Daily Workout

8/24/11
 Cardio:
60 minutes on Stair/elliptical thingy Level 4 on Cardio (Resistance went up to 50, it was slow moving!)

I like the calories I burn on this machine and I feel like it's going to give me nicer legs. I know my legs are pretty muscular but what women likes big thighs? I was walking around in a tank and underwear last week and T say, "mom, you have big legs"...I laughed but told him, "I dare you to punch my leg as hard as you can, cause it will break" So he puts a fist and winds it up and punches my leg. His hand didn't break but it hurt. Wouldn't it have been really cool if his hand broke on my thigh? Can you imagine the conversation at school?
"Hey man, how'd you break your hand?" T: "my mom's thigh" WHAT?!
Back to the point, I hope I get better legs from this machine. Today I left soaking wet in sweat from the top of my shirt to the bottom of my shorts! So, I couldn't stay for Abs or stretching, no one wants to be near that!

8/23/11
Cardio:
 50 minutes level 2 stair/elliptical thingy on Weight loss challenge
15 minutes on stationary bike level 9 for a minute then lvl 3( just wanted to read)

Legs:
Leg Press 90lbs 3 sets of 15
calf's 90 lbs 3 sets of 15
Leg extensions both ways 3 sets of 15 50 lbs
Hip abduction/adduction 3 sets of 15 50 lbs (this is supposed to take the inner thigh away..doesn't work so far)

Great workout week! I do miss running and so far this week I have spent 3 hours each day looking up races, my past race results...basically anything race related. I may have to run this week.

xoxo
-N

Homemade Oreo Cookies

Now that I have my mornings and afternoons free, I have no excuse not to try new things and blog about it. So I started my week off with making Homemade Oreo cookies. Yes, Oreos! And they actually do taste like the real deal.
They looked so good my husband couldn't even wait until after dinner to try one, he had one while making dinner!

                       (note you will not use Marshmallow creme..Don't know why I go that out)

                                             Mix some of the dry ingredients in mixing bowl

                    Mix in butter and the egg. Mixture should come clean off mixing bowl forming a ball.

                                        Small scoops placed on a parchment lined cookie sheet

                                                                     Slightly flatten

                              I obviously don't have an Oreo stamp, so they don't look identical

                                                   Mix remaining ingredients for the middle

                                                                      Pipe in the icing

                                                                           Smoooosh

                                                   Tada! Homemade Oreo Cookies!
They do taste the best warm served with milk. Great for dessert or after school snack.

Homemade Oreos
Adapted from Retro Desserts, Wayne Brachman and Smitten Kitchen

For the chocolate wafers:
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar (see note at bottom)
1/2 cup plus 2 tbs (1 1/4 sticks) room-temp, unsalted butter
1 Large egg

For the filling:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room temp unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  In a mixing bowl mix thoroughly flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt and sugar. While on low speed, add butter and then the egg. Continue mixing until dough comes together in a mass.
 Take rounded teaspoons or scoop of batter and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet approximately two inches apart. With moistened hand, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets on a rack to cool.
 To make the cream, place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 minutes until filling is light and fluffy.
  To assemble cookies, in a pastry back with 1/2 inch, round tip, pipe teaspoon size blobs of cream into the center of a cookie. Place another cookie equal in size to the top. Lightly press to work filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue process until all the cookies have been sandwiched.

*Note: If you want your cookies closer to the original, you can take out a full half cup of the sugar. If you want to make the cookie itself, go ahead and use the full amount.

Enjoy!
xoxo
-N

How to be a Reply Commenter

I just learned a new trick for blogging! I love learning new blog tricks. When you leave a comment on someone's blog which we all love to read. The blog owner can not reply unless you have it set up to do so. Sister this is for you...do it!
Thank you to The House of Smith she has a tutorial to show you how.

Thanks HOS!

xoxo
-N

8/22/11

I took a few days off from working out and almost skipped today too, but I forced myself to go to the gym. One of our rec centers has this machine called TRUE. I freakin' love it! The only problem is I'm so used to burning 120 cal. per mile and the miles add up when you run fast. This machines mileage is slow and so I'm not burning my usual 400-500 cal per workout. So I may have to use this only once per week.


I did an impromptu run on Friday right before picking up the kids from school. 2 mile trail run up at Daniel's Park. This is my first run since my 1/2, It was a rough start but found myself running a 7:30 min. mile which is so much faster then I was months ago. I tired out quickly though. It was also 83 degree's out and I didn't want to run with my water. I was already carrying my ipod and keys. I may go back to running mid week.

Cardio:
True 30 minutes of total body workout Level 2
True 20 min. Level 3 rolling hills

Arms:
2 sets of 15 of 50 lb over shoulder press
Lots of arm press at 50 lbs
3 sets of 15 biceps and triceps, curls

Abs:
2 sets of 15 Crazy Ivan's each side
60 reverse crunches
Stretching

Until tomorrow!
xoxo
-N

It's what I love!

If you follow my blog or just stop by often (that's great too) you know that I write about anything and everything. I don't have a specific blog category. Is that bad?
I think my blog covers:
-Food
-Family
-Books
-Shopping
-Goals/Personal life
????
I just love so many things that I cannot just choose one. I could start multiple blogs but that seems like way to much work!
So love it or leave it, I'm going to write what my heart desires. That's why it's Craft in the City! The reason I bring this up is because I think I am going to write more about fitness.
It's been asked several times this year, "Why are you not in culinary school, if you love to bake so much?" or "Why are you not a personal Trainer, you would be so good at it. I totally see you doing PT?" My girlfriend told me this morning that she would hire me to be her personal trainer cause she hates the ones at the gym.  I just shrug my shoulders and say "I don't know".
 I truly believe that I need to fulfill what GOD put me here to do and I just haven't heard him tell me either one of these is my calling.
So back to the matter at hand..(hey, that's a snoop dog song) I am just going to do some small posts on my fitness routines along with my other daily rants. I have been around the fitness realm for a very long time and I dated a few weight lifters so if you do have a question feel free to ask!
 I do hope you will enjoy my new posts. Feel free to give me your opinions, thoughts and such anytime!
I posted my first one below!

xoxo
-N

Day 1 and 2

The first blog entry for my fitness journey if you will.

8/16/2011
Cardio:
30 min. on some weird new elliptical machine
30 min. hill intervals on treadmill level 7, 3.4-3.8 mph

Abs:
3 sets of 40 Russian Twists, 12 lb ball
3 sets of 20 Crazy Ivan's, 12 lb ball
2 sets of 30 Crunches

Stretching

8/17/2011
Weights: Legs
3 sets of 30 lbs Leg Extensions
3 sets of 50 lbs Back Leg Ext.
3 sets inner/outer thigh sex machine at 40 lbs (don't know the name)
3 sets of 90 lbs Leg Press
3 sets of 70 lbs Leg Curl

Cardio:
Sit down Bike 50 min. Level 6, Hill Intervals

I'm dying to know how much strength I can gain by the end of the year. I went easy on the legs due to the running on Sat. plus yesterday I had some major knee pain on the elliptical.

Hope you enjoy my new fitness posts!
xoxo
-N

Stay at home Mom..Job Description

I always get asked Do you work?... do I work? Uh yes, I work 24 hours a day.
I am an alarm clock, personal clothing consultant, a cook, a teacher, a nanny, a nurse, a security officer, a photographer, a jungle gym, a comforter, housekeeper, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager,personal driver, CEO (my hubby's phone says Manager of the Casa), and psychologist!
I don't get holidays, sick pay, lunch breaks or days off. I work through the night. I am on call all hours and… get paid with hugs & kisses...And then I get up & go to the "job" all over again.
Take a look below at what us SAHM should be making courtesy of Salary.com

This is hand's down the best "job" I've ever had and wouldn't give it up for anything!
I love the support my husband gives me to stay home as well. I dread the day he tells me I have to get a "real" job. Until then I will fulfill my duties with a smile on my face and thank GOD for everything he's provided us!

xoxo
N

The Stay-at-Home Mom's Salary
Mom Job Title	Mom's Work Week (hours)	Mom's Salary (dollars)
Housekeeper	22.1	$10,980
Day Care Center Teacher	15.7	$10,817
Cook	13.6	$10,862
Computer Operator	9.1	$7,151
Laundry Machine Operator	6.7	$3,133
Janitor	6.3	$3,713
Facilities manager	5.8	$11,508
Van Driver	4.2	$3,334
CEO	4.2	$35,971
Psychologist	3.9	$7,176
Total Hours	91.6	$104,646
Mom Base Pay	40	$45,697
Mom Overtime Hours	51.6	$88,424
Total Mom Salary	91.6	$134,121
Average Hours of Sleep	6.7