Hey! Remember me? I’m Hallie and I have a blog 
It’s finals time for Mitch which means editing time for Hallie. I love editing and proofreading, actually, so I don’t mind at all. But it means less time for blogging! (Side note, for you students out there, if you’re looking for reference info at the library, check out the kid’s section! We found some cool books with really good and, obviously, easy to comprehend information about Saudi Arabia. And a book is a book, right?)
Here’s a list of some things that have been going on in my world. I like lists.
- The condo is all decorated! I’ll take photos once
Mitch is done with school so he can cleanthe place isn’t so messy. This is my first time having a Christmas tree, and it makes me smile. - On a different note, I got roped into making latkes for our family’s Hanukkah party on Saturday. I was going to try to make a baked, lower-fat version, but then I decided I didn’t want to risk it. So OG fried potatoes it is. Latke-making is a time-consuming process, so I’m planning on spending most of Saturday afternoon in the kitchen. I think I’m going to go with the recipe in Veganomicon, or in the Jewish Cooking Bootcamp cookbook I won from Mara. Oh I can smell the oil now (ick).
- I’m doing good on my goal of daily push-ups! I highly recommend putting goals on a blog (or Facebook page, etc). It’s motivating. And I’m already up to 12!
- I’m not doing quite as “good” motivating myself to work out. I normally love a good sweaty workout, but lately my heart is not in it. It’s “cold” and rainy right now in San Diego and that’s part of it I think. I asked Susan for advice and she suggested taking a few solid days off working out, since I haven’t taken more than one day off (in a row, I mean) since ending my bootcamp. I think that’s good advice, but it’s also scary for me, for many reasons. So vamos a ver as this girl might say.
- I’ve making time for meal prep and cooking, including this number below. I needed something quick, easy, and cheap, and this fit the bill. I’ll post the recipe if you want, but basically it’s chicken tenders with a bunch of (salt-free) seasoning, a bag of mixed frozen veggies (thawed), a can of reduced-fat cream of chicken soup, and 1/3 cup of milk. Not the super-healthiest meal (the ingredient list is that soup is horrifying) but it’s not worst either. And it was warm and comforting.
- I’m having fun planning the menu for our Christmas party. So far we have: bacon-wrapped dates, Asian-style lil smokies, grilled and raw veggies w/dips, chips and salsa. For a festive drink, I’m trying to figure out how to do hot chocolate with rum (I need to figure out how to keep it warm. I’m leaning towards crock pot. With the rum on the side so a) the alcohol doesn’t burn off and b) those driving can partake.) Any suggestions for more holiday-party snacks? I’m going for relatively easy (and cheap!) this year.
- I ate a
breakfast cupcakeapple spice muffin this morning and you know what? The world didn’t end (I’m saying this to myself, mind you). I had a (unsweetened) nonfat tea latte with it for some protein. I love my healthy, nutrient-rich breakfasts, but I had an early-morning meeting, and honestly it was what I wanted. And I was full until lunch, refined carbs and all. - I think I’m the only blogger who doesn’t like the Sugar Cookie tea. It smells great but tastes like nothing! So all it makes me do is want a cookie. I bought the Gingerbread Spice and the Sugar Plum Spice flavors today, and I think I’ll like those more. I just had some of the Sugar Plum and it was delightful.
So that’s all I’ve got for now! How many days until Christmas Eve? I can’t wait…I get from Christmas Eve day until the Monday after New Year’s off from work and I need the break, bad!
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What a huge step, a Christmas tree! I assume Mitch isn’t Jewish? I have many friends who are Jewish and who’s bfs aren’t, and they are having trees in their houses/condos too. IT’s neat to celebrate both, in my opinion.
Glad you found that the world didn’t end when you enjoyed a nice muffin for breakfast.
It’s hard to stay motivated tow orkout in the winter, however I find the winter is when it’s the most important to make sure I get a good workout in. Staying inside all day is depressing!
enjoy your break!
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I hope you have a wonderful break. I know that everyone deserves one. I don’t like the sugar cookie tea either. I like my teas strong. This one isn’t.
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My non-Jewish boyfriend is requesting that I make matzoh ball soup for him.
I’ve been to a party where they had hot apple cider in a crock pot. I think they might have just mixed the rum in.
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I feel the same way about the Sugar Cookie Tea, I try one from my box every so often in the hopes that I love it as much as everyone else does, not such luck yet!
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i’ve never made it but i think the baked brie in puff pastry that i’ve seen on various tv show and blogs looks really easy and beautiful
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hope you have a great break!
One thing I love about reading journals is just learning…I learned a lil bit more about Jewish customs form your post! thanks!
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oh your long break sounds divine! i havent tried any of that tea yet.. i am more of a coffee gal.
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Congrats on the 12 push ups!!! Confession: I can’t even do one toe push up. So I am serrrriously impressed
Bacon wrapped dates intrigue me! Slather some PB on there and you’re good to go 
Keep me updated on how your few days of rest go!
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I love lists too.
I really like pigs in a blanket for appetizers. Not healthy but mmmmmmmm good. They always disappear fast!!
Way to go on the pushups. Pushups are a weakness of mine for sure. I need to work on them more.
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I second the pigs in a blanket….so good!
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