atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Filling in the Blanks

wp-1653073152998

There are so many reviews I have to type up and books I need to read that I sat back and worked on both while I was pedaling today. And this time, I felt my heart rate go up and I was breathing faster so nothing like my previous workouts for this week. I was WORKING. My muscles are burning!

I went extra hard since I had noodles with my lunch today and that’s a lot of extra calories (and salt). I know it’s not the healthiest way to see things; balancing out a non-healthy food with a workout but in terms of sheer calories in versus calories out, this is better.

Later I’ll still be doing my squats and maybe some weights. Absolutely going to have a light dinner after work since I had the ramen. With the Saxenda, there just isn’t room for much after such a big lunch. And I plan to treat myself to an end of the week beer because something about the last 5 days has been exhausting and I deserve a treat.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workouts: Multitasking Fail

wp-1652886349923

You can tell from the heart points that I never really got my heart rate up to where I was actually burning any fat. I was talking to people, checking orders, emails, messages, all sorts of stuff for work while I was trying to pedal so, I wasn’t going as hard as I could consistently. It’s better than sitting but not by much.

wp-1652977982451

I did make a trip to the farmer’s market on my lunch break so I could hit up the little Italian stand for broccoli rabe ravioli and small batch marinara to have for dinner tonight. I spent more than I wanted to (because they also had small blocks of parmesan cheese and I needed some for Caesar salads) but I haven’t been to this market since before COVID and I want to support it.

I didn’t take any pictures of it before I snarfed it down. You’ll just have to imagine it.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: I forgot to do weights…

wp-1652806144436

I thought I was going to do so good today, do the peddler at work then remember to get the kettlebell but I got home and completely forgot. I made some writing progress (updated on Patreon) so when I got home, I went right on to the next story. All of a sudden, it’s ten at night and I’d lost track of time. I didn’t even have a cup of tea before bed or do my squats; I just went to bed. Later on in the week, I’m gonna have to have a long weight day to make up for this.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Meh…

wp-1652721184588I had all these hopes for a productive day today and I was just not feelin it. I sat here for 30 minutes deciding whether or not to even post today even with the blank page up right in front of me. It’s a special kind of tired/unmotivated to have the thing open right there and still wanting to say fuck it and post later. But it’s gonna thunderstorm so, I want to get this posted before the power possibly goes out.

I was obviously distracted while I was doing the bike today and I was watching the clock. I was able to get my cardio in but it was an absolute chore. I’m glad I didn’t skip but ugh, what a slog… 

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout and Cooking Day.

Since I had the time (and I forgot to do it yesterday) I took the bones from the turkey and set up a pot to make broth. The lemon and lime flavor made it so good I was tempted to drink that for dinner but I’d rather save it to make some soup.

“But Lenni, why are you making soup when June is just around the corner?”

Honestly, they keep the air conditioning so high at work that a warm lunch is perfect to take with me. Mixing in some noodles and turkey meat (I froze what I didn’t eat so far) sounds like something worth trying out. I have made chicken noodle soup with chicken broth I made and it worked out well. 

wp-1652657340609

Since I invested so much time in cardio, I decided the kettle bell was best for today. I did this, 50 squats, and some stretching. I figure going up and down the stairs tending to the broth for several hours while cleaning was enough cardio for me.

wp-1652649439075

Since I’m obviously not going to have just broth for dinner, I baked some chicken thighs marinated in lime and lemon juice. There’s black garlic and the citrus seasoning from Trader Joe’s. There’s lemon and Tajin on the cabbage and onion. I threw on the cherry tomatoes because… I forgot they were in the fridge and were gonna go bad.

I think we all know that feeling of buying healthy ingredients with the best of intentions only for them to wither away uneaten. I’m the worst with that when it comes to fruit. I get it thinking I’ll be all virtuous and such only to end up throwing them out. That’s why I didn’t make bacon mac and cheese like I wanted to. I’ve been wanting to make that again.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Biking While Reading

wp-1652382892592

All those manga and graphic novels I ordered are coming in and I’m so excited for a lot of these titles. I had to pick some out to read before they make it to the shelves (reviews will be coming) and it’s easy to just pedal while I read. The time just flew by and since it’s always so cold in the office, I got my heartrate up high enough that I was actually hot. 

Friday I’ll probably to a long weights session since I haven’t done enough of those this week. I really wanna tone up my abs and arms before I start to consider heavier lifting. I heaviest weights I own are 10 pounds and I’d like to get stronger but I’m not willing to spend the money on heavier stuff until I hit my first weight goal. 

I have been thinking of getting back into running soon as an extra workout three days a week. I honestly just miss doing it and I wanna know what happens next in Zombies Run. I’m one of those nerds who’s invested in the story.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: I Earned the Sausage

wp-1652207645062

I figured I needed to do a full 40 minutes today since not only did I have that turkey and potatoes for lunch but I needed to use the Italian sausage I bought and now have 4 packs of…

Don’t ask…

wp-1652222715155

I browned the sausage and saved some of the pasta water (I keep forgetting to do this) to mix with a splash of olive oil and two pats of butter. The result was a delightful creamy texture without feeling oily. Honestly, this didn’t need to sprinkle mozzarella on top. It was fine as is. And of course I threw some sliced garlic in there. I’m gonna have to keep this dish in my rotation in the future if the sausage is on sale again.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Triple Threat

In addition to using the under desk peddler, I had to walk up to the store to get hot sauce (my kid is obsessed) and some sesame oil (that’s getting expensive so not buying that for awhile…), I picked up the kettle bell after a super light dinner. My only cheat was a small portion of Tipsy Scoop for dessert. Raspberry Limoncello Sorbet, if you’re curious. Very nice as a cap to the evening.

I am really feeling these arm workouts. I think I’m back in the head space where the soreness is letting me know I’m doing a good thing for my body. The sad part is I’d skipped weight training for so long, I have a moment where I think “Wait, why am I sore again?” before my stupid brain makes the logistical leap.

All I need to do is my 50 squats and stretch before bed and the day is done! I have the feeling with more days like this I’ll get back on track.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

So, I made a turkey…

wp-1652121076596

I know that Mother’s Day is classically the day a mom is supposed to rest and not do a bunch of work, but would you trust a 14 year old to cook a turkey? Maybe you would, but I don’t trust mine to do this…

I try brined this for three days with lemon pepper, sage, thyme, and garlic powder then stuffed it with tiny limes, a sliced up lemon, onion, and garlic. Towards the end of the cooking, I threw in more onions, whole garlic cloves, and those tiny potatoes. It turned out amazing; juicy and citrusy (which is a real word, I checked). I’m relieved it worked out because I’ll obviously be eating turkey in some form for awhile. Next Sunday, I’ll make some broth from the bones and freeze it to use later.

I think making broth from the bones is my favorite part of cooking a while bird. I haven’t tried duck broth (and I probably won’t anytime soon unless another happy accident happens like with the turkey and I randomly end up with a whole duck) but I have made some delicious chicken broth that I used in chili or straight up drank as a meal because it was that good. It also comes in handy when the teenager gets sick. I don’t need to go to the store to buy broth or soup. I can make it at home.

I have a feeling I may have to make turkey soup just to change things up because the straight up plate of turkey and potatoes will get boring after awhile. I bet I could make a good soup out of it, though…

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Needlework Update

wp-1651889815505I’m not sure I want to talk about how I completely forgot I had a yarn bowl and how much easier my life would have been if I’d been using it this entire project…

Anyhoooooo, I was gifted with a bunch of pink yarn and after the last blanket I made, I figured I could add to my shop with more like it. My plan is to use a different shade of pink as a border once I get this main part as long as I want it to be. I did push myself too far and need to rest my hand for awhile but I’ll post more progress pics when I get to the border. It’s gonna be really simple so, it should work up fast and it’ll be in my shop soon!

Follow me on BlogLovin.