This weekend was jam-packed full of Sometimes Healthy activities that had me raring and ready to go to the gym on this dreary Monday morning. From a Yankees game and a wine filled pizza night to a six mile run in the mountains and a Girls on the Run 5K, it was the perfect balance of health and indulgence.
Friday, Sweat Day
One of my focuses on workouts this summer is diversifying and expanding my cardio workouts. I’ve always relied heavily on running, so I’m trying to mix in some functional workouts and other cardio machines. I was really in the mood to sweat Friday morning before a weekend of fun indulgences, so I threw together this circuit workout.
It was a long, sweaty workout, and by the end of it, I was sweating so hard I had to take off my shirt! Of course, it didn’t help that it was literally 90 degrees outside.
I heart sweat…and taking selfies at the gym.
I know I say this every year, but the weather this summer is already so strange. From 60 degrees at Michelle’s wedding to 90 degrees the next weekend. You just never know what’s next…
After beating the heat and finishing our work for the day, we headed out for a night on the town, featuring one of the best combinations in the world: pizza and wine.
Is there anything better?
We finished off the night at our favorite wine bar, Paula’s Stone Cottage and Wine Bar. It’s a small wine bar on the edge of a town not far from where we live.
Feels just like home
We’ve been coming here since we started dating, and we just love the atmosphere of live music and cozy decor. The owner always makes us feel at home, and we love the wine and food.
Perfection.
Every time we get the cheese plate, it’s different than the time before, and there is always some sort of cheese we’ve never tasted.
Delizioso
We ended up staying way later than we planned, because we met a sweet couple who wanted to give us relationship advice! They have been married 35 years and had all sorts of stories and wisdom to pass our way.
This ALWAYS happens at Paula’s. A lot of times we’re the youngest couple in there, but we always meet the most interesting people.
Saturday = More Sweat
We had plans Saturday night to head to NYC for a Yankees game, so we were out of the house early to get the pup some exercise.
During the summer, we take Cole to trails and mountains that have big water preserves, so that he can get the exercise he needs without getting too dehydrated. Can you imagine having to spend the whole summer wearing a thick, furry black coat?
I can play forever no matter what the weather
Sometimes, the poor guy just doesn’t know his limits 🙂
We completed about 6 miles during our hilly, scenic run, stopping every couple miles to give our puppy a much-needed dip in the water.
Super dog!
Look at him jump!
The great part of the run is that it’s uphill the whole first part and downhill on the way back. I was a hot, sweaty, buggy mess by the end, but the run felt surprisingly great, and we had one tired, happy dog.
Wet dog, happy dog!
Food and Fun: Yankees Game
For my BF’s birthday in March, I purchased Yankees vs Red Sox tickets. He loves the Yankees, and we’ve never been to a game together, so I figured a game against their arch-rivals would be the perfect choice.
We were going to stay overnight in the city, but a train near our home actually drops us off right in front of the stadium, so we decided to make it a day trip. Just an FYI if you ever take a train from the Hudson Valley to NYC: it’s a GORGEOUS train ride. Just make sure you sit on the side next to the river!
The Hudson Valley to NYC train ride view
Once we arrived, my BF took me out to one of the Yankees bars, and we enjoyed a nice pre-game beer.
He snapped a photo of me in my Yankees gear to send to my father…a die-hard Cubs fan who probably wouldn’t be too thrilled with my attire ;-).
Still a Cubs fan at heart
Once we arrived at the game and found our seats, we had one clear objective: food. I’ve only been to one other Yankees game before (captured on this blog), and I remember that food was one of the best parts of the game!
We started by splitting a Philly Cheesesteak from Carl’s, which I had eaten last time and knew I would love.
Just like Philly makes it
I’ve been to Philly a couple of times, and I swear this cheesesteak is pretty close to the original. Amazing.
It was actually very hot out, and the sun was setting directly over our seats, so we opted to walk around the stadium and view the game from different vantage points for most of the time to stay cool. (We also happened to be sitting by the trademark loud New Yorker who shouted at every pitch, no matter what happened).
What a view!
We also enjoyed a few more eats:
Pulled pork nachos, pretzels, beer. I heart baseball.
Sadly, the Yankees were not at their best and were way behind by the 7th inning stretch. Blame it on the BF. He’s been to more games than he can count, and the Yankees have only won ONE time when he was in attendance.
Come on Yankees, you can do it!
We knew we had a bit of a journey back home, and we were extremely full and tired. So, we headed out around 10:00. The Yankees ended up losing 11 to 1. Bad.luck.charm.
Sunday: Early Rise for a Good Cause
Part of the reason we headed home early is that I planned on volunteering for Girls on the Run Hudson Valley at 6 am Sunday morning.
I volunteered for the organization back in NYC and wrote a post on my inspiring experience being a running buddy during the 5K.
With my rock star runner. She ran the whole thing, even after falling!
As far as charities go, this is something that I could not feel more passionate about. Girls on the Run is a national program that trains girls (3rd through 8th grade) for 5Ks, while teaching them essential life lessons during each after-school practice session.
As someone who found her confidence when she discovered running, I believe very strongly in the purpose of this program. I only wish I had discovered running at an earlier age, like these girls. I was definitely one of the “walkers” during the mile at my elementary school! (I’ll bet any of you were too!)
I was very excited to find out that Girls on the Run exists in the Hudson Valley. In fact, it’s a new program that was started by an amazing woman, Kim, less than a year ago. This was only the second 5K for the program, and the amount of girls has already tripled!
Getting ready for their big moment!
Since the program is still new, the girls complete their 5K as part of a larger area 5K, unlike the NYC program which had a race devoted entirely to Girls on the Run.
I think it was really exciting for the girls to be part of a larger 5K and finishing a race next to people three times their size! I was also very impressed with how seamless the day went and how well-organized everything was.
Sprinting through the finish with the rest of the race!
I helped run the registration and sat at the booth for those interested in learning more about the program.
I’m also going to be helping with PR and marketing for GOTR Hudson Valley this year, and I’m very excited to spread the word!
While I worked the booth, I read the coaches manual and lesson plans. The messages in there were so inspiring and important. I am hoping to also sign on as a coach this season!
So many important life lessons in here!
While I was exhausted and running on little sleep, I’m so glad that I was able to attend and watch these girls achieve such an amazing goal. More to come on this program for sure.
And, if you are looking to start one in your area, I would suggest going to the national website. You’ll find all the information you need and who to contact to get started. Feel free to emails me with questions!
Cleaning Time
From one of my favorite activities to one of my least favorite activities: Cleaning! Now that I live in an actual house, I need to do the things that people who actually live in houses do…like cleaning.
The BF and I created a chore list, which we try to stick to. I’m not necessarily the best at following the list, but I’m very good at cleaning the kitchen…after all, it’s the most important room in our house!
I dread this list.every.sunday.
Last night, I somehow got a second wind of motivation and decided to attack the “pantry of doom.” You know what I’m talking about – that one pantry that just gets messier and messier, and it keeps piling up until you can’t take it anymore.
A Sometimes Healthy, Sometimes Messy pantry.
I couldn’t believe what I found: 6 cans of bread crumbs, 3 baking sodas, 2 jars of molasses and a WHOLE lot of sprinkles…wonder where those came from?
The expiration dates on some of these things was very interesting. Does anyone need some cake from 2008?
This has been in my BF’s house since way before I came along!
We also had a lot of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, so I’m planning on making fresh marinara sauce for dinner tonight or Tuesday! I mentioned in Friday’s post that I’ve tackled homemade marinara sauce before, so any tips would be welcome 🙂
I was also thinking of trying to make dinners and lunches this week using ingredients from the pantry. Check out how organized it is now!
Patting myself on the back for this one.
Via Pinterest, I discovered this website where you can input the ingredients you have unhand and the website gives you recipes that feature them!
This could be the beginning of something amazing.
I’ll let you all know how it turns out!
Now, it’s back to the grind. Here’s a picture of one of the beautiful flowers from our garden to get your Monday started right.
BF deserves the credit for this one.
Question:
Have you ever made marinara sauce? Tips?
Any apps for turning pantry ingredients into dishes?
Ever worked with GOTR? Interested in starting in your area? Let me know!
I adore your life and you live in the most beautiful, scenic place! I also enjoyed reading about Girls on the Run. I want to get involved! That sounds like such a fun and amazing cause to get involved with.
Definitely get involved! You’re near the city right? They have a great program there. Just google it and you should be able to get in touch with the right people. The 5K for the spring just finished, but as soon as school starts, they will be getting started on the fall 5K.
sounds like you had a busy and productive weekend! 🙂 closet/pantry cleaning is actually one of my favorite chore, it’s sortof nostaligic and funny going thru forgotten things and remembering how they ended up in your closet!
hahaha very true. I definitely enjoy the pantry over the closet though. Anything food-related is just so much more fun for me for some reason! 🙂
Your involvement with Girls on the Run is super inspiring! Also, that website you found is awesome!! Make sure to use lots of garlic and basil in your marinara sauce.
Great tip! We grow our own basil, so I will be sure to add a whole lot of it!!
That pizza looks SO good! It has been far too long since I have had any. That must change!
And nice job on the pantry. I have cleaning out my pantry and my freezer on my “to do” list for this weekend..oh joy! 😉
Oh you should definitely post what you find – I always find it so interesting to see what is in other bloggers’ pantries 🙂
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