Weekend Workout: 10.6.12.

This weekend, we are doing a Full Body Meltdown from Back on Pointe.  Get your heart pumping!

[source]

Carve for the Kids 2012

Over Labor Day, the hills of Hackensack were alive with the sound of chainsaws.  A local artist puts on the contest each year.  Artists create pieces for three days and then on the third afternoon, they auction everything off, with the funds going to programs for the kids of the area.  

If you are ever in Hack, check out his amazing store - Detour North Cabin Outfitters!  Amazing stuff!  One of my favorite pieces is the large statement piece outside the store with the bear and moose portaging a canoe.  I'm sure it's just a a matter of time before he finds the right home for these guys, but until then, the public gets to enjoy them!

Each piece is completely different, with each artist adding their own personal style.  This was the first time I was able to see them use the flames to create a burned-wood effect.

Skye, one of the artist's dog, watches from a far.  The middle piece was a crowd favorite at the auction and went for hundreds of dollars.

Inside the store, more detailed pieces are on display.  I just love the whimsical tortoise and bear!  The cardinals were actually made during the weekend, but they are just so pretty.  But my favorite is the skunk and the cooler.  How cool.

The auction drew a great turnout, with many of the pieces going for $500+.  Our crew didn't buy anything this weekend, but we that didn't stop us from looking!

Goodness, I love this town.  

xoxo,

Al

Weekend Workout: 9.23.12

Here's a quick Weekend Workout to squeeze in before Monday!  I recommend adding this on to your regular workout but if you only have five minutes, it's better than nothing.  Thanks again to the fabulous Fitnessista for this awesome ab burner!

Weekend Workout: 9.1.12

Happy September!  Hard to believe autumn is rapidly approaching.  This felt like the summer of no summer so we tried to cram as much summertime goodness into August!  We're at the lake this weekend for the holiday but I wanted to leave you a killer weekend workout: Triple Threat Cardio Workout.  This one needs some equipment but if you belong to a gym, give it a try!  

30 minutes, 3 machines.  Go!

[Fitnessista]

I altered it a bit when I did it, spending 15 minutes on the treadmill and only 5 on the stairmaster but it definitely got me sweating and burning those calories!  Make sure you have a good cool down because you will need it when you are done!

xoxo,

Al

Weekend Workout: 8.10.12

Happy Friday!  We're heading to the lake so I thought I'd post a weekend workout early. This one doesn't need any equipment so it's perfect for traveling.  Feel the burn!

[source]

Weekend Workout: 8.4.12

Good morning!  

Here's a fun workout for your weekend!  I tried this last night and let me tell you - it was great.  I am trying to get back into yoga after taking a little hiatus for the past couple months.  I'm hoping it will be part of my regular workout schedule now.  Along with my love Zumba, of course!

This video features Jillian Michaels and her Yoga Meltdown.  It includes classic yoga moves, but with Jillian's signature style of movement and repetitions.  It's no gentle yoga - I was sweatin'!  Give it a try and let me know how it goes!

Small Town Saturday Night.

Let me set the scene.  Hackensack.  Saturday night.  Memorial Day Weekend.  The Legion.  Horse races.

Yes, horse races.  Every once in a while, the Legion will host a derby.  They even keep a countdown in the bar - here we have 10 minutes to go! 

 The place was already pretty full of mostly locals, and our table of city folk.  Here's the kid table - Kurtis, me, and Lindsay on one side...

Spence and Mo on the other.

Here's how to play.  Pull tabs are $1 each.  You're looking for horses (the top two) or bingo numbers (the bottom five). A winning horse earns $150, a winning bingo number earns you $50.  This is our table's first round:

I opened horse #10 so I was obviously rooting for the Tenner!  And they're off!

And the winner is...

TEN!!!!  Holy Moly, you guys!  We won the first race!  The $150 paid for the rest of the night and yes, I got my picture taken with the fun-noodle roses.  We didn't have any luck until the last race when Mo won the bingo number!  

After the Legion, it was off to the Muni.  Literally my favorite bar on earth.  Super casual, everyone knows each other, and the jukebox rocks all night long!  Nine drinks for $24...Seriously.  Does it get any better than that?!  Here are our parents enjoying cheap drinks.

Wayne, bartender extraordinaire, entertaining us with a little Jimmy Buffett.

The whole crew singing a long.

My favorite people.

I seriously love this place!  Can't beat a small town Saturday night!

Cabin Painting Party

Last weekend, K and I ran up north to Hackensack for a painting party.  My folks are building their dream cabin and it is simply gorgeous.  I cannot wait for summer to be here!

Our welcome note from the mama.

Blurry shot of A & K, guest painters extraordinaire.

Kitchen cabinets are in!

Shots of the living room and all of our finished painting!

Tackling the stairwell on Sunday. 

If you look very closely, you'll see a deer friend came to visit.  Pun intended.

Painting is always so much easier when there is good tunes, good drinks, and good people involved!  What have you painted lately?

daily workout plan.

[goal: to get fit]

Road Trip to Hackensack

We (the boy, the folks, and me) hopped in the car today for a quick road trip up to Hack to see the progress on the new cabin.  It was wonderful to get back up north but freezing.  4 degrees.  Woohoo winter!!  It made me so excited for summer, when we'll trade ice houses for pontoons on The Mighty Birch!

the 100 workout.

I'm definitely going to try this!

[Sweet Nothings]