Howdy, Danielle here. So yeah, I have to start this out talking about my most favorite football team ever - the Houston Texans! I have been a loyal fan since the franchise started up back in '02. I am so happy that they are finally in the play-offs and I am so frickin happy that they won their first game. Here's to hopin they last through another round!! They are playing the Ravens, I don't know much about them. I just hope they don't play as well as my boys do.  ;)

So....let me think about what I did this last week. I rode right at 12 miles last week. I was hoping for more. But on one of my "bike days" I let the hubster talk me into going for a run. I enjoyed it, but it really reaffirmed that I like biking more than I do running. I am still going to meet my goals for the year, though. I worked out at the gym twice (I believe). On the night that I worked on my legs this is what my routine looked like:

Weighted Squats - 15lb - 5 sets - 10 reps
Reverse Backward Lunge - 15lb - 4 sets - 10 reps
Dumbbell Step Ups - 8lb - 3 sets - 12 reps
Leg Curls - 50lb - 7 sets of 10 reps
                  55lb - 3 sets of 10
Leg Extensions - 35lb - 25 reps
                          45lb - 20 reps
                          55lb - 23 reps
Glute Kickbacks - 50lb - 8 reps - 3 sets
Leg Press - 150lb - 15 reps - 3 sets

My legs were jello after that workout, and then I went for over a 5 mile ride the next night....my thighs were on fire. When I worked on my arms, I was in a hurry so I didn't have time to write it down. I will try to do that sometime this week. I'm sitting here trying to decided what I am going to work on tonight. I'm thinking I will work on my legs and butt - the same workout posted above. I will try to beat those weights and reps. I have improved quite a bit already. Yay!

OK, so as far as trying a new pescatarian dish....I kinda cheated a bit, I guess. I got stuff to make fish tacos and then the fam went to my sister and brother in-law's house to watch the game. We have had fish tacos before, but this time around the fish was grilled and not baked. I also bought some really yummy chipotle pepper sauce that I dashed all over my dinner. I made some rice and black refried beans and had delicious fish tacos while the Texans beat the whiskers off the Bengals. I'm not sure what to call the rice, but it was pretty tasty. Here is what was in it...I don't really measure when I cook...I probably should : brown rice, cilantro, fresh lime juice, 2 cloves of roasted garlic (I would have used more but the rest went into the hummus my sister made...mmmm), some fresh ginger, salt and pepper to taste. It had a good flavor but the rice was overly sticky. Do you guys think that that counts as a new recipe? ;)  I'm planning on making some of the tasty rice again tonight to go along with my vegetarian black bean soup. I'm thinking that I'm going to try and give it a bit more of a Mexican taste tonight.

And so I present to you, my fish tacos with yummy rice and black refried beans. My taco consisted of: grilled tilapia, baby romain, purple onion, some rice, a schmear of black beans, and a bit of sour cream, wrapped up in a fresh whole wheat tortilla.)

Oh and in other exciting news, I got a memory foam seat cover for my bike!!! Woohoo!!....my buttocks is so happy now (yeah when I said that in my head, I used a Forrest Gump voice). Now I can ride and ride and ride. Those 5 hundred miles don't seem so scary or overly hurtful now! Before the cushy booty padding - I could ride for awhile and it's like my bum would fall asleep and go numb. But if I made the mistake of making the slightest movement....oh there was no going back to the numbness and the rest of the ride was very uncomfortable. So, I am happy to have it (me and my butt thanks you, babe. you spoil us rotten! <3).

Since it's Monday, I think that calls for a challenge. What to do, what to do??...Since I'm starting late to this, I will get in 50 Jump-n-Squats  (2 jumping jacks and then a deep squat = 1) today, and then 100 for the rest of the days for a total of = 450 by Friday. Come on and join in the fun!!

Hmmm, I guess that that is all that I have for today. I need to get in the kitchen and get the soup on. Have a fantastic day. Drink some water and eat some fresh fruit/veggies, your body will thank you! Always remember - you CAN do it and you ARE worth it. Until next time....