I Used to be Cool, I Promise

I used to be cool. 

Like really cool. 

I used to be the one people asked what the plan was for tonight, on a Tuesday. 

I was a waitress in a bar and I was in college. All my friends were either bartenders or fellow waitresses 

Usually we loved each other until someone looked better than you and then you hated them.

Unless someone on the outside said the same and then there were your ride or die again. 

I partied all night and worked the next day, all while some how finding time to get a degree. 

I went on two week camping trips to see bands play all over New England. 

I up and moved to Italy for 5 months, just to come home and plan my next move to India.

The only thing I took care of was a hamster.

I purchased funnels at the hardware store and had no intention of changing my oil.

Hell I didn't even use my car! 

The only math I practiced was the tip on my bar tab, and balancing my checkbook was out of the question. 

Yes, at one point I was so cool. 

Today I go to bed at 9, the only time I stay up all night is when I'm cleaning up puke. 

The most recent crazy story involves a line similar to "my daughter said..." or "my son ate..."

I have to head home after work to finish sewing a pair of pants.

If I do go out I have an alarm on my phone set for bedtime so I don't miss the latest episode of Doc McStuffins, otherwise I will be so lost next week.

While tonight after work I wasn't invited out to the bar (I still love you guys, and don't worry I totally get it), my daughter looked me in the eyes tonight and said

" Mom I'm so happy you still wipe my butt because I'm just too lazy" 

Yeah I'm still cool. 

Big Fat Chicken

I'm supposed to be driving to New York City right now to attend Carrie Underwoods launch party for her new fitness line CALIA. 

Alas here I am sitting on the couch with my little man. 

There are so many reasons/excuses why I didn't go. 

It was totally out of my comfort zone 

It was a far drive

I would miss time with my family 

I didn't know what to wear

Pretty Little Liars is on

I gave myself so many excuses that I'm not even sure the actual reason I didn't go.

I decided last night and it's pure fate that I'm puking my cows out this morning (that's what Mabel says, no idea ) 

I would have loved to go. I think it's so important to get out of your comfort zone and do things that scare you. 

Apparently I just like saying it more than doing it. 

I have been slacking on working out lately  mostly because I can't stop feeling like I'm going to release the demons through my mouth at any moment. I know it's a valid reasons but I can't help but feel disappointed in myself. 

Maybe that's the biggest reason I didn't go. I don't feel the part. I don't feel like a cute fit pregnant woman. I feel like a whale who counts bathroom trips as workouts. 

My goal today is 30 min Body Pump.

It may not be meeting Carrie Underwood but it's more my speed today. 

Please tell me it's normal to not be running 30 miles a week right now! 

Quinoa Enchilada Casserole

This is super easy

Super yummy

And super filling.

Step one: brown one pound or so of turkey 

Add ingredients to crock pot

This recipie is very forgiving so I don't measure

Black beans 

Frozen corn

Diced peppers

Ground turkey

Enchilada seasoning 

Dry quinoa 

Salsa

Then you add one can of enchilada sauce and one cup water 

Stir well and cook on high for 2.5-3 hours or until the quinoa is a desired texture. 

You can add cheese when serving if you'd like. 

That's it!! Do you have a simple make ahead meal like this? 

Pyramid Schemes and 50% off Jewerly.

Have you ever been invited to a Tupperware party, or Lia Sophia,  in my case, and you get all this great food and drinks and you get to play with all these great products.
Then you look in catalog and you're like WTF $199 for a potatoe peeler?
BUT WAIT, if I have MY OWN party I can get the peeler for only $10 AND I get entered to win a lifetime supply of potatoes.
Then you get sucked into the cycle and it goes on from there.

WELL I got sucked into having a Lia Sophia party the other weekend. I immediatly regretted my decision, but I figured I would have some friends over with no strings attatched and have some food and drinks, and no talk. No showing jewelry, no games to guilt you into having a party, nothing.
Just hanging out looking around and having fun. If people ordered so be it, if they didn't who cares, we had fun.

The next morning I got an email.
Lia Sophia is going out of business and everything is 50% off. All booked parties are still being held but no further parties would be booked.
Good news for us!
 I figured I would share the link with all of you incase you wanted to get some good deals on Christmas presents.
Or to jazz up your current looks!
If you want to get it in time for Christmas make sure you order today.
 Shop Here
Just make sure you choose me (Candra Bergeron) as your hostess!

Tomorrow I am going to share a really yummy recipe for a make ahead lunch, or dinner for the whole week!

5 Times My Brain Still Thinks I'm in College

I haven't been out of school that long, but when I'm woken up by a slap to the face followed by
"Milk Mom, Milk Mom, Milk Mom."
It feels like an eternity.
Don't get me wrong I love my life just the way it is. I wouldn't change a second of it, but sometimes I'm not so postive my mind has gotten the memo that we are adults now.
Especially in these situations.

1. When Tony and I are going out for the night

Whether it be to a town function or a movie when I go to jump in the shower by default I go the fridge to grab a beer. My level is immediately brought down when the first thing I see in the fridge is not a beer but a half finished cup of juice and a million gallons of milk.
Oh yeah we are adults now.
Sometimes I even have a second lapse when I go to reach for a shot in between curls in my hair.

2. When I'm driving and MY JAM comes on. 

I've gotten better about this now that my daughter remembers song lyrics, but still it takes every single ounce of will power not to turn up the volume and rap every word to What's Your Fantasy by my man Luda

3. When I get a bill in the mail. 

Almost by reflex I toss it in a pile, and then reality slaps me in the face and I remember, Shit I actually have to pay those now or my kids will not have Mickey Mouse Club House and mommy will run away.

4. When I get a taste of booze. 

Literally even a whiff. My dance moves return, my desire to pee in alley ways, and my phone starts dialing random people. Then in the morning while I'm battling horrible headaches I have to scroll my recent call list and make amends.

5. When I'm home during the day and I'm hungry. 

I will seriously put together the most random meals. Like right now I'm thinking about how many things I can fit into a quesadilla.  At least now that I'm a semi adult my meals are more healthy than the mac and cheese, with cut up burger and pulled pork bowls I put together in college.

 

Does anyone else struggle with this? Please tell me at least one of you still drink beer in the shower and there's still hope out there.

Monday, Monday

For the month of December I have almost every Monday off.

Our office is always closed every Wednesday so now I have four days off a week. 

I knew these my days off are coming so I tried to plan them in advance. I had all these visions of handmade Christmas presents and everything clean and organized. Lo and behold it's my first Monday off and here I am still on the couch. 

I did make sure I bought a class package for Monday night workout classes so that I would be forced to get out of the house at some point. 

I'm also trying to stay on track with my running and get a short run and every morning. And by morning I mean at some point during the day. 

If you missed the big announcement on Instagram head over there and check it out (@camonlipstick). 

Pretty much it's my reason for being healthy and maintaining an active lifestyle for the next few months. 

Ain't nobody got time for cankles.  

I do hope these Mondays off allow me to get some things done around the house. Like those piles of laundry or maybe those weird letters that come in the mail every month. 

To make sure I run and stay on top of it I'm shooting for 50 miles in December.

I'm printing out two calendars to hang in front of the treadmill.

My poor neice doesn't know she is in on this too. 

And by poor I mean lucky!! 

Well I guess I should get to that laundry unless I want to start a nude treadmill running trend. 

Stealing my thunder

Do you ever set your mind on a goal and then someone you know goes and does the same thing? 

You should be flattered right? Imitation is the highest form of flattery right? 

But sometimes it's just soooooo annoying. 

You get all excited to achieve this goal and to work really hard on it and have everyone be so proud. Then it's like your balloon is just deflated. 

Maybe it's just me.

Don't get me wrong I love when people do good things for themselves and follow their dreams,

Just not when they are my dreams too. 

Just kidding! 

But seriously how do all of you handle something like that. Does it even bother you or are you just purely excited? 

So day one of my fitness Thanksgivig week is done. I went to the class last night and got my sweat on. Today is a rest day but I may walk on the treadmill this morning. Mainly just so I can watch Hart of Dixie. 

Tomorrow is a class called Ballerobica which I am pretty pumped about!! Hopefully the snow doesn't cancel our plans!! 

What are your fitness plans this week? 

Check in Fitday

I used to use Fridays to stay accountable and then I started to get lazy and had nothing to report so I stopped....but I am bound and determined to stay/get in shape this winter! 

My girl Aubrey Leigh does a link up on Fridays so I feel like it's a great excuse! 

This week I only had one rest day. 

Tuesdays are usually my rest days seeing as how I work a 12 hour shift. 

Otherwise I have been running (couch 2 5k) and switching it up between Body Pump, T25 and Yoga Inferno. 

Next week I have a big plan so here's my schedule to keep me on track 

Monday- Mat Flow Class and 30 min run

Tuesday-Rest Day

Wednesday- Booty barre!!!!!

Thursday- Annual 4 mile Turkey Run 

Friday- Bodypump 

I am super excited for everything next week so it will be no problem staying on track! 

At least with working out....

Soup Soup Everywhere, and Not a Drop To Eat.

I'm currently on the last day of a crazy crazy cleanse. It's from a book called Sugar Savvy and it's all about cutting sugar from your diet. Yes I did the sugar detox and yes I went right back to eating sugar. As is life.
Then I read about this cleanse in Reader's Digest which is always right (right?) that talked about how you have to cleanse your palette before a sugar cleanse in order for it to really work.
In our modern diets we have so much artificial flavoring and sweetners that our taste buds actually become numb to the real tastes of food. That's why everything seems so bland when you try to limit sugar or salt on food.
Enter the crazy cleanse, which you can read more about here
You make a soup which they deceivingly call Soupalicious Soup.
Flag number one. If you have to add a cutsey title to your soup it probably sucks. If someone walks up to me and says "Hey try this soup I just made it's bomb."  I will gladly grab three bowls.
If someone says "Hey check out this Soupalicious Soup I just made" I will roll my eyes and grab the Panera soup behind you.
First let me make a comparrison for you.
This is the picture the use to promote the soup

Here's what my soup looked like

BUT I figured I would give it a shot. I read a lot into it because I have been super against juice cleanses because I think they are dangerous. This "Soup" you make has everything you would need to stay healthy. Beans, carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes, olive oil, spinach. All very good things.
You can also flavor it however you want, but I'm thinking this soup is magic because no matter how I flavored it, it tasted like air.
Like seriously no taste.
Which I see now how it cleanses my palette because I'm pretty sure the air is tasting better and better.
I have lost 4 pounds already, which I will probably gain most of back, but I do have to say I am surprised at my energy level and my focus. Honestly I thought I would be either in the bathroom or in bed for these three days, but I haven't had either.
The soup is not good I am just going to throw that out there. I also can NOT cook beans soooo they are crunchy, but I can't afford to make a whole new batch so I'm suffereing through it.

I'm staying with my fitness level too which I am surprised about. I thought I would be way too tired to keep up and even planned to have my scheduled rest day during these three days.
The first night I did T25 and yesturday was my rest day. Today I'm planning on a run and possible Bodypump or T25 again.

I'm proud of my will power, because this soup looks like I already ate it.
Only one more day, only one more day, only one more day.

On another note you may have notice some blank space on my side bar! I am looking for some bloggers who would like to do a button swap! If you are interested let me know. I am kind of in a blogging funk so I would love to plan some link ups, guest posts, giveaways, whatever! Let me know.

Cloud 9

Before I get to far into this, let me get a little nerdy on ya.
Do you know where the phrase "On cloud 9" comes from?
Either do I , but thats because there is no difinitive answer. Which makes me HATE this phrase. If I am going to use a phrase I need to know what I am saying. When you sneeze and I say bless you, it's because you have a sign of the plaque and I am blessing your soul because you will envitably be dead soon.
When I say I run slower than molasses in wintertime it's because I live in New England and I know for a fact molasses in winter time is wicked slow.
You get the idea.
So back to the original reason for this post.
Last Wednesday I woke up and went for a run. I felt pretty good about getting my workout over and done for the day. Then my neice texts me and asks if I want to do Bodypump, so I say yes, and no sooner am I finished with Body Pump my friend texts me and asks if I want to join her for a Mat Flow class downtown.
Three workouts in one day. I thought I would die, but then again it's Mat Flow which is usually sleepytime yoga so I figured it would be fine.
I got there and she's like oh I'll grab your weights......
Hold the phone.... we do not use weights in sleepytime yoga.
Thats when I knew I was getting myself into a mess.
The class was a mix of yoga, pilates, and choreographed aerobics. Kinda what I imagined all group fitness classes to be like in the 80's.
I loved it but I was dying.  Mat flow obviously was talking about the flow of sweat from my forehead to my mat.
After the class the instructor came up to me and told me I was really athletic.
Swiggity Swhat.
She was out of her mind obviously.
I told my friend how I had toyed with the idea of getting a certification to become a fitness instructor myself and she told me to go talk to the instructor (who also owns the gym). So I got some balls and went to talk to her.
She pretty much told me I should def do it, and when I get it let her know and she will help me set up my own classes there.

As in.... teach. my. own. classes.

Holy. Holy. I told my husband and he pretty much solidified the idea. He said I would be really good at it, and really enjoy it. SO IT'S SET IN STONE. Now I just need to look into which certification program I want to do. There is one next month that I may look into but I'm not sure thats enough time. I have looked into AFAA and ACE certifications, and I'm leaning towards the ACE.
Either one I'm giving myself until December 31st of next year. 

Do any of you have any advice? Any suggestions or ideas?

Filling in the Blanks

I started my challenge book club this week and I can already tell it's going to be a great group of women. 

Since I am a self proclaimed challange addict I know these things. 

Our discussion question yesterday seemed simple enough. Fill in the blanks

The thought of ________ ( workout) sends me into a panic. _______(workout) is more in my comfort zone. 

I seriously thought about this all day and could not come up with answers. I didn't get it. There's lots of things that send me into a panic 

Student loans

Bills

Thunderstorms

Over filled balloons 

Law and Order SVU (seriously how do people what this?!)

But when it comes to workouts I really can't think of one. I love trying new things and things that seem hard. I'm not saying this to be all " I'm so awesome and inspirational, the world is my Oyster and I can crack that baby open with my chiseled arms" 

I'm saying all of this because it makes no sense, and I kind of feel like all of this working out adventurousness is actually holding me back. 

Nothing holds my attention. 

That's why I'm a challenge addict, because I'm always looking for something to hit that switch and change my cupcake eating ways and make me all of a sudden use beets as frosting and make quinoa into donuts. 

I haven't found that one thing that makes me follow all the advice that I give everyone else. 

I do have faith that it's still out there and until I find it I will forever be challenging and trying pole dancing and Zumba on the Wii 

I am also taking suggestions. 

What did you do that flipped the switch? Are you still looking? What would you fill in the blanks with? 

Monday Musings

I love waking up early. After I've already woken up. 

If I'm laying in bed I hate waking up early. 

Thankfully this morning was one of those mornings that I actually woke up. 

Now here I am already worked out, drinking my coffee and actually writing a blog post. 

What the what

Waking up early actually gives me the time to be productive?!?!

That shit is cray. 

I also don't really have a ton to talk about this morning because I have jury duty and my mind is totally on what I am going to do for a million hours. 

In the mean time I am giving away a Vegetti on my Instagram page @camonlipstick 

Go check it out!! 

Let's Talk Distance

The number one question my friends and family ask me about running (besides whyyyyyyy???) is 

"Are you going to run one of those marathons now?"

The short answer, hell no

The long answer maybe, but probably no.

I am slow like slow slow. Like slower than molasses in winter, and if you don't know how slow that is you probably aren't from New England. 

I honestly have no desire to run for like 7 hours which is probably how long a full marathon would take me.

Might I remind you I ADDED time to my second half. 

I have done a 5k, 10k and a half marathon. 

I do enjoy running halfs and I will be running more, but that got me thinking about my goals for my next half.

Do I even have goals for my next half? 

Usually my only goal is to not die and to not walk. I don't care about my time, except it is kind of a bummer that when I finally do finish all the good race food is gone and the vendors are closing up. 

That's not so good for my ego. 

But again I usually don't care because I just ran for 3 straight hours.

I would love to get a sub 2:30 half under my belt but will I cry at the finish line if I don't? 

No I will cry at the finish line because I alway cry at the finish line. 

Remember this gem 

A friend of mine (told you I would write about you) said she thinks we should make 10ks the new cool thing. 

I totally agree. I could see myself pushing for a new PR on every 10k. 

It's like the perfect distance, long enough to get into stride but not so long that I have to tell myself 

"If you don't keep running you are a bitch".

Maybe we should start our own 10k and have beer at every mile. I could totally do 6 beers and keep running.... 

Hey Tiff I think we should make this a thing. 

Plan that shit and I'll see you at the start line, maybe not at the finish. 

Trunks and Treats and all that Jazz

Last night we took part in our first ever Trunk or Treat. 

If you have know idea what that is like me before last week it's like trick or treating but car to car instead of house to house. 

A lot of people decorate their trunks and have music the whole shebang, so I decided to give it a go and looked at Pintrest. 

I found this and thought duhhh we have too  

 I crafted for hours and this is what I got 

Nailed it!! 

Well at least I think so. 

Then I also created some thrown together outfits for tonight 

Hopefully it all works out! 

Have you ever done a Trunk or Treat? Are your kids dressing up? 

Show me your cuties on Facebook!! 

Combining Two of My Favorite Things

I have followed Carly from Stairway to Healthy on Facebook for awhile (do you follow someone on Facebook? I am NOT hip with the times). She just had a gorgeous baby and I am super impressed by her drive to get right back into the healthy and active game.
It helps that she had a personal chef move in for a little while (he was family).
She is always posting great  ideas for eating healthy and stayin on the hydration train.

She holds these amazing book clubs (you had me at book) where she combines reading a wellness related book with a support group and a push to get active.
I was bummed when I missed her last one but then she had a call out to runner (and non-runners).
I STILL have a hard time calling myself a runner.
Yes I have run two half marathons but they were more of a yog. Or like a high knee walk.
I would def do another one, but not for like 6 years. (Just kidding I will probably do another one next summer).
Anyway the though of combining my love/hate for running AND my love of books has me so so excited.
I have been checking the mailbox every day for the book, and I don't think she has even sent them yet.
This month we will be reading Running Like a Girl by Alexandra Heminsley. She was a non runner who decided to run a marathon.

This is not me, I am NOT at the beach, nor do my nails look that nice.

Girl be cray. I can already tell that I am going to cry, and laugh and get sore right along side her.
Running is so emotional for me so I'm also excited to be part of a support group of people who get it.

I have a big tendancy to fall into old habits of sitting on the couch, watching too much tv and eating way too much crap food after I finish a big race. So this is coming at a perfect time for me. I love that we will have daily check ins and discussions about the book..
We haven't started yet so I'm not postive how the whole thing will work, but I already planned on starting back at the beginning.
I'm starting back on Day 1 of Couch 2 5k. I would love to increase my overall average but I just want to stay in the game during winter.

There may be more spots available for this book club but if not be sure you don't miss the next one.
Go follow (?) her on Facebook now, and while you're at it check out her Instagram (@carlymhussey) and drool over that cute baby. 

Where I Found My Muse

Last week I got to do something I have wanted to do for a long time.

I got to go to a paint bar.

I have heard lots of great thing about Muse Paintbar in Manchester and the about of paintings they offer are amazing. 

I looked on their website trying to think of a reason (or excuse) to go. 

Then I saw that they offer fundraising nights. They donate 40% of the ticket sales of the party to your charity. Since I am raising money for my half this weekend (eeeeeekkk!) I thought it was a perfect reason. 

I emailed Sara and she got back to me right away. We emailed back and forth a few times, nailed down a date and everything was set! 

I got some friends to sign up and we picked a painting. 

There wee so many that I loved it was so hard to choose 

As a private party we got to pick our own painting but they have painting parties every night. 

I love the calendar on their website that shows the painting for the month. 

Anyway when we got there I was seriously blown away by the bar. 

I loved every inch of the space. It was so cute and funky but still opening and comfy. 

Everything was set up when we got there.

All the paint we needed and a canvas. Our instructor was probably the coolest person in New Hampshire and her taste in music matched her eyeshadow. 

She walked us through the painting step by step and was super cool about slowing down, repeating herself (a million times) and giving us tips. 

My favorite part was how there were social times, like when we were waiting for parts to dry. 

We got to chat with everyone, walk around, look at everyone's paintings. 

There were times I doubted the process but when it was finished I was in love. 

I had an amazing time and before I left I was already thinking of reasons to go back. 

Now guess what. 

I'm giving you a reason to go! 

You can win your very own chance to go create a masterpiece. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway