It's the Five!!

Happy Friday!!

I'm on my second day off of work and loving every second of it! I have not accomplished any of my Weekly Wishes yet but I am completely at peace with that! I'm living in the moment and enjoying myself.. Which really should have been my weekly wish all along.. But anywho I digress! Here are my five bits of awesomeness for today!

1- I cut my hair!! I will take a picture right now to show you but just know I'm in my pjs with no make up (see #2 for details). I haven't even brushed my hair yet so I will have to put another pic up on another day with what it looks like styled! Sorry for the frowny face but you can see how much shorter it is! I haven't had my hair this short in a long time and so far I'm really liking it!! You can check out the "before" photo here Hair Did

2- This is where I am writing you from right this second. I went down to the beach super early to get in some quiet devotional time, take in the beauty and get some fresh air. I love love love starting my day off like this!!

3- I have splurged the past two days and gotten this for breakfast: 

It's an acai bowl from Nektar Juice Bar. If you have never had one you really should! They are A-Mazing! This one is "tropical" so it is blended with banana, pineapple, some other exotic fruits that I can't remember right now.. and has coconut shreds on top! Mmmm mmmm mmmmmm

4- Kale Krunch- Quite Cheezy". Man this stuff is rocking my world! They taste just like Cheeze-It's but without the guilt!! I picked up mine at Whole Foods and was honestly thinking it looked scary before trying it. But I braved it out and was so pleasantly surprised!! Go get yourself some!! And one point for Katie for for trying new things!

5- It's another 20 mile run week for me this week! So far I've done 9.5 miles. Half way there... almost lol! My goal is to complete my first ever 10k distance (6.2 miles) today (yikes!!!). Then do the last 4ish miles tomorrow and have Sunday OFF! A little nervous about the 6 miler but I felt pretty good at the end of my 5 miles yesterday so I'm staying positive!!! Wish me luck!! :-) 

Im off now to continue my vacation and figure out how to style this new hair!! Have a great weekend ya'll!!!!!

xoxo

Katie

Five On Fry-Day

Yes it's Friday(!!) and I am also FRY-ing in this heat!! I live in one of the most amazing climates in the world though so I won't complain anymore!! :-) Speaking of amazing things... today on this Five On Friday Link Up post I am going to share five of my favorite things! Kind of like Oprah but most likely purchased at Target :) Oh and speaking of Oprah has anyone seen the Butler? I heard it was great! I want to see it soon. Maybe this weekend?? What are your thoughts on the movie?? Should I see that or The Family?

1-The first up is my Ninja MEGA Kitchen System. This is a blender / food processer / dough mixer. I use it for everything! I use it to make smoothies most often. It only takes about 10 seconds or less to blend down the ice or frozen fruit in them. Plus if I add kale or another leafy vegetable it always grinds it up into pieces that I hardly know are there. I usually use the small to-go cups to make my individual sized smoothies. Plus those come with a travel lid.  I also make salad dressings in the individual cups like the recipe I posted about here: Honey Vinegar Dressing.  Using the 8 cup smaller attachment I have blended cookie dough. I have even put whole almonds in there and made my own almond flour to bread fish! Usually if I am cooking something I try to incorporate the Ninja some how into the process. Its so easy and flexible. Oh and its also easy to clean which is a must for me! And yes I got it at Target :)

2- These two books are ones I read a few years ago but have completely opened my eyes to the difference between men and women. Its not one of those cheesy how to get along with men/women books. It takes a completely different angle that I have never heard before. It rocked my world seriously you guys. Especially if you are raising children I think these books are a MUST READ to tap into your child full potential as a male or female! The one about the ladies is called "Captivativating" and the guys one is called "Wild At Heart. But whether you are a male or female I think you should read them both. I learned a lot from each one of these! Go out and get yourself some weekend reads! And of course they sell them at Target.com ;)

3- Cocoroons. If you don't know what these are then you need to go out and try some! They are basically coconut cookies that are "Paleo" friendly. I personally like the homemade version myself but you can get store bought at Whole Foods or online (sadly not found at Target). I just googled a recipe and made my own and OMG they are life changing :) You can either make them "raw" or pop them in the oven for a few minutes. Both are delicious and you can very easily eat the whole batch in one sitting. "Cocoroons". Google it! :) Maybe I will come up with my own variation very soon and post that recipe!

4- I have been using this new shampoo & conditioner that I absolutely love! I have really thick course hair and it is always poofy unless I straighten it. When I use this shampoo it becomes straight and shiny in no time at all! My straightening time is cut in half and looks great when I am done! Oh and its very cheap at Target!

Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Shine Shampoo

Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Color Care Conditioner


5- Last but not least I love love love the Trader Joes gluten free brownie mix! It is so easy to throw together  quickly and taste amazing! It is a great dessert to bring to friends to show them how easy it is to live the gluten free lifestyle. Best part is that they are also dairy free and soy free! That is so hard to find :) I usually add in some Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (which are also dairy free) to make it completely decadent! This treat is easy, quick, cheap, convenient, ohh so tasty and doesn't make me sick like other gluten, dairy filled desserts would! JACKPOT!

Are you going to the movies this weekend? What will you be seeing? What are some of your favorite things???

xoxo
Katie

Five On Friday

I am so excited its Friday!! Mostly because, well its FRIDAY! But also because its my favorite blogging day of the week! I love doing the Five On Friday link up with Darci at the Good Life Blog! It makes me feel so blessed talking about the happy things around me!

1- Fall is right around the corner!! Can you even believe that? It has been in the high 90's every day here and I cannot wait for some fall breezes to blow on in here! Plus I am starting to see all sorts of fall inspiration outfits popping up on pinterest right now! Must. Go. Shopping! (Take a look at my recent pins to the right and then go follow me!!).

2- I have been loving this new salad dressing recipe I made this week!! Its basically rice vinegar (1/4 cup), honey (2 tablespoons), Dijon mustard (1.5 teaspoons), walnut oil (3/4 cup) and salt (1/4 teaspoon) and black pepper (to taste) blended together well. It turns my salad frown upside down! I honestly have never been so excited to eat a salad in my life! I double the batch so I can use it all week long. Try it!

3- Short work week! Yes I am still enjoying the after effects of the long holiday weekend. This week has flown by and I still maintain my belief that every weekend should be a 3 day weekend! 

4- I am running a small local 5k this weekend that I do every year. It is the 9/11 Heroes Run. Its mission is to unite communities internationally with the goal to never forget the sacrifices of the heroes of September 11th and in the wars since: Veteran, First Responders, Civilians, and Military. They also try to raise awareness and honor the Fallen. I love being a part of such a great cause and getting my workout in at the same time. Heres to hopin' its not 100 degrees while I run!!

5- Audible.Com This app allows you to listen to books on tape. You pay a monthly fee (less than the price of one book) and with that fee you get credit for one free book a month. So basically as long as you are listening to one book a month it pays for itself! I have been getting more than my one book a month because I can listen during the days as I work. It is a great trick for multitasking and getting in the books you want to "read" and just don't have time to get to!

Do you have any apps that you love? How do you get thru hot workouts? Id love to know!!


xoxo
Katie