The Missing Link

Holy cow, it's back to the daily grind again! Another long week is in the works.. work is busy.. it's the end of quarter, so basically unless we are dead we have to come in to work. Of course, if we are dead, they may want us to be brought back to life to be in! But I think I'll survive it! Haha!

So the last couple of weeks I have been really really focused on building up strentgh- which is always a good thing.. right?? I've been working hard, and I can feel my muscles gaining strenth and I'm toning up- which is always a good thing right?

Not for this body! I forget that I gain muscle REALLY fast and if I don't also do cardio and YOGA. I bulk up. Yepppppp Mama don't wanna be no bodybuilder! I want to be toned and sexy. Not big and bulky. My jeans have been fitting tighter- and even though I haven't gained any weight.. I can feel my legs and my bum getting bigger. What gives??

The missing link is my yoga mat. I have been slacking hardcore on the one thing that brings me back down to earth and elongates my muscles at the same time! My yoga program of choice? Mark Blanchard's Progressive Power Yoga.

I have the video tapes (hello 2004!) and this is literally my favorite yoga video ever. I have tried many through Netlfix (hello 2009!) and following yoga pod casts online (hi 2010!). But no matter what I do, I don't feel pushed, prodded, and more sexually harassed in a workout like I do with Progressive Power Yoga.
Yes, Mark Blanchard thinks he's God's gift to yoga, yes, he breathes funny and it makes you think he's &*^%$#@#$%^ off, and sometimes the pace is slow. But if you connect your breath to the mat- good God it's a good workout! Everytime I do a full workout, it's like I just ran a marathon. It hurts so good!!!!!

So anyway, I'm going to be getting back to my dear yoga mat so I can stretch out these big muscles I have now. :) Plus adding in at least 2 cardio workouts a week, rather than keep doing the Jillian Michaels and the Core Fusion workouts by themselves.

I just got this DVD today in the mail- leftover from my $50 gift card from work.. I read all the reviews on it and decided this would be a good choice for some booty shaking cardio! Boy was I right! Once I have it down pat, I will, I swear on my life be taping this one out for you. It was SO much fun! And such a good workout! I loved every second of it. It was HARD and you will sweat like crazy but Quenia does an amazing job cuing the moves and she is really fun. But I will be totally honest, either the camera does add ten pounds, or they did some serious airbrushing on the DVD cover- cuz she is so curvalicious! I loved it! She knows how to seriously shake that booty!

So tonight, I was having major technical difficulties with my phone so I was on the phone with the phone company for FOREVER. I had planned on making salmon and green beans. But after I got off the phone with them, my issue unresolved! I was fed up but just kept it moving.. I heated this up!

I found this dinner at Whole Foods and I remember eating tempeh last year and absolutely hating it- but I was willing to go out on a limb and try it.

I added more BBQ sauce to the dish, just to be on the safe side- you know.. drown it in condiments!!

But this was excellent. The quinoa gave the dish a little extra chew- and I could barely taste the tempeh. No stinky feet taste. No terrible texture.. I was impressed! Now if only I could safely make this for myself, I'd be all set!

Well I hope you have an excellent Monday night! I'm heading to bed soon! Thanks to those who did comment on my "fashion" post! I'll be doing another one this week. I have a bachelorette party to go to, and I need to decide which dress to wear to go out "whoring and drinking" (a reference to a musical.. anyone guess???)

GOOD NIGHT ALL!!!!

They Call Me Psycho

Holaaaaa... I'm back for some more fun! Yesterday I spent the day aching and paining. I've been feeling a bit better, I know nothing is broken and nothing is sprained- just badly bruised. I think my pride is my hurt than anything! But I'm glad I survived! I seriously can't wait until I'm feeling 100% and I can tape that yoga sequence for you guys!! I worked out yesterday and today (yep, I'm crazy) but I seriously can't go a day without workin' it!

Thanks for the belated birthday wishes for Peanut! She did have a blast! She's definitely a superstar!! She had so much fun at her party.. Biz I love how fast you type and that was a GREAT idea for a birthday party! I told my mom about it, and she said she went to one once when she was 15 - and had a FACE MASK on. Ha!

So I did find a picture of those sweet and sour meatballs I made for her party!

Recipe as follows- (makes about 40 full size meatballs plus sauce)

2 bags of pre-made meatballs (I used turkey)
2 cans of tomato sauce
2 cans pineapple chunks plus juice
vineagar to taste
tamari to taste (or soy sauce)
S & P to taste
1/2 cup of brown sugar

heat sauce and simmer for a few minutes, then add frozen meatballs and simmer for an additional 25 minutes..

YUM!
I also found the elusive Chocolate Chip Cookie dough Larabars at Whole Foods!!!!!! YUMMMMMMMMMM!!! They are SO GOOD! I also tried the Peanut Butter Choco Chip Dough too- just as yummy!

Today I receieved this email from a customer:
"Sorry I didn't mean to isolate you I just feel safer addressing a person
verses an ip address . Plus you have been professional, prompt, gracious
and dependable to work with, so I figured we would try to claim you as *****'s rep."

I guess my years of drama class have finally started to pay off! HAHAHA!

I'll be back sooooooooonnnnnn! It's almost my bedtime! I have decided to cut out caffeine and I can't stay up past 9:30 anymore.. too sleepy!

For The Very First Time

Hey guys! Am I coming back to no one?? Comment if you read, just so I know everyone is alive and well. I am! Well, barely hanging on by a thread anyway..

This week is my week before you know what, so I've been extra groggy and grumpy. The two G's are never a good thing! So I stayed away from the computer so I wouldn't sound like a whiny annoying sap. All things my dad called me this week... but that's not the point! The point is... it was the Peanut's birthday last weekend! I took a few days off from work to help her celebrate.. and we did, by throwing a party and having a fun day in the city!

Pics are as follows!
It was hot in the big ole city and we melted pretty much the whole day. We drank a lot of water and had a fun time navigating the subway and streets of Boston. Sorry for the lack of pics of me and her.. try to keep somethings sacred. (In other words, all my pics are of me; I look hot and sweaty.... I'm sending those to Charlie.. lol)


But we went to the Children's Museum and walked the Freedom Trail. We are history buffs and learning dorks for sure!

Later on in the week was her PAR-TAY! If you weren't invited you must not be cool- cuz all the cool kids were there! Actually, it was a small party, but we played in the pool, ate, danced, and ate to our little hearts desire. It was a good party- plus she got lots of presents... what can beat that??

For food we had typical Luau food- fruit, pigs in a blanket and sweet and sour meatballs. Here is a picture of the fruit, the only thing I managed to snag a pic of before it was devoured. YUM!

But here is a dish I made at some point last week in a brief moment where I remembered I had a blog.Shrimp and green bean stirfry. This was totally simple to make dears- saute fresh green beans in a little olive oil, onion, pepper, and a sprinkle of garlic powder. Add wheat free tamari sauce (or soy sauce...) and gluten free teriyaki sauce (to taste).. then add shrimp (I use cooked shrimp, tail removed). Shake it around in the pan a few times, then cover and let it simmer and steam. After about 5 minutes, uncover and EAT.

It was easy, a little spicy, and totally worth the 10 minutes it took to make it.

So, tonight, for the very first time, I was injured while practicing yoga. Yep. And not in a glorious way, where I was practicing pigeon pose and I dislocated my hip.

Look back in my yoga post... the one where I was standing on my head with my legs spread open wide like a stripper? I was in the kitchen (mistake) when I shifted my head about 1/2 centimeter to the right (mistake) and I tried to tuck and roll when I fell (mistake) but instead I crashed into the table. OUCH. Not even an ouch. There's probably no word to describe the pain I felt. I thought I cracked my neck, back, legs, arms, everything. I think I stayed on the floor for a good ten minutes before I moved, just to make sure I was still alive. The cat came over to check it out as I was splayed out under the table. I swear, she must have thought I was dead. I think she tried to start to eat me.
So far, the backs of my legs are bruised and my elbows are puffy and hard to straighten and turning suspiciously blue. I have a 1600 dollar deductible for insurance- so in case anyone asks.. unless you are sending me the cash, I will settle for bathing in ice for the next couple of days. It hurts to type, and is getting worse now. Ice bath here I come!

Rock Those Carbs

What up fools? Lordy, I have no idea why I'm in such a looney mood today! It must be the heat and the humidity! It has been suffocating lately and no relief with the rain either! Dang Mother Nature, rain for a few hours already! Although I will regret it when it does.. I went for a walk today at lunch time and almost died. It was so humid, I could barely catch a breath! Felt like I was breathing in steam..

Well. Today.. I have some extra special news. This weekend, sometime, I should have a new video done for you guys. What what now? It has literally been a YEAR since I've done one. I've been listening to a new song on repeat, dancing it out in my head, and it's actually working on my feet. So get ready for some fun!

I am "kid-free" for a couple of days, since I babysat my niece for TWO WEEKS, my sister offered to take Olivia for THREE DAYS. Let's not talk about the fairness of that trade-off!! But I'm happy, I can dance like a lunatic every night without the Peanut laughing at me.

Thanks for all the nice comments on my shoes! I love them too, and I got them for rock bottom price a while ago. I could never afford a pair of Manolos, so to say that I feel pretty SATC over a pair of Carlos Santanas.. it's like upgrading from Walmart to Saks. :)

Alright, you wanna know about my food! No? Too bad, I'm spillin'! Almond Butter. The jar is almost gone and I just opened the thing a week ago! Fillin' my body with healthy fats!!!! Yippee!



So I've been getting diagnosed over the phone for my lack of energy and lack of well anything. Charlie's friend thinks I am anemic. "Seriously man, she can't go without meat, what is she thinking? She needs meat on those bones". Thanks Dude!!! Another lectured him on the importance of eating carbs, and since Charlie thinks all I eat is peanut butter and canned tuna (so what if I do?!?!) he in turn told me all about how carbs turn into energy. I let him talk, then pointed out that I was a Chemistry major with a minor in Health/Nutrition for two years in college. No I didn't!!!! I'm not gonna blow up his spot like that! Poor guy!!! I was impressed he absorbed that much info about it though!

But since I love my baby, I'm dedicating my dinner to you babycakes. Fajitas! Veggie ones, I didn't feel like defrosting any meat. (Sorry Dude I don't know who thinks I'm anemic!) But these were an EASY, TASTY, way to get in some carbos.

And now ladies and gents. I'm back to strap on my dance shoes and prance around the kitchen like a fool. Don't laugh, you wish you were with me!!!!!

Stop Calling...

Well this is just a quick post..

This happens to be one of my favorite songs this year. AND LOOK AT THESE GUYS!!!!! Too funny! This definitely MADE my day.

More to come, gotta busy day ahead ; ) ENJOY!!!!

On To The Next One

Wow... I don't even know what to say guys. First of all, thank you for all your sweet comments. I don't know what I would do without the support of blog world- seriously. I haven't had the chance to email everyone who commented or wrote.. but I promise I will.
I wish I could say that I have come back refreshed, joyous, and full of promise.
I wish I could say that I ate like a star all week, and didn't stare blankly into the pantry or fridge, only to walk away empty handed. My appetite and grief go hand in hand.
I wish I could say that my "real" friends were as supportive of this whole thing as my "bloggie" friends. I have been stubborn lately, and saying, "someone will call me. someone will reach out." and nothing. Does anyone want my phone number?!
I wish I could say I didn't cry every night.
I wish I could say anything brilliant, worthwhile, refreshing, profound. So many words just jumble up in my head and to make them come out on paper? Man that is a task.
I came across my journal I kept two years ago at around this time and I was *shocked* to see that my thought process about myself was quite honestly the same.
I wish I could say that I think in the last couple of years I have grown mentally and emotionally. Although I have CLEAR goals in my head- I think they are lost a little at this time.
I quit dance class.
My teacher was the creepo who tried to *molest* me a while back and as much as I wanted to keep dancing there and as much as I LOVE it, my gas tank, wallet, and mental health will thank me.

Instead I bought these two DVD's. Anasma Liquid Fusion Hip Hop/Belly Dancing. Um sexy much?! I'm really looking forward to getting them and they were really cheap. I will do them twice and they will pay for themselves compared to dance(my dance class was $10 per class).

Even though this post finds me still struggling, I do have faith that it will get easier and THIS TIME will not be forever. The future is way better than the misery of the present and as long as I'm still able to get up out of bed- I consider the day a success. Obviously, I need to work on my expectations ; )

That brings me to some of my eats. Like I said, lately this has been a hard area for me- BUT I'm a work in progress.

This was yummy.. I really liked it, even though I thought I wouldn't. I love eggs, so I thought this would end up being a poor substitute for scrambled eggs, but it was delightful, savory dish. The hash browns even had a "crunch" to them despite being nuked..
These weren't too bad. I bought a weeks worth of Attune bars because I wanted to see if my stomach would be able to handle it and react well. So far so good. I love chocolate so this was a good way to have some "functional chocolate".


Another snack I felt I needed to try. Please guys, don't go shopping with my daughter! Everything I picked up she made me throw in the cart. So when I pondered over these in the yogurt section of Hannafords and explained how they worked to her, she said, "oh just get them mom, seriously!!!". Yea, 7 going on 17 right here guys!
And then one more I got, you know, just for good measure..
Freeze-dried pineapple. It wasn't too bad, but I forgot that pineapple is one of those fruits that if it ain't cooked my mouth don't like it. So I ended up drinking about 5 glasses of water after eating these babies.


I did bake though. What? Me? Cook something? Yes, I know you are all shocked!! Another purchase the Peanut said I "needed to get" at Hannafords. She kills me!
Sorry it is such a crappy picture of the finshed product, but this was really good!!! I managed to spread out eating this through-out a few days, but it was hard to not eat it all in one sitting.
I added honey to the batter and used rice milk in place of water to make it "richer". YUM! Loved it! (P.S. Peanut painted my nails for me.. I think she wants to be my boss, always pushing me around, telling me what to do.. lol)


I should be cooking tonight. I have some chicken sausage in my fridge that needs to get used up. Plus some rice mix (you know I love my Goya rice...). I hope this post finds everyone who reads and comments blessed. Seriously because I feel blessed to be able to be a part of this community. You guys are awesome and really do make it all worthwhile.
*MAJOR HUGS*

No Pain No Glory

Well, I certainly didn't mean to leave half naked pictures of myself up for almost a whole week! Sorry about that! I'm really honestly so glad you guys like the tattoos! I am planning on getting another one pretty soon- the biggest and baddest one of them all.. haha- I'll be sure to post up those pictures too! So thank you for all the sweet comments about them!

So ... no pain no glory huh? Yea I have no idea what that is about, just that today I am feeling deader than dead right now! Jessica and I went out to An Tua Nua in Boston on Wednesday and I STILL haven't recovered from staying up so late! What the hell?? I'm not built for these parties I think! I haven't really cooked. I haven't really eaten anything impressive either! So what do you guys get from me? Just hot pictures of myself and Jessica! And a video of my teacher and one of the girls who performs with him... SO GOOD!

The video is a little dark- which I'm sorry about! But you can imagine how lovely it is when you can't see the moves.. they did AWESOME!

Here is Jessica and me.. aren't we cute??

Mabel and Albert dancing!





Well my friends, that's all you get for now! Hopefully tomorrow I can cook up something tasty!!! See you all soon!

Makin' A Plan

Happy Friday everyone! I can't believe the weekend is here already! What do you all have planned for it? I am planning on actually cooking. What???? Well maybe not COOKING COOKING. But I'm definitely baking cookied for my sister's boyfriend for helping me move last weekend. And I'm definitely cleaning my room at my parents house. It has been a disaster for the last couple weeks because of moving. Maybe, if you are lucky I'll take before and after pics- but also remember I am trying to cram ALL my stuff in there. And I'm old. And I have a lot of stuff. Anyone need some clothes?! I have tons!
I am also going to say that YES I will be doing a video post and if I SAY IT. I WILL HAVE TO DO IT DAMMIT.

I don't have a lot of other things to say, last night I was up on the laptop until midnight working and I had my Thursday night TV line up going- Parks and Rec, The Office, and 30 Rock. My younger sister and I have a slight obsession with the Office and I have to tell you- this video just makes me laugh- SO MUCH! It is too funny!
I spoke with my other half and we had jolly good conversation- we were laughing and laughing- which is a good thing! I love how he makes me laugh and I really miss seeing his smile all the time. But we'll get there!!!
O-M-G, enjoy the vid!!

Watch The Day Away

Well here there guys- happy Monday!

Unfortunately I have nothing for you today- my camera cable is at home and I am stuck behind my desk. It is a gorgeous day outside but all the extra work is keeping me in here. So I decided to show you guys some love and move all my videos over to this one post. Just cuz I'm so wonderful.

Just a few things to point out- I'm starting at the beginning and you will notice how my hair is getting longer and blonder in each one.. lol My sister and I watched them all the other night and we were laughing over it. No worries, I'm getting these locks chopped off next week!

*cricket* *cricket* Carlos... babe.. you breathing over there??? Just kidding!

Ok here we go!

The First One- Right Round by Flo Rida and Katy Perry
(thoughts- how come the white girl doesn't get a shout out on the track? Thats her singing!!)

Second one- I Know You Want Me- Pitbull
(thoughts- I was kind of in a bad mood when I did this one.. can you guys tell??)

Third one- Don't Know the Song Title - Daddy Yankee I believe - maybe Tito El Bambino?
Third One Part Two- This One is - Sabrasora- Don't know who sings the song though

Fourth One- Maybe? Enur

Another One- Boom Boom Boom!!!!
(thoughts- I made this up randomly lol then halfway through I thought the song was over and started to walk away!)

Fireburning- Sean Kingston
(this one was so fun to make! lol)

Call The Whole Thing Off- Drake

Crazy Frog!!!!!


OK- I think that was all of them! Indulge me people- which one do you like the best?
Of course they aren't perfect, but hey! I don't strive for perfection over here!
No seriously, do you have a favorite?
And also-
if you could pick a song to do kick-boxing/dance to... what would it be? I will consider all options when thinking of a new song to do. I'm kind of stuck in choreography rut I need to bust out of. I have four half done dances.. That just don't cut it!

Crazy Dance

Girls, Guys, I have never ever felt so relieved in all my life. I was seriously stressing the whole private blog thing- I thought my readers would be gone, I wouldn't be able to expand, then Food Buzz emailed me and smacked me upside the head and I was like- DAYUMMM. I need to switch to something else! I will keep the other blog open to "registered readers" for archive purposes and I promise I will do a massive video post and move all the vids over to here too! But for everyone else- I'm brand new baby! And I love it! Can we make T-Shirts???
But thank you so much for making the switch with me! It means SO much!!!
OH AND JUST TO BUTT IN FOR A SEC- I literally had NO clue my profile pic matched the name of the blog until I was talking to Carlos about it- and we looked at the pic and he said, "oh cool the hippo is trying to eat you..." I am brilliant without even realizing it!

OK so y'all know I've been slackin' in the video department right???
Well your prayers have been answered- here we are with another video production! I swear to God I have to come up with a name for our production company... This time around it was Peanut DJ'ing, and my sister doing the recording.

Honestly, I hope you guys like them because I really had fun doing this, even though my legs feel like rubber right now. And I can barely walk. And after doing the video three times because of two mess-ups I collapsed (you can see it! lol) out of sheer exhaustion. It was brutal! But hey.. at least I had some crazy music to dance to!

ENJOY!!!! Especially the instruction vid part. I never ever claimed to be a professional on here!!!!