Back to School (Edited to add) February 4, 2010

Hello there ladies! Has everyone had a good week? Happy HUMP day! It’s almost Friday, y’all

EDIT: I will share my exciting news with y’all in my next post! Sorry! I completely forgot!

I had a great day! I was Larabar’s fan of the day and had a fantastic strength workout…

• Abs
  • 30 second plank, 30 second side plank, 30 second side plank
    • repeat, then end with another 30 second side plank
  • 1 minute high plank on bosu ball
  • 1 minute Russian Twists (with 10 lb. weight)
  • Captain’s Chair: 3 sets of 10
  • Torso Rotation: 3 sets of 10 (15 lbs.)
  • Pilates Scissors: 3 sets of 10
  • Reverse Crunches: 3 sets of 10
  • Leg Drops: 2 sets of 10
  • Side Plank Drops: 2 sets of 10 on each side
  • 2 sets of 30 second side planks on each side
• Legs
  • Hip Adduction: 10 sets of 10 (155 pounds)
  • Hip Abduction: 10 sets of 8 (150 pounds)
  • Calves: 4 sets of 10 (180 pounds)
  • Hamstring: 5 sets of 10 (75 pounds)
  • Leg Curl: 3 sets of 10 (50 pounds)
  • Wall Squat held for 100 seconds
  • Wall Squats with exercise ball: 3 sets of 15
  • Leg Lifts: 2 sets of 15
• Stretching and Foam Rolling

I also did some arm stuff but not a lot!! I went crazy with my abs today. Felt great!

I have LOVED being home these past five days. I’ve been able to enjoy creating meals that I usually don’t have time: like…Stove-Top OATMEAL!! I took Kath’s advice and caramelized the banana before I added the oats…SO GOOD! You guys have to try that.

Oatmeal made with dried prunes (loveee) and banana, topped with brown sugar!

Protein filled lunches…did you know that Flat-out Wraps (or at least the light ones) have 9 grams of protein in them?!?

I hadn’t had Tuna Fish Salad in forever! It’s SO good. And this whole wrap had like 50 grams of protein in it! Holy smokes.

Delicious nighttime snack!!

I’m so glad that I got so much accomplished this “break.” But it’s back to the grind tomorrow.

Verse of the Day: Psalm 59:16 (found here)

I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Have an incredible night! I’m off to eat some peach sorbet. YUM!

<3 jess

xoxo

P.S Giveaway Alert!

Fan of the Day! February 3, 2010

Hey all! I have school off today (yesss)!

I am Larabar’s fan of the day!! Check it out here. (Thanks Lewis!)

Well, I just ate a delicious lunch which I will share with you tonight. I have not one, but TWO really exciting things to announce tonight!

Be back later!

<3 jess

xoxo

Raw Cookies and Yoga February 2, 2010

Hey all! I hope you are having a great start to your week! I had today off (due to the snow) and I also have tomorrow off. I also would not be surprised if Wednesday was taken off. There will at least be a delay!! I just love the south when it snows!

I have been LOVING the yoga lately. It is my favorite form of exercise, with strength training as a close second. Today I did a lovely 60 minutes of Heart Opening Flow #1. It was glorious, to say the least

Today, I worked on my year-long research paper, and got over 6 pages done, or around half. I am VERY glad and feel really good to have this much done. I plan on doing another 3-4 tomorrow. I like being ahead. Tomorrow’s agenda:

• Work on paper
• finish Beowulf/notes
• study Biology (dissection test…EEK!)

I don’t know about you, but my closet had gotten out of control. So I decided to tackle it and be brutally honest with what I don’t wear or use anymore. It feels so much better!

Before: After:   I had good intentions of making raw cookies/babies a month or so ago, but just never had the time. So, I thought this afternoon was the perfect opportunity. I decided to make Averie’s Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls and Katie’s Cashew Cookie Babies. Oh my, so, so, so good! I’ve only tried the balls so far, but I had a little taste of the cashew cookies…I never knew raw desserts could taste so yummy! I highly suggest these. And they are SO EASY.

   Tonight’s snack…

Other delicious eats from the weekend!!

      

    

 

     Kath’s Whole Wheat Yogurt Pancakes…DELICIOUS. So yummy, especially when topped with banana, drizzled with agave, honey, and peanut butter. Heaven in breakfast form? I think so.

   

     

Tonight’s Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner

• Raspberry Yogurt (Stonyfield Organic)
• Cinnamon LIFE
• Honey Sunshine
• Apple/Blueberry Granola
• Raisins
• Banana
• Cinnamon Raisin Swirl

= Happiness in a bowl

Verse of the Day: Daniel 7:21

"I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them."

UH-OH?! Does this mean my Saints are going to lose the Super bowl? Haha.

I’m off to comment on some blogs. Have a wonderful night everyone!!

<3 jess

xoxo

Funnnnnn Week! January 31, 2010

Hello all! I’m so sorry to have been gone for so long. It’s been a crazy and busy week. I’ve kept up with commenting (sort of) but posting just had to take a backseat to LIFE.

My school’s homecoming was last night! As I mentioned, I was the freshman class representative (girl) and the boy was the guy rep. It was a lot of fun and my team also won our game. Woohoo! Since drivers ed was cancelled today (due to SNOW), I slept over at my best friend’s house. It was beyond a blast, and I am so blessed to have such incredible friends. I am SO blessed.

As I just mentioned, we got SNOW!! It started snowing last night and has not really stopped! We have around 5-7 inches and it is beautiful. I just love snow days! The yoga, relaxing, warm baths, tea, etc, etc…makes for an incredible day! Church is also cancelled so I get to sleep in tomorrow! And the odds that we’ll have school on Monday is very slim I plan on getting a lot of homework done in the next two days!

When I got home from the sleepover, I was in the mood to clean. Hehe. So I promptly cleaned the whole kitchen and when my dad got home we got set to making homemade spaghetti/meatballs. Talk about incredible. With parm…there’s not much that is better than this!

  I had a wonderful day! I spent time with my family and caught up on blog reading/commenting. Around 3:30 I knew what I wanted to do: YOGA! I decided on 45 minutes of Power Yoga #2 and 30 minutes of Yoga for Back Pain (my back has been bothering me—but since I did this, it feels MUCH better!), both of which are from yogadownload.com, an incredible yoga site.

I felt revitalized afterwards and the endorphins were flowing

Some foodie action!!  

 

     

Flat out wrap with two eggs (scrambled) and provolone (30 grams of protein?) and an apple

“Live in the present. Forgive your past.”

Blueberry Greek yogurt with cinnamon LIFE cereal. Delish.  Verse of the Day: Hebrews 1:3 (found HERE)

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

Well, that’s all for now!

Oh wait, I lied…

I’m kinda slightly obsessed with this song! No shame, right?

Question of the Day: What’s your current favorite song as of late??

Have a happy Sunday, everyone!

<3 jess

xoxo

Finally All Caught Up! January 25, 2010

Hey beautiful bloggers! I hope everyone had a restful weekend. I had a great weekend! It was not very productive, but productive enough

Saturday, as I previously mentioned, I had drivers ed. (Only TWO more days left. Yes please!) I also exchanged gifts with the boyfriend. He got me these GORGEOUS earrings and a jar of dark chocolates. Does he know me well or what?

Before he came over, I hit up the gym. Here’s what I did. It was all strength! No cardio needed!

• Stationary Bike Warm Up (okay, so I guess there was SOME cardio!)
• Leg Work
• Hip Adductor: 4 sets of 10, 4 sets of 8 (150 pounds)
• Hip Abductor: 4 sets of 10, 4 sets of 8 (145 pounds)
• Calves: 3 sets of 20 (175 pounds)
• Hamstring: 5 sets of 10 (75 pounds)
• Leg Curl: 3 sets of 10 (50 pounds)
• Wall Squat held for 100 seconds
• Wall Squats with exercise ball: 3 sets of 15
• Leg Lifts: 3 sets of 10 on each leg (done while laying down, leg go straight up—focus on the legs, not abs)
• Ab Work:
• 30 second half-plank, 30 second side plank, 30 second side plank, repeated TWICE and another 30 second half-plank
• Pilates Scissors
• 30 second side plank (one on each side)
• 60 second full plank on bosu ball
• side plank dips
• torso rotations
• plank “dips”
• reverse crunches
• leg lifts
• Arm Work
• Assisted pull ups
• Assisted dips
• Assisted pull down: 55 pounds (2 set of 10)
• Row: 2 sets of 10 (50 pounds)
• Another row machine: 2 sets of 10 (45 pounds)
• Biceps: 2 sets of 10 (30 pounds
• Foam Roller+Stretching

Was a GREAT workout! Left my arms shaking.

I now have MUSCLES! I think it is because of all the yoga and strength training I do (a bazillion pushups at basketball practice) that I now officially have a bicep! I can flex and there’s something there. It’s pretty cool LOL.

I went to yoga today and it was glorious! It was focused on flow and it was just amazing. Lots of tough poses, but lots of yummy poses too. Gotta love that balance! Plus an extra long savasana. Well deserved!

Speaking of yummy, I have been eating some pretty darn yummy things lately!

Let’s start with some foods from a few days ago, then I’ll show you today’s eats. Okay?

   

   

   

 

 

     

Now onto Today’s Eats!

Breakfast

• Honey Chobani
• Cinnamon LIFE Cereal
• TOTAL Cinnamon Cereal
• Blueberries
• Banana
• White Chocolate Wonderful

  

  Lunch

• Crack Wrap (provolone, hummus, gala apple, in a flat out wrap)
• Rice Chips (Brown Rice Chips—Parmesan flavor)
• Grapes
• Clementine

 

 

Lunch Dessert   Post-workout snack

• Strawberry Organic Yogurt with Granola
• String cheese
• Kashi crackers with hummus
• grapes

Absolutely delicious! 

 

Dinner

• 2 homemade pancakes topped with cinnamon raisin swirl, honey, banana, and cinnamon
• egg on the side
• milk

 

Estimated Amount of Protein for Today: (I never count, just today I felt like it)

~75-80

Ehh, a little low! But I ate such delicious food. Such a terrific day of eats!

Now for some blogger presents!

I won Melinda’s Sun and Earth cleaning products giveaway! Thanks so much girl!

I won Meg’s giveaway a while back and WOW, she hooked me up! I could not have imagined a sweeter package. She is such a terrific girl!

    

These cookies are AMAZING!    

    This box is just a box of delicious-ness. Everything inside is so good!

I had never tried a protein bar before! The ingredient list isn’t stellar, but it tastes like a candy bar. And it has 20 grams of protein!!  

  

That’s all for now!!

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 15:17

A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.

Have a fabulous week everyone! It’s spirit week at my school and tomorrow is P.J. day. Hello UGGS and comfy robe!

<3 jess

xoxo

Finally All Caught Up! January 25, 2010

Hey beautiful bloggers! I hope everyone had a restful weekend. I had a great weekend! It was not very productive, but productive enough

Saturday, as I previously mentioned, I had drivers ed. (Only TWO more days left. Yes please!) I also exchanged gifts with the boyfriend. He got me these GORGEOUS earrings and a jar of dark chocolates. Does he know me well or what?

Before he came over, I hit up the gym. Here’s what I did. It was all strength! No cardio needed!

• Stationary Bike Warm Up (okay, so I guess there was SOME cardio!)
• Leg Work
• Hip Adductor: 4 sets of 10, 4 sets of 8 (150 pounds)
• Hip Abductor: 4 sets of 10, 4 sets of 8 (145 pounds)
• Calves: 3 sets of 20 (175 pounds)
• Hamstring: 5 sets of 10 (75 pounds)
• Leg Curl: 3 sets of 10 (50 pounds)
• Wall Squat held for 100 seconds
• Wall Squats with exercise ball: 3 sets of 15
• Leg Lifts: 3 sets of 10 on each leg (done while laying down, leg go straight up—focus on the legs, not abs)
• Ab Work:
• 30 second half-plank, 30 second side plank, 30 second side plank, repeated TWICE and another 30 second half-plank
• Pilates Scissors
• 30 second side plank (one on each side)
• 60 second full plank on bosu ball
• side plank dips
• torso rotations
• plank “dips”
• reverse crunches
• leg lifts
• Arm Work
• Assisted pull ups
• Assisted dips
• Assisted pull down: 55 pounds (2 set of 10)
• Row: 2 sets of 10 (50 pounds)
• Another row machine: 2 sets of 10 (45 pounds)
• Biceps: 2 sets of 10 (30 pounds
• Foam Roller+Stretching

Was a GREAT workout! Left my arms shaking.

I now have MUSCLES! I think it is because of all the yoga and strength training I do (a bazillion pushups at basketball practice) that I now officially have a bicep! I can flex and there’s something there. It’s pretty cool LOL.

I went to yoga today and it was glorious! It was focused on flow and it was just amazing. Lots of tough poses, but lots of yummy poses too. Gotta love that balance! Plus an extra long savasana. Well deserved!

Speaking of yummy, I have been eating some pretty darn yummy things lately!

Let’s start with some foods from a few days ago, then I’ll show you today’s eats. Okay?

   

   

   

 

 

     

Now onto Today’s Eats!

Breakfast

• Honey Chobani
• Cinnamon LIFE Cereal
• TOTAL Cinnamon Cereal
• Blueberries
• Banana
• White Chocolate Wonderful

  

  Lunch

• Crack Wrap (provolone, hummus, gala apple, in a flat out wrap)
• Rice Chips (Brown Rice Chips—Parmesan flavor)
• Grapes
• Clementine

 

 

Lunch Dessert   Post-workout snack

• Strawberry Organic Yogurt with Granola
• String cheese
• Kashi crackers with hummus
• grapes

Absolutely delicious! 

 

Dinner

• 2 homemade pancakes topped with cinnamon raisin swirl, honey, banana, and cinnamon
• egg on the side
• milk

 

Estimated Amount of Protein for Today: (I never count, just today I felt like it)

~75-80

Ehh, a little low! But I ate such delicious food. Such a terrific day of eats!

Now for some blogger presents!

I won Melinda’s Sun and Earth cleaning products giveaway! Thanks so much girl!

I won Meg’s giveaway a while back and WOW, she hooked me up! I could not have imagined a sweeter package. She is such a terrific girl!

    

These cookies are AMAZING!    

    This box is just a box of delicious-ness. Everything inside is so good!

I had never tried a protein bar before! The ingredient list isn’t stellar, but it tastes like a candy bar. And it has 20 grams of protein!!  

  

That’s all for now!!

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 15:17

A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.

Have a fabulous week everyone! It’s spirit week at my school and tomorrow is P.J. day. Hello UGGS and comfy robe!

<3 jess

xoxo

Where HAVE I been? January 24, 2010

Hey bloggers/blogettes! I have missed you! How have y’all been? I had a tough week, I’ll be honest. I didn’t get much sleep, and was just all around struggling between school and basketball.

I’m sorry that I haven’t posted in about a week. I just needed this week to focus solely on school and some “me time.”

I persevered through the school days and it ended up being an all around great week. We won our basketball game yesterday by 22 points! I also had some blogger presents arrive this week! I will tell you and show you all about them in my next huge recap post. I would have a big post but 1. It’s late and 2. I want to get caught up on commenting!

I had my third day of drivers ed, and I only have two more Saturdays! YESS! I’m very happy right now. The boyfriend and I exchanged gifts today (yes…Christmas gifts) and I’ll show you more about that later as well.

Lots to share, lots to tell, but you will just have to wait till my next post!

Love you all lots and lots!

<3 jess

xoxo

P.S Check out this freaking amazing giveaway.

I made it! January 18, 2010

Hello All! I made it through my crazy Friday! One semester down, one to go! Then I’m a sophomore.

By the way, thanks for congratulating me on making homecoming court! And for anyone who doesn’t know what that is…During the homecoming game (where all the school comes together and goes to a sporting event—our school does a basketball game) there is a short lapse in time where representatives from each class are “showcased” and walk out in front of everyone. But the senior class has three couples—and the student body picks the Homecoming King and Queen. WOW—that was an awful description! Sorry!

I had Drivers Ed again on Saturday. Only three more days to go! I am quite enjoying it. I am so ready to get my permit in 2 months. Behind the wheel in 2 months…WOOHOO!

It was my first time back to the gym today—for a yoga class! The class was beyond PACKED! It was so full that there wasn’t enough props. I’m glad I got there early! The gym was also bustling. It was also being re-arranged. Talk about hectic!

But more about the yoga class…it was amazing. The focus was opening through the torso. Lots of opening through the oblique’s and side-bends. I loved it! The perfect combination of strength+stretch.

Today’s main focus school-wise was note cards. I have 80 due Tuesday, and I got around 40 done. I have 40 to do tomorrow, then I have to work on my outline. Not too much work, which I am very excited about. I have basketball practice tomorrow as well…and I do not want to go. AT ALL. I just want to go to the gym. I’m kind of ready for basketball to be over. I just don’t love it anymore! I hate the suicides. I want to strength train and go deeper into my yoga practice. But I only have three more weeks, then soccer season (which ALL my friends play, and it will be a lot of fun) and then I have my summer to do all I want to do

I have a lot of pictures to share! So here goes…

  Raspberry yogurt with raisins…

  Whole wheat pasta, a tomato, and steamed broccoli. Plus salt and pepper!  

   

    Lemon Larabar—my favorite!!       

      Post-yoga snack 

 

Snack Plate!! 

I have decided I am going to make an attempt to up my protein. I workout 6 days a week, and I need to make sure I am eating enough of it! I LOVE April’s blog, and that girl is the protein Queen. I want to try and eat as clean as possible (in moderation, of course!) because it makes my body feel best. I already eat great, but I love trying new foods and new ways of eating!

I decided to count up how many grams of protein I had today—just for fun! I’ll be paying more attention but I doubt I’ll meticulously count. That could easily become obsessive! Anyways…

Today I made more of an effort to include more protein…

Breakfast: 19 grams of protein

Lunch: 15 grams of protein

Snack: 34 grams of protein

Dinner: 25 grams of protein

Snack: 11 grams of protein

Approximate Grand Total (for now—still kinda hungry!) : 104

Not bad!

Giveaways…

Oikos Giveaway HERE!

Chobani Giveaway HERE!

Chocolate Giveaway HERE!

I have a lot of commenting to catch up on! I’ll probably do a little more tonight and then do the rest tomorrow!

Anyone watch 24???! I’ve been watching the season premiere and WOW. It’s SO good!!

<3 jess

xoxo

P.S Who’s excited about being able to sleep in tomorrow? OIAJ get readyyyy!

End of the Quarter Stress! January 15, 2010

Hey loversss! I’m just popping in to say hi. The quarter ends tomorrow, and you know what that means, LOTS of TESTS, QUIZZES, PAPERS, ETC. So I am completely jammed and I am falling behind on commenting, posting, and other blogger duties. Y’all understand.

Tomorrow’s schedule:

• History Test
• Literature Test
• Latin Quiz
• Geometry Test (just finished, now checking)
• Religious Studies Quiz
• Religious Studies Paper

So you can understand why I am a bit overwhelmed! But I know it’s going to be okay. It always is!! I have been enjoying some really yummy foods, and I promise to update you soon! Just have to get through tomorrow.

I have a basketball game tomorrow, and I just started practicing again today. So it’s going to be interesting But what can you do?!

Be back soon guys! I love you all!

<3 jess

xoxo

P.S Exciting news—I made my school’s homecoming court. Basically, I’m the freshman class representative, well, me and the boy. I’m pretty excited!! But I would’ve been equally happy if one of my friends had gotten it too!

A Surprise Party!! January 11, 2010

I hadn’t mentioned this before, but Saturday night was my Grandma’s 70th Surprise Birthday Party! She had NO idea. Her kids were all here, along with ~35 of her friends. She was crying practically the WHOLE night and it was absolutely beautiful. I had a lot of fun mingling and eating. It was nice just to enjoy my evening with my immediate family and my uncles and grandparents. I LOVE my grandma…SO MUCH!!!!

I took lots of photos including photos of MYSELF pre-party. Aren’t y’all lucky! I have never really done this before!

Saturday night’s Outfit: Black dress with black leggings and my chestnut UGGS.

 

A little dancer pose anyone? Haha, it’s very hard with a camera!   Accessories are MUST!  My favorite photo:

Would you like to see some photos of food and such at the party? I am breaking out of my shell and am not afraid to take photos in front of people as much anymore (The party was catered, by the way)  Almond cake with almond frosting=absolutely incredible.

  

 

 

     My plates:

Fruit plate—times about 5 at LEAST!

Dinner: Salad with blue cheese, Italian marinated chicken, green beans, and a little dollop of mashed potatoes (I don’t love mashed potatoes—I like sweet potatoes!)   I went back for more fruit+salad <3 My piece of cake: The cake was VERY rich! So I ate about half, but it was AMAZING!!  

I spent a lot of the time by the warm fire   A good time was had by all!

I am SO happy because I am feeling pretty much ALL better! I still have a little cough, but not much.

I’ve been really productive this weekend! I am all caught up on my make-up work, which is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I only have a paper due this week and some note cards to do, but when those are due is pretty flexible for me. I type up my notes in literature, and my notes on the Iliad have reached the 34 page mark!! I am DONE with that book. And couldn’t be more excited

I have been enjoying some AMAZING food, guys!

Banana with Dark Chocolate Dreams. Yeah, it was pretty much heaven on earth!

Salad from Moe’s Southwest grill. It was REALLY good!  

    Blueberry Oikos with blueberries, dark chocolate chips, and dark chocolate pomegranate “candies.”  

Hmm…what’s inside? Nothing other OATMEAL!

• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup water and milk
• 1 banana
• cinnamon
• vanilla (new addition—LOVED it)
• brown sugar

    

Leftovers made into a delicious salad! On top of a bed of lettuce there is hard boiled egg, cucumber, chicken, hummus, a few strips of cheese (provolone, I think), tabbouleh, and a little bit of blue cheese…on the side was a piece of legit pita bread, not from the store, from a real Greek place. MMM! This lunch hit the spot. And as if that wasn’t enough fiber, I also had a green apple

And last but CERTAINLY not least—Tonight’s dinner—Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancakes. Oh boy, it was delicious. I had 4 pancakes (actually five, but one was un-pictured ) and topped them with banana, Agave, some real maple syrup, chocolate chips, and also had some raspberry jam.

    

I had been jealous of Katie’s and Heather’s pancakes for a while and decided it was time for me to take matters into my own hands

I started Driver’s Ed yesterday and it went GREAT! I loved it. Weird, I know? But I loved the instructor and I made some new friends and had a blast! I also got a 96 on the test Pretty excited! Not excited about having to be there at 8, but you get it

I have been getting my yoga on lately! It’s probably the best way for me to continue healing. I have also been doing ab work. It feels SO good to be able to exercise again. I cannot even describe it!

Verse of the Day: Psalm 37:4

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

What’s going on in the blog world?

Heather just started phase one of her journey to become a certified yoga instructor!

Meghann, Caitlin, Megan, Ashley, Kelly (Meghann’s sister), Sammi and Monica completed the Disney Marathon!! Congrats!! (Let me know if I’m leaving anyone out!)

Have a wonderful week everyone!

<3 jess

xoxo