Good Morning!
I just got back from a three-mile walk with the pups, and I’m finally enjoying a delicious cup of coffee. Today is going to be a catch-up day. I caught up on sleep last night (9 hours), I’ll be catching up on work this morning, and catching up on housework later. Sometimes when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I make a to-do list. That’s what helps me get things done. I’m a list person. On another note, did the eclipse make anyone else feel “off”? Maybe it’s just me, but yesterday was a weird one.
As I write this recap post, I’m enjoying my healthy oatmeal peanut butter cookies (recipe coming soon), and sipping on Kicking Horse Coffee. When I saw “Kick-Ass” in the description on Amazon (plus the great reviews), I had to give it a try, and it really is Kick-Ass!
I left my last recap post off last Monday! Kyle’s birthday 🙂
On Monday night, we headed to the gym together. It was a rest day for me, so I just walked four miles around the track while he lifted weights.
When we got back, I tried to recreate Amelie’s fruit pureed sparkling water! I couldn’t find passion fruit at the grocery store, so I replaced it with mango.
I added one mango, one cup of strawberries, and one small lemon to the blender. I pureed it until it was nice and smooth. I added the pureed fruit to the bottom of the glasses. 
I garnished the sides with lemon slices and strawberries! How cute? I finished the drinks off with Italian sparkling water! These were such a delicious treat. I can’t wait to try this with pineapple, blackberry, and peaches! 
I picked up a chocolate peanut butter birthday cake at Whole Foods. I love their cakes because they are a perfect size, and dangerously delicious. The buttercream frosting tasted like my grandmother’s peanut butter fudge. This cake was the definition of sinful. 
Chocolate and peanut butter are Kyle’s favorite flavors, so I also picked up Three Twin’s Ice cream! It was the chocolate peanut butter cup flavor. It was rich and flavorful. We spent the rest of the night watching Bachelor in Paradise (the show is hilarious) and relaxing with our cake comas.
I woke up early on Monday morning and took the boys for a walk around The Fourth Ward before sitting down to have coffee. 
Grumples and I LOVE The Fourth Ward in Charlotte. If you ever visit, you have to walk around the neighborhoods and park. It’s so historic and quaint. It’s hard to believe that it’s in the city. It’s a very quiet spot too. 
He was yawning in the bottom photo, but it looks like he’s screaming in the middle of the road. Made me laugh!
Later in the day, I made a spirulina protein shake. It had one tablespoon of spirulina (from OMG! Superfoods) one scoop of vanilla protein powder (Designer Whey), one small frozen banana, one cup of unsweetened almond milk, and one cup frozen spinach. This is a shake that I’ve been making daily. I usually have it around 10 am.
For lunch, I made an omelet with grapefruit slices on the side. My omelet had four egg whites and one egg yolk. 
I decided to head to the gym Tuesday evening. My pre-workout was pretty healthy (NOT.) I had multi-grain pita chips and peanut M&Ms. But, I think it worked because my workout was amazing and I was completely in the zone at the gym. Above is my workout! You can modify it to your level if you decide to do it!
I love going to my HIIT Classes, but sometimes doing a workout by myself is a bit more relaxing. In classes, it’s as fast as you can, but when I’m working out alone, I do exercises at my pace, listen to my playlist, and get stuff done on my clock. Classes are perfect for being pushed and a learning experience. I think I’m going to start going to the gym and doing my workouts twice a week and replacing one of the HIIT classes with my routine.
My dad was out of town on Tuesday, so I headed over to have dinner with my mom. We decided to grill out. 
The chicken had garlic powder, balsamic, lemon juice, onion powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and sea salt. 
We tried out one of the Fresh Express Asian chopped salad kits. We thought it would pair well with the chicken and it was easy! It had green cabbage, sweet carrots, green onions, celery, crispy wontons, toasted slivered almonds, and sesame ginger dressing.
My mom and I spent the rest of the evening chatting and walking the dogs. It’s crazy how relaxing a night without the news or television can be. 
Wednesday morning coffee with the moon 🙂
When I wake up, I always have to have something with my coffee. I can’t drink coffee on an empty stomach, and since I’ve been lifting more, I’m starving when I wake up. I usually have a piece of toast or one of my breakfast cookies. English muffins are one of my go-to’s as well. This English muffin had blueberry jam and butter. I don’t eat butter often, but when I do, it’s with my English muffins! 
For lunch, I had an omelet and sweet potato thins on the side. 
I spent the afternoon studying and trying to get some color on my legs! I had someone ask me why I was working towards my personal training certification the other day. I’m not doing it for a career change, I’m just doing it to educate myself better. I’ll be able to give better workout advice 🙂 
One of my favorite afternoon snacks (when paired with coffee!) Caramel rice cake with unsweetened/salt-free peanut butter and honey! 
The boys had their fun Wednesday afternoon 🙂 
I headed to my regular Wednesday night class. I always warm up by walking a mile before classes. The first thirty minutes of class are focused on abs and glutes, and the second thirty minutes of class is a Tabata workout. I didn’t get to go last week because of the golf tournament. I ended up going to another class, so it felt great to be back! 
Easy dinner! Caesar salad (Greek yogurt dressing), and Applegate’s gluten-free chicken nuggets. These are the best store-bought nuggets ever. They don’t have a weird/artificial taste. 
The weather was beautiful on Wednesday night, so my mom and I took the pups out on a two-mile walk. 
The beautiful sky 🙂 
I decided to wake up early and fit in a three-mile run on Thursday morning. I had something bothering me, (that’s life) and sometimes a run is a great way to clear your mind and think things over. That helps me, anyway. 
I decided to get cleaned up and head to Earthfare and pick up a salad for lunch. 
My salad had chicken, mixed greens, cucumber, egg, cheese, tomatoes, onion, broccoli, peppers, sprouts, chickpeas, and a garlic vinaigrette. I picked up some Jackfruit for a sweet treat! It’s so good.
I had leftover salad and sushi for dinner. 
I woke up in a better mood Friday. I was ready to have a great day and excited to see Kyle. We don’t see each other much on the weekdays because of work, so I miss him a lot during the week.
I decided to take a day off from the gym and head out on a bike ride instead! Connecting with nature is therapeutic. 
I road eighteen miles and loved every second of it. I was listening to The Weeknd’s album, Starboy, the whole time. 
On Friday afternoon, I made delicious and healthy peanut butter oatmeal cookies! No butter, no added sugar, no milk, and no gluten! I’ll have the recipe up tomorrow.
Afternoon snack: carrots, nuts, guacamole, and spicy hummus. 
I spent the evening drinking coffee and studying. Leo was so funny sleeping with his leg up for thirty minutes.
Easy dinner: Baked Applegate Chicken nuggets/tenders & mac and cheese with peas and broccoli. Sometimes eating like a kid is the way to go. 
I woke up at 5 am to study, walk the dogs, and have coffee before heading to Becca’s 10k! 
The morning skies were gorgeous <3 
Becca thought I was going to Asheville for the weekend. I wanted to surprise her at the finish line with her boyfriend. 
SHE DID IT! So proud of her. 
I headed home after the race, and Kyle and I headed to the outlets to shop around. We walked around for a couple of hours and ended up walking out empty-handed. This is the awkward part of the year when you’re not sure if you’re supposed to buy summer clothes or fall ones. I mean, it was only 95 degrees out…blah! 
My shake before shopping: same as the spirulina recipe at the beginning of the post but frozen raspberries instead of banana.
Dinner leftovers for lunch!
I headed to the gym on Saturday afternoon to do a workout.
I did one of my fifteen-minute circuits, and then a Peanut Butter Fingers (so good) workout, and finished it off with a mile run. 
Kyle and I made a tasty Blue Apron on Saturday night for dinner! I’ll blog all about it next week. We watched The Good Neighbor on Netflix, walked the pups, and I fell asleep at 9:30!
I woke up early on Sunday to do five miles at the Riverwalk with Becca. I had one of my peanut butter cookies with coffee, and a couple of hours later, I had my eggs and toast. 
FIVE MILES DONE!
We stopped at the Grapevine for coffee and mimosas afterward. My mimosa had mango nectar and pear juice! I don’t like orange juice-based mimosas, so this was much better. 
Kyle and I met up with my parents Sunday afternoon to play tennis. They kicked our butts on a few rounds! I think Charlotte needs to start a “for fun” tennis league!
I made a smoothie for lunch when we got back to my place.
This smoothie had unsweetened almond milk, ice, a small frozen banana, chia seeds, frozen raspberries, blueberries, and one scoop of vanilla protein powder. So delicious.
I walked the dog three miles and then headed to the gym early Monday morning for a workout. I got there twenty minutes early, so I decided just to walk the treadmill for a mile. 
I decided to pack up my dogs, and head over to my parent’s house to watch the solar eclipse with my dad! I had macadamia nuts and almonds on my way over there. I also had frozen raspberries, Truvia drink mix, and ice blended for a refreshing treat. 
I made an eggplant flatbread from Blue Apron for my dad and me to enjoy during the eclipse! This was by far the BEST recipe I’ve ever had from Blue Apron! And that is saying a lot because I have enjoyed everything I’ve ever made of theirs. The recipe and more info coming soon!
My dad was so cute! He got us champagne so we could toast to the eclipse! I had so much fun hanging out with him all day!
The lighting outside was so strange during the eclipse. It wasn’t like dust, and it wasn’t like morning. I almost felt like I was in a fake outdoor area at a mall or something. The birds started chirping, and the bugs started making their nightly sounds. 
This was the only shot I got from it because I wanted to protect my eyes and save the real shots for the professionals. 
How cool were these crescent shadows? 
I headed home to relax, walk the dogs, and watch BIP while blogging. 
I ended the night with some scrambled eggs and a side salad!
After I get to my emails, I’m heading to pick up some office paint!
Questions for you!
- Did you watch the solar eclipse?
- What is your favorite “childish” meal to have for dinner?
- Have any of you entered “FALL MODE” yet?
I actually didn’t watch the solar eclipse – I wish I could’ve, but I don’t think you could see it in Hong Kong (though I didn’t really look it out, but no one really viewed it where I live – so I’m guessing you couldn’t). It sounds so amazing to be able to experience, though!
I love cereal for dinner. Or chicken nuggets. Any type of junk food really. LOL!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I think it was only in the states!:) But I’m sure you guys get a solar eclipse at some point. Although I HAVE NO IDEA! so don’t quote me lol
HAHAHA sames.
Where did you get your cooler bag? Love your posts by the way I’ve been following since the undressed days.
Thanks, Britt!
I got it at TJ MAXX! They have a ton!
It’s also on Amazon for the same price too! Here is the link!
Thanks!
https://www.amazon.com/Womenss-Insulated-Zippered-Reusable-Zig-Zag/dp/B071VC191W/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=undresskelet-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=d9200f09f43e068fe79c89df9f722d76&creativeASIN=B071VC191W
I love the Fresh Express salad kits! They’re such an easy way to try new flavor combos. I usually mix mine in with chopped romaine and kale to make the chopped cabbage and stuff last a bit longer. Also I agree, BIP is hilarious, I’m hoping they get Daniel back on the show, he was so funny.
I didn’t watch the eclipse, up in WI we got about 75% coverage, but it was extra cloudy yesterday so you couldn’t really see anything. I did turn on the live stream though.
My favorite ‘childish’ meal is mac and cheese with hot dogs and ketchup. So good, but so bad for you haha
I’ve definitely entered fall mode, I’m so excited to wear boots and booties and sweaters and feel a little chill. I’m also excited for the return of pumpkin everything!
I agree! Great for ideas as well. I think it’s funny Ben keeps talking about his dog. That would be me!!
The live stream was cool. We watched it outside on TV too.
MMMM!! We used to do mac and cheese with lil smokies.
This has been one hot summer! I can’t wait for the November weather!
Oh my goodness, that eggplant flatbread looks incredible! I need to start cooking with eggplant more.
I was on a bus to my first day at a new job during the eclipse. A man on the bus beside me geeked out with me 🙂
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
I’m not an eggplant fan, but THIS! I could eat them like this every time!
hahahhaha that is too cute!
I’ve never tried an eggplant flatbread before–I’m so intrigued now.
I only got to see the partial eclipse–the sky darkened just a little bit and then brightened up again. I was a little bit disappointed!
Same!
That flat bread pizza sounds so amazing and I can’t wait for the cookie recipe! ???
I wayched to solar eclipse while babysitting. It was fun watching the kids with their glasses get excited about it. Definitely made it so much more fun. We only had about 85% coverage though. I would’ve loved to see 100% totality. Next time it’s going to go right over my parents house which will be cool.
My favorite kid meal is mac & cheese with chicken fingers and French Fries!
I have been in the fall mode for about a month now it’s awful! Burning b&b fall candles, drinking cinnamon coffee… I can’t wait for it to actually be fall!
Just finished the cookie recipe!!
It’ll be posted tomorrow morning:)
That sounds amazing!! When is the next one?
OHHHH I just bought some fall candles too! A fun soy brand online! I think I’ll be making crockpot soup soon!
Ugh, I’m so pissed.
We camped out and set everything up to watch the solar eclipse and ended up getting poured on! 🙁
OH, NO!!
I got to watch the eclipse yesterday with my boyfriend! We just moved to Salt Lake City (from Florida) last sunday, and yesterday was also my birthday! So it was fun to experience my birthday in a new city watching the eclipse with the community. We didn’t have glasses but a couple was nice enough to let us borrow their’s to take a peak 🙂
I haven’t seen a lot of pumpkin spice stuff out here yet (and it’s still very warm!) so it’s a little hard to get in the fall spirit haha
But for dinner I love pancakes or fried chicken fingers lol I have Celiac’s so when I can get my hands on some good chicken fingers, I get so excited!!
How much fun!!! How do you like Salt Lake?
Lol I just get in the fall spirit indoors 😉
MMMMM sounds amazing! YOU HAVE TO TRY THE APPLEGATE GLUTEN FREE CHICKEN FINGERS!!! SO SO SO SO SO GOOD!!!
looks like yesterday was fun! I didn’t get to watch the eclipse. I had a work meeting that conveniently fell right when it was happening.
So, I actually started eating this ceasar salad with added “chicken” but the chicken is vegan! I get it at my local kroger and the brand is called Quorn. It tastes so much like chicken, I had to make sure it was! I am trying to add more meatless options into my weekly meals, and it is fun and challenging! Also, the nuggets really remind me of when I was a little kid. LOL
I am sooo ready for fall. It is so hot here in Texas!
Oh no! Luckily there were pictures and coverage everywhere!
Oh yum!! Sounds amazing!
ugh so hot here too girl!!
i TOTALLY agree with you on the mimosas! I’ll take my mimosas with 90% champagne and then a splash of cranberry 😉
LOVE these posts and thank you for being so real!!!
and that looks like a perfect birthday for kyle…that cake has me drooling…
HAHAHAHA Yes!
& thank you for the kind words!
xo
If I lived in Charlotte, I’d play tennis with you all the time!
I’d totally take you up on it!
Cute swim suit! Where from?
Gap!
I didn’t watch the eclipse through glasses. But I was outside during it. It was 97% here I think, but I expected it to be a lot cooler than it was I guess! haha Maybe if I had actually watched it I would feel differently!
I think I totally skipped over fall and went straight into Christmas mode! I bought stockings at Hobby Lobby the other day and want to hang them up already!!
Lol! I enjoyed seeing everyone else’s photos.
lol that is hilarious. I walked into HObby Lobby and my heart was so happy with all the fall/Christmas stuff! I just want to buy mums and a new wreath! HOLDING OUT until September 15th!
I have totally entered fall mode! Just bought my first fall candle this week and am going to buy pumpkin spice creamer soon. 🙂 I LOVE FALLLLL
Ahhhh! I can’t wait for the cooler weather!!
I missed the eclipse because I was too busy getting lunch. lol I love that you guys toasted it wish champagne though! 😀
My favorite childish meal has to be popcorn and Sour Patch Kids. Actually, I’m pretty sure my mom would never have let me had that for dinner so maybe it’s more of an adult meal! lol That flatbread looks amazing. Would you recommend Blue Apron?
It’s been VERY mild for August here in Central IL — highs in the upper 70s, and nightly lows in the 50s. It’s really bringing on the fall feels and I am not ready.
Hahaha we didn’t get that great of a view! But the champagne was great! 😉
OH YUM!!! Sounds like my movie theater treat!
HOLY MOLY! I recommend blue apron to EVERYONE! Literally obsessed. I’m writing another post on it this week.
WOW! I need that weather!!
I am so glad that I am not the only one who frequently eats eggs at meals other than breakfast. We have free-range chickens at our house, so eggs are abundant and make a quick meal. =) Do you put anything in your omelets? Also what do you use to keep them from sticking to the pan?
So lucky!!
I can’t wait to get a chicken coop one day 😀
I usually use avocado/coconut oil cooking spray and then add garlic powder/onion powder/pepper to season my eggs!
What a fun week! Love reading your blogs.
Thanks, Jane!
Oh my goodness I have been in fall mode for like a month now. I live in New England and fall is the best here. The Fresh Express salad you mentioned is one of my favorites!! So delicious.
I wasn’t able to see the eclipse 🙁 Oh well in 7 years we get another chance!
My favorite childhood meal was of course Kraft Mac and Cheese. I still love that stuff!
I have read your posts about your journey with running and while I know every person is different, I am curious as to how long it took you to build up to 6 miles? How many times per week were you running and for how long?
BTW. The one thing I kept thinking while reading this entry was how colorful your life is 🙂
Seven years will come sooner than ya think!
OH, me too! Haven’t had it in years!!
It took months! If you look at my side bar I have my journey and how I built up to six miles:)
& thank you! color is everything to me!
Taralynn, you should check out USTA’s website to see if there are tennis leagues near you! I played tennis through college, and now I just play in adult leagues. They have leagues for all ability levels! It’s a really fun way to meet new friends and play some tennis. 🙂
I HAVE TO CHECK IT OUT!!
The eclipse was a bit of a bummer; it still looked sunny. I was really wanting to see stars in the daytime!
A great way to cook eggplant is to steam it in fairly large chunks and then toss with a spicy Asian sauce or dressing. It tastes like Sichuan.
Chicken fingers, Mac and Cheese, or brownie sundae for my little kid dinners. (My mom would veeerrrry rarely let me have the sundae for dinner for a special treat.)
Yeah, the coverage was a bummer where I was.
Oh yum! I’m still trying to learn to LOVE eggplant. This pizza was a good start.
YUM!!!!
Will you do more fashion posts?
Maybe for fall! I need an excuse to dress up more.
My kiddos were SUPER crazy on eclipse day! I teach 1st grade and kids always seem to lose it on full moon days, and apparently eclipse days too haha. Nobody believes it until they work with kids – it’s a real thing!
That drink looks AMAZING! Fruity sparkly drinks are my absolute favorite, I’ll order a kids drink like that over something with alcohol any day haha. I’m definitely trying that recipe!
My favorite childish meal is definitely mac and cheese. I just made some the other day but also added a small can of hatch green chilies. OMG, it was so good!
I’m dying to wear my fall clothes! Every single year I get SO overly excited for booties, scarves, and big sweaters. It’s just so cozy. And of course, all things PUMPKIN!
Ps. Your dad is the absolute cutest. Champagne for an event like the eclipse is definitely something my dad would do too!
Lol. I know the moon can do crazy things.
Fruity drinks are so good with fizzies (that’s what kyle and i call it)
mac and cheese can never steer you wrong!
I love the cozy part of fall for sure!
hahahaha my dad is adorable! 🙂
Such pretty shots of the champagne and I can’t wait for the pizza recipe.
Thanks!
I’m definitely in Fall mode but that’s because it’s my last semester of student teaching and we teachers start work next week! Doesn’t get more “fall” then literally heading back to school!
Very true!!!
Wasn’t that eclipse the coolest?! I love your recap posts. What do you do with your leftover egg yolks when you make your omelets? They look so good, but I hate to waste food, so I’m wondering how you use them or do you toss them? Thanks!
Pretty cool!!!!
Sometimes I’ll keep them and use them in a baked dessert or for another recipe, but sometimes I toss them. When I hard boil eggs, I bag up the yolks for my dogs.
I love that bag in your tennis picture! Is it a cooler or a gym bag? Where’d you get it?
Thanks! It’s a cooler bag!
https://www.amazon.com/Womenss-Insulated-Zippered-Reusable-Zig-Zag/dp/B071VC191W/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=undresskelet-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=d9200f09f43e068fe79c89df9f722d76&creativeASIN=B071VC191W
Dying for that peanut butter cookie recipe! Please share soon! 🙂 I really enjoy reading your blog posts!
TOMORROW MORNING!:)
You inspire me so much! I religiously read your blogs a while back. Slowly getting back into the habit of good health??. Love from Detroit.
Awwww thank you, Amara!! GO LIONS !
I glimpsed at the solar eclipse, but I was driving on the interstate at the time it was happening so I really didn’t get to watch the whole thing. I’ve seen some pretty neat pictures of it!
I love having mac & cheese with cut up hot dogs mixed in. I’m even a sucker for those pizza rolls sometimes, too. Not the healthiest of choices, but sometimes I need to let myself have them or I’ll end up going overboard.
I think I’ve entered FALL MODE! 🙂 It’s gotten pretty cool temperature wise here in Iowa all of the sudden, so I’m definitely getting giddy about the fall months.
I heard the interstates were pretty busy!
It’s funny because I tried pizza rolls again last summer and I remember them being SO MUCH BETTER when I was a kid. Funny how our tastebuds change, but mac and cheese NEVER gets old.
OHHHH you’re so lucky. I heard you guys are going to have 50’s tomorrow morning!
Totally agree with Susie!! I work with elementary kids too and they were nuts! We all got a chance to see it here in Michigan at the school, about 80% coverage with special glasses a parent purchased for every single child and teacher who attended! It was so cool! Last time I had seen an eclipse like that was 7th grade!!! It dint get dark like the sky you saw but it was still fascinating!
I have to say, Mac -n- cheese for the kids meal!!!!
And as for fall mode—–NO!!!! I don’t like to be rushed! Even though it kind of feels like it because our school/work goes back August 1st!!!! But then get a bunch of breaks that no other schools do here, it’s still summer Taralynn!! ?
That is so funny!
I was feeling OFF too! Not crazy, but sluggish lol
Very cool you watched it with your class! What a fun job!!
MMMMM AGREED!
lol I know it’s summer, but it’s just so hot!! If I was in Michigan, I’d want it to stay summer too! I lived there and LOVED that weather. HERE IT’S JUST HOT AND HUMID!:(:(:(:(:(:(
I’m curious about your greek yogurt caesar dressing! Is that a recipe you make yourself, or did you buy it? Thanks!
I just buy Panera’s and add greek yogurt!
What form of spirulina do you use? Any specific brand? Not the most familiar with so I wasn’t sure if there are any specifics to pay attention to when deciding what to purchase. Thank you!
I use OMG-Superfoods. I linked to it 🙂