Hi guys! Happy Friday to all of you! Any fun weekend plans you’re looking forward to?
The most exciting plans I have are to finish my final project and study for my last final. Then I will be DONE with school for the semester, and therefore DONE with talking about it! 
I know you’re all letting out a huge sigh of relief. Just think, as much as you’re sick of hearing about it, multiply that by 100 and that’s how much I’m sick of talking about it. I can’t wait to be done!
So in the past couple weeks, I’ve seen a whole lot of this guy floating around the blogosphere…
Naturally I was intrigued, and decided to investigate. What I found was an awesome blog, Nutrionella, an old favorite, The Lean Green Bean, and an awesome event to participate in!
It’s a six week challenge that runs through the first week in January. There are daily tasks, daily winners, prizes, weekly newsletters, and a Facebook group for support. You’re assigned an Elf buddy who you can email throughout the challenge for support and ideas to stay on track with the daily challenges. Awesome right?
By the time I jumped on the bandwagon, Round 1 was already in progress, so I signed up for Round 2 and was partnered with Leslie, who blogs over at Musings From the Front Porch Swing. She recently posted a Pinterest challenge, committing to one Pinterest project per week. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like something I’d like to read about
Oh and, me and Leslie randomly have lots in common. She even likes country music! My kind of person for sure
Anyway, I wanted to take today to go through the challenges and give you guys an update!
Monday – Track your water intake.
I totally did not do this. I forgot Round 2 was even starting! Ironically, Monday was a terrible water drinking day for me. I had a full day of classes up in Boston and forgot my water bottle. And since I’m super cheap frugal, I survived off water fountains all day. Not good.
But usually I drink lots in the office, this cup gets refilled several times throughout the work day.
Tuesday – Clean out your fridge and pantry.
Okay, you tell me if my fridge needs cleaning out…
Ha! Not exactly. I’m already pretty good about not wasting food or buying things I know I won’t use. I needed to do the opposite on Tuesday, grocery shop and stock up!
Trader Joe’s almond milk is fantastic by the way.
My pantry, otherwise known as my single shelf of a single cabinet, didn’t really need cleaning out either.
I just have some nuts, quinoa, GF pasta, peanut butter, chickpeas, chia seeds, dark chocolate, coffee, protein powder, etc. Nothing crazy or expired!
Wednesday – Eat 3 servings of vegetables by 2pm.
I think I achieved this one! My favorite way to get veggies in the morning is with a smoothie.
I threw in:
- 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt (I usually use vanilla, but TJ’s didn’t have a big carton of it)
- 1/2 of a frozen banana
- 1 scoop of protein powder (I used chocolate this time)
- 4 tbsp of PB2
- Couple big handfuls of spinach
- Almond milk
- Few shakes of xanthan gum, for thickening
This one isn’t as bright green as usual thanks to the chocolate protein powder, but it was delicious all the same! And for lunch…
Mixed greens, carrots, green peppers, and broccoli. I think I got my 3 servings in!
Thursday – Buy coffee for the person behind you in line.
Also did this one! With a little bit of a twist, I decided to treat a coworker to a latte.
I think I’m doing pretty well with my Elf challenges so far!
On the list for today (Friday) is to workout with a buddy. This will be a challenge since I have a final up in Boston this evening, and my usual workout buddy Andrea will be working all morning. I think the only workout buddy I’ll be able to find is Logan! He loves going for a run, I’ll have to ask Andrea if I can borrow him
I haven’t decided if I’ll post about Elf4Health daily, or maybe stick to this weekly recap idea. We’ll see! If you guys haven’t signed up yet (and I know a lot of you have) you should! Round 3 is still open
I’m off to study study study, wish me luck! And have a wonderful weekend!
what a great buddy to workout with! glad you are finally done with all your schoolwork and can relax for a bit. well deserved!
I’m almost done! Just finished another final, last one is on Monday. Then I’m home free!
Good luck with the final finals! Ha! Oh, and I have that TJ’s quinoa too! Haven’t used it yet, though.
Haha! Thanks
And I actually haven’t used mine yet either, I might have some time to cook this weekend, it’s about time I try it!
This sounds fun! By the way, I can’t get over that picture of Logan. Too cute!
Thanks Natalie! I know, he’s very photogenic once in awhile when I’m able to get a good picture!
I’m doing Elf4Health, too! But admittedly, I’m not doing all of the challenges. I’m staying healthy, choosing good foods, doing a squat and plank challenge for the month, emailing my elves, and even losing a few pounds! So I’d say it’s successful just not by the book
Maybe we’ll get paired next time!
I would definitely agree that’s successful! Sounds like you’re doing a great job as an elf, and that would be so fun if we were paired next time!
I’m really loving the elf-2-elf emailing that’s going on, it’s a great way to stay on track and keep the challenge fun!
Love these challenges, Meghan! They’re creative, and very doable. PS I have a carton of TJ’s almond milk sitting next to me as I type this–our pantries are basically identical, too!
Great pic of Logan. He totally counts as a workout buddy!
I know, I’ve been enjoying the challenges a lot so far. I’m looking forward to seeing what else is in store! And haha, that’s too funny! I know, my pantry is basically a TJ’s advertisement, only a few things are from other grocery stores.
I’ve been such a fail with elf4health but is such a busy time of year! I’ve been having problems with the challenges too because my fridge is always empty, I always eat tons of veggies and I don’t have a workout buddy at home. Time to fix that
It is definitely a crazy busy time of year! I was sort of kicking myself for adding one more thing to my to-do list, but I’m finding (so far at least) that most of the challenges are pretty basic. And same here! My fridge was completely empty, it definitely didn’t need cleaning out. I need a workout buddy too, I’m trying to convince my roommate to join my gym!
Woo! So close to being done your finals
Good luck with the studying, girl! Oh and I’m so totally in love with the idea of buying coffee for the person behind you… what an awesome way to make someone’s day that much better.
Thanks!! Phew, I seriously need it. I just took another final and it was bru-tal. And me too! It’s such a simple gesture, I mean who can’t afford the $2-4 to make someone’s day once in awhile. And hopefully they pay it forward!
I didn’t get in on the challenge, but I love all of the elements! Next time I go out for coffee, I want to treat the next person in line
That sounds like a great idea! You don’t have to join the challenge to participate in some of the fun activities!
I love the challenge idea. A really great week of them! Buy me coffeeeeee
Hahaha I would if I could! My coworker was so pleasantly surprised that I offered to buy his coffee. He jumped up and basically ran to Starbucks before I changed my mind lol
Aww! I so want a dog to run with…let us know how that goes! And yay for both of us almost being done!
Yay!! We’re almost done, final stretch!
I think that the happiest I have ever been was when I was on the road back from Boston to Ottawa after a rowing race. I was co-pilot and my teammate and I hit an unexpected toll. Naturally, we didn’t have enough change on us, but when we pulled up we found out that the person ahead of us had paid for us. Apparently he saw our Canadian license plate and decided to make us feel welcome. Well, I’ve been paying it forward at every toll I’ve hit since in thanks. Such an amazing gesture.
Good luck this weekend, Meg. If you need a distraction, send out an SOS!!
That’s such an awesome story Chelsie! And a great idea too, I’ve never even thought to do that, but I think I will from now on!
Good luck with the last of your finals – the home stretch is the hardest, but you’re almost done! (*Insert happy dance here*) And I love all the TJ’s food – your purchases look a lot like mine, so I congratulate you on your excellent food selection.
Hahaha thanks! Great minds think alike..and eat alike? It could be a thing! lol…and I’m finally DONE and completely relieved!
Hope the rest of your finals went well hunnie! Thanks for sharing your smoothie recipe. Sounds delicious =)
They went pretty well! I’m just glad they’re over