Chilly - The Things I Heart

Yesterday morning I woke up to the swirling of snow flakes! 

Minnesota's first snow fall of the year! 

(Source) Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis 

It instantly made me wish I could sit curled up in my PJ's all day.  You know with a cup of hot chocolate (loaded with marshmallows) a good book and a cozy blanket.  Now that would have been the perfect day! 

So in honor of the first snow and the fact that the weather is getting much much colder I thought I would share a few of my favorite winter inspired things (the stuff I love as the weather gets colder)!  

1- Starbucks Christmas Cups

2- Warm pots of chili on the stove. 

I made a big batch of vegetarian chili on Sunday in my new Le Creuset Pot. 

Here are some of my favorite recipes:

Tempeh Chili - Peas and Thank You  - I got the recipe from her Cook Book 

Pumpkin Turkey Chili - All Recipes 

3 Bean Chili - Cooking Light 

3 - Hot chocolate in holiday mugs - extra marshmallows!  

(Source) 

Try these recipes: 

White Hot Chocolate - Martha Stewart

Red Velvet Hot Chocolate 

Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa - Martha Stewart 

4- Warm Fuzzy Mittens and Scarves 

5 - And last but not least warm cozy blankets to curl up in and watch the snow fall!

What are the warm winter things you love the most?

Get out There and Vote - And My 10 Miler Recap!

Happy Tuesday Lovelies!

And Happy Election Day! 

I have to say that I am excited Election Day is finally here.  I am getting pretty sick of hearing political campaign ads every other commercial! Does anyone else feel the same way?

Now all I am going to say about election day is that I do hope you all get out there and vote! 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own vote - I am not going to sit here and try to talk anyone into anything! 

Just get out there and make your voice heard! 

I know I am! 

Anyways , thats enough on politics. 

The next thing I want to share with you all is something I am personally excited about. 

This past Sunday I ran my first ever 10 mile race! 

The Kowalski's Strive 10 Miler.  I mentioned the run back in this post - check it out. 

This particular race supported the Strive Foundation which helps local seniors in high school raise their GPA's, graduate from college and get scholarships to further their education.  100% of the races entry fees went to the Strive Foundation!  That is amazing! 

I was a bit nervous scared and excited going into this race.  I was excited for the challenge of running such a long distance.  But also nervous in the fact that this would be the longest race I had ever run... and I was running completely alone!  I had a fear that I wouldn't be able to make it the whole way. 

But you know what... I DID IT! 

(Mile 4.5 or 5, half way there) 

I ran the entire 10 miles! I didn't go into this race with any expectations, I think that is why I was so happy with how I did. My one goal was to simply run the whole thing - I didn't care about what my time was.  But I am pretty happy with my stats!  Check them out! 

I ran the entire 10 miles in 1 Hour and 20 Minutes. 

Here were my rankings: 

52nd out of 135

18th out of 68 Females 

and 

4th out of 14 in my age group! 

Pretty excited about those stats! 

The best part was I had Derek and my Dad there cheering me on the whole time!  It was amazing.  It was a great pick me up when I saw my Dad and Derek around mile 4.5 snapping pictures and cheering me on! 

(Post Race!)

Thanks guys! 

All and all I am still in love with running... bring on the half marathon training! 

Happy Tuesday All!