Mushy Gushy - our story

Love.

Who really knows what love is?  Even Foreigner since 1984 wants to know.

As naive as my 20 year old self is, I believe that I know what love is. Thanks to this crazy kid I've been dating for 2+ years (feels longer)

A little bit about our story: 

All the way back before we were even born, our dads flew P-3's together in the Navy. Navy brats born and raised. Our moms were both teachers and studied together in Florida pre-birth. It's weird to think that my mom was changing his diapers before I was even born. 

In middle school, I would come over to his house.. to play with his little sisters, Sydney and Ashlyn. No idea who their older brother was except when we would play indoor soccer in their basement, go on their zip line in the woods, and dodge ball on their trampoline. 

Fast forwarding to high school, our families were both stationed in MD at the base there where we came to be neighbors, like 4 houses away from each other. Being two years older, Ryan had his license and I was the cool kid still riding the bus so he wanted to help a sista out and drive me to school in the mornings, but my dad said no. He came to my house when I was a freshman and asked my dad if he could take me to school in the mornings. 

Most. Awkward. Car rides. of my life. Seriously so awkward, we didn't talk at all! Completely silent for  2 years of 10 minute rides in the morning and not to mention he would sleep in and make me late running to class every morning. 

So Ryan graduated and went to prep-school for a year, making us one year apart now. I graduated when he started the Academy and we didn't keep in touch for a while. Until I was home for Christmas break my Freshman year of college from North Carolina, where I went to play soccer for two years, I get a RANDOM text saying "hey, I have to go to Target to get my dad a basketball, want to come?" 

Looking back, I have absolutely NO idea why I thought this was completely normal, yet at the time I agreed thinking it was just the most common thing in the world.. Going to target with your neighbor who you haven't talked to in over a year. But I did, and we had our first non-awkward car ride. 

I guess it went from there? We just kept talking and keeping in touch even though we were now 9 hours away at college. Ryan came down to Wingate to visit me in April and made it Facebook official haha. Its been bliss ever since

I believe in this thing called love. 

Spaghetti Squash Zucchini Bowl

For Easter my mom and I made a spaghetti squash and broccoli casserole (so good and cheesy) and left me with about a half pound of cooked spaghetti squash. All the Easter leftovers are just about gone thanks to dinner tonight: 

Spaghetti Squash Zucchini  Bowl:

• Cooked Spaghetti Squash 
• Zucchini 
• Yellow Squash
• Onion
• Shrimp (frozen)
• Olive Oil
• Garlic, spices/herbs

1. Heat skillet to high heat and add olive oil and garlic for about 1 minute
2. Add sliced zucchini, yellow squash, and onion to skillet and cook on medium for about 10 minutes
   (Make sure you are flipping the squash so the ones on the bottom don't burn)
3. Add spices/herbs/whateva
4. Once these are softened add cooked spaghetti squash and shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes
5. Heat some pasta sauce and add to your bowl! 
6. Enjoy :) 

I sprinkled some red pepper flakes, parmesan cheese, and sriracha in my bowl... YUM!

Anything spicy = get in my belly.

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

A little bit of what I'm all about: 

Fresh summer fruit <33333

Pretty sure I could live off watermelon in the summertime

Getting/Buying/Smelling/Looking at fresh beautiful flowers :)

It amazes me at what the earth can create

CRAZY SURPRISES! Now that's no baby carrot

A passion of Spinning and teaching/taking group exercise classes. 

Literally gives me chills and a huge adrenalin rush.. my drug of choice.

 Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You :)

Sweet Potato Quinoa Pancakes

I was feeling a little adventurous this morning and in the cooking mood so I decided to make: 

Sweet Potato Protein Quinoa Pancakes!

They were de-lish-i-oso:

• 1 medium sweet potato
• 1/2 cup cooked quinoa 
• 1 scoop whey protein powder (mine is french vanilla flavored)
• 1/2 cup egg whites
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon flax seeds
• Vanilla
• Cinnamon
• Honey/Syrup

1. Poke holes with a knife and cook sweet potato in the microwave on high for 10-12 minutes

2. Put cooked sweet potato in a food processor/blender and smooth out

3. Mix sweet potato, quinoa, protein, egg whites, almond milk, flax seeds, vanilla, and cinnamon together

4. Spray skillet with cooking spray and plop some pancakes!! 

They were pretty good! Maybe more added sweetener next time. My roommate and I ate ours topped with a banana, honey, and more cinnamon. I'm sure they would be great with peanut butter or with nuts/raisins added in the batter. 

Enjoy and have a happy hump day! :)

Pinterest Success: Hanging Heels

Hanging Heel Rack 

This past weekend my boyfriend and I spent time together after being apart for 3 weeks 

(his spring break then my spring break).

It was great to see him of course and we were surprisingly very productive! 

For breakfast I made: 

• Fruit Parfaits with Greek yogurt and assorted berries :)
• Turkey Kebassa Sausage
• ZUCCHINI PANCAKES

If you've never had zucchini pancakes (aka fritters) you need to reconsider your food choices. They are absolutely amazing. Don't get confused with the pancake title, they are more savory and are best with salsa and Greek yogurt as sour cream.
Soososoo good, we finished the whole batch!

Next, we went to Lowe's to get our supplies:

We picked out a strip of wall trimming and Ryan nailed it to the wall with no drill, stud finder, or tools than a basic hammer. 

He is amazing. 

It's definitely safe to say I have a fabulous handyman that I am so in love with!!

So much more room for activities! and more shoes ;) 

Monday Motivation: Beach Body Boot Camp

Every Monday I teach Spinning at 4 pm and Boot Camp at 5:30.

 For a little Monday Motivation and to get that Beach Body ready for 
SPRING BREAK try this!!

This is about 45 minutes with a solid 4 minute warm up and 4 minute cool down.

Don't forget those are both very important when exercising!

Drink lots of water and take breaks when needed...good luck!

Let me know if anyone tries it out and what you think :)

Happy Monday everyone:)

FIT & FAB

I've decided the direction I'd like to go with this blog is to provide you all with fitness exercises I create to teach in my group exercise and spinning classes. More will be coming! 

As for now, I found this crazy video on the 44 most challenging/hardest body weight exercises! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POdzasJklxw

Some of them are absolutely insane. It is amazing what the body can do if you put your mind to it. 

Looking forward to sharing my own personal fitness routines :) 

For now, here's a little motivation to keep you going

Audrina Patridge