To the Sunshine State

The weekend was busy busy!  I worked yesterday, and after work I cleaned the apartment since I would be traveling for a lot of the the next month.  I hate coming home to a mess/clutter so I was really happy to get it done.  I then packed up and got ready for my first trip of the month....going to Florida to spend some time with my family in Reunion, a resort in the Kissimmee/Orlando area.

I love central Florida

This morning, I got up early, dropped off car at Toyota to be inspected, get on oil change, etc.  I then went back to the apartment, finished packing up, and made myself a nutritious breakfast before heading to the airport. 

Eating before going to the airport was actually great.  I wasn't tempted to get fast food or unhealthy snacks in the terminal before the flight.  There is nothing worse than being famished at the airport and feeling guilty because there aren't as many healthy options as you would like. McDonald's or Chickie's and Pete's...hmm decisions...

I mixed up 3 eggs, green pepper, onions, spinach, and tomatoes (using up the rest of my perishables) and made a big egg scramble with some weight watchers reduced fat shredded mexican blend cheese.  I put it on a whole wheat wrap, but only ate half of it in the wrap before dumping it out and eating it with a fork.  The scramble was perfect on it's own, and I didn't need a whole wrap with it.  

Side of pink grapefruit :-)

At the airport, I roamed around the terminal before loading the plane.  Before going on a trip, generally stop at the borders and pick up a book or two to read on the plane and during my vacation.  Instead of buying any books at borders, I checked out the selection to see what looked good then downloaded a book to my iPad for the flight.  I'm seriously going to be cutting down on my book clutter, and I kind of like it.

I chose Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me.   I was long overdue reading this book.  I had read her first three books laughing out loud the entire time, and loving her as a comedian even more with each one.  This one is a little different because it's stories that her coworkers wrote about her, but it is definitely a fun, quick, easy read.  If you haven't read Chelsea's first three books, please do so immediately! (But not if you are easily offended)

A late lunch when I finally arrived home in Florida was calling my name!  I whipped up a chicken salad sandwich on a whole wheat 80 calorie hamburger bun (surprisingly tasty), granny smith apple slices, and a serving of cheddar quakes. 

pretty flowers

I'm about to go hit the gym!  After a few days on training hiatus, I am hitting the treadmill here in Florida to make up my missed 5 mile run from Saturday.  I may have missed two days of training, but I have every intention of making them up! 

Night Running

Why is night running so amazing?  Seriously...it was way better than day running.  I did a quick 2 miles on the Sea Isle City promenade which was full of people walking around.  It was also really well lit and safe.  The bad part of living in West Philly (or any part of Philly really) is that running at night isn't always safe.  Especially running alone and being a woman. You always hear those horror stories of someone trying to jump out and attack women. 

Earlier in the day I indulged in leftovers and hit up the beach with the family.  It was a beautiful afternoon, but then something terrible happened!  Well...not that bad...I went in the water with the intention of not getting my head wet...but then a big monster wave hit me upside the head and ate my sunglasses.  "The sea was angry that day my friend" - Seinfeld anyone?  I was pretty devestated to lose my Michael Kors sunglasses.  May they rest in piece.  

The sunglasses last photo op :-(

Anyone else watching teen mom tonight?  I love reality TV.

Independence Day :-)

Morning!  I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday!  Ours was full of fun, family, and food like it is every year.  I always like the fourth of July because my whole family gets together.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter we get together as well, but it's nice to see everyone in the middle of the summer.  Holidays are great for bringing busy people back together.

The day started out by watching the last of the Casey Anthony murder trial..I am definitely on the verdict watch!  Then we got down to business.  My first job..make some healthy taco dip!

Ingredients!

- 16 oz sour cream  (I used fat free)

- 8 oz cream cheese (I used Philadelphia 1/3 less fat)

- taco mix

- salsa of choice

- tomatoes

- onions

- shredded Mexican cheese (I used weight watcher's)

In a bowl, mix together the sour cream, cream cheese, and taco mix

My cousin Kerri was a great helper

In the serving dish, layer the sour cream mixture, then salsa....

..then tomatoes...

then onions and top with cheese!

voila!

The dip was a big hit and went fast.  It was really quick and easy to make too!  I'm actually getting hungry just thinking about it. I didn't take any pictures of all of the food we had, but I assure you it was enough to feed my family and ALL of your families.  We have "Hors d'œuvres"  which to most people is basically dinner.  Wrap platters, hoagie trays, wings, pizza, dips, chips, and stromboli trays.  Then we have "dinner" a few hours later that includes burgers, hot dogs, pasta salads, potato salads, ceasar salad, etc.  It's a disgusting display of gluttony...but oh so delicious.  

In between all the eating (and drinking) we found some time to take our pictures!  Every year in the exact same spot, we take pictures by family.  It's a great tradition, and it's fun to be able to look back on the pictures and see the changes in people.  P.S. I forgot to mention my mom buys a gagillion matching T-shirts that we all wear for the fourth of July.  Sometimes I think we look like a summer camp.

My brother and I

...and my mom and dad

Joe and I

The whole gang

Then we mixed things up this year by doing something new!  My little brother and his band played in the garage and rocked the block!  They were really good, and they played a ton of classic rock favorites.  

Before we knew it, it was dark and time to walk down to the beach to watch the fireworks.  Unfortunately...they were pretty weak this year!  I think maybe there was some technical difficulties right before the finale.  No one even started to move off the beach when they were finished because we all thought it was just a delay...not an abrupt end.  Sea Isle has to step it up next year!

Then like any normal family, we went home to play "water" pong.  I say water because we had lots of high school and middle school kids playing as well as adults.  I know most families play scrabble, but we gotta teach these kids skills early!  

like the eagles official length beer pong table santa brought us last year?  hahaha

I went to bed stuffed to the brim with food.  Today is a day for a RUN.  Lunch first though!  Leftovers for days!

How did you all celebrate the fourth?  Anyone else eat too much?  Just me?

Life's a Beach

Today's run was better than yesterday's run!  I ran into my cousin Kerri before I left and asked her if she wanted to come with me...and she did!  Sweet I love a running buddy!  She's not normally a runner, but she's a softball/volleyball star so she was in great shape.  

Tried out a new Champion tank top that Meghann recommended.  It was really comfortable, flattering, and it had a built in sports bra. 

Pre-run photo shoot :-)

Map of Sea Isle

Thumbs up for a hot 3 miles

Cut off some time from Thursday!  Could have cut off more, but Kerri and I walked the last few blocks.  Not too shabby though!

Joe made us all some bangin breakfasts when we got back.  Omelet with goat cheese, tomatoes, onions, and a ripped up piece of deli ham.  I also had some Jimmy Dean turkey sausage patties and fruit on the side.  

The beach today was PERFECT!  Perfect temperature and warm water.  We set up a tent too so we could enjoy sun or shade.  Kerri is a girl after my own heart and we had a little water photo shoot. 

warm water = ginormous jelly fish

The boyfriend and myself

little cousin...she gets up way higher than me..so jealous (first try for this picture too!)

Standing bow pose

She's a quick learner

...this was the only pose that Joe would do...no fun

Time to shower up and get ready for dinner!  Heading to one of our favorite shore BYOB's tonight!

Anyone else down the shore this Holiday Weekend?  What are all your weekend plans?