I Sold My (Grocery Store) Soul For One Dollar

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Coco

I usually am so good about ignoring “sale” prices on junk food. I basically stopped clipping coupons because I realized that I was mostly using them to buy processed foods that I don’t really want to be eating anyway. When the grocery store aisles are crowded with sale displays for chips and cookies, I usually shake my head and squeeze by, but last week I succumbed to crap that was on sale for $1–$1!

The first item I blame on my husband. When I asked him if there’s anything in particular he wanted me to fix for dinner, he asked for this by name.

Manwich

The second one I blame on the combination of (i) a sale on Laura’ Lean ground beef and (ii) being desperate for recipe ideas besides taco salad and Manwiches.

 Hamburger Helper

For the third one, I have no one to blame but myself.

Hello Panda Cookies

Were there supposed to be two servings in that box?

Are you tempted by sale prices on junk food?

Do you clip coupons?

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Update On My Empty Nest

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Coco

Well, it’s been one month since we dropped our son off at college, and I am pretty proud of how I’ve handled our newly empty nest so far.

I’ve remembered to feed his frogs twice a week (more or less).

I haven’t turned his bedroom into a craft room,
but I am tempted to use his desk–and comfy chair–when I work at home.


On the other hand, I have started using his (smaller) bathtub for my ice baths.
 

And, even after our great staycation, my husband and I have not run out of fun things to do.

Did you do something fun this weekend?

 

 

Posted in Life | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Supernal Sunday

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Coco

(View from my mother-in-law’s deck, September 14, 2012–she took the picture)

Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
~ Psalm 90

Posted in My Faith | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Travelling And Training

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Coco

I had a short business trip this week, but it was long enough to impact my workouts–and to make me realize that it is going to be hard to stay on track with my Army Ten Miler training with all the trips I have scheduled between now and October 21.

Sunday: Rest Day
My general plan is to do yoga and/or a bike ride on Sundays, but I did not have time to do anything before my 8:00 am flight! I was attending a work conference at a resort hotel, so I decided to take advantage of my one free afternoon to doze by the pool and float in the lazy river.

(Only in Texas!)

Monday: Hotel Treadmill
I usually do weights on Mondays, but after two dessert receptions on Sunday night, I felt like I needed to burn some serious calories on the treadmill. I probably didn’t burn that many more calories than I would have doing my strength routine, but I felt energized and able to stare down the breakfast muffins.


Tuesday: Strength
I was able to do my full strength routine in the hotel gym–they even had medicine balls and stability balls.

(Better than a mega-muffin)

Wednesday: Neighborhood Run (4.25 miles, 40:56, avg. pace 9:42 min/mi)
I got home late Tuesday night and had an important meeting at work on Wednesday, but I knew my day would go better if I started it with a run. I decided not to try to do a specific type of run (tempo, etc.), but just enjoyed the perfect weather.

Thursday: Strength
After warming up for 10 minutes on the elliptical, I did my full strength routine.

Friday: Yoga
Now that the weather is cooler, I want to get my dog used to running again, so today I took a longer route for our morning “walk” and ran about 1 mile of it. It felt good to get my heart rate up and I didn’t get too sweaty before I un-wound my body with the “Twists” program on my Rodney Yee AM Yoga for Your Week DVD.

Saturday: 10 Mile Run
I am planning on a 10 mile run tomorrow, hopefully with my friend.

All in all, I managed to keep up with my basic workouts, but I didn’t do any focused running workouts–speed work or hills. I probably could have pushed myself harder on the hotel treadmill. I will have to think ahead–and plan ahead–for my next trip.

Posted in Fitness, Training Log | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Thirsty Thursday: Raging Bitch At The Ball Game

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Coco

I enjoy strong, flavorful beers (like Belgian-style ales) and often have a hard time finding a beer I like on restaurant menus. Earlier this summer we went out for dinner and drinks with my husband’s work friends, and the only beer that sounded good was Raging Bitch from Flying Dog Brewery. I was slightly embarrassed to order a beer with such a crass name, but I gave in to my taste buds and gave it a try.I really enjoyed the flavor, and the 8.3% alcohol content meant that one beer was enough!

As my “usual” Dogfish Head Raison d’Etre got harder and harder to find, I started looking for Raging Bitch at stores. I was pleasantly surprised to find it at the grocery store, saving myself a separate trip to one of the wine store where I usually shop for beer.

I was even happier to find Raging Bitch at the baseball stadium. Sure, I usually pay $9 for a six-pack, but being able to enjoy a good beer during the game was worth it .

 And, the beer went perfectly with the bratwurst and sauerkraut.

Where do you buy beer?

Posted in Food | Tagged , , | 7 Comments