Weeds Be Gone

I'm new to weeding, and I must say there is an enjoyment to ripping those suckers out of the ground (or concrete, as the case may be). I actually found it surprisingly similar to tweezing my eyebrows (which should also be added to the to do list). In both instances you need to get a firm grip and pull so you get the roots/hair follicle. Weeding, as with tweezing, inevitably results in frustration when you pull and it doesn't come completely out, but put a bit of effort into either and you'll reap large rewards.

My patio has gone from disgraceful to merely unkept. Success! Just don't look behind the umbrella. Oh, and for the record weeding is seriously hard work, especially for your back.

In an effort to earn my keep, I made the Aussie pumpkin mac n cheese last night. I thought the creamy texture of roasted pumpkin would be a nice addition to mac n cheese, but I found the sweetness of the pumpkin didn't complement the dish as much as I anticipated. For the mac n cheese recipe I loosely followed the recipe from Veganomicon - nutritional yeast, veggie broth, flour, mustard, tumeric, salt, pepper, and lemon. I decided to add a bit of white wine too. I made enough to feed a small army. The Aussie will be having it for lunch for awhile, so hopefully he likes it more than I did.

Lunch today (which I have been thinking about since 10:30) is a sandwich and a cup of soup. In an effort to be a bit healthier, I've switched chips for soup - less calories and more fiber!

Enter spicy lentil soup (not homemade but still tasty - it's from Heinz)

For the sandwich portion of my lunch, I started with the foundation for a good tempeh sandwich - the marinade. I used olive oil, braggs, maple syrup, cayenne and black pepper, and salt.

Usually I have 1/2 an avocado in my sandwich, but since they cost a small fortune at the moment ($4 dollars for one small one, no thank you), I opted for double tempeh ... yum! You don't need to let it marinade long (if you're starvin' marvin) but you can let it marinade for a few hours up to a day. I let it marinade for about 2.5 seconds. No, seriously. Didn't you read the part above where I said I was thinking about lunch since just after breakfast?

Fry up the glorious tempeh slices.

Use your favourite bread. I used sourdough from a local bakery, although definitely not as good as San Fransisco sourdough, despite its name.

The finished product made for a happy tummy.

Washed down with my go to drink (since I'm trying, again, to kick the cola habit - oh how I miss you Coke zero!). I squeeze half a lemon per glass.

It's in the 90s here, so I think once my food baby digests I'll head over to the beach. I don't know about you but listening to the ocean just makes me smile.

Until tomorrow,

B

Being Productive

Today started out with getting my booty kicked in bodypump (okay, it *may* have actually started out with a bit of sleep in then said booty kicking). I'm not in love with bodypump the way some people are, and I wish they would switch the order of things up every now and again. However, I do think it's a great workout, especially for someone (cough, me) who wouldn't lift otherwise. Although I would like to start lifting heavy once a week.

After the gym I decided I needed wanted something sweet. And since it's Australia, there is a bakery on every.single.corner.

Why hello Brumby's - I'll take one of your delicious cinnamon donuts, and please excuse my sweat drenched, unbrushed hair. Said donut was inhaled before a picture could be taken!

I have decided that I need some accountability in my life (don't we all), so instead of having unstructured days I'm using a nifty notebook to organise what I want to accomplish. It has sections for priorities, to do list, treat for the day, dinner, and appointments (bonus is that it also has a section for water consumption, which should help me get in more H2O)

Of course I was supposed to fill it out last night to start today, but it didn't happen. What did happen was watching Safety Not Guaranteed (cute movie). I figure I can fill it in for the second half of today, instead.

After looking at my patio I realised what needs to be put on the list.

Weed pulling is a workout, right? At the very least it's a counter to donut eating.

Off to fight pull weeds,

B

2013 - make it the best one yet!

After a long (err all of 2012) absence, I'm back to blogging. I know by February everyone is tired of hearing about "the new year", but I think it's important to realise that your time to make it an incredible year can be in January or June ... heck I think it can even be in December.

2012 was a tough year for me due to time pressures with getting re-qualified to practice while working full-time, health issues, and just general life crappola (trust me it's a word), so I am excited to make 2013 a great year. One month in and I'd say I'm off to a rocky start but I still see this year being amazing. I'm back to begging applying for jobs, as my government contract ended last week. But while I wait for someone to realise how amazing I am I will be filling my time with cleaning, blog reading, sleeping in finding adventures to go on (free or nearly free adventures that is - I am unemployed after all ... haha) and getting some serious use out of my gym membership (the reception chicks are going to be shocked by how often they see my just-rolled-out-of-bed face). Oh, and I suppose I should cook a meal or two for the Aussie to earn my keep.

The best January adventure was definitely our multi-day hike through Wilsons Prom. It was 35ks of bliss, which included 4 secluded and beautiful beaches. The Prom is a great place to hike and explore; we definitely want to get back before summer ends.

 Pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Going forward the blog will also be featuring some new mugs - in the form of pugalier puppy cuteness. They "technically" belong to my in-laws but I'm slowly wooing them so that one day I can puppynap them!

 Until tomorrow,

B

One word. SORE. I guess that's what I get for upping the gym from lazy to committed. I walked/ran my way to 40ks this week and had two pump sessions. I'm proud of the effort.

I've been housing some smoothies (even though Melbourne hasn't realised it's summer yet)



Enjoying tomatoes from the garden (a teeny, tiny tomato)



And giving Lululemon all the funds in my bank account


And eating tempeh sandwiches prepared by the hubby


Time to find something exciting to do for Sunday.

-B

Back on the (fake)Rock

We spent our Friday night climbing indoors in the city, and I loved every minute (even when I had to sit through the safety lessons). Climbing is one of my favourite things to do, and I plan to do a lot more of in 2012. All the time off means my hand strength is non-existent, but you have to start somewhere. I only did three routes before I was done (13,12,13).

Saturday I spent the morning in pump (with the Aussie and the SIL). The Aussie has gone to it a few times, but this was his first time in Oz doing it. He pushed through like a champion. We *may* have napped after pump (an earned nap, right?). It was only 20mins but it was glorious. In the afternoon I watched the Aussie and his brother play some cricket. It was a 20/20, which means SHORT (woot, woot).

Teeny, tiny cricketers ;)

After a thrilling cricket game (seriously can cricket ever be thrilling?), we went for some food (Thai), including dessert (chocolate shop) (definitely the highlight of the day).

Today we slept until 11 (so wonderful), went for a walk around the lake, and then I went to the gym and the Aussie hit some golf balls. When I got home from the gym I went on a cooking spree--protein balls, bean burgers, broc and rice dish, and choc pudding (made from avocado).

The protein balls need to be re-created. I used 1 sm banana, 1/4 cup of applesauce, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 1/4 cup crushed almonds, 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup raisins, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 cup oat flour and some oats. I mashed everything together and then rolled them into balls.


The burgers are dry ... really, really dry, so that recipe will not be shared.

My meals lately have looked like this ...





Um, I like veg nuggets (in case you couldn't tell), but I do want to start limiting the fake meat.

Can I say I'm ready for Friday before it's even Monday?

Off to zzz,

B

P*U*M*P

A little time off of pump = inability to lift your arm (I exaggerate only a *tad*). Tonight I spent the evening with the SIL hating the shoulder track ... seriously Les (can I call you Les? sure I can, because you torture me) why do you tease us with a shoulder track that makes me swear it's going to end and then ... it's bar time?

The up part was using my lovely little Christmas gift (thanks Aussie!)


I also did a delicious repeat of the watermelon juice (watermelon, ice and blend, blend, blend)


Hey, who's that stealing my juice?!

Can I just say I love summer? I love summer :) A lovely little summer-inspired salad creation with veggie nuggets and loads of corn.



Off to zzz so I can gym it up in the am,

B

Hello 2012

The end of 2011 was incredibly relaxing. We spent it surrounded by family, laying by a pool, and eating perfectly roasted veggies. I could not ask for more. Now it's time to kick off 2012 on the right foot. This year is going to be filled with lots of qualifying stuff so I can practice over here. I swear I won't be a professional student, although I do feel like it's never ending. But instead of focusing on all the stuff I have to do that is less-than-fun, I want to focus on enjoying each day. It isn't easy to appreciate all the small things that make your life great.

Today my little things were ...

a watermelon smoothie that tasted sweet as can be


and tomato plants that are growing heavy with little tomatoes :)


I'm heading into 2012 knowing it will be hard work, knowing I am not in the exact place I wanted to be from a career & fitness perspective, but also believing that it can be the year that it all changes.

Hang your inspiration board and follow your dreams ... 2012 is going to be year to remember.


Off to pack for the gym tomorrow,
B