Happy Saturday, Kids!

We are on week into the new year, which for me kicks off my official post-holiday mind and body reset.  It's safe to say that I was a good time this holiday season in terms of cooking AND eating all sorts of delicious, most of which was out of my usual eating repetiore.  I kicked off 2012 feeling like an overstuffed thanksgiving turkey.  The damage from this year's overindulgences:  3 lbs gained.  (Yeah, I know - 3 pounds isn't all the relevant and some would argue I needed it, but tis by no means the point so please bear with me!).  However, unlike many others I make it point not to vow diet and fitness resolutions, particularly come January 1 as I always take vacation the first week of January.  Vacation for me signifies a break from the usual day to day routine and I make it a point to kick back and relax carefree and flying by the seat of my pants.  The week has gone quick.... TOO QUICK... and yet I find myself extra eager to re-focus my mind, reset my body, and ultimately go back to my usual food and fitness routine for two reason: 

1.  I'm a dietary creature of habit who prefers not to go through her days feeling like an overstuffed bird.

2. FITBIT ULTRA WIRLESS TRACKER

For those not familiar with fitbit or fitbit ultra, simply click the picture above and it will take you directly to the site, but the jist of this nifty device is that it tracks steps and calories burned, monitors sleep, and helps you stay motivated!  In my opinion this is a health and wellness MUST and I am really not just saying that (because I'll make a small commission if you buy one after clicking either the picture above or the one in the side bar to the right).  I LOVE LOVE LOVE my fitbit (maybe a little too much) and I even gifted Darin with one this holiday season (and even he is lovin' it!!)

So today was DAY 1 and I kicked off my morning with a fruit smoothie, using a new protein powder.  I made a batch of cabbage vegetable soup in my 2 quart crockpot, which I enjoyed for dinner along with some quinoa and a mock fried plantain.  Snack included my beloved protein popcorn.    According to my fitbit ultra, I took 4322 steps, climbd 14 flights of stairs, traveled 1.8 miles, burned 1684 calories, and my activite score was 665.  Woot woot!  Not bad for a Saturday :-)

Moving on -     

I found the recipe (by the Tasty Cheapskate) for the amazingness pictured above through the Secret Recipe Club's Cookie Party and all I can say is that it did not dissapoint.  The macaroon's were easier to make than I anticiapted and thus far have received rave reviews from all we have tried them.  There is no doubt that I will definately be making them again in the very near future :-)

And on that note, time to dash off.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!