Rocking a Rest Day

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 I usually never take a rest day during the work-week. I typically save them for Sunday or Friday. Today, however, I felt really sore, a little tired, and realized that if I went to boxing - my workout would probably be a little weak (literally and figuratively). So, I decided to take an "active-rest" day. 

Rest Days are CRITICAL to ensuring those muscles you work so hard to tone, recover and develop stronger. Sometimes I feel guilty for a mid-week rest day. I really need to let that go. Do any of you feel that way? I'll be thanking myself tomorrow when I go to boxing and am ready to GET AFTER IT. Plus, I was able to do some laundry, write this blog post, and clean!

 I decided that a solid Yoga workout is exactly what my body needed (I even threw on my favorite Fenway Yoga t-shirt!). I YouTubed my favorite Yoga DVD, Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown: Volume 1. It has more movement than straight 'holds' and it isn't really hokey. Nothing wrong with a little hokey yoga, but, I just can't take it seriously coming out of my television. 

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 I roasted a sweet potato in the oven while I yogied it up in the living room. These potatoes rocked my world at dinner tonight. Yummmmm.

(Cut the extra virgin o/o-drizzled tater into chunks and throw on pan in the oven at 400 degrees for 40-45 minutes.)

 Tossed this chicken in some honey mustard and cayenne pepper and threw it on the grill pan.

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 Mash up the taters... they are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside - kind of like a cookie! I drizzled it with extra virgin, a tsp of Parmesan, and smashed in a chopped fried sage leaf. The chicken is drizzled with a little more honey mustard.

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 This meal is jam packed with FUEL. Especially Protein, Vitamin C, and B Vitamins.  Perfect for recovery.

While I am at it... I would like to make a request to stop using the phrase "going on a diet". Diets don't work... it's a bad word.  Fueling properly does work. If you fuel your body properly... it will thank you! (more on this to come)

Have an awesome week! xo

A take on Resolutions

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I've always been one to dismiss New Year's Resolutions.  I prefer the idea of making goals throughout the year, rather than just once, at the start of the new year. Part of the reason I probably felt this way because New Year's Day is one of the most overrated holidays. The stress of choosing which party to go to, what to wear, if your date will show up, etc. I always enjoyed New Year's Eve as a kid when my mom would make shrimp cocktail and nachos and I'd try to stay awake to wait for the ball to drop. 

As I got older, I found that simply going up North with a big group of friends was a WAY better way to spend the holiday than a big Boston bar party. Which brings me to my point. The simplicity of celebrating a year that has passed and the start of a new year can be exciting if kept simple. Last year, for the first time, I decided to write down 3 goals for the new year. Attainable goals. Ones that I had already been working on anyway. I wrote them down and put them in a frame on my desk at work. One health goal, one work goal, and one personal goal. Every day, they stared me in the face, reminding me to keep my water bottle filled, double-read emails before sending, and not over analyze my social life.

I can honestly say that I've made real progress with each of these goals. So, I guess when it comes to the whole 'resolution' thing... why not make one? Maybe a couple... but, make sure they are attainable and also something that you've put some thought into. I believe in always having a goal so why not put pen to paper for the New Year and make them stick?

Wherever tonight brings you, I hope it is filled with stress-free fun!

I'll be cracking the bottle of Veuve with Rob that Andres & Rebecca gave me for my 30th. Dinner is TBD, but, may include either Lobster or Tacos. Similar, I know.

Happy New Year, my friends! xoxo

Scenes from the Holiday Season

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Whew... what a season! Thanksgiving --> Christmas is my favorite time of year (like most). Even though I work in retail and that can sometimes make one feel a little jaded... I just embrace it. I start playing Christmas music as early as possible (Like November) and  I put my tree up right after Thanksgiving. I do this because time just flies now... I like to make the most festive time of year last as long as possible. This year was chock full of events and activities starting with Thanksgiving, then Christmas parties every weekend and finishing up the last weekend with my 2nd Annual Mistletoe Mingle, the D'Alessandro Family Christmas Party and finally, Christmas Eve Eve, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day! Here are snapshots of the season. I hope you all had an absolutely fabulous season and are starting the New Year out revitalized and refreshed!

First things first... Christmas Tree shopping at Lambert's with Rob.  Isn't she a beaut? I pride myself in finding the perfect tree every year.

Second... baking cookies with mom. Her famous anise cookies, my pizzelles, and a new favorite... chocolate mint crackle cookies.

Next, The Nutcracker! Da... Da Da Da Da, DA da da DA....

The Blink show at Faneuil Hall. Nothing is prettier than Boston during Christmas. Did you know that the Faneuil Hall Christmas Tree is taller than the tree at Rockefeller Center? It ranks #7, while Rock ranks #9. (85 ft. vs. 76 ft.)

Scenes from the 2nd Annual Mistletoe Mingle....

A relaxing Christmas Eve Eve... staying in and having a simple meal of seafood and garlic bread.

(For the bread: Oven at 400 - put garlic in baking dish (doesn't even need to be peeled). Cook for 45 mins to an hour and then spread on bread with some extra virgin o/o, and butter - YUM!.)

Finally, Christmas Eve & Day with the fam...

And finally... it wouldn't be funfitflavor without a little fitness... throughout all this fab food and drinks... I've continued my workouts... here's proof. My footsteps to and from Peter Welch's Gym. The Christmas Eve class had more than 70 participants!!

I'm so happy I captured all of these little moments on my phone. I'm so blessed to be surrounded by such incredibly fun, loyal, and kind friends and family. Have a very happy new year, friends! xo