Pasta Fumble

I was right- my biceps and triceps are burning after yesterday's upper body workout! This morning, I signed myself up for another sore day tomorrow by completing a lower-body strength routine, too.

I did three sets of 12 reps each of the following exercises:

• squats, 12 lbs
• plie goblet squats, 20 lbs
• lunges, 12 lbs
• straight-leg deadlifts, 25 lbs
• single-leg dumbbell calf raises, 15 lbs
• single-leg hip raises
• weighted side leg raise, 12 lbs (only did 2 sets of these...they are tough!)
• fire hydrant in-outs

For the record, the fire hydrants look about as classy as they sound. Yes, they are so named because you look like a dog peeing on a fire hydrant. Cute.

As my post-workout lunch, I had a big bowl of yesterday's salmon pasta salad.

Which, unfortunately, I then dropped the last serving or two of on the floor in our kitchen while putting it away. 

Maggie helped me clean it up. She's such a weird dog- the only human foods she likes are meats/fish, peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies! Along with the pasta salad, I also had a big bowl of fruit- two diced peaches with a few handfuls of blueberries.

A few peanut butter fingers slipped in there as well :)

While eating lunch, I wasted time looking up concerts on TicketMaster. There's about a million I want to go to in the next few months, but they are either a) hundreds of miles away, b) insanely expensive, or c) too embarrassing to convince anyone to go with me. For instance, I really want to see Josh Groban at Madison Square Garden in November. Who's with me?!

Unless I'm forgetting something, the last concert I saw was Blink-182 in October of 2009. I actually saw them twice- once in Philly, and once in NYC. It was an amazing show! I'm pretty sure Travis Barker's drum solo was the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life...fast forward to 2:15 for the best part.

Do you like going to concerts? What's the best one you've ever been to? 

Little Cat Lady

Wow. First of all, thank you all so much for your kind words of reassurance on this morning's post. I hadn't planned to write about it, but the second I sat down at my computer it all came tumbling out. And I'm glad! It sounds like I'm definitely not alone in my feelings. Some of you have made some crazy moves and said it all turned out well in the end, so your comments and support definitely made me feel better!

Another thing that helped me clear my mind was a good strength training session. I completed three sets of 12 reps of each of the following exercises:

• neutral-grip dumbbell bench press, 12 lbs
• pushups
• dumbbell rows, 15 lbs
• rear lateral raise, 8 lbs
• lat pulldowns, 40 lbs
• dumbbell shoulder press, 10 lbs
• front raises, 5 lbs
• dumbbell curls, 12 lbs
• triceps extension, 12 lbs
• triceps pulldown, 25 lbs
• planks, 30 seconds

It's funny- the reason I love cardio is because it gives me "me" time to think and clear my head, but since I can pretty much do that all day, every day now, I've been gravitating more towards weight training where I have something to concentrate on. I'm a huge believer in the mental benefits of exercise, which can mean either zoning out or focusing in, depending on the day!

* * *

Lunch when I got home was pretty random. First, I had a salad with romaine, tomato, pickles, a can of tuna and balsamic vinaigrette.

Then, I inhaled a bowl of two juicy sliced peaches. So glad it's peach season again!

Next, a slice of rye bread topped with almond butter and strawberry jelly.

 

And finally, a few Lindt 70% dark chocolate squares. It was a dark chocolate kind of afternoon!

* * *

After eating, I worked on my photo project for a bit. I'm just about done 1993 now! Here are some of my favorites:

Looking angelic while strangling a kitten.

My third birthday cake. I'm willing to bet I threw a fit to get that big rose!

Downing strawberries. Not much has changed.

The fam on vacation in St. Bart's.

Luke and I, super stoked to eat junk food at my grandparents'.

Baby Gabriela feeding a baby kitten. In case you haven't noticed, I really loved cats.

Luke got outside showers. The inside bathtub was reserved exclusively for Princess Gabriela.

Our old cat Couscous as a kitten, snuggling with my baby blanket. He died when I was 17. I miss him.

This afternoon I think I'm going to go to a bookstore to get some blog stuff done. A change of scenery should be good for me!

What were your obsessions as a little kid? Come on. We all had weird ones. As a toddler, mine were Beauty and the Beast, cats and the color pink.

Scallops 'n' Strawberries

Apparently this morning was everyone-Gabriela-knows day at the gym. I saw four people I knew, all of which I haven't seen in forever. I guess that's what happens when you come back to the community YMCA!

Thankfully, I saw everyone within 15 minutes of arriving there, so no one witnessed the sweaty mess I was by the end of my workout. I started by doing the birthday girl's 20 minute elliptical HIIT workout, then moved onto lower-body strength training. I did 3 sets of 12 reps of each of the following exercises:

• dumbbell squats, 15 lbs
• plie squats, 15 lbs
• dumbbell lunges, 15 lbs
• straight-leg deadlifts, 20 lbs
• angled calf raises, 10 lbs
• hip extensions, 5 lbs
• planks, 30 seconds (regular and side)

The squats especially killed me. As I've said before, I tend to get paranoid and not really push myself during squats, so I can always feel it when I'm really working to my full potential. Stairs might be difficult tomorrow.

* * *

For lunch a few hours later, I tried a new-to-me product from Trader Joe's: New England Jumbo Sea Scallops.

I crave seafood frequently in the summer, and scallops are probably my favorite shellfish. (Clearly, Maggie likes them too- see her nose?) I pan-seared them in a little olive oil, then added them to a spinach salad with tomatoes, carrots and Trader Joe's balsamic vinaigrette. A slice of bread rounded out the meal.

I've never cooked scallops before, but these were surprisingly easy: I just defrosted them in a Ziploc submerged in room temperature water, then cooked them on the stove. I'm easily intimidated by foods that need to be cooked through before eating!

After my salad, I had a huge bowl of fresh sliced strawberries topped with a big blob of PB&Co.'s Dark Chocolate Dreams. Strawberries + peanut butter may seem a bit unconventional, but you can put this stuff on anything, I swear.

Oh, and before I go, here's the winner of my British Bar Stash giveaway:

#67, Lisa! Congrats! Please send me an email with your shipping info and what kind of mix-ins you'd like in your Super Charge Me cookies!

Time to go do the adult errand thing: the bank, post office and grocery store. Meh. See you later!

Is there anywhere you frequent that you're practically guaranteed to run into someone you know? For me, it's my parents' gym and the nearby King of Prussia mall. I feel like I run into someone every time I'm in either!

Back in Action

Wow- waking up at 5 am makes the day seem long! 


This morning I unpacked my suitcase, organized my room, cleaned my desk (this took over an hour- it was a war zone) and still made it to the gym right when it opened at 8.

Once there, I did this twenty minute HIIT workout on the elliptical before moving onto upper-body strength training. I completed 3 sets of 12 reps of the following exercises

• dumbbell bench press, 15 lbs
• dumbbell flies, 12 lbs
• dumbbell press, 12 lbs
• side raises, 8 lbs
• dumbbell rows, 12 lbs
• pushups on knees, body weight
• tricep extensions, 15 lbs
• tricep dips, body weight
• bicep curls, 15 lbs
• hammer curls, 15 lbs
• plank, 30 seconds

It's been nearly two weeks since my last weight-training session, so it felt good to get back into things. Between Fitbloggin' and London, I've taken a pretty extended break, so I'm glad I didn't feel like I lost any strength. I'm back in action!

* * *

Despite having a snack right after the gym, I was hungry by 11 am, so lunch came early. I made an open-faced sandwich by spreading two slices of Alvarado St. Bakery sprouted whole-wheat bread with Trader Joe's flaxseed peanut butter, then topped them with salted sunflower seeds and unsweetened dried berries. 

I added a drizzle of agave for sweetness, then ate it alongside carrot sticks with Sabra pine nut hummus and dry roasted edamame.

It's so hot and humid out today that my camera lens fogged up when I first took it outside. I can't be the only person that actually loves this kind of weather, right? (I'm being 100% serious.)

After lunch, I went and took my city-walking-weathered toes for a much-needed pedicure, and now I'm off to get myself a new cell phone. Apparently I've been eligible for an upgrade for a few months now, which I which I'd known sooner. My Blackberry has been acting up a lot lately. Sometimes I wish I'd grown up a few decades ago, without all this technology to constantly replace...

Hope you're having a wonderful Memorial Day! If you want to see something really heartwarming, check out the Pioneer Woman's beautiful Memorial Day photo post.

If you had to give up one type of technology forever, which would it be? I'd definitely let TV go before anything else. There are a few shows I love, but I think it would be the easiest sacrifice!

PS- Don't forget to enter my British snack stash giveaway!

Rough Night?

When you're heading to the gym at 5:30 and still wiping the sleep from your eyes, nothing wakes you up quite like a good laugh...

This dude was passed out on the stoop of a bar. Considering last call isn't till 4 AM in most NYC bars, I'm not surprised. I guess he really goes all out for mother's day!

Once at the gym, I did a slightly modified version of last week's strength workout, this time focusing mainly on arms and abs. 3x12 reps of each of the following circuits:

   -   rear lateral raise, 7.5 lbs
   -   dumbbell deadlift, 20 lbs
   -   dumbbell bench press, 25 lb barbell

   -   dumbbell shoulder press, 7.5 lbs
   -   overhead triceps extension, 12.5 lbs, held in both hands (increased this one)
   -   biceps curl, 12.5 lbs (another increase)


   -   medicine ball twists, 10 lbs
   -   standard crunches
   -   plank, 30 seconds


   -   reverse crunches
   -   single-leg raises
   -   leg hover, 15 seconds


Breakfast was eaten once I got home!

I mixed up the standard TJ's High Fiber cereal, scoop of vanilla Sun Warrior protein powder, spoonful of almond butter, splash of water combo, then chopped up an apple and microwaved it on high for a minute and a half before adding it to the bowl. I poured on some almond milk, then doused it in cinnamon- I think this may be one of the best breakfast bowls I've had in awhile.

Why don't I microwave apples more often? They get so sweet and comforting, slightly reminiscent of apple pie filling. I said slightly :)

I have my last class ever this morning, followed by an exam, and then I'm headed for the train home. Hard to believe this day is here! I kind of feel like my mom should be here, snapping a photo of me with my lunchbox. We could put it in a dual frame with the one from my first day of Pre-K...


Have a marvelous Monday!


Tell me the worst school picture you ever had. In fifth grade, I had the great idea to wear my hair mostly down except for two skinny braids on either side of my middle part. Cute. And in seventh, I wore cinnamon-colored lipstick. It went smashingly with my baby pink hair ribbon and the light blue rubber bands on my braces.


PS- My SunWarrior giveaway is still going on! 

Same Old

This morning was a double repeat- of both my workout and my breakfast!

First up, the workout. I completed the same strength training routine as Monday morning, completing 3 reps of 12 exercises in each of the following circuits:

   -   squats, 15 lbs
   -   rear lateral raise, 5 lbs
   -   dumbbell deadlift, 20 lbs
   -   dumbbell bench press, 25 lb barbell (increased this one)

   -   dumbbell shoulder press, 5 lbs
   -   overhead triceps extension, 10 lbs (held in both hands)
   -   biceps curl, 10 lbs
   -   pushups (on my knees)

   -   bicycle crunches
   -   side plank, 30 seconds on each side
   -   plank, 30 seconds
   -   sit-ups


It's weird because while I felt like I really pushed myself on Monday and 12 reps of each exercise were about all I could do, I wasn't very sore at all yesterday. Can anyone tell me what that's all about- should you always feel sore after lifting?


For breakfast, I made a repeat of yesterday's smoothie spinach. Like the workout, it was just as good the second time!

In the smoothie:
   -   1 c almond milk
   -   1 banana, broken into chunks
   -   1 scoop vanilla Sun Warrior
   -   spoonful of Maranatha creamy almond butter
   -   big handful of spinach
   -   squirt of agave


I topped it with Kashi GoLean for crunch. And I will reiterate myself: no, you really cannot taste the spinach! I promise :)

Would you believe that this bowl packs about 35 grams of protein? Awesome.

Last Wednesday of classes. Lez do dis. Ciao!


What was the last meal or workout that was so good, you just had to repeat it?

The Last Week

Good morning! Today is the first day of the last Monday of classes in my academic career. Crazy! I have finals next Monday, but those are different ;) It's hard to believe that after 18 years of daily school (I started full-time pre-K when I was 3, as the French do it), I'm finally almost done. Weird.

This morning I woke up early to hit the gym for a strength workout. I created a new routine using my Women's Healthy Big Book of Exercises. Its a really good resource! After a 10 minute elliptical warmup, I did 12 reps of each exercise in the following three circuits (someone asked recently if I use dumbbells or a bar- I use dumbbells with the indicated weights in both hands) :

   -   squats, 15 lbs
   -   rear lateral raise, 5 lbs
   -   dumbbell deadlift, 20 lbs
   -   dumbbell bench press, 10 lbs

   -   dumbbell shoulder press, 5 lbs
   -   overhead triceps extension, 5 lbs
   -   biceps curl, 10 lbs
   -   pushups (on my knees)

   -   bicycle crunches
   -   side plank, 30 seconds on each side
   -   plank, 30 seconds
   -   sit-ups

The second circuit was especially tough. Does anyone else find triceps exercises to be really awkward? I have to concentrate so hard to keep good form!

My post-workout breakfast was another pumpkin smoothie.

Into the blender went:
   -   1 c canned pumpkin
   -   1 banana, broken into chunks
   -   1.5 scoops vanilla Sun Warrior protein powder (wanted an extra boost after that workout!)
   -   spoonful of almond butter
   -   1 c almond milk
   -   drizzle of maple syrup
   -   cinnamon

The extra powder made this smoothie extra thick. I must say, I was kind of sick of it by the time I got to the bottom of the bowl. Maybe my body is telling me to stop with the fall foods and just embrace spring? Will do :)

Time to get this last week started! Hope you have a good one!

How long were you/have you been/will you be in school for? I have crazy respect for people who go to grad school after college, especially those who stick it out for nearly 10 more years in med school. I toyed with the idea of getting my Master's in French, but decided pretty quickly that it's just not for me!

Let Your Shoulder Lean

Though normally I'm more of a group exercise girl when it comes to strength training, this morning I was feelin' some good old-fashioned iron-pumping!

I did three sets of 12 reps of each of the following circuits:

   - squats, 15 lbs
   - bent-over row, 5 lbs
   - overhead press, 5 lbs

   - upright row, 5 lbs
   - tricep kickbacks, 5lbs
   - bicep curl, 10 lbs

   - leg extensions, 80 lbs
   - leg curls, 60 lbs

   - pushups (on my knees...'cause I'm weak)
   - plank, 30 seconds
   - back extensions

   - traditional crunches
   - medicine ball twists, 10 lbs
   - reverse crunches

Whew! I compiled the exercises from my Women's Health Big Book of Exercises, and going into the gym with a plan definitely helped. Overall, it took me about an hour, including a ten-minute easy warmup on the elliptical and a bit of stretching at the end.

* * *

For breakfast, I made myself another bowl of smoothie cereal!

First, I blended a frozen banana with a cup of almond milk, a scoop of vanilla rice protein and a pinch of xanthan gum. I poured it into a bowl, then added some frozen raspberries and a few handfuls of Kashi GoLean cereal.

All mixed up:

It was a nice, cool breakfast for this already hot morning. I'm loving this heat wave! My outfit is warm-weather appropriate, as well:

Awkward pose. Let me see you bounce right to left and let your shoulder lean!

   - Black tank dress: swiped from my mom's closet

   - Black and gold belt: Bebe, also swiped from my mom's closet

   - Black sandals: Sam Edelman from DSW

   - Headband: Goody, from the drugstore

   - Gold necklace: gifted and vintage charms

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Where do you go for workout plans? Magazines, blogs, books, etc?

Zaro's and Zapped

After a late night of rum and Cokes, a snack food bender and far too little sleep, there was only one thing on my mind for breakfast this morning: carbs. Specifically in fresh, doughy bagel form!

As far as New York-style bagels go, Zaro's are pretty darn awesome. I picked up a dense, puffy honey wheat one to enjoy this morning, and slathered it with PB&Co. cinnamon raisin swirl peanut butter before digging in.

Perfection. Is there anything better than a huge lump of carbs, especially when topped with nut butter? (Side note: both my parents claim to dislike bagels. They must be lying.)

* * *

After breakfast, I headed over to the gym for a late morning elliptical session. I wrote down this FitSugar plan awhile ago, but had yet to give it a go. I'm glad I finally tried it out, because this was one of the best cross-training workouts I've ever had!

It was absolutely killer! Once I hiked the incline up to 15, I was working as hard as I do on big "hill" in spin class. I cooled down for 15 more light minutes while catching up on trashy TV. 

Side note: on my way to the gym, I passed "Nick the Foodie" from the TV show Bethenny Ever After. I was tempted to follow him and pick his brain about the best dessert spots in the city, but then I reminded myself that knowing someone from TV does not mean it's normal to ambush them in real life...now I kind of regret it, though!

* * * 

For lunch post-workout, I made myself nearly the exact same salad beast as yesterday:

Spinach, tomato, carrots, zucchini, a crumbled Dr. Praeger's veggie burger and Yorgos tomato-basil hummus.

Served in a Tupperware, for easy hummus distribution!

On the side, I had a sliced whole-wheat wrap, as well as a bowl of almonds and a pear.

The lack of sleep and tough workout have left me feeling pretty zapped of energy. I think a nap is in order before going out again tonight! Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

What workouts have you been loving lately? Any new discoveries or fun routines?

Concentration Station

When it comes to schoolwork, I'm very easily distracted. Sometimes I really wish I'd been born twenty years earlier, just so that every assignment wasn't online and I wouldn't be tempted to check Facebook...and blogs...and Groupon...you get my drift. Fortunately, one place I am good at concentrating is the gym, so this morning I brought along some class books to read while exercising.

I turned the elliptical into a concentration station and did thirty-five minutes of reading while completing the following workout:

It was kind of a challenge to balance the book while pedaling hard, but it awkwardly crashed to the floor only once. Even so, I plowed through a decent amount of work! Initially I'd planned to go to yoga, but the reading time ended up being a good call. I'm hoping to get to a yoga class in the next few days, instead.

* * *

For lunch, I fixed myself a huge salad with seitan and hummus! Before Friday it had been awhile since I'd had seitan, and I forgot how much I enjoy the texture and fill factor.

Romaine, carrot, cucumber, tomato, Westsoy seitan chunks, Trader Joe's tomato-basil hummus (my all-time favorite) and two small Trader Joe's whole-wheat tortillas.

The TJ's tomato-basil flavor is soooo creamy and good. It makes for the perfect salad topper because it's relatively thin and spreads out when you stir things up, instead of staying in a glob!

I also had a pink grapefruit and a dish of roasted almonds.

Off to put that reading info to good use. I need to keep reminding myself that the harder I work, the faster it will be over ;)

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday!

Where do you concentrate best? In an environment with nothing to clean, nothing to watch and no computer, I'm 10x more efficient!