Weekend mornings are my favorite. After many years of teaching early every Saturday and Sunday morning, it’s been such a treat to have them back after making some adjustments to my schedule about a year ago.

Saturday mornings tend to be a little more productive. I love cleaning the house, hitting the farmers market and getting in a workout before teaching my 11:15 a.m. hot class, which has become my favorite of the week to teach. We offer a kid’s yoga class and child watch at the same time so it’s become quite a family affair. I have so many couples that come and practice together and bring their kids too! 🙂

Sundays are all about lounging in pjs, coffee, making brunch and hanging with the pups and the boy. It’s the only morning of the week that neither of us has to be at work early (minus the weekends we are in teacher training and both at the studio all weekend).

So as I sit here and enjoy my coffee after this delicious brunch, let’s catch up. I’ve never done a “coffee chat” kind of post but I have a few things on my mind to share.

If we were chatting over coffee this morning I would share…

That I’m frustrated. Just a week after finishing Whole30 and starting the reintroduction process, the itching on my eyelids came back…and spread. I now also have patches of eczema below my right eye and on both elbows. I kind of want to cry. Before I left for vacation I met with a naturopath and also consulted with my physician about a recommendation for an allergist. The naturopath tends to believe that my skin issues are directly related to gut health and not a specific food allergy. He thinks if we can get all things back on track with my gut flora that my skin issues will clear and I’ll be back to normal again. I am also considering skin testing with an allergist.

The naturopath’s first recommendation was for me to go back to Whole30 if my symptoms cleared while I was on it until we could get things squared away on the gut front but he and I both agreed that 1) strict Whole30 would be no fun on vacation and 2) that Whole30 is not something that I want to become “Whole-life.” We are regrouping in the next week or two.

I have kept most of this on the DL because I don’t know what to make of it and don’t really have any answers yet about what is causing my skin issues. I guess it’s good that I know that it’s not a makeup or skincare product I’m using that’s causing it and that it most likely is food related. As I learn more, I will share more. I wish I had a better update for you.

If we were chatting over coffee this morning I would share…

That I’ve set a big goal for myself that scares me a little. For a couple of years now I have said that I want to teach some yoga workshops outside of Charlotte but I have been too chicken to actually book any. I set a goal to have something booked an on the calendar by the end of the month.

I taught an arm balance workshop yesterday at Y2 that was just the boost I needed to make my goal a reality. It’s the most amazing feeling to help others see their potential and believe in their strength. My students loved the workshop and I loved teaching it. We worked on crow, side crow, mountain climber and variations of it, flying pigeon, headstand, forearm balance, handstand and flying splits.

I asked for feedback on Instagram about where you guys would like to see me and I got a lot of Philly, DC and some Atlanta, Chicago, Austin and Phoenix. While I’m not sure where I’ll end up, I am excited (and freaking scared!) to finally make this dream a reality.

If we were chatting over coffee this morning I would share…

That working with a trainer has been the best thing to happen to my workouts in a long time.

I meet with her twice a week and she has me lifting 4-5 times a week. It’s been a long time since I’ve lifted so consistently and it feels really, really good. I love our sessions for several reasons. First, it keeps me accountable. I am the queen of pushing off my own workout and ending up with only time for a quick run or no workout at all. I love having to take the time for myself. Second, she pushes me…whether it’s pushing out a few extra reps or lifting heavier than I thought I could or making me work my weaknesses. Third, it inspires me. Working with her has totally freshened up my lifting routine and I’ve gotten so many great ideas from our sessions to use in my own workouts and with my clients.

I received the sessions as a Christmas gift but I think it’s something I’ll continue to do on my own because I’m getting so much out of it.

If we were chatting over coffee this morning I would share…

That I’m sending out my first ever “official” blog survey tomorrow. I’ll be seeking your input on all things Peanut Butter Runner as well as trying to get to know you guys a little better in hopes of discovering ways that I can help you out even more with your fitness and healthy lifestyle goals.

I’m excited to hear from you so that I can continue to grow this blog in ways that serve you best! (It will be six years in April…craziness!)

Let’s wrap it up with a super quick workout recap…

Monday

1 mile treadmill warm up followed by three rounds of a circuit with walking lunges, jump lunges, dips, sit ups, push ups, squats and jump squats with a 400 meter sprint between each round.

Tuesday

REST

Wednesday

5 mile run

Thursday

Strength

– 10-1 barbell deadlifts and over the bar burpees
– 3 rounds of kettlebell walking lunges and seated cable rows
– 3 rounds of kettlebell squat clean and press, bosu twisted mountain climbers and 30 second bosu static squat holds
– 3 rounds of pull ups and plyo push ups
– leg press to exhaustion (50 reps)

Friday 

Hot yoga

Saturday

I am considering teaching that arm balance workshop a workout! Demoing all those arm balances for two hours is exhausting! I also took Sullie for a long walk. (Zoey went running with her dad.)

Sunday

Will probably be strength and a run

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I’ll see y’all tomorrow with that survey.