Summer Weather and Beaufort Weekend!

So as I promised myself, I have been going to the gym and getting back into a routine of working out! I went to bodypump again on Friday and ran 6 miles on Saturday along with a nice long walk with Laura in the late afternoon and again this morning.  It feels like summer and I am loving every moment of the warm weather :)

This weekend I went to Beaufort to visit Laura and her family.  It is so nice to take a break from crazy Charleston life and go down for some family time.  Even though it isn't my family, I still feel at home and definitely love the relaxing, low-key feel.  Laura and I went on a couple awesome walks with the dogs.  Her neighborhood is straight out of the movie Pleasantville...it is so cute and so American (flags everywhere).  We made our life plans of living in Charleston for our twenties then settling down in Beaufort and raising our families (next door to each other obviously)...we can dream can't we?! But it is a beautiful place and I love visiting.

For dinner we went to a Thai restaurant in town.  I haven't had much experience with Thai food, but whenever I have had it I loved it.  This time was no different.  Thai food is so flavorful and delicious; I think I may have stumbled upon my new food obsession! I realized that I need to be more adventurous and try new food other than sticking to what I know.  There is so much variety of food that sticking to my salads the past week maybe getting a little old! As for dessert, I had made these delicious (if I may so) peanut butter with peanut butter cup cookies.  By the time I left today they were all eaten...guess I'm not the only one that loved them :) 

Put the cookies in the fridge so the peanut butter cups didn't melt

The little cookies cooling 

Recipe was adapted by allrecipes.com:

1 3/4 c flour

1/2 t salt

1 t baking soda

1 stick of butter

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c peanut butter (I used Peterpan creamy)

1/2 c brown sugar

1 egg

1 t vanilla

2 T milk (silk)

1 big bag of mini peanut butter cups (I froze them so they wouldnt melt immediately)

Mix flour, salt, baking soda together

Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter together

Add egg, vanilla and milk beat together

Beat in the flour mixture

Put in mini muffin pan in the oven at 375 for 8 minutes

Immediately put the peanut butter cups in the warm cookie, put in the refrigerator for 5 minutes then take the cookies out to finish cooling

Enjoy :)

This morning we woke up to 80 plus degree weather!  It felt like we were on summer or spring break.  It was a wonderful way to start the day with the warm sunshine in the sky.  We laid out on her porch while we drank coffee and chatted.  There are so many pretty birds and lizards around (I'm not a nature girl by any means, but can appreciate the simpler things in life every once and a while)! Coffee was followed by an incredible brunch of chicken and steak kabobs and roasted potatoes.  It was definitely a much needed short break and has left me energized for this next week before spring break.  

Lizard on the porch

Our sunbathing set up

Gorgeous cardinal (hiding a little)

After my short little break from real life...back to hitting the books.  Only 5 days until Spring Break woo woo!! 

Back to the gym

When I started this blog I wanted to talk about my marathon training and cooking with a side of my social life.  However, I realized that I have started talking a lot about my daily life and really haven't blogged at all about my workout and cooking schedule.  Well enough is enough, so getting back to why I originally started blogging :)

I have to admit that I have been slacking hardcore when it comes to my diet and workout routine.  I made a promise to myself this week that I was going to get back into the swing of things and get back into working out and regularly running...bathing suit season is right around the corner ah! Yesterday, I went to the gym for the first time in 2 weeks! I was not feeling motivated to go to the gym when it was so gorgeous last week...but to really admit I just seemed to have an excuse every time I was planning to go the past few weeks!  It felt so good to be back and painful now...

I took a bodypump class last night.  I went to the gym early and did 15 minutes on the elliptical then it was time to line up (at my gym ladies start lining up 30 minutes early for classes...I refuse to line up with more than 10 minutes until the class starts because I feel so unproductive watching everyone workout while Im standing in line).  In class, I was next to a 60 year old lady who literally had 3 times the amount of weight than I did! I was a little intimidated, but hey thats awesome for her hopefully when I'm 60 I can actually use that much weight (probably not but a girl can dream)! I'm super excited to get back into doing bodypump, I'm planning on going 2 to 3 days a week :)

I stopped by Walmart on my way home to pick up headphones, because my old pair blew out and listening to music in one ear was getting pretty annoying :) Of course I had to dig into the 5 dollar DVD bin.  In college, my friends and I would always dig through the DVD bin and get the most ridiculous movies.  It is definitely a guilty pleasure.  I wasn't planning on purchasing one, but then one caught my eye and I just had to get it!

Ghost of Girlfriends Past!

I enjoyed my chick flick with a wonderful protein filled salad and a ton of blackberries! Love the large quantity of berries...plus you have to eat them quickly so they don't go bad :)

Blackberries :)

Southwestern Salad

Off for a quick 6 mile run before class! Happy Thursday everyone, only one more day until the weekend :)

Fabulous Ending and Beginning of a Week!

On Sunday, my roommates and a couple friends went to the Charleston Stingrays Minor League Hockey game! It was so much fun :) We had bought half price tickets on LivingSocial a month or two ago and decided to go on Sunday.  I've been to one professional Hockey game when I was like 10, so this was (basically) a new experience for me.  Surprisingly, they have quite the fan following.  People were sporting players jerseys and cheering for the team.  Hockey is probably the most testosterone filled sport, there was a fight where two guys were literally punching each other and all they got was a 2 minute time out!! I thought they would've gotten thrown out of the game and even maybe suspended...but nope just a 2 minute break (I was informed that this was hockey so basically anything goes)! 

Breaking up a Fight

Roomies at the game

Recession hits...so strange halftime show (kids picking up pucks)

Charleston Stingrays

After the game, Christina, Ali and I went to Yo Burrito.  If you live in the Charleston area, you must try Yo Burrito it is amazing.  Plus on Sunday nights between 7 and 9 everything (but chips and soda) are half price.  We got there early so decided to order chips and at 6:45 I hopped in line because a long line was starting to form. I had a huge spicy chicken salad and a ton of chips.  It was the perfect ending of a wonderful, warm weekend :)

As for the start of my week, food has been the star! I went to Costco, after class yesterday and boy did I get more than I bargained for.  There are so many great deals when you buy in bulk.  I tend to get obsessed with certain foods at points in time so Costco is a perfect place for me :) My past obsession was oatmeal and cereal with dried fruit, prior was peanut butter and pretzels and now its hummus and avocados with carrots and salads! Gotta love a little obsession.

Monday Night Dinner: hummus, mushrooms, avocado and turkey

Tuesday Lunch: Spicy seasoned chicken with hummus, mushrooms, avocado :)

New love: Sweet Potato :)

And now to brag a little to my family that woke up to 3 inches of snow...I woke up to 75 degree weather :)

Yes, thats a skirt and sandals in February :) 

Another Beach Day :)

I am in absolute LOVE with mother-nature and the weather this weekend.  It was another perfect day yesterday, with weather in the upper 70s.  My day started off with a rough 6 mile run with Christina.  She is training for the half-marathon in Atlanta and on her schedule was a 10k run, which means we had to go 6 miles.  I was not feeling up to it but what the schedule says we do...so I pushed through and knocked it out.  It's really nice having her to run with because there is noway I would've convinced myself to finish the whole run. But the weather was too perfect to not go for a run and by mile 5, I was feeling good so all and all an okay run.

We decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and head to the beach again.  It was warmer than Friday, which made it a great beach day.  I even got a little sunburn...didn't think the UV rays would be intense in February but for this pale girl it was a little strong! Hopefully it will turn into tan, a little color is always welcome :)

Christina on our way to the beach with the top down!

When we got back, we were all excited about how warm it still was at night so decided to go to Rooftop bar.  It is the only place downtown that allows you to see the wonderful sights of downtown Charleston from a rooftop. It got a little nippy, but the band was awesome and definitely a perfect way to end a wonderful day.  Hopefully it will stay this warm for a little bit longer...not ready to pull out the winter jacket again!

Blurry view of the Bridge at Rooftop

Ali and I enjoying the warm weather

This morning started with a big breakfast of coffee, eggs, sausage and fiber cereal with craisins.  I love fiber cereal, I know it looks like bird food, but I love the texture and flavor (don't knock it til you try it). Off to do a bunch of school work before the Stingrays Hockey game tonight :)

Two fried eggs with sausage and salsa

Looks can be deceiving...tastier than it appears!

75 Degree Weather? Yes please!

Good morning! So I realized that I have a trend of blogging on Tuesday and then again during the weekend...sorry about not updating so frequently I'm getting in the swing of things again so time management is a little splotty :( But this week has been super packed with school, running, court, interview, cooking, concert and the beach!

This week I have discovered the best sandwich/salad combo, experienced Kid Rock (yes, lets go back to 1998) and got a huge dose of spring fever! Starting off with the most amazing combination of food I have ever had...spinach and artichoke hummus, avocado, turkey (or chicken), lettuce, onion and bread!  It sounds simple but I promise you it is the most flavorful combo ever.  This week, I lived off of the combination of these ingredients (side note: the spinach, artichoke hummus is a new hummus flavor and tastes just like spinach artichoke dip but healthier)! Try it you will not regret it, I promise :)

Amazing Combo on Onion Bagel

Amazing combo with shredded chicken

Combo with turkey...you get the picture (I'm obsessed)

As for the flashback to late 90's music...I admittedly went to the Kid Rock concert.  Shane, who I met this summer running the bridge, asked me if I wanted to go to the concert and at first I was hesitant because I've never been the biggest Kid Rock fan but he burnt me a cd and I realized that Kid Rock has some really good music.  The concert was definitely an experience. I have never seen such an eclectic, diverse group of people under one roof in my life!  People from 10 to 70 years old were there.  There were people wearing cowboy hats, people with fur jackets, people with polos and button downs and a good percent with NASCAR, American flag shirts! I was surprised how many different people were there; definitely hard to classify Kid Rock fans.  Overall, the concert was a blast and I have a new respect for Kid Rock.  

Shane and Me 

Jamey Johnson

Kid Rock 

Crazy dressed guy...told you

End of the concert 

As most people on the East coast know, the weather this weekend is incredible and causing spring fever everywhere.  Christina and I went to the beach yesterday for a couple hours.  It felt amazing outside, a little chillier at the beach with the wind, but it was the perfect day.  We enjoyed subs while reading our books at the beach.  We were bundled up in sweatshirts and towels over our legs; while everyone else around us were in their bathing suits soaking up the sun.  I don't know how they did it, but more power to them...I'd rather stay warm though :)  After the beach I went on a wonderful 9 mile run in the warm sunshine (and yes now I have a sports bra tan)!

Christina with all her stuff

Me with my sweet backpack chair

5 dollar footlong on the beach=bliss

love the beach :)

Off to enjoy another gorgeous day.  Hope you have a wonderful start of your weekend :)

Chocolate+Sunny Run=Perfect Valentine's Day!

So I am happy to report that I didn't pee in my pants, projectile vomit or cry when giving my oral argument! I was definitely nervous, but surprisingly it went pretty smoothly. I just need to learn how to keep my legs from uncontrollably shaking...thank goodness for po-tee-ums (dont know how to spell)! I was definitely excited for it to be over and so glad that I only have to go through this once more :)

Oral argument clothes...

Quickly became running clothes!! 

As for the rest of Valentine's day it was an awesome day! I usually am not the biggest fan of Valentine's day aka singles awareness day or just another day to spend money at Hallmark, but this Valentine's day was an exceptionally great day! After my presentation, I went on an awesome 5 mile run and saw so many cute couples holding hands (might I add it was in the 70's).  I think it is so sweet seeing older couples who still have that glow and look so much in love even at such an old age :)

As I was finishing my run, a guy ran up next to me and handed me a flower that said be my valentine? with his name and number...at first I was really confused and then pretty creeped out, but then came to the conclusion it was sweet.  Though I would never call him, I think it's a cute idea and definitely put a smile on my face...so thank you random flower giver guy!

Pretty flower...creepy or sweet?

After chatting on the phone with a few of my best friends and laughing about the randomness of our lives; I dove into watching the Bachelor with Christina and Ali and devoured some delicious chocolate! I was really surprised by the Bachelor, but happy that crazy Michelle finally didn't receive a rose! I loved Valentine's Day 2011 and even though I am single, I didn't feel alone or sad for a second, rather grateful and blessed for my wonderful family and friends...love you all :) Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's day!

Love Valentines Day Chocolate :)

Happy Valentines Day :)

Sorry I have been so bad with updating my blog.  This past week was very busy and to be honest I wasn't much in the mood to blog.  I will do better, I apologize for the lull in time :(!! This weekend was a total refresher and definite uplift! I went to Greenville and Clemson to visit with my best friends and to take a break from Charleston for a little while.  I haven't been away from Charleston since I came back from Christmas break (other than day trip to Beaufort) so it was a much appreciated trip :)

Thursday night I stayed in with Ali and we rented The Kids Are Alright.  The movie won a bunch of awards, so I thought I'd give it a try.  However, I am not totally sold on the arty style of some movies and this had its moments.  It was a much different movie about a lesbian couple and their sperm donor; I was not a huge fan of the ending or to be honest the whole movie.  But if you like different, eclectic movies then give this a try! I enjoyed a wonderful salad with ripe avocado (used to whole one) and the left over chicken and dumplings.  The best part of the night was the surprise that Annie gave me earlier this week...two amazing, delicious cupcakes! It was the perfect ending and made this girl fall fast asleep with a belly full of sweet goodness!

Perfect relaxing dinner :)

Oops got into one before I took the picture!

Friday morning, I got a call from my hair salon and they informed me that my hairdresser was sick.  I was looking forward to my appointment for weeks now (she was totally booked) and excited to get a much needed haircut and color.  I decided to take their advice and go see a different hairdresser at the same salon who had just had an early morning cancellation (perfect timing).  After discussing what I should have done, we both decided that a short bob like cut with blonder highlights would be perfect.  I was a little unsure, but in the mood to have something new so went along with it.  I love that I have a new hairstyle, not sure if I like it just yet but I love having it shorter and more manageable! 

After my appointment, I headed on the road for Greenville to meet up with Sara and Emily for the night. A bunch of my other friends from college; Laura, Charlotte, and Lauren met up with us for dinner that night.  We went to this awesome mexican restaurant in downtown Greenville...where I ordered a jerk chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries (I never do that at a Mexican restaurant but for once wasn't in the Mexican mood)! I was definitely satisfied with my meal and had a blast with the girls downtown.  

Dinner in Greenville

Saturday afternoon, Sara and I decided to take advantage of the Spring-like weather and take a long walk and shopping trip downtown.  We walked all over the city, which is so pretty and really clean.  I would love to live there someday, but I'll take visiting for right now.  We went to the Ale House for lunch where we met up with Sara's sister and a bunch of friends before heading on our way to Clemson for the night (with a stop at a boutique to buy my Valentine's day gift for myself, a cute purple dress I wore that night)!

On the swinging bridge being tourists

Enjoying our gorgeous afternoon!

Clemson was a blast, as usual.  We went to one of our favorite Clemson restaurants, El Jimador (means an avocado farmer in Spanish) with a huge group of friends.  I love being back in Clemson, it always make me miss the golden days of being in college.  We all had a blast and every time I am with my best friends I am reminded how truly blessed I am to have such wonderful friends.  We never have a bad time when we are all together, which this weekend definitely highlighted :)

I get by with a little help from my friends :)

Dance Party with ourselves!

Laura playing the piano 

Where in the world is Waldo Sara?

Sunday morning, I woke up and decided to head on the road instead of going to breakfast and coffee with Charlotte and Sara.  In hindsight, it was a great decision to not go (everything happens for a reason).  I was really hesitant because I really wanted to spend more time with them, but decided I really needed to get back to do school work.  As I was almost on 85 headed back to Charleston, I got a flat tire!  Which I would like to add I have never had a flat tire, so I pretty much freaked out.  I called AAA (which was the 2nd time in 2 months...my battery died last month) and waited for them to arrive.  A really nice guy stopped and tried to help me while I waited for AAA.  Sara even came and brought me coffee and waited with me until the AAA guy had finished and I was safe to go (told you I have the best friends)! 

I made it back safe with thanks to my spare tire, just in time to prepare for my first oral argument...ek!! I'll leave you with an awful picture of me with the snicker-doodles that I made for my wonderful hostesses :)

A little bit of weekend and a lot of Monday

Happy Monday!!

A recap of the short weekend...Mom and I went on a crazy shopping spree on Friday! Mom picked me up from class on Friday afternoon and we started our shopping adventure on King Street at Butterfly which is an awesome consignment store that sells designer clothes for much less (some previously worn clothes but a lot of the clothes have the original tags on too)! I got 2 new pairs of much needed jeans...my favorite pair just got a hole in the middle and mom kept making fun of them saying that my booty was about to come out of the back because they were so worn!!

Next stop was the outlets! I love outlet shopping, you get such great deals that it makes me wonder why I ever pay full price.  We stopped at La Hacienda for some lunch before doing the shopping damage :) I got the chicken fajitas and quickly devoured my entire plate! We absolutely love mexican food.  My mom is originally from California, so she grew up eating amazing mexican food which then made me grow up eating mexican food (no complaints here)!

My lunch plater! 

Mom enjoying her tacos!

We had an awesome shopping adventure. I got a bunch of new clothes...unfortunately most of them are future work clothes.  I got my first pant and skirt suit, which makes me feel ohh so grown up :) It's going to be an interesting change from it being okay to wear workout clothes everyday to actually having to wear work clothes everyday....but luckily I have a couple years before that! For dinner, we got late reservations at SNOB which is the one restaurant that I have been dying to try and it did not disappoint! We had an amazing time together, it's definitely a treat and I absolutely love to spend time with my mom.

The damage :)

After mom left, I spent the rest of the weekend working on my first big paper of the semester.  I don't really know what I'm doing, but I hope what I did was good enough :/...thats law school for you though you just never know!

Today started off amazingly, my classes start later which allowed me to get a quick 3 mile run in before class this morning.  It felt awesome, I really enjoy running in the morning. Everyone is so friendly in the morning and says "good morning" to each other which I think is so nice! I came back from class and running errands and was completely famished so I whipped up a big chicken and mixed vegetable salad...which I pared with two big bowls of honey nut cheerios (obviously my taste buds are a little wack)! But it was the perfect lunch for this rainy day.

Lunch Salad

Times 2 (or 3)

It is Monday night and I decided that I would take a turn and make the dinner for watching the Bachelor tonight.  Since it is a rainy day and a little chilly out, I decided that homemade chicken and dumplings was the perfect meal! I made this recipe over Christmas and I feel in love with it.  It takes a while to make, but if you have the time and patience it is well worth it! I hope the girls like it as much as I do :)

Chicken and Dumplings Simmering

Off to finish some work before the Bachelor :)