tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60942580501653867982024-03-12T17:55:45.421-07:00Talk Less, Say MoreA girl's journey growing up while living a healthy lifeKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-47399876954106925392012-01-18T22:00:00.000-08:002012-01-18T22:00:59.142-08:00I'm Moving...Not me per se, but <a href="http://talkless-saymore.com/">Talk Less, Say More</a> is moving! <div>
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This has been a long time coming and I've warned you a few times, but now it's official. I will no longer be keeping both sites updated but only updating <a href="http://talkless-saymore.com/">talkless-saymore.com</a>!</div>
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Won't you join me?</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-2415615179553403962012-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:002012-01-18T06:00:07.591-08:00Foodie for a Day // Starbucks Nation<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As someone who is working to become even more financially stable (I’m kind of there I guess but it’s far from comfortable), I choose to bring my lunch to work nearly every day and watch how often I eat out. And eating well is something that’s extremely important to me as I do feel that what we put into our bodies plays a big role in our overall well-being. But times come up where we have to (or want to) eat out and it doesn’t have to mean we eat unhealthy or expensive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I bring this up because I was working at a different store a couple weeks ago and not knowing how the day would go and if I would be spending my lunch break with others, I chose not to pack a lunch and prepared myself for buying my meal that day. It turned out that I was on my own for lunch (which was fine), but not really knowing what was around to eat, though I knew there were plenty of options, I went walking through the Farmer’s Market on the hunt for something to eat. ...nothing stood out. Obviously, there were plenty of options, but nothing stood out as anything I wanted to eat for lunch and I really wasn’t in the mood for fried and unhealthy foods, so I made my way into <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/">Starbucks</a>. I wasn’t really sure what I was going to get, but figured that worse case scenario I get a cup of oatmeal, yogurt or a protein plate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In no way, was I expecting to walk away with this: <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/food/bistro-boxes/sesame-noodles-bistro-box"><span style="color: #0b22a2; letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">The Sesame Noodle Bistro Box</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sesame noodle salad tossed with broccoli florets, carrots, red peppers, sugar snap peas and a creamy peanut dressing is served with a cucumber carrot salad, crunchy sesame peanuts and baked tofu with lightly spiced glaze. For dessert, a premium Starbucks chocolate. (<a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/food/bistro-boxes/sesame-noodles-bistro-box">Source</a>)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It actually surprised me by how good it was and how it satisfied my hunger until mid afternoon when I had my usual snack. For a pre-packaged lunch, everything felt and tasted relatively fresh and surprisingly was also relatively healthy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of course I had to have a drink alongside and while I had already had enough coffee for the day, an iced green tea hit the spot. It was a great little lunch. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love to see companies expand their healthy and vegetarian options, without making food be a pile of flavorless mush. I’m impressed, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.starbucks.com/">Starbucks</a></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, I’m impressed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Now, we do need to address my current addiction to a daily Soy Misto before it makes me broke...)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-67378054868618891812012-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:002012-01-17T05:00:10.056-08:00I Just Want to Write<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m staring at a wall of lockers but all that I really want to do is write. You may not really believe it but this is a realization for me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not the locker staring; that’s just the reality of writing while on my break at work. But that I really just want to write.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I <a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2011/01/talk-less-say-more.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">started this blog</span></a> just over a year ago and you may or may not remember why:</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I start this blog for many reasons, but most important of them all, is the release that putting words to a page can have on a person. I often choose to release myself through music and exercise, but words are powerful - they make you laugh, they make you cry, they make you speechless, uncomfortable, happy, excited. I could go on but I won’t.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now here I am <a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2012/01/do-you-know-what-today-is.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">one year later,</span></a> still growing, developing and pushing forward through those harder days but with an escape ready and waiting for me when I get home: a place for me to put my words.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Despite the fact that I don’t divulge each and every intricate detail of my life (and let me just tell you, you really don’t want to know all that information!), sometimes the best release is just sitting down and sharing a new recipe or my current favorite song or band of the week. It’s those little things.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So why does this matter right now? Why do I bring it up?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Because just under a year ago, I <a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2011/03/its-raining-in-la.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">lost the band</span></a> I put my whole self into and it completely broke my heart. This has lead to a year of soul searching, healing and acceptance. That last one is key. But either way, when I stop and think about what I enjoy doing and would like to do more of (that doesn’t require me going back to school and thus becoming even more broke), it’s writing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now before anyone goes off on me, this isn’t me settling. This is me saying that I thoroughly love writing. There’s something freeing about putting words to a page. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I want to figure out how to do more of it. No really, I want to write.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’ll take any suggestions any of you have on how I can do more of it. And maybe where I can make a career out of it. Because that would be fun and it would make me happy. Taking ideas...and...GO!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-41894131127893177372012-01-16T05:30:00.000-08:002012-01-16T05:30:02.708-08:00Music Monday // Somebody That I Used to Know<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I’ve been listening to this song for a few weeks now. I didn’t mean to hold it hostage from you, but I didn’t realize just how much I liked it until I found myself craving it. I knew it was good, but it took me a bit to realize just how good it was.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That’s not normal behavior for me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One thing that has allowed me success in the music industry (even if I’m currently out of it), is that I have a pretty good ear for good music or music with potential. Therefore, it’s not common that a song has to brew a bit for me to realize just how much I love it. But that’s not to say it doesn’t happen and this song is proof of that.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have you heard “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye? If you haven’t, consider yourself lucky because you just found out and can fill your ears with pure happiness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And because it’s everyone’s lucky day, I ran across this cover by Walk off the Earth which is pretty freaking impressive. Enjoy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>...we don’t need to talk about how the lyrics of this song kind of fit into my life, right?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-34230974306739814252012-01-15T20:13:00.000-08:002012-01-15T20:13:09.484-08:00It's All About the Give and Take<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last night didn’t go how I planned...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-My health took a dive so I gave my body rest (and almost a trip to the ER)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tonight I found myself having a hard time resisting my urge for Yogurtland....</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-I took myself for frozen yogurt and in return, I’ll give my body 20 minutes of yoga before bed</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTaEb9-B1mM/TxOjMe2ekDI/AAAAAAAAA8w/tW6adAMdVPo/s1600/IMG_0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTaEb9-B1mM/TxOjMe2ekDI/AAAAAAAAA8w/tW6adAMdVPo/s320/IMG_0364.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s really all about the give and take. Give a little, take a little. It all evens out. And don’t try to convince me otherwise because this is how I move through my day; move through my week; move through life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I just wish the people in line ahead of me at Yogurtland would think the same way and stop taking all of the plain tart before I get there...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-27014210883884520362012-01-14T18:17:00.000-08:002012-01-14T18:17:55.446-08:00Cool on a Saturday night<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I swear my days off always come when I need them the most. That’s a good thing, obviously. I love to spend my days off doing absolutely nothing. Like seriously, what did I do today?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Made breakfast: banana oatmeal pancakes with peanut butter (holy yum!) and coffee</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Gym</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Watched Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Took a nap</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Showered at 4:30</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Listened to a LOT of Foo Fighters</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It really doesn’t get much better.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I do have a few things planned for my evening that require “work” but they shouldn’t take me long and then I can go back to relaxing in my pajamas and pretending that it’s cool to stay in on a Saturday night. (I mean it is, right?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-60387124324548280252012-01-13T18:03:00.000-08:002012-01-13T18:03:33.438-08:00Fitness Friday<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I had all intentions of going to the gym today. Needless to say, it didn’t happen. When my alarm went off at 4:30a, I wasn’t not having it, so I packed a bag and prepared to go after work. But since I left work about 15 minutes late and had already been in my car driving for awhile, and my legs are super sore (I don’t think I stretched enough the other day...) I decided going home and dancing to some Foo Fighters was the best idea ever. :)</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2YanzyPEZJo/ToYkHpdy2QI/AAAAAAAAApg/DPMAE0jBEvQ/s1600/black+and+white+gym+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2YanzyPEZJo/ToYkHpdy2QI/AAAAAAAAApg/DPMAE0jBEvQ/s320/black+and+white+gym+shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sat 1/7/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">30 mins arms, abs and stretching</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sun 1/8/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">55 mins stationary bike</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mon 1/9/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tues 1/10/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wed 1/11/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">90 mins yoga (it felt SO good to be back in practice)<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fri 1/13/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rest - unless you want to count dancing around my room...(+ stretching out my poor hamstrings)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-43155915976854001892012-01-12T19:17:00.000-08:002012-01-12T19:17:45.180-08:00Do you know what today is?<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do you know what day it is today?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maybe <a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2011/01/talk-less-say-more.html"><span style="color: #0b22a2; letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">this</span></a> will jog your memory...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s my 1 year of blogging anniversary!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fScookt_2SA/Tw-iLQlmSBI/AAAAAAAAA8U/biiR0IYZ_0g/s1600/Blue-Cupcake-Birthday-Cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fScookt_2SA/Tw-iLQlmSBI/AAAAAAAAA8U/biiR0IYZ_0g/s320/Blue-Cupcake-Birthday-Cakes.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.1st-birthday-cakes.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Blue-Cupcake-Birthday-Cakes.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It’s okay, you can make fun of me for being excited about this but it’s pretty much the only thing getting me through this rough day. Well, that and the fact that I finished Harry Potter </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: line-through;">last night</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> this morning. (I’m sure the lack of sleep I got last night isn’t really helping my cranky mood for the day but I <b><i>had</i></b> to finish!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, it’s so crazy to think that a year ago today, I decided to put myself out there and begin sharing my journey that is growing up. It was a crazy year but it was also a good year and I can’t wait to see what this year will bring.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I talked about <a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2012/01/goals-for-2012.html"><span style="color: #0b22a2; letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">my goals for the year</span></a> and did a <a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2011/12/year-end-wrap-up.html"><span style="color: #0b22a2; letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">recap of this past year</span></a> just a couple weeks ago at the start of 2012, so it seems silly to go over that again, but </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Happy 1st Birthday</i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> to my blog!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-36388355147583258732012-01-11T09:39:00.000-08:002012-01-11T09:39:06.739-08:00Foodie for a Day // More Oatmeal!<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ever since going home and having the oatmeal bar at our “Christmas morning” brunch, I’ve been craving oatmeal more mornings for breakfast than usual. Oatmeal has always been one of those breakfasts that I love but for whatever reason, I don’t generally have unless I’m on vacation and having a packet of instant I stashed as a “just-in-case.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This sudden craving for oatmeal is a welcomed surprise as it is super delicious, healthy, and easy to make. I prefer (Quaker) Old Fashioned oats so it does take a bit longer to cook, but I’ll make two servings at a time and stash that extra serving for tomorrow.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another great thing about oatmeal is that it’s so easily adaptable, anyone kind find a flavor combination they enjoy and you can change it up to avoid it getting too boring or repetitive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And with that, I bring you two new combinations for oatmeal that I call <i>delicious</i>! </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Chocolate Caribbean Oatmeal</u></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQg-hmWdsKA/Tw3Ix2FeQnI/AAAAAAAAA8E/0C91B7NWXf8/s1600/20111203-151920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQg-hmWdsKA/Tw3Ix2FeQnI/AAAAAAAAA8E/0C91B7NWXf8/s400/20111203-151920.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So it’s not necessarily Caribbean but it seems kind of Caribbean after the toppings. :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup oats</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup milk (I use soy)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup water</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1-2 tsps cocoa powder</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 tsp vanilla</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let all of the above cook until thick and creamy. Then top with 1/2 chopped banana, spoonful of peanut butter and a sprinkle of coconut. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(If it seems like you put in too much cocoa powder, stir in a bit of brown sugar to balance it out.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Gingerbread Protein Oatmeal</u></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0GCD3EaUKs/Tw3JAkft1cI/AAAAAAAAA8M/tuxoMfwAyaQ/s1600/20120111-085842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0GCD3EaUKs/Tw3JAkft1cI/AAAAAAAAA8M/tuxoMfwAyaQ/s400/20120111-085842.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup oats</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup milk</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup water</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 TBSP vanilla protein powder</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 tsp allspice</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 tsp cloves</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 tsp cinnamon</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 tsp vanilla</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let the above cook until thick and creamy. Top with 1/2 chopped banana, spoonful of peanut butter and a sprinkle of raisins.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(I’m sure you can add more protein powder but this was my first time adding it to oatmeal and I didn’t want to add too much.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have a great breakfast!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-33473349907299966192012-01-10T20:09:00.000-08:002012-01-10T20:09:03.018-08:00Unplug<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That’s exactly what I’m going to do tonight. Unplug. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s also what I did last night. And apparently, it’s one of the greatest things to do when you’re feeling cranky.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m in the middle of Harry Potter 7 right now and it’s <i>really good</i> so I really don’t mind telling myself that that’s how I’m going to spend my evening. Plus it’s a lot better than crazy emotional Katie allowing her mind to run wild and free. So as soon as I finish dinner and hit “publish,” I’ll be in bed with my cup of tea and Harry Potter 7 until I fall asleep.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2YDbe4cikU/Tw0LKCDhfzI/AAAAAAAAA78/oIIR0fXZ4Sw/s1600/Hp7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j2YDbe4cikU/Tw0LKCDhfzI/AAAAAAAAA78/oIIR0fXZ4Sw/s320/Hp7.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.wikia.com/harrypotter/images/1/15/Hp7.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you have a problem with it, you’ll have to take it up with me tomorrow when I’ll be reachable again. ...maybe.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-59346200310779333282012-01-09T19:06:00.000-08:002012-01-09T19:06:05.934-08:00Music Monday<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When I was talking about <a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2012/01/goals-for-2012.html"><span style="color: #0b22a2; letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">my goals for the year</span></a>, I mentioned I wanted to work on opening myself up for the chance of being hurt. We’ve all felt what it’s like to lose someone we love, whether that be through their passing or life taking us in two separate directions. While those two forms of loss are very different from each other and the hurt will be different, the heartache is still existing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’ve experience both.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know what it’s like to lose a member of your family. I know what it’s like to lose friends you thought would always stay in touch. I know what it’s like to have your heart completely broken and shattered by someone you love. And I know how hard it is to get back on your feet. And I’m sure you do too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Every time I hear “These Days” by the Foo Fighters I’m reminded of the heartache we all feel at some point in our lives. And I love the song; I just love it.</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zPHzknP7jNQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-54091736545717440072012-01-07T14:27:00.001-08:002012-01-07T15:20:34.083-08:00It's Not Your Average Saturday<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well for you it actually might be. But for my family it’s not...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Happy Birthday Dad!</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3D4LzCkl1zU/TwjTCnytffI/AAAAAAAAA70/SCOlJmmBNFM/s1600/2012-01-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3D4LzCkl1zU/TwjTCnytffI/AAAAAAAAA70/SCOlJmmBNFM/s640/2012-01-07.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Besides for it being my dad’s birthday, it is a fairly ordinary Saturday around these parts. I started my day by reading Harry Potter with a big mug of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal before heading off to the gym. Unfortunately, while I’d like to be cleaning my apartment right now, I’m choosing to rest instead because I’m in pretty severe pain. Let’s hope it goes away (or at least lessens) and I can clean this mess of a place I pretend to call my home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well at least resting means I have a good excuse to just keep pushing my way through Harry Potter 7!!! :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-81084247386737075002012-01-06T07:45:00.000-08:002012-01-06T07:45:07.773-08:00Fitness Friday<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had all intentions to return to yoga this week. In fact, I had the intention to return to yoga today but life has this way of laughing at you when you make plans, so needless to say there’s no yoga this week.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But what there was this week was strength training. And can I just say it felt <i>amazing?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was the first time I’ve been able to lift in at least two months due to pain, hospitalization and surgery + recovery. I got in two days of strength that left my arms and legs shaking but feeling strong. <i>Man</i>, I missed that!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m hoping yoga can return next week as I’m itching to stretch out my body and ease my mind again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With that, here’s what I was able to accomplish this week and I’m pretty happy to say I’m starting off my new year right!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EyQJMAsRd0o/TnNOu7Ah25I/AAAAAAAAAoc/awC2OFjD5T0/s1600/black+and+white+gym+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EyQJMAsRd0o/TnNOu7Ah25I/AAAAAAAAAoc/awC2OFjD5T0/s320/black+and+white+gym+shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">SAT 12/31/11</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">35 minutes elliptical</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">25 minutes stationary bike</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">15 minutes abdominals and stretching</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">SUN 1/1/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">MON 1/2/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">15-20 minutes abdominals and stretching</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">30 minutes stationary bike</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">TUES 1/3/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">25 minutes elliptical</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">30 minutes arms and stretching</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">WED 1/4/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">40 minutes abdominals, legs and stretching</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">25 minutes stationary bike</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">THURS 1/5/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">20 minutes abdominals and stretching</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">30 minutes stationary bike</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">FRIDAY 1/6/12</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rest</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Did you make any fitness goals this year?</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If so, what are they and how did your first week go?</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-89434810266079605792012-01-05T19:38:00.000-08:002012-01-05T19:38:31.663-08:00Fingers Crossed<div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m spending my night preparing. Not really for anything but more for the potential of something. And because who wouldn’t want to be on their A game when it counts the most? And because who wouldn’t want to make their boss proud?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But it all comes at a potential cost.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Things go well and there’s a loss. Things don’t go well and there’s a loss. But either way there’s also a win.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I know I’m being vague but I don’t want to jinx myself and I don’t want to put more pressure on myself than needs to be there. And I can’t think of anything else tonight.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, with that, let’s go fingers crossed.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n4qXjrTdG6g/TwZseYqxoyI/AAAAAAAAA7k/zD4Zc7W7OWk/s1600/Cross_Your_Fingers_by_mysteriouseye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n4qXjrTdG6g/TwZseYqxoyI/AAAAAAAAA7k/zD4Zc7W7OWk/s320/Cross_Your_Fingers_by_mysteriouseye.jpg" width="244" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/204/c/d/Cross_Your_Fingers_by_mysteriouseye.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Source</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-78345317409208495762012-01-04T22:58:00.000-08:002012-01-04T22:58:15.048-08:00Foodie for a Day<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love oatmeal. I mean <i>really</i>, how could you not?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I grew up on Quaker Instant Oatmeal Maple and Brown Sugar. Delicious. And to this day, that is my go-to instant oatmeal when I want to take something with me while I travel. (I always recommend the “just-in-case” foods.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But as I grew up, I learned just how much <i>more</i> oatmeal can be - cooked on the store with milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and topped with peanut butter, bananas, and other fruits and nuts. You may laugh, but it did open up a new world of breakfast possibilities (even for the girl who eats the same piece of toast with peanut butter and banana every morning).</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So while I was home, we had our annual Christmas morning brunch (only a few days late) with my mom’s side of the family. This year we had an even wider array of foods, including the new addition: the oatmeal bar.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I prepared two pots of oatmeal simply with equal parts oats, milk and water, and then added a bit of vanilla and cinnamon to each. One pot was made with soy milk (for me and those feeling “brave”) and one with regular milk (for everyone else). We had toppings of peanut butter, banana, coconut, nuts, and dried fruit. It was a hit!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub9Zc_wCTZg/TwVH3Gj06jI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/8z5Q6TbGFlY/s1600/20120104-222643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub9Zc_wCTZg/TwVH3Gj06jI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/8z5Q6TbGFlY/s320/20120104-222643.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I was driving home from the gym this morning, debating today’s post and what I felt like eating for breakfast, I was reminded of last week’s oatmeal bar and nothing sounded better this morning that a big bowl of oats. And while I was at it, I made an extra serving for another day.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qE7mdpF2fNI/TwVHHEWfYFI/AAAAAAAAA7M/4XX2YIAeqhU/s1600/20120104-2226431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qE7mdpF2fNI/TwVHHEWfYFI/AAAAAAAAA7M/4XX2YIAeqhU/s400/20120104-2226431.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today’s oatmeal was the simple recipe from Christmas, topped with peanut butter and sliced banana served in this adorable bowl + spoon my sister got me.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epEhqRGGOzM/TwVGsB69a5I/AAAAAAAAA7A/HWIJ5CLE98c/s1600/20120104-2226432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epEhqRGGOzM/TwVGsB69a5I/AAAAAAAAA7A/HWIJ5CLE98c/s400/20120104-2226432.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>What are your favorite oatmeal toppings?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-51842890978398609302012-01-03T22:13:00.000-08:002012-01-03T22:14:10.498-08:00Why We Should Drink More Coffee<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While I was home in IL I got a free 3 day (trial) pass to my family’s gym so I could get in a bit of exercise while I was home. It was nice to spend some time at the gym, now that my energy is returning and my body is feeling up to more regular workouts. (Speaking of more regular workouts - I lifted for the first time since November today and left with my arms shaking. It felt <b><i>amazing</i></b>!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, I generally spent a good chunk of my cardio reading Harry Potter 6 but after forgetting my book one afternoon, I just picked up a magazine from the gym’s shelf and happened to see this:</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I forget which magazine I was reading, but one of those "women's ones"</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While this may say “older women,” I’m choosing this to mean it’s affective for younger women as well. And if you’re a gentleman out there, if I were you, I’d take it to include you too. Because you know, we just can’t get enough coffee! ;)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Are you addicted to coffee too? </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-71276764574970678982012-01-02T18:46:00.000-08:002012-01-02T18:46:41.629-08:00Music Monday<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I grew up on Country music. This was before it was “popular.” Country is all that my dad listens to so going home means that anytime we are in the car together, we’re listening to country. I listen to a bit of country so it’s never bothered me, but there’s just something about hearing it when I’m in Illinois that just takes me back. And I can’t help but feel a bit country if I’m driving in my dad’s pickup truck while listening to it...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, while I was home “I’m In a Hurry” by Alabama came on and I made a comment to my parents about how this song had been on country radio for <i>years</i>! I remember listening to it as a kid, so talk about nostalgia. It may not be new music; it may not even be the best music, but country music, especially this song, takes me back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Do you have any music that takes you back to your childhood?</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-56130379854463109802012-01-01T11:10:00.000-08:002012-01-01T11:10:00.618-08:00Goals for 2012<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year's Eve and that 2012 brings you health and happiness!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/12/31/Style/Images/2012NewYear001.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don’t need a complicated crazy party to end the year and begin the next. I didn’t do it last year and I didn’t miss it. And I didn’t do it again this year and I’m still okay with it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m a girl who is easy to please. Last year all it took was a good night’s sleep and this year, I was happy with dinner and a movie. Would I have loved to have been surrounded by my close friends when the clock stroke midnight? Of course but sometimes simple just works.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m sure I’ve said numerous times but I’m not one to make resolutions but I will set goals for myself and for my next year. They can be anywhere from something small and easy to something larger that will require more effort. My goals for 2012 are no different.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">GOALS for 2012:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Complete an additional 30 days of yoga</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Complete Jamie Eason’s Live Fit 12-Week Trainer</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Complete a 10k (and with that complete my first race)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Begin training for a 1/2 marathon (?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Read more (at least 1 book every 2 months)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Learn to rest, especially when my body is begging for it</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Plan my next move (literally)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Continue to build this blog and write as often as I can</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Continue to find my financial stability</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Continue to find and maintain a new level of happiness</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-Work on not allowing certain people to bring me down</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-32903912421374484552011-12-30T20:05:00.000-08:002011-12-31T12:52:48.194-08:00Year End Wrap Up<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My goal for 2011 was to focus on myself and find a new level of happiness that I felt was missing in 2010.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I rang in the new year by not doing anything except resting and sleeping. I didn’t stay up until midnight; I didn’t go out; and I didn’t spend it with anyone. To some people this may be seen as sad or weird, and while it’s not the way I would choose to ring in each new year, it was just what I needed. It allowed me to put a close on 2010 and start 2011 the way that I wanted to: refreshed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And that was just what I did. While everyone else was coming in late or hung-over to work that day, I was refreshed, excited and energetic. I was ready to go and take on whatever may present itself to me that day. It was perfect.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When I was presented with the opportunity to purchase an unlimited month of yoga at The Yoga Co in Santa Monica, I knew it was something I wanted and should do. I sat on the deal for a month or so and then was inspired to take it and turn it into one month straight of yoga (My 30 Day Yoga Challenge). I knew that was going to be a major undertaking but with the support I was receiving from my friends, family and coworkers, I knew it was something I could do. And I did.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5rJPhiacMw/Tv6IoQyf7aI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/QIy6dSiUFb8/s1600/281983_252810161396621_120659377945034_1079755_6449422_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5rJPhiacMw/Tv6IoQyf7aI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/QIy6dSiUFb8/s320/281983_252810161396621_120659377945034_1079755_6449422_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A month of yoga brought upon many challenges and breakthroughs; it brought on a physical and mental struggle; and it brought a community I didn’t know could exist; and it began to show me this new level of happiness. So when that month was over, I didn’t stop. I didn’t go everyday but I tried to get there at least 3 days a week. (And up until the later part of the year, it worked).</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year I learned to let go of some things that had been bothering me and open up my mind and heart to what else is out there. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I stepped outside my comfort zone doing something that I’m still surprised I did: I went to the Healthy Living Summit in Philadelphia, PA knowing no one. This was a big deal for me and very challenging on many levels. I did what I could to push myself outside my normal comfort zone and met several amazing bloggers and people. I discovered just how much of a healthy living community there is out there and was inspired and comforted to keep pushing forward in those attempts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Unfortunately, this was also the weekend that my health took a turn for the worse. My last night in Philly was the first time I experienced the severe pain on my left side that led to months of unknown, tests, and additional severe pain. Unfortunately, September through December are a blur of doctor visits, hospital stays, and “resting” on my couch. I wish I could have a better memory for the end of the year, but it is clear that was what took most of my energy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That’s not to say no good came of it, because it did. Through all of that, I was able to find one of the greatest friends I could have and with her support was able to make it through my Thanksgiving in the hospital and two attempts at surgery + recovery. That I could (and would) not change for anything.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But the year is coming to a close and I’m ready to start 2012 fresh. I’m hoping my health returns to it’s fullest extent and I continue to work on finding even greater happiness in my life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Top 3 Most Read Posts:</b><br />
-<a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2011/04/30-day-yoga-challenge-theres-no-better.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">30 Day Yoga Challenge - There’s No Better Time Than Now</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-<a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2011/05/post-challenge-breakthrough-1-time.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Post Challenge Breakthrough #1: Time Spent Alone</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-<a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-announcement.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">My Announcement</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Top 3 Favorite Posts to Write:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-<a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2011/01/talk-less-say-more.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Talk Less, Say More</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-<a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2011/09/long-awaited-video.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">The Long Awaited Video</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-<a href="http://talkless-saymore.blogspot.com/2011/04/30-day-yoga-challenge-theres-no-better.html"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">30 Day Yoga Challenge - There’s No Better Time Than Now</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-59627528833081955702011-12-30T13:10:00.000-08:002011-12-30T13:10:33.540-08:00Fitness Friday<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m happy to say that despite traveling this week, I’ve been able to maintain daily exercise. My family belongs to a gym in the area and I signed up for their gym’s 3-day gym trial pass that I’ve been able to use. It’s nice to see myself being able to return to my usual exercise routine or at least start incorporating more of my usual activities.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Saturday 12/24/11</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sunday 12/25/11</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">60 minutes walk and talk with family</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Monday 12/26/11</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">40 minutes stationary bike - random level 2</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tuesday 12/27/11</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">20 minutes abdominals and stretching</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wednesday 12/28/11</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thursday 12/29/11</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Friday 12/30/11</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">32 minutes stationary bike - random level 3</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have lots of fitness goals for 2012 and new programs I want to try out so I’m definitely glad I’m returning to my normal self. But more on that later...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-86616102426180076672011-12-29T20:50:00.000-08:002011-12-29T20:50:02.123-08:00Our Belated Christmas<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our Christmas may have occurred late and a bit out of order, but we are doing all we can to keep it as we know it. This morning we decided it was Christmas. Generally this is where I’d wake up to my parents busy cooking morning brunch but instead we all packing into the car and headed off to breakfast at Benedict’s La Strata. It’s a cute little restaurant open for breakfast and lunch in downtown with an overwhelmingly delicious sounding menu.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After we all debated our choices for longer than someone probably should, we all ended up with an extremely delicious looking (and tasting breakfast). I ended up with a soy latte (made with Intelligentsia coffee!) and pumpkin pancakes. It was a fail that I didn’t take a picture of my breakfast or this cute little restaurant. I’m pretty sure this will become a new breakfast spot when I come to town.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Shortly after we came home, we dug into our stockings and Christmas presents to each other. We are all extremely happy with our gifts and my dad was downstairs immediately setting up his new computer. Sadly, I have not yet been able to talk him into getting an Apple computer. (Oh but I will!) ;)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After a quick lunch, my sister and I ran off for a little shopping. We had a few things we needed to get, some gift cards to use, and with a certain birthday on the horizon, some additional shopping that needed to get done.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A delicious dinner, trip to the gym and post-workout snack under my belt, my sister and I are gearing up to watch </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">A White Christmas</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">. We will have family over tomorrow morning and afternoon for more Christmas celebrations. It is my hope to fit in a workout before it all starts and end the evening by catching up with a friend I haven’t seen in a few years.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So far, so good. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-42765297657675780842011-12-28T15:57:00.000-08:002011-12-28T15:57:01.146-08:00Foodie for a Day // Vegetarian Chili<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Well after a four hour flight, I have successfully made it to Chicago. I am currently seated in my parent’s living room watching </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">Julie and Julia</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> with my mom and sister, while my dad prepares dinner.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, I’m constantly on the search for (cheap) easy meals I can make for myself, especially during a busy week. It’s always great to just be able to quickly reheat a meal after getting home from a long day at work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of my favorite comfort foods has always been chili (and chili macaroni). As a kid, my parents used to make chili and then make a side of chili mac for my sister and I. It was as easy as a scoop of chili and then some added ketchup over macaroni noodles. <i>Yes, ketchup.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For whatever reason, I’ve never tried to make a vegetarian version myself after moving out and now that I have a small crock pot, this seemed as good a time as any to try. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Vegetarian / Vegan Crockpot Chili</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I put everything in the crock pot, gave it a quick stir and let it cook on high for about 2 hours. When it was done, I had a delicious bowl of chili.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I decided it would be an easy lunch of leftovers so I cooked up a pot of macaroni noodles and added a scoop of chili to the top of it. This time, I left out the ketchup. (Sorry, Mom!) It was a delicious, super easy and inexpensive dinner that ended up producing several meals; I couldn’t be more pleased. I will be making this again soon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And can I just say, I <i>love</i> my crockpot?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-64800285485603638212011-12-28T07:51:00.001-08:002011-12-28T07:51:29.153-08:00Greetings From LAX!Yesterday ended up being a super busy day. I found myself running from work to the gym, home to shower and finishing packing, to check a friends apartment, to hanging with a friend, to hanging with another. And I felt like I was moving at snails pace and things were taking longer than they should. <br />
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But here I am, all got done, and (so far) all is good! I got to the airport rather early since my ride had somewhere to be, but I'd always rather be early than late. And it showed to be good timing. Lines grew behind me to check my bag, in security, and buying a coffee. I'm hoping to continue this little lucky streak. :)<br />
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I'm flying Virgin America, and if you've ever flown it before, you know how nice it is. And if you haven't, you really have no idea what you're missing. Virgin is by far my favorite airline, hands down!<br />
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I'll hopefully be doing some work on the flight and reading Harry Potter 6. I'm off the eat my packed pb sandwich and coffee. <br />
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See you in Chicago!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jxDxtwNXi8U/Tvs7AO07z_I/AAAAAAAAA5s/DmDNCXeP7zk/s640/blogger-image--1936875759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jxDxtwNXi8U/Tvs7AO07z_I/AAAAAAAAA5s/DmDNCXeP7zk/s640/blogger-image--1936875759.jpg" /></a></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-69376932697740583802011-12-26T05:13:00.000-08:002011-12-26T05:13:08.516-08:00Music Monday<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Because Christmas was only yesterday and to <i>me</i> Christmas isn’t until later this week when I’m home in Illinois with my family, I’m staying on Christmas music this week. In fact it’s all about my favorite Christmas movie, A White Christmas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s a tradition to watch this movie every year and I haven’t seen it yet! Thankfully, my mom and sister haven’t either so there will most definitely be some movie watching while I’m home. (And cookie baking too, of course!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So it is to be expected that today I’m sharing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” as sung by Bing Crosby; the only version of this song a girl could ever want or need.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas (and Holiday season)! If you decide to be one of those people shopping/making returns today, please be nice to the retail employees, especially at the Apple Store. I <i>beg</i> this of you!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094258050165386798.post-3623756247031181012011-12-25T20:31:00.000-08:002011-12-25T20:31:29.336-08:00Not Home for the Holidays - Part 2<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well the afternoon may not have turned out exactly as I thought it may, but I’m not complaining. Overall, I think I can call it a good Christmas.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thecripplegate.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/christmas_snoopy.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Obviously, if I was able to be home with my family and partaking in our usual Christmas traditions, it’d be that much better but I made the most of what I could. My roommate and her boyfriend showed up a little after noon and while I was mildly annoyed, they ended up providing a bit of entertainment as well as allowed me to interact with people face-to-face (non FaceTime and video Skype that is).</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While talking to my family this afternoon I did laundry and went for a walk around the neighborhood. The weather today was in the 70s and sunny and with the gym closed, it was the perfect way to get in a bit of exercise. (While a run would be nice, I’m not sure my body is quite ready for high impact activity - my incisions are still kind of sore.) Shortly after getting home I started making my lasagna dinner. I sautéed the veggies, built the lasagna and while I let it sit, I went out for another walk. It was getting a bit chilly but was not bad at all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Coming from the midwest and living in parts of the country where there are seasons, I have a hard time feeling like it’s the holidays in LA because it doesn’t get cold and it doesn’t snow. While there was no white Christmas in my hometown this year, I’m hoping that’s because Jack Frost is waiting for <i>me</i> to come home and let there be a white Christmas on the day my family chooses to celebrate. That sounds like the perfect present.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, I returned home from my walk, put the lasagna in the oven, prepared my salad and the garlic bread and when everything was ready, sat down to a delicious dinner. I made a super simple vegan lasagna (lactose intolerance means lasagna has to be vegan), a simple from-a-bag salad, toasted up bread with garlic butter, and a 1/2 glass of red wine. It was easy, super delicious, and brought a little bit of Christmas to LA for me today.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIK8u7mlca4/Tvf4LqoUlVI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/63iHko59mwY/s1600/20111225-1023383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nIK8u7mlca4/Tvf4LqoUlVI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/63iHko59mwY/s400/20111225-1023383.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I had this plan where I was going to bake a bunch of cookies or my family’s Swedish Coffee Bread (instead I requested that for while I’m home), read a lot of Harry Potter and watched a bunch of movies. Well I didn’t bake a single thing, watched a super cheesy ABC Family Christmas movie (and made a failed attempt at watching </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">Chocolat</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">) and will only be sitting down to read HP when I hit “publish.” There’s a part of me that’s debating 20 minutes of yoga and another part of me that thinks I’ll fall asleep any minute, despite how early it is.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We can’t all be with our families for Christmas and that’s upsetting. Sometimes accepting offers to celebrate with other’s families just doesn’t fit. And while spending it alone may not be the most ideal situation, it’s all about what you make of it. And this year, I feel pretty good about what I made of it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wednesday I get to head home for my belated Christmas with my family. If I’m lucky, next year I’ll get to spend Christmas with my family<i> on</i> Christmas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://joanharvest.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/merry-christmas-cartoon.jpg?w=380&h=372">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16380395619648957191noreply@blogger.com0