Weekend update

This was my first weekend back in the mitten state after two away so I was excited to catch up with my girlfriends and soak up some football.

Friday night was a happy hour that never ended.... I swear this happens way too often. Started out innocent enough at 4pm and then happy hour turned into cocktail hour, and cocktail hour turned into shuffle board and then all starts to get a bit fuzzy lol! My original plan was to be home at 7pm so that I could bake cupcakes for the next day and get in some good rest. After many failed attempts (thanks to my enabling girlfriends) I finally made it home around 1am and realized that I still needed to make cupcakes. How they didn't end up into charred little hockey pucks I am not sure but they actually turned out great! Of course I seem to lack in the taking pictures front probably for the better but here is the one gem I do have from the night when we were being driven to another bar by a very nice sober friend since we didn't want to walk in the rain!

Saturday was homecoming for University of Michigan and they played University of Minnesota. Growing up in Michigan most people fall into 2 fan categories, Michigan or Michigan State, I was always a state girl and have always had a distaste for Michigan. Somehow I have seemed to make friends and live with only those who loooove UofM so I am always outnumbered. This weekend though was fun because now that BF is attending Minnesota and since I have the gear I was able to respectfully cheer against the home team! We had a ton of people come out and meet up for day drinking, and classing tailgating games. It was a super long day between the tailgating, full football game, and after events but it was so fun to be away with my friends and acting like we were still in college.

 

Sunday was recovery day and watching my Bears get their butts kicked again in football :-( seems to be a new Sunday tradition! I also got all of my errands and random life tasks pulled together and started working on the resume so I can start applying for jobs in Minnie!!!

Sunday I also decided with a good girlfriend to start a crazy new health adventure this week that I will have to share tomorrow so I can do a good write up on it... get excited!

Captain Morgan Apple Cider Cupcakes

I have a confession.... I hate fall! I know, I know, it seems like everyone and their brother acts like these are the best months of the year, but for me it just isn't true. There are a few things I do enjoy like college football, bonfires, cider mills, and dressing up for Halloween but that is about it. Most of fall I battle with the extreme sadness that the glorious summer is now over and the dread that winter is just a few dead leaves away from hitting. How do I get through these feelings..... booze of course (and hibernation but that is only after the snow hits HA)!

Living in the mitten state we are bombarded with an absurd amount of apples so a staple of almost any tailgate or gathering is cider and booze! Thanks to my besties being obsessed with Captain Morgan it is always around and usually our go to during these chilly few months. This last weekend was my first tailgate of the season at the University of Minnesota homecoming game. I knew I wanted to bring a tasty treat and figured there was no better thing to bring then boozy cupcakes!

After searching for a few recipes online I really couldn't find any that perfectly matched what I wanted so I took this recipe from Neighbor Food (which I loved because she used a box mix) and doctored it up do add in my favorite Captain Morgan flavor.  To say they went quick is an understatement, once I explained what they were they were gone and everyone loved them.  Hopefully these will be a hit at your fall gathering!

Captain Morgan Apple Cider Cupcakes

 

 

Ingredients

For the cake:

1 box vanilla cake mix

2 tsp cinnamon

Dash nutmeg

Dash ginger

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

3 eggs

1/2 cup apple cider

1/2 cup Captain Morgan rum

 

For the frosting:

1 package cream cheese softened

1/4 butter softened

2 tsp apple cider

2 tsp Captain Morgan run

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups powdered sugar

 

Directions

For the cake:

1) Mix together dry ingredients including boxed cake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger

2) Stir in remaining ingredients until smooth

3) Divide amongst 24 lined cupcake tins and bake at 350 degrees according to the package directions

 

For the frosting:

1) Mix together all ingredients with electric mixer adding in powdered sugar only a cup at a time

2) Using a pastry bag, knife, or fancy ziplock bag with cut off corner technique (which I totally did) frost cooled cupcakes

3) Enjoy!

 

Extras

-I used apple cider concentrate from Williams-Sonoma to give the cupcakes more of an apple taste, if you don't have it no worries you just might not have as strong of a flavor

-To make these kid friendly just replace the rum with apple cider



Kicking my a**

Pretty sure there is no other way to describe what I did to myself last week!

A few months ago I purchased a groupon for an all women's boot camp and another for unlimited crossfit. I knew I wanted to use them both right before summer but knew I wouldn't be crazy enough to overlap them, well due to some scheduling conflicts I ended up doing 2 a days for 3 days straight! I would wake up and go to boot camp from 5:30-6:30 AM, work, then do crossfit from 5:30-6:30 PM.

As you can see from the pics below I was burning well over 1000 calories a day and doing almost a full body workout as well. I know this isn't necessarily the best for your body, and boy was I sore, but it did feel good on Friday night to realize that I had actually completed all 3 days and survived happily. The biggest problem I had was actually trying to fuel enough to keep me going, each day I would track my calories and trying to take in enough clean foods to keep me fueled was actually a struggle.

Now the crossfit has been going to about 3 weeks and oh my I love it!!! Seriously one of the best workouts I have ever done and I love the energy of the people, music, and environment. My month is almost up but I fully plan on committing to a membership once the summer is over and I have more time to give. The boot camp is much less intense but still has a big calorie burn and is a great overall workout each morning. This week I am doing crossfit Monday and Wednesday and the boot camp Tuesday-Thursday which means only Wednesday will be a crazy two a day again. It is awesome to already see what a difference mixing up my routine is doing for my body and I can't wait to be fully bikini ready in just another 3 weeks for our 4th of July trip!!

Oh and running, well I have actually been running well over a mile each day between the two workouts, but other than that it is a big ol' 0.  I guess I need to sign up for some races to keep me going because right now the only one I have in the near future is  5K during my 4th of July trip that will be ran drunk on twisted teas (yes this is a tradition) with a bunch of friends lol!

Weekend Wrap Up

Let's start with the Lows: 

I gave in to Taco Bell!  Yup TB is my go to drunk food, sick food, just plain hungry food but I have been strong for about 6 months.  Friday night that all went downhill!  I am blaming the mix of Malibu Black, Absolute, Miller Light, and Corona.  Moral of the story is I ate it, I loved it, and I fully regretted every bite the next morning.  Even in my drunken stooper I took photographic evidence which I honestly didn't remember until the next morning.

The weather is horrendous.  This weekend was frigid and had way more snow then I ever like to see.  Last night I saw a forecast with little sleet droplets and thanked goodness for telework so I wouldn't have to leave my house.

And now for the highs:

The wings won!!!  Wahooooooo!  The game was amazing, we had an absolute blast, and randomly were able to meet up with some good friends afterward for some more drinks.

The concert was "FUN.".... a huge group of us went to the FUN. concert and it was well worth it.  The Fillmore is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in and I would love to be able to go there again.  The band also put on a great show and the crowd loved it!

I actually got in my LR!!!  Yup after all of that I was still able to get in my 8 miles yesterday.  For the first time in my life I realized that the treadmill actually stops after 80 minutes and you have to reset it.  I was shocked but pretty proud that I had made it that long in the first place.  I was able to keep up with my pace and I am surprisingly not that sore today.  Let's hope that I can keep it up since there are only three weeks to go!

Downtown Adventures

Downtown Detroit gets a bad rap, watching or reading any news and you'll see it.  Every city has it's problems and Detroit is no different; however, there are so many things to do and see if you just give it a chance.  The BF and I try to get down there often to try out any of the amazing restaurants, bars, shows, sports, or any other entertainment.  We stay in the safe areas, always travel in groups, and always make sure we know where we are going, which I feel like is the standard protocol for entertainment in any big city.

This week we will spend three straight nights there and I am super excited about it.  Last night we went to the North American Auto Show to see all the new shiny cars and awesome displays.  I have gone for about 5 straight years, but this is the first time I actually went while car shopping which actually made it a lot more fun.  Well a lot more fun except for the fact that I decided that all I really want is my Audi Q5 or an Aston Martin... oh to dream!  Sadly my car potential list is even higher now but we had a great time and got to see some amazing concepts and dream cars.  I also had a little fun with the giant statue of the Michelin man!

Tonight we are heading to the Red Wings game!  Thank goodness hockey is back, the only thing enjoyable about winter for me is hockey.  Detroit plays Minnesota tonight but the BF and I decided that we would just watch from home but that all changed when we saw the billboard on the way into work this morning.  Thanks to stub hub we now have tickets in hand and I can't wait!

Saturday a huge group (14) of us are heading back downtown for the FUN. concert.  Concerts are usually a good time in my book no matter what the band is and trust me I have been to some really odd ones.  This however should be a really cool show and a good time with friends.

On the running front:  2.5 miles yesterday, and I was pretty sure my calves were going to explode.  Made sure to love the foam roller last night.  Today I am hoping to get in 4 real quick after work before we leave for the game. 

Weekend Recap

Ugh Monday, no one ever likes Monday's and today I just wanted to lay in bed with BF and do nothing.  However I have one of those silly little things called a JOB and I had to be here at 6:30 (yes I am blogging from work it will keep me from having to check emails HA).  So instead of concentrating on the fact that I don't want to be here I figured I would recap the weekend!

Friday:  Friday was a good day!  BF came home, we had an amazing sushi dinner, and drove out to Kalamazoo where I graduated college and where my sister currently attends.  Before this though I got my nails done and splurged for a pedicure as well because I decided that I deserved it and that I will be on a beach this weekend so my already winter feet needed it!



Saturday:  I lived life like a college kid and realized that I am not sure how I survived.  We woke up obnoxiously early to attend the Turkey Trot 5K which my sister helped coordinate.  We got home about 9:30 and the tailgating began!  We first went to a bar, then we went to the tailgate lots, and by the time we left I was more than a little tipsy.  The game was good we sadly lost but it was still fun to be there with the BF, sister, and her friends!  This was then followed up by another trip to the bar and a late night passed out on a futon mattress..... ahhh good times!

I am not sure what it is about being back in my college town that instantly turns me into a fat kid but all I wanted that day was french fries dipped in some awesome ranch, pizza, and of course Taco Bell.  All were devoured except for the TB thank goodness! 

Sunday:  Capped off my fat kid/college weekend with a hungover breakfast at Cracker Barrel which I forgot is the most amazing place on earth and then drove my booty home for some much needed recovery time. 

Hope everyone else had a great weekend!

Today will be a good day!

I have decided that today will be a good day!  Thanks to some amazing girlfriends and roommates I was able to take last night to lay in bed for an hour and look at pinterest as if the rest of the world didn't exist and then grab a few fancy schmancy cocktails.  So this morning I am refreshed and excited...... it may only be 7:30 but things are only going to go up from here.  WHY?? Well let me tell you

1) I only have to work a half day... thanks to some overtime I get to leave a few hours early!

2) I am getting my nails done, I have a slight obsession with having my nails be perfectly polished and it always seems to make me just generally happy every time I get them done.  Thinking this will be a pink week because that makes me even happier!

Yup I think I like pink

 3) The BF is coming home, 2 weeks felt like torture so I can't wait to have him back!

4) I get to see my sister and act like a college kid all weekend.  BF and I are heading to WMU this weekend to tailgate and get rowdy with my amazing little sister which is exactly what I need! This time I don't think I will be bonging vodka and orange juice at 8 am but who knows LOL

Hope everyone else has some amazing things to look forward to today and the weekend.  Life can get out of hand but concentrating on the good things will hopefully make it more manageable!

Failed LR and some Football

Weekends really are never long enough!  All summer we were crazy busy and starting next weekend it will pick back up again.  This means that we really wanted to enjoy our last weekend of just relaxing and enjoying fall.

Saturday was LR day for the BF and I... he had to go 20 miles (training for the marathon) which made my 9 not look so bad.  But thanks to not feeling well and not eating friday night I couldn't run past mile 2.  My legs literally wouldn't lift of the ground and from my endomondo you can tell that I even struggled to walk.

I have to say it was super discouraging especially since we are only 20 days out (HOLY CRAP) but this Friday I will do my 10 miler which will be my last long run until the half and I am confident it will go better then this one did.  On a better note BF did do his 20 miles in 3 hours exactly I am so so proud!

Sunday was football day!!  Living in Detroit it amazing for sports because all of the stadiums and activities are super close.  BF is from Minnesota and is a Vikings fan so he made sure to get some tickets to the Vikings V. Lions game this year.  It was the perfect day for some tailgating.. and maybe too perfect since I had one too many vodka sodas oops!  But it was a great game and a good time with friends.  Vikings won which made the BF happy, and since I am a Bears fan I'm just happy I didn't have to deal with a cranky fan on the way home LOL

                                                  

A few of my favorite things

I don't really expect anyone to be reading my blog, or to be interested in my life really; however, I figure I might as well introduce myself a little better just in case.  I am a photo whore (if you ever saw my FB you would agree) so I figured pictures of my favorite things would probably be best! Also these are in no particular order!

1) My sister:  Without going into some long drawn out story about my family all you really need to know is they are a mess.  In the end though this girl has basically become both my daughter and my best friend.  Don't think I would be here without her even though she drives me nuts.  Also this is probably one of my favorite set of pics ever!

2) My Girls:  I have have many many friends come and go through the years but I am so lucky to have the amazing friends that I do.  The girlies on the left are my high school girls that have been there for me through everything.  They are all wifed up and one is expecting her first baby so sometimes I feel out of the loop but I still love them and miss them since they all live a few hours away.  The right girls that fill my weekends and every waking moment since they are my roomies and I wouldn't have it any other way!



Spoiled with 3rd row seats from my BF

3) Sports: Football is king with hockey being a close second.  I am a hardcore Chicago Bears fan and Detroit Red Wings fan... growing up on the west side of Michigan gave me the opportunity to look at both Detroit and Chicago to pick from lol

4) The beach:  really there is no place I would rather be on any given day then on an amazing beach with a drink!

5) My BF:  I could go on and on about how amazing of a person he is to me and how he has made me even better but I will spare the details for another post.  This pic was taken on our first date almost a year ago and I have been this giddy ever since. 

6) My puppy:  Baby bear was given to me as a gift when I first graduated and moved on my own to a whole new city.  He was my baby and my best friend and he tragically died at only 2 from a stroke.  I still miss him and talk about him a little too often.  Haven't been able to get myself to get a new one yet and he will always be my baby!

7) And on a lighter note PB:  Yup pretty sure I couldnt' live without my JIF.  I try to eat pretty healthy and although I know there are better options out there I put PB on everything including just a spoon!  This is my typical snack at work since Yes I do have a jar in my desk!

Those are just a few of my favorite things!!  Hopefully if you actually do read this you know me a little better now :-)