boxer dog

November 1, 2013

An Appropriate F Word?

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Anyone else stoked it is Friday? 

This was a crazy week for me.  I started teaching Turbo Kick at a local YMCA this week.  It has been 6 years since I have taught group fitness classes.  Needless to say, I jumped back in with both feet!  I teach Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 5:30AM (which means a 4:40AM wake-up call in order to make the 20 minute drive).  OUCH!  I also teach on Wednesday and Friday afternoons at 4:30. 

So far, so good!  Turbo Kick is really intense, incredibly fast paced and contains a lot of choreography, but it is so. much. fun!  And the calories burned are CRAZY TOWN!  I will set my HRM next time I have class just to see how much I am burning.  Especially now that I am talking through the entire thing.   I was so proud of my class today.  They seriously killed it and this was only their second class.  Impressive! 

Friday Fave 1:

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I attended TK certification in St. Louis the end of September and I am studying for my AFAA certification in December.  (I let my group ex certification go 6 years ago, so have to study and test for re-cert).  I’ll touch on that another time.

 

Friday Fave 2:

Random Acts of Kindness.  On Wednesday, I dropped off a mixture of popcorn, candy corn and peanuts in our break room at work.  I just wanted folks to enjoy the snack and know that others appreciate them, so I didn’t tell them who it was from (look closely at my note).  Where my office is located is also where a large chunk of faculty offices are housed.  They work their tails off and since it is mid-term time, things get stressful.    I think they enjoyed the snack.  The bowls were empty by the end of the day.

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Friday Fave 3:

This guy.

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Even though he woke me up at 4:30AM this morning (and I didn’t have to be up until 6:15!)  Grr.   When he needs out or is over the idea of sleeping, he will come up on my side of the bed and breath heavily into my face until I get up.  Or, he shakes his ears while standing next to the wall so it makes a terribly loud noise.  He does it on purpose for sure.  What a punk.

 

Friday Fave 5:

Humor.  This sign, located in a bathroom at a bar, in place of a mirror.  Classic.

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Happy Friday, all!  Make it a good one.

 

What are you all doing this fine Friday eve?  Are you one of the above? 😉

October 31, 2013

Spinach Mushroom Garlic Lasagna Recipe And Happy Halloween!

Before we get to the yummiest vegetable based recipe I have made yet, I must first say,

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!  We have had the cutest little kiddos visiting our house tonight.  Love their tiny voices saying “trick-or-treat“!

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I asked Champ if he was ready for some Halloween candy.  His reaction is much like mine when talking chocolate.

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Tonight for dinner was Spinach Mushroom Garlic Lasagna.  Apparently, I am on a spinach, mushroom, garlic kick lately.  I am rolling with it.

Spinach Mushroom Garlic Lasagna

Ingredients:

  • Box Lasagna Noodles (I used whole grain)
  • 8oz. mushrooms, chopped
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 9 oz. bag spinach, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. basil
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • pepper to taste
  • 24 oz. Garden Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce
  • 15 oz low fat ricotta
  • 12 oz low fat cottage cheese
  • 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 3 Tbsp. Egg White (or 1 whole egg)
  • 8 oz shredded mozzarella
  • 2 Tbsp EVOO

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Directions:

Boil noodles in pot of water.

Saute chopped onion, mushrooms and garlic in EVOO over medium-low heat.

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While mixture is sauteing, chop spinach and add to pan once mushrooms and onions have softened.

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While spinach wilts in pan, mix together egg whites, ricotta, cottage cheese and shredded mozzarella in a medium size bowl.  Set aside.   Once spinach mixture has reduced, add in Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce.

Yum!

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At this point you are ready to assemble the lasagna.  In a greased 9×13 pan, overlap four lasagna noodles, top with mushroom/spinach mixture, dollops of the ricotta mixture and a handful of shredded mozzarella.   Repeat layers four times.

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Place in 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.  Let set, cut, serve, devour.  Try to have just one serving.  Not. Possible.

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Hope you all had a wonderful Thursday!

What was your favorite costume of the evening?

October 27, 2013

The Weekend in Review

Why is it that the weekends just fly by?  Sigh…..

What a great weekend it was, though!

Friday, 4pm, Happy Hour.  Check Friday Faves for a recap.

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After Happy Hour with the girls, I met up with my husband at The Anchor Inn for some dinner and beers.  The Anchor used to be located on the Missouri River and was THE place to be during the summer months.  They had a large outdoor stage right by the river where multiple bands played every weekend.  On site was the main bar and grill where you could sit inside, or you could enjoy the outdoors and visit any of the Tiki-Hut bars (number depending on the size of crowd).  It was definitely a one-of-a-kind place to hang out during the summer.

Unfortunately, the floods of 2011 put the entire place under water for months, and in the end they were prohibited from re-building.  So sad.  They have relocated to an in-town location, which is still a fun place to hang out and we always enjoy our time there, but it is definitely a completely different ambiance.  The new building doesn’t allow for the crowds and atmosphere as the Anchor Inn once had, but I have to commend Junior (owner) for re-opening and continuing on.  Business is still booming!

Clint and I were actually supposed to be married in 2011 at the Anchor.  I’ll tell that story at a later date.  We found an alternate location, but it was a bit stressful, to say the least. 🙂

Below pic is an example of the old Anchor Inn parties.  So fun!  Click here for more pics.

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Saturday!  Woke up and watched my favorite Food Network TV Shows and started my BFY Chicken Tortilla Soup.   I love Crock Pot recipes!  Throw in the pot, close the lid, set the temp and walk away.  The house smelled SO good while the ingredients cooked down and melded together.  Delicious!

The end product:

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My husband worked on the house replacing a few boards and painting some of the trim.  Sure is handy when he has the proper equipment to reach our rooftop.

ImageChamp and I hung out on the front stoop enjoying the beautiful weather while the hubby slaved away.

What a cute guard dog.

He’s likely to lick you to death, so a little less guard and a lot more cute is probably the reality.

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ImageI took advantage of the gorgeous day and went for a nice 5 mile jog with a 1 mile walk to cool down and take in the sights.  There is a pretty nice trail (cement trail, not off-road trail) near my house, so I always like to hit it up when running more than 3 miles.  I maintained a nice and easy 9 1/2 mph pace which is right where I wanted to be since it’s been about a month since I have done any real jogging over 2 miles.  Needed a break after training for two half marathons.  My back was thankful for that break, but it was nice to be back out there again.

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We capped off our Saturday evening staying in.  We were planning on attending a Halloween Party, but in the end, decided to just stay home.  Sometimes we just need that down time.

Sunday morning I was up at the crack of dawn (seriously, 6:30AM), so I went to the grocery store and bought ingredients to make the most delicious egg white, spinach, feta cheese casserole.  I will post that recipe and my full day tomorrow.

Now, it is time for BED!

Enjoy your Sunday evening whatever you do and wherever you are!