Niki's Neverending Adventure

TGIF!! It really doesn’t matter to me that it’s Friday since I’m on Christmas Break everyday, but I know most of ya’ll are so glad it’s Friday!! I’m excited that it’s the weekend because my brother graduates from college tomorrow!! Yay Josh!! He is graduating from the University of Memphis (that’s where I graduated too) with a bachelor’s of science in biology. He is hoping to get into a biology research program at UT Memphis (where I am currently in school) that would start next fall. He is so smart and I am so proud of him! Looking forward to spending the day with my family tomorrow!

 

 

This is me and my brother at my Dad’s Birthday dinner in November. See a resemblance? I don’t! Haha :)

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I had an 8 miler on the schedule today, and 8 miles is what I did!! I woke up around 6:30am, ate half a Banana Nut Bread Clif Bar, and headed out to my parent’s house to run out there. I wasn’t really mentally into this run. I was just so ready to be finished, but I wanted to do the whole 8 miles so I just kept pushing myself to finish it. Physically I felt pretty good. I started out way too fast, and knew I was going too fast but didn’t hold myself back, so the last couple miles weren’t exactly fun. But, I finished with an average pace of 10:16/mile so that made me happy!! I felt GREAT after my run! I immediately had a huge appetite, which is rare for me after longer runs, and haven’t really been sore at all today! That makes me happy :)  My headphones died during my run today which was really annoying! I have had these headphones for years! I think like 6 years or so, so they had a good life but it was so annoying that they decided to die in the middle of the run. Luckily, I went shopping with my mom this afternoon and was able to pick up a new pair for my run on Sunday. I don’t like doing longer runs without music unless I’m running with someone!

 

I am debating on whether to get up super early before the graduation (it’s a morning graduation) and doing a boot camp workout or just sleeping in. I bet I end up getting up early and working out… guess we will see :) Anyone have any fun weekend plans?? I think I just about finished my Christmas shopping today! Yay!! I just wish I had more presents to wrap! I totally love wrapping presents! I have literally wrapped almost every gift under my parent’s tree, except my gifts obviously!! Well, have a great weekend ya’ll!

Posted in: on Friday, December 18, 2009 at at 9:01 PM 3 comments    

Good evening my bloggy friends!! As you may have noticed, I have been doing some changes to Niki’s Neverending Adventure! What do ya’ll think??

 

I made a really yummy dinner tonight, or actually, my crock pot did! I love crock pot meals because they are so simple to throw together in the morning and then you come home to a house smelling of yummy deliciousness!! And this recipe definitely had my house smelling good!! I found this recipe off of Lauren’s blog. Ya’ll go visit her and tell her hi! She has some of the best looking healthy recipes around!

 

Buffalo Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound of all white meat ground chicken breast (all natural, organic)**
• 1 small diced onion
• 1 large carrot chopped
• 1 small green pepper chopped
• garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, parsley
• 1/4 cup of buffalo sauce
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 15 oz can white beans
• 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes

**I used ground turkey breast because I can’t find ground chicken here**

First, I browned the meat in a large skillet. Then, I added the chopped veggies, and the garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika and parsley.

Let this sauté for about 5 min, until veggies are slightly tender and then add the chicken broth to scrape up all of the brown bits on the bottom on the pan.

Next, I converted the mixture into a slow cooker and added the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

 

 

Getting all hot and bubbly in the Crock Pot!! 

 

 

I topped mine with some Light Sour Cream! Yum!!

 

 

 

And a small salad on the side! Spinach, onion, jalapenos, and sharp cheddar cheese!! Needed some greens in my life :)

Lauren, this recipe is awesome!! I am looking forward to all the leftovers!!

 

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No running for me today!! I had planned on doing a upper body strength workout but the past 2 nights I have slept funny on my shoulder and it hurts to raise it, let alone lift weights!! So, I opted to do an ab workout instead. I did as many ab moves as I could think of and it lasted about 12 minutes. I was sore by the end!! Tomorrow, is a long run day for me! It will be the first since the 1/2 marathon! I am planning on doing 8-10 miles depending on how I feel.

 

I got to have lunch at Panera today with my friend Katie!! I love Panera! I ended up having an Asiago Cheese bagel with Hazelnut cream cheese! I think bagels are favorite thing there!! Yum! And then after, we met up with another one of my bridesmaids and went bridesmaid dress shopping!! We found one at David’s Bridal and it is only $99!! I thought that was pretty good for a bridesmaid dress!! Plus, they are super cute and will definitely be worn again!! I know all brides say that, but seriously, this one you can :) Here is a picture of it:

 

  

 

That’s the exact color they are getting too! Love it! What do ya’ll think??

 

I am having a relaxing evening with my puppy who is begging me to come cuddle her. So I’m off to cuddle!!

Posted in: on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at at 7:31 PM 6 comments    

Testing!! What do ya’ll think about my new blog design? I am still working on the recipes page so make sure an check back in a few days! Someone leave a comment so I know everything’s working please!! :) Be back tonight with a yummy recipe!!

Posted in: on at at 5:58 PM 3 comments    

I few days ago I discovered something really yummy and fun! Purple Oats!! I made my oatmeal like I normally do: 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup skim milk, 1/3 cup oats, 1/2 a frozen banana, splash of vanilla and a sprinkle of cinnamon. But then I got creative and added a handful of frozen blueberries! And then my oats became purple!!

 

 

Frozen blueberries are a delicious addition!! I am so glad I figured out the frozen fruit works just as good as fresh fruits in stovetop oats!!

 

 

Enjoyed with the usual toppings of Naturally More PB and coconut! I think that eating purple oats is way more fun than regular colored oats!!

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I had a 5 mile run planned for this morning. I didn’t set an alarm because I literally had nothing to do today, so I could run whenever I wanted!! I woke up around 8:45am! That’s so late for me! So, I slept for 10+ hours last night! Yikes, seems to make me even more tired when I sleep over 8 hours… oh well, it was nice to let my body wake up on it’s own for once!!

 

So anyway, I headed out for my 5 miler around 9:15ish and the thermometer was still reading 27 degrees! Yikes, that’s cold! I definitely bundled up!! There was a little bit of a wind, so I was freezing in one direction but at least my route kinda curves around a lot so I wasn’t running into the wind all that much. I did my usual hilly 5 mile route and I felt kinda tired the whole time. I definitely didn’t feel like I was going very fast. I am attributing that to too much sleep! My tummy was acting up a bit too, but I managed to push through it and kept going. My watch beeped at the 5 mile mark and I looked down and the time said 49:02! Wow! Definitely didn’t think I was doing under a 10 minute mile, that’s for sure! I was expecting to see 10:30/miles! Here’s my splits:

 

Mile 1: 10:03

Mile 2: 9:43

Mile 3: 9:46

Mile 4: 9:57

Mile 5: 9:35

Average pace: 9:49

 

Yay for me!! I am planning a longer run for Friday so hopefully that will go well! Maybe it will be a little warmer than 27 degrees!!

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I have spent the entire day, literally, in front of the computer working on Honeymoon stuff!! I need to get our plane tickets booked before the prices get any higher!! We are planning to go to San Francisco, Napa Valley, and maybe Sacramento to do some white water rafting. I did a bunch of research on what to do while we are there and on plane ticket prices. I didn’t realize how much there was to do in these areas! So overwhelming!!  I have yet to do any hotel research so if anyone has any recommendations for hotels in these areas please let me know!! The fiancé and I are going over all my work tonight so hopefully we will have a definite itinerary and I can book plane tickets and start looking for hotels!!

 

I am super excited for tomorrow because I am going to lunch with my great friend and bridesmaid, Katie, and then we are meeting up with Jennifer, another one of my bridesmaids, and we are going to pick their dresses out! Yay!! We are going to start at David’s Bridal because they have so many choices and great prices, so hopefully we will find one there that everyone likes!!

 

Well, that’s enough for now! Have a good night!

Posted in: on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at at 4:35 PM 3 comments    

Happy Tuesday everyone!! My Christmas Break has been going good so far! I’ve been keeping myself super busy! Today I did a BUNCH of Christmas shopping and present wrapping!! I am about done with my Christmas shopping! I may pick up a few more things, maybe not. I’m just excited I have presents under my tree!! Yesterday, my mom and I went and bought my new IPhone!! She’s getting my brother and I one for Christmas! I picked out a cute cover too! Sadly, she is making me wait until Christmas day to get it :( I have been waiting so long for this phone!! I can’t wait until Christmas!!

 

On to running… Yesterday, I had an early morning 3 miler with Erin. It was nice, actually a little warmer than it’s been!! It was the first day of her half marathon training! She’s gonna do great! Ya’ll make sure and follow her along and encourage her through her training!! I had unofficially decided to run 5 miles today, but when I woke up I really didn’t feel like it. So I decided to do the same boot camp workout I did Sunday morning, and run 5 miles tomorrow. I also decided that until I start officially training for my next half marathon, (end of January) I want to mix things up a bit. My plan is to cut my running from 5 days a week to 4 days a week, and do more strength training/ boot camp/ cross training workouts on the other 3 days. I decided to do this because I don’t want to get bored with my running since I’m not officially in training mode. I don’t want to get burned out by running too much, which could easily happen. Also, I want to work on toning myself up for my June wedding and strength training is just the way to do that! I love these boot camp workouts I’ve been doing! I feel so great after them! Ya’ll should definitely try them out! So that’s the plan, what do ya’ll think?

 

I have a few recipes to share!! The fist is from IGE and is a Turkey (Chicken) Pot Pie! It was delicious!!

 

 

I just finished up the leftovers!! YUM!

 

I’m not really sure what these next things are called, so I will just make up a name! I got the recipe the other day from my future SIL and then saw it on GreenDogWine the next day!! This is SUPER simple and is a nice treat that would be good to take to parties or just eat yourself!

 

Rolo Pretzels

Rolos- however many you want

Pretzels- the same amount as Rolos, obviously

Nuts (pecans or almonds work best) same amount as Rolos also

 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pretzels on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place Rolos on top.

 

 

Bake 5-7 minutes until Rolos are melty. Munch on a few pretzels while you wait :)

 

Immediately place nut on top of melty Rolo once out of oven. Press down to squish Rolo. Let cool and enjoy!!

 

 

 

These are so good! I can see them becoming very addicting! I must find someone to give some to! Any takers??

 

Unfortunately, my running buddy is sick so I am on my own for my run tomorrow. Feel better Erin! At least I can sleep in :)    I have a ton of blogs in my Google Reader to catch up on so sorry if I haven’t commented in a few days!! Have a wonderful night!!

Posted in: on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at at 8:10 PM 2 comments    

Hey ya’ll! Hope you are having a great weekend! Today was kinda lazy, the weather was misty rain all day so that’s always a good reason to stay in!!

 

I got up around 6:30 this morning and did one of Bobbi’s boot camp workouts! This one is awesome! It takes about 30 minutes and you will definitely be sweating by the end!!

 

After church, I spent some time at my parent’s house and helped them out by wrapping gifts! I wrapped some that my mom had bought for my dad and some my dad had bought for my mom!

 

 

These are some of the ones I wrapped. When I took this picture, I had already taken some downstairs to put under the tree. I ended up wrapping a lot!! For some reason, I love to wrap Christmas gifts!! I turn up the Christmas music and get to wrapping! It’s so fun!!

 

Dinner tonight was a cheese and onion quesadilla. Just take a flour tortilla, and spread chopped onions and cheese on it.

 

 

I had to use shredded mozzarella and sliced cheddar because I was running low on cheese!!

 

Then fold it over and brown both sides.

 

 

Slice it up and serve with lots of taco bell hot sauce and sour cream (I was out of sour cream).

 

 

I had some Clementines on the side!

 

 

I am planning on having some Peppermint ice cream for dessert!! I have already had one three Christmas cookies today! Oh well, good thing I worked out this morning!! I am planning on spending the rest of my night watching recorded episodes of Say Yes to the Dress! Love that show!! Have a GREAT night!!

Posted in: on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at at 7:09 PM 2 comments    

I had a very busy but super fun day today!! It started out with an early morning run. Unfortunately, my running buddy, Erin, was unable to run with me this morning due to her GRADUATION! Congrats Erin on getting your masters!! You are awesome girl!

 

I did a short, easy 3 miles at a 9:54 pace. I was surprised to see that I was running below a 10:00 mile and it felt “easy”! This week has kinda been a laid back running week. I only ran 4 days (I normally run 5 days/week) and only ran 3 and 4 milers. It was good to kind of take it easy after the half last weekend but I am going to get back on to my regular running schedule staring next week(Monday).

 

After my run, I got ready and headed over to my parent’s house so I could go Christmas shopping with my dad. We go shopping together every year for my mom and it’s starting to become a tradition that I really enjoy! We did great and got everything we needed to!!

 

After shopping, my mom and I headed to the “tea party” with my future MIL, her sisters, her mother, and the fiancé's sister and kids. It was the first time for me to meet a few of them but the first time for my mom to meet everyone (except the fiancé's mom, they met once before in passing). It was a blast! I think both my mom and I really enjoyed ourselves and we were able to catch everyone up on the wedding plans! I love spending time with my “future family”!! They are so fun!

 

Then after the “tea party”, my mom and I decided to frost some sugar cookies! My parents went to a cookie party last night and brought home a bunch of un-frosted sugar cookies. So, my mom and I whipped up some Royal Icing and got to frosting!!

 

 

These are the one’s I did. Pretty good job, right?

 

 

And these are the one’s my mom did. I think the best part about sugar cookies is getting to frost them! It’s so fun!! Don’t worry, I will be taste testing one or two of them after I finish this post!

 

We worked up an appetite frosting those cookies so we ordered some To-Go food from Newks. I love their BBQ Chicken Pizza so of course that’s what I got! It was delicious!

 

 

I ate half (3 pieces) and am saving the rest for lunch tomorrow after church!

 

Tomorrow morning I am doing another boot camp workout before church. Looking forward to that!

 

How is everyone doing on your Christmas shopping?? I need to do a lot more! But, I am going to go during the week so it’s not so crowded!!

Posted in: on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at at 8:26 PM 1 comments    

Today officially marks 2 weeks until my 25th birthday (yes, on Christmas Day!!) and 6 months until my Wedding!! I am SUPER excited!! Plus, I will be turning 25 on the 25th, I think they call that your “GOLDEN” Birthday?!

 

Yes, my birthday is on Christmas Day. And before you say, “Aw, that must suck!”, let me stop you and say that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY BIRTHDAY BEING ON CHRISTMAS DAY!! It’s an awesome day to be born! Especially, that I get to share Jesus’ birthday! My whole life, everyone has always told me they would hate to be born on Christmas Day, but I really do love it! My parents always made a big deal of separating the two, which I’m sure has made is so enjoyable!! I even get my own Birthday Christmas Tree (now coined Birthmus Tree by the fiancé) for all my birthday presents to go under.  Who else has a birthday where you are ALWAYS with family and where everyone is always happy and festive??

 

We always go out for my birthday dinner on Christmas Eve, after church. I LOVE doing this, couldn’t imagine Christmas Eve any other way!! Then we come home and I make sure to turn on my favorite Christmas movie, The Santa Clause. Then Christmas morning, I am always the first one up! Just too excited for both birthday and Christmas! I have made it sort of a new tradition for me to go on an early morning run before everyone else gets up. Kinda an amazing feeling to be running along in the dark, with people’s houses lit up by Christmas lights, knowing which families are up already opening gifts, and realizing how much I have to be thankful for and how blessed I am. Then, I get home and wake everyone up, and we start with stockings and move onto Christmas gifts. After the presents, we have breakfast and just hang out for the rest of the day! We do my “birthday” at night after our Christmas/ Birthday dinner. I open the presents under the Birthmus tree and then have birthday cake! It’s such a fun filled day! I love it!! This Christmas/ Birthday is kinda bittersweet because it’s the last year before I’m married and next year I probably won’t be spending the night with my parents on Christmas Eve or Christmas night. Kind of exciting too, that the fiancé and I will be starting our own little traditions! Like I said, BITTERSWEET :)

 

Moving onto my day… No running today, it was a rest day. I have an early morning run scheduled with Erin tomorrow! Looking forward to it and we are hoping to beat the rain! I spent my day Christmas shopping with my mom and doing my bridal registry at Bed, Bath, and Beyond! Shopping was fun, registering was a little stressful and overwhelming. I definitely liked doing the online William-Sonoma registry better than the in person Bed, Bath, and Beyond one. I will definitely be doing my Target one online!! But, I was glad to get it done and the scanner gun was kinda fun to play with :)

 

Friday night’s are “unofficially” pizza nights. And since I’ve spent all my money on Christmas gifts and am pretty broke, frozen pizza it was. Don’t knock some frozen pizza, I would definitely rather have it than delivery!!

 

 

I usually like to doctor it up with some veggies but I am completely lacking on veggies right now. All I had was an onion so I chopped that up and on the pizza it went!

 

 

This was actually pretty good for only costing me $3!!

 

 

And I definitely enjoyed some vino with my pizza! Perfect combination, in my opinion!! This kind was called NO Sauvignon Blanc. It’s good!!

 

 

I had 3 smallish pieces and a Clementine. Yummy!

 

The rest of the night I cuddled Sadie, read my Runner’s World magazine, and watched The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. If you can’t tell by now, I am obsessed with The Santa Clause movies. I have all 3 recorded on my DVR :)

 

And of course I had to have dessert!! I found this today when I was at the grocery store with my mom! Luckily, she bought it for me since she knew how I long I’ve been searching for these holiday flavors! Thanks mom!!

 

 

 

I was a little nervous to try Peppermint ice cream because I couldn’t imagine what it would taste like. But ya’ll, this stuff is AWESOME!! I highly recommend it if you can find it at your store!!

 

Tomorrow I am doing some shopping with my dad and then going to a “tea party” that my future MIL, her sisters, and her mom are hosting for me and my mom so everyone can meet each other and talk all about the wedding plans! Should be fun! What are you plans for the weekend?

Posted in: on Friday, December 11, 2009 at at 9:44 PM 7 comments    

Hey ya’ll!! Hope everyone is having a great day!! I have had way too much time on my hands since this semester is over! I’m trying NOT to complain, but I found myself semi bored this afternoon! Why can’t I just enjoy doing nothing? Luckily, tomorrow I have shopping plans with my mom!!

 

I started out today with an early morning run with my running buddy!! I did 2 miles with Erin and 2 miles by myself for a total of 4 miles. I felt good even though I’m sore from my boot camp workouts!! It was so cold this morning! 22 degrees with a wind-chill of 16!! I LOVE running in the cold though, I will definitely take it over the heat and humidity!!

 

I’ve decided to try to use up the things I have in the pantry before I go to the store. It’s my great idea to save money but it makes for not so fun meals :( However, I think I came up with a pretty creative dinner!!

 

Spicy Breaded Chicken

Chicken breasts (however many you need)

breadcrumbs

cayenne pepper

garlic salt

salt and pepper

1 TBSP EVOO

 

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all the dry ingredients (whatever amount of each you want, be creative!) in a pie plate.

 

 

 

Wet your chicken breasts with water and place in pie plate. Coat both sides evenly.

 

 

Heat EVOO in skillet over medium heat and brown both sides of chicken 5-6 minutes total.

 

 

Transfer to oven safe dish and bake 15-20 minutes until done. Enjoy!!

 

 

I enjoyed mine with a biscuit and frozen veggies. YUM!

 

 

Hope ya’ll enjoy this recipe!! Off to finish watching the Real World/Road Rules Challenge Finale!!

Posted in: on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at at 6:43 PM 2 comments    

Hey everyone! I am officially on Christmas Break! Yay! I think I did ok on my test today, just so happy to be done with it!!

 

Anyway, enough about school!! I have some funny race photos to share from the half I just did! Check them out!

 

 

I honestly have NO CLUE where this picture was taken! Haha!! I do remember seeing the camera guy and trying to smile though! Check out my hair flying behind my head! Seems to be the theme of the race!

 

 

This one’s kinda hard to see but it is right after I crossed the finish. Again, notice my hair flying behind my head! I am also attempting to stop my watch at this point! Ha!

 

Onto the yummy cookie recipes!! Yesterday, I saw that Lauren made these Pumpkin Molasses cookies (recipe by Holly) and I knew I had to try them!! Here’s the recipe:

 

Vegan Pumpkin Molasses Cookies

2 cups flour (you can use regular or whole wheat)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup molasses
1/3 cup canola oil
3/4 cup evaporated cane juice (or other form of sugar), reserving 2 tbsp.
2 tbsp. water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, sift all the dry ingredients together, including the ground flax. Set aside.

 

 

In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, molasses and canola oil.  Then whisk in the sugar.

 

 

Fold the pumpkin molasses mixture in the dry ingredients. Add the water near the end, which should help the dough come together.  It will be sticky.

 

 

In a small bowl, place the 2 tbsp. of sugar and mix with a dash or two of ground ginger.

Spoon 1 tbsp. of the dough, rolling it in your hands into a ball.  Then toss the ball in sugar mixture until it is coated.  Repeat this process for all 24 cookies.

 

 

Before placing the pan in the oven, press a fork vertically then horizontally (creating criss crossing lines), slightly smooshing the cookie down.  The cookie should be 1/4- to 1/2-inch or so thickness.

 

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until slightly firm. Makes 2 dozen cookies.

 

These are GREAT!! A must try for sure!!

 

I also decided I wanted to make a chocolate cookie so I went to one of my favorite recipes, CHOCOLATE THUMBPRINTS!!

 

Chocolate Thumbprints

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup butter, softened

1tsp vanilla

1 egg yolk

3/4 cup sugar

Chocolate frosting (store bought or homemade)

 

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Combine flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Set aside.

 

Combine butter, sugar, and vanilla at medium speed. Add egg yolk and combine. Add flour mixture until combined.

 

 

Shape into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Make indention with thumb.

 

 

 

Bake 10-11 minutes. Let cool, then frost with frosting. Enjoy!!

 

 

This is what I used!

 

 

These are soooo good! I can’t wait for ya’ll to try them! Both of these recipes are easy too!!

 

No running this morning due to crazy winds, like 30mph! So Erin came over and we did another boot camp workout! I am so sore from yesterday’s boot camp workout! Haha! Tomorrow we are back to early morning running :) I think it’s only supposed to be 22 degrees! YIKES!! Hope ya’ll have a great night!!

Posted in: on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at at 9:24 PM 4 comments