Saturday, July 2, 2011
Week 22: Homemade Pasta Salad
So pasta salad has to be one of the easiest things on the planet to make. However, I only recently became really fond of pasta salad and to date have only made it out of the box (shame, I know). So this morning I decided I was going to make homemade pasta salad for the cookouts we are attending this weekend. It was ridiculously easy but time-intensive. It's still marinating for a few more hours but is pretty tasty. Another recipe for my repertoire. :) And everything is made better with a photo!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Week 21: Girl's Weekend!
I'll be out of town starting Thursday afternoon for a girl's weekend with my co-workers (friends). We had a BLAST last year and I'm sure it'll only be better this year. Most of my week thus far has been spent preparing for the trip and the rest will be spent enjoying it!
I love that I've gotten to know my coworkers so well since our trip last year. We bonded so much during the trip and it makes my job, which I already loved, even more enjoyable. I'm really lucky to be surrounded by such fun, caring and funny women.
Here's to a fantastic weekend ahead!
I love that I've gotten to know my coworkers so well since our trip last year. We bonded so much during the trip and it makes my job, which I already loved, even more enjoyable. I'm really lucky to be surrounded by such fun, caring and funny women.
Here's to a fantastic weekend ahead!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Week 20: A New/Old Recipe
This week I made Fruit Cocktail Cake. While this is the first time I've ever made it, I grew up with this special dessert at my second home- my friend Katie's house. Katie has a great family that loves traditions and I've always appreciated that. Her mom gave me this recipe when I got married and I am really honored that she shared it with me- it's been in their family for years and years and years. She wrote on the back of the recipe card that she spent a lot of time at her grandmother's home and she liked to spoil her. This cake would do just that.
The cake itself is super easy. If I can make it successfully, it's really, really easy. I won't post it here but if any of you would like it, I'll provide it to you on a cute little recipe card. I think that's where recipes belong. Lemme know.
The cake itself is super easy. If I can make it successfully, it's really, really easy. I won't post it here but if any of you would like it, I'll provide it to you on a cute little recipe card. I think that's where recipes belong. Lemme know.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Week 19: Or Just, Connect
This week I went out of my way to be more social. I am very much a creature of habit, and my habit is usually coming home after work, exhausted and spending the night on the couch. My weekend habit is to do something fun with Scott and try to see friends or family maybe one of the weekend days. That's pretty much my life. I'm an introvert so much so that being with people makes me nervous and that nervousness sometimes overtakes me. But I kept it under control this week.
Anyway, I really like how my life is despite the boringness that it sounds like above. But, I do sometimes crave social-ness and know that making effort feels that void and is just really fun. So when I got invitations this week, I accepted. I had a lot of fun and it was good to connect with new people, people I don't know so well and people I've known for a while.
I have a lot of fun social times coming up in the next few weeks and am way looking forward to them. I should probably scale back and try to be at home a bit more than I was this week- our house is pretty much a nightmare and I haven't exercised all week. I probably shouldn't sacrifice those things during my social mission.
Anyway, I really like how my life is despite the boringness that it sounds like above. But, I do sometimes crave social-ness and know that making effort feels that void and is just really fun. So when I got invitations this week, I accepted. I had a lot of fun and it was good to connect with new people, people I don't know so well and people I've known for a while.
I have a lot of fun social times coming up in the next few weeks and am way looking forward to them. I should probably scale back and try to be at home a bit more than I was this week- our house is pretty much a nightmare and I haven't exercised all week. I probably shouldn't sacrifice those things during my social mission.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Week 18: Reconnecting
Before I moved to Cincinnati, I worked as a part-time dance instructor at a WONDERFUL studio in Richmond, IN - my hometown. Along with leaving my friends and family, leaving this studio was one of the hardest parts of my move.
This week, I went back for their recital. I hadn't been back since I stopped teaching in 2006. It was so fun to see how much the girls had grown up. One of the girls I taught individual tap lessons to was dancing at a level with girls 5 years older than her. Proud moment. All of the dancers had grown so much in their ability since I had them- so cool to watch.
It was so refreshing to see this group of people that I haven't seen in just about 5 years. Teaching at that studio has had a huge impact on me and will always be one of my favorite times in life. The patrons and studio staff welcomed me back wonderfully for the evening, and it felt like I had come to one of my "homes" in life.
This week, I went back for their recital. I hadn't been back since I stopped teaching in 2006. It was so fun to see how much the girls had grown up. One of the girls I taught individual tap lessons to was dancing at a level with girls 5 years older than her. Proud moment. All of the dancers had grown so much in their ability since I had them- so cool to watch.
It was so refreshing to see this group of people that I haven't seen in just about 5 years. Teaching at that studio has had a huge impact on me and will always be one of my favorite times in life. The patrons and studio staff welcomed me back wonderfully for the evening, and it felt like I had come to one of my "homes" in life.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Week 17: A 2011 PR
(of sorts).
I jogwalked 3 miles today! While I know that isn't mind-blowing or a huge accomplishment, it's the first time I've done so as a 29 year old. I got really into jogging last year (it definitely would feel like a stretch to call it running). During that stint of life, I often did 3 miles, and my PR was 4 miles (the time is irrelevant because it's very unimpressive). But I was really proud of getting up to 4 miles when I had, only months before that, been 99% inactive. Anyway, I did this work out frequently until it got hot (yep, I'm a wimp). I've tried to get myself going again when it got cooler in the fall, and then again after the snow left. I've managed to make the shorter (1 or 2 mile) version happen a couple of times, but am nowhere near where I was at this time last year. But, I'm making it a semi-mission to keep this going at least while it's spring-ish (and just in time for bathing suits!).
The last year of my life has been a huge journey for me. I've lost 35(ish) pounds over the course of the year and I'm amazed at how much my outlook on life has changed. I won't make this blog post about that, but suffice it to say, I'm really, really proud of myself. But during this last few months, I've very much struggled with the same 5 pounds- losing it and gaining it back pretty frequently. But today, I decided to push myself back up to the 3 mile mark when I've only been doing 1 or 2 miles (and have only infrequently done so). I recaptured that feeling of being able to do WHATEVER I put my mind to by just pushing myself a little harder today. It was extra helpful that I had ample time to do so after having an unexpected half day off work.
I realllllllllllly want to push myself to get into the next weight decade as I call them (if that doesn't make sense to anyone else in the world, it's when the middle number (the ten spot), goes down a notch. It's happened three times during my weight loss and it requires celebration.) by June 15. I have no doubt that if I can push myself like I did today, I'll get there.
As much as I say, and often think, that I hate jogging, it feels really good when it's over (and sometimes, even, during).
I jogwalked 3 miles today! While I know that isn't mind-blowing or a huge accomplishment, it's the first time I've done so as a 29 year old. I got really into jogging last year (it definitely would feel like a stretch to call it running). During that stint of life, I often did 3 miles, and my PR was 4 miles (the time is irrelevant because it's very unimpressive). But I was really proud of getting up to 4 miles when I had, only months before that, been 99% inactive. Anyway, I did this work out frequently until it got hot (yep, I'm a wimp). I've tried to get myself going again when it got cooler in the fall, and then again after the snow left. I've managed to make the shorter (1 or 2 mile) version happen a couple of times, but am nowhere near where I was at this time last year. But, I'm making it a semi-mission to keep this going at least while it's spring-ish (and just in time for bathing suits!).
The last year of my life has been a huge journey for me. I've lost 35(ish) pounds over the course of the year and I'm amazed at how much my outlook on life has changed. I won't make this blog post about that, but suffice it to say, I'm really, really proud of myself. But during this last few months, I've very much struggled with the same 5 pounds- losing it and gaining it back pretty frequently. But today, I decided to push myself back up to the 3 mile mark when I've only been doing 1 or 2 miles (and have only infrequently done so). I recaptured that feeling of being able to do WHATEVER I put my mind to by just pushing myself a little harder today. It was extra helpful that I had ample time to do so after having an unexpected half day off work.
I realllllllllllly want to push myself to get into the next weight decade as I call them (if that doesn't make sense to anyone else in the world, it's when the middle number (the ten spot), goes down a notch. It's happened three times during my weight loss and it requires celebration.) by June 15. I have no doubt that if I can push myself like I did today, I'll get there.
As much as I say, and often think, that I hate jogging, it feels really good when it's over (and sometimes, even, during).
Friday, May 20, 2011
Week 16: Back in Business
This week I had a supercool opportunity (that will last 3 more weeks) to teach my co-workers DANCE! For those of you who don't know, I taught dance for 5 years, grew up taking dance lessons and it's just been a giant influence in my life.
For the past 5 yearsish, I haven't found a studio at which to teach. Granted, I haven't looked that hard, either. I really, REALLY loved the studio I used to teach at and just don't feel like anything else could compare to it. But this opportunity has been a great way to get back in to teaching without a ton of pressure. I'm teaching adults who just want a bit of a work out and to have fun. I can help them accomplish both of those!
The first week went very well and I have no doubt that next week will be lots of fun as well. I am a bit sore (hello, it's been five years since I've taught!), but other than that, felt like I could jump right back in to teaching.
The theme of the evening was "80's Dance Night" and I taught a lesson in jazz dancing. We ended the night by learning a routine to Prince's "Kiss." The ladies totally worked it. We decided to continue this theme and routine for next week's class as well. Wednesday evenings have become much more exciting!
For the past 5 yearsish, I haven't found a studio at which to teach. Granted, I haven't looked that hard, either. I really, REALLY loved the studio I used to teach at and just don't feel like anything else could compare to it. But this opportunity has been a great way to get back in to teaching without a ton of pressure. I'm teaching adults who just want a bit of a work out and to have fun. I can help them accomplish both of those!
The first week went very well and I have no doubt that next week will be lots of fun as well. I am a bit sore (hello, it's been five years since I've taught!), but other than that, felt like I could jump right back in to teaching.
The theme of the evening was "80's Dance Night" and I taught a lesson in jazz dancing. We ended the night by learning a routine to Prince's "Kiss." The ladies totally worked it. We decided to continue this theme and routine for next week's class as well. Wednesday evenings have become much more exciting!
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