I started the day off in a bit of a funk, but things quickly began looking up. Little by little, the different enjoyable parts of my day brightened my mood. Love when that happens!

I started the day with a full body weights workout. 

Splitting up my weights and runs (so I can run outdoors) really works well for me during the week. I was able to finish the above workout quickly, then come home for a tasty egg breakfast.

Two dippy eggs – 1 atop a slice of toast spread with a Blue Cheese Laughing Cow wedge and 1 atop a slice of toast slathered with TJs Cranberry Apple Butter. Along with the obligatory Pink Lady apple. Can you tell I got hungry before picture time?

After filling my belly, I had plenty of time to play with the kids and take them on a slow, leisurely 15 minute walk around the neighborhood. Then, I kept things fairly low-key the remainder of the day. I enjoyed an easy, tasty meal of leftovers for lunch.

A polenta enchilada bake that included cornmeal, pinto beans, olives, corn, salsa, and cilantro. With the tastiest mango I’ve had outside of the Dominican on the side.

Things really started turning around during the naptime I got out of the kids. I managed to relax with my first iced coffee of the season while Google chatting with Peter. I love iced coffee. It tastes better for some reason.

I love having weather that calls for iced coffee again. We reached 80 here today! That made for a hot run this afternoon.

A hot, sweaty, successful run. PDR of 4 miles!!! It must have been my cute, new 4all by jofit skirt. 😉

• Mile 1 = 9:32
• Mile 2 = 9:23
• Mile 3 = 9:17
• Mile 4 = 9:17
• Average = 9:22

I honestly could have kept going, but want to play it safe with my mileage increases. I also had some things to sweat out again. Last night I reached a peak with a friend issue. I really debated writing about it here, but I have to.

I have a friend who only ever contacts me when she needs something. In fact, my mother’s diagnosis happened about a month ago. I immediately texted her (because she was at work) when I found out about my mom’s MS. Then, I called frequently in the week following. Not once did she return a text, call, email, or anything to show any sympathy or support with my mom. In a month. In fact, she called last night to be sure I could still make it to a party she is having this weekend. I told her I would be visiting my mom instead, to which she promptly started giving me defensive excuses on why she hasn’t contacted me about the news.

I have battled with feelings of this friendship not satisfying me for awhile. I feel like there is only give on my part and take on hers. Our conversations are always about either her life  or her body/weight. <--Not exaggerating. I haven’t looked forward to the times we see each other in a long time because it always leaves me with such a negative energy.

I want to “break-up” with this friend. I don’t feel anything badly about her. I simply no longer feel the need to remain in any sort of relationship that does not fulfill me. I debated whether or not to talk to her about it, but I know it would lead to her getting defensive and turning it into a fight. I would be there for her if needed, but I honestly am at a point where I want to minimize our interactions and move on. We already don’t talk or see each other often. I would always be there in a time of need, but I also know I can no longer put myself in a place of such hurt because of a supposed “friendship”. How’s that for some serious thought on a Tuesday night? Just what you were looking for, no? 😉

Questions of the Day:

• Have you ever faced a similar situation with a friend? What did you do?
• Which do you prefer – hot or iced coffee?

I woke up this morning to find a fairly empty refrigerator. Namely, we had NO produce. Ummm…how? $50 of our last week’s grocery bill came in the form of fruits and veggies! I guess on the bright side that means we ate our fair share of produce over the last six days. I can always find a silver lining. And I can always find reasonable options even without an emergency trip to the colorful bounty of your local grocer.

This morning I did manage to scrounge up one piece of produce for my pre-workout snack. Every morning I eat a banana before heading out the door for my workout. I always make sure to buy enough to get me through the week, so I still had my banana waiting for me before spin class.

Once I got home from the 45 minute spin class, the hunger beast had set in. What to do? What to do? I actually felt like having something different than oats again, but the pantry and fridge were still bare. So, I turned to the freezer.

Two whole wheat waffles spread with peanut butter and a Trader Joe’s Mango chicken sausage worked well in a pinch.

Can you tell I tried to make it look more appetizing with a cute smiley face? 😉

Leftovers also work wonders when you run out of options. We had Heather’s Green Chile Beef Stew a couple nights ago for dinner and I dove into the leftovers for lunch.

It included corn and potatoes so I guess I did manage to find some produce. 😉

Shortly after lunch I broke for my dark chocolate + decaf coffee fix.

What some may call a bad habit, I call a sanity keeper. This much needed break recharges me so I can keep that good mom perspective we talked about yesterday. Of course this is just a little pre-snack to my real afternoon snack.

I dug another Springtime Lemon Raspberry Muffin out of the freezer to have with a Black Cherry Chobani. Two bits of raspberries and black cherry “stuff” count as produce, right? I did miss my crunchy apple though. I eat an apple literally every day. If only the saying claimed to keep the dentist away. Darn.

Now to figure out dinner. I do the shopping tomorrow so I have a feeling I will be eating these tonight.

I promised the husband we could get Chick-Fil-A for the two of us soon since Makenzie’s trip had him quite jealous. Might as well get a grilled chicken sandwich with a side salad when the only option at home would be a PBJ. At least I learned something today. I really do love my fruits and veggies!

Question of the Day – What would be your go to meal options with NO produce?