Simmering.

Tonight for dinner we are having (gasp!):  pasta.   In celebration, I’ve been simmering a huge pot of homemade Puttanesca sauce for hours.     The pasta was a gift from my parents.  In fact, they imported it from Italy, and it’s fan-fucking-tastic.  My mother-in-law believes its because of the “water they use over there.”   I’m not sure what it is, but it beats the hell out of Ronzoni.     Pasta (especially non-whole wheat pasta served after 4pm) goes against any of the food plans I’m following, but I’ll tell ya something, it’s not a “lifestyle change” if I cannot indulge in some kickass imported semolina pasta a few times a year.   I’m throwing in some shrimp and broccoli rabe to balance out the meal too.

Life Observations

1- My body responds violently to eggs.  Shit, shit shit, I’m allergic to eggs.   Well, at least eggs in pure egg form.

2- I’m napping and/or resting a lot lately.  Getting up for Bootcamp at 5am is wrecking havoc with my equilibrium.  There’s been very little time to post (watch tv, surf the internet, etc)  in between bootcamp, nap, work, dinner, work. 

3- I’ve lost 3lbs in 2 weeks.  That’s significant for me.

Yeah.

Not Easy:  Running a mile at 5:35am.

Bootcamp, in Review.

I have completed 2 (5:30am!) boot camp workouts so far and it’s been a great experience.  Right now my muscles are hurting, my abs are aching, and I’m exhausted.    Well done.

Both days we started with a warmup run, moved to some running/fancy footwork drills, followed by some strength training with handweights, then moved into a circut, then repeated the strength training, repeated the circut, did a few new strength moves and ended with a stretch.   He throws in core and ab work throughout.  My cousin said the circuts and strength training are constantly changing too. 

Also, I have learned what a plank is, and now I know they are fucking painful. 

Given my schedule of working till 2-3am a few nights a week (and honestly my temperment) I don’t think I could do bootcamp (at 5:30am) more than 3 days a week.     However,  I really enjoy getting the exercise out of the way so early.   It’s a great mental kickstart too, as I’ve been considering my food choices with a “lets not ruin the healthy momentum todays morning workout gave you.” 

Furthermore the coach is great.  He’s so supportive without being condesending.   Both days he’s offered modified moves, yet challenges people to go a little beyond.   It was funny because on the first day I completed the entire warmup jog without walking.  Some people powerwalked  or did a walk/jog, but I knew I could run the whole thing, so I pushed myself to do so.  He came over to me and said (and honestly he delivered it in a way that I/he didn’t feel like an asshole) “you don’t need to overdo it the first day.”  I told him I spent 11 months of 2007 at the gym and would have been shortchanging myself if I walked it.   I think people underestimate how athletic I really am.  Shit, sometimes I do as well.

However, clearly I cannot jump rope well prior to 6am.  

Today I completed the bodyfat test, measurements, and he also weighed me.  Since September, I am up 7lbs.  Aieee.  I had just drank a huge water and also came off a bender of a St. Patrick’s day weekend so I’m pretty sure I am up about 4 actual pounds since September.  I’m not proud of the fact, but it was also nice to see I can lose weight (at rate of 3lbs a month)  faster than I have gained it (at the rate of .5-1lb a month).    

We also discussed my goals.  I have learned that when I focus on the numbers, I become an obsessive, miserable mess.  My major goal is to chill out and just work on treating my body with more respect through healthier eating and exercise.  If I lose weight and inches in the process, fantastic.     

Exercise Bootcamp Tomorrow

My cousin and I signed up for a 4-week exercise bootcamp.  It starts tomorrow at 5-freaking-30am!   If you know anything about me, it’s that I am not a morning person.  Plus, I feel so out of shape that I’m apprehensive and worried. 

I am trying to think of the positives:

1- I have an exercise buddy. Thank you Joyce!
2- 3 days a week my exercise will be completed at by 6:30am.
3- I can change my work schedule to 8-4.
4- I will be forced to sleep earlier/get more sleep.
5- My life will be subject to a strict(er) routine (something I need). The more of a schedule I have, the more I tend to accomplish.

I know that once I get through the first class things will be ok, but right now I’m a little freaked out about it all.

Disclosure

In the spirit of full disclosure, I present to you the food menu for this weekend:

Saturday & Sunday Brunch
Orange Cranberry Muffins
Sausage, Onion, & Broccoli Frittata
Bagels and Assorted Accoutrement

St. Patrick’s Day Party
Mini Meatballs in a Whiskey BBQ Sauce
Irish Soda Bread w/ Butter
Steak & Ale Pie
Corned Beef & Cabbage (or on Rye)
Shepard’s Pie
Guinness Cupcakes with Mascarpone Dark Chocolate Ice Cream
Bailey’s Irish Cream Ice Cream with Brownie Chunks and Guinness Hot Fudge Sauce

There’s also a few other items on the menu I am not making:
Cheese Platter
Crudités
Macaroni & Cheese (homemade, and for my vegetarian friends)
Leprechaun Balls

To Grill

My husband grilled chicken for dinner tonight.  He used 2 cutting boards, the grill pan, a colendar (huh?), 3 pairs of tongs, 3 spoons, 6 bowls, 3 platters, and 3 knives.    He also tried 4 different marinades. 

While I am greatful he cooked, I cannot imagine why it required so much stuff.    

I Scream for a Fortnight

Work has been draining the life force out of me lately, mentally, physically, and frankly financially.  On top of that, I got a surprise promotion and raise at my part-time job (that I am planning to leave before 2009). In the middle of all of that (or this?) was my birthday, and at our house that means 2 weeks of celebration.  My birthday fortnight ends on Tuesday of next week but now I’m coming down with another sick something so I think the party is over pronto.  On my actual birthday, we did a nice 4 mile trek around NYC (broken up by various stops for champagne) and stayed in a hotel ($39 a night thanks to my cousin).   Upon returning home, a few friends came over with homemade macaroni & cheese and a Coldstone Creamery cake.    Sadly I was feeling a little under the weather and was unable to enjoy the birthday cake that night, but I made up for the day after and it was 480 calories of so freaking worth it.   I did rather well in the birthday gift department too.    Tim got me (himself) a new coffee maker (in case anyone is counting, we have 3 different ways to brew caffeine now), I picked up the Pirates of the Caribbean 3 DVD (no more renting it OnDemand at $4.99 a pop), some black socks (fascinating I know), $100 worth in makeup from Sephora (!), and a pair of $19.99 black pants from TJMaxx.   I think the pants are the best find, given that I’m rather short and they fit perfectly.   No tailor and machine washable.  Although, the Benefit Get Even powder is rather spiffy too.    My old powder was 18 months old.   I only wish I had the funds to replace my Nars eyeshadows, but that would have been an additional $74.    Various family members got me Ballard Designs gift cards too.  After I bought the 3 items I had been coveting for months (all decoratory types like the French Pig above for my French inspired kitchen) I had $110 leftover.    Now, I am hording it till the right item comes along.

Also, if you are having a St. Patrick’s celebration, the best place to buy Guinness is at Costco. We saved $8-11 a case there.   We never shop at Costco on a Saturday (madhouse), however last Sat. we stopped by for recon purposes.  After much debate (and it was) Tim decided the Guinness would soon sell out, so out we went to get a cart.   There was almost bloodshed while we stood in line to pay, but it was for the GOOD OF THE GUINNESS.   My goodness.  Lots and lots of Guinness.  Speaking of Guinness, I received a late Christmas day gift (an ice-cream maker) and I made Guinness Ice Cream with Belgian Dark Chocolate Chunks.  Given that endeavor was so successful I then made Bailey’s Ice Cream with Chocolate Brownies.  The Bailey’s Ice Cream is the stuff of dreams, I tell you.  Luckily I am more of a savory food craver, so I can control myself and eat 1/2c ever few days or so.