Sangria for Santa!

Sangria for Santa
Santa really appreciates the cookies and milk. But after hundreds of years, he's over it. Want to be on the "nice" list next year? Then get a little naughty. Leave some sangria for Santa by the fireplace.

• 10 green grapes, halved
• 4 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 peach, pitted and sliced
• 1 bottle of white or red wine
• 1-1/2 cups white grape juice
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 2 sprigs fresh mint

Fill a large glass pitcher halfway with ice; add fruit and wine. Add juice and brandy; stir gently. Stir in mint. Let sit in refrigerator for 2 hours before serving. Serves 6.
Nutritional Information (per serving):

Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories	Protein	Fiber	Carbs	Fat Total	Saturated Fat
183	1 gram	1 gram	14 grams	<1 gram	<1 gram

So if this holiday season finds you having a "cup of cheer," at least you can enjoy it and not have to wear your Santa outfit for the month of January. Happy Holidays!

Is it vacation time yet?

I just feel so exhausted! I am in need of a vacation so bad but for some reason will not even get a full 2 weeks off like previous school years before. If you have never taught elementary aged kids you are probably thinking, suck it up! Most people have to work year round and you are complaining about working 173 days out of the year? Trust me, it is exhausting and I hope we go to year round school years and the summers will be shorter but we will get longer breaks in the middle of the year. I am so in! I get bored and run out of things to do in the summer so this would be fantastic. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I am hitting the gym hard, cardio not so much. I have put on weight, not a lot but some. I have a plan though. When January rolls around I will have 12 weeks before we leave on vacation to Costa Rica so I am going to hit it hard and do a 12 week challenge. I am really wanting to hire my trainer back but with the cost of graduate school I am thinking that might not be an option. I am going to drop 15 lbs for my vacation so I will feel great in my swimsuit and not feel the need to cover up.

I don't like winter at all but if it is going to be cold at least make it SNOW!