A Love Story

I made the first stage of the Chai Ice Cream last night. I didn't have time for the bread because I finally got the spring cleaning bug and proceeded to clean my whole kitchen top to bottom. I'll do the bread this evening, as well as step two of the ice cream, and then report.

Today, I saw two different love stories at the gym. The first revolves around Mr. and Mrs. Prom King and Queen. Mrs. Prom Queen was my nutrition coach for the twelve weeks that led to my 10 lb deficit. Mr. Prom King is the super hot spin instructor whose class I take on Fridays and Sundays.

So, as I was walking to the kickboxing class, I heard a couple behind me flirting and giggling. Trying not to be nosy, I just kept walking, but hearing how close he was to the women's locker room, I did turn around to see Mr. Prom King walking away realizing he was in fact flirting with his wife. Cute, right?

I had forgotten Mr. Prom King also teaches every other Wednesday. Well, I guess today was the other Wednesday because lo and behold, he was in my kickboxing class, and so was the Mrs.

Luckily, they were on the other side of the room, so I could spy without being obvious. He had no rhythm, which made me feel better, but she kicked ass. That just made me want to kick more ass in case she saw me.

Well, I totally rocked the class. Which brings me to the other love story.

Me and kickboxing. I had been taking Jerald's** class every Wednesday for quite some time. I love his class, believe me. But all we do is leg work. It gets rather cumbersome and predictable. Well, he had a sub today, Jessica**. I hadn't taken Jessica's class in months because she typically teaches on Saturday at Everyone-Come-to-the-Gym A.M. It made it quite difficult to kick and punch when you're swimming with salmon.

Well, her class is kicks and punches. Don't get me wrong, some people deserve a good kick, but sometimes punching really gets the shoulders that nice definition. We punched like crazy, and I hadn't sweat that much in kickboxing in quite some time. It was refreshing and it made me realize what I had fallen in love with.

It was a great work out, and I wish I could do it again. Alas, Jerald comes back next week. So my fling has flung.

Now, back to Mr. and Mrs. Prom. Being my nutrition coach, she of course knows who I am. I don't like this in the confines of the locker room. So, I changed quickly and showered quietly. I was fully prepared to use a dressing room to get dressed because who knows when she'll pop out from a corner.

Well, I got back to my row with my towels around my head and body. One dressing room is occupied, and the other open to Mrs. Prom Queen's breasts. I didn't see her face, so hopefully she didn't see mine, but the tattoo said it all. I have never changed that quickly in my life. My hands were shaking in case I got the, "Oh, how are you?" question.

Not a great way to start the day: anxiety. Hopefully she didn't see my pasty, flabby body as I struggled to get my wet suit in the heavy jeans. Luckily I made it out of there without her seeing me. Mr. Prom King, however, gave me a big smile as I left the gym. He's so dreamy.




(Names have been changed**)

Upped the Ante...6 or 9?

It's Tuesday. Day two of driving in my rented yellow Beetle. I feel like I'm driving a giant five cylinder bubble. I hate it. But my car is in the shop as a result of another woman's faulty flip flop. Don't drive in shoes that slip off your feet. Baby's First Car.

Anyway, today was the Bra Complimenting Instructor's class. Last week she urged us to up the ante and add more resistance or weights to our normal routine in the class. I'll usually grab a middle to easy resistance band and get 8 and 5 lb dumb bells. Is that how it's spelled? If not, they are dumb.

So, in order to up my ante, I grabbed 10 and 6 lb weights. I had been using 12 lbs for various exercises when I work out by myself on Thursdays, but classes are harder since you do more reps than you voluntarily do in the solace of a dark studio.

I was so proud. Until I couldn't take the 10 lbs anymore on a move that has my shoulders falling off. Start with a dead lift, bring the weights to your shoulder as a bicep curl, and then bench press it over your head. Do that 20+ times with weights you're not used to. So, I thought it was a good time as any to switch to my 6 lbs.

Well, guess what? If you turn a 6 lb weight upside down it's 9. Yup. So much for a break.

The other thing was I got there late since I was playing with my poor neglected cat this morning and I had to station myself in the front of the class. Thus, was unable with my dignity intact to go and get 5 or the real 6 lb weights.

So, yes, I pushed through and made it through the crazy class with 9 lbs weights. Now knowing I can do it, you'd think I'd want to do this for every class. Well, you'd be wrong. My arms can barely stay up on my desk to write this. No, I will drop to 10 lb and 8 lb for next week. Sound good?

Chocolate Makes The World Better

I'm sorry my non-existent readers. I have been out of touch for a little while. But my little sister was in town, and we have some culinary stories to share.

First off, Wednesday where we left off, we made some peanut butter cupcakes. This sounds great, especially when they are supposed to look like apples. Red icing and stems. The works. Well, I'm sure they would have tasted better if she used the correct flour. I know when you stand in a kitchen with seven different flours, you go for the one that looks like it would work. She went for the cake flour, unbeknownst to me.

So what happened? She made little hockey pucks. I probably could have broken a window if I threw it. Of course, I thought she could handle cupcakes, and I didn't notice this until it was too late. She learned her lesson. Always ask.

Aside from that, I worked on the Watermelon Cherry Sorbet. I was so thrilled when my mother gave me her Cuisinart circa 1980-God knows when as a wonderful addition to my kitchen. So, I bust it out for the sorbet, and what happens? It leaks everywhere. The bowl has a crack from ear to ear.

I remember Mom saying they used that material for the space shuttle. Hmm...

Anyway, I had my backup, little red waiting to be used. I bought little red for my Christmas present. It's a 3 cup food processor. Too cute. It did the job, 3 cups at a time, just fine.

The sorbet turned out great. No added sugar. I brought it to the girls at the office. They liked it and equated it with Sour Patch and Jolly Ranchers. I'll take that.

But I titled today's post for chocolate. Father's Day was now two weekends ago. I got my dad a book I thought he would enjoy, but I had wanted to make him some Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries -- his favorite. Well, the 20th came and went in a flash. So I vowed to make them with my little sister. What better way to make something for Dad than together as sisters. Well, she didn't do it. I did it while she continued on her peanut butter hockey pucks.

They turned out pretty well. By that, I mean, they tasted great. They just looked a little strange. The chocolate started to take on a strange texture. I tried adding cream and amaretto, but to no avail. I will come back with an answer.


Well, I got the best validation today. Dad was apparently feeling a little low over the weekend. But today he texted me thanking me for the "dang good chocolate covered cherries." That's all I needed to know that he felt better by my effort. Even if they look a little gross. ;)

Anyway, no workout/culinary blog would be complete without the work out section.

Sunday, it was on. I brought a friend with me to the super-hot spin class with the super-hot instructor. I knew my friend (we'll call her Heather for anonymity and I don't know any Heathers) would pass out, but I wanted her to see him. Well, see him she did. That class was killer. He does this wonderful move where he'll pump the bike with one leg. I swear it's such a turn on.

But *cough, he also does this move with the whole class where we spin and do push ups on the bike. It's amazing. You want t sure fire way to up your heart rate, do that with minimal resistance. You'll get there in a flash.

Well, I didn't want Heather to miss out on that since I can bring guests only every 60 days. But as I watched my watch, he was cutting close on time. Well, I took it upon myself to start the push ups to give him the clue. He got it. He stared right at me and laughed that I wanted push ups. Well, he gave us push ups. It was awesome.

Two songs later, the usual push up song came on. Last one. Couldn't believe it. He started jumping up and down. He pointed right at me and said, "You wanted push ups. I'll give you push ups." I nodded my head. He couldn't hear me scream if I tried the music was blaring.

At the end of the class, he said, "Anyone who wants to stay for the next class in 15 minutes, just stay on your bike." I looked at Heather whose hair was plastered to her face, and her shirt was nearly see-through with the sweat and white cotton. Her face was priceless as she shook her head almost in disgust. I could have gone a second round, but I got my second round today in spin. Today was also a great class.

Off to tomorrow and the mission of Chai Ice Cream

Sushi Samba

Last night, I went out to dinner with a friend and my sister. I slipped and ate way too much as Sushi Zushi. Born and raised in Texas! It was very much worth it because it was so over the top delicious, but the scale went up to 183lbs. It was the salt, I'm sure. But I'm back and will be chugging water today. Not just for that, but also because the office will become a large sauna for a large portion of the day.

The door will be taken off to be replaced, and that means the 96 degree heat will be filtering in causing us to pool in our seats and stick to our keyboards. You can't imagine how thrilled I was when I also heard a jackhammer was coming. Oh, but it's a little one.

Is there such a thing as a small jackhammer? Just saying.

I did go to kickboxing this morning to try and combat my sushi overdose, and I overcame a little fear of mine.

To bring you up to date on this fear, we need to back a few months. Back when I was still going to the gym in the evening, I would go to a weight incorporated kickboxing class on Tuesdays. I strongly dislike this instructor (I know, as well...), but I wanted to push through the class. I noticed on that particular day that I was full of energy and was pushing myself more than I had before at the gym.

There is a move many instructors like to do where you bring your knee to your chest, contracting your abs. Visualize grabbing your attackers hair and thrusting your knee into their face. Well, the next progression is to jump with your standing leg during this move. While this sounds great on paper to get your heart rate up, you also must be coordinated.

During this Tuesday evening class, I fell straight on my ankle and wiped out. Luckily, it was a slow Tuesday, so I didn't take anyone down with me, but it was certainly noticeable to everyone in the class that was paying the least bit attention. I jumped straight up, and a few beats went by as the instructor came over to me. I was fine, but my ankle was out. I tried to push through, but it was impossible.

I didn't sprain or break it. Just a twist. I was fine by the next day at kickboxing, but needless to say, I stayed away from that jumping knee...until today.

This morning, we did this move, and I can successfully say, I rocked it. Granted, I didn't push on other things in the class that I was still uneasy on, but I did that move and didn't fall.

It's the little things that get you through the day. So even if the number went up by one, I was able to push through an injury and fear of future injury.

Off to the sauna. Maybe I'll sweat that pound out.

Punctuality

My number one pet peeve is when people are tardy. I make an effort to be on time. Actually, I make it an effort to be early. So, when people are late, or make me late, I'm furious.

My beef with the woman who teaches the Tuesday class goes back a ways. The woman who taught before is the head of the trainers at the gym. I loved her. She was always spunky and fun to watch, even though you wanted to treat her to a typical Barbie meltdown.

One day, I was changing in the dressing room. I have finally gotten to the point where I don't care, so I'll change at my locker instead of the little closet they have. Wastes time--again time. Well, this woman was changing next to me, and as she pulled on her thong, she turned to me and said, "That's a pretty bra." I was wearing my lace Victoria's Secret bra. That's an odd thing to say when you're pulling on your own secret, ya know?

I politely thanked her and continued to change. Then, in my routine, I put on hairspray. I used this wonderful Flaxseed Aloe hairspray from Aveda. She chimes in, "I love that smell. I have that hairspray."

Uh--thanks?

Again, I politely thanked her and continued to change. It was a very bizarre experience. So imagine my surprise when the next week, she was the new teacher of the class, replacing Spunky Barbie.

Great.

Well, I have let bygones be bygones and continued to go to the class because it's the only strength training class I can get to.

A few weeks ago now, Ms. Bra Complimenter was a no-show to her own class. My anger for her rose. The kickboxing instructor luckily came in to sub. That was nice. I wish it was like that for every week.

That was just another tidbit. Well, since then, she has started the class late and thus ended the class late. I take a 5:30am class for a reason. It allows me ample time to get ready. Yes, I understand that I have extra time, but when you say the class ends at 6:30am, I need it to end at 6:30am. Not once since her absentee class has she ended on time.

Today was the first time I had to actually leave before she finished her routine. Amazing. Just finish on time. That's your job.

Okay, that's over. Now I get to rush off to work.

Peaches, Figs, and Feta--Oh My!

I did not go to the gym today. Sad panda. But the wonderful thing of being a girl kept me bend over at my desk for the last hour at work.

But, I'm also here to report on what I made over the weekend.

A couple of weekends ago, I went to Fredericksburg with a friend of mine. I'm pretty sure I mentioned this. We had brunch at The Herb Farm. It was spectacular as usual. I am dying to go when they have the Tomato Basil Soup ready.

My parents took me there several years ago now, and I had that soup. It was so amazing, it's the only thing I remember from that trip. But the last two times I've gone to The Herb Farm, it's not there yet. The last time, they had a wonderful Creamy Tomato Soup. Tasted so creamy I would have thought it was melted cheese and tomatoes.

Well, the dessert in season (being Summer in Fredericksburg) was a Peach and Feta Cheese dessert. Of course I was intrigued because who knew peaches and feta cheese, let alone cracked black pepper, would go together. I am here to tell you, they do.

It was amazing. Very light, refreshing and easy to make. That night, with my three pounds of peaches, I made it for my boyfriend. Again, I was amazed. The recipe was to put peaches in a bath of peach schnapps and honey. Chill and then serve with feta cheese and cracked black pepper. It can't get easier than that.

Of course, it was a Sunday, so I didn't have an ability to get the schnapps, but I used Amaretto instead. It was a little heavier on the palate, but it was still incredible with the aroma of almonds mixing with the freshness of the peaches.

Just last weekend, over Father's Day, I found some local figs. My father brought in the last of the peaches from our three beautiful trees in the backyard, and I made the dessert again. This time, I did use the peach schnapps, but I added figs to the mix, and I have to say, wow. Peaches, Figs, and Feta--oh my!

My parents were blown away by the flavors. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone. It's so easy, so light, and so flavorful. No need to eat a heavy dessert before bed when something like this is at your fingertips.

Happy eating.

Ginger

Okay, so I'm posting. That means my threat was real. I didn't just post the introductory blog.

First off, I'm going to say that I'm writing as my peanut butter protein shake is blending after my grueling spin class. So, that's done. And I'm still sweating in my clothes despite the shower.

So, I would like to delve into my new culinary infatuation of ginger. What a crazy ingredient. I had the privilege to watch ginger used as the secret ingredient on Iron Chef America, and I must say, who knew you could do so much savory and sweet treats with ginger. For most people it's an oppressive taste that is overpowering and off putting.

However, if you put the right amount in, you will be amazed at how much something will pop.

The first encounter I had with ginger (that I remember) was just this last February. My boyfriend and I went to a bed and breakfast in Waco, TX (far enough away, but not breaking the bank) for our three year anniversary.

The best restaurant in town was called The Green Room. It was an amazing place. Such great food in the middle of the historic downtown with absolutely nothing else going on. Well, we had our first dinner there. This place was so fancy, it had sorbet before our entree to "cleanse the palate." *Insert Princess Diaries joke here.

It was a lemon sorbet with tiny bits of candied ginger. I couldn't put my finger on the taste since I hadn't experienced ginger like that before, but I must say, since then I was hooked.

I try to incorporate ginger in my food more. I made an amazing Lemon Blood Orange Sorbet and did the same thing with tiny bits of candied ginger.

I just bought a giant ginger root at the grocery store. Big enough for the clerk to say, "Did you find everything--whoa. That's a lot of ginger." Felt good.

Now, I will say as well (because I said I would mention my failures) that ginger and I have had our first argument. It wasn't pretty.

I went to Fredericksburg a couple of weekends ago for their peaches. Well, when I came home, I busted out my giant ginger root and went to work on a Ginger Peach Ice Cream. Needless to say, the recipe I followed called for way too much ginger. That's what I get for trying to take a chocolate based ginger recipe and making it fruit based.

Don't get me wrong, ginger and I will make up. We will make a better ice cream this weekend, and I will let you know how our compromise goes, but for now, we're on a break.

Starting Over, Yet Again

Hi my empty audience. I know no one is reading this, so this acts as a virtual diary. Maybe I'll be brave and actually tell people about it, but until then, I will continue to talk to the expansive void that is the Internet.

I am back after about six months to share some good news and some new thoughts. I have finally gotten the ball rolling on what I hope will be a very successful weight loss journey. I have finally been infected (not just bitten) by the gym rat, and I am here to say that it's finally working.

At my gym, there is a program called Eat to Live. It's a twelve week program that details out healthy eating habits while keeping you accountable with weekly weigh ins. Well, yesterday was the last day of the class with our final weigh ins.

Because I want to keep myself motivated, I will post my stats. Now, the invisible people of the world will know what I weigh, but will also know that the number will go down.

I began the class at 192lbs. The final weigh in clocked me at 182lbs. My measurements also went down. Shockingly down. My nutrition coach measured me twice. I lost 5 inches off my waist. The most in the class.

But ladies and germs, it doesn't stop there. That number will, by all means, continue to go down.

I have incorporated much healthier habits (save the rare splurge) into my diet and I am a regular at my gym again. Everyday I am there for at least an hour. And I have cycling to thank for that. I have fallen so head over heels for my spin class that I now take it four times a week. Last Sunday, as a matter of fact, I was on a bike for two and a half straight hours. A) because nothing else was going on during a particularly warm Sunday morning, and B) the instructor is so cute. What else can a girl do on a Sunday but burn a few extra calories?

So because of this phenomenon and my love for sweat (it seems), I have been losing weight. Any day that I'm not spinning (Right round, baby, Right round) I am doing strength and/or kickboxing--my first love. I had a long, torrid affair with kickboxing, but when he cheated on me with Strike! and the instructors changed, it wasn't the same. Don't get me wrong, incorporating weights with kickboxing sounds as decadent as an affair with Jon Hamm, but something about the instructor really turned me off, and on top of all that, I got a full time desk job. But I'm back, and spinning is my new love.

The other thing I am getting more and more passionate about as each day goes by is food. Irony, the aspiring baker wants to lose weight. If this isn't a typical Catch-22 challenge, I don't know what is. But, experimenting is my game, and if I have to find ways to cut calories as I cook, so be it.

This blog is for me. I will report on my weight loss and I will also post on my new culinary experiments and successes. Don't worry, the failures will also be noted. What is life without a little failure?

I hope to get the courage to share this with the world as I embark on a challenge I have been waiting my whole life for.

Cheers to the next 10 lbs and the next 5 inches. Clink your tonic waters and let's hold on for the ride.