As much as I love traveling, I always miss Mal and Murphy when I go away. Every time I leave for a trip, I get an empty pit-in-the-stomach feeling. However, once I arrive at my destination, I always feel better, but our goodbyes get me every time.
I guess missing Mal and Murph makes coming home that much sweeter, right? I mean, how adorable are these two?!
Breakfast
I started my day with a delicious batch of Oats in a Jar.
Ā 
The peanut butter jar that I used actually wasn’t all that empty, but there’s really no such thing as too much peanut butter– at least not in my life.
In the mix: oats, sliced banana, ground flaxseed meal, soy milk, and raisins.
Workout
After breakfast, Mal and I headed to the gym for a free TRX demo. Lately, both of us have felt kind of blah about our strength training routines, so we decided to check out TRX as a potential way to switch things up.
TRX is suspension training that uses leverage and your body weight to build strength, flexibility, balance, and power.
The demo was short and sweet, but Mal and I got a good feel for the exercises and style of workout. All of the exercises require a good amount of core work because you’re constantly trying to stablize yourself while doing the exercises. It’s definitely a challenge! There’s a good chance that Mal and I are going to sign up for a 6-week session. Woot!
Lunch
After the gym, Mal and I headed home, showered up, and cleaned the house. While Mal finished up a few chores, I made us lunch. We had tuna melts made with avocado, grainy mustard, Garlic Gold, and cheddar cheese, and they were de-lic-ious. Who knew avocado + garlic + mustard would taste so amazing together? I definitely won’t forget this combo.
After lunch, it was time to take the pug to the park for some exercise.
Murphy rocked his new plaid collar. He’s, oh, so stylish.
On the way out the door, the mailman arrived with a very special package from JackRabbit Sports.
My I <3 Sweat shirt from Ali‘s fundraiser! Wahoo! Just in time for my 20-miler. You bet I’m wearing it tomorrow!
As always, Murphy was psyched about a āride in the car to the park.āĀ Key words being: ride, car, and park.
On the ride, we made a pit stop at Marylou’s for iced coffee. I went with Almond Joy (milk, no sugar) today. It tastes so good when it hits your lips!
Mal and I took Murphy to Bare Cove Park in Hingham. We heard great things about it, so we finally visited today.
I can’t believe we waited so long– Bare Cove Park is awesome!!
Bare Cove Park is 484 acres of wildlife sanctuary and a place for public recreation. There’s miles of paved road, woodland trails, wetland, open fields, dense woods, and all sorts of animal and plant life. It’s pretty much an outdoor heaven. I still can’t believe it took Mal and I so long to visit!
Murphy had a blast running around, meeting new dog friends, and sniff, sniff, sniffing.
From the park, we drove straight to South Station, so I could catch my bus to New York City.
Dinner
I had about 30 minutes to spare, so I grabbed dinner for the road.
There were only two food choices in the bus terminal: McDonald’s and D’Angelo’s. I wasn’t psyched about either option, but I knew I wouldn’t make it to NYC without getting hungry.
I ended up ordering a ham and Swiss “CafĆĀ© Sandwich” on multigrain bread from D’Angelo’s. It came with lettuce, tomato, and honey mustard, and it tasted surprisingly goodāā actually, better than good.
The sandwichĀ was reallyĀ fresh and pretty much tastedĀ like something I’d make at home. I definitely recommendĀ aĀ “Cafe Sandwich” if you find yourself at D’Angelo’s.Ā
My dinner also included some Pretzel M & M’s (which surprisingly had only 150 caloriesĀ per bag) and a carton of coconut water.
The bus is still about 2 hours from New York City, so I’m going to sit back and relax for the remainder of the trip.
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
47 Comments
That park looks gorgeous! It’s great that you got a great day in with your guys before your left š
I’ve totally picked Pretzel M&Ms thanks to their low calories for a treat size pack! I don’t usually like M&Ms that arent’t peanut, and don’t eat M&Ms often – but those ones are good!
Your walk photos are adorable!
The park looks beautiful. Good luck on your long run tomorrow! I’m running 17 miles, I’ll be huffing along with you.
absolutely LOVE pretzel M&M’s!
I LOVE salty and sweet combos! They always hit the spot just right š
Enjoy your trip and best of luck ‘sweat’ -ing it at out tomorrow on your long run–I bet that’ll be a fun training run amidst so many runners!
P.s. I sure do love TRX training–it is so hard and makes a huge difference!
Home you make it safe to NYC! The pictures from the park are so nice š
that park looks amazing. I can’t believe I still haven’t tried pretzel M&Ms. I’m pretty sure I would love them.
I LOVE that pretzel M&Ms are only 150 calories a pack!!! They are definitely my go-to treat when I’m feeling spontaneous (:
Pretzel M n Ms!!! We don’t have them here, love chocolate covered pretzels, will have to pick them up next time I’m over the water.
I’m such a home bird, I’m also terrible at goodbyes and the hello’s after having been away!
The Pretzel M & M’s ….have never had those. Or Teddie’s PB. Everyone raves about it, I must find it.
And love that tshirt. Too cute š
Welcome home (almost)!
Love the tee! I have a lot of friends who question how I can workout as much as I do and “I love to sweat” Is my most frequent response.
What a fun day in the park. I am so jealous of your gorgeous fall weather. Good luck in your run.
That’s so awesome that you’re going to possibly do the 6 week TRX program. I think y’all will love it! Have a great time in New York and good luck on your run!
I am loving a lot of things about this post: OIAJ with lots of PB; cute snapshots of Murphy; TRX training – so challenging & great!; your new “I love sweat” tshirt; pretzel M&Ms. Sounds like a great day with all of that great stuff included! Good luck with your run tomorrow! š
I am SOOOO jealous that you got a “SWEAT” shirt. I missed out on them…
I’m curious why some times Murph wears a harness and other times he doesn’t?
@Jen: There’s no reason really. Back in the day, Murphy only had the harness, so he wore that all of the time. Now, he has a few collars, so Mal and I just switch it up depending on Murphy’s mood! š
I do the same exact thing with oats in a jar – as soon as it’s REASONABLY empty I’m all about it. There’s really no such thing as too much nut butter š
I have tried the turkey and avocado cafe sandwich from D’Angelo’s…. Definitely very surprising in how awesome it was… The bread, the quality of the turkey and avocado…. It was def a pleasant surprise.
Murphy totally rocks the plaid collar… Love it!
My Jars for overnight oats are never totally empty… Absolutely no such thing as too much pb… It’s the best part!
Good luck on your run! The weather is supposed to be amazing tomorrow in Boston… Hopefully the same in NYC š
I LOVE how well you speak of both of your men! š This is a running/ healthy eating blog — and it rocks in that regard — but I also appreciate how well you speak of your spouse. It’s great to hear. And, yes, he and your Murph are just adorable. š
Can’t wait to hear about tomorrow’s run!
I love using a left over peanut butter jar for yogurt, oatmeal! Nothing better then getting little peanut butter surprises!!
Hold up, I LOVEEEE that shirt. Is there any way to get one now??
Also, I’m a huge chocolate-covered pretzel fan (near obsession, actually), but I was a bit disappointed when I tried those pretzel M&Ms. I think they just didn’t have enough of that salty-sweet combo that I love so much. How’d you like them?
What great pics!! Looks like fun š
I tried a couple of TRX classes earlier this year and was SO sore the next day! At the end of the sessions, we did a team challenge with “atomic crunches” (I think that’s what they were called?) where your feet are in the straps and you hold a plank, then do a pushup, and then pull your feet into your chest to do a crunch. Repeat 10x, then 9x, and so on. Killer!
P.S. Love the picture of Murphy with his head out the car window. Adorable!
I am the same way about goodbyes. They get me every time! Pictures of the park are beautiful.
that park looks awesome! I love discovering great places like that. Haha and yep, Pretzel M&Ms only have 150 calories! They’re a great dessert when you’re craving sweet and salty!
Hey Tina!
My husband is in the military so I know a thing or two about goodbyes.. I totally hear you on missing your spouse (and dog!) when you’re apart. It’s not fun being away from each other a lot, but the homecomings are awesome! I think that even short periods of time away from one another probably makes you two appreciate each other more.. I know that my hubby and I never take each other for granted because we know what it’s like to be apart for 7 months at a time!
I love the pretzel M&M’s! They are addictive. š
D’Angelo’s sandwiches are suprisingly delicious!
TRX rules so hard. I love it, SO much.
Is Mal looking super blond to anyone else today?
I highly recommend signing up for the 6-week class! You will notice changes after a couple of classes just because you’re not used to working your muscles in that way. You won’t regret it š
I’m a TRX instructor, it’s a great work out and you can buy one for yourself to use at home for a double score!
Pretzel M&Ms are the bomb! Its always a pleasant surprise when treats end up being relatively low cal!
Pretzel M&Ms are life-changing! š
is murphy healthy? does he run around a lot? š
have a great trip, tina! i totally know what you mean about missing the fam back home. i LOVE to travel, but there is nothing like coming home to a hubby and 2 pups š
Looks like you had a great Saturday spending time with Mal and Murphy! So cute š I love those pretzels m&m’s. It’s the perfect combo of sweet and salty!
What a beautiful place to walk with your boys. I’m sure they both miss you too Tina. Have a good trip.
Thank you! š
I love TRX! I go to classes twice weekly! But I will probably be cutting back some when my half marathon and 25k training amp up, they legs get pretty sore from all the squats, lunges, hamstring curls, etc. I’ve gotten a few comments about my arms though š
I got the same color “I <3 Sweat" shirt! I'm glad the red heart didn't fade into the pink color. I was worried about that. š
YES!!!! so glad that you tried TRX… i work for their corporate office in San Francisco and use a TRX almost every day.. ive gotten so much stronger and even taken my TRX with me on vacation!
and you should totally do the 6 week program… ive done workouts from the program and it is awesome! also- i think i remember you saying you need more core strength? if you do the exercises correctly, almost EVERY exercise with the TRX is a core exercise!
if you have any more questions about TRX or the workouts, feel free to email me!
Thank you! I’m definitely excited to try it!
I love the park pics! They are gorgeous, and your mal and murph combo are always so adorable!! I’m glad you went to check out a new place, my hubs and I did that this weekend…you can live your whole life somewhere sometimes and STILL not see everything there is! Good on you for getting out and experiencing something new