December 1, 2013

Turkey Trot, Hawkeyes Win, A Bet and our Harley Holiday’s

The Weekend in Review

Thursday

Turkey Trot- hosted by the Council Bluffs YMCA.  Thursday morning offered us a high of 28 degrees, and the run took place alongside the Missouri River, including a crossing of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.  Needless to say it was cold!   My girl, Jessica, ran it with me. 

ImageEven though the wind was in our face, it was still a really neat experience to run across the bridge.  The Bob Kerry Bridge runs across the Missouri River, allowing people to be in Nebraska and Iowa at the same time (what a touristy thing to say).

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The rest of Thanksgiving Day was spent attending three family dinners.  And, sadly, I didn’t take but ONE picture.  Just one!  I guess I was soaking in all the family time.

Dinner 1: Grandpa Goecker’s. 

ImageClint and my Gr’pa shootin’ the shit.

 

Dinner Two:  My mom’s.  My uncle and aunt were in town so we swung by to chat with everyone for a few hours before heading to…

Dinner Three: Clint’s mom’s.  Dinner, cocktails and family time for another few hours.

 

Friday

Hawkeye vs. Husker Game

ImageWe are Hawkeye Supporters in this house!  I don’t call myself a fan, because I don’t follow every last thing the Hawkeye Football Team does, however I always root for the Black and Gold. 

 

ImageHow fun is my Grateful Hawkeye shirt? (and my ridiculous selfie)

 

It was a great game and awesome to see the Hawkeyes take the WIN!

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We had some friends attend the game in Lincoln, so they came up to our house afterwards to celebrate with a few beers.

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I said a few…. ahem….

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A few years ago, Tyree and Clint made a bet on the Husker/Hawkeye Game.  Huskers won, which meant Clint lost and therefore had to wear Tyree’s Husker Shirt for the night.

ImageSexy.

 

Well, paybacks are a B!tch, and apparently this bet is long standing.  Doesn’t Tyree look adorable in this Hawkeye shirt??

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Shenanigans. 

 

Saturday

It started to look like Christmas in the Pirtle household!  I spent the entire day decorating while watching CSI reruns.  It was a PERFECT day.

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My entire tree is Harley Davidson theme. 

Did you expect anything else?  I mean, really.

🙂

 

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I hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well!

Cheers to a great Sunday!

 

December 1, 2013

Beef and Veggie Noodle Soup

Soup Sunday!

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Beef, Veggie and Noodle Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 3 Tbsp. cornstarch plus water to make paste
  • 1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
  • 10 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 2 cans beef broth
  • 2 cups of water
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1/2 bag frozen peas
  • 1/2 bag frozen carrots
  • 1/2 bag frozen corn
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni

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  1. Brown ground beef, minced garlic and chopped onion.
  2. In a large soup pot to beef and onions add cornstarch paste and stir well until well incorporated.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients except for the macaroni and cook on medium high heat for 30-45 minutes.
  4. Add 1 cup elbow macaroni and cook until tender.
  5. Adjust seasonings according to your taste.  I added more Italian and garlic seasoning at the end.

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November 25, 2013

Monday Must Haves- A Random Observation

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I think everyone needs a dog.
This guy makes me turn into a child in that I just want to pester him, love on him and challenge him to races up and down the hallways. Sure, he drives me crazy sometimes; like for instance in this photo. I’m trying to stretch after a morning jog and he is all up in my business. He thinks I’m down on the floor for him. Ya, not so much bubby.

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Egg whites, Whole Grain Sandwich tTin and light Provolone Cheese.

This is a must. Every morning. If I don’t start my morning with this combination my whole day is off. Ok, maybe that’s pushing it… But I really do eat this for breakfast 95% of the time. Or some combination of egg white and whole grains.

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Bucky’s Fountain soda

Absolutely. Must. Have.

I go between Diet Pepsi and Diet Dr. Pepper. I know, terrible habit. But, I’m not willing to try and break it yet, so leave me be. 🙂 I always hit up the Bucky’s down the road from my work. The manager is great and I’m sure he comes to expect me every morning. Sometimes the cashier gives me the Refill Price as opposed to the New Cup price. She’s my hero. We shall call that Regular Perks.

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A Favorite Workout.

I have several but everyone needs to find at least one activity that they absolutely enjoy. Of course I love my Turbokick class that I teach (obvi) but I also LOVE kickboxing class. I only go occasionally due to my schedule (hashtag sad face). Right now, Monday nights is the one time I can typically get to a class, so tonight it’s on, baby!!   ILOVEKICBOXING.com

Oh, I’m also not afraid to point out that in the above pic, I am the one laying on the ground NOT participating in the ab work.

#winning

And there ya have it. The most random of random Monday Must-Haves.

Have a fab week my friends.

monday

November 24, 2013

Sweatin’ It Out Physically and Mentally

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Went for a short mid-morning jog today.  Hello 16 degree weather, snow and ice.  My pace was fairly slow due to numerous sidewalks being slick.  (Pet peeve when people don’t clean off their sidewalks after a good snow). 

Felt good to get out of the house.  Felt even better running in that crisp, cold air.  There is something about running in the cold and seeing your breath.  I also love the looks on peoples faces when they drive by. 

“Is she crazy? It’s freezing!”

Yep.

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You can tell mile 2 had the most questionable sidewalks.  My pace suffered big time!

Regardless, I was out there!

🙂

Ironically, my Grandpa called me mid-run today.  I just featured him yesterday.  We were scheduled to run the Turkey Trot together on Thanksgiving morning in Red Oak, IA.  He is coming down with a pretty bad cold and they are heading out of town next week, so understandably he is choosing to take care of himself rather then running in this weather.  While I am bummed to not be able to run with him, I am also thankful he is staying in. 

After my run I went to a few Sporting Good stores looking for some new workout capris.  Another pet peeve of mine?  That there are no loose fitting capris in the stores these days.  I DESPISE the ones that are tight all the way to your calf.  My body type looks completely ridiculous in them.  I want them to have a little flare after my knee.  Ugh.  So, needless to say, I came home empty handed.

The rest of my day has been spent finishing up filling out my Study Guide for AFAA Certification. 

 

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The 8 hour training/certification is coming up on Saturday, December 7th at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.  There is a 100 question written test in addition to practical tests.  I am getting ready nervous thinking about how much I have left to learn for the written test, not to mention the physical aspect of it. 

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Quizlet has been a GIGANTIC help in filling out the Study Guide.  I have also been reading several Blogs that have given their tips and tricks for the Certification.  I am appreciating the inside look.  It is definitely helping me mentally prepare.

 

Thank you to the following Bloggers and your thorough recaps of the AFAA cert:

Peanut Butter Fingers

Confessions of a Former Couch Potato

Jackie’s Health and Fitness Page

Math in My Head

 

 

Any of you have your AFAA Group Exercise Certification?  Do you have any extra pointers?