The Man Wants His Meatloaf

Ryan has been begging for meatloaf for the past few weeks.

Though we’ve purchased lean ground beef at the grocery store with the intention of making it, lately we haven’t had patience to wait the 50 minutes it takes for the loaf to cook. Instead we’ve opted for quicker beef recipes like sloppy joes or burgers.

Tonight we had to put Ryan’s craving to rest. The poor boy has literally been in meatloaf withdrawal.

While Ryan sliced up an onion, I assembled the beef and spices. He got to do the dirty work and mix everything together by hand before plopping it in a loaf pan. (Plopping is a word I think I’ll be adding to my “words I hate list” … along with slop and panties.)

After tackling Sadie and messin’ with her for a while, our BBQ meatloaf was d-o-n-e.

Loaf, At Long Last

We paired the meatloaf with roasted broccoli and cauliflower for some added nutrients.

Roasted Veggies

My Plate

Hopefully this will quiet Ryan’s intense desire for meatloaf for a little while!

Question of the Evening

What meal have you been craving lately?

Barley Love & a Birthday

Since barley basically blew my socks off in my breakfast bowl yesterday, I cooked up another batch of the healthy grain to include in my lunch today.

Healthy Grain

I added cauliflower and broccoli (roasted with olive oil and garlic salt), fresh spinach and a wedge of Laughing Cow light original Swiss cheese to round out my meal.

Barley Veggie Bowl

Thursday Lunch

The nutty taste of barley really appeals to me, though I think my favorite thing about the grain is its texture. It’s chewy, with an al dente pasta-like consistency that makes my tongue do a little happy dance.

All-in-all a filling, nutritious and delicious lunch.

Happy Birthday To…

My dad!

Me & My Dad, 1987

Happy birthday to my wonderful father.

My dad is such a fun, loving, hard-working, family-oriented, slightly intense 😉 and passionate man and I feel so blessed to be his daughter.

Getting a Lesson in Sea Creatures from My Dad

Daddy, I wish I could be with you on your special day to eat a piece of marble cake and sing you happy birthday! I love you so much.

Oh, and I called today to schedule an appointment to get my car detailed over Father’s Day weekend when I’ll be home with you in St. Pete, which I thought would make you happy. 🙂

Father/Daughter Hug On the Night Ryan Proposed

Happy birthday!!!

Of Possible Interest

• How Much Protein Is Too Much? (SunSentinel.com)
• Icy Desserts Under 250 Calories (Health.com)
• Calories Burned Activity Calculator (Fitness.com)

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Not me.

I seriously hate the way I look in shorts. I avoid shorts like the plague and only make an exception for running shorts because it’s too hot to wear anything else while running outside in Florida.

I always evnvied the girls who would prance around in itty bitty shorts and look so cute and carefree. Daisy Dukes? Ummm, no thanks.

Last week while chatting with Meghann over dinner, I mentioned my aversion to shorts. She said she loves shorts and wears them all the time. I instantly felt envious and thought about the three pairs of shorts I bought last summer with my mom and sister in an attempt to triumph over my hatred for the silly half-pants.

This morning, I dug a simple pair of brown J.Crew shorts out of the back of my closet and slipped them on. My first thought? “Ugh, these are terrible.”

My second thought? “Get over yourself. They’re fine.”

Ahhh! Shorts! Run for Cover!

I hated the negative thoughts that ran through my head when I put these shorts on. (I even look a little stressed in the above picture!)

Sure, I could easily toss the shorts aside and put on some jeans or a skirt and feel more confident, but I am determined to wear these shorts with pride today. My appearance and how I look in shorts does not define me.

There are some days when no matter what we put on, we feel unattractive. I think that we should get a free pass to wear sweatpants to work on those days. “Sorry boss, feelin’ a little bloated today. Hope you understand.” 😉

I think everyone has some kind of clothing or trend they avoid because they just don’t feel right in it. I think that’s completely okay and totally normal, but I also think most of the negative thoughts are in our own heads. Today I am determined to overcome my negative thoughts about how I look in shorts.

Is there a trend or certain type of clothing you avoid? Is there something you used to avoid wearing but have now made peace with and will wear again?

Though shorts are something I steer clear from wearing most days, you will never catch me in high-wasted pants. I tried them on at Express once and had an instant granny booty (You know, the booty that appears to go on for daaaays? Not cute.).

Breakfast

Enough of the shortie shorts talk and on to brefkist (as a kid I used to babysit for would say).

Chococlate PB + Apples + Yogurt

Today’s morning meal featured a cup of Greek yogurt topped with a fresh chunks of apple and a dollop (<– love that word) of chocolate PB2.

Thursday (Oh My Gosh, It's Already Thursday!) Breakfast

Sweet, Salty, Crunchy, Smooth

Stirred, Not Shaken

This combo was tasty!

Shockingly enough, I do not like peanut butter stirred into my Greek yogurt (blasphemy, I know), but the chocolate PB2 was a whole nother story!

Yum.

Workout

Ooooh yoga, why did I hate you for so long?

In just one short month, I went from yoga hater to yoga craver. So weird, but so lovely. Now that I make sure to pay attention to my body and do the poses as they feel right for me, I find yoga challenging, soothing and relaxing. I leave a class feeling like my body is grateful for what I just put it through.

Sch-weet!

This morning my workout included a yoga class (the most challenging one I’ve taken to date), as well as 10 minutes on the stair master and 20 minutes on the elliptical with the latest issue of Shape magazine.

Special Day

Today is a special day for someone in my family! Stay tuned for a birthday shout out at lunch time… 🙂