Weekend Update

...With Amy and Tina!

Jk, but I miss them. 

How was everyone's weekend?  How was back to school?  It's totally the teacher in me, but I love seeing all of the kiddos back to school pictures on social media. 

Mine is here

I can't believe it's year 3 already!  Times a flying when you're having fun!  

And yes I have apples on my mani! 

So kitschy, but I'm obsessed. 

My back to school was pretty good. Just testing the kids before we officially dove in. 

This weekend was chaotic!  Back to the usual fast paced Weekend Warrior lifestyle. I am so spoiled over the summer because I can go run errands anytime I want. Now if I forget something at Target I have to wait until the weekend to fit it into my schedule. 

Friday started with PT. I'll get to that in tomorrow's post. Then I hit up the gym for a weights and cardio workout. After I went to Seasons 52 for the usual salad party, but they left the pumpkin seeds on it and it was just ehhhh. I like pumpkin seeds, just not on my salads. 

I then baked a batch of breakfast cookies with apples instead of chocolate chips. We'll see how the sweet tooth does with that switcharoo. I then baked an organic vanilla "Orange" cake for my friend's brother's concert.  I subbed coconut oil and almond milk for butter and milk respectively. I may or may not have sampled the batter and decided it was delicious. Quality control, you know? 😊

I then watched DCC Making The Team 11 (Go Amy!)!! So so so good. Then I watched the Dateline Special on JonBenet Ramsey. It was really interesting. I have to say I'm hooked on all of these shows. This crime fascinated me as a child because it was the first time I saw evil in real life. I was the same age as her and I remember thinking there are bad people in the world. Not just Disney villains, but real people can be bad. 

Saturday started as it usually does, gym time followed by Sample Saturday. Afterwards, Deb and I went to our cousins' birthday party.  It's always fun to see the whole family and who doesn't love a cupcake?!

Saturday night was a special treat. Cait's little brother has a band and we went to their show. They played a free concert in her backyard. Everyone brought food and drinks and just hung out, danced, and enjoyed the show. His band is named Car In The Wall and they have songs on iTunes!  You should check them out. They're sooooooo good!  

Cait and I enjoying the Orange Cake!

Sunday was spent in DC watching the Phillies take on the Nationals. We said hi to Ben Revere and said Boooooooo to Jayson Werth. 

Heckled by William Taft

He decided to play nice...for now

Christmas at the stadium?  In September ?  I'll take it! 

Cool art on display at the stadium.

The Nationals did a ceremony to honor and remember those lost and those who served in 9/11. They had first responders, service dogs, and the USNA Mids on the field for the ceremony. It was beautiful and so special.

So the Nationals have a Simba Cam!  How cool is that?  The entire stadium breaks into the Simba pose. Parents just lift up their children like Simba while Circle Of Life plays. 

So funny!

I have to give the Nats a huge hand clap for the variety of food and healthy foods they offered at the stadium. They have gluten free options, a whole salad station, and multiple vegetarian and even vegan options. I rolled with the best roasted cauliflower sandwich I ever had. I didn't photograph it because it was messsssssy!  It was a bunch of roasted cauliflower and red onions in a tomato red pepper sauce on a poppy seed bun. Deeeeelish!  Literally finger licking good. 

My dad was excited because they had Shake Shack. Ever since the Mets game, he's become a concert. 

Even though we rally capped, we lost 3-2. Cody Asche was called up from Reading, so that was good. I'm glad he's back.

We didn't get home until around 9 so it was lunch prep and then right to bed. 

What did everyone do this weekend?? 

Xoxo,

E

Weekend Recap

HHappy Last Week of August!

Can you believe how fast the summer went?? I know *technically* we have one more month of summer, but I consider the first day of school to be the first day of fall. 

Well, this weekend was a full one!  It always takes a little bit of recoup time after a vacation, but I bounced right back into the usual routine. 

Friday am I had an early morning run followed by a tutoring session. I hit up the gym for an upper body training session. After eating gross cruise food and not really working out for 5 days it felt AMAZING to get sweaty and really workout. 

Friday night Cait and I went to see Keith Urban rock out at the BB&T Pavillion. He was amazing per usual. Cait had never seen him before and I couldn't wait for her to experience one of his live shows. He really is an incredible and rare talent. You never realize what a great guitar player he is until he starts ripping it up. Maren Morris was his opener opener and she was outstanding. She's so new to the main stream concert circuit, but so comfortable performing. Brett Eldridge was the opener and he was beautiful I mean insanely talented. He sang a lot do his new stuff. Is it bad that we were disappointed he didn't wear his white jeans from last year?  I think he's the only guy to be able to pull of white jeans. 

We're country concert ready!! 

At the end of Keith's show 

Cait and I had one of those you know you're old when moments at the end of the concert when we decided to forego the encor to avoid missing the early train. We know that the 11:04 train is the best one because it doesn't get stuck behind the departing concert traffic. We were both exhausted and had early mornings ahead of us. #oldladystatus

Saturday started super early like usual, but this time I was teaching Zumba! I love teaching Zumba because the people bring so much energy and you need that at 8 am on Saturday morning. 

I also taught a super sweaty Total Body Blast class. I only have one more class left to sub, then I have to relinquish the class. I'll keep subbing through the year on a need be basis.  After class, I took a Pilates class and boy did I feel it. Pilates always centers me and makes me feel whole and strong like no other workout. After being out for a week it felt beautiful to be back. 

After the gym I headed to Wegman's to make my usual sample rounds. Kind of a disappointing sample display I have to say. I guess the place really dos fall down without me ;) 

What Wegman's failed to have in samples, they more than made up for with the arrival of HONEYCRISP apples!  My beloved pounder of an apple quickly got attacked by cinnamon! 

Saturday night Deb and I went shopping for Kate's wedding. The beauty of being a bridesmaid is that you don't have to think about what to wear or which accessories to buy!  So so in love with that!  While I wont reveal Deb's outfit I will tell you we got it all (including dress, shoes, and jewelry) for $143!! That's insane! Does anyone remember the show The Look For Less from the Style Network circa early 2000s?  I felt like we were on that and we beasted the challenge!  Even Deb, the always reluctant shopper enjoyed herself!  

After a long day of shopping, Cait and I met up for a frotrip to Menchie's!  I had my first Menchie's moment in Pitt at PNC Park in June and have had a hankering for it ever since. They have one a few towns away from me and Cait and I decided it was time to sojourn there. 

Can you guess which one is mine?  If you picked the ginormous one...you are correct!  It was a delicious $8.50 sundae. 

Menchie's is cool because they don't have the traditional flavors (I mean they do, but you have options.). They had sorbets, too! I got cake batter, peanut butter, and chocolate. I then topped it with cookie dough, brownies, Oreos, Nutella, peanut butter, hot fudge, marshmallow, and m&ms.  

Sunday was a Funday!  I'm still nursing an Achilles injury so I skipped my long run and slept in so id be fresh for our big trip to New York for the Mets Phils game. The Mets had been dominating the series and we were not optimistic. Buuuuuuuuttttt third times the charm!  We won!! 

This is stadium #6 for us on our MLB tour. We were so surprised by how beautiful Citi Park is. All of the people were so nice to us despite our Phillies gear. Shocked!  We were expecting heckling and booing. But no. Nothing. I was severely uncomfortable with all of the niceness. We also had great food. Zero complaints!  

View form our seats. 

Our seats!  They were right in front of Jerry Seinfeld's box. He wasn't at the game, but it was cool to see his seats. 

Baked goods?!

Epic Brownie Situation. It was a salted caramel pretzel brownie. I'm gonna leave you with that and let it sink in. 

All of the retired numbers including Jackie Robinson's 42. 

Shea Bridge

Shea Bridge Selfie!

Home Run Apple

As we were leaving we passed this sign. 

Pretty cool, huh?

Well I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend! What did you all do?  Anything fun planned for the upcoming week?

 This is my last week of summer vacation so I'm going to be setting up my classroom and prepping for the first week. I have no real plans for Labor Day Weekend so I foresee a lot of sun bathing and reading in my future. 

Xoxo,

E

Free Baseball

Hey Friends!

How are all of you doing today?  I'm doing pretty well.  Still working on staying on the wagon (just a little coconut milk ice cream with a drizzle of chocolate sauce), but everything else has been bueno.

Today started with sleeping in until 8 (YUSSSS!) then tutoring for an hour.  A quick grocery store run rounded off the morning.  I'm off to get bonds put on my teeth because I apparently brushed too hard. It's supposed to be a quick appointment...fingers crossed.  I'm such a dental work baby.

Last night was super fun.  My dad and I went to the Phillies game last night.  They Phils played the Giants and the game went into extra innings.  Extra Innings=FREE BASEBALL!

The game went into the 12th inning and the Phils pulled out a win thanks to Maikel Franco!  I saw one of my students on the Phanovision which was so exciting!  I think this was his first baseball game so that makes it extra fun!

Our seats this time were right next to the bullpen in center field.

We've never sat here before and it was fun to watch the pitchers warm up.

Covert Ops Pictures

Also, where there are pitchers...there is CAMERON RUPP!  My fave player and the only person who could ever be runner up to Phillies beloved Chooch!

Cam warming up

Cameron's fan club is known as Ruppies Puppies!  We're considering this for our audition.  It should work, no?

To stay healthy at baseball games I tend to eat before I go.  Last night I sliced up an eggplant (from JERSEY BABY!  THANK YOU FARMER'S MARKETS), Jersey tomatoes, Jersey zucchini's, and some fire roasted tomatoes.  I mixed a little EVOO, garlic, Italian spices, garlic, and rosemary and brushed it on the eggplant before I put it all in a baking dish and baked at 450 for 45 minutes.  It was delicious!  So easy and super healthy.  Definitely a keeper!  

At the game I bought a giant water (for $6...not too happy that I could buy an entire case of Disani Liters for $4...but such is life) and sip it throughout the game.  It keeps me busy (I'm a notorious boredom grazer) and hydrated.  With a race a little more than 5 weeks away, I'm trying to keep myself hydrated and away from the junk.  

Tonight I'm off to Zumba, Pilates, Barre, and weight lifting.  

I hope you all are having a great day and I can't wait to share with you a little Weekend Warrior Workout that I'll be doing with my HIIT class on Saturday morning :)

Does anyone have any fun weekend plans?  We're doing a beach birthday bash for my cousin, a bridal shower, and a dinner with Ra in Princeton.

xoxo,

e

Phillies 5k

Hoppy Easter Weekend!!

So...I'm the worst blogger ever.  I used to be good at this, but then I grew up, got a big girl job that I LOVE and completely ran out of free blogging time.

Anyway......

Today I ran the Phillies 5k!  If you know anything about me you know a few things

1.) I LOVE baseball
2.) I LOVE running

Put these things together and you get one happy Erin.

I had to do some mayyyjahhh convincing to sway Deb into letting me run this race.  We usually head down to Virginia to visit the brother on Easter Saturday, but she generously allowed me to run as long as I promised to be home by 10 am.  No greater PR motivator than an angry mama for 5 hours in a car.  Yikes!

By the time I convinced her, the race was up to $50.  That's usually more than I spend on a 5k, but the buy in included:  2 100 level seats to 2 different games, a 20% coupon to the Majestic Club House (hello new running jacket), a free app at Xfinity Live, a medal, and post-race snacks.  You also get to walk around the warning track to cool down.  Since I have no kids under 12 and am not a senior citizen, this is my only *legal* opportunity to go on the field.  I seriously think people have kids for 2 reasons:

1...eat their Halloween candy
2...run the bases at professional baseball games


The race was super fun and well organized.  They gave you multiple options for packet pick up, easy to swap game tickets, and a chance to walk around the field!  The runners were a good mixture of competitive and casuals.

Phillies shoe wine holder?!  Does this scream Erin or what??

The race also started at 9 am which was nice because then I didn't have to get up super early.  Parking was a breeze (and FREE) and as we walked to the starting line we passed pretzel vendors (gotta love Philly) who also had COTTON CANDY!  Swoon.

The race started at the stadium and had us run around CBP and then under the 95 overpass and through FDR park.  There was one water station and I (unsuccessfully) guzzled some water.  Can anyone tell me how they manage to actually get the water into their mouth?  I end up looking like a rabid dog trying to lap up water.every.single.time.  I end up wearing the water on my shirt like a boss dork.  The race course was really fun.  It was a good mix of scenery and was all pavement running.  The race ended with us coming up Broad Street and having to run a minor hill before we went down hill to the finish line.  There were multiple bands playing to encourage us, but minimal spectators.  No signs either.  The signs are really motivating so I definitely missed them.

Of course the Phanatic was there to officially start the race.

Oh hey, Big Buddy!

Once we finished, we were greeted with our medals, a bottle of water and our choice of either a soft pretzel or a banana.  I rolled with the pretzel because, let's face it, I wasn't going to make the 10 am departure time requested by Deb so I figured I'd bring her a pretzel peace offering.  If you're wondering it worked like a charm ;)

Peace Offering

The coolest medal!

It's a baseball cap

After catching my breath and guzzling the water, I went down the tunnel to the field.  It was pretty cool being in the tunnel.  I got to walk the warning track from 1st base, around home plate, and up to 3rd base.

View from the field

I asked one of the sweet ushers to take my picture, but it was kind of a weird picture.  Note to self, always ask a girl to take the pic.  We know the good angles.  Guys are like, whatever you're in the frame and it clicked so it's good enough.

Awkward post race pic

Baseball season is right around the corner :)

Post-race view 

The race was really good.  I didn't PR, but I finished in 22:43, 172nd out of 6,000 entrants, 8th female overall, and 25th in my age group.  Not too shabby for my first race of the season.

Phanatic Love

A lot of people ask me if there's a difference between short races and long races.  I think short and long races are totally different animals.  My longest races have been half marathons and my shortest races have been 5ks.  Here's how they are different:

• Half Marathons require a whole lifestyle change.  You need to change your approach to eating, sleeping, and training.  When I'm in "training season" I cut out all processed sugar and alcohol. I also up all smart carbs--hello, baked sweet potatoes!  I also get up to run 5 miles a day Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.  Sundays are dedicated to long runs.  Speed isn't as important as endurance.  I try to get an hour of cardio in a day just to teach my body how to withstand the 1:45-2 hours it will take me to run the half marathon.
• Halves let you find your pace.  You eventually settle into a pace that is comfortably uncomfortable for you.  I usually end up running those miles in about 8:10-8:14.  I'm tired, but not out of breath.
• Halves require less food before the race...for me anyway.  Before halves I usually eat a homemade breakfast cookie.  Nothing too heavy or big because I'll get sick.  I usually eat this about 5 minutes before the race.  No water before a long run if it's in the am.  
• 5ks are more about speed. I sprint the entire thing.  My pace usually falls within the 7-7:20 range.  
• 5ks also require more food...for me anyway.  I eat oats, almond milk, 1 oz walnuts/almonds/pecans or whatever other nuts we have on hand, cinnamon, and a splash of vanilla.  I ate this about 2 hours before the race.  I also drank about 4 cups of water before this race.  
• I don't refuel carbs wise while running halves or 5ks so in that respect they're the same.  

I'm off to VA now to visit Dylan!  I'm hoping there's some biscuits in my future!  And maybe some ice cream from Kline's...

This race made me even MORE excited about the upcoming season.  April 11th can't come soon enough.  Padre and I are going to the game on April 12th for Opening Night.  Hello free tee and Dollar Dogs (for Dad...I eat before the game)!  I'll also be there next Saturday for a Future's Game!  We also have tickets for Runner's Day!


xoxo,

e

There Are Only Three Cities In The World

IAmerica has only three cities:  New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everywhere else is just Cleveland~Tennessee Williams.

Sorry Trainwreck Lebron James. 

Today I'm heading off to my beloved home away from home NEW ORLEANS!! 

I can't contain my excitement!  

Last night was super awesome. Padre and I went to see the Phillies play and it was extra exciting because BEN REVERE was back at CBP. No, my wish that he return hasn't been granted, but his new team (tear tear) was playing. I made this sign because it was necessary. We were sitting in the Hall Of Fame Club and he could actually see my sign!! 

I

I kinda felt like Ross when he made that sign for Michelle Kwan and Chandler was like, "I'm sure she knows you heart her." And Ross says, "I hope so!"

Sometimes my inner retired high school cheerleader comes out in the form of sign making+glitter+block letters. 

It was Star Wars night at the stadium. 

How great were our seats?!

I also purchase this Aaron Nola tee-perfect for cheering on my name twin, but also perfect for Sunday's kayaking adventure because it says NOLA on the back!  Who is the biggest dork ever?  

This girl!

Anyway, Ben did a great job and I still heart him even if he plays far away in America's hat aka Toronto. 

Aaron Altherr is our new left fielder and he had an awesome game! A home run, a double, and a fly out. Pretty schweeeeet for his first day on the job. 

Phils ended up winning so thatnways makes me a happy snowman. 

This am started with an early weights sesh at 5 followed by a 5 mylah run. 

Fave oats were consumed (I'll miss you until Monday) and then it was off to tutor 2 nuggets before finishing packing.  Lunch was the final piece of taco pizza. 

I packed some plane snacks and some snacks to munch while exploring the city. Almonds and carrots for the win!

I brought a Madagascar vanilla almond Kind bar to snack on. I to eat dinner at the Nashville airport during my layover. Hopefully I'll be able to find something healthy because I heard there's beignets in my future tonight!  

Does anyone else love layovers? I love airports and can't wait to see the Nashville airport. I love to wander the airport and people watch. 

Does anyone else enjoy traveling alone? I'm a huge fan!

Anyway, I'm off to NOLA! Thanks Zach for being such a gracious host!

Cya in the NOLA, baby!

-e

What I Ate Wednesday

Happy Hump Day!

I hope you are all having a happy mid-week.  Life has been crazy today because I leave for NOLA tomorrow and I still haven't packed a thing…does it count that I mentally packed?  I know what I'm wearing and I have most things washed and ready, but nothing is physically in the pink suitcase.  Let the packstravaganza begin!

I haven't been cooking as much lately because it's a short week at home for me.  Eats have been pretty typical this week:

Monday:

Breakfast-fave oats

Lunch: salmon, brown rice, and steamed broccoli

Dinner:  Fitnessista's Mexican Pizza.  Holy foodgasm!  It was super delicious, cheesy, and the perfect variety of textures.  AAAAAAAMAZING!

I made it for the whole family and for Bachelor Monday (#mexicanfoodmonday is now a regular thing in the casa) and it was a huge hit!  Even the unhealthy eaters in the family loved it.

Hulllloooooo Pizza!

Tuesday:

Breakfast was a two-parter because Tuesday is a run day so I started it with a breakfast cookie, then it was fave oats after the run.

Lunch:

The pizza is so big and full of deliciousness that I had to cut it like a wimp

Dinner was a bowl of Panera's Lemon Chicken Orzo soup with a sprouted grain roll.  I'm going to miss LCO soup when summer comes to an end.  We also ended up splitting a bottle of Barefoot Summer Red garnished with blueberries.  

Gym Girls' Day was held last night because I will be in NOLA on our usual hang day.  I love, crave, need these girls' days because they renew you.  It's always nice to be with a group of girls who don't judge you, but simply listen and bring you up.  They are just great people and I'm lucky to have them in my life.  I always leave these parties feeling better and smiling.  We all love and support each other, listen to each other's problems, and tell funny stories.  

Wednesday:

Breakfast-breakfast cookie pre-weights and run.  Next, was fave oats

Lunch-Last of the Mexican pizza

Dinner-Seasons 52 BBQ Chicken Salad

On a side note, this week I began making these anchor charts for school.  I'm really excited for work to start in 2 weeks.  

Ain't No Party Like An Anchor Chart Party, Cuz An Anchor Chart Party Don't Stop!

I'm off to tutor, babysit, and then go to a Phillies game to see Ben Revere play for the Blue Jays :(  I'm going to make  sign because our seats are within player view!  I want Ben back!  I love him--he had the most hits in the NL last year and was batting a steady .300 this season before they traded him,  yet we keep guys flirting with the Mendoza line???  I'll never get it.

Have a wonderful day!

E