I can’t believe the holidays are already here. We’re making our way up north to spend Christmas with my family, even though I’m a firm advocate for only traveling to nicer climates 😦  fingers are crossed that winter doesn’t hit too hard while we’re there / driving.

This last week has found us off our usual routine and it’s been a struggle to get back on it. Monday morning workouts haven’t been happening (my fault), so our schedule gets shifted to make up for that, and then my dental issue took me out for a few days. Listening to your body is important and my pounding headache was clearly telling me to relax, so I did. I went back to training on the weekend, but kept it lighter weight with higher reps. A week later, and I’m finally feeling more normal. Happy to be off the painkillers so my stomach can settle down again… UGH!

The saddest excuse for broccoli – it’s all just stumps!! As if this meal wasn’t boring enough already, now I get ripped off by the vegetables??

Traveling will obviously throw your schedule off, being on the road, in a different place, and with a busy schedule. We managed to fit in a workout Tuesday morning before my BodyPump class, as we assumed we wouldn’t want to find a gym in Toronto at night. The drive to my parent’s place is a long one, so we broke it up by staying in Scarborough, allowing us to start driving early this morning (as soon as I hit post on this!). If we have the energy and time to train when we get in, we’ll head to the gym. Knowing that we’re likely going to lose a few more training days this week for Christmas and our travel day back home, we want to do our best to get there when we can. We love training, it’s part of our daily routine and a stress relief, so we try to keep things as close to normal all the time.

As usual, we packed our food for the drive, simply to avoid eating fast food for four consecutive meals (and I got to use my cute, new 6Pack bag!). When we get in, we’ll head to a grocery store to stock up on some necessities, but I’m definitely looking forward to a few days of more relaxed eating with my family.  I volunteered to help with Christmas day breakfast, and appetizers for dinner. As I’ve been craving French toast, everyone will be eating that, scrambled eggs, and turkey bacon. I randomly stumbled on a recipe for a Frank’s buffalo chicken dip which we’ll be trying, along with some “party nuts”, and a basic veggie and dip tray as appetizers. Easy enough with some healthier choices.

The 6Pack Tote bag, which looks stylish (and it’s pink!) and holds plenty of stuff…

With a cooler space to hold 4 meals and ice packs. The best part is that it doesn’t look like a lunch bag at all.

I met with an oral surgeon yesterday, and am booked in for January 16.  I’ll be stocking up on fun flavored protein powder to make shakes, pudding, and icing. I’ve only had surgery once, so the fear of being put under is my number one concern… and saying something embarrassing. I’d be quite content to just sleep it off for three days and wake up mostly recovered. Is that asking too much?

This stuff is amazing! If you struggle to have just protein mixed with water – this will solve your problem.

Anyhow, time to hit the road (again). Bring on the snow!… but please, don’t snow anymore. Happy holidays everyone, I hope you have a great week full of family, friends, and amazing food!