How I had a productive day/a bill becomes a law

Yesterday I talked about "How to have a productive day" in my book, and talking about it made me do it.

• Drink a little coffee.
• Eat a slow breakfast. I made Sarah Fit's Halloween pumpkin cheesecake protein pancake. Due to the protein powder, the pancakes burned up.

• Start the day off with a workout. It was yoga, but nonetheless, it was a workout. I did some a round of booty to warm up a la Tone It Up. And after dinner, I took a 30 minute walk around the neighborhood.
• Pack lunch and dinner, if necessary. I packed another chicken salad. Its been salads galore over here. I bought kind bars as snacks - they were on sale for $1 each!

• Study. I studied a whole chapter after work today! I have 2 more to go and intend to finish it by Sunday night. Then it'll be reviewing until November!
• Read for fun. I borrowed Life of Pi from the school's library to read along with my student. I'm sneaking in an hour of reading after I watch "The New Normal" and "The New Girl." 

• Keep hulu to a minimal. See above.
• Sleep 8 hours. This didn't happen. I slept maybe 6.5 hours, but I didn't succumb to a nap. I drank tea and did dishes to stay up. Wow.

I had an extra hour to do some work too. My students are working on an assignment in which they make a board game on "How a bill becomes a law."

 

Of course the first thing that comes to my mind is the Schoolhouse Rock.

What's your favorite Schoolhouse Rock video? "I'm Just A Bill" is my favorite or "Conjunction Junction."

Oh How Pinteresting: Magic

I don't want salty food that often, but yummy Greek 5-layer dip!

Source: thelovelycupboard.com via Julie on Pinterest

This is more like me!

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Source: spoonforkbacon.com via Julie on Pinterest

Soon we will find a home...

Source: gallery.apartmenttherapy.com via Julie on Pinterest

And, in all honesty, my room will be more like this than anything. Without that weird picture.

Source: toby-scott.tumblr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Listen up!

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I'm not all lovey-dovey, but this is magical.

Source: Uploaded by user via Julie on Pinterest

Or give me these legs. I'll be happy too.

WIAW: How to have a productive day

I've taken a nap or slept in three days in a row. Not a good habit. I was doing soooo well, but I haven't felt 100% lately.

But as with all things, I'll bounce back and will fight the urge to nap tomorrow afternoon.

How does one have a productive day?

Drink a little coffee.

Eat a slow food breakfast/oatmeal protein pancakes. I'm out of cottage cheese so I subbed in Greek yogurt. It's not as good, but I added a microwaved Granny Smith apple with cinnamon to both use up the apples and give myself a little sugar in the morning.

I also added microwaved cinnamon apple to my nighttime Greek yogurt.

Start off the day with a workout. I worked out Monday night and did a short short Tuesday night burner.

On Monday, I did The Hybrid Athlete's Strength Training for Endurance Athletes (~20-25 minutes with dynamic stretching) and then TurboKick class.

The Hybrid Athlete's Strength Training for Endurance Athletes

4 rounds, 12 reps each

• squat, curl, press
• single leg deadlift (each side)
• lateral lunge
• plank row (each side)
• reach & pull (each side)

I got my oil changed on Tuesday morning and worked at night. When I came home, I did Blonde Ponytail's GNC Get Strong & Lean Home Workout plus step-ups on the stairs with weights in my hands.

Blonde Ponytail's GNC Get Strong & Lean Home Workout
5 rounds, 20 seconds on/10 seconds off

• dumbbell swings
• push-ups with toe tap
• single arm reverse lunges
• skull crusher in bridge pose

Pack lunch and dinner, if necessary. I chose a chicken salad for lunch, shrimp salad with nori snack for dinner, and an apple & string cheese for snack time. 

I had Walden Farms' balsamic dressing but picked up chipotle ranch today after a quick search on the best of their dressings. I liked this one more than the balsamic. I also like their chocolate syrup but not their PB&Js. Have you tried them? If so, what's your fave?

I proceeded to have Trader Joe's pumpkin Greek yogurt to get in my pumpkin for the day. I bought 3 to stock up a little.

Study. This didn't happen tonight but I finished chapter 9/12 last night and will do all of chapter 10 tomorrow. You heard me!

Read for fun. I'm reading Shanghai Girls. Kind of. It's a tad depressing...

What I really want to read now is Life of Pi. One of my students is reading it and it's just the motivation to get me going. I read the first couple of short chapters and will read that in conjunction with Shanghai Girls. Yes?

Though studying comes first!

Keep hulu to a minimal. I'm watching "Castle" and "Bones" tonight. So excited! I have to block out some quality time for it.

Sleep 8 hours. 7 is okay, but 8 is king.

Another good habit I'm cultivating: budgeting. 

I suck at budgeting. If I have money, I spend it. On the other hand, if I don't have money, I don't use it. I live within my means. However, my savings has taken a beating. A big giant beating.  

After working for two years, I have nothing to show for it. So it's time to get real and there's only one way. I'll share it in the next post. Stay tuned!

P.S. This is the glory that happens when you leave gummy bears in the car on a warm day. I love these 12-fruit flavored gummies! Cheat treat! :)

What constitutes a productive day for you?

What are your favorite sources for workouts? I like less complicated moves. The Hybrid Athlete and Blonde Ponytail have been favorites of mine lately.