Thursday Thoughts

Buuueennooosss dias!!

So my toes are eternally frozen. To the point where I don't even notice anymore. Like the rest of my body is nice and warm and toasty but my toes refuse to warm up. I've tried everything - socks, fuzzy socks, doubling up socks, putting my feet in front of the fire (temporary relief), in front of the space heater (temporary relief) - but no. They always go back to being cold.

I've come to accept that.

Well that was random. Hey, what a great way to kick off Thursday Thoughts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Amanda!

1. Let's talk snow. This snow. I'm one of the extremely fortunate ones who made it home before it got really bad, but Atlanta had to shut down because the roads iced over so rapidly! A lot of students got stuck at schools overnight, people had to abandon their cars on the road, many people walked to hotels, grocery stores, department stores, and even home! I know that Southerners have a rep for "overreacting" to snow and cold temps, but this is why. It's definitely dangerous stuff.

Abandoned cars!!

2. But there is some good in the snow! I ventured out after a warm breakfast yesterday and walked around my neighborhood. It was honestly breathtaking to me. I live in a somewhat country-ish area, and I felt like I was walking through a snowy little countryside. So beautiful!

3. Sooo I'm having way too much fun browsing for prom dresses even though I don't have a date. But I don't even care, prom dresses are so pretty. I've been mainly looking at Etsy!! They're all custom made and definitely my style. I'm thinking a champagne/pink color or red!

Pink and Spaaarrkklleess!

4. Running and I have not been friends for the past couple of weeks. I've only run twice. In fact, I can't even imagine that I was running 5 miles just two weeks ago!! I'm not really that concerned, I think my body was just craving something other than pure running all the time. I've had lots of fun changing up my workouts!

I've been incorporating more circuits, strength, and biking. So a.) I know that I'm keeping up my cardio, b.) I'm actually getting physically challenged, c.) I'm building strength, and d.) I'm actually having fun. Again, my body just needed something other than steady-state cardio all the time.

5.. Last fitness thought! I've been talking about my kick-butt workout for a couple of days now, and it was amazing so I want to share it! I wanted to do cardio and strength, but I was totally not feeling an extended period of cardio followed by a strength workout. So I combined the workouts of Julie, Robyn, and Elle to make a challenging cardio/strength circuit!

I broke up the cardio and strength into 4 segments and it kept me excited and moving.

-15 minutes of treadmill using this:

I didn't repeat 4 times, I only did one round at a time.

-15 minutes of circuit/strength (I technically could have done the full 18 mins, but I'm OCD so I just did it til the 15 mins were up)

-15 minutes of treadmill (same workout)

-10 minutes of abs:

-5 minute cool-down on the treadmill.

Whew!! If that doesn't kick your bootay I don't know what will!! The next day I just did light cardio on the bike to recover.

6. I'm getting more adventurous with breakfast!! Check out some of my favorite new breakfasts:

Kylie is a freaking genius I tell you!

7. Have you ever played Quelf?? It's a board game that requires...no strategy at all. Now that's my kinda game! You just roll the die and do whatever the card says, which is usually something random/stupid/obnoxious. Oh and you must do most of these things without laughing or pay the penalty. Hilarity ensues.

8. Dude I'm obsessed with all these awesome Valentine's cards floating around Pinterest/Twitter. Someone gives me one of these?? Insta-boyfriend! (Assuming it's a really cute non-creepy guy who will buy me Starbucks all the time)

Wait maybe only a creepy guy would give a Valentine like this......

9. T-minus 13 days until my birthday. This Pink Dino Party is happening. It is.

10. Be sure to check out Leigha's giveaway!!! She's a cool gal with lots of cool stuff!!!! I mean who doesn't want a big bag of oats come oooon.

I hope you enjoyed my totally random Thursday Thoughts! Have a fantabulous day, friends!!

WIAW: {An Actual} Snow Day

Ahhhhhhh, the snow.

Look at it aaaaaalllllll

I think it's been two or three years since it's snowed like this in Georgia!!! These pics are from when it had only been snowing a few hours - it continued until early evening and we got a good 2 inches! I can't wait to get out there before it melts. :(

Here's a peek at my eats for the past few days!!! Breakfasts have gotten a little more adventurous, as my lunches/dinners are still same-old-same-old 15 minutes or less. Eh what can ya do.



Breakfasts

You guys, this breakfast. So. Freaking. Good. It's inspired by Ashley's buckwheat bakes, but alas, I have no buckwheat. So I improvised and made my own version! I want to make one without chia seeds because I'm stingy with them.....

Chai Spiced Pear Steel Cut Egg White Oats (now that's a mouthful!!!), Sunbutter, coffee.

Easy Fluffy Vegan Pancakes that are the bomb dot com, diced apples, Sunbutter, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

A very non-traditional-Jessica breakfast: chia pudding with greek yogurt stirred in, sliced banana, and a crumbled pumpkin dark chocolate muffin [vegan]. So good!

Lunches

Simple turkey sandwich with cucumbers and tomato, baby carrots, a sliced apple, and peppermint green tea. 

Brown rice, bell pepper, spinach, shredded chicken, salsa, and guacamoleeeee.

Turkey and spinach in a whole wheat wrap, baby carrot and sugar snap peas, guac, and an apple.

Dinners

This may or may not be a repeat dinner?? Diced sweet potato, broccoli, roasted chicken, and ketchup for flava.

Brown rice, stir-fried squash and zucchini in tomato sauce, topped with Greek yogurt for protein. Bring on the veggies - this was my favorite dinner of the week!!

Brown rice (I made a huuuuugggeeee batch earlier in the week), roasted chicken, and sauteed sugar-snap peas. 

Snacks

The Larabar obsession shall never cease. This is my favorite flavor eevveerrr.

Yogurt mess!! Plain 2% Fage, banana slices, Sunbutter, cinnamon, and honey.

Brownie pops because yes.

Well, I'm off to play in the snow! Stay warm and have an amazing day!!

UM IT'S SNOWING YOU GUYS (oh and a survey)

(Note: I typed this up earlier in the day, and posted it later cuz I'm ADD like that.)

I think that the title explains all.

Yesterday it was 50*, sunny, and I even almost went out on a neighborhood run (darn you foot pain!!!); today it's been snowing nonstop for hours, and chaos has commenced throughout the county I live in. (My dad got stranded on his way home from work and had to walk to a friend's house!! Scary stuff!!)

Luckily, Mom stocked up at the grocery store before the heavy snowfall started. ;)

So I had another fitness-related post planned for you today, but I came across a survey visiting Amanda's blog and you guys know I CANNOT RESIST surveys. You see, I like to talk. About myself. I'm gonna rock interviews!!! Let's begin, shall we.....


1. Were you named after anyone?

Um, no? I do know my name changed like 15 times in the two weeks before I was born. It could be a Jennifer typing this post.....

2. When was the last time you cried?

This is an unfair question because I'm really emotional and sensitive and just gah. I think I may have cried watching Beauty and the Beast (the TV show) last.

3. Do you like your handwriting?

Surprisingly yes. I've always had freakishly neat handwriting. It's nice for note-taking.

4. What is your favorite lunch meat?

I'm gonna go with Amanda on this one and say roasted chicken breast. Mmmm.

5. Do you have kids?

Lilly and Oscar!! Lilly is my baby. (I feel the need to add that these are my two cats...)

6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you?

UHM DUUHHH. I'm totally my type, yo!!!

7. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Pssshhhhhh. Nooooooo.

8. Do you still have your tonsils?

Yuppers, but as a young kid I always wanted to get them out - the thought of ice cream all day made me happy.

9. Would you bungee jump?

I'm going to sound like a total wimp buuuttt probably not. :( Sorry, that's just not up my alley.

10. What is your favorite cereal?

I'm not much of a cereal eater, but if I do, I love Cheerios (any flavor, but especially just plain toasted oats), and any Kashi.

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?

I'm too lazy to take the time to do that, but I do untie them when I put them back on so I don't wear down the heel.

12. Do you think you are strong?

Toughie. Mentally/emotionally: yes. I've been through and pushed through a lot of difficulties in my life, and pulled through and healed. Physically: Eeehhhhh I'm working on that....


13. What is your favorite ice cream?

Ben and Jerry's Phish Food all the way, baby. And during the winter special, Peppermint Stick (waahh I miss it!!)

14. What is the first thing you notice about people?

Their attitudes/language. Language meaning potty mouth or not.

15. Red or pink?

Um have you seen the color scheme of my blog?

16. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?

My perfectionism and rigid schedule. If something gets thrown off in my day/what I have planned for the day, I tend to get a little anxious/uptight. Again, working on that.

17. Any tattoos?

Nope - I don't even think it's legal at my age.

18. Do you have any hobbies?

Baking, drawing, writing, reading, cooking, being active, ummm eating, and watercolor painting. And singing reeeallyy loudly off key.

19. What color shoes are you wearing?

I'm wearing fuzzy socks - one that is blue and purple, and one that is light pink. Pshya.

20. What was the last thing you ate?

Banana and almond butter aka the fuel of life.

21. What are you listening to right now?

Rebekah is watching the Bachelor (Juan Pablo 5ever), so I'm listening to the girls' drama.

22. If you were a crayon color, what would you be?

RAZZMATAZZ. *Jazz hands*

23. Favorite smells?

Coffee, freshly baked goods, vanilla, cinnamon, and peppermint.

24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?

My mommy, requesting a restock of veggies for our fridge. :)

25. Mountain hideaway or beach house?

Mmm...beach house. Not a big fan of secluded mountain land.

26. Favorite sport to watch?

Football. Anything during the Olympics, especially the winter sports.

27. Hair color?

Auburny/reddish. I don't dye my hair wut??!!

28. Eye colors?

Blue-green. It really depends on the day.

29. Do you wear contacts?

No siree! I have 20/20 vision. I eat lots of carrots and sweet potatoes.

30. Scary movies or happy endings?

HAPPY ENDINGS! HAPPY ENDINGS!!

31. Last movie you watched?

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters (coughcough my brother's request, not my preference. Just an FYI)

32. What color shirt are you wearing?

It's kind of a dark berry color. Like blackberry+raspberry mixed.

33. Summer or winter?

Right now, I really miss summer. But I really love winter. So I guess I don't have a preference.

34. Hugs or kisses?

I'm a hugger. :)

35. Computer or television?

Computer! Where else am I supposed to play on Pinterest and read blogs??

36. What book are you reading right now?

A book called Galway Bay - it's about the Irish Potato Famine and how it affected this girl living in Ireland, and how she copes with emigrating to America. Lame description, but reeaalllyy good.

37. What's on your mouse pad?

Um, I don't have one. But my laptop trackpad has a little bit of almond butter on it....hehe.

38. What color is your house?

If I say green, you probably picture some weird bright green color. But it's kind of a light, mossy green. Yeesh, that doesn't sound great either....it's green, but a pretty green that suits a house. Yeah.

39. What color is your car?

Trick question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't have one. ;) My mom's car is greenish/silverish. My dream *first* car is a white Ford Escape coughcough Dad if you're reading this hint hint.

Aaannnddd that concludes the survey! I hope you all have a fantastic day/evening, and stay warm!!!!!

Monday Miles #1

Oh hullo, blog world. Remember me?

I wouldn't be surprised if you don't - it's been TWO WEEKS since I've posted. Two. Weeks. Tsktsk.

I wish I had some super legit/awesome/fantabulous explanation like I was on a cruise in the Caribbean or backpacking in Costa Rica or doing something for the greater good but the truth is....I just haven't had much to write about.

Laaaammmmeee, I know. I mean stuff happens every day. But I feel like my life lately has been school, workout, school work, food, sleep, repeat.

That's my cue to join another linkup! Hooray for creative minds that aren't mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So there's this linkup  that I found through Emily's blog, as well as MIMM that I could do on Mondays. Yay two options! Now I don't have an excuse to have "nothing to write about." Take that, brain fart!

Clearly, I haven't been expressing my thoughts lately. Or I'm hyped on caffeine. Whatevs.

Workouts for this week:

Monday: 3 mile (~60 min walk), arms and abs workout, yoga

Tuesday: 10 minute warmup on the treadmill, circuit workout, 10 minute cool down, yoga

Wednesday: 45-min stationary bike (w/speed intervals), arms, yoga

Thursday: PumpUp Cardio/Strength Circuit, 35-min stationary bike (w/speed intervals) yoga

Friday: 60-min stationary bike (easy, light pace), yoga

Saturday: Rest, YOGAAAA

Sunday: 45-min stationary bike (w/speed intervals), armssss

I enjoy walking. And I enjoy muscles.

As you may have noticed, there was zero running last week (besides my warm up/cool down). WHAT!!?? My runs have been BLAH because I've been having some ankle/calf pains that I cannot ignore anymore. I've been getting this weird phenomenon in my foot that I call "Numb Foot," because, well, my foot goes tingly about 30 minutes into a run. ERM not good.

I kept ignoring it, but it's gotten worse, like a cement block is wrapped around my foot and causing me to drag it and exert more energy/tire out more quickly. I've been researching, and it doesn't seem to be serious - just that it's time for a new pair of shoes. I've kind of deduced that it's because my horribly worn down shoes aren't absorbing shock, and causing some sort of nerve trauma in my ankle/leg. I'm not a doctor, but I'm thinking new shoes will help.

At first, I felt like I wasn't getting much of a workout with my circuits/walking/biking, but I felt sooooooo much better than when I would run 4-5 times a week. And then - and THEN - I hopped on the bike. That poor bike that was really just a hanger for my clothes. The key to a stationary bike my friends, is intervals, and a good TV show to stare at for 30-60 minutes. Sweat+fun.

I was a lot more energetic and actually looked forward to some variety! Guess what? No weird foot pain! Plus, I'm sore. Me like sore. I mean how can you be sore without having a good workout?

 To me, exercise is about feeling good. And man, I felt good. Normally, I take at least two rest days, but I only felt the need to take one on Saturday. Mainly because I wanted to bake/watch TV/eat/nap more than exercise - that's life, people!

So yeah I'm pretty much a Chatty Kathy right now. I'll give you this week's plan tomorrow so I don't overload your brain. :)

 But I do have some really cool, organized (*gasp*) posts that I'm excited to share with you! Bon voyage!

MIMM #6

You guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuys.

I'm writing yet another post on a whim - I really need to get these done the night before, but I have had a ton going on. I live on the edge, hey hey.

I love blogs because they can be anything you want. You can post about your day/food/fitness like I normally do, but also feel comfortable enough to write about difficult times. I'm still a little down every so often, but I feel much better than a couple of days ago.

This verse has helped me a lot!

Marvelous is....stress runs.

Ahhh, stress runs. I just needed to get everything off of my mind, so I headed out for a run. It. Was. Awesome. I ran Garmin-less, but I know the perimeter of my neighborhood, and I got about 5 - 5.5 fan-freaking-tastic miles. I felt so much better at the end. Running rules!


Marvelous is....MY HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I did it. I really cannot believe I actually did it. It's so freaking adorable, I can't even handle it, and soooo easy to do. They say when a lady cuts her hair, her life is about to change (or maybe I just made that up, idk), and PEOPLE. It changed.

I feel so girly and chic and just..confident. GAH. For now, I can just blow-dry it, but I can't wait to experiment with different styles.

Marvelous is....treadmill workouts.

Well that's something I never thought I'd say. Last summer, I practically swore off treadmills forever and ever. But with this crappy winter weather, I've had to be flexible. Having an interval workout makes the time fly, and I also bring my little brother with me!!! Workout buddy, booyah!

Marvelous is....yoga!!

Yup, yoga is going marvelously. :) I absolutely love it! The videos are teaching me SO much! Mainly that a lot of exercises/poses I was doing previously, I was doing wrong. It's been teaching me where you tend to hold your stress, such as in an ab pose where you might be stressing your lower back or neck, rather than engaging your tummy muscles.

That's all I got for ya - I hope you have a wonderful evening! :))

Life Goes On

 Yola. {You can skip to the actual post, if you want - I just needed to get this off of my chest.}

Sorry for being MIA on the blog for the past couple of days - it was quite the whirlwind. School pretty much exhausted me (my sleep cycle is waaayyy messed up still), I had youth group, babysitting, running (running won on my priority list that day, haha) and some personal things that came up.

All this left me feeling down in the dumps yesterday and not feeling much like doing...anything, really. I won't get into details, but the news that I received was and still is difficult for me to process. I wanted to throw a pity-party all day and try to understand.

I had a babysitting job almost as soon as I got home that I was absolutely not in the mood for. The last thing I wanted to do was watch a couple of kids for a few hours. Again, I would've rather had a pity-party, but I knew I had a commitment, and I went.

This may sound weird, but babysitting put another side of things into perspective. That there are so many sweet, precious, moments, even in every day life, such as a babysitting job. Watching those two kids, with their energy and joy and innocence - it just made me feel happy. Making them a balanced dinner (Annie's Mac and Cheese for the win) brought me joy. Snuggling up with them and watching Mulan brought me joy. Getting them ready for bed and giving them goodnight kisses  brought me joy. When it was time for me to go home, I just felt...better. 

It made me realize that even when tough times come around, life has to go on. We still have to look at the moments of peace and joy throughout our lives, because even though crap happens, soooo much good happens too, and life goes on.

Woo, can you say tangent?! Sorry, I guess I just needed to get that off of my chest. I'll keep the rest of the post brief!! I missed Thursday Thoughts (poopy - I love that linkup), so this is going to be kind of sort of like that. Saturday Shenanigans? Weekend Wonderings? 

1. Holy cannoli, I did a progression run. On the treadmill. FOR 45 MINUTES.

So I'm by no means a gifted runner at all, which is why these speeds may seem rather slow to many of you runners out there. BUT with my whole hiatus and blah blah blah I got a little...afraid to push myself. Pain scares me, haha, because I feel like I'm going to injure myself or push myself too hard again. But I feel like I've rested and run easy for long enough, and I need to start increasing my speed, and be comfortable with getting...uncomfortable. You know what I mean? My main goal is not to be a faster runner, per say - but a stronger runner. I truly believe that speed comes along with strength.

2. Whoops I got wordy again. What is with the weather?!

At the beginning of the week, we were out of school with snow warnings, I this morning, I woke up to tornado sirens. What?!

3. My running plan calls for a 75-min run today! The rain is supposed to clear up later this afternoon, and my friend and I have a run planned. I am praying that we can do it, otherwise I'm gonna have to get creative on the treadmill!!

4. Speaking of treadmill, my relationship with it is clearing up....little by little. Interval runs waaayyyyy help!! If need be, I'll just do two rounds of my 35-min treadmill interval run.

5. Yoga is going really well!

I guess this is to be expected with Beginner's, but the poses so far have not been that difficult! Which is nice because I'm getting mainly the basics, which is what I need. I'm trying to pay a lot of attention to the breathing and meditation aspect of it - it is sooo relaxing and/or energizing.

6. Look what I finally ordered!

I finally ordered it, and it finally came in. :) I'm soooo glad I chose this flavor, because it is fantastic! I can totally taste the vanilla and espresso. And who doesn't want twice the coffee in their breakfast?!

7. Two words. Running. Shoes.

Mizuno I think?!

You guys, my running shoes are in terrible, terrible condition. I'm not exaggerating when I say this. When I put them on, I can feel how worn down they are, especially in the heels and sides. And of course, I can tell when I'm running, even for short times! I'm saving up my money for another pair - do you guys have any suggestions as to the best brand?? I just have Nikes.

8. My new favorite snacks:

The common theme: Carbs, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, chocolate. Booyah.



Well, I gotta split!! Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!