Go Shorty...

...its my birthday, we gonna party like it's my birthday, we gonna sip Bacaradi like it's my birthday, and we dont give uh *bleep* cause its my birthday.....

Well actually, I will not be sipping Bacardi, but I will be going to Bible Study - Holla! I know, pretty  cray cray of me isn't it? Pretty sure I am turning 62 and not 26 because I am having a low key birthday all the way. On the schedule is is the following: Bible Study, a sweet 1 hour massage, nails did, picking up my "poopin on the potty" T Rex from my madre's, grabbing some cupcakes & dinner with a few of my girlfriends. The Nickmesiter will be working late so this old gal wants to get together with the ladies.

Am I the only one that gets selfish on their birthday? I think not, but I feel as moms, it really is a-ok to get all selfish on the day you made your grand entrance. We are always taking care of others, so its justified in my mind.

And Im off for now ladies!!


PS. I went on a retreat to Lake Tahoe with some church ladies that I've fallen in love with & I am going to post about it. I just have to figure out what to say because it changed my life.

You know you're a momma when...

...You blow up peoples Facebook feed with the news that your 1 year and 8 month old son is peeing and pooping on the potty!

I've been letting him just sit on the potty after breakfast for a couple weeks now. He is a morning pooper, so once his milk kicks in, he's ready to go. Yesterday I noticed he still hadn't pooped when he finished his breakfast, so I thought I'd just sit him on the potty and see how it goes. Within 5 minutes I could hear him pooping! Ladies, I about died. I started clapping and threw a huge smile on my face and kept saying, "Troy!! Troy!! You're pooping on the potty like a big boy! Oh my gosh, good job, Troy!!! YAY!!!" His reaction? "Car....car....." and was pointing out the window at the car he was hearing drive down the road. Ain't no thang. He did however, like to flush the toilet and wave, telling it "bye, bye". I swear, is that a total boy for you or what? 

This morning, same thing - after breakfast, still nothing, so I sat him on the potty & what happened? PEE! He pee'd and THAT was something he was happy about. He reached behind him and flushed telling it "bye". The polite thing to do I guess, haha. Theeeeen....I waited. And in about 2 minutes? He was pooping! This he was more excited about and again, got joy out of flushing. 

Im trying not to get my hopes up because I know some kids can start potty training and then regress for no reason & still wont be potty trained for another year or so. But...this is a huge start & I am *hoping* this takes off and he just runs with this whole no wet diapers thing. 

Doin the Dang Thang

I have yet once again hit a workout rut. It all started when I got back from Colorado and I looked in the mirror and was like, "oh girl, get yourself on a treadmill STAT", and since then I've done HIIT cardio about 3-4 times every week for 30 minutes and then finish up with a 10 minute elliptical session. I've maybe had 1-2 lifting days in there <----- no bueneo. I just really wanted to shred it up and lean out, and HIIT is the way to do it. But, Im getting bored and when it comes to the gym, I need structure. Enter, bodybuilding.com ....... *this is now way a plug for bodybuilding.com, although they deserve a shout out!*

I think I've mentioned before that bodybuilding.com, not only offers supplements at unbeatable prices (I have checked GNC, Costco, Sams Club, amazon, etc. & they beat em' all), but they offer FU-REEEE workout routines catered to what your goals are as well as your age & sex. So I always go there when Im in the workout rut. I also want to throw in, that if you're someone who is just starting down, do NOT be intimidated by the name or think that only experienced peeps go to this site. They offer a Facebook type community that you can talk and relate to other people who are where you're at. If that's not your cup of tea, then you can still go and get the hook up with workouts/meal plans for....FU-REEEEEE!  They have beginner programs, and structure (in my opinion) is KEY in a workout regimen! Even if you're just a cardio junky *cough cough you need to add lifting STAT cough cough*, a good schedule or switch up plan is important if you want to keep your body conditioned and/or challenged and changing. 

****stepping off my soapbox*****

So anywhoot, there I was at home, thinking about how I really didn't look forward going to the gym cause it was the same ol same ol - cardio. While I've been seeing good results, I MISS and CRAVE lifting. I have educated myself and I know that lifting weights is something that is so important to your body & keeping it maintained. Since I've been out of the weight room for what seems like years, I have noticed those muscles I had worked so hard to build, weren't as bulgy anymore, and that booty that was lifting and firming, was just staying put - the improvement has stopped. So, I went to bodybuilding.com, and browsed a couple of their plans for the right one for me. I've done a couple of theirs, so I wanted something fresh & different. Enter Lindsay Kaye's Cutting Program: This program was designed by THE Lindsay Kaye - the fitness model banned from magazine covers cause she was just that hot. 

Girlfraaand obviously knows her shiz. I found some other body envy pics, but due to the fact that my Gma reads this blog, I decided against posting them. Since I want to cut down fat around my muscles, but also continue to build up on them, I went with her cutting program you can find here. I am also going to be following her eating program to an almost T. Remember how I told y'all I was sorta doing the Weight Watchers point system? Well I added everything on her meal plan up and it should be exactly what Weight Watchers has allotted me - SCORE! I just want to say too, that Im only doing this Weight Watchers thingy only because I want to push my body until Mexico and see where I can get it. After we get back, I'll still be doing this program, but about ready to switch it up again since you should change your workout routine every 6 weeks or so. Gotta get your muscles guessing and pushing that endurance. 

Even tho Summer is just about over (and actually is over for a lot of y'all - LUCKY!), you still want to either maintain or improve. Halloween, Thanksgiving, AND Christmas are major junk food holidays and even tho I would love to eat an entire mixing bowl of mashed potatoes with sour cream doused over it, I don't. You have to think to yourself, why would I just kill myself at the gym, and then sabotage my work with over indulging? Eat the potatoes and all the fun stuff, but don't be going crazy, ya know? A trick I try to do to stop overeating is popping in a piece of gum and that works pretty good. Any other tricks you ladies have that work? 

My Heart is Full/Weekend Recap

Top of the mornin to ya! I just came back from a make you wanna puke workout (The best kind in mine and Jillian Michaels opinion!) and thought I'd like up for my Weekend Update

My weekend was filled with love for the 2 guys in my life....and shopping!! Sadly I didn't take a picture of my loot before I hung it all up in my closet, but my very generous loving mamacita, took her youngest out to shop for some clothes for my birthday present (my birthday is 10 days away exactly!) and it was glorious! I know Im not the only girl who loves to shop. Granted, there are some girls who just cant stand it, but I? I love it! I get so excited when I score a hot little something on the clearance rack or if I catch a great sale. Which is what happened this weekend. Kohls is where it's at ladies. Most of the tops I got was the Rock & Republic brand they started carrying, but I got a couple Jennifer Lopez sweaters (sooooo comfy and sex-ay! Sure to warm that special guy in your life haha), and a Lauren Conrad sweater. Oh and I got these

I wanted something that didnt scream mom (Im talking to you sketchers!) and I am NOT on that TOMS train - blah! Sorry, but it's how I feel. Anyways, these are classics and paired with the right jeans and just a casual top? Im in! 

Anyways, here is my handy dandy (you can thank Blues Clues for that) collage about this weekend:

1. This is my little BBQ dude. He cooks up cuteness on the daily, as well as snot - poor dude has a cold. Tis the season

2. This dude is healing from having his meniscus taken out & I cant tell you how much I enjoy doting in him. It helps that he's an easy patient, but our days have consisted of him icing and elevating his leg & me getting him snacks/beverages. So happy for him since now he can actually STRAIGHTEN his leg which he hasn't been able to do in 3 months! Oh, the little things in life. Anyways, he makes me happy and I *did* say in sickness and in health, so Im doing my right to take care of him. 

3. Nick was feeling up to going to the park with our little T Rex and oh Mylanta, it was hot. Troy had a fun time climbing around the pretty sweet playground & the trees. He is normally a wuss when it comes to going down the slide, even tho he says "wee!" when he sees other kids. This time however, he did it a few times! Pretty sure it was cause dad was there :)

4. And lastly, this was a verse I got on my YouVersion Bible app & it's true. I think we (and by we, I mean *I*) tend to think it was us that worked so hard for the privilege of being saved, when really, it was God who saved us. We didn't save ourselves, Christ did. We came to know Him because of His work in our hearts. This was a great verse in humbling. 

Can't wait to see what y'all did this weekend! Link it up, ladies! 

Finally fixing him up

So Im sure you ladies remember me mentioning how Nick tore his meniscus back in June, and it's been a long drawn out process due to a idiotic flippant mistaken Urgent Care doctor thinking Nick had a knee contusion & was absolutely completely sure of this. He told Nick to walk it off for 4-6 weeks. Welllllll, that 4-6 weeks came and went and Nick was still in pain, so after a few tests and doctor appointments, a torn meniscus was the issue. So today was the big day he got it fixed - HALLELUJAH! I am one of *those* wives that genuinely love their husbands and think of them as their bestie, so I hated seeing him in discomfort and was stoked he was getting it fixed. Go figure that his surgery was on September 11th outta all the days. 

Prepped and ready to go!

Someone is feeling that anesthesia....

 Recovering and reviewing the pics the doc took of his knee from the internal camera

He did awesome and they had to completely remove his meniscus since it was inoperable. Had he come in within a week of it happening, he coulda gotten it fixed no problem. Guess I can kiss those dreams of him being my running buddy bye bye. That's okay, he can keep on being my eye candy!

Inspire Me: Heatlhy

G-Morning lovelies! So I skipped last week, but I am back at it this week. So my updates are as follows:

1. I have worked it HARD in the gym 3-4 times a week and have done a workout at home every week

2. MOST of my days, I do in fact finish that 1 gallon jug of water. I'd say 5/7 days I completely finish it and the other 2 days, I get close. 

3. My eating has been superb! I tried this yummy recipe via Skinnytaste on Tuesday night and it was so yummy! Spicy & flavorful. I mean, very spicy. Like, even if you aren't a milk drinker, you better have a glass gallon on hand. 

Low-fat Chicken Enchiladas

Gina's Weight Watcher RecipesServings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 enchilada • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts Calories: 159.5 • Fat: 5.9 g • Protein: 16.2 g • Carb: 17.8 g • Fiber: 8.3 g   

Ingredients:For the sauce:

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-2 tbsp chipotle chilis in adobo sauce 
• 1-1/2 cups tomato sauce
• 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 3/4 cup fat free chicken broth
• kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste

For the chicken: 

• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 8.5 oz (2 breast halves) cooked shredded chicken breast
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 large clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• kosher salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce

• 8 (7-inch) reduced carb whole wheat flour tortillas (la tortilla factory)
• 1 cup shredded low fat Mexican cheese
• non-stick cooking spray
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions or cilantro for topping

Directions:In a medium saucepan, spray oil and sauté garlic. Add chipotle chiles, chili powder, cumin, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic on low until soft, about 2 minutes. Add chicken, salt, cilantro, cumin, oregano, chili powder, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Spray a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick spray. Put 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each tortilla and roll it.

Place on baking dish seam side down, top with sauce...  Then top with cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes.Top with low fat sour cream or scallions if you wish. (Extra points) Makes 8 enchiladas.

So this past week I've been sorta hoping on the Weight Watchers train. I only really do it with dinner, because I know what I eat and how much I eat during the day are lower calories. Nicky poo is even grabbed a seat on the "Lets get ridiculously hot before Mexico" train. So, since its easy counting wise, he is taking the Smart Ones frozen meals to work. Ive seen nothing but amazing results from all y'all, so lets hope we get your results! 

At the gym, I've been sucking in the weight lifting department. I seriously LOVE lifting weights, but I've become obsessed with shredding some el bee's around the muscles I do have. Im doing HIIT cardio every time I step foot in the gym. I haven't set anything in stone yet, but pretty sure I'll be continuing the straight cardio for the rest of this week, and then next week start lifting again. The point of HIIT is vs. regular cardio, you continue to burn calories 32 hours after you've already left the gym. You can use any cardio equipment, but what I've been doing is a total of 30 minutes on the treadmill and sprinting (9mph) for 1 minute, then walking 1 minute at 3.8 mph. Oh and I do a light jog (6.2mph) for 10 minutes prior to the sprint/walks. 

No pic this week, as I am too lazy to take one, HA! But I promise my love handles and saddle bags are for reals diminishing. 

Guess Who's Birthday is Coming Up?

Yours truly! Well, in 3 days, it'll be exactly 1 month away, but it's still coming up, aint that right Honey Boo Boo's? So I thought I'd start making a list for things Im lusting after...I have provided links incase anyone *cough, Nick, cough* needs ideas on what to get me. 

I love everythaaaang about this outfit, especially the boots and off the shoulder top!

Im loving this look of the 2 different denim colors. Nick has a thing for the 70's look, so pretty sure he'd be about this too

 Hooded Cardigan found here I actually found something super similar sans hood at Ross yesterday that would blow your mind with how soft it was. 

I LOVE LOVE this top. The backless is very sexy and adds some fun to a sweater. Found here 

Now the "grown up" present Im lusting after. Nick and I need an exterior door for our basement. It's sorta step #1 with getting the ball rolling on our basement aka expanding the house, aka wife a lot happier, aka we will actually have storage closets in the house when the basement is done. Since it's dark down in that ol' basement, we want to let as much natural light in as possible & an all glass door would do exactly that. 

And last, but certainly not least, a massage. Im talking 60 minutes - 90 minutes. I don't know how people can only get 30 minutes. Once you hop on that bed and finally relax, its over. I think massages should come in the whole "mom deal". Happy wife, happy life. Just sayin.