I knew my mom would love this title!
Tonight’s post is on Fix-Ups + Fitness.
Why? Because I busted my butt cleaning all day and I’d like a pat on the back. tee hee. No really, I do! I sure hope hubby reads this tonight. Wait, he never reads my blog :( Sniff, sniff. I have a deadbeat hubby blogger! LOL. Maybe Matt can talk some sense into him?
Ok so back to my cleaning spree.
Eric and I like to call it The Fake House. We got that term off of Everybody Loves Raymond and have been using it with a twinkle in our eye ever since.
That is the term used for cleaning the house like a mad person before company arrives. When they arrive we present to them The Fake House. When they leave the Authentic House resumes itself with a huge sigh.
I mean, our guests really don’t think we keep the house like that all the time do they? Could they?
I am the first to admit that we let our house get messy and leave it longer than we probably should. Sure, I do surface cleans quite regularly, but the deep down cleans don’t happen as much as I would like. A work in progress if you will.
Coming from our condo in Toronto, that was a mere 840 sq. feet, looking after our house is much different.
Tonight’s question: If you don’t use a room and you keep the door closed do you have to clean it?
If a dust bunny falls on the floor and no one is around to clean it, is it really a mess?
Yes, these are the questions I pondered today while cleaning. I wish I had my voice recorder to record all of these brilliant thoughts. It is amazing how the fumes from the cleaning agents can really light my brain cells on fire.
Ok, ok I will post some pictures and stop rambling like a crazy person. Sheesh, so demanding.
I got rid of the Dust Bunnies on the stairs. I was so sick of looking at them!
Just call me Molly. At your service.
Say goodbye to these harsh cleaning agents. Once these bottles are Dunzo, I plan on switching to all organic cleaners!
I cleaned off tons of clutter on the kitchen counter. It is crazy how much stuff piles up. Mail, boxes, newspapers, baking stuff, notes, etc etc!
Shoot. I should have taken a before picture of the desk. It was COVERED in crap. I hope no one opens the drawers. LOL.
I also did the bathrooms, hallway, etc. I still need to do the Office. [OMG! IT’s OFFICE night!!! I just realized! lol]
My mom and stepdad’s Refresher:
If they think they are getting Glo Bakery products they are sadly mistaken!! bahaha.
Sketchie chases the broom, mop, and vacuum cleaner. *sigh
I wish I was done…but I’m not! I still have to wash the hardwood in the kitchen and then help Eric move the couches back into the Family room when he gets home from work. Almost done..
I admit, I was feeling quite inspired for my workout today after receiving all of your emails about the OSG Bikini Body Boot Camp Challenge! So many of you have signed up. That is so awesome. I was just telling Melissa that we should organize a big OSG photoshoot at the end and show off our sexy selves. ;) Or I could put together a slideshow or something fun.
My workout:
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40 mins. on the treadmill
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Max heart rate: 160 bpm
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Avg heart rate: 143 bpm
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Feel the burn: 310 kcals
Today I watched a special weight loss special on The Doctors while I worked out. It was great! Jillian Michaels was a guest host. Did anyone else catch it?
It was super motivating and made the time go by much quicker.
Today I decided to take a break from the interval runs and just walk. I don’t want to overdo it too fast.
Here’s what I did:
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Walked at speed 4.0, incline 12% for the first 15 mins to warm up
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at minute 15 I got off the treadmill and did 10-12 push ups followed by 2 side planks approx. 30 secs each.
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I got back on the treadmill and walked at same speed and incline until minute 20
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Then I got off the treadmill, and repeated the pushups and planks
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I did this until minute 35 (that was my last interval) and then I cooled down from minutes 36-40 at speed 3.5 incline 5%
It was a great interval workout and the time just flew by! Because I mixed in pushups and planks I got a TOTAL BODY workout.
My eye was on the prize- Bikini Body Boot Camp!
Ok, we’re at T minus 3.5 hours until my parents arrive. I best get back to it!
Tonight’s questions: 1) What exercise did you do today (or are planning on doing tomorrow) for Bikini Boot Camp?
2) I have an Eggplant and a cabbage in the fridge and I want to make a dinner out of 1 (or both) Anyone know any dinner recipes?? I rarely rarely cook with either of these! HELP!
See you tomorrow for Baking Day!
Haha, I think we ALL have fake houses when company comes over : ) And in my opinion, the rooms we don’t use much ARE always clean;)
Here’s what I made when I had an eggplant and cabbage I didn’t know what to do with (ha, I rarely cook with them either!) http://lborger.blogspot.com/2009/02/stuffed-eggplant-and-greek-yogurt.html
Ange, i’ve been cooking with eggplant all week. Don’t you read my blog??? hahaha…
Sliced it, paprika’d it, baked it… 20 mins is all it took!
The other day I made an eggplant wrap.
Today I put eggplant in my omelette.
Tomorrow it’s going on top of my salad.
Oh the possibilities!!!
haha I know I SAW it all and it looked fabulous just like you. However I was thinking more along the lines of a dinner casserole dish for when my parents are here…? An ideas? What about egg plant lasagna!
Your house looks like it must be beautiful!!! Housework puts me in a foul mood!!!
I ran on the treadmill today and did some work on the elliptical. That’s pretty typical of me which is why I signed up for your challenge!! :)
I’ve been meaning to try this (Eggplant) Involtini recipe from Nigella for awhile. It was in the NY Times awhile ago. Sounds so good — it has a stuffing of feta, pine nuts, raisins, bread crumbs, a little lemon zest and mint and parsley. You could probably lighten it up a bit if you think it’s too rich.
http://events.nytimes.com/recipes/1768/2003/12/10/Involtini/recipe.html
Eggplant parm is a fav of mine….try breading it, smothering in your great red sauce and topping with a nice cheese and bake!
I just bought an older historially home and your home looks beautiful. Was it new or have your and your husband redone your house. Would love to see more pictures. It looks like you have an asian theme in your mom and stepdads room.
your house is gorgeous, im quite jealous :)
Enjoy spending time with your parents!
What a beautiful house! Good luck getting everything finished in time :) Loved what you said about the desk “I hope no one opens the drawers” LOL. Have fun and I don’t have an answer for #2 but #1 I am going to focus on abs tomorrow. Woohoo!
<3 jess :)
xxx
I did 40 minutes of awesome yoga today and it felt great to stretch out!
I’m looking forward to a long road run tomorrow.
switching t oall natural cleaners-everything from sink to toilet to laundry to detergent–was one of the best things I have done, I literally can tell the difference in my body. I really love mrs. meyers and 7th generation, and I have found them to be very affordable at drugstore.com.
i think if you don’t use a room and you keep the door to it closed, all you have to do before company comes is a quick dust + vacuum (if it’s carpet) or swiff of the floor (hardwood). since i’m now living in a big house by myself, i keep most doors to rooms closed, which cuts down on my heating bill and save time cleaning up (because somehow, even though i don’t regularly use those rooms, if i leave the doors open clutter migrates in!)
Your post made me laugh like crazy seriously, the Fake house happens to me pretty often and the best part, the compliment I receive with regards to the sanity and cleanliness in the house. I just smirk and think wish you were here just hours before sister?!?!
Why don’t you try the evergreen Eggplant parmesan..oops you don’t eat dairy right?!?
Here is my BIKINI workout that i did today:
1 hour zumba
1 hour strength class
20 min. Eliptical
Some abs, shoulders, and chest exercises
YAY! Your workout today sounded good…i have to try it!
eggplant curry? that sounds good :) eggplant parmesan?
no workout today, but I’m hoping for running or spinning tomorrow, plus some running this weekend.
we did bodypump yesterday, so I’m pretty sore
Oooo I have a GREAT eggplant recipe:
Slice the eggplant in 1/2-inch thick slices, then drizzle both sides of each slice with olive oil and salt + pepper. Then throw them in your cast iron pan on medium-high heat. When both sides of each slice are golden brown and the eggplant is soft, you’re done. Layer slices of grilled eggplant with slices of fresh mozzerella cheese – probably 3 slices of eggplant and 2 slices of cheese for each serving.
While the eggplant is cooking, pour some balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan (maybe 1.5-2 cups or so). Cook on medium heat until the vinegar reduces to syrup (it should coat the back of a spoon). When the eggplant and mozzerella are all layered up, drizzle the balsamic syrup over the top. DEELISH!
No idea where I got that recipe, but I’ve been making it since I was like 16!
Hey Angela, I made some bbq-y cabbage a while ago (http://eatingchalk.wordpress.com/2009/03/15/check-plus/) that was pretty good.
What a fun Post. Thanks!
OMIGOD! I love your house!