subscribe to receive my posts, special offers, recipes, and workouts.
≡ Menu

Happy Saturday from Florida!

10.11beach

I flew down late last night to visit with my parents for a few days. My mom recently had surgery and I want to help out with a few things. I also need to spend time seriously focusing on writing my second book without the distractions of training/teaching/my normal routine. And sleep. I need a few consecutive days of sleeping more than 5-6 hours a night!

It is the perfect time of year at the beach, not as hot, not as crowded and not as humid. This is my third year in a row coming down in October.

10.11sky

My flight didn’t leave until 9 p.m. Friday night and got delayed until 9:30 but it was actually a great night. I ate dinner at home, Ubered to the airport, grabbed a tea at Starbucks and chilled out on my laptop. Once I got on the plane I listened to music and read a book for an hour and a half. I joked with my parents that it was the most relaxing part of my whole week.

10.11cereal

We got to my parents place around 11. I ate a bowl of cereal and went straight to bed. After go, go, going all week I was ready to face plant.

10.11smoothieingredients

Nine hours later I woke up feeling more rested and hungry! I got to work on making a smoothie. Today’s ingredients included a banana, blueberries, peaches, nonfat milk, homemade plain yogurt and peanut butter. For those that ask for blender recommendations other than the Vitamix, I will always recommend the Kitchen Aid 5-Speed Mixer. The performance is really great for the price. I’ve used this blender at my parent’s house, when cooking for clients and in the ALDI test kitchen and I’ve been impressed by it every time.

10.11smoothie

My parents didn’t have any straws and my smoothie was pretty thick so I used a spoon and topped the glass with granola.

10.11cascadian

This was my first time trying the whole smoothie with granola thing and I used this Cascadian Farm Fruit and Nut Granola that my dad keeps on hand for his breakfast. I actually loved mixing up my smoothie like this and I’ll do it again.

10.11sam

I miss Sullie when I’m gone but I have this guy to keep me company. 🙂

10.11coffee

Not the worst way to work for a few days, huh?

Have you ever tried the smoothie with a spoon thing?

What was the most relaxing part of your Friday? 

{ 11 comments }

Recent Posts…

Goodbye Sweet Zoey

Goodbye Sweet Zoey

I am sitting down to write this post with teary eyes and a heavy heart. On New Year’s Eve we said goodbye to Zoey. It seems like only yesterday that I brought this fluffy nugget home. Many of you have been here with me since Zoey was a puppy. She was the sweetest little sister [...]

{ 22 comments }
Three Days in Scottsdale + Climbing Camelback Mountain

Three Days in Scottsdale + Climbing Camelback Mountain

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a month since I ran the Every Woman’s Marathon! One of the fun things about this year’s race was getting to visit Scottsdale, Arizona. It was my first time in Arizona and while it was a quick trip, I tried to maximize my time there. Here’s a [...]

{ 3 comments }
Your Last-Minute Gift Guide For Everyone

Your Last-Minute Gift Guide For Everyone

In keeping with tradition, I’m coming in hot with a last-minute gift guide. As much as I’d like to think that one day I’ll be the kind of person who has their holiday shopping done before Black Friday…it’s just not a likely scenario. And I’m okay with that! I hope this list helps you finish [...]

{ 3 comments }
Gingerbread Banana Bread

Gingerbread Banana Bread

It’s holiday baking season and I’ve got a delicious new recipe to share with you – Gingerbread Banana Bread! This loaf is a mash up of gingerbread and banana bread and I’m here to tell you that these two are a match made in heaven! GINGERBREAD BANANA BREAD  If a baked good could be “warm [...]

{ 3 comments }
Thankful in Florida

Thankful in Florida

I am settled in back at home after a very special Thanksgiving in Florida. I cherish all of our trips to Florida but this one was extra meaningful because we had a bigger holiday crew this year. My cousin’s family came down and it was just the best to have a big tableful of people [...]

{ 2 comments }
2025 Advent Calendars for Everyone

2025 Advent Calendars for Everyone

Advent calendars have become such a fun tradition for us during the holiday season. Finn really looks forward to his daily surprise and I love the huge array of calendars to choose from – for kids and adults! I let Finn pick out his advent calendar this year and I think I might treat myself [...]

{ 0 comments }
Every Woman’s Marathon Scottsdale Recap (marathon #4!!!)

Every Woman’s Marathon Scottsdale Recap (marathon #4!!!)

I am on a three-hour flight home from Scottsdale so it seems like the perfect time to relive and recap yesterday’s Every Woman’s Marathon experience. I had a great day and I’m very proud of the race that I ran. It was a practice in “fun running” and that not every race effort has to [...]

{ 4 comments }