Not just any Tuesday..

Today is a special day...

Want to know why??

On this day, 6 months ago, a VERY special person made his way into this world...

HAPPY HALF-BIRTHDAY, MASON!!

You know those moments that make you realize how time just flies by? Well, this is one. I can't seem to wrap my brain around the fact that lil man is 6 months old already. No doubt, an absolute blessing to our family. He is the best!

On to Tuesday..

Breakfast

This morning I had a quick, but very filling breakfast.. A favorite of mine!

Cookie Dough Cereal

I just LOVE it! So filling, has awesome staying power, and the best part..? It tastes like oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! Say what?!?!

Here is how I prepare it..

1/2 Cup Old Fashioned or Instant Oats

1 TBS Mini Chocolate Chips (I use gluten, soy, dairy, and wheat free)

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1 Packet Stevia (or sweetener of your choice)

1 Cup Almond Milk (Or whatever milk you prefer)

The directions are way easy..Mix and Eat! :) 

I ate half of a grapefruit on the side, just to round things out. Lol

After a few hours of work, my stomach was talking up a storm. I decided to go heat up my soup and just eat it at my desk (trying to make up for lost time from my hour of extra sleep yesterday). 

Well... That's when things went terribly wrong...

Yes, that would be my soup everywhere except my mouth. Fail. :( 

Obviously, my multitasking skills leave something to be desired...

I managed to finish the 1/4 cup that was left in the bowl and then snacked on a 100 calorie bag of popcorn. 

Workout

I had BIG plans on going to a local gym tonight and take their water aerobics class. I found a new love for water aerobics. SO fun and a really good workout! I was so surprised! It's great if you are looking for something to do without the added stress on your joints.  My plans changed when I called the gym and they told me they do not have 1 day passes and I must sign up for a membership to come.. Umm..No. The gym I originally tried DOES give one day passes and even gives a discount to staff of the company I work for.. AWESOME! I will be signing up later this week!

Until then.. I turned on the tv and found a great walking Video On Demand which turned out to be a lot more challenging than I had anticipated! 

EWWWW!

WHO KNEW??

With exercise and cleaning my house out of the way, it is time for a hot shower and dinner!

Night! It's one day closer to Friday! :)

I Can Feel It!

I can feel it.... Can you??

Summer is just around the corner! Yayyy!! I can't wait! Flip flops, bon fires, grilled food, and the best part...NO SNOW! This also means, of course, that wanting to get "in shape" and shed the winter pounds is looming in many people's minds (I know it's in mine). My focus on healthy eating and working out has taken a new direction in my life. Now I am not only trying to lose weight, but I have also been paying particular attention to what is actually IN my food. Do you reallly know what is in that McDonald's chicken nugget? Or do you just ASSUME its all white meat chicken breast? "Food" for thought! ;)

Breakfast

This morning (after I strolled in to work an hour late..oops!) started off with a toasted english muffin and a vegetarian "grilled chicken" patty in between...YUM! Obviously, I had a hard time waiting and forgot to snap a pic before taking a giant bite out of it. :) On the side, I munched on a mangled chopped up red grapefruit.

A little rough looking, but delicious and nutrient/protein packed!

Though I have been lately, I did not eat a snack in between breakfast and lunch. A busy day at work made my morning fly and it was time for lunch before I knew it!

I didn't snap a pic because it wasn't anything new or exciting.. A leftover piece of grilled chicken parm and a salad.

I worked my afternoon away and then hit the road for my next Monday task..school. The drive wasn't as bad when I smelled someone having a bon fire on my way.. Isn't that just the best smell in the world??

Womp Womp! 

The Engineer and I ordered dinner tonight because we are both tired and I got home a little last from class. 

I want to share a recipe with everyone that is my Mister's FAVORITE quick breakfast. 

Protein Cookie Balls

I really need to think of a better name.. 

I make a batch of these once a week and pack 2 or 3 of them (depending on how large they are) in The Engineers lunch. He LOVES them!!

So here it is..

                                       1 Cup Peanut butter (or nut butter you like)

                                       2 Cups oats

                                       2/3 Cup mini chocolate chips

                                       (I use the gluten, soy, wheat, and dairy free ones)

                                      2/3 Cup Toasted Coconut

                                      1/3 Cup Honey or Agave Nectar

                      Just mix all of the ingredients up, roll in to balls, and store in the fridge! YUM!

                      They are about 100 calories/ball, depending on size. 

                                     Time to pack lunches and get ready for Tuesday! 

Life.

Hey, All!

Soooo much has happened since my last post (last year). I really need to start keeping up with this bad boy! Life just keeps getting better and better.

Last summer, The Engineer and I moved into a beautiful apartment in the North Hills.

                                                               Look! TWO couches!

Check out my counter space!!! ..Just a slight upgrade from our one bedroom, closet-sized apartment. Lol

We have been in love with living in the new location. We moved to be closer to The Engineer's job. He is a busy little bee these days. Work has changed for me as well. The very SAME weekend that we moved, I started a new job working a large breast cancer center. Definitely a different career move for me, as I have never worked in oncology. It is actually a wonderful field, and I love it. The patients are awesome. 

So, a little more about life!

The Engineer and I have had one HUGE change in our lives that came around Christmas....

WE'RE ENGAGED!! 

 Bling bling check out my ring! ;) 

2012 was nothing short of the best year of my life.

I am looking forward to sharing everything that will be happening in 2013, as I have a lot of plans. I intend on turning this blog into a bit of a "healthy living" blog. The Engineer and I have been starting to learn more about living healthfully. I am hoping that by sharing my meals I am creating and work outs I have been doing, it will give me a sense of accountability and maybe some motivation for those reading.

Please always feel free to share your healthy recipes/favorite work outs on here! They will be welcomed and attempted!

Here's to the start of something new!

Goooooood Friday!

Hello again friends!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post (remember... only as much as I can. lol) . So this week has been pretty good. Normal work week and hanging out with The Engineer. I did get to spend some time with my wonderful sisters at my nephews birthday party!

My Seeestterrss! 

(My stepmom is in there as well, didn't want to put a bad one of the 5 of us up! This was the best one! lol)

Nephew's bowling party! Happy Birthday, Buddy! Love you! 

The Engineer and I have been very busy looking for a place to rent this summer. It's so much harder to find what we want than I thought it would be! Between working and searching around, we are so busy! we do have a few that look promising, so keep your fingers crossed! 

Anyone have any apartment/rental home finding tips??

Let's get to the name of this post... Good Friday!

(source)

A lot of families have traditions for Good Friday. Mine has always just gotten together for Easter Sunday (which they are doing tomorrow, but the non-profit has me working my day away).  Easter was one of the coolest holidays as a kid. I lovedddd getting to go shopping with my "GP" for a pretty dress, gloves, socks, shoes, and hat then dolling up for one of the coolest church services of the year. After that, going to grams for yummy food and the best part.... The Easter Basket!! I have yet to be the "basket putter together", but I'm sure it will only be a matter of time. LOL 

What are your Good Friday plans this year??? 

The Engineer and I both had today of so we spent the majority of it looking online at rentals. I also went grocery shopping and cleaned a bit... Yay Friday! lol The Engineer is spending some MUCH NEEDED time out with his friends so what does that mean for me.......????? 

AND....

OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!

Sitting under "Old Blue", watching Father of the Bride Part II, drinking my favorite wine, and eating Nutella Swirl brownies... Ummm heck yes!!! Unfortunately, I have to work early in the AM, but if this doesn't wipe away the weekend working blues, I don't know what will?? :) :) 

Well, my glass is empty, so that means I must go refill! lol 

Happy Easter everyone!! 

The Start of Something New...

Well, hello all! Welcome to My Couch. My Blanket. My Life.

This blog is going to be a new journey for me. My boyfriend, we'll call him "The Engineer", and I have talked about me writing one for a couple months and now just seems to be the time.

                                                               "The Engineer" and I 

 This blog is going to be about my life, my career, and the experiences I have in both. Some are challenging and some are just plain hilarious, but they will all be coming from on under my favorite, old, blue, blanket... "Old Blue". 

"Old Blue" <3

I moved to the area less than a year ago to pursue a career for a large non-profit company, as well as nursing school. So far the first has taken over my life and school has not happened. I live with a wonderful, successful man that has been my rock since I came out here. You guessed it... "The Engineer". I won't get into our story on here, but I will just say it's cheesy love! 

AWWWWWWW!

<3

The name of this blog stems from my unhealthy relationship with an old, blue, ratty blanket that I couldn't even tell you the history of. It belonged to The Engineer (I claimed it) and who knows before that. I just love the thing. There is nothing better than a worn in, soft, thin, but thick enough to keep you warm comforter from back in the day. 

Anybody have anything old that others can't stand, but you think is just great?? 

The Engineer absolutely hates Old Blue and always has something to say (usually hilarious) every time I drag it out of our room and to the couch... which seemingly happens every day of our lives. I plan on keeping this thing until I am sewing pieces of it back together. I guess you can just call me Linus from Peanuts. I'll never give Old Blue up!!

I am going to try and post every day, but being the non-profit gives me awful work schedules, I will only commit myself to "as much as I can". Hoping to get some readers and more experience that will help me become a little better at this. I am sure anyone who sees this will literally "laugh out loud" when they read the unorganized craziness of my very first blog post! Thank you to all who end up reading this and I am looking forward to more, fun, exciting posts to put on here! 

Goodnight!