{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5, Products I love! by sneaksandstilettos

The week flew by with these fun things happening…

{#1-Carving pumpkins for date night}

Elf sat like this all on his own! Best cat ever!

{#2-Roasting Pumpkin Seeds}

I had never had roasted pumpkin seeds before this week so we made two kinds both with coconut oil-salted garlic and cinnamon.

{#3-Trying out my new fuel belt}

It did some moving, but that was more from my outfit than anything. I love how flat it sits on my hips and how roomy the pocket it. They thought of some great storage ideas here.

{#4-Tips for Running in a Costume}

I like this costume! (news.cincinnati.com)

I’m so jealous of anybody that gets to do a Halloween race. I’ve always wanted to, but it just won’t work this year with cross country.

{#5-and the big news!}

My husband, with no prompting, begging, or mentioning it from me, is running a marathon with me this spring. I’m still shocked. I honestly did not expect this day to come, yet in a way I did. Lets hope our training together goes well.

Happy Weekend!

18Oct2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

TGIF!

{#1-The Great Gatsby}

Ryan and I watched this movie a couple of weekends ago. I had never read the book before and LOVED the movie so much I watched it again the next day while grading papers. Just as good as the movie is the soundtrack. I’ve had some of the songs on my running playlist for the past two weeks. Definitely check both out. I just got the book in the mail and am hoping to get some reading in this weekend.

{#2-Autumn Beer}

I’m a big fan of seasonal beer. I love Blue Moon’s Harvest Pumpkin Ale, but had never tried the Caramel Apple Spiced Ale until Monday. The fresh apple juice with cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel malts is fall all the way!

{#3-Honky Tonk Half Marathon}

Sunday I’ll be heading to the Honky Tonk Half Marathon. I know a few of you are racing this weekend. Will anyone else be racing there or elsewhere this weekend?

{#4-Hitting the Trails}

After racing this weekend, I hope to continue my goal of hiking somewhere new each weekend this fall. So far, I’m 4 for 5 of hiking in new places each weekend.

{#5-October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month}

Now that it is getting colder outside in the mid-west, I am back to wearing hats often. All of my favorite hats are from Under Armour. One of them happens to be hot pink and has a breast cancer ribbon on it because part of the purchase price goes to breast cancer research and charity organizations. Under Armour has some very cute ways to support the cause. There are also many local races to support the tas’!

Happy Weekend!

11Oct2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

This week was one of those weird weeks where it feels like I can’t believe today is Friday and TGIF.
{#1-I heart pumpkin anything…especially pumpkin dip}

I ate mine with apples and it was the perfect fall snack! Warning: this recipe makes a lot. I’d recommend cutting it in half if you don’t want a huge bowl!

{#2-Wine & Memories}

Ryan and I cracked a bottle of wine last weekend and added our cork to our vase with corks inside. Per a Pinterest idea I found a while back, we’ve started dating and writing what we were doing when drinking the wine on the cork. It is a fun way to look back at all the little celebrations we’ve had. The wine was purchased while in Texas Hill Country while on vacation this past summer. Another tradition we’ve started is buying local wines while visiting places and saving them for future dates to reminisce and enjoy the places we visited.

{#3-Getting back in the groove…the running groove}

They say it takes 21 days to make a habit and I’d agree most of the time. Lately I’ve only been running with the cross country kids and not so much on my own. While it saves time, I don’t get that I’m a runner and I loved that run feeling, so this week I started my mission of getting in some quality runs solo after practice. I managed a blissful, geeked out smile 8 miler and a recovery 4 miler in addition to practice runs. This week was about falling in love with running all over again runs. More on those later!

{#4-Chicken Quinoa Chili}

This was one of my freezer meals I wrote about in August and let’s just say…AMAZING!

{#5-Fall Runs}

I’ve made it a goal to really enjoy fall outdoors (and not just by running) since it is my favorite way to experience the season. What are your fall goals?

Oh, and it’s not too late to sign up for the Glow in the Deke 5k this Saturday. It is a great family event and you can read more about it here.
Happy Weekend! 😉

4Oct2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

This was perhaps the craziest week of the school year so far! Cross country meets, parent-teacher conferences, VB and FB concessions, observations, oh, my! But…I still found time to get in some great miles with the cross country kids. I swear I like these kids more and more everyday. They are a good group to coach.

{#1-I LOVE fall}

Ryan and I spent some time together enjoying the gorgeous fall weather last Sunday. We walked, talked about next summer’s road trip, got pumpkins, apples, and mums, and simply enjoyed the wonderful sunshine.

{#2-Great hill workout with CC kids}

We hit the hills outside of town for runs of 5.5 to 7 miles Tuesday.

{#3-Cross Country in La Crosse}

The CC team traveled to La Crosse for a meet…AND IT WAS CANCELLED. This is the first time in the history of, well, cross country that a meet was cancelled. CRAZY! After the rain stopped I snapped a photo of fall in the bluffs; I just can’t get enough!

{#4-Case of Wanderlust}

So, this next statement I’m going to make is truly a testament to how lucky I am, but… For the first time in 2.5 years I don’t have a plane ticket booked to somewhere. AND it is driving me crazy. I’ve got a major case of wanderlust going on. See one of the things I’ve learned about myself in the last five years is I love to travel, explore new places, and have a trip to look forward to even if it is only a weekend long. There is no feeling like the moment the wheels lift off the ground and you know you are headed somewhere unexplored. There is only one cure for wanderlust…travel!

{#5-Temporary Cure for Wanderlust}

Check out the world’s 15 toughest marathons. More than one of these is on my run bucket list.

Happy Weekend! Enjoy fall and get out and explore!

27Sep2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

So this week I didn’t really take many photos…I know shocking. I did however read some great content on different blogs that really influenced how I thought about my life and what is going on right now. I knew starting a new job would come with its pros and cons. I am a creature of habit, and like adventures that I start, but…it doesn’t mean it always feels easy. Not knowing all the ins and outs, and wanting to live up to a reputation/start a new positive reputation all make new jobs stressful.

To say I was stressing out this week is an understatement. I let my worries, fears, and irrational thinking get the best of me. I was feeling pretty down mid-week. Spending time with high school cross country runners helped distract me and take my mind off my worries, but the thing about worries and fears is they are always lurking in the shadows, waiting for that moment to interrupt your happy thoughts. Normally my husband is really good at calming me down and letting me know how crazy my thinking becomes. With both of us coaching we have spent only a couple of hours together since school started, so I guess you could say the crazy got a little crazy. Until I read these posts below.

I honestly felt a change in my thinking and approach to my current life situation. If you have ten minutes anytime soon, then you should read these articles. It helped me to embrace the change, feel comfortable being me, and feel safe in the decision that I made. It made me think about if what I was stressing and worrying about were really that significant or important. And as usual, they really were not the important things in life. Every now and then we need to put the camera down for a little reminder like the two below. I’m all for writing my own stuff,but sometimes other people just say it better than I could!

How to Get Flat Abs, Have Amazing Sex and Rule the World and In 8 Step reigns in the crazy things we tell ourselves that are not true http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-bartolotta/happiness-tips_b_3956114.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false (Note-This article really isn’t about any of those three things)

and…because of my first summer, which gives the analogy of changing seasons compared to seasons in your life http://todaywasmeaningful.wordpress.com/ (Note-not really about literal summer.) This of course also made me think about Rent-Seasons of Love and how we have 525,600 minutes in a year.

So I’m taking their advice:
Look at the stars. Break the mold. Live the life you were meant to. Embrace the changing of the seasons of your life. Enjoy the season of fall…both the literal and the figurative. How will you choose to spend your 525,600 minutes. What attitude will you have during those minutes? WE get to choose how to measure them!

Happy Friday!

20Sep2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5, Travel by sneaksandstilettos

This week photos are all from my lovely trip to Utah to complete state number 13!

{#1-Hiking Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City}

{#2-Views of Salt Lake City from the top of Ensign Peak}

{#3-and views of the Wasatch Mountains from the top of Ensign Peak}

{#4-Trying new beer in downtown Salt Lake City-Red Rock Brewery}

{#5-Enjoying PSL for the first time this fall while hiking Sunday around Silver Lake/Twin Lakes}

Happy Friday!

13Sep2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

So you’re not getting 5 things today; you get one!

After school I’m off to Utah. I’m scared as all get out for this downhill race I did not prepare for. My longest run was 13.2 miles. I’m so screwed I say with a scary laugh! Pain cave here I come! I will run, enjoy the scenery, be thankful, take pictures, remind myself why I love this sport, and simply do what I can with what I’ve got! Here’s to doing things that scare you and adjusting to whatever life throws your way!

Happy Weekend!

{Friday Fab 5}

Labor Day weekend was spent as it should be with great people,
{#1-Great fun!}

My first time on a tractor!

{#2-Great food!}

Taste of Madison is a MUST if you live anywhere near Madison. Above we’re my favorites from the day!

{#3-Cross Country}

This is where I’ve been for over 15 hours this week. I’m loving coaching high school, but am glad we don’t have a Saturday meet because I’m tired!
{#4-Football Season is here}

Go Badgers and Packers! And my fantasy football team. I’m excited to see how my team plays this weekend.
{#5-Madison}

Being in Madison last weekend reminded me of all the great trails we have in our beautiful state. I can’t wait to keep exploring!

Happy Weekend!

30Aug2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Pool Party}

This past weekend we held our annual pool party. I love hosting parties with a theme and like beer, too. This beer tasting theme was a duh for us. We had snacks like beer bread and beer dip, pub mix, and wings (Honey BBQ and Buffalo) for starters. Later we had potato skins while I was making personal pizza crusts for people. Once the crusts were done friends added their choice of sauce and toppings before putting them on the grill. Dessert was Blue Moon Cupcakes (these were my favorite!) and VooDoo (Guiness) Cupcakes. I used another stout beer, VooDoo, in place of Guiness. I’ve linked the recipes I used in case anyone is interested. We had a great time!

{#2-Ran my longest run yet!}

It was a slow 7 miles, but it’s good to be going again.

{#3-Honky Tonk Half Marathon}

This half marathon in Wisconsin Dells has been officially added to my fall racing calendar in an effort to race local this year!

{#4-Back to School}

This has been consuming all of my time this week. Eeek!

{#5-Juicer!}

Our anniversary gift arrived this week. I’m hoping we will be able to get it out and juicing this weekend! I have so many combinations I want to try!

Anyone have any great juicing recipes?

Happy Weekend!

23Aug2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Tastefully Simple Sangria Slush}

It’s simple. Find your nearest Tastefully Simple rep. Tell them you want the Sangria Slush. Buy it. This stuff is amazing; I brought it to a family thing last weekend and the ladies loved it. Now for the bad news. It might be a summer item only. Good thing I bought multiples!

{#2-Back to School Crazy Cooking Lady}

That was me on Monday and Tuesday. I washed produce the right way before cutting it and putting produce in separate containers. It took me three hours, but it was so worth it to have everything ready to go because….

{#3-Crockpot and Oven Meals}

….then for the next 5 hours I made meals that were put in the freezer to later be made in the oven or crockpot for easy eating when the craziness of the school year is officially underway. I made 15 meals in total that simply need to be put in a pan in the oven or in the crockpot. Directions are on the bag. So easy a caveman could cook them up. I made all 8 of these and then some!

{#4-Breathe…and Smile}

And when all this cutting and cooking along with back to school started to make me freak-I saw this on our deck outside the door…

{#5-and I remembered…}

Happy Weekend!