Valentine's Swap = Blogger Fail

I was part of the Will You Be My Valentine Swap over at ABCDE  and    Sealed With A Kiss with Kaitlyn and Eryka. When you participate in a swap you dream of everything being coordinated and beautifully packaged but then reality hits.
I was given Cara over at The Marvelous Flight of Cara . Poor girl probably hasn't gotten her package yet.
The swap didn't start out as an uncoordinated mess. I loved getting to know Cara by stalking her blog. The things I learned most about her is that she LOVES her husband, Valentine's day, Hello Kitty and the color pink.
I hope I'm not spoiling anything for her by posting this but I wanted to send her a kit to make Valentine's or any day with her husband extra special. I included a heart cupcake pan, cupcake flags, sprinkles, note cards for her goal of sending 100 letters  and a Hello Kitty Pez dispenser. Sounds awesome right?  Obligatory blogger pic of the goodies?

Yep, thats it. Laid out on the counter at the post office as I attempt to stuff it ( yep stuff it) into a box to get it to her in time. It may not be beautifully packaged but the sentiment is there. I hope you enjoy it!
I on the other hand got a very awesome on time goodie box from my Valentine Katie over at Katilda.

I loved opening the box to find so many goodies! Katie's note to me mentions the one thing that I am known for my love of Hanson. Yes, Katie if the limit hadn't been $10 tickets to any Hanson show would of blown my mind. I did however love the box anyways! She got me heart shaped measuring spoons. Mint nail polish that I have been looking for since last summer and a heart garland. The heart garland is currently being used to decorate my office. It will stay up all year more than likely.  I have already used my measuring spoons to make cupcakes for a special birthday.

Thank you for the Valentines!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentines Day.
Happy Hallmark Holiday.
Happy Single Awareness Day
Happy Whatever You Need It To Be Day....just be happy.

I was not looking forward to this Valentine's Day this year but  it is really shaping up to be one where I truly feel lucky and blessed.
Work blessed my desk with an untold amount of candy and chocolate covered strawberries. Sometimes it really is nice to work with such a good group of ladies.
Someone special had these delivered to work. My first valentine's day flowers...ever. They were completely unexpected therefore they make my heart sing just a bit when I look at them.

 Tonight my bestie will be coming into town to watch horror movies and have a pizza night. I am looking forward to spending tonight loving on my friend.

I couldn't help but post a few Valentine messages for all you lovely girls. Just remember JT , Ryan and Marilyn never lie.

Have a happy day!
-J

Left Cheek Right Cheek

Sunday I met a friend at the gym to do one of my new workout routines.
First time that someone looked to me to be the leader in the gym.
First time my name was cursed for killing her legs with squats.
First time that someone was exhausted and sore from doing one of my workouts and I wasn't phased.
Correction, girlfriend can run faster than I can so my attempts to keep up with her on the sprints were killing me but squat and plank wise I kicked butt.
The workout we were doing was semi given to me by my friend, who stole it from the army.
I call it my Training to Kick A** Workout.
What is it?
Sprint for a quarter mile...like run like a pack of no sparkling wanna be your boyfriend Zombie's are chasing you.
Then 30 lower body moves. Take your pick of any exercise below :

•  squats
• jump squats
• squats with kicks
• ballet squats on heels 
• ballet squats on each individual heel
• lunges
• side lunges
• squats on a bosu
• donkey kicks
• bridges
• fire hydrants
• barre butt kicks
• dead lift
• kettle bell squats

Then 20 upper body moves. Again pick your posion :

• push ups
• triceps push ups
• triceps kick backs
• bicep curls w/ half way pulses
• chest flys
• dips
• shoulder presses
• dumb bell rows

Then 10 ab moves. When I do planks I hold them for a full minute

• plank
• side planks 
• plank pulses
• plank twists
•  plank tucks
• bicycles
• crunches
• Russian twists with weights
• superman
• leg lifts
• bosu planks

Repeat 5 times choosing a different exercise from each section every time.
I usually add on additional cardio at the end such as jumping jacks, burpees or the elliptical machine.
 I've gotten a little more use to this workout so I think I am going to add in a pyramid. Where I will go 30 20 10 10 20 30.

I love that this workout. It is never the same. Time flies so I don't get bored. I shaved a minute and a half off my 5k time since doing this. My mile time has dropped to 11:30 from 13:00. I call that success.

Make sure you stretch really well afterwards or you will be sorry!

Let me know if you try the workout.  And just because it's my new favorite song to do squats to I will leave you with some T-Pain.
Booty Wurk

-J

Lent = No more Moo, Oink, Swimmy or Cluck

I'm not Catholic.
I still do lent.
I do it because some of my friends are Catholic.
Big surprise there aren't that many Catholics in the heart of Texas so I do what I can to be supportive.
I'm giving up meat for lent. Why? I think it will be challenging but do able. I honestly don't eat that much meat to begin with. I eat chicken, turkey and salmon. I'm hoping this will help me move away from processed frozen meals and toward healthier and cleaner eating.
I am a bit worried that this is going to lend itself to weight gain.
I think it could lead to a 40 day 40 night carb binge of all the pasta I want.
If anyone has any non pasta related veggie meal ideas. Share them! Otherwise it might be a marathon of veggie burgers and pasta.

Meal ideas to avoid the 40 day carb binge ( ideas stolen from Pinterest) :

1. Homemade black bean burgers
2. Spinach pizza crust
3. Spaghetti  Squash Pasta
4. Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
5. Tomato Basil Soup
6. Quinoa Mac N Cheese
7. Bikini Rolls
8. Veggie Lasagna
9. Spinach Rolls
10. Stir Fry w/ Tofu
11. Black bean, corn stuffed sweet potatoes
12. Quinoa stuffed bell peppers ( Idea totally stolen from Southern Girl Gets Fit)
13. Veggie tacos
14. Black bean and Spinach Quesadilla
15. Baked Parmesan Portabella Mushroom
16. Veggie Pizza
17. Zucchini slice pizzas
18. Spicy Thai Noodles
19. Beans and Rice
20. Spinach Enchilada
21. Salads

Obviously I am going to need some help with this. :(

- J 

Chances, Change and Risks

There is a legit chance that I could move overseas.

A door I never contemplated opening has cracked open.
A door I craved to be open since I can remember.
I just never thought it was possible. 
I am tempted not even to look into it out of shear fear that I will fail.
But oh the amazing things that could happen.
I have always had a very linear plan that included roots and doing everything by the right time in life.
What if I dont?
What if I go explore?

I can still have the roots and milestones but I can have adventure also.
I've got too many thoughts, fears and questions on how this could happen.
Do I take a risk?
I don't know yet.