Coke, Fries and a Cheeseburger

Being snowed in does have its benefits: no school, Lost marathons on Hulu and sleeping late.

There is always one thing you wish you could have but you can't cause you're snowed in. Mine was a Big Mac, fries and a Dr. Pepper from McDonald's.

It was all I could think about for 3 days. I was a re-occuring thought that just taunted me from inside my head. I could smell the delicious fries and taste the sweet Dr. Pepper, and I couldn't do anything about it. I was stuck. Stuck inside my house. Without the artery clogging goodness.

Something else that happens when it snows that I'm not too fond of: You can't go anywhere. I can not want to go anywhere for days and days. Then it snows, and I'm itching to get out of the house.

I know what it is...It is because I'm not suppose to leave. It's dangerous to drive in the snow in Arkansas. Because winter weather is so rare, people act totally stupid on the road. Driving in the snow and ice is not an Arkansan's strong point.

So as of Thursday night, I have been restricted to the confinment of my house, which would usually be ok. But I just wanted to get out and get a Big Mac...and I had to wait until today. 3 whole days to dream of the tasty Number 1 with cheese and sauce only.

Mt and I left the house for the first time in one of our own cars. The roads were a lot better, still slushy but drivable. People were out and about in full force (probably because they were tired for being stuck inside just like me).

We drove straight to McDonald's. It almost seemed like we couldn't get home fast enough. But let me tell you, that Big Mac was the best Big Mac I've ever eaten. Not even kidding. SO good. It was like a dream come true, even though I've had my fair share of Big Macs in my day. :)

So yeah, it is not really in line with the healthy foods and the exercise kick, but I'm only human. Sometimes a McDonald's run is needed to keep you motivated. Yes, I ate it. And it was great. Will I regret it tomorrow? Probably so...especially when Bob is kicking my butt with early morning cardio.

A Letter about the Weather

Dear Winter Weather,

While usually I would love an excuse to get out of school for a whole day, I have a favor to ask. Please please please snow and/or ice all night long and into the wee hours of the morning. Just enough for the big dogs on campus to close the university...and then STOP!

Sincerely,
ashten
a.k.a. lover of snow days/hater of actual snow

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Yeah Yeah. So what? I don't really like snow. I know it is pretty and white and whatever. But it is freakin' cold. I don't really like the cold...and since snow and ice fall into the cold category I'm not really a fan.

Do I want to wake up to icy roads and snow covered roofs? Yes. Do I want to check the campus Web site and see that class was cancelled? Of course. Do I want to be confined to my houes for 3 days because the roads are so icy that I can't drive anywhere? Not so much.

So yes, let it snow. But just stop so I can still do other stuff. I like to have options on my days off...especially days that are suppose to be school days. So snow all you want to sky....but just give me a break so I can go rent a movie and get stuff to make a yummy pot of soup!!!

People shouldn't rush you on the bread aisle

For 21 years I have not had to worry about what I eat or drink. Then, I had the most look forward to birthday (21st birthday), and my pants decided not to fit anymore. Lets just say I slowly drank my way to a new pants size....and my eating habits weren't that hot either.

I'm not saying I drank all day everyday of all the weekends, but if I wanted to enjoy a beverage of my choice, I would. And now it has come to bite me in the booty, lower abs and thighs.

Like I said in a previous blog post, I have started a workout routine that is totally kicking my butt. But along with that, I have started to eat healthy. Well healthy foods sometimes don't cut it. Every now and then a girl just needs a pint of ice cream and a spoon....ok. Don't judge.

My roommate (for privacy purposes, lets call her MT) got the "Eat This, Not That" books for Christmas. Well I picked one up the other day and started flipping through the pages. Guess what? Every single thing I love to eat is a NOT THAT. I tell you what...it makes for a crappy day to find out all of your favorite foods are bad for you.

MT, being the newly developed health nut that she is, has asked for us not to eat things with large amounts of butter and/or sugar. Butter and sugar? Well that is stupid. I love butter and sugar. Those two items alone can make cardboard appetizing.

One night I'm cooking supper, and MT comes in the kitchen and says something similar to this: Hey, next time you make asparagus can we maybe use olive oil and not a whole stick of butter.

I tell you that was a sad day for me. I guess it does defeat the purpose of eating the vegetable if it is soaked in a hot butter bath. Now don't go and blame MT for me being hungry and missing out on buttery and sugary delights...she is just trying to keep us alive until we are 150. ;)

After about 2 months, I began to adjust to the new no-butter-no-sugars (in mass quanities) lifestyle.

So here is something funny. I went grocery shopping today. First, why is the bread aisle always so congested? It always seems like a very specific dance is going on there...and if you don't know the right moves, you will be mowed over by more experienced buggy pushers.

Anyway...back to the story. I'm on the always congested bread aisle, and I find myself in a dilemma. I couldn't remember what kind of bread I'm not suppose to buy. I couldn't remember what "Eat This, Not That" said about bread.

So what do I do? I start checking labels on the back of the bread for sugar and sodium content. Yes, I am now one of those people that you hate on the bread aisle. I stood there for as long as I could stand the people giving me death stares and the people accidentially (but purposefully) bumping my buggy and the people reaching around me to the All-American Wonder white bread. I wanted to say: Hey! Just give me a minute. I'm trying to find healthy, 100% whole wheat bread that won't clog my arteries in the long run.

I know eating healthy and exercising is good for you. It's just that no one ever told me it was going to be this difficult. I have been doing good for the most part, but I still sneak in some oldies-but-goodies from time to time. I've got Oreos and Rice Krispie Treats stashed for those bad days...and those days when baby carrots just won't cut it.

22nd Birthday Extravaganza

Those of you who know me know how much I love celebrating birthdays. I love celebrating friends birthdays. I like buying gifts and making cakes and throwing surprise parties. It truly brings me joy to make someone's birthday extra special.

Now that you have an overview of my love for birthdays, I can tell you something. My 22nd birthday is closing in fast. It is less than 2 weeks away...which is really exciting. So I'm having a dilemma. I need to find a super cool place to eat on my special day of birth.

I want to go to a place where dressing up isn't frowned upon. I have some really cute dresses, and I don't really get to wear them anywhere. I also want to eat foods I don't eat everyday. I just don't know where I should go.

I just want a small group of friends to celebrate with me, but I want the food to be amazing. So if you have any ideas as to where I should go my special birthday dinner, just leave me a comment. I love suggestions. Basically think off the beaten path...I'm not really scared to try different food. Mundane food is not acceptable on this oh so special evening that will be my birthday day.

Working Out Is for the Birds

One of my New Year's resolutions was to start working out three days a week. I don't have class until noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays so it seems only logical for those days to be my workout days.

Let me just say...I am not the type that likes to work out. I never have been, probably never will be. But when your pants start to not fit something has to be done.

So I have started to work out. My roommate got the Biggest Loser Cardio Max workout video with the trainer Bob from the tv show Biggest Loser. Let me just say...Bob looks amazing, but everyone else on that video not so much.

It is comforting to me that all of the people on the video are bigger and actually breaking a sweat. I know that sounds terrible for me to say, but it is just good to know that I am not the only one breaking a sweat and hating Bob because they sweat and hate Bob, too.

For the past 3 or so weeks, I have been working out with Bob in my living room. It is a 30 minute workout: 5 minute warm-up, 20 minute cardio workout and 5 minute yoga cool down. Let me be real honest: At first, I hated it. I hated Bob. I hated the pretend jump rope exercise. I hated the sweating. Most of all, I hated the sore muscles and pain after the fact.

Now, three weeks later, I am beginning to understand Bob and all he is doing for my body. Bathing suit season is nearing, and I don't want everyone to know that I enjoy a beverage of my choice whenever I want one.

I can already tell a big difference in my breathing. I can do more and not be as tired. My muscles are not really sore anymore, and Bob and I can stay on the same page....or more importantly I can actually keep up with Bob. I'm starting to like the sweat and the workout. Maybe one day I will become a marathon runner....but lets be honest...probably not.

I highly recommend Bob and the Biggest Loser cardio max workout to all of you interested in getting in shape. My goal was not to be buff and ripped with muscle, but to be tone and fit. I tell you...I'm getting there. Tone and fit here I come.