I recently saw this video on one of my favorite sites, Upworthy.  It made my eyes well up with tears, because I’m guilty of this and I’m sure so many of you are as well.  It’s amazing what we could accomplish if we spent half as much time on something  more productive than convincing ourselves of all the reasons we’re not good enough.  Of all the time we spend dissecting our flaws.

Let’s start trying to remind ourselves of all the beauty that we carry with us every day and how showing that beauty, being proud of that beauty, can make such a huge difference in the way our lives play out.  Let’s begin this week with a new mantra, I am unique and beautiful.

And in case you need a reminder:

Happy Monday friend, I’ll be back tomorrow with some delicious dishes to help nourish that beautiful soul.

xo-

Courtney

Last Saturday, I went to HomeGoods (my heaven) and they are currently focused on kitchen essentials, given the upcoming holidays and all those big dinners that come with them.  When I walked in, I got a little weak in the knees.  And after slapping myself out of thinking I needed a self-spinning ice cream cone holder,  I snagged a new knife set (and then I sliced off a good chunk of my thumb a day later), as well as a little set of individual sized pizza stones.  I’ve been wanting to do a make-your-own pizza night for a while, but it loses a little something without the stone.  These little 8 inch individual sizes are so fun – but if you have a big one, just have each person pick a side and top it as you want.

The results were almost as good as how much fun we had going to the store, picking our ingredients and then trying to figure out what the hell we were doing.  In case you’re looking for inspiration, here’s what we topped ours with… but really there is no wrong answer to the question: How will you top your pizza?

Mine: Chanterelle Mushrooms, Gruyere and Prosciutto Pizza- (fancy, huh??)

*Please excuse my Saturday evening disaster hair*

Ingredients:

• Trader Joe’s Herb Pizza Dough
• Chanterelle Mushrooms (sauteed before topping)
• Red Onion (sauteed before topping)
• Gruyere, shredded
• Prosciutto
• baby heirloom tomatoes, halved
• Pizza sauce

Adam’s: Pepperoni, Sausage, Onions, Bacon with Two Cheeses (Look at that face…)

Ingredients:

• Trader Joe’s Herb Pizza Dough
• 1 sausage, removed from casing (browned before topping pizza)
• pepperoni
• 1 slice of bacon, chopped
• onion, sliced
• green peppers, chopped
• baby heirloom tomatoes, halved
• pepperjack cheese, shredded
• mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Pizza sauce

For both pizzas, we prepared the dough according to the directions.  Preheat the pizza stones in the oven (500 degrees for 20 mins). Dust the stones with cornmeal. Place pizza dough circles on the stones. Top with everything and cook for 12-17 minutes (depending on how thin you can get your crust. We failed miserably at that, and had to cook ours for about 17 minutes)

Thanks to everyone that helped spread the word about the Del Mar Mud Run race entry giveaway!  I’m pleased to announce Melanie as the winner!

If you’re a procrastinator, like me, you can still sign-up and come get dirty and healthy at the same time!  Don’t forget to use code “Lunges10″ for 10% your entry fee.

See you in the mud!

I think I’m ready to take this relationship to the next level.  Are you?  Well, I’d certainly hope so after all our sharing.

Lemons & Lunges is a global phenomenon.  Well maybe that’s a stretch (it’d be a lot cooler if it wassss), BUT if you want to connect on Facebook, Twitter Instagram, and Pinterest (where I get LOTS of  healthy recipe ideas and have a certifiable addiction), I’ve included links to all below.  Let’s get social! Pretty links after the jump

Few things make me happier than an article entitled: “Deformed Miracle Puppy Defies Death… Twice and Learns to Walk”.  I mean… reaaaaally? That is just too much feel good coming right at ya! So before I continue, let’s take a look at this little puppy today: 

Just stop with that face.

Well, this little lady is named Harper and after being rescued from a most certain death, Harper was brought to the shelter.  But, Harper had a deformity called swimmer puppy syndrome that rendered her unable to walk or pick-up her head.

So, she was scheduled to be put down, since her complications seemed unmanagable.  However, the night before, a shelter regular decided to bring her home and show her all the love and comfort she could in her one final day.  (Um, are you crying yet?) That night, she massaged little Harper’s arms and legs , hoping to relieve some of the tension and guess what???  Harper started to lift her head, and tried to pull  herself up.  The euthanasia appointment was cancelled and after a few weeks of swimming to learn her natural gait…

… at 11 weeks old  Harper is walking and playing with other dogs!!!

I mean, I can’t even with that little thing.  My eyeballs were shooting out tears by the end of that one.  It’s stories like that, that remind me how important sheer determination can be.  It’s just one step at a time and all those little steps add up.

Happy Feel Good Friday and remember little Harper when you need some motivation to KEEP GOING!  (And Happy Birthday to my friend Mel who always makes my “Feel Good Insert Day Here”)