I was so tired after the shopping extravaganza last night that I forgot to include any non-margarita pictures.

 

Mother Lovett always yelled at me when I did everything cracked eggs over the bowl of dough. She told me to crack them into a smaller bowl. I learned the hard way one day when I was making chocolate chip cookies with the last of my flour and sugar. I dropped the entire egg into the mix – shell and all, ruining the entire batch.

 

I obviously didn’t learn my lesson. Apparently, I should also crack eggs in a separate bowl when making ‘egg in a hole.’

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My attempt at cracking it on the side of the skillet failed. It fell right into the pan, missing the hold completely.

 

 

My brother brought home his girlfriend this weekend, who is the coolest chick ever. Oh, she is also stunningly gorgeous.

 

What makes her even cooler?

She borrowed these 2 ripe avocados for me on Friday night from the restaurant we were at.

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Before you yell at me, let me explain. The service was not the best and we waiting 20 minutes for our drinks and water.  We almost missed the concert we were going to.

Also, if you live in western Pennsylvania, you know that a perfect, ripe avocado is hard to come buy. And if you magically find one? It is usually 152 million dollars. After shelling out the dough, you get home to discover the inside has totally rotted away.

 

These were great avocados, so I made some guacamole, and ate it all myself. I might be a bit of a hog. 

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It’s alright. I probably won’t get to have another guacamole-hog moment until June.

 

 

In great thanks to her, I made them some vanilla bean cupcakes to take back to school. I also gave them a few cookie dough truffles to try. 

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I have to say that this cupcake recipe is my favorite because it was one of the first baking recipes I came up with myself that actually worked out and tasted great. And if you recall, I did mess up a few times while trying to get it right.

 

Since it’s Monday, did you plan on ‘starting’ something today? I do not like the ‘I’ll start Monday’ excuse, but sometimes get stuck doing it myself, too. I missed my fruits and veggies yesterday, so I am making sure to get them in today.

Have you written down you goals yet? You will feel so much more positive on January 1st if you do. :) Even though we are almost halfway through December, and the easier thing to do would be put it off for 20 more days, stick to it!

If it was easy, everyone would do it. And remember – everyone will be doing in January 1st. Won’t you feel great knowing you made a lifestyle change and not a resolution that will be forgotten in 30 days?

 

25 Days of Workouts

Workout 6 – Full Body Bum-Kicker

I can’t stress enough how much I love full body workouts. They are my favorite. Many of us don’t have time for a great full body, but if you do, I really recommend trying to get one in. I have seen the biggest gain in strength and muscle mass when preforming a consistent full body routine. Remember – it is the BIG muscles that count here.

Combo 1 – 3 sets of 12 reps

Leg Press

Pushups

Side Lunges w/ tap to floor

Lat Pulldown

 

Combo 2 – 3 sets of 12 reps

Step ups

Seated Row

Alternating Lunges

Incline Dumbbell Pec Fly

 

Combo 3 – 3 sets of 12 reps

Dumbbell Squat

Overhead Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Deadlifts

Side Lateral Raise

 

When I do a workout like this, I tend to move back and forth to each exercise. I do a set of leg presses, and while my legs are resting, jump out and do some pushups, and so on. I can usually complete a workout like this withing 35-40 minutes, because I never stop moving. I may add some plank holds and triceps dips at the tail end if I’m still full of energy. Usually, I am pretty wiped out!

If you don’t belong to a gym, or can’t make it, you can always swap out squats for leg presses, etc. If you have any other questions on what exercise to swap at home, let me know. :)

 

Guilt

Do you ever feel guilty eating certain foods or eating more than you normally ‘allow’ yourself to? I have to admit, I have never felt guilty. As you know, I have always exercised and eaten mostly well, yet peppered with treats. The feeling of guilt for food is hard for me to wrap my mind around.

I am a people pleaser, and feel guilt for many other things that I probably shouldn’t. But I have never felt guilty for eating. I am so glad, and feel so blessed that I haven’t. My heart goes out to those of you who do.

I hope through reading my blog that some of you learn to not feel guilty. Especially with this holiday season – it’s a time of love and magic. There is not better time to start loving yourself (and others, of course:)).