Skinny No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

Another birthday happened at the office this week!!! It was the birthday of a dear friend, Kim. I have known her since kindergarten, and after 22 years of friendship, we finally got the opportunity to work together! She is such an amazing person and I am so thankful that we have 22 years of memories and can't wait for many more!!!

I wanted to make her something yummy to celebrate, but with it being the middle of summer and the fact that I didn't have much time to make her anything, I decided on something simple and quick......and no-bake!!!!!

Working in an office full of girls means one thing.....we are all watching our waistlines! ;) I found this yummy looking pie on skinnytaste.com and knew I had to make it for her!!!! I whipped it together after work the night before her birthday in just under 10 minutes!!! Now that's summer "baking" for you right there!!!! Hehehe!!!

Skinny No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

(as adapted from SkinnyTaste)

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 oz reduced fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter (original recipe calls for Better 'n Peanut Butter, but I couldn't find it)
• 8 oz fat-free frozen whipped topping (I used Cool Whip, but the original recipe calls for Truwhip)
• Oreo pie crust (original recipe calls for reduced-fat graham cracker pie crust)
• 3 TBSP Hershey's chocolate syrup

DIRECTIONS:

1. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together in a medium bowl
2. Mix in peanut butter and mix until smooth
3. Fold in whipped topping
4. Spoon into pie crust and refrigerate for 2-3 hours
5. Drizzle with chocolate syrup before serving

Mixing it up!

Finished pie!!! :D

My chocolate drizzles aren't so pretty, but it still tasted amazing!!!

This pie was a huge hit at work and especially with the birthday girl!!!!

Happy birthday Kimi....and to your brother, Ryan, as well!!!! Love you guys!!!!

Welcome to Wednesday!!!

We have officially made it to hump day! I am so glad......the weekend canNOT get here fast enough. I am totally looking forward to the 3 day weekend. Don't have any real plans, but it will be nice to have 3 full days off of work! :D

It has been almost a week, though, since I have talked about boot camp!!!! I won't waste your time in going into too much detail about the workouts, but will photo bomb you with my Instagram updates! ;)

I believe I left on with Thursday......

Thursday's workout

 Thursday was a cardio day.....long intervals!!!! I kept up my pace pretty well and chugged along. As you can see, I was dripping with sweat after that run! I finished up with some stretching and then headed off to work!!! {I also had my yummy Click to fuel my workout!!!!}

Friday's workout

On Friday we had a list of exercises that we had to do 3 circuits of for time! Reminded me of the way CrossFit is broken down. I got through them, but didn't feel like I got a very good workout from it.... :( This is the first time I have been disappointed in a workout from this boot camp. But maybe I need to see the brighter side of it and think of it as an "easy" day....and be thankful for that! :D

I took rest days all weekend!!!! Taking advantage of the rest days I got caught up on laundry, cleaning the house, and squeezed in some friend time as well. My new neighbor and I took our dogs to the dog park on Saturday evening! Lots of fun as always!

On Sunday I went to go see ParaNorman in 3D with my friend Amanda. It was a cute movie.....but may be too scary for young kids. We also did a little shopping and I got this cutie....

New car buddy!!!!!

Monday started week 6 of boot camp!!!! Can't believe we only have 3 weeks left!!!! Crazy how the time flies (even if the weeks seem to drag while we are living them). Week 6's workouts are just like week 5's, only with an extra set of "heavy sets" on the weights! Doing this extra set was tough, but I love feeling sore the next day, knowing I worked those muscles well!!!! <3

Monday's workout

Tuesday's workout

Tuesday was another 30/60/90 cardio interval workout! My legs were heavy, but once they warmed up, I felt great and kept on running!!! Did just over 4 miles in 44 minutes!!!! I am so stoked that my treadmill "average pace" is finally decreasing!!!! :D

I also had another Iced Oatmeal Cookie Clif Z Bar as my pre-run fuel! Those things are so delicious!!!! It's hard to not eat more than one! ;)

Wednesday's workout

Now for today's workout! Weights again. My arms and legs are still a tad bit sore from Monday, but I got through all the sets, including the extra "heavy" set!!!!! I really felt the burn today.....working out like a Superbeast!!!! Hahaha! I love Rob Zombie! The hubby left a little earlier this morning so I was able to turn some music on and #liftheavy to some great jams!!!!!

Enough about my workouts.....hehehe!!!

Today is my friend Kim's birthday. Kim is a special girl (not that kind of special....) whom I have known since kindergarten!!!! Her and her twin brother, Ryan (no, not any of the Ryan's I have mentioned before) turn 28 today!!!! Welcome to the club my lifelong friends!!!! ;)

Ain't that the truth......LOL!!!

Well I made Kim something specially for her birthday today (since we work together!!!!).....but you will have to wait to get the recipe!!!!

A little teaser....it's super yummy!!!!!!!

Be Aware!

The other day I was chatting with my father-in-law on the phone. He has been going to the gym and using different cardio machines and swimming in attempts to lose some weight.

I am very proud of him, and my mother-in-law, for getting out there and trying to live healthier lives. I know it is no easy task to lose weight, and with both of them in their mid-60's, they have a rough road ahead of them. Anything is possible, though, and I know that if they stick with it, the weight will banish!!!!

While talking with the FIL, he mentioned how he burned sooooooooo many calories on the elliptical machine at the gym. I asked him how he knew how many calories he burned and he told me that the machine "shows how many calories you burn during that workout".

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I had to break it to him......

THE MACHINE LIES!!!!

He was quite upset with me for telling him this (lol) but I had to be honest with him. No sense in him living a lie at the gym! I told him the most accurate way to calculate "calories burned" is by getting a heart rate monitor! I love my Polar FT7 heart rate monitor and advised that he get some sort of HRM if he really wants to lose weight. He could even use it when he swims!!! How awesome is that?

Well, the other day I was working out and did a 45 minute run on the treadmill. At the end of my workout I looked down to see how many calories it says I burned......then I looked at my heart rate monitor.....

The difference was astonishing!!! I knew the machine lies, and I knew it lied by quite a bit......but seeing it "for reals" was just awful.....

That is a difference of 286.6 calories!!!!!!!!!!! Over the course of a week, that is almost 1,500 calories you would have thought you burned, but didn't!!!!!

Don't be fooled by the machine! Get yourself a heart rate monitor for the most accurate calculations....that is, unless you like to lie to yourself and want to be let down!!!!!

BE AWARE!!!!

Funny Fall!

Is anyone else glad it's Wednesday already? 

Hump day has arrived which means we are that much closer to the weekend!!!

Pinterest

Hahaha!!!!

I am really looking forward to this weekend! Nothing too exciting is planned, but I may be taking the piggies to the doggy park again!

Back in the day (around 2007), I found a pug meet up group that met once a month at a local dog park. Immediately I signed up and started attending the get-togethers. They were so much fun and I met so many awesome new people who loved pugs as much I do!!!! To this day I am still friends with a couple of people I met through the group! :D 

Well, sadly, the organizers of the group stepped down from their "Organizer" position and no one else stood up to take charge (through the Meetup site it cost around $72/six months for a membership) and sadly enough the pug meet up dissipated. 

A few weeks ago I received an email stating that another pug meet up group had been made and asked if I wanted to join!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course I wanted to join! It was so much fun going out there and seeing all the adorable puggies playing around and snorting! <3 Makes my heart go pitter patter! Hehehehe!!!!!

I love me some pugs! Hehehe!!!!

Sunday was the first meet up and I RSVP'ed that I was attending! Davey and I loaded up Scrappy and Billy and headed to the park. Since this was the first meeting, not many people showed up, but we still had a great time. 

Scrappy in "pancake mode"!!!

We could only stay for a short while since I had made plans to celebrate my birthday with my grandparents over dinner. 

Our new neighbor came over the other night to give me a birthday card (so sweet of her!!!! <3) and we talked about taking our dogs to the park this weekend!!!! I really hope we can make it work out and have a fun time at the park!!!!

As I mentioned above, the hubby and I had plans to go to dinner with my grandparents!!!! :D I love seeing them! <3 I chose to go to Lazy Dog! Davey and I both love Lazy Dog and knew we were in for a good dinner!!! 

The whole restaurant is dog-themed. They have one table with a picture of a pug....hehehe....I have always wanted to sit at that table, but still to this day have yet to have that opportunity! :( We did get pretty close this time, though.....

My grandma in front of the puggy picture! <3

Isn't my grandma just the cutest???? <3

Dave and I always joke that the picture of the pug looks just like Scrappy when he was a puppy and that they found a picture of him and copied it for that painting!!!! Hmmmm......if only one knew for sure! ;)

We had a great time at dinner, despite them no longer carrying my honey mustard dressing and running out of bacon-wrapped steaks that Dave and my grandpa ordered......but we were together and spending time with one another, and that's all that matters!!!!

Monday morning then came way too quickly!!! This Monday brought a new phase of boot camp workouts! I am loving the new set up that Tina has made for these exercises. There isn't much running, which is actually quite relieving to me. I love to run, but my body has been needing a break with the last 4 weeks of running 5-6 days of each of those weeks. 

This phase of boot camp has been incorporating a lot of weights with drop sets!!!! I am lifting heavier weights than my previous boot camp experience and am definitely noticing some definition!!!! :D Yay!

Monday's stats!

Tuesday was a run day doing the 30/60/90 intervals on the treadmill!!!! I remember doing this workout in the previous boot camp as well! I had my Gymboss timer already set up and ready to go!!!! This workout was 40 minutes long and I covered 3.55 miles with the intervals ranging from 4-8mph!!!! That 8mph setting sure does kick things into overdrive! LOL! Full on sprint mode there! I am glad it's only for 30 seconds.....don't know if I could last much longer! ;)

Tuesday's stats.....with a bad screen shot off Instagram! LOL! ;)

I was a sweaty, sweaty mess after that run!!!! Sweat was sprayed all over the treadmill! Hehehehe!!!!

Is it just me or do you feel like you have gotten a better workout when you do a run than just lifting weights? I know that I need to build that muscle and tone, but I just don't like how I feel like I didn't get a good workout in.....even if my body hurts the next day! ;)

Today was another weight day! :D My arms were still sore from Monday's workout, but that didn't stop me from upping the weights again!!!! It felt good to lift dumbbells heavier than what I used to lift! 

Here's to toning up! <3

During a cardio recovery, fast feet shuffles were on the books.....I tried doing them by stepping up onto my treadmill.....this didn't work too well for me. On the first step-up I somehow tripped myself and fell over right onto my ass, barely avoiding the dumbbells on the ground!!!! Hahaha! I got up and laughed it off, but needless to say, I stuck with running in place instead! ;)

Wednesday!!!! 

I am in love with the muscles on my shins! I can see way more muscle mass now than I did when boot camp started just 4 short weeks ago!!!! Thank you Tina for giving my ass that hard kick! <3

***Registration for a 3rd round of boot camp opens September 17!!!! I highly recommend you sign up! They are so much fun!!! <3 The workouts are so intense that those who watch you become exhausted as well! ;) Hehehe!!!! Just look at the piggies.....sooooo tired from watching mommy workout! ;P

Well, I am off to hit up Starbucks to get a coffee to fuel me on this hump day! I hope you all have a great day!!!!

<3

And seriously.....sign up for round 3 of Boot Camp!!!! You'll be sorry if you don't! Have Siri set you a reminder for September 17th!!!!!!! ;P

Veggie Enchiladas!!!

I love enchiladas!

So does the hubby!!!

They also make for a great freezer meal that I can pull out for a quick dinner when I have nothing else planned or don't have a lot of time.

The other day I decided to make the hubby some enchiladas for dinner......

I knew that if I made him some and watched him eat them, I would want them as well. Not wanting to eat them, I thought of a way to make some healthier ones for me to eat!!! :D Always gotta be thinking!!! ;)

Here is what I came up with!!!

Veggie Enchiladas
(adapted by ME!!!)

Veggie enchiladas with a side of brussels sprouts topped with Nutritional Yeast and Sriracha!!!

INGREDIENTS:

• Mission Yellow Corn Tortillas (I used the extra thin ones......2 tortillas for 80 calories)
• Mixed veggies of your choice (I used spinach, zucchini, squash, carrots, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts); chopped
• ~1/8 cup Feta cheese
• 2 pinches of sharp cheddar cheese
• 1-2 cloves fresh garlic
• Enchilada sauce
• Olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat olive oil in a small skillet until hot
2. Chop all veggies and the garlic and sautee until they are no longer crisp
3. Remove from skillet and place in a bowl
4. Add a little more olive oil to the skillet and allow to become hot again
5. Place 1 tortilla in oil and let "fry" for 5 seconds, then flip and allow to "fry" again for 5 more seconds
6. Remove from oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels to "blot" the tortillas
7. Repeat for as many enchiladas you want to make
8. Once all your tortillas are "fried", start to assemble the enchiladas
9. Place one tortilla on a plate. Scoop in some veggies and top with some Feta cheese
10. Roll tortilla up and place in casserole dish or individual containers if you are planning on freezing them
11. Once all the enchiladas are made, top with the cheddar cheese and enchilada sauce (omit the sauce if freezing and then put sauce on right before heating and serving)
12. I make mine in the microwave, so heat for 2:30-3 minutes on high and then allow to cool a bit before eating!

These came out so yummy!!!! I also chopped up a Kraft Jalapeño mozzarella stick and placed that on top of the enchiladas before the sauce was added! Yum!!!!! 

Just remember, the olive oil is a good, healthy fat, so don't be afraid to use a little. No need to go overboard with it, but it is OK to use it for cooking!!!

Hope you enjoy them!!!

<3

A Week Of Boot Camp

I have not posted anything about boot camp all week, but don't think I didn't bust my little butt doing week 4 of these killer workouts!!!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

All the workouts were the same as week 3, but I did push myself harder with the weights and took it a little easier with the cardio. My body wasn't feeling the cardio this week, so I listened to it and slowed down a bit. It was great to feel the burn from the weights though!!!!!

I am loving the fact that I am using heavier weights and have been noticing some definition in my arms and legs.....now if only my abs would magically start to tone! ;)

For my birthday I DID treat myself to a new DVD though.....Jillian Michaels' 6 Week Abs!!! We all know I HATE core work, but hopefully this DVD will motivate me to work those abs and get them toned.....or at least make it so my tummy isn't so flabby with extra skin! I don't strive for a 6-pack, but just flat abs, please!!!! :D

I cannot believe that we are half way done with Best Body Boot Camp already!!!! Only 4 more weeks to go. Phase 3 was emailed to us last night and I am a tad bit nervous of the new system of workouts Tina has set up for us!!!!

A little nervous, but a lot excited for Phase 3!!!!!!!

Another year older! :D

Yes, that is a big grin after the phrase "another year older"!

I usually dread getting older, especially since I am inching towards 30 quicker than I imagined.

Yesterday I turned 28!!! My 10 year high school reunion just passed on Friday.....I am not in my early or even mid-20s anymore.....I am so totally in my late 20s!!!!

But you know what, I am OK with that.

About a week ago I had an epiphany......

Getting older isn't so bad. I am much more comfortable in my life now than I was even just 2 years ago. I don't know if it has anything to do with my weight loss, or just the fact that maturity is really setting in. It doesn't matter what the reason, but I am truly happy that this feeling has finally hit me.

I am more comfortable in my own skin and I no longer look at other girls and think "she has such a better body than me.....I hate my body".....I know that everyone has a different body style and I may look at someone and think that they have an amazing body, but instead of being jealous, I strive to work harder to have that kind of body.

I am also not ashamed to go out in public with no makeup on. My skin is nice for someone my age and I have learned to embrace it! I don't go out on a daily basis with no make-up on, but when I have to make a quick trip to the store or somewhere before I get the chance to fully get ready, it doesn't phase me!

Anywho.....on to my birthday celebration!!!!!!

My BFF, Deliesse, came down to spend the weekend with me. We met up on Friday and I did all my "necessity" shopping.....you know, Walmart, grocery shopping, Target trip.....you know, the weekly must-dos! We then met up with my hubby and headed to dinner at Claim Jumper. It was pretty good, as always. Deliesse then headed to her parents' house for the night.

Saturday held our big birthday plans.....

Well, don't expect anything exciting.....LOL.....like an impromptu Vegas trip, or zip-lining, or some really awesome hike up to a gorgeous view! ;) But what we did have planned was just the perfect birthday for me!!!! <3

It started with meeting up and heading to the mall to get our makeup done at MAC!!!! <3 We are both MAC junkies and needed some new makeup anyway.....so why not get ours done since we were planning on buying some anyway! ;)

Deliesse waiting to get her makeup done! <3

I love getting my face painted on for me. I do it everyday, but it's nice to have someone else do it for you for a change every now and then!!!!

Getting prettified!

I chose to go with some browns and coppers since I never use those colors, and the BFF went with what her girl called a "pink smoky eye"!!!

I loved Deliesse's eyes! Her girl did an amazing job! It matched her top so perfectly!!!!

I also loved my eyes! They weren't as dramatic as the BFF's, but still were gorgeous!

In the end, I ended up purchasing Woodwinked, Cranberry, and Mythology, as well as a lip gloss called Nymphette, and a 4-color pallet to hold my new colors!!! So excited!!!!

After our beauty session, we decided to wander the mall a bit and do some shopping! I got a new pair of jeans from Hollister and a new top and necklace from Tilly's. Yay for birthday money!!! :D

All that shopping made us both hungry and we decided to grab some lunch. Deliesse has been having a craving for Shōgun, so I decided we should go there. I had never been there before and was excited to try a new place! It was a lot of fun and the food was so yummy!!!! We both got lunch combos with the filet mignon. I got spicy chicken and she got shrimp to accompany the steak! She also told them it was my birthday, so our cook did an extra show for us!!! :D

Since the BFF is headed to Japan to visit some friends soon, she decided to give chopsticks a whirl......and being the supportive friend I am, I decided to eat my entire meal with them as well! It was quite tricky, but we both were starting to get the hang of it by the time we were full!

All ready for Japan!!!

Happy and full BFFs!!!!!!

After lunch we headed over to Target to grab a few things (see, I told you we were an exciting couple....;P). We both started to crave some froyo, so I am going to give you just one guess as to where we went next.....

Yogurt Island was calling our names, so across town we headed!!!! Mmmmmm!!! Delicious as always! <3 Yogurt Island is definitely the BEST frozen yogurt place I have had!!!!

Our birthday date was nearing to an end since Deliesse had to head south for another get together. She definitely made my birthday something special and a day to remember.....even if we didn't do anything too exciting! Being in the company of your best friend makes it all worth while!!! <3

Later in the evening the hubby and I went to dinner at Chili's and then came home and hung out. It was nice to just veg with Davey!!! <3

For my birthday I received many cards, which made me feel great, knowing that people were thinking of me on my special day!!!!

Thank you to everyone who made my day so very special and made me feel loved!!!! :D

Love you all!!!!! <3