Following up on an earlier post about colored rubber bands/bracelets, I have finally gotten some. My friend gave me a set yesterday. They are just thin plastic bracelets. There are five colors: Purple, red, orange, yellow, and green. I have assigned each color a specific food group...
Purple (Protein): This would be a serving of beans, nuts, or a soy food.
Red (Fruit): Any serving of fresh fruit.
Orange (Vegetable): A serving of veggies!!!
Yellow (Whole Grain): Oatmeal, quinoa, whole grain rice.. you know, the fiber stuff.
Green (Green, leafy vegetable): Yes! Another vegetable!! I love my veggies. I want to make sure I'm getting more green than I normally do.
The whole idea is to start all of the bracelets on one wrist and as you eat a serving of a category, movie is to the other wrist. So, this morning I had all of them on my right arm. I had oatmeal and grapefruit for breakfast so I moved the red and the yellow to my left arm. I know that I'm eating a lot of grilled veggies and a quinoa and bean dip tonight, so I decided to get some green veggies in for lunch. About half of a bunch of asparagus.
Basically, these are just reminders not to let junk take the place of foods that I need every day. Like yesterday, I decided to have a salad instead of a calzone or pizza or a bread sandwich because I was lacking my leafy greens for the day.
This also seems like an easy reminder. It's visual and it's always right there with you.
Also, if I eat more than one serving of a group, I just move it back to the other wrist.
It's not difficult to eat a healthy, colorful diet. All you may need is a reminder.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Great new find!
So, I've been meaning to grab some non-dairy yogurt at Earth Fare for a couple weeks and yesterday I finally made it to that section of the store.. and I happened upon a great product!
It's yogurt made from almond milk! I should have known that this wonderful thing existed but I just never saw it. I try not to eat a lot of soy products (I mainly stick to tempeh and the occasional bit of tofu) and so I was thrilled to discover amande's cultured almond milk. I've never really liked the taste of yogurt because of that soured taste and most of them are overly sweetened. But this yogurt is very mild and doesn't have that awkward taste. I absolutely love it. And I'm so glad because I really want to add the benefits of the live active cultures to my diet to help with my digestive system.
I haven't been feeling very well the past two days and so Ben is coming over later to make some veggie soup with me because that is all anyone ever wants when they are under the weather.
I am so glad to have someone so wonderful in my life. <3 He is so good to me, and we have so much fun together. It has been a long time since I've laughed so often. I really appreciate his curiosity for my vegan diet. He is eating completely vegan for this entire week, without any prompting by me. Next week we are going to start a half marathon training program. And I'm really hoping to get back into the routine of exercising, and we are both dedicated to making it happen. After playing volleyball on Sunday and being sore for so long afterward, I realized how out of shape I really have become.
No matter what stresses I have in my life (school, sickness, work), I can still say that I have never been happier. I'm always trying to improve myself and my life, but my emotional state has never been more stable and positive.
Be thankful, be active, be healthy, be happy.
It's yogurt made from almond milk! I should have known that this wonderful thing existed but I just never saw it. I try not to eat a lot of soy products (I mainly stick to tempeh and the occasional bit of tofu) and so I was thrilled to discover amande's cultured almond milk. I've never really liked the taste of yogurt because of that soured taste and most of them are overly sweetened. But this yogurt is very mild and doesn't have that awkward taste. I absolutely love it. And I'm so glad because I really want to add the benefits of the live active cultures to my diet to help with my digestive system.
I haven't been feeling very well the past two days and so Ben is coming over later to make some veggie soup with me because that is all anyone ever wants when they are under the weather.
I am so glad to have someone so wonderful in my life. <3 He is so good to me, and we have so much fun together. It has been a long time since I've laughed so often. I really appreciate his curiosity for my vegan diet. He is eating completely vegan for this entire week, without any prompting by me. Next week we are going to start a half marathon training program. And I'm really hoping to get back into the routine of exercising, and we are both dedicated to making it happen. After playing volleyball on Sunday and being sore for so long afterward, I realized how out of shape I really have become.
No matter what stresses I have in my life (school, sickness, work), I can still say that I have never been happier. I'm always trying to improve myself and my life, but my emotional state has never been more stable and positive.
Be thankful, be active, be healthy, be happy.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Not Enough Time
It is so true that there are not enough hours in the day. So, how do we experience and enjoy all that we want to do while still accomplishing the tasks that we need to? I have yet to figure it out. I notice it more times than others, like when cramming for an exam, not having enough time to make proper meals, and failing to set aside time to exercise. But I especially notice it around the holidays. I love the holiday season and I want to do so much, like decorate, enjoy the weather and festivities, make holiday food, and other such things. When the season goes by and these things aren't done, I always wonder where the time went..
So, I'm going to try something new to be more productive. I'm going to wake up early, every morning. I'm going to drink a glass of water while I make my coffee or tea and make a list of all the things I want to do and need to do and make a quick priority list. Then I'm going to start doing things. First on the list every morning should be taking a 30 minute walk to start my day and get my blood flowing. Then it's breakfast. I want that to be my routine. I've heard it takes 21 days (3 weeks) to start or quit a habit. So for the next 21 days, whether I feel like it or not, I'm dedicated to this routine. Then, I'll have something extra to be extra grateful on Thanksgiving.
There are more things that I want to add to my daily life but I think I'm just going to start with this.
Baby steps, people.
So, I'm going to try something new to be more productive. I'm going to wake up early, every morning. I'm going to drink a glass of water while I make my coffee or tea and make a list of all the things I want to do and need to do and make a quick priority list. Then I'm going to start doing things. First on the list every morning should be taking a 30 minute walk to start my day and get my blood flowing. Then it's breakfast. I want that to be my routine. I've heard it takes 21 days (3 weeks) to start or quit a habit. So for the next 21 days, whether I feel like it or not, I'm dedicated to this routine. Then, I'll have something extra to be extra grateful on Thanksgiving.
There are more things that I want to add to my daily life but I think I'm just going to start with this.
Baby steps, people.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
It's Autumn!
And you know what that means!!
...
APPLE BUTTER!!!!
I bought my first jar of apple butter from the farmers' market yesterday. Mmm. : ] Happy place.
So, I woke up early this morning and made muffins so I could slather them with delicious apple goodness. Complete with coffee, it was the great start to my morning. It fueled me for my test and put me in a great mood for the day.
Today should be just splendid. After class I'm going to take advantage of the 25% off bulk items sale at Earth Fare in addition to my 5% student discount. I need to get some oatmeal, beans, nuts, and such. Then I get to pick up my CSA veggies from the UT Gardens farmers' market. I'll probably make some eggplant and rice stir fry for dinner just because it's easy, delicious and I have lots of Japanese eggplant left from my CSA.
I've been thinking of a wish list since the holidays are coming up and of course I can only think of cookbooks that I want!! Haha. I feel like I'm missing out on a bit of vegan culture since I don't own Veganomicon. But I was also reading a review of Super Immunity the other day by the same author of Eat to Live. These books sound great to me, being a health food vegan and all.
Speaking of health food.. I noticed one of my friends and fellow nutrition majors wearing five colored bracelets the other day. They were red, yellow, green, orange, and blue. She wore all five on once wrist at the start of the day and said she moves one to the other wrist each time she eats a serving of fruit or vegetables. I thought that was genius. Its a very good reminder. I don't really like to eat a lot of fruit but I would love to implement the idea to remind me to get different colored veggies and to do other things that I want to get into the habit of doing daily, like stretching before bed and various exercises.
I think I may go buy some colored rubber bands and try that method out for a while. I'll let you know how it works for me. It's kind of like tying strings to your fingers as a reminder.
...
APPLE BUTTER!!!!
I bought my first jar of apple butter from the farmers' market yesterday. Mmm. : ] Happy place.
So, I woke up early this morning and made muffins so I could slather them with delicious apple goodness. Complete with coffee, it was the great start to my morning. It fueled me for my test and put me in a great mood for the day.
Today should be just splendid. After class I'm going to take advantage of the 25% off bulk items sale at Earth Fare in addition to my 5% student discount. I need to get some oatmeal, beans, nuts, and such. Then I get to pick up my CSA veggies from the UT Gardens farmers' market. I'll probably make some eggplant and rice stir fry for dinner just because it's easy, delicious and I have lots of Japanese eggplant left from my CSA.
I've been thinking of a wish list since the holidays are coming up and of course I can only think of cookbooks that I want!! Haha. I feel like I'm missing out on a bit of vegan culture since I don't own Veganomicon. But I was also reading a review of Super Immunity the other day by the same author of Eat to Live. These books sound great to me, being a health food vegan and all.
Speaking of health food.. I noticed one of my friends and fellow nutrition majors wearing five colored bracelets the other day. They were red, yellow, green, orange, and blue. She wore all five on once wrist at the start of the day and said she moves one to the other wrist each time she eats a serving of fruit or vegetables. I thought that was genius. Its a very good reminder. I don't really like to eat a lot of fruit but I would love to implement the idea to remind me to get different colored veggies and to do other things that I want to get into the habit of doing daily, like stretching before bed and various exercises.
I think I may go buy some colored rubber bands and try that method out for a while. I'll let you know how it works for me. It's kind of like tying strings to your fingers as a reminder.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Feeling Foodie
It has been a while since I've posted. I would apologize but I can honestly say I'm not sorry about anything that has happened this past few weeks. I've been having a great time and can't believe that I just am happier with my life each and every day.
I have been cooking a lot more now that I am not working quite so much and I don't have to just cook for myself anymore. Making food is so much more rewarding when you get to share it with someone, especially when it's a healthy meal.
I've been trying to make new things and also bringing out some of my favorite recipes to share with Ben. Last week I made my favorite dish, Spicy Almond Stir Fry, which is now Ben's favorite dish. Even though the recipe is not mine, it still makes me glad to hear Ben say it's the best thing he's ever tasted. We also made a sweet potato lentil soup last Friday with a bunch of veggies all that had been harvested no more than a week prior. The best part about it may definitely have been the fresh celery that I bought that day from the farmers' market. It was a beautiful dark green and had the best aroma I've ever experienced from a vegetable. It was so disappointing when I had to buy celery from the grocery store yesterday, even though it is organic and still really good. It just doesn't compare.
Last week I got a HUGE butternut squash in my CSA box. Actually, it was so big that it was halved. So, yesterday I roasted that with some of the many yams that I have and made a Yam and Squash Curry soup from The Everyday Vegan. I paired it with wild rice and enjoyed the punch of nutrition it gave me. I'm not sure if you've ever noticed how much heat squash and sweet potatoes hold but I splashed some of my soup onto my wrist and I think I may have a 2nd degree burn from it. Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration, but it was definitely painful.
I really was into the cooking mood yesterday and made some Apple-Hemp Muffins after work. I have been meaning to make muffins for a long time because it has been such a struggle for me to wake up in time to make oatmeal for breakfast so I've been skipping breakfast (my nutritionist side yells at me every time I do). So I finally got some healthy muffins made so I have something to grab and take with me in the mornings.
Tonight is going to be another Stir Fry night but it will be Broccoli and Cashew Stir Fry. I have some gorgeous broccoli from my CSA and some peppers, also. It's so nice to have a boyfriend that is so excited about all of the vegan food I make. I've never met an omni that voluntarily eats so many vegan meals (he eats tofu more than I do!).
I'm also going to cook up some Chipotle Two-Bean Hummus tonight to spread on some AWESOME bread I bought yesterday from the farmers' market. I have some tomatoes and greens that I need to just plop on a sandwich so they don't go bad first.
I have a bunch of eggplant still so I think tomorrow will be a day for some of that spicy eggplant dish that I make. It's really simple but I do love it. And Japanese eggplant is absolutely delish.
I'm so glad to be able to cook more these days. I was really missing being in my kitchen and having freshly prepared meals to eat. I love the pizza and sandwiches Ben makes me at Mellow but some local, fresh veggie meals just can't be topped.
: ]
On a non-food note, today is going to be awesome with some Disney movies, wine night with the girls, seeing a show downtown, and picking up my new bag that I bought. Also, I'm pumped to see my daddy even though my mommy won't be home and I can't see her until Friday night.
All in all.. my life is stupendous, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Well, off to do some homework so I can have a carefree evening when I'm done with classes today.
Enjoy the cool, rainy day. : ]
I have been cooking a lot more now that I am not working quite so much and I don't have to just cook for myself anymore. Making food is so much more rewarding when you get to share it with someone, especially when it's a healthy meal.
I've been trying to make new things and also bringing out some of my favorite recipes to share with Ben. Last week I made my favorite dish, Spicy Almond Stir Fry, which is now Ben's favorite dish. Even though the recipe is not mine, it still makes me glad to hear Ben say it's the best thing he's ever tasted. We also made a sweet potato lentil soup last Friday with a bunch of veggies all that had been harvested no more than a week prior. The best part about it may definitely have been the fresh celery that I bought that day from the farmers' market. It was a beautiful dark green and had the best aroma I've ever experienced from a vegetable. It was so disappointing when I had to buy celery from the grocery store yesterday, even though it is organic and still really good. It just doesn't compare.
Last week I got a HUGE butternut squash in my CSA box. Actually, it was so big that it was halved. So, yesterday I roasted that with some of the many yams that I have and made a Yam and Squash Curry soup from The Everyday Vegan. I paired it with wild rice and enjoyed the punch of nutrition it gave me. I'm not sure if you've ever noticed how much heat squash and sweet potatoes hold but I splashed some of my soup onto my wrist and I think I may have a 2nd degree burn from it. Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration, but it was definitely painful.
I really was into the cooking mood yesterday and made some Apple-Hemp Muffins after work. I have been meaning to make muffins for a long time because it has been such a struggle for me to wake up in time to make oatmeal for breakfast so I've been skipping breakfast (my nutritionist side yells at me every time I do). So I finally got some healthy muffins made so I have something to grab and take with me in the mornings.
Tonight is going to be another Stir Fry night but it will be Broccoli and Cashew Stir Fry. I have some gorgeous broccoli from my CSA and some peppers, also. It's so nice to have a boyfriend that is so excited about all of the vegan food I make. I've never met an omni that voluntarily eats so many vegan meals (he eats tofu more than I do!).
I'm also going to cook up some Chipotle Two-Bean Hummus tonight to spread on some AWESOME bread I bought yesterday from the farmers' market. I have some tomatoes and greens that I need to just plop on a sandwich so they don't go bad first.
I have a bunch of eggplant still so I think tomorrow will be a day for some of that spicy eggplant dish that I make. It's really simple but I do love it. And Japanese eggplant is absolutely delish.
I'm so glad to be able to cook more these days. I was really missing being in my kitchen and having freshly prepared meals to eat. I love the pizza and sandwiches Ben makes me at Mellow but some local, fresh veggie meals just can't be topped.
: ]
On a non-food note, today is going to be awesome with some Disney movies, wine night with the girls, seeing a show downtown, and picking up my new bag that I bought. Also, I'm pumped to see my daddy even though my mommy won't be home and I can't see her until Friday night.
All in all.. my life is stupendous, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Well, off to do some homework so I can have a carefree evening when I'm done with classes today.
Enjoy the cool, rainy day. : ]
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Back Down to Earth
I've been floating in the clouds lately. I've been having a great time and enjoying my life so much the past couple weeks. However, it's time to get back to my school work and such before I get into a big whole. I've been pretty unmotivated to study for the past week or two and after being out of practice of studying, my focus has been slacking hard core.
But, tonight I got the motivation that I needed to bring me back to center and remind me that I'm striving toward a goal, one that is noble and will help other people.
One of my co-workers came up to me and asked if I would like to buy a soy candle to help her and her sister raise money to pay for her mom's funeral, who is sick with cancer. She was given 3 months to live and has only about a month remaining from that prediction. Hearing her ask for help burying her mom really made my heart ache. I plan to buy a few candles and help her raise money, but I also gave her the we site for the Gerson Institute and told her that she really needs to look up their treatment. Hopefully people will be helping to pay for funding for her mother becoming well, rather than for her funeral.
I have been thinking a lot about how I want to approach my entry into med school. I've been considering waiting until later than April to take the MCAT like I had planned and then perhaps getting a job and some experience in the medical field before applying to help with gaining acceptance. I would really love to intern or something at the Gerson Institute or in some treatment facility. I could find a Gerson satellite to intern at. I have also thought about going ahead and getting my RD so I have another credential to help pad my application. I just really want to do this right. I want to take the MCAT when I'm ready for it. I want to apply to med school feeling as confident as possible. And I want to get some extra real world experience before I'm again stuck with my nose in a book for another four intense years of school.
So, I'm again seriously contemplating important steps in my life that will hopefully lead me to where I want to be.
Step one I accomplished tonight: I put in my 2 weeks at the Rush. Regular sleep may be a real part of my life again very soon.
Step two: Get caught up in all of my classes and continue to make good grades on my exams.
Step three: Develop relationships that will help with me gain good references.
Step four: Research to keep my interest sparked and passion fueled.
Fun may be put on hold for little while but I can say, I don't think there are many circumstances that can make me feel less than the happiest girl in the world. : ]
Stay healthy. For more than just yourself.
But, tonight I got the motivation that I needed to bring me back to center and remind me that I'm striving toward a goal, one that is noble and will help other people.
One of my co-workers came up to me and asked if I would like to buy a soy candle to help her and her sister raise money to pay for her mom's funeral, who is sick with cancer. She was given 3 months to live and has only about a month remaining from that prediction. Hearing her ask for help burying her mom really made my heart ache. I plan to buy a few candles and help her raise money, but I also gave her the we site for the Gerson Institute and told her that she really needs to look up their treatment. Hopefully people will be helping to pay for funding for her mother becoming well, rather than for her funeral.
I have been thinking a lot about how I want to approach my entry into med school. I've been considering waiting until later than April to take the MCAT like I had planned and then perhaps getting a job and some experience in the medical field before applying to help with gaining acceptance. I would really love to intern or something at the Gerson Institute or in some treatment facility. I could find a Gerson satellite to intern at. I have also thought about going ahead and getting my RD so I have another credential to help pad my application. I just really want to do this right. I want to take the MCAT when I'm ready for it. I want to apply to med school feeling as confident as possible. And I want to get some extra real world experience before I'm again stuck with my nose in a book for another four intense years of school.
So, I'm again seriously contemplating important steps in my life that will hopefully lead me to where I want to be.
Step one I accomplished tonight: I put in my 2 weeks at the Rush. Regular sleep may be a real part of my life again very soon.
Step two: Get caught up in all of my classes and continue to make good grades on my exams.
Step three: Develop relationships that will help with me gain good references.
Step four: Research to keep my interest sparked and passion fueled.
Fun may be put on hold for little while but I can say, I don't think there are many circumstances that can make me feel less than the happiest girl in the world. : ]
Stay healthy. For more than just yourself.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Birthday Blog
I very well could be the happiest gal in the entire world. : ]
Not only have the last two weeks been extremely wonderful, I couldn't really have asked for a better birthday. Last night started with one of the best presents anyone could give me... a big floppy hat with a bow on it. It was from the new special someone in my life. He's so sweet. <3 Then I got to go out with some new friends, some old friends and my favorite friend of all... my daddy. We had a couple drinks, some laughs, and a good time.
This morning I woke up early and I couldn't have asked for better weather. Brisk, fall morning. Ben and I went to Panera for pumpkin spice lattes and sat out in the sunlight and shared memories of when we were kids. Afterward we went to Victor Ashe park to walk around outside and enjoy nature a bit. I stood inside a tree that was hollowed by a strike of lightning and we saw some squirrels cuddle (promptly followed by unmentionable deeds), and jammed out to Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox 20 all before noon.
I loved spending the rest of the day with Ben and my family watching the Bears game at a bar I'm legally allowed in now, and then having a margarita with my mom at dinner with the rest of my family. I really missed my sister and her husband being there, but was glad to have the people around me that could be here.
Now I'm just drinking tea and playing on my new MacBook Pro reflecting on my life a little and how blessed and happy I am. I do wish everyone could feel like I do right now. The world would be such a nicer place.
I can honestly say I'm madly in love with my life and can only hope that it continues to improve.
Not only have the last two weeks been extremely wonderful, I couldn't really have asked for a better birthday. Last night started with one of the best presents anyone could give me... a big floppy hat with a bow on it. It was from the new special someone in my life. He's so sweet. <3 Then I got to go out with some new friends, some old friends and my favorite friend of all... my daddy. We had a couple drinks, some laughs, and a good time.
This morning I woke up early and I couldn't have asked for better weather. Brisk, fall morning. Ben and I went to Panera for pumpkin spice lattes and sat out in the sunlight and shared memories of when we were kids. Afterward we went to Victor Ashe park to walk around outside and enjoy nature a bit. I stood inside a tree that was hollowed by a strike of lightning and we saw some squirrels cuddle (promptly followed by unmentionable deeds), and jammed out to Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox 20 all before noon.
I loved spending the rest of the day with Ben and my family watching the Bears game at a bar I'm legally allowed in now, and then having a margarita with my mom at dinner with the rest of my family. I really missed my sister and her husband being there, but was glad to have the people around me that could be here.
Now I'm just drinking tea and playing on my new MacBook Pro reflecting on my life a little and how blessed and happy I am. I do wish everyone could feel like I do right now. The world would be such a nicer place.
I can honestly say I'm madly in love with my life and can only hope that it continues to improve.
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