It’s Official!

I think I’ve used that post title before…and most everyone thought it was about me being pregnant.  Once again, sorry to disappoint you, but that’s not it.  In fact, you should be warned that a baby probably won’t be in my future any time soon (unless God has a totally different plan for me).  

So what’s the news then???  It’s officially SUMMER BREAK!!!!!  WAHOOOOO!!!!!  It hasn’t feel real to me lately that school was about to end, but then when I went today, none of the kids were there and it was suddenly very real.  Just in case you’re wondering, yes, the summer breaks are one of the best parts of being a teacher.  To celebrate, I treated myself to Subway and then had a no sugar added fudgesicle.  Okay, that’s not much of a celebration, but then I went to hang out with some of my favorite kiddos, my cousins Jackson, Grant, and Chase.  These boys are full of energy and SO MUCH FUN!  I can’t wait to hang out and go swimming with them later this weekend.

Aren’t they so adorable?

 

Spending some quality time with these handsome boys was the perfect way to celebrate the start of summer.  I love them so much!

Now, I said on Wednesday that I would be back with some workout inspiration today, so here it comes!  It’s more Pinterest workouts, of course!  What else would you expect from me?  Lately all of my workouts have been at the park using the playground equipment and also my homemade trx-style suspension trainers.  The workouts have been FUN and very effective!  All of these workouts were posted by other awesome bloggers, and the links can be found on my pinterest workout page!

Clockwise from top left: 1000 rep workout (repeat circuit ten times), have a ball workout, ab pyramid, and the playground workout.

Now I’m off to get my highlights touched up (they are about two months past due…and don’t even get my started on my crazy eyebrows that I’m getting waxed today!  I swear they grow straight OUT like an old man’s…it’s ridiculous).  I believe after that Daniel and I are going out on a date! 

I hope that y’all have a great holiday weekend!  I have my first “long” run tomorrow (4 miles), and I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes!

Love y’all!

So tell me…

Do you have a three-day weekend???  What are your weekend plans?

Have you tried any of these workouts?

Half Marathon Training: Day One

Okay, so remember when I said I couldn’t get it out of my head that I wanted to run a half marathon?  Well, I picked my race and officially started my training yesterday!  Guess which race I picked!

That’s right!  I’m going to the Windy City to run my very first half marathon!  The race takes place on Sunday, September 9.  Don’t worry, I promise to keep you updated on all of my running, training, fueling, etc.  As I am a complete novice in running, I will definitely need your help along the way!  I didn’t choose a specific training plan, but I have several printed out that I’m melding together to make a plan that works with my schedule (I have to make sure I’m not running too much on the days I’m teaching fitness classes).  Kristen was so sweet to offer me some insight from her training experiences, and I’m starting with two shorter runs each week and one long run on the weekend.  Yesterday was my first short run (and my first run in over a month), and I did about two miles at the park (it may have been a quarter mile more, but I’m not positive).  I definitely didn’t hit that “runner’s high” that I’ve had before, but I did get that crazy-happy endorphin high after the run.  It carried all the way into my SHRED class later last night, and I was probably the most annoying and peppy instructor last night!   I think I referred to wall sits as “fun” and plank walks as “awesome” haha.  However, that really isn’t all that different from how I normally am.  Apparently running is just going to make me even more obnoxious and energetic.  Be prepared!

This wasn’t even with a run or any exercise…just plain crazy Natalie.  Please look at that guy behind me…he definitely thinks I’m crazy!

Only one more day of giving exams, and then a half day with a few meetings, and then SUMMER!

So tell me…

If you have run a half marathon before, what training plan did you use?  Did you like it?

Any running/training tips or suggestions for me?

Have a blessed day, and I will see y’all on Friday with some workout ideas!

 

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juice

It’s Monday again!  Is anyone else excited???  I know I am, and I bet you know why.  It’s my very last Monday before summer break.  It’s exam week at school, and then it’s onto my favorite time of year.   At any given time this summer you will be able to find me lounging poolside, reading, doing workouts after the sun comes up, reuniting myself with the kitchen, or working in our garden.  You know what sounds good with any and all of those things?  Fresh juice!

On Sundays, Daniel and I like to prep our food for our lunches and some dinners during the week.  Since this week is half days for the kids, I’ll probably have a longer lunch time and will most likely run to Jason’s Deli or someplace with my coworkers.  I did make a potentially awesome sandwich for lunch tomorrow (unfortunately I forgot to take pictures while assembling, but I’m sure I’ll have another chance soon).  I topped a multi grain sandwich thin with roasted red pepper edamame hummus, fresh lettuce from the farmers market, sliced cucumber, sliced carrots, pickles, and a fried egg.  I am so excited for lunch tomorrow!  I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Anyway, back to the juice.  Since I really didn’t have anything else to cook, I decided to break out the Jack Lalanne juicer and see what I could put together.  I used some fruits and veggies and just kept adding until I had a good amount of juice.  I added in some pure carrot juice from Trader Joe’s to the juice mixture, and both Daniel and I thought the final product tasted great.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juice

*note – this makes a LOT of juice, about 1 or 1.5 pints

Ingredients

• one large orange (peel removed, but white pith left on for added nutrients)

• about two cups of fresh baby spinach

• one large Fuji apple (cut into large pieces removing core)

• one cucumber

• one stalk of celery (about 8-10 ribs)

• one zucchini

• about two cups of fresh carrot juice (added AFTER juicing)

Juice all ingredients together according to your juicer’s instructions and then add carrot juice to the fruit and veggie juice mixture.  Enjoy!

Don’t be scared of the green juice.   I promise it’s tasty!  If you let this sit any time at all, you will need to shake or stir it because it will separate (I just accidentally typed celebrate instead of separate…if my juice starts celebrating I’ll let you know ha).  If you don’t like the taste of certain vegetables (like celery since it is a predominate flavor in this juice), simply switch up the veggies and find what works for you.  Enjoy!

I’m reusing my glass chocolate milk jug until I get it refilled next weekend

I hope that you have a great day!

So tell me…

Would you try this green juice?

What combination should I try next???

Friday Favorites

So, I feel like I need to offer a disclaimer/apology.  Basically, if I find a chance to use alliteration (especially in my titles), I will always do so.  I’m a nerd.  Deal with it.

SO, onto the Friday Favorites!

Quotes/Inspiration

Workouts

Just because…

(I say this to my students and they don’t get it…sad)

(If you don’t get this one,you need to go watch Big Bang Theory, and then we can discuss beginning our friendship again)

Babies, and mamas, and baby-mamas

*all of the links for these pictures can be found on my pinterest page*

I hope that you have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND (I promise that’s the last one for today)!

So tell me…

What is one of your favorite quotes?

What are you up to this weekend?

Easy and Delicious Dinner

It’s Wednesday!  We’re half way to the weekend!!!  (In case you were wondering, I really do love weekends as much as it seems!)

I recently canceled my 5:15 class on Tuesdays, so yesterday I found myself with enough time to run home between practice after school and teaching SHRED.  I hung out with Daniel for a few minutes, ate some of the most delicious salsa ever, and then prepped for dinner.  On Mondays and Tuesdays, I don’t get home until around 9, so dinner has to be something quick and easy (or leftovers ha).  Last night, I had my mind set on one thing: pizza.

No, no, not that type of pizza (even though it is delicious).  I wanted something full of flavor, but not full of greasy fat.  Before heading out for SHRED, I chopped up some veggies for the pizza so I could quickly throw everything together when I got home from class.  I used button mushrooms, stick onions (green onions), and green bell pepper.  To the vegetable mixture, I added finely chopped fresh rosemary, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, and some Italian seasoning.  I didn’t take pictures as I prepped because honestly, I didn’t think this pizza would turn into anything too spectacular.  I’ve never been so happy to be wrong in my life!

Daniel preheated the oven for me while I was driving home, and as soon as I walked in, I threw two Flat Out Light wraps into the oven to slightly toast (about 3 or 4 minutes at 350-ish degrees).  I made a split-second decision to spread a wedge of Laughing Cow light on each pizza crust.  I put my pizza sauce on next, and then divided my vegetable mixture evenly between the two pizzas.  Some mini turkey pepperoni were added on top of that, and finally the entire thing was topped off with shredded cheese, salt, and pepper.  Back into the oven they went until the cheese was bubbly and the edges were brown (about 10 minutes).

pre-cheese

Ohhhhhh myyyyy gooooodnesssss this was delicious!  I think that little extra layer of cheese on the bottom is what made it so good.  I could definitely eat this pizza on a regular basis.  Check out that cheesy goodness.

Is it just me, or are mini turkey pepperoni absolutely adorable?  Of course, I do think any “tiny” food is cute, like these mini lasagna cups!

I hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday!  I’ll see you on Friday – hopefully with a new circuit workout (we shall see)!

So tell me…

What is your favorite quick and easy dinner during the week?

What are your favorite pizza toppings?

Where did the weekend go?!

I cannot believe it’s already Monday!  I feel like it should just now be Friday.  Not that I’m complaining about Monday already being here, because this is the last full week of school.

This weekend was kind of a blur due to lack of sleep and odd hours of work.  Let’s just take it one piece at a time.

Friday

Friday night Daniel went on a motorcycle ride with one of our friends that recently got a bike.  My dad was in town, so I headed over to my parents house to hang out for a couple of hours.  I knew I had an early morning, so I made myself go to bed before eleven.

Saturday

Boy, this day started EARLY.  My alarm clock went off at 3:30 a.m., and I hit the snooze a couple times before finally rolling out of bed to get ready.  I was doing a Zumba class at the fairgrounds for Relay for Life.  The class started at 5, and when I pulled into the parking lot at 4:30, it started to rain.  Did I mention the class was outside??? Luckily, there was a HUGE stage that I got to dance on, and my loyal zumba ladies (seriously, they are so amazing to get up that early on a Saturday to come support me/get a free workout  – I love them!) had enough room to stand under a small awning.  Not that many people participated, although I have no idea why.  I mean, who doesn’t want to shake your booty at 5 a.m. in the rain after walking all night long????  Even though only a small handful danced along, we did draw a little group of spectators.

Daniel had to go into work on Saturday morning, so I drove home around 6:15 to see him before he left.  I had plans of being productive before going to teach another Zumba class at ten…..yeah.  That didn’t happen.  After Daniel left, I sat down in the chair to check some emails, and it was all over.  I dozed on and off until around 8, and then checked emails and caught up on blogs until 9 when I had to get ready to leave.  The second class was fun, and my energy was back after the first song.  That afternoon, Daniel and I both lounged around and took naps, and then the real fun happened.  We cleaned out the guest bedroom and took down a bedroom suit that my cousin was coming to pick up.  I’m telling you, we are some crazy people over here!  We did end up getting out for dinner at a local Mexican place.  Oh, when my cousin came over, she brought her adorable Morkie puppy, Maple, who is only nine weeks old.  Check out how cute she is!!!!!!!

you better believe I airbrushed out the circles under my eyes!

Sunday

MOTHERS DAY!  My parents joined us at church, and then we took my mom out for sushi (and some presents, of course).  The sushi was amazing, and I definitely ate too much.  This was followed by the typical Sunday routine, groceries, food prep, some laziness, etc.  I went back over to my parents to spend more time with them before my dad leaves town for work again, and my mom had made this beautiful strawberry pie.

sorry for the phone pic

Don’t worry, that wasn’t my slice.  Mine was about 9/10 the size of this slice haha.

I hope that you enjoyed your weekend and that your Monday is off to a great start!  Happy belated Mothers Day to all of you moms out there – you are truly heroes, and I respect and admire you!

So tell me…

What was the best part of your weekend?

Did you celebrate Mothers Day?

Thankful Thursday

Instead of a typical post (actually, I have no idea what a typical post for me is, but you know what I mean) tonight, I decided to simply share some things for which I am thankful today!

Daniel

my family

a living savior

my jobs

that summer break starts in TWO WEEKS

foodie pen pals

the friends I have made through blogging (especially Kristen, Ashley, and Lindsay after our talk tonight)

M-swag

my new workout clothes that I found at Marshall’s today

my animals

my students

warm weather

air conditioning

my church

iced coffee

ability to go on vacation this summer

comfortable bed

not having a squishy toilet seat (totally serious – and this would make my thankful list every single day)

my zumba friends

freedom

my car

health

the park down the street from my house

my cheerleaders

my coworkers

dark chocolate

sweet potatoes

almond coconut milk

the fact that loose fitting tops are in style (please don’t ever let this change!)

wedges (the taller the better)

marshall’s

trader joe’s

this little blog

my readers – thank YOU!

I hope you have a fabulous Friday!

So tell me…

What are YOU thankful for today?

My garden, y’all…

Remember that sweet little farmers market haul I showed you on Saturday?  Well, we successfully got all those plants into the ground.

We knew we needed a few more things to plant, so while Daniel was mowing the grass on Sunday afternoon, I ran to pick up the few items we wanted to finish off the garden.  Ummmm…..yeah.

I may have gone a just a little overboard.  To add to the ever-growing garden, a very kind gentleman secretly loaded up the back of Daniel’s truck with a flat of tomato plants and squash and zucchini plants.  It’s hard to give back something that was done as a “surprise present” for you!  So, in the garden (which is approximately 30×60 – I know), we now have the following plants:

10 Brussels sprouts

5 cabbage

6 onion

10 zucchini

10 squash

8 jalapeno

6 bell pepper (2 red, 2 green, 1 orange, 1 yellow)

1 cayenne

4 banana pepper (2 hot, 2 sweet)

1 eggplant

8 cucumber (4 regular, 4 pickling)

2 spaghetti squash

1 butternut squash

and the kicker…

23 tomato plants (2 Cherokee purple, 3 better boy, 1 power pop, 16 jet star, 1 unknown)

WHAT WERE WE THINKING?!?!?!?!?!?!  Just in case you were wondering, we don’t supply food for the entire city, and we don’t run a restaurant.  This is just for TWO people.  Two non-vegetarian people.  I’m guessing that I will spend a good amount of weekends canning tomatoes, making pickles, and putting away as much as possible for the fall and winter.  I’m sure I’ll end up giving away quite a bit of fresh veggies to family and friends as well.

Y’all know that once this stuff starts coming in, you have to pick every. single. day.  Instead of being worried about what we will do this all food, I’m just excited (and I think it’s absolutely hilarious that we “accidentally” planted so much)!

So tell me…

Do you think I’m crazy???

Will you please come help me pick veggies this summer?!?!?!

I can see the light!

Well, it’s that time of year again.  Only two more Mondays until SUMMER BREAK!

This post is going to be short and sweet because I am wiped out.  Lately, I’ve been trying to be more creative with my pictures on the blog (did you notice the custom background?  Yeah, it only took me like an hour to make something so simple).  I’ve been using picmonkey for pretty much everything, but last night I also decided to use Photovisi in combination with picmonkey.  This was the outcome:

I know that most of you are thinking this is no big deal, but for me, this was a huge accomplishment!  I really loved the finished product!  I was showing it to Daniel and exclaiming, “Look!  I could make our Christmas cards!  You know, if we actually sent Christmas cards.  Well, we did send them that one time, and then I bought more cards the next year and never sent them.  But if we DID send cards, I could make them!”  He wasn’t nearly as excited as I was, but he was impressed by my amazing, advanced technological skills.

I hope that y’all have a great Tuesday!  Much love!

 

Farmer’s Market Haul

Hey hey!  I hope you are enjoying your Saturday so far!

This morning, I went to a community event with some of my friends from Solus.  We did a warm up and demonstrated stretching techniques before the participants set out on a walk/run through downtown Jackson.  Since I was already downtown, I decided to head over to the farmer’s market after the event.

Today was the first day that the market had a full house, and it made me so excited to think about all the options that will be available there this summer!  I love going to the market on Saturday mornings in the summer – talking with the local farmers, sampling products, smelling the fresh berries, enjoying the hot summer breeze…it’s the perfect way to start a weekend if you ask me.

I was excited to find some good tomato plants, zucchini and squash plants, cucumber plants, and jalapeno plants.  I think I might have paid around $35 for everything together, and it was quite the haul.  It overjoys me to think that spending $35 up front and then growing these in our garden will keep us from buying imported produce at the grocery store for a long time.

The tomato plants are already fairly large, and I cannot wait to get them in the ground!  I bought two Cherokee Purple tomato plants and one other type.  I can’t remember the name (and I’m too lazy at the moment to go outside and look) of the other type.

I bought eight jalapeno plants today, but we may end up planting more.  We go through fresh jalapenos with incredible speed at this house, and we also plan on pickling some this year.  I bought regular cucumbers and pickling cucumbers as well.  Who wants to come over late summer and help me for a full weekend?  I’ll teach you my grandmother’s recipe for homemade bread and butter pickles!  I’ll even let you star in your very own vlog (and you may even get the window unit from my kitchen as a bonus prize).

After loading up my car with my vegetable plants, I wandered around the other venders and came away a few awesome finds.

Fresh rosemary!  I cannot wait to use this!

Fresh crab cakes!!!  I cannot tell you how awesome these are.  There is a couple that drives from Florida to our farmers market every weekend, and they have the best fresh seafood ever.  I love these crab cakes because they are FULL of crab, and they are spicy!

Fresh chocolate milk – this stuff was a total impulse buy.  It is crazy delicious.

I’m about to get ready and go to a bridal shower for my niece, and then tonight we are attending the wedding and reception of my sweet friend, Cara.  It should be a great night!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!

So tell me…

What is your favorite thing to get at the farmers market?

What are you up to this weekend?