Love you Like a Love Song

Hey Ya'll, 

Sorry so quiet.  It's been a non-eventful, eventful week.  Let's just say my checkbook is currently wrapped up in an insurance love affair.  (That sounds nicer than the jackhole who hit my car on Friday, coming out of the STRIP CLUB parking lot!!) (It was 12:30 in the afternoon on a Friday) (I'm not bitter, it's ok) (parenthesis) (they get more fun as they happen, right?) :)

Anyways, I don't want to delve into that fun scenario for this post, because I don't quite have the correct words to convey the message I'd like to get across.  It'll come, I swear.  I've been pretty (awesomely) busy at work the past week - learning some new and fun things, and I am really really loving it! So, my sincerest apologies for not blogging sooner.  Sorry, I'm not sorry.  

Anyways, this week has been keeping me busy working out.  On a healthkick here for the last three days, guys.  It's getting to be swimsuit season - a girl has gotta WORK! Here's my current obsession. I can't help it. It's so stupid quick and stupid easy. I'll do it 2-3 times a night. 

 Also, having done this, and not being as incredibly in-shape as I truly think I am, I haven't walked straight in two days.  That's right folks, I'm totally gimping down hallways. It's so freaking worth it though.  Doing this workout with your normal cardio, is just something that should be done.  Take my word for it.  I believe!!! 

Also, this song has been helping.  (Sorry for how late I am getting to this song - I'm really not sorry, I still love it!) 

Have a fabulous Thursday!

Kale-in' it

Did you see what I did there? Did you see it? 

Sorry for that one, guys. Actually, I'm really not. I'm pretty proud of my mad wordplay skillz.

Moving on. 

I'm trying to live my life a little more domestically in the present days. You know, actually doing laundry (instead of the standard sniff test), decorating (in a grown up way, not in the glittery 14 year old way I really want to), and cooking (not throwing noodles in a pot and drenching it in 8 different kinds of cheeses).  

So, being the ever-so grown up that I imagined I was supposed to be, I went to the grocery store and bought a whole lot of vegetables (I'm really not a fan of too many fruits).  When I got home, I immediately put away said fresh ingredients and perused Pinterest (obvious next step). 

I was able to make a few delicious dishes and then promptly fell back into my undomesticated ways.  The turnaround was actually quite quick.  

That being said, I really hated to waste food.  So I did the 180 degree change up for another 24 hours, and decided I was going to cook that super nutrient-laden leafy green - Kale. 

I've had Kale before, and really loved it.  Loved it for it's leafy greens (I'm a sucker for salads), interesting taste, and the face that it's just so gosh darn good for myself. The downside, is that when I've cooked it before, it hasn't quite tickled my palate in the way that I wanted it to.

So, back to the wonderful world of Pinterest! (And Martha Stewart) Of course, I had to find a brilliant recipe with ingredients that I already had at home! (not much!) Then, as if from the heavens, it appeared.  A simple Kale recipe, that involved my first favorite food - pasta. 

So, how did it go?

Delicious! 

If I were to make it again, I'd find a different spice to add.  Thyme isn't my favorite spice, a little too overpowering. Granted, maybe there was a bit of a tomato mishap (my two cups of grape tomaters wanted me to go grape stomping with them), so I should've had a few more tomatoes added in.  Twas really amazing though.  Made me feel healthy and full, all at the same time! 

Make Martha's recipe your own, and roll with it - it's a pretty great way to incorporate some health into your life! 

Although, you should realize, I'm currently elbow deep in a sleeve of Thin Mints.  I don't regret it at all either - not with the healthy meal I just ate! 

Love and Laughs, 

AJ

DIY Work Out Tank

Now listen up, I like to work out as much as the next person (which is rarely). 

I'm just kidding. Honestly, I do love working out and getting that endorphin high.  I'm not crazy overboard about it, but it really makes me feel like a responsible functioning member of society when I do. Not to mention the guilt-free junk food eating habits

However, as I've mentioned before, I tend to lack motivation with many things in my life.  Unsurprisingly, that includes working out. Part of the lackadaisical mindset comes from getting dressed to go do the deed. I want to wear something comfy, where my thighs don't jiggle or rub together, and where I feel like my middle third of my body is being contained. T-shirts work wonderfully for the latter part of this conundrum, and yoga capri's work for the former.  

What I've also come to realize, working out in Texas, is that I can't stand to have sleeves.  I sweat (which is on my top 5 list of Things I Love Least).  I sweat a lot.  Especially when late Spring - early Fall is 90+ degrees.  I can't waste all my tanks on working out! 

Luckily, there's no need to worry.  Catherine, over at Rabbit Food for My Bunny Teeth has solved my problems.  A kick butt, awesome workout tank made from old t-shirts.  Luckily I only have 70,000 old shirts I would love to be able to re-use! And, more importantly, it's easy. Seriously, I'm in the middle of doing this right now (nothing like some good old-fashioned ADD), it's embarrassingly easy. 

A loose-fitting, no-sleeved, work out outfit may just get me to the gym. (I mean, way more than I already do...right?)

Also - check out Catherine's blog too - it's pretty freaking awesome!!

Summer Celebrations

Hey ya'll!

Sorry I've been away for so long - It's been an absolutely crazy chaotic week of friends and guests coming to visit, job interviews, and all of the craziness that comes with both! I haven't had any time to peruse the web and chill out until just now! Hopefully I'll be able to pull up a post each day this week.  I'm once again feeling inspired by the things that are out there!

We're going through a major heat wave here in Dallas. I've actually lost count of the number of consecutive days we've been over 100 degrees.  It's HOT.  It's about 9 pm at the moment, and it's still 103-ish degrees. We're roasting.

On the plus side, this heat does not make us want to eat much food - in any way shape or form.  Even me, the sweet tooth, can't seem to find an appetite for anything else other than fresh fruit. Yes, you heard correctly! The thought of watermelons and ripe, juicy apples makes my mouth salivate the way chocolate and fried foods used to.

So the thought of putting on an event or celebration in the summer just makes me cringe at the moment.  The food would melt in an instant and forget about serving anything with substance!

I came across a beautiful cake today.  Well, to be fair, it's probably not technically a cake. But it definitely made my mouth water at the sight of it! What a great way to celebrate with a big juicy watermelon cake. Decorate any way you see fit - let your creativity shine through! In this picture from Living the Fruity Life, you can see the splendor and the recipe to make this masterpiece!

Life, on a stick.

One of my absolute favorite foods has to be salad.  I love that you can make salads however you want them to, and they can be different each time - as long as they have the lettuce.

Being from Wisconsin, I'm also a huge, giant fan of fried food.  I like everything fried - however, my waistline does not.  State fairs have given us the opportunities to have your favorite things fried, and put on a stick! I think their reasoning is that if you're able to walk and eat this greasy, obesity-inducing piece of heaven, then you're at least doing something good for your life, and working off those calories whilst you "exercise"

I've always wondered how to combine the two.  Not necessarily to deep fry lettuce (that thought makes me gag!) but to make your healthy food choice, more mobile.

This weekend got me excited when I found out that, THERE IS A WAY! It's a great idea for a party - you can use them as a healthy alternative for hors d'oeuvres! This allows your guests to still mingle while munching, but with less buttons popping on their slacks!

From Be Different...Act Normal  and Sweet Paul you can see the perfect way to make this salad-on-a-stick!