MIA

Hey readers! I'm so sorry I've been MIA for the last couple weeks!

I work at Applebee's as a server and for the last couple of weeks, I've been picking up extra shifts and working lots of long hours. I haven't been able to make it to the pool... I'm very sad about it.

I figure this though...
I've been pretty consistent with my weight (~ 130lbs) even without being at the pool or working out at all. I'm on my feet during my whole work shifts... this counts as a workout right? (: One thing I need to work on is watching what I eat. I'm vegetarian & I tend to eat really healthy anyhow, but after work I'm so tired, I just make up something quick and filling. I just need to work on making healthy meals in advance. Or maybe even taking an apple or something to munch on during my shift (instead of sharing fries with another server, lol). One easy (super minimal effort) "workout" trick I learned from my aunt... just suck in your stomach (tighten abs) for a few minutes (like for a length of a song on the radio). I could apply this to work.. maybe while I am preparing drinks for my customers, I could tighten my abs, or maybe while I take orders I could do it. I'm already working my legs enough and my arms from all the lifting/carrying of drinks/plates... just need to get my abs in shape (:

Do you work on your feet?
Do you think I could consider my serving shift as a workout?

♥Mannie

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

I hope your day is fabulous!

♥Mannie

Recipe One - Crock Pot Vegetarian Onion Soup

I LOVEEE onion soup, but as you may know, it's almost ALWAYS made with beef broth - WAH! The only way I ever get to have it is if I make it! This recipe is only for a 40z crock pot, but can easily be multiplied for a larger one!


Crock Pot Vegetarian Onion Soup
2 Large Onions, coarsely cut
2 Large Vegetable Bullion Cubes
Hot Water
Butter, to cook onions in
Salt & Fresh Cracked Black Pepper to taste

(1) First "preheat" your crock pot (turn on high and let sit for like five minutes) as we will be adding hot items to it.
(2) Fill warmed crock pot up with warm water about 2/3 of the way. Break up bullion cubes and stir into water (does not need to be completely dissolved).
(3) Melt butter in skillet, add onions, and cook until golden and almost browning.
(4) Add cooked onions, salt and fresh crushed black pepper to the crock pot.
(5) Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 6 or 7 hours.
(6) Wait and enjoy!

You could also throw in some other veggies if you'd like! Ex: carrots, yellow squash, zucchini, etc.

♥Mannie

Day Two.

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Morning workout at the pool
2500 yards in less than 1 hour

(warm up)
300 Swim Free

(main set)
5 x 100 Swim Free (:10 Rest)
12 x 50 Swim Choice (:05 Rest)(I chose to alternate breast & back)
400 Kick IM (I substituted free kick for the backstroke kick, I was lazy)
400 Pull Free

(cool down)
200 Swim Free

*This workout is the weekly workout posted at my pool, although the original workout is only 2400 yrds (I added an extra 100 to the cool down).

2 Star Workout!

I was still a little sore from Day One and at first, my movements felt really restricted in the water. It wasn't until the last couple 100 free's that I was able to loosen up. Also, I had under an hour to workout, so my yardage was smaller than I like it to be. This workout was really good for cardio, though! Morning swims have ALWAYS been my favorite, but it just didn't feel right this morning; something was off. All in all, I felt alright about the workout!

♥Mannie

Day One.

Monday, February 9th, 2009

Evening workout at the pool
3500 yards in 1 hour & 45 minutes

(warm up)
100 free
400 drill IM

(main set)
1650 free ladder (10 sec rest)
^ swim 11 laps, then 10, then 9, etc down to 1
350 free kick
100 drill IM
24x25 IMs (6 of each strokes)

(cool down)
200 swim choice (I choose to alternate 25 free & 25 breast)
200 swim free

*This is workout number seven from 50 Swim Workouts by Ruth Talman Kazez, although the original workout is only 3200 yrds (I added the warm up 1oo free and cool down 200 free).

3 Star Workout!

It got a little tough during the 1650 ladder, but I finally began loosen up around the 6 laps and was able to finish the workout strong. All in all, I felt really good about the workout!

♥Mannie

About Me.

^ junior year of high school at districts

My name is Mannie & I'm twenty-one years young. I'm more graceful in water than on my own two feet.

I grew up in the water, but started swimming competitively when I was seven. I swam for a club team and also, when I started high school, I swam for that team, too. After I graduated (2006) I wasn't able to find a good, local masters team to join; All the ones around me were 80 year olds swimming to stay healthy... I still wanted to compete! This is when I basically stopped swimming. I tried to stick with it (going to lap swim & coaching myself) but between two jobs, six days a week it was tough. In late July 2008 I moved about two hours away from home (Mount Dora, FL) to live with my boyfriend of almost four years while he attends class in Tampa at the University of South Florida. My boyfriend & I really tried to stay fit (using our apartment complex exercise room) but we just couldn't keep to it. My boyfriend, Austin, has joined in starting up a crew (rowing) club for USF. They have workout meetings on campus and I've decided to go along and swim while he's in the gym.

It feels amazing to be back in the pool! I'm all hooked again, so I've created this blog! I plan to track & share my workouts, share my favorite healthy recipes (I'm vegetarian, but Austin isn't, so I'll share some meat recipes, too), talk about swimming techniques, and answer any and all questions you readers may have!

Get to know me (: Follow my blog? Let's talk!

♥Mannie

ps(I may add more later, hehe)