Good morning after the three day weekend many of us had this week! I heard crickets around here this weekend, so I think a lot of us enjoyed unplugging. It felt good, didn’t it?

If you unplugged and feel like doing a bit of FFF reading, here’s what you may have missed:

• TEN!! – I reached double digit mileage
• Dawg Cheering & FFF Features – lots of post highlights this week!
• Total Domination – this girl can put down a meal after ten miles
• Actually Not Laboring on Labor Day
• Sugar-Free Three Bean & Feta Salad – new quick and healthy recipe
• Self-Love Reflection of the Week: A Broken Engagement

Or you could click out of reader and check out the new look at the bottom of the blog! Peter updated things to show my recent posts in a more reader friendly way, so you don’t have to scroll a ton. I love him! And find it so strange he finds CSS coding fun.

I feel very refreshed today after taking things low all day yesterday. It was just how I imagined. I say I find it hard to relax, but once I get in the relaxing mood there is just no stopping me.

After waking up and blogging yesterday morning, I did nothing but enjoy my day in a very laid-back way. Even the gym forced me not to rush my morning since it opened later than usual. I didn’t have to pack two kids up and out the door asap, so I could sit and enjoy some breakfasts with them.

I had a small bowl of Cascadian Farms Chocolate O’s. Yes, I’m closer to 30 than 3, but the kiddie cereal caught my eye. I had a free product coupon from Health Living Summit and I’m going to get what I really want to try. And it was a mighty good decision. Yes. It. Was.

Finally came the time to make it to the gym. I did some legs, shoulders, and abs weights before heading into spin class. Spin class owned me.

As usual. No need to worry. I did actually shower right after the gym this time. Then, hopped straight into my “comfy clothes”. Some oversized men’s boxer shorts and a strappy tank top.

It’s all sorts of high end fashion up in here.  

I immediately gobbled up a bowl of Mocha Oats. This time with coconut.

It’s like eating a Starbucks mocha coconut frappuccino. I pat myself on the back for that one.

And the caffeine didn’t even keep me awake. Oh, yes. I napped. For the second time in three days. That’s very unusual for me, but I guess I needed to get caught up on some sleep. Thankfully the kids did too because we all spent the afternoon a-dozing.

Just in time to wake up and realize I didn’t have lunch since I had two breakfasts at odd times. I remedied that right away by making a couple of snack plates for Makenzie & I to munch before movie time.

Some sliced sharp cheddar, apple slices, hummus, and “Peter” chips as M calls them. Love that little goober and all her Makenzie-isms.

The rest of the day and night I literally did nothing but plop my booty on the couch or the floor with the family. First, we watched Monster’s Inc. Then, we rolled around the floor with some “pig and duck” playing.

No one else can be pig but mommy. And I would like to know why. Perhaps I should shower more or not fight my child for food? Hmmmm…

And finally it was time for dinner and bed for the kids, then chill time with the hubby. I didn’t even feel the need to zone out with Bachelor Pad. No desire for mindless television at the end of the night? If that’s not a true sign I had a relaxing day, then I don’t know what is!

• What do your “comfy clothes” look like?
• When was the last time you tried to unplug for awhile?

Good morning and happy Labor Day to my fellow US residents! Although, in all honesty, my family & I never really celebrated or did much for Labor Day. It was just “the end of summer” and an extra day. I even just had to look up the reasoning behind the holiday. It’s a “day to celebrate workers” and started as something to appease labor unions, if you’re wondering. No matter what, though, it gives a good enough reason to gather together in Peter’s family.

We had a large group of family and family friends gather for a pot luck style meal late yesterday afternoon as our Labor Day celebrations. Before leaving for the fun, I whipped up a quick Three Bean & Feta Salad to contribute to the spread.

His sister’s face when I whipped that out was pretty priceless.  

CLICK FOR THE RECIPE

Side note: I have now set it up so I can post my recipes separately and have them post strictly to the recipes page. I will always link to them from the main page and you will still see them go through reader subscriptions. Subscribe via a Reader or subscribe via email if you want to get all the full recipe updates.  

We spent a good chunk of the day (aka the few hours before the kids would crash hard from not getting full naps), sharing a meal and talking around the table while the group of wee ones tried to keep from causing too much mayhem.

Braedon wanted to join the fun in a bad way. Why do I feel like the kid will be walking at 10 months old? Yeesh!

The family buffet focused on hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, grilled vegetables, a few casseroles, and my lonely bean salad down at the end of the table. Don’t worry – I gave it some love. Although, I did realize I used the wrong stevia and it left a bitter taste in this blend. Oops! Never stray from the recipe you know works, folks!

My plate consisted of Honey Dijon kettle chips (normally not a chips fan but these were addicting), macaroni and cheese, potato salad, grilled squash and zucchini, and the bean salad. Thank goodness for hefty sides so I can fill up a plate! And for Instagram when I forget my camera’s memory card and to charge the batteries. Ain’t no big thing. It was a chill night and I did just that – chilled.

I also plan to do that today. Normally on three day weekends we do our gatherings and celebrations the Sunday before the holiday. This usually means I treat the actually holiday day as any other Monday and busy myself catching up on work or things around the house or running errands. Well, not today, folks!

There is rain rolling in and I’m forcing myself to take a mental health day and relax. I’m not very good at relaxing, but I know I need it, and so that’s what I plan for today. I will see you all tomorrow! And working or not, I hope you find some time to sit back and relax too. Or at least have a glass of iced coffee or cozy cup of tea.  

• What do you like to do to relax?
• Do you normally have big plans for “three day weekend” holidays? Or is just another regular day normally to you too?