December Runfessions–Not Too Naughty

I’m a bit nervous sharing my runfessions right before Christmas because I don’t want Santa to put me on his “naughty” list, but maybe he will give me credit for coming clean.

Runfessions

Runfessions: Cleanse your sweaty soul (or soles) by posting your run- gym- and swimfessions on your blog and join the link up hosted by Marcia at Marcia’s Healthy Slice.

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Posted in Fitness | 20 Comments

Let Nothing You Dismay

Earlier this year I was going through a very stressful time. I knew the situation was beyond my control and out of my hands, so for once my first reaction was to be praying instead of worrying.

Let Nothing You DismayEven though it was barely summer, my prayers were answered with a Christmas carol–and not even one of my favorite ones. I thought I was losing my mind, but as I ran through the words, I realized that they did have a message for me. Continue reading

Posted in Life, My Faith | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Fending Off The Holiday Feeding Frenzy

This is the week of the year that I am tempted to give up on healthy eating, forget about balance, give in to the holiday feeding frenzy, and eat ALL the cookies. We had our first office party on Friday, celebrated my husband’s birthday on Saturday, I have a holiday party for a work-related organization on Tuesday, our second office party on Wednesday, and our neighborhood holiday party on Saturday. As much as I plan to make healthy choices, I’m bound to overindulge, so why bother?  

Holiday Feeding Frenzy
That mindset used to make sense to me, but now I know better. Still, I need to remind myself to fend off the holiday feeding frenzy. Continue reading

Posted in Fitness, Product Reviews | 32 Comments

A Holiday Wish List You Can’t Buy In Stores

With a Friday Five topic of Holiday Wish List, I expect to see gift guides and stocking-stuffer ideas. I’m interested in seeing what you all suggest, but my holiday wish list is a little different.

Holiday Wish List

Maybe it’s because I’m older, my kids are older, and we all have everything we need, but Christmas is becoming less and less about shopping, wrapping, and gift-giving, and more and more about stepping off the crazy treadmill that is my day-to-day life and spending time with friends and family.
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Pain In The Ass Apple Pie Recipe

A few years ago we found the perfect apple pie recipe that we’ve made every Thanksgiving and Christmas since. It’s easy. It’s delicious. It uses a variety of apples with different flavors and textures. What more could you ask for? Well, this year my Mom came across a recipe in Bon Appetit magazine that she thought I should make. As I baked, I swore I’d never make it again, but now that we’ve enjoyed the fruits of my labor, I decided that it’s worth sharing–pain in the ass and all.

Pain In The Ass Apple Pie

This recipe tries its hardest to undo the adage “Easy As Pie.” It’s a multi-step process that requires roasting apples that have been tossed in a sugar/flour mixture, cooling the roasted apples before mixing with one stick of butter (!), brown sugar, cinnamon and flour, chilling the apple mixture before filling into a pie crust, and freezing the filled pie before baking. Ay, yi, yi!  Continue reading

Posted in Food | Tagged | 16 Comments