Where the Week Went ~Start Your Day with Protein ~Early Morning Visitors ~Our Kitchen Project ~~Corned Beef Hash Recipe Link

Have you tried making an Omelet in a Baggie?

My Fitness for Life students enjoyed personalizing their own

with peppers, onions, spinach, ham and cheese.

Perhaps the most school excitement I have had in years...

two large and loveable dogs were frolicking in our parking lot.

By the time I parked my vehicle,

students had used their lanyards to create a choke collar to control the dogs.

Since there was much traffic and below zero temperatures,

the best option was to bring my students and the pups into my entry way.

Our School Resource Officer contacted Animal Control 

and by the time the first bell rang, the dogs were in good hands.

On Thursday, we were hosting Parent/Teacher Conferences...

and all of a sudden, this happened!

On the Home Front

We finally replaced our range hood that has not worked for months.

It's installation was the first step in our kitchen project.

Next up...backsplash tiles.

Stay tuned to see how it turns out!

It's that time of year to pick up a Corned Beef Brisket.

I roasted this one in my Crockpot, 

and look forward to Hubby's Corned Beef Hash.

Click here for his recipe.

Enjoy what's left of the Weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie

Was Santa Good to You? ~Christmas Memories

We were so blessed to have our family together for Christmas.

Their presence was the only present we needed.

But like Amy said, buying little gifts for one another 

is fun and exciting, too!

My sweet neighbor knows what I like...

Now, I have no excuse to not

'Get more Fit'...

Soap from France will keep my lovelies smelling lovely...

Everyone needs kitty socks...

Much needed new slipper booties from Vera Bradley...

I opened these early so we could use them on Christmas Eve.

For my vintage key collection...

This is necessary to keep my life organized.

I keep thinking I should start using my calendar on my smart phone,

but I always fall back on this.

Another year's subscription...

And grandma always gives us a little cash...

So much 

(and more) 

to be thankful for...

The best gifts are those that come from the heart.

Take care,

~Natalie

We Hiked Smuggler...A Vacation Highlight

One of my highlights on our Colorado Vacation was our hike up Smuggler Mountain.

Here's the old mine...

And here's your history lesson for today...

In 1894, the world's largest silver nugget was harvested from Smuggler Mine. 

The nugget, 93% pure silver, weighed in at 2054 lbs. 

That's just over a ton of silver!

The view of Aspen and the mountains was spectacular.

While Emily is the picture of fitness and can hike to the top in 24 minutes...

She was very patient with her out-of-shape parents and we took our time.

The path looking up...

The path looking down...

Notice how the serious hikers have a pole to help keep their balance?

I came across a very large stick that was just the perfect length...

I don't think I could have made it up...or down without it!

(Funny story...many hikers are accompanied by their dogs. 

About halfway up, I had to wrestle my walking stick from a dog named Rosie)

On the way up, we stopped often to catch my breath!

Here is the Observation Deck at the top of the trail...

The view here is well worth the effort that it takes to get here.

Take care,

~Natalie

A Beautiful Morning and the Aspen Cancer Survivor Center

This is the Parking Lot of our Lodge...

Have I mentioned how beautiful it is here?

While we are on vacation, Emily is here for work/school.

Her senior internship is with the Aspen Cancer Survivor Center...

housed in the Aspen Club and Spa.

She spends time here in the fitness center with clients 

and also assisting with Physical Therapy.

She also works with their cycling program.

Clients participate in a rigorous class 

while being monitored with a computer chip.

Emily is responsible for downloading and recording that information...

along with research for grant writing...

Computer time...not her favorite, 

but probably becoming a necessary part of everyone's job?

This is the view on the path to the Club.

Aspen...

It's a beautiful place to work and play.

Take care,

~Natalie

Tuesday's Topics ~ Tater Toppings, The View from my Window, and a Mega Give-Away

The final lab for our Fitness class is a Baked Potato Bar.

Steaming your broccoli is the best way to preserve the water soluble Vitamin C.

Sour cream...light, of course.

Bacon...eat in moderation!

While many in blogland are posting pictures of spring flowers,

this is the view from my classroom window.

Do you notice how the snowbanks are higher than the first floor windows?

It snowed all day...and it is still snowing.

The PAFA team on Etsy has collaborated to offer the chance to win over 20 prizes.

Go here to view pictures of all the gifts and to check out the give-away guidelines.

Good luck, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Tuesday = The Biggest Loser & Weight Loss Tips of the Day

So...who else is watching The Biggest Loser?

It is on..right..now..

To be successful,

one must combine diet with exercise.

Lifestyle change – Permanent weight loss is not something that a “quick-fix” diet can achieve. Instead, think about weight loss as a permanent lifestyle change. Make a commitment to your health for life. Various popular diets can help to jump-start your weight loss, but permanent changes in your lifestyle and food choices are what will work long term.

Read more here.

Start a Workout Routine - It only takes 30 minutes a day to get your metabolism into a higher gear and start burning more calories. You can even break that 30 minutes up into two 15 minute routines or three 10 minute routines.

Read more here.

Check out this online Stopwatch...

...This is what I am using during my workout routine.

(I hope my personal trainer is impressed!)

I just wanted to finish stitching this little Valentine today.

I'm heading over to list it in my Etsy shop now.

Take care,

~Natalie