Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

It's after Thanksgiving which means that it's officially Christmas season!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

However, I am still upset that I will not be home for the holidays this year due to work. So to turn my frown upside down I went bargain hunting for festive things to spruce up my apartment! The end result?

'Tis the season to be jolly!

Now I'm not one for fake Christmas trees. I've always had a real one growing up. But sometimes one needs to adjust in order to make things work. I found this 6 ft Christmas tree on sale at Big Lots for $62. Ornaments were extremely inexpensive there as well. I set up this entire tree and decorations for $83! Wooh! I love a good deal. Always have, always will.

So if you're looking to decorate your place on a budget, Big Lots is a great place to start!

 

Question of the Day

 

What is your favorite part about the holidays?

 

I absolutely love giving gifts. Seeing a loved one open up a gift that I carefully picked out for them brings such joy to my life. I would much rather give than receive!

 

Merry Christmas from Columbus!

 

Reality Check

Hooray! Woohoo! Hurrah! Woopie!

After the Color Run!

I am excited. Can you tell? Do you want to know what I'm excited about? I have finally gotten back into the swing of things with working out. Not only am I excited, I'm also relieved. When I first started working for Nabisco it was a huge transition from being a college student to a full-time employee. At first I was able to run a little here and there but then my workload increased tremendously once I got the promotion to a Sales Associate. My day would consist of waking up, eating breakfast, going to work, coming home, and passing out from exhaustion since I am on my feet all day. I felt like a robot with absolutely no life.

Do you remember Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons?

My family and friends kept saying that it takes a month or two to get used to a job and I just did not want to believe them. My stubborness was definitely showing its true colors. So my fitness level decreased and so did a little spark inside of me as well. Running is a way that I can unwind and have some peace and quiet and a moment to just myself. When I was not running for about a month or two, a little piece of me went missing.

But I have found that piece again and put the puzzle back together. I have made a few adjustments with my workouts. I have always preferred running in the morning, but I realize that it's just not possible with work beginning around 6am every morning. So once I get home from work, I change into my workout gear, lace up my running shoes, and head out the door. I get that time to myself once again to clear my mind. Every Monday evening I also go to a Fitness Club that I joined and workout for an hour with a great bunch of people! It's a great way to change up fitness routines for a better overall healthy living.

I also signed up for a 5k which will take place in about a month! I'm beyond excited to have something to work towards. It was hard for me to accept that I'm now training for a 5k and a little over a year ago I finished the Columbus Full Marathon. It was a major reality check but I need to accept the fact that I just do not have the time to train for a marathon at this point in my life.

Ran my first marathon in 4:15:48

So on December 15, I plan on kicking the Doomsday Dash right in its behind!

Question of the Day

What motivates you to workout?

I love ice cream. I've probably mentioned it a few thousand times before. Yet, I know eating ice cream daily is not very friendly on the waistline. So running is my motivation to workout so then I can devour that ice cream and not feel guilty about it!

 

Crockpot Southwestern Chicken Chili

It's a bird...it's a plane...it's Super Ryder!

Ryder's ready to save the day!

I'm sorry I had to get that out of my system. He is just too cute for words and I had to share it with the world! I also have to share with the world this good mouth watering recipe. Like any other recipe I found this one while on Pinterest. I swear, this site is an unhealthy obsession.

This chili is healthy and packed with protein from the beans and chicken! It also has a slight kick to it which I absolutely love. You can easily make this completely vegetarian by subbing the chicken for other types of beans. The possibilities are endless!

Hearty. Spicy. Delicious.

Crockpot Southwestern Chicken Chili
3 frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings
1 14.5 oz can no salt added corn, undrained
1 16 oz jar salsa (I used medium)
1 14.5 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 14.5 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 green pepper, chopped
1 small white onion, chopped
1 bunch of celery, chopped
1 package reduced sodium taco seasoning
1 package ranch seasoning

The ingredients!

Directions
-Line crockpot with slow cooker liners. Mist with cooking spray.
-Place chicken in the pot followed by the celery, green pepper, and onion.
-Sprinkle the ranch and taco packets on top.
-Pour tomatoes, corn, and beans over.
-Cook on low for 5 hours.
-Shred chicken and put back in crockpot giving it a quick stir to combine.
-Cover and cook 30 minutes longer.
-Ladle chili into your favorite bowl, sprinkle with hot sauce, and enjoy!

This recipe is definitely a keeper!

This chili is almost indescribable if you ask me. It's flavor is a fantastic combination of a taco and chili. If you prefer foods without a kick, use mild salsa and nix the hot sauce at the end!

Question of the Day

Do you go shopping on Black Friday?

I've gone pretty consecutively in the past. But this year I won't be attending in the madness due to work. I also believe that you can get just as good of deals going other days and not having to risk your life getting tampled upon wait in long lines for hours!

I'd rather be munching on this than waiting in line!

                 

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Free At-Home 15 Minute Workout

Do you hear something? Off in the distance? You probably can hear my heart thudding inside my chest. You probably can hear me panting. That's exactly what I'm doing right this very moment on the 1st of November. I just finished an intense 15 minute workout right in my very own apartment!

There are days where I just do not feel like heading to the gym. There are days where it is just so windy outside that I'm sure to blow away while running in it. There are days where I am just too lazy to step outside my door. Today is one of those days.

Sleepy brother and sister!

I found this workout while reading my friend's amazingly awesome blog and was inspired. To be honest I didn't think this would be difficult whatsoever. But man oh man was I wrong. My body feels like jello right now.

This is a great cardio and strengthening routine that is sure to get your heart pumping and muscles twitching! I started really feeling it during the mountain climbers and again during the second round of pushups and tricep dips. But do I regret feeling this way whatsoever? Nope.

So if today is just one of those days, try this workout from your very own humble abode.

Question of the Day

Did you partake in any Halloween festivities?

I went to Toledo for the Halloween weekend and spent time with my cousins. We dressed up both Friday and Saturday and it was an absolute blast! I was a fairy on Friday and Indiana Jones on Saturday!

Fairy
 

 Group shot
 

Family ♥
 

 Indiana Jones!

Ryder was a pumpkin :) 

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