts tonight and continues for 4 weeks. I'm scared. Someone hold me.

















(the guy above will do just fine...)

It's mah birthday!

And I've got a fun weekend planned thanks to some berry sweet friends! :) I'm going to pretend I'm turning 27 all weekend long.

Wednesday night I was surprised with a little impromptu birthday party ...nothing says birthday like Mexican food, beer, good friends and cake! Ole!
























Have a great weekend! =) Be back Monday with a birthday recap and I'm sure lots of fun pictures.

Outdoor Blogging aka I have Spring Fever!

Since today was the first day of Daylight Savings, I took my laptop outside on my back porch.

I did a little writing....

















I drank a little wine...

and I waited for my favorite moment of every day...
























Happy Daylight Savings everyone! Have a great week!

Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers

I don't know about y'all but turkey burgers can taste a little bland to me sometimes. I found this recipe somewhere (I finally remembered where: Eat, Live, Run, follow her recipe for more exact measurements - I just guessed when I was making mine) and I give it 2 thumbs up! Next time I might experiment with some more spices/seasonings. It's really delicious though. Enjoy!

1 package Jennie-O ground turkey breast
1 package frozen spinach, thawed (use as much or as little as you like, I used about 1/2 cup I think)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (or more if you like)
1 tbsp EVOO
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix together in a bowl. Mold into patties and grill approx 6 minutes each side (depends on how thick you make them). I think these would go great with a side of sweet potato fries!

Skinny Girl Magaritas make you think you are in high school again

Before:
























After: (Attempting cheerleading moves and splits)















































Kids, don't try this at home...especially if you are over the age of 30. Things don't um, move the way they used to!

Weighin' In and Red Pepper Hummus

First things first, the weigh-in: I lost .6 this week.

I have a confession though: I took a week off from Weight Watchers. I was becoming, dare we say, slightly obsessive? WW was consuming my every thought, and after last week I just needed a break. So needless to say, I am pleased with the loss, no matter how small. Maybe I should rename this blog to "Tiny Losses". :)

Last night I made some fresh roasted red pepper hummus. I looked around at a bunch of recipes and finally just ended up doing the following:

• 1 can chickpeas (16 oz), drained
• 1 roasted red pepper (I broiled mine in the oven for about 15 minutes)
  
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp onions
• 1 garlic clove, diced
• fresh squeezed lemon juice, a splash
  
• black pepper to taste
• sea salt, to taste
• dash of paprika
• dash of parsley

I think that's everything...but hummus is one of those things that I keep adjusting til I get it right. This turned out pretty good! Do you make hummus? If so, what's your secret to making it perfect?

I kinda dig the color from the red pepper!

Weekend Update: Baseball & 5Ks

My first Carolina baseball game ever was a success! Gamecocks were triumphant! It was very cold but we had a great time. We beat the Tigers 6-3 and I had one of the best hot dogs I've ever had in my life. Seriously. The Carolina Dog - let's just say, baseball game hot dogs have come a long way baby. I'm still thinking about it! I also got to see one of my favorite newly-engaged bloggers Emily, From The Land of Cotton.















































The national championship trophy - doesn't it just scream "winning, duh!" =) I had to fight to get this picture. There were people everywhere snapping pictures of it.

Saturday morning, our 5K race started at 7:30 AM. Whoa that's early for this girl! But we survived it despite the early start time, misting rain and chilly temps. I was so worried about my iphone getting wet in the rain, so I had my friend hold it in her jacket pocket. Which also meant I ran almost the entire race with no music! I DIE! It was tough. Mental note: find a way to protect my iphone in the rain! Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Cafe Strudel, one of our favorite local spots. If you are ever in town, I highly recommend you stop by! We also made plans for our next race in late April.
























Look at that red face! The rest of the weekend I pretty much lounged around. Happy Monday everyone!

Friday Mish-Mash!

Tonight I'm headed to Carolina Stadium to watch the 2010 National Champions, my SC Gamecocks, take on the Clemson Tigers! Let's go Gamecocks! Beat those silly Tigers! Nevermind their Tiger Blood - we have Chicken Blood! And that's even more powerful :) The proof is below:
























Yesterday I tried to recreate the curly Scarlett Jo look from my last post, and it turned out decent I thought. I used a 1.25" curling iron.























Last but not least, here is a picture of the sunset from Lake Murray last night. We have a walking trail here that goes over the dam, and the views at sunset are breathtaking. And y'all know I'm obsessed with sunsets! :)
























Tomorrow morning, it's 5K GO TIME! Wish me luck!

"I'm not Bipolar, I'm Bi-Winning!"

Today, I am going to just blog about nothing and anything in general because there isn't really one big thing I can think to entertain you with. So I will entertain you with several :)

• Charlie Sheen. Crazy with a capital C. I've never watched Two and a Half Men except for an episode here and there, so I don't miss his show. But I feel bad for the other people that worked on that show that no longer have a job. And his kids....just sad. What a role model.
  
  
• Today is weight watcher's weigh-in and I lost .5. I'm back to where I was 2 weeks ago pretty much. Keeping right along, that's pretty much all for now. Hopefully slow and steady will win the race.
  
  
• This weekend I have a 5K race and 2 of my dear friends are running it with me. I'm excited! It's amazing what a difference running in hot vs cooler temps can make. I ran Sunday in 80 degree sunny weather and almost passed out. Last night I ran the same route and felt like a champion. Hoping for chilly temps and no rain on Saturday!
  
  
• Currently I am reading Sullivan's Island. I have read it before but wanted to reread it so that I can also read Return to Sullivan's Island. Every time I read it it makes me want to drive straight to Charleston. I could still make it by lunch if I start now...anyone want to go with?? I also downloaded Pictures of You to my kindle. Have heard great things about it - have you read it?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• This spring/summer is going to be a fun one! I have several trips/concerts planned - NKOTB & Backstreet Boys anyone??? Can't.Wait.
  
  
• I'm currently obsessed, and I mean obsessed, with this song.
  
  
• My biggest event of the year is next month, so if you know me in real life, you know that I'm a crazy person right now. Lots of overtime hours and panic attacks. Good stuff!
  
  
• I've also lost my mind and signed up for a 30 day boot camp class. We're talking straight up military style! I will be going 3 nights a week for a month starting March 21st. Wish me luck. And please send Ibuprofen for my birthday.
  
  
• Speaking of....it's my birthday month. And I am turning an age that is so not cool in any shape or form. However, I know 10 years from now (if I'm still here Lord willing) I will look back and give anything to be this age. So I'm looking on the positive side and just being thankful everyday I get to be alive!
  
  
• Did you watch the Oscars? I wasn't really in love with Scarlett Johansson's dress overall, but I did love the color and the back of it. My favorite though? Her hair. I really am thinking about how I can pull this cut off.

Happy Hump Day!