Camel Pose

Joined the Spa Lady again! I'm psyched about the Yoga and Pilates courses offered, and so far have experienced a few good classes with great instructors! In Thursday's yoga class, I accomplished the camel pose for my first time.

In case you're looking for me, here is my schedule:

Monday: (optional) Matt Science 5:45
Tuesday: Pilates 7:00; Yoga 8:15
Wednesday: off
Thursday: Pilates 7:00; Yoga 8:15
Friday: (optional) Yoga 5:45
Saturday: (optional) Mat Science 9:45
Sunday: Power Abs 10:00; Yoga 10:30

I'd also like to try some other classes out, such as Zumba, Liquid Tae Bo, and Kick Boxing. I guess my major goals are better posture, a lean stomach, and ease at performing yoga stretches.

PUR

TIME TO GET OFF THE TAP! BLOOMFIELD'S POOR WATER QUALITY MAY BE THE CULPRIT!

The doctor called yesterday with news that my B12 counts are still too low, and my cholesterol levels are still too high. Is this what happens when you turn 30?

Trial and Error

here goes nothing...

Ever eat an entire avocado in one night? No, of course not! Why would you?

Sour Belly

Wow! It's been almost a year since any postings! That's married life for you... Things have been very sweet in that department. As a wedding gift from Jim's co-workers, we got a lovely set of pots and pans , but I can't say much for them since we haven't broken them out of their box. Why? I don't know...I guess we just don't have the space in our apartment. We did open the wok though! I use that mostly for sweet-n-sour chicken.mmmm...As a wedding gift for ourselves we purchased a serious block of knives. Each one is labeled with their specific function to help you learn along the way.

My stomach proves to be from hell, which I believe is one of the main reasons we started that diet in the first place, one year ago. Plus, we wanted to look like supermodels on our wedding day (accomplished! ;). I went to the doctor, and was only told that I had a B12 deficiency. I don't think the two are related. Women, I've learned, often have problems with their degestive system. It's no lie that we don't poop. I eat fruits, fibers, veggies...don't even bother suggesting such remedies. Anybody got any good herbs!!?

Stress remedies? I think all this house hunting has my tummy in triple knots. As newlyweds, we've decided to complicate our lives and spend what little money we have on purchasing a house. I never realized the process would be so complicated. I'm happy to learn the economy is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. We have our hands full competing with other first-time buyers in this market. Let us know if you see any good ones for sale!

12:15 Lunch time!

Fried Ice Cream

With a strawberry on top! Desert eaten at the Oceana restaurant, in Puerto Vallerta, Mexico during our honeymoon stay.

We Got Married!

Jimmy and I were wed this past August, on Sunday the 31st. The morning started with excitement and a fun day of hair and make-up with the girls, while Jimmy relaxed with his dad and watched the ball game.-Though not before going on a grocery spree for me! Jimmy's dad delivered to me and the 'maids many of my favorite foods: cheese-n-crackers, Cheez-its, sushi and bottled water.
Later that night, we shared an amazing meal, our first as a married couple. The Lafayette House in Lafayette, NJ did an amazing job of feeding everyone! So many of our guests complimented the food, as well as the fine service, which always makes for a better dining experience. Well done, Jill and Chris. Thank you. Jimmy and I missed several of the courses-the pasta, the hors d'oeuvres...even the wedding cake (which on taking the first bite I actually choked on...thanks for the huge bite, jimmy ; ) I'm sure even that was delicious. We picked chocolate cake with chocolate fudge filling. I don't eat too much cake, and I wasn't sure what to pick. Carot or chocolate? mmm, Lemon cake. mmm, Chocolate-Chocolate-Fudge.

Phase who?

:Well, well, well, where were we? I think on Phase 2 when we last met. Jim and I jumped right into the new Phase making strong health conscious decisions that blew us both away. We impressed each other, and more importantly, we impressed ourselves. We also lost some pounds, which made the pain worth it in the end.
:We went to the gym-- often! The book actually says to stay away from weight lifting for the first few stages. Stage by stage, your cardio is to increase by 1/2 hour. Jimmy and I didn't quite follow these guidelines. To begin with, we hardly went to the gym during the first phase. We didn't have the energy to! At least it didn't feel like we did. With Phase 2 our gym attendance improved. Jimmy would do weights, and at times so would I. Slowly our cardio increased, but not exactly by 1/2 hour. Wimpy, wimpy. Lazy, laaazy.
:One of the best parts about going to the gym is the vegetable market right next store. Since we consumed at least five fruits and three vegetables a day, frequent trips to replenish stock was necessary. I've really enjoyed cooking and having better lunches to eat. I love toubouli salad, and find the Minute rice one-minute lunch cups to be a godsend. They come in brown rice! The uses for these rice cups are endless, and to me, they mean having a fresh, easy to assemble lunch for the next day without having to devote 20 minutes to the stove half pat ten p.m. Making lunch was always a drag, but at least now Jimmy helps me. He takes part in making a healthy meal for himself each day, and I admire that. Don't you? ; )
http://www.minuterice.com/en-US/products/categories/29/MINUTEReadytoServeRice.aspx

Stuffed on Peppers

:I'm not quite certain this stuffed pepper properly qualifies as a Phase 2 meal, but it is how Jim and I rang our next stage in. I'm posting this recipe post-scouring the internet for the stuffed pepper recipe I remember eating as a kid-simple, with beef and tomatoes. The internet, with its dozens of food and recipe sites, couldn't bring it, so I am.
Make this one for yourself! We both loved it.

:Stuffed Peppers:
Ingredients:
2 cans (14 1/2 oz.) seasoned diced tomatoes
3/4 to 1 lb of lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp. olive oil
3 1/2 cups (cooked) brown rice
4 to 6 peppers (green or red)
3 tbsp. ketchup

Directions:
1. Cook rice as directed.
2. Saute onion in oil until soft. Add ground beef and cook until meat is brown and juices run clear. Drain.
3. Meanwhile, boil water. Cut tops off of peppers, discard seeds inside. Add to boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Remove peppers carefully and place in glass tray.
4. Mix together tomatoes, beef, onion, rice and ketchup.
5. Fill peppers to top with mixture. Place any extra mixture around peppers.
6. Sprinkle top with parmesan cheese.
7. Heat 20 minutes in 400 degree oven. Serve.