Lovin' Labor Day

Happy Labor Day!  

Going to be honest, Labor day is one of those holiday's that I'm not really sure of the meaning (I think it has something to do with unions?) but I know that it's a Monday off work and to me, that is definitely a holiday worth celebrating. 

When I was little, I always associated Labor Day as the end of summer.  I feel like fall is officially allowed to be recognized now.  

Well I started today with a great run!  I did 8 miles which is the longest distance I've run in awhile and I felt great throughout.  Still maintaining that 8:30 pace and I'd like to get it down to an 8:00 pace before the 1/2 marathon, but it just doesn't seem likely with the knee issues.  That's okay, I'm still proud.  I even rocked a 7:23 mile for my last one, so that made me feel pretty awesome. 

After a long run and a shower, Toly was awake and it was definitely time to eat. 

Stuffed Peach French Toast

2 Slices of Cinnamon Raisin Eziekel Bread, 1 tsp Almond Butter, 1/2 Sliced Peach, 1 tsp peach jam dipped in french toast batter- almond milk, egg white and cinnamon, topped with blackberries, vanilla Chobani, and Maple Agave

Afterwards, we spent the next few hours cleaning and doing projects around the house.  By the time lunch came around, we were both ready to get out of the house and enjoy some of the beautiful day. 

I packed us a picnic and we headed to the park. 

Sammy in tote of course. 

Like I said, it really was such a fantastic day.  

Attempted family shot….

For lunch, I made us some sandwiches.  Hummus, Yellow Squash, Zucchini, and pickles for me. 

With some leftover veggies and cherries along side. 

After we ate, we took a little hike around the park. 

After a few hours, we all decided this day called for ice cream!  After all, when can you justify ice cream in the middle of a Monday afternoon? 

We hit up Brusters for some frozen yogurt where I was immediately drawn to their new seasonal flavors, Pumpkin and Apple Pie. 

I asked for a single serving of both. 

It is officially fall right?  The frozen yogurt tasted so good and hit the spot for everyone! 

When we got home, I was pooped!  After running 8 miles, cleaning all morning, hiking, and being out in the sun, the couch never looked so inviting. 

We laid around and caught up on more reality trash tv.  This time, Jersey Shore.  Oh my, it's a good thing I have a job or else I fear I would be sucked into these mindless shows all day long. 

Awhile later, we mustered up enough energy to get dinner going.  Another team effort tonight, but this one was so much fun! 

I have always wanted to make my own sushi but I've been afraid to ever try it.  A few days ago, I saw Giada making some and it looked super easy and delicious.  When I was at the store yesterday, I came across this "Sushi for Dummies" kit. 

I laid out all of our ingredients. 

Spicy Mango Salmon (from a pouch), Spicy Crab, Plain Crab, Mango, Red Pepper, Asparagus, Smoked Salmon, Avocado, Cucumber

And we got to work! 

It took a few tries, but we eventually got the hang of it.  

Well, I got the hang of it…..

Toly's were a bit more "deconstructed" but he gave it his all! 

We had a bunch of leftover ingredients, so I threw it all on a plate with some romaine leaves for lettuce wraps. 

I also made a salad to go with.

And Edamame. 

This dinner was so much fun and it actually came together so well. 

Not to mention, everything tasted delicious! 

I couldn't have asked for a better day.  Three Day weekends are truly the best!! 

Hope you enjoyed yours as much as I did mine! 

What is one thing fun you did this past weekend? 

The Best Kind of Sunday

I think the best Sunday's are the one's that are followed by an extra day in the weekend.  I love Sunday's, but I do believe they are bitter sweet. As relaxing and enjoyable as they are, there is always that little feeling of disappointment knowing that the end of the weekend is near.  It's sort of like those last few days of vacation.  You want to soak up the final moments of bliss before it's all over. 

But the Sunday of a three day weekend, now that's an entirely different situation. This whole day, I felt relaxed, peaceful and completely content.  I didn't look at the clock and make sure I was getting everything done, because in the back of my mind, I knew I had another day.  

We slept in today and it was heaven!  After a long night, it was the best feeling to wake up at 7:30am naturally. 

I was up first and spent about an hour checking email, blogging, and just enjoying the quite of the morning before Toly woke. 

Breakfast was grand! 

1/4 Cup Bob's Red Mills Cinnamon Apple Hot Cereal with 1 diced pear, 1/4 Cup Natural Applesauce, 2 TBL Vanilla Chobani, Blackberries, Granola 

After I took this picture, something felt off.  I couldn't put my finger on it at first, but then I suddenly realized what it was.  Can you spot it? 

I forgot the nut butter!!!!!!! 

Shame!  Don't worry, I immediately ran into the pantry, grabbed the jar of Cinnamon Raisin PB and generously added a spoonful.  

Crisis averted. 

After I ate, showered, and digested, I was on my way to a Zumba class.  My friend Kelly just recently started teaching and I wanted to check out one of her classes. 

The class was awesome and I even found out that Kelly is planning on going to Baltimore to the AAAI/ISMA conference in October!!!  I was stoked!  It's going to be so nice to have a friend to hang out with and she even offered for me to stay with her and her sister in Baltimore.  Now I am even more excited than before!

Zumba always makes me so happy.  It's definitely one of the most fun classes you will ever take.  

After class, I ran some errands, grocery shopped for the week and came home to put everything away. 

It was going on 3:00pm and I couldn't believe I wasn't starving.  In fact, I wasn't even that hungry but I knew I needed to eat something or else I would severely ruin my dinner. 

I snacked on a fresh honey crisp apple (unpictured) and a Siggi's Yogurt. 

I am so undecided about Siggi's.  I've tried a few flavors and some I really like and others I really don't like.  This was a new flavor to me and since Siggi's was on sale this week, I decided to give it a try. 

I loved the Acai flavor.  Siggi's is stilly slightly tart, but I think the luscious thick custard texture takes over from the slight lack of sweetness. 

Toly and I spent the afternoon lying on the couch catching up on The Real World.  Yes, we have a few trashy reality TV show pleasures and The Real World is one of them, followed by The Jersey Shore, The Desperate Housewives of NJ, Keeping up with the Kardashians, and Kendra. (Okay so the rest are just mine, but it sounds better when I say that I share these guilty pleasures with another) 

As we watched the ridiculous shenanigans, we both realized how old we felt.  Not only were we saying how extremely immature and juvenile did these people act, but we also realized that they were all almost 5 years younger than we were.  I remember watching The Real World and thinking how old everyone seemed and now, I'm the old one.  Reality check! 

Even as appalling as their drunken belligerence was, it still put me in the mood to open a bottle of wine. I'm easily influenced I guess. 

We made some drinks while we prepared dinner.  Pinot Noir for me and a Capin' and Sprite for Toly. 

Dinner was a team effort and turned out beautifully! 

Toly grilled and I prepared and assembled,  

Grilled Pesto Vegetables over Arugula with Grilled Bruchetta Tilapia 

The tilapia was cooked to perfection.  Toly has really mastered his grilling techniques, I must say. 

The bruchetta was a mixture of fresh tomatoes, roasted tomatoes, EVOO, garlic and fresh basil. 

One of my favorite meals = Grilled Vegetables, Salad, Fish, and Wine. 

Toly often makes fun of me when I eat big salads because I look like a goat.  I shovel in as much as my mouth allows and much of it falls out the corners of my mouth.  I bet it looks ridiculous but my salad eating method is non negotiable.  

My second rule of salad eating…..

The last bite is ALWAYS the best! 

Proof….

We are about to settle in for the night with a movie and probably some dessert.  Fresh peach bread from the Farmers Market with fresh peaches and whipped cream.  Could it get any better? 

Happy Labor Day!!! 

Happy 3rd Birthday Conner

Yesterday was a party!!! 

Our nephew, Conner, turned 3 and in honor, we had quite the celebration! 

First though, the day began to me oversleeping my alarm by 1/2 hour.  I usually set my alarm on Saturday mornings so that I can fit in a run in the early morning hour.  I love running at this time and I hate when I miss the opportunity.  

Fortunately, I didn't miss it by much and I jumped out of bed and ran a speedy 5k in 24:24.  

It was tough!  I haven't done speed work in awhile because of the knee, so instead of a longer run today, I thought it would be just as challenging to kick my own butt and see if I could PR a 5k. 

I was hot, sweaty, and hungry when it was over. 

1/4 Cup Irish Oats, 1/2 Mashed Banana, 1/4 Cup Almond milk, 1 egg white,  Berries, Granola, Vanilla Okios 

After breakfast, I headed to the gym for the most AMAZING one hour Body Flow Class.  A mixture of yoga and pilates with some Thai Chi.  My body thanked me for giving it this after a 30 mile week of training.  

Now, as I said before, it was a very special day yesterday because our nephew Conner turned 3 and we partied all day and all night for the little guy! :) 

The party started at a local park.  Toly's family drove in from Cleveland and joined us.  It was so great to see his family again, as we don't get a chance to see them all too much these days. 

Conner was bursting with energy as usual, so of course, trying to take a picture of a 3 year old on a sugar high is not the easiest task.  But here are a few from the party….

It was a fun day at the park and Conner enjoyed every moment, but especially playing with all his new toys! 

The party didn't stop here.  You have to know by now that Russians don't just party for a few hours, it's an all day/night extravaganza. 

We cleaned up and moved the festivities over to Toly's Parents house for the "real" celebration! 

Buzdarov! 

And just because a tradition is never broken, it only took a few hours before the eggs came out and were fried up.  (Every time Toly and his cousins get together and drink, they get the urge to fry eggs using every leftover piece of food on the table to make one big "Russian Omelet". Every one is pretty much grossed out by this, but regardless, its still hilarious!) 

It was an exciting, thrilling, but long day and I loved every moment! :) 

Today should be a little more relaxing.  Hope your weekends are going well!