May I offer you $10?

Rue La La has become a part of my morning work ritual as much as grabbing my mug of tea and having a yogurt.  Every morning at 9:59am I am poised and ready to click on my bookmark to see what the sale of the day has to offer!  Rue La La is an invitation only sample sale website that has the most amazing sales... from Vera Wang Lavender Label to Puma to luxury vacations and spa appointments and everything in between you want to be on the inside of the lala.

I'm extending an invitation to join to all of my readers and on top of that Rue La La will give you $10 toward your first purchase.  All you have to do is visit http://www.ruelala.com/invite/mrseverlasting to sign up and you're in!  This offer goes until December 24th so consider it my holiday gift to you all! I can't wait to hear about all of the amazing purchases I'm sure you will all be making.

Operation Get Hot: An Invitation

When I began my weight loss and workout journey in February I decided to blog about it mostly for the accountability factor. On evenings when I didn't want to put in that last mile or head out the door in the first place I was motivated knowing that I was doing this for myself and also that I had y'all to report back to on Monday. I could never have imagine that through my journey to 13.1 I would not only get such encouragement from my readers but also inspire them! I have talked to so many of you who have said such sweet things about how you are encouraged to start running and get a routine going and quite honestly it blows me away that I have been able to motivate others.

Because there has been such a big response from so many of you I would like to invite you to join in and start training along with myself and some of my favorite blogging ladies. Last week I created an 8 week 5k training plan for my sweet friend Erin at Blue Eyed Bride and I am going to share it with all of you. If you have always wanted to complete a 5k (or 10k, 1/2 marathon, lose weight, get stronger, anything!) I encourage you to join us as we all move toward our next goal together. My Monday training recaps will be back (by popular demand!) next week and I would love it if you would all share your own weekly training as well.

My personal goal for the next 8 weeks is weight loss. I am leaving for Costa Rica in 8 weeks and would like to be at my goal weight when I get on the plane. That leaves me with 9.5 pounds to go. My workouts will consist of crossfit, running, and completing Jillian's 30 Day Shred.  I'm going to be using weight watchers to track points during the week and limit eating out to a minimum on the weekends. Hopefully the combination of a reved up workout and more closely watching what I eat will get me to my goal!

So who wants to join OGH and make a change in the next 8 weeks???

---

Mrs. Everlasting's 8 Weeks to 5k Training Plan

This is a 3 day/week schedule but is very flexible. Try to space out the workouts if you can but you can also do two days in a row if needed.  I based the schedule on both the Galloway Method and the Couch to 5k but modified based on my own training experiences and feedback from other new runners.  Remember to have fun and that anyone can "be a runner." Running isn't about how fast you go or how many miles you complete, it's about getting out there and doing it! You can do it!!!

In weeks 1-8 you will be building endurance and constantly seeing improvements. It will be really fun to watch the workouts continue to progress and you should notice that things are getting easier. If you feel that you can run more than what is scheduled let me know and I can modify. Your final workout in Week 8 is 3.1 miles (a 5k!). Try to find a race in your area to sign up for so that you can celebrate this huge milestone!  Having a race to look forward to really helps you to keep going during your training because you know that it's coming and you have to get ready. 

Each workout will begin with a brisk 5 minute walk.

Week One

Workout #1 -
Run for 2 minutes, Walk for 2 minutes. Repeat 5 times (for a total of 20 minutes).

Workout #2 -
Run for 2 minutes, Walk for 2 minutes. Repeat 5 times (for a total of 20 minutes).

Workout #3 -
Run for 3 minutes, walk for 1 minute. Complete 1 mile.

That really was it.

I smiled bigger than I have in a long time, shed some very unexpected tears and walked away feeling a great respect for Michael Jackson as both an artist and a person.  The film gives an incredibly intimate look into a very small part of his life and in those 2 hours I feel that I learned more about the man and the artist than ever before.  I believe that his love for people was incredibly genuine and found myself feeling very critical that I had chosen to judge so soon when allegations were brought against him.

Watching Michael dance and sing, sometimes full out and other times in sweats while simply marking it, was mesmerizing and solidified him (in my eyes, anyway) as the greatest performer of all time.  He had an amazing gift and cared so deeply about sharing it with his fans.  I have forever been changed by witnessing the passion and purity with which Michael approached his craft and can't help but ask myself, "What level of commitment am I bringing to things in my own life?"

Have you seen it?  Will you see it?  Am I reading much to far into it?  Let's discuss...

Tuesday Miscellany... When only bullet points will do

• This weekend we dog sat for my good friend Carrie's dog Riley.  He is the sweetest 8 year old lab mix and Charlie had one heck of a time giving the old man a run for his money.  We went to the park, Riley dressed up for Halloween, and our (empty) dining room became headquarters for the puppy wrestling championships.  My favorite part of the weekend was Saturday night when Mr. Everlasting caved and we had a "halloween sleepover."  Charlie, Riley, and the two of us snuggling in bed, shockingly everyone had a spot and we made it that way until morning! It was so much fun but also so exhausting-- someone please remind me of this next time I mention wanting to adopt another pup! 

 { charlie being ridiculously cute at the park }

{ sweet riley in his costume - he was a squirrel! }

{ charlie & riley - please excuse the poor narration! }

 

• Friday night I decided to pull out the hot rollers and give myself some big, sassy, southern hair for a date night with Mr. Everlasting.  I think it turned out pretty well, but the best part is that it took me WAY less time than I normally do trying to manage a round brush and then straight iron... I think I've found a new go-to style.  

• I'm officially 2 weeks post half marathon and getting myself back into a fitness routine.  I've re-initiated Operation Get Hot (it keeps coming back!)  and have been doing a pretty good job keeping up with it.  I'm doing a combination of 30 Day Shred, Crossfit, and a little bit of running (about 2x/week).  I am down a total of 16 pounds since I started WW and my goal is to lose 4 .5 more before Thanksgiving.  I also must say that I am super excited for all of you girls out there that have been running and have races coming up and also for those of you just starting out!  Would y'all still like for me to do Monday workout recaps even while I'm not training for a race?
  

• Sunday was spent doing what felt like a thousand loads of laundry, enjoying the extra hour of sleep, and cooking all afternoon.  I shared the turkey meatloaf recipe yesterday and also made batch of white turkey chili for us to eat throughout the week... I made that one up as I went and I think it turned out pretty well.  I am far too embarrassed of my baking failure to share the picture again here (those of you on twitter saw it on Sunday) but I managed to make the ugliest chocolate chip cookies of all time.  I have no idea what went wrong and that is why I plan on sticking to cooking from now on!  I'll leave the baking to the wonderful ladies at Costco... their pies and treats always turn out. 
  

What's for dinner now?

Turkey Meatloaf Stuffed in Bell Peppers
(Mrs. Everlasting's Adaptation from Bride & Groom: First & Forever Cookbook)

Serves 4 - 6

Ingredients:
- 3 to 4 red bell peppers 
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 8 oz Italian chicken sausage (optional)
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons roasted mashed garlic
- 1 cup ketchup
- 4 tablespoons worcestershire sauce (to taste, I like a little more)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/8 cup milk
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Garlic Salt


Directions
Preheat oven to 350.

Slice peppers in half lengthwise and clean.  Lay tin foil on a jelly roll pan and place peppers with open sides facing up.  Brush or spray with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.  Roast in the oven for approximately 15-20 minutes.  When you take them out there will be olive oil pooled in the peppers, pour that off.  

While peppers are roasting you can prepare the meatloaf mixture.

Combine 1/2 ketchup and 1/2 worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.  Mix well and set aside.  Combine breadcrumbs and 1/8 cup milk (just enough so that all breadcrumbs get wet) in another bowl, set aside.

Chop onion and place in small pan with olive oil.  After about 4-5 minutes add roasted garlic and saute until it is completely mixed in with onion.  Place in a large bowl.

Add ground turkey, chicken sausage (if using), remaining ketchup and worcestershire in bowl with onions.  Mix well until all ingredients are smashed together.  I like to use my hands as I feel it does the best job.  Then add egg and mix again.  Season with Salt, Pepper, Garlic Salt, and Mrs. Dash if you have it.  Add breadcrumb/milk mixture to the bowl and mix together just until blended. 

Stuff each 1/2 pepper with the turkey mixture.  I like to fill each one then go back with any extra and round off the tops.  Then take your ketchup mixture and spoon onto each pepper, covering the meat.

Bake for about 45 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165.  I like to broil the tops for about 2 minutes at the end to finish off the sauce.  Serve with mashed or baked potatoes -- simply delicious!!  So delicious, in fact, that I didn't manage to get a pretty plate shot-- we ate right away but thankfully the leftovers look just as yummy!

Last week a few of you all asked for other recipes that I mentioned in my post and also gave me some great suggestions about your favorite fall foods to prepare.  I would love to share them with you but need some of your e-mail addresses.  So, if you'd like one of the recipes I talked about just shoot me a line at itiseverlasting at gmail dot com.  Also, if you mentioned a delicious sounding meal please e-mail me a copy of your recipe!  Thanks!

All Hallow's Eve!

{a little blurry but Charlie wanted to wish y'all a happy halloween}

I'm preparing for the tomatoes to be thrown my way as I have a confession to make... a very unpopular view about holidays... I don't like to decorate.  (GASP!)  I know, I know, you are probably thinking to yourself, "but she commented on my fall decor/christmas tree/thanksgiving paper mache turkey and loved it!"  The truth is that I do love holiday decorations, in theory.

Last Christmas I was working in Chicago and Mr. Everlasting was here setting up our house in St. Louis, I was exhausted and warned him that if he wanted our house to be a winter wonderland he'd have to do it himself.  When I arrived a few days before Christmas I was amazed -- we had a tree, stockings with hangers, a beautiful tree skirt, the whole nine yards.  I could spend hours looking at the amazing decorations on Eddie Ross, Martha Stewart Living, and the Halloween decor done by Mrs. Limestone is exceptional.  So why then can I not get into the decorating groove?  I have a few theories...

Theory #1 - I am a grinch.  This is Mr. Everlasting's opinion and for the last 2-3 years he has made my ringtone "you're a mean one, Mr. Grinch" for the month of December. 

Theory #2 - I am not crafty, therefore I would rather not waste my time trying to create something that is inevitably going to fall flat.

Theory #3 - We have been in our house for almost a year (well, technically I didn't get there until February) and haven't even gotten started on our "regular" decor.  That's right, not a frame has been hung, not a bookcase styled.  Nothing.  I have been so focused on obtaining and re-painting, upholstering, etc... all of our furniture finds that I simply haven't taken the time to pull the rest of it together.  I will say that we have an impressive collection of things to be hung on our dining room floor.

I'm going to go with a combination of 2 & 3.

Is anyone with me?  Do any of you ladies with the super adorable holiday decorated homes care to fly in and help me style the place?  Thankfully I'll be getting a bit of help when my good friend (and compulsive organizer / amazing decorator) comes to town on the 20th!  

What's for dinner?

Fall has always been my favorite season as I love the smell of crisp leaves, wearing boots, celebrating my birthday, a chill in the air, and most of all the return of hearty cooking.  I love making big batches of soup, chili, and yummy crock pot dinners.  This week has been no exception and I have totally gotten into the cooking groove.  Sunday night I made stuffed chicken breasts with brussel sprouts au gratin, Monday was pot roast, and last night I made posole.

This was my first time making the roast, au gratin, and posole and I think that they all turned out pretty fabulous. A major bonus is that we now have more than enough food for dinners tonight and tomorrow when I have JL commitments and the Mr. has class.  Now I'm searching for more great meals for next week and I need your help-- what are your favorite fall dishes?

Mexican Posole Soup
(Adapted from October 2009 Real Simple) 

Serves... a lot!  Original recipe serves 4 but my version yields far more.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons roasted garlic
• kosher salt & black pepper
• 1 64-ounce container low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 32-ounce can diced tomatoes with liquid
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce & 1 tablespoon sauce (from can) 
• meat from 1 rotisserie chicken
• 1 32-ounce can hominy, rinsed (I love hominy so I added another 14 oz can as well) 
• limes
• cilantro

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Add the onion and season with salt & pepper, to taste.  Cook until soft and starting to brown, stirring occasionally.  Add roasted garlic toward the end and stir until it melts into the onion. 
2. Add the broth, tomatoes, and chili.  Bring mixture to a boil.  Stir in the chicken and hominy and reduce to simmer for about 20 minutes (or longer).  I turn the heat off for about an hour then reheated to serve.  You can easily serve sooner but letting it sit really brings out the flavors.  Serve with lime and cilantro. 
   

Dear Mr. Everlasting,

You are the love of my life and I don't tell you that often enough.  Thank you so much for moving in for the kiss 6 years ago and later pretending you hadn't heard me squealing like a school girl as you waited for the dorm elevator.  On our one year date-a-versary you sent me a text message that read, "it's been fun," and in case you were wondering, no, I will never let that one go...

Love you most on toast,
Moogsie

P.S. It has been really, really fun. ;)