Sunday, June 30, 2013

Foodie Penpals

Hello loves! Hope you're having a fabulous day. I'm working out the kinks to my summer schedule. I really need to get more focused on my blog and reading my blog buddies stuff, but summer is hard. I want to be out and doing things more ya know?

It is time for Foodie Penpals! This time I had my girl Lindsay - I LOVE her and I can't say it enough. We have bonded over our love of Columbus, Ohio State and CrossFit.  I need to get to Columbus and see/WOD with her.  She is also the person behind FPP so it was a little bit of pressure.  Thankfully she liked what I sent and you can check it out here.

I got my awesome package from Kati. She blogs over at NY Cooking Adventures. We are trying to plan a trip to link up in NYC.  She needs to try CrossFit, and I really want to try the box in the city. Plus she knows some sweet grub spots to teach me! I can't WAIT to meet her! :)

Anyways - she gave me some sweet hook ups.
 
1 - Apricot Preserves - I haven't used this yet, but can't WAIT to try it!
2 -  Italian Roast Coffee - I don't own a coffee maker - I'm going to have to borrow someones or have them make it for me :)
3 - Coconut Milk Powder - um - LOVE this for cooking! Great find!
4 - Roasted Coconut Chips - holy YUM! Awesome snack idea!
5 - Trek Mix -  almonds, blueberries, cranberries, golden raisins - GONE the first day haha!
6 - Just Mango Slices - not a huge mango person, but this is a good snack!
6 - (below) Three chocolates - Truffle Pig is AMAZING! Sea Salt Dark Chocolate is fabulous! Chipotle Chili Dark Chocolate - too spicy for me. I definitely need more of the first two!! 
 


And now it’s time for some details about Foodie Penpals. In case you’re a new reader, here’s a reminder of what the program is all about:
 
-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.
-Foodie Penplas is open to US, Canadian & European residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. Same with Europeans. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa.
 
If you’re from the US or Canada and are in participating for July, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions.
You must submit your information by July 4th as pairings will be emailed on July 5th!
 
*If you’re from Europe, please CLICK HERE to signup.

DO IT! Sign up and join the fun - maybe I'll get you next month :)

~xoxo
M

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Fitness Recap + SweatyBands winner :)

Hey Loves! Happy Sunday! Can't believe it's already Sunday. Also, can't believe the school year is almost over.  I know I've said it a million times, but I am truly beyond blessed to love what I do so much! Gonna miss my kiddos this summer. Hopefully I'll see some of them - at least my basketball girls and get them doing some stuff through the summer. Some of my munchkins from OMS years and my first year in Camden I know I'll see this summer. Good teachers don't really get summers off - between summer school, planning for next year or getting yourself better - no break.  Tomorrow is our last day to report and I start at the summer camp Tuesday. I'm looking forward to the camp.  I also will be working with my Math Coach, Ms. Mollet, and Brit to get ready for next year.  We want to hit the ground running!

Last week WOD wise was great! Finally getting back to the way I want to. At least for the most part.

Fitness Recap -
Monday: CrossFit - Death by Power Clean - had some issues with ankle
Tuesday: CrossFit - Hang Snatch PR at 75#x2 - got 85#x1 but couldn't get under the bar -- the video is 65,75,85 failed twice. We also did a metcon with DB snatches and pull-ups - felt good!
Wednesday: CrossFit - Thruster x3 @100 - felt good -- metcon was 5 rounds - 6 Thrusters + 12 bar hop burpees (I just step over since now hoping with ankle yet)
Thursday: No run with my running buddy - ankle was struggling - came home ice/heat for 20 then went to CrossFit - Deadlift x3 185 - I got 195x2 - SUPER pumped almost to 200! Metcon was Christine.
Friday: OFF
Saturday: CrossFit - Back Squat - getting it back slowly 125#x5.  Felt decent.  I did Friday's metcon - 21-15-9 Push press at 75# and pull-ups.  KICKED MY BUTT!
Sunday: I'm heading to open gym for skill work!

All in all, I am super happy with this week. Still having a lot of issues with my ankle and pain...trying to be smart about it. It's really just the tendons and not the actual bone so that is def a plus! Gets frustrating though.  Hip is still having a lot of issues too - can't really even lay on that side, so I think I will be going to a hip doctor this week or next.

Last night had a date! Can you tell in the pic how excited I was?!? haha It seemed to go well.  We may go to a movie or bowling today.  Not sure, but he was nice, so we shall see what happens.  I had two last weekend - not nuts on either.  Thought one was going to be cool, but turned out not so much haha. Trying to date other people is hard.  DA is still a huge chunk of me, but at this point we aren't what's best for each other. BLAH. I just want to have a fun summer and enjoy getting better at CrossFit haha :)



HUGE congrats to Layne for winning the SweatyBands.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/55b9840/"

~xoxo
M

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Last Week Via Pictures (Sorry I've been MIA)

Hello Loves! Hope you're doing well -- I've been major MIA I know. The end of the year can do that to a person. Add that to waiting to see if I got my job back + figuring out if I'm moving (either home to Tennessee or just to a new apartment)+ getting stuff done for the summer job = an insane schedule. Some pictures to update you on last week..
Peanut & I - celebrating her Preschool graduation!
Me, one of the 8th graders and Brit at the 8th grade prom last week!
Me & my Boo, Jenn!
Alycia (coach), me and Jenn - box BBQ last Friday, I only caught the tail end
Some of the Jersey originals - PJs for Dan's birthday!
Jenn came with me to PJs too & Rob came up.
I went to my first Power Yoga class with Sandy at Anjali Power Yoga. It was awesome! My ankle and hip did great and I needed it!
I trained my first person - this is going to be fun. Helping my GF get ready for the wedding! :)
Yesterday was our Students vs. Staff basketball game. Both staff teams won!
Now for the awesome news -- yesterday, I was hand delivered a letter and I GOT MY JOB BACK!!!! Now to find a nicer place to live and get ready for a fabulous summer and upcoming year!! I am so lucky to have such an awesome little community of folks I'm building up here. I'm blessed to love my job, my friends and my family!!

How has your week been?

PS I'll do my SweatyBand giveaway winner TOMORROW :)

~xoxo M

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Playlist Thursdays + Update

Hello loves! ALMOST the weekend! I can't wait! This time year is always the hardest at school.  The kids have completely checked out and for the most part, so have a lot of teachers.  I do games and activities during this time.  We are doing a M&M activity tomorrow testing the Mars Co. theory about the percent of each color come in each bag. Should be fun - at least in my opinion.  Will be hard as with the food challenge, no M&Ms for me whomp whomp.  Yesterday marked 80 days till my favorite time of the year - OHIO STATE FOOTBALL SEASON!! I can't WAIT for this year, and to be able to go back for a game or two! I miss Ohio.  I really think in the end I want to end up in Columbus or Cinci.  I just love Ohio and feel the most at home there. But before we jump ahead to football season, we have summer summer summer timeeeee! Who doesn't love summer? The beach, pool, and fun with my friends.
DA called last night -- first time we really really talked since everything went down....I'm not sure what will ever become of us, but I will always care about him even if we aren't a "WE" ya know? Ah whatever.  It's summer, going to go out a little more and have fun.  Maybe go on some dates and see what happens! Life is meant to be lived right?!? I feel like right now, I have a lot of people who still doubt me.  Sorry for the language, but I am kind of crazy with that picture to the right.  I have a LOT of people I have to prove wrong - including when I doubt myself! This summer is BIG for me.  I'm not 100% sure I have a job yet (Bell and Mollet swear I do), I am getting my L1 this summer, I'm going to do 2xday 3xweek this summer and try and get some of my strength back AND I'm working with my friend Katie at a pool. Maybe this summer I'll also meet John Cena's type friend, or The Rock. This picture of Cena snatching makes me love him.  I have The Rock on my lock screen and Cena on my home screen right now.  Creeper status almost haha.
CrossFit is going fabulous this week - the Tripod was back together - Me, Allie and Chris. On Tuesday, we were the only three there.  I love those two!
Had my 8 week check up on the ankle yesterday - no MRI which is the best news.  Cleared to start running up to 3xweek depending on how it feels and after I get refit for shoes. Going to try and do that soon. 6 more weeks of PT and as long as by the end of that I can go up on my toes, I am set. Excited to start getting slowly more and more back each day.  Lots of icing in my summer that's for sure.

Now my Playlist Thursdays -- I need to do this more regularly. I love music and doing this. Theme is songs you want at the end of the marathon (or for me just a mile run as I recover haha). Pick me up songs is what I call them.
Same format.
Something Old: Songs that are at least 5 years old. (I know that isn’t too long to be considered old, but music turnover happens quickly.)
Something Current: Songs that have been released within the past year.
Something to Consider: This is the wild card category. Feel free to list any song: old, current, guilty pleasure, underground, whatever

Something Old
Artist: Missy Elliott
Title: Work It
Side Note: This song still makes me want to dance.  My students and I have music on Fridays - they don't know this song except "yea, it's old Ms. Love , my mom listens to it" hahaha
Quotable: “Love the way my ass go bum-bump-bum-bump-bump/Keep your eyes on my bum-bump-bum-bump-bump/And think you can handle this badonk-a-donk-donk"


Something Current
Artist: Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Wayne
Title: High School
Side Note: I LOVE this song. 
Quotable: “Anyway, I felt him, helped him,  Put him on lock, seat-belt him, Took him out to Belgium, welcome"


Something to Consider
Artist: Robin Thicke ft. TI & Pharrell
Title: Blurred Lines
Side Note: I LOVE this song. This makes me want to move all the time. 
Quotable: “OK now he was close, tried to domesticate you But you're an animal, baby it's in your nature Just let me liberate you"



I love music! So fun! That's all for today :)
~xoxo
M

PS Don't forget about my SweatyBands Giveaway!!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Hump Day + 8 Weeks Since Break + First Giveaway

Hello loves!! It's hump day! Who's excited? I am!! This week is off to a great start - I'm back at the box on a pretty steady pace, and I love it! I have my awesome hubby - The Rock - on my lock screen.  Gosh I love him - incase you didn't know, I've crushed on him for years now.  Even my Tank knows - he's obsessed with wrestling so he always ask me who's better - the Rock or John Cena - heck both are handsome and good lifters so I'll take either haha :)

The week is going good.  Love being able to be back in the gym.  Check out Prince Charming -- I LOVE IT!! Only thing that would make it better is if it said "WE gotta go to the gym".  With everything going on in my life right now, lifting and metcons are just what I need.  Plus I LOVE my box friends...seriously...would be lost without them! Like tonight I got to work on my snatches! It felt good to be able to move semi-normal.  I'm still having issues on the left hip as you can see in the video...



 

Now for some fun -- if you look at all my videos, pictures or happen to hang with me on the daily - you know I rock my Sweaty Bands.  I can't explain to you my obsession with their product, staff and ideas.  Their hair bands are AMAZING - I have some bands that I've had for a over a year that still stay put.  I wear them into the shower so I can clean them.  I own around 20 or so at this moment in time haha. Their staff rocks - from customer support if you call/email to the crews that work the expos (which I hope to do one day). They have been awesome to me and now they are hooking me up with a FREE band to give one of y'all!!  Enter using the Rafflecopter below :)


 





Finally - quick ankle update - I head back to the doctor this afternoon -- today makes 8 weeks since I broke my ankle.  Fingers crossed I don't have to get an MRI because of my achilles and posteior tib tendon.  Ready to be pain free and 100%!!
~xoxo
M

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Awesome Weekend & Fitness Recap

Hello Loves! Happy Sunday Evening (or Monday if you're reading it then). Game of Thrones is about to start -- the LAST one for the season....after last week I'm not sure what else could happen. I never read the books so I honestly don't know what happens, but I do know I want to read the books now. My friend Rach is going to lend me her copies so I can read.
 
 
 How was your week? Mine was decent. I have SO much going on between losing my job (and hopefully getting it back - fingers crossed), ankle issues, DA and I deciding we are done and trying to figure out my life (moving if I lose my job or moving to a new apartment if I stay).

I made some amazing food this week. Garlic & herb drumsticks, shredded sweet potatos, homemade salsa, grilled chicken salad, grassfed beef w/peppers and onions. Shredded sweet potatos - my new obsessions! Cooked in butter and make them crunchy. I love them. I'm doing very well on the food challenge and I love it. Seeing results already! I forget how awesome it feels to eat so clean all the time. Going to try and keep it up after the challenge is over this time. We shall see how it goes.

I've started back at CrossFit this week. Not till Wednesday. Ended up taking more then the said week off. I think I really needed it. At PT this week I had a new doc (as mine had twins and was out). She was asking me how long it had been since I broke my ankle. I told her it had been about 12-13 weeks. My PTa corrected me - it has only been 7 weeks! This Wednesday it will be 8 weeks. Isn't that crazy?!? Not even two full months yet!! CRAZY! Makes me happy at the progress I have made and that I am doing well at my recovery.
So back to starting back at CrossFit...




Fitness Recap

Monday - Off
Tuesday - Off
Wednesday - Ran 1 mile & CrossFit - Strength: PushPress - Metcon: 3 Rounds 400m row, 21 KB swings, 12 PushPresses
Thursday - CrossFit - worked on Power Snatch and Squats and rowed
Friday - CrossFit - Strength: Hexbar Deadlifts x3 - got 195# - Metcon: 21-15-9 Deadlifts 100#, Pull-ups
 
 
Saturday - CrossFit - Strength: Split Jerk EMOTM for 7 - 2 SJ - 105# - Metcon: 3 Rds - 7 SJ, 14 step ups, 400m row
 
 
 
Sunday - CrossFit - 200,400,600,400,200 run & row ladder - then back squat for sets of 8 - 45,65,75,85,95, 100 - felt good to squat!!!!

 Saturday after the WOD I went dress shopping with the GF for her wedding dress - Dan, Amanda (GF's sister) and I.  Then we went to Zinburger for lunch.  As the girls and I were finishing up, Nick came.  I sat with him and chatted while he ate, then we ran some errands.. Love that guy! I also made him go to Open Gym and Run Club with me today :)
I got some SweatyBands this week! AND they hooked me up with one to give away -- keep your eyes open! It's coming this week.



~xoxo
M

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Remember D-Day

Hello Loves -- Happy Thursday! Can't believe it's already the 6th of June.  Crazy.  A lot of people forget the importance of this day, but please take time to remember.  Today is D-Day - 1944 - a lot of young Americans gave the final call.  I am blessed to be a military brat - proud of it too! Thankful for all our service men and women - past, present and future!
Yesterday - OSU Alumni also made me happy - I will NOT miss Homecoming Weekend this year! I haven't seen my OSU friends in a hot minute. Not to mention last year my boy Chuck and his friends planned stuff for Homecoming Weekend. Who wants to go with me?

Guess who was cleared to go back to normal activities?!? That's right - THIS GIRL!!! Since yesterday was National Running Day, I decided I really wanted to try and get my first run back since the break too. I meet with one of my Jersey running buddies, Jen.  We just did under a mile, but I ran.  It hurt a little, but I was out there and that's all that matters to me.  After my run I headed over to the box for the Rx class.  Our strength wasn't just push press - it was 3 Power Cleans + 3 Push Press.  I got to 95.  I did 3 Power Cleans at 100, but they were sloppy so I didn't bother pressing.  My ankle didn't bother my too much so I'm looking forward to going today too! I'm not sure if I'll do the metcon or not - A still having issues with my hip/groin on the left side and B - I'm not sure I can do jump rope, let alone Double Unders yet haha. We shall see what I decide to do!

The #25DayChallenge at my box. I'm doing ok with the eating Paleo - cleaning it up more each day.  Tuesday was off since we went to Baltimore with the kids and I forgot my bag of goodies. Since then I've been ok.  I really want chocolate or ice cream but I'm holding out. I know that my nutrition is the biggest factor holding me back from my goals, so I'm really trying to make this stick and clean it up...for good. 
This also happened last night haha. I love my friends.  Jilly cracks me up.  Her schedule has sucked recently, so we have not been able to see a ton of each other. Her hubs got a new car and he travels and does sales so good for him! Happy hubby & happy wife make for a fabulous life :)

How's your week?
Are you doing any current challenges?
~xoxo
M

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Happy National Running Day :)

Hello Loves! Happy National Running Day and Hump Day!! Remember that today only you can save $20 off a Rock'n'Roll race --> check out the discounts here. I want to sign up for the Vegas, Nashville, VA Beach and Philly race, but not sure where I'm going to be yet come fall so....have to make up my mind if I will register for any of them at all. Are you running any of them?


Also, make sure if you need a new watch - check out Timex. I love timex! Own 4 haha! Timex is celebrating National Running Day by asking runners to tweet or post to Instagram with #IMARUNNER. They will be giving away 60 Timex Ironman watches to runners who use the hashtag. In return for each eligible submission, Timex will also donate $5, up to $15,000, toward One Fund Boston.

For a chance to win a Timex Ironman watch simply submit your unique running story on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #IMARUNNER on June 5th by 11:59pm EST. Users can also enter by submitting a photo or story directly on the Timex Sports Facebook page “#IMARUNNER Tab” (http://bit.ly/12qH3Xb). Winners will be selected at random and official rules are located here: http://bit.ly/147ilKy.
Also - last one I know of -- Women’s Running Series is offering $20 off registration for the half marathon distance! The deal is active 12:00am PST and last till 11:59pm PST on June 5th. For more information visit this link.

Ok - so that's all I really have for your today.  Trying to figure things out.  Had a good talk with Mama Dukes last night. I'm going to just keep my head up and see what happens.  I'm really hoping that Camden brings me back next year, but I don't know what will happen yet. I'm a planner.  I like set plans.  Right now, I have NONE! I'm trying to not let that freak me out or stress me.

Yesterday we took the whole 7th grade to Baltimore.  It was a really good time.  G & I kept my homeroom. We had fun and so did the kids.
Tonight I am cleared to start running and CrossFitting again.  I'm heading to PT after school, then meeting my old running buddy Jen for a small (like a mile or less haha) run! I'm happy that I can share today with our running community.  We are also running in our metcon tonight - not sure I'll do that, might row instead. Depends on how the ankle is feeling. I'll let you know :)
Are you celebrating National Running Day?

 

~xoxo
M

Monday, June 3, 2013

I'm Back - LONG Week Off

Hello loves...I've been MIA since I went to California. I am trying to process life as well as I can.  Right now I'm stressed beyond belief.  Trying to find what makes me happy as well as trying to find a job and figure out what to do with the whole DA thing.  Funny how life works....when it rains it pours. I'm trying to focus on what I want for my life and I know it might make some people mad, but I have to do what I have to do.  Mama Dukes did a good job with me - I'm a smart girl with a good head on my shoulders.  I have faith it will all work out - in HIS plan! :) So I won't blog a TON but I'll share pictures with you....
Pinkberry at the Philly Airport en route to DA - I made a 90 year old friend - she forgot her money so I treated her to some Pinkberry -- she was super cute and I hope if my Oma is ever in an airport and needs something that there is someone to hook her up too :)

DA & I at Sunset Terrace - one of his favorite places in Thousand Oak
Wine, comfy clothes, couch, basketball playoffs & DA - perfect Saturday night
Sunday play date at Santa Monica Pier
Then we just sat and talked and got to stare at this :)
Tabata handstand holds during after school program with a student
Justin & Alycia talking to over 100 people from my box....
25 day challenge - Paleo eating, lots of sleep, WODs + rest days, mobility work - just getting healthier
Last Friday morning of PT - hopefully two more weeks -- still need a lot of ankle mobility
Track meet with my students in BLISTERING heat last Friday
Happy Hour with the work crew Friday afternoon
Xfinity Live with the original Jersey crew
Trying to bike or row 30 mins a day this month - so got on the trainer Saturday night and watched "Trouble with the Curve"

Sunday morning was started outside with sunshine & 2500m fun -- 500m sprints with a min recovery
Sunday afternoon I took the girls to the beach to play with Bobby -- then had a BBQ at the box to kick off our challenge!!
Now I am waiting to talk to DA today -- hopefully figure some stuff out.  Put out a bunch of applications so far, so fingers crossed for that! I'll be back to normal blogging this week AND I am officially changing the name to Lifting Love -- working on finding someone to help design it -- if you know anyone, let me know :)

~xoxo
M