Skinny Bitch! That's Me!

I have been pretty focused on exercising lately and even more so on decreasing my caloric intake. I have the livestrong app. on my iPhone which tells me how many calories I need to be taking in in order to achieve a goal. They do this by taking my weight, age and height and comparing it to my activity level. The app. tells me I should be in taking about 1600 calories in order to loose a pound a week. I'm not overweight by any stretch of the imagination but I want to loose the 5-8 lbs. I put on when I came to college.

This past weekend I hopped on the scale to find I have lost 5 lbs!!!! Yay!!! Go me!!! Here is what I do:
Breakfast-multi grain cheerios with skim milk and sliced strawberries
Lunch-usually a turkey sandwich on multi-grain bread
Dinner-Ellie Krieger’s egg salad wrap or other low cal recipe
Snacks: none (unless really needed, in that case I do the walnuts and cherries)
Caveat: I usually consume less than the advised calories and then do exercise to burn more...just to be sure

Exercise:Monday and Wednesdays I have a Pilates class for 50 mins. Also, 3-5 times a week I do Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred video. It is a quick but intense workout that incorporates strength, cardio and abs. I'm on level 2 now, but once I finish level 3 I'm going to buy her No More Trouble Zones because it is an hour long workout that focuses on a lot of places all of us ladies worry about.

Generally on the weekends I let go and drink and eat a lot. But I’m ok with that...if I didn't reward myself I would go crazy trying to eat/exercise perfectly all of the time. And I'm fairly certain my method is working for me - the proof is on the scale! I'm happy about the discipline I have incorporated into my life and the results I have seen, but I still have a ways to go. I have more goals to reach before being completely satisfied with my body.

Oh PS - no word from Navy Boy yet...expecting a letter this week though. If anyone has any thoughts on what to write to him about, please help me out!

Foodie Friday

I stole this one from Rachael Ray, but it is DA BOMB. Is that not cool anymore? Oh...shit.

Inside-Out Bacon Cheeseburgers

Ingredients:
1 1/3 lb. ground beef
2 tbl. steak seasoning (McCormick's Montreal is my fave)
5 pieces of bacon, cooked & chopped
1/3 c shredded cheese
2 tbl. Worcestershire sauce
4 hamburger buns
*and any other ingredients you normally like on your burgers (lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.)

Method:
Mix the beef with the steak seasoning and Worcestershire and let rest. Cook the bacon until crisp and chop then mix it with the cheese (add more cheese depending on how you like your bacon:cheese ratio). Heat your grill or grill pan to medium high (or high - I mean I'm sure you have made burgers before, whatever works for you). Pat out the patties into 4 discs and make sort of a well in the center of each (put the patty in your hand and form it around a cupped hand). Pile about 1-2 tbl of the bacon/cheese mixture in the middle and then form the rest of the patty around it. Make sure none of the cheese/bacon is coming out of the sides (it should be completely surrounded by the beef). Grill those bad boys up to your desired done-ness (it usually takes mine 15-20 mins, I like them well done).

Rachael also suggests you make a roasted green onion mayo. It is delicious, take about 5 green onions and roast them on the grill for a couple of mins. while the burgers are cooking. Bring them in and combine with about 1/2-3/4 c. mayo and a teaspoon of cumin. Process in the food processor or blender. Use this as a spread for your burgers or any sandwich during the week.

ENJOY!

Are We STILL In High School?

An event occurred last night that really upset me. I went to a bar to have drinks and dinner with a couple of friends after a long day (including two tests). After dinner we wound up sticking around for a while and some of my friends from home showed up. One used to be my BEST friend, but he is now married and I don't see or talk to him that often. The other was Gary (my ex) and his new girlfriend. And one other guy, but he is insignificant in the story. Anyways, we are sitting there catching up and I thought everyone was having a good time. I'm sure it was a little weird for Gary's new girl and maybe for Gary, but it wasn't for me. Roommie and I got up to go to the bathroom, and when we got back they were all walking out the door. They didn't even say bye. We all had tabs, so it's apparent that they called the waitress over paid really quickly and left. Roommie and I weren't even gone 5 minutes.

I just can't believe the immaturity of the situation. I understand if they felt weird, but for my BEST friend (back in the day) to not even say bye when I haven't seen him in 6 months? I mean, really!? It upset me because I feel like I have come a long way in being a nicer person to everyone. But when these people (who I've known for over 10 years) did that to me, it made me feel like shit. I have to admit, I was a bitch back then, but the person I was then isn't the person I am now...at all.

Now that I look back on it today, I'm so happy I'm not friends with them anymore. That is really a sad thing for me to say, but it's true. If I was going to be that kind of person around them, then I am better off without them.

The weirdness just kept coming when I got home and got a call from an ex of mine who has been in a relationship for 1 1/2 years. He was apparently drunk, but cried to me for an HOUR about how he isn't happy in his relationship. I was happy to give him the best advice I could, and happy that he felt good enough to call me and talk to me about it. I love to help out people when they need it, because I know I sure have cashed in my fair share on the receiving end.

I wrote another letter to Navy Boy last night and dropped it in the mailbox. I was under the influence of one of two beers, so I hope the letter makes as much sense to him as it did to me. I'm hoping my first letter gets to him tomorrow and that I get one back from him by the middle of next week. I can't wait to hear how things are going up there and get more details on when I can see him! Any advice on what to write in my next letter would be greatly appreciated...all I can think of right now is to keep him updated on the NCAA tournament!

I GOT THE ADDRESS!

I finally got the address to send Navy Boy letters! My heart was breaking knowing that he was up there in 'hell' and I couldn't do anything about it. I'm going to write and send a letter everyday and hope that helps him through it. I'm sure I will run out of things to write to him about (like I do on this blog) so if anyone has any ideas please let me know!!

Dancing, Washing Machines and Beetles

I had the strangest dream last night. I was involved in some dancing competition for school, which I was to be graded on. I didn't prepare any kind of dance for the 'test'. So I went home right before I was to do my dance to make something up. When I got home, I noticed a beetle crawling on my bed (AH GROSS!) so I killed it. The beetle that I killed was weird looking with a bright green stripe. As I enter the laundry room to put something in the wash (why am I not making up my dance yet?), I find my friend IN THE WASHING MACHINE, while it is going! And apparently in this dream, that was perfectly acceptable. 

The particular friend that I found in the washing machine actually does have a mom who is a genius on animal facts, so I figured he would know something about the beetle. He proceeds to tell me it is seriously poisonous and to avoid any others that I see. As I go back to my room, I see one trying to come in the sliding glass door, except this one is 100 times bigger and red. My attempt to keep it outside was unsuccessful and the little shit bit me on the lip! My lip got huge and awkward and I couldn't speak correctly. This particular event scared the bejesus out of me, but at the same time I was psyched that I could use this excuse to get out of my dance test. Too bad by the time I got back to the school, the swelling had gone down and I was left without an excuse. 

I don't know what happened next, but there were many other strange elements to the dream which I keep remembering bits and pieces of, but I've given you the gist of it all. Good luck interpreting that one.

Navy Boy News

I heard from Navy Boy!!!! I am so excited. It was only a text, and it said: "Get my address from my parents and write me a letter. This place is hell." I feel SOO bad for him! But I'm working on getting the address. Since I don't know his parents, I'm having his best friend (my sister's boyfriend) call them. I hope he does it sooner rather than later. I texted him back, but didn't hear anything else so I guess he just got one small chance to get away. Woo! I'm just so happy I heard from him!! 

Foodie Friday

I've been incredibly MIA on these posts, so I'll give you two today:

1) My favorite snack (and healthy, too!):

Ingredients:
Toasted walnuts
Dried cherries

Method:
I usually like to eat two walnut halves with one dried cherry, so depending on how much you want to make, just do a 2:1 ratio (walnuts to cherries). Toast the walnuts in a pan on low-medium low until you can just smell them. Mix up in a bag with the cherries and ENJOY!

This particular combination is my favorite, but you can substitute any nut/dried fruit...be creative!

2) My new favorite easy dinner or lunch: Egg Salad Wrap (1 serving)

Ingredients:
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped with one yolk removed
1 1/2 teaspoons mayo
1/2 teaspoon mustard (any kind)
1 teaspoon chives, chopped
1/4 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1-2 thin slices red onion
1 large leaf romaine, torn into large pieces
1 9-inch whole wheat wrap
S&P

Method:
I generally find the best way to boil eggs is cover them with water, cover, bring to a boil, turn the heat off, but leave on the burner and wait 15 mins. While you are waiting, combine the mayo, mustard, chives and S&P in a small bowl - refrigerate. Chop the onion, bell pepper and lettuce. Microwave wrap for 30 seconds and then stack the veggies on the wrap. Once the eggs are done, peel, discard one yolk, chop the rest and combine with mayo mixture. Put on top of veggies, wrap it up and ENJOY!

I got this egg salad idea from Ellie Kreiger's cookbook. I think it is around 235 calories and has tons of good stuff in it!

Have a great weekend y'all!

New Hope for the Future

I just spoke with one of my bosses about my future here at this company when I graduate in May. I was totally nervous to do it, but I bit the bullet and brought it up. I was so nervous because just about a month and a half ago a guy that worked here (and had been here longer than me) was let go. We are a really small company, so when he was fired that took us down to 4 total. He told me that our bosses said due to the economy, they couldn't afford to keep him on, and if things kept going the way they were going they would probably just have it be the two of them (meaning they would let me and one other guy go too). As you probably know, I've been nervous about graduating because of the terrible job market and the fact that my parents are cutting me off, basically.

There are no solid promises, but the conversation I had with my boss led me to believe there is some sort of growth for me here (when I had previously had the notion there wasn't). He mentioned even being able to foot the bill for continuing education if he thought it would benefit the company. Basically, I need to tell him what field I want to be in (investment banking, marketing/graphic design, etc.) and see how well that aligns with what the company needs. I don't want to get my hopes up too high, because I still have to come up with some kind of guidelines for what I want (position, money, benefits) but I was SOOO happy to hear that they were willing and open to letting me grow here.

Soooo excited about that.

Anyways, I thought I'd let y'all in on a little thing I've been working on for the past few weeks: Twitter! I joined a little less than a year ago when I started writing this blog. Since then, I didn't know much about it or think it was worthwhile. However, recently a lot of my friends have joined and I discovered you can follow celebrities! Woo hoo! So I'm in full force and trying to tweet more often...feel free to follow me 'selizabeth' or leave a comment with your name so I can follow you!

Have a great day y'all!

Boring Week

I had an uneventful week. I was sick and lazy. I hate being lazy. I walked around all of Sunday feeling like my brain was completely dysfunctional. While walking up the steps to the library on campus, I actually found myself thinking: "I hope I don't fall down these stairs because I'm not sure I know how to climb them." It was crazy, I honestly felt like I couldn't function. Weird.

Well those feelings are gone now and I'm being more productive. Woo hoo! But Navy Boy didn't call this weekend (which would make one week of him being there). He said he thought he could call in one week, but I had a feeling he wouldn't be able to. I'm still trying to figure out how to send him mail but I've had no developments thus far.

I have a feeling things will stay pretty boring until I hear from him or something else exciting goes on in my life. HAPPY ST. PATTYS DAY!

In the Navy

There is a new boy in my life! Well he was in it for a short while, then 682 miles away from it. What is my fascination with men who are far away!? Y'all are going to think I'm crazy, but I don't care...this guy is totally worth it!

My sister has a boyfriend who is super great and they have been trying to introduce me to his best friend, Navy Boy, for a couple of months now. Finally, the weekend before I left for Oklahoma he was going to be visiting my sister and her bf so I went up to hang out for the night. The minute I saw this guy I knew I wanted to get to know him better. He is probably 6'3" with brown hair and a great athletic body. GORGEOUS! As I got to know him better, I realized he is genuine, caring and best of all hilarious. He told stories that most people would be embarrassed to tell and it had me cracking up the whole time.

I learned upon meeting him that he had applied for and been accepted into Officer Candidate School for the Navy. He was leaving in 8 days. This was always in the back of my mind, but I still wanted to get to know him. So I jet off to Oklahoma thinking I will get to spend some time with him when I get back - right before he leaves. Wrong. I get a call from him while I'm away in which he tells me he has to leave Thursday instead of Sunday, like originally planned...meaning I wouldn't be able to see him again.

From the minute I got home from OK to the minute he drove up to OCS, we talked on the phone. It is amazing, I've never met a guy who enjoyed talking to me as much as this kid. I know it sounds hard to believe, but we got to know each other pretty well (or as well as you can via phone) over those 4 days. I know about his family, his religious views, likes/dislikes, etc. (and he knows those things about me too). We talked about writing to each other while he is gone (3 months!) and doing the whole hokey movie scene where the war veteran writes in the muddy tent, then the girl writes back and sprays perfume on the paper and smacks her lip print on the bottom...soooo cheesy. I know. We talked about things we would do together when he gets back (meet his parents, take salsa lessons, etc.), and he even offered to fly me up to visit one weekend when he has liberty on the weekend!

I have the privilege of knowing his best friend (sis' bf) so I talked to him to figure out some things about Navy Boy I didn't already know. He is actually a good guy, y'all. I'm so excited to have met him. I don't know how realistic this visit to Newport is, but I hope it happens. Since we didn't have a chance to talk about it more, I don't know all of the details and how this thing really works. He told me he expected to be able to call me in a week, but from the things I have read (navy.com message boards) it isn't that soon. In all of the fuss, I forgot to give him my address, so he can't write...I want to write him though. I'm going to have to figure out a way to do that...

Although this situation is so convoluted, I'm really excited about this guy! If anyone out there has gone through a similar situation or knows someone that has, please be in touch! I want to know as much as possible about this, and the best ways to go about making his time there as pleasant as possible!

OOOOOkklahoma....

I'm in the great state of Oklahoma and I couldn't be happier. I love being here with my family. It is my dad's side of the family, and they are just the sweetest people ever. My aunt and uncle are quite possibly the happiest people I know. They are still madly in love with each other and are both well into their 60's. I hope I marry someone who I still love that much for that long! My aunt is one of the nicest people I know, she is caring and never speaks a bad word about anyone. I wish I had more of her characteristics. She and my uncle both have an amazing outlook on life. I idolize them in many ways, they are caring people, involved in the community, still very much in touch with high school friends, giving, healthy and fun. 

I also got to meet my cousin's first born for the first time Sunday. He is ADORABLE!! He has the biggest eyes and the roundest head. My cousin, the father, had been in Iraq for most of his wife's pregnancy, which I'm sure was incredibly hard. He was able to come back for the birth, but had to go back to Iraq for a couple of weeks before he could come home for good. When he is not serving in the National Guard, my cousin is a police officer. I was lucky enough to go on a 'ride along' with him last night. His shift starts at 9:15 PM and doesn't end until 7 AM! I only stayed until 1 AM, though. We had one burglary, a wandering drunk guy, and pulled one person over. I guess cold Tuesday nights don't bring too much crime. It was really cool to see and I definitely will do it again next time I visit. Although, I hope I don't take his driving habits back with me (running red lights, speeding, etc)!

Spending time with my grandmother (who is 87, I think) has been the best part of the trip. I look up to my grandmother in so many ways. When she was young, she was the poster child for high society. She bought the best clothes, had the best manners and went to the best parties. She fell about 10 years ago, and has not been able to live the same life since, but she is still the most respectable person I know. My aunt took me to her house that she still owns but does not live in, and I got to look through all of her vintage clothes. AMAZING. I'm under the impression that I can have anything that I love and can fit into, but I'm not ready to take her things. It makes me feel like she has passed or something. I cannot say enough to justify the wonderful woman my grandmother is, and it kills me to see her unable to live like she used to (post to come soon on this topic).

Being here with my family makes me think of all of the great things that I could do in the future. The question, "What are you going to do in May?" has come up countless times, and each time my response inches closer and closer to finding a future here. Who knows...maybe I'll return to my roots after all. I need to do some investigating first.

Hope everyone is having a great week! I'll be back with more details from the trip soon!