Hello Blenders! And Happy Veteran's Day!

I wanna start today off with heartfelt gratitude to all the men and women that currently serve, or have served, in the armed forces. I don't think there's enough words to describe how grateful I am for your service and all that you've given, but I will still simply say: Thank you for all that you do.

Ok Blenders, how're you all doin today? How was your weekend?

I hope it was good!

We got some more snow, I did tons of baking, and Furry Trainers seem to be doin alright--so I'll take that any day!

Plus, I got an awesome snowy sunrise pic for ya! Seems like a good way to start today off: morning colors, peaceful stillness, snowy trees---if anything, I hope this pic can make you stop for a moment, and just breathe. Nothing else. Just breathe.

And I will do the same right alongside ya today, Blenders!

Of course this leads right into workouts though--I mean, "keeping our lungs open" is important in both mindfulness, relaxation, and physical exertion as well! So, while we catch our collective breaths today, what workouts will be makin those lungs work a bit harder? Or perhaps it is an R&R, just-breathe kinda day for you?

Well, if you're interested, several of us are planning on doing Option #3 this week from the FB Throwback Challenge! While this Option was not the winner, it was runner-up, and seems kinda fun! So if you wanna join along this week with me and some of our Fellow Blenders, here's the Option #3 Workout Schedule from our FB Throwback Challenge Vote:

Option #3:

Day 1 (44 Minutes):

Cardio + Lower Body Toning - 44 Minute Better Booty Tabata Workout With Yoga Cool Down & Stretch: https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/cardio-lower-body-toning-44-min-better-booty-tabata-workout-with-yoga-cool-down-and-stretch

Day 2 (45 Minutes):

Total Body Warm Up Cardio - 5 Minute Warm Up Workout: https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/total-body-warm-up-cardio-5-minute-warm-up-workout

Strength Training for Arms and Shoulders - Strong Toned Arm Workout (35 Minutes): https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/strength-training-for-arms-and-shoulders-strong-toned-arms-workout

Quick Cool Down Stretching Workout Routine (5 Minutes): https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/quick-cool-down-stretching-workout-routine

Day 3 (43 Minutes):

HIIT Cardio and Abs Workout - 30 Minute At Home HIIT Workout with Abs Exercises: https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/hiit-cardio-and-abs-workout-30-minute-at-home-hiit-workout-with-abs-exercises

Cool Down Workout - Cool Down Stretching Routine (13 Minutes): https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/cool-down-workout-cool-down-stretching-routine

Day 4 (45 Minutes):

Cardio Kickboxing Workout to Burn Fat at Home - Kickboxing Cardio Interval Workout (22 Minutes): https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/cardio-kickboxing-workout-to-burn-fat-at-home-kickboxing-cardio-interval-workout

5x5x5 Pulse Workout - Upper Body Workout (23 Minutes): https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/5x5x5-pulse-workout-upper-body-workout

Day 5 (45 Minutes):

Easy Warm Up Cardio Workout (5 Minutes): https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/easy-warm-up-cardio-workout

Fitness Blender Total Body Barre Workout - 39 Minute Barre Workout Video: https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/fitness-blender-total-body-barre-workout-39-minute-barre-workout-video

So that means today, we'll be workin lower body and getting some good cardio in with this workout: https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/cardio-lower-body-toning-44-min-better-booty-tabata-workout-with-yoga-cool-down-and-stretch

I'm excited! Thank you for joining in with me this week again--I certainly love working out with you guys! You keep me motivated and inspired, and you're overall awesome! So I very much look forward to having workout buddies again this week!

And of course, with all this workout talk, we gotta do some refuelin too! So what's on the menu for today, Blenders?

I had a nice weekend where I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. Hubby and I made all kinds of things, so we have some meals ready and rarin' to go. We got a roasted chicken with veggies, some butternut squash soup, and a ton of pumpkin-spiced steel cut oats. All the yums! But I gotta say the butternut squash soup, was unexpectedly delicious! It also uses pumpkin pie spice, and wow, does it taste good! If you're interested, here's the recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/276775/butternut-squash-pumpkin-spice-soup/ I added some roasted garlic cloves, and reduce the amount of spice used in the soup (and used the leftover spice mix in my steel cut oats!). So yeah, it's somethin different, but really really good. ...Well, Hubby and I enjoyed it at least! haha

Ok Blenders, I'll quit my yammerin' and let ya get back to your days!

I hope you all have a fantastic day, and thanks so much for checking in with me!

Take care, FB Fam--and when things get to be a bit too much for you, just remember to take a step back, and keep those lungs open!