Happy Friday!
I’m so ready for the weekend. I’ll be heading down to the beach with Becca for a best friend’s weekend tomorrow! We have a BLAST on trips. I hope you guys have some fun plans in the works. I just dropped Grumples off at the groomers and now I’m sitting here with my cup of coffee ready to catch you all up on my week. I hate taking him to the groomers because he makes me feel so guilty. He starts shaking, crying, and holding onto me. It breaks my heart, but I know he’ll feel so much better in this heat with less hair.
We hit a record heat in Charlotte yesterday and I planned on staying in, but my outdoorsy side was eager to get out and do something.
I lathered on my sunscreen and headed out for a four mile walk yesterday afternoon. There was no way I was going to run in that heat and it didn’t get any cooler outside as the night went on. I planned on a gym workout later in the evening anyways.
I cleaned up after my walk and headed out to do some errands. I dropped off all the shop orders at the post office and then stopped at I Love Juice Bar for an afternoon pick-me-up. I usually get a fruity flavor or Matcha, but decided to switch it up! I ordered the Coffee Janet smoothie. It had raw cacao powder, coffee, hemp seeds, plant based protein powder, almond butter, banana and organic almond milk. It tasted like a Starbucks Mocha frappuccino (obviously healthier)!
I met up with Becca for a night workout in the gym. We set up a super intense circuit and alternated back and fourth for almost two hours. We talked more about doing our videos and how we want to set it all up. I’m pretty pumped to start doing them! We always feel so sore and accomplished after our workouts, so I think it would be fun to have you guys try them at home. We have both seen so much progress and definition changes in our bodies.
After our workout, we headed to Hobo’s for salads. I had all the veggies, tofu and chicken ready to grill, but we were too tired. It was 9:15 and having someone else wait on us sounded so much better. I ordered the classic Cobb, which had mixed greens, avocado, egg, grilled chicken, bacon, avocado, tomato and pecans. We definitely caved in and split some fries!
I know I’ve blogged since last Wednesday, but I’ve left so many things out. I figured it would be a good time to go back and catch you all up! This is going to be one long blog post, so prepare yourself!
It was gorgeous out last Wednesday, so I spent the afternoon soaking up the rays at the pool after my workout. I went to a spin class and it kicked my butt! I love switching up workouts because it’s great for the body.
I took Mr. Grumples out for a walk later in the evening. I love when it cools down because there is noway I can take him in the heat. I made a latte with skim milk, two espresso pods from my Nespresso and whipped cream on top when I got back!
I met up with Becca uptown for dinner and a walk Wednesday night.
We drove all around trying to find a place to eat, but we ended up grabbing a salad at Jason’s Deli. I wasn’t mad about it. I love their salad bar!
I dropped Grumples off at my parents house Thursday morning before heading to Asheville for the day.
Read all about my Asheville trip here!
Grumples was impersonating how I felt on Friday morning. I was running on three hours of sleep!
I figured adding rainbow sprinkles to my latte would make me feel better, or maybe it was the caffeine.
I was excited to have a Friday night in with Kyle. I decided to cook up everything I had in the fridge instead of running to the grocery store. I made turkey meatballs, baked chicken, shrimp, sticky rice, and roasted vegetables.
Shrimp cooked with black pepper, garlic powder & sweet chili sauce!
*disclosure
I made sure to keep my portions small because we had an evening run planned. I didn’t want to feel to full. I normally eat way more than that!
Kyle is getting into the whole running thing and he’s doing so well. I love pacing him! We did two miles on Friday night and then walked the rest of the way. I hope he’s ready to go three tonight!
Running during the evening is so pretty and much more tolerable. I don’t know why I torture myself with day running.
We ended up popping some popcorn and falling asleep to a movie after the first ten minutes.
Grumples and I woke up really early to work on the blog and have coffee. I love love love commenting back to my readers on Saturday mornings.
Kyle and I went on an early morning run at the Riverwalk and it was so nice outside! We were super blessed with gorgeous weather over the weekend.
We grabbed coffee at the Grapevine on our way out, and then headed to the gym to finish up our workout. I did abs and some arm workouts with weights.
Not a bad view…
Kyle and I headed to Dick’s Sporting Goods so I could buy new golf shirts for my dad for Father’s Day. We headed to Amelies after to grab some afternoon coffee. He tried out their blueberry tea and I had the Le Sombre Chai! Kyle took Grumples back to his place for the night since I had some interesting plans with my mom and Becca.
Becca and my mom love paranormal stuff. My mom bought us tickets to join the Charlotte Paranormal Society at the Rosedale Plantation for a ghost tour. The plantation was so pretty.
We planned on grabbing dinner before the tour, but we were running behind! The tour ended up being from 7pm – 11pm and we were starvin’. We couldn’t leave because they locked the gates for security.
We didn’t see any ghost or get any encounters. We spent some time in the cellar and then walked the grounds.
We filmed live footage on snapchat. Our videos were weird, but we had to make the best of it.
I woke up early on Sunday morning so I could run to the store and pick up ingredients to make dark chocolate covered strawberries. They are my dad’s FAVORITE and totally easy to make. I just melt the dark chocolate chips in the microwave, dip the strawberries in, coat them in sliced almonds and let them dry on wax paper!
Becca, Kyle and I headed to my parents for a Father’s day brunch.
Scones with coffee? YES PLEASE!
I had mixed fruit, bacon, half an English muffin with blackberry jam and scrambled eggs. My dad cooked up the eggs and bacon on the grill I got him for Christmas!
After brunch, I headed out for a three mile run. It was so HOT & TORTUROUS! I cooled down at the pool with the girls afterwards.
Kyle and I decided to have fajitas for dinner. I chopped up veggies, chicken, and steak to grill!
Before adding the meats to the grill, I seasoned them with soy sauce, olive oil, and a tablespoon of honey.
Once the vegetables and meats were grilled, I added them to a large mixing bowl and added two packets of organic fajita seasoning.
I also made some organic whole grain Spanish quinoa & rice blend. This brand was so delish!
For our toppings we had, habanero cheese, avocado, salsa, black beans, plain Greek yogurt, and lettuce.
I scooped all of mine into a lettuce cup!
These were super filling and tasted just like the restaurant’s…if not better 
We watched the NBA Finals during dinner! Such a great game.
Grumples and I went out for a long walk on Monday morning. He quit every 1/4 mile! It took us a bit to get back to my place. He pulls me into the shade.
Coffee after our walk <3
Don’t forget to enter the Kathy Davis Brand Bedding Giveaway!
I made a coffee protein shake for lunch! It had vanilla protein powder, cold-brew coffee, almond milk, ice, stevia and a banana blended! SO SO SO GOOD. I topped it with a little whipped cream. If you need a healthier alternative to the Starbuck’s frappuccinos, this one is it!
Monday night was a blast! Becca and I headed to the football stadium to run the track and do bleachers.
It was so pretty outside and the sunset was gorgeous from the top of the bleachers.
We did a set of bleachers (up down 12 times) followed by one lap around the track. We repeated that five times. My legs were on fire!
We headed to the gym to do some weights for an hour after our field workout! Of course there is never a time where we are not goofing off. This happens when we have the gym all to ourselves.
After the gym, we made veggie burgers and roasted vegetables while watching a conspiracy theory documentary about the moon.
Weirdly enough, I took photos of the moon that night because it was screaming for a photo shoot.
Grumples and I went to the track together early morning on Tuesday! There was no one there and he ran up and down the bleachers with me. It was the cutest thing. After our workout, we headed to Dunkin Donuts to grab a unsweetened blueberry iced tea. If you haven’t had one of these, they’re super delicious and taste just like a blueberry muffin!
We got the girl’s together at Nan & Byron’s on Tuesday night! We gave up on watching the Bachelorette because it’s SO BAD. I ordered the Greek salad.
I bought this dress at Francesca’s four years ago and I forgot it was hidden in my closet! I will be adding a section onto the shop for some of the clothes I do not wear anymore! I have way too many clothes and it’s time to make some room! I have a lot of workout clothes, dresses and pants I do not wear, so why not get rid of them!?
I woke up at 6am Wednesday so I could have breakfast, work and walk Grumples before heading out to meet up with Rachel. My go-to breakfast is always Cheerios with almond milk! I added blueberries this time.
That face gets me…
Rachel and I did an hour circuit. My butt is still burning from the workout!
Last year at this time, I was miserable with my body and couldn’t stand the way I looked. I had a lot of negativity in my life and was going through a pretty rough patch. I couldn’t be more proud of how far I have come mentally and physically.
We headed to the pool after our workout and I had some delicious Gold Emblem Abound Banana crisps! The whole bag has 180 calories and they are so good. Banana is the only ingredient! They are the perfect snack. I’ll be taking these to the beach his weekend!
Hydrating with my coconut water!
I also caved and bought some sugar-free gummy bears! Only 90 calories a serving. TREAT YO SELF!
I love infused water in the summer. This one had cucumber, mint, and lime!
I headed to Kyle’s on Wednesday night and Grumples was so happy to see him! <3
I can’t wait to catch up with you soon! Don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram or Snapchat this weekend! @taralynnmcnitt
I’m about to head out for a workout before picking up Grumples!
Questions for you!
- If I set up a July fitness challenge, would you join me!?
- What is one snack you must bring to the beach?
- What was the highlight of your week?