I have to start my weekend recap at the end. We watched the series finale of Parenthood on Sunday night and I am so insanely sad that it’s over. We’ve spent the last few months with the Braverman’s and I am seriously attached to them. I know it’s just a TV show but I don’t think I’ve ever watched a one that I could relate with so much on so many levels. It so perfectly captured the emotions of everything from growing up to family dynamics to self-discovery to parenting to career to love relationships and everything in between.
If you haven’t watched this series I can’t recommend it enough. Tanner really enjoyed it too. The show is extremely well-written and the characters are lovable and relatable. I honestly want to start at the beginning and watch it all again. I know I will at some point in time.
Backtracking to Friday. I got serious about carb loading on Friday for lunch and did a double dose of my favorite avocado and egg toast with smoked salmon and sriracha added.
When I got home from the race expo, I made a super easy dinner of basmati rice cooked in coconut oil, butternut squash roasted with coconut oil, sauteed spinach and a chicken breast seasoned with Dizzy Pig Ragin’ River and Shaking the Tree.
It always pumps me up to make a race-day playlist the night before. Here’s my Charlotte Half Marathon playlist if you’d like to follow along.
My pre-race breakfast was a Paleo Pumpkin Banana Muffin with Squirrely Tail Nut Butter and a banana with nut butter. One cup of black coffee.
Read my FULL Charlotte Half Marathon Race Recap here!
After the race I headed over to the studio to teach my 11:15 class. We had brunch with some friends after. We started with brussels sprouts.
I had a salad with arugula, cranberries, almonds, avocado and our beet burger. I hopped over to the nail salon next door to get a quick pedicure (the best post-race treat!) before coming back to the studio for an interview. I’m hiring a marketing assistant. (Cue angels singing!!!)
I picked up a coffee on my way home and then assumed this position for the most of the remainder of the day/night.
I even had dinner delivered to me on the couch by Tanner. He picked up a turkey burger and roasted cauliflower for me from Namastay Kitchen. Our turkey burger is SO good. It has local turkey, pecan wood bacon, caramelized onions, a grain mustard remoulade and arugula. We discussed going out but I just wanted to chill. We ended up renting Bad Moms and I was pleasantly surprised to find it not only funny but also with a super great message.
I woke up around 7:30 on Sunday morning and decided to break out my juicer for the first time in forever!
I made a green juice with kale, cilantro, orange, apple, lime and ginger. I am always so amazed by how much produce it takes to get so little juice. Regardless, it tasted amazing. We also went through two French presses full of coffee.
I wanted to switch up our breakfast a bit so I made pumpkin pancakes.
Sunday bacon has become a thing. If you’re not on the “baking bacon” bandwagon yet, I think it’s the best way to cook bacon. I don’t know about you but I don’t love making it in a fry pan because my house smells like bacon for two days and I can’t go anywhere without showering. I line a baking sheet with foil and then place a wire rack over it. I arrange the bacon on the rack and then place it in a cold oven. I turn the oven to 350 and it takes about 15-20 minutes to cook.
The finished product!
I’d had a closet purge on my mind for weeks so I finally made it happen on Sunday afternoon. I spent four hours cleaning, organizing and throwing out. It was so, so, so necessary. I felt so much better after. I think Zoey was so confused about what I was doing because she planted herself on top of a pile of clothes and wouldn’t budge. I figured maybe she was worried we were moving again or I was leaving to go somewhere. Wish I could see into those little minds.
You already know how I spent my Sunday evening! 😉
Did you watch Parenthood? Who was your favorite character?
Do you like juicing?
Has anyone else had the urge to purge lately?
Parenthood is the best show, ever. I’ve watched the whole series twice.
Need coconut toasted rice recipe, please!
I am definitely going to be watching the entire thing over again. I can’t let them go! I think it’s my favorite show…ever!
RE: rice…
I melt a tablespoon of coconut oil in a small post. Add 1 cup of rice, 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a light boil, stir, reduce heat to super low, cover and let cook for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for another 3-4 and then fluff with a fork. Do not open the pot while cooking or stir while cooking!
So, I adored Parenthood and can completely relate to how you feel when it ended! However, I have good news….”This is Us” is just AS good…it has filled that gap for me!
By the way, I would LOVE a post about intuitive eating and exercise! I always push exercise because I know I should, so maybe how to tune into this and how to tell what is hunger and what is boredom 🙂
I can’t wait to dive into This Is Us. I’ve heard great things!
Post coming in next few weeks. 🙂
I totally agree with Courtney here! Jen – somehow you and I were randomly watching “Parenthood” at the same pace, I think! I’ve been dragging my feet because I didn’t want it to end, but watched the season finale on Monday and also feel so sad that it’s over! Such a quality show.
A friend of mine also recommended “This is Us”, which I bought on iTunes and started Wednesday. It’s not the Bravermans, but it’s fantastic.
I’m also obsessed with Parenthood! I watched the entire series 2 years ago in just a few weeks. It’s so hard to choose a favorite character but I think I’m going to go with Joel and Julia. I absolutely love them. Of course I love Adam and Christina too… Basically everyone on the show. Lol.
So in the beginning Julia wasn’t my favorite character and she grew on me SO much! I think my faves are a toss up between her and Amber.
I just started Parenthood after several people raved about it. Really liking it so far!
I desperately need a closet purge!! It’s bAD!
Oh I’m so jealous that you are just beginning your Parenthood journey. Enjoy it! 🙂 The purge is amazing…DO IT!
We loved parenthood! I loved all th characters so I can’t pick one! I’m loving This Is Us now! Is your pumpkin pancake recipe on the blog?
The season finale of Parenthood has to be one of the best season finales I’ve EVER seen of any show. In fact when I watched it, almost exactly a year ago, I immediately re-watched it. So basically I sobbed for 2 hours straight that evening – ha ha. But ya, amazing show. A re-watch is in my future too. You should check out Friday Night Lights as it was made by the same creator as Parenthood. Also This is Us (which is on TV right now) is also really great – neither are as good as Parenthood though, but still good shows 🙂
I second this! Loved Friday Night Lights (it’s my number two all time favorite) and This Is Us has been really good so far! Both pull at your heart strings in their own way.
What do you do with your old running/workout shoes you no longer wear? Is there a place to recycle? I’m not sure how I feel about donating a pair of my stinky, run down shoes to Goodwill because they aren’t even worth a $1 in my opinion. And what do you do with your workout clothes you no longer use?
Ditto all the comments about Parenthood. I stretched out the last season because I didn’t want it to end! I will def rewatch!!!
And YES! This Is Us…. you will love it.
I shed a few tears when Parenthood ended. I didn’t actually watch the show when it was on TV but we binge watched it on Netflix and it quickly became my number one show. I agree with you in that it’s such a relatable show in so many different aspects. I read a rumor at one point that it might come back! My fingers have been crossed ever since. Oh and those brussels sprouts look delicious!
Just finishing the first episode of Season One on Netflix! Love it!!
Or maybe she just loves your scent and wanted to indulge with it! Either way, Zoey is so lovely <3
I purged my boyfriend’s closet, does that count? haha and am obsessed with your new playlist! Such good songs from Gemini and Naked & Famous 😀 Thanks for sharing!