1. Twenty more days until I turn the big 3-0! Holy craziness.
2. For the past two nights, Jay and I have thoroughly enjoyed some Sausage and Tortellini Soup for dinner.
I totally forgot that I had made this recipe back when I was pregnant and divided it into two portions; we ate the first portion a while ago, but I just came across the second portion in the freezer earlier this week, which I had totally forgotten about!
Last night, we served it along with some crescent rolls that we had on hand (and Jay actually fed me most of mine while I was co-hosting the Lands’ End twitter party).
But seriously. That soup is awesome. I would highly recommend it!
3. This week, I was supposed to start working on a campaign for a very well-known company and, to be honest, the pay was pretty damn awesome. However, after researching a bit more about said company, I discovered a lot more about their practice of using GMO’s in many of their products, so I made the decision to back out of the campaign. It stinks to lose out on the money, but I’d much rather do that than promote something I don’t agree with (even if I may still eat some of those things…I know, contradictory much? I think it’s time to start weeding out some of the bad stuff…).
4. I was SO pumped to find out that Target was still selling my favorite slippers, and they are 50% off right now! I think it’s ‘bout time to trade in my old ones for the new…
5. You know that awesome feeling when you get everything finished on your to-do list? Yeah…me either.
6. THIS cake. Umm, yes please?! I want.
7. Over the past four days, I have managed to get three after-work workouts in. They’ve been short (two sessions of 10lb. Slimdown + 1 session of T25) but effective, which is what works for me right now.
8. Remember how I told you guys that Lucas had his first tooth come in? Yeah…well, turns out, I lied. Apparently, it was something like an Epstein pearl, which is a callus that can form from sucking. Makes sense, I suppose. I think it’s since gone away and now we’re still all gums over here. False alarm!
9. Last night, Uncle Dan came to visit!
And he also brought goodies for meeeeeee.
10. My brother works for a local coffee distributor and as part of my (belated) Christmas gift, he brewed me a few specialty bags (yes, he brews the coffee right from the very early beans and I’ve already told him I want to shadow him for a day at work…how cool would that be?!?). I already have my eyes on that Cinnamon Danish flavor and am planning to try that out today. Mmm mmmmm.
11. I was ridiculously emotional yesterday. I cried watching Ellen give away things to a guest on her show, and I cried more than once about the fact that I thought Lucas gave his babysitter (our good friend, Erika, who is wonderful with him) bigger smiles than he gave me. Yes. I’m apparently a little sensitive, wouldn’t ya say? Sheesh.
12. I really, really want to bake some cookies this weekend. I also really want to go shopping, get my hair cut, clean the house, run a few miles, go out to eat, meal prep, and have some time to relax. Hey, a girl can dream, right?
Happy Friday, friends! Make it a great one, and have a fabulous weekend!
Madison says
The soup does look amazeballs! I will have to try it for sure. Also, I respect you for making the right decision for yourself about that company and not going into business with them. Props for that!!!
Have a great weekend! <3
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I can’t believe that you are turning 30! You certainly do not look it!
I have those super emotional days too where just the most ridiculous things I see will make me tear up…oh gotta love being a girl!
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
I turned 30 about a month ago. It bothered me a little more than I thought it would, but it was really no big deal at all! I always say it’s better than the alternative ;)
Good for you for backing out of the campaign! That shows a real commitment, and your readers appreciate it!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Cookies can be squeezed in first :) Glad you backed out the campaign…it is a tough one alright! And don’t eat the food anymore missus!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
that cook looks amaaaaazing!! as do those coffee flavors – yum!! i’m sure you’ll have a productive weekend… and if not…. eat some cake or cookies or ice cream and hang out with the babe and pat yourself on the back! ;)
Danica @ It's Progression says
That truly stinks about the money, but really, Thank You for not “selling out” (sorry, I’m not sure what other phrase to use!) for that campaign since you don’t fully agree with its practices. As readers, we appreciate that *so* much, and we’ll also be much more interested/receptive to the partnerships you do choose to work with.
I hope you have a great weekend!!
Karen says
YAY for the almost 3-0 birthday…I just turned 30 on the third and so far it’s going pretty well. I was just at Target and missed the slippers so I think a trip back is in order. I need some slippers.
Jenn@Mark My Mile! says
I am going to dream along right with you for weekend plans…sleep through the night (baby will too), cook a big family dinner, bake and get a long run in…
Heather @fitncookies says
That soup looks delicious! Isn’t keeping up with twitter chats hard! No sooner do you post and 100 more are flying at you! lol Enjoy your weekend. I bet you could knock out most of those to dos ;)
Stacey M. says
THANK YOU for posting the link to that soup recipe … I pinned that one and will definitely have to make it soon (along with your crockpot stuffed pepper soup).
Congrats to you for 1) deciding not to endorse a product/company you don’t fully agree with, and 2) for being able to get in those workouts. I just returned from a 4-day work trip and am soooooo looking forward to getting back to my routine (eating right, working out, feeling more “normal” … TMI, I know). Also, I didn’t get a chance to say congrats on your feature in Land’s End / Fitness magazine … so CONGRATS! You look absolutely amazing. If I someday look like you 3 1/2 months after having a baby, I will probably be rejoicing from the rooftop!
Good luck on getting to all your “to-dos”, especially the “relaxing” part! Hope you have a great weekend!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
How awesome is that coffee?! Cinnamon danish just sounds delightful!
And Ellen yesterday – I mean, come on. Who better deserved all of those gifts?!
Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life says
I baked a batch of mint chocolate chip cookies Wednesday for a carry-instead work and it was so relaxing! Baking = stress relief! ;) good for you for sticking to your guns when it comes to the GMO’s. My husband and I have made 2014 the year of organic, hormone-free meat and dairy purchasing. Our grocery bill definitely has gone up, but we are willing to sacrifice in other areas if it may mean better health (and more stable hormone creation for me!)
Christy says
I’m right there with you on numbers 11 and 12. I’ve been super emotional and it hasn’t gotten any easier dropping Jayson off at daycare. I had five wonderful days with him after New Year’s and then cried in the car when I had to drop him off that following Monday. I also have all sorts of aspirations for the weekend, but we’ll see what I can actually accomplish (clean the house, put away laundry, put away xmas decor, put some effort into making meals, go out for breakfast on Sunday, grocery shop, etc.)
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I turn 30 in less than 2 weeks! Craziness! I’m way more ok with it than I thought I would be. I think (hope) my 30s will be my best years yet. :)
And I’m a little scared about my emotional state when I become a mom. Tears all the time!
Happy Friday!
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog says
Your brother’s job sounds so interesting! You should definitely shadow him for a day and write about it :-)
And, I mean, who actually gets everything on their to-do list done?
Jamie @ Dishing Out Health says
Mmm that Sausage and Tortellini soup looks like the perfect comfort food for these cold temps! Oh and I am swooned over those coffee flavors – esp Snickerdoodle! Baking is on my agenda this weekend too… Possibly a recipe from your list! :D
Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run says
It’s going to be your golden birthday, too!!!
Chelsea @ A Fit LittleOne says
Oh My Gosh, yum!! That chocolate cake looks sooooo good!!! I want that for my birthday…. And yay for your brother coming over and bringing you coffee! Those flavors sound delicious :D. Good luck getting everything done, I think you can do it :).
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun says
Oh my. That cake looks amazing!!! So does your dinner last night :) You’ve already got me thinking what I’m going to be making tonight for dinner!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
Yup….I’m drooling over that cake ;-)
And I’m so proud of you for baking out of that campaign! I know it’s easy to accept money when things like that come along, but it’s amazing that you’re able to stick to your beliefs. I think a lot of bloggers accept every opportunity they’re offered, but the fact that you did your research and made a decision based on whether or not the company is a good fit for you and your beliefs really just shows your integrity as a blogger. So thank you for doing that!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
That cake!! — I just celebrated my birthday last weekend with a chocolate fudge whipped caramel almond butter cake, but… can I have a do-over? :mrgreen: And would it be too much to ask for a cup of that coffee on the side? I keep meaning to order the chocolate glazed donut K-cups but I’m still rockin’ regular old Pike from Bux. Dessert coffee needs to happen…
Holly @ EatGeatBEGreat says
I just turned 30 in August! Ahhh…where does the time go!?!
That soup!!! Yum! I actually found a recipe for kale tortellini soup, which looks amazing. I’m hoping to make it this weekend! Here’s the recipe in case you’re interested: http://uprootfromoregon.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/kale-tortellini-soup/
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I LOVE those slippers from Target too. I actually just threw out my old pair because they were beyond gross. I still need to get some replacements though!
Have an awesome weekend, Girl! Hope you can squeeze in a few of those things you WANT to do! xoxo
Sylvia says
Courtney, I just LOVE your honesty. And turning 30 is not that bad, doesn’t feel much different :-)
Miranda @ Lovely Wife Lovely Life says
I loooove tortellini soup!! I had it for lunch a couple of days ago… such a perfect way to warm the soul ;) Also, those coffee flavors sound amaaaaaazing!
Jess @dearhealthyness says
The to do list feeling aahhh, yeah right! Only at work!
Regarding the campaign, I think that’s a good decision. When I was studying my bacherlors degree they asks us about our opinions on working with campaigns that we didn’t believe in, or support their products. My thoughts now and then are the same: if you ethically doesn’t agree with them why should you do it? I mean, for example, I respect people that smoke (it’s their choice), but I don’t believe in smoking! That said I could not work with a cigarrette company. Well done!!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I worked in coffee for YEARS and the last shop I worked at roasted their own beans from the green bean. It was always really cool to watch happen.
Caitlin says
i need that cinnamon danish coffee in my life! good for you for not compromising your morals for $. i have been offered campaigns for things that just don’t go with my blog. they aren’t even necessarily bad products, but for example a heart rate monitor is something i would not use given my ED past and latching on to numbers, so i have turned down offers to do posts about them. i don’t care if they are paying me…i wouldn’t want readers to get mixed messages.
crescent rolls and soup, talk about an amazing combo! and i’m glad there was a lucas pic in this post. he is the cutest!
Lauren Bednarz says
Kudos to you for not representing a company that has practices you don’t agree with. I understand the need and drive to make money, but I am kind of turned off by a lot of bloggers that will associate their name with every offer that comes their way. I think it is kind of pathetic and most importantly for a blogger, unreadable.
– Lauren
Lyric says
Oh. My. Gosh. Those coffees look amazing! Here in Canada it is near impossible to find such cool flavours! All i’ve been able to find is French Vanilla!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Good for you for sticking to your values and only promoting a company that you believe in. That is tough to do, but I think it is SO important, especially since you are in an influential place in the media world.
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
Good for you for sticking to your guns! :) That cake looks AMAZING!!! Hope you have a great weekend!
Ashlee@HIsnHers says
Wow that soup looks awesome. Dont you love finding random frozen meals in the freezer that you forgot about?!
That’s great that you skipped out on the deal just because it isn’t something you believe in. You’ll feel better about it longer than the money would have lasted anyway!
Courtney's friend Joey says
You can do at least 5 of those action items listed under #12 at my house, and we can have baby play date!!
Evamarie says
#5 LMAO!! – so funny and so true !!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
Having a baby makes us crazzyyyy emotional about everything. SO true. Hah!
Way to workout a few times after work–that is awesome!
Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork says
Good for you for steeping away from a company whose values you don’t agree with. I’m sure that couldn’t have been easy. And we don’t think you’re a hypocrite.
Hayley@healthyregardshayley says
I totally respect you for not working for a company you don’t believe in even if the money would have been good. I had an internship this past year and found that I didn’t respect what they were doing or believe in it… I didn’t last there very long. I have so much more fun and work so much harder when I love and support a business. Also please make that cake and tell us about it!!!
Leigha @ Minougirl says
Okay, I NEED to make that soup pronto!!! And I’m really happy that you backed down from the company.. it shows how great of a person you are! :)
Nancy says
Point form is always fun. I want to do this too.
1. Turning 30 was probably the most scariest age I’ve ever turned. I had a freak out at 25, and 30. But honestly, my 30’s has never been SO MUCH FUN. Don’t be afraid! :) :)
2. I’ve never made soup in my entire life. I can make complicated meals, but I still cannot understand when to put in the noodles, the veg, the everything. I just don’t get it lol.
3. I want that cake.
4. Since 4 is my fav number, I’ll end here. I can’t wait to see pics of you when you get your new hair cut – are you going to chop it off like you mentioned in a previous post?
Karen @ Fruitspire says
cinnamon danish coffee?!?!?! sounds amazing.
Kristi says
I cry all the time watching Ellen. My daughter’s always like “Come on Mom, let’s watch Ellen. I want to see you cry.” :)
Nala says
Those crescent rolls and soup looks amazing – the perfect meal for Winter. Congratulations on sticking to what you believe in regarding the campaign of that certain company. Good for you that you managed to get those workouts in for the week – there is nothing so great as working out when you feel you can’t =)