It’s the Freakin’ Weekend!

Posted on April 20, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Happy Friday boos!

I can’t believe I actually made it through the week! I haven’t been this glad to see the start of the weekend since…well, about 7 days ago! 😉

Oh, if only we could get paid to lay outside in the grass, soaking up the sunshine…hmm, perhaps I could put myself out there for a sunscreen testing position…only I guess it would suck if the product failed. Lol!

So with the hustle and bustle of the week, I didn’t get a chance to tell you guys about last weekend! I had a little talk with BB last Friday and explained that while I LOVE going out and spending money doing things, the fund-age only goes so far…especially when I just paid for my plane ticket to BLEND…thankfully he is a man of few monetary needs so we ended up having a great FREE weekend (well, for me anyways)!

I have a hard time sleeping in on the weekends since I’m usually up around 5am for work or a workout during the week, so I typically end up rolling out of bed around 6:30 or 7:00. BB tends to work a little harder at getting his beauty sleep 😉 so for a couple of hours in the mornings, I have a bit of time to enjoy First Breakfast and some blog reading…last week I got caught up with my favorite diva while noshing on some PB Cheerios and apple cinnamon Chobani (YUM!).

Once my little bed-headed man got up, we spent some time laying around the house together before we went for a nice Saturday afternoon drive…

BB had mentioned that he wanted to stop by a gun shop down the road before we left…next thing I know he’s buying a brand new rifle and then looks over at me…

“You know, I really could use some ammo…”

With a simple nod of the head, we were on our way to Dick’s and a little over an hour later, I had one happy boy on my hands!

So much for “some” ammo….

Sporting goods stores are to the BB as is grocery stores and farmer’s markets are to me! 😉

How can you look at that face and not smile?

While we were there, he also picked up a few things of the fishing variety for his nephew and the next day we took a little road trip to give him his “presents”

It was the PERFECT day for fishing…

But I decided to let the boys have they’re male bonding time and sat on the bank of the pond with my recent literary obsession…

At the rate that I’m reading the second book in The Hunger Games series, I should finish it the night before the NEXT movie comes out!

Of course, I couldn’t help but be on standby with my camera to get a shot of what the boys caught:

While they enjoyed the rest of the afternoon talking reels and fishing lures, I ventured around the front of the house (how cool is it that they have a huge pond in their backyard?!) to find some other things I deemed photo-worthy.

Like this GORGEOUS azalea bush…

A sleepy kitty…

And BB’s nephew’s Easter bunny!

I mean, seriously, could she get any cuter?!

I’ll admit part of me thought about stuffing her in my purse and smuggling her home with me! 😉

But in the end, maturity* won out over stealing from a child so, bummed, bored and bunny-less, I chose other ways to entertain myself and BB on the way home…

And BB’s favorite:

Have I ever introduced you guys to my cousin, Itt?

*Such a strong word.

And BB and I have more fun AND free time planned for this weekend!

The annual River & Spires Festival in downtown Clarksville has been one of my favorite spring events for years!

Arts & Crafts, Live Music, and a wine tasting tent!

Woo hoo!

Hopefully I’ll be able to get some good pics to share with you guys!

What are YOU’RE plans for the weekend?

What’s your favorite FREE activity to do with friends/significant other?

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Three “P” Thursday

Posted on April 19, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Hello my loves!

I’m so glad you liked the recipe for the Salsa-fied Salmon Salad yesterday…and you guys had some awesome ideas for variations in the comment section! You’ve definitely got my wheels turning…be on the lookout for a spin-off recipe in the future! 🙂

So, after a LONG and CA-razy week, I can finally say helloooooooo weekend! I swear this entire week at the hospital has just been a continuation of Friday the 13th…who knew it could be a weeklong “celebration”?

Once I get to the end of a week, I like to reflect and pick out the positives…no need to dwell on the negative…plus, I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying:

“It takes 37 muscles to frown but only 22 to smile”*

*According to several websites I clicked through just to copy/paste that phrase…the jury is still out on the exact number! Eh, some people use too many muscles to suck the fun out of everything…this one sounds good so let’s keep it! 😉

Anywho, on to the positives!

Let’s start with a new hashtag I’ve discovered and started using:

1. #PROOF:

Gotta love accountability!

I’ve actually pried by butt out of bed EVERY day this week BEFORE 6am and made it to the gym for a workout. I’d like to think it was the thought of knowing I had the support of my fellow Tweeps and IGers, but I know for sure I would never have even made it out the front door without a little help from an old friend:

He may look old and wrinkly to you, but he packs a punch in the motivation department! 😉

And speaking of packing a punch…

2. Pumped up Kicks Snacks:

Since I’ve been following Jamie Eason’s LiveFit training program, I have started to see a difference in what my body craves throughout the day and one thing is protein! I typically get enough protein in my diet as is, but I’ve started to turn to my protein powder more for post-workout or bedtime snacks.

A couple of my favorites:

More than just hot chocolate!

Why look to hot cocoa mixes that contain god-only-knows-what and a TON of sugar when you can get the SAME thing from chocolate protein powder?

Since the weather has been turning chilly after sundown, I’ve enjoyed a cup before bed for  the last few weeks and have fallen in love!

And I have to say, I was pretty smitten until I dove into this tonight:

Pumpkin puree + chocolate protein powder = DELICIOUSNESS

And you know, sprinkles just make it even better! 😉

3. PRETTIES

Let’s face it ladies, sometimes we just want something to make us feel pretty…well, I found a makeup duo that not only does just that, but it’s affordable and is really all you need to get through those hellacious days at work…school, or you know on a trip to the mailbox…

Maybelline’s Baby Lips lip balm and Rimmel’s ScandalEyes mascara!

I’ll tell you right now, I am Ahhhhh-dicted to chapstick…if I go more than an hour or so without it, my lips start to feel dry and cracked…so I’m always sure to keep one or two three or four in my purse, locker, car, breadbox, etc. Since I bought the Baby Lips, I haven’t let it out of my sight…I love the flavor (peach kiss), the color, and my lips feel oh so soft!

As for the mascara, I’m always experimenting with new brands to find ones that are anti-clumping and va-va-volumizing…because unfortunately, it’s not really acceptable to wear fake lashes on a daily basis…unless your a Las Vegas showgirl or Lady Gaga, but isn’t that almost the same thing? 😉

Well, the proof is in the picture:

“I’m ready for my close up Mr. Deville”

Do you have any “P’s” to share from your week?

Who else out there would be lost without a tube of chapstick?

Posted in Thursday Things, Workouts | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Salsa-fied Salmon (or Tuna) Salad

Posted on April 18, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

What’s up guys?

Glad you liked the His & Hers post from yesterday! Sounds like I’m not the only one who has a bottomless pit male in her life and thanks to all of those with advice on how to maintain the balance when it comes to mealtimes!

Now who wants the deets on that salmon salad?

This is a “recipe” that I’ve had in my arsenal for many many years. While I’d love to take sole credit for it’s original creation, it’s actually from the genius mind of a friend of mine who was my personal trainer in college.

He was the best at coming up with throw-everything-in-a-bowl-and-see-what-happens kind of recipes and they NEVER failed to disappoint in the flavor department…even if they weren’t exactly easy on the eyes.

Over the years, I’ve changed up the ingredients a bit, but you’re still left with a SUPER simple recipe great for a healthy lunch that’s a cinch to pack up and go or, with the weather getting warmer, a light no-cook dinner for those too-hot-to-cook nights. And well, if 70 degrees+ days are not in your immediate future, it also tastes great after a spin around the microwave! 😉

Salsa-fied Salmon (or Tuna) Salad

by Heather Powers

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes

Cook Time: N/A

Ingredients (Serves 2)

  • 1/2 cup canned salmon (or 1 small can of tuna)
  • 1/2 cup cooked brown rice*
  • 1/4 cup mild-flavored salsa
  • 2 tablespoons finely diced onions
  • 1/8 cup shredded carrots (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning (or other all purpose seasoning)
  • salt & pepper to taste
*You could also substitute for any other grain (quinoa, bulgar, or couscous would be great)!

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Stir to mix.
3. Serve “as is” or on top of a bed of greens in true “salad” form.

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And then, if you’re in a similar situation, you’ll hand over the bowl to your significant other and go back to the kitchen to fix some for yourself! 😉

Until making this the other day, I forgot how much I liked it! I love making up a BIG batch and then packing it up during the week for lunch…and it also forces me to use up some of the 500 containers of grains I have in my pantry instead of always relying on my quick and easy quinoa!

How many grain-horders do I have out there? Do you find yourself always cooking a particular one and leaving the rest?

What is your favorite it’s-too-hot-to-eat meal?

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