Shop Til You Drop

Indeed, Bridget and I shopped our little hearts out today. We woke up at 9 am and drove to Madewell to participate in their anniversary sale, did any of you guess right? It was 75% off already on sale items and 20% off everything else in the store. I love Madewell so this was a dream come true!

Before I left, I ate something for breakfast that was new to me. Last night I tried out Gina's breakfast cookie. It requires a little prep the night before, but it is so worth it! If you want the recipe, click here.

The picture doesn't give the cookie justice, but I promise it was amazing! See those little clumps of brown on top? That would be almond butter, my new obsession. Peanut butter still takes top rank, but almond butter is definitely a close second.

After I was properly fueled, the shopping begun. I ended up buying $600 dollars worth of clothes for $110 dollars total. I was in awe and so was everyone else who was in the store. Thank you Madewell!

After Madewell, we decided to stop at Steve Madden because I wanted some wedges. Thankfully, I did find some! I also bought a pair of white shorts from Abercrombie for $30 buck! It seems like the whole mall was having major sales today. Fine by me.

When we got back after five hours of shopping, we were both starving! I decided to recreate the salad I had for dinner last night.

Chicken+craisins+slivered almonds+hummus+balsamic

Carrots on the side! Bridget also brought out tortilla chips, so I've been dipping some of those in hummus as well. I'm off to the gym as soon as I publish this post. I don't know when I will have the chance to blog again today, since we are going downtown to meet some friends tonight. Have a great night!

A New Spin on Workouts

Tonight there was a spin class at 7 o'clock that I wanted to desperately attend. I wasn't able to go on Monday, so tonight I wanted to make sure I made it.

I took many strides to be able to get there: train go in at 6:38, I ran home (literally) from the train with ten pounds of books on my back (free swag from work), ran upstairs and changed in a matter of three minutes, shoved six dates with almond butter into my mouth, and off I went.

I went expecting a pretty intense workout, since I know spinning is very strenuous, however I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was already sore from Group Power yesterday, so spinning today made me want to cry!!

I wanted to quit before the class was even half way through, but I kept telling myself that pain is only temporary and you will not regret your hard work in the end..and I definitely did not regret it! It was an awesome class and I can't wait to go back next week.

End result:

schweattyyy

Please, don't judge me on my face. I'm awkward when I take pictures of myself.

***

Dinner tonight was a delicious creation made by yours truly. When I got home from spin class, there was grilled chicken laying on the counter. After thinking through my options, I decided to create a grilled chicken chop salad.

My salad included:
chopped romaine lettuce
4-5 oz.? grilled chicken
handful of craisins
handful of slivered almonds
a large dollop of plain hummus
cracked pepper and a little sea salt
balsamic vinegar
roasted asparagus

Mighty salad!

Can you tell I didn't like it?

Clean Plate Club

After dinner, I was still hungry, must have been the spin class!! Thus, I brought out the bag of carrots and dug into some more of this...

Oh hummus, why must you be so delicious. Also, ignore the face in the above photo as well. I took it while scarfing down carrots, nbd.

Wellllllll, I'm off to read my book and hit the hay! I have a fun-filled day tomorrow that includes an early wake up call. Hint: it its starts with the word made and ends with the word well. Any guesses?

Its Friday, Friday

Its Friday,  Friday gotta get down on Friday..woohoo I'm so thankful that today is my last day of work for the week! It went by fast! I can't wait for the weekend because two of my best friends are coming into town for my birthday. Get ready to paint the town red Grace and Olivia! For everybody else, be excited that today is hump day and the weekend consist of three days this week. Yay for the fourth!

This morning for breakfast I couldn't decide between a smoothie or cookie dough cereal. I ended up going with a smoothie because I wanted something cold and creamy!

In the mix:
almost a whole banana
1 1/2 scoop of Sun Warrior protein
a few dashes of cinnamon
2 tbsp. peanut flour
1 heaping tbsp. cocoa powder
5 ice cubes
1 cup 1% milk

Blend away!

This smoothie was exactly what I was hoping. I added a few sliced almonds and two small handfuls of Kashi GoLean for a little crunch. Twas very yummy.

crreaaammmyyy

I'm off to catch the train and start another book! This time I'm going for a much lighter novel, and hopefully this one won't make me so sad/think so much. We shall see. Have a great day everyone!

Pumpin' Iron

Today after work I came home, had my favorite snack (cauliflower and hummus), and got dressed for the gym.

Lately, I have been falling behind in my workouts and I find myself slacking off a bit since its summer and I have a million other things going on. It not only makes me feel blah, but I can definitely tell I'm losing strength and endurance! No good especially when I love to pump iron and feel the burn! I am determined to get back to my vigorous routine, so I started tonight by going to a group strength class called Group Power. 

According to my gym's website: This 60-minute barbell program will strengthen all your major muscles in an inspiring, motivating group environment with fantastic music and awesome instructors. Simple, athletic movements make this a class for all ages and abilities.

Boy was this class challenging and I absolutely loved it! It was everything I wanted in a strength training class and went through every muscle group. The instructor was awesome, so motivating and fun, and the songs were really up beat! They even brought out the Biebster. Never say neva!! I will definitely be sore tomorrow, phew.

When I got home from the gym, I immediately got a start on dinner. Luckily, while Bridget and I were at the gym, Mrs. McCarthy put some salmon in the oven and sauteed some spinach. So, when we got home all I had to do was steam the broccoli. 

Dinner in less than ten minutes! Win.

x2 on the broccoli. The salmon was so flakey and tender and I enjoyed every last bite. Mmmm sooo good!

Give me food!

My sincere apologies for my sweaty self and messy hair, but at least I know I got a good workout. After dinner I snacked on an apple, granny smith this time! Apples never get old. 

I'm currently watching PLL, even though I'll probably have to watch it again considering I'm giving most of my attention to this post. Fine with me! After  PLL, I'm off to go snuggle in bed, g'night!

Apples vs. Bananas

Good morning friends! Hope you all had a more restful sleep than I, boy am I tired right now. I was supposed to get up and workout, but all plans fell through when I went to bed later than expected. You win some, you lose some.

This morning for breakfast I had another classic:

1 cup Kashi
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
cinnamon
1 packet of truvia

Photos courtesy of Photobooth via my Mac computer. It's not good quality but its somethin'

And of course an apple on the side.

I love apples in the morning so much more than bananas. I think there's something about the crunchiness that really appeals to me, plus they take longer to eat! Win.

I'm off to another day in the city. I found out yesterday that OK! magazine (where I intern) was bought out  on Thursday. Not only does it not look good for some of the employees, but now the work space is flooded with men from the buying company, which is very different considering most everyone who usually works at OK! is female. Today should definitely be interesting. Have a good one and I'll catch ya  for lunch!

Bad Day

Whenever I have a bad day the lyrics of Daniel Powter always pop into my mind. Cause you had a bad day, your taking one down, you sing a sad song just to turn it around... 

Indeed, I did have a bad day. I had trouble with the train to and from work, in result I missed my favorite spin class, and on top of it all I somehow managed to break Bridget's camera. So there will be no pictures with this post, I'm awfully sorry. I know I should not complain considering there could be thousands of worse things in my life and I know I am truly blessed. Tomorrow is a new day so enough dwelling on the negative.

Instead, lets talk books! I am currently in the middle of one of the best books I think I have ever read. I mean I haven't read that many books in my lifetime, but I have read enough to know a good novel vs. a crappy one.

Christopher Cleave

This is the brilliant man behind the novel, Little Bee. I know I have talked about this book before on the blog, but that was before I started reading it so my perspective has changed greatly. From Wikipedia: "Little Bee is a dual narrative story about a Nigerianasylum-seeker and a British magazine editor, who meet during the oil conflict in the Niger Delta, and are re-united in England several years later." 

The book has several twists and turns and is truly heart-wrenching and endlessly compelling. Every page I turn I feel as if I am learning a lesson or something about life I have never thought of before. Let me tell ya, this novel really makes you think. I suggest to all of you, if you haven't read it already, to pick up and start reading! Enjoy your night <3

Back in action

Good morning! After my couple days of unplugging I'm finally back in action! I actually had zero time to blog this weekend because all of my friends from school came into town and it was go go go all the time. The entire weekend I didn't have one time to sit just sit down and relax...or blog. It was well worth it though.

For breakfast tonight I decided on oats. Something about the warmness of them was really appealing, which is odd considering its 95* today.

In the mix:
1/3 cup of oats
1 tbsp. cocoa powder
1/2 cup of milk
pinch of sea salt

On top:
2 tbsp. of chocolate PB2
Handful of Kashi GoLean

On the side a Fuji apple

Forgot how much I love the taste of PB2, its been too long.

***

On Thursday night, we attended a Mets game. The Mets are obviously not my team of choice (go Redlegs!), but if I had to pick a second it would definitely be them. Unfortunately, it poured prior to the start of the game, so the game was postponed for two hours. Still fun though! That brown bag is my packed lunch he he. My friends made fun of me, but hey the food at the stadium is uber expensive and I can bet you my food was five times more real and healthy than anything served there!



Hey Mad!


On Friday night, my friends and I went back to the good ole' Bronx where I attend school. We visited some of our friends who live there during the summer. It was weird being back since not many people are around during the summer and in result everything was a bit empty. However, it did feel good to be back to the place where I call home eight months out of the year. Fun ensued after that!



Kathy and I



Lots of food, drink, and fun.

Saturday night, we went to my friend Kelly's who was having a family party. We danced the night away and partied with her family and friends where games of flip cup and beer pong were played. I was DD for the night! The below picture is Bridget and I practicing the dance we choreographed to "Edge of Glory" by GaGa. Yes, we are fools.

Friends and fun, sometimes there is nothing better. I'm pretty sure I ate my weight this weekend and I am announcing this week "clean eating week." Saying it on the blog means I am now accountable! I must get back to feeling normal again before my birthday bash begins this weekend! Grace and Olivia get here NOW. I'm off to do that intern thing, hope you had a lovely weekend!

Bowl of poo

Today, after work I came home and snacked on some cauliflower and hummus-my new favorite combo. I usually eat hummus with carrots, but yesterday I tried it with cauliflower and I don't think I'll be eating carrots with hummus for a long while!

The whole day while working all I could think about was working out. I hadn't had a good, sweaty workout in quite some time-bad Caroline. So, this morning I awoke knowing that after work I was going to go to the gym and have a killer workout. Killer it was! I wanted to do fifty minutes of cardio and that's exactly what I did.

Twenty five minutes on the elliptical vary between resistance and incline, ten minutes on stair-master (level 9 today), five minutes on the erg, and ten minutes on the arc trainer. Ever since Gabriela blogged about her first experience on the erg, I figured I should give it a go since I have never attempted it myself. Let me tell you that my shoulders will be sore tomorrow, even after just five minutes! Phew.

***

After my sweaty workout, I came home ravenous. I began with an apple

Fujiiiii

Then steamed some broccoli and cauliflower. Along side that I had some protein cereal

In the mix:

1 1/2 scoop of chocolate Sun Warrior protein powder

1 cup organic soy milk

2 tbsp. peanut flour

1 cup Kashi GoLean

cinnamon

stevia to taste

Over the weekend Bridget's cousin referred to this as a "bowl of poo." I beg to differ! It may look nasty, but it is oh.so.good.

This is one of my favorite combos! It is so good. Once it is mixed all together it becomes so creamy and think, you must try it.

After dinner, Bridget poured me some vino

In a solo cup...classy. I did not end up having any, even though I do adore wine. Apparently, I just wasn't feelin' it tonight. I think it tomorrow night will perhaps be a better night for some beloved vino.

Since I didn't indulge in any wine, I still wanted something to finish my meal. Bring on the carrots and peanut butter! Seriously one of the best snacks ever. Healthy fats + vegetable = win!

I'm currently plopped on the couch, surfing through channels until I find something worth watching. House Hunters anyone?! I think I will have to settle on that, it is my favorite show after all. Have a relaxing night and I'll see ya in the morning!

I Love Ezra Fitz

so handsome

Last night, I watched PLL (!) aka Pretty Little Liars, one of my favorite TV shows. The ABC Family show is a teen drama, which focuses on four beautiful teen girls as they try to uncover an anonymous foe who appears after the death of one of their best friends. The show not only has several twists and turns every episode, but the people in the show are absolutely stunning! Ezra Fitz anyone?

Cannot get over how attractive he is. Watch the show and you will instantly agree with me, guranteed!

This morning for breakfast was a good ole' cereal bowl with yogurt. This combo never gets old either!

In the mix:

6 oz. Chobani 0% plain Greek yogurt

1 cup Kashi GoLean

1 pack of truvia

cinnamon

Another day of work ahead! At least is my Friday today! Cheers to that! I have a feeling today will be super busy since the new issue comes out on Wednesdays. Ugh. Enough complaining for one morning, I'm of to walk run to the train!!

In a Pickle

I'm in a pickle to find a pickle! All afternoon I have been craving a pickle. I do not know why, but I've been thinking about them all morning and can't stop! I even searched midtown deli's in hopes of finding a big, juicy one. Perhaps after lunch if the craving is still there! If only this little guy could come hand deliver one for me :)

For lunch today, I packed the same lunch I always do. It truly never gets old. I mean after all peanut butter is my favorite! PB + banana + cinnamon on a whole wheat sandwich thin.

On the side I had some carrots. Not baby today! Big, fat carrots I bought to cut up myself. The big carrots are always cheaper, but they take time to wash and cut up. The baby ones are just so convenient. Oh well, save money, live better. Right?

Lunch was deeelish! I can't wait till the workday is over so I can go "home" and hit the gym! Much needed workout is in store for later tonight. Now...more on that pickle. I must find one before heading back to work, if only I knew of a deli that was nearby. Wish me luck!

Little Bee

Well, it turns out that the McCarthy's do not have The Help right now because they gave it away to someone else, so I started another book that Bridget bought last night at the book store, Little Bee by Chris Cleave. Its a little slow right now, but I'm hoping it will get better as I read on.

This morning for breakfast I was in the mood for another cold smoothie.

Into the blender went:
1 cup organic soy milk
Handful of spinach
1 1/2 scoops of Sun Warrior Protein
2 tbs. of peanut flour
Half of frozen banana
5 ice cubes

I apologize for the horrible lighting.

SO good, can't even taste the spinach!

ice watah'

 Well, I'm off to catch the train so I can get into the city to intern. Today is my Thursday! I love working a three day week. Have a fabulous day and I will catcha ya for lunch <3

The Help

I can't wait to get into bed tonight so I can read this...

I've heard so many great things about this novel and I can't wait to dive in myself. I am typically a fan of period books, so it should be a good one. It is very long though so we shall see how I do with it!

After work I snacked on some hummus and an apple. I went to the grocery as well to pick up a few things for this week. Purchases include: zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, greek yogurt, bananas, apples, and chicken.

For dinner I sauteed a huge pile of veggies, while grilling the chicken in a separate pan. I added a little bit of low sodium teriyaki sauce to the veggies while their were heatin' up in the pan. Once the chicken was done cooking, I added it to the pan of veggies. I added a little more sauce and also sesame seeds to top it off.

Twas a fabulous dinner! After dinner, I wanted something a little sweet, so I ate three big carrots dipped in peanut butter. One of my all time favorite snacks, it never lets me down! I'm off to shower my non-sweaty body and then cuddle in bed a read my book. I didn't make it to the gym today :(, but I'm not gonna sweat it. Pun intended. Have a great rest of the night!!