WIAW: "All roads lead to Rome."

My first class gave me hell... I was done with them today. Thankfully, I love my world history class. They're rambunctious as well, but it's a small class and they're smarties.

We started talking about Ancient Rome today.

#treatyourselftuesday to gel nails and a pedicure

I took a quick nap then went to the gym. 15 minutes on the stair climber (before some yoga).

I stopped by Walmart. I hate going there but wanted pumpkin. No pumpkin but did find other interesting products:

Quick post-workout consumption:

Followed by a green smoothie, eventually, after I finished my teaching website! Yes, it's done!

I made some more pumpkin pie energy bites, and broke my NutriBullet. Thank goodness I can return it.

I also made more of Blogilates' zero calorie noodle pad thai.

Since I have some time off from school (my own), I picked up a book:

What are you reading?

Have you seen the new nut butters?

Book List: Gone Girl

I finished Gone Girl last night and am so sad it's over - I'm in disbelief of the ending!

 
The novel isn't extremely suspenseful because the reader is omnipresent - you know both sides of the story about halfway through. At first, you're siding with the wife and then you side with the husband. Though, honestly I sided with the husband all along.

The book is extremely easy to read and pretty short or at least went by fast. 

Next up, Wild, another highly recommended book.

I vowed to read at least 12 books this year. It's not very much I know, but sometimes I can only muster a book a month. Other times I'll read more than one book per month or I'll read none.

Here are some books I'm interested in for the year:

1. Gone Girl
2. Wild
3. Safe Haven - Once a year, I read a Nicholas Sparks book. My favorite is still The Notebook. I actually want to watch the movie now...
4. Blackberry Winter - The Violets of March is one of the best books I read in 2012.

5. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Love Mindy Kaling!

6. Blood Done Sign My Name - Been meaning to read this for years since it received so much acclaim.
7. Mockingjay - Read the other two and have this on audio. Though I think I'll borrow it from the school library.
8. A Walk in the Woods - I love Bill Bryson.
9. The Yiddish Policemen's Union
10. Almost Moon - I read The Lovely Bones in high school and loved it. I've always wanted to read this one.
11. Midnight - Sister Souljah also wrote The Coldest Winter Ever. I was anticipating this book release but never got around to it.
12. Population 485

What are you reading? 
What books do you want to read?
Have you read any of the books on my list?

WIAW: Remedies

Monday
I failed at making paleo magic bars. The almond flour didn't absorb the coconut milk. It was a watery mess. I remedied my craving with my favorite Luna bar. *$1 each at Whole Foods plus a $1.50 off 2 coupon = $0.50 for 2!

I didn't want oatmeal the other morning. Even though it was super cold, I ended up with Fiber One in almond milk with 1/2 scoop protein powder.

I made a couple of purchases at Mother's Market. First up, this hempspread. Most disgusting thing award goes to...

I have a high tolerance for gross things but this was horrible. I even called the company, which I never do, and they remedied it by sending me their Oregon hazelnut hempspread instead.

I also found out it's supposed to be refrigerated and returned it to Mother's.

This is so much better than Emergen-C.

Tuesday
I finally picked a book! This is my first Barbara Kingsolver book.

Snack and sometimes dinner: Julian Bakery Smart Carb #2 cinnamon raisin bread (94 cals, 5g carb, 16g protein) + Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter

Today
I carry an envelope of coupons around in my purse and I have a bunch of 50 cents off Clif Kid bar coupons. It's a big deal because the bars are only like 80 cents to begin with. I branched out and tried a new kind, the crispy rice bar in cookies 'n cream.

Shrimp sauteed in Trader Joe's Thai green curry simmer sauce with celery and lettuce for lunch

I guess these didn't catch on - they were selling them for 99 cents at Trader Joe's. My cousins love them.

I ended up downloading Gone Girl today and have been reading that instead. Yup, looks like I'll have to read Prodigal Summer next month for my book-a-month challenge.

 

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It's almost 9 P.M. and I want to hit the hay by 10. For real this time. I'm super achy.

 

Have you read a book by Barbara Kingsolver or Gone Girl?
Do you like Clif, the brand of bars?
Do you switch to warm breakfasts in the winter? 

Friday's Letters: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks review

Dear Friday, You snuck up on me. Everyone kept wishing me a happy Friday and wondered what I was doing this weekend... I don't even know. I do know that I work 12-4 tomorrow.

Another round of carrot cake protein pancakes.

Dear Quorn, I finally got to try your turk'y burger in a lettuce wrap and loved it. The chewiness reminiscent of soy chicken.

Added some carrot fries. The mildly burnt ones were the best.

Dear Trader Joe's, I hate cucumbers but like them here. I was surprised by the large slices of cukes. I didn't mind eating them though.

Dear Gordon Ramsay, I love "MasterChef" and I'm loving "Hotel Hell." I am sad Becky got sent home on "MasterChef" though.

 

(source)

Dear Rebecca Skloot, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was a great read.

 

(source)

Sometimes it was slow especially with all the science, however, I was impressed by the fact that such a scientific story could be told so well. The book covers a lot of history, which really appealed to me. I felt like I read something more important than my usual.

The science made sense, but I got lost with all the religiosity with the family. I understand it's part of the story. I'm just not interested in reading two whole chapters in which Henrietta's daughter is saved by God.

Though I enjoyed the book, the parts that slowed me down did so for awhile. I ended up spending 2 weeks reading.

Dear Bill Bryson, Speaking of history novels, I'm reading A Walk in the Woods next. I love your books and will read each and every one. I'm almost there!

(source) 

I lived next to the Appalachian Trail for 6 years and now I have this love for nature, kind of... I'm still not ready for real nature adventure.

Dear Weekend, What shall I do with you? Workout, work, and study. I also need to shop for my September foodie penpal.

What are you doing this weekend?
What are you reading?

Spice girl

Ever since I decreased the number of days with high intensity workouts, I've done better when I do them. Today was great. I had tons of energy.

 

I can't make a normal face.

My favorite student and I matched today. This happens quite often actually.

 

Normal-er

We also wore red shoes, but I cropped my body out because it's not very sightly. I think he took better ones so I'll get 'em for you.

Speaking of that, 2 years ago, I was in better shape. FML (ya know what that means right?). Fortunately, I can keep working on it.

I could agree with this.

 (from Drop Dead Healthy)

I'm not liking the shorter haircut. It's weird.

Between work froyo - pistachio!

My cousin suggested making the s'more on the stovetop. I thought we had an electric one. My bad. Then... I burned my tongue. :/

 

I bought Trader Joe's spicy jalapeno chicken sausage and edamame. I paired it with Alexia spicy sweet potato fries for tomorrow's lunch.

I'm reading Drop Dead Healthy and highlighted some quotes from the first few chapters that I thought were of interest:

Thank goodness 'cause I don't look like those before and after pictures.

Running isn't for me either. Just like how I dislike spinning though I'm okay with biking.

This book is addictive, and I'm glad I have it on my laptop and iPhone's Kindle apps.

What book are you reading? I'm reading Drop Dead Healthy for PB Fingers' book club. I read Room and then didn't participate because I wasn't interested in the books.
What's the best length for your hair?

Trilogies: the new "it" thing

I just heard of "50 Shades of Grey" and now it's everywhere! I 'bought' it on audio because audiobooks are the most amazing thing ever and it was free.

I caught "The Ellen Show" today and then saw this video.

I also downloaded the second book since it was free as well.

Another book on my nightstand bed pile: Mockingjay.

I finally made my way around to checking out MeetUp.com to find book clubs and other groups.

Have you ever tried a Meet Up group?
How do you meet people outside of work and school?

Dozing off (LiveFit Day 62 & 64 + 3 On Thursday)

I eat 2 egg whites every morning. I just switch up the carb to make it interesting/exciting: Van's Lite waffles! Two days in a row.

I only slept 6 hours or less yesterday. I needed coffee to power me through.

And boy, it got me through!

I went to the gym immediately after work for LiveFit Day 62. The exercises went well, but I was mostly itching to sprint. 

Part of my workout was done the night before when I spent 30 minutes at the gym, in search of weights. I decided not to post my workout weights today because I'm not using my own computer and because my weights aren't increasing now with more reps.

I got nice and sweaty before I went to my friend/co-worker's yoga class.

She subbed a couple of classes at a new studio, Harmony HB. The studio is large and offers yoga, barre, and wait for it, hoop dancing. Hoop dancing brings me back to Asheville. Unfortunately, that's where my hoop is too. :/

The class is a yin yoga class, which focuses on deep stretching of the muscles around the hip. I totally needed it. I found out that my hips are not as open as they once were. More stretching needed...

I received a coupon from Zone Perfect in the mail the other day so I bought their blueberry flavored one at Whole Foods on my way home. I ate 1/4 of it and saved the rest for last - I do this all the time.

Some music before bed...

Today is pictureless. Oops. I got my Foodie Penpal package and did take pictures. Of course, that won't be revealed until the end of the month! 

Here's a quick recap of my day:

• Taught half of a math class when the teacher had a meeting and a sub failed to show up.
• Went to the gym for LiveFit Day 64, a leg day. I worked hard on my hamstrings, did the lateral bound and long jumps, and felt pain in my knees. Gah, must give them a break.
• Picked up my "The Color Run" packet! :)
• Helped my cousin buy a thank you card for his internship.
• Studying. What??! 

And now, here's a new feature: 3 On Thursday.

What three books are most important to you? What books do you re-read most frequently?
1) You should probably know that I don't reread books. Except maybe ONE: The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm.
 (source)
I read this in a geography for teachers class. I loved it. It's not a book I would typically read, but I love the fantasy of it.
2) Since I don't have other books to report on, I thought I'd just tell you what books I'm looking forward to. I finished Catching Fire and it's a cliff hanger so I can't wait to read Mockingjay!
3) Bill Bryson. I have two of his books on my shelf, In A Sunburned Country and At Home. I'm so glad he wrote the latter.
Your turn!What books are you reading?Do you re-read books? Why or why not?There's a yoga for everyone so what's yours?