one christmas, some holiday goodies and finding a balance in the chaos.

Merry Christmas Eve! And why yes, it DOES look like the star is on top of my head - we may have had a few laughs over that one (probably even more funny when the riesling is flowing) We hosted my side of the family here yesterday for our own Christmas! We don't have a ton of space, but we make it work and this year there were thirteen of us - my mom is still recovering back home in the nursing home from a recent hip surgery but I'm so happy my dad still came for a short while.

​ONE CHRISTMAS, SOME HOLIDAY GOODIES AND FINDING A BALANCE IN THE CHAOS.

We had quite the variety on the table! Our "main course" was creamy wild rice soup and beer cheese soups and then we had quite a bit of sides too! I tried my hand at this crudite tray - I tried to pick a variety of veggies outside the norm to make sure we covered all the colors too! Carrots, jicama, tomatoes, radishes, celery, cucumbers, snap peas, peppers and the dips were dill and ranch.

My sister made homemade rolls and her famous crockpot jelly meatballs (yum) And of course there was also lefsa, crackers and meat and cheese platters, olives/pickles and mixed nuts, and all the goodies too!

gingersnaps, browned butter sea salt chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter blossoms with a pb cup on top, chocolate mint cookies, hot cocoa cookies, monster cookies too! 

you can't forget about dipped pretzels! (I need to make more of those for next weekend)

and don't forget about the crack popcorn mix!

these haybales are a classic my mom ALWAYS makes! And since she can't do it this year my niece came over and made them to make sure we had them for the holiday.

obviously had to include a few more glamour shots of my baking adventures lately! From top left: monster cookies, browned butter stuffed snickerdoodles and hot cocoa cookies

Every year we have to snap a picture of the grandkids! (aka my nieces and nephew) - Kelsey is missing because she had to work (gotta love that nurse life...) but seriously...either they are getting bigger...or I'm shrinking and getting old....

I seriously could not do life lately without this man by my side. This season has been HARD dealing with quite a few personal issues and family issues too. And he has stood by me, encouraged me, held me on days that all I can do is cry and always helps me be better.

Last Thursday was an INSANE nursing day. I believe we set a record for number of patient surgeries in a day. And after staying late to help the team rock it out..I came home to him: "dishes are done, supper is on the way....oh and here! I made you a drinks -my favorite! Moscow Mule" AND the fire place was going. So cozy...spoiled and love it.

With all the hosting prep we also got our new big purchase set up! Well HE did. We got a new bed! We have been talking about it for way too long - and it was MUCH needed. We also got this headboard and bed frame...I think it looks AMAZING. I can't wait now to get our bedroom walls painted and rearrange - This is just a picture in the furniture store and the comforter I bought is different. Promise to post when it is all complete.

I haven't been posting as much about my workouts and fitness coaching and to be honest its because I've felt guilty. I feel guilty "showing off" my me time....even though it's something I often preach the importance of to others... 

But it's time for a change. In the past I can say I would work out to burn calories, get in extra miles and I would feel panicked and anxious if something came up in the day and interrupted the "plan."

Not any more. I'm so not like that anymore! My why has changed so much....

I don't do a formal workout every day..and that is OK! I want to listen to my body and do what FEELS good. I'm not lifting weights, running miles etc to feel tortured. That's RIDICULOUS. Some days my workout is simply running around at work OR Its eating an extra treat and watching my recorded episodes of Chicago Med on the couch. And that is ok too!

So the fact that Beachbody is releasing a new workout called 80 Day Obsession is a bit ironic to me in the fact that I've become less obsessed. The full program does not come out until January 14th, but the 5 day program called "A Little Obsessed" is a sort of sneak preview of what the full program is like and recently came out on Beachbody On Demand. The workouts of A LIttle Obsesssed are 30 minutes long and use the equipment above: resistance loops, floor slides and also some free weights. The supplements of energize for a pre-workout and recovery (my favorite is chocolate) is essential to the program too. You all know you can't out work bad eating habits! - And that recovery is seriously like gold when my legs hurt so badly!!! The workouts released include: booty, legs, core cardio, AAA (arms, abs and ass), total body -

The moves don't feel hard while you are doing them..but holy COW I have been sore. Yesterday my abs hurt so badly to laugh! I haven't been working out as much and I don't plan on obsessing over all of this but I AM excited for a few new ways to mix things up and the trainer Autumn is a blast! (You should see the booty and abs results from the test group that did the full 80 days all out...

Honestly my goals are lately to just feel GOOD inside.
Keep my digestion MOVING and stable (pun intended)
Fuel my body with veggies...AND treats and cocktails too when I feel like it.
Abs are cool, but I want them to be a side effect of feeling good - NOT the main focus. 

Your turn!

What are your Christmas plans?
What are you most excited for?
What are your health goals to finish out this year and into 2018?