It’s been a busy morning so far! 
I had a very early morning dentist appointment that I took a lot longer than expected, so I didn’t have time to hit the gym before work. Instead, I did a quickie at-home workout, which was inspired by an interview with Lauren Conrad in Shape magazine (September 2009).
For each exercise, I did 20 reps and moved from one to the next without rest. Completing the circuit 3 times took about 20 minutes. Better than nothing, right? 
- Prisoner squats
- Double crunch
- Push-ups
- Chair dips
- Plank with knee tuck
Breakfast
Before my dentist appointment, I ate a big bowl of baked apple oatmeal. I sliced-up one of the Cherry Coconut Baked Apples from last night and cooked it with my usual bowl of oats.
Mmmmm! I love baked apples and oats together! 
After my dentist appointment, I grabbed a quick snack to hold me over until lunch: raisin toast with peanut butter.
I’m brewing a much-needed pot of coffee right now (smells delicious!), so a travel mug full will also be part of breakfast this morning.
Need Some Inspiration?
To inspire me on my first day at NuVal, a reader sent this video to me:
Just wanted to share. I thought some of you considering career changes would appreciate it.
Question of the Day
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
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HAHA! Murphy in the background is just too adorable
And oh boy, I don’t know that I ever stuck to one thing I wanted to be when I grew up. I think it changed daily!
When I was little I wanted to be a writer…things really haven’t changed.
I wanted to be a vet, until I watched a live surgery and almost passed out:)
I had baked apple oats last week and fell in love. Yesterday you inspired me to put pomegranate seeds & coconut in my oats and boy were they delicious this morning! Thanks!
Oh, and when I was kid I wanted to be a travel agent or stewardess so I could get lots of free flights and travel
Oh gosh, when I was a kid I wanted to be a defense attorney! When I graduated high school, I wanted to be a psychologist. I’ve changed it so many times, but now I know I want to be somewhere in the health and fitness field. So we’ll see!
DELICIOUS looking oats! Love thos apples
You should check out a cookbook I’m giving away right now – it is right up your alley!
http://www.thedailybalance.com/2009/10/27/try-it-for-yourself-cookbook-giveaway/
a visit to the dentist isn’t the most fun way to start the day, but at least you had a tasty breakfast!
i always wanted to be a dolphin trainer with i grew up.
Baked apple and oats.. Must try that!
I wanted to be a lot of things ahah A dancer, a singer… I’ve always loved the arts, what can I say?
Have a great day!
LOVE baked apple oats! Mmmmm
When I was a kid, I used to ask EVERYONE I met whether I should be an actress or a singer… as if those were the only career options ha
I love baked apples! I stuff mine with raisins, pecans, and brown sugar. When I was little, I wanted to be a fashion designer. It’s funny to think about that because now all I want to wear is comfy running clothes and yoga pants
I still need to figure out what I want to be! A superhero is seeming less and less likely…
I had the same thing for breakfast – yummy!
When I was a kid, I wanted to be and do everything! Astronaut, work at the white house, an orthodontist…you name it, I probably wanted to be it at some point
I changed my mind all the time — teacher, veterinarian, dolphin trainer, director… Now I’m 23 and STILL changing my mind but the adventure is all part of the fun!
I love your bowl that says Christine on it!
When I was younger, I wanted to be an Olympic gymnast. But I also wanted a pet unicorn. Eventually I realized neither dream was a reality!
I wanted to be a vet because I love animals! Now I’m a board member of a non-profit targeted at helping the disabled and sick care for their companion animals, so I got my wish – just in a different way!
Your breakfast looks like mine on Sunday!! Holy yum!!
Hope the appointment went well even though it was longer than you thought!
The only thing I remember wanting to be (because a lot of my kid-friends wanted it) was a Vet! But soon I discovered that to become a vet I need to go to school a lot longer, so I knew this wasn’t something for me!!!
Wish you a wonderful day!! Hug n.
I wanted to be a teacher, then a nurse, then settled on becoming a pharmacist. I no longer practice as a pharmacist, but still love helping people. That is what led me to choose that profession in the first place.
I really admire you chasing your dreams!
Your breakfast looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing a quick workout idea and the inspirational you tube video. Seeing Murphy on your blog makes my day everyday!
When I was a kid I loved the human body and wanted to be a doctor, but now I can’t handle blood and found out my talent was in math. I still have a passion for health and hopefully can put math and health together one day to make a super awesome job!
Hey thanks a lot for sharing that video! When I was a kid I wanted to be an artist, but I’m not so good at art. Now I’m married to an artist and it doesn’t seem so glamorous! hahaha but I love my job so much so I’m all good.
The baked apple w/ oats looks like the perfect combo!
I really wanted to be a hairdresser! All of my barbies were nearly scalped within a day of purchase! Now I work in finance and want to work in travel, go figure
Gosh that oatmeal looks insanely yum! So fluffy
I wanted to play in the WNBA when I was younger. Or be a detective ;>
I love your blog. And I just wanted to let you know that I LOVE that you have a little puggy, and that you include him in your posts! I have a little 6 year old pug named Mister Teddy, he is my little buddy, pugs are the best. Murphy is too freaking cute!!!
FYI – he looks kinda young, so I’m guessing he is still puppy-ish… I don’t know if this is your first pug, but soon little Murph will be shedding like crazy!!! I HIGHLY recommend the “Fur-minator” de-shedding tool. It works better than anything I’ve every tried, and if you start while he’s young, he’ll probably love it. It kind of feels like a little back scratch for the little guy, not like those other harsh brushes. You can find them for way cheaper on amazon.com by the way. Just a tip from a fellow pug owner.
i love apples in oatmeal – so good!
Sounds like a good day so far – enjoy that coffee!
Oh gosh that video had me tearing up! How inspiring
I’m so excited to be doing something I finally think will be worthwhile 
You know, I don’t remember what I wanted to be as a kid! I think probably like a fairy princess
A 20 minute workout is definitely better than nothing! At least you were able to fit something in before going to work. Those oats look so good with the addition of the baked apple.
From what I remember, I wanted to be a vet until I was about 14 or 15, then I changed my mind to wanting to be a doctor. Of course, I have changed it like 50 times since then!
I wanted to be an archaeologist. The female Indiana Jones!! P.S. I’m giving away a breast cancer awareness Ipod nano armband case on my blog: http://lovinlosing.com/
I wanted to be a ballet dancer, teacher, archaeologist, and fashion designer…then I went through the firefighter/cop stage…
Holy moly, I love that video!!! If it’s okay, I may post that on my own blog… how inspiring!!
When I was little, I wanted to be a teacher… or president. Hmmm ..
haha, I wanted to be a veterinarian! That was an amazing video, I am starting my part time job as a flute teacher today which I am very nervous about and that totally made me feel like I could do anything
Thanks Tina!
Murph looks so cute in the picture with the raisin peanut butter toast!
I am being forced to make a career change and I have to say, you definitely inspire me!
I love all the different toppings you put in your oatmeal… I keep seeing coconut and it sounds so delicious!! I’m usually an instant oatmeal person, but you’ve inspired me to do it more from scratch.
When I was little I wanted to be a doctor or a musician… so I pursued music and married a dentist!
When I was little I wanted to be a German translator at the United Nations. I was kind of a weird child…
I may have to make those baked apple oats. They look fantastic!
I wanted to be ridiculous things like a Farmer’s Wife, A James Bond girl, etc. My mom was like, “Why do you want to be someone’s wife or girl? Why don’t YOU be something?!” So then I aspired to be an astronaut, or a vet, or a pilot. I always thought I’d end up in the Air Force like my mom but that didn’t happen and I am grateful now. And since I still consider myself a kid, my current dream is to be a wonderful wife and business owner.
When I was a kid I wanted to be a teacher. My mom was one and I thought it was the coolest. I was a teacher for a bit before becoming a pastor too
As a child, I always wanted to be a teacher! Today, I’m happy to say, I get to live my dream… I’m a wellness instructor!!
Congrats Tina! I’ve been following your blog and reading about all of your new life changes, but I finally wanted to say Congratulations! I’m so impressed with your initiative! I always wanted to be a doctor…until I took Organic Chemistry in college…YUCK! Now, I really want to be a nutritionist, but I’m trying to find other ways to pursue that career without having to go back to school for so long!
When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a teacher. When I was a little bit older kid I wanted to be an actress.
OMG I WAS 264… NEVER HAVE I BEEN SO CLOSE TO WINNING SOMETHING. I know i didn’t win, but i feel like i did just for being so close, haha.
Im such a loser
I wanted to be a lawyer or an engineer — yea not sure how that led to becoming a CPA haha?
hi tina! i didn’t get a chance to comment on your last post, but it brought a huge smile to my face when i read it. congratulations of everything unfolding so well with your new job. it’s so inspiring to see bloggers doing what they love & living well.
ahhh baked cherry apples in oatmeal?! that sounds incred. enjoy your day
oh yes your question… I wanted to be a writer and/or photographer
♥
I always wanted to be a judge growing up…. weird? I work at a bank now. ha.
I’m going to try my hand at some baked apples this evening!
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a writer. So I grew up and became one.
Now that I’m an employed writer, I want to grow up and get a more stable job.
great inspirational video! I actually got a little choked up- must be a crazy hormone time for me
I enjoyed some lovely coconut on my oats this morning- great suggestion! I am pursuing my dream of being a writer- so scary and exciting!
Wow- that makes me laugh that Tasha’s comment was right above mine! Maybe we should switch jobs Tasha??
I told my parents I wanted to be a brain surgeon or a bus driver. Talk about polar opposites!
When I was a kid, I wanted to be on Kids Incorporated. It didn’t happen
Oats and apples are the best…it always reminds me of apple crumble
I think I wanted to be a vet because I loved animals. I still do love them, but I’m horribly squeamish so that’s probably a no-go! Have a great day!
Never tried baked apples in oats… I feel like I’m a banana oats girl through and through though and other fruits just disappoint
When I was younger I wanted to be an actress, singer and dancer. On stage, in the movies. I pretty much wanted to be in the limelight! I think my parents have about 300 videos of little me singing/dancing/performing/forcing them to watch me
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