Soccer, Hockey and the USA

Happy last week of January, everyone!  Can you believe the month is already over?  I sure can’t!  And my baby will be NINE on Friday!  Holy smokes.  I actually had him on a Monday so technically,  9 years ago today was a pretty eventful one!  LOL
The past week has yet again been hockey heavy.  The boys are in the beginnings of playoffs now so the schedule has been erratic at best.  When and who we play depends on how the other teams are doing so there have been a few occasions where we get an email about a game that has been added to the schedule for the very next day.  Not much to do but roll with it. 
In my last post I mentioned that I hurt my back doing level 2 of Jillian Michael’s Shred it With Weights.  Thanks for all the well wishes!!  I’m happy to report that I’m back in action, but it took a full week to feel OK again.   
I kept it low key in the gym last week by doing some light cardio Tues & Thurs (walking on the treadmill at a speed of 3.5mph, incline set at 5%.  My usual is 4.2mph, incline at 8.5%) and yet another Jillian Michael’s DVD that is new to me on Wed & Friday:
I’m not huge on yoga so I really liked that although yoga moves are the basis of the workout, there’s plenty of exercises to get the blood flowing and the heart rate up.  And it was perfect for my back because no weights are involved; it’s all about using your own body as resistance.  I’m 95% sure that I will not continue with level 2 of SIWW as I do not want to injure myself again.  That being said, I really do like the workout so I may give it a go on Friday’s making sure to use a lighter weight and sticking to the modified exercises.
This past weekend was a great one!  Well, Sunday mostly.  DS had soccer practice and a uniform fitting first thing in the morning.  Here he is in his practice uniform.  
That boy just has no patience for the camera, but I harass him with it anyways!  :)  We had enough time to go home for lunch before switching gears to hockey mode.  We had an away game in a border town which worked in my favour.  *wink wink*  The boys played like beasts and came out of it with a 3-1 win which was all the more awesome because the same team beat us 4-1 on Saturday.  The boys were all “BOOYA, other team!” LOL 
After the game I bribed my crew with dinner at Panera if they put up with me at Target and Wegman’s.  A half hour later we feasted!  DS took a photo of his grilled cheese/yogurt tube.  He also ate my chips;
My hubby had the Frontega Chicken panini:
And I enjoyed a half turkey artichoke with a garden salad.
DD had a chicken Caesar but was eating it like it was her job so I left her to it!  Haha!  Here are some of the goodies that I bought at Target & Wegman’s:  

I did buy non-food related items, too, but will save them for another post.  One fun item I did find right in my own city on Saturday was this: Which was fabulous on a toasted Ezekiel muffin! And then there was this deliciousness!! Tastes like chocolate milk with a kick….a very good kick!!  :)
And before I sign off, some of my more interesting eats of the week!! And my crack is back, in the form of cinnamon hearts! Bye for now!!!

New Boots and Food Item # 7!!

How’s everyone’s weekend been?  Things have been low key around these parts.  Only one hockey game this weekend which was in town and no soccer.  YAY!  I’ve been laying low nursing some very stiff muscles which I have this DVD to blame for:
We finally finished the 30 Day Shred last week and started this baby on Friday.  So far I love it and knew as soon as it was over that I would pay for it!  I can definitely see how you would see results fairly quick with this workout and I’m excited to see more awesome changes to my body as we progress through the 2 levels.  I decided to spoil treat myself yesterday seeing as I was feeling sorry for myself with some awesome new boots!
As soon as I saw them I knew they were coming home with me;
The super soft “fur” travels all the way down to the ankle and kept my tootsies warm at the rink yesterday.  They’re also extremely comfortable and easy to walk in! Before leaving the mall treat #2 was purchased: Tall, NF gingerbread misto.  Hit. The. Spot!
For dinner last night I made a tasty cold weather meal courtesy of my Rachael Ray magazine:
Sausage Cacciatore!  The only ingredient I fiddled with was the sausage.  I used turkey instead of pork.  I also bought a small loaf of artisan bread which I cut into thick slices, topped with avocado zest oil and toasted into the oven for 10 minutes.  It made for a great dipper!  Too bad it was dark by the time we ate so the picture is less than stellar.  :( We all loved it.  Since the sausage was cut into chunks, DS thought he was eating meatballs!  LOL  Whatever works, right?  Here are some other eats I’ve been enjoying the past few days! More on the waffle soon!
The egg above is fresh from my friends farm.  The difference in taste from a farm fresh egg to a store bought one is phenomenal.  I can’t wait to buy some more off her!   Tonight my hubby ordered in Chinese.  I had some shrimp lo Mein, beef and broccoli and a cheese & crab “pocket” along with a crispy wonton (which I did not like): And dessert was a piece of peach blueberry pie from Knapp’s that we pick up on our way home from the farm today, Moving on to what I am thankful for this week; I’m going to have to go with having access to ample food choices.  So many people struggle just to have food on the table.  I live in a country where, for the most part, keeping our bellies full isn’t a day to day concern.  I don’t have to worry about where I will get the next meal for my kids or that I will ever go hungry.  And isn’t that the driving force behind this food drive?  I think so!  With that, here’s food item #7: PASTA!  How’s everyone doing with collecting their items of the week?  Send me an update!
Bye for now!!