Where did today go?! I got quite a bit accomplished, but there are still a number of tasks lingering on my To Do list. I know that I should just get them done, but I’m feeling extremely unmotivated. I think the holiday/vacation mindset has already taken over my brain.

Dinner

Mal took the reins on dinner tonight. He made one of my favorite Real Simple recipes: Last-Minute Lasagna. (You can read my previous recipe recap here.)

Ravioli + salad.

Delicious meal!! Mal did a great job. Love this recipe!

Snack

I got a little creative in the kitchen this afternoon. I had one lonely apple in the fridge, so I decided to make it into an apple crisp-like snack. I cut up the apple, placed it in a bowl, and then topped it with a mixture of canned pumpkin, cinnamon, brown sugar, flour, and oats. It was pretty darn good!

I’m spending the night relaxing with M & M! Enjoy the evening, blog friends!

Great workout this morning! I was cruisin’ on the treadmill! I ran 3 miles in 25:51, which is an 8:37 pace and fairly speedy for me, especially on a treadmill. For some reason, I’m slower on the treadmill than outside, but isn’t it the opposite for most people?

Anyway, in addition to feelin’ good on the treadmill, I got to test out my new Endure Elite Shortswear Short Sleeve shirt that I was asked to review by the company. (I had Mal snap some photos yesterday when we were snowed in.) Here’s my review…

LIKES:

• Super lightweight and comfy
• Convenient side pocket for an iPod, keys or ID
• Efficient sweat “wicking,” which kept me dry
• Affordable – cost is $15.95, which is pretty good for “performance” gear.

I also liked that the pocket had a zipper.

DISLIKES:

• Size – the small was HUGE on me! I guess these babies run big?
• Sweat wicking worked great, but the shirt remained damp for quite awhile after my workout
• Dry clean* only? Hmmm. I don’t think I’ll dry clean this shirt

The shirt was great for pug curls!

*Even though the label says “dry clean,” the folks at Endure said they throw their shirts in the regular wash and dryer, which doesn’t impact the quality of the shirt. Good to know!

If you’d like your own Endure shirt (or a last-minute Xmas gift), you can use a special coupon code for 15% off: ENDURE101. It’s good through January 31st, 2010. Maybe buy one to kick-off the New Year?

Speaking of the New Year and fitness…

5K Training

I’ve decided to train for an upcoming 5K this March. My hip is getting better, so now I want to increase my speed. My 5K PR is 25:33 (8:14 pace) from last year’s Ras na hEireann 5K, which is a decent time, but I want to improve it.

I’ve decided to use a Beginner’s 5K Program from Cool Running to train for the race. I don’t really consider myself a “beginner” runner, but with my bum hip, I don’t want to overdo it with training. I’m sure that I’ll make some modifications to the training program, but hopefully, it’ll keep me on track and motivated me through the cold, dark winter months.

If anyone else is training (or thinking about training) for a 5K this spring, please let me know. Maybe we can get a virtual training group together. It’d be great motivation for the New Year!

Lunch

I needed some veggies in my life, so I threw together a big salad for lunch.

In the mix: salad greens, broccoli, tomato, cucumber, and balsamic vinegar.

On the side, I had a serving for pistachios. So good!

With H20…

After lunch, I enjoyed some homemade white chocolate-covered raisins. I had quite a bit of melted white chocolate leftover from the Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies, so I stirred in some raisins.

Then, I spread the chocolate-coated raisins on wax paper and let them chill in the fridge for about an hour.

Viola! A delicious treat!

I haven’t done any writing today. Blah. Better get to it!

Where did that weekend go? Holy moly! And, Christmas is in just 4 days?! Are you ready for it? Shopping done? Travel plans set? I think I’m looking pretty good all around. I’m ready for some serious R & R and quality family time. Bring it on!

Breakfast

This morning was definitely an oatmeal morning.

In the mix:

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed meal
• 2 scoops of peanut butter
• Raisins

I drank my iced coffee before breakfast this morning. Surprisingly, I wasn’t starving when I woke up like I usually am– probably because I ate a million Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies last night.

I made Mal take them to school for his teacher friends. I can’t be trusted around those delicious treats!

Got Questions about Bread?

Remember the giveaway that I hosted on National Bread Day for the Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day book? Well, the authors have been busy answering questions from their readers– including how does whole grain flour stack up against white flour as well as questions about vegan and gluten-free diets: Eating Well Should Be Healthy Too.

Trading Up Downtown

New on Trading Up Downtown: Traveling On Christmas Day

Question of the Day

Are you traveling anywhere for the holidays?

Who knew pugs liked snow? Not me!

My crazy little pug absolutely loved playing in the snow this afternoon!

Murphy actually frolicked through the snow, jumping in and out of snow banks.

Mal really got into puppy playtime, too. He had Murphy running all over the place.

Of course, Murphy liked eating the snow, too.

This dog has no fear. Look how daring he is climbing up that snowbank!

Even though I offered to help shovel out my car, Mal insisted on doing it himself. What a guy!

Meanwhile, Murphy and I listened to Christmas songs and kept warm in the car.

Less than 20 minutes later, my car was completely dug out. Thanks, Mal!

On our walk back to our apartment, we encountered a beautiful sunset over West Broadway.

Dinner

I basically snacked all afternoon long, so I never made myself a “real” lunch. I didn’t snap photos either. (I’m a bum.) Afternoon snacks included Chocolate Peppermint Bar Cookies, Baked Cheetos, a pear, and some pistachios. Apparently, being snowed in affects my eating habits.

I wasn’t in the mood to cook dinner tonight, so I threw together a quick salad using my leftovers from last night’s Burrito Grande. The meal was delicious and filling.

Obviously, more Chocolate Peppermint Bar Cookies are for dessert.

I still haven’t finished my Health post yet, but my brain hurts. I think the evening calls for a Christmas movie instead.

Good night, guys!

The other day, the lovely ladies of We Are Not Martha featured the most amazing-looking Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies on their blog. I was practically drooling over them, so, obviously, I needed to have them in my life ASAP.

I had planned to make these cookies for the holiday party that I went to last night, but I completely ran out of time with Mal buying his new toy and all. However, being snowed in all afternoon, I had plenty of time to do some holiday baking today.

In typical Tina fashion, I failed to read the Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies recipe in its entirety. I actually do this quite often, which means that I have to “wing-it” in the kitchen. But, to be honest, I sort of like the challenge.

I made a number of substitutions in the ingredients and method, so I bolded these changes below. My cookies turned out great, but I’d suggest checking out the original recipe, too.

Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies
(My just “wing-it” version)

Original recipe from Bon Appetite, December 2009

INGREDIENTS:

• Nonstick vegetable oil spray
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Olivio (I didn’t have butter)
• 1/4 cup canola oil (and then I ran out of Olivio)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies or candy canes (about 3 ounces)
• 2 ounces white chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 13×9x2-inch metal baking pan with nonstick spray. Mix flour, salt, sugar, butter, oil, vanilla extract, and egg in a large bowl. (I don’t own an electric mixer, so I skipped this step.)

Drop dough into prepared baking pan.

Using a spatula, press dough to form even layer over bottom of pan.

Bake cookie base until light golden brown and slightly puffed and edges begin to come away from sides of pan, about 30 minutes.

While the cookie base is baking, chop 4 candy canes into pieces.

I used the plastic bag + measuring cup method: put candy canes in a plastic baggie and crush with bottom of measure cup on kitchen countertop.

This method worked great.

After about 30 minutes, remove pan and place on rack; immediately sprinkle bittersweet chocolate over. Let stand until chocolate softens, about 3 minutes.

Mmmmm… chocolate!

Using small offset spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate over top of cookie in thin even layer.

Immediately sprinkle chopped peppermint candies over chocolate. (Apparently, I didn’t snap a photo of this step? )

Stir white chocolate in medium metal bowl (I used Pyrex) set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth.

Using fork, drizzle white chocolate all over cookies.

Chill in fridge until white chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.

Using large knife, cut cookie into irregular pieces.

These cookies are heavenly! And, don’t they look pretty? Almost gourmet, right? I can’t believe how easy they were to make. If I can make them, anyone can! Definitely give them a try for the holidays!

Time to dig my car out of the snow. Blah.

I woke up this morning and immediately thought: Why do I live in New England?

The snow has finally arrived, and obviously, I am not a happy camper. Boo. However, as much as I complain about the snow, I do think it’ll look pretty for Christmas. So, I guess that’s the positive spin!

Southie was really quiet this morning. Murphy and I only saw one person on our walk.

As soon as we came inside, Murphy went right for the Christmas tree.

Our butthead dog has not stopped chewing it since we got it! He’s probably eaten hundreds thousands of pine needles in the past few weeks!

(In the background, Mal is talking to his dad about his new car.)

To stop the Christmas tree chewing madness, we finally decided to do this:

Murphy wasn’t happy about it, but he hasn’t chewed the tree since.

Breakfast

My wonderful husband made pancakes for breakfast this morning. I swear, there’s nothing like homemade pancakes during a snow storm!

Mmmmm… warm maple syrup!

I love these plates! Mal used the puffer fish plate for his breakfast. So fun!

We’re supposed to get at least a foot of snow today, but somehow iced coffee made sense this morning?

Wrapping presents, baking, and writing my Health post are on the agenda for today.

Better get crackin’!

I had quite the indulgent evening tonight! But, ‘tis the season, right?

Before our friend’s holiday party, Mal and I made a last-minute decision to go out to dinner, so we walked over to Salsa’s for some Mexican food.

We started with some chips and salsa. The salsa tonight was much better than my first visit to Salsa’s. It had a serious kick to it! My mouth was en fuego! Loved it!

To drink, I ordered an El Presidente, which was good, but it didn’t knock my socks off. I’m starting to think that I don’t really like Mexican beers.

For our entree, Mal and I both ordered the Burrito Grande. Mal ordered the steak burrito while I went with the vegetarian option in a spinach tortilla.

I loved that my burrito had actual veggies in it. Usually, when you order the vegetarian option, it’s just the burrito without the meat. Salsa’s Burrito Grande had big pieces of broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, onion, and squash in it, which was a nice surprise. On the side, the burrito was served with guacamole and sour cream. I had a little of both.

I ended up eating about half of the burrito and taking half home for leftovers.

After dinner, we headed across the city to our friend’s holiday party.

As soon as we arrived, I dug right into the Christmas cookies and a holiday beer. Typical, right?

There were so many delicious treats at the party. Like usual, I had a tough time turning them down, but ’tis the season, right?

The Chocolate Whiskey and Beer Cupcakes immediately caught my attention.

Mal and I shared one.

And then I enjoyed my own. They were just too delicious to share!

I also had a few bites of Buffalo Chicken Dip, which did not photography well. It looks nasty, but it tasted amazing! (I love buffalo sauce and cheese in a weird way.)

It’s late. Time for bed! Good night!

Mal received an early Christmas present this year! Well, technically, he bought it for himself, but it’s quite the present!

Here’s his new 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i. Needless to say, he is so psyched!

Making it official!

I just have to say that we had a really wonderful experience at Colonial Chevrolet in Acton, MA. You never know how things are going to go at a car dealership. I always feel so skeptical of car salesmen. But, our sales guy, Dave Fillmore, treated us really well. He was honest and straightforward– and Mal got a great deal!

Mal traded in his beloved 1997 Jeep Wrangler. She was a great truck for all of those years. It was tough for him to say goodbye.

Before heading to the car dealership, we packed a couple of lunches to go: peanut butter and banana sandwiches on whole wheat bread.

A couple of pears.

And Starbucks! I had an eggnog misto. LOVE them!

During our morning errands, we stopped at Maggie’s Dog House in Hingham to pick up Murphy’s “special” food. We have him on Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, which is actually pretty tough to find in the Boston area. Luckily, Maggie’s carried it.

Check out the amazing cookie dog treats that were sold at Maggie! I couldn’t get over how adorable they were! Of course, Murphy got a couple for his Christmas stocking!

The cookies looked so delicious, even I’d eat them!

We just decided to go out to dinner before a friend’s holiday party, so I need to get ready ASAP!

Enjoy the evening, bloggies!

Mal, Murphy, and I slept until almost 9 o’clock this morning! I think that’s a record for us. I guess we all needed the sleep.

After rolling out of bed, we immediately headed to the kitchen. The three of us woke up starving! Well, being a pug, Murphy is always starving.

Breakfast

While Mal made us a couple of iced coffees (and did the dishes), I cooked us some eggs. I used the microwave method to make an egg white patty, which I mixed with leftover Easy Greek Casserole. It was sort of like a Greek omelette.

On the side, I had a piece of whole wheat toast with Olivio smeared on top and an iced coffee.

12 Days of Giveaways

Wow. That was a lot of giveaways, huh? I’m not going to lie, as much as I enjoyed giving you guys the opportunity to win some goodies, I am so happy that the 12 Days of Giveaways is over! It totally took over my blog… and my life!

I plan to do the 12 Days of Giveaways again next year, but I’ll stick to just 12 days. Maybe I’ll do it like Ellen’s 12 Days of Giveaways and have multiple prizes each day.

Without further ado, here are your winners!

YouCookies Giveaway

#190 Tami
on Dec 18th, 2009 at 4:09 pm [edit]
oatmeal, wheat flour, organic eggs, agave, organic butter, flax….oh the possibilities

Stonyfield Giveaway

#512 Carrie
on Dec 18th, 2009 at 7:58 am [edit]
I love French Vanilla! It’s great to make “blueberry cheesecake” oatmeal

Breville Juicer Giveaway

#422 Pam (Pamcakes and Eggs)
on Dec 16th, 2009 at 4:13 pm [edit]
OH MY GOSH! This is the most exciting giveaway! I need the juicer because I need a reason to spend even MORE money on produce. No really, I want to get into juicing and make pulp crackers!

CONGRATS to the winners!!!!! And thank you to everyone who entered the 12 Days of Giveaways! Winners, please email me with your full name and mailing address to claim your prize.

—

Mal and I have a thousand things to do today! And we’re off!

Now that Mal is without a car, I’m his temporary chauffeur. This means that I get to pick him up from school every afternoon until he buys a new one. (His coworker, who lives right down the street, drives him to school in the morning.) Unfortunately, our work schedules don’t jive perfectly, so I stay at NuVal a little later than usual, but I don’t mind at all. It’s fun having someone to keep me company on my commute.

I grabbed us a couple of iced coffees at Dunkin’ Donuts before I picked Mal up. He was very appreciative of an afternoon pick-me-up.

Mal is a high school history teacher, if you’re curious.

Dinner

After sitting in traffic for a good 45 minutes, we finally arrived at home. Mal took Murphy for a walk while I started on dinner. We were pressed for time, so I threw together a quick pizza using a thin-crust from Boboli.

(I was a finalist in a Boboli recipe contest last year, so I have a zillion coupons for free crusts. They’re actually pretty tasty!)

Tonight’s pizza toppings included pesto, sharp cheddar, and marinara sauce.

For some reason, I didn’t snap a photo of my actual dinner, but I did snap two of its preparation. (My blogger brain is so weird sometimes.) For the record, I ended up eating 3 pieces for dinner.

There wasn’t a vegetable in sight at dinner, but, hey, it’s Friday.

After dinner, we got back in the car and drove to Gordon’s for the Beer 101 session:

Hoppy, malty, ale, lager? Is it all Greek to you? Or do you like to try the funky drafts at the hip beer bars in Allston, but wish you could “talk the beer talk?” Look no further, we have the course for you. Joe Connolly, manager at our Watertown store, is taking his expertise westbound to the culinary center and is set on enlightening our beer palates and minds. This class will be a great introduction to tasting beer, its components, history, production, and the evolution of a complex industry. You’re in for a real treat!

The session included a plethora of information about the history of beer, craft beers, production, ingredients, styles, food pairings, and lots of other interesting tidbits.

I learned a lot.

We also tasted 7 different beers.

I enjoyed all of the beers, but my favorite was a Belgium beer called Tsjeeses, a medium-bodied, winter brew with sweet, fruit flavors. I definitely tasted cherry. It was so delish!

Mal and I shared some pretzels while we tasted the beers.

We both had a great time at the beer tasting. I love date night!

Can you tell that my husband really enjoyed himself?

After drinking seven good-size beer samples, I left a little tipsy and ready for bed.

Awesome night! But, I am SO ready to hit the hay! G’night!

P.S. I will announce the final 12 Days of Giveaways winners tomorrow morning.