Squats, Christmas Cards & Ginger Snowflakes...Oh My!

Hey NeverEver's!

So today was super busy at work...I barely had time to breath, let alone actually answer calls like I was supposed to. Anyways, I think this post might be a little short. Mainly on account of the time and I am sleepy!

Okay so first off!

The ChallengeLoop Challenge!

Check for COMPLETED! Yes I am very happy with myself on this one. My legs feel like jelly but I did it! I even completed my walk and added the squats to the end of long walk in the park. Yup feel very happy with myself right now.

On to the next one!

So I am having way to much fun with instagram, but that is why it was created. Or so I keep telling myself. Anyways, the challenge for today's #elf4health was to write a handwritten note or send a card. Well I kind of did both. I got my Besties some Christmas Cards and hand wrote a note inside!

Can I have double points for that?

I am of coursing LOVING my Elf Helper! She is amazing, the wonder Casey! Having way to much fun e-mailing each other back and forth.

Just need to get ready for tomorrow's challenge the...'Try a New Workout'. After talking about it with Casey we both decided that it wasn't cheating for me to re-do a workout that I haven't done in months. Mainly cause it FEELS like a new workout.

But I can always need a second opinion...NeverEver's would that be cheating on the challenge to re-do? Let me know!

On to the Next Challenge!

Now this one is fun. Or at least it was until today. I wasn't baking any cookies, none of my co-workers baked any cookies and there was really no way I was going to BUY a Christmas Cookie (regardless how good they looked) just for this challenge.

So, I decided to compromise. I would look at the wonderful Holiday cookies that Martha Stewart puts out on her website, take a picture of one of those AND make it this weekend. Here is what came out!

Doesn't that look like the PERFECT snowflake? Well I have to assume it does since living here in So. Cal I really don't see snowflakes at all.

Here is the recipe for the Gingerbread Snowflake Cookie. I will let you all know how to turns out this weekend!

So that is the challenges. All done and accounted for! Yay me! Here is some other news!

First, there are some amazing people out there and I am being lucky enough to meet them over Twitter and Facebook! If these challenges do nothing else they have really introduced me to some wonderful people!

Second, #fitblog chat that was hosted by Steph from @Kitchenkm was SO much fun! I have been trying to get to these weekly Tuesday chats forever but I just wasn't able to make it. Finally did so today and it was  BLAST! Steph made everyone feel welcome and I swear I will try applesauce as a substitution for butter! Oh and use quinoa for more then just soup.

Okay that is it NeverEver's! Stay warm and safe. Don't forget tomorrow is hump day and we are that much closer to the wonderful weekend.

#MeatlessMonday & Challenges

Hey NeverEver's!

So how was your guys weekend? Mine was actually pretty quite. Just relaxing at home and getting addicted to twitter & intsagram. Why has it taken me so long to enjoy these things? Oh ya because I don't have a smartphone. Gotta get down to 160 before that happens. We still have some work to do before that happens.

Anyways, I have some news! I have picked up a few extra challenges from some of the other Bloggers! Lets check them out!

First off is the amazing #elf4Health which was created by Elle and Lindsay!

This wonderful challenge starts on 11/26 through 1/6! If you missed the first round, you can enter round 2 & 3, which I would HIGHLY recommend!

It has different daily challenges that are just for the Holiday season, and keeping your head! Like today was #MeatlessMonday!

Lunch was Butternut Squash Soup w/ Green Beans & Potatoes w/ Spinach  corn! It was delicious! I was really surprised by the soup. One because I have never had it before and two, well because it was so good!

I know these look like meat sausage...but it isn't. It is actually a meatless spinach & feta cheese filled sausage. Which it was so yummy! Really recommend these which I got at Fresh & Easy!

So it was a meatless sausage, green fettuccine, corn & spinach. Have to say for having only a few hours to plan my #meatlessMonday it was pretty good.  Thank goodness for defrost on the microwave!

I should ALSO mention that tomorrow is for me 'to send a card or handwritten note' to a friend or family, talk about perfect for Christmas!

I do hope that everyone joins this amazing challenge!

Then I have also this one going on!

Now this one is from Sarah the wonderful blogger down at Mom Running on Empty! This one I think it is going to be so much fun. Like i said, I have just got into instagram and then I ran into this! So far I got the festive down!

Welcome to #Festive

I am really not sure where I am gonna get the cookies idea from, but I will find it!

Last but currently not least, I am sure you all remember this one!

So far, 4 out of the 5 days done...all squats! One of these days I will get to the burpees!

Oh I almost forgot! Look what just came in today for me!

My Drew Bree's New Orleans Saint! And it fits!!! Its only an XL and it fits! SOOOO happy! Oh plus new hair cut!

Okay NeverEver's, I do hope that you guys join in on some of the fun!

Manic Week, And it just Started!

Hey NeverEver's!

Welcome to Thanksgiving week...a time when everyone runs around with their heads off. Work is crazier, family is crazier, and sleep seems non-existent. What was sleep again?

So on my drive home I get to go through LAX, which the last 2 nights have been HORRIBLE! Of course all of it Holiday Traffic. But I did run into something (not literally thankfully) that made me laugh

I do oh so love a fan like this! To bad there wasn't a FANSTAR or something like that! But still LOTR is a great book/movie and I am really looking forward to seeing the Hobbit this December!

Found some weekend photos from Island Burgers, you all know we love that spot! Have to say these are pretty handsome pictures ^_~

Gotta love the cheesy grin! We were sitting outside in the patio so the flash really bright! But I still love this photo!

And me all warm in my sweater dress! Have to say I was feeling really brave to be wearing white! Never really done it before but hey it was a night of adventure!

So yesterday, I was in need of some comfort food. I have been craving tomato soup with a sandwich which I have been meaning to make at home...which hasn't happened! Anyways, I stopped by a local place called J. Nichols in Culver City right by my work and I saw it. The cheese and tomato soup combo!

It was everything I wanted...and more! I am seriously wanting to make it at home, maybe this long weekend?

So I am finishing today with my breakfast. Blue Diamond Almonds, Starbucks VIA Christmas Blend Coffee, and a nice and soft Granny Smith Apple! I think this is a perfect fall snack / breakfast thingy.

And that is all my updates for being gone 2 days. Seriously, not enough time in a day!

Heading over to Pavillions to pick up a few more corn on the cobs, more people are coming over for dinner! Thank Goodness I got a 18 pound turkey!!

Really looking forward to the challenge officially starting tomorrow as well. I have been walking the last 2 nights once I got home, my way of relaxing after the traffic. But, it would been nice to throw some squats or burpees in there to get ready for it.

I do hope that some of you join in on this Holiday Challenge!

Okay NeverEver's, I think that is all. Will be showing you all pictures tomorrow!

Until then, be safe and have a wonderful holiday!

Thanksgiving Already?!?!?

Hey NeverEver's,

Can you guys believe that it is already Sunday...and only 3 days away from Thanksgiving? I really can't believe that it is already here. Where has the time gone? Seriously!

I just got my Turkey and since I can have anywhere from 10 to 20 people over this Thursday, I had to go big! Found a 18.50 pound-er which should be enough to feed everyone!

I really had to move things around to be able to fit it. But in the end it was all put in!

So has everyone already figured out all the dishes for Turkey Day? I have most of the ideas already lined up. Here is what I got so far!

For my Turkey - Brined Herb-Crusted Turkey with Apple Cider Gravy

For my Stuffing - No stuffing, I want to have more of fresh herbs instead of bread!

For my Sides - Corn on the Cob - Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots - Snap Peas - Mushrooms - Mashed Potatoes - Toasted Scallions

For my Bread - Philsbury Biscuits (Hey I am not ready to cook bread yet ^_^)

For my Dip - Cranberry Apple Butter

For my Desert - Cranberry Bliss Bars

Yup, that is the game plan! Now to see if I can stick to it. Thanksgiving always seems to have a way of messing with the greatest of game plans!

So I do have some none Holiday things to share with you all as well!

First off:

Yup I have decided to do another challenge! This one is more physical instead of in the kitchen. So it starts on November 22nd (yup Thanksgiving) to December 31st and you do either 50 burpee's or squats that day. Once you are done you post to the Challenge Loop page that you did it! 

Really looking forward to this one because it will help me great ready for the next big news!

Yup, I signed up for the 2013 5k Color Run! It is on 2-2-2013 and I have lots of work to do before that day comes.

I have been seriously thinking about doing a 5k for a few years now, but I...well I was lazy and didn't know which one. Sp after much looking I decided on the Color Run. I mean first of all it looks like SO much fun. Secondly, it doesn't require me to run so its a perfect beginner one! And finally, well some of my Friends are doing it as well.

Yup I really didn't want to run alone.

That is my news! Heading out to do a short walk then come back in and play some Halo 4 with the Hubby!

So NeverEver's, have you run a 5k yet? And if you have which one did you do? Also, have you played around with the ChallengeLoop site yet? It is so much fun you really have to check it out!

Ribs and Birthdays + Challenge Ready!

Happy Friday NeverEver's! 

First I have to say that I hope everyone that was touched by Sandy has come through it all together with family and friends by their side. 

If you feel like you would like to help, no NO pressure, please feel free to click on the Red Cross Disaster Relief. Now there are SEVERAL other ways to donate but I have always chosen the Red Cross. 

Okay now on to FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY! Or actually all about Thursday on Fridays post ^_^

It was my Father in Law's birthday on 11/1 so the family all decided to get together and have a small gathering. I cooked dinner, Hubby provided cake, and well my Father in law provided the entertainment, in a good way!

First off dinner! 

Not sure if you remember but I was posting here, that I was slow cooking ribs. That is really the only way I have ever cooked them. But, it was the FIRST time I actually wasn't here the whole day while it was cooking and had to rely on the family to turn them.

But they turned out DELICIOUS and of course Family Approved!

However, my chosen side dish (rice with BBQ seasoning, didn't turn out right so happily the family did a qick trip to KFC and picked put some other sides, and + food for the late comers!

All singing the Happy Birthday song with his medium 'Fruit' cake. The whole family loves these things, but personally it isn't sweet enough for me. If I am gonna have cake...I want it sweet!

The family playing around with noise makers. Not sure where they came from...or where they are now (hopefully the trash) but it was loud and hopping last night!

And of course the Latin (or maybe just Mexican I am NOT sure) tradition of 'biting the cake'. Which the whole family then shoves said cake on to your face. All in the name of family ^_^. Here the youngest, Marlem, and the oldest, Grandma, is getting into the action!

Of course there is the after effects of cake dunking...having your face look like a clown is one of the possible side effects. However, it was the first time I have seen this particular side effect...and I do hope to be able to capture it again. 

All in all it was a wonderful time with the family, in which we had way to many laughs and a little to much coffee with the cake. 

Okay on to the Daily Stats!

Daily Stats Day 97:

Remember those delicious burgers? Well the family is wanting more of them! I am a Success...actually its all PB & Peppers Jennifer!\

Daily Stats Day 98:

It was a slow day, at least until the family arrived ^_~. I am not sure why but cooking seems to make me less hungry. I am thinking its a good thing!

Okay, so I wanted to let you guys know that I was able to work with @ChallengeLoop, well actually they e-mailed me because they are AWESOME! But we now have an OPEN challenge for #eatathomechallenge!

Check it out #EatAtHomeChallenge! I am so excited for this to start and this weekend I am getting into planning mode! Will be sharing with you all what the 5th through the 15th will have in store for me on Sunday!

So NeverEver's, join us for the challenge on @ChallengeLoop and don't forget to keep checking out @AroundthePlate for the updates from there as well. They are also going to have 10 days of posts about the different challenges that this 'challenge' has given to us.

Can't wait to see you all there and doing this challenge! Have a good weekend NeverEver's!