A Walk Around PetsMart

on July 21, 2011
in All Posts

It was so hot in Charlotte today that we actually drove to PetsMart to take James on a mid-day “walk.”  We roamed up and down the aisles, bought some doggie food, and left after 15 minutes.

 

Maggie comes on our PetsMart excursions, too, but I just put her in the cart and push her around. 

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And park her in front of the cat cages and let her stare them down with her big, permanently confused eyes.  Poor dear. 

 

It was so hot that I didn’t want to exercise outside either, so I set up the Bell Motivator and rode for 30 minutes.  Per a few readers’ advice, I did a lot of sprints and rode in a harder gear.  Hopefully good training for my upcoming Oly triathlon!

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Pre-ride fuel:

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The Husband and I were dying to get out of the house, so we went to FABO Café to do some work.

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He read this thrillin’ book:

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And I did a lot of writing!  Cheers!

 

FABO snacks:

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Dinner was simple but good.  We were thinking about getting takeout but decided to just save the money and make something simple and healthy at home.  This meal took only about 3 minutes of prep work!  Can’t complain about that.

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Simple steps:

 

  • Boiled brown rice for 30 minutes.

 

  • Ran frozen corn and frozen peas under the faucet until thawed.

 

  • Drained and rinsed some chickpeas.

 

  • Tossed everything together with a bit of Trader Joe’s corn relish and called it a meal!

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Belly + mouth are happy. 

{ 68 comments }

 

  • Army Amy* July 21, 2011, 8:59 pm

    Dinner looks simple and delicious!*

  • Laura July 21, 2011, 9:02 pm

    My favorite posts are the ones including Maggie. They always make me laugh!

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 9:04 pm

      Aw Maggie says thank you! 🙂 She loves being on the blog, too.

    • Clare July 22, 2011, 4:32 pm

      Me too! I have a perpetually confused terrier who provides our household with endless comedic possibilities. (not in a mean way…we love her to bits and like Maggie, she is impossibly cute…she’s just missing a few crayons in her box!)

  • Baking N Books July 21, 2011, 9:03 pm

    Do you think you would be still be with the Hubs if he wasn’t vegetarian like you (or vegan!).

    Just an interesting question I was thinking about a lot of couples…hmm…post topic?! 🙂

    I want a cute Fabo Cafe!

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 9:04 pm

      Hahah well yes, because we were married when we went veg 😉

    • Mia July 22, 2011, 7:41 am

      I think it’s doable. When my husband and I met 11 years ago we were both vegetarian, but in the past 2 years he started eating meat again and I haven’t. We totally make it work, I even cook meat for him every once in a while. I guess it just depends on whether your vegetarianism defines you or not. To be honest, I think at this point I am a vegetarian out of convenience, simply because I’m so used to it, so it doesn’t bother me to purchase meat or even work with it.

  • Devonshire July 21, 2011, 9:05 pm

    OH! you’ll def have to get a review from your Hubby on the thyroid book. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 4 years ago and i recently stopped taking my meds because i honestly don’t think they work. My weight loss isn’t faster or slower, my mood isn’t any better, my intolerance to cold isn’t better or worse.. so yea…

    Maggie is too cute!

    • Kristina July 21, 2011, 9:21 pm

      Please do!! I am convinced I have a thyroid problem, though my tests are always normal. I’ve made the recent decision to ditch Western medicine and try the holistic approach. I would love the Husbands insight on this!

      Maggie has the right idea! Why can’t someone push my butt through life??

      • Jess @JessCantCook July 21, 2011, 9:44 pm

        I though the same thing when I read the title of his book! I would be so interested to hear his thoughts on that, my tests have all come back fine too but the symptoms are still there.

        Maggie is adorable by the way 🙂

        • Stephanie C July 21, 2011, 10:23 pm

          Another person wondering his thoughts after reading that book! I have normal test results, though I’ve got the antibodies, but have been on meds for about 3 years. They really help, but I don’t want to be on them long term.

        • Reenie July 21, 2011, 10:47 pm

          GAH!!! The book caught my eye!! I too am interested in what The Husband has to say about that book. Is his thyroid “off”? I’d love to hear what he suggest taking also. =) I was diagnosed with Graves Disease about 10 years ago. I took the radioactive pill and I think it killed most of my thyroid….then I believe I went hypo. Looking back, I’m not sure how I functioned or continued to go to work. I am 5′ 2″ and usually weighed around 115. I got down to around 100 ~ then jumped up to 149. When I hit 149….I said I will NEVER weigh 150. I now weigh around 130. My big beef is how do the doctors know what the “normal” range is? I mean, we are all different sizes, weight, age, etc. So…… please Husband ~ give us your take on the thyroid =)

    • Ellen July 22, 2011, 12:57 am

      i bought that same thyroid book on monday! the day before my doctor called to tell me my test results were “normal”… if i can’t find a doctor to help me, i guess i’ll just proceed on my own. so far the book is a lot of stuff i already know, but it would be good for anyone at the beginning stages of uncovering a thyroid problem. i have every symptom in the book, quite literally, plus goiters that are large for my age, and every doctor says i’m normal. it’s so frustrating. I feel doctors are going to change their tune on thyroid health soon, because it regulates weight, and we all know the problems with THAT in the US.

      anyone concerned about thyroid health that wants to get their mind blown should start here: http://thehealthyskeptic.org/thyroid

      • Finn July 22, 2011, 3:44 am

        Yes, please do let us know his thoughts on this book and underactive thyroid in general. I was diagnosed with autoimmune underactive thyroid after having my son and even though I take the medication every day, I am still ALWAYS tired!

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 6:30 am

      Hey guys! Husband is reading the book for his job (Chinese doc) not for personal reasons.

      I’m not sure if he’ll have time to review the book (if you have thyroid issues, though, he says he definitely recommends you reading it yourself for educational purposes), but I think the biggest takeaway is just because your test results fall within a ‘normal’ range does not mean your thyroid is functioning optimally. And gluten and dairy intake strongly impact thyroid function. Before you guys make any lifestyle changes, though, I highly rec talking to a doctor (or an alternative doc) about it. side note: the husband does e-consults, testing, and supplement recs if anyone is interested! i know it’s hard to find local providers sometimes. you can check out more info on holisticcharlotte.com

      • Jill Will Run July 22, 2011, 10:56 am

        I just bought that book too! I’ve had “normal” results for a couple years, been on the same dose of synthroid for a while but still feel like I have symptoms. But I appreciate your feedback on the subject!

    • Amber K July 22, 2011, 12:34 pm

      Throwing my opinion in as well, I’d love to know his thoughts on that book! I’m currently on thyroid medication and go back to the doctor soon to see if the dose I’m on is a good one. But it took SEVERAL different versions of tests before they’d admit that something was wonky with my thyroid.

  • Ciera @ Rose and Thistle July 21, 2011, 9:05 pm

    How well behaved is Maggie? Mine would be bouncing around in the trolley!

    I find it really sad that pet stores sell puppies and kittens in the US. In the UK you only get them from breeders or shelters and it honestly breaks my heart to think about them cooped up in a pet shop…

    • Zo July 21, 2011, 9:07 pm

      I think the cats at petsmart are usually foster groups or shelter pets that are placed there to encounter a wider audience. Usually there is an adoption fee…but they aren’t for sale.

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 9:07 pm

      She just lays there. She is pretty apathetic about life in general.

      I think those kittens are rescue cats, actually! I don’t think PetsMart sells any non-rescue dogs or cats.

      • Ciera @ Rose and Thistle July 21, 2011, 9:33 pm

        That’s awesome then, it’s great if they’re helping rescues find homes. Totally behind it if they’re rescues, just remember being really put off a few years ago when we saw a shop in a mall that had all sorts of pedigree puppies for sale. Good to hear that my prejudices against PetsMart are unfounded, commend them for helping lots of people see the pets that need good homes!

        • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 9:34 pm

          Yea, unfortunately, there are lots of puppy-mill supporting pet stores in America. They make me sick, too. 🙁

        • Katie July 22, 2011, 9:55 am

          I worked at a store that sold holistic pet supplies through college, and Petsmart is kind of the Walmart of the animal world. They do some really awesome things, like work with rescues and have adoption parties, but they treat the animals they do sell horribly. PETA (who I’m not a fan of, but still) has done a number of undercover projects showing how the birds, small mammals, and reptiles are basically factory farmed. I frequently find a lot of the animals to be unhealthy, and the employees aren’t knowledgeable far too often. My friend was sold a baby rat and told it would stay that size – not get almost the size of a squirrel! They also treat their employees pretty unfairly.
          Welp… long Petsmart rant, hah. Just putting that out there.

        • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 9:57 am

          Good to know, Katie. I can say that I asked an employer if a certain brand of pet food was organic (because it said “holistic” on the label) and he said yes, and I didn’t want to call him out right there, but it was obviously not. LOL.

    • Mia July 22, 2011, 7:44 am

      Actually, the laws about selling pets in stores varies from state to state. There are some states where it is strictly illegal to sell animals (besides fish and birds) and others where it is legal. In fact, it may even vary by city. I know here in Philly and in NYC where I used to live, stores don’t sell animals…the only animals they have available are from local pet shelters and are for adoption.

  • Zo July 21, 2011, 9:05 pm

    It was almost 100 degrees today in New Jersey…and yet when I looked out my office window around 1:30…I saw someone outside running. Running! Crazy1

  • Victoria (District Chocoholic) July 21, 2011, 9:14 pm

    Your “upcoming Oly triathlon”? Which one, pray tell :)?

  • Dori July 21, 2011, 9:31 pm

    Maggie in the cart is hilarious.

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 21, 2011, 9:35 pm

    I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who “thaws” my frozen veggies with the kitchen faucet 🙂

  • Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food July 21, 2011, 9:45 pm

    I wish we had a dog friendly cafe here in Newburyport! Of course our pup would be too excited to sit still so maybe it wouldn’t matter! 😛

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg July 21, 2011, 9:59 pm

    I love your quick meals like this — sometimes we just throw stuff together and hope it works!

  • E (from One Twenty Five) July 21, 2011, 10:03 pm

    I”m obsessed with PetsMart. So many useless things to spend my money on that my pets ‘neeeeeeeeed’ – I could actually spend HOURS in there.

    delicious looking meal, btw!

  • Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs July 21, 2011, 10:04 pm

    That dinner looks almost exactly like my lunch! I had chicken instead of chickpeas though! Great minds… 😉

  • Allison @ Happy Tales July 21, 2011, 10:06 pm

    Oh dear god. Happy goes BONKERS when we go to PetSmart. She did her puppy-school classes there and has grabbed the love and affection of every one of the workers there. They always come up to us if we’re there without her and ask “awwww where’s Happy!???”. It makes me feel bad to know they’re disappointed to see just me or Ryan… haaaa!

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga July 21, 2011, 10:07 pm

    “thinking about getting takeout but decided to just save the money and make something simple and healthy at home. This meal took only about 3 minutes of prep work! ”

    AMEN GIRL!

    I have similar rice + chickpea one pot meals. I jazz them up by adding everything from peanut butter to TJs sauces to let them take on whatever flavor I feel like. And i get planned leftovers out of them. Cook once, eat twice. And save money!

  • Jen July 21, 2011, 10:26 pm

    i just laughed through the whole first half of this post. maggie is awesome.

  • Sana July 21, 2011, 10:41 pm

    Oh Maggie. I adore you.

  • Bee Goes Bananas July 21, 2011, 10:44 pm

    I love taking my dog Zeke to PetSmart! It’s so much fun! I want to bring him in every store, but I guess just one will have to do!

  • Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine July 21, 2011, 11:04 pm

    Maggie cracks me up. They are both adorable. My dog never, ever fails to pee on something in PetSmart. Last time it was a stack of rubber chickens.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 21, 2011, 11:04 pm

    Haha, yep it was WAYY hot here too! Great idea <—go indoors for everything. hah

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) July 21, 2011, 11:33 pm

    My Petsmart has a vet attached to it, so I have waaay too many reasons to go.

  • CheezyK July 21, 2011, 11:34 pm

    Love the simplicity of your dinner, sounds delish. If I’m having frozen vegies with boiled rice I will add them to the rice pot for a few minutes once the rice is cooked – saves dishes and water.

  • Tatyana July 22, 2011, 1:23 am

    I have been reading your blog for about a year now. I love how approachable you are, even with pretty controversial topics. I think you are an amazing role model for women of all ages. Keep on doing what you are doing!!!

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 6:31 am

      Thank you so much, my dear.

    • Maggie July 22, 2011, 4:27 pm

      I second that, Tatyana. Amen! Love you, Caitlin.

      • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 4:28 pm

        Aw you are so sweet. Thanks!

  • kyndra July 22, 2011, 1:34 am

    good job on the sprints and harder gearing! it sucks while you’re doing it (hope you had a fan to cool you off, ha) but it pays off massively.

    tonight i did a lactate balance point test (fancy way of measuring fitness) with my coach and my watts had increased by 60 over ~6 months. i credit doing lots of hard intervals and hilly rides for the improvement.

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 6:31 am

      dude, that is awesomesauce!

  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over July 22, 2011, 5:30 am

    I love your pre-workout snack! Yum 🙂

  • Amy D July 22, 2011, 5:38 am

    Please ask your hubby if that book is good. It is the exact question I am asking myself. I’m 35, my hair is thinning, I can’t lose weight even though I eat clean 90% of the time and love exercise. My thyroid function was tested for the hair loss and it came back as normal. I’d love to know what that book might suggest. Thanks, Amy

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 6:32 am

      Hi Amy! CHeck out the comments under comment #4!

  • Jumanah @ Healthy Living in the Middle East July 22, 2011, 5:51 am

    I think its hilarious that Maggie rides in the cart with you guys! So cute!

  • Khushboo July 22, 2011, 6:27 am

    Wow record preparation time for a delicious yet healthy meal!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 22, 2011, 7:18 am

    That cafe looks so pretty! I love the decor and colours!

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me July 22, 2011, 7:25 am

    LOL I love the picture of Maggie in the cart. That is sooo adorable.

  • Verna July 22, 2011, 8:03 am

    I haven’t read that book, but I’ve read one by the same people. Stop the Thyroid Madness. I’d be interested to hear your husband’s thoughts on the subject! I’ve had such a hard time finding a doctor who is willing to not just use convential medicine for thyroid problems.

  • Molly @ RDexposed July 22, 2011, 8:32 am

    Maggie fits perfectly in the child seat! Way to freakin cute!

    And I’m nerdy and read “boring” books as well on my free time!

  • Kristen @ notsodomesticated July 22, 2011, 8:52 am

    Hahaha those poor cats didn’t know what was going on!!

  • Kate July 22, 2011, 9:00 am

    Is it weird that i really want to know what Kristien learns from that book????? obv it’s the story of my life.

  • Savannah (Sweet and Savvy) July 22, 2011, 9:15 am

    Such a great, quick meal!

  • Katie July 22, 2011, 9:40 am

    Maggie in the cart is too cute! And yeah, this heat wave is killer! I’m sure it’s worse in NC, but I’m a dog walker in DC and I thought I (and my pups) were going to keel over on the side of the road.

  • Mallory July 22, 2011, 10:37 am

    OMGosh! I am so impressed by your husband reading that book! I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis almost two years ago and have been taking Synthroid ever since. Then earlier this year, I had a blood test come back with crazy results (like off the charts high numbers). My Endocrinologist (who is 80+ yrs old) told me they needed to give me radioactive iodine to completely shut off my thyroid. RED FLAG! I am 25, healthy weight, balanced eater, this is the ONLY time I have had crazy numbers…I think not. I have been back 3 times checking my numbers every 4 weeks…and guess what, they have been normal. And everytime, he tells me to rethink shutting it down because then I wouldn’t have to deal with it. What kind of doctor says that?! Needless to say, I have made an appointment with a local accupuncturist, because of reading your blog!

    But I don’t know what to tell him to do? Does your husband do things to treat or improve thyroid conditions? I know this is totally not what your blog is about, but I am desperate. Anything would be helpful. If I didn’t live in Texas, I would be at his office doorstep right now. 🙂

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 10:44 am

      Woah. Crazy balls! I hate it when I hear stories of doctors wanting to take such drastic immediate action without thoroughly exhausting all options. Good for you for sticking to your guns and exploring other options.

      If I were you, I would look for an acupuncturist who also specializes in herbology. Ask if they are certified. You’ll need herbs in addition to acupuncture (or even in replacement of). Alternatively, the husband does e-consults and testing and can recommend supplements for you if you want to explore than option! His email is kboyle@holisticcharlotte.com. I have to say, I am so impressed with natural supplements and herbs… All of my adrenal symptoms have gone away after being on the herbs for two months. Crazy!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss July 22, 2011, 10:44 am

    hahaha, cute idea walking James around PetsMart!

  • Lindsay Loves Veggies July 22, 2011, 6:34 pm

    I love easy meals like the rice, corn, peas,and chickpea mess! Delicious and nutritious!

  • Kim @ Kim Lives Healthy July 22, 2011, 8:11 pm

    We had a similar dinner tonight but made in the rice cooker: I tossed in 1 cup millet and let it do its thing while I clean the house or do a Jillian Michaels DVD, then when it’s done I mixed the millet with pinto beans & green peas – topped with nooch & hot sauce – BAM 🙂 Sometimes we throw frozen veggies in the rice cooker too, super easy and a time saver. I got it for $8 at Big Lots, love it!

    The last time I took my dog to PetsMart he took a poop in the middle of the aisle… awkward 😛

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