Evening all! Thanks so much for all your concern about my ankle. It’s mainly scraped up and bruised on the top. Thankfully, not twisted or swollen in any way. Either way, you all really are such great blog friends. 🙂

Tonight we enjoyed the most simple dinner. Simple and healthy – my kind of meal. This morning I tossed a couple chicken breasts into the crock pot with cider vinegar, brown sugar, and a BBQ seasoning packet.

At night, all I had to do was chop up a few red potatoes, toss them in olive oil/salt/pepper, and roast away at 400 for 35 minutes. Peter shredded the chicken, plopped it on a sandwich thin, and then dinner was served. BBQ chicken sandwiches and roasted potatoes.

I love me some BBQ!!! I also loved TBL (The Biggest Loser) last night. Nevertheless, I do have quite a few issues with how the show does particular things.

• Too large contestants. I hate how in recent seasons it was all about “the biggest” contestant with the majority needing to lose 200+ lbs. I was very happy to see this season’s contestants aren’t quite so morbidly obese. Many only need to lose 100-150 lbs, which is much more reasonable.
• Not really educating the contestants. I think there is too much time plugging last chance workouts and sponsored products for their low calories, rather than educating on health and nutrition. Also, I think the extreme workouts and calorie counts don’t set them up for success in the future. It just poses an all or nothing mentality for them to go home with.
• Therapist Jillian. I love Jillian and think she is an excellent trainer, minus a few unsafe moves I’ve seen her pull out on the show. However, when she plays therapist it drives me nuts. I think the contestants would benefit more from regular counseling from someone separate from their workouts.
• Too much expected of the contestants’ bodies. These people have not been physically active in awhile. Expecting them to jump into 8 hour workouts a day is not healthy. I do think the challenges to make it onto the ranch last night were more suitable though. Doing 500 steps or running/walking a mile makes much more sense than riding 26.2 miles on the first day like last year.
• Commercials within the show. They were really minimal last night. Let’s see if that lasts.

I must also say that all the contestants had really touching stories and seemed like they wanted to improve themselves inside and out. I really related to the girl who made the red team and had a bad relationship with food as a reflection of her relationship with her mom. It sounded similar to me turning to food in the past as an escape from my dad. That is why I still watch the show. I still admire people seeking to make their lives better. Even if TBL doesn’t have it perfect, the show still helps people who otherwise might never have made that change.

I’ve rambled enough about that show. Time for me to watch one without as much thought. GLEE!! I will leave you with this 6 month belly shot Peter happened to shoot of me. I should have known he was up to no good when he pulled my shirt up. 😉

Have a great night, y’all! Oh I can’t believe I just said that.

• What do you like/dislike about The Biggest Loser?
• What did you have for dinner tonight?

I was always taught that September 21st is the official first day of fall. I don’t care if the US Government claims tomorrow is the first official day of fall. I celebrated today! Take that you high-90s weather. You try to ruin my fall spirit, but I won’t let you.

It all started this morning with a special pot ‘o gold. Or can ‘o orange. Whatever.

You better believe I incorporated pumpkin into my breakfast. Yay for the first batch of pumpkin oats of the season! My oats included 1/2 c oats, 2 heaping spoonfuls of pumpkin, 1 heaping spoonful of melted peanut butter, and a healthy dash of pumpkin pie spice.

Perhaps these were the key to my good mood today? Or the power behind my awesome spin class this morning? I just know pumpkin is a good, good way to start the day.

Pumpkin is also a good way to end the day. I already mentioned earlier that Tuesdays are Sister Night. Knowing that my sister shares the same adoration of pumpkin as I do, I had a plan.

To start the night off right with a particular pumpkin beverage. But first, we had dinner at Atlanta Bread Company. Because well, it’s attached to Starbucks. That’s reason enough for me. 😉

I had the half and half combo with chicken salad on wheat and the balsamic blue salad. I don’t think I can ever get sick of this combo. I don’t think I can ever get sick of pumpkin infused treats either.

The first pumpkin spiced latte of the season. I do wish it came in a pretty mug though. That would be more fun. And photogenic. Oh well. I’m a happy camper now. Now, I’m off to watch some Fall TV!!!!! 

• What made you smile today?
• Do you have siblings? Are you close? I have a sister (obviously) and a brother. My brother lives in AZ so we aren’t extremely close. I still love him though! My sister and I are one and the same person. And it actually makes me a little sad that M likely won’t have that sisterly bond.

Today is National Prayer for Peace Day. Take a moment to pray that all of those across the world may feel God’s peace in their lives.