Happy first day of fall! I’m currently outside on my back patio, cuddled up in blankets while I write. It’s noon and not even 60-degrees yet! I love this. Usually, we get humid weather in September in the south, but this year, we’re getting Fall temps a bit earlier. I try to wake up an hour earlier to make coffee and read a book before working. I always have a better day when I start my morning with a book and no technology, and that’s why I’ve been LOVING book club. Speaking of, October book club begins in nine days! Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions. I have one more book to finish on the September list, but so far, all of the books have been a five-star for me! A few days ago, Kyle and I got back from a little weekend getaway at Lake Toxaway. I’ll share a separate post with those photos, but it was one of the most relaxing trips.
We spent our days reading, eating good food, canoeing, roasting s’ mores, going on walks, and even fitting in a few workouts on the lawn. I love planning trips where you don’t leave the property! And you can’t beat morning views like this. When we got home, we unpacked and headed out on a trail walk. It’s crazy that this trail is right behind my house. I never have an excuse to stay inside now! Kyle had the week off from work, so we spent our time doing things around the house, yard work, and I worked more on finishing up my office. My new chair and shelves should be arriving any day now. I can’t wait to do that reveal! I love it in there so far. Trader Joe’s have been a staple for me this week!
I love their vegan Caesar dressing and their spicy cashew butter dressing. I add it to their cabbage blend, spinach, and top it with their gluten-free chicken nuggets, (which are to die for) cashews, homemade bread crumbs made in the air fryer, and a little black pepper on top. Yum! I love that their chicken nuggets come raw instead of pre-cooked and ground up. They taste so fresh and you actually know that it’s 100% chicken inside. I also made my own homemade gluten-free chicken nuggets for a blog post that’ll be up soon! I’ve been experimenting with a new crust to make it lower carb. The homemade chicken nuggets are always good with Tessemae’s Habanero Ranch dressing. I’m officially on day 11 of The Sweat App, and I enjoy it so far. It’s only 30-minutes of my time, which is so easy to commit to every day. I’m doing the beginners for the first 12-weeks, but sometimes I’ll add extra reps if I feel like it’s not enough. The workouts have me feeling slightly sore, but I love that I’m feeling stronger each day! My gluten-free veggie sandwiches have been a staple after my afternoon workouts. I have them with a peach protein shake for recovery. My shakes have frozen peaches, water, ice, and vanilla plant-based protein powder.
Trader Joe’s salads were on repeat last week. I also had their butternut squash spirals for a side one night, and it was pretty good! It definitely needed some salt and garlic though. Every morning! By the way, I finished The Guest List while I was on my trip. WOW! I didn’t think I was going to like it until the 4th or 5th chapter hit. It got so good so fast. I 1000000% recommend this book.
For some of my lunches throughout the week (after I finished off all the sandwhiches) I had chili lime chicken on top of my salad with the cashew butter dressing and a side of beans, tomatoes, and corn with cumin. The cheese is Follow Your Heart vegan Parmesan. Now, I can’t put down Eliza Stars a Rumor! IT’S AMAZING, and precisely what I needed after a creepy thriller. This book is so juicy! I hope to finish this one today or tomorrow. On Friday night, we headed to my parent’s house for a salmon dinner! 😋 My mom makes THE BEST salmon!
I woke up early on Saturday morning to get a long morning walk in with my neighbor. We had Knowledge Perk set up in the neighborhood, which was convenient because I totally needed coffee after our 5 miles. Theirs is so good. I also picked up a cinnamon roll to bring back for Kyle. Saturday afternoon, Kyle and I headed to get massages. We stopped at Reid’s Fine Food for lunch, our favorite go-to! I always (unless chicken Ceasar salad is on the menu) order their salmon with brussels sprouts and potatoes. 😋 I also picked up some specialty items in their grocery section for a fall-themed charcuterie board. We headed over to the neighbors for wine night by the fireplace, and it was 55-degrees out! I made a fall-themed charcuterie board (details coming to the blog soon) with a fall-spice sangria. 😋 So cozy! What all my mornings look like lately. Becca and I met up for breakfast and shopping on Sunday morning! We hit up Le Peep and Homegoods! We did some serious Fall shopping! We ended our shopping day with PSL! I had a tall PSL with almond milk, one pump of pumpkin, and an extra shot of espresso. I also had whip on top because, why not? 😊 SO good. I added my Amazon bats to the porch yesterday, and I love how they look! I can’t wait to get my mums and pumpkins tomorrow!! Details on the Sweat App!
Many of you have asked me how I like it on Instagram, and I LOVE IT. It’s something I can stick to; I love scheduling my workouts, and seeing it on my calendar motivates me to keep up the workout streaks. I never feel exhausted all day after doing them, and I never dread them! I think that’s important. I needed to add strength training in my routine because all I’m doing is walking right now, which is fine, but I don’t want to neglect my strength training. It’s cheaper than most gym memberships, and you can do the workouts anywhere! You set your own pace and you’re your only competition. Italian dinner night at the neighbor’s house on Sunday night! Gluten-free baked ziti 😍 Yesterday, I had to be at the dentist at 8 am to get a filling. 😭I’m sore today, but it was even funnier that I filmed a fall cook with me afterwords with a swollen cheek!
I hope you all have a fantastic first day of FALL! I have an exciting video + recipe coming up tomorrow! STAY TUNED FOR THAT!
Questions for you!
- Have you ever done the Sweat app?
- Any October (i love spooky) books you’d recommend for the book club!
- What Fall-Themed videos do you want to see?
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Looks like you spent your first day of fall wisely! Thanks for the recap! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Glad you stopped by!
Jennifer says
I have not done the sweat app, however I have heard great things! You’re making me want to give it a try 😄
I can’t wait to see your October picks for book club!!
I love your crafting videos, cleaning videos, and cook with me videos – really anything would be great 🤣
Taralynn McNitt says
It’s a pretty great app!!!
A cook with me is going live tomorrow! 😁
Hannah Miracle says
I just downloaded the Sweat App!
I’m so glad to hear you like it!
I have to get to TJs to get that Spicy Cashew dressing!
Taralynn McNitt says
OHHH you’re going to love that dressing! 😋
Hannah says
Also, I just bought the Halloween bats! How did you attach yours?!?
Taralynn McNitt says
They came with sticky tabs!
Hannah says
Beautiful, thank you so much!
Taralynn McNitt says
♥️
Laurie Harrison says
1) I haven’t tried the Sweat app but you’ve got me thinking maybe I should 🙂 I do Pure Barre twice a week but I’ve been looking for something else to add to my routine. Thanks for the recommendation.
2) Read my book! I published it earlier this year and the sequel is coming out in a couple of months. The Unveiling by Laurie Harrison
3) I would love to see yummy vegan fall recipe videos (like soups, pumpkin desserts, your granola with a fall twist, etc.). Your recipes are always amazing!
Taralynn McNitt says
It’s such a fun workout. Barre is hard! lol I underestimated it the first time.
That is so cool!! I’ll check it out. CONGRATS!!!
I did my pumpkin granola this past weekend!
Laurie Harrison says
Thanks! I’m so excited about pumpkin granola!!! That sounds amazing.
Taralynn McNitt says
😊
Cassie says
1. I’ve never tried Sweat App but know a few people who like, and I like that it could be done on your own time! Are there videos you follow along with from your phone or does it just list the workouts?
2. One book I loved is called Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (not to be confused with 50 Shades of Grey 😂)
3. I love all things Fall! Loving all the home stuff, I’ve been waiting to see the whole main floor! A video tour would be cool too! And waiting on the office reveal! Recipes are always good too ☺️ And just seeing your everyday life kinda like a vlog I always enjoy. I think it would’ve been cool to see a time lapse video of you decorating for fall! On a side note- where is your cream cardigan from? I LOVE it!
Taralynn McNitt says
The best part is that it demonstrates the workout as you go! You click when you’re done to move on to the next so it’s at your own pace and you’re not left to wonder how a movement is done. I absolutely love it.
😆 that’s the first thing I thought of!
The office reveal is taking a bit since it took so long to get the wallpaper ordered, the window treatment didn’t fit, and now the chair is on its way 😝
The cardigan is from Target!
Niki says
I would definitely recommend “The Shadows” by Alex North for your October book club!
Taralynn McNitt says
I’ll look into that! thanks!
Alena says
I am excited to participate in the book club in October. My Uncle owns an independent bookstore in California and with the pandemic has had a tough time keeping everything afloat – he even gives his employees health insurance! He has a gofund me page to help with everything but I am going to leave the link to the stores website so everyone can hopefully order their books from there. Anything helps but if people are going to order books for the book club, this is the place to go.. as much as I enjoy the very fast shipping of Amazon. 🙂
https://www.dieselbookstore.com/
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks for sharing!
Michelle says
I haven’t done the sweat app before but I’ll check it out. I’ve been doing Chloe Ting workout videos since gyms shut down and I’ve come to really enjoy them. It has been several months though so might be good to change up my routine.
Can’t wait to hear the October book club picks!
Taralynn McNitt says
Oh, I’ll have to try out those workouts!
Ruth says
Thanks very much for the book recs. 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Hope you enjoy them!
Rachel says
I just got the sweat app yesterday! I got so sick of jumping around with my workouts and trying to decide what to do so I think it will be a good investment. I’m doing PWR at home which I believe is 12 weeks. Which program are you doing or just trying different things? I’m jealous of your fall weather! It’s still 100 degrees here for the high haha.
Taralynn McNitt says
I’m glad you’re trying out the app! I’m just doing the beginner 12-week program! It’s great! 🙂
I’m so happy our 100-degree weather is gone!
Jessie says
Charcuterie board ideas would be great to see.
Also I love any of your reciepes .
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks Jessie!
Brittany says
Oh my gosh I looove the bats you put up!!! So festive <3
Also, I have been dying to ask you about the Sweat App, so I am very happy to see you wrote about it here! I have been considering getting it but I am torn! I am worried that I will get it and then revert to just running instead. So we shall see! I have some travel coming up in two weeks.. so it might be nice having workouts on the go.
Taralynn McNitt says
Love bats! hehe
It’s definitely A GREAT app to have for traveling and the workouts will only make your running even better!!
Hannah says
Every time you have your mom’s salmon on here, my mouth waters! It looks so good!!
I am about halfway through a book called “The Night Bird” by Brian Freeman, and it is DEFINITELY a creepy thriller! I feel like you would like it, based on some of the other thrillers you have posted about in the past! ☺️
Taralynn McNitt says
She’s the best at salmon! It’s her lime and soy sauce!
Oh, I’ll check that out! You always have THE BEST recs!
Courtney says
Hey!
Loved the recap blog! I have not tried the Sweat App but it looks really good. I need something like this to help me get back into strength training.
I haven’t read any, but I know Stephen King books are definitely spooky and would probably be a good October read! 🎃
I loved the Fall chili recipe you did. I would love to see more cooking/baking videos and some fall decor/diy videos and blogs too!! Fall is my absolute favorite so I live for these types of blogs 🍂
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Courtney!
That was why I downloaded the app! I needed something that would work for me for strength training!
Oh yes, he’s always cookin’ up something spooky!!
♥️ thank you so much for that!!!
Sarah says
I actually never heard of the Sweat app until reading about it on your blog!
I’m so excited to see what books you pick for October book club! One of my friends has a bookstagram page and recommended The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James for a spooky read and I’d love to get my hands on it.
I’m loving all of your fall posts and decorations! It finally cooled down here and I’m so thankful for sweater weather!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Sarah!
Oh wow! I feel like the Sweat App is all over! Maybe I just see the targeted ads all the time lol
My friend, Caitlin, loaned me that book!!!
Yay! Glad it’s sweater weather for you!!