I ran down the street in my underwear this weekend.
It was Christmas underwear…. which makes it totally acceptable…
Atlanta holds a Santa Speedo Run every year. I’ve always been curious and had friends who’ve run… but this year curiosity killed the cat. I paid money to run down Peachtree Street in my undies. Thankfully, it was a pretty warm day and the “race” was only 1.5 miles. And it was for charity! It was a fun way to stay active and donate to a good cause on the holidays!
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Happy Month of Indulgence!
You know it’s true.
A lot of people try to fight it… but this is the one month of the year when you have to indulge a bit. I’m not saying go overboard with a bean feast, but don’t be trying to deprive yourself. It will only drive you crazy. Treat ‘yo self!
In the spirit of treats, today’s #strangebutgood is dedicated to some of my favorite holiday cookie recipes. Some strange, some just indulgent, and one that’s even healthy.
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Total monkey.
There’s nothing more distracting than wanting to be somewhere you’re not.
Actually, I don’t really care where I am. It’s more about who’s with me. The company makes the location. Which is why yesterday I had a case of the Tuesdays.
But now it’s Wednesday. The next sunrise I see will be with Vegas. With the first Christmas tree I’ve had in 5 or 6 years. And flowers. I bought a poinsettia for the first time ever. Who am I?!
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This WIAW I turned out a lot more prepared-looking than it felt! Either way, it was good.
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!
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After my morning cocktail, I ate my morning sludge. While baking a pie. ‘Tis the season!
Breakfast was a concoction I’ve been eating a lot lately. TVP and oats made with carob powder, cinnamon, chcolate liquid stevia, and an egg white. Topped with blackberries. It’s actually really good!
Arugula salad with raw zucchini, pepper, and fresh lemon juice with my Sizzlefish salmon. I really love salmon. Would it be acceptable to eat it every meal?
Shredded up no-salt deli turkey with red bell pepper and tossed with salsa, nutritional yeast, and balsamic vinegar. With one of my Apple Carrot Protein Muffins for dessert.
I was feeling a bar. Have you guys tried Think Thin bars? I think they changed formulas… for the better! I got this at Whole Paycheck Foods (obvi). That Pumpkin Spice. Get. It.
This… well… it was a little hurried. But whatever. Corn tortilla topped with red peppers, egg whites, nutritional yeast, and one tasty local #yolkporn moment.
Milkshake Greek yogurt bowl topped with popcorn, chocolate chips, and cocoa powder sauce. I used the new Quest vanilla milkshake protein powder, which I love. It was an excellent post-workout dessert.
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Is it just me, or has this been the longest week ever? An. Tici. Pation. (Name that movie.)
What is your favorite oatmeal mix-in? Besides nut butter… too easy! 😉
What’s your favorite holiday decoration? I love having a real tree – they smell so good!
I’m not big on repeats.
There are too many new things to try!
A new twist on an old recipe seems acceptable though. Especially when you don’t have much else in your fridge! I’ve been meaning to make my Apple Carrot Muffins for a while, actually. They were really good, and I remembered that the originals led to a great race time. A time I could never hit 3.5 years later…
Saturday morning had a similar results though! I ate 2 of the version 2.0 Apple Carrot Protein Muffins before heading to the gym and PR’d a couple of tricep exercises on sleepy, rainy morning.
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Tradition has never done it for me.
Shocking. I know.
I’ve mentioned before what a terrible Southerner I am. I don’t like fried okra, creamed corn, or cornbread (with the exception of this recipe)… I can leave 99% of the traditional Southern stuff behind. This includes traditional Thanksgiving food.
This year I fled to Arizona where these were the new classic appetizers:
Classic. And klassy.
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Winning is my favorite thing.
Really… everything is a competition.
I saw this sign walking to a meeting yesterday and literally laughed out loud.
Sometimes being wrong isn’t SO bad. I’d decided never to date again. Vegas has ruined me. So… I admit it. I was wrong.
But I am still never, ever having babies. Take that, Universe.
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This WIAW I ate a whole lot random food after getting stranded an extra day out West. First time in my life I missed a flight! Didn’t feel like a mistake after I made it though. 😉
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!…
I’m pretty tough.
Some might say a masochist.
When it comes to cold weather, I’m a whimpering little baby. Winter arriving means I really have to plan to keep moving. It’s so easy to just crawl under a blanket with a hot toddy. Or so I hear. 😉
It sounds crazy, but I really do have a fear of cold weather and being cold. Here are a few tips and tricks that have worked for me!
Outdoor sports like ice skating, skiing, or hiking. These activities – especially in the snow – feel more like playmate than work! I love to meet Heather in Colorado to ski.
If you don’t have slopes near by sign up for a winter fun run. We got festive for this Thanksgiving run, and I’m doing the Santa Speedo Run in Atlanta in a couple of weeks!
If you’re warm enough, its fun to be outside! Choose clothing that allows for layering. Go thermal first, then start laying with pants, vests, scarfs, etc. Top it all off with a jacket and hat. Once you warm of, it’ll be easy to pull back the layers.
Are you curious about that spin class at the gym? Been meaning to spend some time with weights and building strength? Colder temperatures and earlier sunsets are the perfect excuse to get your fitness on indoors.
I spend every Saturday morning at the gym for “Glute Camp” with my gym buddies. If you come visit me, there’s 100% chance we’ll take a field trip. (Just ask Sarah.)
Sarah, Natoshia, and me posing after glutes
You need to purchase those holiday gifts anyway. Incorporate fitness while you do it! Park as far away as possible from entrances. Walk from store to tore rather than driving across a parking lot. Take the stairs. Power walk through the mall – its practically a giant track anyway!
Get a group of friends and family, make some hot drinks, and walk around admiring all the lights. Too cold to leave the house? Hop on the treadmill or do some jumping jacks for 5-10 mins before you leave. You’ll welcome a cool blast of air!
These are some of my favorite neighborhood partners-in-crime.
Jessica, Kathleen, and me
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Target® C9 through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Target® C9, all opinions are my own.
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I’m so excited to be back in the marvelous powdery snow again soon!
What’s your favorite winter sport? I could ski all day!
Do you struggle to be as active in the winter months?
Thanksgiving is over.
Officially… we’re still celebrating!
I am of the belief that you cannot begin with the Christmas festivities until Thanksgiving has passed. And – for the love of god – don’t even think about Christmas before Halloween!
Now that we’re officially past Thanksgiving, I bring you Christmas Balls. I’m not trying to discriminate and leave out Hanukkah… but I couldn’t get through a blog post about blue balls. So these strangely good (for you) balls are red. Red Velvet, in fact.
I made these with my favorite flower-sender in mind. Side note: the flower sender is hereby known as Vegas, as that is where the flowers originate.
Vegas loves red velvet cake. Since I’m in Arizona with Vegas this Thanksgiving holiday (how’s that for confusing?) and these days my favorite activity is making Vegas smile, I bring you post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas balls.
Not just any balls though! These red velvet-y delights are protein-packed and get their red tint from… beets! How’s that for strange?
In conclusion, Vegas and I wish you a pre-Merry Christmas (and Hanukkah) from Arizona the day after Thanksgiving.
Now, bust out your healthy balls and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!
Guess who’s is who’s…
Combine wet ingredients. Mix in wet, adjusting milk as needed.
Roll into roughly 4 balls. Put in freezer for your own safety storage.
Note: I order my Cocoa Cardio on iHerb (use discount code USO924 for $5-10 off your order!). If you don’t have beet powder, you can use tsp beet powder and 1 T cocoa powder. You can also use pureed beets here, but you’ll probably need to cut the milk in half (I haven’t tried it).
How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.
Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂
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I can’t write about balls without giving Lindsay a shout out. Thanks for inspiring me daily, my baller brother!
Do you ban and Christmas (or Hanukah) celebrations until after Turkey Day?
What is your favorite ball flavor?
