So many days!

After that hectic Thursday, I decided to take it easy after class on Friday. Then I took it easy on Saturday, and again on Sunday. I got a solid work out in Sunday though! A friend of mine, Hollie, wanted to hang out and she suggested working out. So she got a pass to my gym and brought her juicer over, and made me a delicious vegetable and fruit juice. Juicing has never really been my thing, but I've dabbled. I only ever really loved one juice: carrot, orange and ginger. Which is like the ice cream of juicing. However it did noticeably help my vision! Anyway, after juicing, we went and did a pretty classic work out with Rachel.

Start with a warm up, 5 minutes of light cardio then go straight in to abdominals

• 90-second forward plank
• 60- second side planks
• 14 straight leg crunches (keep your feet 2-4 inches of the floor through the whole exercise and crunch up, and hold for at least 3 seconds, release and repeat!)
• 20 fast crunches
• 14 slow bicycle crunches 
• 20 fast crunches
• 90- second superman

Then hit the weights machines, 2 sets of 15 each

• lat pull downs
• tricep pulls
• weighted squats
• shoulder presses
• pec-fly
• adductors and abductors
• leg curls
• bicep curls

Finish off with cardio. 30 minutes high resistance elliptical and a 5 minute cool down on the treadmill, concluded with some yoga stretches.

After the work out, Hollie came over and we grilled some chicken and zucchini for lunch. It was light and hit the spot. Then the copious amount of wine started to flow.

My little sister is in a great band called Mount Joy. They are a Portland central, all girl, folk group and they're really good. Not just "I'm the big sister so you better like it, or else" way, but actually really talented. They write all of their own stuff and have a great sound. On Sunday night they had a launch party for their newly recorded album, I brought my friends Lance and Rachel along and I might have drank too much wine. I'm about 99% sure I drank too much wine, I'm sorry to any and all attendees that I might have spoken to after glass #4. There were some pictures. I was going to post them. Bad bad bad. Needless to say, Yesterday (Monday) I did not get much done. Here is a little linky-link, if you guys are interested in checking them out: Mount Joy. You will not regret it.

Lance, Rachel and I Laughing as usual. Only pic suitable for your viewing pleasure.

Mount Joy. Left to Right: Aubrey, Emily (lil sis), Leslie and Madi

 In other news: My book finally arrived! I've only just started reading it, but have a strong feeling it's going to be one I pass on to many of the beautiful women in my life. What I have gathered about the author so far: she was told by numerous psychological professionals, that living with Negative Body Obsession (NBO) is just life. It is the culture and society that we live in. But she wouldn't settle for that. She didn't believe that the 80-90% of women and rising number of men, should have to go through life hating parts of their physical appearance, or feeling like they are less worthy because of some percieved "flaw." I will give you a little quote, "There is nothing natural about

• a gnawing discontent with your physical appearance
• wanting to be somehow different so that you can feel beautiful, desirable and successful
• feeling dissatisfied every time you look in the mirror
• believing life would be better if you just weighed a little less or looked a little younger

On the contrary, what is natural is:

• The unshakable knowledge in your inherent beauty, goodness and strength
• experiencing yourself as inherently perfect
• experiencing the peace and bliss of your own being
• knowing you are absolutely lovable in this very momemt

So yes, NBO is "normal" and very common, but it is anything but natural." (Sarah Maria p.7)

 Excited to get more involved in it, hopefully its not too fluffy. But, I think I can handle a little hippy talk. Faux fur baby pink pillows, I cannot do. Nag champa, handle-able.

Today I had a very sweaty work out in weights. Michelle is challenging me every day to do better, just by doing well herself. She's got her mile down to a record low, so I had to make sure I could still beat her, 8:40 mile, folks. My lungs still hurt. I'm pathetic. My Aunt Tess just ran her first half marathon and we are all SO proud of her. She did an amazing job. Even though I'm kind of on a running hiatus, she encouraged me to consider a half coming up this August. Seriously considering it.

grossly sweaty and hawt

I always pack awesome food on school days (tues, thurs, and fri) but that doesn't keep me from going ham on the weekends. I try to be good, but it's like there is no bottom to my stomach on Saturday and Sunday. Here's an example of a "lunch" for me.

This one includes baby carrots (10), 1/2c raw zucchini, 1/2c persian cucumber, champagne mango (I cut off the two sides and just eat around the pit when I'm making my lunch. It's easy to eat this way, just scrape the food off with your teeth!), 2 tangelos, a salad of grilled chicken, quinoa, and 1c spinach with yumm sauce, 7 multigrain crackers and hummus and 2 little nut clusters for a sweet finish. I understand this is a lot of information on something that is not important or even interesting. Deal with it.

I had a nice weekend. Shut my brain off as often as possible. Enjoyed the company of a handful of friends. Had some solid philosophical conversations. Got a little sloppy. Loved E. I missed the blog though. I'll try to not be away for so long. Hope your weekend was great too. :)