New exercise routine and a wedding

June 2, 2014

I slept in this morning. Not much, just a little. Then after breakfast I went for a run. I was pretty highly motivated thanks to an article I read last night on belly fat...Yikes! I also wanted to check out if any of the stores were open today being a holiday and all. 

I did pretty well on my run. Actually, way beyond my expectations. I ran 5 km and I only stopped once [I felt pukey]. And even then it was because I was going uphill. I actually did the interval training, alternated high and lower intensity cardio. I also did my squat challenge today. And I drank green tea. And I had 5 little meals. And I had lots of fiber. And I avoided sugar and straches. And I drank a lot of water. Yay! Good for me!

We also went to a local wedding today. Emilia is a shop girl and everyone knows her. She looked beautiful in her gown. A lot of people came out to see her march into the church. I loved how they called out to her, Emilia! Emilia! and applauded her. 

I made a little video 

Horse weekend

June 1, 2014

On Sunday we went out to see the horses. 

The Giuseppe Berchicci Equestrian Memorial weekend. I really dont know much about it other than Signore Berchicci loved horses and he died. He lived in Petacciato. The festivities included meals together, horse riding, horse "passeggiata" or the march of the horses through town, pony exhibition and other things. 

Our neighbor, Marika's boyfriend also owns a horse so we went out together to visit and to see the horses. Benjamin even got to ride on one! He looked so little on top of that tall horse haha! :)

I think his favorite part was when he got to feed the ponies.  [He is in his MyLittlePony phase these days]

While the cat's away the mice will play

June 1, 2014

Or 10 things I DID and DID NOT DO while the cat was away... :)

So as I mentioned before Scott was gone to Rome all day yesterday with his Italian class. Call it a field trip or whatever. The school payed for the whole day for them...nice. I was so jealous of him going becase  I love Rome with a passion, but he totally deserves this. He has been going to class every day so faithfully.  

Anyway, for some reason all day I felt like a kid whose parents left town and who had the whole house to herself to do whatever she wanted! Not that I can't do that on normal days... but it was different. Can't explain. We said goodbye in the morning, he left, and all the sudden a thousand thoughts sparked through my head about the day...  I'm not gonna cook gluten-free today! Hey! I'm not gonna put make-up on today!! Or...wait! I know! I'm not gonna wash my hair today! As a matter of fact I won't even leave the house today! Yes! Bwahhaha! 

So childish, but it felt like a free ticket to do whatever I wanted without having to be considerate of someone else. Call it being single again for one day. :)

[Singles out there, I'm serious! Marrieds out there, please don't judge! You know what I'm talking about. ]

But all that to say... here is a list of 10 things I DID and DIDN'T do yesterday. While the cat way away. :)

1. I DID NOT cook gluten-free yesterday

It's a pleasure for me of course to cook for my husband, gluten-free or not, but it is nice to not worry about ingredients and be unlimited in the things I can make for one day. 

2. I DID NOT shave my legs yesterday

3. I DID NOT go anywhere yesterday

4. I DID NOT mind leaving the dishes in the sink a little longer in order to watch tv yesterday

5. I DID NOT make pizza yesterday

Because Yes. I make pizza every day. 

6. I DID wear my hair in pigtails yesterday

7. I DID eat Chinese dumplings, saur kraut, brussels sprouts yesterday

8. I DID drink coke like water yesterday

9. I DID watch more than enough Korean dramas yesterday

10. I DID treat myself with a slice of beef, and glutenous soy sauce, and a 1euro magazine yesterday from which I still haven't read a word. 

I was too busy watching Korean dramas.

And now back to reality and back to work. Husband is home. And how glad I am that he is!!!

My first EVER homemade Chinese dumplings

May 31, 2014

They turned out amazing! Way beyond my expectations! 

My favorite Chinese buffet in America is without a doubt  Hibachi Grill in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their food is always fresh, abundant, delicious and the selection is vast. No wonder that place is always packed.

It was always my first choice when it came to eating out or celebrating. Graduation, birthdays, anniversary, American citizenship celebration...you name it.

Their dumplings are to die for. I never even dared to entertain the thought of making them at home. I didn't think one would be able to make the wrappers at home...

Turns out they are nothing special .  Everyone has the ingredients in their pantry.

Two [2] ingredients and five [5] minutes that is all it takes! 

I was so pleased with the results...man....this will change my life! You don't even need the special steamer or whatever. Just a frying pan. 

I'm so excited!

Here  is the recipe that I used. Needless to say I didn't make the whole batch only for myself. 

You can alter the amounts as you need it. The filling is also very flexible. I actually used beef, and omited the ginger [I didn't have any at home at the moment]. I also added a little sugar to the filling. 

This changes everything! :) 

P.S. Workes with gluten-free flour too! :)

Busy week and farmer's market

May 30, 2014

I am adjusting to a new schedule and trying to regain a market vendor's confidence

I haven't blogged, journaled or even thought about blogging or journaling for over a week now. 

Reason simple: lack of time. I started working at the office in the mornings so I am on a new schedule now. All week I felt rushed and always behind on my schedule and lists of things to do. I could hardly wait for Friday when Scott was supposed to go to Rome with his Italian class for a field trip. I planned out everything, I was gonna use Benjamin's last meal ticket so he could stay in school up till 3:30 PM and have the whole casa to myself with all its quietness and solitude. 

Well. Turns out Scott was wrong about the trip date and they are actually going tomorrow. Oh well. 

I still kinda had the morning to myself though. I went to the farmer's market for some fresh and local fruits and vegetables. Laura, the vendor was a ted bit grumpy with me, I think, I wonder if it was because I haven;t showed my face at the market for about 4 months now... Well, I'm sorry, we have been doing our grocery shopping at LIDL! But I guess I have to make a point of buying my vegetables from her from now on and somehow regain her trust. She was my first kind-of friend here when we arrived and I don't want to lose her friendship. 

Anyway, I got some real nice apricots and pears from her along with cabbage, zucchini and cauliflower. She always stuffs some free carrots and celery sticks into my bag. 

So tomorrow Scott is off to Rome and we have big plans with Benjamin. We are gonna build the biggest and meanest fort and fill it with toys and snacks and all things cool. He is so excited! 

My studying today consisted of pretty much just watching some shows on tv in Italian. 

Yep. But I have big plans for tomorrow! So...