These are like magic. No literally.

One of my all time favorite desserts growing up were Magic Cookie Bars. I can remember making these with my Nanny at a crazy young age. They are one of the EASIEST things to bake in the entire world, but TASTES out of this world. I'm sure you already know the recipe, or have at least heard to these, but in case you've never had these... RUN, don't walk, to the nearest grocery store and pick up the following ingredients;

1/2 cup melted butter/margarine
 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (14oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips/morsels
1 cup butterscotch chips/morsels (I added these instead of 2 cups chocolate chips, but that's just my preference)

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (but only 325 if you're using a glass dish) & coat 13x9" pan with non-stick spray.
-Combine the graham cracker crust and the melted butter, then press it into your pan...no worries, it should be a thin layer!
-Pour the condensed milk evenly over the crumb layer, then the morsels, coconut and nuts. Then press into the pan lightly with a fork.
-Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool and then ENJOY!

Then if you feel up to it, make your sister in law take random photos of you while doing all of the above ;)

PLEASE tell me you've tried these before?! & if not, tell me when you do, and what you thought!!! Happy hump day!!

A little night off never hurt noboddyyy.

Is anyone else singing Fergie's song from The Great Gatsby?! Cause I aaam.

Last night was a scheduled ladies night out with some of my favorite co-workers to The Cheesecake Factory.

DUN DUN DUN.

I could feel the caloric coma hitting me before I even got there. I even tried talking myself out of going, "I'm doing so well, those calories will kill me, I SHOULD be at the gym"...so I almost didn't go. Then I thought, no, Kayla...that pumpkin pecan cheesecake is only there for a LIMITED TIME and I've been killing it in the gym, I deserve a little night off. & I don't deserve to beat myself up later about it!

I've finally realized...I cannot beat myself up when I DO have a treat here and there, because my eating habits have changed DRAMATICALLY in these past 4 weeks. I went from eating 3-4 fun size Snickers at the office a day, and whatever fast-food chain of my choice I felt like at lunch, to now packing my lunches and having no fun size candies throughout the week... and you know what? The scale may not be where I want it yet, BUT...my running is improving, and I'm actually lifting weights (shocker!) every time I'm at the gym. The strength training is helping my running and on Sunday I actually ran 2 miles in 18:11. This is HUGE for me, guys...I was so happy I mayyy or may not have done a little happy dance all by my bad self in the gym.

I know I talk about my fitness journey a lot on here, but I just can't apologize for it. It's a new me...and I'm loving myself more than I ever have. It's helping my emotions, my sleep, my spirituality, everything. I'm turning into the me I want to be.

So, cheers to you, Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake.

Linking up with the beautiful, and super sweet Shanna!