Holiday Favourites

Merry Christmas Eve, from the Moon Family!!
(**taken last night pre-candlelight church service**)

I’m sitting on the couch next to my parents watching Little Shop Around the Corner, debating making these cookies, listening to the fire place roar and enjoying this clean meal I made for our dinner.

Not a typical Christmas dinner but we wanted to eat healthy tonight because the past two days we haven’t been exactly spot on clean and tomorrow we most definitely won’t be! Also mom had lots of baking to do so I decided to take the reigns and cook up some of my spicy turkey burgers with sweet potato fries.

Then I stumbled upon this Holiday Favourites Survey soooo here we go:

1. Favourite Holiday Cookie
My mom makes these things called Hello Dollies every year that are extremely dangerous. They have chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, coconut flakes, a bit of butter and chopped walnuts all baked together in a big dish. So they’re more like brownies but they’re AMAZING.

2. Favourite Holiday Song
Carol of the Bells- especially this version

So beautiful! Also check out Sufjan Steven’s Christmas Album. It’s all the classics but he completely transforms the songs to make them that much more beautiful.

3. Favourite Holiday Movie
My all time favourite would definitely be Elf

BUT….as of this year, I have a second favourite.

I had never seen this until this year! It’s absolutely brilliant and I’ll most likely be watching it year round.

4. Favourite Holiday Tradition
We have a tradition in our family where my grandpa reads Twas the Night Before Christmas. We puts words from the book in a hat and everybody pulls one out. When your word is read, you yell “ho ho ho” and then get an ornament that was bought specifically for you. My dad usually gets something that deals with fishing, my mom will get something to do with books or antiques and me and my sister get an ornament that reflects whatever stage we are in life! We actually haven’t done this in a few years but hopefully we will do it next year. Good times!
5. Favourite Holiday Breakfast
Monkey Bread! It’s like a cinnamon roll- biscuit- caramel- butter- concoction baked in a bundt pan. It’s been a tradition since we were little babies. Lately we’ve been making sausage and egg casserole which is also pretty great.

6. Favourite Holiday Meal
Stuffing. Always. My grandma made the BEST stuffing and fortunately my mom can replicate it perfectly.

7. Favourite Person to Shop For
Mmmm probably my mom and sister. My dad is always really tough to shop for.
8. Favourite Way to Open Presents
Out of a stocking!!

9. Favourite Kind of Ornaments
I prefer the classic glass balls over the handmade ones but they’re all special!

10. Favourite Christmas Quote
“I’m sorry for ruining your lives and cramming 11 cookies in the VCR”- Elf
&
“Guys, I’m eating junk and watching rubbish! You better come out and stop me!”- Home Alone

Your turn! I know Christmas is only a few hours away but it’s never too late to reminisce over good holiday traditions, even if it’s after the 25th! Do this survey and let me know your favourites!

So Merry Christmas everyone, hope yours is filled with food, family and great conversation. Don’t stress and enjoy every minute of it! If the holiday food gives you anxiety I beg you to read this article for a little perspective and then try to relax. Much love!

Blog Nomination

Yay, I got my first blogging nomination! I was nominated by fellow blogger RunningGirl, who also posts lots of great tips on weight loss, finding motivation and of course, running. Thank you so much for the Versatile Blogger Award!

The rules for accepting this award are:

• Display the award certificate on your website.
• Announce your win with a post and include a link to whoever presented your award.
• Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers. 
• Create a post linking to them and drop them a comment to tip them off.
• Post 7 interesting facts about yourself

So here are my blogger nominations:

1. http://www.petiteathleat.com/
2.http://www.theleangreenbean.com/
3.http://www.chefkatelyn.com/
4.http://adventureswiththealwayshungry.blogspot.com/
5.http://sweethealthyliving.com/
6. http://heathereatsalmondbutter.com/
7.http://www.katheats.com/
8.http://cleaneatingchelsey.com/
9.http://www.littlebshealthyhabits.com/
10.http://sheslosingit.net/
11.http://bestitchedblog.wordpress.com/
12.http://www.sprint2thetable.com/
13.http://onthegofitness.wordpress.com/
14.http://brooklynfitchick.typepad.com/brooklyn-fit-chick/
15.http://www.candyfit.net/

Here are my 7 interesting facts:
1. I love black jelly beans
2. My favourite author is Chuck Palahniuk
3. I only had 3 years of high school because I skipped my senior year and went to the University of Arkansas (later transferred to UT Austin)
4. If I could have any dog it would be an Italian Greyhound
5. I’ve always wanted to write a book
6. I usually can’t go to sleep unless I put on chapstick first
7. Favourite dessert combo is mint and chocolate

Probably not the most original facts but it’s all I could think of right now.
Anyways, 2 more days till Christmas and I have one last present to wrap. Bennett and I went out the other night, a grabbed a couple drinks with our friends. I’m usually a little iffy about having too many nights out drinking but hey, its the holidays and I’m having a good time. What’s your point of view on holidays and diet? Everybody is so different but I’ve made the conclusion that it’s good to enjoy good food and drinks in moderation.

We exchanged our Christmas presents before we went out. He’s so sweet- he bought me the most beautiful earrings made by a local Austin jeweler, Limbo Jewelry. He also bought me a Modest Mouse vinyl, some comfy American Apparel socks and….yes…the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. He knows I’m a huge nerd:) I got him a nice pen from Paradise Pens and a whiskey glass collection. Such a lovely Pre-Christmas exchange before we parted ways for the holidays. I’m now in Dallas, sitting in the kitchen, stuffed on chocolate protein pancakes (made with pea protein this time) and about to wrap those last few gifts. Merry Christmas everybody! What are you doing tomorrow night and Christmas Day?

Saturday Night Starbucks Session

I’m here chilling at Starbucks getting ready for my last final. I can’t wait to get it over with and be free for a few beautiful weeks. This one has been tough for me to focus on because I have so many more things that seem more important, such as reading, cooking, working out, blogging and recently, doing demos and promotions at Neiman Marcus for their holiday sweets. Imagine having to walk around for 4 hours holding a tray of chocolate and cake. I think after this experience, I’ve realized I really have developed a good sense of self-control (YAY)! It’s easy for me to turn down sweets when I’m not in the mood but to resist it for four hours is something I didn’t know was possible! Especially when it was brandied gingerbread cake and peppermint bark! It may seem weird that I’m doing food demos and promotions but I decided break would be a great time for me to make a little extra cash and this was a great gig since Neiman Marcus is a fun little place during the holidays. Everybody is in a good mood and excited about Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas shopping, I have a few little presents under my tree ready to go back with me to Dallas next week! I love having my Christmas shopping done so I can relax and avoid the last minute holiday rush to the stores.

So in regards to fitness, how have you guys been doing during the holidays? Is it getting a little tough to resist a few more indulgences than normal? Remember, you can’t out train a bad diet BUT it is the holidays so it’s okay to enjoy the time you get with friends and families. Have a few treats here and there, stay on track with your workouts, and focus on…oh, i don’t know, building muscle?! Thank goodness for winter, right? Even though here in Texas it’s like 80 degrees and DEFINITELY not wintery, we’ve still been pretending like it’s hibernation time by focusing on building more muscle in the gym. It’s not time to cut, it’s time to grow some wings and shape up those booties. I know I’ve been hitting it harder than ever in the gym because of my calorie increase. So if you think you’re ready to put on some muscle, take those holiday calories and put them to good use by improving your personal records on curls, squats, bench presses, pull ups and whatever other body parts you want to improve!

Thanksgiving Day Recap

WARNING: this post may make your mouth water, resulting in the unwrapping of leftovers.

In one sentence I could probably summarize Thanksgiving day by saying the food was plenty, family was everywhere and I was completely relaxed and STUFFED. Success. I don’t regret a single bit of that cheesecake pumpkin pie or the extra helping of stuffing. I’ve been waiting to have a completely guilt-free cheat day since last Thanksgiving and it was totally worth it!

This year, we had all the family come to our house. My mom put her decorating skills to use and created a beautiful array of dining tables and seating both indoors and outdoors.

There was plenty of places to sit and within each chair there was always an appetizer or two begging for attention.

You can never have too many appetizers for a house holding around 30 hungry people!

Menu: Green bean casserole, rosemary potatoes, sweet potato casserole, “cheesy” potatoes, 2 turkeys, two different stuffings, spinach mounds (the best ever), corn bread, dinner rolls, gravy and some whip cream fruit salad.

Drooling yet? Probably not, cause I’m sure you’re still stuffed from your own awesome Thanksgiving dinner. Yay for American traditions.

Giving Thanks

I want to take a moment to write down all the things I’m grateful for, since I probably don’t focus enough on those things and could use the reminder.

I’m thankful for

1. A supporting family

2. My REAL and few friends

3. A healthy body

4. Completing my first NPC bikini competition

5. Finishing up my degree at UT

6. Getting my Health Coaching license from IIN

7. Oatmeal

8. The connections I have made this past year

9. The person I am today compared to the person I was a year ago

10. Happiness

11. My faith

12. Being able to afford (time and financially) to chase my dreams

13. Having a sense of self-worth

14. Sushi

15. Starting MoonFitness

16. Passions

17. Having a healthy relationship

There are many more things that I am thankful for obviously, but these stick out the most. God is great and he’s done a lot of things for me in 2012. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2013.