Video Two

This is the video I was waiting to watch... #worthit

Video One

While I was waiting for my flashmob video to load (don't judge) - this ad played. (Crying but not blubbering... - gilmore girls! anyone?)

Why is milk in the back of the store? To keep it cold or for marketing purposes?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/07/23/334076398/episode-555-why-is-the-milk-in-the-back-of-the-store?sc=pmapp&f=93559255

Yes.

Delicious Lunch

... alternate title of the post is: What to do with the 1/4 of a bag of bulgar that has been in the pantry for... well, ever. It might have been created to use up things that were in my pantry/fridge/freezer, but it turned out amazing and I've been having it daily. 

So, here goes:
1/2 c bulgar + 1/2 c cucumber + 1/2 c grape tomatoes + 1/2 c shelled edamame + handful cilantro + juice 1/2 lemon + drizzle of olive oil + salt/pepper

True story, the picture above was a day when I accidentally forgot to add the edamame. I was starving about a hour later and couldn't figure out why... no protein! Moral of the story: protein + carb + fat = a meal. Leave something out and you will be hungry, very soon.

more than enough

"there is a lie that acts like a virus within the mind of humanity. and that lie is, there's not enough good to go around. there's lack and there's limitation and there's just not enough. the truth is that there's more than enough good to go around. there is more than enough creative ideas. there is more than enough power. there is more than enough love. there's more than enough joy. all of this begins to come through a mind that is aware of its own infinitive nature. there is enough for everyone. if you believe it, if you can see it, if you act from it, it will show up for you. that's the truth - michael beckwith 

(this and other truths can be found here)

picture of thorncrown chapel in arkansas. emily went to a wedding there and blogged about it, also.

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Healthy Habits and Banana Bread Oatmeal

I remember in my Nutrition Counseling course I took during my nutrition degree, my teacher told us a story about how she ran into an old friend who had lost some weight and overall appeared healthier/happier, etc. My teacher inquired what changed, and the old friend said that she had taken up running. My teacher commented, "Oh, I wish I liked to run." The old friend said, "Who said I liked to run?" 

This! This! This is the disconnect in the majority of people I come across. You don't have to absolutely enjoy doing something to do it - after all, perhaps you would rather stay at home and not go to work tomorrow. But, you weigh (pardon the pun) the pros/cons of having a salary versus not having a salary, and decide to go. Maybe vegetables aren't what you would necessarily choose for a snack, after all, the chips are calling your name - but you choose them anyway, because you know you will feel better/be healthier in the long run. 

For me, it's two of the most important healthy habits --- I hate drinking water and I don't like eating breakfast. I could, because I don't like them, opt out - not drink water ever or eat breakfast. But, I know that I would feel horrible and my diet would be worse because of it - so I do it anyway. I track my water on my phone and today I made a giant pitcher of cucumber water this morning to encourage myself to drink all day. With breakfast, I don't allow myself a second cup of coffee (lifeblood) until I have made myself breakfast. It's as simple as that. 

Banana Bread Oatmeal always helps me feel a little more encouraged to eat breakfast too. 

Banana Bread Oatmeal

1/4 c rolled oats

1/2 c milk

1 small banana

1 T brown sugar

cinnamon 

...Mix together and microwave for 3 minutes. Enjoy!

Sunday truth: 

Let us not worry about what others are doing, apparently in opposition to our purpose; but let us look rather to what we ourselves a redoing in relation to our purpose. If we fulfill our purpose to the best of our ability, then others, seeing, will take hope also - Edgar Cayce (i believe i first read this here)

Intentional Purchasing

Being intentional about what I buy, the stores I support, the brands I support is something that has been on my mind for awhile. Last New Years, I attempted a resolution to only buy local. That lasted a hot second. My mind is willing! But my flesh, is, well lazy at times. And the prices! Ah! They are scary! But it is important to me still, so I have been trying to make little steps, even if I buy at a national store like Target, to support brands whose mission is conscious of the environment and others. I remember seeing a documentary once, the name escapes me, that the biggest carbon footprint that we leave has to do not with our cars but with the food that we buy. Ouch. I'm certainly not perfect, but I am trying to take little steps in supporting things that I believe in every day with the money I spend. It's not just on an election ballot where we vote - its also where we put our dollars every day. If you don't like Walmart's practices, don't give them your money. I don't want to hear about how they are too powerful and it is not going to matter - that's the same mess people say about why they don't vote. And if you don't vote, you can't complain. 

So, all that to say - I bought Meyer's cleaning products today, because I like their mission/philosophy. And they smell awesome. (I think I like the Radish the best, because I know that was your next question)

Cheesy Pasta Bake

Sometimes you just want pasta. Amiright? And baked pasta? Come on, is there anything better than when the cheese is browned on the top and the pasta edges are a bit crunchy? Anyway, enough of my love affair with pasta. This is also a dish I can appreciate because even though there isn't any meat in it, the fiance doesn't put up a fuss because it seems hearty enough. 

Four-Cheese Baked Penne (inspired by this Self recipe)

3/4 c cottage cheese

3/4 c mozzarella, divided

4 oz goat cheese

2 T fresh parsley

1/2# pasta (I had penne, so that's what I used, but really anything will work)

1 t olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 can diced tomatoes

4oz tomato sauce

1/2 t dried oregano

1/2 t dried rosemary

Salt/Pepper

1/4 t red pepper flakes

2 T parmesan cheese

... Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cook pasta per package directions. Combine cottage cheese, goat cheese, parsley, and 1/4 c mozzarella. Saute onion in olive oil over medium heat for 5 min; add garlic, 30 seconds more. Add tomatoes, sauce, oregano, rosemary, red pepper flakes and salt/pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce to thicken, 10 min. Add pasta, turn off heat and stir in cheese mixture. Line baking dish with aluminum foil, and pour pasta mixture into the dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Bake 30 minutes. Serve with a salad. 

So tasty!!!

A Week of Salads

All I've wanted to do lately is eat salads - after all, it is 100+ degrees outside daily. However, there were some delightful monsoons that came to cool it off a bit, but it just seemed to end in humidity, rather than a cooler anything. So, the answer is obviously salads. Here is a look at my salad bowl (ok, it's a mixing bowl...) from the week...

Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad: 

arugula, chicken, strawberries, goat cheese, pecans, bacon, and balsamic vinaigrette - 

if i was playing favorites - this would be it!

Mediterranean Salad:

Roasted Eggplant, tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, cucumber, fresh cilantro, fresh parsley, goat cheese, lemon juice, olive oil (Roasted chickpeas are my jaaaaam!)

BLT Salad: 

bacon, romaine, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese - I wanted to put an avocado in too, but it wasn't ripe enough (and yes, that is a precious moments bible in the picture, very exciting stuff)

Santorini Salad (inspired by Sweet Green) - 

romaine, shrimp, cherry tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, goat cheese

Yes, definitely a week for salads! But to round it out, I also made a Sweet Potato and Quinoa chili... because even if it is scorching hot, I am always a fan of soup... 

On Wedding Vendors...

It amazes me that I have wedding vendors. I keep saying things like, "I want you to be my photographer, but I hate wedding pictures." Annnnd, "I want you to be my florist, but I hate flowers." In conclusion, I am a delight to work with. Also, in an unrelated note, remind me to tip mightily. Thanks.

Also, it's Friday. Maybe the people in the picture below would like to switch houses with me for the weekend... I can entice them with the 100+ degree temperatures and the myriad of election signs at every intersection. Yes?

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/nick-olson-lilah-horwitz-glass-cabin

Engagement Photos

While my sister-in-law was here back in May, she took some photos of the fiance and I for engagement pictures. I wasn't really sold on the idea of engagement photos, but if we had someone in the fam to take them, I thought - why not? 

I could not be more pleased. To see more from her, check out her website. 

Somehow she managed to capture the essence of him in this picture:

And the essence of (ladylike) me in this picture:

What's Beautiful?

Stumbled upon this ---

Under Armour has done a fantastic job, shifting the focus. And the focus needs to be shifted. It's going to take a lot, but ultimately if we can evaluate our bodies based on what they can do, what they give us, what they give others, instead of what they look like --- and treat them as such, with respect -- this is the goal. 

Social Media, a love/hate relationship

If I knew how to look away, I would quit facebook. My blood pressure noticeably rises when someone shares an insane political statement or overshares to an extreme amount about bodily fluids coming out of their child. It's difficult to look away, like a trainwreck. I will also blame the fact that I moved away from all of my high school and college friends and this is a way to keep up. A lame excuse if indeed there was one. But the following are funny/true. 

Also, I realize I am posting about a love/hate relationship with social media... on a blog. So. Irony not lost. 

http://9gag.com/gag/5581407

http://www.allmylittlegems.com/search?updated-max=2012-03-06T21:39:00-08:00&max-results=7

College Graduate, Major: Worrying, Summa Cum Laude

My worrying skills are unrivaled. Comes from much dedication, hard work, and some born-and-bred perfectionistic traits. I have been moving through the She Reads Truth series on the Sermon on the Mount. She Reads Truth is an online Bible Study, which I have grown to adore. I first read about these women's bible studies through Jenna at Eat, Live, Run (so, Thanks, Jenna!)

http://shereadstruth.com/2014/07/12/sparrows-kings/

Today's message hit home in a gut-check kind of way. I might be in the market for a new major pasttime. Worrying, no thanks. I'm breaking up with you.

Loving This!

From reading all the blogs, like I mentioned in my first post, I know that people list their favorite things on Friday. But, because I'm a rebel (and I had a lot of my favorite things lately and want to talk about it NOW) I am doing it today - Wednesday. Crazy, right? 

1. Chobani - almond coco loco flips! Coconut yogurt with dark chocolate and almonds? It's the tastiest of the snacks. I also like the key lime flavor with the graham cracker bits - yum!

2. Showtunes while running at the gym. I can't tell you the little burst of energy I get when "Let it Go" or "Defying Gravity" comes on Pandora.

3. I use this little plastic scale constantly. Especially when I am trying to divide a recipe because I don't need 12 servings of anything but it's hard know what 1/3 the can of black beans actually is - I use the scale to measure ounces or grams (when I don't feel comfortable guessing - but to be honest, I do a lot of guessing - this is why I can't bake).

4. The weather up north. We went to Flagstaff a couple of weekends ago, and it was glorious! 80 degrees, as opposed to 110 degrees, is a huge, delightful difference! There was hiking, sitting out on the porch, after-dinner walks, and beer pong (we rented a cabin with about 12 friends - and contrary to what this article says, it is perfectly acceptable to play beer pong in your 30's).

Ellie's Favorite Post (Or Frozen Dog Treats)

As I am about to take a picture, it commonly dawns on me that the only things that I take pictures of are Ellie and food. So, just in case it dawned on you to comment on this - trust me, I know. But really, if you ask me if I am motivated to change this, I would say no. Honesty is the best policy. 

I made Ellie frozen homemade dog treats yesterday and I thought I would share with you the recipe. It was super easy, and they are going over really well. Full disclosure: my dog also likes to eat paper out of the trashcan, so it's not coming from a sophisticated palate. It all started when I bought my fiance peanut butter at the store, and made the mistake of picking up the one with no perservatives that separates and needs to be stirred. Needless to say, he was not a fan. So I needed another reason to use that peanut butter. Idea inspired by this link. 

Frozen Dog Treats

1 c peanut butter (perservative free if possible)

1/2 mashed banana

water

...Mix together, adding enough water to make a batter like cookie dough. Then place in ice cube trays and freeze. You might want to put parchment paper under them, because even with my easy pop-out trays, they were a little resistant. 

I let Ellie lick the spoon -- she was excited!

Truth

Moral of the story: Eat things because of what is in them - not because of what is not in them.

(I couldn't find the real source of this picture -- let me know if anyone knows it, so I can credit them!)

Easy (Peasy) Meals

A common question I hear is - I can't cook, where to start? Quesadillas and stir frys. Definitely. I have the easiest quesadilla recipe for you. And it is oh-so-tasty. No one will know how easy it is, also - they will only know how delicious it tastes. 

(Please refrain by commenting on how "unhealthy" it is because of the cheese/corn/etc. I guarantee it has less calories than anything you order out to eat --- even a salad! Gasp!)

Kitchen-Sink Quesadillas (adapted from Real Simple, Jan 2007)

1 T olive oil

1/2 red onion, diced

1/4 jalapeno, diced

1 can black beans, drained

1 bag frozen corn (12oz)

1 c salsa

Whole wheat tortillas (flour would work too!)

Shredded cheese

1/4 c cilantro, chopped

Salt & Pepper

Sour cream (optional)

Shredded lettuce (optional)

...Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add red onion and jalapeno and saute until softened (3-5 min). Add black beans, corn, salsa, salt and pepper and heat through (3 min). Remove from heat, stir in cilantro. Place a scoop of mixture in the tortilla (about 1/3-1/2 cup) and then sprinkle with cheese, and fold closed. Take a foil-lined cookie sheet and spray cooking spray on the foil and then place your quesadillas down on there. Cook 8-10 minutes - until edges of the tortilla are starting to brown and the cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and shredded lettuce (or whatever else toppings you desire - these are what I had, so I acted accordingly). 

I served the quesadilla with a side of roasted veggies (zucchini, squash, brussels sprouts). Yum!

Easy stir fry meal to come!