1) Make something with cranberries. Whenever I think of November produce, cranberries instantly come to mind. While I admittedly LOVE the kind that are still shaped like a can, I also enjoy making my own cranberry sauce using this recipe or this recipe. For the second version, I’ll use honey and pineapple to sweeten- both versions make a killer sandwich or wrap topping.
(Does anyone else sing Cranberries songs while cooking with the fruit? You don’t have to answer that. “Do you have to let it liiiiiiinger…..”)
2) Run a Thanksgiving 5k, or go for a walk with the family after your meal. Running an early morning 5k is a great way to start the day of American gluttony. If you want to enjoy a slow morning and sleep in, or are waking up early to prep the food, try to go for a walk with the family after your meal. It’s a perfect way to connect and enjoy the weather, and instead of feeling ready for a nap, you’ll feel more energized for the evening. I’ll definitely need this energy for midnight Black Friday shopping 
3) Pick up an infinity scarf. They’ve been around for a while, but still haven’t lost their feminine and unique flair. Bonus: it’s an easy way for scarf-fails like myself to still rock a scarf.
4) Rock autumn denim. The fall tones of denim are a fun way to add a pop of color in your cold-weather outfit. I especially love the burnt orange, deep purple and teal hues.
5) Send a little note to let someone know you’re thankful for them. It’s such a simple and kind way to make someone’s day, and tis the season for spreading cheer and love to others.
6) Enjoy some “om.” Along with the season of gratitude, it’s also a big time for hustle and bustle. Make sure to check out Namaste November- it’s not too late to join in the fun! It’s an easy way to get some calmness in the frenzy, while encouraging your yoga practice at the same time.
7) Participate in a scrumptious event for a great cause. I’m really excited to be doing my first-ever online bake sale, Sweets for Sandy, THIS FRIDAY (11/9). I’ll post all of the goodies on Thursday night so the bidding can begin. Some of my very good blogger friends have already volunteered to donate their fabulous homemade treats, and I’m sure, thanks to all of of your help and support, it will be a huge success.
8) Make your cardio shorter and more effective! Try my current favorite: HIIT and steady.
9) Plan a girls’ movie and cocktails/mocktails night. Everyone is usually busy with their families this time of the year, so make a point to get together with your close friends, too. It’s more challenging now that most of my good friends have babies of their own, so I’ll be sure to plan at least one girls’ night.
10) Assess your fall fitness goals, start to plan a spring fitness event if you haven’t already. I have my eye on a spring half marathon, which will be good motivation to stick with training during Tucson’s most running-friendly weather.
So, how do you plan to make it a noteworthy November?
What are you looking forward to this month?
Some of mine: the dessert assortment on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, ARIZONA BASKETBALL!, continuing to practice yoga for Namaste November, putting up Christmas decorations.
Here’s to a happy and healthy month <3
xoxo
Gina
Hi, I'm Gina. Welcome to The Fitnessista! I love blogging about my adventures as a new mom, military wife and fitness instructor, as well as sharing new workouts and recipes. Check out the About page for more info - thanks for stopping by!
Between you and a couple of other bloggers, I’ve been inspired to try making my own cranberry sauce. I bought the cranberries this weekend . . .
doooooo it
Love these posts! Always great ideas. My family and I started a little Thanksgiving workout tradition 3 years ago. We go to a zumba class early, then come home and get to cooking. I’m normally not into zumba, but it’s fun to go with my mom, aunt and cousins for a little dancing
oh i love that idea! now i only i could convince the fam to come to zumba with me…
I’m hoping to run a Jingle Bell 5k the Saturday after Thanksgiving! Also, I’ve never used cooked with cranberries before but I’m hoping to rectify that
I always run a Thanksgiving dat 5k, this will be my 5th year! This month I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and spening time with the fam! Love November
Pumpkin everything (gonna try roasting my own this year), Black Friday craziness and Christmas MUSIC!!!!!, and all the FANTASTIC Christmas Hallmark movies! LOVE THOSE. OH oh and the 24 hours of the Christmas Story on Thanksgiving day!
This is random, but where did you get that beautiful cross necklace?! I love it!
thank you! the pilot got it for me at a place in valdosta called steel’s jewelry. it’s family-owned and they have gorgeous pieces… i miss it!
I am pretty excited for basketball season to start too! My goal for November is to practice moderation. I know when the Christmas season hits I won’t be able to say no to all the cookies and treats, but I want to be able to say no to more than I need. It’s something I’ve never been good at, I have such a all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to treats. Any advice haha?
Happy November!
I was in need of a great cranberry sauce recipe, thank you!! I will make this one for sure, looks great
Oh man! Now I’m going to have that Cranberries song stuck in my head all day!
you’re welcome. haha
Definitely doing a handful of these things to make it a great November, but the thing I am most excited about is my family is going to Hawaii for the week of Thanksgiving this year. I am going to miss our usual Thanksgiving traditions, but I am so excited to be relaxing in paradise with a pina colada in hand
oh that sounds lovely! enjoy
I am looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with my family!
I want to get cooking more often. I hav slipped into a pattern of “fake cooking” and I want to start mking meals from scratch more often.
Great ideas! Love your infinity scarf! I like the moderation in cardio – I have a tendency to want to work-out for hours so I have been trying to go harder and be OK with shorter!!!
I’m running a turkey trot with a friend I haven’t seen in a while!! I cnt wait to catch up while getting some exercise before a thanksgiving feast!!!
Ah, we had a girls night last year with drinks, food and a movie. Great reminder!
Love the idea of sweets for Sandy! Please let me know if you need any help with it or any more donations! Love my infinity scarves too! My favorite thing about cold weather is scarves, sweaters and boots!
I love everything about the holiday season, I just don’t like the frigid weather the east coast gets!
Mmm I love me some cranberry sauce too! I put it on everything and anything I can think of with our leftovers! Those infinity scarves are adorable… I have a couple and love them! They can add so much to an outfit. I’m most looking forward to my family coming to visit us from Arizona! I haven’t seen them since April, so it’ll be quite the treat.
These are some awesome ideas. I am thinking of adding at least three to my November must-do. I want to run a turkey trot this month.
I am looking forward to getting all my Christmas shopping done!!! Every year I tell myself not to wait until the last minute and every year I am out the week of Christmas cursing all the other crazy shoppers. I WILL NOT PROCRASTINATE!!! And of course all the yummy goodies that get brought to me at work!!
Thanksgiving is by FAR my favorite holiday, so I think that’s what I’m most looking forward to! A close second is celebrating my six year anniversary with my fiance—it comes the week after his birthday and Thanksgiving, so we usually do one huge, delicious dinner to cover our bases : )
Your apple mocktails look so perfect for this time of year! Love the monthly ideas – hope you have a nice, easy pre-holiday month, Gina! And I love cranberry sauce – that alone will make my November better
It gets very, very dark around my part of the world this time of year (sun set at 4.30pm today…. and we’re going to lose another 2 hours before it gets lighter again) so my goal is to try to stop the onslaught of SAD with vit D’s and enjoying any sunshine I can get. My gym also has a light therapy room so maybe I’ll start taking my books there for studying… Also, I am going to try to make a meringue cake with stevia instead of sugar for a Thanksgiving cake =)
I always want to do our Turkey Trot here but it’s a 10k and it’s just a bit too long for me.
. But I will take the walk advice. Happy Monday!
LOVE turkey trots! Last year, hubs and I killed it in the gym on Thanksgiving morning and it felt SO good to sit down and nourish our bodies with great food.
Also, yes to HIIT! Short, effective cardio is the greatest!
There are so many great 5ks around the Holidays! i have found that when I actually train for something in stead of just have a standard goal, I work a lot harder!
I’m wicked excited for the “Turkey Trot” on Thanksgiving day that I am doing with my best friend. Then… Bring on the fam time and some turkey!
I think another way to make November noteworthy would be to help out a family in need. Donate a Thanksgiving dinner or drop off some food to a shelter. Definitely more noteworthy than buying an infinity scarf.
I look forward to these posts every month- they help me feel excited about the month with these great ideas and also feel centered! I saw a mix for cranberry gluten-free scones that I want to make and I need a new infinity scarf- I lost mine from last year! They are just so cozy!
I absolutely cannot wait to put up Christmas decorations. Best part of the year!!
I’ve never heard of an infinity scarf. I’ve seen them, but never knew what they were called. I’m definitely checking those out though, because I am one of those people who just don’t do scarves. Sometimes I’ll wear one with my winter coat, but my brother once asked me, “Why are you wearing that?” Humph. Just trying to be fashionable
EPIC FAIL.
I am looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with my family and my fiance (he was deployed last year). And or course, the dessert spread on Thanksgiving will be thoroughly enjoyed as well
Haha. I’m also a scarf-fail
. Love the list of ideas!
Love the ideas! My good friend is pregnant..what is your favorite mocktail?
Thanks!
Danielle
couchpolitics.com
I do sing Cranberries, but I sing “Zombie.” :-p
I have a few infinity scarves and love them but I LOVE yours! Where did you get it?
thank you! express
I’m going to be in Paris for Thanksgiving. BEYOND excited. Lots of cheese and wine in lieu of the usual Thanksgiving fare. But I’m going to be sure to get my yoga and runs in!
I’m marking November by starting the “Couch to 5k” program this week so I can actually DO a 5k in early 2013! I realize most if you are way ahead of me here, but I’m still working on that ‘body after baby’ thing
Also, seriously looking forward to my cold weather guilty pleasure – UGGS!!
Love it! This month I’m going to learn how to relax!!!!!
I’ve signed up for a half marathon training program too! Mine is in February just before Stella’s first birthday, but the program starts 19 November… bring it on! I don’t know about you, but my body is a little weird running post-baby so hopefully it will make the distance. Look forward to hearing more about your running goals xx
Love everything about this post!