Healthy Habit of the Month V.

Would you like to get a closer look Ryan!?

This post is the fifth installment of SeektobeMerry's "Healthy Habit of the Month" series. Sourced from my bff's at Weight Watchers, online articles and my own efforts to keep fit and trim, throughout 2013, I will attempt to integrate one new healthy habit into my life each month. Join me!

How are we doing my fit and healthy friends? Five months into our "Healthy Habit of the Month" series, I hope you're all still with me because I'm actually starting to feel a bit fitter and healthier! Last month's challenge to "Keep Track" has had a huge impact on my activity and sleep habits (just ask Dr. H who had to endure me walking in circles in our living room at 11:30 last night - had to reach that daily step goal!) and though my accountability buddy and I need to rekindle our relationship, I'm still nailing it with at least once weekly workouts and kicking it up a notch in the fruits and veggies department. Tiny changes are starting to make a big difference and it feels really good! So what are we up to this month you ask?

Healthy Habit of the Month #5: Challenge yourself.

Last night I finished my first ever 30-day fitness challenge. Over the past month I adhered to THIS totally do-able 30-day Squat Challenge and holy crap... RESULTS!! In taking on the challenge, I decided that instead of trying to totally revamp my workout routine or suddenly commit to an aggressive fitness plan, the squat challenge seemed achievable and easy to squeeze into my normal day (because it's totally normal to be doing a quick 25 squats in the bathroom stall at work, I swear!) All kidding aside, these 30-day challenges which are all OVER Pinterest are really worth a try because they're do-able and the results are tangible. You can do anything for just 30 days and with 4th of July weekend just over one month away, its the perfect time to go for those  stronger, slimmer thighs and a tighter, higher booty!

30-day Squat Challenge HERE

30-day Crunch Challenge HERE (on Pinterest HERE)

30-day Burpee Challenge HERE (and how to do a proper burpee HERE)

30-day Squat/Crunch/Plank Challenge HERE (this is my next one, whose with me!?)

30-day Pushup/Squat/Plank Challenge HERE

And for previous Healthy Habit of the Month posts, click HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE!

Hump Day Distractions

Happy Birthday buddy!

Today is Wednesday. Not Thursday or Friday, but thankfully not Monday or Tuesday. We take what we can get right!? Let's cut to the chase and be distracted:

* How to make your very own Chipotle burrito bowl

* Did you know that children are our nation's poorest age group, with almost 25 percent of children under 5 living below the federal poverty level? Sad, but true. Learn more HERE.

* Oh man... I'm pissed off just watching this guy!

* Real estate gems from the Big Apple.

* The most beautiful places to get your yogi on.

* Some super chic sporty/swimy clothing from a recently discovered brand, perfect for all that scenic yoga you'll be doing (via exPress-o)

* My muffin tin never felt so essential.

* Sassy nails are even easier than you think!

* Just when you though Zach Galifianakis couldn't be any more amazing...

* So... this pole dancer just blew my mind (it gets good around the 1:20 mark)

* I am pretty sure I NEED this.

* I'll take the super pooper if it means I get to have that woman's body 

* These doggies are here to make you smile.

Celebri-quette.

Celeb Sighting.

On my recent flight to Atlanta, I had an encounter with greatness. Actually, it was with one-fifth of greatness, but greatness nevertheless. Sitting there in first class (as I wiggled my way past to coach) was Brian Littrell. I froze... I was in the presence of a Backstreet Boy. Heart racing, I made it to my seat and I made a decision. I tore out a blank page from the back of the book I was reading, found a pen and declared "I am going to get his autograph for J" (J being my bestest girl and someone who spent many years of her life certain that she would one day be Mrs. Brian Littrell). Dr. H was legitimately horrified. "That is wrong. So inappropriate. You CANNOT do that."

Perturbed by his response, I mulled it over. You see, New Yorkers pride themselves on a certain level of celebrity etiquette. The "knowing smile" is completely acceptable, even a quick "I'm a big fan of your work" is permitted, but making a scene, interrupting, requesting photos... that's something we leave to the amateurs (LA:). In NYC, we're not supposed to be too impressed, or maybe we're just keen to let celebs live their glamorous lives beside us because that makes everyone feel cool. I don't know where our "rules" come from, but what I did know was that I'd NEVER approached a celebrity requesting an autograph before and this was a faux pas I was willing to make. I wanted it that way and Dr. H was going to have to quit playing games with my heart.

So twice during the flight I made my way to the first class bathroom (curtain be damned!) with my book and pen in hand, but both times all I could do was gaze at Brian's angelic sleeping face. When we de-planed I hustled to baggage claim, willing Bri Guy (of course) to be waiting for some oversized bag, but alas he flew carry-on only (sorry J!) Now, much to Dr. H's approval, I'm back to my NYC etiquette, admiring stars only from afar... unless of course I encounter another member of BSB (ohmygod they're back agaaaaain), then all bets are off.

Just Dip It.

Let BBQ season commence!

Happy Monday my merry friends! I'm fresh off a great work/family combo visit to Atlanta and hoping you all enjoyed meeting the lovely (parent)thetically speaking while I was gone (and that your homes are now all filled with thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies!) Even though it's still an entire work week away, I'm already thinking about the gloriousness that is Memorial Day Weekend - early Friday office closure, Monday off, BBQ, swimming pool and all. A serious summer lover, NYC's recent cooler weather has distracted me from just how close my favorite season really is. And what better way to prep for your first official BBQ weekend of summer than by checking out a few dip recipes perfect for wow'ing your guests (or making you the MVP "I brought that appetizer" BBQ attendee)? Dip it here and waiting for that first tray of burgers and dogs to come off the grill won't be a big deal at all!

Dip numero uno.

Titled "Out of this World Corn Dip" this recipe requires only a few basic ingredients and makes a "ginormous" serving size. Plus, with the suggested vehicle of Frito Scoops instead of the expected potato or corn chip, I think it's safe to say this dip will blow minds. Click HERE for Pinterest and HERE for the full recipe.

Dip 2

Hot dips can definitely be tricky for a summer BBQ, but the "lighter" ingredients of this  ricotta-based baked dip (in particular the always summery lemon) make this a perfect pre-dinner treat. Enjoy with some whole grain crackers or a fresh baguette before moving on to grilled strip steak and vegetables (just a suggestion!) Pinterest HERE, full recipe HERE.

Still dipping!

I must confess, whenever I serve queso, it comes right out of a jar, but this simple queso blanco dip seems like some seriously next level cheesy goodness. The extra effort will be worth it when people are licking the inside of the serving bowl clean (not that I've ever done that before!) On Pinterest HERE and full recipe HERE.

Veggie delight

Lastly, I thought I'd share this basic serving idea as an alternative to the standard crudite tray. Though not exactly environmentally friendly, these individual veggie-and-dip cups mean people don't have to linger near a platter and double dipping is a complete non-issue. Leave a tray of naked veggies and more dip next to these pre-made cups so people can easily come back for refills!

Cookie Quest (more like a day trip)

When I found out I was pregnant, 2 (apparently pregnancy made me very specific) concerns crossed my mind after the initial crying, hugging and excitement – I’m going to have to get this baby out and if I’m going to be a mom I have to have a recipe for super yummy chocolate chip cookies. I had 7ish months to worry about labor, so I pushed (ha!) that thought way down deep. That left the cookies. Cookies I could do. So I set out to find the perfect recipe.

Now, nothing against Nesley Tollouze (Phoebe anyone?!) but those cookies just don’t do it for me. I wanted something soft and chewy, with some height to it. I let Google be my guide, recipe comments and reviews narrowed down the field of contenders. The first one I decided to try was from a cookbook, Baking Illustrated, published by Cooks Illustrated. Side note, as a baker (I use this term loosely) I love this cookbook. It’s full of information (the difference between all the types of flour, why baking soda is important, what brown sugar does for a recipe vs. white sugar) and when you take the dust jacket off, the cover is smooth and soft, it makes me want to run my hands over it constantly, but then I’m just alone in my kitchen, caressing a book, so maybe that’s not the best thing.

Long story short (too late!) – this recipe was perfection. There were a few steps that seemed a little high maintenance but these steps proved to be vital to the outcome. I felt a little conflicted that my quest for the perfect cookie was over so quickly, but it was, and I had a tray full of warm cookies, so I got over it just as quickly. Gooey and chewy with mounds of chocolate chips, after starting a bite, it actually takes a few seconds for your teeth to meet again. They are the opposite of the flat, crisp cookies B.P.R. (Before Perfect Recipe). Milk is an absolute requirement – but dunking is a personal preference, these cookies need no softening agent. (for me, milk is such an important part of cookie-eating that at our wedding we had cookies served with milk in shot glasses). These cookies are requested anytime I offer to bring dessert, or for such important occasions as It’s a Wednesday Night. 

The recipe is below (do it) – if you decide to try them (do it), I hope that you eat them all right away and then make them again to share.

Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies - For Full Recipe, CLICK HERE

This post brought to you by the fabulous (parent)thetically speaking. 

Introducing...

Meet Ms. (parent)thetically speaking!!

Friends… today is a most exciting day! After nearly 17 months and somewhere around 365 posts from Ms. Merry Meri alone, I thought it was about time I brought in some fabulous friends to share in the fun. Now this idea is somewhat self-serving (5 posts a week is A LOT I tell ya!) but it’s mostly all for you – a chance to hear more voices and share this happy little space with a few ladies who can bring new and exciting things to Seek to be Merry. So, without further ado, I would like to introduce my dear friend E, also known as (parent)thetically speaking who will be stopping by once a month to share some merriment with all of you. Today we’ll have a little “meet n greet” and tomorrow you’ll get your first taste (literally) of guest blogger goodness! Enjoy!!

Hi! I’m E and I’m married to my high school sweetheart A and we have 2 really, quite adorable children, J and H (I am totally biased, but it’s still the truth). In the past 5 years, I’ve gotten engaged, married, moved 5 times, left my job, had a baby, bought a house, and had another baby (so take that, job interviewer circa 2006 – that’s where I see myself in 5 years!). I get stupidly happy when I make a yummy meal, or bake a treat, or decorate (some days I settle for straightening) a room, or manage to keep a plant alive, or re-read a Harry Potter book, or wear stripes, or dream about going to Paris or watch The West Wing. My true joy though lies with J and H, and it’s ridiculous how many clichés come to mind when I think about them (my greatest accomplishments, happiest moments of my life, heart walking around outside my body, blah blah blah, it’s gross). I’ll be sharing little snippets of the things that make me happy (merry, if you will) – hope you enjoy.

Hump Day Distractions

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

...what do we do? We swim, swim, swim! All the way to Friday right!? Another weekly grind, another hearty serving of Hump Day Distractions for your clicking pleasure. PLUS, there's something new and totally freaking awesome coming to the blog tomorrow, so get excited and until then, distract yourself here: 

* THIS Mom totally rocks my socks off.

* 12 hours in ______. (everything you need to know)

* As if being an astronaut wasn't awesome enough, THIS dude is taking space travel to the next level of cool.

* Game on breakfast.

* For your favorite "Face Farmer" and his offspring (bookmarked for an eventual lil merry kiddo of course).

* Don't let your desk job drag your fitness routine down!

* If I ever have to leave NYC, at least I will know where to go.

* I am a size 7.5 and my birthday is in July. Who's buying?

* Thanks to Sis for sending this dance-tastic routine my way.

* Townhouse perfection.

* The world is such an incredibly beautiful place.

* This one has made the rounds, but just in case you missed it, these parents are my heroes.

* I'd like to think that Dr. H and I would handle THIS the exact same way (but we'd be singing Journey of course!)