That's Money

In the last few years my brother and I have shared the interest in cooking (him more so with grilling) and creating our own signature dishes.  Then, somehow I managed to get Broccoli involved in my love of cooking to the point where he is coming up with meals to wow me with.  He also doesn't complain when we watch hours and hours of Food Network.  Now, I've even gotten my Dad on board with the culinary craze!

Tomorrow, Dad and I are going to....

The Guy Fieri Food Tour presented by the National Pork Board will mix the best elements of a live cooking show, the fun of a variety revue, and the non-stop adrenaline rush of a rock concert.  Fieri will take center stage with an unscripted and wildly entertaining performance—complete with interactive cooking stations, secret tips and dishes from his forthcoming cookbook, as well as behind-the-scenes stories from the road, and much more.

We've made it a Dad and Daughter event and I'm really excited!  In fact, as Guy would say, it's "Off da Hook!"

It's all about balance

"Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices."  -Betsy Jacobson

I've started to push the Type-A Lindsay boundaries a bit but I'm really thrilled with the choices and fun things I've planned for the next 4 weekends.  After working my tail off for nearly 6 months with all of the extra accounting and tax projects I have taken on and finally giving the last completed project to its rightful owner on Friday afternoon, I decided to let loose and enjoy my new found free time to the fullest. 
Tonight starts the first of 4 weekend rewards.  From concerts to cooking to mini road trips and hanging out with some of the greatest people in my life and I'm looking forward to experiencing every minute.

If I remember my camera, I'll update and post pics of my adventures.  No promises though as my brain is enjoying the free time as well.

Very Impressive

I went to the gym this morning, like I do most mornings, and got into my zone so I could get my long Sunday workout in.  Saturdays and Sundays are usually my big workout days as I try to make up for the lack of gym time I have during the week.  I also try to work harder on the muscles that may not have gotten full attention during my early morning before-work workouts.
This morning, I finished my cardio and proceeded to pull out all of the items needed for my core workout.  I did my supermans with 12 lb weights, planks, crunches, bicycles and push-ups (boy-style, not girl) non-stop for 3 full reps.  Overall, it's about a 15-20 minute routine, nothing too out of the ordinary for me.  I've actually gotten pretty accustomed to this routine or a similar one at least once a week and it (along with the combo of all of my other workouts) has left me with a fairly flat mid-section.  I finished my routine this morning and went to put all of the equipment away and while doing so, someone else in the gym came up to me and asked if I was preparing for some sort of fitness competition.  I told him, "no, I'm just doing my regular workout." 
He about fell on the floor from shock that this was my normal workout.  He told me he was a trainer at another gym and had been observing me doing my workout and he couldn't believe how intense it was and it was highly impressive for someone my size.  He also told me that even though he's a trainer, he wouldn't have been able to go non-stop through my whole routine.
I had to smile.  I have worked my tail off to get to the point where I'm actually impressing other people in the gym.  Not so long ago, had you asked me to put together an intense workout, I wouldn't have had the slightest idea what to do for one and secondly, I probably would have given up because it was "too hard" on my body.  Now, I have other in-shape people watching me and seeing all of the hard-work I put into staying fit and healthy.
Needless to say, I was quite proud of myself and it made my arms, chest and back workout afterwards seem like a piece of cake.

Scrambled thoughts

I really wanted to post, but my thoughts are heading in different directions, so today you're left with more of my randomness.

- Last Sunday was the season finale of America's Next Great Restaurant and I was pleased with the outcome.  Congrats Jamawn "Soul Daddy" Woods!!

I've never really ever wanted to travel to Minneapolis, but now it may be fun to experience some of the food that landed Jamawn 3 fast-casual restaurants around the US.

- Last Thursday, Coco, TL and I went out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and rather than trying to fight the crowds at every Mexican restaurant around town, we settled on a sports bar and billiards parlor.  Believe it or not, they had specials for the Mexican holiday as well.  I could totally eat my weight in chips and salsa.
 
- Speaking of weight, today is the 6 year anniversary of me taking the plunge and starting my weight-loss journey.  While the last year has been more maintenance than weight loss, I still must have the same drive and focus to make sure that all of my hard work continues to pay off.  There are some days that I still wonder how I was able to lose over 80 lbs, but I'm very proud of the healthy changes I've made in my life.  And for the record, I weighed exactly the same today as I did on this day last year.  Hoo-ha!!

- I'm working on my vacation for the summer and am having a few set-backs in the planning since the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers have decided that flooding is more important than me getting some much needed time away.  In years past, I've gone to Memphis for the Memphis in May BBQ championships along the Riverfront.  This year, the Mississippi has proven she's mightier than any plans I could have had, so I'm backing down for now.  I'm just hoping that by the time my official summer vacation rolls around the flooding will have subsided.  If not, a spur of the moment Plan B will be thrown together -- I'm thinking Vegas.

And finally, tomorrow is Mother's Day.  Happy Mother's Day to all of the women who are lucky enough to be called Mom.  May you have a wonderful day!