Back to reality...

I've had about 5 hours of sleep in the past 40 hours... so we're gonna go with bullets for this post. And you all are going to be awesome as usual and ignore my typo's and poor grammar.

• The real world sucker punched me as soon as I walked in the door.  (what a beesh) I'm doing laundry, paying bills, answering emails, and sorting pictures... blah.

• I am getting to cuddle this guy though. I have missed him so much!!

• And I'm watching the Kentucky Wildcats play football. We're looking a little like a hot mess. Our QB has completed one pass... And it was an interception. (Congrats to your Cards, Julia!)
• There isn't any food in the house. AND I'm craving one of these big time:

That's a cupful of pure happiness right there. Tigers blood, kiwi, and tropical punch deliciousness. Thanks to JENN for the recommendation of where to get the best hawaiian shave ice:  ULULANI'S.

What's your favorite shave ice / sno-cone flavor? tiger's blood is my favorite

Do you like football season? Who do you cheer for and why? i LOVE it. i'm obsessed with UK (where I went to undergrad and pharm school), and I'm a Cincinnati Bengals fan by marriage :)

Are you going to watch the LSU v. Oregon game on Saturday?

aloha from maui

It's our next to last day so I'm a little sad, but happy to be here and make the most of it! I can't wait to share the stories and pictures with you guys, and I'm happy to let you know that I've done all my training runs, even a 8 miler!!

I've been keeping up with your alls blogs but it's hard for me to comment when I'm on my phone (not impossible, but hard enough to make me want to throw my phone into the ocean). I'll get back on my commenting A game as soon as I get back.

If you haven't done so today, go HERE and vote for the freaking amazing Rachelle. Just type in her name then click to vote. You can vote once daily unitl September 15th. Bookmark the page and vote for her!! Let's help send her to BOSTON!!!

Random Triathlon Wednesday

Wednesday Brad and I were both off together all day (this hardly ever happens!), so I do what I always do and jam as much stuff as possible into one day. Please tell me I'm not the only one who does this? It's kind of annoying sometimes because I spend my whole day off running around like a banshee, but this day was pretty perfect.

First we loaded up our bikes and went to a little more challenging mountain bike trail. We've only been on the baby trails so far. We biked about 5 miles and neither of us died. So I'm calling it a win.

PS - I got those sunglasses for 4.97!!!

Isn't it beautiful? I run here a lot too. It's really relaxing (until a biker runs you over).

Then we came home to do laundry, eat and run some pre-vacation errands.

Then we went to the gym, both ran 3 miles, then swam laps in the pool! This was the first time I've used the pool in our gym. It's got three lanes and I'm not sure how long it is (TWSS). It was so much fun! It was really nice to feel like I was getting a good arm workout and also felt great to be off my feet. Must do this more often!!!

Get on the ball...

Thanks for all the support about the Zumba post... I was very hesitant to post, because I try not to be judgemental... But that bee-otch had it coming. [Let it go already, right?] Moving on.

I'm way behind in the blog world because I've been trying to get my life in order before we go on vacation!!!! So freaking excited. This is what my suitcase looks like currently:

Yeah, and we leave Monday AM. Which would be totally fine except I work 12 hours tomorrow. Might want to get on that.

Speaking of work, everyday we get these things called credentials. They change daily, but they're basically your signature for that day. I scan them when I'm checking prescriptions, printing labels, blah, blah, blah. Mine were pretty awesome today:

Nice, right?

Just A Quick Rant...

Okay, I just have to get this off my chest. If you'd like to keep thinking I'm a sweet, nice person, please skip this post.

Let me preface this rant with a few comments. I have nothing against Zumba. My mom loves it, does it about 3 times a week, and has lost about 30 lbs. I've taken several classes and have always enjoyed myself. Will I keep taking Zumba classes here and there? YES. Do I feel like I get a great workout? No. Do I think it's better than sitting on the couch? Of course. If Zumba makes you enjoy working out, I think that's great.

But there are a few things that I think aren't great... So I'd like to share my open letter to the Zumba'ers (They probably have some cool name for themselves but I'm not cool so I don't know it)

Quit bee boppin' all over the gym in your 'zumba gear'. Go to the studio, zumba, then leave. Don't run in and out of the studio fifty 'leven times prancing in front of all of us sweating it out in misery on the treadmills.

I respect that you are here to work out, please respect that I am also trying to work out. Don't stand 2 inches away from my treadmill and have loud and lengthy discussions about the new routine or your new outfit. I don't come in the studio and make you listen to me talk about my Garmin or my new Mizuno's.

Do you really need to wear these kind of shoes? I would think the best part of Zumba would be picking out some hot, bright Nikes. Clue number 1 that you're taking this way too seriously.

And lastly, don't diss those of us who like to sweat and don't point our toes and live up to your serious Zumba standards.  Because news flash, we aren't trying out for So You Think You Can Dance. And some of us sweat when we work out. This whole rant came about because of this one snooty girl. About 20 of us had just finished a pump class and we're putting up our weights and stuff. People start coming in for the next class (ZUMBA) and this girl (who I could break in half and seriously considered doing so) says, "Ugh I just LOVE how this room always smells after that class." Get over yourself.


** FYI, if you're a new reader, please come back tomorrow. I'll make sure I eat some chocolate and put my nice face on.

Vegetable Meatloaf with Balsamic Glaze

Brad and I found this recipe in Food Network Magazine. Well, he mostly found it, I would have skipped over it. That's my problem with finding recipes and cooking... I'm plain. I like plain stuff. I would have skipped this because of the balsamic glaze. But anyways, Brad saw it, said we should try it, and now it's one of our favorite things to eat. My mom and dad were here this weekend and they requested it (really it's that good!). So I thought I'd share with you guys.

Preheat the oven to 425. Finely dice 1 small zuchinni, 1 yellow bell pepper and 1 red bell pepper. Make a paste with 5 cloves of garlic mixed with a little salt (I use sea salt since it's more coarse). Add the veggies and paste to about 2 tbsp of EVOO in a skilled on high heat. Saute the veggies until they're almost soft (about 5 minutes). You can season them with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Isn't it pretty? I feel like a real cook when I make this! While the veggies are cooking, chop up some fresh parsley (about 1/4 cup) and fresh thyme (1 tablespoon). Side note:  We rarely use the thyme. We have to go to Earth Fare to get it and you use so little. In a separate bowl mix the herbs with an egg and whisk.

After the veggies are cooked, remove them from heat so they can cool.

Next the recipe calls for 1.5 lbs turkey meat. We've learned to use 2 full pounds (because the store has it pre-packaged in lbs and we like left overs). Add the turkey, 1/2 cup shredded parmesan or romano cheese, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and 1 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs, it's with the stuffing). Mix all of this in a bowl with the cooled veggies.

You're probably gonna need to use your hands. After it's well mixed I separate it into two loaf pans that have been sprayed with Pam. Forgetting to add the Pam can be bad. Trust me.

Next you mix 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes together in a bowl and paint it over the top. I don't use it all and save the rest for sauce. Then put in the oven to cook for an hour to an hour and 15 minutes.

 When you're finished it'll look like this:

It takes a little time to prepare, but trust me it's worth it!! I also may or may not have set my oven on fire when my inlaws were here and I made this. Not embarrasing at all.

Epic Friday Night and The Money Shot

So last night was probably the most epic Friday night in the history of Friday nights... Brad and I cleaned our wreck of a house (seriously, it was so bad it took like 3 hours) and went to the gym. Hey, at least now we know a time when the gym isn't swamped with meatheads (sorry Jersey Shore has started again!). Just OCD running geeks that think "my training plan calls for 2 miles, I must run 2 miles."

This morning I *planned to get up at 7 to get my LR in. (*actually got up at 9)

I ate an apple with some PB and chased it with Powerade Zero (quick tangent have you all tasted the full fat Powerade Strawberry Lemonade? sooo good.) I drove out to Fletcher Park and started my 8 miler. The first two miles flew by, and I was really happy and confident. I had a lot on my mind because 8 miles is kind of a big deal to me. A big deal in that, dang that's a long way! And a big deal in that both times I've trained for a half, I've quit after running 8 miles. So I did a lot of reflecting and it made the miles fly by.

I stopped for water at 3.5, shot block at 5.5, water and shot block at 6.2 and water at 7. It was really starting to warm up at the end and the sun was coming out (it had been cloudy so of course I had no sunscreen on), so I circled back to a part that was in the shade and ran there.

There were a lot of people out today and a bunch of runners. It was great because I kept passing one man and another lady (we were running opposite directions) and we encouraged each other each time. I love that camaraderie!

It feels so great to hit this milestone because I know I'm not going to stop, and I know I'm going to finish the half. (I promise I'm not moving in this picture, I'm stopped).

This is the most unflattering picture ever. So Riley joined me to bring the hottness to the party. He's the model in the family.

After I forced Brad to take these pics, I was walking away to go shower to go blog, and he says "I really like those pants." Which FYI this is a small miracle because for whatever reason he hates capris. I said thanks but if you think they are cool looking, check this out. Then I proceeded to pull my shot blocks out of a little pocket near the booty. I was expecting him to be like oh that's so cool... What did I get?

"Eew butt blocks. I hope those things are sealed up real good." Thanks turdface.

I take back what I said earlier, THIS is the most unflattering picture ever. The things I do for this blog.

What are you doing this weekend? I'm trying to get Brad to go mountain biking with me. And my parents are coming over later this afternoon!