He loves me so...

I just had the best date with my husband. He took me to the Melting Pot. We got there like 40 minutes early, so went to the bar for a Yin Yang. It's the most amazing drink. It's white chocolate and chocolate and I think it falls in the martini category, but I have NEVER had a martini that tasted THAT good. We have ordered them before...they are amazing. Anyway, they were able to get our table ready for us, even though we were early (brownie points to the Melting Pot). We hadn't even taken but a couple sips of our drinks when our table was ready. We walked back to a private seating. The table was covered in rose petals and there was a bouquet of roses. It was wonderful. Not to mention I have an obsession with fondue! They even played the song What a Wonderful World! He has done this for me once before, actually the first birthday we celebrated together was mine. We even sat in the same booth. It was all very fun and romantic. He is such a sweet man. We have been to the Melting Pot in between that date and this one and just sat at normal booths. Since we are getting ready for vacation, I was not even expecting flowers! It was fabulous.

Especially since I travel Monday- Wednesday and we won't get to have dinner together. I'm not sure if having two date nights in a row makes it easier to travel knowing we have spent some quality time together or more difficult- knowing that the love of my life is at home while I'm on the road. Either way, he is one great husband.

Today I wrote my 23 page paper. I just hit submit on it. I have a small break between classes, like a week. Actually, even until this one is over I only have to post on a few discussions. I should take a peak at what my next round of books will be and make sure financial aid is in place for summer session! I am officially half way done with my program though. Woohoo!

After submitting my paper (that's what I did all day), we got ready to go to dinner. We left early so I could stop at the Nike store. I tried on a series of bottoms- pants, shorts, capris, skorts. I really like the skort, because even if I had a little jiggle, it would be behind fabric! The pants were all really long on me and just felt like they were falling when I jogged. (Yes, I jogged in place in the dressing room to see what I thought of the bottoms.) The shorts were so short. I am not sure when I started the progression to more modest clothes, but I am not about to wear short shorts jogging! Not unless my thighs are suddenly rock hard. Finally, I tried on a pair of running capris. They are black and are suppose to be cool and dry capris (that way they wic away moisture). They have a little pocket in the back which might be perfect for my mp3 player. They are an elastic like material, so I will probably wear a longer shirt with them, but I was content with how they held me together! They were originally $55, but I got them for $39. I hope they are well worth the money in durability. I guess time will tell. Oh, one more thing I thought was nifty is how many of the running bottoms had undies built in! That's so annoying when you have to worry about panty lines, especially with elastic like material or when your undies are slipping, but your pants are staying in place. I suppose otherwise you could potentially need running undies, ha ha. I had not even got so far as to think of that! I am usually so concerned about keeping pants or shorts up. Anyway, I can't wait to jog with my new capris!

Okay and one last thought - I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago, but hadn't posted them. Spring has/had sprung at our house and some of our flowers are/were blooming. Now they are starting to wilt, but they sure were gorgeous! Happy spring...a few weeks later.

Just another wonderful day...

Today was great! The whole day was just really nice! I woke up before my alarm clock went off, which is always a good way to wake up. I feel like I am waking up on my terms when I beat the alarm clock! Anyway, I had my new favorite cereal for breakfast - Kellogg's Product 19. When I compare one serving to my vitamins- it has nearly identical vitamins and daily values! I also like that I can have an entire cup for just 100 calories. It's a nice start to the day. I've been meaning to mention my new "find"...I love it! I'm sure it would be a great crust on homemade chicken fingers too.

Anyway, after breakfast I did day two of my Couch Potato to 5k training. Today was easier than the first day and my chest wasn't nearly as sore. My thighs are pretty sore, but not when I'm jogging...only when I am casually walking. I am pretty sure that is okay though. I ran around the neighborhood instead of the park. I tried a different pair of sweats with a drawstring and decided I still need to get a new pair of running shorts or sweats. Other than having to constantly pull up my britches, it was a really good training session. At one point the podcast says something about not being tired or out of breath, but I am still tired and our of breath by the time I get to that interval. I am not sure if I should stay on week one until I can get to that point and not be tired and out of breath? I am open to suggestions...I know a couple of you are runners and may have some great ideas! I am not so tired that I need to stop, I can finish the intervals fine, but am out of breath. I don't think I am even jogging too fast, in fact I almost wonder if I walk faster than I jog, just kidding. I tried to focus on breathing today. I noticed the other day that a lot of my breathing was shallow. So I breathed in through my nose and out through pursed lips. It made such a difference!

After my run I got to head to a baby shower! I made a "sweet pea" card. I think it turned out pretty well. In the future I need to purchase plain green Stickles (that's the glitter glue I use). The Stickles I had was Holly and it had specs of red in it. It still turned out okay, but a solid green would really be perfect. I also think I would start with a skin tone baby head instead of white. I would still chalk both, but white is just so pale. I made two of these cards, but the cats chewed one up! Dang cats. The baby shower was really nice. We played games and I won two of the four. The first game I got to pick out a gift bag and I was pleasantly surprised to open some patio lights and candles! I can't wait for a BBQ to use them! The next game I let the second place winner have the prize. I wanted to share the wealth! Aside from fun baby shower games, we were treated to gourmet ice cream! The restaurant we were at makes their own ice cream. I had blackberry cheesecake, it was pretty good. I really enjoyed myself!

When I got back to town, it was time for a date night with my hubby! We decided to go to a roller derby! We had dinner at a mom and pop chicken place and went to our first roller derby together. It was really fun! I am super lucky, because we are going on another date night tomorrow! Between now and then I need to write a rather large paper that is due on Monday. I am hopeful to knock the paper out tomorrow morning and early afternoon, have time to go shopping, and then go on our date!

I travel Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week, so I really need to get ahead for the week if I can. I also need to lay clothes out and get groceries so I can be prepared and make sure I have time to keep on working at the 5K! I hope your week is super fantastic!

on the road to a 5k

Last night I decided to train for a 5k. I have wanted to run a 5k for quite a while now. I ran a 3k (I think it was 3k) years ago...like 12 years ago in Montana. Since then I have put on 5k events and always worked them, not had the opportunity to run in one. I am also quite aware that while I can hang out on my elliptical for hours, running is a different story. A couple people suggested I use the couch to 5k program. So, I looked it up online and found a free version of the program that had podcasts for my downloading pleasure. Before I went to bed last night I was so sure I would wake up this morning and run. The joke was on me...there was snow. I packed my bag to hit the gym after work, but all the snow had melted by the time work was over. I was able to day one training at a local park.

I have decided I need a new pair of shorts or sweats that don't fall down while I'm running. I kept having to yank mine up. I also need a better sports bra...mine was okay, but my shoulders hurt. I am open to suggestions if you know a good brand...one that is supportive and bonus points if you don't end up with what I refer to as "unaboob". I think I need a drawstring pair of sweats or shorts. I also need to get an armband for my Zune. I have new walking shoes, but after a while I might invest in running shoes. More than likely I will "reward" myself for keeping up with training by purchasing my "running" gear.

The podcast was pretty decent. I warmed up with walking for five minutes, followed by intervals of walking for 90 seconds and jogging for 60 seconds, and finished with a five minute cool down. I did a mile and a half in my thirty minute training. I instantly felt more confident again. I didn't like running near a road with lots of traffic, I was a little concerned about people seeing me jog...I realize this is sort of silly since a 5k would be a place where lots of people would see me jogging. I just need to get in my groove and really figure out what I am doing.

I plan to run a 5k near Thanksgiving. I might even run one in ten weeks if I am ready. The program is 9 weeks long. I am happy with having one day done. I hope I can keep up and just keep going with it. Anyway, it cheered me up.

I also sent an e-mail out today to the group that had an individual who sent me hate mail and feel like I resolved it. I actually wrote back and forth a little with the person I think sent the mail. Even if it wasn't her, she knows who it was to share today's conversations. So, I can actually sleep tonight! Yay!!!

In other news...my husband and I are going on TWO dates this weekend. How cool is that? I think I am the luckiest woman in the world sometimes.

Burnt out...

I am at a point of near desperation. I am so burnt out at work and not even sure what I need to do to pull up my boot straps and just carry on. I miss seeing my husband. I miss structure of going to work and going home on some sort of schedule. I miss the days when hearing about terminal illness only happened occasionally. Naturally, all of this had been on my mind, but today I got another nasty gram from someone. I haven't cried yet. I'm not even sure how to respond or what to write back. I just want to curl in a ball, nice and snug under my covers and wake up to a new job.

I have applied for a few jobs. In fact I turned in some materials this week. I'm at a point where if I could just quit, I would. Most days I like everyone I work with. That is not the problem. I just feel like I pour my heart into this job and give my best every day, only for people to tell me I'm not doing enough in the fight, not working hard enough (despite my 50-80 hour weeks), and should be doing more. It's just an abuse I don't know how long I can take. My supervisor and others won't confront the people who make comments such as this, because we always have to represent our organization in the best light possible...even if that means staff just taking it.

I realize I am fortunate to have a job. I'm just not sure if I am strong enough to stay here. I have always really enjoyed challenges. I like figuring out a solution, making things work, seeing the silver lining, but I see that part of me slowly deteriorating. I think that is the part that makes me sad. I have always been more of an optimist, a happy, excited person. I feel like that part of me is slipping away and I need to make a change before it's gone. I didn't get on to blog to have a pity party. I just need some room to vent and a place to write down my thoughts so I don't explode into tears. Thanks for listening. Prayers for a new job are appreciated. I know there are hundreds of people who are unemployed and need to catch a break, I wish everyone who needed a job had one.

P.S. I was talking to a co-worker about an executive who started in my job and was revelling about how long she had been in the organization and how she had climbed the corporate latter. I was wondering how she did it, how she made it....that's when my co-worker pointed out she had a nervous breakdown. I can see that.

Italian Style Pork Tenderloin with Faux Tato Salad and Green Beans

We had a wonderful 300 calorie dinner tonight. The green beans are easy- you can just steam them! We had ours pickled. A cousin gave me a jar of her pickled green beans and they were REALLY good. I can't wait until summer, I think I am going to grow and pickle green beans! Anyway, we also had faux tato salad. Here is the recipe:

Faux Tato Salad

12 oz. Frozen Cauliflower

1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese

1 tsp. mustard

1 tsp. vinegar

8 dill pickle rounds

Salt and pepper to taste

Steam cauliflower. Make sure the cauliflower doesn't get over cooked. You still want it to be a little firm. As soon as it has been steamed, rinse with cold water to chill the cauliflower and stop it from cooking any more.

While the cauliflower is being steamed, put your cottage cheese in the food processor or blender. Mix until creamy (this may require a few minutes of mixing/blending, but don't rush it...you want a creamy texture). After you have creamed your cottage cheese, use a spatula to move it to a medium to large bowl. Add the mustard and vinegar. Using kitchen shears or a knife cut up the dill pickles into small pieces. Add pickles to mixture. After the cauliflower has been rinsed, add it to the bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste!

Serves 4, each serving is 49 calories.

Italian Style Pork Tenderloin

1 Pork Tenderloin

1/2 Cup of Ragu Light Tomato and Basil Sauce

Basil (I used the type in the tube)

Spray a small glass pan with cooking spray. Brush basil on top of tenderloin. Brush marinara on top of tenderloin. Bake at 375 degrees for 45-55 minutes. Let sit for 2-5 minutes and slice. One 3 oz. serving has 190 calories.

Green Beans (16 string beans): 27 calories

Faux Tato Salad: 49 calories

Italian Style Pork Tenderloin: 190 calories

Total: 266 calories

Go Bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S

I had the best snack today! It was amazing! While I didn't balance it with a protein, it was incredible! Are you ready for this?



For each serving you need:

1 Frozen small (6-7 inches)Banana

1 TBSP. half and half (optional)

1 tsp. vanilla



Optional Topping:

1/2 Tbsp. Milk Chocolate Morsels

1/2 Tbsp. White Chocolate Morsels

1 drop or two half and half



Chop the frozen banana up and process in your heavy duty food processor for a few minutes. It will suddenly start to look like soft serve ice cream! Add in the optional half and half and vanilla. Scrape into your bowl. You could eat it just like this...amazing soft serve banana ice cream.



If you feel adventurous- the "ice cream" is so good on its own you probably won't want to feel adventurous, but if you do...simply microwave your chocolate and half and half for just a few seconds to melt. Pour on top.



It's amazing, in my opinion! I was skeptical at first, but yummy! Oh, and guess what...definitely under 300 calories! Here is the break down:



Banana Soft Serve "Ice Cream" with vanilla and no half and half: 100 calories

Banana Soft Serve "Ice Cream" with vanilla and half and half: 119 calories

Chocolate Topping: 72 calories



Enjoy!

Wrapped up in Rubens

I love Rubens! Unfortunately, the average Reuben is loaded with calories. I recently saw a Ruben dip recipe in my new Hungry Girl cookbook. I didn't follow the recipe, but I did note two distinct differences between their dip and a traditional Reuben. One change was to use turkey and the other was fat free French dressing. At the grocery store I bought one pound of deli turkey, a can of sauerkraut, some Kraft Free French Dressing, Swiss cheese, and some LaTortilla Factory Rye Wraps.


The original recipe probably called for veggies to dip, but part of the Reuben for me is the rye bread. Thinking I would prepare meals for the week, I got out four small Ziploc containers. I think they are 6 oz. containers. I sliced my deli turkey into inch long and 1/4 inch wide slices. I usually prefer everything to be fairly chopped up to make dipping or biting easier, especially with braces! I dropped 3 oz. of turkey into each container. You will have just a little extra, perfect for salad or a mid afternoon snack. Next I added two ounces of drained sauerkraut. I noticed that there is a slight caloric difference between mild sauerkraut and Bavarian sauerkraut. I used mild sauerkraut which had 10 calories per serving as opposed to Bavarian that has 20 calories. Next I stirred in one tablespoon of French dressing. Finally, I added 3/4 of an ounce of Swiss cheese. I chopped my Swiss cheese into butter pad sizes to make melting a little easier. That's it...I put in the refrigerator until I need them (by the way, nothing stays in my fridge for more than 6 or 7 days...I'm kind of weird about leftovers and such, so I would also suggest eating this recipe in 7 days...anything longer is at your own risk.).


When I grab one out of the fridge, I just heat my tortilla for 20 seconds and my Ruben filling for 1-2 minutes. I spread the filling on the tortilla, wrap, and enjoy! It's instant Ruben pleasure for just 295 calories! One serving of a regular Reuben has around 800 calories. So, enjoy this toned down and delicious swap.