Hump Day Distractions

HAHAHA

Knock Knock.        ~        Who's There?        ~        Snow.         ~        Snow Who?

Snowbody cares that it's snowing again Meri!!!

But it is. And this time there's a sh*t ton (official amount) of ice as well. Bananas. (b-a-n-a-n-a-s). Flooded streets, slick sidewalks, it's freakin paradise I tell  ya!!

Anyways, for those of you snuggled at home, stuck at work, or basking in the glory of living anywhere other than the northeast, here are a ton of delightful distractions. Enjoy!

* THIS Etsy shop has the most adorable little items (so many Valentine's Day ideas) and if you click HERE, you can enter to win a custom "Love Ring". Awwww.
* Quinoa as breading. I am intrigued.
* This video will absolutely melt your heart.
* THIS app is the most glamorous way to get your hair did (also would make an awesome gift for a new mommy or friend on the mend from surgery!) Can't wait for an excuse to try  it out.
* Absolutely obsessed with this loft space (the all white, ehhh not so much)
* The Super Bowl had a just teaser, but the entire video is absolutely worth watching.
* Get me the hell out of here (on a budget!) 
* Old people are awesome.

A few things and a new challenge.

1) It is snowing in NYC. AGAIN. And don't get me wrong, I loooove me some snowy white city scapes (that's my morning commute picture to the left!), but this is getting a little ridiculous. 50 degrees on Sunday then 30 degrees with inches of snow on Monday? what the???

2) Did you have a favorite Super Bowl commercial? There were a few I really liked, but here's a recap with "grades" (so interesting to see which ads resonated most with people!) 

3) I'm making my triumphant return to "cooking" tonight after a 2-week hiatus. Thinking I'll whip up THIS favorite.

And now, as promised in today's post title, is "a new challenge". Are you ready!? Last year we shared 12 "Healthy Habits of the Month" and based on your feedback, the series was extremely popular! Apparently people love tips for getting healthy and having a community to share the experience with. So let's try some more group motivation... introducing....

Seek to be Merry's Pesky Pounds Challenge.
For better or worse, nearly every woman I speak to is holding on to some weight she wishes she could shed. In many instances it's only 5 to 15 lbs, the "pesky pounds" which your body would prefer to keep, but you would prefer it not. And these pounds between where you're at and a "goal weight" are often the hardest to lose, so I thought maybe we could try to do it together!!!

1) Over the next 12 weeks, I am going to share tips for weight loss, factoids to encourage healthier living and recipes focused on cutting out the naughty stuff. 

2) Once per week (along with those tasty recipes and interesting articles) I am going to share how much weight I've lost since the week prior and I would LOVE to turn this into a community event where readers up for the challenge do the same in the comments section below. I will NOT be sharing how much I weigh (and you don't have to either) but instead focusing on my progress bringing the number down. Having to share creates accountability and having a community means a safe place to enjoy successes and assess failures.

So what do you think? Will you join the Seek to be Merry Pesky Pounds Challenge? Weight loss can be such a personal struggle and I don't think there's anything that makes a struggle less scary than a trusting community to face it with, so I hope you'll join me!

Dear "National Holiday Decider"...

Work today!? That's NUTS!!!

...the day after the Super Bowl really should be a national holiday. Seriously. Statistics suggest that 50% of American households watch the big game and that today is the most abused "sick day" of the year. So to whomever gets to declare national holidays, today should be your next declaration. Because just like Presidents Day, MLK Day and Columbus Day before it, "I ate/drank too much and slept too little because of football Day" is a great American tradition which should be honored with no work and suspended alternate side parking. Anyway, here's some giggly goodness to help you get through the rest of this day. Good luck:)

So cool.

Humor... Comes in handy...

hehe.

Good day to you all!

It's Game Time!

I am ready for some football.

With Super Bowl XLVII just a few days away, it's time to settle on the perfect game day eats to make you the King/Queen of your viewing party. Whether your rooting for the Ravens, feelin the Forty-Niners or just love an excuse to drink beer on a Sunday night, here are a few standout recipes for your eating pleasure:

Beefy mac cheese of the Gods.

* Hamburger Mess - Full Recipe HERE. Because nothing says sports like a huge casserole of gooey, meaty macaroni and cheese!

Meat, this time STUFFED with cheese

* Feta-Stuffed Buffalo Meatballs - Full Recipe HERE. There are no words, only a small trail of drool...

Hot & Healthy

* Jalapeno Poppers - Recipe HERE. This is actually a Weight Watchers recipe... so you can save your calories for beer:)

Get. In. My. Belly.

* Mini Taco Bowls - So easy, you don't even need a recipe! Just place won ton wrappers in muffin tins, fill each cup with taco seasoned ground meat, cheese & bake for 8 minutes at 350. Top with favorite taco toppings!

For the gourmet fan...

* Brie Bites - Full Recipe HERE. Because bringing anything involving jam to a Super Bowl party automatically makes you the classiest guest around.

A dessert DIP!!!

* Funfetti Cake Dip - Full Recipe HERE. This stuff will blow your mind... super sweet and less unhealthy than you'd think (uses fat free greek yogurt and cool whip!)

And last but certainly not least (these will never stop blowing my mind)...

For those with ambition greater than any I've ever known...