...ok, so this morning I certainly had good intentions of getting up early (4:30 am) so that I could get my workout started at 5:00 am. However, a whining dog that needed to be let out at 2:00 am disrupted my sleep...grrr...I had a hard time falling back to sleep and only did so at 4:00 am. By the time I woke up, the alarm clock said 5:30. So I dragged myself out of bed, got showered, and decided to try for mid-morning.
Aided by a little caffeine--here's what I cranked out in the gym today...
Group A
1a) DB 2 Arm Curl & Press - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
1s/10# (eh) - 2s/10# (eh) - 3s/12# (eh)
1b) Cable Standing Press - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
1s/60# - 2s/60# - 3s - 60# (moved up in weight on this one from last week)
1c) Frontal Plane Hip Swings - 3 x 15 reps (each leg)
1d) Bodyweight Alternating Lateral Lunges - 3 x 15 (each leg) - keeping these close & low to
the ground gets my heart rate up!
Group B
2a) DB Incline Press - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
1s/20# (eh) - 2s/25# (eh) - 3s/30# (eh) - moved in up weight
2b) 1-Arm Cable Press - 3 sets x 8-10 reps (each side)
1s/20# (eh) - 2s/20# (eh) - 3s/30# (eh) - moved up in weight from last week
2c) Alternating Bench Step-offs - 3 x 15 reps (each leg)
2d) Bodyweight Back-Reaching Lunges - 3 x 15 reps (each leg)
Group C
3a) DB Flat Bench Flyes - 3 sets x 10-12 reps
1s/15# (eh) - 2s/15# (eh) - 3s/20# (eh)
3b) Pushups on ball - 3 sets x 10 reps per set
3c) Low to High Cable Choppers - 3 x 15 reps (each side)
1s/20# - 2s/20# - 3s/30#
3d) Bodyweight Front Reach Lunges - 3 x 15 reps (each leg)
So--I accomplished getting through 3 sets of all 3 quad-plexes!!! Hooray!!!! These are tough--the idea is to generate as much 'sucking wind' as possible by the time you complete 3 circuits of each quad-plex. I rest about 2 minutes between each quad-plex before going at it again!!!! The muscle fatigue/rubbery leg feeling never fails to kick in around the middle of end of Group B. But pushing through is mandatory!!! (at least in my mind)...
Heading off tonight to watch the HCHS (Holland Christian High School) boys varsity bb team try to gun their way to another win in the quarterfinals tonight. Drivetime will be around 1.5 hours one way...argh...but of course--that's March Madness!!!!
More tomorrow!!!!
Kimmie
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
To Fast Before Cardio or Not...that is the question...
Should You Eat Before A Workout? by Tinamarie Guaglianone
I get this question from clients ALL the time, and almost everyday people ask me what I do before a workout. First I always tell my clients that if they are training 2 hours after they have been awake, then YES! They need to BREAK THE FAST! You can't expect to come to one of my sessions on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and get a great workout. Our body is in a fasted state when you wake up. Just like driving a car with no gas won't get you far...your belly is your tank and your food is your gas. And ladies--don't think you will burn more fat this way--YOU WON'T! Your body is smarter than you think!
The bottom line is this: when you eat carbohydrate-rich foods before you exercise, you will perform better--mentally and physically--during your workout. I am not saying to go inhale some donuts from Dunkin' Donuts or to have 3 bowls of cereal either! I am talking oats, whole-grain toast with some sugar-free jam, a Fit Green Goddess Shake...you get my point!
The question then becomes - what works best for your body?
Do you have a sensitive stomach in the morning? Usually don't eat breakfast? Then choose low-fiber and low-fat foods before beginning your workout. Skip the peanut butter and high-fiber dry cereals before your workout. Fat and fiber hold food in the stomach longer and with your sensitive stomach, you want the food that you eat before a workout to be digested and out of your gut when you start exercise. Best low-fat, low-fiber foods:
*Banana
*Low-fat yogurt
***Ezekiel Toast (try the cinnamon-swirl with raisins - it's delish)
Trying to burn fat? OK--so it is true that exercise on an empty stomach allows you to burn SOME fat during exercise. This does not mean a reduction in body fat. When your body is using carbohydrate to fuel exercise, it means that you are burning more calories per minute. When carbohydrate isn't available, your intensity drops-- both physically and mentally. Exercise on an empty stomach generally feels much harder. Choose a satisfying meal or snack, but keep the high-calorie additions to a minimum if you are trying to lose body fat. Give yourself 30-60 minutes to digest and then hit a high intensity workout. Best lower-calorie, carbohydrate-rich foods to blast fat:
*1/3 cup old-fashioned oatmeal, topped with 1 Tbsp. raisins and cinnamon
*Toast with light spread of almond butter and preserves
*Greek Yogurt with 1/2 cup Fit Green Goddess Granola
What about protein intake to build muscle?
Eating protein-rich foods before exercise won't necessarily lead to bigger muscles. Focus your attention on protein-rich chicken, salmon, turkey, and Greek Yogurt for after your workout when your muscles are more receptive to the powerful muscle-building effects of protein.
Before any workout, you need carbs. Carbohydrates are your "GAS" for exercise--especially high-intensity workouts like running and weight-lifting. You will blow through your glycogen (energy) stores during a run or heavy lifting workout. When glycogen levels get low, mental and physical energy will drop. When trying to build muscle, it's a good idea to incorporate small amounts of protein into every meal and snack, provided that you aren't sacrificing carbohydrates. Choose pre-workout meals and snacks that provide carbohydrate and a bit of protein for extra calories to build lean mass. Best muscle-building options:
*Hummus with cucumber and tomato slices on Ezekiel toast or an Ezekiel wrap
*Oatmeal with fruit and a 3-egg white omelet
*Baked yam & 4 oz. grilled chicken breast
Prime your body for exercise by choosing carbohydrate-rich foods for your pre-workout meal. When possible, give yourself at least 30 minutes to digest the food and absorb the nutrients. Experiment with which foods work best for your body.
And to answer your question...I (Tinamarie) workout around the same time each day which is between 10:30 am & 1:00 pm, because that is when I have the most energy. I have already had my Fit Green Goddess Shake and my Lara Bar (3 hours later) all before I workout, so I have enough stored carbs and energy for my runs and/or workouts.
Post-run or workout, I have either another shake (no fat added) and/or an Ezekiel wrap with a veggie burger and some veggies on the side and to top it off, a sliced pear or some Goji berries! YUM!
To those reading this post - only YOU know what works BEST for you! Everyone is different - so the suggestions here may not be for everyone. Every one's individual physique/internal chemistry is different.
Kimmie
I get this question from clients ALL the time, and almost everyday people ask me what I do before a workout. First I always tell my clients that if they are training 2 hours after they have been awake, then YES! They need to BREAK THE FAST! You can't expect to come to one of my sessions on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and get a great workout. Our body is in a fasted state when you wake up. Just like driving a car with no gas won't get you far...your belly is your tank and your food is your gas. And ladies--don't think you will burn more fat this way--YOU WON'T! Your body is smarter than you think!
The bottom line is this: when you eat carbohydrate-rich foods before you exercise, you will perform better--mentally and physically--during your workout. I am not saying to go inhale some donuts from Dunkin' Donuts or to have 3 bowls of cereal either! I am talking oats, whole-grain toast with some sugar-free jam, a Fit Green Goddess Shake...you get my point!
The question then becomes - what works best for your body?
Do you have a sensitive stomach in the morning? Usually don't eat breakfast? Then choose low-fiber and low-fat foods before beginning your workout. Skip the peanut butter and high-fiber dry cereals before your workout. Fat and fiber hold food in the stomach longer and with your sensitive stomach, you want the food that you eat before a workout to be digested and out of your gut when you start exercise. Best low-fat, low-fiber foods:
*Banana
*Low-fat yogurt
***Ezekiel Toast (try the cinnamon-swirl with raisins - it's delish)
Trying to burn fat? OK--so it is true that exercise on an empty stomach allows you to burn SOME fat during exercise. This does not mean a reduction in body fat. When your body is using carbohydrate to fuel exercise, it means that you are burning more calories per minute. When carbohydrate isn't available, your intensity drops-- both physically and mentally. Exercise on an empty stomach generally feels much harder. Choose a satisfying meal or snack, but keep the high-calorie additions to a minimum if you are trying to lose body fat. Give yourself 30-60 minutes to digest and then hit a high intensity workout. Best lower-calorie, carbohydrate-rich foods to blast fat:
*1/3 cup old-fashioned oatmeal, topped with 1 Tbsp. raisins and cinnamon
*Toast with light spread of almond butter and preserves
*Greek Yogurt with 1/2 cup Fit Green Goddess Granola
What about protein intake to build muscle?
Eating protein-rich foods before exercise won't necessarily lead to bigger muscles. Focus your attention on protein-rich chicken, salmon, turkey, and Greek Yogurt for after your workout when your muscles are more receptive to the powerful muscle-building effects of protein.
Before any workout, you need carbs. Carbohydrates are your "GAS" for exercise--especially high-intensity workouts like running and weight-lifting. You will blow through your glycogen (energy) stores during a run or heavy lifting workout. When glycogen levels get low, mental and physical energy will drop. When trying to build muscle, it's a good idea to incorporate small amounts of protein into every meal and snack, provided that you aren't sacrificing carbohydrates. Choose pre-workout meals and snacks that provide carbohydrate and a bit of protein for extra calories to build lean mass. Best muscle-building options:
*Hummus with cucumber and tomato slices on Ezekiel toast or an Ezekiel wrap
*Oatmeal with fruit and a 3-egg white omelet
*Baked yam & 4 oz. grilled chicken breast
Prime your body for exercise by choosing carbohydrate-rich foods for your pre-workout meal. When possible, give yourself at least 30 minutes to digest the food and absorb the nutrients. Experiment with which foods work best for your body.
And to answer your question...I (Tinamarie) workout around the same time each day which is between 10:30 am & 1:00 pm, because that is when I have the most energy. I have already had my Fit Green Goddess Shake and my Lara Bar (3 hours later) all before I workout, so I have enough stored carbs and energy for my runs and/or workouts.
Post-run or workout, I have either another shake (no fat added) and/or an Ezekiel wrap with a veggie burger and some veggies on the side and to top it off, a sliced pear or some Goji berries! YUM!
To those reading this post - only YOU know what works BEST for you! Everyone is different - so the suggestions here may not be for everyone. Every one's individual physique/internal chemistry is different.
Kimmie
Workout Conquered...
The phrase goes--"I came, I saw, I conquered"...yeah, I came to the gym, I saw the work that had to be done, and I conquered it!!!! Whootttt!!!
My training is a style called "Quad-Plex" Training - consisting of 4 exercises linked together in a group. These exercises have to be done one right after the other, with little or no rest inbetween. The objective is to go through the circuit at least 3-4 times before moving onto the next Quad-Plex. My biggest goal this week is to make it through 3 sets of each quad-plex.
Here's how my workout today broke down:
Group A - did 3 sets of all 4 exercises, one right after the other
1a) DB Chest Press - 3 sets x 8-10 reps/set
1s/20# (eh) - 2s/25# (eh) - 3s/30# (eh)
1b) DB Side Lateral Raises - 3 sets x 10-12 reps/set
1s/8# (eh) - 2s/10# (eh) - 3s/12# (eh)
1c) SB (stability ball) Ab Crunches - 3 sets x 15 - max reps
1d) SB (stability ball) straight leg lateral raises - 3 x 15 reps/each leg
Group B - did 3 sets of all 4 exercises, one right after the other
2a) DB Overhead Push Press - 3 sets x 15 reps
1s/12# (eh) - 2s/12# (eh) - 3s/12# (eh)
2b) SB (stability ball) Leg Curls - 3 sets x 15 reps
2c) Cable Pulldowns - 3 sets x 10-15 reps
1s/80# - 2s/100# - 3s/110#
2d) DB Alternating Bent Rows - 3 sets x 10 reps (each side)
1s/20# (eh) - 2s/20# (eh) - 3s/20# (eh)
Group C - did 3 sets of all 4 exercises, one right after the other
3a) BB Deadlifts - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
1s/50# - 2s/60# - 3s/70#
3b) DB Alternating Clean & Press - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
1s/10# - 2s/10# - 3s/10#
3c) Cable - High to Low Rotations - 3 sets x 10 reps (each side)
1s/20# - 2s/20# - 3s/20# (felt like such a weakling on these)
3d) SB (stability ball) Ab Crunches - 3 sets x 15 reps/set
The "weakling' feeling kicked after the 2nd set on the third Quad-Plex...I had all I could do to muster enough to get through the third round. There are still times when I feel as though I'm going to 'yack' (hurl, ralph, throw-up). It's just more of a mental thing that I need to push myself through! I'm getting there!!!!
Depending on the day--I may attempt to get on my rollerblades for a short spin around the parking lot here at work...just to get my legs under me and hopefully stay right-side up!!!!
OK--next post coming is about whether to do 'fasted' or 'non-fasted' cardio in the am...credit for this post goes to Tinamarie Guaglianone a/k/a "FitGreenGoddess". Here is the link to her website if you want to read more about her. She's such an awesome fit lady!!!
www.fitgreengoddess.com
Rock your day!
Kimmie
My training is a style called "Quad-Plex" Training - consisting of 4 exercises linked together in a group. These exercises have to be done one right after the other, with little or no rest inbetween. The objective is to go through the circuit at least 3-4 times before moving onto the next Quad-Plex. My biggest goal this week is to make it through 3 sets of each quad-plex.
Here's how my workout today broke down:
Group A - did 3 sets of all 4 exercises, one right after the other
1a) DB Chest Press - 3 sets x 8-10 reps/set
1s/20# (eh) - 2s/25# (eh) - 3s/30# (eh)
1b) DB Side Lateral Raises - 3 sets x 10-12 reps/set
1s/8# (eh) - 2s/10# (eh) - 3s/12# (eh)
1c) SB (stability ball) Ab Crunches - 3 sets x 15 - max reps
1d) SB (stability ball) straight leg lateral raises - 3 x 15 reps/each leg
Group B - did 3 sets of all 4 exercises, one right after the other
2a) DB Overhead Push Press - 3 sets x 15 reps
1s/12# (eh) - 2s/12# (eh) - 3s/12# (eh)
2b) SB (stability ball) Leg Curls - 3 sets x 15 reps
2c) Cable Pulldowns - 3 sets x 10-15 reps
1s/80# - 2s/100# - 3s/110#
2d) DB Alternating Bent Rows - 3 sets x 10 reps (each side)
1s/20# (eh) - 2s/20# (eh) - 3s/20# (eh)
Group C - did 3 sets of all 4 exercises, one right after the other
3a) BB Deadlifts - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
1s/50# - 2s/60# - 3s/70#
3b) DB Alternating Clean & Press - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
1s/10# - 2s/10# - 3s/10#
3c) Cable - High to Low Rotations - 3 sets x 10 reps (each side)
1s/20# - 2s/20# - 3s/20# (felt like such a weakling on these)
3d) SB (stability ball) Ab Crunches - 3 sets x 15 reps/set
The "weakling' feeling kicked after the 2nd set on the third Quad-Plex...I had all I could do to muster enough to get through the third round. There are still times when I feel as though I'm going to 'yack' (hurl, ralph, throw-up). It's just more of a mental thing that I need to push myself through! I'm getting there!!!!
Depending on the day--I may attempt to get on my rollerblades for a short spin around the parking lot here at work...just to get my legs under me and hopefully stay right-side up!!!!
OK--next post coming is about whether to do 'fasted' or 'non-fasted' cardio in the am...credit for this post goes to Tinamarie Guaglianone a/k/a "FitGreenGoddess". Here is the link to her website if you want to read more about her. She's such an awesome fit lady!!!
www.fitgreengoddess.com
Rock your day!
Kimmie
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!
I owe this blog a long huge post...it's been a very busy few days both at work and on the homefront. I promise I'll be back with the long overdue update concerning the workouts I've been doing and more!!!
If the sun is shining and it's really nice out wherever you are, GET OUT & MOVE!
More coming later!!!
Kim
If the sun is shining and it's really nice out wherever you are, GET OUT & MOVE!
More coming later!!!
Kim
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Quiet Weekend!
Hi there! Hope everyone is having a great weekend! It's been a pretty quiet and routine weekend for me...dh & I went to a boys' varsity BB game on Friday night. They won the district title in a very close game.
Saturday was spent doing the usual routine - getting groceries, doing laundry, cleaning the house, and setting up a new desktop computer (that's not the usual for a Saturday). But we were in dire need of a new one--our 'wheezer' was 10 years old and showing its age! The flat-panel monitor on this one takes up far less of the desk space--it's really nice! Our 'technology overhaul' is pretty well complete--except for bringing in our computer guy to tie up a few loose ends.
I did a cardio workout yesterday on the ARC Trainer (elliptical) for 60 minutes. Today is a rest day which I'll need before taking on another week full of taxing workouts! I have to remind myself this this is a new training routine and I'm going to feel a little winded and tired until my body adjusts (hopefully not too long).
Time to get ready for church! Back tomorrow!!!
Saturday was spent doing the usual routine - getting groceries, doing laundry, cleaning the house, and setting up a new desktop computer (that's not the usual for a Saturday). But we were in dire need of a new one--our 'wheezer' was 10 years old and showing its age! The flat-panel monitor on this one takes up far less of the desk space--it's really nice! Our 'technology overhaul' is pretty well complete--except for bringing in our computer guy to tie up a few loose ends.
I did a cardio workout yesterday on the ARC Trainer (elliptical) for 60 minutes. Today is a rest day which I'll need before taking on another week full of taxing workouts! I have to remind myself this this is a new training routine and I'm going to feel a little winded and tired until my body adjusts (hopefully not too long).
Time to get ready for church! Back tomorrow!!!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Happy Friday!
The first week of the program is in the books!!!! Phew!!! I'll honestly and frankly say--I'm tired! Getting through two sets of all the groups of exercise was enough and I was really, really struggling by the end of the third group this morning to make it all the way through one set.
I decided that I needed a 'real-time' coach to push me through these workouts to make sure I am giving 150% honest effort...so Bailey's former owner (Stephen) has taken on that role. He is great in that he pushes enough to get out of me what I need to get done and quite often I'll go above and beyond that. After a few weeks--I'm thinking I'll be able to punch it on my own, but for now, going one workout at a time is the best way to take things.
So here was the workout. It's called MET Training because you're supposed to really generate a lot of 'oxygen debt' by doing the workout. Oh yes, it definitely works!
Group A - did 2 sets of the following quadplex...
1a) DB Flat Bench Press
1b) Tubing/Cable Chest Press
1c) Front Plane Hip Swings
1d) Bodyweight Alternate Lateral Reaching Lunges (I'm just not really proficient at these yet)
Group B - did 2 sets of the following quadplex...
2a) DB Incline Bench Press
2b) 1-Arm Chest Press on Cable Cross-over
2c) Bench Alternating Step-offs
2d) Body-Weight Back-Reaching Lunges
Group C - did only 1 set of this--I was just 'hitting the wall'
3a) DB Flat Flyes
3b) Pushups on ball
3c) Cable Choppers - low to high range of motion
3d) Walking Lunges
Repetitions varied from doing as little as 8-10 on the barbell or dumbbell exercises to doing up to 40 repetitions per leg on the walking lunges.
TOM was definitely a factor in my energy level today...yet as I'm sitting here over the lunch hour...I know NOW that net time no matter how much I feel like I'm melting down in that moment...I can always push ONE more time...because it's the EXTRA that you bring that gives you the EXTRA result. It boils down to ATTITUDE and CHOICE. Do you want to be just ordinary or do you want to be EXTRA-ordinary (Extraordinary)? Think about that one...I certainly am!!!!
Back to work I go!!!!
Kimmie
P.S. Kendall & Kaylin had a WONDERFUL day in Chicago yesterday. They rolled in about 10:00 pm last night, looking pleasantly exhausted after a day of 'hoofing' it around the city! It does a mom's heart good to see her son smiling from ear to ear!
I decided that I needed a 'real-time' coach to push me through these workouts to make sure I am giving 150% honest effort...so Bailey's former owner (Stephen) has taken on that role. He is great in that he pushes enough to get out of me what I need to get done and quite often I'll go above and beyond that. After a few weeks--I'm thinking I'll be able to punch it on my own, but for now, going one workout at a time is the best way to take things.
So here was the workout. It's called MET Training because you're supposed to really generate a lot of 'oxygen debt' by doing the workout. Oh yes, it definitely works!
Group A - did 2 sets of the following quadplex...
1a) DB Flat Bench Press
1b) Tubing/Cable Chest Press
1c) Front Plane Hip Swings
1d) Bodyweight Alternate Lateral Reaching Lunges (I'm just not really proficient at these yet)
Group B - did 2 sets of the following quadplex...
2a) DB Incline Bench Press
2b) 1-Arm Chest Press on Cable Cross-over
2c) Bench Alternating Step-offs
2d) Body-Weight Back-Reaching Lunges
Group C - did only 1 set of this--I was just 'hitting the wall'
3a) DB Flat Flyes
3b) Pushups on ball
3c) Cable Choppers - low to high range of motion
3d) Walking Lunges
Repetitions varied from doing as little as 8-10 on the barbell or dumbbell exercises to doing up to 40 repetitions per leg on the walking lunges.
TOM was definitely a factor in my energy level today...yet as I'm sitting here over the lunch hour...I know NOW that net time no matter how much I feel like I'm melting down in that moment...I can always push ONE more time...because it's the EXTRA that you bring that gives you the EXTRA result. It boils down to ATTITUDE and CHOICE. Do you want to be just ordinary or do you want to be EXTRA-ordinary (Extraordinary)? Think about that one...I certainly am!!!!
Back to work I go!!!!
Kimmie
P.S. Kendall & Kaylin had a WONDERFUL day in Chicago yesterday. They rolled in about 10:00 pm last night, looking pleasantly exhausted after a day of 'hoofing' it around the city! It does a mom's heart good to see her son smiling from ear to ear!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Priceless Family Moment...
Hey there!
Back and recharged! I didn't sleep all that well last night...couldn't figure out why...until Auntie Flo came to visit...ugh...but now that that's underway...hopefully I'll get a full night!!!
Kicked boot-ay with my workout today! The eating plan remains pretty much the same day in and day out, so I'm not going to post a listing every day until I eat something different that is worth sharing with everyone. I bought 20# of chicken breasts on Tuesday that need to get out of the freezer, marinaded, and then on the grill on Saturday. I also want to make a ground white-meat turkey meatloaf, and some turkey burgers as well. Oh, and chop up a bunch of fresh produce such as assorted peppers, cukes, mushrooms, etc...try to get away from the processed, frozen, and convenience versions of veggies as much as possible!!!
Today was our youngest son's 22nd birthday...that's the baby! He's been working so hard at school and really had no special plans for spring break this week, other than to work full-time and earn $$$. So I plotted with his girlfriend. I bought round-trip tickets for the two of them from Holland to Chicago. I put together a backpack of sandwiches/snacks together that they could take on the train and around the city. I took his birthday card and put some $$, the ticket confirmation statement in there. I called his work supervisor on Monday to ask if Kendall could have the day off--to which he said 'no problem'! We managed to keep this a total surprise!
This morning he got up and came out into the living room looking for work clothes to wear in the clean laundry pile. I walked up to him, handed him the card, and said "Happy Birthday"! He opened it up, read the front of the card, and flipped it open to the inside. The money fell out and he said "Wow--what's this?" Then he opened the ticket confirmation. Due to sleep fog, his brain was still trying to assimilate everything! So I explained it all to him. I pointed out the backpack of food on the counter and he just tried to take it all in! He had this totally stunned look on his face at first, then broke out into a huge smile from ear to ear...I don't think he could quite believe that he had been totally kept in the dark. I told him to hurry up and get cleaned up as Kaylin (his girlfriend) was arriving at 7:00 am to pick him up! I turned to leave for work, he caught me in a bear hug and said "I Love You, Mom!" I just about lost it!!!! Hopefully they had a wonderful day--they should be home in the next hour so we can hear all about it!
It's such a great feeling and does a heart good to be able to do that for a loved one! Priceless...
Back and recharged! I didn't sleep all that well last night...couldn't figure out why...until Auntie Flo came to visit...ugh...but now that that's underway...hopefully I'll get a full night!!!
Kicked boot-ay with my workout today! The eating plan remains pretty much the same day in and day out, so I'm not going to post a listing every day until I eat something different that is worth sharing with everyone. I bought 20# of chicken breasts on Tuesday that need to get out of the freezer, marinaded, and then on the grill on Saturday. I also want to make a ground white-meat turkey meatloaf, and some turkey burgers as well. Oh, and chop up a bunch of fresh produce such as assorted peppers, cukes, mushrooms, etc...try to get away from the processed, frozen, and convenience versions of veggies as much as possible!!!
Today was our youngest son's 22nd birthday...that's the baby! He's been working so hard at school and really had no special plans for spring break this week, other than to work full-time and earn $$$. So I plotted with his girlfriend. I bought round-trip tickets for the two of them from Holland to Chicago. I put together a backpack of sandwiches/snacks together that they could take on the train and around the city. I took his birthday card and put some $$, the ticket confirmation statement in there. I called his work supervisor on Monday to ask if Kendall could have the day off--to which he said 'no problem'! We managed to keep this a total surprise!
This morning he got up and came out into the living room looking for work clothes to wear in the clean laundry pile. I walked up to him, handed him the card, and said "Happy Birthday"! He opened it up, read the front of the card, and flipped it open to the inside. The money fell out and he said "Wow--what's this?" Then he opened the ticket confirmation. Due to sleep fog, his brain was still trying to assimilate everything! So I explained it all to him. I pointed out the backpack of food on the counter and he just tried to take it all in! He had this totally stunned look on his face at first, then broke out into a huge smile from ear to ear...I don't think he could quite believe that he had been totally kept in the dark. I told him to hurry up and get cleaned up as Kaylin (his girlfriend) was arriving at 7:00 am to pick him up! I turned to leave for work, he caught me in a bear hug and said "I Love You, Mom!" I just about lost it!!!! Hopefully they had a wonderful day--they should be home in the next hour so we can hear all about it!
It's such a great feeling and does a heart good to be able to do that for a loved one! Priceless...
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