I drank a cup of Costa Rica LaMinita coffee from Boston Common Coffee on the way to work.  God I love that stuff!  I have a few more Boston Common brews to sample and I can’t wait!

I spent the morning chatting with coworkers and snacking on a Blueberry Crisp Clif Bar.

Model shot of my rain boots with fleece liners.  Very attractive, huh?  Plus my red sweatshirt is really festive!  I’ve gotta rock something red and/or green during these last few days of work.

I’m not like Charlie Brown; I’ve gotten a few Christmas cards this year!  My mom sent a copy of our family Christmas card.  We send photo cards every year and this year’s card features a picture of my family on the London Eye while we were on vacation in June.  Miles got a Christmas card from his best dog-friend Nastasha!

Most of you in the Blog World like to celebrate Cookie Friday.  So I thought I’d change things up just a little bit and observe Cake Friday.  Okk, well Clif Bar cake anyway.

Here’s the before photo of my taco salad.

Shake, shake, shake…  And after!  Spinach, cucumbers, corn, sprouts, ground turkey, cheddar cheese, Ranch dressing, and salsa!

I went to the gym not long after eating so I knew running was out of the question.  I used the Cybex for 20 minutes of good cardio and then did some knee ups using that “chair w/ no seat” machine at the gym so I was holding myself up with my forearms and really working my belly muscles.  I sat in the sauna for 12 minutes and then my gym time was done.

I needed more sweet treats to make it through my Friday.  I broke into the goodie bag I grabbed from Mint Julep last night.

This Dove chocolate included a holiday tip from Martha Stewart!

I really enjoyed the Peppermint Hershey Kisses and ate 3…though 2 escaped being photographed.

Late afternoon and I was about to peel my Clementine until I found some chocolate goodness in the kitchen.

When I got home from work, I helped Miles get into the Christmas spirit.

I’m trying to wait to eat dinner and I needed a snack.  More chocolate!  At least this VitaMuffin was only 100 calories, and trust me, it was MUCH more delicious than the brownie!

So are you still dying to know why I had a photo shoot this morning???

I am being featured in an interview on the blog Food Fitness Fashion and I needed to submit a photo.  I had a lot of fun answering Ali’s questions…thanks again for asking me to participate!

I did a circuit mishmash for about 30 minutes.  I went through the circuit 4 times doing reverse lunges, alternating overhead presses, and an abdominal exercise each time through.  I also added in random exercises in between.  My legs were pretty sore by the time I headed back to the locker room.

I snacked on a Clif bar.  I had this flavor once before when I wasn’t feeling well so I wasn’t able to appreciate it.  White Choc Macadamia Nut is delicious!

I got the bad news that our heat isn’t being fixed until tomorrow morning.  I decided to bag up the space heater in my office and bring it home with me in a desperate attempt to stay warm.

Yeah, that little thing is not going to make much of a difference.  But if I sit directly in front of it while watching TV or using the computer, it does make me feel a lot better.

So excited to eat from my new holiday bowl!

A packet of instant soup with some carrots is great for warming up, but I did burn the roof of my mouth.  Oops!

Pretty sure I don’t like today’s outfit.  The pants don’t fit quite right.

I actually didn’t read most of your comments til after I had come back from the gym.  But I’m glad you all were pro-sauna because that’s the only thing I did.  I sweated in the sauna for 25 minutes.  It was a challenge to stay in there that long.  It was HOT, but felt great once I got out and showered.

It was my first time trying the Maple Nut Clif Bar.  As soon as I opened the package, it smelled like breakfast syrup, and that’s exactly what it tasted like.  I loved this bar and I ate it so fast that I can’t even think of more ways to describe it.  Snack time success!

I made a bag of frozen Trader Joe’s Pasta Italiano with a package of Nasoya cubed tofu for to make it more filling.

I sprinkled feta cheese on my portion.  Delicious even though there was a lot more tofu than pasta/veggies.

Looks like Miles wanted a taste of Jared’s dinner.

I was feeling a little dehydrated, but before refilling my water glass, I snacked on a Clementine.  (I tried so hard to get a close up of Tom Brady on the TV in the background but I just missed him.  Sorry to all of my fellow Pats fans!)

After eating and drinking, I did some exercises to Whittle My Middle.  I can’t remember exactly what I did cuz it was mindless stuff while watching TV:  crunches, windmills, plank, superman, standing twists.

Right now New England is down 17-7.  I’m hoping they’ll turn things around before  I’m ready to head to bed.

I tried a Cranberry Orange Nut Bread flavored Clif bar.  Another seasonal delight!

This bar was so good and tasted just like the name described.  There was a subtle orange flavor plus lots of cranberry nut bread goodness.  I’m going to double check my snack drawer, but I’m pretty sure I bought another one of these.

I sat in the sauna for 20 minutes today.  It was actually a challenge to stay in that long.  I was a SWEATY mess.  It felt great to open up my pores while taking some time to clear my head.  I forgot to Whittle My Middle last night so I’m going to do a 12 minute workout tonight.

A blazer and jeans seemed like good work attire.  Any fashion magazine will tell you that structured shoulders are back in style.  “Bold shoulders” were a top trend for Fall 2009.  I really like this blazer because it is cut very narrow at my natural waist and then flairs out at the bottom.  It makes me look a little curvier!

This is the typical setup when I get home from work:  Coffee table, dinner, remotes, and my cell phone.  I had the rest of the leftover American Chop Suey.  To change the flavor, I added some of the specialty olive oil from O&Co a few weeks ago.  This particular oil added a slightly grassy taste to the meal.  It was nice to taste something different even though I was eating the same food.

I had to pick up the coffee from Boston Common Coffee Co. at UPS.  It took forever and a day; I missed the beginning of The Biggest Loser.  When I finally was able to resume my post on the couch, I grabbed a bowl of Kettle Corn for some snacking.  Chocolate Pickle had posted about Trader Joe’s kettle corn and I’m really glad I decided to get a bag for myself.

Giving Thanks

I am so thankful for all of you who take the time to read my blog.  I always wonder if a performer really means it when she says thank you to all of her fans and that she appreciates their support.  Is it just B.S. to sell more concert tickets?

I can only speak for my non-celebrity self:  I am so happy that you guys enjoy reading my blog.  You leave comments and even come back to see more.  My blog is still a baby; it’s not even 3 months old.  But I work really hard and I am so thrilled that I’ve made great blog friends.  I check my Analytics every day.  I appreciate each and every person who stops by Crunches for Cupcakes to read my latest post.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Strawberries for a snack.

Sandwich with vegetable hummus, carrots, cucumbers, and greens.  Plus a bag of Sunchips!

Yes, yes I wore Ugg boots to work today.

And yes, they are old and stinky but they are WARM and so comfy.

I didn’t plan any of my workouts this week.  I have some idea of what cardio and strength training I’ll be able to do, but I don’t want to feel guilty if I have to skip it.   Today I went to the gym and walked on the treadmill for 25 minutes at a 5.5% incline.  Then I relaxed in the sauna for 10 minutes before getting back to the office.

Oh my Darling Clementine!

Another seasonal Clif Bar!

It didn’t taste like pumpkin, but I liked it anyway.  The icing was extra delicious.

When I parked my car, I walked to Madewell on Newbury Street before heading home.  I really wanted a pair of boots.  Said boots did not look cute.  I found another pair of boots on sale.  I bought the boots but I’m not happy so I might return them.  End of story!

We went to Anchovies for dinner with a bunch of the guys.  The 6 of us split a bottle of Malbec and a bottle of Montepulciano.  The guys ordered a few apps and I started with a Caprese salad.

Plus a piece of fried mozzarella.  Mmmm!

I wasn’t too hungry and didn’t know what to order, so I just got a side of meatballs and a house salad.

The guys are back at our apartment to watch Monday Night Football.  Pailes is planning on getting wild so he’s claimed all of the vodka in the freezer.  Yikes.

I mentioned it was the 25th anniversary of Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary pass and it sparked a lively football debate.  It’s too loud to focus on blogging!

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for my health.  I was a gross jaundice little baby and for a few years, the doctors thought I had a heart murmur and a herniated belly button.  Those didn’t amount to anything.  I’ve never had braces, broken a bone, given blood (well except when I had mono and when I needed to for life insurance), had a cavity, had surgery…

Before you think I’m Super Woman, I have had glasses since I was 9, torn a few ligaments in my ankle, and have plenty of pain leftover from years of gymnastics and cheerleading.  Plus I swear I’m prone to hangnails!

I’m SO incredibly thankful that I’ve made it 26 years without any major health issue.

We’re meeting friends at Whiskeys for wings and then going to a sing-along at the Squealing Pig in Brigham Circle.  Should be a fun night.  Expect a recap in the am!

Raisin bran for breakfast

Clemintine for a snack

A turkey sandwich on a wheat Arnold Thin and REAL Doritoes.  I bought a little bag from Foodies last night because I had a craving.  Even though they aren’t the healthiest, it was nice to eat the real thing and not the Baked version.

Brewed some Candy Cane Lane tea

Delicious!

Finally wore my hounds tooth vest I bought from Ben Sherman a few months ago

I skipped the gym because Gina (Candid RD) and Erin (Big Girl Eats) helped convince me that Christmas shopping counted as cardio.  2 more names crossed off my shopping list!

So when I bought this last night, I swear I didn’t remember seeing this flavor on any blogs.  Today I saw it everywhere.  I liked the Iced Gingerbread Clif Bar.  Yum!

Jared is making turkey sandwiches before we head out.  Later gators!

Corn VitaMuffin with Justin’s Maple Almond Butter…OMG holy goodness!  I only bought a 99 cent packet of the AB, but I should just splurge and get a jar.

A peek inside my Cream Cheese and Pumpkin Butter sandwich.  It was ok.  In sandwich form, I prefer cream cheese and jelly.

All of a sudden, my stomach felt really off.  I thought I was hungry so I made a bowl of Pacfic’s Organic Tomato Soup.  It was creamy and delicious.  I wish I had a grilled cheese for dunking.

I decided to eat a Clif White Chocolate Macadamia Nut bar for dessert.  One small bowl of soup just doesn’t cut it as a complete meal.

Sexy little thing!

Unfortunately my stomach was still being weird so I didn’t get to appreciate the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut goodness.  I’ll have to snack on one of these again another day.

I’m supposed to do cardio but I think I’m going to skip it today. Even though my stomach is starting to feel less weird (sorry for the lack of a better descriptive word), I want to play it safe.  SO many people have been sick lately.  Honestly, I went to bed around 11:15 pm, slept until 7:30 am, and drank a coffee….and I still feel like I could really use a nap.  Not a good sign?   I’m sure I’ll be ok, but for now I’m in sort of a “mehhhh” mood.

I was really proud of today’s outfit for several reasons.

1. I bought the dark pink silk dress on super sale.  It’s a summer dress, but it can definitely be made winter appropriate.
2. I have so many pieces of clothing that I buy and then don’t wear.  Especially if they’re dry clean only!  I’m pretty sure I’ll have to take this dress to the dry cleaners this weekend.
3. I was comfortable and not business casual but still looked semi-work appropriate.

Today was a cardio day at the gym.  I used the Cybex for 30 minutes as planned, and then used the foam roller and stretched.  I sat in the sauna and relaxed for a few minutes before I got ready to go back to work.

The highlight of my day:  I FINALLY got to sample the Spooky S’mores z-bar.  At first bite, I just thought ehhhh; it was ok.  But as I slowly kept eating, I really really liked the chocolate and the subtle marshmellow sweetness.  Maybe I’m a kid at heart like Chocolate Pickle, haha.  But I thought this was yum yum yummy!

My beanie baby buddy helped prepare my cup of tea.  This tea is really legit; I bought it when I was in London in June.  Whittard of Chelsea has amazing coffee!  I brought a bag of beans home and was so disappointed when we ran out.  This white tea is really good too.  It’s light and refreshing.  I love the aroma.

(As the saying goes, we learn something new every day:  I googled Whittard of Chelsea so I could attach the hyperlink and found out they have a location in the US.  And it just happens to be on Newbury Street in Boston!!!  I am thrilled.  Guess where I’m going this weekend?!?!)

After I got home from work, I walked to Whiskeys to meet friends for Wing Night.  I only ate 2 because they were too spicy for me.  I felt like my lips were on fire from the buffalo sauce.  I also enjoyed 2 Blue Moon beers.

Whiskeys is right around the corner from Trader Joe’s.  I couldn’t resist doing a really quick run through and grabbing some fun foodie items.

There’s an interesting setup outside of the Prudential Center.

The cutouts are part of the Big Boston Warmup event to help the homeless by encouraging people to donate coats.

Since 2 chicken wings don’t count as dinner, I ate the last piece of leftover pizza when we got home.  I’ve eaten this pizza every day since Sunday and I’m glad that it’s finally gone.  It was delicious but I was getting tired of it.

I ate Chobani while I got ready for work.  Once I got to the office, I ate the rest of my fresh strawberries, but forgot to take a photo.  I felt like I was dragging a little bit so I asked my coworker Molly if she wanted to make a Dunkin Donuts run.  Of course she did!

Even though I’m getting tired of the throwback jerseys, I’m happy that the Patriots are celebrating 50 years.

Mmm, pumpkin coffee is so yummy!

I had a chicken salad sandwich on Arnold Thins with 100 calorie Sunchips for lunch.

Boston is having a great weather day!  Notice the lack of winter coat and socks!  Yay!  I love my toothpick cords from J. Crew.  They’re much easier to tuck into boots because there’s less material bunchign up.

As I predicted last night upon completion of my Circuit Training, I was kinda sore today.  I took it easy and just walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes.  Then I sat in the sauna for 10 minutes.  I felt completely relaxed and ready to return to work.

I snacked on a Nectar bar and a handful of candy pumpkins.  Those little candies made me realize that I’ve totally forgotten to carve the pumpkins in my apartment.  I also have to decorate my Gingerbread Haunted House.