Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Day 1

Today, I took a major step in my 'recovery'. I went to the gym. A friend of mine said that we should start going together and I immediately started to panic... and got nauseous. Lol. But... after texting back and forth for a while we decided that going at 5 AM would be best since there would be less people. I barely hesitated which was a surprise to me!!

First thing I had to go to bed early or at least at a decent hour. Which... has always been an issue for me. My minds usually WIDE awake when I need to go to sleep. I set my alarm for 4:30 AM and didn't do anything on my phone or iPad. I just put them aside and tried to fall asleep. I was able to drift off to sleep after a little bit. Lilly felt the need to sleep on or close to my head so that was different.

Well... 4:30 rolls around and thankfully I didn't have to struggle getting up. Woo!!

I quickly changed, fixed myself up just a bit and off I went!! Simple. Simple. Simple.

We spent about an hour there and I got home around 6. I survived!!

I think my biggest fear/anxiety is just going and being seen by other people. My comfort zone is quite comfy!! It's just getting myself out there and not trying to be completely invisible. I'm going to have to go out and do what's best for me. Which... is foreign territory to me.

When I got home, I took Lilly for a walk. She was quite confused when I was getting up so early and putting on my 'walking' clothes but didn't take her. She loved it!! We only walked about 1/2 a mile but it's something!!

Back home I made some turkey bacon and 5 grain rolled oats. Mom and I had breakfast and it was very nice!!

Right now I'm at work and it's barely 10:30 AM but it feels like I've already had a full day. I pray I have this motivation everyday to get up and make myself go!! We're planning on going Monday thru Friday at 5 AM. Pray pray pray pray!!

I know I can do this :)

From our walk this morning <3 

xoxo - J

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Meal Prep

Well, lately I've made some attempts at meal prepping. Basically, spending a few hours preparing meals for a couple of days at a time. The idea is genius and simple if you do a little research!! Find a couple of your favorite recipes, whip them up and store in the fridge for a quick grab lunch for work or school.

An easy one and one of my favorites is a grilled piece of chicken, seasoned however you prefer, cup of brown rice and a steamed veggie. VOILĂ€! As your heading out the door, grab your pre-prepped container of yum and go!!

First, purchase some reliable food storage containers. I currently use these Rubbermaid Containers. Any kind of food storage containers will work perfectly!! I just like these because of the stacking locking lids and so far no spills!!

Second, go thru and find a couple recipes you like and would like to make to have during the week.

Third, go through and see what you already have in the pantry, fridge and freezer. I've sometimes had a problem with buying things I've already had and end up wasting money. Make a list of items you need or want.

Fourth, go shopping!! I know it's difficult, and I still struggle with it, but stick with what's on the list. You end up spending less and only buy the things you really need.

Fifth, go home and when you have some time, cook!! Put together a couple of things for the week. Divide the food into each container and put into fridge. There you go!!

Hopefully you're not weird like me about leftovers. Usually after a 3-4 days I can't seem to make myself eat the leftovers. When I'm putting them together, I'll usually make 2-3 days worth, go out to dinner one evening during the week, and make something for the remaining days of the week. Not sure what my deal is but it seems to work. Lol.

My 'system' may not be for everyone or the best way of doing it but it does work for me!!

All I know is, meal preppin' is a wonderful thing!! I'd only wish I started this sooner :)

xoxo

-J

Friday, October 18, 2013

Ground Turkey, Brussel Sprouts and Zucchini

Last weekend I bought a pack of lean ground turkey from SaveMart, on sale. It's my first time using ground turkey in anything so I was a little hesitant. 

Cooking it was very similar to cooking regular hamburger. I kept waiting for the typical 'hamburger' smell but it never came. The smell was... different. Not bad, just different. 

I added
dribble of EVOO
1 lb.  ground turkey
2 garlic cloves 
couple tablespoons of green onion *I'm not a huge fan of onion*
dash of salt 
dash of pepper

Handfull of brussels 
*I used frozen, so I microwaved them a bit, I much prefer fresh brussels*
1/2 of a zucchini cut into 1/4's. 

While it's cooking, cut up the zucchini and cut brussels in 1/2. Let that cook until the ground turkey is just about fully cooked. I added a small amount of water if it got too dry. 

Toss in brussels and zucchini. Cook until veggies are tender, or less if you prefer crunchy. 

And there you go!! My first dish made with ground turkey.



Saturday, October 12, 2013

Apple Banana Bread



Apples:
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into cubes (I used 1 1/2 apples and ate the other half, it seemed like a lot of apple) ;)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Bread:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick butter (8 TBS)
1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 ripe mashed bananas (2-3) *I used 3*

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and flour a 1 1/2 - quart loaf pan.

Apples:

Heat medium skillet over medium-heat. Add the butter and brown sugar. Heat until bubbly. Add the apples and cinnamon and sauté until tender - about 4 minutes. Add vanilla. Remove from heat to cool.

Bread:



In a medium bowl - whisk flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda and salt. Set aside




In standing mixer cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each.

In a bowl, combine orange juice and vanilla. Set aside.




Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture gradually, alternating between the orange juice mixture and flour. Mixing well between each addition.

Add in mashed bananas and mix

Add in set aside apples and mix - there was quite a bit of liquid in with the apples, I sifted out the apples and left most of the liquid.





Pour the batter into the loaf pan. *I did not put all of the batter into the 1 1/2 quart pan, there seemed to be a lot, and I was afraid it would spill over, so I made a smaller loaf*

I added chopped walnuts!! Nuts make everything better :)

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean.




Move to a wire wrack to cool for about 20 minutes before removing bread to cool on wire wrack.

Once cooled, eat!! *I love having mine still warm from the oven*

Yum!!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Just a Couple of Things I've Whipped Up

BLT - Fresh sourdough, tomatoes and crisp summer greens all from Farms Market, bacon and pepper jack cheese. YUM!! 

Frosted Pumpkin Cookies (didn't do the frosting, they were perfect as is). Recipe Here

Delicious salad!! Romane lettuce, fuji apples, croutons, rasins, grilled salmon and raspberry vinaigrette 

Semi-Taco Salad. Romane lettuce, colbyjack cheese, cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken with garlic seasoning, black beans and corn with a mayo and green taco sauce dressing. So good and simple!! 

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

It's Almost That Time of Year...


It's almost that time of year!! Autumn. The best and my favorite time of year!! I love the crisp air. Crunchy golden leaves. Sweaters. Pumpkin Spice (everything). Boots. Baking. Pumpkin Patches. I love it all!! 
Now, if only the silly California Central Valley weather would corporate then I would be very happy!! These 90+ degree days need to end. Very soon. Last year we didn't get much of a Fall. I pray for a long one this year!! 


Well... it's not Starbucks but still very yummy!! Last year I had a real issue with their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. They tasted like burnt plastic to me. Every single one I bought wasn't right. I just bought my own creamer and made my own Pumpkin Spice Lattes. So I'll give them another try this year. <3

Just a couple of my favorite photos over the past couple of weeks: 

For some reason, Lilly has made it her mission to sleep on or as close to my pillow as she possibly can. The other night, while reading, she shimmies her way on my pillow and settles in. As uncomfortable as I was with her pressed against my head, I couldn't move her. She had her little head on mine and listening to her little snores melted my heart. Eventually she got down, but it was beyond adorable. I love this little ball of fur beyond words!! 

Here she's beggin for something. I think I was snackin on some Gold Fish and she absolutely needed some. Long story short... she got some. Lol. 

Well.. a friend of mine told me about the Star Wars line at Petco... and OF COURSE... I had to go check it out. They're absolutely amazing!! They didn't have the Star Wars toys... but I will be back for those. 
Ahh!! I love it!! 

My mom took this picture and it's gorgeous!! She's been going on walks almost every morning and get's to see these amazing sunrises. Now if only I could get my keester in gear to wake up early and go with her!! 
Time to work on that!! :)

xoxo - J