ashleyd /

Saturday Shenanigans

 

When Friday rolled around this week, all I craved was a weekend that never ended filled with friends, lots of sleep, and some wine.

So far, this weekend has delivered quite well!

Yesterday morning, after nine hours of sleep, Bo and I enjoyed a leisurely morning cleaning and organizing the house. Having a fabulous Christmas party for 40 friends is wonderful but even a week later parts of our home were still in disarray including the pantry and linen closet, in which we found empty bottles of liquor and wine in both. I guess our friends thought that was our recycling spot!

Around 10:30 we headed out for our first long run together. The weather was sunny and cool, around 37 degrees. Our route would be perfect if it wasn’t tourist season in New York City. We were constantly dodging tourists until we hit Central Park but in a way that kept things interesting.

image Running outside reminded me that I need to get better about layering and not underestimating the cold. I only wore Lululemon crops and a long sleeve technical t-shirt yesterday which meant that I was freezing for the first five miles. I think this helped me run faster but I won’t make that mistake again. I’d rather tie something around my waist or unzip if needed than be cold.

When we walked through the door I immediately wanted something to drink even though I barely broke a sweat due to the weather. I chugged three large glasses of water before hurrying to get ready for Theodora’s cookie swap.

While getting ready I refueled with a G Series Fit Recovery drink. This was my second time trying this recovery smoothie and I really love it. The mix of protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals helps my body recover even when I’m in a hurry or on the go. The mango pineapple flavor is the only one I’ve tried. It’s a little sweet for my taste buds and I wish I could find the strawberry banana.

004 I made it to Theodora’s 2nd Annual Cookie Swap only a few minutes late, ready to catch up with friends and enjoy some sweet treats. When I walked through the door I was amazed with the presentation!

008 There were already twenty different types of delicious cookies displayed, many of which were in adorable little boxes. I guess I missed the cute container memo and instead transported mine in Chinese takeout containers and Tupperware.

014 There were even some healthier options displayed for those people who wanted to enjoy some vegetables. I made it my goal to fill up on vegetables and protein before diving into the cookies.

009 Our hostess was dressed in her best holiday attire, emulating her favorite Christmas movie, Elf!

010 011 She kept our glasses full all afternoon while Bailey kept us company.

015 007 017 It was fun to see my runner friends (Gia, Sue, me, and Theodora) dressed in something other than running apparel for a change. We weren’t even sweaty yesterday!

I also had the chance to test run my Christmas Eve outfit yesterday since we’re going to a family friends Christmas Eve cocktail party this year after church. I didn’t want to buy anything new this late in the game and deal with holiday crowds. Luckily I was able to pair to JCrew classic pieces (long sleeve t-shirt and silk brocade skirt circa 2008) with my Kate Spade necklace and new Cole Haan boots for a winning combination. It is comfortable, includes shimmers, and can work in Savannah’s mild weather.

I left Theodora’s around 5:30 to meet Bo for a spontaneous date night in Hell’s Kitchen. Our evening included wine and cheese at Casellula followed by the most amazing Broadway show, Private Lives with Kim Cattrall!

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Half way through dinner we realized we’d be done with dinner by 8pm which left us searching for movies or other options. Since we were only a few blocks away from the Theatre District I suggested walking by a few theatres to see if they had any last minute tickets available. Our first stop, Music Box Theatre, was a success! Second row mezzanine tickets for the win!

020 If you’re in New York City and have the chance to see Private Lives before it closes in January I promise you’ll love it! Kim Cattrall is amazing and the show keeps you laughing the entire time!

Now it’s time for a wonderful Sunday filled with relaxing, watching Felicity, healthy french toast, a three mile run with Theodora, and then a New Orleans themed Christmas party up in Washington Heights!

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ashleyd /

Wine, Cheese, and Cookies

After spending 5 hours selling fragrance in the Downtown Brooklyn Macy’s this afternoon, I came home exhausted and ready to enjoy the weekend.

004Even though it was only a few subway stops away from our home, it felt like a different world! There were multiple languages spoken around me at one time, lots of murals, and amazing holiday lights!

005 I even had the opportunity to enjoy lunch at Brooklyn Fare, an amazing all natural, organic food store with a delicious hot bar and sandwich shop.

003As soon as I walked through the door this evening I was craving a glass of wine, scented candle, and cozy pajamas. A glass of wine and cheese plate kept me company while I baked my first Christmas cookie of the season, Super Sized Ginger Chewies.008

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010 Mine didn’t exactly turn into giant ginger cookies but they are definitely delicious. Hopefully they pass the cookie swap test tomorrow.

I’m going to join Bo on the couch now to rest my legs before tomorrow morning’s 7 mile run and enjoy the movie Take Me Home Tonight.

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ashleyd /

Fight Fat with Fat

 

Maybe it’s just me, but even though I’m busting it during every workout, some of the lean and mean in me is feeling a little soft these days. My clothes still fit and the scale still reads the same number so I’m not that concerned. But today during my personal training session with Lauren I asked her for her number one tip she shares with clients who are interested in improving not only their physique but also their nutrition.

Her number one tip was, “fight fat with fat.”

I had to take a double take as this didn’t make sense until I realized that she wasn’t talking about the delicious butter laden Christmas cookies or fudge. Instead, she meant that in order to fat long term and “lean out” one must satiate their hunger with healthy fats, monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat.

There are many benefits of healthy fats:

  • Good fats help lower cholesterol.
  • Good fats help protect internal organs.
  • Good fats help transport and retain nutrients.
  • Good fats are a source of energy.

I took her advice and did my best to amp up today’s meals with healthy fats. I realized that my breakfast often excludes fat as does my afternoon snack, hence the reason that I’m normally craving another meal just an hour or so later.

Today’s updated meals:

This morning’s bowl of cereal featured 2% milk because the office was out of skim. A little bit of fat helped this bowl of Fiber One stick to my bones.

001 This morning’s snack was an unpictured Clementine along with a pack of delicious lightly salted almonds. I ordered a box of these from Amazon for a steal and am loving them as a office desk staple.

002 My normal spinach and beet salad was updated with walnuts in place of the normal blue cheese. Walnuts provide a healthier form of fat than cheese and also left me more satiated. I added Craisins as well which added a sweet punch, per Lauren’s suggestion.

003 Tonight’s sushi deliver dinner was upgraded with avocado. I tend to steer away from avocado due to it’s high fat content but it is very satiating. I enjoyed a brown rice tuna avocado roll along with a salmon brown rice roll. Paired with a side of Felicity it was the perfect easy Thursday night dinner!

005 Question: Do you have a fear of fat or have you learned to embrace healthy fats? What is your favorite “healthy fat?”

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