Motivational Monday: Non-Trick Treats

We can’t go wrong with positive reinforcement …

Childhood Examples

• behaving all year long –> CHRISTmas gifts from “Santa”
• pulling out your baby teeth –> chunk change from the “Tooth Fairy”
• asking “Trick or Treat?” politely –> candy and other goodies (such as Bible verses or prayer cards)
• reading x# of pages or books –> “Book It” (now “Accelerated Reader”) points and prizes ~ like a personal pan pizza from the Hut

Lately, rewarding myself helps ease the toughness of a rigorous project!

Adult Examples

• with my wider budget: *Dallas Cowboys* games toward the end of the season after the fall semester
• with my now tighter budget: books and video ~ which I planned to read and watch after I advance

Great timing since I just progressed onto my next series!

• Furious 7 ~ complete with Target exclusive ♫music samples♪
• The Glam Guide ~ by beauty guru and online force Fleur De Force

3:33 ~ make a wish!!! ✌

Go, *Dez Bryant* ~  in his return to the field for NFL ☼Sunday☼ yesterday!

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Fitness & Foodie Friday: Health or Treat? Nooky Quickie

While trick-or-treaters may be house-hopping and candy-popping this weekend, I’ll continue consuming my healthy supplements on the ☼daily!

Ginkgo Biloba: to promote mental focus

• This initially got me through my studying for and taking my comprehensive examinations to complete my Master’s degree
• I also took them as I prepared for my final semester exams, luminary comps (1st year) and candidacy (3rd year) to test for my Ph.D. coursework
• I’m continuing them as I progress through my dissertation process

Centrum VitaMints®: to aquire essential nutrients in a tasty way

• I’ve come a long way since my childhood Flinstones chewables ~ which I doubt are the best bet for my teeth with the acidity
• I’m still not a fan of swallowing tablets without having water and food in handy
• Therefore, I’m all about double-duty of fulfilling my ☼daily☼ needs while freshening my breath!

Of course, I don’t skimp on the actual food that I need to fuel my brain and body ~ which I’m actually including in an analogy between my marathon and my main statistical method (multiple regression) for my doc research!

Study Mode Trail Mix: Since almonds helped my bod during my 26.2-mi. course and my mind through my dissertation process, they were the main feature of this snack combo for the crunch + the Pumpkin Spice flavor along with the pumpkin cookies & candy, as well as more chocolate to cover these Brookside blueberries that also benefit the memory!

Study Mode Trail Mix: Since almonds helped my bod during my 26.2-mi. course and my mind through my dissertation process, they were the main feature of this snack combo for the crunch + the Pumpkin Spice flavor along with the pumpkin cookies & candy, as well as more chocolate to cover these Brookside blueberries that also benefit the memory!

Speaking of my race, although I haven’t run as many long distances in awhile, I’ve fit in mini drills to keep my energy levels high while I’ve been drained from my dissertation, a.k.a., my doc docs …

Cheers to Pumpkin ♥Love♥: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte VIA® PSL at home & Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake to soothe my soul, body and brain as I update and practice my dissertation!

During my dedicated eating time (yes, I must make a meal break away from my computer, according to my Bestie Evie‘s birthday advice), I actually HIIT before I sit!

Olive Garden Leftovers from Ladies’ Night with the Holy Spiri† (counter-clockwise from bottom right): Chicken Cacciatorie & Cheese Manicotti (2 of my fave entrées rolled into 1) • Pasta e Fagioli w/ breadstick • Minestrone • Bestie Evie‘s Better-Than-Sex Brownie • Pumpkin Cheesecake (which took me 4 days to finish!) • Andes Mints ~ gotta ♥love♥ these after-dinner chocolate mints to cap off a classic OG meal!

While I wait for my chow to cook ~ simmering in the crock pot, boiling on the stove, or nooking in the oven/microwave/toaster ~ I do the following quick set(s), to induce more calorie-burning even after I’m done exercising:

Standing ♥Cardio♥

• Jumping Jacks ~ chant your mantra
• Run laps or lines (depending on space)

Floor/Mat/Carpet Core

• Plank or Push-Ups (or mountain climbers)
• Crunches or Sit-Ups (I prefer v-ups)
• Dips (in reverse plank) ~ if time permits

More ♥Cardio♥

• Dance ’til your ♥heart’s ♪content♫ ~ or your grub is ready

Stretch

Relieve those muscles after sitting at the computer desk and before sitting down to eat

Happy Early Halloween, All †Saints’ Day y el Día de los Muertos! ✌

Foodie Friday: Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

What’s better than carving and painting jack-o-lanterns?

Eating pumpkin … At least for yours truly!

I’ve already gone PSL-out and then some:

• Coffee

Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Cheesecake dessert cookies & Pumpkin Spice Milano + Blue Diamond Pumpkin Spice Almonds from CVS | Quest Bar Pumpkin Pie energy bar (which we used to give away from Pretty Fit) from Market Street

• Cookies
• Energy bars

• I’m nuts for pumpkins!

Olive Garden‘s Caramel Hazelnut Macchiato

• Pumpkin Cheesecake at Olive Garden ~ this past time with my Bestie Evie ~ has been my tradition forever

Dynamic Dessert Duo: Olive Garden‘s Pumpkin Cheesecake

In fact, I used to buy a full pie for the fam to celebrate Halloween/Thanksgiving/my sis‘ birthday since college

Dynamic Dessert Duo: Olive Garden‘s Caramel Hazelnut Macchiato & Pumpkin Cheesecake

(the Fazoli’s Ghirardelli tops a close 2nd)

Pumpkin Spice Latte M&M’s ~ exclusively at Target

• Melt-in-your-mouth-not-in-your-hand candy ~ rather than just eye candy

• Even Yogurt!

I’m flipping over this YOLO–yo!

TGIF *Friday Night* Addendum

Now I’m somewhat relieved that this weekend’s Halloween party has been canceled/postponed due to t-storms (Hurricane Patricia’s just further down south) ~ so in addition to preparing for my next round, I also can have some down time …

Bring on the cozy comforts of hot cocoa & mac ‘n’ cheese, please!

1st Friday of Fall Y’all: TGIF

Thank GOD It’s Fall!

Facing east for the moon rise from my backyard garden … Just another West Texas Friday night!

As much as ☼summer☼ is my favorite season (after all, that’s when my birthday takes place), I’m making the most out of autumn ~ especially going outside for crisp, fresh air!

I’m also all about Starbucks seasonal flavors* ~ from ☼summer’s fruitiness to these comfy delights:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte 

My latest Starbucks Gold Card reward redeemed: Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino!

• Salted Caramel Mocha 

My venti cold cup always comes in handy … for a discount & a drink to last me all ☼day!

• *NEW* Toasted Graham 

Apparently, I was my local barista’s 1st customer to order a Toasted Graham Frappuccino! #StarbucksLovers ♥ #trendsetter

Furthermore, football has kicked off into full swing!

I refreshed my ♥heart♥ & ☼soul☼ with ♥Adoration♥ †Chapel† holy hour at †Church† & with this ☼spirit☼ book + my bod with this Graham Goodness! (Even though I’ll cover up more, I’ll definitely still tone up with whatever energy I still can muster in the midst of working on my dissertation!

Here are a few of my favorite things for fall …

Trunk or Treat: ☼Sunshine☼ (my truck) tailgate was decked out with festive decor that featured ♥A&A♥ when we gave candy to my †Church† students last Howl-o-ween!

Nine Fine Fall Flaves

1. Favorite Candle: my Bath & Body Works‘ Salty Caramel that I used to light up my *Dallas Cowboys* jack-o-lantern and Advent †cross† (I’m also all about BBW‘s Pumpkin Pecan Waffles/White Barn‘s Thanksgiving Morning)
2. Favorite Lip Color: toss-up between my red Ardency Inn ♥Love♥ Cat lipstick from Sephora or purple Vera Wang *Rockstar* lip gloss from ULTA (c/o my Bestie Evie)
3. Favorite Drink: please view above {Exhibits B-E}
4. Favorite Blush: the ones from my KleanKolor Double Rainbow palette, plus I think that I’ll try Dulce Candy‘s tip on lip colors in a pill box for cheek colors!
5. Favorite Clothing Item: my birthday gifts ~ specifically the scarf/shawl ~ and my recent online finds plus my Target scores ~ particularly the jeans and booties!
6. Favorite Fall Movie: no new releases, so I’ll go with classic football flicks: Varsity Blues (came out my sr. yr.), Friday Night Lights (with a cameo of my h.s.), Remember the Titans, Any Given Sunday, The Longest Yard (including the original)
7. Favorite Fall Show: Grey’s ♥Anatomy!!! I’ve been counting down for the Season 12 premiere since the Season 11 finale ~ as a loyal fan for over a decade since the very beginning with the previous seasons on DVD
8. Favorite Thanksgiving Food: I’m not going to lie –> my Cranberry Pie #DISPObustAFlow
9. Favorite Halloween Costume: now how about I have y’all pick? My personal faves include when I rocked out my abs live, No. 5 … I won our contest in 2013 as Lone Ranger‘s Tonto and in 2014 as my Nurse Mom who was fine in 1969! Will I make a 3-peat??

Actually, please allow me to add a 10th item:

Sweet Annie

My #1 Favorite for Fall: my ✌two✌ ♥cute, cuddly companions♥ with whom to softly snuggle for cozy comfort plus who keep me company while hard at work and welcome me home after hard at play!

Sassy Asia

CHEERS to this time of year!

Foodie Friday: Small & Sweet Fortunes

Big things come in small packages.

Mini Frappuccino in the *Starbucks$ Coffee House! S’mores, please!

Life is like a box of chocolates … You never know what you’re gonna get.

~ Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks as the title character)

Celebrate everyday!

Live in the ☼moment☼

In any ♣season♣

Cherish yourself ~ YOU’re a treasure! 👑

Life’s sweeter with ♥loved ones♥ …

… ♪music♫ …

… & literature …

… + chocolate!

Keep the party going!

And most of all: spread those good vibes!

  

Sharing = Caring!

for my Bestie + yours truly & my family!

Floral Friday: Bouquets, Bows and Arrows

During this ♥Valentine’s♥ week

Hello Kitty ♥Valentine’s♥ bow handcrafted by mi comadre Mona

I had 2 marriage proposals this past Wednesday alone

My attempt at the hair ♥heart♥ bun {video tutorial}

and a slew of gifts from my †GOD†-sent students then and yesterday!

Happy ♥Valentine’s♥ 2015

Hence, the perks of being a single teacher

Bow & Arrow Red Velvet Gluten Free mini cupcakes + ♥Heart♥ Pupcakes

With ♥Valentine’s♥ weekend ahead

Triple-Chocolate for ♥Valentine’s♥ class: Red Velvet Gluten Free mini cupcakes * Chocolate-Covered Oreos * Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

I look forward to

These Red Velvet mini GF cupcakes have found their way to my ♥heart♥

reaping the rewards of my photography and reporting career

Our R.E. ♥VDay♥ party included these Red Velvet Gluten Free mini cupcakes!

by capturing ♥Valentine’s♥ babies on camera mañana

♪Ring around the Rosies♫

and covering Claudie Royals‘ birthday banquet this ☼Sunday☼

♫Pocket full of Posies♪

†GOD† has blessed me abundantly

Pay It Forward: My R.E. student Delightful Dani (whose mom asked me to do the readings at her Church wedding) generously gave me this beautiful bouquet ~ so I had to spread the ♥love♥ w/Sweet Annie

by always being by my side

Princess Annie ♥loves♥ them!

and bringing me ♥Valentines♥ who charm, warm, touch and move my ♥heart♥

Sniff, sniff: Annie takes a whiff! Smell the flowers!

After all …

Feng Shui Dragons surround these Philippians 4:4″ alt=”Philippians 4:4″>flowers for ♣Good Luck♣ + blue marbles represent our *Dallas Cowboys*

Take delight in the †LORD†, and he will give you the desires of your ♥heart♥.

These red ♥Valentine’s♥ carnations ☼pair well☼ w/my yellow rose of Texas

  ~ Psalm 37:4

Foodie Friday: Country Club Grub

We celebrated ♥Valentine’s♥ Day one week early at the Country Club!

Salad Spread: I’m all about the greens, & pasta is my weakness!

As always, the food was good!

Country Club caters well! A little bit of everything, from veggies to meat.

And the drinks were as well!

Stella Artois: my usual import @ the Country Club

Not to mention the dessert!

Wine & Chocolate: my kind of centerpiece!

Sweets …

Dessert Table: Cheesecake Collection

… from the Sweet …

Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake: complete w/a ♥heart♥ @ the center

… by the Sweet …

Assorted Cheesecake: Chocolate * Strawberry * Original

… for the Sweet!

Double Chocolate: Chocolate Cheesecake w/Cookies & Cream ♥Heart♥

Happy Friday the 13th & ♥Valentine’s♥ Eve!

Foodie Friday: Memorial Week

Happy Memorial Week!

This heaping helping of TGIF YOLO is devoted to this week’s feasts and treats!

From la familia

For my mom’s birthday, my sister baked bodacious beet-chocolate cupcakes that can’t be beat!

My Mom’s Birthday Cupcakes ~ baked with LOVE from Joanne

After the Journey concert, my sister provided Memorial Day meals that were mmmmmm mmmmmm good!

Who needs Rooty, Tooty, Fresh & Fruity? We got Red, White & Blueberry!

For breakfast, we had berries and waffles, complete with raspberries for red and blueberries.

Tribute to my Sister’s Mother-in-Law’s Memory: Tater Tot Casserole! {Jackfruit (yellow) Bubble Tea & Avocado (green) Bubble Tea from Hong Kong Market}

For lunch, Joanne cooked tater tot casserole, a traditional recipe from her late mother-in-law.

Who needs the PB&J time? Cookie Butter & Chocolate‘s my dream Goober!

She also gave me the Ultimate Super Spread: Cookie Butter Cocoa Swirl!

Perfect combo of flavors & spices: my Mom’s Southwestern Burritoes!

My mom cooked scrumptious southwestern burritoes that have lasted me all week long!

Rice & Beans … Up close & personal.

From mi amiga

Yeah, real healthy after exercise … But I’ve only eaten one-quater at a time!

My friend Evie and I hit Hastings’ Hardback Café yesterday to reward ourselves after our workout!

Jones Root Beer: Serious Soda with Cute Cat Pic for a good kick!

When I tagged along with her to pick up gaming grub today, she gave me an IBC Cream Soda for my studies!

IBC Cream Soda to tide me over while I do my homework!

CHEERS to ☼Summer☼ almost here!

Cream Soda + Root Bear = Supernova Soda … All I need is a soft serve scoop for a float to seal the deal!