Yoga or Wine?

I am convinced that the only thing better than a glass of wine after a long day of work is a nice yoga sesh.

Tonight, I tried a new to me routine, a 20 minute deep stretch routine by Hilaria Baldwin.

Not only did it get me out of my post-work grump, but it also help to stretch out body parts that were a little sore after this mornings WOD.

Double win for Yoga!

Just Call Me Mrs. Jara

Look what came in the mail today guys!

It’s official. . . new social security card and all.  I am Ashley Abbett Jara, or Ashley Nichole Jara, depending on what you’re looking at.  Uppsy.

But either way, this was SUCH a relief after what felt like months of trying to get this name change process rolling.  Mini celebration for this girl!  Break out the sparkling water . . . we’re gettin’ fancy tonight.

And speaking of tonight

Breaking Out the Crock Pot

I broke out the crock pot for the first time tonight.  In hopes that Zach will have a healthy, warm meal, and amazing smelling home when he gets back tomorrow (about 6ish), I brought out the big guns.

If you follow me on Pinterest  (which you totally should…I’m totally becoming a pro guys ;), you saw that I’ve been searching for soup inspiration and dinner ideas the past few days.

Well I took what I found and made quite a good lookin’ meal for tomorrow.  Now it just has to sit in the fridge and I’ll let it cook on low all day tomorrow.

I’ll have the recipe for you tomorrow after we try and and can verify it’s tastiness!

Dinner Rut

You guys — I’m having the SAME EXACT dinner I had last night. . .

That’s right, Panera.  Just another reason it’s a good thing Zach comes home tomorrow.

So if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to heat up my soup and relax with some Kendra on Top.

Don’t judge, I gotta fit in my last bit of single time…going out in style here.

Question of the night: What is your routine after a particularly stressful day at work?

10 Reasons It’s A Good Thing Zach’s Coming Home Tomorrow

1. I haven’t made a “real” homecooked meal since he’s been gone.

Honestly, I have lived off salads, sandwiches, and snacks.  I need real dinners back in this house, STAT.

2. I’ve Watched All The Bad TV the World Currently Has to Offer.

including everything on demand for:

• MTV
• Food Network
• HGTV
• David Tutera
• Lifetime movies

3. I’ve eaten 4 Boxes of Wheat Thins and two large bags of Chex Mix in 4 Weeks.  On My Own.

Does this really need qualification?  I know I was “carbo loading”…but this girl needs motivation to cook more real food, stat.

4. Our Pets Are Bored With Me

Let’s face it…Zach is more fun than I am for our furballs.  And he’s home all day with them for work.  The pets are pretty much protesting me right now.

5. I considered yesterday a success because I only had 1.5 desserts.

Yes.  This dessert was one serving, and I didn’t quite finish it…but I polished it off with some Hershey’s drops.  And I only didn’t finish it because I think I am wearing out even MY sweet tooth . . . that takes skill.

6.  I may or may not have skipped more showers than I care to admit with him gone…

Shower post run yesterday? NAHH — I’m only going grocery and birthday shopping.  Nobody will notice if I stink.

7. On that same note…I may have accidentally forgotten to shave while he was gone…

No picture needed for that one.  TMI yet guys?

8. Left over Halloween Candy is going to start showing up and I have no restraint without someone to hold me accountable. 

Refer to number 5.

9. I’m starting to cuddle with pillows to go to sleep, and that just gets weird.

I sleep a lot better when Zach is around. . .primarily fall asleep easier.  These pillows just aint doing the trick.

10. I miss his face, plain and simple.

Question of the Afternoon:  Last embarrassing TV show/movie you watched.

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Workout Plan For the Week

Good Morning and Happy Monday all!

I’ve never been so happy for a Monday. . . and really I’m just excited because that means my boy comes back tomorrow and is done with his 4 weeks of crazy traveling.

I made it!  Although it was touch and go for a bit there when the Lifetime Movies starting slipping in.  Scary.

This Morning

I went through my travel WODS last night with a goal of picking out a WOD that would be long and challenging enough to cash me on it’s own.

Talk about success.

This mornings WOD including

• 10 minutes running warm up
• 100 push ups
• 200 sit ups
• 300 squats
• 5 minutes running

All for time.

I’m going to be honest, I was a little concerned I would not be doing this one as prescribed.  Talk about biting off a bit more than I could chew…But I woke up this morning well rested (thank you time change) and confident that I was going to give it all I had.

The 10 minute warm up was easy and just enough to get the blood pumping and my body warm in a cold gym.

I started the second series (push ups, sit ups and squats) by doing 30 of each exercise.  My thoughts were I would get a chunk out of the way, then divide it into smaller bunches.

I then did sets of 20 of each exercise in the series, until I had only 10 left for push ups.  I was really impressed that I never dropped to my knees or really broke form.   The push ups were what I was most concerned about.

Then when I got to only sit ups and squats left, I started doing 20 sit ups, and 2 sets of 20 squats so that the two would end together.

When I finished, I’d never been so happy to jump on the treadmill.   I really don’t know what was most challenging, it all was.  But I finished feeling like I had gotten a great, full body work out in for the day.

I am LOVING these WODS!

Workout Plan For the Week

• Monday: Full body WOD
• Tuesday: 3.5 miles, speed work
• Wednesday: Full body WOD or cross training on the bike
• Thursday:  3.5 miles, outdoors or speedwork
• Friday: YOGA/REST
• Saturday: Short run and skiing (likely)
• Sunday: 5 miles and short bike ride

Now that we are into ski season, my schedule, specifically for the weekends, is going to have to be a little more flexible.  Zach is QUITE the powder hound, and will go to the mountain at the sight of even a single snow flake (You know it’s true babe)…so I have to be able to move things around accordingly.  He puts up with my running craziness all the other 3 seasons, so he’s earned it).

That’s it, that’s my plan all.