Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Foodie for a Day Wednesday

I.am.so.tired.
No joke.  I definitely pushed my body and mind quite a bit today, so I’m not surprised but I still feel like there is a lot to do.
Anyway, my favorite meal of the day (by FAR) is breakfast!  Maybe it’s the fact that it’s the first meal of the day; maybe it’s the coffee; maybe it’s the relaxing, slightly groggy feeling that you begin with and the more energized feeling that comes after as it gives you that first bit of energy for the day; or maybe it’s the food!
my morning ritual: coffee, breakfast, music + blog reading


Let’s be honest, it’s probably the food as I love most breakfast items!  I wish I could say all but as a vegetarian I don’t eat (and I don’t like) bacon or sausage, eggs make my stomach hurt, and while the thought of a donut sounds like a delicious sugar rush, it never tastes as good as I want it to, and therefore never feels worth the calories, fat and guilt that may come along with it.  On occasion and in small doses, there are always exceptions to the rule (like some Krispy Kremes).  
But despite my love for most other breakfast-y foods (ie: french toast, pancakes, cereal, toast, yogurt, oatmeal, etc), I generally eat the same breakfast every.single.day.  If you’ve been reading this blog for any of my “what I ate” posts, you’ve probably seen my breakfast stay the same: whole grain Ezekiel toast with some kind of peanut butter and 1/2 smashed banana alongside a cup of hot coffee w/ warmed soy milk.  Mmmm...it makes me excited for tomorrow morning just thinking about it!
Anyway, with a love of all things breakfast, it means breakfast foods need to make an appearance at other points in the day - and who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner?  Well that’s exactly what happened one night last week! 
I used my favorite pancake mix, Kodiak Cakes (whole wheat, oat & honey), topped with peanut butter, banana, a drizzle of syrup and (because I was feeling a bit dangerous) a few chocolate chips.  YUM! 
Kodiak Cakes pancake mix




Now, I’m off to have a date with my Physiology & Anatomy text book....and it didn’t bring me flowers - how rude!

Monday, June 27, 2011

When you need a good laugh

It’s been one of those evenings.  It’s particularly frustrating after having a fairly decent day with plans for how your evening was going to go.  But I guess this is when I’m reminded how things never go as you plan and how you should always do your best to maintain your composure and just breathe.
I’ll try to give you the Cliff Notes version of the story, but I decided to drop some more of my stuff at the new apartment this evening.  5-6 things everyday makes it pretty easy, painless and a lot less stressful.  So I open my apartment door to take some things to my car and there are two girls I’ve never seen walking down the hallway; they look at me, look at each other and then make the face like they are about to laugh as they continue to walk by.  I walk out my apartment and as they turn the corner and I’m locking the door, they burst into a fit of laughter.
Are they laughing at me? I don’t know.
But did it seem like it based on the way the events played out? Yes.
Not to mention I’m pretty sure I got “the bird” or something as they drove past the apartment.  No joke.  Does it seem like I must be missing some part of the story?  Probably a fairly intricate part of the story that you make you understand why someone may react the way they did? Yeah, I’ve got nothing.  I said nothing, I did nothing.  Strangest thing ever that also really got under my skin and bothered me.  One of those moments that hits that sore spot, that insecurity we all have about something based on past events.  This was it.
So with that, I needed some hugs and a good laugh.  Hugs aren’t really a solution when you live alone but by Aaron Karo Ruminations email came in today and it paid off that I didn’t read it until this evening.  It’s stupid comedy and sometimes, that’s just what we want when we need a good laugh.  Enjoy this or send me a video, joke or something that makes you laugh!

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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Another Day

Another day of work completed.  Another pile of stuff dropped at the new apartment.  Another day of breathing.
More blog posts being planned.  More thoughts being had.  More music to get through it all.
Speaking of music, I’d like to share Death Cab for Cutie’s new single “You Are a Tourist” from their recently released Codes and Keys album.  Good song, good album, somewhat strange video.
While my class doesn’t officially start until tomorrow, the week 1 assignment was posted today so I’m off to start studying.  Call me an overachiever all you want but it’s an Anatomy & Physiology class - I don’t anticipate this being easy!
So with that, enjoy the video song!



Saturday, June 25, 2011

A Whirlwind..

I’ve done a terrible job following this Trust 30 Challenge (I’m sorry Justine!) but I think Justine and I share some frustrations with the writing prompts, thus making it difficult for me to make myself sit down and do it everyday.  Instead, I’ve just been saving the prompts (and jumping around), to whatever feels fitting on a day that I want to write.  With that, the prompt I chose for today was by Corbett Barr regarding what we’d say to our past and future self.
“There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
5 years ago:  Don’t be so hard on yourself.  Open up and let go.  Breathe.  Things may seem rough soon, but they’re really not all that bad - you’ll move on.  Just keep breathing through all of it.  It will make it go by much easier.  Keep working for your goals and your dreams and things will fall into place.  You work hard and people see that, be ready to keep working hard.  Be ready to deal with ambiguity and adjust your path as needed and continue to as time goes by.  It’s okay, you got this!
5 years from now:  Have I learned to overcome the fear of success?  Have I continued to use my breath as a guide and to let go of the stress and anxiety?  Has all of the hard work, drive and practice continued to pay off?  Have I opened up to finding and falling in love, instead of fearing that pain again?  Am I still feeling like I have no money, ever?
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On another note, yesterday marked the delivery of my first pile of stuff to the new apartment!  Since we were allowed to start moving things in early (free of charge), I decided to take advantage of that extra time and move slowly begin to move my things.  I’m not doing big car-fulls of things, but rather 5 or 6 small (and management) things every to every-other day.  Obviously, at some point I will hit the time when I need a truck and help to move the larger items, but for now, I’m trying to take it easy and not allow this move to stress me out (if I can help it).  
  


But at the same time, my to-do list is rapidly growing, remembering all the things you need to do and change when you move.  And to add to that list, class starts Monday!  It’s an online course, so it’s based on my schedule and when I have time but it will still mean more to do and a big ol’ text book to read!  (And because I’m that much of an over-achiever, I just logged into my class, got my syllabus early and my “assignment” to introduce myself to the class via the discussion board. This just got real! I’m excited but also nervous..)
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So what does my day today look like?
-Lots of coffee, music and relaxing
-Heading off to the gym for a run
-Dropping another pile of things at the new apartment
-Head to West Hollywood to see friends, chill by the pool and relax
Why am I still sitting on the computer? This day is going to be awesome and I better get to it before it flashes before me!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Hide & Seek

That's basically what I've wanted to do all day today: hide but not actually allow anyone to seek me out.  I was c.r.a.n.k.y.  It was upsetting too because as much as I tried, I couldn't snap out of it.  My morning began with a (short) nice run to warm up before lifting some weights.  My shoulders are a little sore so I'm not sure if I pulled something funny or if they're just sore.  But when I got to work, things were just not sitting well with me and I just couldn't seem to breathe through it today.  A little work in the attic and trying to avoid as much human contact/avoid those that I found extra aggravating today (this didn't entirely work), plus getting hugs from the people there who give some pretty awesome hugs and next thing I knew it was 5PM and I got to go home.  I keep going back and forth between whether I should have gone to yoga tonight or not, especially with the madness of trying to figure out my day tomorrow due to a last minute shift change but I think I'm going to do a little 20-30 min yoga/pilates personal session over here and call it night.  Maybe even pack a box so I feel like I'm making some progres (I packed 3 small boxes of books last night)!

For now, I'll leave you with another song playing constantly in my head lately: Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek"  This song is on the older side (2005 maybe?) but came back to my life lately thanks to yoga.  The video is not very good but the song is beautiful - enjoy!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Foodie for a Day Wednesday

It’s not often that I bake.  I enjoy it but when you live alone, you have to remember that anything you make, you have to eat or you have to hope you feel confident enough to share it.  This is usually what ends up preventing me from baking more often, which quite honestly is probably a good thing but after seeing this recipe last week, my mouth was watering and it took a pre-existing sugar craving to a whole new level!
I didn’t follow the recipe but rather used it as a guide.
  • I didn’t have coconut oil so I used vegan butter
  • I subbed all-purpose flour for oats
  • I didn’t have any almond butter so I used peanut butter
And while they didn’t turn out perfect, they were still pretty delicious - best right out of the oven!  And they didn’t make a ton of cookies; just about 1 large pan.  And while they didn’t survive my apartment that long, I felt pretty good about eating them!  (I definitely want to make this recipe the real way one day because it still makes my mouth water).


a clean bowl - a clear sign that I liked the dough... ;)

Mmmm ready for me to eat!!


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

I wish a title could be the sounds in my ears

Yes I'm aware this sounds weird, but my brain is so focused on the music I'm listening to, I can't seem to determine a title.  There's no words, only melodies, harmonies, instruments, sounds - beauty...this will make sense as you read on...maybe. :)

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Today was quite the productive (yet mildly overwhelming) day.  I was hoping to start my day with the gym but when my alarm went off, I decided I didn’t want to move.  I’m finding getting back into my early morning gym habit more difficult than I expected, but I’m working on it because I really do love it (and prefer it to the evenings).  Work was a bit of an overwhelming task today, for numerous reasons that I don’t really need to get into here, but I survived and left feeling good so that’s what counts, right? :)
After work (and stupid traffic), I immediately headed over to the new apartment to drop off a rather large check, sign the lease and pick up my set of keys!  After we went over everything, I decided to stay a bit longer and measure out the space.  Yes, I’m planning on mapping out my new apartment like I did my current one.  Thankfully, it won’t require quite the same mastery with furniture and use of space, but it will definitely give me a sense of where things should go while I’m slowly moving in and setting up.  I’m very excited about this process!
After I got home, I made some dinner and started looking into flights home for August and to my surprise, I found a rather decently priced flight.  I immediately called my travel agents (aka my ‘rents) for their sign off and BOOKED! 
The rest of my evening has been spent watching The Bachelorette (and yet again this series has hooked me in), mapping out my new apartment and now I’m listening to the new Bon Iver album (released today!).
Tomorrow is a well-deserved day off to be filled with fun, fitness, food and hopefully friends!  And maybe even the start of some packing?
OH! And we’re in the home stretch to the start of my Anatomy class - which is MONDAY!


In Your Atmosphere




Love this.  And I think I need to find me a boy who can serenade me because this makes me swoon.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Daddy's Little Girls

This post is later than I wanted it to be, but life happened and somehow kept me from the things I really wanted to do.  But the good news is that I think I’m over the cold and now just onto allergies that make it nearly impossible for me to get in a good run outside as the pollen seems to be too much for my lungs to bear.  Or maybe we’re beginning a pattern of only being able to run outside in LA every other year, which is a shame when you live in a city that’s generally a fair temperature most of the year...
Anyway, yesterday was Father’s Day and I hope all of you out there called your father’s if you could.  I called my dad for a little chat while on my lunch break at work, so as to not disturb his evening or lose track of time and call too late.  I was happy to hear that he got his card announcing his gift and I’m happy to announce his gift arrived to my apartment today! 



My dad’s favorite baseball team is the St. Louis Cardinals and I don’t know the last time he went to a baseball game (let alone got to see his favorite team).  With a little bit of research later, we found the perfect game!  Living in a Chicago suburb, we’re lucky to have a few park options and it turned out the Cardinals would be playing the Milwaukee Brewers (in Milwaukee) while my sister would be in town and since we’ve been playing the “when should/can Katie come home for a visit game?” this was the perfect excuse to lock down this date.  So my lucky dad, will get to have all 3 of his girls (me, my sister and my mom) take him to a baseball game!  I hope he’s excited as we are about it! :)
Aside from that, I hope he also knows how deserving he is of this gift!  My parents work so hard supporting this entire family (not only their daughters but extended family as well), that it’s just impossible to fully describe to someone how amazing they really are.
I have a dad who not only loves his daughters, but would do just about anything for us!  He’s definitely a backbone of knowledge and support for our family, and while he may sometimes seem a little scary, secretly, he’s just a teddy bear!  He’s smart and hard-working and I don’t think I’ve ever been able to express how proud I am of him for choosing to go back to school.  I wish nothing but health and continued happiness for him, and I look forward to the day when he walks me down the aisle.  I could go on, but instead I’ll just leave you with some pictures.




Daddy's little girls back in the DAY
High School graduation day
College graduation day
I'm reminded everyday how few pictures I have out here in LA, especially of my family, especially some of the super old ones that would be way adorable and possible super embarrassing for me, but these will have to do.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

When the going gets tough...

...the tough go to bed?!
Who doesn’t want to fall asleep to Bon Iver and then start their day with more Bon Iver?  All I know is it sounds amazing to me and is exactly what I’ve been doing.  (I told you I was obsessed!)
I ended up canceling my plans for last night and going to bed rather early as I was not feeling well.  I woke up still not feeling great.  It’s the downfall of working in retail and around so many people - germs!  I don’t even work on the floor anymore but it’s like once something hits one person in the store, it spreads like a wildfire!  I’m not completely taken down by whatever this is, it seems to just be in this little cold stage.  I hope this is as bad as it gets because I’m ready to be over it already.  I’d been feeling a a little off all week (waking up stuffy, feeling extra tired and lazy, etc) but thought maybe it was allergies.  Nope, it’s a cold.  And skipping my plans while upsetting, I know it was best to just get some extra rest and not push it.
Now with my day off today, I hope to continue relaxing and resting so I can get back to my usual self and gain strength and energy to prepare for this move!
I’m so excited the new roommate and I got the apartment we wanted!  We go to sign our lives away + lose our entire savings on Monday.  Okay, so that might be a bit of an over-statement but you know what I mean. ;)  Then locks get changed and we’ll be allowed to start moving in a bit early (free of charge!).  While I have until mid-July, I’m definitely planning to start moving things in early.  I plan to get all nerdy and map out my room just like I did with this apartment for the best possible layout and organization.  I’m already excited to get settled in and optimistic about the changes ahead.
Now I just need to figure out this thing called money...I’m going to be saving about $100/month on rent plus all of my utilities will be split, which will help quite a bit.  But I hate the feeling of living paycheck to paycheck and I’m over asking my ‘rents for help.  Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the help and their support and willingness, but I don’t feel like I should still need it.  I feel like I need to find a way to stand on my own two feet now and allow them to use their money for themselves or to fly me home to visit them. ;)
So this brings me back to my daily internal brainstorming session: How can I supplement my income?  Even just a little bit without driving myself into the ground?  I’d gladly welcome your ideas and advice...

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Friday, June 17, 2011

Obsessed

I am officially obsessed with this song!  If my Bon Iver love wasn't strong enough, this single was released making me even more excited for the new album to come out NEXT WEEK!?

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Rollercoaster

This is what my day looked like:
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And if you know me even a little bit, you know I don’t do rides, especially roller coasters.  (I won’t get into this now, remind me and we can dig into this little topic on another day).
The moment I walked into work today I knew something was up and as the morning progressed, things sped up rather quickly!  And not in a “where is my day going?” kind of a way; it was the “what is with today?” way.  It was not fun but it did prove to show just how much we can live in ambiguity, prove our knowledge, know our resources and learn plenty of new things at the same time.  I feared where the day was going at times but kept a positive optimistic attitude as much as I could and knew the escape of a heated yoga class would warmly (literally) close out my workday and welcome in my evening.
As I was picking up my phone from the desk about to leave (after cleaning up the managers office for Ziggy Marley - no joke, he had an event at our store tonight and I knew he’d probably end up in the office at least for a little bit), I saw I had a missed call + voicemail from my new roommate.  Hoping she was bearing news, I stood in the office listening while two of my managers tried to read my facial expressions...WE GOT THE APARTMENT!  We are now working out a time to meet with the manager to sign the lease and pay the deposit + 1st months rent so she can stop showing the unit and change the locks.  I am so hopeful and optimistic about this new place!
So I grabbed the box I saved from an order that came in to use for packing, dropped it at my car, picked up my yoga mat and headed to yoga.  I was looking forward to yoga all day so I was glad when it did not disappoint and I was physically and mentally there 100%!  We all have those days when we need yoga and we try so hard to let go, that in turn we’re trying too hard and can’t - this was NOT one of those days.  Phew!
I had debated all day if I was going to go back to the store after yoga to catch the Ziggy Marley event but after such a hard yoga class where I was seriously dripping sweat all over my mat + the floor around me (gross, I know but I was directly under one of the heaters), I decided I was too smelly, sweaty, and sticky to step anywhere near my place of work, let alone for an hour long event where I could potentially meet Ziggy Marley.  Instead I went home, made a delicious pasta dinner and then decided to bake some cookies!  I’m not sharing the recipe or any cookie pictures tonight, you’re just going to have to wait for next Wednesday (unless I decide I can’t wait until Foodie for a Day Wednesday to share)!
In the meantime, distract yourself with some pictures of the apartment I took a few days ago when I went to grab the rental application.  They’re a little dark and for that I apologize.  Once we move in and get things set up, I’ll take more pictures.






PATIO!!!!









Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Foodie for a Day Wednesday

I’m excited to say I’m working on breaking my cereal for dinner habit!  Don’t get me wrong, cereal is delicious and since I don’t buy extra sugary / bad for you cereals, it’s not the worst thing in the world to eat, but it’s also not the healthiest when you allow it to take over your diet.  Which it had...
(And do yourselves a favor and never announce on Facebook you’re trying to break the habit, the people will revolt!)
One of the things I’ve never had success making but always hear how delicious and easy it is to make is baked tofu.  So I decided with 2 small bricks of tofu in my fridge, it was time to break one out for some baked tofu.
I found a recipe online for BBQ baked tofu that was super easy and I still messed it up (I used too much BBQ sauce!).
All you have to do is put a layer of your favorite BBQ sauce on the bottom of a foil lined pan, put your sliced tofu on top and another layer of BBQ sauce and bake in the oven for about an hour.  



Pretty sure mine baked longer and was still too soft because in my fear of not using enough BBQ sauce plus thinking I didn’t have very much left, I went a bit over board.  But the warm BBQ sauce made for a nice “sauce” for the sandwich, served with a sliced apple + Food Should Taste Good Sweet Potato chips (my fav!).



Later this week, I’ve been using the leftover tofu mixed with some whole grain rice + roasted tomatoes + mushrooms for a delicious BBQ rice bowl.  YUM!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

What do you see?

I have so many thoughts racing through my head.  My to-do list is rapidly growing before I have a chance to even put it to paper.  I’m afraid I’m going to forget or overlook things.  But despite any and all of my fears, I feel optimistic.  I feel happy and excited.  I feel like certain aspects of my life are falling together.  I feel certain the other aspects of my life that I want and hope for every day will some day fall into place as well.
And while I have your attention, have you ever stopped and wondered why looking a stranger in the eye is so awkward?  I don’t really have the answer but it’s something I’ve been noticing more and more lately.  And it just gets my brain on this crazy rampage of thinking and looking for possible reasons why.  And wondering how things could be different, if we allowed ourselves the ability and openness to look someone in the eye who we don’t know.  What would we see?  Who could we meet?  Food for thought.

What do you see?


Sunday, June 12, 2011

Productivity...Excitement...Organization!

What a productive day!  Even if it wasn’t that productive, I feel like it was so I’m going to go with that. :)
Work definitely started off challenging and really continued to be for quite a bit of the day, but aside from the beginning, I was able to maintain my composure and move on with my day.  Assuming positive intent, is something I need to work on. 
I originally had plans to hit the gym after work but decided to listen to my body’s desire to just go home and I don’t regret the decision one bit.  Generally I like to make myself go, knowing that you never regret a workout but it was either go after work or go before work tomorrow and so I went with tomorrow.  It will mean waking up super early but especially after getting quite a bit done and it still being just after 9, I have no problem wrapping things up a bit and still getting to bed around 10.
The new roommate and I have agreed upon a place and now we’re just waiting to hear back from the company to confirm it’s still available and take the next steps! I’m so excited!  It also means, it’s time to prepare the letter to move out of my current place.  That will be on my agenda for tomorrow evening...
The apartment searching has had me very motivated to go through all of my stuff.  While I had laundry going this evening, I was also going through my closet, dresser and pile of shoes.  I recently went through a donated quite a bit of clothing so there wasn’t too much this time but I’m breaking away from several pairs of shoes I just don’t wear anymore.  (Note to self: you need black flats that aren’t Toms).  Seeing as I work in retail + the music industry, I’m pretty sure I can toss the majority of my “business casual” clothing that I never wear.  I would obviously keep a few because you do need them as staples for any interviews or gatherings that require such, but there’s button up shirts I don’t wear even during those times (partly due to a lack of comfort and confidence in them).  I would probably keep a couple on hand.  This is where the cheap side of me shows itself where I’m afraid to throw something out that I may “need” even though it isn’t currently serving me.  
There’s also years of papers that I’ve been moving since I was living in Boston.  The handheld shredder I bought from Target.com came in handy this weekend.  It’s also clearly a $20 product because it can’t take on the 5 pages it claims it can and the slot is only about 4” long.  It’s great for receipts but years and years of paperwork was quite the challenge to shred this weekend, but I did it anyway.
I’m so excited about the potential and possibilities of what’s ahead right now.  I’m also so proud of myself for making 2011 all about me and improving my life.  The clearer mindset and determination, is helping things fall into place.  I’m feeling super optimistic that I’m on the right path.
Now to end my evening with a little 20 minute yoga session.  Namaste.

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P.S. Does anyone know of any good dream interpretation books / websites? I had the strangest dream last night (woke up like it was a nightmare but I don't know it was.  Except I couldn't look a coworker in the face who was in it because things didn't end well for them)....

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Travel

If we live truly, we shall see truly. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Justine invited me to join her in the Trust30 Challenge and quite honestly, I have failed at the consistency of this challenge.  But I’m enjoying doing a post every couple of days, including today’s post which was fun and all about travel:
Not everyone wants to travel the world, but most people can identify at least one place in the world they’d like to visit before they die.  Where is that place for you, and what will you do to make sure you get there? (Author: Chris Guillebeau)
Italy, South America, Africa, Sweden, Hawaii
I could keep adding to this list.  Quite honestly, it wouldn’t be very hard at all.  And most of the places on this list, wouldn’t be too hard for me to do.
Hawaii wouldn’t be a crazy long flight for me (obviously) though price will still be an issue...But I guess it seems like the easiest option to fill.
My family is from Sweden and we are VERY proud of it!  While I may technically only be about 25% Swedish, I have always felt more Swedish than I have anything else (and I’m 50% German!).
Italy is really just because I want the food and the wine!  I’m sure it’s just gorgeous as well, but could you imagine my ‘Foodie for a Day’ posts?  But really anywhere in Europe is on my list (including Paris again)!
I know my sister is going to hate that I’m putting this on here and in theory, I’ve now had 2 opportunities to go to Africa and have yet to actually go.  But price is an issue and my health was a major issue the first time around and a slight issue this time, though it was mostly time off work (due to a lack of vacation time saved up having just gone full time).  But I would still love to go.  And knowing my sister’s passion and connection to Africa, I know she’ll be back and I would love to go with her some day on one of her visits.
And last but not least on my short list is South America.  Notice I mentioned no place in particular here (or with Africa) because I would love to see as much as I possibly can!  I realize this would potentially mean several trips.  And I’m okay with that. :)
I also have interest in going on a yoga retreat, wherever that may lead me.  Whether it be to India or South America, I don’t care - maybe even both!  But there’s so much to experience and take in and collect from those kinds of trips.  One of my favorite yoga instructors, Gigi Yogini, recently announced her retreat.  She was talking a bit about it after class this week and it just sounded so amazing!  She tried to make it something that was more on the affordable side but with options that could make it more expensive if you so desired those additional perks.  Either way, I still think it falls out of my budget.  But I do hope to make it to one some day.

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