Motivation

Have you ever pushed yourself to the max, I mean pushed your body so hard you literally wanted to fall over?  That was me last night!  I decided to tac on a little stair running to the end of my evening run last night, and lets just say they kicked my butt!

All 155 of them 3x!

It was a killer, the stairs left my legs feeling like jello, and I had sweat dripping everywhere!

But it was worth it! 

I later came across this quote on Pinterest and could not agree more! 

Source: standuptofight.tumblr.com via Jan on Pinterest

I could not agree more!  

So tell me how do you push yourself to the max in a workout?

Any new workouts your trying now that the weather is nice?

A Dwindling Pin Board

Happy Tuesday Everyone! 

How is the week starting for you?

Yesterday was a crazy day at work, my 8 hour work day felt like it was only 2 hours long! 

There was so much to do!

These past few weeks I have been attempting to update the recipe page and pinterest challenge page!  It is coming together slowly but surely, and something I have been meaning to do (for a very long time)!   I am hoping I will get it done soon, I am holding myself accountable since I added it to my June goals list!  

I have a few recipes to share with you today, lets take a look at the recipes I made almost two weeks ago!

Peas and Thank You's Lentil Enchiladas, and a Cranberry Chicken Salad from Plum Pie! 

The Lentil Enchilada's were amazing!  

They were easy to make, and made great leftovers for lunch!  They got a thumbs up from my test tasters! I think next time I am going to use a hotter enchilada sauce!  

And the Cranberry Chicken salad was pretty darn good as well.  I love Apples and Cranberries in my chicken salad. 

Source: plumpiecooks.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Although I have to say I was not to crazy about the apple cider vinegar!  I will leave that out next time! 

Now, it wouldn't be a pin challenge unless I introduced you to a few more recipes!  My pin board is slowly getting smaller and smaller!  I need to start tackling some of the desserts, guess I need to throw a party!   I felt that two recipes would be enough this week, since I will be gone most of the weekend again! 

Grilled Chicken Tzaziki Wraps From Style at Home!

Source: styleathome.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

These look delicious, and I am a sucker for greek food! 

And A southwestern Soup from Ready Set Eat.

Source: readyseteat.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Bring on the spice!

I hope these two recipes are winners because they look and sound delicious! 

June Goals

Another Monday is here and we are at the start of a new month! 

I am still wrapping my mind around the fact that it is already June!  Summer and warm weather are officially here!  I feel like just yesterday we were ringing in 2012, where has the time gone?

As I was thinking about the New Year I was suddenly reminded of those new years resolutions I made months ago.  

For those of you that are new read about my new years resolutions here and here. 

As I looked back at everything I wanted to accomplish this year, I decided that I wanted to have some short term month to month goals!  I decided to compile a small list! 

1-Take a Ballet Class! 

I live about 5 blocks from my old Ballet School, and something inside me is telling me to go back and dance!  I am nervous for this, because I have not taken a ballet class in years.  

2- Start training this month for a 10k.  

This past weekend while home I did a wonderful 5 mile run through the woods! 

It is my longest run to date since I healed up from my stress fracture!  I will be running my first 5k in about a month and a half, but I am ready to get back into the long runs! 

3- In June I want to start budgeting. 

I have to be honest I am not good with this, but this month I want to begin saving more!  I also want to be responsible and know where my money is going!

4-I want to join a bible study this month.  

My company offers many bible studies during lunch, and since I am officially done with training I think now is a great time to join one! 

5-I want to get the blogs recipe page/pin challenge page cleaned up and back online! 

These are just some of the short term goals I hope to accomplish this month!  

Do you guys set up monthly goals?

New Orleans Recap... Just A Few Days Late!

Well I am back from my long weekend adventure in New Orleans! I know I am really behind in getting this post up!  I feel like my week has been getting away from me, work has been super busy!

But lets get to the fun stuff and talk about the wonderful weekend in New Orleans!
New Orleans was a good time, the city is very interesting!  I had a fabulous time catching up with good friends, and celebrating the marriage of two wonderful people!  !

Congrats Matt and Mandie!

The weekend was spent wandering the streets of New Orleans, experiencing all that the city has to offer!

From food, to the night life I felt like we saw it all!  I think there is nothing better then walking the streets of a city.  You get to really experience the city if you walk everywhere!

Most of Saturday was spent just wandering around, seeing the sites! 

We visited the Historic Cafe Du Monde for Coffee and Beingnets, right next to the lovely Jackson Square. 

And the beautiful St Louis Cathedral. 

Saturday we also enjoyed some authentic New Orleans cuisine at Mother's!

The food was wonderful, I love me some red beans and rice!
Saturday evening was spent dining at Mr. B's Bistro

 where we stuffed ourselves with fabulous desserts and laughed the night away.  Later on we experienced all the Bourbon Street has to offer!

I cannot even imagine how crazy Bourbon Street is during Mardi Gras!
Sunday was low key, a wonderful authentic brunch and Brennan's complete with Banana's Foster (which was originally created and Brennan's in the 1950's) and mimosas!

Right after brunch we headed back to get pretty for the wedding!

The wedding was beautiful, and elegant!
It was wonderful to be able to celebrate the marriage of my sorority sister!
She was one of the most beautiful brides!

We all ended up dancing the night away!
And check out their awesome grooms cake!

A Butler Bulldog!
There had to have been at least 50 Butler Alums there!
All of us Butler Alums gathered for a picture with the grooms cake, and guess what it is going to be in the Butler Magazine!

Our night ended with a New Orleans Tradition called a Second Line!
A second line is where the Bride and Groom lead everyone at the wedding through the streets of New Orleans!

There is a band playing, and everyone at the wedding waves white hankies!

It was the neatest experience!  The cops blocked off Bourbon street for everyone to walk down, and people stopped to take pictures!

I have to say this was my favorite part of the weekend!

I have to say I was sad to see the weekend come to an end, because it is always hard to leave good friends! But all in all we had a blast, and made more wonderful memories!

New Orleans Bound!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Ready for a long holiday weekend?  I know I am!  I had a short work day today, feels weird starting my weekend at 1:30 in the afternoon!  But I secretly love it!  

My bags are all packed and I ready to head down to New Orleans this evening! 

I have been looking forward to this weekend for a long time, and at last the trip is here!  I plan on seeing as much of New Orleans as I possibly can in the next 2 1/2 days!   

There will be lots of site seeing, eating, catching up and celebrating at the wedding!!  

I am excited to see places like Jackson Square

the Garden District, 

and I can't wait to grab coffee and a Beignet at the the original French coffee stand; Cafe Du Monde!

We are all staying down in the French Quarter at the lovely Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette!

To say I am excited for all this weekend has to offer is an understatement!  I am ecstatic to be going!  Some of my sorority sisters/friends I have not seen since I moved away from Indianapolis almost a year ago!  Don't worry I promise to take lots of pictures!

And with that I am off! 

Have a fabulous long Holiday weekend everyone!  I will see you back here Monday with a full recap, and some lovely pin recipes (oh yea and a review of this weeks)!

Enjoy lovlies! 

A List of To Do's

Usually when I think of a To Do list my head starts to spin with the millions of things I need to accomplish in a day! Don't get me wrong I am a huge lover of to do list!  I love crossing a task off my daily list, it just makes me feel accomplished for the day (yes I am a huge nerd/control freak?)

Well the to do list I am about to share with you today is a completely different type of To Do list.   This is a fun list full of fun places to experience in Minneapolis and the surrounding areas!  A list full of new experiences, and places I must see/experience!  

Think of this almost as a bucket list for Minneapolis, although I think new things keep getting added daily!   So lets take a look, shall we?

Many of these are bars, restaurants, theaters, museums and summer events! 

Minnesota Music Cafe

Psycho Suzies-Bar

Minnesota Science museum

Minnesota Children's theatre

Minnesota and Como Zoo-I don't know about you but I am still a little kid at heart and love going to the zoo! 

Love those otters! 

Pier500 

Pier500 is a great restaurant in Hudson Wisconsin, fabulous Happy Hour with a great Patio!  This was our location for lats Friday's Happy hour!  Guess I can Cross this off! 

St croix river

Taylors falls

Treasure Island Casino-Could be interesting, gambling is not my thing!  But I am all about the experiences! 

Cooper-Local Bar

Bike to Minnetonka-Beautiful Trail, Perfect since the weather is getting nice!

Cannon Valley Bike Trail-Great thing about this bike trail, you can bike to one of my favorite wineries!  The Cannon River Winery! 

Ordway: Beautiful Theatre in St Paul (Capital of Minnesota, and Minneapolis's Twin City!) 

I saw my first ballet at the Ordway, that is where I fell in love with Ballet at the age of 3! 

See plays at both the State Theater

and the Orphium! 

Both beautiful theaters right down the street from my apartment!  I used to perform Nutcracker at the State Theater when I danced in Minneapolis!  One of the best experiences of my life!  And seeing Mamma Mia and the Orphium was a treat! 

Grand ol day

Aquatennial fireworks

Williams Peanut Bar-Fun bar in a part of the city called Uptown!

Stella's Fish Cafe-Great rooftop, and a great place to meet friends! 

I went to an impromptu happy hour here!  What better way to take in the view of Minneapolis?

Nyes Bar 

Gashaufs Octoberfest-No need for an explanation

Golfing- I have been told it is a great sport, I guess I am missing out!  Better learn how to play! 

Run a 5k in Minneapolis

Twins Game-Been there! 

Gopher Game: Gotta see the new Stadium!

Wild Hockey-best sport ever!

Looks like I have my work cut out for me this summer! 

What do you think?

Do you have a list of things to do/experience in the city you live in?

Itching for the Weekend!

Happy Monday! 

This past weekend was just what I needed... A lot of relaxing! 

I enjoyed the beautiful weather during Happy Hour, enjoyed a great run, got my haircut, soaked up the sun on a fabulous boat, and enjoyed the company of some great people!  Couldn't have been better! 

I enjoyed going with the flow and just enjoying ever moment of the weekend!  I even had time to start a new book!  

The countdown to the long holiday weekend has begun!  I am itching with anticipation for Friday to get here!  I leave Friday night to fly down to good old New Orleans for my lovely sorority sisters wedding! 

It is going to be one heck of a weekend!  I cannot wait to see some of my closest friends, and tear up the town with them!  This weekend will be just like the good old days! 

With that being said this week is going to have a short list of new pinterst recipes, mainly because I am trying to clean out  my fridge!  Lets just say it is very hard to cook when your fresh produce supply is dwindling!  But here is what I got for you this week! 

I feel like this first recipe has been on the list for weeks now!  

Pea's and Thank You's Lentil Enchiladas. 

(Source)

Don't worry I am actually making them this week, in fact the filling for these babies is being prepared right now! 

And the final recipe for the week... 

Cranberry Chicken Salad! 

Source: plumpiecooks.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

I love that this recipe uses greek yogurt!  This recipe is very similar to the one I make, only this one calls for apple cider vinegar!  I think its going to be delicious!

How are you sending memorial day weekend?