candy coated rose petals

After taking a few days off from crosstraining and yoga because of soreness, today I pulled out MTV’s Power Yoga. This is an accelerated edition to the original MTV Yoga, which faster transitions and harder sequences. I liked it, but as I haven’t gone through this one much, I had a hard time keeping up. It was also more difficult and aerobically challenging, so I was sweating more during this workout. I like both this DVD and the original, so I think I would space them out throughout the week for variation and more of a challenge.

I took the night off from my rigorous workout agenda. I am so sore from the yoga and crosstraining that I couldn’t bear to do anything tonight. It hurts to get up and move around, so I’m taking the night off.

I did play some Sims 3 World Adventures and knit a bit. It was a pretty low-key night. One more day until the weekend. Woohoo!

Tonight’s exercise plan included the Gaiam Total Body Crosstrain DVD, which I got back in August. It involves an inflatable disc and a bungee cord that you integrate together to work your upper and lower body, as well as your abs. I’ve actually only gone through the disc once so I was excited to see what I could.   [ Read more ]

Now that work has finally slowed down enough for me to breathe—just a little bit, I was able to get back into yoga tonight. I turned to my tried-and-true standby MTV Yoga since I need to get back into things slowly. This week I am focusing on just that by using my various workout DVDs instead jumping straight into major cardio. Tomorrow I am thinking about turning to my Gaiam Crosstraining DVD. Some of the other DVDs I plan to rotate into the lineup include a Total Body Fitness DVD I got from Target, a Pilates tape, a gym ball DVD and MTV Power Yoga (just for variety). At this rate, I could do a different DVD each day and keep things interesting.   [ Read more ]

Advice for a fresh new year. Thanks Flourish.

Health

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Live with the 3 E’s—Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5. Make time to pray.

6. Play more games

7. Read more books than you did in 2009.   [ Read more ]

Ethan was kind enough to pose during the shooting of the first progress report of the Stash Afghan. I plan do this on a monthly basis. We’ll call this the beginning of the month update, since I am a little behind in taking the pictures. I also had a ton of ends to weave in before the photoshoot.

Check out how long it is. Probably about the length of the closet doors if it weren’t for the needles pulling it in.   [ Read more ]

I had a moment of genius craftiness tonight. I had bought this little bud vase from Crate & Barrel, unsure of what I was going to do with it exactly. I didn’t really need another vase; I was more looking for some kind of chotchke or decoration. Then it hit me: Fill the vase with itty bitty balls of sock yarn for a colorful, yet simple display. I have wanted to integrate my knitting obsession into my home decor before and this was the perfect solution. The stash afghan project lent itself well to contributing to this side project. I was able to find a home for the scraps that were too short for a row on the blanket.   [ Read more ]

My first book of 2010 is a cookbook! I know, it sounds a little silly, but with the exception of reading the steps in each recipe in detail, I really did flip through The Pioneer Woman Cooks from cover to cover. Received as a birthday gift, I spent some time over the Christmas holiday experimenting with some of the breakfast items. Then I wanted to read all of Ree Drummond’s anecdotes, stories and recipe explanations. I made my way through the whole book, lightly skimming the recipe instructions, enjoying stories similar to those I have read on her blog.   [ Read more ]

I have been coveting the Chrysanthemum Quilt at Target for as long as I can remember (or at least for a year), but it never went on sale. However, I received quite a number of Amazon gift cards this year for my birthday, so I put them to good use and bought the quilt. It looks really nice in front of my makeshift boa/cloud headboard.

Ethan approves of the new bedding.

I came home very ambitious to whip up some chicken and pesto sauce. Then I thought to myself, “I wonder if I can make a creamy pesto sauce?” Well, by George, I did and it was delicious. Coincidentally, I had all of the ingredients on hand. Here’s how I made it.

I cut up two chicken breasts into strip chunks and began sauting them in a little olive oil.

  [ Read more ]