Pooch in the Park
Spending Sunday morning at the dog park was easily the highlight of my day! 
Remember Murphy’s first trip to the dog park? He was so small and scared. He didn’t venture far from Mom and Dad at all.
Several weeks later though, Murphy was off making new friends right and left. He barely even hung out with Mal and me! Murphy was brimming with newfound doggie confidence!
Murphy even ventured off the beaten path to the water all by himself. Mal and I had to run down after him!
Our confident pooch looks a little sassy in this photo, now doesn’t he?
Murphy ran around, played fetch in the field, and practiced some tricks with Dad.
What a difference a month and a half made for Murphy! He was a totally different dog at the park today!
Lunch
After the park, I made a quick lunch: pineapple Chobani with Kashi Go Lean Crunch and a kiwi.
Before heading to the gym, I snacked on a piece of raisin bread with peanut butter.
Workout
I was in the mood for a tough workout, so I pumped some iron and then hit the elliptical for a 45-minute interval workout. I was a sweaty mess by the end.
Strength training:
- Dumbbell Squats: 50 lbs, 20 reps, 3 sets
- Dumbbell Lunges: 40 lbs, 20 reps, 3 sets
- Leg Press (machine): 110 lbs, 20 reps, 3 sets
- Leg Curls (machine): 40 lbs, 20 reps, 3 sets
- Plié Squats: 40 lbs, 20 reps, 3 sets
After the gym, I ran some errands without showering, which is something I rarely ever do. After about 10 minutes of sitting in sweaty workout clothes, I knew I had made a bad decision. Ick! Now I remember why I shower immediately after exercising! I can’t stand cold, nasty workout gear! 
Dinner
It was Mal’s turn to make dinner tonight. I gave him a few ideas to guide his cooking though! 
The star ingredient of tonight’s dinner: Laughing Cow Swiss Cheese.
Mal cooked a package of Nasoya noodles, steamed some broccoli, and added five Laughing Cow wedges for a low-cal, alfredo-like pasta dish. It was delish!
The broccoli + cheese was especially wonderful! 
I’m spending the rest of the evening relaxing and gearing-up for my first day at NuVal. I can’t believe I’m starting a new job tomorrow! I feel like my first day at Harvard was just the other day. I’m so nervous and excited about tomorrow!
To relax me, I made myself a mug of “Relax” tea and broke out some Scharffen Berger chocolates. I’m pretty sure the combo will make me feel better!
I’m so excited/nervous for tomorrow! Ahhh! 
See ya tomorrow!
Kirsten — October 25, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
Today was SUCH a beautiful day in Boston! Good luck tomorrow.
janetha — October 25, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
love the photos of murphy, especially the licking one. he is such a babe! good luck tomorrow
Lizzy — October 25, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
Good luck tomorrow!
Carolyn — October 25, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
Good luck at your first day tomorrow!!
Kristen @ frostingandfroth.com — October 25, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
Good luck tomorrow, Tina! You’ll rock your first day!
Food Makes Fun Fuel — October 25, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
Broccoli and cheese sounds sooo good.
Look at Murphy go! Haha. My dog was never much of a socialite
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries — October 25, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
New jobs are always so exciting/nerve-wracking! I have a feeling you’re gonna love it
MelissaNibbles — October 25, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
Murphy is getting so big! What a fun day.
I’ve tried time and time again to make alfredo with that cheese, but it refuses to melt for me. Any tips?
Good luck tomorrow. You’re going to rawk!
Leianna — October 25, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
Good luck with first day!
I just moved to a new state and was looking at my grocery stores website:
http://www.hy-vee.com/
And under the Health section I notived a “NuVal” tab and was so excited to see this grocery store chain in Iowa, no less uses this and I thought of you!
Kati — October 25, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
Murphy is SO cute! Our little dog is 5 months old and they are just so fun/funny! Good luck tomorrow! It’s exciting that you’re going to be doing what you really want.
Tina — October 25, 2009 @ 8:28 pm
@MelissaNibbles: Microwave it!
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — October 25, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
yay – glad murphy is now a “big dog!” i hope he doesn’t turn into a ball hog like my dog is now…..
Susan — October 25, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
Good luck tomorrow !
Erin — October 25, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
Murphy is just too cute!! Good luck at your new job tomorrow!
Suzanne — October 25, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
Good luck tomorrow!!
Stephanie — October 25, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
Good luck tomorrow
Evelyn — October 25, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
good luck tomorrow!
Cynthia (It All Changes) — October 25, 2009 @ 8:53 pm
I love poochie pics. Murphy looks great
You’ll do amazing tomorrow. Its a job you are born to do and will rock at!
Lee — October 25, 2009 @ 9:02 pm
Have a great first day!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — October 25, 2009 @ 9:03 pm
I love the pictures with water….makes me want summer! Good luck tomorrow!
Estela @ Weekly Bite — October 25, 2009 @ 9:04 pm
those pictures look amazing! What a beautiful day!
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) — October 25, 2009 @ 9:05 pm
Good luck tomorrow– you’ll knock their socks off, don’t worry at all dear!
I love that New England scenery, gorgeous!
Dori — October 25, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
Good luck tomorrow! Sure you will have a great day.
hemp jogger — October 25, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
i just started a new job myself, and its so nerve-wracking…but its so excited
i know you’ll do fantastic, and this job was definitely meant to be for ya.
a ? if you dont mind…was wondering how to spice up my elliptical routine, and was wondering what you do w/ your intervals? if you change resistance or incline (if applicable) or direction? just curious… thanks!
Vickie — October 25, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
Best of luck tomorrow.
Stacey — October 25, 2009 @ 9:35 pm
What a good idea, adding LC cheese to pasta! I’m always trying to figure out how to use those wedges up (besides in sandwiches!) Glad you had a fun day at the park
Your dog is such a cutie
Sarah — October 25, 2009 @ 9:48 pm
Yay for Murphy! He is so cute
I hope you have a great first day tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Jenna — October 25, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
good luck tomorrow tina!!
jenna
Felicia (Bites of the Apple) — October 25, 2009 @ 10:02 pm
Murphy is seriously too cute for words!! That’s so exciting that he’s getting more adventurous at the dog park.
Good luck tomorrow!
Autumn Tao — October 25, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
Good luck lady.
maria — October 25, 2009 @ 10:31 pm
Yay for Murphy becoming more adventurous!
Also, that dinner looks superb. Seriously. If only my husband liked broccoli!
Good luck tomorrow, you will do great!
Leah — October 25, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
Wow Murphy is getting big! Puppies grow so fast
. Good luck tomorrow!
Sues — October 25, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
Aww Murphey is so cute!! I love Laughing Cow!
Marissa — October 25, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
Murphy gets cuter and cuter every day!
BroccoliHut — October 25, 2009 @ 11:31 pm
LC and broccoli used to be one of my favorite combos–thanks for the reminder!
Aggie — October 25, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
Yummy eats! Love what you did with the Laughing Cow!
Good luck tomorrow!
Tasha — October 25, 2009 @ 11:38 pm
Good luck on your first day! It will go great.
What’s Chobani?
Kara — October 25, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
I’m getting a new puppy this week! This just adds to my overwhelming excitement
Rebecca — October 26, 2009 @ 12:03 am
Is it weird that I went to a dog park today without a dog?! lol I love dogs so much but I can’t have one in my apartment. So, I go watch them run around!
Good luck tomorrow!! You’ll do great!
Emily Eats and Exercises — October 26, 2009 @ 12:26 am
I love the “alfredo” idea. Definitely on the menu for later.
Good luck at the new job!
ellen eats beets — October 26, 2009 @ 12:40 am
Good luck Missy! I’m sure you are going to have a bomb experience!
Little murph is just too cute!
Shannon — October 26, 2009 @ 6:11 am
What a great Sunday….Murphy does look quite sassy in that picture. He’s such a handsome little man! Our other man created a wonderful sounding dinner…I need to experiment with other uses for Laughing Cow. I love how versatile it is!
Have a great first day!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale — October 26, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
Laughing Cow tastes good on just about everything, no?
Three cheers for melty, creamy cheese!
Tina — October 26, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
Awwh Murphy is so cute! I wish I could take my dog to the dog park…she just runs away though! And she’s also not the nicest towards little dogs, haha.
I love the idea of LC’s in place of alfredo!
Still Life in South America — October 26, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
Hey Tina–what are you doing at your new job at NuVal? I should have asked in your latest post, but I didn’t want to enter the Campbell’s contest twice.
Kathy @ Adventuretaker.com — October 27, 2009 @ 9:04 am
Congrats on the new job! I tried your workout today and it was great! Tough, but great
Your blog gives me some great workout ideas, so thanks!
Jo — October 27, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
Do you have trouble melting the laughing cow wedges? Did you mix milk in?