Here’s your Friday Five to welcome in the weekend!

1. Cycle for Survival is coming up and for the second year I’m heading up a team for the NYC event. This amazing fundraiser donates 100% of proceeds to rare cancer research. Please consider donating HERE or if you’d like to join my team (a few spots left!) shoot me an email at ShapinUpFitness@gmail.com.

2. To me, every season is crock pot season but the winter especially. Check out Huffington Post’s 52 Slow Cooker recipes, it features everything from this delish looking ramen soup to stuffing to applesauce and more.

3. A new healthy lunch joint just opened one block away from my office so as soon as I read about Lyfe Kitchen I had to run over and check it out for myself. The space is really nice and the staff is super friendly and helpful (they explained the menu, answered questions, etc). I opted for a Thai Red Curry Bowl and a side of brussels sprouts and butternut squash. My bill came to $20, whoops! That’s a lot more than I like to spend on lunch but as a blogger it’s my job to report on these things, right? The food was really tasty and filling, I easily could have gone without the side and was full after my main but the side was really good so whatever. It won’t be my regular lunch spot but for a special treat, I’d head back. Check it out if you’re nearby in the city or close to one of their CA locations.

4. New Yorkers! If you haven’t gotten your Christmas tree yet please check out my friends company Tyler’s Trees! They will hand deliver and set up your tree, taking all of the fuss out of dragging your tree down the dirty city streets. I love this company and the guys behind it and even helped deliver a few of these trees when this company was just getting started. Take a look, give them a call and tell them Shapin’ Up sent you!

5. And speaking of Christmas and the holidays, if you’re shopping for a fitness friend, here is a totally ridiculous list of gifts from Well+Good. Typically I trust their lists and love their recommendations but a $135 gold jump rope? Are you crazy? Also featured is a $108 yoga mat. Some of the items are great (love you Onzie) but other things are just plain bananas.

And now I need to go prep for tomorrow’s flight to Costa Rica! Follow my adventures on Instagram and I’ll see y’all when I get back!