Monday, January 4, 2010

Ups, Downs, Spicy Acorn Squash & Baked Shrimp

Hello! How are you? HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope 2010 brings you all kinds of excitement. We had a very nice New Years. We were lucky enough to go to Duke for a tour of their basketball stadium and to attend a New Years Eve game versus Penn.

We felt very VIP getting to see the empty center:



And we enjoyed the game:



Unfortunately, Penn is nottttt very good.
Fortunately, Denzel Washington’s son plays for Penn and he was at the game ;). After the game, we had a fabulous dinner out:

And then brought in the New Year with a little party in our hotel rooms with Josh's family and friends.

Sadly, one of Josh’s “second moms” growing up past away last week. As a result, we took an unexpected trip up to Philadelphia for the funeral/wake. Such a tragedy, but we did get to spend some quality time with Josh’s friends.

We got back at 3 AM on Sunday morning and I spent the day catching up (gym, food store, laundry cleaning, Frank bath, lots of cooking). I passed out around 10:30 last night. When my alarm went off this morning…it sounded funny. I hopped out of bed to realize it was my phone ringing…not my alarm. Ugh- alarm did not go off and the gym was calling to tell me I had a full class waiting for me. I (VERY quickly) got dressed and drove to the gym in 10 minutes (some how) and still managed to teach Body Pump. I was upset...but I think my body was grateful for the extra sleep haha.

The rest of today has been spent working, running errands, and learning new choreography. For dinner tonight, I roasted up some acorn squash with some chili powder. I ate mine with eggs topped with salsa and (too much) Parmesan cheese. I also enjoyed a tortilla that I threw under the broiler and a diced apple. Not very pretty, but very tasty:

Josh had squash, baked shrimp and fruit.


For the shrimp, I dipped uncooked shrimp in egg whites and then tossed them with panko and chili powder. I put them on an oiled cookie sheet and baked them at 450 for about 8 minutes (turning once in the middle).


Everyone starting to get back on track with the gym after the holidays? My plan for the week looks as follows

  • Monday: Teach Body Pump
  • Tuesday: Teach Body Attack
  • Wednesday: Short warm up run and 45 minute spin
  • Thursday: Teach 45 minute Body Step, Teach 45 minute Body Pump, Body Step practice for launch
  • Friday: Off
  • Saturday: Teach Body Step and Launch Body Pump
  • Sunday: Off

What are you most looking forward to this week? I'm looking forward to getting my hair done on Friday- yippee! And then going out to dinner with Josh afterwards.

64 comments:

Abby said...

Happy New Year to you too, hun! SO sorry to hear abouut Josh's loss.. my thoughts are with you!!

YOU were totally in my neck of the woods, by the way.. Im about 25 minutes away from Duke..

Hang in there with your getting "back to normal" transition!!

Britt said...

Looks like a fun NYE! One of my good friends went to Duke, she actually got married in the gardens there!

Sorry about the loss.... glad you were able to be there for your friends and visit with family.

~M~ said...

Ohhh....that spicy acorn squash sounds something I would LOVE! yum!!

Happy New Year!

Pining for Pinterest said...

The shrimp looks so yummy :-) I am not looking forward to anything this week except for the weekend! I am starting my first week back at work since holiday and it has been hard :-(

homecookedem said...

Happy New Year! That shrimp looks so tasty!!

I'm back on track with working out. Andrew surprised me with a new workout DVD. It's called Power Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training. It was challenging and I know I'll be hurtin' tomorrow - in a good way of course! Have you ever heard of her? I think she had a reality show...

Anyway, have a great week!! :)

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

Hey girl! Glad you posted - been missing you not posting as much!! That shrimp looks extra yummy. MMM!!

Julie said...

erica! i missed you! glad you're back in action but it sounds like you had such a fun holiday :) that duke game is seriously baller status! i've been to duke once like forever ago when i was in elementary school we were visiting my grandma (who lived in aberdeen, nc) and we drove through. it was gawwwjuss!

i'm so sorry to hear about josh's second mom :( that's terrible so i'll give you a hug for him in the most non creepstat way ever.

ugh i totally understand the stress you must have felt this morning but way to come through girl! the people in your class must have been so happy that you made in and they BETTER have been grateful!

have a great night girl :)

Lauren said...

Happy New Year Erica! :)
Glad you had a great holiday but I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Josh's close friend. :( My thoughts and prayers are with you.

No worries, oversleeping happens to all of us sometimes. At least you still were able to fulfill the class and I am sure everyone understood.

Have a great week! :)

Love you always.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about Josh's loss.

That shrimp looks great. I might have to try that sometime soon.

As for what I'm looking forward to, honestly, it's making calzones for dinner with Jason on Wed.

Anonymous said...

I left you some blog love. :) http://thedallasceliac.com/2010/01/04/no-dinner-for-me/

I'm most looking forward to this week being over - I need another weekend :)

Maria said...

Great to see a post from you. Sorry about your family friend. Sending you love and hugs! I am glad you were able to still have a Happy New Year. Best of luck in 2010!

The Purple Carrot said...

Oh goodness, don't you just HATE that feeling of sleeping in and not being somewhere you're supposed to be?? I'm glad you made it so quickly though! :)

Deirdre said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Joss's loss. I am sure you are taking good care of him.

I'm most looking forward to going to Disney World to cheer on Amelia in the Disney Marathon.

Pam said...

Happy 2010 Sweetie...so sorry for Josh! Hey...had my hair and eyebrows done today...first for the brow's...lol!! I like em though!

Have fun and most of all enjoy!

xoxo to Frankie!

Hugs!

Paige (Running Around Normal) said...

I'm so sorry about Josh's loss:(

Duke looks amazing! That's so cool that Denzel was there.

Yikes about the ol' alarm, but hey, it happens to the best of us!
Have a great week, sweetie!

Molly said...

This is my last week at home, so I'm soaking up all the time with my family and pets (and also yoga!) that I can!
I have definitely had moments where my alarm didn't go off and I end up sprinting across campus to make it to practice! For me it always starts the day off a little roughly, but glad it worked out for you!

elise said...

sorry about your/josh's loss...at least you got to see some friends.

cool that you saw denzel at the game too!

Fresh Local and Best said...

It looks like had a busy and full holiday!

Sorry about the loss, it's especially tough during the holidays.

I hope the new year brings you much happiness and blessings!

Mom on the Run said...

Happy New Year!!

That shrimp looks so tasty. I love shrimp so it immediately caught my eye.

Anonymous said...

im looking foward to celebrating 2 years with my boy tommorow night!! yay!!

i LOVE your dinner..so much variety!!
ive been to a duke game before! they killed clemson last night..haha, sad for me

sorry about the loss girl..God is in control!

BroccoliHut said...

My beloved Cameron!! You are making me look forward to getting back to Duke this week!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

"Sadly, one of Josh’s “second moms” growing up past away last week"---Erica, I am soooo sorry for this hard time you must be going through. I am praying for you guys, hang in there :)
xoxox

Nicci said...

Sorry for your loss. I like how you cooked your shrimp, I'll have to try this.

Katie said...

Happy New Year, Erica & Josh!

So sorry for your family's loss. Am thinking of you guys.

Looks like a great weekend at Duke! And how cool that Denzel's son plays for Penn, even if they're not so good.

That shrimp is calling my name!

teresa said...

what a nice nye! sounds like a lot of fun, but i'm sorry to hear about your loss. the food looks wonderful, i LOVE acorn squash. happy tuesday!

tam said...

Happy new year! I'm so jealous of your workout week I've done my back in so exercise is out right now :(

On a happy note I may be taking a course later this year to become a personal trainer and wondered if you could give me some advice? x x

K from ksgoodeats said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss :(

Woohoo to the VIPs! Starting to live the high life of a Real Housewife?! I like! You got the celeb sighting, the VIP treatment, it's a sign! Happy 2010!!

I'm looking forward to using my bread maker and going shopping!

vanillasugarblog said...

oh my gosh you made it to the gym that fast? wow! I hope the people at the gym were nice at least?
so sorry for Josh-- :-(

brandi said...

Happy New year! I'm so sorry to hear about the loss - glad you were able to be there with everyone.

Rose said...

I'm so sorry for your loss... but glad that you got to spend time with people you love and care about!

Krista said...

You sure did have some ups and downs. Losing someone at this time of year always seems that much harder.

I'm looking forward to Noah's hockey tournament this weekend....

Anonymous said...

Have yall launched Pump 72? We start practice on Friday. I gotta start learning it. Eeek. I've looked, but not real good.

Holly said...

Oh, no....I'm so sorry to hear that. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers....what a rough time of year to lose someone, too. :-(

Glad you had a great holiday otherwise. I love Denzel! I would have been all up in his face LOL.

Enjoy your day, girl!

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

Happy New Year! I'm so sorry to hear that you two went to a funeral. So sorry for your loss.

Strangely enough, I'm looking forward to using my new polar heart rate monitor this week! It's good motivation for me to work out.

Kim @ Kim and Mikey said...

Happy new Year to you! It sounds like you had a great time. I am looking forward to Friday night, when the hubby and I are taking my two nephews out for pizza. While it may not be the healthiest thing to eat, they love it - and getting to hang out with them is worth it.

Anonymous said...

So sorry about Josh's loss. Something I'm looking forward to this week is spending time with my best friend. We really need a girls night!

Anonymous said...

how fun!!!

Anonymous said...

Aw, that's too sad about Josh's second momma - sometimes the second mommas listen more! :D

Nice VIP treatment too! I am just looking forward to getting back to my normal routine!

Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather said...

Oh no! That's too bad about the alarm not going off. I hate waking up feeling crazy rushed!

I'm looking forward to the 10 mile run I've got this Saturday. My 1/2 marathon is just 19 days away so I'm hoping this run will give me a clue on how I'll do.

Happy new year to ya!

Juliana said...

Happy New Year Erica! Great pictures! The food looks so yummie :-)

Kerstin said...

So sorry for your loss - I hope you and Josh are doing ok.

On a lighter note, it looks like you had such a fun NYE and those shrimp look to yummy and crunchy! Happy New Year!

Diana said...

We went to a Duke game (click to see our photos) last January! Neat! Hubby is a HUGE Duke fan!

Sorry to hear about Josh's second mom. :(

Diana

KathEats said...

GO DUKE!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

nice schedule you have there! body pump queen, I really wish I lived closer to you to take a class!

so sorry to hear about josh 'second mom' I am sure it was nice for you to be there and surrounded my friends and family.

those baked shrimps looks awesome! I have tons of panko that I got from progresso for free and haven't used them yet!

enjoy your night, erica!

fittingbackin said...

You're a busy bee as always!

I'm so sorry to hear about Josh's loss - that's so sad. Especially over the holidays. :(

You guys were totally VIP - love it.

I'm looking forward to Austin getting back home - me and Reuben don't miss him so much!!

lynn said...

sorry to hear about the funeral...:(

HEAB said...

So sorry about Josh's family's friend. I'm glad you guys were able to attend the funeral though.

What a fun New Years! Isn't Duke's campus so beautiful? I used to go visit my younger brother when he attended UNC, and I always made him drive me around Duke.

Cannot believe you made it to the gym in 10 minutes. Impressive Erica! Have fun getting your hair done. Having my hair washed is one my most favorite things on the planet. I love when they massage my scalp. The best!

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about your loss. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said...

I'm sorry to hear about your loss! Are you doing okay now? How's your hubby?

This should cheer you up: You won the European Food giveaway on my blog! Send me your address, girl!! :)

Zesty Cook said...

Happy New Year!! Looks like you had a blast. Food looked awesome.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about Josh's second mom.

Hair appointments always lift my spirits (and roots, haha)!

Unknown said...

sorry about the loss, always tough, but it't nice to be around those that you love.

penn is not very good ;) too bad i never saw denzel at any games! (his son must not have been there when i was there)

happy new year hun!

Alison said...

What a holiday weekend you had in, I can't say I'm surprised you slept in by mistake, you probably needed it! Getting dressed and to the gym to teach a class in 10 minutes though? Totally impressed! I hope this week is going smoothly for you girly!

Michelle @ Find Your Balance said...

Happy new year! That's my nightmare, to sleep through a morning class I'm supposed to teach! ahhh!

This week is busy busy, leaving for hawaii next week so gotta get everything in order now... :-)

chrystad72 said...

Happy new year sweetie!! Yey for Duke! I went to a basketball game between Duke and UNC a few years back (I lived in Charleston and Savannah for awhile) And that was one crazy game! It looks like so much fun!
So sorry for your loss too hun=/ Thats so tragic.

Those are some wonderful looking shrimps! Yum!! Its always a bit tough getting back on track after the holidays. Although I kinda look forward to it! Sounds like you are doing an awesome job girl!

Holly said...

salon days are the BEST! nothing makes me feel rejuvenated more than a good washing and highlighting :)

so sorry to hear about josh's 2nd mom...lots of love to you and josh.

have a wonderful week dear - and that baked shrimp dish looks AWESOME!

mwah!

Paula said...

Sheesh! I didn't even think to bake shrimp. I like the way you did it. Finally back to my workout, after 2 weeks. :( Eeeh! Did I just reveal that. Feels good to be sore and have the Holidays behind us. Happy New Year ;D

Diana said...

So sorry to hear of Josh's loss!

I am on track with workouts and stuff, which hopefull paired well with the extra Christmas cookies, but I feel like I'm getting a cold now and that could seriously cramp my style!

Anonymous said...

Yikes!!! Glad u made it to class :D And sorry for Josh's loss, that is a sad end to the holidays, my thoughts are with u guys.

I'm getting my hair done on Friday toooo, so excited! Rest up girl :D

monicaonthego.com said...

Sorry for your loss, I will say a prayer for her family and friends.

Those baked shrimp look great, I am going to give that a try.

*Check out the 2 great giveaways going on now @ monicaonthego.com, Etsy headband & Natures Gate Lotion set*

Cate O'Malley said...

Love the idea of Parmesan cheese on eggs - yum!

Barbara said...

Happy New Year to you! Looks like fun!
Yummy food, too!
Well, I'm back on track with diet and exercise so I'm a happy camper. I was a very bad girl for 2 weeks. (Hangs head in shame.)

Ada said...

I'm so glad you got to have fun at that game and how neat that you got to see Denzel Washington!

I'm so sorry, though, about your loss. I'm glad you were able to attend the funeral/wake.

Chef Fresco said...

Next time you need to go to UNC! Wayy better basketball and way more fun!! (okay so maybe I'm biased:) Sorry to hear about your loss.