WIAAWW

"What I Ate AND Worked Out Wednesday" - My own spin off of "What I Ate Wednesday."

I can't remember the last time I did a food/workout post all in one. Since my schedule was slightly altered the past few days due to the blizzard I figured I'd share. Snow is not an excuse to not workout! Plus I am on snow day #2... so I have some time. :)

My food prep began Sunday when I went all around town like a mad woman trying to stock up on bread & milk ThinkThin Protein Bars. It always seems that when I run low on a particular flavor none of the stores have them. I was on the hunt for Chocolate Brownie Crunch since I knew I was probably going to have a lot of hot coffee.

Chocolate Brownie Crunch + Hot Coffee
Creamy Peanut Butter + Iced Coffee

Luckily CVS came to the rescue.

I had all of these visions of making gluten free chocolate chip cookies and pancakes while sipping on hot coco. Honestly too much work. LOL

Instead, my snow day breakfast consisted of an Udi's gluten free blueberry muffin and a cup of coffee.

Thoughts? Being honest - not impressed. I probably should have had my protein bar or toast with PB. It would have kept me fuller and not brought my blood sugar up to 250.

Oh well - you live and you learn, right?

Worst part about my snow day = not being able to go to Starbucks. I am very proud of myself. I remained calm and did not tear down the house. Instead I saved my cup from the day before and used a kcup instead.

At home workouts are very difficult to get started. Different environment than the gym, but when done right they can kick your butt! Monday afternoon my plan was to hit the gym straight from work, but since it was snowing pretty hard around 2:15 I decided to play it safe and go straight home stop at Starbucks first (made it just in time before they closed at 3!) and then go home.

I broke out my old faithful Lauren Conrad circuit, added some ab work and stretching and had myself a sweat filled den workout all in 45 minutes.

Tuesday I was in the mood for some cardio and dusted off my Zumba DVD's. I forgot how much fun these were! Drenched in 10 minutes - mission accomplished.

Strength training portion was shoveling the walk way. Squeeze your abs, squat down in your legs and throw that snow with your arm strength. Solid 30 minutes.

Snow Day 2 is back to normal. Gym this morning and Starbucks/Bar Time. 

:)

Blizzard Blog

Blizzard of 2015 - Questionable. Regardless it was enough snow for a snow day so I am not complaining. Figured it was a good time to catch up since its been a while.

One of the biggest changes that has taken place this year has been my new insulin pump. After YEARS of going back and forth I finally made the switch. I think I was expecting a miracle change over night to have perfect blood sugars, but that has still not been the case. Very frustrating and being I have my favorite doc endo appointment approaching next month, I am still a little hesitant.

On a positive note, I have seen working out a little bit easier. I am able to have more control on a moments notice on how much insulin I take which allows for more flexibility with workouts and less planning.

I'll take it! 

The biggest push probably came from Miss Idaho. Hopefully T1D becomes more understood and people won't be shocked or clueless if they see a person wearing a medical device. It should be nothing to be ashamed of. Just like some people take oral medication - people wear insulin pumps. Big deal! 

It is always nice having people who just "get" what you are going through. Thanks to Facebook, I had the opportunity to make a new blogger/t1d friend Erin. We chatted a little about tips, struggles and just the highs and lows that come with T1D. It's been especially helpful to have a female to talk to about wearing an insulin pump and different tricks on where to wear it. (Thank you Erin!)

On to fitness:

I started training again with a trainer I worked with way back when I was about 17. I remember when I first trained with Dave I couldn't even do a squat... I have come so far! His workouts still beat me up. It is a love/hate relationship. I'd go into details about the workouts, but that may scare you... and I like to try and keep things positive on here :)

Just a few other things that made me laugh recently: 

Reservations - Done! 

Just a quick post for the day. Stay tuned to hear about my snow day festivities including eats and workouts!

New Year, New Make-up, New Starbucks

It's been since last year that I blogged! So far 2015 is off to a good start. I have a superstition that odd years have been better for me than even years so that must be why.

After arriving home around 3am after Times Square, New Years Day got off to a slow start. By the time I got up and made myself presentable despite my lack of sleep mom and I headed out - to the mall of course!

After switching over from my old wallet to my new one I received for Christmas, I realized I had some gift cards still waiting to be used! Sephora - $25 & Chase - $40 ... might as well use them right!

I am not a big make-up person. I use it, but kind of stick to the same old products. It was nice to head in and get some advice on some good eye-liners as mine always seem to run an hour after putting it on. I tried two products from Stay All Day... one pencil and one liquid liner. It went a few dollars over my gift card, but after all I do have PLENTY of money to splurge a little. LOL

Keeping in mind I had my other Chase card, I just so happened to see a sign calling my name next door at Hollister. All jeans for $25! Anywhere I see a sale on jeans I am there... kind of like good food.

Left with a new pair of dark black denim (money still left on my gift card too!). I paired them today with a new top from the Lou & Grey line from Loft.

Lately I have been on a new kick from Starbucks. Americanos! Hot or iced they are just a little bit stronger than coffee, but still pair nicely with my ThinkThin bars. (We know those are not going away).

For the days you want to appear just a little bit more chic you order an "Americano."

Looks like this year has definitely been new so far.

Peace Out 2014

It's New Year's Eve... again. I have mixed feelings about this holiday this year. Looking back on the year a lot of great things happened... I completed student teaching, graduated from college and started my first full time job. Those were the "big" things. There were also a lot of fun other things that I did this year... Went to Aruba twice, saw some great concerts and had an enjoyable summer and holiday season. 

With any year there are events that took place and people met that I would like to keep in this year and move on in 2015. It is hard to sit here and even give some sort of attention to these not so good memories based on all of the other good things that happened, but the fact is that they did take place and whether I like it or not these people/things had an effect on me this year.

A year ago I started 2014 just as I will this year. Ringing in the new year in Times Square. Although one of the people that I rang in NYE with is long gone I am looking forward to tonight again except I will be with people that I know will be in my life next NYE. Shortly into 2014 I was disappointed... safe to say not a banner way to begin the new year.

When life began getting busy again this person was quickly forgotten and my bitter feelings faded. I think its a great thing when you realize that you are better of without someone and that it is nothing about you... as Ariana says "I've got one less problem without ya!" It is even more satisfying when you are able to look back and laugh on it. 

About half way through this year I met a person that I did not expect to "click" with. The time spent with this person was short, but meaningful. I think way too often people get too hung up and expect their lives and relationships to look or be a certain way, but sometimes what we want is not the perfect thing on paper. This person hurt me. As much as I wish I could easily forget and leave this person behind in 2014 there will always be this piece of 2014 that will stay with me. Hopefully I can move on and have better experiences in 2015 and focus on the lessons I learned this year in this part of my life. Try to be open to new experiences, give people more of a chance and hopefully never hurt someone the way this person hurt me.

As I write this blog I am very appropriately watching one of my favorite movies, New Year's Eve. Some see it as a typical fantasy love story, but to me it means so much more. This movie can turn my mood from sad to hopeful as quickly as Starbucks and a ThinkThin protein bar. The lessons that the characters learn in this movie are ones I think most people experience in real life. Of course everything turns out fantastic in the end, but I really do believe that fairytale endings can happen in real life. Maybe I will get mine this year (although I won't hold my breath). But like Hilary Swank's character Claire says "It is NYE anything is possible."

There are a bunch of feel good scenes in this movie... the countdown to the ball drop, the ending scene with Josh Duhamel and Sarah Jessica Parker (see it I will not tell you), but one of the most meaningful quotes come from Claire (Hilary Swank). 

"And as you all can see, the ball has stopped half way to its perch. It's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop, and reflect on the year that has gone by. To remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures... or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what New Years is all about...getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more, and to stop worrying about what if... and start embracing what will be. So when that ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other, and not just tonight but all year long."

This quote takes on new meaning for me every year as I am sure it does for all of you. It is a great thought to end the year, say farewell to it and hope for better things and memories made in 2015. It may be a pipe dream, but maybe this one person will see this and not close himself off for fear of getting hurt in 2015...and if he doesn't, then it just wasn't meant to be.

So peace out 2014...2015 I hope you have good things in store.

A Very Merry Christmas

It is a little too warm for my liking on Christmas Day, but regardless I am seriously having one of the nicest Christmas'! Christmas Eve was spent carrying out our tradition of going to dinner at Dazies in Queens and then onto midnight mass in Brooklyn. 

Before the festivities began my day was started at the gym of course! I always make it a point to workout on Christmas Eve and have as normal of a day as possible so I can enjoy and sleep in on Christmas Day.

After getting my sweat on it felt good to get all dolled up for the night out.

It was so nice spending time with my family. In my old age I really think about the importance of that and to appreciate every moment. No one is guaranteed tomorrow.

It's all smiles until someone tried to poach on my food. 

Heading into mass and seeing the NYPD car under the peace sign had a totally different meaning this year...

After arriving home around 2:30am I drifted off into my Christmas sleep while visions of Thinkthin bars and Starbucks gift cards danced in my head.

Christmas is such a lazy day and I am not complaining. Getting to sleep in til 9am is such a treat!

I look real attractive in the morning. 

Santa really took care of me this year. (She) really picked out some really nice things!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy spending the day with your loved ones. It is sad to think that tomorrow this season, the music and eventually the red Starbucks cups will be put away until next year. Before it does, take a listen to some of my favorite Christmas songs and movies...

1. Little Drummer Boy - Pentatonix

2. Merry Christmas Happy Holidays - NSYNC

3. I'll Be Home - Meghan Trainor

4. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Sam Smith

5. River - Glee Cast

6. Home Alone 2 - Merry Christmas ya filthy animal... and a Happy New Year. :)

7. ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas - Been watching it all day!

And also... How adorable is this? 

Run Run Sugar Plum

Haven't done a workout blog lately so here we go.

With the holidays upon us I have been trying my best to stay on track with eating as healthy as I can and keeping up the workouts. Lately I have spent more time running outside which I am proud of. It is way less boring than the treadmill and I have been able to go a little farther each time!

Thanks to the map my run app I am able to see my mileage, calories burned and pace.

Special thanks to my "coach" aka Mom who always follows me in the car so I don't have to run with my suitcase full of diabetic supplies. :)

In order to last for a long run outside you need to have a great playlist to keep you going. Here are some of my running go to songs...

Love Runs Out - One Republic
 *** Seriously if you have not ran to this song try it. It makes you feel so fierce. I may or may not listen to it in the beginning, middle and end of my runs.

Latch - Disclosure ft. Sam Smith

Glowing - Nikki Williams

Crazy in Love - Beyoncé 

Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars

Time of Our Lives - Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo

Upping my mileage has definitely left me feeling a little sore in the calves. So I try to switch it up during the week!

Christmas Traditions

My Christmas Vacation is well underway and began with one of my favorite traditions. My annual trip to work with Dad the Saturday before Christmas!

Every year on this day we take the LIRR into the city, get lunch, walk around the store (looking very official I might add), take our picture with Santa and of course get Starbucks.

I have been looking forward to this since we confirmed the day back in September. It was just after I was hired for my new job. Just like any other teacher, I checked the calendar for the upcoming days off and noticed that I would have a nice 2 week long vacation!

Check out some scenes from my visit. I am missing lunch because I was too hungry to snap a picture of my salad from Cucina.

We walked all around the store and even checked out the display windows outside...

I was happy to get some extra cardio in. Every little bit helps this time of the year.

The last time I was on 34st I was driving Santa's sleigh!

On my break..

Around 2:15 we made our way up to the 8th floor for our annual Santa picture.

The 3 hour wait... except if you are an Elf of course :)

It was so nice to see my pal Santa again. We chatted for about 10 minutes about the parade, family and what I want for Christmas. 

One more for Rudolph...

We caught a 3:51 train home. Bar time was on the train this year. I love the Starbucks in Penn Station. No matter how busy they are they always work quickly. I think some of the Long Island Starbucks should take notes.

Only 3 more sleeps until Christmas... Where has the time gone?