by Jen
on December 15, 2011
So. We are 10 days out from Christmas and I have done zero shopping. I haven’t even considered a list of possible ideas. Holiday cards were a no go this year. Call me Scrooge but I’m kind of just ready to put 2011 in the books and move on to January.
Sigh. I should probably work on that whole shopping thing this weekend, huh? Please don’t tell me you already have all your shopping done. It will make me sad. Maybe I need to go the online shopping route this year. I don’t know if I can face the mall. Perhaps homemade gifts? But I’m not crafty…fail.
I did do two things that were slightly holiday-esque today. First, I made cranberry-orange sauce to use as a spread on sandwiches and to put in my oatmeal and yogurt.
I used the cranberry sauce to make turkey, cheese and spinach paninis for lunch today. I really love using a sweet spread like cranberry sauce or apricot preserves on grilled sandwiches. Grapes, crackers and cottage cheese on the side.
I had some appointments this afternoon and then hung out at Starbucks for a few minutes to caffeinate and snack before BodyPump and catch up (kinda…is catching up ever possible?) on email.
I had a Joy tea with a splash of soy milk and a package of nuts and fruit.
BodyPump was a bit of a challenge tonight although I loved teaching, as always. Not going to lie…I’m petty sore from my run yesterday but in a good way!
Brandon was out tonight so dinner was on my own. Solo dinner usually means meatless. I loved my creation tonight. Leftover pine nut couscous, sautéed spinach and baked tofu. Topped with pine nut hummus and chopped olives.
I wrapped up my evening with my second holiday activity of the day…I baked chewy ginger cookies.
I’ve actually never baked ginger cookies before but I had a huge craving for them. The recipe turned out perfectly and I’m in love with these cookies. They are the perfect texture and just the right amount of spice. I mixed white chocolate chips into half the batter and semisweet into the remainder.
What’s your favorite type of holiday/Christmas cookie?
{ }
July 22, 2026
I am such a creature of habit when it comes to breakfast. 95% of the time I’m craving a breakfast that is on the sweet side. That mostly alternates between smoothies or yogurt bowls with overnight oats, chia pudding or oatmeal occasionally thrown in there. On the rare occasion I go savory – it’s scrambled [...]
{ }
July 19, 2026
I want to bottle up this summer and make it last forever (well, maybe minus the wildly hot and humid weather that makes running a big thumbs down). I mentioned this in my last post…but I am really enjoying the slower pace and the days that feel like they have more space. While I’m trying [...]
{ }
July 10, 2026
Happy Friday! I hope this post finds you well and enjoying the summer. We are in the dog days of it over here in Charlotte – the heat and humidity is off the charts – but it’s something I’ll embrace because I deeply appreciate the massive slow down that summer has brought. A lot of [...]
{ }
June 21, 2026
I recently traveled to Big Bear Lake, California for the inaugural Big Bear Peaks + Pines three-day stage race hosted by TransRockies Running. This was my third TransRockies event in 12 months (see also Colorado + Moab) and I’m here to tell you that they can do no wrong when it comes to race organization [...]
{ }
May 30, 2026
Happy weekend! Another week in the books! I got three runs in (6.5 miles, 5.5 miles, 5.5 miles) and I have a trail run planned for tomorrow. Total weekly mileage will end up around 30-35 miles depending on if I go for 13 or 17 tomorrow! I’m 16 weeks out from the Golden Ultra so [...]
{ }
May 23, 2026
Happy Memorial Day Weekend. It’s a very rainy one here in Charlotte and while I am a little bummed not to be spending the weekend in Florida with the fam or by the pool at our swim club (just opened for the season!), I’m also welcoming a slower pace and time at home. It’s been [...]
{ }
May 3, 2026
Hi and happy May! As we roll into the first full week of a new month, I have almost a month’s worth of lunch ideas for you. It’s a great mix of sandwiches, bowls, salads and wraps. I hope you enjoy and find some inspiration for your midday meal! Open-faced chickpea salad sandwich on toasted [...]
{ }
