Last Chance Survey

Whattt, another surveyyy?  Yup, you betcha!  I did one last Saturday and I’m doing another one this weekend following the lead of these lovely ladies [here, here, and here]…  Come on folks, just give me one. last. chance.  Pretty please, with sugar on top?!

1. Last food you ate?

A Chocolate Peppermint Stick Luna Bar.  Halloween has come and gone and I’m happily embracing all things chocolatey, minty, and merry!

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2. Last beverage you drank?

A SF peppermint skim cappuccino from Starbucks.  We ran out of Silk Light Vanilla [our milk of choice] yesterday, so I thought it was a good excuse to make a quick trip up to Starbucks this morning…  Again, ’tis the season 😉

3. Last workout?

Man oh man, winter is on it’s way!  I was hoping to run outside but I pansied out and opted for the gym.  45 minutes on the spin bike and some abs, my body was sufficiently worked out.

4. Last thing you pinned? 

I received the monthly Great Harvest Bread Company email yesterday and was impressed by their Thanksgiving week “Handy-Dandy Schedule.”  Every Thanksgiving, no matter how prepared we think we are, my momma and I are scrambling around like turkeys with our heads cut off until dinner is on the table!  This year I will be referencing this tip sheet…

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5. Last text message you sent?

“Break and bake cookies!  Should we try?”– to Ryan when I was at Whole Foods and saw that Immaculate Baking Co.‘s Chocolate Peppermint and Gingerbread Spice cookies were on sale.

6. Last blog you visited?

Jessie Loves to Run.  Be sure to check her out y’all, she’s a fitness and food loving gal living in Kuwait and has an awesome outlook on life!

7. Last tweet you sent?

8. Last place you visited?

Does meeting my BFF downtown to do some work while she slaves away on grad school applications count as a place?  If yes, then I’ll say the Georgetown Library.

Side note: I am not a fan of libraries.  I’m a rather talkative person so the super quiet, sterile, and sometimes smelly [from old books] library atmosphere doesn’t strike my fancy.  Throughout college I opted to work at Panera or Starbucks [free wifi + good food] over the library.

9. Last time you did ab work?

This afternoon I did Tina’s 6-minute plank workout.  Beware, it’ll make your abs burn!

10. Last show you watched?

Modern Family.  Ryan and I had a stay-at-home date night last night which included going for a family walk, making a roaring fire, eating tasty turkey burgers with sautéed peppers and onions for dinner, munching on some popcorn, and watching reruns of Modern Family…  It was lovely!

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11. Last thing you baked?

Pumpkin spice bran eggie cups.  These were a hit with both Ryan and I [they reminded us of pumpkin pie] so I’m planning to make another batch tomorrow!

12. What is the last thing you Instagrammed?

Breakfast this morning, cinnamon pears and whole wheat oat pancakes…

toppings: plain Cho sweetened with stevia + slivered almonds + dried pineapple + honey

13. Last item on your to-do list today?

This morning I made a list of weekend to-do’s and many of the to-do’s are now to-done’s or will get done tomorrow…  Tonight I’m planning to enjoy a repeat of last night!

XOXO,

Allison

Question:  Have you had your first red holiday Starbucks cup?  Yup, I had my first on Friday!

Question:  How do you contribute to your family’s Thanksgiving meal?

Sweating Pink // Favorite Finds Friday 11.2.12

Yesterday I received the best afternoon pick-me-up, better than a Starbucks cappuccino or a chunk of dark chocolate…

I am so excited and feel so blessed to have the opportunity to join a group of strong, inspiring, and motivated women!  As seen on the Fit Approach website, “Sweat Pink Ambassadors live the Fit Approach mission every day: they sweat hard, play hard, and inspire those around them to achieve their best selves.”

All of my excitement powered me through 1 + 1/2 TNT sessions last night.  Ryan was late because he had to get an MRI that took longer than expected, so I happily stayed behind with him to make-up what he had missed.  By the time we got home I was ravenous and raided the kitchen, snacking while I threw together the epitome of a kitchen sink salad.

veggies + TJ’s chicken & veggie dumplings

I also had an unpictured bowl of chicken noodle soup and rice cakes topped with cottage cheese [hunger > pictures].  I could not be stopped and finished off the night with a sweet cereal yogurt bowl for dessert.

Surprise, surprise, this morning I served up a stack of cereal pancakes.  Today’s cereal of choice: TJ’s Honey Nut O’s!

honey nut pancakes topped with plain Chobani + unsweetened coconut + pistachios + honey

P.S.  While I was busy packing Ryan’s and my lunches for today, Charlie was also busy…  He ate the peanut butter filling and left me the pretzel shell, he’s so kind 😉

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Links Above: My Pinterest Boards // Links Below: Picture Source

Good Food: Cooking Light’s Top-Rated Chili Recipes

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My Style: Staying Neutral on the Weekends

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Sweet Treats: TJ’s Melted Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

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Events: Garden Party Wedding

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Health & Wellness: I Workout for Me

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Words of Wisdom: Sparkle

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Cuties: Kids & Pet Kisses [The Ellen Show]

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For the Home: Hand Crafted Sofa Table

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Places to Go: European Beech Trees in Mariemont, Belgium

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Flowers: Flower Delivery Boat

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Laughing Out Loud: An Alpaca!

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DIY Projects: Travel Snack Kit

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Education & Learning: Funny Food Ads from the 1900’s

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Wedding Attire: Grand Dress, Grand Hall

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Looking Ahead to Baby: Kiss Me Goodnight

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“It often seems, looking back, that the unexpected comes to define us, the paths we didn’t see coming and may have wandered down by mistake. The older we get the more willing we are to follow those, to surprise ourselves.”

~ Anna Quindlen

XOXO,

Allison

Question:  Do you have a favorite chili recipe?

Question:  Have you heard of the term flexitarian?  Do you associate yourself as a flexitarian?

What I’m Loving Wednesday 10.10.12

I’m loving… F.A.L.L.

[all the flavors, scenery, and scents]

I’m loving… Looking at puppy Halloween costumes!

[we’re taking suggestions for Charlie!  a pumpkin?  a super hero?  a monster?]

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I’m loving… Pancakes.

[cinnamon applesauce ‘cakes are my latest and greatest *recipe coming soon*]

I’m loving… Modern Family and Grey’s Anatomy.

[it’s going to be a hilariously awesome and suspenseful TV season]

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I’m loving… Avocados.

[not a new love, but still a strong love]

I’m loving…  Exploring Whole Foods during my lunch break.

[a few new-to-me products but unfortunately not all of them were worth the purchase]

I’m loving…  Incorporating strength training into my daily sweat session.

[it’s time to turn these mushy muscles into strong muscles]

I’m loving…  My momma’s birthday present, the iPhone 5!

[it’s always fun to play with a new gizmo]

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XOXO,

Allison

P.S.  I’m not loving…  A liquid diet.

[prepping for my procedure on Friday]

Question:  What are you loving?

Question:  Have you ever tried drinking apple cider vinegar?  In my opinion, it wasn’t *that* bad but it wasn’t great.  I don’t think I’ll be purchasing it again anytime in the near future.