Now that I go to the gym in the mornings I have the opportunity to visit my favorite group fitness classes again. On Monday, I went to cycle. Then, yesterday I tried out Group Kick. When I arrived I was a little bummed that my favorite kick instructor no longer taught in that time slot. Someone new has apparently joined the teaching roster. By new, I mean very new. I felt so bad for her! She stopped so many times, not knowing what set of moves to do next. I have sympathy because I want good karma. I’m a fellow spaz-head who may want to teach group fitness in the future, after all.

Plus, I couldn’t complain because even the sporadic kicking and punching gave me more of a challenge than if I had tried to do one of my kickbox workout DVDs at home. The DVDs are great; I’m just in a rut with them. I love my Cathe and Turbo DVDS, but find that I can only really get excited for one DVD workout a week. I like the variety they give me, but much prefer the atmosphere of the gym. Although, in a few months I may very well hate gym classes and only want to do DVDs. My workout preferences are always all over the place. Spaz-head here, remember?

I find it very interesting that I always want to switch up my workouts, but I can happily eat the same foods over and over. Would you believe me if I told you I still enjoy my favorite egg sandwich combo for lunch at least 3 days out of the week?

And that I still have an apple + Chobani as a snack almost every day?

I know you know I eat oats for breakfast all. the. time.

We also do a lot of the same basic meals for dinners over the course of a month. We switch it up slightly most times, but its still basically the same dish. Take dinner last night for example. Pasta night. I cooked up some of my favorite veggie mix of zucchini, mushrooms, and onion. Plus wilted some spinach in some basic marinara sauce.

Then we Trader Joe’d it for the rest of dinner. Trader Joe’s sun-dried tomato chicken sausage and Trader Joe’s chunky portabella mushroom ravioli.

All served together with the marinara and veggie mix.

It’s no wonder I can happily eat the same things over and over. They’re good! If my tummy is happy that is all that matters to me. 😀

Question of the Day – How much variety do you need with your workouts? And food? One more than the other?

Yesterday was crazy busy. I never knew I could pack so much into one day! I woke up early to get a head start. That’s probably the only way it could have happened.I showered and dressed. I packed the diaper bag. I prepared breakfast for when the kids awoke and snacks for on the go. I piled everyone into the car by 7:30 am. What for? Not the gym. I tried that schedule out today for the first time. Success in case you were wondering.

Yesterday I set out to conquer something else. I set out to conquer the children’s consignment sale.

source

These sales are basically huge garage sales where hundreds of moms come together to sell their gently used children items. Its the only way I buy my kids clothes. One third the cost and just as nice? Don’t mind if I do!

I hit up one sale from 8:30-9:30. I had to shop fast to keep the baby in the carrier and the toddler in the stroller from spontaneously combusting. I still managed okay..

After we got home it was the usual nursing and playing routines. And hearing Makenzie rave about her new clothes. “Mommy, soooo cute!” “Ooooohhhh!!!”

Then, from 1-2 pm I participated in the 4all by jofit webcast as part of the Team 4all.

Can I just say how much I love this company and working with them?!

I still had more to do after the lovely chat, though. As in fitting in my workout. I completed a Turbo Jam DVD. It wasn’t the best workout. I need some new shoes specifically for cross training.

It worked well as my warm-up for round two. That’s right. Round two. I had another consignment sale to visit last night. I figured paying the $5 to do the presale was worth it. Not so much for getting in a night early. More so to not have to fear the spontaneous baby/toddler combustion previously mentioned. I got to shop alone. It was a mad hour rush. Once again, I think I did okay with my haul…

Perhaps its a good thing I only had 2 hours to shop between the two sales. 😉

Obviously with a day like that I needed to take the easy route where I could. It was a leftovers for lunch kind of day. Fortunately, I had the perfect meal for leftovers. And a perfect recipe to share with all of you thanks to my friend, Danielle. It may sound familiar because Caitlin just did a spin on it after I shared the recipe with her. Check out her version as well.

Mexican Black Bean Tortilla Casserole

• 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 lb. cremini or button mushrooms, trimmed & quartered
• minced garlic (I used about 1 Tbsp)
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• course salt & ground pepper
• 15.5 oz. can black beans, drained & rinsed
• 8 corn tortillas, warmed & halved
• 2 cups salsa or basic marinara (I did the marinara bec of spice & b'feeding)
• 4 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until browned, 7 minutes. Add garlic and cayenne; season with salt & pepper. Add black beans and stir to combine. Cook until beans are warmed through.

Arrange 5 tortilla halves in a 8x8 baking dish. Top with half the bean mixture and 1/2 cup salsa/marinara, then sprinkle with one-third of the cheese.

Repeat with another layer. Top with remaining tortilla, salsa/marinara, and cheese. Cover with foil and bake until center is hot and cheese melts, about 10-15 minutes.

Uncover and bake until cheese is bubbling, another 10-15 minutes. Serve and savor.

You know I don’t post recipes unless they’re something special. So, what are you waiting for? Make this!!! And the leftovers? Taste even better the next day. Gotta love that!

Question of the Day – How do you like to score a bargain? And what’s your favorite casserole dish meal? This may have just topped my favorite chicken enchiladas that I shared in my first post!