Thursday Thiiiiiings.

I feel like we have a lot to catch up on. Regardless of the dreary Minnesota weather, this week has been pretty good!

1. I decided not to weigh in this week. Simply because I didn’t like what I saw last week and I didn’t it want to ruin my week. I think that’s progress?

2. My HRM is back in working order. I got the replacement part in the mail and it’s been so nice to have it back. Maybe I’ll be able to sneak in a long run when I’m home this weekend

3. I have waited about 15 years for my sister to actually WANT me to do her hair. Luckily for her, I did it anyway (when she was younger) whether she liked it or not… she usually cried :)

4. THIS!! Amazing. I will never go back.

5. This little new accessory just makes me smile!

6. “Date nights” make things better. Especially when desserts are involved. Impromptu Whole Foods run and $20 later we walk out with a few impulse buys (see #13).

7. Apparently something has been wrong with my cable for about a week. That’s PROOF I’m addicted to Netflix. Mainly Gossip Girl.

8. God loves me. You want to know HOW I know? I left my oven on ALL freaking day on Tuesday (only about 11 hours) and my apartment didn’t burn down. And nothing melted (my stove top gets SUPER hot and melts everything on it when it’s on). If that’s not proof, I don’t know what is! I have been known to leave my straightener on for a few days (or a week, whoops) but never my oven!

9. Running my second 5K in a month. Nothing special (it’s not timed, it’s a small “unrace”), but there is beer involved so it’s bound to be awesome.

10. If you want a good laugh… this song is pretty great. I <3 Macklemore.

11. Something about The Four Tops radio station makes me so nostalgic! I really believe that I was born in the wrong decade.

12. I have a huge bag of dried fruit is going to be THE DEATH OF ME. Seriously. I should know by now to never go grocery shopping hungry.

13. Because I am the worst impulse buyer, the BF created a rule for me: I need to say I want/need something three times before I “can” buy it. While good in theory, I talk and plead my case for everything that I think I might want on a daily basis… so I have a lot of things on my list to buy

Just bought an aztec skirt I have lusting after. And maybe a few other things….

14. Only about 40 days until our trip to Yellowstone & Glacier. I’m excited, but I don’t think anything can quite compare to Yosemite (and our Half Dome hike). I’m the one with the red shirt about 1/2 way up (below).

15. I MISS CHEER!

Hoping my BFF and I will find an open cheer team to join.

16. Normally I would end on #15, because now the list will feel incomplete without at least 4 more points. Anyway- I have 7 (open, of course) different flavors of nut butter right now in my cabinets. Please tell me this is normal!

That’s all! Happy Thursday!

Sometimes…

Sometimes…

I just want to close my eyes and sway my head back and forth while listening to this song.

 

Oh wait, I already do that!

Sometimes… (if we’re being honest)

I just want to eat something without so much internal dialogue.

Sometimes…

I want to throw away ALLTHECLOTHES in my closet. Nothing fits, looks right, matches, etc.

So I just order more things online.

Sometimes…

I want to save money, but I end up spending it (see above).

Sometimes…

I go to Whole Foods just for the Birthday Cake Gelato. #guilty

Sometimes…

I get the BEST picture texts from the BF.

…Of puppies.

Sometimes…

I have to remember that being a 20-something is NOT easy. And it’s not supposed to be.

If you’re a twenty-something…. you should watch this!

Sometimes…

You need to let go of worries and control and invest in faith.

Sometimes…

You just need a weekend away! I can’t wait to see friends and family this weekend. We always have so much planned when we go home, but we are so blessed that we have so many people that love us and want to see us

<333

One Word.

Present.

Beer.

Told-You-So

Yum.

Sweaty.

Beautiful.

His.

Hers.

Relatable.

Date.

Perspective.

Flashback.

Truth.

My Bare Essentials

I loved this vlog on defending your bare essentials. Jamie asked what three things you needed to be the best YOU and to defend those things.

It’s kind of a tricky question. Immediately I wanted to respond with (1) healthy food (2) exercise and …. then I drew a blank.

What else do I need? And should I really be taking up TWO of my bare essentials on food and exercise?

So I gave it some thought and here’s what I came up with.

1. Alone time. I cherish my alone time. I like to sit and be quiet. No matter how busy, stressed, happy, sad, etc. I always make time for myself. Call me selfish, but I really need some peace and quiet to be the best ME I can be for others.
2. Sweat. Sometimes this is combined with #1, sometimes it’s not. I always feel SO much better after I’ve worked out and got my body moving. The post-workout high is best high there is! I truly love working out not just for the results but because of how it makes me FEEL. And the challenge of trying something new, lifting new weights, setting new records- I like that too!
3. Laughter. There is something about a good laugh that can make me feel like ME. I was on the phone with my mom a few days ago after a rough day, and she was telling me the most BIZARRE story and I realized I haven’t laughed that hard in so long! After the call I just felt happy and back to my old self. Plus- if you can make me laugh you’re a friend for life and you have little choice in the matter.

I’m not sure how to “defend” laughter, but I can defend positivity. I can sometimes catch myself with too many negative thoughts, so reminding myself to be positive is important and something that I should defend every day. I want people to think of me as positive, someone who smiles a lot and brightens other people’s days.

I choose not to add “food” or “healthy eating” to the list, because I sometimes find that (when in the moment) I am happiest LETTING GO of food rules and restrictions, which can sometimes be masked as healthy eating. Same goes with food- I sometimes focus too much on food for it to be HEALTHY for me. That’s not something I want to defend.

It’s a choice that I need to make with every meal I eat, and every bite that goes into my mouth. It’s a combination of choosing what I want to eat without restrictions and food rules and then choosing how to feel about it.

This post got a little deeper than I was expecting!

What are your bare essentials?

PS- I highly suggest following Jamie’s blog. So much inspiration on building healthy thoughts surrounding your mind, body, nutrition and exercise.

Like My Momma Does…

I am so grateful to have TWO wonderful Moms in my life.

Both are so important to me in so many ways, and I know that God knew I needed both.

My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader! Pushing me to do more, to be better and to be a positive role model for my younger sister.

My stepmom (who I have known since I was about 4) is such a rock of support and guidance in my life. She’s my go-to girl!

Truly blessed with these amazing women in my life.

Happy Mother’s Day!

FIVE Things Friday 5-10-13

Thank GOODNESS this week is over. It’s been a little completely draining, so I am welcoming the weekend with open arms! No set plans on the agenda… just the usual running, grocery shopping and hanging out…maybe visiting a brewery or two.

I REALLY wish I could be laying out at a pool though… although that would require bathing suit shopping and I am definitely pushing that off until absolutely necessary.

Totally stealing this “5 Things” theme from Clare.

five things i ate:

Omlettes.

Cinco-De-Mayo-Inspired Taco Salad.

Lots of Baked Oatmeal/Oatbran.

Copious amounts of Trailmix. (Wildberry, I think? Dried fruit, almonds, cashews and yogurt chips!)

Chinese! (Didn’t even feel guilty for eating this. Win.)

five seven “workouts”:

3 P90X strength workouts.

1 four mile run.

1 P90X cardio

1 elliptical workout

1 incline walking workout

> Last week was a recovery week… so needless to say I am freaking sore!

five posts i loved:

1. Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls, So I Will (loved this! Perfect for all body-types)

2. Why You Should Say No to the Skinny Rules and YES to Being Awesome

3. What It’s Like to Attempt a Craft from Pinterest (or a recipe!)

4. 19 Best Ecards to Send to Someone Who Hates Their Job (hilarious)

5. Handy Chart of the Types of Bodies That Belong in a Bikini (just the inspiration I needed as the warm weather approaches! )

five things making me happy:

1. The Lululemon “Bang Buster” headband. Totally worth the $20! It’s definitely not attractive, but it stays put during my workouts and doesn’t give me a headache like other headbands do.

2. This fortune.

I opened up all 4 fortune cookies just to see what the fortunes were and then picked my favorite. Anyone else think fortune cookies are kind of gross tasting?

3. This quote.

4. I cannot even HANDLE the cuteness.

Can’t. Handle.

5. Music. Steve Miller Band, Tom Petty, The Four Tops (pandora station), Train and still really hooked on Hootie as of late. One of my favorite Hootie songs for your listening pleasure. :)

five looks i’m loving:

1. Aztec patterns. Especially aztec skirts.

2. Lace. I have been looking for a skirt like this. Love!

3. Orange and gold. I’m pretty sure I have the same exact blazer – so I’m just needing an aztec skirt to pair it with. [Chris, that's mention #3 for the aztec skirt, FYI. Now I can buy it.]

4. Mint!

5. High waisted, long skirts. I LOVE this look. If only I weren’t so short…

five random thoughts:

1. My HRM hasn’t been working this week. It won’t detect a HR. At first I panicked because “how would i ever know how many calories i burned during a workout or if i am in my ‘zone’” but I’m over it. It’s kind of freeing. But I still want to get it fixed!

2. I ordered these new headphones… and I’m loving them so far! It’s hard to find a good headphone fit with a pierced tragus!

3. I have had the CRAZIEST urge to tumble again lately. Well, not really tumble. But to just do a backhandspring ONE MORE TIME. I MISS cheerleading so much. And I feel like it would be a really good one, considering how much stronger I am now

4. I have heard such rave reviews about Gone Girl… and I’m only about 1/3 of the way through the book and it’s not as-good-as-i-thought-cant-put-it-down type of book. It’s good, but nothing that I can’t stop reading (well, technically listening to!).

5. “Celebrating” my guardian angel’s birthday, yesterday. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about her and the impact she made on my life. Incredibly blessed to have been best friends with such an amazing person.

five things i’m looking forward to:

1. An arizona “quick trip” beginning of June.

2. WARM WEATHER.

SUN!

3. Going back to HOME to IL for Memorial Day weekend. Sitting and chatting with family & seeing my sis.

My big little sister I take full credit for her hair looking beautiful.

4. The weekend. And beer.

5. The BF’s and my long run on Saturday. My favorite workout of the week!

What are you looking forward to?

Happy Friday

WIAW: Throwback Edition

My eating habits have really evolved over the years. Through high school and college, I went through phases of not caring what I eat to phases of restriction and overwhelming food rules.

I’m still trying to find my happy place with food…trying to not focus too much on FOOD itself but how my body uses food for fuel. It’s definitely a work in progress but I like where I’m headed.

Head over to Peas & Crayons for more WIAW posts!

WIAW: High School Throwback Edition

Breakfast: Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino on the way to school - sometimes “Light” depending on my mood. My BFF would meet up at Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts once or twice a week- after we could drive, of course.

(Source)

Lunch: 1/2 of a sandwich – usually ham and mustard on white bread. And maybe a perfectly counted portion of chips or pretzels on the side.

Usually bought a chocolate chip cookie which were always undercooked. The only way to eat a cookie.

After School Snack: Lots of these. I am not even a chip person! HA.

(Source)

Dinner: Dinner would really vary depending on whose house (Mom or Dads) I was at. I would say for the majority of dinners, I was on my own. I needed something to eat pre-cheer practice, but nothing too heavy.

One “meal” that really comes to mind is a microwaved baked potato and some frozen corn. Starches for the win! Ha! That was a regular prior to learning how to cook… and by that I mean learning how to use an oven.

At least corn is a vegetable.

Other dinner meals included baked chicken nuggets and french fries, Mac & Cheese (only Kraft) and bagel bites.

(Source)

I’m pretty sure I ate this up until a few years ago, too.

After all this reminiscing, I just had to include a couple throwback pictures as well.

We matched at least once a week!

State cheer send-off

What was your favorite childhood meal?

For me, it’s a toss-up between Mac & Cheese and chicken nuggets. I haven’t had a nugget in years (after realizing that a “nugget” is not normal!).

Happy WIAW!

My Happy List

Totally stealing this idea from a couple blogs I read… and I really wanted to get in on the fun.

There are so many little things that make me happy that are easily overlooked and forgotten about and I love lists. So this is a perfect combination. I’m really trying to find extra surges of positivity every day. Stress has been getting to me lately and what’s life without happiness?

Little things that make me happy, lately.

1. Good music.

Music does amazing things for mood improvement. I can be in the worst of moods and I’ll hear one of my favorite songs or bands and be instantly happier. Or, you know that moment when you’re FAVORITE song comes on your iPhone, radio, playlist (what have you)? Yeah, that! That’s the best.

A few favorites: Zac Brown Band, Hootie & The Blowfish (and Darius Rucker), John Cougar-Mellencamp, Train, The Eagles and Macklemore.

PS- The Hootie and The Blowfish Pandora station. No words. Really, it’s amazing. I embarassingly bob sway my head all day long when it’s on.

The Spice Girls are always good, too.

2. Sunshine.

Without some sunhine and Vitamin D, I can turn into one crabby patty. Dreary, rainy days are okay sometimes but a long pattern is not good for my soul. I need sunshine and love to be outside. Great weather makes me happy.

3. Trying something new.

I look forward to setting goals and trying new things. I get so excited to try something new or achieve something new – no matter what it is. I rarely make the same recipe twice (unless it’s amazing). I am always looking for new workouts and workout goals. I want to try new things, travel to new places, wear new clothes, long for a new haircut or color. I crave new.

Craving a new hike!

4. A good, therapeutic run.

Running is like therapy- it’s true. I feel SO much better after a run. I feel especially better after a run with the BF. He helps me talk through so many things and after our longer runs, I usually have a new perspective or two about something that was stressing me out.

I also just love the feeling of accomplishment after a long run. Those running endorphins are no joke. I NEVER thought I would love running. Never, ever. Especially anything longer than a few miles. But I love it and I crave increasing my distance for that next challenge.

These make running SO enjoyable. So that helps.

5. Chocolate. And nut butters.

Together, seperate… I’m not picky. I have both every, single day. I have about 7 different nut butters in my cabinet and spoons layed out just for NB tasting. I can’t believe I actually admitted that! haha

Peanut Butter Chunk Bar. *swoon*

6. A really good pair of jeans.

I love jeans, and have specific jeans for specific outfits (don’t we all?). It makes me happy to put on a pair of jeans and think “damn my butt looks good” or something similar. Am I right?

7. Good hair days.

I may seem a bit vain at this point in my list (okay, who am i kidding? I am!)… but having a good hair day is the best. Watch out for me on those bad hair days! #TRUTH > The BF can attest to this.

8. Baking.

I LOVE baking. For other people. I rarely eat my baked goods… I will definitely taste test but I love to bake and then give it away. Baking is really spreading love to others. It’s magical to watch how a cupcake can bring so much happiness and joy.

Salted caramel filled brown sugar cupcake with salted caramel buttercream frosting. Phew, what a mouthful!

9. A backrub. Or hairplay.

I am so needy. I love to have my backrubbed or hair played with at all times whenever I can convince someone to do it.

10. Beer.

A few months ago that might have read wine. But after my St. Patty’s day extravaganza, I haven’t quite gotten back on the wine bandwagon but I have been LOVING beer. I love the Blue Moon seasonals, dry cider beers and just a plain Michelob Ultra with a lime. Beer is so summer.

Cider Sampler.

I’m sure my happiness list varies from time to time. But these things are definitely making me happy lately.

What’s on your happiness list?

Thursday Thiiiiiings.

Whelp, just when I thought I was going to have an uneventful week… things started pouring in. Not complaining, just need to do some list-making and planning! Good thing I love lists!

I’ve been cleaning parts of my apartment everyday this week to prepare for my parents to come visit. Tonight I am baking and food shopping for the weekend. Hosting is demanding.

Let’s get to the Thursday rambles, shall we?

1. I am still highly addicted to shopping BUT I am doing better this month. I think it might be because I have a new sense of style this year and am slowly but surely weeding out clothes from high school/college, clothes that don’t fit and clothes that I don’t wear or won’t wear again.

2. Tuesday, I walked around all morning with the new “size/price” sticker on my jeans. Luckily, my dentist was like “am I supposed to be telling you that you still have the sticker on your pants” HA! For the first time… ever… I wasn’t embarassed about the size that was on the sticker. That’s HUGE!

3. Trader Joes’s Balsamic Vinegrette salad dressing is my new favorite dressing. It takes any salad from drab to fab (I couldn’t resist).

Does anyone else save the good parts of the salad for last? (Chicken and Avocado)

4. I need more clothes (ha!) to go with these boots. I never thought that I could pull off the military style boots, but I am rocking them without a doubt and care in the world!

I think they are these ones? Steve Madden… although the site says “Madden Girl” which makes me think that you can’t wear them over the age of 12. #whatever

They’re cuter in person. I promise

5. It’s supposed to be in the 70′s this weekend. GIMME SOME VITAMIN D.

6. Is it acceptable to wear dresses and boots in spring, or is that only a fall thing?

7. Best cupcakes ever. Seriously, you will be a hero if you make these.

8. In addition to #7, save some time and use TJ’s salted caramel sauce for the filling. No one will know. You’re welcome.

9. I just ordered a Flip Belt (in hot pink! yesssssss). Just a little extra motivation for marathon training that starts in like 3 months. So far away… boo.

10. This is now the new background on my work computer. I hiked to the top of that little dome. It was only like a 12 hour, 16-mile hike with like a 4800 vertical or something. NBD. (Half Dome, Yosemite National Park). I need to get back there for my sanity’s sake.

11. These little weight lifting gloves have been SAVING my hands. #nomoremanhands #goodbyecalluses

12. Macklemore, you’re my man.

WIAW: Favorite Breakfast!

I finally remembered to catch most of my eats from yesterday, so I’m back in the WIAW game.

Thanks to Jenn for hosting!

7:15: Breakfast

Baked oatmeal or oat bran is SO easy for me to make in the mornings. Since I converted from oatmeal to oat bran, I created a little baked oat bran recipe. I mix the dry ingredients at night and then add in the wet ingredients in the morning. I pop in the oven (at 375) while I’m getting ready for about a half hour. It’s SO easy, and so delicious.

I’ve been bulking up my breakfast and then skipping my mid-morning snack (usually, unless I’m really hungry then I’ll have something small). I love this WAY better because planning and packing snacks is kind of time consuming. It’s a win all around.

Protein Baked Oat Bran

• 1/4 C oat bran
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• cinnamon
• dash of salt
• 1/2 scoop protein powder (I use Fitmixer Vanilla)

To add in the morning…

• 1/4 C almond milk
• 1/4 C egg whites
• 1/8 C applesauce (or greek yogurt works too)
• 1/2 Banana
• TJ’s Almond Butter and Tj’s Cookie Butter (about 1/2 T of each)

This is SO delicious. I have been having this for about 2-3 weeks now. Haven’t gotten sick of it yet. Tomorrow I think I am going to use a half of an apple instead of banana. Yum

Besides keeping me full until lunch time (again, most days!)… this breakfast is packed with protein (28 grams!). Love it!

Approximate nutritionals (using greek yogurt and a half of banana): Calories- 268, Fat- 4g, Carbs- 48g, Fiber-8 g, Sugar-13g, Protein-24g

11:45 Lunch

Salad with TJ’s (pre-cooked) Lime Chicken, veggies, avocado and TJ’s fat free Balsamic Vinegrette (fav. salad dressing ever!)

Followed by a 3 ingredient “cookie” (bananas, oats and choc. chips) and 1/2 ounce of almonds. I was HUNGRY.

2:15 Snack #

1/2 of a Banana Nut Quest bar (not my favorite flavor) while driving back to work after a dentist appointment.

Then I had another 3 ingredient “cookie.” I love these (and only about 50 calories each!).

4:30 Workout

I did some incline walking for about 50 minutes. Walking is no joke!

5:30 Pre- Dinner Snack

I was still pretty hungry and didn’t think that I could wait until dinner to eat so I had the other half of the Quest bar while driving home.

Once I got home I may or may not have had a piece of sugar-free dark chocolate and a tiny spoonful of coconut butter.

6:45 Dinner

Chicken + roasted zucchini, roasted green beans, roasted broccoli + “garlic bread” pita. I’m pretty sure I have some variation of this every.single.tuesday. #noshame

I’m supposed to be giving up snacking after dinner, but I wasn’t really satisfied. So I ate a pitted date with a tiny bit of Maranatha’s Caramel Almond spread. Yum