In a moment of weakness I let this happen.

I was working on answering emails and blog stuff this morning and let Sullie get in the bed with me. This is monumental. In her five and a half years of life she has gotten up on the bed maybe one or two other times and only for very brief stints. This time I let her up and let her snuggle for a good hour and a half. It was so cozy. She didn’t move the whole time. I think it was in fear that I’d realize what I’d done and kick her off!

What have I done? I admit that I kind of liked it but I cannot let this become a habit…she is so big and sheds so much! Dogs (or cats) in the bed…yes or no for you? 

Breakfast (enjoyed in bed) was overnight oats with plain greek yogurt, oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, dried cranberries, strawberries and bananas then topped with Justin’s Maple Almond Butter and apricot preserves.

I made a late lunch after teaching a yoga class. Basil pesto hummus, tofu, avocado, spinach and white cheddar on Great Harvest Whole Grain Goodness. Grapes on the side.

It was a beautiful and sunny day in Charlotte and 65 degrees! We are having such a mild winter and I love it. I had to be outside this afternoon so I took Sullie for an easy three mile run. We have really spent some quality time together today.

So…thanks for the input on the hair cut. I discussed the side swept bangs with my stylist but we decided that lots of layers up front would be a better option for me so I’m not constantly pinning my hair back. The layers start around my jawline so it still gives the feeling of the side bang without the hassle. I have to give my stylist a huge shout out…I was referred to Jason who owns Salon 42 by several other Charlotte bloggers and he is amazing. This was my third time seeing him and I’ve loved all of my hair cuts. He definitely knows how to “style” long hair.

Dinner tonight was inspired by a recipe that appeared in my Google Reader this week from a food blog that I have followed for a long time, The Way the Cookie Crumbles.

Green Lentils with Roasted Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese. It sounded like the perfect combination of everything I love…goat cheese, lentils, butternut squash and greens. Bridget serves hers with kale but I had spinach on hand. I thought it was cool that the recipe calls for roasting the butternut squash seed with the squash. I had never done that before but it makes total sense. It added a nice texture contrast to the salad.

It’s only 9 but I need to start winding down for the night. I registered to practice ashtanga with David Keil who is visiting YogaFlex from Miami at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The studio is a decent drive from my house so tomorrow will be a very early morning! I am so excited about the practice though! More details tomorrow.

This is post number 550 on PBR! I somehow managed to blow right past 500 so I felt like I had to acknowledge 550. It feels like a huge milestone. I can’t believe that I’m approaching my second blog anniversary in April. I just love the direction that the blog has taken and I’m so excited about future potential!

This has been a really busy week but it’s flown by. Thursdays are usually pretty quiet for me but today was an exception. I started it with a massage (who can complain about that!?) and it was the best one I’ve ever had. One of my personal training clients recommended her massage therapist to me but warned me that it would be more bodywork-style rather than relaxing. Exactly what I’ve been looking for. I tend to manifest stress physically and recently I’ve had a lot of neck, back and hip pain. My massage today was incredible! The therapist focused on neuromuscular therapy and although there were many moments that required yoga breathing and flailing of limbs, I feel so much better now. I am surprisingly sore and she warned me that I may even bruise. Intense.

I had to rush uptown to teach yoga after my massage. My therapist gave me a bit of a lecture that next time I get a massage, I need to relax and rest afterwards rather than have a jam-packed day. Lounging on the couch and taking a hot shower certainly sounded like an appealing way to spend the day but wasn’t realistic. I grabbed a cup of carrot ginger soup (my favorite!) and half of a hummus sandwich from Energy Cafe after teaching.

The rest of my afternoon was spent teaching a yoga private and BodyPump and in an appointment. I finally arrived home at 8 p.m. and was so ready for dinner.

I have been craving veggie curry so I made green coconut curry with eggplant, tofu and stir fry veggies.

I love this dinner so much. I served it over brown rice with a healthy dose of soy sauce and Sriracha. Can’t wait for leftovers!

Again, thank you so much for the entries in the Ghandi Giveaway and let me state again how much I had enjoyed reading all of the responses. I mean it when I say that this will be my “go to” on bad days to remind me that life is good and happiness abounds!

THE WINNER! I wish I could bake for every single one of you.

Comment #26, Laura! Congratulations on crushing your first half!!!

This cute furry thing is demanding my attention. Hope everyone has a great Friday! Mine is actually going to be pretty chill. I only have to teach one class and then I’m going to devote the rest of the day to practicing, getting a hair cut and catching up on email!

And about that hair cut…I’m a little undecided about the direction I’m going to take. Part of me wants a change. I want to stay long but I’m thinking about going back to a side-swept bang. But it’s such a pain to pin back for yoga. Decisions, decision.

Thoughts? Tell me I’ll regret it!

]]> http://www.peanutbutterrunner.com/550/feed/ 20 http://www.peanutbutterrunner.com/all-over/ http://www.peanutbutterrunner.com/all-over/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:15:27 +0000 Jen http://www.peanutbutterrunner.com/?p=5716

Where am I? What day is it? The last 48 hours have been insane. Since you last heard from me I have taught six yoga classes (at three different locations!), taught BodyPump, trained two clients and had a couple of appointments and meetings. Craziness but I completely love it.

I didn’t get a chance to post yesterday but I must tell you that I have read every single one of your comments on the giveaway post about the GOOD/GREAT/HAPPY things in your lives and oh my god…they have filled me with inspiration, hope and love. Some of your comments even brought tears to my eyes. I highly recommend bookmarking this post for the next time you find yourself in a funk or having a bad day. I guarantee your spirits will be lifted after reading through the comments.

The downside of being so busy is that I have neglected to take many photos. I do have two delicious breakfasts to share with you.

I had a quick break yesterday that allowed me to come home to eat and check on Sullie. I created an amazing new scrambled egg quesadilla combination for brunch – apricot preserves, brie, spinach and  a scrambled egg. Browned in a skillet with butter. So good. I could eat this every day.

The rest of my meals yesterday were consumed on the go. A Cliff Bar after getting some cardio and a shower in after teaching at Charlotte Athletic Club and then a veggie burger, salad and some fries at Lebowski’s (<– best bar food in Charlotte!) after teaching BodyPump.

Breakfast this morning was plain Greek yogurt with bananas, strawberries, granola, dried cranberries and Justin’s Maple Almond Butter.

Are there any breakfasts you’ve been loving lately? 

Lunch today was unpictured but I had a tuna melt with cheddar cheese on sourdough and then some coffee and bites of a giant, still warm cinnamon roll at Sunflour Bakery. My new favorite spot in Charlotte.

Okay, go time. I have an appointment at 4 and then I’m teaching again at 7:15. I am planning on squeezing in my own practice between the two and taking a hot class at Charlotte Yoga. I haven’t practiced since Friday and my body needs it. I’m getting a massage tomorrow…which will be oh so painful but it’s so necessary. I feel like one giant knot of tightness right now and can’t wait to have someone dig into it!

Remember, you have until midnight today (Wednesday) to enter the Ghandi Inspired Giveaway!

Have a wonderful day!

Because it’s Monday…

Because I had to drive four hours in fog and rain…

Because I am feeling inspired by “Ghandi’s Top 10 Fundamentals for Changing the World”…

It’s giveaway time! Keep reading…details are coming.

I slept until about 8 this morning and then came downstairs for breakfast and coffee with my grandmother. I don’t even know how to express in words how it feels to sit at my grandmother’s kitchen table. It is one of my very favorite places in the world to be. Breakfast was a maple oatmeal scone, grapefruit and black coffee.

We spent the morning just chatting and enjoying our last few hours together. I saw a feature on pimento cheese as I was flipping through Southern Living and felt inspired to whip some up for lunch. I combined shredded sharp cheddar, cream cheese, pimentos, mayo, toasted pecans, salt and pepper in a bowl and used a hand mixer to get it to the right consistency. Served with crackers and strawberries and bananas on the side.

I said a tearful goodbye just before 1 p.m. and got on the road for Charlotte. I am such a baby when it comes to saying goodbye to my grandmother and my mom. This has been going on since I was young. My grandmother used to tease that she wasn’t going to let me come visit because I would boo hoo so badly when I left…and I was only going an hour away! Yes, I am a mess and I always have been.

When I got back to Charlotte I quickly unpacked and headed over to the studio to teach a hot class. Monday nights are my favorite and class was great. I was itching to move my own body after four rainy and foggy hours in the car so I stopped by the Y on the way home and did 25 minutes on the elliptical while reading Allure and then some quick abs.

Dinner tonight was a salad with spinach, black beans, carrots, strawberries, dried cranberries, golden raisins, pecans and goat cheese. I made a dressing of lemon juice, TJs hot honey mustard and Greek yogurt. A few blue corn chips on the side.

And now…the giveaway!

I posted “Ghandi’s Top 10 Fundamentals for Changing the World” on the Peanut Butter Runner Facebook page this morning. I thought it was a perfect way to start the week. I also shared this with my yoga class this evening and even wrote this out on a big piece of paper and posted it on the mirror for them to read as they moved through their practice.

I want to give back something happy to my readers so here is a fun giveaway for you!

Dizzy Pig Shakin’ the Tree – If you’ve been reading for a while, you know I use this rub all the time on everything from meat to fish to veggies.

Justin’s Maple Almond Butter – This is my all-time favorite nut butter. I just restocked on it Friday and it reminded me how much I love it! So delicious!

A coupon for a free Dahlicious Lassi probiotic yogurt drink – I just received this product to sample. Can’t wait to try it since I am trying to incorporate more probiotics into my diet to aid with digestion.

And finally…

The baked good of your choice! Peanut butter chocolate chip bars, cranberry white chocolate orange biscotti, chocolate biscotti, salted dark chocolate brownies, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies…you name it, I’ll bake it!

To enter leave a comment telling me one GOOD/GREAT/HAPPY thing in your life right now! U.S. residents only. Giveaway open until Wednesday, January 25 at midnight. I will select a winner at random.

Here’s what Sunday at my grandmother’s house looks like…

Sleep until 9 a.m. Stumble (literally) out of bed and downstairs to make coffee and maple oatmeal scones for breakfast. Thanks to my sleep-induced stupor and an incorrect recipe, scones turn out a huge failure. (Look how flat the first batch was on plate above!)

Perfectionism kicks in and I remake the scones because I am determined to show my grandmother that they’re one of the best things I’ve ever baked. Stay in my pajamas until after noon baking but second batch turns out a success! Help my grandmother get her Facebook account in order. Love it. 

Decide that I need to stop ingesting scone batter, get off the computer and out of the house. Put on my running clothes with the intention to run outside. Take a step outside and wuss out on an outdoor run because it’s cold and damp and I don’t want to be cold. Go to gym and do 25 minutes on the arc trainer and 20 minutes on the treadmill and then get a pedicure from a large scary man who ends up doing a pretty great job. My toes are black. Can’t stay away from the darks lately.

Plan on staying for a manicure but so hungry I bolt after the pedicure to come home and eat lunch. Leftover soup and a piece of toast.

Say hello to my dad and Sam who are visiting from Atlanta.

Grocery trip with my dad to pick up dinner supplies. Drink a double espresso because despite nearly nine hours of sleep, I feel exhausted. One of my favorite things to do is grocery shop with my dad.

Request my dad grill steak for dinner. (I haven’t eaten red meat since Christmas day and I was craving it today. I don’t question these things…I figure my body knows what it needs and listen. It just happened to come at a perfect time since my dad is the best griller of steak ever.) Dinner is ribeye seasoned with Dizzy Pig’s Raising the Steaks, roasted parsnips and carrots seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper, spinach salad with strawberries, pecans and dried cranberries and leftover cheesy garlic spinach rice from last night’s dinner.

Warm, crusty sourdough bread.

Dogs help with dinner clean up. They say steak night is the best night.

Announce I need a halftime break before digging into this peach ginger pie that my dad baked and brought with him. Watch TV with my grandmother and paint my own nails light blue to balance out the black toes since I skipped out on my manicure earlier.

Mistakenly let my grandmother and dad serve my pie and ice cream and end up with what I am pretty sure is a quarter of the pie. Despite my protests, I finish every bite. So weak when faced with delicious dessert.

Life is pretty good here, huh? Do I have to go home tomorrow?