Niki's Neverending Adventure

Hey guys. I have not had a very good day, so excuse my less than chipper self. I am dealing with some potentially very expensive plumbing issues that if they are not covered by insurance, I am not really sure what I’m gonna do. Hopefully I will know more about that tomorrow. And on top of that, I was surprised with a meeting tomorrow to present an outline for a group presentation for one of my classes. The kicker is that it is 7 WEEKS AWAY. Yep, who knows WHY we had to all of a sudden have a meeting tomorrow! But, I got an email around 4pm saying that I needed to outline 3 chapters. Yea, let’s just say I was less than happy. Gotta love group work. It sent me into a mini breakdown and after a good cry I felt a little better. Sometimes that’s what you really need to feel better. Ok, rant over. Onto brighter things…

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I loved all your answers to my Hump Day Q&A! And if you didn’t participate, go ahead and do it now! It’s fun :)

I got up this morning at 5am to workout before class! Go me, right?! I made up a new circuit training workout. It went like this:

Arm Circuit Workout #1

• Run 5 minutes 6.0
• Military Press 8 lbs 2X12 reps
• Tricep Dips 2X12
• Push ups 2X5
• Punches 3 lbs 2X10 (I alternated jabs, hooks, and uppercuts each circuit)
• Run 3 minutes 6.8
• Repeat arm circuit
• Run 3 minutes 6.8
• Repeat arm circuit
• Run 5 minutes 6.0
• Stretch 2 minutes
• Total: 30 minutes 1.7 miles

Was a great workout! I was hot, sweaty, and breathless!! I am already getting sore too! My arms were on fire the entire time!! I will post this under my workout tab so y’all can check it out!!

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I was in the mood for oatmeal this morning, but wanted to mix it up a bit. I made my usual Banana Oatmeal base but added 1 tsp flax while cooking and a small spoonful of plain Greek yogurt at the end. I stirred it up and the yogurt made it so creamy! I loved it!! I also decided to top it with a small spoonful of NM PB and a small spoonful of Dark Chocolate Dreams PB! It was divine!

Doesn’t it look extra creamy from the yogurt addition?!? And y’all know what my coffee looks like so picture it :)

I had a yummy red pear for snack during class! I love pears!!

And for lunch, my mama came over!! We split a Lenny’s Turkey sub with all the fixins!! Lenny’s is my favorite sandwich place and is really the only fast food place that I have eaten at in my small town!! I loved having lunch with my mom! We need to do it more often! Love you Mom!!

I also had some Wheat Thins and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus!!

Snack time was during my mini breakdown so I didn’t get a picture. But luckily, I am super boring and have been having the same snack for days! So y’all can also picture my trail mix and tea snack!

And after I finally finished the outline that made me so upset, I decided to make some yummy comfort food! I made Chicken Chili a la IGE! This is definitely my favorite Chicken Chili recipes! It’s super easy too!!

Chicken Chili

• 1 TBSP EVOO
• 1/2 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 28oz cans tomato sauce
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 small can baked beans
• 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded (I only used 1)
• 2 TBSP chili powder
• Heavy dash cumin
• dash cayenne pepper
• dash red pepper flakes
• 2-3 TSP brown sugar (optional) I don’t usually use this

1. Sauté onions in large soup pot, in EVOO for 10 minutes on med. low. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, 2 more mins.

2. Add tomato sauce, black beans, baked beans, and shredded chicken to pot, stir. Add seasonings, stir. Turn heat up to medium and let simmer 15 minutes.

YUMMY!! Love this recipe!! I also made some Quick Cornbread to go with it, natch.

 

Mmm look at that melty cheese!! I topped mine with shredded cheddar and light sour cream, obviously!

This is seriously the easiest and best cornbread recipe to date! You must try Quick Cornbread!

And check out my special Oatmeal Raisin cookie I am having for dessert!! I got it with my Lenny’s sandwich today and have been saving it all day! These are the BEST!!

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Well, I am hoping for a much better day tomorrow but I’m not sure it’s going to happen since I will be at school ALL DAY due to the group meeting before class, a make up snow day class, and then regular afternoon class. Boo. I’m trying to look on the bright side though. At least I get to sleep in a little bit in the morning and have a good speed work sesh planned! I hope y’all have a wonderful night bloggy friends!!

Posted in: on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at at 8:25 PM