BANGS FRIEND TOOK OVER HRG!!!!!

I have the best treat in the world for you.  The other night when I was having my usual deep talk with Bangs Friend (for new readers:  Bangs Friend and I were inseparable when I lived in California.  She is the greatest friend a girl could ask for and has been there for me through everything) and I told her that the blog just isn’t the same without her.  Soooooo we came up with the brilliant idea to have a guest post from the one and only…. 

ENJOY!! (For the first time on my blog you get to read a post that is free from spelling and grammatical errors:)

Life is pretty much the same here in California (side from the fact that I cry myself to sleep every night because my friend left me, jk). It’s just started to get a little colder and really feel like Fall, which is nice. But, I am quite the wimp and don’t like it when it gets below 50 degrees. But that’s okay, the colder it gets the more hot chocolate I drink. And, that is probably the 19th reason why I love my job, all the hot chocolate you can drink. ;)

But don’t get me wrong, there are lots of other reasons I like my job. Cool sign, aye?

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Normal 9-5 kind of day at work yesterday. Nothing too exciting. But, it was day two of “ugly sweater” week so that makes it a little more interesting. To give a little context, this weekend I was cleaning out my closet and complained to my husband that I didn’t like a bunch of my sweaters, so he deemed this week “ugly sweater” week and said I have to wear every sweater I never wear, to see if I like them. And then when I complained… he said, “come on babe, it’s just one week of ugly”. Ha. It actually wasn’t a bad idea.

But I guess I should have thought about that when I decided to do a guest post for my bff. Oh, well.

After work was body pump!

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Body pump always kicks my butt. I try to go for a run about 3 times during the week and then do 1 or 2 strength training classes on the other days. But no matter what, I am always sore after every class. I guess that’s a good thing, though?

The thing is, I can’t not go to a class because if I don’t I just won’t do any strength training at all.  I get really bored lifting weights by myself.  Janae and I both have this problem. Plus, it makes it way easier to go and meet up with these ladies. Janae and I both like them too.

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Last night was one of our monthly girl’s dinners and the theme was “foods you are grateful to have found”. So after the gym, I made up these beauties.

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Because let’s be honest, who isn’t grateful for carbs.

AND when it is paired with my grandma’s homemade apricot jam, I swear you will hear trumpets sound and angels sing. My grandma had a Chinese apricot tree for as long as I can remember, and her apricots were FAMOUS. Okay, well famous to our family. It may be a little snobby, but this is hands down the only apricot jam I will eat. Sorry, true fact.

Everything else was really yummy too. We had kale chips, lime-coconut popcorn, Caesar salad, fruit salad, vegetable soup, rolls, no-bake quinoa bites and pumpkin cupcakes for dessert.

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I know what you are thinking, those foods are way too healthy. And I agree, but they were delicious so it was okay. Especially the lime-coconut popcorn and fruit salad. The fruit salad had a little lime in it too, so maybe I was just really liking lime yesterday.

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But don’t worry, after dinner I headed home to the husband (he was off having a “boys night” with one of his favorite “bros”), and ate some sugar cookies to make up for the healthy dinner. =)

Probably more than you wanted to know, but that was my Tuesday!! Hope all our e-friends are doing well! Janae sure does love you guys.

Oh, and since Janae always asks questions, I will ask them for her.

What food are you grateful to have found?

Anyone think body pump is easy?

How many times a week do you incorporate strength training?

Question from Janae:  Do you guys have any questions for Bangs Friend? Feel free to tell her hello and that you miss seeing her every day on the blog!

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101 comments

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Hey Bangs! good to hear from you! Glad you are doing good! I do miss seeing you on the blog. I am thankful for sugar and carbs for sure. I’ve never tried a body pump class but I hear people rave about it!

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Loved this! Now, you need to get Bangs and your sister start their own blogs, and then the www-world will be complete! ;)

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Hey Bangs! Good to hear from you! Ebay must be a really fun job!! What do you do there? Too bad you and Janae are now separated by a few miles… but don’t they say absence makes the heart grow fonder?! :)

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Hey, Emma! Yeah, it’s super fun! I’m actually a recruiting assistant so it’s really great.

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Hi Bangs! I really need those homemade rolls in my life! I am thankful to have found all things chocolate :-).

It was so nice of you to bring Janae dinner when she was a new mom in a new city. :)

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Bangs Friend! I miss you and all the yummy food you used to make Janae! I want a friend like you haha. What’s your favorite/best recipe?

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You have such a cool job, Bangs freind!
What a unique idea to get rid of items in your closet! I just looked through my sweaters too and its hard to part with them-yet I’m NOT wearing a lot of them so SOMETHING must be done!
Thanks for the guest post !

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My husband let me sleep in this morinng and I missed my morinng news. I found the news on facebook, through the grief of others, as my two week old sleeps peacefully. One cousin questions sending his four year old to school in the fall, another urges more gun control, another advocates everyone having a gun to protect themselves, he thinks there would have been fewer deaths.

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Great guest post!

I’m so thankful to have found… white peaches (found at the Dale City Farmers Market which taught me about white peach and strawberry fruit salad.. mmm), miso soup, and granola. I had such limited taste buds growing up, I missed all of these.

Oh, and zucchini, too!

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I’m not honestly sure I’d like to meet the person who isn’t grateful for carbs — I imagine they’d be a little cranky ;) But as much as I love carbs, the thing I’m most grateful for discovering is almond butter. I have a peanut allergy so I grew up without any kind of nut butter in my life, and it wasn’t until I started reading blogs and found out about AB that I had my first taste. I don’t think I’ve gone a day without since then…

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I have never tried a Pump class but want to!

How do you make lime coconut popcorn?!

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Hey, Shay!

Here’s the recipe for the popcorn. I haven’t tried to make it. But, it is delicious!

http://www.ateaspoonandapinch.com/2012/06/lime-salt-popcorn.html?m=1

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What a cute idea! I also sort of love that you dropped the “normal 9-5” – I definitely get jealous of the full time bloggers who aren’t in an office for 40 hours a week.

I am grateful for sunbutter… SO F’ING GOOD

Never done body pump

I lift 4x a week

And yes we miss you.

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This is so funny!! I was just thinking about Bangs Friend and I how I missed your adventures but didn’t want to sound like the crazy lady asking about her.
Great post!

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This is so great! I hope it was not creepy that the other day I actually thought, hmm I wonder where Bangs Friend is?!
I am pretty thankful I found Greek Yogurt. Trader Joe’s has the best!!
I do strength about 4 times a week. I enjoy doing weights which I know is kinda weird! :)

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Bangs! I love that you authored this post! I think the idea of a themed monthly girls dinner is a great idea. My most favorite most delicious recent find is starbucks new lemon cake pops! So delicious. The perfect small addition to any cup of coffee if you love all things lemon like me.
I need to get motivated by you ladies and get my strength training on. I am going to try out the new Nike Training Club a few days a week. I’ve heard nothing but great things. I’ll let you guys know if it’s worth all the hype ;)

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My sister swears by NTC!!

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I am grateful for meatballs. That is all. :)

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Such a fun post! Is Janae coming to stay with you for Thanksgiving? That way you can make your appearance into her blog in the near future again.
What are the chances you would ever live in the same city again?

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She will be in California, but sadly not staying with me. But, hopefully she will make an appearance at Thanksgiving dinner. And yes, we will live in the same city again. She will be moving back to California, she just doesn’t know it yet. ;)

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Wait I thought I was staying with you:)

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This is awkward…

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I have been floundering with my strength training lately, just made myself a new schedule! I strength train 4 days a week. Chest/Tri/Shoulders on Mon and Thurs and Back/Bi/Legs on Tues and Fri. I really love strength training! I used to get bore too, I totally get that! Tip to beat the boredom- circuit train! That’s how I started. I never did Body Pump, but now that I think about it, there’s probably a lot of circuit training in that!

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I’m grateful for chocolate. Greatest thing on earth. I’ve missed bangs! Hope she does more posts :)

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Bangs Friend, when will you start your own blog?? :)

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Yes!! Bangs needs her own blog! :)

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This was so fun! I miss hearing about you, Bangs! You really are a great friend.
I need to know the popcorn and quinoa recipe, ok?

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Here’s the lime popcorn one… I’ll try to get the quinoa one too!

http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/2010/10/10/pumpkin-spice-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/

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Hmm, foods I’m grateful to have found…lately, that’s Enjoy Life chocolate chips, homemade protein pancakes, and Barney Butter. All tasty things ;-)
I love the idea of doing a themed monthly girls night…sounds fun for sure!

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I’m loving arugula lately.
I lift 4x a week. I love the changes I have seen in my arms especially since I started lifting more.

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Bangs Friend, such a fun post! Glad you guest-blogged:)

I like you, hate to lift weights, so I try to hit body pump 2x/week. I love/hate it! Never “easy”, always sore! The lunge portion is my least favorite!!

Food I am most grateful to have found: these incredible chocolate peanut butter brownies! http://makinglifedelicious.com/2011/01/12/amazing-chocolate-peanut-butter-brownies/

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Great to hear from you. Start your own blog already!! You would already have quite a following with all of us!

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This was a great idea you two!!!
I never do body pump, I actually enjoy lifting weights by myself haha I’m weird like that. I lift weights 3 times a week, I love it!!
and oddly, that lime popcorn sounds good!!!
This is going to sound weird, but I’m grateful to have found coffee again, oh how I have missed it!

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She is too cute!
I am grateful for fro yo of course, but also Bison. It’s a really healthy protien and is really low in fat. We eat it all the time. Super delish!

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Hi Bangs! I have missed seeing all of your delicious food. When will you be opening up a Bangs Restaurant on the east coast so I can sample some? :)

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Hi Kristina! That would be so fun!! Maybe we should look into that. ;)

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Awww HI Bangs Friend! Loved hearing from you!

I LOVE Pump Class! It’s definitely my favorite way to fit in strength training. I typically go 2-3 times per week, and I find it FAR from easy! It’s definitely a challenge which is one of the reasons I love it so much!

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Hi Bangs! So glad you posted today! I too think you should start a blog, so we can all keep up with your adventures and monthly food parties. Today, the food I am grateful for is chocolate, it changes daily though :)

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Glad to hear Bangs is doing well! Moving away from a friend is never easy :(
I’ve never taken body pump but I do love myself some strength training! And I agree with you girls, much more fun to do with a friend!
I’m thankful for chik fila

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I’m thankful for potatoes… such a versatile starch. And gotta love them carbs!
And Bangs Friend, I totally spotted you at the Summer Breeze Half (but you looked like you were in the zone, so I didn’t say anything, hehe).

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Haha, and by in the zone you probably mean “dying”. Lol. But I wish you would have said hi! That would have been so fun!

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If Janae posts that you’re running another race in the Bay Area that I’m going to, I’ll be sure to look for you and say hello :)

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Thanks for the post Bangs! Hope to see you again.
Some answers…
I strength train 3-4 times a week (during lunch).
Hummus – so glad I found it!
50 – psh – it’s way colder here.
Have a great day.

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I have no idea of why I was thinking yesterday about Bangs and that she should do a post or if she even had a blog?? I would love to read a daily blog post from Bangs too. Sad to see two good friends live so far apart.

Bangs what do you do at E-bay?

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Hi Lorraine! I’m as recruiting assistant and love it! What do you do?

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I don’t even know you but for some reason I found so much relief in this post that you came back!!! it’s like we’re all having a sleepover and you decided to stop by! hope everything is going swell for you :)

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Aww I love this! One big sleep over. :)

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I just want to say how lucky you are to have Bangs Friend!

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In the times I have taken body pump I have NEVER thought it was easy! If it was I needed to up my weight! From the looks of it you are QUITE the cook! Looks like a delicious dinner!

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Hi Bangs Friend! How cool that you work for eBay! Also, I just wanted to say that I have always been a fan of your culinary prowess. ;) And… lime-coconut popcorn? How could that EVER be wrong?

ps. What a great collaborative idea btw. :) :) :)

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Hi bangs friend!
U need to start a blog for all your recipes!
Strength training 3 days a week. Run 3 days a week.
Ive never done body pump but I was just thinking about joining a gym so I could take a class. (Because my visiting teacher teaches it and shes is in amazing shape and my body is on a serious plateau right now. Tine for me to switch things up!)
Oh and your sweater doesn’t look ugly to me!

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Hi bangs friend, it’s great to have you here again!

I never had brussel sprouts until last year and am mad that I lived 30 years without tasting those amazing mini lettuce balls!

I teach Body Pump, so while I don’t think its super hard since I am accustomed to doing it, its definitely not easy either.

I strength train at least 2x a week, it makes me a better runner!

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Bangs Friend– what is your go-to pumpkin cupcake recipe?

You guys are inspiring. I’m going to google away to find a body pump class I can go to.

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I actually don’t think I have ever made pumpkin cupcakes! Sad, I know. I usually make pumpkin squares in the fall and love those. But, I’ve been wanting to try out this recipe!

http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/2010/10/10/pumpkin-spice-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/

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Hi Bangs!! we have missed you. :)

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This is probably going to sound weird, but yesterday as I was reading the blog, I was wondering how Bangs was doing! I really do miss her. I’m glad she’s doing well.

I do miss Brooke in this post too, though!!

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I’ve never taken body pump but I’m going to go out on a very precarious limb and say that my body will not enjoy it. Ever.

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What a fun post!! You girls are so lucky to have your friendship :)

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Hi Bangs Friend! San Jose is my old stomping ground, so I do miss the day trips you two would take and cool spots (restaurants) you’d try out.

I don’t belong to a gym right now, but when I did, body pump was always hard! I just think instructors can push you harder than you push yourself.

I am grateful to have found roasted Brussels sprouts. I used to turn my nose at them, but now they are one of my favorite veggies!

Question for you – I hear thru a certain blog that you make the best homemade crescent rolls. Care to share the recipe?!?!

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Loved this guest post!!! Miss seeing Bangs Friend on the blog for sure!

I am grateful to have found persimmons. Delicious fruit, for sure.

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Hi Bangs Friend. Excellent blog post! So good to hear from you. Here are my answers: I am happy to have found nut butters! Mostly almond butter. I don’t find body pump easy but it’s a blast! I never go but when I have, I love it. I do weights 2-3 x per week (I have a gym in my basement). Have a great day!

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Hi Bangs friend. Ebay must be a pretty cool place to work and body pump ALWAYS kicks my butt and makes me sore the next day. This may be the reason I don’t do it as often as I should. I am most grateful for finding Cannoli’s. I know, it’s bad but they are sooooo good.

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Hi Bang’s Friend! I am so jealous you work for Ebay and I really want to try your Grandma’s apricot jam because it’s pretty much my favorite summer fruit!

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Hi bangs!

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Hey Bangs!!!

I am grateful to have found Red Velvet Cake. I’m a Brit who lives in the Bay Area (waves from the Peninsula) and we don’t have Red Velvet Cake in the UK. It honestly made my world a better place!!!! God bless America.

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Hi, Cathryn!! One of my sisters loves red velvet too!

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Yay–such a fun guest post from bangs friend!!

I love that idea of wearing the ugly sweaters to see if you like ’em. your hubby is a genius :)

I teach BodyPUMP—-and it’s never easy!! ;)

I am grateful for homemade rolls, ice cream, pizza, and caramel anything!

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What a great friendship, you are both very lucky : )

I am greatful for Fruit and PB (dates with PB, hello!)
I should make my husband do ugly sweater day, he has far too many sweaters he doesnt wear!
I havent tried body pump , but I love working out with weights. Bring on the BURN!
I need to get back at it more, I have let Cardio take over my life this past summer/fall.
Hope to hear from you soon!

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I am seriously IN LOVE with body pump! My college is fortunate to have all the Les Mills programs and I am actually a certified Les Mills Body Combat instructor! I take body pump 2x a week and always feel like a rockstar after! I’m also grateful for my mom’s homemade oatmeal raisin bread …simply perfection

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Hi Bangs Friend!! :) So cool that you work at ebay! My husband and I are huge fans and always sell stuff on there! All of those foods look aaaamazing, and I really want some homemade apricot jam now. So. There’s that.

xo

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Love the “ugly sweater” idea! I have a bunch of stuff in my closet that I’m not crazy about (then why did I buy it in the first place?), so this is a good idea to help me purge some stuff – wear it, see if you like enough to keep it, or donate it. I’m going to do this. Thanks Bangs friend, so great to see you again, we’ve missed you!

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Body pump always kicks my butt! Welcome back bangs friend!

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So those are the amazing crescent rolls. I think you and Janae are so very fortunate to have found each other. Your friendship is one of those very special ones. Instead of naming a food I’m grateful for I’ll instead say that I am grateful Janae had you when she needed you :)

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I am grateful to have found avocados several years ago and brussel sprouts only recently – I know, I’m late joining the brussel sprout party, but now that I finally have I eat them several times a week!

I hate lifting weights, I get into a routine for 6-8 weeks at a time, but then always end up getting busy and choosing running over weights.

It’s great to hear from Bangs Friend, I’ve wondered what was going with her :)

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Love the guest post!!! I love to lift weights and find that if I plan out what I’m doing before I go to the gym, it makes it more fun.

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I’m glad to “meet” Bangs friend. I also love that nickname, it cracks me up!

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Janae’s entire family calls me Bangs… to my face. :)

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we need a support group for all of us who don’t enjoy strength training. Gosh! It’s the one thing I KNOW would help me with so many aspects of my fitness yet I really have such an aversion to it. I want to be strong and toned, speed up my metabolism and guard myself against running injuries….it should be a no brainer!
Thanks for the guest post!
Today I discovered that Mike and Ikes come in a “red rageous” version which is all red flavors like cherry, fruit punch, raspberry, watermelon and strawberry! It’s amazing.

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I’ve never been to a Body Pump class but after all Janae’s posts about it I’ve been wanting to try one!!

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Hi Bangs! I could probably live off your croissants and grandma’s apricot jelly.

I live in the Bay Area too. Did you survive the monsoon today? :)

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Barely, it POURED!

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Bangs!! I miss you!!

I’m grateful for peanut butter. More recently though, avocados and oatmeal! How did I go so long without it?!

Glad you are doing well :) I want a group of friends like that.. bring your own food party! Awesome!

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I need a girls night like this, absolutely. ASAP. So good to hear from you Bangs Friend :)

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Hi Bangs! So cool to see that you work for Google! My future brother-in-law works there as well :)

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Hey Bangs! It’s good to see you again! I think you should definitely keep doing guests posts so we can keep up with you as well as Janae. We get attached to those who are introduced to us through the blog.

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Aww I love hearing from Bangs! She is just as funny as you and down to earth. I think she should guest post frequently so we know life in CA too ;) Oh, and hot chocolate at work.. completely jealous!

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i definitely just googled “coconut lime popcorn recipe.” it’s all i can think about now! do you have a recipe to share?

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Aww, I love Bangs Friend!!!

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Bangs Friend, what’s your real name?

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Katie!

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I also can’t get myself to lift weights unless I go to Bodypump. I’ve been taking classes for like 6 years or something and it still makes me sore every time.

Are you guys going to plan to run any races together soon?

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Hey Bangs! You obviously cook and bake a lot, what are your favorite cooking/baking blogs?

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Hi Bangs Friend,

I’m from San Jose :) and was wondering if you enjoy running on the treadmill or trails and which trails you like to run on?!

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It’s great to see you back on the blog, Bangs! We miss you and drooling over the pictures of the delicious food you make!

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We DO miss seeing you on the blog! I am the same way – I have to take 2 strength classes a week or else I will not do ANY strength. Strength alone = boring and ends up being like 1 set of 10 on about 2 machines before I say forget this! I do a strictly strength class and a total body conditioning class. And as far as food…i’m glad I found that I love coconut recently!!!

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I do enjoy how light hearted this post was, but I do have a serious question for Bangs Friend. Here it goes…..

Why don’t you also have a blog!?! We hear so much about you and would love to get to know you better.

Food I am glad I found? Well this might be gross to some people but my answer is anchovies. When my fiancée and I were dating we went to a steakhouse called The Chart House where he insisted I try anchovies on my Cesar salad. It changed my whole perspective on food. That sounds dramatic but I am so serious!

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Bangs friend, you are the coolest. Next time you’re in Utah, me, you and Janae should all hang out. Your job sounds awesome and free hot chocolate is a win in my book!
How is your running coming? Any races coming up??

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I’m super grateful for granola and yogurt- for sure!

I’ve actually been liking strength training lately…strange I know.

Time for some new gear? Shop Expert Brand and Save. http://expertbrand.com. Use the code Expert10 at checkout to save big!

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Hi Bangs! Great post! Do you feel any pressure to always have perfect bangs? :)

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I kind of wish you had photographed your week of ugly. Though, I think your husband had a point (don’t worry, I won’t tell him that he had a point)…I often find things tucked away in my closet and wear them (normally out of protest because my lazy self hadn’t gotten around to laundry) and am always amazed at how many people compliment me on my “back-of-the-closet-hope-I-don’t-run-into-old-friends” clothing choices.

Hope to read more guest posts from you in the future, this was a fun post!

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