Hi! Happy Friday, friends. I hope everyone's week went well! Wanted to share a few of my Friday Favorites this week :) 

Finds

This Republic of Tea Apple Cider Tea. It's SO GOOD. I am coming down with a bad cold and I drank about four cups of it today at work. It really tastes like hot apple cider. 

Blue Apron Meals! Michael had a free trial for three meals and we ate them all at the beginning of the week. It was really fun! I actually learned a lot about how different spices go together and compliment a dish. My favorite meal was the first one we had, Roast Pork with Braised Endive. It was AMAZING. We also tried a Chicken Khoa Soi soup (which was really easy to make and I will be re-creating) and Crispy Cod with Spiced Cous Cous. It's such a great service! The produce and meats are very fresh, the only downside is that it is expensive in comparison to what we would normally eat on a week night, but so much fun to try. Definitely recommend! 

Around The Web

15 Personal Training Predictions for 2016 - Although I'm not a personal trainer, I do teach fitness classes and I found this article interesting! I love that there's been a trend toward small group training, non-traditional workout equipment and varied program options and modalities. I know for one that I get bored if I do the same thing over and over again, so I always try to switch things up when I teach. “We’re a culture with an attention span 3 seconds long. The more variety we offer, the more interested people become in our services.” 

14 Foods Your Probably Pronouncing Wrong - It's AH-SAH-EE!! I still like to say A-KAI. 

These Sweet Potato Protein Bars from theleangreenbean.com - these look delicious and super easy! Inspired me to create a sweet potato recipe of my own...coming soon! 

Happenings

This week I went to a YBConnected event with my co-workers and boss on Wednesday night. It was fun to get out of the office with them on a weeknight and the venue was AWESOME! YBConnected is a networking organization in Philadelphia for young professionals and they support local organizations. My boss is one of the founders, so we get to join in on the fun! 

Another one of my FAVORITE things is that Thanksgiving is next week. NEXT WEEK!!! We had a Thanksgiving lunch yesterday for work and it got me really excited. 

Need some recipe inspiration? Check out these lovely ladies blogs for some Thanksgiving recipe roundups :) 

My Thanksgiving Recipe Pinterest Board...

Desert recipe round up from Rachel of rachlmansfield.com (let's be honest, desert is most important right? Desert and turkey!)

This awesome Quinoa Thanksgiving Stuffing from Alexa of fooduzzi.com

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato & Apple Stuffed Cornish Hens with Pomegranate Glaze from Juli of paleomg.com

Listening To:

Here's another little spin playlist I put together for my Monday morning class! I think it's one of my favorite times of the week. Even though it SUCKS waking up at 5:15 am on Mondays, it's so much fun once I get there and get in the groove. It's always a small class, but they have great energy.  

Matchstick by American Royalty is on repeat this week! Great song.

Okay friends, have a great day!

XO- Rach

What are you loving today?

What are you up to this weekend?

Any big Thanksgiving plans?

What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

These Coconut Caramel Bars are rich & decadent, yet light and fluffy. They are made with oats and coconut, which pack a nutritional punch, yet the caramel & chocolate chips add a perfectly sweet touch. 

I had so much leftover caramel from when I made my Pumpkin Ale Cheesecake, and I was anxious to create something else with it! So I bring you...Coconut Caramel Oat Bars. These bars are filled with oaty goodness, healthy fats from the coconut and delectable sweetness from the chocolate chips and the caramel. 

[yumprint-recipe id='6']

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I've got a great fall recipe to share today - Turkey Black Bean Chili!  Before I share I'll talk about my weekend a bit (because I know everyone just cares so much ;].) It was low key over here. After a month as busy as October it felt GREAT to relax and reset a bit. I taught my super circuits class on Saturday at Sweat Fitness in Old City - missed that class so much because I haven't been able to teach for the past two weekends! I will share a similar workout here in the next week. The rest of Saturday consisted of some Trader Joe's shopping, chili-making & a whole lot of chillin'. 

Yesterday was the first Sunday since the end of August that I didn't have a long run on my schedule and it felt AMAZING. I slept in (until 7:30...) and then Michael and I grabbed coffee and a rugelach from High Point Cafe before coming back to make pancakes. I took advantage of my time and headed to the gym for a long workout. I didn't have a plan, I don't really remember what I did, but it felt so good to move my body and not have to be in a rush to go anywhere! Ah, Sunday's I love you. 

Getting on to the fun stuff. This chili recipe is real easy to make. I don't like to do complicated. It's got a lot of hearty protein & fiber and it's very delicious. A little fiesta for your taste buds.

My favorite part about chilis like this is that there are a lot of ways that you can dress them up. I have the dish pictured here with cheddar cheese and cilantro, but later on I added greek yogurt, avocado and hot sauce. SO good. Give it a try! So excited to eat the leftovers for lunch in my very 'chilly' office. 

[yumprint-recipe id='5']