Kicking the summer off right....

So I've been inspired, y'all!  Have you ever read the blog "Peanut Butter Fingers"??  I love it!  If you have time and want to follow her blog...here is it:  http://www.pbfingers.com/  She is always posting great workouts and recipes....things I love.  Not to mention she seems equally in love with her dog as I am with Bella.  Since summer is here and my TOT classes are over, I have more time to get inspired and to blog.  It's so fun for me!  Ryan is swamped with work (this month is a busy season with their business) so I feel a little guilty having all of this time to catch up on fun/relaxing things.  While he is out working in the heat...sometimes Bella and I will do this...

Hahaha, I had to take this....she is sleeping right above me.  Bella always has to be with you even when she is sleeping.  My social butterfly.  But really, I don't nap everyday...I'm having a productive summer so far.  This morning I woke up and took Bella on a little loop around the neighborhood.  When we got home I went right back out the door for a six mile run....then treated myself to a yummy breakfast.

An egg with goat cheese on a whole wheat English muffin and a side of berries.  The blackberries were so ripe and tasted heavenly! Once I was showered and finished running some errands I went and met up with Kristin, Toni, and Alyssa for a bite of lunch.  I LOVE those girls....Alyssa's baby boy, Landon, was such great entertainment :)  I even splurged and got an ice cream sandwich at the restaurant...but I didn't eat all of it because I gave the girls each a bite ;)  So that makes it not as bad...right!?

I haven't started any big summer projects around the house yet, but I plan on tackling a biggie soon....stripping the wall paper and repainting our downstairs bathroom.  I don't have a picture, but as of now this bathroom has duck wallpaper on it.  Yep, not my style.  I hate starting a project that I can't finish right away so I never took time to begin it...BUT this summer is the summer that the duck walls are gonna go.  I will post a before and after picture eventually.

On Sunday we got back from Dallas where we visited by brother and his girlfriend Staci.  My Mom and Dad met us up there because it was Dad's birthday weekend.  We had so much fun, and we stayed in the Omni...which is absolutely beautiful and complete luxury!  I even got to hit up the Omni fitness center which I was really impressed with.  And on Saturday afternoon we hit up the Rangers game. Now doesn't that sound like an eventful weekend?!  Oh, summer...how I have missed you :)  Here is a picture of my hubby and I at the game:

Food and Fitness

From January till a bout a month ago I hit this slump in my workout routine.  You see, I don't have a gym membership so I usually go for a good run to get my heart rate up.  Then  I do some at home exercises to finish it off.  Well shortly after my half marathon last October, I just got burnt out on running and would only go once a week or so.  Well my friends, my love for running is back!  I think the time off from running 5 days a week was great and much needed, but I am excited that I am whipping myself back into running condition.  I am not super competitive, so running always intimidated me a little bit.  But when you find a beautiful route and a good pace for yourself it makes the experience much more enjoyable.  I even found some great at home circuit workouts for days that I take off from hitting the pavement!...all thanks to Pinterest ;) 

Now that I am burning more calories, I felt the need to start whipping up some hardier, healthier...and YUMMIER breakfasts.  I am getting a little tired of the usually almond coconut KIND bar every morning.  And I LOVE eating guilt free carbs :)  Our fridge is stocked up with whole wheat bagels and english muffins...heavenly!  Here are some tasty morning treats that I have been enjoying. Feel free to take these yummy ideas and change em up a bit...and share it with me!  Because I love food :)

Whole wheat bagel with cream cheese and sliced strawberries.

Whole wheat english muffin with almond butter, sliced banana, and one scrambled egg on the side.

Almond and Orange Granola

 Here is the granola recipe:

4 cups of oats

1/2 cup of honey

2 tbs of brown sugar

2 tsp of vanilla

1 tbs of orange zest

1/2 cup of sliced almonds

Mix all the ingredients together, pour over foil in a baking dish, and bake for 30 minutes at 350!

If you like your granola with clusters then add a couple tbs of water, the more water the more clusters :)

Oh and here is my baby :)