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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

PHOTO POST

I've been super busy working for my friend's stable at the Hampton Classic Horse Show this week and gimping along on my bad ankle ~ haven't had much time for anything ~ including eating so that would be a bonus!  ~ although I do have a new hobby ~ sunset cocktailing ~ see below...
Hampton Classic Grad Prix 



Yep ~ this is where the real "show is at" in the VIP tent...

Play on Playa!

Patricio ~ my love

Yes that's the obnoxious polo field in the background where you can spot a house wife or two from Bravo~ blech! 

King Pin

not me ~ but one of the horses getting schooled

Sunset Cocktailing at the beach ~ I am the champion at this

Gimpy ankle ~ lucky me one of my friends is a Physical Terrorist Therapist

me n mo 



This guy creeps me out for some reason ... I see him at the beach in the evening and he has that serial killer vibe...



Monday, August 29, 2011

Weigh in and the Aftermath!

We survived Irene.  Whew!  Lots of trees down and the electric was ripped off the house but all is back to normal today.


Huge NSV during the storm....I DID NOT eat all of the supplies!  I read my book ~ did some minor snacking and then went for a RUN at the end of the day.  Yay!


Today's weigh in ~ 174.2 ~ woo hoo!  That's down .2 lbs after a week of little exercise due to the ankle sprain and making it through a storm.


Damn Good Week if I do say so ~ oh and my favorite Vegan was in town celebrating his Birthday @ Babbetts before the storm...Get it Bill!



Thursday, August 25, 2011

Hurricanes Make Me Hungry



So....it appears as if we are having a little storm this weekend.  I know I should be shopping and "stocking" up for the big storm, but I just can't get it together.   Every time in the past when I have stocked up on food ~ I used the storm as an excuse to eat my way though the supplies..I wouldn't want anything to go to waste...and what else am I supposed to do with not internet, electricity and Facebook!!!

So yes, a hurricane is on its way but I am more afraid of Hurricane Vanessa and the food.
To make matters worse I haven't worked out in 4 days ~ ankle sprain ~ and am feeling sloth like...
Yesterday it took very little convincing to get me to blow off the day and spend it at the beach ~ I mean it could have been my last day on earth as my friend pointed out...and boy was it a beautiful day ~ I spent it floating in the ocean and staring at white fluffy clouds ~ not a care in the world.
I'm paying for it today with a sunburn and huge to do list for work and Storm Prep!

I think today I will compromise and go to liquor store and stock up on Skinny Girl Margarita and Wine.  This should cover all the basics ~ activities ..ie drinking games in the dark and nourishment.

Come on Irene!



Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Snap Crackle Pop

Yesterday was one of those days.... you know ~ starts out perfect and then spirals out of control.
Yes, I sprained my Ankle AGAIN and instead of biking in the afternoon I was at home resting which led to grazing, which then blossomed into baking gluten free vegan chocolate chip cookies....I ate 5 of them.
I guess this was a bit a of a NSV because I was able to leave six on the tray.  In the past I would have made sure there were none left over.
One day of "lax" behavior does not have to make an entire backward slide ~ right?  Its just that I struggle so much when I can't exercise (addict much?).
Setting forth the plan for the day~
1. 100 oz water
2. protein shake for breakfast
3. protein first for lunch and VEGGIES!
4. Roast veggies for dinner and tofu baked with coconut oil and soy sauce.
5. I WILL NOT GRAZE WHILE WATCHING BOOB TUBE WHILE FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF BECAUSE I CAN'T EXERCISE - I WILL DO AB WORKOUT AND ARMS INSTEAD!
There! It is written  in STONE!!!
Random thought ~ Every time they talk about the Hurricane Irene ~ I have the song "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners stuck in my head. 



Monday, August 22, 2011

Weekend and Weigh in!


This weekend was like a "coming out" party for me ~ not that kind ~ more like a debutante coming out :)  I went to a horse show to help my friend with her customers and I hadn't seen many of them since pre-op. Who thought it would be possible to get tired of hearing "you look great!"  "how much have you lost"  "how did u do it?" ?
I went the route of telling people that I exercise like a maniac, I eat really well and that I had surgery.  
It really does take some getting used to - becoming visible again.  
Had a great weekend with family who I never see. I spent so many years making excuses not to go to these family parties but this year I got really into it. I think living in the moment has helped. I even managed to make it through the family bbq without over eating (mainly b/c NO vegan options - who puts bacon in potato salad???)  Unfortunately had to eat dessert - blueberry crumble to soak up the margarita I drank so I could drive home. It was really great to spend time with my cousins and have real conversations with them ~ we are usually just together for quick visits.


Sunday I went to the Surf Club with my cousins and their kids ~ I am not a fan of children (there, I'm outted) but these kids were fun and I had a blast hanging out with them ~ it reminded me of when I was a kid.  Then I plunked down on the ocean for the rest of the afternoon and chillaxed after kid time.
I love my band ~ lunch at the beach would usually be a free for all for me but thanks to the band ~ I had a half cup of salad and half portion of french fries ~ woo hoo!  


I would be weighing in this morning ~ but just sprained my m*ther effin ankle AGAIN walking the dogs!  So I'll not be running today or getting on the scale.. I swear I'm gonna be on the Short Bus soon...


So I'm just going to count the Sunday morning weigh in.  I went for a run pre-beach and saw 174.4 on the scale after - holy sh*t that's 4.6lbs down! 


Since my last fill I have noticed that whenever I eat I have pain in my stomach for about an hour after ~ not sure what thats all about - i should probably eat less and chew more...duh!






Friday, August 19, 2011

BYOC

It’s Friday so that means here in Draz Land it’s time for BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy!


We answer just a few questions to get to know each other better and to give our blog brains a break!

Copy to your own blog if you wish and ENJOY!

1. How much makeup do you wear daily, how long does it take you and are you loyal to certain brands?

I only wear mascara in the summer ~ M
aybelline falsies ~ takes me 60 seconds 


2. Repeat question: I’m going to pick a person not knowing your relationship with them (or even if there is one) and you try to describe this person in 5 words/short sentences.

Your oldest paternal aunt

Don't have one
3. Tell me about your first real kiss and how old you were.
I was 13 ~ he was 17 ~ It was in a park after dark ~ kinda sloppy n gross....

4. If I gave you $1000.00 and told you that you had to give it to a charity – which charity would you choose and why?

I would give the money to a local animal shelter.  Or better yet ~ I like to randomly surprise people in need and would find someone who really needed the money and just hand it to them in cash.  I've been fortunate enough to do that once before (not 1K but a good chunk of cash) and it feels awesome!  Kinda like being Oprah ~ but without the tv show and billions of $$ or Steadman.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in blog land and in real life.

Blog land is great!  I even won something this week!  Thanks Cat for the Gotein ~ I can't wait to try it!!

Real life is good too ~ I had a fill on Monday and am eating less and working out more ~ trying to take it one moment at a time and appreciate everything in my life..




Thursday, August 18, 2011

This Moment

I have a confession.  I live somewhere else.  I live in the future, rushing through life looking for the finish line, the first place, the pat on the back.  
When X happens I will be Y.  Or, if only I had this than I would be able to do that.  


To quote a genius ~ "Life moves pretty fast.  You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."


That's what I'm  practicing this week.  One moment at a time, one meal at a time, one work out at a time. 
Yesterday, I shut off the phone and just went out ~ nice long (for me)  run 4 miles.  Then spent the evening with Mo at the beach ~ swimming and just taking in the sunset.  I spend a lot of time fantasizing about living elsewhere, where the cost of living is less and I have wide open fields full of horses and mountain trails to bike ~ grass is greener syndrome.  The truth is I am damn lucky to be here and I just need to appreciate where I am in life.  Keep'in it simple.   A wise man once said "Mo money. Mo Problems"  I know he was right ~ all you gotta do is watch the news.  
Eh ` enough randomness for the day ~ Boot camp tonight:  I'm ready for a good ass whippin!



Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Planning Ahead

No not meals and shopping.  But making a plan to outsmart the winter blues.  




I know its only August ~ but after two miserable  days of pouring rain and being cooped up in the house (i did run last night - but still), I had a glimmer of the winter depression that I get.  I end up eating and drinking my way through the darkness and feeling a serious sadness. Yes, I still mountain bike at night in 20 degree weather but it still sucks and puts me in a bad mood for 5 months.
This is not me but you get the idea...
After talking to to my better half ~ we both agreed we need a game plan to prevent the winter depression ~ and planning now to beat it would be smart!  I live on Long Island ~ yes the Hamptons are beautiful in the summer, spring and fall but winter is the worst.  Most people have headed for warmer weather or the slopes of Aspen.  It is damp, dreary and cold here.  You never know if you are going to get a winter full of snow ~ like last year ~ or if it will be 35 and rainy/icy all winter.  We have no real winter sports and the majority of the population here heads indoors and turns to the Wine ~myself included.


So this is what we have come up with so far ~ 

  •      Have a trip to warm weather planned ~ probably going to Jupiter FL to visit my in-laws ~ this will     be cheap and easy ~ just how I like it
  •      Get snow shoes ~ just incase we have a snowy winter ~ so I can still get outside
  •      Take vegan cooking classes in NYC a few times
  •      Go to NYC to visit friends
  •     Have something to look forward to
I'd love to hear what you guys do to keep away the winter blues!  Any and all ideas will be much appreciated.
I would ideally love to be in a position to spend 6 months of the year somewhere else ~ like Colorado, Arizona, California or Costa Rica, Italy ~ hey a girl can dream right!!
HELP!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Weigh in and a Fill

Today ~ 179 ~ no change but I ate like a hog in heat over the weekend and didn't do any exercise for two days b/c of the the pissing down rain.
I'll take it!
Went to Dr this morning ~ added 1cc ~ total of 6cc in the band.
On liquids for the day ~ and hope to be back running/biking tomorrow!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Rainy Day ~ Poetry

I love me some Mary Oliver ~ my most favorite poet!


The Journey ~ Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Accountability.....

Beach party last night  ~ chopped my hair off....

I'm going to take a page from dinnerland and write it down today ~  I have been focusing on everything
BUT the food ~ because, well, everything else is AWESOME ~ the food is not.  I have been binging on chips and all kinds of CRAP!  So here it is ~ my Plan for today...

100oz WATER
PROTEIN SHAKE ~ breakfast
Veggie Tali over rice for lunch ~
veggie dog mid day snack  ~ 14 g protein 140 calories 
roast tofu and corn salad for dinner ~ 

That's the basic outline ....



Friday, August 12, 2011

BYOC

BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy – 5 questions you can copy and paste to your own blog if you so desire – in an effort to get to know your fellow bloggers better and to give your blog brain a break!

Enjoy!

1. I have to do some MAJOR cleaning tonight…which is prompting me to ask…what is the absolute worst thing you hate to clean or cleaning chore you hate the most? (vacuuming, dusting, laundry, toilets, floors, etc.)
I hate cleaning.  I don't do it often because mainly I'm pretty sure I will win the lotto any day and be able to hire a cleaning lady.  Every time I do clean, my dogs walk behind me and put dog hair right back on everything I just cleaned.  I would say my least favorite thing to clean is the bathroom.  


2. Brown or Black? Fly or Drive? Hot dog or Burger? Gold or Silver?
Brown or Black ~ I prefer black but am leaning to a rainbow of colors these days...trying hard not to look too much like Mrs. Roper...



Fly or Drive ~ I would fly 

Hot dog or Burger ~ I don't eat animals
Gold or Silver ~ Silver



3. Repeat question: I’m going to pick a person not knowing your relationship with them or even if a relationships exists – and you then try to describe that person in 5 short sentences/words.

Maternal Grandmother
ROCK STAR,
Lucille Ball
Card Shark
Always up for a good time
FUN FUN FUN!

4. Even if you don’t have kids, how do you feel about kids in multiple sports during their school years? Were you in MULTIPLE sports all during school? Forced or by choice?
I don't have kids.  The thought of having to shuffle kids around to events and sports is terrifying and has driven me to opening my stash of tequilla at the office....

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.
Blog Land has been great ~ loving the support from everyone and laughs!  Love that I have new followers and am having a fun reading new blogs every day!

Real Life - Trying to enjoy the last but of summer ~ started swimming.  Been good with working out ~ not so good w/food ~ had a pretty major binge the other night and as I was scarfing in chips I knew I should stop but didn't ~ going for a fill on monday ~ time to reign this girl in!    Also trying to practice patience with all these entitled Bentley driving Wall Street douche bags who vacation in the Hamptons.  I swear money doesn't buy common sense, class or driving skills! Three weeks till Labor day!!


Torture device and NSV

POWER WHEEL 
I had boot camp last night ... so much fun to see everyone ~ I was chatting with a friend when I saw the POWER WHEELS!  EEEK ~ I began to tremble with anticipated pain...

These devices are evil!!! You strap your feet in and then assume the push up position ~ do a pushup to a pike and a repeat.  You can also hold plank, or lie on your back lift your hips up and roll your feet to your butt, or do the frog saw where you wheel your knees to your elbows and then push your feet straight back.  Not one of these are easy and all equal pain  a toned core....

The best part of the evening was going for a swim after ~ I have been accused of becoming a tri -geek but really I'm just looking to switch things up.  Open water swimming is great ~ I'm really good at floating and am now working on doing the crawl and breathing...I may not be  Dana Torres but a girl can try. 

A big NSV yesterday ~ walking from the car to the water sans towel around my booty ~ I never would have done that last year!  I now am thinking like an athlete not a sunbathing beauty.   

Today - I'm off for a quick run before the soreness really sets in from last night.  

Happy Friday!!


Thursday, August 11, 2011

PHOTOS ~ Morning Sunshine

So this is what I do every day ~ Rain, Snow (up to a foot), sleet, and heat.
Take the dogs to the beach every morning for a run/play .  They are so spoiled ~ Sammy (black and white) and Eddie (twinkie with 4 legs).  Here are some pictures of my morning.  I am so blessed to have this at the end of my street (we even got married here on the beach - I'll throw in a picture on the bottom.)


Eddie taking a dip...

Eddie


Ms. Sammy



Sammy and Friends


Zach



2002 ~ Ollie dog, me n mo



Wednesday, August 10, 2011

SUMMER RECIPE ALERT!




As you guys know I don't eat Animals.  I do love to eat.  What do I eat in the summer?
CORN and CORN and More CORN on the COB ~ yes, I am a junkie.  I eat it for lunch and dinner mostly ~ If I could figure out how to add it to my breakfast shake, I would.


 I also roast tofu and tempeh ~ best trick ever is letting in marinate in coconut oil (1tbs), water 1tbs and soy sauce 2 tbs. And then toss in the oven on a baking sheet for 15 minutes.


Back to corn ~ I made a kick ass corn salad the other night ~ 3 ears of kernels, 1 basket of small heirloom tomatoes -chopped, 1 can black beans ~ cilantro, salt n peppa, and a dash of balsamic and a splash of EVOO. I tossed in some Oreccheitte  for the fun of it. YUMM.

Sideways corn and roast tempeh 


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Top Ten Reasons I exercise


10. To stay out of the kitchen
9.   So that my legs will be strong to carry me over mountains
8.   To Socialize with my peeps!
7.   To get that ass kicking feeling of joy at the end of a hard work out
6.   To loose weight
5.   To keep sane ~ I love that serotonin
4.   So my heart is healthy
3.   So I can concentrate on the rest of my day ( self diagnosed ADD!)
2.  So I can be like my friend Jane who is a total hottie, super athlete and a grandma! ( she is on the left in the picture above)
1.  Because I refuse to go back to the PRISON of my couch 
Meet Brian - my sweet 29er mountain bike

I get to bike here ~ not too shabby!




Monday, August 8, 2011

Monday Weigh In and TRX

Drum roll please...............

After seeing this # I may have jumped outta the bathroom nekked and shouted " ONE SEVENTY NINE BITCHES!!! WHOSE YER DADDY!!!" To no one in particular.   My husband just looked at me like an alien had landed! 
Ha! 
Loss of 2.2 for the week.  
Not sure how I pulled that off with my band being super loose in the evenings, the bike @ the shop, two rest days and last night while watching Antiques Road Show a slice of pizza jumped in my mouth....followed by some Skinny Girl Margarita 

Yes, I am such an old fart ~ we go to our neighbors and watch Antiques Road Show and make up stories about how the people REALLY found their treasures, it was so funny...it will become a drinking game....

So the only way I can wrap my head around this loss is that I'm building muscle and that my body has become a fat burning furnace....no not really.  I just ran a 5K this morning and then did some TRX before I got on the scale...it happens to be 88 degrees and HELLA humid here...so, well there you have it! 

TRX is awesome once you get the hang of it.  At first I felt like a retarded trapeze artist or at the very least a floundering seal, but once you get the hang of it it really makes your core so much stronger.  I aspire to have a 2 pack one day..

Here are my sweaty girl photos and one of the TRX ~ I look like a crack whore but what the hell if that's what it takes to get the weight off!


The gym ~ AKA the Man Room AKA the third bedroom 


Sunday, August 7, 2011

Montauk MTB Ride ~ AKA Sunday Mass


Its Sunday!  I'm so happy I have the morning free after yesterday's crazy day of showings.
There is a running joke among our mountain bike group that sunday morning rides are called Sunday Mass ~ since there is something so spiritual about being out with mother nature and greeting the day in the woods.  And since none of us would get up early to go to church but will jump at the chance to get out of the house pre-dawn to ride our bikes for hours...

I'm going out to Montauk to ride with my friend Jeanine.  I know it is just the next town over, but it feels like we are all Thelma and Louise when we load up her truck with the bikes, throw on some Greatful Dead and get ready to play in the woods on our bikes away from phones and people.  We started our obsession with mountain biking together three years ago and have a blast whenever we ride ~ generally giggling and quoting Family Guy episodes along the trail ~"I feel Right".

I'm trying super hard to get miles in for VT50 but its not been easy ~ I broke my new wheelset and had to rush to the bike shop.  After bribing the mechanics with a 6 pack of Fosters and some Heineken I got my bike back in 24 hours ~ unheard of service in August when the masses are here in the Hamptons and everyone is backed up.  But hey ~ you gotta grease the wheels.

Hoping we get in a good 3 hour ride and 15 miles this morning ~ and here is plan for the day ~ I figure if I map it out, I will keep to it ~ the food has been an issue ~ especially at dinner seconds and THIRDS ~  what the WHAT!

Morning  ~ 1 c coffe with .25 c lite soy milk
                   Breakfast Shake  ~ choocolate soy milk, peanut butter, green vibrance and spirutein
                   pre ride gu
                   G2 ~ durning ride
Lunch ~ Leftover corn salad from last night  1c
Dinner ~ Tempeh roasted over quinoa with spinach
Snack ~ Berries
100 oz of WATER

I CAN DO THIS!!!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Top Ten Things I love about This Journey

My Brain is fried from this week  ~ so little list to ease the pain...

Here are my top 10 for this week ~

10. Taking up less space in the world
9. Feeling full
8. Being fast
7. Wanting and loving exercise
6. Doing things outside my comfort zone
5. Shopping for clothes at American Eagle ~ see new dress below
4. Having more energy
3. Not having to eye up a plastic chair at a restaurant and pray that it holds
2. Finding others like me ~ realizing I am not alone
1. Becoming visible to the world


Yes - this is Sammy my diva dog stealing the shot!


That about sums it up this morning ~ what do you love about this Journey?

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Response to Lap Band Girl Post

So Lap Band Girl had a great post yesterday:  Here are my answers:

What were your feelings when you first researched getting the band? Embarrassed? Excited? Scared? Happy? Etc?

I was a bit embarrassed and ashamed that I after many many attempts at loosing wight I always failed .  But once I made peace with the idea knowing that it was a tool, I began to seek out people who had the band.  After talking to people I felt much better about it and even got really excited.

Do you tell people about your band? If you do, how do you tell people? 
I was telling everyone and anyone about it.  I still do.  I usually just blurt it out after I tell them the amount of exercise I do.  It makes me really mad that people assume that it is all the band.


Do you only tell certain people?  
Most people in my life know I had the surgery.  I tell just about everyone who asks.


Any other advice for Cookie?
Make sure you have a surgeon that you like.  And yes, it was the best decision I have ever made.  No ~ it is not  magic bean ~ just a tool, but a very good one.  Exercise is the most important part of the journey! 

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Summer People

Life has gotten really crazy.  I live in a resort community and August is a nightmare here.  It seems that everyone is in a bad mood.  Locals are burnt out from the influx of entitled  NYC Range Rover driving lunatics! And the August renters are totally out of control. 


I am really busy with work, busy with my second job at the horse farm and really really busy trying to train for the VT50  I have to get in a certain # of long rides before Sept 25th.  Finding 5 hours in a day to MTB is proving really hard. sigh.... The good news is that I have made plans to go up to VT to train with some friends in the next week or so - because there are NO mountains on Long Island! So Yay for that!


With all the chaos that surrounds me, I was able to take 5 at the beach the other night as a storm was rolling in...My Husband took this photo with my Crackberry - so quality is not great but you get the idea..I'm doing my sideways Paris Hilton pose...
oh and NSV ~ Shopped at American Eagle and bought size 14 there...Woo Hoo!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Weigh in Day!

181.2 = loss of 1.6 this week and down total of 60 lbs since March!  woohoo! 50 to go!

That is all.