Happy Monday, m’dears! I thought I’d pop in here and just share some things I did this past week that were noteworthy. Before I do that, though, I have a super exciting announcement!
*Drum Roll please*
Cora and I are starting a Link Up! It’s going to be a chance to collect some inspiring content from your week (or month or year or whatever) and put it all together into a list of sorts. This could be quotes that moved you, podcasts that inspired you, books you loved, or even a post you wrote that you feel will inspire others.
The first link-up will be this Friday, and we will both do some more reminders and give some more info before then, but get excited! And start brainstorming; we’d love to see you at the party on Friday 😀
And now to the weekly review.
Last week I…
Watched (and sobbed at) Coco
I may have mentioned this before, but I am SUCH a crier at movies. Particularly movies involving sentimental family or dog moments. Disney, in particular, WRECKS me. I actually hadn’t cried at a movie in a very long time, and thought maybe I was no longer a movie crier at all, but then Coco happened. If you’ve seen it, you’ll know it’s packed with sentimental family moments. I didn’t stand a chance. So yes, I sobbed for the entire second half of the movie. By the end, I had a mountain of tissues by my side and a very concerned mom peering into my face. Ah well, I think I needed the emotional release. 😉
Had a New York moment
New York Moments to me are those quintessential instances that are special because they couldn’t happen in any other city. Let me paint the scene.
My mom and I had gotten Russ & Daughters bagels (BEST NYC BAGELS) because she’d never tried them. We didn’t have much time because she needed to get back to work and only had her lunch hour, so we decided to enjoy the bagels on a little bench right outside the store. Tons of people kept passing us as we ate, interestedly looking over at us, no doubt envying our bagel joy.
And then, to complete the moment, it suddenly started to POUR, so I pulled out my giant umbrella and nonchalantly held it up over our bench as we continued to eat our bagels and people watch  like nothing was happening. The best. 😀
P.S. My go-to is the everything bagel with goat cream cheese and Nova Scotia lox. Yum!
Took lots of solo walks
You will see this in the workout recap, but this past week I’ve been really into taking walks. I’ve been doing them first thing in the morning, and because I tend to walk quickly, it becomes like a little cardio workout. On those days I usually just did a short 30 minute Pilates routine later in the day, which actually serves as the perfect break and chance to stretch after sitting at the computer for so long.
I purposely keep these walks distraction-free, no music and no podcasts. I just think. Sometimes I think about nothing, sometimes I get some ideas, and sometimes I just daydream. Regardless, I feel like it’s been really good for me to start my day with this mental stillness, instead of getting inundated right away with a bunch of content.
Got CPR certified
I don’t know if I told you guys, but I am currently studying to become a group fitness instructor! In order to be eligible for the test, I had to complete a CPR certification. Pretty proud of myself with this one, even though it was not at all difficult to achieve. 🙂
Watched Straight White Men on Broadway
Gtown Bestie found these tickets for really cheap, and as a huge Broadway lover, I agreed to go without even looking up the show. It turns out we were actually going to the very first preview show! Meaning it was their first time performing it in front of an audience. Also, Armie Hammer was in the show, which was really cool after having watched Call Me By Your Name.
Ultimately, neither of us loved it, mostly because we didn’t fully understand the point, but it was still a pleasant experience and Armie is no eyesore. 😉
Found a new go-to pancake recipe
Sunday morning I was craving pancakes like crazy, so I finally decided to use this recipe that several of my favorite bloggers had raved about. I usually like to have some mix-ins in the batter, but we were all out of fresh berries so I kept them plain and instead made an easy blueberry sauce using this recipe (I had some frozen blueberries in the freezer). Topped them with Trader Joe’s Mixed Nut Butter, which is my FAVE on pancakes, and made some delicious french press coffee. I was actually VERY proud of this breakfast spread. 😉
And now to the workouts…
Workouts
Monday– rest (I was running a bunch of errands outside my house)
Tuesday– 30 minute brisk morning walk + arm strength routine
Wednesday– 20 minute HIIT routine + Pilates leg routine + Pilates butt routine
Thursday– kickboxing + bodyweight arm + yoga routine
Friday–Â 30 minute brisk morning walk + 30 minute abs
Saturday– total body HIIT
Sunday– deep stretch yoga routine
Have a great week loves!
Linking up with Meg for Week in Review
What were some highlights from last week?
Have you seen Coco?
Oh my goodness!! So much!
Okay, first. Girl, you have officially experienced the best pancake recipe and will never want to try another one. Though, that being said, I’ve actually been making Kate’s “easy vegan pancake” recipe more often, simply because each time I go to choose what recipe to use (which is like, every few days because pancakes and I have an obsessive relationship) I realize that her vegan recipe is just as amazing and it saves me the cost of an egg. But either. I just don’t even bother with any other recipe now. Your breakfast spread just gave me all the happy vibes.
Your morning walks sound wonderful. I used to do this daily. Haven’t in a while. But morning walks, sans distraction, has really always been one of my best, most peaceful, therapeutic times for thinking and releasing and feeling at peace. I guess my morning yoga has just taken that position for the moment. I’m happy you are doing this.
And that image of you and your mom on a bench, in the rain, eating bagels. That’s amazing. Go to it girls… you know your priorities. I’d love to take a little hike down to NYC so you can take me out to your favorite bagel and coffee shops. I think that could happen at some point… And congrats on the certification!! So exciting that you are training to be a fitness instructor!!
Cora recently posted…Heat Waves, A Fancy Date, and an Exciting Announcement!
Yay! I need to try the vegan one for sure! Morning yoga is an awesome practice as well, especially when it’s literally a sauna outside haha. Come to NYC!!! And thank you!
I have not seen Coco yet. I want to watch it with my grandkids, but have been waiting for the right time. The 7-year-old will love it, I am sure, I just don’t want to scare the 4-year-old.
That bagel!!!! A bagel with goat cream cheese and Nova Scotia lox???? Wow! It’s worth a trip to NYC just to have that.
Congrats on the CPR certification!
Laurie recently posted…Small Tweaks, Big Results: Gratitude, Encouragement and Love
Ahhh yes, the skeletal faces might be a bit much for the little one hehe. And yes we do have the best bagels 😉
Thanks so much, Laurie!
I JUST saw about the link up on Cora’s blog! Dude, I am sooooo excited. I was just last night thinking about actually planning blog content again and was thinking, hmmmm, I think I want to do something fun and in list-form on Fridays so this is definitely a sign. 😉
I still haven’t tried that pancake recipe, but I ADORE her oat waffles. They have a delicious dose of butter and/or coconut oil in them and are pure Saturday morning perfection (or any day/time perfection, what am I saying?).
And that bagel. Goat cream cheese sounds heavenly. And you and your mom sitting under an umbrella invoking bagel envy on all the passers-by?
Congrats on the CPR certification!! I’m so excited that you’re studying to be a fitness instructor, I had no idea!
Naomi | Naomi Why: Roots recently posted…Knowing When to Share about Your Eating Disorder
Yayyy it’s totally a sign; hope to see you there! And I LOVE those oat waffles; I just haven’t made them in a while because I always convince myself waffles are too much work LOL. Def try the pancakes! And thank you!!! <3
A good pancake recipe is worth it’s weight in gold.
I love a good everything bagel with cream cheese, I must seek out the goat variety.
Congratulations to you and Cora. Women empowering women; I love it.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets recently posted…Week in Review: Back To Life, Back To Reality (#139)
Right you are, Meg! And goat cream cheese is a GAME CHANGER! Thank you so much; hope to see you there 🙂
Good luck with the link up!
Man that bagel!
Never to many pancake recipes!
Thanks Patrick! Agreed haha
I’m literally salivating over that bagel. Definitely not something you can find in the South. I need to get back to NYC one day soon.
Yes, come!!!
congrats on the cpr certification! that’s awesome. those pancakes look amazing and so does that bagel!! ah don’t u just love a fresh bagel?! seriously my fave thing
Alyssa recently posted…Who?
LOL fresh bagels are truly a gift. And thank you so much!!!