100+ Things I'd Like to Do Before I Go

I've been working on this list since early 2010 and it's about time that I finish it.

1) ride in a hot air balloon
2) learn to play the ukelele
3) skydive
4) travel to Greece
5) learn to play the harmonica
6) Do a headstand (Dec 5, 2011)
7) Take a jewelry making class
8) Make a personalized mixed tape for each of my closest friends
9) Host a themed dinner party in an outrageous location
10) See the Grand Canyon
11) Go to Disney
12) Watch the sun rise on the east coast and set on the west coast on the same day
13) Visit the Nile
14) Travel to the Dead Sea
15) Perform some sort of spoken word on stage
16) Take a cruise with a group of fun, creative women
17) get a pixie cut
18) Hang out with the Amish for a weekend
19) get rid of cable
20) become a yoga instructor
21) learn to hula hoop
22) Visit Machu Picchu
23) Visit Paris
24) Take K to New Orleans
25) Make something I would hang in my house
26) Learn to shuffle cards in a fancy manner
27) Speak Spanish fluently
28) Learn to play backgammon
29) jump rope like I did when I was a kid
30) Be completely debt free!!!
31) Visit the baths in Iceland
32) Have a Holi colored powder fight
33) Find a church or place of worship that resonates with my core values
34) Make a difficult dessert
35) Go to 100 wacky American roadside attractions (like oversized chair, large radio flyer wagon, dinosaur where Pee Wee sat, etc)
36) Visit Kate's Lazy Meadow Hotel
37) Own a house with a front porch
38) Meet Tom Robbins
39) Hike in Patagonia
40) Have a conversation with David Sedaris
41) Go backstage at a Tom Petty concert
42) Make my own set of post cards
43) Ride a horse
44) See the Aurora Borealis
45) Spend 2 weeks in Tuscany
46) Spend a month at Plum Village (if not longer)
47) Carnivale in Brazil with a local
48) Learn to cook Arroz con Pollo like a Costa Rican
49) Drink whiskey in Scotland with my son (when he is much, much older)
50) Be featured in a magazine or on TV b/c of my weight loss
51) Roll down a sand dune at Jockey's Ridge like I used to when I was a kid
52) Learn to play guitar
53) Paint something and give it away
54) take a knitting class
55) Go horseback riding in another country
56) Take a solo trip to a quiet cabin in the middle of nowhere
57) Learn how to use a camera that is more interesting than a point and shoot
58) Go on a second honeymoon with the hubby
59) Relearn and own a piano
60) Take a class with the little one
61) Save an emergency fund that equals 6 months of our salary
62) Hang out with R for a really long, lazy weekend
63) Learn to love with my whole heart
64) Eat a dinner that the little one has prepared
65) get another tattoo
66) Visit at least 50 different waterfalls
1) Orchid Falls, Belize (plus other waterfalls in Cayo, Belize)
2) Sliding Rock, NC
3) Looking Glass Falls, NC
67) Stand on a balcony on Bourbon St in New Orleans during Mardi Gras and throw out beads
68) Kiss the Blarney Stone
69) Go to New York with the hubby
70) Teach a self-help class like my yoga instructor did
71) learn to drive a motorcycle
72) Own and use a bicycle
73) Find something active that I enjoy doing
74) Complete a 5K
75) Complete a 1/2 marathon
76) Complete a marathon
77) Go white water rafting
78) See the Red Rocks
79) Go To Mesa Verde, Colorado
80) Read all of Kurt Vonnegut's books (he's dead and still publishing them)
81) Start 5 holiday traditions
1) put up the tree the first weekend in December
2)
3)
4)
5)
82) Own a completely fun car like an El Camino, Jeep Wrangler, or Mini Cooper
83) Learn how to surf
84) Learn to belly dance
85) walk across hot coals
86) Take the family to Galapagos
87) Photograph Nova Scotia, Canada
88) Own a vintage dining table
89) Buy furniture for my bedroom
90) See the pyramids in Egypt
91) Swim with bioluminescent plankton in Puerto Rico
92) Have a family portrait taken
93) Get my palm read
94) Try accupuncture
95) See a musical on Broadway
96) See the cherry blossoms in DC
97) Donate my hair to Locks of Love or similar charity
98) Volunteer with the little one
99) Lose 100 lbs
100) Have a life changing conversation with a stranger
101) Drink an expensive bottle of wine by myself
102) Visit Graceland
103) Participate in a Tough Mudder
104) Visit Lake Como in Italy
105) Learn to spin fire
106) Go with the hubby to Vegas
107) Be published

38 while 38

1. Finish writing a 100+ Things I'd Like to Do Before I Go list (Jan '12)
2. Take a jewelry making/beading class
3. Buy new bedroom furniture for me
4. Buy hubby a new car
5. Lose 100 lbs from where I originally started
6. Take a solo trip
7. Volunteer at the Food Bank with Monkeyface
8. Go to a movie alone
9. Go to 3 live performances for free
10. Visit a chiropractor
11. Fix my itunes/ipod
12. Do a photography project
13. Do a Miranda July project
14. Send out 12 surprise packages to the unsuspecting (6-Feb '12)
15. take a girl's trip to the beach
16. Take Monkeyface for a ride in a hot air balloon (for free?)
17. Teach Monkeyface to fly a kite
18. Take Monkeyface to a sporting event
19. Attend 50 yoga classes
20. Visit Ikea again
21. Paint the living room
22. Have a family portrait taken
23. Take Monkeyface to the beach for the day (May '12)
24. Go on 6 dates with the hubby
25. Have a great conversation with a complete stranger
26. Play a different version of Canasta
27. Take a photography class
28. sneak away for the weekend with the hubby
29. get rid of treadmill
30. Plant something in my yard
31. Get a bed for the guest bedroom (Dec '11)
32. Get a bookshelf for Monkeyface's room
33. Get a retro used dining table (Mar '12)
34. Buy and wear a new lip color that is completely out of the ordinary for me
35. Rappel down Wachovia building
36. Experiment with new eyeshadow colors
37. Walk 500 miles above what I normally walk on a daily basis
38. Go ziplining in Costa Rica

37 before I'm 38-how did I do?

1. Write a 100+ Things I'd Like to Do Before I Go list-still working on this
2. Make orgami of some sort
3. Take a jewelry making/beading class
4. Pay off car May 2011
5. Lose 100 lbs from where I originally started
6. Own a pair of black boots October 2010
7. wear heels
8. Go to a movie alone
9. Wear a dress October 2010
10. Visit an accupuncturist
11. Walk a 5k May 2011
12. Take Monkeyface to an aquarium (July 2011)
13. Do a Miranda July project
14. Send out 12 surprise packages to the unsuspecting
15. take a solo trip to the beach
16. Wear my hair in pigtails
17. Teach Monkeyface to fly a kite
18. Run a mile without stopping
19. Read one classic novel per month
a) Their Eyes Were Watching God
b) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
c) Love in the Time of Cholera
20. Visit Ikea again
21. Wear my hair straight once
22. Have a family portrait taken
23. Take Monkeyface to the beach for the day(July 2011)
24. Take Monkeyface to a drum circle
25. Have a great conversation with a complete stranger (oct 2011)
26. Get a new camera (October '10)
27. Take a photography class
28. sneak away for the weekend with the hubby
29. get rid of treadmill
30. Plant something in my yard
31. Get a bed for the guest bedroom
32. Get a bookshelf for Monkeyface's room
33. Do a headstand
34. Buy a piece of Natasha Wescoat art (Aug 2011)
35. Rappel down Wachovia building
36. Entertain a group of friends at my house
37. Skydive with hubby

Cafe Rio Recipes

Just putting these here so I don't lose them:

BLACK BEANS

2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/3 c. tomato juice
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro

In a nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. Add beans, tomato juice, and salt. Continually stir until heated through. Just before serving stir in the cilantro. (**NOTE** we added a can of corn, drained, to the beans with a dash of cumin and chili powder, it was AWESOME! We recommend doing this even though it's not "traditional Cafe Rio")

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

2 tamatillos
1/2 bunch cilantro
2 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp. diced jalepeno (canned) --you can use less if you don't like it spicy at all. I like a little kick.
Juice of 2 limes
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 c. balsamic vinaigrette (not vinegar... we used Kraft)

In a food processor or blender, combine tamatillos, cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, and sugar. After it is all blended up well combine with balsamic vinaigrette in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).

Cafe Rio Pork

1 pork roast (butt or shoulder)
1 can Coke (don't use diet)
1 jar salsa (fresh is best!)
3/4 c brown sugar
1 T cumin
garlic salt to taste

Cover roast half way with water in slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4hr. Mix remaining ingredients in bowl. Drain water, cut in quarters and pour Coke mixture over top. Cook another 3-4hr. Shred and serve.

Cafe Rio Chicken

5 lbs chicken
1 small bottle of Zesty Italian dressing
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves minced garlic

Mix all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on high 5-7 hr. Drain some of the liquid and shred chicken.

Lime Rice

2-3 T oil
1/4 c chopped cilantro
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 c rice
1/2 c lime juice
4 c chicken broth
Heat oil in pan. Saute garlic, cilantro, and rice over medium heat about 5 min. Add liquid and bring to boil. Turn heat to low, cover with lid, and cook 25-30 min.

Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
4-6 T olive oil
1 bunch green onions, diced
1 c ranch dressing
4 oz salsa verde
1 c plain yogurt, mayo, or buttermilk
Juice of 1 lime
Garlic salt to taste
Place cilantro, green onions, and olive oil in blender or food processor and process until pesto consistency. Add ranch dressing, yogurt, salsa verde, lime juice, and garlic salt.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Taste better if made few hours ahead. Will last 2-3 weeks in fridge.

With your eyes closed

So my boy is in kindergarten and has started working on homework assignments this week.
There is a calendar with 30 different assignments on it that he must complete before the end of the month. He can choose any one he wants to do and he just colors in that day when he is done.
Last night he randomly picked one and it was practice writing your first name five times.
And then this happened:
Hubby: OOoh...you picked practice writing your first name five times
Monkeyface: Awww....I don't like that one.
Hubby: Come on...you can do that one with your eyes closed.
Monkeyface grabs a piece of paper & a crayon, sits down at his table & proceeds to close his eyes. He then writes his first name five times with his eyes closed.
HA!

Week 1 (August 15-21)-movement

Source: Questtobeauty

Back to the drawing board:
I'm going back to Week 1 on this. I need a fresh start.

August 15: 60 minutes yoga
August 16: Cards with the girls
August 17: 45 minutes elliptical, 15 minutes circuit training
August 18: 30 minutes elliptical
August 19: rest
August 20: 60 minutes elliptical
August 21: walk in neighborhood

I gained 6 lbs

I hate having to say that I gained 6 pounds. I was on vacation last week and it wasn't even from the vacation. I had gained 1 lb when I had returned...1. Then the weekend and the rest of the week got the best of me and I was filling my body with junk. Chicken wings because I hadn't had them in months. Burgers b/c my body was screaming for 1 (so I had 1 and then another 1 later in the week). Taco Bell for no other reason than it was easy and I have not felt like planning my meals.
I've had a hard go of it for the month of July. Totally uninspired and withdrawn. I haven't planned my meals or my exercise. I had my IUD replaced which has sent my body surging with hormones and searching for comfort. I lost a friend of mine that I kept meaning to visit and reconnect with but I never did. I'm going through a few things in my life, that while I am totally supported and loved, still leave me wanting more (vague I know).
I think I need to hop back on the elliptical and think for a bit. I did go to the gym Tuesday as I normally do but my heart just wasn't in it. I went through the motions and I worked out for an hour but it just felt tedious.
I know what I need to do and I have no excuse other than I've kinda lost my fire lately. Home life has been great. Seriously great. I don't think I've ever been more in love with my husband. We have been cracking each other up and just loving each other's company. It's been comfortable being with him. It's been harder to want to leave home. It's been hard to be selfish.

Ok-back to making lists and crossing them off.

July 11-17 movement

July 4-10
July 4) I did a lot of cleaning this day. I mean a lot
July 5) 60 minutes elliptical, 15 minutes bike
July 6) gardening (did 20 gardening, 10 walking)
July 7) 30 cybex, 30 circuit
July 8) rest
July 9) 60 elliptical-family fun day! Hubby actually has the day off
July 10) outdoor walk

I have been stuffing my face and not felt like exercising this week. I had my IUD replaced on Monday and I hate all the hormones surging through my body. I cannot eat enough, I'm overly sensitive, and I'm exhausted. Back to work on me starting tomorrow.

July 11-17
July 11) yoga 60 minutes
July 12) rest
July 13) 30 minutes cybex, 30 circuit
July 14) 45 minutes elliptical
July 15) try to fit in a work out??
July 16) 60 minutes elliptical
July 17) 15 minute walk around neighborhood

July 4-10 movement

June 27-July 3
June 27) 60 minutes yoga
June 28) 60 minutes elliptical, 20 minutes bike
June 29) 30 minutes circuit training-cards with the ladies
June 30) 30 minutes cybex, 20 minutes bike(actually did 50 elliptical, 20 bike, 20 treadmill
July 01) rest
July 02) 90 minute-whatever I feel like doing (45 minute elliptical, 5 bike, 30 circuit training)
July 03) some sort of outdoor activity with Monkeyface (did yard work and cleaned off my horrible back deck)


I totally forgot to update what was going on this week. The holiday threw me for a loop. I could not get my kid out of the house this weekend. He said he was tired and wanted to be lazy...so I let him. I don't think he wore pants for 2 days. I didn't leave the house Sunday or Monday and that is entirely rare for me. I love to be out and about but I needed the rest as well.
July 4-10
July 4) I did a lot of cleaning this day. I mean a lot
July 5) 60 minutes elliptical, 15 minutes bike
July 6) gardening (did 20 gardening, 10 walking)
July 7) 30 cybex, 30 circuit
July 8) rest
July 9) 60 elliptical-family fun day! Hubby actually has the day off
July 10) outdoor walk

July goals

picture credit: believe-toachieve

1) Exercise 21 times for 30 minutes or more
2) Take one easy hike with the little one
3) Walk 2 miles on the beach
4) Lose 10 lbs
5) Rack up 75 miles
6) Drop a pants size
7) Get a massage
8) Over 1,000 minutes of fitness tracked
9) Take myself to the movies by myself

picture credit: believe-toachieve

June 27-July 3 movement

June 20-26
June 20) 60 minutes yoga
June 21) 60 minutes elliptical, 20 minutes bike
June 22) 30 minutes circuit training
June 23) 30 minutes cybex, 20 minutes bike
June 24) Working on baby shower prep-rest
June 25) 30 minutes personal trainer
June 26) gardening and gym??

I am so ready for some normalcy and to be back in control of how I spend my evenings. I am also ready to get back to the gym this week. Weight loss is progressing nicely but I miss the gym. I miss sweating and kicking ass. I miss feeling like a bad ass when I walk out of there. I did not make it to the gym at all last week. Not once. Between running around to get everything done for the baby shower and taking my kid from place to place I am exhausted. I had a huge webinar last Wednesday where I talked to people for over an hour. I spent Tuesday night working on that. Thursday night I worked late since I took a half day on Friday. The personal trainer called one hour before I supposed to meet her to cancel on me. WHY ARE PERSONAL TRAINERS ALWAYS CANCELING? This has been the problem with any trainer I've ever had. Now to get back on track:

e 27-July 3
June 27) 60 minutes yoga
June 28) 60 minutes elliptical, 20 minutes bike
June 29) 30 minutes circuit training-cards with the ladies
June 30) 30 minutes cybex, 20 minutes bike
July 01) rest
July 02) 90 minute-whatever I feel like doing
July 03) some sort of outdoor activity with Monkeyface

June 20-26 movement

June 13-19
June 13) 60 minutes yoga
June 14) 60 minutes elliptical, 20 minutes bike (actually 70 elliptical, 20 bike)
June 15) 30 minutes elliptical after dinner with friends (didn't happen)
June 16) dinner with friends-rest (done!)
June 17) Monkeyface graduates preschool-rest (done!)
June 18) 60 minutes elliptical, 30 minutes circuit (didn't happen-little one wasn't interested in accompanying me to the gym)
June 19) Free day but I really must get my butt to the gym-also it's father's day (didn't happen)

I knew this week would be rough. I even made the decision to go to the gym after yoga tonight but when I called the hubby, he told me he had been called into work so I had to come home. Oh well, I'm content with what I can do so I'll be busting it out this week. I swear come July 4th weekend, I am doing NOTHING.

June 20-26
June 20) 60 minutes yoga
June 21) 60 minutes elliptical, 20 minutes bike
June 22) 30 minutes circuit training
June 23) 30 minutes cybex, 20 minutes bike
June 24) Working on baby shower prep-rest
June 25) 30 minutes personal trainer
June 26) gardening and gym??

Oh Jillian

picture source

Goals for the week of June 13-19

Goals for the week of June 13-19
1) 5 fruits/veggies per day
2) Less than 1750 calories per day
3) Do the Biggest Loser Drills
Drill 1 - Count of Crunches = 100
Drill 2 - Count of Push-ups = 43
Drill 3 - Wall-Squat Hold Time = 1:02.44
Drill 4 - Arm Hold Time = 2:02.27
Drill 5 - 150 Step-ups Time = 6:27.38
Drill 6 - Plank Hold Time = 1:19.16
Drill 7 - Bridge Hold Time = 1:25.62
Drill 8 - Count of Cardio Exercise = didn't do jumping jacks. Need to talk to trainer first
4) Plan a healthy menu for next week (should I also add interesting b/c I've been a little bored lately with the food)
5) Go to the farmer's market
6) Get rid of the fruit flies brought in by the Wal-Mart bananas
7) Call CP about swimming

Movement June 13-19

June 6-12
June 6) 30 minutes elliptical, 30 minutes circuit (45 elliptical, 20 stationary bike)
June 7) 90 minutes yoga (30 minutes cybex arc trainer, 20 minutes stationary bike)
June 8) DANCING-concert for Mumford & Sons!!! (30 minutes dancing, 20 minutes walking
June 9) 45 minutes elliptical (5k?) (65 minutes elliptical)
June 10) rest (try to slip in a little walk)
June 11) 60 minutes elliptical (30 mins elliptical, 30 minutes circuit)
June 12) 30 minutes stationary bike, 30 minutes weights-I was just too tired on Sunday.

June 13-19
June 13) 60 minutes yoga
June 14) 60 minutes elliptical, 20 minutes bike
June 15) 30 minutes elliptical after dinner with friends
June 16) dinner with friends-rest
June 17) Monkeyface graduates preschool-rest
June 18) 60 minutes elliptical, 30 minutes circuit
June 19) Free day but I really must get my butt to the gym-also it's father's day

Another busy week with lots of after work activities. I'm going to try my best to squeeze in the exercise but I also get that sometimes life takes over and I have to go with the flow.

Accomplishments!

I didn't create a list of goals this week because I've been thinking that just for one week I was going to focus on what I can do instead of what I can't. Here's what I've been accomplishing lately:

1) I can easily do 60 minutes on the Precor Elliptical
2) I can easily do 45 minutes on the regular Elliptical
3) I can work out 4 days a week and get mad when my time has to be spent elsewhere
4) I can do the Cybex Arc Trainer for 30 minutes
5) I can eat less than 1750 calories per day for many consecutive days
6) I can remember to take my meds at night
7) My child notices when I am not going to the gym
8) My hubby doesn't have to ask if I'm going, because he knows that I am
9) I find myself bouncing around on my tiptoes which was something I could not do a few months ago
10) I get high fives from the guy behind the front desk at the gym
11) People are finally starting to notice
12) I can brag and mean it
13) I can fit into clothes that I bought last year in the hopes that I would fit in them
14) I can stand in poses in yoga that I've never been able to do
15) I have thrown away pants that just aren't right for me anymore

Oh yeah! I finally lost enough to get my Girl's beach weekend!!!

Movement June 6-12

May 30-June 5
May 30) 65 minutes elliptical (averaging 15 minutes per mile yay!!)
May 31) 90 minutes yoga
June 1) rest
June 2) 30 minutes elliptical, 30 minutes circuit training
June 3) rest
June 4) 60 minutes elliptical
June 5) 30 minutes stationary bike

Wow! What a crazy week this last week was. Kingergarten orientation that lasted WAY longer than it should have, birthday party for my little one with 22 kids, preparing for the party, and utter exhaustion. I am tired and I am mad that I have not worked out at all this month. I have rested though. So since I just took a week off, I'm going to have to be careful this week and take it slow.

June 6-12
June 6) 30 minutes elliptical, 30 minutes circuit (45 elliptical, 20 stationary bike)
June 7) 90 minutes yoga (30 minutes cybex arc trainer, 20 minutes stationary bike)
June 8) DANCING-concert for Mumford & Sons!!! (30 minutes dancing, 20 minutes walking
June 9) 45 minutes elliptical (5k?) (65 minutes elliptical)
June 10) rest (try to slip in a little walk)
June 11) 60 minutes elliptical (30 mins elliptical, 30 minutes circuit)
June 12) 30 minutes stationary bike, 30 minutes weights

1064

I logged 1064 minutes at the gym last month. That's almost 18 hours for those of you that don't want to do the math. Totally going to bust through that this month.

Triumph

Tonight, for the first time in years and years and years (so many years that I can't remember how many years) I was able to do the stretch above without holding a wall. No struggling, no leaning, no grabbing my shoe and holding onto the inside of the back. I did this stretch standing on one leg and it was awesome!

Next goal-squats

Goals for the week of May 30-June 5

Goals for the week of May 23-29
1) 3 fruits/veggies per day
2) On average-1750 calories per day
3) email personal trainer
4) make a trip to the farmer's market to stock up on some lovely fruit
5) Take all medications this week (it takes 28 days to make a habit)
6) Get the hula hoop off of the floor and moving on my hips
7) Measure/weigh all food this week

Whoa! Well I didn't realize that I didn't pay attention to my goals at all this week. Time to step it back up. I didn't lose any weight this week but I'm also incredibly bloated so I think that I will have a big weight loss this next week. I'm moving, that's for sure and making it to the gym is becoming second nature to me. This next week is focusing on food. I have a problem controlling my portions and just "eyeball" what I eat. My mantra this week is measure, measure, measure!!

Goals for the week of May 30-June 5
1) 3 fruits/veggies per day
2) On average-1750 calories per day
3) email personal trainer
4) make a trip to the farmer's market to stock up on some lovely fruit
5) Take Monkeyface out for bike rides this week
6) Try one new thing this week
7) Measure/weigh all food this week