I Guess I Do

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Monday, November 16, 2015

Don't Pack on the Extra Holiday Pounds

Un-Brides. It's holiday season - a.k.a. The Devil's way of undoing all of the hard work you've put in before your wedding. 

I used to be the queen of the yo-yo. Pack on at least 10 pounds over the holidays. Work hard from January to May to get that 10 off. Still feel self conscious in a bathing suit. Say screw it and stuff your face over the holidays. Repeat. 

Endless cycle feel familiar? 


Here are some tips for not packing on those extra holiday pounds:

1. Keep Eating!

You heard me right, but it's not what you hoped for. You should be eating every 2-3 hours to keep your metabolism going, but this does not mean eating leftover stuffing and pumpkin pie every 2-3 hours. 

Don't starve yourself all day and then splurge on a huge meal. Eat small healthy meals throughout the day so your metabolism can handle the cheat one. Always have some protein bars on hand or some trail mix so you can snack on them at the first signs of hunger.

2. Flush it Out!

You know I've harped on the importance of water since the beginning of the year. You better believe my 32 oz. water will still be present at Thanksgiving dinner! Because it is pretty inevitable to avoid bad foods over the holidays, it is even more important that you get your 100 oz. of water in a day!

Another little trick I use around the holidays is teas. Not to get into too much detail, but they really help de-sludge your system, if you know what I mean. Try any type of peppermint tea at night so you are ready to go in the morning. It's sad, but as I've gotten older I've found there is no greater joy than starting out the day with a good BM. 

3. Have a Cheat Meal, not a Cheat Day!

It may be last, but it is certainly not least. Whenever I would eat bad for breakfast, I thought that would then give me license to eat bad for the rest of the day. This day would then turn into the rest of the week. Low and behold, that cheat meal has now somehow turned into a cheat month! Surely, some type of cleanse would then be tried. 

I now allow myself 1-2 cheat meals a week. Over the holidays at home, with all of the eating out, it seems like this is closer to a cheat meal a day, but I try to balance it out. If I know I'm going out to dinner, I stick to all protein and vegetables during the day leading up to it. Then I don't feel bad about splurging. 

You should be able to enjoy the food you eat. And you'll enjoy the splurge foods even more if you aren't eating them endlessly. 

I know the holidays are hard, but just look at it as doing your best to stay strong so you are having less work to do in the new year!




Monday, November 9, 2015

Nonna's Pumpkin Cookies


Just wanted to share with you all my Nonna's recipe for her pumpkin cookies. I hadn't had them since a little girl, so it was too fun making them this year with my Mama when I was home. They are amazing and you won't be disappointed you tried this recipe. So soft and thick with just the perfect amount of sweetness!



Oh and side note: I'm still not sure what the term 'basic' really means but I know it has something to do with liking pumpkin-ish things. I am convinced this term has been conjured up by the masterminds behind the Kardashian Think Tank as a term to make others feel bad for being themselves and is yet another ploy to urge people to be just like them. 

If wearing clothing that actually covers your ass cheeks, wanting to be known for a talent or a skill rather than a sex tape, and enjoying freaking pumpkin makes you 'basic,' then I will gladly be a basic bitch 24/7, 365. 

Oh, yeah. I was writing about a recipe. Back to that: 

Nonna's Pumpkin Cookies:

1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup oleo or butter
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cloves
3 1/2 cups of sifted flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cups pumpkin 
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup raisins

Mix in order given. Spoon drop on greased pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool and ice with butter cream frosting. 






Monday, November 2, 2015

Halloween Weekend



This weekend we made a surprise trip back to see our families in Ohio. It was our nephews last football game since they are seniors in high school (which is crazy because I've known them since they were in diapers) and we hadn't been able to make it back for a game since we moved. 

Last week, Kyle randomly said over dinner, "I think I want to go to the boys' last game. You want to go?" Catch me in the right moment, I will most likely board a plane to anywhere!

Nothing says fall like a cold night watching high school football and some neighborhood trick-or-treating. Hope your Halloween weekend was 'boo'-tiful as well!