Finding Rest

For the last several years, but only during the holidays, I would find Lindor Snickerdoodle Truffles. This year? Scant a snickerdoodle anywhere. But I found this alternative. I was hesitant to try them lest they don’t live up to what my mind considered was the best. To my surprise, these are a very close match and delicious! You’re welcome.

During the government shutdown, we purchased a time waster from my younger years. Introducing – the puzzle! Mini helped with the border for approximately 17 seconds, then made her way to the television for Dancing with the Stars. She’s invested. Truly, I have enjoyed this project. With sunset so early and a tired soul, this puzzle has kept me excited to come back for more.

Bonus! Find yourself a coffee shop jazz channel on whatever music service you use. Trust me. It’s peaceful and exactly what you need on a fall day.

Update. I found the Lindor truffles. First, I ordered them from Amazon. Then, I found two packages at the grocery store. In a double not blind taste test, the truffles are smoother. However, the kisses taste exactly the same as the truffles. Price? Kisses are cheaper and offer more variety if you want to bake with them.

For some, rest probably isn’t puzzles and chocolate. For some, rest is simply a break from a stressor. Same, same. Whatever it is, take time for yourself. During the holidays, it is incredibly easy to get lost in the going/going/gone, but I believe the holidays are meant for a slower time. Enjoy them. And try the snickerdoodle kisses!

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I ask you –

What is your favorite holiday candy?

(The post Finding Rest first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Let’s Talk About It

Bonus points for the Good Mythical Morning reference.

On this blog, I’ve talked about pregnancy, postpartum issues, perimenopause things, and a whole lot of other stuff.

We haven’t talked about menstrual cycle-related cravings. We’re about to!

I don’t know about other women, as I’m only one, small blessings, but 7-10 days prior to my cycle, I crave chocolate like it will never be there for me ever again. And, somehow, my 39 yr old body has now discovered the joy that is peanut butter and chocolate. Together. Big shocker. From no bake cookies to no bake fudge to Lindt truffles to huge chunks of dark chocolate, there are no boundaries. And the longer I deny the craving, the worse it gets. I once woke up in the middle of the night to raid the cupboard for chocolate.

Of course, chocolate has all the feel good properties of illicit drugs, at least that’s how it’s perceived by our human brains. But the origin of a craving is bizarre. Most research points to fluctuating hormone levels as the cause behind what we know as a craving, commonly for sweet or salty snacks.

Cravings are selective and intense, meaning the desire for a specific substance is overwhelming. Even the most trusted self help literature falls short of tried-and-true ways to overcome a craving. Nonetheless, I’ve lived with them for this long, what’s 50 years more.

Finally, I like to play a fun game affectionately titled why do my boobs hurt today? Running in an ill-fitting sports bra? Possibly. PMS symptom? Most likely. It’s always a blast around here, lemme tell ya’.

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I ask you –

Do you like chocolate and peanut butter together?

What fun game do you like to play?

Name your oddest craving!

(The post Let’s Talk About It first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

I Have (even more) Questions

Do football players wear underroos? I had a mosquito bite on my butt and nearly caused a scene. I can’t imagine having to dig my underroos out of my ass during a 3 hr football game.

Blue Bell, why do you tempt me so? Chocolate brownie truffle sounds like heaven on earth. How much cholesterol is in it? Does it have good fats?

Finally, I suppose this isn’t a question at all, more of an observation. Let me start with my level of dumbness. It’s high. Possibly off the charts. I sort of (absolutely did) move away from strength training in favor of running. This happens regularly, where I forgo balance and hyper focus on one thing. Totally normal.

The more I ran, the more my body hurt in more places than just my feet. My shoulders, my biceps, my knees. You get the idea. So when I got tired of hurting and switched my focus back to strength training, I wasn’t motivated because I thought I had injured myself doing something else, probably at work.

All this to say it was mostly because I wasn’t strength training that everything was hurting. I’ve been back to regular training for several weeks now and my shoulders, triceps, etc feel a thousand times better, nearly zero pain. I didn’t need a break! I needed to focus on making these areas stronger.

Late to the party, but always on my way there.

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I ask you –

Do they…wear underroos?

How often are you doing one thing, forgetting about another?

Tell me your thoughts on the newest Blue Bell flavor!

(The post I Have ( even more) Questions first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)