Are We Prima Ballerinas Yet?

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves

Howdy!

How has your Friday been? I hope it’s been a good one! Who’s ready for the long weekend?! (Even though I’m still on summer vacation, so there’s no difference to me…sorry.)

Today started with the usual blog-reading while standing at my counter. I took a nice long time, because I was waiting until my mom came back from her gym (that she’s attending with a Groupon deal–typical) with the car so I could head to my gym. This week has been filled with dance, and I’ve been loving moving artistically again. But it was also fun to get back into “workout-workouts” today.

Breakfast

Classic:

Moves

I started with 10 minutes on the elliptical and then GUESS WHAT? I ran on the treadmill! As you may know, I am not a fan of running, but I wanted to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone. I only ran 10 minutes, but it went surprisingly well! I usually run at a speed no greater than 7.3 maybe, but that felt slow to me today, so I ran at 8.0 and increased the speed throughout the 10 minutes. I even went at 10.0 for the last 30 seconds! The weird part was that I didn’t feel quite as tired as I usually do when I’m running. My mile was around 7:30, which was my PR earlier this year..but I feel like I could have ran faster today! Maybe that bootcamp class helped? Or burpees? I dunno. Actually, I’m skeptical and think that perhaps that particular treadmill was defective or something. Like maybe the treadmill went slower than the speeds shown on the monitor. Well, let’s just massage my ego and say that maybe I’m getting better at running. 😀

Moving on. I completed one of my favorite circuit workouts from Jess at Blonde Ponytail: You Can Ring My (Dumb)Bell Workout. Cute name, right? Ya won’t feel so cute after you finish though. This kicks my butt every time! I’ve gradually cut down my rest time in between workouts and increased the weights so that it keeps challenging me. ‘Twas a doozy!

I came home, showered, and then got ready to host my “little sister” from company, Lilly! We both dread sewing our pointe shoes, so we decided to have a little date so that we could eat healthy food and sew our shoes together (does that make us sound like prima ballerinas or what?!).

Lunch

Options for our sandwiches (Lilly’s a vegetarian, so it’s pretty easy to find food for her 🙂 )

Lilly’s creation:

I believe it contained pesto, mozzarella, tomato, and spinach! I may have missed somethin’.

She even added that basil leaf for garnish. She’s got the presentation aspect down-pat.

And mine:

Two sunnies, toast with mozzarella and roasted bell peppers + basil for garnish (inspired by Lilly)

Plus sides

It was a beautiful day for eating outside and everything was delicious! The best part was this though:

Peanut butter banana soft serve. I’ve got Lilly hooked. Muahaha.

And then we watched Youtube videos and old dance DVDs while we tediously sewed our pointe shoes.

Pointe shoes: hurt your fingers when you sew ’em, hurt your toes when you wear ’em. But it’s all for the love of dance.

We had a nice time bonding! Now I’m going grocery shopping with mom and then it will be dinner time for me. Have a nice Labor Day weekend!

So tell me: Have you ever had a breakthrough with running/exercise? What was for lunch? Any fun Labor Day weekend plans?

Fascinating Friday Links #2

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves

Happy Friday!

Here is the second edition of Fascinating Friday Links, and I’ve got some pretty good ones for ya! I found A LOT of fun links, so I went a little crazy this time. Nevertheless, enjoy!

Food for Thought

[Can eating the food of our heritage help us manage our weight?] The Way We Eat {is it all in our genes?} via Health Ninja

[Honest tips and experience on dealing with a tough time in life] Sixteen Months Ago via Undressed Skeleton

[Beautiful Pinterest board] Chastity Project Pinterest Board

[A non-judgemental, yet non-excusing perspective on Miley Cyrus’s performance] Don’t Be a Jerk About the Twerk via Just Jenny From the Blog

[Great life lessons for everyone] Lessons I’ve Learned in My 25 Years via Perfection Isn’t Happy

[I love that her recipe comes with saint info] Saint Francis Seelos, Apple Strudel, and Year of Faith via My Catholic Kitchen

Health and Fitness

[All about sleep] Wake Up! via Fueling a Healthy Life

[How many calories do you need at least?] The Calorie Conspiracy via Fuel for a Healthy Life

[Similar subject: Remember you need calories just to LIVE] WIAW: Less is Not More via The Real Life RD

[Because posture is important] Fit Tip: 3 Tips for Perfect Posture via Michelle Phan

[When you’re losing workout motivation] What To Do When Beast Mode is Off via Live Love Laugh Lift

[Quick, effective ab workout] Killer 10 Minute Ab Workout via Purely Twins

[If you love snacks like me] The How-To Guide to Smart Snacking via Hungry and Fit

Food for Belly

[For Chipotle lovers] Copycat Chicken Burrito Bowl via Fit Foodie Finds

[A mighty tasty-looking dressing] Wasabi Cucumber Dressing via Peas and Crayons

[Genius idea for oatmeal] Green Tea Latte Oatmeal via Yeah…Imma Eat That

[Who doesn’t love mac and cheese?] Healthy Macaroni and Cheese via Picky Eater Blog

[Bored with veggies?] Spice Up Your Veggies via Kath Eats Real Food

Food for Sweet Teeth

[I love 3-ingredient desserts] Almost S’more Banana Cookies via Hungry and Fit

[No bake? Nut butter? Protein? I’m all for it] No Bake Almond Fudge Protein Bars via Running with Spoons

[‘Nough said] Toasted Coconut Milkshakes via Bev Cooks

[Cutest vlog ever and for the vegans] The Best (Healthier) Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies via The Diva Dish

[More simple and yummy bites] Butterscotch Banana Bread Oatmeal Bites via Peanut Butter Fingers

[Cool and odd ice cream flavors] 16 Delightful Ice Cream Flavors You Never Thought Existed via Buzz Feed

Other Fun Stuff

[For the Harry Potter fans, college alumni, college-goers, and college-bound] 21 College Campuses That Make You Feel Like You’re at Hogwarts via Buzz Feed

So tell me: Which links made you think? Which ones made you drool? Which ones made you want to get cookin’?

Dance Company Picnic

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves

Hey there!

I hope you had a wonderful Thursday! It started out as a gloomy one around these parts, but now it’s clear and be-a-u-tiful. Just in time for dance company’s first picnic!

First and foremost, my day started with a messy, but delicious breakfast:

Finished off a container of 2% plain Greek yogurt. Topped with half a peach, some banana slices, cereal, and vanilla sunbutter.

I also had a dentist appointment, and I’m happy to report that my teeth are lookin’ just fine! However, apparently my wisdom teeth are coming in…so hopefully that doesn’t become an issue. Also, I floss every day pretty thoroughly (some days more so than others), but I do my best. Yet for some reason, my dentist keeps suggesting, “You could actually start flossing, ya know…” Like, really? I even do it the exact way he’s shown me to floss. *Shaking my head*

Next was a quick lunch eaten in the car before going to an awesome, sweaty ballet class:

A two-egg omelet stuffed with spinach, mozzarella, tomato, and basil that I cut in half and put between two pieces of bread. AKA an egg sandwich. ‘Twas quick and tasty!

Then came the super fun part of the day–company picnic! This is dance company’s first formal get-together during which we eat, chat, share our “me” posters, and get to know each other more (since some new company members enter every year).

A lovely spread of finger foods, including homemade Oreos by my friend Susie! They were a hit, girl!

I’ve been in dance company for the past two years, and although the members change slightly from year to year as some people graduate and others enter high school, I can honestly say that every company member I’ve been with is like a sister to me. We obviously share our love of dancing, but we also share so many fun (and crazy-weird) experiences, stories, emotions, and jokes that make the company bond so unique and special. They’re a big part of my life, so you’ll probably be seeing more of these lovely ladies on the blog throughout the school year!

Company 2014!

Seniors. Already?! Can’t even think about it.

We had a blast, and I learned some fun (and HILARIOUS) facts about each of them. I’m so excited for the dance season to start!

Have a nice evening, and I’ll see you tomorrow for Fascinating Friday Links 🙂

So tell me: Do you have a group of people with whom you share a unique friendship/bond? Do you floss? (<–Random question. I won’t judge.)

WIAW: If I Played a Sport…

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves

I was watching the US Open last night–Duval vs. Stosur–and I must say, I love watching tennis. It’s really the only sport I enjoy watching. I always tell people that if I could learn to play any sport, I would choose tennis, and it’s not just because the ladies wear the cutest outfits. The athleticism, the excitement, and everything about it just appeals to me! My family and I have had our fair share of tennis events actually:

{2007} Meeting Pete Sampras at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. (Little nugget me, when I was ACTUALLY 11 years old.)

{2010} US Open

It’s funny because no one in my immediate family even plays tennis. We just like it!

Well anyway, the main focus of this post is the food! Thanks, Jenn for hosting WIAW as always! This is more of a sample of my recent eats. Some you may have already seen some of these meals on my posts from this week, but some are new. Nevertheless, here ’tis:

Breakfast

Kath’s whipped banana oats with sunflower seed butter and cereal on top for crunch

Lunch

Grilled “Free Bird” Chicken Breast Sandwich with basil, mozzarella, sauteed onions, and tomato aioli on sun-dried tomato bread. From the lunch date with my dance friend last week! YUM.

Snacks

..included:

Raw energy bars, green grapes, and lots of unpictured yogurt bowls!

Dinner

This dinner was the bomb. A compilation of some of my favorite foods on one plate! Even Ben walked by and said, “Wow that looks good,” to which I replied, “You want someeeeee!” But he had already finished his dinner. Too bad, so sad. Next time, bro!

Avocado toast, caprese (LOVE), and chicken.

Late Snacks

..included:

Protein smoothies!

This thing is tiny, but it is perfect for a light dessert!

Happy Wednesday!

So tell me: Do you like tennis? If you could learn to play a new sport, what would it be? What have you been eating this week?

Lucky Charms on My Smoothie

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves

I can’t believe it’s already past 5 PM!

Thank God for this blessed Tuesday! I woke up a little earlier to go to a (pointless) ENT appointment, and then a couple hours later (plus a nap in between) it was time to go to my first ballet class of the year. My muscles are definitely not used to all that turnout. Oof.

Then of course, there’s the food I’ve been eating!

Last Night’s Snack

It was sweet, colorful, and something I should make for St. Patrick’s Day:

Green smoothie with LUCKY CHARMS sprinkled on top! This smoothie had milk, frozen fruit, protein powder, and some spinach (you CANNOT taste it at all–pinky promise).

Lucky Charms are my guilty pleasure, and I often contemplate buying a box whenever I see them on the shelves. Then I turn down the idea because I want to be “mature.” But then again, if I look like I’m 12 years old, who would care if I bought them anyway?

Breakfast

Sunflower seed butter and peach jam sandwich + banana (+ a glass o’ milk on the side)

Lunch

…Was eaten at the dance studio and included this awesome sandwich:

Avocado and smoked salmon on sunflower seed bread. So good.

Sorry if it smelled like fish in the dressing room, ladies. But not that sorry 😉

I think I am speaking truthfully when I say that all the dance company girls are PUMPED about the repertoire we’re learning right now. That’s always a great way to start off the year. The piece is called Spells, choreographed by Michael Foley, and one of our teachers is re-staging it. The dance makes us feel intense, a little dark, a little mysterious, and just cool. I can’t show any of the piece on the blog for copyright reasons, but you can check out this Youtube video to get a sense of Michael Foley’s style!

Another day of bootcamp awaits tomorrow. I’m so excited to be with all the dance company girls, and I’ll probably introduce their lovely faces on Thursday after our first formal get-together.

Have a lovely evening!

So tell me: Do you like Lucky Charms? Any delicious eats today? How was your Tuesday?