I hear you, universe

Workout: 30 minutes strength, courtesy of OnDemand

Do you ever wonder what the universe is telling you? I swear this morning that it was telling me to stay home, skip yoga and eat pizza. I'm serious.

And this message after yesterday? UNIVERSE!

I woke up this morning, ate my breakfast, read blogs and mentally prepared myself for yoga. I was going to go. But first, I wanted to check the schedule to make sure our arctic temps didn't cause cancellations. I logged in and saw class was on. Phew!

Then ... then, I noticed something. I wasn't paid up. I couldn't take the class. You see, I thought I signed up for an automatic month-to-month membership. Not so much. Signed up for just a month and since last month, the cost has gone up 10 percent. Ouch. Let's just say I might not be a studio yogi anymore.

But I moved on. I did a heart-pumping OnDemand selection that focused on strength moves with bursts of cardio. I sweat. I felt my muscles. Life was good.

After taking a shower, I went in the kitchen to prep my lunch. One problem: My faux crab mysteriously disappeared from the fridge. How can I do a Cali wrap with no crab? Not gonna happen. But I moved on, scoured the fridge for possibilities and made myself a pizza quesadilla with a light tortilla, mozzarella cheese and turkey pepperoni with pizza sauce on the side for dipping. Yes, all of those things are in my fridge. And yes, it tasted good.

So let's check in ... today, I've managed to divert to crises AND I also received a Stylish Blogger nod from Amber.

Stylish Award rules:
*Link back to the awarder
*Share seven things about myself
*Award 5 great bloggers

1. I went to an all-girls Catholic high school and secretly loved having to wear a uniform and not having boys around.
2. I talk to my grandma every day. She's pretty awesome, and I like her. After all, she was nice enough to let me live with her from age 15 until I got a job and an apartment.
3. I have a sick obsession with Angry Birds.
4. I've always loved to bake and, pre-Healthy Strides, had dreams of opening up my own bakery. Sadly, my mind doesn't conjure up cupcakes the way it used to and it now thinks of running.
5. I hope to run a marathon in 2012.
6. I have the most horrible singing voice on the planet. If I auditioned for "American Idol," I'd be the one who made it to the judges just so I could be made fun of on live television.
7. I love "junk" candy - conversation hearts, Peeps, marshmallow santas. Last night, I asked Mark for a ring pop.

Awardees: Any 5 who want to do it and comment on this post letting me know :)

Friday love

Pre-workout eats: Small bowl eggnog oats

Workout: Ran 5.4 miles; average pace, turtle 9:23.

A lot of people go to bed to sleep. Last night, I went to bed to figure out how to make peanut butter-and-jelly French toast. Sleep could wait – at least mind seemed to think. Peanut butter-and-jelly French toast … well, could not.

I wonder if that’s why I woke up at 3 a.m. completely ravenous.

Anywho, today is a glorious Friday – even if I end up crashing at 3 p.m. I ran in a balmy 22 degrees this morning, got in some decent mileage and located Mark’s knit hat to steal borrow during the run. AND, the best part of the day: “Black Swan” is finally opening in great northeast Indiana. Bring on the dancing! Bring on the tutus! Bring on workout inspiration (the barre, not the stick-thin figures)!

Bring on the Friday love!

Food.

One 12-ounce can of Lime flavored LaCroix (0 calories, no sweeteners) plus 6 ounces of 100 percent pineapple juice (100 calories, natural sweeter) equals a refreshing, light beverage and a happy girl.

Fitness. I didn’t have high hopes for the “Body by Bethenny” workout when I selected it from the OnDemand list. She’s just some housewife on some show that I have no intention of watching just riding her 15 minutes and a fitness trend. But it was a 57-minute workout, and my other choice was 10. Yeah, we’ll go with 57 minutes. I have to say that I’m glad I did. The yoga portion (40 minutes) was pretty good for my non-yogi self, and it left me sore for days.

Hold on. Let me check. Yep, still sore.

I will say that Bethenny was a tad annoying, and I got tired of hearing her talk about every joint that snaps, crackles and pops when she does certain poses. Oh, and just so you know, knees to chest is now boobs to knees. Not sure what you do if you have no boobs (ahem) but that’s what she said.

Life. It kind of stinks that we have to work on Friday, considering it might be the most anticipated day of the week. Work, though, doesn’t have to equal suited up and frantic. Take it easy. Relax. Style your hair so you can cut 5 minutes off the straightening routine (thank you, bangs in a braid). Wear sneakers just because you feel like it. Forgo a big dinner for frozen pizza and a side salad picked up on the way home (thank you, Wendy’s).

We’ll probably chill with our easy-peasy dinner and a redbox tonight to rest up for tomorrow. Lunch at a new Mediterranean/Middle Eastern spot, “Black Swan” and a hockey game in the evening.

What are you doing this weekend?