First Week in Atlanta!

Hello all! AL and I have officially been in Atlanta for over a week! It is crazy to realize the planning and preparation is all done and our next adventure is well under way. AL is in his second week at the new job and I start law school in a couple weeks. 

The unpacking went smoothly - we only lost two wine glasses in the process (success!). Now I'm looking at new furniture, specifically a desk, shelving, and a sofa set. I've had some time to try new recipes, explore the neighborhood, and get some awesome workouts it. This morning I did 4 miles outside and then walked to the gym for a zumba class. I am going to miss mornings devoted to exercise once school starts.

After about 10 days in ATL, here are the things I am excited about:

1.... being half a mile away from the park. I love running to the park, completing the run, and then having the perfect cool down walk back home.

2... a farmer's market that is walking distance from my apartment. This is a must!

3... not living 3 hours away from AL. For those who don't know, we did long distance for almost 2 years. It wasn't our favorite. We are so happy to be in the same city now :)



4...the savory crepes and beverage list at Cafe Intermezzo. The spinach crepe with turkey, brie, and raspberry preserves was incredible. We've only tried 2 restaurants, but both have been amazing and I see many more yummy meals in the future.

5... a new running group that meets in my neighborhood. I miss my group in Texas and can't wait to try out a new group this Thursday.

6... GEORGIA PEACHES, which were on sale at Whole Foods for $0.69 a pound last week. My freezer and my belly are well stocked with peaches.

Looking forward to an excellent week here before I head off on a trip this weekend. See you tomorrow for WIAW!

x0x0, 

Hannah 

Confessional Friday: Q & A

Hey All and Happy Friday! I only have two more week off before school starts and i get sad just thinking about it. Obviously, I am excited to start a new adventure, but I will also miss my lazy weeks of exploring. 

This week in Friday Confessionals, the beautifully pregnant Leslie has offered up some Q & A's... let's see how this goes:

1. My worst fashion offense of all time has to be ...so many sad moments, but the worst were my Harry Potter Glasses in 6th grade before they were cool. I just looked pathetic. Which is why I don't recommend them to ANYONE, even though they are now semi-stylish.  

2. The most embarrassing song on my iPod is probably something from High School Musical. I know, how sad.

3. The last white lie I told was probably about food. I have this problem with saying "oh, yum!" when it is really awful and then I can never get rid of the food. 

4. The celebrity I most wish would disappear is Kim Kardashion. I admit, I watch her show periodically and I think it is funny, but I am kind of over her...

5. Sometimes I wish I lived closer to home. I've had some adventures and I love living in the south, but I miss my family. It is especially awful when they all go do things without me.

6. My childhood crush was any one of my older brother's friends. He is 2.5 years older than me, making all his friends the perfect age for me when we were younger ;) 

7. I've never turned down a trip to Target. Yesterday I went there and just walked around for like an hour. I will always say yes to a Target trip  - that place is like a trap. I also feel like I deserve an award any time I spend less that $30 there. 

8. Driving makes me a nervous wreck. My mother had to physically force me to get my license and i didn't have a car until I was 21. I hate driving and as a result, it hates me back. I've have the wheels stolen off my car, the windshields shattered, and I've been hit by a 93 year old man going 30 mph. Fail. 

9. I'd rather watch paint dry than walk on the elliptical. It is so boring and I never feel like I am doing much. I'd rather just walk on a treadmill. Or sit on the couch. 

10. Much like a train wreck, I can't turn away from watching other people's bad dates. When I go somewhere and see a bad date in the making, I just cannot turn away. The bf and I like to take bets on how long they've been together and what they are thinking. I can't help myself. Is that mean? We've all been there, I feel their pain, but I want to watch. 

What about you? What can't you stop watching? Please, make me feel better for my faults!

Have a lovely weeked, 

Hannah 

Moving Madness

Last week, I moved. Again. This is my 5th state since high school and I am SO tired of moving and everything involved in the process. This last move was a little more stressful because it involved 2 apartments, 2 cars, 1 Uhaul, and driving across 5 states.

The bf drove the UHaul truck while trailing his car and I followed in my car behind him. We went exactly 60 mph for HOURS. Talk about mind numbing. Thankfully I had this to listen to:

I love country music...a lot.

We stopped in Louisiana for 2 nights to see A's family and catch up with some friends. We were happy to have a break and enjoy his mama's yummy cooking (Louisiana ladies can cook!). 

We also got a chance to do 6 miles at one of my favorite places: The LSU lakes. My relationship with LSU is a whole different post, but let it suffice to say that I love this place. All the homes look like an ad in Better Homes & Gardens magazine. So lovely.

On Friday, we woke up at 4:30am to a breakfast of biscuits and turkey sausage (like I said, she is a good cook!), we started the final leg of the drive. I enjoyed the plethora of country stations across Alabama and promptly arrive in Atlanta just ahead of 5 o'clock traffic. WIN!

Then the movers arrived to unload the truck on our major street in all the traffic. Poor timing, but we made it and now I am happily unpacking. Can't wait to share photos of the new apartment!

Do you have any moving horror stories/adventures? 
Any tips on things I should do in Atlanta before school starts?

x0x0, 

Hannah 

Skinny n' Sweet Mug Brownie!

I caved. I have seen countless recipes on blogs and pinterest for mug treats. I've never tried one. I've never even pinned one! On Monday I had a ridiculous sweet tooth and NO hot chocolate (my go to sweet), so I gave in.

Of course, I couldn't pull up a pinterest recipe or anything normal like that. I had to make one up myself and incorporate some yummy ingredients and protein. The result was the perfect gooey brownie texture and taste!

Note: I did use real sugar in this recipe, but feel free to use a replacement sweetener. Let me know how it goes next time you have a sweet tooth!

Skinny n' Sweet Mug Brownie

Serves 1

Ingredients
2 Tbs. whole wheat flour
1 Tbs maple sugar (or brown sugar)
1.5 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
1.5 Tbs protein powder (optional)
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp vanilla
3 Tbs. plain non-fat greek yogurt
1 Tbs. almond or soy milk
1 Tbs. chocolate chips

Combine the dry ingredients in a large mug. Add wet ingredients and stir well. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top and and microwave for 90 seconds. (Watch closely, mine almost went over the top of my mug!). Let cool briefly and enjoy!

x0x0, 

Hannah

Office Inspiration

I mentioned earlier this week that I am moving to Atlanta this week and excited about decorating the new place! I'm excited about the size of my new kitchen and closet, so I have spent lots of time looking at decorating and organization ideas. My favorite part of the new place is a study room just off the living room!

I am turning a small room into a study place and planning for a desk, huge calendar, and lots of book shelves. Here are some of my inspirations

1. This desk from Pier I Imports. I love the simplicity of it, but I am considering a different color.

2. Dot decals for one wall (maybe) or perhaps a simple wallpaper.

3. Comfy and stylish chair! 

4. Amazing shelving and organization - I love all the baskets!

Where do you like to buy office decorations? 

Any advice on making a space both stylish and useful? 

I will be sure to post pictures of the finished results in a few weeks! 

x0x0, 

Hannah 

Eating Healthy on Vacation

As I prepared for my trip last week, I spent a lot of time thinking about making healthy choices when traveling. I was happy to be staying at a house where we cooked almost all of our meals, but I was also surrounded by lots of tempting treats.

Enjoying a soy flat white in London :)

Here are a few tips I follow when traveling to help me stay on track with my food choices:

1. Count fruit and veggie servings, not calories. Focusing on eating fruits and vegetables will help you make healthy selections at meals and restaurants, and give you some essential vitamins.

2. Pack healthy snacks and treats. You may go over your recommended calorie intake, but you are less likely too if you are getting enough fiber and vitamins. I bring protein bars, Greek yogurt, fruit and veggies, and whole grain pretzels.

3. Pick your splurges. I generally avoid the word "splurge", but healthy eating is all about balance. If you are going to have ice cream in the afternoon, skip the sugary pancakes. Plan a healthy lunch if you know your dinner will be a splurge. Don't deny yourself, just plan meals out.

4. Drink water. It is easy to get out of this habit when you travel, so make it a priority.

5. Know how to work a menu. Order sauces on the side. Ask about alternative side options, like steamed vegetables, sliced fruit, or a wheat roll. Swap whole grain for white, ask for extra veggies, always include protein.

6. Remember you are on vacation. Don't make food your biggest stress. Find times to exercise and make some healthy choices, but don't make it your main focus. Enjoy your friends and family :)

Happy travels!

x0x0, 

Hannah 

Marvelous Monday!

Hi all! It's Monday and I want to follow in the steps on Ali at Miles with Style and share a few reasons why I am excited with this week.

1. I just had an amazing 4 days at the beach with friends. This is the second summer that my boyfriend and I have gone to this beautiful beach house with a few other couples.

We had perfect weather and spent HOURS at the beach in the water and sand. I went through 2 bottles of sunscreen (not kidding), but came home sunburn-free!

2. I will be in ATLANTA on Friday! I cannot believe we move this week, but I am beyond excited.

3. New fuel for my runs this week - trying a few new items for my runs this week. I'm planning a post on fuel options soon, so I am deep in the research stage. And yes, I always get the orange flavor.





4. Finally unpacking and starting the decorating process in my new apartment. My stuff has been in storage for a month now, so I am thrilled to unpack, organize, and start to decorate. I have a few weeks before law school starts and I plan to make my new apartment perfect. I've spent some serious time on Pinterest lately ;)

5. New neon clothing purchases. J. Crew had an amazing sale last week and I stocked up on a few summer neon pieces, including these shorts.

Have an awesome week and a marvelous Monday!

x0x0, 

Hannah 

WIAW #11: simple meals

Happy Wednesday! A and I are heading to the beach tomorrow for a few days, so I am busy baking cookies (brown butter choc chip!) and prepping healthy goodies to take on our trip. If you are just popping in, be sure to check out:

- Lately: Long runs, hush puppies, and bikinis.
- My rough training week.
- Fourth of July fun!

Now, onto What I Ate Wednesday. Thank you dear Jenn at Peas & Crayons for hosting. Be sure to check out her blog to learn more about WIAW and link up to other bloggers :) Now, on with my eats!

Breakfast: Protein pancakes via the fitnessista. These pancakes contain protein powder, whole wheat flour, egg whites, and milk. I topped mine with banana and maple syrup with was so yummy. Having protein pancakes feels like a treat, but treats my body like a good meal. Sometimes I add in cocoa powder or peanut butter to the mix, which is also yummy.

Lunch: Post workout, I made a yummy salad with leftover whole wheat pasta salad, greens, cucumber, and bell pepper. I ate this with a juicy peach and a few pretzels.

Snack: After running a million errands to mail birthday gifts, pick up moving stuff, etc. I was starving. I grabbed these new pita crackers at TJ's and had them with almond butter and a greek yogurt.

Dinner: Quiche! A and I whipped up a whole wheat crust, filled the quiche with kale, mushrooms, and goat cheese, and served it with a simple salad and fresh pineapple. I love quiche as a filling but lighter meatless option. I am not sure I love kale as a filling though. It seemed a little strong to me, which is weird because I am OBSESSED with kale. Who knows, maybe I didn't cook it enough. Either way, it was yummy but not my best quiche.

Dessert: A ran to the store and came back with this amazing double chocolate cookie (I love a man who brings back treats). I drank some decaffeinated green tea with it and enjoyed it immensely. Yum.

What sweet thing do you like to end your meal with?

x0x0, 

Hannah