10 Ways to Make it an Outstanding October
Hi! Happy October! Not that we really need it -as October tends to be a pretty fabulous place in the calendar year- but I thought I’d share some ways to make it even more amazing :
10 Ways to Have an Outstanding October
Paint Your Nails Orange. I feel like this is necessary every October, and wasted no time in orange-ifying mine. Here they are in front of the way-too-early Christmas display at Target.
Tackle a Fall Project. There’s something magical about fall decor, from the creepy Halloween pieces to the large harvest wreaths. There are a million ideas on Pinterest, 99.97% of which I will not complete, but looking at them makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something 😉 I do want to do an enormous spider web outside, so we’ll see if I can get it together. I also read some great ideas in this month’s Real Simple.
(Liv and I made these cute bat Halloween cards last year. Excited to do something with her again this year!)
Increase Your Weights. If you’ve been strength training on a regular basis, find an exercise where you may be able to include extra resistance, even by a tiny amount. It’s a great way to keep your body guessing and initiate lean muscle growth. Let me know what exercise you choose! For BODYPUMP, I increased my chest weight, and while at first it was extremely challenging, it’s my new normal weight.
Try an Outdoor Bootcamp-Style Workout. I’ve noticed that quite a few fitness studios have started to offer bootcamp options, or regular fitness get-togethers. OrangeTheory in Point Loma does quite a few, including local 5ks as a team, stadium drills, or a long weekend hike. If you can’t find anything through a local studio, round up a group of girlfriends and plan an outside workout. Juices or coffee afterwards make it a perfect fitness morning date.
Revamp Your Breakfast Routine. Now that the morning’s are a little more crisp (maybe?), it’s fun to switch up the breakfast rotation and include warm, spiced, and nutrient-dense options.
Some amazing fall breakfast recipes:
Holiday spice protein pancakes
Honey whole wheat pumpkin pancakes
Determine Something You’re Going to do to Scare Yourself; Get Out of That Comfort Zone. My goal for October is to practice yoga twice a week, whether it’s through a class or a short practice at home. Anyone want to join me?? Take a new class, sign up for an event, and find a way to safely push your limits.
For Fall’s Sake, Treat Yourself to a New Cardigan or Sweater Dress. I really love the fall dresses in the Victoria’s Secret catalogue, but was stumped by some of the reviews and didn’t commit. I especially love this one and this one; they’d be super cute with booties.
Hit Up a Football Game! I don’t even love football, but I love the game atmosphere. I’m excited to watch my little brothers play when we’re in Tucson in a few weeks.
MAKE SOMETHING PUMPKIN or Halloween-y.
(There’s also the incredible $5.99 Costco pumpkin pie…)
Any favorite recipes or projects? Link it up in the comments below! I may make an entire pumpkin again this year, and do something different with it. Also, this candy corn popcorn needs to happen again ASAP.
Join in our October Workout Calendar! If you’re looking for workout inspiration, check out this month’s calendar. It’s an effective mix of steady state, HIIT, strength, flexibility and rest. Feel free to jump in whenever you’ve like, and as always, check with a doc before making any fitness changes.
Wishing you and happy and healthy month <3
xoxo
Gina
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http://www.dailygarnish.com/2012/09/spiced-pumpkin-cornbread.html
This has been my favorite recipe as of late! I make a big batch of chili or vegetable soup on the weekends and pair it with this pumpkin cornbread. Slightly different from regular cornbread with the pumpkin, it’s a health-ier and more fall-ish option for autumn.
Omg that sounds amazing. Must.make.now.
I plan on doing Apple picking this fall and maybe stepping into a new yoga routine as well. I have been thinking maybe starting my days a bit earlier to meditate and do yoga before and after work.
Um, Christmas stuff at Target already?! There needs to be laws against this stuff, man! I think pumpkin shouldn’t be allowed before the first day of fall and Christmas stuff shouldn’t be allowed until at least November. I’m writing a letter to Obama about this.
The only pumpkin recipe I’ve made so far this year has been these Pumpkin Butterscotch cookies: http://winedinefinishline.com/2014/09/22/quick-5-ingredient-pumpkin-butterscotch-cookies/
Surprisingly, the pumpkin and butterscotch went well together. A few months ago I made a “Zombie Intestine Bread” for a friend’s zombie themed party (you can find lots of recipes for them on Pinterest), but it was basically pizza dough wrapped around pizza sauce and ground sausage. SO DELICIOUS I can’t even tell you. Def making that for Halloween.
I love the one about scaring yourself with something new. That is awesome advice and I think I’ll take you up on the buying myself a new outfit too. I deserve one with everything I’ve been through this year.
I think that’s the third time this morning I’ve seen something about stepping outside of your comfort zone and doing something that scares you! I guess that’s a sign 🙂 Thanks for the extra push!
Forget orange–I’m going to paint my nails BLACK! 🙂 I’ve still yet to decide what to be for Halloween… hmm…what’s your costume, Gina?
By the way, do you think you have time to join in the friday linkup next week now that you’re back from vacay?
My finger nails are almost never painted, but orange toenails sounds fun! We just put up our scarecrow decorations on the porch and will add some Halloween stuff too when we get closer. Love this month even though it’s still hot in CA! Looking forward to November when fall truly hits!
I NEVER work out outside, and this week I’m going to try an outdoor boot camp near the Embarcadero and Bay in San Francisco. I can’t wait. So I’m already checking something off the list! 🙂
I’m so excited for October! It’s going to be a fun month! Livi’s card from last year is too cute!
love this!! thanks for sharing 🙂 will definitely be baking pumpkin goodies and am hoping to sign up to take a yoga class at the gym that i teach at this fall!
I’m definitely trying to get out of my comfort zone this month and try some new classes! I’m going to be that awkward “I have no idea what I’m doing so I’m going to watch the person next to me all class” girl for awhile =).
I made these Pumpkin Energy Balls the other day and they turned out great!
http://www.theleangreenbean.com/pumpkin-energy-balls/
I’ll be joining you doing yoga twice a week! Love having a fitness partner 🙂 Can’t wait to make that Pumpkin Pie Smoothie! OCTOBER IS THE BEST!
I have tons of Honeycrisp apples that I plan on using for an apple crisp. I usually wait until November to make it but they are staring at me to
I think I am going to try rock climbing.
Oh and I am down for some yoga routines this month, I need them as I am stressed with working full time, going to school part time and all the other things I have going on in my life.
I’m right there with you on the yoga! After noticing a huge difference in how I felt this week when I did 3 classes, I am determined to make it a regular occurence. If I wake up a few minutes early, I have even started doing 5 or so sun salutations in the morning just to get some blood flowing and stretch everything out.
Yay Fall recipes! Thanks for putting together that list, I have some baking to do so I’ll be checking those out!
Love October! My favorite month foe sure 🙂 Planning to get an orange pedi tomorrow!
October is my favorite month of the year (and I think it beats out my birthday month–which is December!). I definitely want to splurge on a good quality pair of booties and a fall dress and/or sweater. I went to TJs this morning and was so excited to see pumpkin everything! I also definitely need to change up my breakfast routine!
I always love these posts! you and I should partner up for a blogging yoga challenge???? 😉 <3
yeahhhhh!!
let me know 😉 🙂 we could do something cool together xo
I absolutely love October too! It is my favourite month for sure. I will definitely be trying out those Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies you linked! Love it.
http://www.skinnybelle.com/
All great ideas here! I love October. All of the fall/pumpkin/prepping for the holidays stuff is my favorite, and it’s our anniversary month!
P.S. Aren’t those $5.99 Costco pumpkin pies the best?!?! Can’t beat it!
we bought one today! why are they so good?!
Nice ideas! I have bought a few nice sweater dresses at Express so maybe that is an option? Yay for yoga twice a week. I have been going to class twice a week. It has been one of my habit goals for the longest time.
oh, i love express dresses!
These are AWESOME!! Definitely going to be all over the pumpkin baking/cooking!! And I love the paint your nails orange idea … got a shade/brand to recommend?
i’m pretty sure it’s this one: http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1774466/essie-Summer-2014-Nail-Polish-Roarrrrange.jsp?ci_mcc=ci&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=32-405665091-2&CID=shopping15
I’m in disbelief that it’s already October. Seriously… how? The good news is that I love Halloween. The projects and recipes you shared look awesome! Also lovin’ the orange nails. Woo hoo!
right?! it happened way too fast! not that i have a problem with that 😉 miss you!
I would love to follow along with an October yoga challenge! Can you provide some 15 minute yoga guidelines? I tend to let myself believe I need an hour to do yoga.
sure i can post some ideas!
Thanks for the tips! My goal this month is to start to incorporate more strength training and at least one weekly yoga session into my workout routine this fall. I’ve been doing mostly spin lately, so I need to mix it up a little! I don’t have a fall recipe necessarily, but I did do a pumpkin spice everything taste test of a lot of goodies on the shelves that was kind of fun for fall. 🙂
http://acoupleofdashes.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/pumpkin-spice-flavored-everything-taste-test-video/
Omg love the first photo – that movie is a classic! Happy October – thank you for the recipe link love! <3
I’ve been adding pumpkin and excessive amounts of pumpkin pie spice to my regular almond milk-based GF oatmeal or chia pudding–YUM.
delicious!!
I’d love to do a workout outdoors, but it’s still been HOT here. Here’s hoping for a cooler October.
amen to that!
october is my birthday month, plus thanksgiving month, plus pumpkin EVERYTHING month, so it really cant get any better 🙂 i love the fall colours, and fall boots