SNOW DAY!

Hey folks! So there had been a lot of talk this week about a giant snow storm coming through our area, but it's been a pretty mild winter here so far, so my hopes weren't too high.  The thing is, this time, IT HAPPENED! And it's realllly chilly! (think 20 degrees F...that's pretty dang cold in my book!)

Ok, so I didn't make this, I found it online. But I really wish I had thought of it!

But seriously, there's at least 3-4 inches on the ground from last night, and it's been sleeting/freezing rain-ing on and off all day, so the roads are supa slick. YIKES! So I think I'll just use today to lounge around and catch up on some trashy reality TV good quality reading and posting!

So obviously with the nippy weather and cozy snow-day mood, I woke up really looking forward to a hot bowl o' oatmeal to hit the spot! As I was eating my cinnamon raisin Quaker Oats Quick Oats and catching up on some of my favorite health blogs, I found this recipe that I am DEFINITELY trying tomorrow! Remember how I tried to make a good pumpkin-flavored oatmeal and it didn't come out as well as I had hoped?  Well ooooh mah gah, look how pump-tastic THIS looks (from carrotsncake.com):

DROOOOOOOOL

"Baked" Pumpkin Oatmeal

• 1 packet of Maple Brown Sugar instant oatmeal
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup liquid egg whites
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl; mix well
2. Cook in microwave for 2 minutes
3. Allow to cool before enjoying

How easy is that?! And GOOD-SOUNDING?! I was definitely meant to make this, because I just happened to pick up a can of organic pumpkin at the grocery last night! (which was an absolute zoo because of the impending snow storm...sheesh) I might even have to make it for a snack instead of waiting for tomorrow's breakfast...I'll let you know how it goes!

Another one of my experiments that happened yesterday (inspired by your AMAZING-looking banana filled with peanut butter and walnuts creation, Claire!) was a PBJ banana that actually turned out delishuss!

Peanut buttah and jelly bananie

And Claire, you're totally right - it is SO much funner (funner = a step up from "more fun") eating the banana like a sandwich! I really don't know why, but I don't care, I'm doin' it all the time now. 

The only problem with this snik-snak is that it is insanely messy...like, the messiest food I've ever had. I literally had peanut butter and jelly dripping down my forearms (but don't worry, I didn't let it go to waste).  I suppose that's because I jam-packed it full. But maybe scooping out the insides of the banana to make a little ditch for the filling would help, or even freezing the whole thing for a while to help it harden could be kewl (remember what I said about bringing that word back? Have you started using it yet??)!  

Another issue that I ran into is that because the banana is slippery when you cut it open, it's really hard to spread the PB and have it stay in place.  To help this, I just melted the peanut butter to make it softer and easier to lather on that sucker. 

Yuhhh-mee!

In a totally unrelated subject, I just had to share this picture with you.

Old Man Fonzie knows where you LIVE!

How creep-tastic is this picture?? I mean seriously, why the heck is he sitting like that?! Kenzie, Kate, and I really couldn't figure it out. Either way, I'm really glad I got a picture of it, because it is really freakin' weird and hilarious. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Anywho, I'm out for now to read and hang in with Joseph for a cozy snow-day :) Have a sweet Saturday! -Anna

Brussel Shprouts at the Roomie Dinnah

Two nights ago was our roommate dinner night, so Kate, Kenzie and I (and Fonz, of course) decided to make Kenzie's famous sweet potato quesadillas again (for the second time in a week...ohhhh they're so good!) and roasted brussel sprouts on the side.

Kate, choppin' the onions and SMILING! Isn't she supposed to be crying??

YYYUUUUMMM. That's the word I would use to describe the meal. We definitely all left the table full and feelin' good!

Ok, so I know when people hear "brussel sprouts" they immediately think they won't like them (at least that's what I first thought, and that's the reaction I've gotten from every single person I've talked to about them). But give THESE ones a chance! You will be sooo pleasantly surprised! If you like hash browns or french fries, you'll like these, because that's exactly what they taste like!

This is a super duper easy recipizzle that Claire shared with me a few weeks ago and I TOTALLY love:

• 1.5 pounds brussel sprouts, ends trimmed, yellow leaves removed, and quartered
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Don't they look like little teeny heads of lettuce?

The best part about this recipe is that you don't really have to measure anything. I measured stuff the first time, and it came out great. The second time, however, I just pretty much guesstimated (which is why you often hear me say things like "add a scoop" or "a dash" to my homemade recipes...if you don't know already, Claire and I weren't really blessed in the math department...), and it came out just as tasty. Here's whatcha do:

Kenzie diligently quartering away

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
2. Place trimmed and quartered brussel sprouts, olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Seal tightly, and shake to coat. Pour onto a baking sheet, and place on center oven rack.
3. Roast in the preheated oven for 20 to 35 minutes, shaking pan every 5 to 7 minutes for even browning. Reduce heat when necessary to prevent burning. Brussel sprouts should be darkest brown, almost black, when done. Adjust seasoning with kosher salt, if necessary. Serve immediately.

Prepared and ready to rock 'n' roast!

Roasted, seasoned, and delectable hash browns BRUSSEL SHPROUTS!

Fortunately, we had pretty much cleaned all our dishes and cooking battlefield while we prepared the meal, so there was no washing after all our hard work! A giant pile of dirty dishes after slaving over and enjoying a sweet meal can totally mess up the after-eating euphoria.

This guy, on the other hand, did not contribute a whole lot to the process. Workin' hard or hardly workin' there, Fonz?

Overall, it was a bangin' roommate dinner. There will definitely be more from where that came from!

Have a great weekend, friends! :) -Anna

Double the Busy Bees!

Okay, so maybe it's a coffee week for me. I, too, have been a super busy bee!

One of these suckers...

I have been trying to blog everyday, but this week has been so super-packed for me I couldn't do it quite that much. Fail!

Uh oh...

Even though it's kind of mean to laugh at....it's pretty funny. And if you imagine the dog is just yelling at her it's even more awesome!

Though being this busy can be stressful, it has also been productive for me, so it's okay. I just got back from my internship interview to work at a school, and I will be working there next friday! School work has been flooding into my life now that we are a few weeks in and I have been trying my best to keep my head above water. I have also made it a priority to fit in my workouts and healthy meals, which can take up big chunks of time. There have been some good meals though! I have been enjoying many a smoothie this week, MANY a coffee, and lots of salads. Anything quick will do! My friend came over the other night and we made my FAVE meal eva: B4D (breakfast for dinner). I made some yum-tasmic homefries that I forgot to take a pic of but trust me, they were good.

Aw yeah, baby. B4D FO' LYFE!

That also included a pice of cinnamon raisin toast from a rice loaf I bought and it definitely was a reminder as to why I make my own GF bread. I gotta get some more bread mix though, because I used the last of what I had gotten (thanks parents!)! Oh, also I gotta get eggs, milk, oil and everything else necessary because I haven't had time (or $$) for the grocery...which is why I just had Kix cereal (who knew this was GF?? I had no idea) with honey on it for lunch...

I also made some banana-strawberry soft-serve for a little snik-snak the other day:

'naner soft serve!

This week has also been full of birthdays!! Today, it's my friend Sarah's birthday and we are having a Mustache Party for her!! Don't worry, there will be pics. Wednesday was also my friend's birthday and we celebrated his on Wednesday. (same as B4D night...it was the best night ever)

Jezzy Update: It finally happened yesterday...Jezebel broke my fishtank. I knew it was just a matter of time for her to smack the filter off or something, and that's just what happened. I will give you the low-down on how it happened later because I have to pick up my friend (and her vacuum...ours broke and our place it a D-U-M-P!) to get mustaches! Farewell! -Claire

Pumpkin Oaties

Good morning, friends! We've made it past hump day! That means we're that much closer to the weekend. YAHOOOO.

Well I didn't get a chance to post a recap of my day yesterday (I was a super busy bee), but Claire's post was awesome and long, so I figured that was a good amount of reading for you guys.

Me, being a busy bee just eatin' a flower...oh, bees don't eat flowers? Alright, maybe I'm just smelling it...either way, I was busy.

Since I was buzzin' all over the place, I opted for easy, take-along foodz, including an avocado, carrots and red pepper hummus, and a fruit medley with cottage cheese on top for lunch.

Breakfast was some instant butter-flavored grits (I DIDN'T cheat on my butter-abstinence pledge! I just needed a little taste...), and because I got home late, was hungry, and didn't feel like preparing something that would take a long time, dinner ended up being an over-easy egg on some whole wheat toast with some cheddah cheese.  Breakfast for dinner is ALWAYS good in my book! What's your favorite meal of the day?

Wait, don't tell me...psychic kitty already knows your favorite meal of the day!

After dinnah I went to get mah fitness on (I didn't even have time before dinner! Yuck, I hate going to the gym late...oh well).  Yesterday was my cross-training day for my half-marathon training schedule.  I did 45 minutes on the elliptical and a short abs workout, and man did I sweat a lot. It was awesome. I love sweating - it makes me feel like I actually worked hard since sometimes I just read trashy gossip magazines at the gym like I do all the time!

Anyways, that was yesterday. It's a new day today! And I'm gonna take the time to post and take good pictures.

So breakfast was a new experiment that was kind of interesting - pumpkin oatmeal. I've read on a few other health-nuts' blogs that pumpkin is a kewl (remember when people used to spell "cool" like that? I'm gonna bring it back) food that's health-tastic. So I got a can of pumpkin pie filling at the grocery, mixed two scoops with one packet of plain instant oatmeal, and nuked that baby.

Pumpk-oats

I tasted the pumpkin filling and really liked it by itself, but mixed with the oatmeal, it was kinda mediocre. It wasn't bad...it was just missing something. So I'll be messing around with this again sometime soon to perfect it.

After my breakfast, I headed back upstairs to get ready for class...and look who I found waiting for me!

"I'm takin' a bath...gimme some privacy!!"

What a psycho silly kit kat! Fonz is too cute. Anyways, off to class for yet another busy day, but I'll let you know lata about my roommate din din tonight.

Have a superb Thursday, pals!

Recipes

Wanna make somethin' yummy? AND healthy?! You're asking waaaay too much. Come on, get real.


SIKE!! We got what you want right here! Check out all of our recipes, both Sizzlin' Sistas originals and borrowed.  Do you have a great food idea? Tell us! We love trying new foodz. Now get cookin'!

• Banana filled with peanut butter and walnuts
• Peanut butter banana soft serve
• Sweet potato quesadillas
• Mexican mix with cauliflower "rice"
• Hotocado tortilla
• Skillet white beans, spinach & tomatoes over linguine
• Roasted brussel sprouts
• PBJ banana
• Baked pumpkin oatmeal
• Microwave-baked cinnamon apples
• Mexi micro Meal
• Craisin raisin baked oatmeal
• Jenny sauce (salad dressing)

Caffeine Fiend

Holla! Today is a coffee day. I like my tea, but on the occasion that I need a lot of caffeine, tea just won't cut it. Nothing wakes you up like a steaming cup of joe (or three...)! My coffee binge left me not super-hungry thus far, but I did start the day with overnight oatmeal...in a jar! I saw so many bloggers doing this that I was waaay too happy when my jar of better n' peanut butter ran out. In the past this would have ended in tears. Anyhoo, I tried it out and it really didn't work out that well because I put way too much vanilla soymilk in it, but I corrected that this morning.

Overnight Oatmeal

It turned out yummy but for some reason I thought it was going to be a magical experience that would fully initiate me into the blogging world or something...so, I'm in, right? Perhaps part of oatmeal-in-a-jar's fabulous-ness is in eating it from the jar, but I opted to put mine in a mug.

And I topped with the always sweet-tastic combo of walnuts, dried cranberries and apples!

Today might be full of leftovers, however, yesterday was chock-full of good eats!! I started off with cereal and bleewburries; not really special but still delish. I worked out hard after class and have been enjoying changing my workouts up still. Yesterday was 'leg day' and today my buns are so sore I can't even squat to sit down without a couple tears. I never think to do things like lunges unless I'm in a exercise class, but yesterday I was advised by my so-called friend (who is a college athlete...why did I listen?!) that if I want a really good workout I should incorporate squats and lunges....ouch. Leg day might be happening less frequently.

I had a smoothie after my workout, which was exciting because I bought a frozen fruit smoothie mix the other day, which I have wanted to try.

Smoothilicious

It was good but took a while to blend since everything was frozen so hard. The pre-mixed bag had mangos, pineapples (isn't this a weird word? I've always thought so), and strawberries, and then I put in a frozen 'naner and blueberries.

This was supposed to tide me over for a while but I was ready for lunch as soon as I chugged it, so I threw together a chickie salie:

I guess yesterday was a coffee day, too...

I spy with my little eye...a SALAD THIEF

and then I ended my meal with a banana filled with PB and walnuts...omahgah it was GOOD!

Mmmmmm

Seriously, go make this now. I don't know why it's so much better than just eating it on top, but making it a sandwich was so much tastier and more fun to eat!

I 'm pretty sure I just bummed around after this and watched lots of America's Next Top Model did some work. I don't even remember what I did, so it couldn't have been very important. I DO remember my dinner though, because it was faaaaab!


I joined a free website called Sparkpeople, which send emails with tips, recipes, and general weight-loss information. It's got good advice and provides a whole network where you can track yourself and see other people's goals and pointers. I don't do a lot of tracking, but I like to get their healthy recipes. Last week I received this recipe that involves skillet white beans, and I planned on making it for din since I had all the ingredients. And it was a success! Super easy, too.

I put mine on cauliflower instead of the linguine they suggest

I also added brussels sprouts because they rock.

Dang I ate a lot...oh, but I'm not done yet! I was STILL hungry and needed wanted a Reese's cup, but tried my best to pretend to resist the urge! I knew it was a fruitless fight, so I decided it was experimentation time. This resulted in me blending bananas with soy milk, ice cubes, and...a hot chocolate packet. Seriously, I don't even like chocolate, but I needed this Reese's-flavored concoction! Anyways, it turned out pretty tasty but pretty much fully liquid, so I threw it (but remember Anna's advice about "throwing" food) in da freeza.

Pre-frozen

Sorry, but I couldn't get pics from after it froze, because it all fell into my mouth before I could stop it. It only had time to dunk itself in loads of PB and finish the jar first. It was so good though!! I'm gonna have to do it again to perfect the recipe, but it totally satisfied my shweet toof and let me pretend like I was eating a Reese's.  And it was healthier AND more filling! Win-win-win situation. In hindsight, I might make it on a day where I didn't already eat 2 bananas, though...

My share of pump-it-up tunes will be coming soon to complete the list! You really should check out the songs you haven't heard of, because when I YouTubed some of Anna's selections I def found some songs I'll be crankin' in the gym.

Alright, I'm off! Have a fun-filled, ferociously-fierce day, folks. -Claire

Pump Up Music List

We've all been there (especially Claire) - you just don't feel like moving today.  But you MUST be active! It's what helps us thrive as living beings! (at least that's what they say...I, on the other hand, usually feel really good when I'm spreading a jar of butter on a hot blueberry muffin, but we'll just agree to disagree)

Don't be lazy like this guy.

So how do you motivate yourself to exercise when you're in a funk? Aside from flicking my stomach and watching the jelly roll for motivation, I can usually blast some bumpin' jams to get myself more in the mood. So we've compiled a list of awesome, upbeat, sass-tastic and attitude-a-licious songs to sweat to.

Be active like this crazy kit-ay! And if you need to get a catnip-filled mouse, by golly, DO IT!

Do you have more tunes you love to move to? Share them with us! We need to expand our playlist.

Enjoy, and get goin'!

Sass-Tastic Sweatin' Songs

Upgrade U - Beyonce

Mo' Money, Mo' Problems - Notorious B.I.G, Puff Daddy, and Mase

Ghetto Superstar - Pras Michael, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Mýa

ABC - Jackson 5

Ring the Alarm - Beyonce

Disturbia - Rihanna

Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus

Three - Britney Spears

Evacuate the Dance Floor - Cascada

Tik Tok - Ke$ha

Poker Face - Lady Gaga

Bills, Bills, Bills - Destiny's Child

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Smack Dat - Akon and Eminem

Let's Get Loud - Jennifer Lopez

Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne

Sk8er Boi - Avril Lavigne

No Escapin' This - Beatnuts

Deja Vu - Beyonce

I Love Rock 'n' Roll - Britney Spears

All the Small Things - Blink 182

Right Here (Departed) - Brandy

Womanizer - Britney Spears

Deliverance - Bubba Sparxx

Long Way 2 Go - Cassie
Run This Town - Jay-Z feat. Kanye and Rihanna
Obsessed - Mariah Carey
Drop It Low - Ester Dean Ft. Chris Brown
Heard 'Em All - Amerie
Hard - Rihanna
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
It Takes Two - Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock
Get Low - Lil' John and the Eastside Boyz
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C & C Music Factory Freedom Williams
We Will Rock You - Queen
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Bombs Over Baghdad - Outkast
The Way I Are - Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson
She Wants It - 50 Cent feat. Justin Timberlake
Bye Bye Bye - *Nsync
Love Me - Justin Bieber
Down - J Sean
Electric Feel - MGMT
Nasty Girl - Destiny's Child
Tangled - Maroon 5
Untouched - The Veronicas
Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo
Blah Blah Blah - Ke$ha
Here to Stay - Christina Aguilera
Blame It - Jamie Foxx
Transform Ya - Chris Brown, Lil' Wayne, Swizz Beatz
Let Me - Rihanna

Sweet Mercy, I Can Eat Gluten Again!

Holy junk, having to eat gluten-free for a week was rough. Really rough. Especially for someone who grew up thinking that "bread" was the main food group. But I stuck it out as best I could for the past week in order to try to understand what kind of decisions and sacrifices Claire has to make on a daily basis.

 

My idea of a balanced diet up until I was 20 in my childhood.

Let me tell you, it takes a special kind of person to really be able to stick with that kind of diet (and I don't mean special in that kind of way, though Claire coincidentally happens to fall in that category as well). So yesterday I made a point to include gluten in all of my meals (seriously, I missed it that much).

Breakfast was my typical bowl of oatmeal; however, during my gluten-free days I stuck with Quaker Oats Quick Oats because they were "plain" flavored, and oftentimes the instant packs of oatmeal contain gluten in the flavorings. So I would add some cinnamon or raisins to spice it up.  But yesterday morning, I was allowed to have Maple and Brown Sugar Food Lion brand oatmeal!! What a treat! :) (Two packs, of course, since one pack never seems to fill me up enough).

Oatey McOatster

After a busy morning (of sitting on my butt in class...how exhilarating), I had worked up an appetite for something that had been sitting in my fridge ALL week since I had bought it before my gluten-free week and couldn't eat it the entire time: pesto tortellini from Trader Joe's. And MAN was it worth the wait good!

Tortellini, asparagus and cheeeeeez

 

I heated up the last of some wilting asparagus in the fridge (which I had made earlier in the week), tossed some mozzarella cheez on the top, and it was deee-lightful!

Around dinner, I was in a hurry to get to a group meeting, so it had to be quick. Even though it wasn't anything fancy, it was just as exciting as lunch, since I was able to have my Hotocado filling open-face on two (count 'em, TWO!) whole wheat pieces of toast.  MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM BREEAADDD.

All in all, I'd say I am much more appreciative of being able to eat gluten-full foods after having forgone them for a week. So Claire, I'd like to commend you for being able to adhere to such a horrible strict diet (even if you have to for your health)!  It really is difficult.

Finally, yesterday was my stretch and strengthen day, and it was absolutely beautimus here outside (60 degrees and sunny! In January?! Whatever, I'll definitely take it...) so I opted for a nice 4 mile walk around the lake near my house. It was very relaxing, and nice to get some low-impact activity in, too.

How's the weather where you are?  I hope it's nice for the rest of the week. Maybe I'll be able to do one of my runs around the lake! :) I'm really excited for tonight's dinner, so I'll let you know how it goes a little later...have a glute-tastic day! (I know I will). -Anna

Let There Be Light!

Hallelujah! Finally, some sun! Today, I woke up to the sun shinin' through my window! Okay, actually I have curtains, but it was brighter than yesterday so I knew it was sunny. This is good news, because now I don't have any excuse to sit and do nothing. Well, at least not until I start to catch up on Project Runway...but that's kind of productive, right?? RIGHT?!

ANYWHO, even with a nice day ahead, I barely got out of bed in time for class. I was already running late but I can't sacrifice breakfast. I was going to Health and Nutrition first, so I'm suuure she understood why I was 10 2 minutes late. I scarfed down a bizarre smoothie consisting of an apple, banana, and a clementine with vanilla soy milk. Whatever, it worked. I'm kind of a smoothie fiend, in case you couldn't tell. They are so yummy and easy.

Oh yeah baby

After mah class I got mah workout done. I realized that I have waaay more fun at the gym if I make a conscious effort to have fun! Instead of "This sucks, when can I stop," I started to think, "Okay, this still sucks isn't as fun, what can I do next that is fun?" This way I could start with something and change when I wanted! Once I got sick of the elliptical, I didn't keep going just for the sake of doing 30 minutes, I instead moved to the treadmill and messed around on there for a while. Switching it up helped me be less bored AND provided added benefits (keeps your muscles guessing!). I did a lot of weights too, which I always love. Do you like cardio or weights more (or neither both)?

I was super-energized after working out and went to my favorite coffee shop afterwards to meet some friends. This place has the best coffee and coolest atmosphere. I have been trying to stay away from coffee, but I'm still a tiddly bit of an addict. I figure I earned my fix. While everybody chatted I dreamt up my lunch and decided to stop at Earthfare before I went home. It's right across the street from me, so this was a no-brainer since there is no food at my house. Here's what I got:

Da spread

I got some brussels sprouts, too, but those were already a'roastin'.

And here is the end result:

Gosh, this was so good

Scallion hummus and herbed turkey on seaweed rice cakes, wif roasted brussels sprouts. Oh mah gah.

Brussels sprouts taste like homefries to me, thus the ketchup

For me, mom?! Oh, you shouldn't have...

Don't worry, Jezzy, I didn't. And to prove this to you I shall eat every last morsel!

On a side note, I feel like I need to add that I took about an hour break while writing this post, and it is now 30 degrees, windy, and snowing. Just when I thought there was hope...

Anna, that is a very interesting article! I love finding things like that. Informative, yet inspirational! I found an article in a magazine I read in the gym today that had some really awesome resolutions. Here are a few:

• I won't dress schlubby on Sunday (all I wore this Sunday was two separate pajama outfits...I think this is a good resolution for me)
• I'll look pulled together for work (or school and tutoring, in my case)
• I'll resist wearing a t-shirt and boxers to bed every night
• I'll look hot at the gym (the few times I have worn something other than a ginormous t-shirt, I worked so much harder! Being in something tight makes you want to look good - and quick!)

This magazine featured Pink on the cover, who is so ridonkulously in shape that it was definitely a motivator in the gym.

Sweet mercy, look at that bod!

I suppose I should shower or something now, since I haven't since I worked out...sweet sick! Have a gud dai, folks! -Claire

Inspiration with Some Peanut Butter on the Side

Hola amigos! (I'm helping Joseph work on his Spanish right now...it's one of the last credits he needs to graduate and he HATES it, but I love Spanish!)

This morning I was eating my Quaker Oats Quick Oats with raisins and cinnamon (mmm...sooo creamy and yum-o) while reading up on the news on CNN online and came across some really cool articles that helped renew my motivation to be awesome (well, more awesome, I guess) this year. I thought if I shared some of them, it may help you accomplish something awesome, too! One of them is "10 ways to get motivated for change in 2010." Check it out:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/12/29/motivation.new.years.resolutions/index.html

I love reading stuff like this. A lot of the steps are things that I already know to do, but being reminded to do them is helpful because it's easy for me to lose steam if it's a long-term goal (like how I gave up butter for one of my New Years Resolutions this year...it's still not any easier...).  One of the tips in this article that really resonates with me is to know thyself, and I especially like this part:

"Real change happens because you yourself want it, not because others want it for you."


This is definitely true for me. They say that "knowing thyself" is accomplished by stepping back and figuring out how you truly want your life to be, and I made a point at the beginning of this year to make it the best year EVER for me. Here's the preliminary list of goals I have for this year:

• Do a half-marathon

  Me, on just a typical training day.

• Eat healthier and more balanced
• Take classes/do activities that really interest me or that I enjoy
• Give up butter

I love you, butter. Why are you so bad for me?!

• Stop biting my nails
  

I'm really proud of my progress with these goals so far - I'm training for my half-marathon; have been doing really great eating healthily (and having a lot of fun being innovative with recipes); am taking a Hip Hop and Street Jazz dance class and courses to become a certified personal trainer; and have nixed butter from my diet. I relapsed on biting my nails after two weeks, though...it's tough! I wish they had rehab for this or something. I still haven't figured out a way to make myself really stop.  Does anyone have any tips for me?? After 22 years of gnawin' 'em to nubs (...ew, did I really just say that? That's gross...) it's pretty hard to break the habit.


What are some of your goals? I'm really excited expand on this list and continue to better myself and my life.  Any cool suggestions for me? 


Well all this talk about doin' stuff made me feel like I HAD actually done stuff, so I got really hungry and decided to whip up some peanut butter banana soft serve. What is peanut butter banana soft serve, you say? Only the BEST SNACK/DESSERT EVER, that's what!  Seriously, it is pretty flippin' incredible. Here are the ingredients:

• Peanut butter
• Banana

...that's it. Seriously! Stick a banana or two in the blender, toss in a generous scoop of peanut butter (well, maybe don't actually toss it in...that could get messy) and mush up that sucker 'til it looks like baby food. Only in this instance, there will be hungry babies, because no baby is taking my peanut butter banana soft serve.  

Peanut buttah jelly banana time, peanut buttah jelly banana time!

Baby poop food

Then put it in a bowl and throw it in the freezer for an hour or so (again, if you really want to attempt the throw, at least start at a short distance) and there you have it! Soooo delicious.

Finally, I accomplished my first 5 mile run today for training for my half-marathon! I got a pretty hardcore blister on one of my feet and was sweatin' like a seal (do seals sweat? Ok, maybe they don't sweat, but they're wet a lot, right?) by the end of it.  But I did it! And it felt really good.  Tomorrow's my stretch and strengthen day, so I'll give you a run down (pun intended, duh) of what I do then.

Have a great Monday morning! -Anna

Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Howdy doody friends! (Side note: Claire and I have tried to decide how to appropriately answer this question..."doody goody"?? "HowDEE doody?"?? Let us know if you figure it out...)

So last night while I was scrummaging in the fridge (definitely past time for groceries...not a whole lot happenin' in there) for something for dinner, one of my partners in crime/exercise/healthy eating and roommate, Kenzie, had just returned from the grocery with a load of awesome-looking ingredients to make her tasty sweet potato quesadillas. If I hadn't already made some almost rotten pleasantly ripe asparagus and two goopy eggs for my lack-luster dinner, I would have totally partaken in her feast. Either way, I had to document the process of making them so I could steal her recipe and share it! :)

Here are the yum-a-licious ingredients to include:

• 1.5 cups finely chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cups grated and peeled sweet potatoes (approximately 3 sweet potatoes)
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Generous "pinch" of cayenne pepper (this is how I usually measure all of my recipes...although with peanut butter or butter it generally turns into more of a generous "scoop of the hand")
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar
• Tortillas (makes about 8 of 8-10 inch tortillas)
• Salsa (optional, for the side or dipping)

PHEW! That's a lot of ingredients. A lot are spices you may have laying around the house already, though (hopefully). If not, it's totally worth it to splurge so you can use some of the ingredients for other sweet creations. Anyways, here are the steps:

1. Sauté onions and garlic in vegetable oil.

Work dem onions!

2. Add sweet potatoes, oregano, chili, cumin, and cayenne, and cook covered about 10 minutes, stirring.

Grate that sucker! Show 'em who's boss! (Unfortunately, Kenzie grated her finger pretty badly immediately following this picture...pretty gruesome.)

3. When potato is tender, add salt and pepper and remove from heat.

This stuff is smelling incredible right about now...and do you like her new Grandma cape?

4. Spread desired amount of filling and 2 tablespoons of cheese on tortilla.

5. Fold tortilla and toast in pan til browned on the outside.

The final product:

Oooooh yeah baby.

WOW, how much does your mouth water looking at that?? She also had some low-fat refried beans on the side, a perfect compliment to the main course. And there's no worrying later about this meal since it's surprisingly healthy (although you may need to worry about the beans taking effect later...).

Like I said earlier, unfortunately I had already eaten my meal for the night, but they turned out so well that we've already decided to have a roomie din din this week (with our other roommate, too) with this on the menu, so I'll give you my own personal review. Can't wait! :D -Anna

Good Food, Bad Weather

Alright, so the weather has NOT gotten better! I was hoping to lose this nasty, wet weather by now, but so far I've just been cooped up and losing my mind instead. Thankfully, I have equally lazy awesome friends who have been keeping me entertained here. Last night, we had homemade meatballs (made by my roommate and friends) as well as Mexican...weird combo, but everything was eaten so it worked out. Both meals were delish! I just wasn't feeling pasta/meatball (but they were good. REALLY good!) so I made a healthy Mexican stir-fry type thing. It was delish!! and so easy. Seriously, it took maybe ten minutes.

YUM! I really don't think I could get sick of Mexican

Here's what I used:

• 1/2 can black beans
• 1/2 can corn
• 1/2 an onion
• 1/2 red pepper
• 1/2 yellow pepper
• 1/3 packet of taco seasoning (you can use any spice blend you have, I just happened to have this one)
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (I actually didn't use the whole can because I'm not a huge tomato fan, but mine also had adobe seasonings in it-yum!)
• 2-3 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 head cauliflower- made into "rice" (I opted to put the concoction on this instead of rice because it's quicker and fewer calories. And I just like cauliflower!)

In a pan, cook onion and peppers until soft. Put a small layer of water at the bottom of the pan, creating a "steaming" affect. Now this is where it gets SUPER complicated: throw the rest in (minus the cauliflower). :D

Then just let it do its thing! To make the "rice" while the rest is bubblin', blend (use a food processor, blender, or even a handheld grater if you want) the cauliflower into rice-size pieces, put it in a microwave-safe bowl, cover and microwave. This usually takes ~5 minutes. You don't need to put water in with it, just cover it and it will steam itself!

I topped mine off with a junkload of little cheese and greek yogurt in lieu of sour cream. Easy, healthy, and delicious! My kinda recipe right there.

Look at those colors!

This could have been good on chips too! I did forget to put salsa on it though, which I had bought just for this meal!

Now I'm just enjoying a cup of tea and getting ready to make myself be productive. Not too sure what my dinner plan is, but I might just make this again - ha! ...but seriously.

How do you guys motivate yourselves on days with nasty weather?

On nice days, it's so easy to get up and going, but on days like today I don't want to make the effort! Despite the weather, though, it has been a fun, fabulous weekend and I have gotten some schoolwork done, so at least I've been semi-productive. Today's next goal: the gym! I am STILL feeling my workout from Friday- how sad! I did a lot of back work which is a spot I don't do a lot, so that definitely left some lingering soreness. Anywho, I hope you all are having more luck getting yourselves outside!
-Claire