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!