Bucket List

Like many other people, I saw the movie Bucket List a few years ago. I really enjoyed the movie and characters. The fact that you have to live life to the fullest resonated with me and in fact it inspired me to create my own bucket list soon after.

My bucket list is a bit out of hand. At last pass, it had over 50 items on it. While I don’t necessarily need to narrow it down, I would like to compare mine with Bo’s. To give you a taste of some of my dreams, here are a few of mine:

-Rent a villa in Italy for a week

-Run and complete the NYC marathon

-Go on at least a week vacation with just my mom

-Visit every continent

-Go sky diving

-See a moose

See a moose? Yes you read it right. Over the past few years I’ve traveled to many areas that are supposedly filled with moose. In fact, they have so many moose that they have roadside warning signs!

My family has a house in the beautiful mountains of Vermont and I’ve camped and hiked throughout Yellowstone and Yosemite. Yet I’ve still never seen a moose! This became a running joke between Bo and I and therefore I included it on my bucket list. What’s on your bucket list?

Hopefully, I’ll be able to check this off my list by Sunday. Bo and I are on our way to spend a weekend on Moose Lake with my parents in Maine. It is our first visit to Maine and couldn’t come at a better time. The area looks absolutely gorgeous and our room has a king size bed, double bath, and overlooks the lake! I love cozy bed and breakfasts. But, what has me even more excited is this:

Moose Safaris – Whether you choose one of the areas slower paced pontoon excursions in search of moose with a drink in hand or prefer to be picked up at the Inn by our private guide and venture via canoe to the back ponds, you can be almost guaranteed to site moose, their young, and other wildlife. A moose safaris is truly a unique Maine experience.

Um, yes please! I can’t wait!

While Bo and I were waiting for our flight at LaGuardia we decided to grab some dinner. At first glance all we saw was McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and Mex in the City. But, hidden between these we saw Cibo! We wanted to get the weekend started off right with a glass of wine so Cibo Bistro and Wine Bar seemed like the natural choice.

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The restaurant features a bar and seating for about 40 people.  The restaurant was packed which we thought to be a good sign. After finding a table we switched from work mode into weekend mode with a glass of sauvingon blanc.

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Ahh,  it felt so nice to take a few minutes and enjoy a date night together even if it was in an airport restaurant.

Blog Pictures 2010 449       We both have a soft spot for goat cheese and beets. I love the crunchy texture mixed with the creaminess of the goat cheese and the way it coats all the lettuce. We started with this salad and the clams. Both were surprisingly good. In fact, I think they were gone in 5 minutes flat!Blog Pictures 2010 450

Check out our gorgeous view! Hello sunset and Manhattan skyline!

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I wasn’t really hungry by the time we ordered dinner so I told Bo I’d have a few bites of whatever he ordered. He went with his craving and chose the chicken marsala. It needed salt and didn’t hold a candle to the appetizers. I had a few, okay maybe a ton, of mushrooms and then called it quits.

Overall though, I was very impressed with Cibo and would highly recommend it if you’re in the US Airways terminal of LaGuardia. The service is slow when they’re packed but the view is great and the food is beyond your average airport farewithout breaking the bank.

 

Okay our flight is boarding! Have a great night and I’ll check in bright and early. I’m hoping to test out the Garmin in the backwoods of Maine tomorrow before breakfast with my parents.

Don’t forget to enter my smart girl skin care giveaway!

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Rain Plans

Don’t forget to enter my Healthy Gals Smart Skin Care Giveaway!

When life gives you lemon, make some lemonade! That is exactly what my rain plan provided me today.

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Unfortunately the rain and wind kept my favorite Wednesday event from happening, Lululemon Run Club. To make matters even worst, my gals Melissa and Rebecca were going to join me for run club. I was looking forward to catching up with both of them.

Unfortunately Melissa was already on her way back to Long Island City when I texted her my rain plan. But, Rebecca was up for the rain plan. She had never been to Equinox so I thought we could make use of my guest passes.

We had an absolute blast! We chatted during a sweaty 45 minute workout on the elliptical before putting our abs through Abdominals with Angel Alicea. Luckily this guy is more bark than bite!

He was recently featured in Fitness Magazine for his excellent workouts. This 15 minute ab session put our muscles to the test and left us sweaty and weary.  Angel was great about correcting our form and kept us motivated with great music like Beastie Boys. After experiencing Angel’s abs class, I really want to try the class that takes place before it each Monday and Wednesday, Bo-Hi-Do!

The Art of Hitting with the Body. This workout entails a gathering of the combative arts (Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai) as well as Strength, Core and Cardio training exercises. Achieve a great workout and attain excellent mixed martial art technique.

Next Monday I’ll hopefully be a sweaty mess after funneling my inner Billy Blanks mixed with Bobbi!

By the time we parted ways this evening, Rebecca and I decided that we need to make this a weekly event. Working out with a friend makes the time fly and you always have someone to be a guinea pig with you when you crave trying a new class.

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Guess what made my evening even better?

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What is square, light, and from Wal-Mart? Blog Pictures 2010 241 Blog Pictures 2010 242

Oh yes, you see that correctly! I finally received my Garmin Forerunner 305! I can’t wait to go for a run tomorrow morning. I hope it synchs up and works perfectly tomorrow morning. I’ll give you an update tomorrow. Blog Pictures 2010 243

Have a great night!

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Reinventing the Basics

Today was all about reinventing the basics! This morning I switched up my normal oatmeal routine for a new breakfast sandwich bursting with protein and fiber. Now it was time to do the same at lunch!

My daily salad lunches are always filling, nutritious, and filled with volume but they can sometimes get boring and repetitive. Today, I decided to switch my Pax salad up a bit with some delicious additions and swaps!

Blog Pictures 2010 437Yes, I unfortunately eat lunch at my desk everyday either pounding through work or pushing through a meeting. Also, notice that awesome black and red North Face bottle in the background. This may be my favorite piece of swag we received during the North Face Endurance Challenge this weekend. It’s UGA colors and reminds me of all the fun we had!

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This delicious mix included the following:

mixed greens, carrots, red onions, chicken, spinach, celery, 1/2 serving of olives, tomatoes, 1/2 serving of feta, and fat free lemon herb dressing

It was filled with bold flavors spread throughout and left my mouth satiated and smiling!

After a long day at work, I enjoyed a massage that went back to the basics. The beautiful Katherine dug deep at my knots and the tightness that many runners deal with day in day out. Before tonight I had only frequented spa settings for massages. But, when Katherine offered a practice session which would benefit both of us I was more than game. Well, an hour later, I felt better than I’ve ever felt after leaving a massage. She used deep pressure when needed on my quads and IT band area but then balanced it with smooth massage techniques in between. Thank you Katherine for my basic but divine massage. I have realized that I don’t need the scented lotions and oils of a spa in order to feel relief!

I didn’t get home until 9:30 and therefore was absolutely Hangry Pants when I walked through the door. Bo was just finishing his run so he felt the same. This meant it was time for a quick and resourceful meal since our fridge is pretty barren. We’ve been trying to eat down our produce and perishable products since we’ll be in Maine this weekend with my parents.

Freezer to the rescue! Bo discovered some delicious chicken cacciatore in the depths of the freezer. While defrosted it I made a makeshift salad from the leftovers in our produce bin. It consisted of celery, tomatoes, carrots, and a balsamic drizzle. This, when combined with the tomato flavors from the chicken, was absolute heaven! It took us less than 10 minutes and used ingredients we already had on hand!

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Simple yet delicious! We need to remember to do this more often. Now I’m off to finish watching the Glee season finale! I wish Glee could be on year round!

Check back tomorrow for an awesome beauty giveaway that will keep your skin fresh all summer long!

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