First Time Dog Owners: What We Didn’t Expect

As I took Sadie on a walk this morning, I day dreamed about breakfast.

I was seriously craving eggs and made myself an egg white, cheese and Canadian bacon bagelwich right when we got home.

Egg White + Cheese + Canadian Bacon

I love the Toufayan everything-flavored thin bagels. All of the little seeds add so much flavor and give the bagel a deliciously nutty texture.

Check Out the Goods

Bagelwich

This bagelwich totally hit the spot!

Chomp!

Workout

I was surprised that I had a good workout this morning.

By the time Ryan and I climbed into bed last night I was exhausted. Apparently a weekend of wedding-related decisions, activities and errands took a lot out of me!

As I groggily walked to the gym this morning, I wasn’t anticipating a fantastic workout, so I was pleasantly surprised when I felt a surge of energy during BodyPump.

It felt great to get into the gym after two days off and sweat it out!

I followed up the ‘Pump with a 40 minute walk with Sadie.

Strike a Pose

Yesterday as Ryan and I drove back to Orlando, we started talking about Sadie.

Though my parents had a great dane when I was born, and Ryan’s family owned a cocker spaniel when he was younger, we both basically feel like first-time dog owners.

I asked Ryan what has been the most unexpected thing he has experienced or noticed since Sadie came into our lives and he said he was shocked at how needy Sadie is and how he feels guilty if he doesn’t give her attention.

We both started laughing because we pictured ourselves owning a dog that would sit happily at our feet as we sat in the backyard. Little did we know we’d be blessed with a total nut job!

He then asked me the same question and I said I was shocked about two things.

First, I cannot believe how funny Sadie is. She makes us laugh constantly and I had no idea she’d bring so much joy into our lives.

"I'm a Hoot!"

Second, I had no idea I could love an animal so much. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true! Sadie really does feel like a member of our family and I love her to death.

Question of the Morning

If you are a pet owner, what surprised you the most about owning an animal?

McMuffins for Mama

Since my mom is the mastermind behind my favorite healthified Egg McMuffin, I figured the yummy breakfast sandwich would be the perfect start to the first day of our girl’s weekend.

Healthified Egg McMuffin

I made my mom, sister and myself an eggy sandwich using a toasted Thomas’ light multi-grain English muffin, an egg white, a wedge of Laughing Cow light original Swiss cheese and a slice of Canadian bacon.

Bite of Yum

All of us agreed that this healthier version of the traditional Egg McMuffin from McDonald’s is just as good.

Now we’re off to get dressed before a busy day of girly fun including:

• Wine tasting
• Tea at the Ritz Carlton
• Dog Park
• Dinner

Aaaand we’re off!

Pre Beer Fest Fuel

When you know you’re going to be knockin’ back beer (after beer, after beer), it’s wise to fill up with a hearty breakfast!

Breakfast of Champions

This morning Ryan and I woke up early (Why can’t we sleep past 7 a.m!?), and headed to the gym. We parted ways and I headed to the cardio room for 20 minutes of light cardio before BodyPump, while Ryan hit the weight room.

BodyPump was great, as always. I’m so glad they offer an early-morning Saturday BodyPump class. So many of my gym’s weekend classes occur during the late morning on the weekend and I like checking my workout off my to-do list first thing.

When we came home our tummies were growlin’ and I hit the kitchen to make us a hearty breakfast.

Today’s menu:

• Eggs
• Whole wheat toast
• Canadian bacon
• Chobani strawberry Greek yogurt

Strawberry Greek Yog

Eggs with Salt 'n' Peppa

Dippy eggs are one of the most satisfying breakfasts.

When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip

My pre-gym fuel may or may not have been a small Funfetti cookie. 😉

I’m off to shower before getting some last-minute things in order before our BBQ and BEERFEST!

Catcha lata!

Modified McMuffin

I owe my lunch today to my mama.

Whenever I was really nervous about a big test or a diving meet in high school, my mom would make me a hearty and delicious breakfast as a special treat.

I’d come downstairs, ready to heat up a packet of instant oatmeal or throw a Toaster Strudel in the toaster, and be wonderfully surprised by a homemade breakfast. It was the best!

One of my favorite breakfasts was her take on a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin®.

She made her own version of the fast-food breakfast staple by toasting an English muffin and adding a slice of Canadian bacon, reduced-fat cheese and an egg on top.

I paid tribute to her modified McMuffin at lunch today.

My lunchtime breakfast sandwich included a Thomas’ light multi-grain English muffin, a wedge of Laughing Cow light original Swiss cheese, an egg and a slice of Canadian bacon.

Thomas' Light Multi-Grain English Muffins

Canadian Bacon + Egg

This breakfast sandwich is so easy to make and definitely takes a lot less time to construct at home than it would to drive through a fast food restaurant and place an order.

Open-Faced McMuffin + Green Pepper Slices

Modified McMuffin

By making my own Egg McMuffin, I saved loads of sodium (the original has 820 mg!) and didn’t ingest the “liquid margarine” or “pasteurized processed American cheese” that may be found in McDonald’s version.

On the side I snacked on freshly sliced green pepper and a small banana.

Selecting a Wedding DJ/ Officiant

This weekend Ryan and I would like to schedule some appointments to meet with potential DJs and possible wedding officiants.

If any of you are from the St. Pete/Tampa/Sarasota, Florida area and have any recommendations, please send ’em my way!

For those of you who are married or have been to several weddings, please share your advice with regard to selecting a DJ or wedding officiant!

I must admit, I feel a little clueless about the whole process!

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We Got It!!!

We got the apartment!!! HOORAY!

Sign Here, Please!

I actually think the place is more like a “mini house,” as it is a stand-alone building, with a fenced-in backyard. The house is actually about five houses down from our current place!

Ryan and I are thrilled and will be meeting with our new landlord tomorrow or Wednesday to officially sign the lease.

What is something you absolutely need when looking for a place to rent?

I need a washer and a dryer. That’s a must for me.

Here are the aspects of the house that really attracted us to the place:

• WONDERFUL location (safe neighborhood and within walking distance of our gym)
• Fenced in backyard
• Washer/dryer
• Dishwasher
• Large master bedroom, plus two smaller bedrooms (one will be made into an office/study)
• Great price

We will officially move in April 1, but since it’s ready right now, our new landlord said we can start transferring stuff earlier if we want. That should make the whole moving process a lot less stressful!

Work out

Unfortunately our alarm was still set for 6:30 a.m. from Friday, not 5:30 a.m. as we typically do on Monday mornings so I can make BodyPump and Ryan can get a workout in before work. We woke up a little before  6a.m., but Ryan still missed his workout. 😦

I was able to get to the gym and did a modified cardio/total-body weights workout. Not too shabby!

After a quick walk with Sadie and a hot shower, I headed to my orthodontist’s office for an Invisalign appointment. I have about two months to go, and then we’ll do “refinement” to get my teeth exactly the way I want them to look. I’m happy to be on the tail end of this process!

Breakfast

I was excited to dig into my hot breakfast sandwich today since it’s still so cold outside. I made an easy sandwich with cheese, Canadian bacon and a whole wheat sandwich thin.

Breakfast Sandwich

It was hot ‘n’ yummy.

Happy President’s Day!

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