Hand. Platter. Butt.

I got my butt handed to me on a silver platter this afternoon.

A shiny, stainless steel, IGE-sized platter. ↑ dying/trying not to barf.

Early this morning I took an unexpected trip to Grumpsville, USA and was feeling majorly down in the dumps all day, for whatever reason. The only thing that sounded reasonably appealing to me after work was going home and curling up on the couch with a blanket and a few break & bakes.

It’s not a myth that exercise is a natural mood booster though, so I forced myself to change into workout clothes and head straight to a nearby public track after work. With a big huff, a squirt of water and a here we go! I tackled The Fitnessista’s Summer Shape Up Program Week #3 Workout (visit The Fitnessista’s website for explanations on the different moves listed here):

• 3 1/2 laps (I think each lap is ~1/4 mile), jog
• 1/2 lap, sprint
• 1 lap, jog
• 15 burpees
• 15 bench push ups
• 1 lap, jog
• 15 walking lunges with back kick & knee lift
• 15 jump squats
• 1 lap, jog
• 30 bench tricep dips
• 1/2 lap, jog
• 1/2 lap, sprint
• 45 squats & jab
• 45 mountain climbers
• 1/2 lap, walk
• 1/2 lap, sprint
• 30 tricep dips
• 30 modified push ups
• 2 laps, jog
• Collapse

KILLER but LOVED IT. I am maintaining my claim that these workouts are pushing me far beyond what I would ever, EVER, do by myself, and I’m really enjoying getting my butt kicked.

Plus, I really did feel better when I was done. Barely able to crawl to my car, but much, much better.

Seeing what a hot mess I was when I got home (seriously, how do some women look so dang cute after a workout? Cute enough to run errands afterwards, even?! I think the key lies in hats…let me know if you have any insight into this…) Ben took the reigns on dinner and fired up the grill, seasoned up some lovely NY Strip Steaks (mama needs her iron) and quickly seared them to perfection.

After a 5 minute rest, I sliced that puppy up, nestled the slices into a bed of torn baby spinach and surrounded them with summer berries & produce.

Steak salads are my kryptonite – I just love them!

Surrounding the juicy, pink steak were colorful, sweet stripes of nectarine, cherries,

blueberries and fresh corn-off-the-cob (I hereby declare this the summer of raw corn-off-the-cob – I just can’t get enough!)

I whipped up a homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette to drizzle on top.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Serves 3

Whisk together:

2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

dashes of garlic salt & pepper

squirt of agave nectar, could use honey or dash of sugar

Sweet fruit, salty steak and savory vinaigrette did a little dance, made a little love and got DOWN in this salad bowl. Hot dang!

If my workout hadn’t done the trick of bringing me back home, this salad certainly would have helped get me there. Like I always say, feel good food.

Ok, my day wasn’t all doom & gloom. My Father-in-Law sent me this video titled “Dad’s Life” that is one of the most hysterical things I have ever seen. You’ve got to watch it…the whole thing too!

Ok – I’m off to go relax! Part of the reason why I think I’m feeling off today is because I woke up at 4am to the LOUDEST CRACK of thunder I have ever heard in my entire life (seriously, it was really scary!!) and I never got back to sleep afterwards. Sooomeone’s sleeping soundly tonight – whee!

See ya’!

~~~~~

How do you get yourself back on track when you’re feeling blue?