'Tis The Ho-ho-hoLiday Season

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!

Made time for a holiday run today even though it was 39 degrees and the weather channel said it feels like 34 (which is practically freezing... and being from Texas my whole life I really do not do well in the cold!)

Knocked out the first 3 miles in 24:42 (Holy Goodness -- 8:15min miles?!?! That's a miracle for me!!)

::small walk break to catch my breath::

STILL finished my 6.3 mile out & back in 57:10 (9:05min mile average).

YAY!!!!!!!!!!

I beat myself in my "challenge run"... Last Wednesday my average last time was 9:28min miles, and I have NEVER finished a 5k in  under 25.  

The "Challenge Run" is something I set up using the SoftRace App on my Android phone (I don't know if there's a similar app for iPhones).  You mark your run and it tracks your speed using GPS and you can race your previous times and also publish it for other people to race your time.  It'll tell you during your run if you're in first place :)  pretty neat!

Speaking of challenges... Mike's friend happened to mention the other night that he could easily beat me in a 5k run by 6 minutes.  Okay RUDE.  I may not be the FASTEST runner, but claiming nonchalantly that you're going to beat me by 6 MINUTES?!  wow!  Well GUESS WHAT? -- to beat my 5k by 6 minutes you're gonna have to get under 18:45 so take that buddy.  Have fun.  See you in February at the Color Run.

Challenge ON.  Welcome to Beast Mode.

Riley is in training as well.... She's been practicing her pouncing technique from across the kitchen to the living room... here's what happens once she catches the unsuspecting fuzzy mouse toy...

"I'm going to eat you!"

"You are mine tiny mouse!"

Bahaha!  Sorry the photos are fuzzy... I was trying not to let her know I was snapping pictures with my phone because usually she stops if she thinks she's being filmed... 

This Holiday break has been exactly what I've needed so far ...

Caught up with the roommate with some Skinny Peppermint Mochas!

And we made to-go salads from Jason's Deli!

Ummm one price so you BET I filled up that container to the rim!!! Lunch  & Dinner... delish.

We went to visit Ashley and see the new baby room (he comes on WEDNESDAY!!!) and realized Nicole is the length of the crib... omfg love her.

BTW in case you were wondering.. Ashley's nurse confirmed she's still having a boy.  

Yes, the text on that Ultrasound says "I am still a boy!" and no that's not a butt... that's his BAWLS! hahahahaha

NOW to the IMPORTANT stuff!

FOOOOOOD!

I made the best recipe and am super proud of myself!  It was inspired by Giada DeLaurentiis whom I'm currently obsessed with. 

WINTER MINESTRONE

Really feel free to mix in whatever veggies are your favorite!  

Here's a serving:

link to recipe here

Yummy!!! warms your soul from the inside!!!

While that was simmering I threw together a Christmas Eve Salad!

That was my task this year... Cute, no??

AND what's Christmas without some sort of sweet treat??

I made my own version of Bark... 

Peanut Pretzel Bark

If you like Sweet + Salty than THIS is the dessert for you!!

No need for Nutritional Info on this one... I'm sure it's CHOCOLATE. Plan accordingly ;)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take a cookie tray and cover it in Aluminum foil.

Spray with a non stick spray

Break up skinny pretzels and spread over the tray.

Sprinkle Dry Roasted Sea Salt Peanuts over the tray.

In a microwave safe bowl melt 1.5 bags Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate, 1 small spoonful Earth Balance (Vegan Butter), and 1/6 cups white chocolate chips.

Pour/spread chocolate mixture over the pretzels/peanuts.

Sprinkle a few white chocolate chips on top.

Sprinkle with Red and Green Sanding Sugar to add a bit of Festive-ness!

Allow tray to cool for about 10 minutes then move tray to refridgerator to cool until it hardens.

Break into pieces and enjoy!!!

I hope everyone is having an absolutely fabulous Holiday!  Gotta shower up and make it to Christmas Eve Dinner then Mass -- see ya!

xoxo

Questions of the Day:

Do you ever challenge your previous times when you're running?

What's your favorite type of soup this time of year?

Try my Peanut Pretzel Bark and tell me how you like it!!!!