It's the little things

Thursday night is typically my late night at the gym.  I go with a friend from work.  Typically, 3 days a week, there are 5 of us that go.  Thursday night, it's usually just me and Nellie.  We do 3 classes - weight lifting (also known as Power), core and belly dance.

Yeah, no comments on me doing belly dance.  At least until I lose about 50 more lbs, but it's a HECK of a workout.  I wake up at night after belly dance with my hip flexors screaming at me and have to sleep on my stomach the rest of the night to stretch them out.

Anyway.

I always ask the kids to do little things around the house....keep the dining room table cleaned off (it's a catch-all spot), sweep/swiffer the floors, clean kitchen, load/unload dishwasher, etc.  And I always tell them just because you are 21 and 19 doesnt' mean you don't have to do chores anymore....you still live here.

Rarely do I ask them to cook.  But this week, I bit the bullet and asked the boy....

My son has been talking about this chicken salad that his room mate at college makes since he got home.  I asked him on Tuesday if I went and got the stuff on Thursday if he could go ahead and make it.  He said he would....the recipe that his room mate sent him was very vague because Kevin doesn't measure anything when he makes it - he does it all to taste.  So, after my dr appointment (the dr office is about 2 miles from my house) I run to Food Lion and get the following:

1 Rotisserie chicken (used whole thing)
1 bottle of Texas Pete (used 1/4 bottle)
1 bottle of coarse ground Grey Poupon (used 1/2 jar)
1 bottle of Worchestershire (maybe 1/8 bottle?)
Celery (2 stalks)
Black Grapes (1/2 c grapes)
Sliced Cashews (dunno because he crushed them...I added some to the top)
I had the light mayo at home (dunno, because jar was already open)

This was the final product:

It was really, really good!  Mikey wasn't real happy with it because he said it didn't have as much bite to it as Kevin's did, but I told him we could tweak it next time. 

I love no-cook dinners - and there wasn't any cooking done to make this, just assembly.

And it was nice to not have to buy dinner on a night when I had to stay late at the gym......with all 4 of us home once again, it gets rather pricey.

The only downside to this whole thing?  I had to clean up the kitchen.  While I have the common sense to clean as I go when I am cooking dinner, this doesn't register with my college Physics major.  **Sigh**

The little things.......

Oh!

Then I rambled on and on to my hubby about this overnight oatmeal that I was going to make.  I'd been waiting all week til I got to the store to get the stuff to make it, and now I have it and I made it and it's the best.oatmeal.ever.

Well, at least to me.....

1/3c Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats
1/3c unsweetened almond milk
1/3c plain Greek yogurt
1 banana
1tbsp Peanut Butter and Company Mighty Maple Peanut Butter
1tbsp tiny dark chocolate morsels

Comes out to 10 Weight Watchers P+ or about 447 calories.

I haven't  been real thrilled with my overnight oatmeals this week, but this one was a huge hit.  I will definitely be making this one again...and again....and again...

Breakfast Boredom

Ok, so I have totally gotten bored with my breakfasts.

I did protien shakes for a while.  They are my go-to.  I usually have a banana a few hours after the shake.

Then I did flavored oatmeal.

I thought I was doing good with overnight oatmeal, but DANG!!!  I plugged the stats for it into myfitnesspal.com and it's over 600 calories!!  That's like 1/2 my total for the day.  WW Points + wise, it's not bad, but the calorie count is rediculous.

Sometimes I boil eggs. 

But I never skip breakfast.  I am always starving by the time I get up and going in the morning.  Depending on what we ate the night before.

Last night, I was rather indulgent.  I had a 6 inch turkey sub with mustard and a small greek salad.  Any time I eat a major amount of carbs, I am starving the next morning.

Not that a 6 inch sub roll is a massive amount, but it's more than I am used to.

I'm in a rut food-wise I think.

I have a dr appointment today.  I had my annual bloodwork done on Tuesday.  I think my blood pressure is dropping too low.  I'm on bp medication, but was off of it for a long time - due to my being slack and letting my prescription run out and just not wanting to deal with it.

When I first started my weight loss journey, my bp was in stroke zone.  154/110.  With medication, it took it down to around 132/86.  When I had my bloodwork done, they went ahead and checked it - I hadn't taken it in 5 days because I can't go out in the sun when I take it.  It was 124/90.  Diastolic number is still high, but I think it's dropping low.  I have dizzy spells, and times where my vision gets blurred.  I'm going to talk to Dr Hamrick about it today.  All my other numbers are perfect....just my blood pressure likes to be stupid.

Mikey is making a chicken salad that his room mate used to make while they were in school this past year.  I'm so excited about it!  I LOVE chicken salad - especially when it's made with rotisserie chicken.  Think I'm going to get some dinner rolls and have a side salad with it.  I have saltines at home, so don't need to pick those up.  Food Lion didn't have any black grapes, so had to get red grapes, so hope those are ok.

Wordless Wednesday - A Trip to Remember Part 3

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z356/ncwingnut71/Facebook/Hatteras%20and%20Ocracoke%205252012/

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z356/ncwingnut71/Facebook/Hatteras%20Part%202%20%20%2052412/

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z356/ncwingnut71/Facebook/Hatteras%20Vacation%20May%202012/

A Trip to Remember Part 2 - Libby's View

** This is a copy of a post I sent over to A Brindle in Belgium.....She posts pictures of our dogs for the Boxer Mailing List..... more to be continued of mine and Michael's point of view tomorrow :) **

We took Libby on our trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina this past week.  She LOVED it!  Especially the water and hunting for fiddler crabs.

We stayed on Hatteras Island.  Hatteras is one of the main tourist attractions of the Outer Banks, next to where the Wright Brothers first made their flight in Kitty Hawk.

The Outer Banks is very undeveloped in many places.  The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is incredible.  We didn’t see maybe 50-60 people on the beach at any given time.  Most had their dogs with them, which the outer banks are the only NC beaches that allow dogs year round  Many of the hotels and rental houses are dog friendly.

Here, Libby is looking for her Boston Terrier friend she had made earlier.

Libby and I checking out the waves.  She loved the water, but when the waves would go back out, she would jump straight up in the air because of the sand pulling against her paws, lol.  She would go out about chest deep and also try to “eat” the foam from the water.

Attacking the foam and waves

Not only were there fiddlers, but there were also horseshoe crabs, too.  They didn’t wanna play as much as the fiddlers.

Every morning, we would go out at sunrise and Libby discovered the joys of chasing and digging for fiddler crabs.  Once she figured out that the were holes where they went, she would dig to China.

And she was always so pleased with herself :p

We visited the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.  It’s the tallest brick lighthouse in the nation.

Come on mom or me and dad are gonna get all the crabs!

A Trip to Remember Part 1

Where to start? 

I'm not really sure.....this past week at the Outer Banks was just....amazing.

It was just me and Michael and Libby.

Did I miss the kids?  Sure.  But they have their own lives now.  Yes, it's still tough with Megan because she's still trying to figure it out, but Mikey is working this summer and wanting to hang with his friends.

We've been married just about 22 years.  This was the first REAL vacation we took by ourselves. 

And we had a GREAT time.

The place we stayed at was awesome.  We rented a suite at the Cape Pines Motel.  It was very nice....living/dining room, full kitchen, king bed and decent bathroom.  Daily maid service.  Very, very clean and they were pet friendly.  They had a small back yard where we could let Libby off leash to run and chase her ball.  Have you ever seen the movie Hudson Hawk?  You know the little foo foo dog named Bunny?  Well, all that runs through my head when we play ball with her is "Bunny, ball ball" lol.

Lots of early morning walks on the beach.

Lots of evening walks on the beach.

One climb up 257 steps of the Hatteras Lighthouse.

And some other sight seeing.

And I didn't hate the way I looked in a bathing suit!!! Still not completely satisfied, but getting there.  I can't wait to go back next year.

The food.....omg, what can I say about the food??

The first night we were there, we ate at Rusty's Surf and Turf.  It was REALLY excellent.  Every restraunt just about has a fresh fish of the day....whatever they pick up from the fish market that morning.

I had the mahi-mahi kabobs with pigeon peas, mango salsa, brown rice and veggies.  Michael had the fresh fried flounder, fries and slaw.  For dessert, we had turtle cheesecake.

Thursday night, we ate at the Sandbar Bar and Grille.  I had the grilled Wahoo and Michael had the prime rib, which was the size of a small roast.  I got a picture of the calamari appetizer, but was so hungry that I didn't get pics of dinner.

The view from the Sanbar was amazing.....looking out over the sound....

Perfect calamari!

The first night we were there, we fell asleep rediculously early.  We're talking 8pm.  It was a long drive down there and we had drinks with dinner and we were just wooped.

So, needless to say, we got up rediculously early the next morning.....4am :p.

But we did get some phenomenal sunrise pictures.....

I'm uploading all the pics to Photobucket and will link them in more posts tomorrow.....I just wanted to share that we are back and I will be back to posting (not that I have any followers...save 2...lol)

I AM in control

Yesterday was a great day food-wise for me.  I ate good at work and then for dinner, I made the realization that I did not NEED 2 slices of greasy italian cheesy bread.  It was gross.  So I gave the other slice to Mikey (every one knows, Mikey eats EVERYTHING).  I actually ended up having 3 points left for the day, and I didnt' want anything else, because I was full.  So I just left them.

The 4 pounds that I was up as of Sunday are now gone.  Back down to 234.6!!  But, vacation starts tomorrow, so we'll have to see how I do then.  I do plan on indulging in some adult beverages while we are there, amost definitely some calamari, so we'll see :)

I went to Zumba and it totally rocked.  Even without Tassie (the normal insturctor) there.  Nellie and I have this theory that Tassie is pregnant.  But we're not sure.  If she's at Hip Hop tonight, we'll have to investigate further.....I would hate to lose her if she is, but I would be happy for her at the same time!

After Zumba, met Jody and Mikey to walk.  We did 2 miles yesterday evening.  Mikey needs to get some new running shoes so that we can start running.  He is going to be like my running coach.  We are doing a 5-mile race in July - The Yellow Brick Road Run in Roxboro.  It "says" it's flat with a 1/2 mile hill at the end - thought it doesn't say if it's uphill or downhill.  But that's ok...most of my walking/running is already in a hilly area, or on hill intervals on the treadmill, so I should be good.  Just got to build up to 5 miles from 3.

My daughter just uploaded these to her facebook and  I thought I would share....these are from my mother's day/birthday dinner at Asahi.  I love going there for Japanese food.  They have the best sushi.  They also try to feed you way too much!!!

My 2 awesome offspring, Megan and Michael Jr.

Meg and Mikey being silly as we were going back out to the car after dinner

Chicken and shrimp

Spicy yellowtail mango avocado roll

Onion volcano!!!  boo!!  Be scared!!

Daddy's girl :)

Crunchy spicy tuna avocado roll

Me and the hubby....a picture that actually doesn't suck of me!!

Hip hop tonight~~  Then walk with Mikey and Jody.  Megan is supposed to give both dogs a bath today and Mikey is supposed to spray down the couches and dining room carpet with flea/tick spray.  After hip hop and walking, home to run 1 load of laundry, then finish packing.

Outer Banks tomorrow, baby!!!  Woot~~

2 days to go....and a new knitting project!

It was a great weekend.  I worked on Saturday because guess what...

The hubby and I are leaving for the Outer Banks on Wednesday!!!  No kids....just the Libby Lou (my bouncy boxer girl).  I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!!!

I bought 3 sundresses to wear out to dinner while we are there.  Not that we have to dress up for dinner, but I WANT TO.  This trip is going to be AWESOME!  We have never been to the outer banks, and have wanted to go for a long time.  We are both hoping that this will turn into something that we do together at least twice a year - once in the spring and once in the fall.

We are staying on Hatteras Island.  We will be less than a mile from the lighthouse.  I am going to climb the lighthouse steps and not die.  That was one of my main goals before the trip (other than a smaller sized bathing suit) that I wanted  to hit.  I also wanted to go to Corolla and see the wild horses, but Corolla is over an hour from Hatteras, so I don't think that is going to happen :(.  Unless we do it Saturday morning on the way home. 

There is also an awesome fish market at the lower end of Hatteras that I want to go to and get some fresh fish to take home.  I love fish.  And I like it either broiled, grilled, or baked.  I'm not big on fried, at least anymore.  And, it's what I eat about 75% of the time.  It's just better for you. 

I found out last night that the main restraunt that I want to eat at is within walking distance of the motel.  A bit pricy at between 17.00 and 24.00 a plate, but to be honest, that is good for the coast.  And from what I have heard and read, it's GREAT food. 

Ok, enough jabber about the Outer Banks.

The main reason I changed the name of this blog to Running Stitches is because I wanted to incorporate my sewing blog into it. 

I started a new knitting project this weekend.  This is going to be for my brother's girlfriend's daughter.  This kid is so sweet.  She's 13, I think?  She has been through a hell of a lot for a kid.  And I really enjoyed meeting and talking to her while I visited mom in March.

She likes bright colors.  I decided to do a 2-color pattern - it's a plaid stitch.  And I enjoy doing it.  I really didn't need to buy ANOTHER knitting stitch book, but I'm glad that I did....I have used 3 stitches out of it already and they are all really easy to follow.

I hope she likes it.  I haven't decided if I'm just going to do a scarf with it, or make panels and make an afghan out of it. 

Now, from the weight loss standpoint.....

Last week was aweful.  It was that time of month, plus my birthday last week.  I didn't want to go to the gym or eat right.  So, after I saw a 4 pound gain this week (Sunday is my weigh in day), even though I know that most of it is probably water weight, I need to buck up and get my head on straight.

I did 9 miles yesterday - 5.5 in the morning with my walking buddy, then another 3.5 yesterday afternoon with my son.  He wants to get back to his wrestling shape, so we are going to start running, playing some tennis (yeah....this ought to be interesting) and trying disc golf.  I am so happy to have him home for the summer....extra encouragement is always great~~!~~

Let's see....zumba tonight, then walk w/ Jody and Mikey......Hip hop tomorrow and walk again....then Wednesday, I get to run on the beach for 4 days.  YAY!!!