A Little Holiday Survey

Hey y’all! How is everyone this morning? Today is off to a fairly good start!

This morning I had it on the books to run 3 miles. I rarely time myself, but last week when I did I was running an 11 minute mile. Personally, I think this is pretty awesome for someone who has not seriously run in ages. I’ll take it! haha.

Well, this morning I ran a 10.67 minute mile. I’m not sure if it was that I ran on the grass aka the street car line instead of cement or if I’m getting faster. Whatever it was, I hope I keep shaving my time :)

Speaking of fitness, I refueled my body after my run with 1 egg, 3 whites, a gf English muffin topped with Earth Balance, soy free butter and tomato juice. Talk about perfect.

My eats for the rest of today?

Snack: grapes

Lunch: 1 c leftover red beans and rice and 1 grilled chicken breast

Snack: popchips {ahh, true love}

Dinner: creamy spaghetti with peas.

The recipe for creamy spaghetti with peas will be posted tomorrow! Would you believe me if I said this creamy dish is gluten-free AND vegan? It is and I can’t wait to see how it turns out tonight!

Lately, a few blogs that I love to read have been doing this little holiday survey. Why not join in?! It seems like fun!

Eggnog or hot chocolate?

Hot chocolate … while walking through Christmas in the Oaks with friends, and stopping by mine and Chelsea’s little, literally, bench.

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Always wrapped. Now whether I have mastered the secret of shaking and/or unwrapping and re-wrapping is a secret.

Colored lights on tree/house or white?

Colored lights outside and white on the tree

Do you hang mistletoe?

Nope!

When do you hang your decorations up?

Whenever I can tell that I’m officially in the holiday spirit

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

My dad’s pastrami wraps. He mixes cream cheese and walnuts, scoops about a tablespoon onto a slice of pastrami and wraps it. They are HORRIBLE for you … but they make me happy and remind me of Christmas :)

Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Family trips to Indiana to see my dad’s side of the family and having him stop the car for us the second we saw snow so my sister and I could play.

I wish I had the picture of my sister and I with a snowman three years back, but it’s on my old computer that I gave to my sister.

What is on your Christmas wish list?

• A nice camera Thanks mom and dad for helping me pay for this!!!!
• Gift card to Victoria’s Secret Thanks Darci!!!!
  
• Food Processor
• Massage
• A boyfriend

Do you open a gifts on Christmas Eve?

Yep! We sure do. Either after 6 pm mass or after dinner and before midnight mass.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

My Christmas tree has the ornaments I’ve been given or purchased these last few years.

Snow? Love it or dread it?

Love it when I live in New Orleans. Hated it when I live in Dallas, except when I was stuck inside studying. It was pretty to look at!

Real tree or fake tree?

Fake in my apartment. We can all thank Sydney for that.

Real at my parent’s house. My dad has this super cool fence that keeps both Sydney and my sister’s cat from under the tree.

Do you remember your favorite gift?

There are two. My first cd player and my first Bichon Frise, Burberry Brit (“Brit”)

As you can see, Brit was not exactly a fan of being held. But every once in a while, I just had to pick her up for a picture. I’m glad I did, because she was on the earth, and in my life for too short of a time. So at least I have pictures!

What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?

It is a time to give and that baby Jesus was brought into this world :)

What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Hands down, oey goey cake. I can remember not wanting to speak to my sister because she ate some edge pieces. Haha!

What is your favorite tradition?

Family lunch at my mawmaw’s house on Christmas day. We don’t go to her house every year, sometimes we will go to an Aunt’s, Uncle’s or Cousin’s, but most of the time we do.

This is the tree she puts up every year. Every single ornament is handmade. My mawmaw has skills and is one of THE most creative people I know.

What tops your tree?

Nothing. They didn’t have tree toppers out when I went to buy my tree. I need to get on this!

Do you prefer giving or receiving?

Giving! I’m always on the hunt for the PERFECT gift for someone.

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Anything on Hanson’s Christmas cd.

Yes, I’m THAT girl.

Taylor is MINE, Christie!!

Candy canes, yuck or yum?

I like the ones that don’t taste like peppermint.

Favorite Christmas movie?

The Snowman. It’s an animated film that is older than I am (27). It’s only on VHS. My sister and I watch it with my dad every year.

What do you leave for Santa?

We used to leave cookies. I think my little sister, who is now 23 and married, still does. Haha. I love her!

Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

Nope .. just pack up to head to my mawmaw’s!

Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?

I would have said on-line, but I’m working through some personal issues where I’m not allowing myself to shop on-line for a bit and I’m working on my patience, which is why I’d avoid the mall.

So, mall! :)

Do we share any answers? If so, which one?

I’d love to hear some of your answers, so please, share away!!

DAY 20: I’m thankful that my extended family is close. I’m so lucky to have so many family members who care about me in my life!

Tags: half marathon training, holiday survey, meal planning, Weight Loss