Fruity Pebble Pancakes and High School Rivalries Reignited

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Happy Monday to all! It’s a Happy Monday for this blogger girl because I’m finally self-hosted! Did you notice the Bluehost logo in the URL bar today? Yep, I finally did it! More on the process in another post, but suffice it to say, moving to self-hosting wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Bare with me the next couple of days as I explore new layouts/fonts/color schemes/etc. I should have everything finalized by the end of the week.

But, in the meantime, there’s not reason to stop talking to you, my reader friends!

This past weekend was one of my favorite weekends in recent memory. It was the first time I had an official houseguest in the Hudson Valley, and since the BF was in China for work, I got to squeeze in a lot of quality girl time with an old friend. If you read some of my old posts, it will become pretty apparent that I absolutely love being a host. I had plenty of guests when I lived in NYC, and nothing brought me more joy than making their experience at my apartment fun and exciting.

I welcome houseguests with mini donuts

I welcome houseguests with mini donuts

Since moving to the Hudson Valley in February, I have not yet had a friend stay with me, so I was very excited when my friend Molly texted me and asked if she could come spend the weekend in the Valley. Whenever I hang out with my friend Molly, it’s a guaranteed adventure, so I eagerly said “YES!” and texted her daily to check in and ensure she was still coming.

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Posted in: Hudson Valley \ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kitchen Adventures: Houseguests Must Work For Food!

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In case last Wednesday’s post didn’t show you, I LOVE having houseguests. Anytime we have visitors, I go crazy in the kitchen baking delicious items like donuts and scones.

After living in apartments for years, it’s fun playing host in a REAL house. And, I take my duties very, very seriously. I even offer up Cole as a cuddle buddy for my guests.

Life is "Ruff"

Life is “Ruff”

He doesn’t seem to mind his “extra duties.”

Anyway, I mentioned on Wednesday that my friend Molly would be staying with us this week. What I didn’t mention is that Molly happens to be a very talented photographer and offered to help me out with improving my food photography. In case you didn’t notice, there’s a lot of room for improvement in that area!

Unfortunately, Molly’s camera needed to charge last night, so she’ll be teaching me a few things on today’s hike…but that didn’t mean I let her get off easy!

She was pretty excited to learn that I would be making her my “famous” Cheesy Spaghetti Squash and Cucumber Tomato Summer Salad for dinner last night. But, I wasn’t about to let her get off easy and sit on the couch with Cole as I worked away. Nope, since both were recipes for the blog, I put her to work taking pictures of me cooking in the kitchen.

Three guesses on who took this pic. Hint? Not me!

Three guesses on who took this pic. Hint? Not me!

Houseguests must work for food!

Relaxing and taking in the Hudson Valley...this won't last too long, Molly!

Relaxing and taking in the Hudson Valley…this won’t last too long, Molly!

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Posted in: Kitchen Adventures \ Tagged: , , , , ,

WIAW: Veggie Packed + Cheese

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Oh, hello everyone! Notice anything different about the blog? Nope, probably not.

I spent about 10 hours between yesterday and today trying to navigate the murky waters of moving to self-hosting, and I’m still not there. Basically, most of my issues are coming from not being able to export everything from WordPress.com. In case anyone is interested or wants to help me (PRETTY PLEASE), I’m using Bluehost. I’ve done a lot of research at this point, but if you’ve experienced similar issues, I’m all ears! I’ve heard that this process is easy….so far, I’d have to disagree!

But, let’s move on from the frustrating technology issues in my world. After all, it’s What I ate Wednesday (WIAW)! Talking about food is MUCH more fun. The BF was out of town yesterday, and as I’ve said before, whenever the cat’s away, the mice will play. For me, that means eating lots of veggies, since the BF is more of a meat n’ potatoes kind of guy.

I know, I’m such a rebel.

Let’s start with my ultra-gourmet breakfast.

Breakfast of a Sometimes Healthy Champ?

Breakfast of a Sometimes Healthy Champ?

A Fiber One Wrap filled with honey and a couple of dark chocolate chips + Chobani. This breakfast clearly contained the most important food groups for an active Sometimes Healthy Girl: carbs, protein and chocolate.

I’m currently obsessed with both of these products. The Chobani Mint with Dark Chocolate Chips is delicious and tastes like a healthy Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie. The Fiber One Wraps are light, but carby and filling at the same time. We usually run out of these in less than a week because the BF likes them too.

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Posted in: WIAW \ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

A Tale of Two Cities: From Couture to Cookies and Spaghetti Squash

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Hello from the Hudson Valley! I’m back from NYC and very excited to jump back into the routine of my less exciting, but very fulfilling daily life.

I've missed these pretty skies and mountains!

I’ve missed these pretty skies and mountains!

Every time I go back to NYC, there are small moments that remind me of why I moved there in the first place: the glitz, the glam and the overall “grandness” of NYC can truly make person feel like she can accomplish anything. It’s this giant, beautiful melting pot, and everyone is working their butts off to achieve some sort of dream, whether it’s making millions in investment banking or becoming the next Carrie Bradshaw.

But, inevitably, by the end I am relieved to get back to my lowkey lifestyle in the Hudson Valley. This time around, my experience can probably best be described as “a tale of two cities.” During the day on Friday, I was mingling with the rich and famous at Fashion Week, but by nighttime, I was sitting in Michelle’s apartment eating spaghetti squash pad thai (our favorite), gossiping and watching reality tv. Let’s recap it all.

I started off Friday morning with a run on the track and then quickly dolled myself up for fashion week.

Strike a post: Vogue.

Strike a post: Vogue.

This country girl doesn’t dress up much these days, so it was quite a treat to get glammed up. In case you’re wondering, the dress is from Theory and the shoes are Ivanka Trump. With my most capable looking outfit and a bit of extra eye liner, I felt confident and ready to take on Mercedes Benz Fashion Week!

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Posted in: NYC \ Tagged: , , , , ,

Gettin’ Fancy in NYC + Fat Free Apple Cider Muffins

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Hello from the Big Apple!

Oh, hey, I'm on a boat!

Oh, hey, I’m on a boat!

Why does it feel like I was just here? Oh yeah, because I was. I’m back in the city to get in on some Fashion Week action, and I can’t help but laugh at the irony of it all: I spent 4 years in NYC avoiding Fashion Week, basically for fear that I wasn’t “cosmopolitan” enough to hang around this scene. Now, I’m living in a country world in the Hudson Valley, and I’m back in the big city rocking stilettos and mixing with the “beautiful people.”

This should be interesting.

Anyway, as promised today I’m going to share with you the recipe for those delectable fat free apple cider muffins that I made for my mother’s birthday.

But, first, a quick picture from last night. I arrived in time just to celebrate the birth one of my favorite guys in the entire world: Michelle’s husband, Rory.

Happy Birthday Rory!

Happy Birthday Rory!

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WIAW: In a New York State of Mind

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Whenever I’m in NYC, the week seems to fly by a little quicker. I don’t know how I actually lived and worked in this city for almost 4 years!

I’m back upstate for a day today, but heading back to the city tomorrow to get in on some Fashion Week action! For all the time I lived in the Big Apple, I never even stepped close to Fashion Week. It should be an interesting experience, and hopefully I’ll have a few stories to share on Monday.

But, it’s ‘What I Ate Wednesday” (WIAW) time, so let’s talk about my eats. We’ll start in NYC and make our way back to the Hudson Valley by dinner!

The weather was unbearably humid and heavy while in NYC, so I wasn’t able to run in Central Park as I had hoped. So, I fueled myself for another workout at the Ritz Carlton with breakfast + a view.

I could get used to this little view.

I could get used to this little view.

That right there is some delicious hotel coffee and a half eaten Starbucks Morning Bun (I forgot to take a picture until halfway through). Whenever I’m staying in a hotel, one of my most treasured morning routines is walking downstairs and making myself a cup of coffee. It just feels so luxurious not to have to brew it myself.

It’s the little things, my friends. Anyway, after breakfast, I walked a few blocks to the Ritz to get in a quality workout before an exhausting day of running around the city.

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Posted in: NYC, Uncategorized, WIAW, workouts \ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Rough Life in NYC

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Hello from the top of NYC!

We are on top of the world!

We are on top of the world!

My parents came to NYC for the weekend, and luckily decided to make a pit stop upstate to visit their favorite daughter. We had something VERY important to celebrate:

It's a VERY special day!

It’s a VERY special day!

Yesterday was my mother’s birthday, so we spent the day together celebrating the greatest woman alive 🙂

I now figured out why I have barely any pictures with my mother. I had to beg her just to squeeze this one out of her yesterday…and she sort of made me promise not to post on the blog. Ooops. Sorry mom, you look great, as usual! Not a day over 35 ;-).

We spent the day eating great food, and doing my mother’s favorite thing in the world: shopping. I also made my mom some special fat free Sometimes Healthy Apple Cinnamon muffins.

Special Muffins for Mom!

Special Muffins for Mom!

These babies included fresh chopped apples, apple cider, apple butter AND Apple Chobani. They were definitely a hit, and I hope to share the recipe Wednesday. Whenever my mother comes to NYC, one of her favorite things to eat are the fat free muffins at the bakeries, so I figured she’d enjoy some of her very own special healthified muffins.

We also went to dinner on the river and ate some birthday cake with extra frosting.

Celebrating one special Mommy!

Celebrating one special Mommy!

My mother loves buttercream frosting, and in her younger years, she used to be able to eat the frosting off of half a big cake! She’s decided to eat frosting in moderation in her older, wiser years.

After dinner, we headed back to the city, where I am going to stay a couple of days for some QT time with the parents. I’ve written about this hotel before, and whenever my parents stay here, I feel like I’m living in another world.

Sadly, I found out this morning that the gym in the building was being renovated, which meant I might not be able to do my tabata workout for the day.

Then, they told me the hotel guests could use the Ritz Carlton’s gym.

I guess this will do...

I guess this will do…

Rough life I am living here in NYC, that’s for sure. I banged out 8 miles on the treadmill (to humid to run outside) and a quick tabata workout. I was definitely the sweatiest person in the entire gym.

Hot, sweaty, selfie.

Hot, sweaty, selfie.

But hey, the more sweat, the better the workout! The Ritz gym was not too shabby and had more than enough to keep this Sometimes Healthy Girl occupied.

Now, we’re off for dinner with my brother and his wife. Hope you’re enjoying your holiday weekend!

Posted in: Birthdays, holidays, NYC \ Tagged: , , ,

Donuts for Breakfast and the Power of Running

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I think I need to institute a new Sometimes Healthy ritual for my Friday mornings: Semi-homemade glazed donut holes and coffee.

Is there a better combination?

Is there a better combination?

I can’t think of a sweeter way to start my weekend than with these pretty little babies. And, I can’t think of a better combination than coffee and donuts.

But, before I share the secret behind these delectable creations, I want to start your Fridays with a bit of running motivation. I’ve talked on this blog a few times before about a charity organization called Girls on the Run.

GOTR_2C_jpeg

Back in NYC, I volunteered with the organization, helping with PR and marketing, as well as participating in the 5K race as a “running buddy.”

Posing with my little running all-star, Makoyan.

Posing with my little running all-star, Makoyan.

I wrote about my experience on this blog and how inspiring it was to watch all of theses young women (3rd – 5th grade) finish a 5K with a giant smile on their faces.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with this incredible organization, here’s what you need to know…

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Posted in: Girls on the Run, Semi-Homemade \ Tagged: , , , ,

WIAW: When Melted Chocolate is the Worst Part of your Day

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Another Wednesday, another chance to share my meals from the day.

But first, I’m happy to say that so far I am really enjoying studying for my NASM certification. While there’s so much to learn, the information is so interesting to me that sometimes it doesn’t even feel like I’m studying!

My head is about to burst with new workouts I want to try. Check out this new workout, which really illustrate my whole POV when it comes to fitness: “Fit Fitness into your life” and not the other way around. (Please ignore the mess in this picture)

Pull...then squat!

Pull…then squat!

After i got home yesterday, Cole was feeling a bit rambunctious and kept following me around with toys. He was pulling so hard trying to get the toy back that I actually had to plant my feet to keep from falling over.

So, I decided to squat. Pull toy 3 times and squat for one minute (unless dog gives up) Doggie Play Time Exercises, coming to a gym near you.

But, it’s WIAW, so let’s talk eats. For breakfast, overnight oats made a triumphant return to my life last night, and the BF even requested that I make a jar for him.

OOIAJ for Two

OOIAJ for Two

On Monday night, I filled 2 mason jars with about 1/4 cup oats, 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/4 cup dry figs, 1/2 banana 2tbsp of PB2 and some cinnamon. The result?

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Posted in: Uncategorized, WIAW \ Tagged: , , , , , ,

When Dogs Fly and Oreos Fry

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This weekend I had an opportunity to experience a cultural phenomenon that I had never seen before: the county fair.

I had always wanted to attend a county fair, and visions of endless amounts of fried food, farm animals and fun carnival rides flooded my mind. Luckily, the Dutchess County Fair did not disappoint.

Fried dough? Sometimes Healthy? You bet ya!

Fried dough? Sometimes Healthy? You bet ya!

Before we ate our weight in fried food, Cole got to participate in his favorite activity: dock jumping. Sometimes, the BF jumps Cole in what are called “dock diving competitions.” I had never seen this “sport” before meeting the BF, but after seeing it for the first time, I must say, it’s a whole lotta fun!

Jump, Cole Jump!

Jump, Cole Jump!

This was Cole’s “practice jump,” but for the real competition, the stands were actually packed full! There were a lot of small children in the crowd, who obviously enjoyed watching the dogs “fly.”

And, even though Cole was out of practice, he still walked away with a 3rd place medal. What a dog!

Proud puppy!

Proud puppy!

I had bought some fried pickles before the show, so the BF said we could reward him with a couple of bits of delicious fried pickles.

Fried pickles, topped with nacho cheese. #bam!

Fried pickles, topped with nacho cheese. #bam!

This was my second time eating fried pickles (the first time was in Nashville), and it seems like they taste better every time!

If you think the adventures in fried food ended there…you’re wrong

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Posted in: Hudson Valley, workouts \ Tagged: , , , , ,