Happy Thanksgiving!

I can't believe tomorrow is already Thanksgiving!!

I'm ready for some turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and pie!! Mmmm

My mom has been uber excited to try Gluten Free recipes this year. She has been looking up GF Thanksgiving recipes since September. Not even kidding...

We have enjoyed our mini vacation in Charleston the past few days. 

Here are some pictures from our trip to the beach this afternoon. We FINALLY had a warm, sunny day to enjoy Charleston. 

When we got to Charleston on Saturday, mom surprised me with Pumpkin yogurt. I've been looking for this at the TJ's in Lexington for weeks! So good!!!

 Mr. Perry's been super cuddly lately. Love. 

I'm loving the Christmas decorations and Palm Trees at Towne Centre!

Now we're off to dinner and to watch the UK game against Morehead State tonight. 

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! 

WILW

Wow... 

It's been forever since I've posted. 

I finally have a minute or two to relax, so I figured a post was necessary!

What I'm loving this Wednesday..... 

I'm loving that Thanksgiving is ONE week away! 

via

I'm loving (and VERY thankful) that I have a garage and I don't have to scrape windows on these frosty mornings!

I'm loving a new drink at Starbucks -- Skinny Caramel Macchiato. Seriously, I've had it 3 times in the past week.  AND enjoying this drink in a lovely red cup. 

I'm loving the cooler weather.. Dare I say that? Yikes, with my luck the weather will turn ridiculously cold. 

Finally, I'm loving the new Studio Shape workout posted on mybarre3! Love these workouts when I need to get a quick workout in and don't have time to head to Pure Barre or BarreAmped. 

I'm also loving that I am finally running again. And I say that loosely. Meaning, I ran once last week. But it was a great run! Must start training for a half-marathon next year. If I don't make myself train for a future run, i'll never get out there and run! Eeek...

What are you loving on this lovely Wednesday? 

Perfect Fall Recipe

I recently saw Jill post something about a "skinny chili" recipe from Skinny Taste. 

I figured with the cooler weather, it would be the perfect weekend to throw everything in the crockpot and try this recipe!

I am so glad that I did. 

It is AMAZING!

And easy, too! Which is perfect for my crazy schedule during the week. 

You just throw everything into the crock pot, and then put the chicken on top. With about 30 minutes left, you take the chicken out and shred it. 

I cheated and had some jalapeño tortilla chips with my soup today at lunch. AH-MAZING!

Here's the link to the Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili 

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili
 Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 10 • Size: 1 1/4 cups • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 203.7 • Fat: 1.4 g • Carb: 33.3 g • Fiber: 10.0 g  • Protein: 16.9 g

Ingredients: 

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 16-oz can black beans
• 1 16-oz can kidney beans
• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
• 10 oz package frozen corn kernels
• 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 24 oz (3-4) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• chili peppers, chopped (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions: 

Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream (extra points).

Let me know if you have any delicious fall recipes you recommend. Or other Skinny Taste recipes you love :)

Hope everyone has a great first week of October!!

Happy Fall!

Today is the first day of fall!

Although it has felt like fall the past 2 weeks with the cooler weather, it's now officially the end of summer. 

We started the morning by visiting the farmers market downtown. 

I love supporting local farmers, so we always stock up on veggies (and sometimes fruit!) on Saturday mornings. 

We bought all of this (minus the 2 bananas) for under $20!! Supports local farmers AND it's usually cheaper than going to the grocery. Win-win for everyone :) 

Ben made Habanero Squash soup today. It was delic! And very spicy, ha!

I'm breaking out my favorite fall candle 

and 

baking some delicious gluten free pumpkin muffins tomorrow. 

We're off to Oktoberfest at church tonight. It's perfect weather to put jeans and a sweater on for the night. 

How are you bringing in Fall?

Have a great weekend! 

Weekends are too short

Why do the weekends always fly by?!

We had a nice relaxing night on Friday. Ben and I went to Harry's for lunch and I had my fav....chicken mini's!! Mmmm. 

After dinner, we went to get some staples for tailgating on Saturday! 

Which reminds me... I haven't shown you the most recent purchase!

Meet the creepy white UK van!!!

Yes, this is serious. 

Ben and his buddies bought this van a few weeks ago. 

It. Is. AWESOME!! And it even came with everything you need-two grills, tables, flags, CATS megaphone and this awesome Wildcat!!!

It is perfect for what we are going to use it for--tailgating! UK games and Keeneland of course. 

It has been so much fun (and work!) getting ready for tailgates, but I love having everything we need in the van! 

Perry even made an appearance at the tailgate for a few hours :) 

I made Gina's Skinny Spinach dip. It was delic. I'm hoping for some cooler weather next home game so I can another hot dip. 

Tailgating Saturday was fun. The game.... not so much. We need a new coach ASAP!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Right around the corner...

How is it already September 5th?!

 

Where did summer go?????!

 

I love summer - spending weekends at the lake, being out of school, lazy pool days.

 

But I'm ready for some cooler weather!

 

 

So what am I loving on this lovely Wednesday???

 

All things FALL!!!!!!!

 

 

 College football games on Saturday. Even though UK's team is a joke, we can still tailgate, right?! 

 

 

Keeneland in October.

 

Having a WEEK LONG fall break this year!!

 

Cooler weather meaning more sweaters, sweatshirts, leggings, boots, scarves. My favorites.

 

When I saw this pin on Pinterest....

 

 

 

and this email from Living Social this morning...

 

 

 

I realized Fall is RIGHT around the corner.

 

So why not enjoy a free PSL from Starbucks?!?!  Pretty sure I bought this deal as soon as I got the email. And another reminder from my sister to buy it as well!

 

I had a PSL Monday before running errands with Ben. My signature Fall drink yesterday morning - Grande Soy Misto with Pumpkin Spice. And convinced myself to stop for one again this morning before a meeting.

 

I'm hooked.

 

Oh, and don't bother buying the Pumpkin Spice Latte K-Cups... you'll just be disappointed like I was when I popped one in. It's good.... but not Sbux good!

 

Here's the link if you want to treat yourself :)

 

Happy Wednesday!!

 

Two more work days..... 

MIA

Yes, I realize I have been MIA since my last post on July 16!!!

We've been busy moving...

Going out of town....

Hanging out with this little guy... 

 Enjoying the last few weeks of summer break....

and finally starting back at school. 

As much as I LOVE summer break, it has been nice being back at school and having a set routine for the week. 

The beginning of the school year has been great. I'm lucky enough to keep majority of my students each year. So far, it has been a good year!

I decided to go ahead and start my Masters this fall. So far, so good. Monday was my first class. All of my classes are online, which is AMAZING! 

I just set up my desk at home and login to class. Perry was confused when he heard the professor talking, but he eventually figured out it was from the computer, ha!

After a long week which school, starting grad school and babysitting... I'm ready for date night with Ben and the weekend! I have NOTHING planned for this weekend and I couldn't be happier :) We were supposed to head to the lake, but Ben had to work some today and tomorrow, so we just thought it would be best to stay here. 

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

I promise I will get back to a better blogging schedule :)

Happy weekend!!