Thanksgiving Plans

Daily Life!, Food for Thought, , ,

Happy Tuesday! It’s been a COLDDDDD day here in Springfield. The forecasted high is 37, but I’m not sure if we’re even going to hit that! And speaking of the weather, we did not get any of the forecasted snowfall overnight that I was anticipating yesterday. 😦 Sad day. But it was definitely cold enough to snow this morning!

photo(2)It was pretty nippy when I headed out on a short run around 5:15 am. I don’t usually run on Tuesday mornings, but with the cold cold weather, I knew I needed to take advantage of it! My lungs need to get used to the freezing temps if I’m going to run 13 miles in January.

I bundled up in some thermal tights, a thermal top, a vest, an ear warmer and gloves. I was cozy after about 1/2 a mile! The only cold part of my body was the front of my legs/quads. Weird, right? If the temps get much colder, I’ll have to start doubling up my layers on my bottom half. I think I need to dedicate a post or two to my best winter running outfits. Dressing appropriately for winter running is quite an ordeal. It’s been a major learning process for me, so hopefully my ‘expertise’ will be able to help out some newbie along the line.

Breakfast & Lunch

After my 3-mile run, I was pretty chilly and ready for some hot coffee and food. I had enough time to make some oatmeal at home before I hopped in the shower. I cooked some in the microwave while I made my coffee. And then I had this genius idea:

photo(31)Put a splash of my pumpkin spice coffee creamer on top of my hots oats! It was amazing!!! It took my oatmeal to a whole new level. I gobbled this up quick with some coffee before I got ready for the rest of my day.

Work went by pretty slowly, and I was ready for more food by the time noon rolled around. I had a simple soup-n-salad lunch today with some more leftover vegetable soup.

photo(32)I was a little heavy-handed with my Catalina dressing today. Oops! It was delicious though, and the hot soup hit the spot. I’m almost through all the leftover soup. Luckily, since there’s no dairy or meat in it, it’s keeping pretty well in my fridge. More tonight for dinner? Probably. I’m not sick of it….yet. 🙂

Thanksgiving Plans

On a different note, does everyone have their Thanksgiving plans in place yet? Nick and I have everything lined out. Now I just have to decide what food I’m going to make for each family’s celebrations! Apple pie (Nick’s favorite) and/or sweet potatoes may be on my to-do list in the near future.

We will be celebrating with my family the weekend before Thanksgiving, and then going to be with Nick’s family on Thanksgiving and stay through the weekend. It should make for a busy and fun 2 weekends in a row! My house will definitely look like a disaster zone by the time we are back home and settled. But all the delicious food and family time will make it all worth it.

I am most excited for my mom’s homemade stuffing, the Turkey Trot Nick and I are running on Thanksgiving morning, and Black Friday shopping with Nick’s momma. It’s gonna be so much fun! I’m planning out a fantastic outfit for the Turkey Trot. But more on that later…

Have a great night!

Anticipating Snow

Daily Life!, Food for Thought, , ,

Happy Monday to ya! How are we all doing today? It’s been a pretty typical day around here.

I kicked off my morning by teaching a Jazzercise class at 5:40 am. Usually I’m lucky to have two students during my Monday AM class time, but today I had FOUR students! I know it seems silly, but this is the biggest class I’ve had during this time slot! I was shocked and pleasantly surprised! The class definitely pumped me up for the morning.  I love the feeling of getting in a good workout before my work day begins. Some people think I’m crazy for waking up before the sun to run or do Jazzercise, but I love it!

Breakfast

Breakfast was quick and easy today: grab-n-go on my way out the door!

photo(29)After my class this morning, I was starving! I had lots of coffee along with the yogurt, cheese stick, and Clif bar for lots of protein and staying power. I had the banana as a mid-morning snack to tide me over until lunch. The tiny tupperware is full of my vitamins. I’m trying to make it a goal to take all my vitamins every morning this week! I’m a little lazy when it comes to taking all my vitamins, but I know I feel better when I have them with my breakfast. Fingers crossed that this week will help me start a good routine.

As for the rest of day, I’m subbing a Jazzercise class right after work at 5:40 pm. Then I’ll be home by 7 to finish up some things around the house I was too lazy to do last night.

But – most importantly – our first forecasted snow of the season is tonight!

photo(30)It’s supposed to get rainy here with dropping temps overnight, so we may wake up to a dusting of the white stuff.  It’s not a huge chance, but hey, a girl can dream. 🙂 I love snow so much! I’m planning on going for a short run in the morning to catch a glimpse of the snow even though it’s not on my normal training schedule. If I’m really lucky, it’ll still be snowing when I take off around 5:15 am.

Well I hope you enjoy your Monday. Hopefully I’ll be able to report at least a little snow in the morning!

11 Miles and Christmas Sweaters

Daily Life!, Running, , , ,

Hey gang! Happy Sunday evening! It’s been a great weekend around here, and I hope yours was just as swell!

Friday evening kicked off with teaching a Jazzercise class before Nick and I headed off to a Taco Party at my boss’s house. Our whole department was invited, and we had a great time! We arrived extra late because of my class, so I didn’t get to take any photos, but the homemade tacos were out of this world! Nick and I both ate our fill and chatted for about an hour before we headed home for the night.

11 Miles

Saturday morning began somewhat early (I let myself sleep in until around 7:30!), and I took off on my longest run yet!

photo(128)11.26 miles! Woo hoo! It was a beautiful morning, around 45-50 degrees, and I felt great overall! I paused at the 5.5 mile mark to chew up some gu’s. I tried out the Jelly Belly brand chews that I found at Academy Sports. Loved them! They are small jelly beans that taste great and are full of B vitamins with a little caffeine kick! They also come in a small resealable baggie that fits great into the pocket of my running tights. I’m gonna have to try out some different flavors and stock up for my half marathon!

Lunch

After my 11 miler, I was tired and hungry (duh). So after a shower and lots of water, I decided I was craving Mexican food, especially guacamole.

photo(127)YUM. We headed out to Jose Locos for a quick lunch that began with a huge bowl of the green stuff! I ate my fill of the guac before my huge plate of food arrived.

photo(126)Beef taco + chicken flauta + chicken quesadilla. Even my post-run tummy couldn’t finish this whole plate. It was all amazing though! And it kept me full through most of the day, which can be quite a task after a run for me.

Doggie Christmas Sweater

photo(121)After lunch, Nick and I stopped by Walmart (ughh) to pick up a few essentials. While browsing the Christmas aisles, I came across the perfect Christmas sweater for Mac!

photo(125)I saw it and immediately knew I HAD to get it for him. He was super thrilled to see it when I brought it out of the shopping bag at home.

photo(124)Such a handsome boy. But don’t worry, to make up for the sweater photoshoot I also bought him a disgusting tasty treat.

photo(122)Yup, that is a bag of pig ears. Eww. But he loved them and completely forgot about the hot sweater I made him wear. 🙂

photo(123)Anyways, the sweater has been put away until we get a little closer to December. I’m holding onto my pretty Fall decorations around the house as long as possible! No Christmas trees around here….yet.

Today has been full of relaxing, Jazzercise, and grocery shopping. Exciting stuff to cap of a good weekend! I hope your have a great night and get in some good sleep to prepare for the coming week. I’ll be headed off to my bed shortly. Nighty night!