This day started off on a super high note. How could it not with this for breakfast?

Hello, fabulous. Looking mighty fine. I nabbed two thick slices of my Pumpkin Carrot Cake Bread I whipped up yesterday afternoon along with a banana for my breakfast this morning.

It looks like a small breakfast, but it was actually really filling and satisfying. That bread is so dense, but still so moist, chewy, and nutty. It’s perfection. As Chandler would say.

I also had two cups of coffee because I simply had to go back for a second cup. I didn’t have iced coffee ready (sad day) so had to settle with the hot stuff. I figured if I was going to make hot coffee and have some pumpkin flavah, then why not do some pumpkin coffee?

I tossed a hefty sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice directly into my coffee grounds and brewed up my coffee. It gives it a subtle pumpkin taste, but such a rich aroma.

How I get my pumpkin coffee fix most of the time. Have to save on the moolah.

After breakfast and reading/playing with the kids for awhile, I decided to actually shower before 10 am today. It’s a rare occurrence. I even remembered to put on my everyday body lotion with SPF.

Yet another thing I have been slacking on. I’m good at remembering the SPF face lotion, but I haven’t been on top of my game with the body lotion. Why did it matter today? Because in my mind it will keep  my dermatologist from scolding me for being overdue for a check-up.

Kind of like flossing the week you have a dentist appointment or taking extra time to style your hair before a salon visit.

So, I had the pleasure of spending an hour of my day getting looked over head to toe. Well, only about 20 minutes was the actual check-up. Why do doc offices insist you spend most of your waiting time naked in paper robes staring at a white wall? Just how I want to spend my time.

The visit went well though. I had one mole removed to get tested…which seems to happen every time. I’m not too concerned but better safe than sorry. I’m just a mole-y, freckle-y gal. Which automatically makes me think of that scene from Austin Powers with the mole. Moley moley moley moley. Moooolllllleeeeeeee.

Well, I think I better end that post here before I spew any other randomness at you. Hope you’re having a great afternoon!

• Do you regularly visit a dermatologist?
• Do you do anything to “special prep” for certain appointments?

Evening, friends! Did you all have a delightful Tuesday? I sure did! Despite a minor snafu I will get to in a moment. First, I need to tell you all about my killer intervals session today!

This morning I headed to the gym for some upper body training. Gotta keep this body nice and strong and fit.

I did a strength endurance style workout by completing supersets coupling the same muscle group for an extra challenge. For back I did assisted pull-ups immediately followed by underhand barbell rows. Then, for chest, I did machine bench press followed by dumbbell flyes on a stability ball. I rounded it all out with a couple sets of bicep hammer curls and tricep kickbacks. Burn baby burn!

As much as my upper body workout pushed me, I really want to highlight my interval workout from the day. It started off feeling not too difficult, but boy did it build on itself quickly for a good sweat session! Low impact certainly does not mean low intensity!

Low Impact High Intensity Interval Workout

Use an elliptical, spin bike, incline walking, or cross trainer for this workout. Set the resistance or incline to a moderate, but challenging level. I used level 12 resistance on the elliptical. You want a resistance where you can pick up the pace but still feel challenged when at lower recovery speeds.

The intervals start off with one minute “work” and one minute “rest”, then the work period gets longer than the rest period to amp up the intensity. Finally, at the end, you go back to shorter intervals. It doesn’t get easier! Having shorter rest intervals doesn’t feel so friendly.

This workout keeps the impact out, but will still leave you with a good burn. Promise! And you can easily switch it up to make it work for you by choosing the equipment or altering the length of the intervals or workout. Have fun with it!

I spent my elliptical session daydreaming about pumpkin bread and carrot cake. So, I decided to do something about it this afternoon. I realized I didn’t have any pumpkin still hoarded from last year, so I headed out to the store. Just for pumpkin. With both kids. I’m telling you – I was determined.

Bwah bwah bwah. <— sad attempt to make the “disappointed” sound from cartoons

I ended up picking up pumpkin pie mix and not pumpkin! #fail

Looks like I will just have to wait for my sweet baking visions to become reality. On the bright side, the store clerks will get some amusement from Makenzie again.

I love my Santa-hat-wearing, turd-in-the-tub-dropping children.

• What is your favorite low impact workout activity?