New York crunch time,

Anywhere I go should be alerted upon my arrival, not really!!!

So sparkly, I can only imagine with all the Christmas lights what it will look like.

Only a day and a half before I'll be in New York City, and I cannot wait.  I plan on squeezing in as much fun as I can. It is the city that never sleeps, isn't it?  I know it is going to be awesome.

I've been working out pretty hard the last two weeks.  Increasing mileage and speed because I have a lot of upcoming races.  Very satisfied with the PIYO workout from beach body.  It came with a seven day supply of shakeology which is a meal replacement shake.  Definitely going to stick with the shakeology as well.  It is pricey, however there is nothing on the market that compares.

This is going to gross you out. Last night I was watching (because there was nothing on) my criminal addiction. Did you know that there is a disorder called ABDL. Ok are you ready for this, Adult Baby Diaper Lovers.  Seriously???? This guy would steal dirty baby diapers and wear them. He figured out that he could buy baby diapers in adult sizes and started wearing them, however kept stealing dirty diapers.  WTF.  I spent 20 years in law enforcement and never heard of that.

Have you ever heard of ABDL? I had not

What are some must see things in NYC?

Have you ever done meal replacement? Did you like it?

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, I love Kroger!!!

Today is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.  It is pathetic that the acts of today's society, for instance Ferguson, have overshadowed real history that made this country great.  

Does anyone else love Kroger? Up north it is Giant Eagle. I love their sales and Friday freebies. Friday freebies is of course on Friday where Kroger gives a product away for free. All you have to do is download the coupon onto your shoppers plus card.  This week was Kraft barbecue sauce!! Zachary puts barbecue sauce on everything. Plus they have awesome sales all the time. I love whole foods for their unique selection of healthy foods, but for everyday needs Kroger is my go to.

Got twenty two miles in this weekend running. The weather has absolutely sucked lately. It would be nice to see the sun for more than a couple minutes each day.

Congratulations to all the St Jude runners who participated in the Memphis marathon weekend. This is such a great cause to run for, I will definitely run it next year!

Do you have a favorite grocery store? What is it?

How was your weekend?

PIYO works, recipe for Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake

I'm so excited that I get to go to Eat Well today, I love sushi.  They have these delicious scallops in scampi sauce. I worked out extra hard this morning to make room for dinner.

I started my PIYO workout yesterday, and it works!!!! I was sore this morning which is always a good feeling. After my PIYO workout I went running. Seven miles at a 7:43 pace. Getting back to where I was.

I must admit I am an overpacker, I pack too much. Way too much.  For example a three day trip=10 pair of socks, seriously??? I can never decide what to take so I take it all just in case. I mean it is New York City what do you pack?  I have to take dress clothes, running clothes, and the usual wear. 

This will be me in the airport, lol

As I promised here is the recipe for OOEY GOOEY TOFFEE CAKE they are the best I have ever made!!!!

Ingredients:

Cake:
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix (I used Butter Recipe Yellow)
1 large egg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) box confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup toffee bits (I buy a bag of Heathy toffee bits in the baking section.  I use 1 cup in the filling and the remaining toffee bits sprinkled on top of the cake.)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 by 9 by-2-inch baking pan.

For the cake: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside.

For the filling: Still using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners’ sugar and beat well. Reduce the speed and slowly pour in butter. Mix well. Fold in toffee bits.

Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. You can top the cake with the leftover toffee bits.  Bake for 35-45 minutes. Don’t be afraid to make a judgment call on the cooking time, because oven temperatures can vary. You want the center to be a little gooey, so don’t bake it past that point!

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares. Just remember that these wonderful cakes are very, very rich, and a little will go a long way.

New fitness program, rainy run

"Got my new workout program called PIYO (Pilates/yoga).  It is supposed to help with stretching and toning which I desperately need.  Did my first session this morning and I was sweating, which is awesome.

I felt so good afterwards I went for a run, in the pouring rain. I was pretty happy with the pace. There are actually good people out there a few people stopped and asked me if I needed a ride. When I told them I was running for exercise they looked at me like I was crazy.  But it was really nice of them to offer!!!!

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for my trip to New York!!!!  I have planned out a couple runs while there, run across the Brooklyn Bridge and run in Central Park.  Not to mention the hotel has an awesome gym. I am not going to eat like a hog, like I have in the past on trips. I have worked so hard to get back in shape, I am not throwing that out. 

I know it is going to be beautiful there and sparkly!!!

I hate flying, I have to take medicine before I fly, or I will be like the lady on Bridesmaids. Bridesmaids in one of my favorite movies I seriously have watched it over 100 times.

Haha

Going to make a cake that Jennifer Chaffin gave me the recipe to Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake.  I will post the recipe tomorrow.

What are your weekend plans? I am running, eating, and spreading cheer.

Do you hide in the rain or just do it?

What is your favorite movie? How many times have you watched it?

National Cookie Day

Happy National Cookie Day!!!  What a great day to bake cookies.

Came across some interesting facts about eating cookies.

I don't like hard cookies. I like soft cookies like Mexican wedding cookies, snicker doodles, Italian wedding cookies, chocolate chip. Just a few of my favorites.

Did you know that the Girl Scouts will be selling their cookies online this year? How easy will that be?

Adding mileage to my runs this week ran 15 miles this morning. I have been so exhausted this week. I went to bed at seven last night. This is how I feel right now, lol.

Eat lots of cookies today !!!!!

 

Only six days before I will be in New York City

Is there anything better than...

I am just compiling some of the simple things that make me happy

IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER THAN

The smell of fresh laundry out of the dryer?

The smell of a great candle?  I am currently in love with the pumpkin caramel swirl from Bath and Body Works.

The feeling you get after a great workout?

Accomplishing goals?

Knowing your children are happy and successful? I am proud of my sons ALL the time.

Christmas holiday? I love the way everything sparkles, children's eyes, ornaments and lights.

My list could keep going there are so many little things that make me happy.

What little things make your day better?

Do you feel awesome after a great workout? I DO

What is your favorite scent of candle?  Right now mine is pumpkin caramel swirl

Welcome December

I love December, I guess it is because of Christmas.  I love the way stores smell. I love the way kids get so excited about Christmas.  This year is going to be the best, because I will be in New York City for four days. I don't plan on sleeping the entire time.  I want to run in Central Park and across the Brooklyn Bridge.  I am beyond excited.

This year Christmas shopping is super easy for Zachary, he only wants one thing.  For months he has been asking for the same thing. Usually kids change their Christmas lists daily, so I am not complaining.

Last week was my best week of running in quite awhile. I logged 51 miles. I can no longer make excuses.  I feel better when I run both physically and mentally.  So I am running in the rain today. 

I have so many races scheduled in 2015. This is going to be my best year running. Scheduling races makes it easier to stay on track. I had to miss a lot of races this year which really set me back.  I am praying that my injuries are over for while.  

We have so many leftovers, kinda grossing me out when I open the refrigerator.  I ate a small amount of turkey on Thanksgiving which tasted ok but not like I remembered it.  I am back to my pescatarian way of eating. I do not miss eating meat at all. 

Is anybody else excited to send their kids back to school? I felt like this when he left today:

How was your Thanksgiving?

Are you happy that December is finally here? Why/why not?

What is your race schedule for 2015?