I woke up at my parents’ house at 4:45 a.m., determined to make the 2-hour drive back to Orlando in time to see Ryan before he headed into work. I missed Ryan and Sadie so, so much while I was gallivanting across Europe with my family and was dying to see my little family!
I realize it had only been 13 days since I had last seen Ryan, but I think that’s the longest amount of time we’ve spent apart since we started dating in 2004. I’m not sure I can adequately put into words how I felt when I saw his face. I literally jumped up and down and into his arms and tears filled my eyes. I don’t know why I was so emotional, but it felt so incredibly good be to back in his arms, with Sadie body slamming up against us as we embraced.
I’m back, baby! 
Workout
Within 20 minutes of my arrival back in Orlando, Ryan had to head into work, so I hit the gym for my first workout since May 4!
Man, I was feelin’ it today! I did basically the same workout I did the day we left for Rome, but my body felt significantly weaker. Gosh, I missed strength training!
Before hittin’ the weights, I completed this 20-minute workout on the treadmill:
| Minutes | Incline | Speed |
| 0 – 10 | 1.0 | 6.8 |
| 10 – 15 | 10.0 | 4.0 |
| 15 – 17 | 1.0 | 6.5 |
| 17 – 20 | 1.0 | 6.8 |
My chest felt tight, but my legs felt great. It’s amazing how nearly two weeks away from the gym can make you crave exercise. It’s been 13 days since I broke a sweat and it felt great do finally do so this morning.
Breakfast
After my workout and a quick shower, I came downstairs and spent a good 10 minutes on the couch just cuddling with Sadie.
I missed my lil’ girl!
Once I could tell Sadie was over my cuddles, it was time to see what we had in the fridge for breakfast.
Since Ryan basically subsists on a meat, cheese and peanut butter sandwiches-only diet when I’m not in town, I was shocked to see a bag of spinach staring at me! I think this may be leftover from when I left, but the spinach leaves weren’t too wilted and I figured I could use them in a smoothie.
In the mix:
- 1 c. milk
- 2 large handfuls fresh spinach
- 1 c. frozen strawberries
- 1 scoop chocolate protein power
- 1 tbsp. peanut butter
- 1 pinch xanthan gum
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
Gosh, I missed my smoothies!!!
Smoothies on Shape
And speaking of my smoothie obsession, while I was on vacation, Shape Magazine’s website featured an awesome slideshow of a whole bunch of my smoothie recipes.
Feel free to pop on over there to see 12 of my favorite smoothie recipes organized together in one convenient little slideshow.
Now that I have a full belly, I’m off to work. Returning to work after being away for so long should be… fun interesting. Here we goooo!
Blogger Bake Sale
If you’re interested in nabbing some yummy baked goods, check out Tina’s blogger bake sale and bid on a ton of amazingly delicious treats, including my peanut butter energy bites!
The bake sale is raising money for Team for Kids, an organization that provides more than 100,000 kids in low-income areas with education about health and fitness.
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Congrats on the Shape feature!! You’ve inspired me to start spinach smoothies in the past few weeks! I’m so glad you’ll be able to reach even more people with your recipies!!
PS: I cannot WAIT to try the pumpkin smoothie!! How did I miss that one?!?!?!
Not even back for a day and already hitting up the gym before work?..Thanks for the major motivation!! That take commitment!
Congrats on your smoothies recipes being featured in Shape btw!
So glad you’re back safe and sound!! I always get emotional when I return home from a long trip when I see my family and dog, I realize how much I missed them and always start crying! 🙂 I’m such a baby!
Congrats on the Shape shout out!
Welcome back!
Glad you had a great time. It is always nice to get back home no matter how amazing the vacation.
Suzanne
Welcome home, Julie! While you were gone I made a bunch of your recipes and drank a smoothie every day in your honor 🙂 FYI, pineapple and banana go surprisingly well together in a smoothie! Who knew?
Wow. It takes a special breed of human to wake up at 4:45 am, drive two hours and choose to hit the gym before a day’s work. I am not a member of that tribe, but I definitely salute you!!
Welcome back! I enjoyed reading all of your Europe posts!
It must feel good to be home (and back in the gym!!). Trips are always fun..but no matter how fun they are, I always feel realized to be home. Especially if they involve your man and a cute pup!!
Hi there,
I love all your smoothie recipes and am curious what type of blender you use? Something fancy and expensive like the Vitamix or just a good sturdy machine?
Welcome back! Loved all your adventures from your trip! Aww, Sadie looks sad, its like she’s afraid you’re going to leave again.
Hey you’re back!!!!
That was so exiting to read and your pictures were great!
What did you prefer?
Are you happy to be back home?
Welcome home!! I know your little family was so happy to see you! Now, can you flood the blog with pics of Sadie? She is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen haha!
Welcome back!
No need to try and explain the way you were feeling seeing Ryan after 13 days apart, we get it 🙂
Hope your first day back at work isn’t too crazy.
So, while you were gone, I finally tried smoothies and I am ADDICTED!!! The only thing is, I took some of my mom’s protein to try and now I am out, so no more smoothies until I purchase more! I just was wondering what type of protein you use/prefer?
Welcome back! 🙂