Hitting the Links

Today's Highlights:

::It's Friday! Cheers to that!
::There was freezing fog in Portland this morning.  Not sure that technically counts as a highlight, maybe more of nature doing its thing and I found it interesting.  Nature, you be crazy.
::I was proud of myself for being smart and starting my car a few mins before I actually left for work so it was nice and toasty when I got in it. (Small details: I was still 10 mins late to work, but in my defense 10 mins late is pretty much on time at my office. The 7am start time is a little early for some of us here at the office.)


Anyways, here are some links I have been collecting throughout the week. I find them entertaining and I hope you do too!

What happened to down time?

My kind of sports story. Oregon's very own Rudy, anyone?!

I beg of you, please don't ever be any of these couples on Facebook.

This is one of my favorite things Jimmy Kimmel does. There are two others you should probably watch. Here and Here.

Really want my new booties (on sale!) to be here already! I have been stalking the tracking number all week.  Their last check in was Hodgkins, IL. I didn't even know that was a real place.  The Midwest is weird.

Think I might make this over the weekend.

My girl, ZZ Ward played on Conan last night.  #teamcoco.   I wonder if she got to meet Ryan Gosling while she was there?  Jelly if she did.

Need to buy this game. So.Much.Fun.

Bradley and I are slowly starting to plan a small vaca for Memorial Day Weekend, but now I think I want to go to one of these places instead. #travelenvy

Enjoy your weekend.  I am going to daydream about traveling ... diligently work the rest of the day!


Cheers,

<3 BB

How Bad Do You Want It?

So, after yesterday's workout fail post Bradley and I had a little heart to heart on what a struggle I have been lately we both want to accomplish when it comes to our workouts and personal health/fitness goals. Watching 4 hours of the Biggest Loser over two days will do that to a person.

To help with motivation, Brad printed out some eye candy inspiration to bring home yesterday.  A photo and quote from this talk.

source

"When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful." 

It's on the verge of over the top and corny, but yet it somehow still works or as Bradley puts it, makes you want to run through a brick wall after you watch it.  Not sure if the video has quite the same affect (effect? I always get them confused) on me, but it still gets me pumped up. 

I also found this cool tutorial on how to print off pictures of your personal goals/resolutions that I might attempt.  Maybe hang one or two up in my work cube to stare at 8 hours a day remind myself to stay positive and motivated. 

To kick start a new fitness routine Brad and I came up with a plan.  We decided to have a new weekly routine and get up early a few days a week before work to fit in additional cardio on top of our afternoon workouts.  I think I will benefit from this, because often times I am pretty dead after our gym workouts and the last thing I want to do is run another 3 miles. 

Speaking of the opposite of fun workouts, we did this at the gym yesterday: 

For time:

::50 x box jumps 24"

::50 x jumping pull-ups

::50 x kb swings 35#

::Walking lunges, 50 steps

::50 x knees to elbows 

::50 x push press 50#/40#

::50 x back extensions

::50 x wall ball 20#/15#

::50 x burpees

::50 x tuck jumps

Notes on this workout:  
::Brad finished in: 29:02 and I finished in 36:24. 
::The jumping pull-ups are nice because they are a little easier to complete since it is one pull-up at a time, but they also add an extra cardio element in addition to the pull-up. 
::Burpees suck.  I was moving along pretty well through the workout until I got to them. They for sure added a few extra mins to the workout.  I tried to break them up into sets of 10 and even that was hard. 
::We finished up with a 10-15 min cardio cool down and I was done-zo by the time we left the gym. 

What I was most proud of though, was the fact that I still forced myself out of bed this morning for some cardio at 5:14am!    


My goal is to stay motivated through the winter months, especially now that Willamette University Track officially starts next week and I will be driving down to Salem twice a week to help coach, which will take a big chunk of time out of my schedule.  Even more reason to get up early and get some workouts in! 

Cheers to Success! 

<3 BB 

Workout Wednesday :: Failed So Hard

Do you ever have one of those runs or workouts that are just defeating? The kind where you have such good intentions of working hard and getting a good, quality workout in, only to have your body and mind do the complete opposite. The kind where partway through the run you just want to sit down on the side of the road and cry and then hitch hike home, because you're too defeated to even crawl back.  No? Just me? Cool. 

Anyway, that was me this weekend. Sunday afternoon Bradley and I set out to do a solid 30-45 min run, but about 5 mins more like seconds into it I knew it was going to be an uphill battle the entire route. Now, I don't claim to be a great runner, but this run was one of the worst I have had in quite some time. Looking back on the week it makes sense that it was not a quality performance.  My body and mind were worn down from some pretty solid workouts and I might have had more than one piece of Brad's birthday cake throughout the weekend. At the time though all I could think about was how frustrated I was for not being better at this thing they call running.  I was only focusing on negative things: how my quads were sore, how I was slowing Brad down, how cold out it was, how my knee was sore, etc.  I then proceeded to beat myself up for it, which made the run even harder and feel like it lasted even longer.  For as often as I workout I except to be a better runner than I am. However, this is definitely the wrong mindset to have. Yes, I workout often, but I don't run everyday, so I can't expect to always have quality runs.

Brad kindly reminded me, the only way I am truly going to get where I want to be when it comes to running is to well, keep running. This means I may need a new plan of attack for what I want to accomplish with my workouts, whether it be doing cardio in the mornings and then our Crossfit style workouts after work, or replacing a few of the workouts with longer (anything over 30 mins is long for me) runs each week instead.

After a nice long stretch, foam rolling, and a bubble bath I had a little better perspective. I realized it's not the end of the world and I need to remind myself to stay positive (remember your resolutions, girl!). One of my fitness goals for 2013 is to get a little more toned and leaner by incorporating more cardio along with my workouts, but in order to be successful I need to have a more positive mindset and put my body in a position where I will not set it up for failure. Treat your body like a temple, Brooke, duh. 

Last night while catching up on the latest season of the Biggest Loser, Jillian got me thinking. (she is crazy in a good way, ps).  She told one of the contestants: "It's got to be for you.  It's got to be because the desire to change is outweighing the pain and fear.  You have to dig deep and make a choice."  which really hit home for me.  I often talk big about wanting to run more, or wanting to get leaner, or wanting to cut sugar out of my diet, but I still haven't made the choice to fully commit to any of those things yet.   Luckily, I live a pretty active lifestyle compared to most, but I am still not where I want to be.  Good news is there is always room for improvement and there is no better time to start than now!  Wish me luck or feel free to join me.

Thanks for the encouragement, Ryan! 

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

Tuesday Tunesday :: 1.8.13

The Holidays kind of got in the way of Tunesday, but do not fear, I have been stockpiling great tunes for the New Year!!!! - Who am I kidding the motives are quite selfish, I love good music.  Enjoy!



M83 vs. Diddy, Mase, & Biggie :: Mo Cities Mo Problems (Carlos Serrano Mix)

Went on a phase where I couldn't get enough of well done mash-ups.  This is one of those mash-ups.



Adel vs. Draft Punk :: Something About the Fire (Carlos Serrano Mix)

As is this mash-up. Big fan of Draft Punk and I think Carlos Serrano really elevated both tracks.



Daughter :: Candles

There is something about this song that I just LOVE.  Can't put my finger on what it is, maybe it's her voice, maybe it's the guitar arrangement, but let's be honest, it's probably a combo of it all.



Keaton Henson :: You Don't Know How Lucky You Are

This song is quite delicate, almost fragile, just like the girl in the song he is singing about. There are so many good versions of it on YouTube, it was hard to pick just one.  So here is another version I also enjoyed. The studio version is also really good.  (I might be a little obsessed with this song right now, if you didn't notice.)



Cider Skies :: We Are In Love

This band has a little bit of the XX vibe going on, which I am a big fan of.



Two Door Cinema Club :: Next Year

Thought this track was fitting with it being the next year and all. Two Door Cinema Club keeps creating great music and I appreciate it.



Sky Ferreira :: Everything Is Embarrassing

She is so pouty and grimy.  I dig it.

That's all she wrote for this week, folks.


Cheers to a regular Tunesday!

<3 BB

Brad Turns 30!....I Mean 27!

Bradley turns 27 today!!!! Ok, so he isn't quite 30, but close enough!  Also, I was a horrible girlfriend and forgot to wish him a happy birthday as I was hurrying to get ready for work this morning.  I really need to work on getting out of bed in time so I am not scrambling to get out the door and forget important things. In all seriousness tough, I am so happy that I get to celebrate another one of Brad's birthdays with him, especially out here in Oregon.  This is three and counting, starting with the first one I helped him celebrate back in DC before he decided to make the move out to the best coast.

In typical Bradley Snook fashion, he requested that a group of us celebrate his birth by going to Big Al's, which is a HUGE bowling / arcade out in Beaverton.  The catch was...you had to come to the celebration in an outfit you picked out from GoodWill.  Some people took this more seriously than others (cough, cough Brad).

The highlight of the night, besides Brad's outfit, was the Beaverton Bakery Cake. 

Get in my mouth, German Chocolate Cake! 

The princess themed decorations were also a hit. 

I was definitely embarrassed, when I saw Bradley walk into Big Al's after he changed in the car. 

Tyler is zero fun and did not dress up. 

Aren't these two cute, even if they took off their GW jackets. 

The sister had matching pink pants. Hot.  PS. I spy creepers in the background.

We had to take this photo twice, because the first one did not showcase Brad's capris. 

Prom Pose! 

Those are some sexy Canadian tuxedos, you guys. 

Birthday Boy and Mickey! 

Erica, Jason, and I really look good. 

My cousin and her bf did find their outfits from GoodWill, however they didn't go quite as all out as some of us.  You get a B for effort. 

Demolished some nachos. (Definitely part of my cutting back dairy diet)

take 1

take 2

3rd times a charm

Brad's friend from DC was super thoughtful and had a Big Al's Fun Money gift card waiting for him at the arcade center so after bowling, we got our game on for a bit. 

If you ask my brother and Tyler, they let Brad win for his birthday. 

Overall I think the birthday celebration was a hit. Tonight he gets to open one last present from me and watch the BCS Championship game....Not a bad birthday if you ask me!


Cheers to Bradley's Birth!

<3 BB

Hitting the Links!

Fun fact you may not know about me.... I cannot swallow two pills at once.  I just gagged while attempting to.  Happens every time.  And with that news ...   Happy Friday, here are some links!!


::Did anyone else feel this way after coming back from the Holidays?

::Brad informed me that today is National Trivia Day.  He then provided me this.  Fun fact about Brad, he stores the most useless random knowledge.  I can't complain too much though, it does make him a great game partner.  His dream is to be on Jeopardy.  I wish him luck, Alex can be a real bz.  (Also, Alex Trebek being a jerk is something that has already been searched on Google.. The more you know.)

::This dance will make you laugh and then you'll want to re-watch it at least 2 more times.

::This is one of Brad's and my goals for 2013 to hopefully accomplish together.  We cook at home most nights, but we have been lazy about what we fix.  Hoping to add a little more variety, you know spice things up a bit. punny, I know.

::I have never been one to strictly cut something out of my diet.  I think I know it's because I lack self control...but I am really trying to cut back on dairy and sugar minus everything I ate over the Holidays. One way I have attempted is to use Coconut Milk in my coffee as opposed to dairy creamer.

::Want to see this movie.  Major crush on Paul Rudd.  

::Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay may be one of my all time favorite songs.  This WSJ piece on how it came together is awesome.

::I have a J Crew gift card burning a hole in my wallet from Christmas.  Santa my parents really knows my style.  Might have to pull the trigger on this or head down to the Woodburn Company Stores soon.

::My love for Top Chef is still running strong after its 10th season (Sam is still my favsies!), but I agree, it could use a little boost.  Here are 9 things the show could benefit from.


That's a wrap, folks.  Hope you enjoy your weekend!  I have a fun evening ahead of me.  Brad turns 30 27 on Monday and he requested that for his celebration a group of us go to Goodwill to pick out our wardrobe for bowling and games at Big Al's.

Going to channel Macklemore for this.  Thinking my Grandpa's style will be a front runner, but I am going to let Goodwill speak to me and do no prior outfit planning before I get there.

Cheers!

<3 BB

Restaurant Review :: Yama Sushi

For New Year's Eve Bradley and I got together with a small group of friends for dinner in downtown Portland and then game night back our Casa de Smith (+ Snook).  It was the perfect amount of celebration for ringing in the New Year.  We had dinner early enough that we missed the crazy night life that is NYE and celebrated in our own fashion back at the apartment.

Our first stop of the evening was Mellow Mushroom, which I have blogged about before.  Big, BIG fan.  Their pretzels are to die for and double the fun Mondays offer 2 dollar beers!  And good beers too, not just that PBR ish all those Portland Hipsters drink.

After Mellow we briskly walked so cold to Yama Sushi.  Luckily, I was super smart and awesome prepared and made a reservation a week or two before, because Yama is not a large space.  It did however make for a great evening for the 8 of us and had plenty of yummy (definitely a legit food blogger term) options.

  source

Plus, Yama is a great option if you have a few people in your group that aren't huge sushi fans (cough, cough Tyler).  They had great noodle and rice bowls, as well as bento boxes and other options outside of rolls.

Brad and I split 4 different rolls which included a Crunchy Spicy Tuna, Dragon Roll, Rainbow Roll, and one of their specialty rolls called Crazy Monkey (highly recommend).  Everything was reasonably priced for the size of the rolls and quality they offered.

source 

I love sushi maybe even more than fro-yo and was a big fan of this place.  Bradley better plan on taking me here for another date night sooner rather than later :)  Rumor has it they have a good happy hour too! 

Cheers to Sushi! 

<3 BB