Good morning!!! As this post publishes, I’m well on my way to Savannah. Woo, baby! I so look forward to not only running my first big race and seeing some amazing blog friends, but also to have a weekend away with Peter sans kiddos. That’s right! We’re kid free this weekend and treating it as a little getaway.

Thanks to some wonderful parents who scoop up the chance to stay with their beloved grandchildren for a few days.

Last night, my parents came to our house hauling their suitcases to act as our heroes and babysitters for the weekend. I made sure to give them special treatment by preparing a delicious dinner for us all to share.

I made a large batch of whole wheat penne pasta with some broccoli, mushrooms, and onion topped with marinara sauce. I always love adding extra veggies to help bulk up a pasta dish.

I also bulked up the meal with some ready made items for sides – some garlic Texas toast and a lite Caesar salad bagged mix.

I break out the big guns for guests, huh? Hey, I did say “delicious”, not “difficult”!

And delicious it was. The perfect meal to eat for race fuel-ups. #readytorunalready

FFF Features of the Week

I never expect you all to keep up with every post I write, so each week I play catch up with my favorites. Find the posts that I enjoyed writing the most, that sparked the most discussion, or that had the most cuteness…as well as one of my favorite blogs for you to check out. Give ‘em a looksy and I’ll be back later with Fun Fact Friday!

Featured Personal Post: Stuffed With Emptiness #4

This particular post went into my experiences turning to alcohol and the time I desperately hoped to be successful at suicide. Please read with caution.

Featured Workout Post: 5 x 5 Full Body Circuit

I skipped the features post last week, so I have to remind you all of this workout. It was seriously too much fun! Printable version of the workout in the original post.  

Featured Meal Post: Tofu Parmesan + Cheesy Spaghetti Squash

Another from last week that I can’t let get swept under the rug!

Featured Positive Post: Too Much Of A Good Thing

Some of my favorite things right now – tea and great Christian workout music.

Featured Fun Post: A Tale of Two Winners

Another Champion sports bras giveaway with TWO winners. Ends tonight!

Featured Cuteness Post: Out With A Bang

Halloween costumes. ‘Nough said. Click to see the full cuteness effect.

Featured Reading: Michelle @ Crazy Running Legs

I get to meet her this weekend since she is running her FIRST FULL MARATHON in Savannah. Plus, she’s all around awesome. Give her some positive energy before tomorrow!!! And Michelle – I know you will do fabulous!

• What’s a meal you like to make for guests?
• Any exciting weekend plans?

After running a half marathon yesterday, my body wanted to do nothing today. Mentally, I’m over the whole thing and not frustrated anymore (thanks for letting me vent)…but physically my body isn’t over it. Today immediately became an extra rest day.

I went to church this morning, then got in some active recovery with grocery shopping. I did the following moves for an easy full body workout:

• 1 aisle walking lunges pushing the cart
• 1 aisle leg lifts while pushing the cart
• 1 aisle sprinting to the end and back with the cart
• push-ups against the handle bars of the cart at the end of each aisle
• repeat until done shopping

And I’m so not serious. I hope you know I’m not that much of a jerk-face to do a workout while picking up groceries. Unless you count speed shopping, so I could get home as quickly as possible to crash for a 2.5 hour nap.

I think I’m catching on to this napping thing. And I think I need to find a way to make every Sunday long-nap day.

FFF Features of the Week

I never expect you all to keep up with every post I write, so each week I play catch up with my favorites. Find the posts that I enjoyed writing the most, that sparked the most discussion, or that had the most cuteness…as well as one of my favorite blogs for you to check out. Have a great night!

Featured Personal Post: Behind the Mental Scenes

The mental games of food guilt…and a look at planned versus unplanned “treats”.

Stuffed With Emptiness Post of the Week: Pizza In The Car

The time I ate an entire large pizza while hiding in my car.

Featured Workout Post: Favorite Shoulders Exercises

Featured Recipe Post: Homemade Vegetable Lasagna

Featured Positive Post: The Wall

Anything worthwhile in life takes hard work. Can you push past the wall?

Featured Fun Post: And The Irony Continues

I’m still laughing at myself.

Featured Cuteness Post: Field Trippin’ Pumpkin Love

Makenzie’s first field trip!!!

Featured Reading: Lauren @ Forward Is A Pace

Lauren writes such an inspiring and heartfelt blog. She can really make you think with one post and then have you in awe of the hugeness of her heart the next. All while also sharing her life and amazing determination to training and healthy living. In other words, you have GOT to check this chick out!

• Tell me a feature from your week – a fave meal, workout, moment, new blog to read, chance to laugh at yourself…anything!