HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY and WIAW

 Happy Fourth Everyone. I know its a day to celebrate our Independence from England but I also believe now-a-days I like to think of it as another opportunity to thank all of our military and their families. Without all of these amazing men and women, and their supportive families Independence Day would just be another day of the year. So thank you!

 Now onto WIAW! This month Jen wants us to to focus on the 3 most important Fs... Not that F get your mind out of the gutter! I am talking FOOD, FUN, FITNESS!

Food I have been loving on lately!

Oatmeal with fresh berries a dollop of PB some almonds and a splash of almond milk

Chicken, barley, red peppers and roasted asparagus

Smoked Salmon with avocado, spinach, goat cheese and onion on a bagel flat

Stuffed Sweet potato- Need I say more?

Egg whites, asparagus, zucchini, onion, avocado and goat cheese all on a Flax Oat Bran Pita

 

 My fun!

Spending time with my nephews. They love coming to my house because only a short drive away in the "down town" (if you can call it that haha) part of our city is a splash park for kids. So yesterday they came over and I sat in the blistering heat and laughed as I watched them run around in the fountain. 

My Fitness!
I have fallen back in love with yoga.  I have started going 2 days a week again and I am loving it! That is really my only group fitness class of choice. I am pretty much a loner when it comes to working out. I like getting in, focusing, and getting my workout on. I am loving my box jumps although my a*s does not quite share my love haha.

So there you have it, my week of Food, Fun and Fitness! What would your week look like if you documented it?

Have a safe and happy 4th of July! Do you have anything fun planned today?

Ciao and lovin' yoga

Alexis 

Is it Summer Yet? A Fit Challenge Rewind V18

HAPPY SATURDAY!

Boy do I have a fun filled day planned in my household... I have been up since 4:30am I have already started my Sweet Potato Salad for our family BBQ today and will be headed to the farmers market when Brian gets home. I am definitely a morning person and get a lot done at such an early hour.

This week has been exhausting to say the least. I only have 7 actual days left in my classroom with my munchkins, but it seems like the work keeps piling on and the early wake up calls and long work hours are starting to catch up. Needless to say I am ready for my trip back to the lovely city in which I was born...

View of Pittsburgh from the top of Mt. Washington

 Bulk Oil section from my all time favorite Penn Mac (best Italian imports anywhere)

 My Dream House on top of Mt. Washington

I am ready for my road trip... Yep driving from Orlando to PA (its really not that bad) then stopping in NC and Savannah on our way home. I can't wait to hang out with these crazy kids...

 Aren't they adorable!?

 

Looks are deceiving especially when he starts trying to force make you drink or dump stuff on your head.... 

So if you can tell I am pretty stoked to get out of Orlando and head back to the relaxation that is "home"

Ok Ok I have forced enough pictures on you. On with today's challenge...

 

Today is a bit different... No new exercises just a few of the past ones put together.Just click the day to get step by step instructions or video on how to complete the exercise.

1. Day 16: 20 Plank Jack
2. Day 14: 4 minute circuit (feel free to pin it)
3. Day 13: 20 Tuck Jumps
4. Day 11: 20 Shoulder Burner Push Ups
5. Day 8: 20 Burpees

I could keep going but that just might end up being mean :o) I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Ciao and anticipating vacation,

Alexis

Today I honor...

MY DADDY!!! Yes that's right I can still say daddy even though I know longer where ruffly socks and underwear with the days of the week printed on them... which I will be honest never actually made it on my person on the correct day... OH WELL I digress..

I honor my dad today because 5 years ago today I (and my family) unexpectedly lost him. He was the most amazing man that will ever roam this earth! I recently wrote a blog about him on his birthday... check it out here.

The day I found out my father past away I left school, went to my sisters and my brother, sister and I drove to Orlando to be with my mom. Our other 2 sisters were already here. I didn't feel like talking, and when I get upset I write. I ended up writing a little poem which I later added to the back of some old pictures (like the one above) of my dad to give out at the funeral. This is what it said:

December 5th 1949

If only we could see you once more

You always had us rolling on the floor

To us, you were the best dad

With a laugh no one else had

You will be greatly missed 

Mom will never forget how it felt when you kissed

We wish you were here

But God must have needed you there

because when everything seemed wrong

We knew we could count on you to be strong

Now you are gone and we are sad

But we promise to never forget OUR DAD

January 30th 2007

I keep this in my wallet at all times and it makes me smile when I have a bad day. He was an amazing man and is greatly missed. 

Never forget to tell your family, especially your parents how much you love and care about them!

Ciao, thinking about my dad

Alexis

Remembering my dad!

December 5th 1949 the most amazing man to ever grace our world was born. My father was a great man. I don't even know how to explain it without it sounding cheesy.

He was the strictest (Italian), funniest, most caring, genuine person I have ever known.

He was the type of man that would give you the shirt off his back if it meant you would have a smile on your face. Growing up he treated our friends like his own kids (which also meant they got yelled at like we did lol). There was no question that his heart was made of gold platinum.

I was a total daddy's girl... to an extent. My dad and I were really close. I grew up in the garage working on cars with my dad (just like my sister Heather). We also talked every single day while I was in college. He would call me at the same time everyday (between classes) and we would talk while he traveled where ever he was going for that day. I came home some weekends just to hang out (and eat his amazing cooking) with my dad.

Although my dad "disowned" and and my siblings for getting my first tattoo I decided to get on in remembrance of him.  So after drawing it out I finally decided to go get it and where to put it. He hated tattoos but maybe this is one he will think is ok...

It has been almost 5 years since he passed away and I can honestly say it has gotten a little easier but I never stop thinking about him. There are certain things I hear, say, or see that remind me of him and I get teary eyed, but always smile.


I blogged recently about a dance party  which was an amazing night! My dad used to always blast Earth Wind and Fire in our living room and all of us would dance around, laughing and singing along. Those nights we had no worries, no fears... just fun, laughter and family.


I think about him all the time, wish I had more time but I am grateful for the time I had with my dad, I am however sad he is not here to see everything else in our lives.

Him and Brian would have loved each other, and probably would have spent all night in the garage building random crap together LOL.

He touched many peoples hearts and will never be forgotten by those that matter.

Just a couple pictures of good times: 

Xmas 2005

xmas 2007

Brothers graduation in NY 2004

Ciao mia padre

Alexis