I missed checking in with you guys yesterday because I was busy doing the Santa thing. Between a big online shopping extravaganza earlier this week and a shopping trip yesterday, I am 95% done. I need to run out later today for a few more small stocking-type things and then tonight will be a wrap-a-thon! 🙂
Speaking of Santa, I was walking the girls yesterday when I heard a horn blasting behind me. I turned around to find a red convertible with Santa and his elf driving down the road, honking and “ho ho hoing” at everyone. I proceeded to watch them pull into a Bank of America branch just to go through the drive-thru and wish the tellers Merry Christmas. Definitely made me smile.
I may have waited until the last minute to do my shopping but did my procrastination ever pay off! They were having huge sales everywhere I went. I went a little overboard buying clothes for my nieces. Why are little girls so fun to shop for!? Old Navy had the entire store up to 75% off, Gap had up to 50% off the entire store, plus an extra 40% off with the code WINTER. J. Crew had 40% off the entire store, including sale. I got Tanner two pairs of nice shorts and a button up for $48! (Let’s hope he doesn’t decide to read today’s post!) 😉
When did the after Christmas sales start happening before Christmas!?
On the food front, here’s what this week has looked like.
Breakfast
A really lovely smoothie in an appetizing shade of pea green topped with homemade granola with the Lipton Matcha Green Tea. I really like it!
Two scrambled eggs, sourdough toast with cashew butter, honey and banana and cantaloupe. I find cantaloupe to be pretty hit or miss and this one was so good.
Another smoothie…frozen banana, frozen cherries, frozen blueberries, frozen sweet potato cubes, almond milk nog, almond butter and Premier Protein Vanilla Milkshake Whey.
Two scrambled eggs (I nailed it with these eggs and cooked them perfectly. Look how yellow and fluffy!), a paleo pumpkin banana muffin, cantaloupe and tea.
Friday morning is the only morning that I’m training clients so I always pack breakfast to eat between clients and after my own workout. Today it was sweet potatoes and cashew butter.
Lunch
Salmon salad at Namastay Kitchen.
I made my favorite carrot, butternut, ginger soup this week to eat for lunch so get ready to see a lot of it! I used the recipe I linked to but added sweet potatoes to the mixture and left out the greek yogurt since I don’t keep it on hand anymore.
Avocado toast on sourdough with soup and fruit.
Leftover barley lentil pilaf from a Purple Carrot dinner.
Soup and salad again!
Dinner
Vegetable biryani from Purple Carrot. I added some roasted red cabbage on the side.
Sushi delivered to me at my desk while I was working on the Cookie Crusher post.
Purple Carrot barley lentil pilaf with celeriac chips and mint dressing. I added some roasted brussles on the side.
Finally, druken noodles with tofu and Chinese broccoli from Purple Carrot. This was our second week of four of receiving Purple Carrot deliveries and we are enjoying hte meals so far. Purple Carrot is a plant-based meal delivery service so that’s why you don’t see any meat going on in this week’s dinners (minus the sushi) but I didn’t miss it.
Etc.
I baked bread again this week!
Round two was a success and I’m getting the hang of the process. Give me 3-4 more practice rounds and then I’ll share a big overview of the method my dad taught me here on the blog. I know so many of you are interested in learning about it.
My friend Jonathan brought us this tin of white chocolate dipped Ritz peanut butter crackers along with buckeyes. I’m hiding them from Tanner and keeping them all to myself. (Seriously…treats have been known to go “missing” around him. Haha)
The holiday spirit is in full force over here. The dog + couch situation is going to get a little less relaxed once the new year rolls around. (Famous last words)
And I’ve shared so much about the girls lately so here is a pug update. He turns 15 next month and this is what his days look like for the most part. He’s never been able to keep his tongue in his mouth and it cracks me up.
Something to make you smile! I have always been a big Grinch fan. If you want to read a little more about my favorite holiday traditions, check out this 12 Days of Christmas Survey I did back in 2014.
I’m not sure how much you’ll hear from me over the next few days so sending you guys lots of love and cheer. Thank you for being here. <3 xx
Have you finished your shopping?
Where will you be spending the holidays?
