Sugar High, Gotta Have It When I Need It to Get By

by Emily

So you know – Adam has yet to turn 24 and we have only been married for 1year and 11months. Those events don’t take place until December 11th and 28th respectively. Thank you for the well wishes though!!

However, if you assumed I didn’t post all day because I was busy eating crap, well then you were correct!

I woke up so hungry today! I actually broke into the snickerdoodles Adam’s mom brought him before I could even get started on breakfast.

For breakfast I was inspired by something my mom sent –

These are actually cookie cutters, but can easily be used to make fantastically cute eggs.

I made an onion bagel with chive cream cheese,

then topped each half with some egg love.

Delish!

Eggs are so tasty. And very filling.

I wanted to enjoy a leisurely meal but Adam rushed me out the door and to the movies. We saw “Brothers” which was very enjoyable. Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire; I’d say it was very well cast.

Dark Chocolate Cookie Dough Bites were on sale for $1 so I ate some.

After the movie we spent some more time at the mall. Adam’s parents gave him a gift certificate for his birthday so we spent a looong time in Joseph A. Banks. He made it up to me by driving to Anderson’s afterwards.

I’ve been yammering about the peppermint soft-serve for weeks. Worth the excitement?

Yes! I had mine mixed with Oreos.

I’m not quite sure what the dinner plan is, but if it follows the rest of the day’s eating I’ll just inhale a big bowl of sugar 🙂

How cool are you – what movie does this song remind you of?

5Dec2009

Celebrations Galore

by Emily

What a fabulous Adam’s birthday – Christmas – 2 year anniversary day! We had celebrations galore!

We started the festivities with Adam’s 24 birthday (actually taking place next Friday) –

Barb made a yummy looking cake.

I passed, I had my dessert for the day already picked out, you’ll see later.

Next up was Christmas. Among a bunch of fabulousness – most of which I’ll be showing on the blog over the next few weeks – were some awesome drawings from our niece.

Smurfs!

Finally our 2-year anniversary. Adam and I celebrated by making matching fools of ourselves.

Aren’t our race windbreakers awesome? I will certainly be wearing that. And I scored the very last extra-small so it fits perfectly.

Adam’s choice for ‘birthday dinner’ was Red Robin, so that’s where we headed.

We ordered chips with salsa and guacamole for the table, here’s my plate –

I always ask for side plates when I’m sharing an appetizer, if I picked I would have eaten 4x as much.

Here is the reason I passed on birthday cake earlier in the day –

Oh yeah, that is a gingerbread milk shake!

So yum!

I ate some grown up food too.

Jamaican Jerk’d Chicken Burger spicy Jamaican Jerk’d chicken breast, topped with pepper-jack cheese, grilled pineapple, cool mango mayo, and lettuce and tomato; served on a jalopeno cornbread kaiser roll.

I ate about 3/4 of my sandwich and 2/3 of my fries. Running kills my appetite sometimes.

The family is safely headed home and we are settled in for the night. Adam might actually go see a movie (Ninja Assassins, gag) but I’m all set to curl up with some recipe planning. Have a great night!

What month has the most holidays for you? December is our busiest month. We go Adam’s Birthday, Christmas, Wedding Anniversary – 11, 25, 28. And we celebrate Hanukkah in there too!

4Dec2009

Snacked

by Emily

As predicted I did lots of snacking. I’m pretty sure any long-term readers can guess what the first picture will be of –

popcorn! With 1T Promise melted on top. Mmmmmn.

I also cracked open a new holiday find. Westoy Chocolate Peppermint Stick Soy Beverage.

This stuff is pretty concentrated (180calories per 8oz serving) so I measured mine out. I ended up having 1 3/4 cups (i.e. more than one serving) but at least I know exactly what I was getting. Liquids are really hard to eyeball, if I’m drinking something other than diet soda or water – not that I ever drink anything but diet soda and water – I almost always pull out the measuring cup.

It was very tasty; slightly minty and nice and thick. And yes, I drank it over ice. I have a mild obsession with drinks over ice, when I was a kid it was how I drank milk!

The plans for this evening are low-key but exciting to me. A trip to the gym, making dinner, and a new episode of Bones to watch!

Do you measure out drinks? Why or why not?

3Dec2009

I Don’t Need to Leave the House

by Emily

My big plan for the day (other than pretending like there’s not an impending quiz) was to go to a Pilates class at my gym. I showed up at noon and…..nothing. I was so frustrated I just went home – I couldn’t have done much anyways, I was wearing my ‘yoga bra.’

I might have sat on the couch and stewed for a while. I might have felt the need to eat a few marshmallows dipped in peanut butter.

But then I got down to business. Using Netflix’s Watch Instantly program I made use of a ’10minute Solutions Pilates’ DVD. I did legs, abs, and whole body stretch for a nice 30minute routine. Loved it! I think I might start devoting 10minutes a day to this video – I could feel the burn, it was easy and quick, and I can squeeze it in.

Don’t ask me whether or not I’ve done any work since then!!!

Do you prefer to work out at home or at the gym? Do you ever use exercise DVDs?

2Dec2009

Born Again (Exercise) Virgin

by Emily

First off, who thinks it’s a good thing I’m not single???

Although I guess it’s not a good thing for Adam! The sweatshirt is actually pretty cute.

The problem is more the sneakers and dirty yoga pants (yes, these are the pants I rocked all day yesterday).

Before class this evening I had the pre-gym snack of champions –

I what I really like is the juxtaposition of my diet soda and candy bar next to the headline for an article about healthy diets. 🙂

My friend ended up not being able to go to the gym after class. I can’t even tell you how proud of myself I am that I went anyway. After a month off I am more than ready to get moving again!

I set the elliptical to level 7/random and did an easy pace for 30minutes. I’m not gonna lie, it was hard! I am out of shape. And it’s not even like my fitness level went back to square one, it’s like being reborn a fat person. In NYC I stood from 7-5 and walked constantly so it wasn’t that big of a deal that I didn’t get any formal exercise. Here I sit on the couch most of the day, and for the last month with my injury I’ve been trying not to move at all. Fortunately, I am super excited to get back on track.

After my cardio I did some arm/ab strengthening and lots of stretching, including my pt. ‘Twas good.

I still have to shower and I have pt at 8am tomorrow so I’ve got to rush off. Sweet dreams!

Have you ever had a fitness rebirth? What’d you do to get back into fighting shape?

29Nov2009

Cooking Beans and Baking Cookies

by Emily

It’s been a kitchen day here at the Bear-Mouse household. We emptied the dish washer this morning and it’s pretty much full again with casseroles and mixing bowls. Good times 🙂

We got up late late this morning, since I stayed up late late last night feeling sick. Our first mission was a walk to Walgreens for Junior Caramels and cream of chicken soup (you’ll see in a minute). $3.32, Challenge Balance – $98.86.

First up on the cooking agenda was green bean casserole.

I followed the recipe on the back of the onion can, but I subbed in cream of chicken for cream of mushroom and skim for whole because it’s all I could find.

Then came the baking of cookies. I kept changing my recipe plan (Adam just might have eaten ALL of our oatmeal without my knowing) as I discovered ingredients we were out of. In the end I made a half batch of the toll house recipe.

I used 1t skim milk instead of vanilla extract, and used half a cup of Jr Caramels with half a cup of chips. Not my best substitutions, they might have been a little stuck.

Lunch was rather reminiscent of Turkey Day meals.

A small serving of Annie’s Shells.

A large serving of casserole.

Pretty tasty.

Once the cooking was tasted, I had to try the baking for dessert. Adam and I split this crumbly plate.

My homework due date got pushed back so I doubt I will be motivated to do much today and dinner is going to be PF Chang’s leftovers so it’s looking like a lazy day. I think there is a stack of magazines in my future!

Do you make substitutions in cooking/baking? How do they usually turn out?

29Nov2009

Worth It

by Emily

Hey guys! I feel bad about breaking the challenge (not that it’s the first time we’ve cheated!) but it was so so so worth it! I had such a great time catching up with my cousin. She is pregnant with her second child and I’m glad I got to meet the first baby before she has the second one. She and her husband are so nice and fun and we all had a good time.

They needed to meet somewhere close to the highway so we ended up at the Galleria Mall. Adam and I showered and did our best to pretty up.

He was a bit more successful than I, it’s pretty obvious I’m sick!

PF Chang’s had a 5minute wait so that became our lunch spot. I ordered the Vegetable Chow Fun.

It was only ok. Way too much food and pretty bland. I ate about 1/3 of it before I packaged it up for leftovers.

After lunch we walked around the mall and Dairy Queen just seemed right. I got a small Strawberry Cheesequake Blizzard with chocolate froyo.

Mmmn. This made me pretty happy.

From there Adam and I hit up the movie theatre. Sharing pretzel bites seemed like less of a good idea, but still an irresistable one.

We saw “Old Dogs.” It was pretty terrible, but movie dates are always fun 🙂

Not surprisingly, I was not hungry for dinner after all my mall food. I got unpacked and did some cleaning this evening, but mostly Adam and I spent a looooooong time discussing my life choices stagnation. Some tears later, I think after a meeting I have this week things will be a lot more clear.

Just as it is clearly time for bed! Sweet dreams.

Seen any bad movies lately? What would you NOT recommend?

27Nov2009

Feeling Thankful

by Emily

Again, I’ll try to keep this quick, but it’s been a great Turkey Day. I’m thankful for family, good food, and my wonderful husband.

We slept in until 10:30 this morning (I’m feeling sick again, boo!) and then woke up to the world’s tastiest breakfast.

My grandma is so cool, she had Greek Gods’ Honey Greek Yogurt waiting in the fridge for me! I had a small bowl of fruit,

and honey Greek yogurt with berries and a sliver of homemade coffee cake.

Mmmmmmn! I was in love with this breakfast! If it wasn’t Thanksgiving I would have gone back for another bowl! I think I’ve got my aunt hooked on Greek yogurt now too 🙂

We went to a family friend’s house for Thanksgiving at 1, so we headed out around noon to socialize. Look how cute my grandparents are!

I’ve gone to Thanksgiving with this family ever year I’ve been with my grandparents and it’s always so much fun. They have the best decorations, I wish I could have gotten more pictures.

I made a small appetizer plate with pretzels, honey raspberry dip, and crackers with dirty martini dip.

And I had a light beer to drink.

As I mentioned before, I am actually not much of a Turkey Day food fan! I didn’t even eat any turkey meat! I tried to just take a small bit of everything.

Clockwise from the top – stuffing and mashed potatoes with gravy, corn casserole, sweet potato casserole, roll, jello mold salad, cranberries. I finished everything on my plate (except for the roll which I gave away). I didn’t actually eat very much, but I didn’t do seconds because I knew dessert was coming.

I actually gave away that mini cake in favor of a second cookie!

It was great getting to catch up with people and Adam was definitely stuffed! He took a fat nap before we even headed home, and hit the couch asap. My grandmother and I wanted to take a nice walk but unfortunately it was raining. The other disappointment was that there was nowhere for me to volunteer. I really wanted to put in some time at a food bank or soup kitchen today but everywhere my grandma called had too many volunteers.

We ate dinner around 7, and I was actually hungry again.