This week has been just crazy. Between people being on vacation at work and people coming back from the holiday last week it seems like I am getting pulled in so many different directions. I do kinda like it though, I know, I'm crazy. Anyway onto my 4th favorite thing in the blog world - lists.
Picture
This long weekend had had some pretty cute outfits for this sweats and hoodies loving girl. Friday night was sushi and then wine and cheese with friends (and that sexxaayy outfit on the left) and Thursday was my Thanksgiving look. I love that infinity scarf my aunt knit me so much. I wore it to work twice this week already (and it would totally match my outfit tomorrow now that I am thinking about it...).

I love wearing different things and breaking out of my super bland comfort zone. My credit card company loves it too. Oops.

Picture


Holiday candy, cookies, coffee, clothes, trinkets, etc. I can spend hours in those 3 aisles of Target. I love the everything about holiday themed things and holiday time specials. Again, my credit card company loves it too.

Picture


I understand that I am super late to the avocado toast party. I put a little butter (i was craving it), garlic powder, and a bit of fresh avocado. YUM. Along with a turkey burger (sans bun) it was such a good dinner. 

Picture



Throw back Thursday with bad lighting! My hair now is almost down to the middle of my back when it is straightened (anyone else have to describe the length of their hair when curly and when straight?? It makes a difference!) I love the long but I loved the short as well! I haven't had hair this long in forever so I don't want to rush to chop it but ehh...look at how heathy it is! 

I also loved that shirt...a good worn in and ripped Army shirt that sadly I left somewhere I will never go back to. dammit.

Tomorrow is Friday!! Have a fun and safe one :)

What are you loving this Thursday?? 
Any inexpensive shopping recommendations?
 

Time to get back in the healthy game. Thanks Jenn for prompting me to take pictures and introducing me to new foods and workouts every week! Head over to Peas and Crayons to see what everyone else is noshing on this week.

Having a short week last week was just a.m.a.z.i.n.g. Best thing ever. But oh well...onto the food from today!
Okay...So breakfast may or may not have been (totally was) the white chocolate and peppermint pretzels. I have had a sore throat and while I totally meant to bring fruit I just couldn't do it. Sick Cait wanted sugar. 


As punishment I had lemon tea as a mid-morning pick me up. I must confess, I hate tea. I love iced tea and sweet tea and all that altered stuff but hot tea just isn't my thing. My hot beverage of choice is, and always will be, coffee. All that being said I didn't mind the lemon tea after adding a bit of splenda to it ;) 


Kombucha...typical. Although a new flavor for me!


Lunch was SUPPOSED to be Amy's organic low fat black bean soup over some sweet potato but again, sick Cait wanted something different. I ran over to Starbucks and picked up a sandwich and ended up eating that and totally neglecting my soup. 


Dinner is going to be a salad or maybe pasta, I honestly have no idea. Whatever is in the freezer for left overs will suffice.
Besides my little sick self I am feeling so happy and thankful after the holiday weekend. I enjoyed just relaxing with my family and prepping for Christmas. I came home from work on Saturday (yeah yeah weekend gig didn't get the holiday memo I guess) and saw this:
Christmas tree! And yes, my mom and I have already been shopping up a storm and almost filled up the ground around the tree. The presents are supposed to be a fortress to keep the little old lady dog out from underneath it but she has already carted off at least one ornament to her bed, sneaky brat. 

I took way more photos but I will wait until Thursday to post them or else this will turn into the longest post in history.

Oh btw my phone will sync with my computer if I plug it into the other USB port...weird...

Has anyone else started decorating yet?? How is the Christmas shopping going? I didn't do Black Friday but did anyone find a good deal?
 

Thanks Jenn for hosting as usual! 

This week has been crazy busy but I like it! I love having so much to do at work, it just makes the day fly right? PLUS I have a four day weekend, woohooo. Anywhooo here are the eats for the day (thus far...):
This is all fairly self explanatory but I will admit that there was also quite a few candy cane Hershey Kisses eaten on top of all of this and also a bag of baked Ruffles. 

On another note my computer and phone are not playing together very well. I have a Mac and an iPhone so the siblings should get along right? Right??! Ugh well anyway my photos aren't uploading very well and since I take all my photos with my phone I am lacking in that department. Any advice? Does iPhoto sometimes not sync with anyone else's iPhones?? 

Well I am off to try to find some sugar before bed time! 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Anyone else suffer from Mac problems like mine? 
 
Click here to upload file

Thanks as always to Jenn from PeasandCrayons for hosting!



Hey hey hey...it felt so weird last week not posting for WIAW so of course I had to come back full charge.
I swear I love the company I work for (3 months in and already so naive) but they are seriously trying to make me fat. Granted they don't shove the bagels and muffins down my throat but who says no to a veteran's day breakfast?? (Side note: Thank you to all of our sexy men and women in uniform and retired for all you do!). Next photo is my lunch today - big 'ole bowl of kale with a chipotle black bean veggie burger and a mixture of sriracha and ranch for dressing. Picture number 3 is the epitome of love in a bag and number four is me continuing my over priced juice obsession. I love me some expensive beverages. 

For dinner I am having left over spaghetti my mom made. She will never get me to move out if she keeps stocking the fridge with leftovers and fresh produce ;)

This weekend consisted of a lot of work and me FINALLY making an appointment with a trainer again! Granted the appointment isn't until next weekend and it is after 4 months of no strength training except for plank and some squats but ya gotta start back up sometime! Any advice for me on how to not totally kill myself?? (my trainer knows I won't quit but hasn't quite figured out that I won't tell her when I am about to pass out).

Well that's all I have for now! Hope y'all have a lovely Wednesday!
 
 I wish I could say I was exhausted because I just had a really great run or I just challenged my mind so much this week or I just cured cancer or something legit but really I am just worn out for the sake of being worn out. I have been pushing so hard at work to do the most I can and be the best (I get it, I am a dirty competitive desk slave) that it is physically taking a toll on me. I have been hitting the gym after work but I usually can't manage more than some lackluster elliptical time or a interval treadmill walk (by walk I mean 3.5 at the max).

In turn, I feel even worse because I don't feel like I am doing all that I can do and therefore am not going to reach my goals. It is a dirty vicious cycle. I missed WIAW this week and a Thursday post because I hadn't taken a single picture all week.

By the time I get home from the gym or work I am a zombie laying in bed and watching netflix and eating until I pass out (such a cute image right?). If ya couldn't tell that little nightly routine doesn't boost the mood either. 

I have a new goal for this weekend and next week. My goal is to chill. My goal is to listen to my body and not beat myself up if I don't run one day or if I don't tackle 46743728 assignments at work. My goal is to trust that I am doing a good job all around and to understand that in order to do a good job I need to take care of myself.

I realize that I am a workaholic (hello I work a second job on the weekends for no reason at all except that I am crazy) but it won't serve me any good or pay off at all if I run myself into the ground. As much energy and effort as I put into life I need to also put into myself and into keeping myself up and running. I realize that this has been a struggle for me in the past and it will continue to be one but it never hurts to keep on trying.

I am SURE I have asked this before but how do you unwind??
 
I have no excuse for not posting this recipe until today except that I am a slacker and was too busy cramming sugar and Halloween treats into my face to even consider writing up a blog post. Not that I have detached myself (momentarily) from the candy drawer I have a delicious recipe to share!

At work we had a Halloween Potluck and while I was going to just bring candy my family convinced me not be a loser and to actually make something. I wanted it to be seasonal and also not to require any sort or heating or work done the day of so pumpkin bread it was.
Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread


What's in it:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger



How you make it: 
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.


2.In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.


3.Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Obviously the "before" look.
Another fully cooked accomplishment! Seriously I am so proud I was patient enough to bake something all of the way...it is kinda an issue for me ;)
My only issue was that I didn't really NEED 3 loaves but I took one to work and have another to the neighbors so it ended up being well worth it. The bread wasn't too sweet which I liked because you could heat it and put a little butter on it and call it breakfast (or snack...or dessert...). Obviously I am sure some switches could be done to "healthify" this a little more but I didn't want to branch out too much when it was for a group.

Here are some other pictures from the last few days:
I have been all about juices these last few days. I have been craving them like none other and totally digging the energy they give me. The first one was really good but WAY too expensive. I could juice 10 bottle myself for how much it cost. The second was paired with a big kale salad. The third is my "casual Friday" look at work. I swear I am the most dressed up person on Friday's. I have no explanation. And the last is all of the candy that neighbors and family gave me for Halloween, proof that you don't have to trick or treat to get thrown under the candy bus. 

How was your Halloween? Do you give/get candy or treats from your family?