Friday Five Favorites: I GET to live and love life.

 

Five reasons this week was great

1.  Getting homework done (again!). I even got reprimanded for turning my homework in too early. Sorry but these one per month classes go by too fast and I get too anxious turning in work too close to the deadline.

2. Mug cakes for breakfast (and at night). Easy and filling.

3. Midday coffee run for my co-workers and getting out of work at 12:30. :)

4. Discovering "Family Tree." Chris O'Dowd, will you marry me? I know, he's not "hot," but watch him! Have you seen "Moone Boy" or "The I.T. Crowd?"

5. Meeting these 4 silly boys. Long story short, they asked if I would take them with me wherever I go. :)

Five crafts

1. DIY nail polish storage made from a shoe box and the gift wrap paper I purchased for the holidays (and beyond).

2. Gingerbread house! Check one off my "December to Remember" list!

I picked the Dancing Deer kit for $13.99. Lots of extra frosting and cookies - you build around the box.

 

My cousin helped decorate it.

 

I did the top two.

3. I could make this myself. I love ya Yancey!

4. Someone invite me to an ugly sweater party!

5. My friend says it's cold out. I suggested this:

Five recipes

1.  Pumpkin pie cheese & crackers were served at the holiday baking party.

2. Holiday stout gingerbread

3. After making pumpkin whoopie pies, I want to make some gingerbread whoopie pies with lemon cream cheese. Whoopie pies are my speciality. :)

4. Sweet potato fritters with yogurt chive dipping sauce

5. Cranberry pinot noir meatballs

BONUS: If you haven't seen this... Joy, you're killing us: Gingerbread Speculoos & Dark Chocolate Cake!

Five workouts

1. Sandbag here and here with my makeshift bag filled with clothes and some weights.

2. Resistance band workouts are all over the place including here.

3. Stability ball, which I haven't done yet but is on the schedule for tomorrow.

4. Walking every night because I don't have to plan and I did all my homework during the day!

5. Dancing - easy Latin and Bollywood.

Five links

1. When did Fullerton become one of the prettiest towns? I may have to revisit during the day...

2. 33 clever Christmas food hacks that are easy and ingenious!

3. How it would look if all humans were bodybuilders

4. 15 reasons why Costco is simply the best

5. I don't have to do anything. I get to workout. I get to go to work. This post seriously changed my life.

Five exciting events

1. Holiday baking party at work. My group make pumpkin whoopie pies and French chocolate truffles.

2. Peter's [surprise] birthday dinner tonight. It'll be a drive for some shabu - I'll explain what that is later... I should get him something though.

3. Indulge L.A. with my friend Julie. I heard there's so much sugar (and drinks) that it's impossible. We'll see about that.

4. Resolution Run, but I'm still not sure if I'm running it or volunteering. Have I told you how much I hate running and I've only ever run one 5K... and I had to train for it?

5. Holiday baking exchange with a Meetup group I joined. It's 20-somethings reading books. I'm thinking about making eggnog thumbprints, but please GIVE ME IDEAS!

Your turn:
What's your go-to cookie recipe?
What's your favorite cookie?

MIMM: Day trips (Temecula & Potato Chip Rock)

Friday night, I had a major craving for bread, the MOST MARVELOUS bread ever from Great Harvest Bread Company.

I started with a MARVELOUS "Wine Country" sandwich on seedy Dakota bread.

I drove an hour and a half for MARVELOUS cinnamon burst bread. It made my car smell amazing, and I kept sneaking bites of it. See that top slice?

Since I drove so far, I also got myself a MARVELOUS cinnamon roll. It's my vice - I ate the middle and saved the rest.

Before I left, I stopped by Black Market Brewing. There are a few other breweries in the area, but this is the only one I'm familiar with. I tried a MARVELOUS flight of tasters.

I came home and took a NOT SO MARVELOUS 4 hour nap. Lack of sleep, carb coma, and beer don't make for much of a nap.

I tried some relaxing yoga before eating tuna fish & veggies, and then proceeded to watch some shows.

MARVELOUS Daylight Savings meant I woke up at 7:30 and had time to workout. I did an hour of weights and Tabata.

Right as I finished, Peter called to go hiking. I rinsed myself off, made my oatmeal protein pancakes, and then waited for everyone.

We ended up going to MARVELOUS Potato Chip rock in San Diego.

Lawrence tried doing hurdler's.

The MARVELOUS hike was 8 miles round trip.

Uphill on the way up, downhill on the way down.

We got home at 7 and headed to eat at Class 302. This was my first time eating Taiwanese food: spicy basil chicken with a fried egg, veggies, and brown rice (just a bit). The food was MARVELOUS/we were so hungry!

What are some fun day trips you get to make in your area? I'm planning more weekend day trips and can't wait to share them with you!

High Five Friday: Reclaim

 

HIGH FIVE for a few morning workouts this week. I like getting it done early.

HIGH FIVE for a sore booty. This workout contributed to it, but I think it was this mostly...

HIGH FIVE for a round of yoga in the evenings. I'm bored in the evenings - I should utilize my time better but don't really want to.

That's because... HIGH FIVE for getting work done at work.

HIGH FIVE for catching up on "New Girl" and "Bones."

HIGH FIVE to Blackmarket Bakery for good bread. I used to live in the local food metro of the world. I was spoiled and it's hard to find good, fresh bread. I came here after work for their almond 6-grain bread (new!).

It wasn't "fresh" but toast it and it's as good as new. Especially with some Cookie Butter & Cocoa Spread from Trader Joe's!

I need to cut down on sugar though (even if it's bananas & apples)! Read this!

HIGH FIVE to getting back on track this week after the weekend. Geez, this happens a lot.

HIGH FIVE to Kath for the best article in awhile: Nutrition Compromises.

I like beer [over wine], I like [fresh] bread, I won't eat grilled chicken & broccoli forever, I only drink coffee for its caffeine, & I quit pastas COLD TURKEY years ago.

 

and...

Sierra Nevada is building a new brewery near Asheville!

However, I don't like pizza with tons of oil and we don't have enough good ice cream places close by.

• One of my favorites: The Hop in Asheville, NC.
• Places to try here: Han's Homemade Ice Cream, Strickland's

HIGH FIVE for awesome links this week:

Food & drink

• Speaking of Sierra Nevada, it tops the list of healthier beers to drink.
• Tips for cravings: I probably need more calories, but I've started a cheat meal... of beer.
• I will never understand carb cycling, and I've tried it all!
• I probably won't eat my way through all the states... I like salmon (Alaska), but everything else is gross. I also didn't know Krispy Kreme originated in North Carolina, but I think of BBQ not donuts.

Fitness & exercise

• I've got a big butt and I need to keep it looking tight(er).
• Running isn't for me either and other [healthy] things you might not be into.

Health

• I'm trying to wake up earlier. Maybe these tips will help me enjoy mornings.
• I keep meaning to walk more when I get bored and lonely after work.
• I need more vitamin D and sleep to lose the pudge.
• I tried this milk & nutmeg mixture for blackheads.

Love & relationships

• I still don't know what love is. #1, 6, & 8 on this list of 17 things we're mistaking for love.
• We make lots of mistakes and Ari Gold is the king of them.
• I've made a lot of friends lately, but I can't say they'll be forever.
• Are these good role models for ladies?

Other

• No wonder I live in California (East of Eden) and North Carolina (A Walk to Remember)! Pennsylvania's (The Lovely Bones) next because I haven't read/heard of many of these famous books by state!
• These are the lessons I can learn from Jane Eyre? Now I must read it.
• I've only gone to 2 of 100 places to visit and I'm already 26... but I'd only want to go to 1/2 of these anyways. Check out all the gorgeous photos!

What are you proud of this week? 
Any cool links to share?

Tuesday [fitness] confession: Out of the gym

I haven't gone to the gym. I go once or a twice a week, mostly for yoga. Instead, my workouts have come from YouTube or workout printables.

I'm surprised to know that I'm consistent. I've worked out about 5-6 times per week since January 2010. Over 3 years. I'm not afraid of falling off the wagon.

In the 3 years, I've done everything. I used the elliptical machine/bike for hours on end, tried every class possible at the gym and at private studio, I even ran a 5K, and I finally tried CrossFit this year.

The gym is boring. I want to sleep in and then I want to nap after work. I don't want to drive anywhere. I want to get it done and go out.

Sometimes I don't go hard though, but I'm pushing myself again. I just needed a break.

I'm back.

Here are some of favorite resources:

Blogilates - Short and not entirely intense but I feel it the next day! I like these as add-ons. Sometimes she gets annoying though.

Lionsgate BeFit - They regularly posts new workouts that are roughly 30 minutes long. I love that they post the moves in the comments too.

FitnessBlender - Just discovered and like that it has a preview box in the corner to show you what move to do next.

Jessica Smith -  Another new discovery! I tried one with supersets that was tiring.
Blonde Ponytail - Her workouts are legit. They're hard and there are workouts of different lengths. She's so motivating too.

*Don't think she's not intense!

FitFabCities - The website hasn't been updated in awhile, but the printables are new to me. I love the tabata format of the workouts.

What are your favorite online resources?
Do you use workout DVDs?

MIMM: The beginning of fall

Today's MIMM is significant - it's the first of a new season [of my life]. I've looked forward to the fall after a crazy summer of parties, making friends, and miscellaneous adventures. It's not all going away, but it'll be calmer.

I updated to the MARVELOUS iOS 7. I like it. :)

My weekend kicked off with MARVELOUS pole dancing class on Friday night. I could climb the pole, even for a little bit. The only awkward part was the "free dance" during the last 5 minutes of class when everyone seemed to have something prepared.

Saturday morning, I met up with Rebecca for a MARVELOUS hike.

Turnbull Canyon was just down the road from her and we could see all the way to the ocean and parts of Downtown L.A.

Part of the hike gives a view of Rose Hills, a extravagant... cemetery?

The hike was an easy 3.5 miles and ended with a tagged up water tower.

I went to The Hat for the first time. I had no idea what it was, and when it was mentioned, I thought they were wanting to buy a real hat...

I got the pastrami sandwich on wheat, ate half and saved the rest.

Saturday night, I finally ventured to Newport Beach and the MARVELOUS SOL Cocina. I cannot believe this was my first time. Their drinks were fresh and really good - I had a farm fresh margarita (pictured) and a vanilla bean infused pineapple martini. I also shared a MARVELOUS hot & raw tropical ceviche that came with sweet potato chips... because wow, how could I resist??!

This was my outfit of the night. I committed to buying this dress and figure I should wear it more. It's a tough one to pull off with the stripes though.

First MARVELOUS day of fall was quite sunny here:

First stop, the swap meet for some nail polish strips.

Then MARVELOUS Sunday morning yoga and an attempt at pumpkin oatmeal protein pancakes. I came out with just one pancake intact though.

I went to the World Market because I wanted some fall inspiration and chocolate.

I've baked a bit more lately and force have my students try them. I made garbanzo bean blondies from Chocolate Covered Katie/Kitchen Queen Eats Clean's challenge on Facebook. The batter was thick but came out good. I still like these tofu brownies better.

I also made Elana's Pantry's Paleo bread that the Fitnessista was raving about. This was easy to make and delicious!

Sunday Funday concluded with doing my cousin and my nails. We used those MARVELOUS nail polish strips. My pattern choice doesn't look as nice... I hope these are better for my nails than gel nails.

And "Dexter." Goodbye friend. :(

What are you looking forward to this fall? Have you made your fall bucket list?