Lentil Soup.

Guess what I wear as a hat? A lentil.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, watch this video on YouTube: Marcel the Shell.

Hopefully Marcel will brighten your day a tad.

Lentil Soup

2 celery stalks chopped

2 large carrots chopped

1 large onion chopped

1 whole green pepper chopped

3 garlic cloves finely chopped

1 tbsp salt

2 1/2 tbsp olive oil

Saute the above ingredients for 5-7 minutes (until the crunch is gone)

Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste and let cook for another 2 minutes.

Add:
2 cups dry lentils (rinse these first)

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp black pepper

 6 cups vegetable broth
(look for low sodium broth if from the store and not homemade)

4 cups water (yes, this is a HUGE recipe)

Bring to a boil and skim off the top when needed.

Simmer for 15-20 minutes - until lentils are cooked!

That's it! Store in a covered container in the fridge.
Mine lasted a good two weeks and still tasted just fine.

Or freeze in glassware for future servings.

Optional additions:

1 chopped tomato

1/2 tsp thyme

A one cup serving is approximately 157 calories.
And you know exactly what you are eating.

01 02 18

Foodie February.

I realized I did quite a bit of cooking this month when I was going through my photos today. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I decided to upload this months munchies. Recipes follow each photo (or will link up!). I love having time to cook, and bake, and cook and bake some more.

That's what winter is for, right?

Smoothie. Seems simple. And it is.

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1 tbsp honey

1 cup almond milk

(this was before I had my chia seeds. I would definitely add a tbsp of seeds to this now!)

Dark Chocolate Cocoa Muffins:

So good. Not overly sweet. If you want sweet. Don't make these. If you want dark chocolate-healthy-for-you, then make these. 

1 3/4 cup oats

3 egg whites

3/4 cup dark cocoa powder unsweetened 

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp real vanilla

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup hot water

1 cup sugar (I used sweetener...aka Splenda)

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips!

Preheat the oven to 350. Blend all ingredients (minus chocolate chips) in the blender. Blend until smooth - I love this part of the recipe. SO easy for pouring. Mix 1/2 of the chips in the batter and pour into a greased/lined muffin tin. I like giant muffins and use six large ones - this would also make 12 regular size muffins. Bake for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 of chips on top of muffins. Bake for another 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean! 215 calories per muffin. Makes 6 muffins.

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl.

 (I love pronouncing this. KEEN-WAH. So great.)

1/2 cup cooked quinoa (sprinkle 1 tsp cinnamon while cooking)

1 small tart granny smith apple chopped

1/8 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1 cup almond milk

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and pour over with almond milk. This will keep you full until at least lunch!

Lentil Soup.

This recipe is a bit long. The link can be found here.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust - Addicting.

2 eggs

2 cups mozzarella cheese

2 cups riced cauliflower (I hand grated this, uffda, try this method instead)

2 garlic cloves chopped

1/4 cup fresh basil chopped (or dried will do)

Mix ingredients in a bowl and form any shape you'd like on a greased parchment paper lined baking sheet. Press down until about 1/4 inch thick. Bake at 450 for about 15 minutes. 3 'fries' = 250 calories. 10 fries per batch.

Cinnamon Honey Baked Chickpeas.

1 can rinsed and drained chickpeas

2 tsp coconut oil (I only have olive oil on hand at the time!)

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp honey (optional)

Dry chickpeas and toss in oil/sugar/cinnamon mixture. Place onto a baking sheet for 45 minutes at 375 shaking pan every 15 minutes. The longer they bake the crunchier (and better!) they will taste. Roll in honey after baked (optional) - store in an open container so chickpeas don't become soggy right away (lesson learned). Makes three servings, 157 calories per serving.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes.

Find the recipe here from a previous post.

Broccoli Cheese Quiche + Brown Rice Crust

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 1/4 cup shredded cheese (any variety you prefer)

5 eggs

1 cup milk

2 cups cooked broccoli

a pinch of nutmeg

Mix the rice, 1/4 of the cheese and 1 egg together. Press into a sprayed pie crust pan. Bake for 5 minutes at 450. Mix remaining ingredients together and pour into baked pie crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 375, until the eggs are spongy (but doesn't jiggle when moved!) and slightly golden. 350 calories per slice - 6 slices per pie.

Chocolate Oatmeal Bites.

2 mashed bananas (very ripe)

1 cup oatmeal

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips chopped

1/4 cup shredded coconut

That's it! Mix all ingredients together and spoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Makes one dozen bites, 57 calories per bite!

And there you have it: Foodie February. Any healthy recipes you love? Post so I can try them!

01 02 18

Five Day Food Challenge.

Five days of no added sugar, no processed gunk, and hardly any flour.
After way too many sweets at a recent Sorority Retreat weekend I needed to do some sort of cleanse to get back on track. And with a wedding to attend tomorrow I know I will be having cake. YUM. I cannot wait. But this grand finale ending tomorrow meant a personal challenge - five days without added shtuff.

I love my sweets. View my Pinterest boards and every other pin is typically a dessert. There is something so satisfying about chocolate, sweetness, and the warm ooey-gooeyness of a cookie. I know there are people who don't care for desserts, that is not me. And I don't know how you do it. But anywho. I survived this week. And honestly, it wasn't too hard.

My latest obsession? Chia Seeds. I am not sure when these hit the shelves, perhaps they have been around my whole life and I just now discovered them. Well, I am glad I did. I have been adding one serving (a tablespoon) to pancakes and smoothies. And when I say pancakes, I'm not talking about the white flour boxed mix - I mean cottage cheese pancakes and banana protein pancakes.
Here are the recipes, super easy, super good:

Cottage Cheese Pancakes(sounds odd, I know, but so delicious - trust me)

3 egg whites (I use one egg white + one whole egg)

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 cottage cheese

1 tsp sugar (I use Splenda)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla extract (use the real stuff)

1 tbsp chia seeds

Blend. Makes four small pancakes. 397 calories.

Banana Protein Pancakes

1 mashed really ripe banana

2 whole eggs

1 tbsp chia seeds

Mash banana with fork, add eggs, and whip together.
Makes two large thin flapjacks. 233 calories.

I have made the cottage cheese ones for both breakfast and dinner, but actually prefer them for dinner. Something light and delicious is a great way to end my night. The banana protein pancakes are a breakfast food for me, a banana-eggy-omelet combination. Try them both and bask in the glory of clean eating.

Food list for the week
(Download the Lose It App for anyone interested. I'm obsessed.)

Whole Wheat Mission Tortilla Wraps
Tuna Packets  + Mayo with Olive Oil + dried basil + celery seed + black pepper

Homemade Vegetarian Lentil Soup (Recipe to be posted soon)
Romaine Lettuce Salads + Zesty Italian Dressing

Baked Sweet Potatoes Fries with Olive Oil
(seasoned with Paprika, garlic powder, & black pepper)

Planters Nut-Rition Health Mix

Trader Joe's Everything Pretzel Slims

Trader Joe's Garlic Hummus

Lite String Cheese

Creamy PB + Celery Sticks
Trader Joe's Everything Whole Wheat Thin Bagels + Jarlsberg Lite Cheese

(toasted in the toaster oven = dinner!)

Grapefruit

Apples

Bananas

Oranges

Fresh Strawberries + Life Cereal + Almond Milk

Wild Cod Fish

Brussel Sprouts

Avocados

Triscuit Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil Crackers

Beverage List

Water

Tomato Juice

Organic Ginger Tea

Organic Hibiscus Tea

Organic Fair Trade Green Tea

Organica Chamomile & Spearmint Tea

And there you have it. My week. My cravings for sweets have been few and far between. And my philosophy of you can eat anything, as long as it's in moderation still holds true. I will be adding sweets back into my food list - but 'healthy ones' such as pumpkin bread made with Greek yogurt and dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa). Happy eating. Happy clean eating. And always remember, you are what you eat. And expect more postings of being crazy healthy, I'm not perfect, but I'm on a path I am so happy to be on. #fitnessfever #lifeisgood

01 02 18

Running Errands.

I love errands. Absolutely love them. Specifically, I love running errands by myself. I take my time, most times bring my tumbler of tea, leisurely browse, read food labels, read clothing labels, ponder items, dig through coupons, listen to the end of a radio program before going inside (AM stations are what my good ole Dodge gets these days), take the extra five seconds to check in on Four Square, and all in all, I love being alone, independent, and on a mission with a list.

Tonight was no exception. I didn't leave the house until after 5pm. Much like anywhere you live, you develop a circuit for where you go based on what stores are near you. My Cottage Grove humble-abode, involved Target, Dollar Tree, Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet, BP Gas Station, Rainbow, and Kohl's.

This may seem like a mundane post to many, perhaps all who read this, but to me, this post recognizes common tasks. When I read this post in 50 years, I will enjoy knowing what I did on a weekly-ish basis. I have found that I remember big, exciting things in life, such as sipping wine under a lit up Eiffel Tour, or kayaking the Caribbean Sea, but the little things, the day-to-day things that happen are what I often forget. As I have said before, and will say again, life is really about the little things. So, this post, about running errands, I'm going to embrace it. Now, to continue.

Target's necessity item is always nylons. I swear, I need to own stock in nylons. I go through so many pairs for work. Tonight was no exception, nylons were on my list. As well as a pair of sweater tights to keep me warmer for winter. I love wearing a skirt to work, there is something so feminine about a skirt, but the days when I have goosebumps and shivers from the cold air whipping through the Lindbergh Light Rail Station are the days I ponder wearing warmer uniform pieces. In addition to nylons, I stocked up on tea for myself and my mom. What may I be drinking right now? Organic Hibiscus. Strong and hot. Not bad qualities. I had a coupon for fluoride + a coupon for a $5 gift card with the purchase of fluoride = win/win situation. Five bucks to spend on a future purchase. Awesome. Tortilla wraps for my tuna and Target brand ziplocs made my Target run complete.

The Dollar Tree. This store should be called the 10 dollar store, or even 20 dollar store, because I rarely, if ever, spend just one dollar. I went there to buy matches. Did I remember to buy matches? Nope. But I did find 20 other things to buy. The highlights: a lighthouse calendar which our home desperately needed (December 2012 does none of us any good), THE #perfect gift bag for a friends' birthday coming up (I love a great gift bag, especially to reuse and have on display), a new headband wrap with a blue flower to match not only my jeans but my Vera Bradley bag as well (#happysnails), and Valentines day goodies for friends and family. Despite the look the cashier gave me when I insisted on using my own bag at the check-out, I still love the dollar store.

Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet. This was my first time venturing into this store. I typically run into Petsmart or Petco when in Woodbury and stock up on supplies, but my birdie needs her large cuttle bones which aren't always carried elsewhere. My dad has gotten them in bulk here before, however, tonight, I learned they no longer receive them. They have bulk millet, but not bulk cuttle bones. This was my first, and probably last, venture into this store. Sorry, birdie, the small cuticle bone will have to suffice for now!

Onto Double Daze! Wednesdays and Saturdays at Rainbow are Double Daze. For those couponers out there, you know what this is. For those who don't, you need to. Up to five manufacturer coupons are doubled with a qualifying purchase of $25. A few weeks back was unlimited double daze, my brother and I used some 25ish coupons total. With many being $1 a piece, that's an extra $25 savings. I've gotten most cereal in our household for 99 cents and pudding mix for 25 cents, just to name a couple. Today, I ventured a bit out of budget and splurged on feel-good, eat-good foods for myself. Future posts to come when I bake and cook with these ingredients, but a few of my favorites are: rye flour, quinoa, lentils, and almond butter. Tonight's highlights: a huge bottle of dish spap for just $1, the big tubs of cottage cheese for just $2.24, and Yoplait Yogurt cups for just 38 cents a piece. Seriously, everyone needs to be a coupon clipper AND participate in Double Daze. The savings will amaze you, and food tastes so much better when you know you saved money!

Last stop: Kohl's. I have a love/hate relationship with clothes these days. I buy things, then feel guilty about buying them (see Resolutions post which includes being frugal and saving money) and/or don't like what I bought, and end up returning them. Meaning, I've wasted fuel most times having to drive back to the store, and wasted time twice for something I didn't keep. Meh. I will be out of this rut someday. Perhaps, starting tonight. I returned $80 worth of stuff. Which humors me quite a lot. All had the tags on, never worn. And re-bought $28 of clothing. The best part, the shirts were CHEAP. And I mean, cheap. Found on clearance with an additional 25% off, the cheapest shirt I bought was $2.70 and most expensive was $6.60, those prices are cheaper than Goodwill or Savers. I tried them on at home, and THEY ARE CUTE. Even I am surprised, I have no intentions of returning any of them. Just as food tastes better when it's almost free, clothing feels so great, when it's cheap. I'll throw outfits together and post photos soon.

So. Here ends my mundane task of running errands, and the post that came with it. In 50 years, I will have enjoyed knowing a random Wednesday night went fulfilled. Goodnight, all. 01 02 18

Resolutions.

res·o·lu·tion [rez-uh-loo-shuh n] noun

1. a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group. Compare concurrent resolution, joint resolution.

2. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

3. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

4. the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

5. the act or process of resolving or separating into constituent or elementary parts.

Resolutions. Each year I mentally make them. (Or so I think, I can't completely recall.) And each year I mentally forget them as the days go by. Not because I didn't want to have that firm resolution to do something, more so because I forgot, meaning my resolutions weren't SMART goals. (Side note: SMART goals come from my sorority when I presented a Chapter Development on goals, ever since I have remembered; specific, meaningful, attainable, relevant, timely.) But last year, January 1st 2012, I opted to write down my resolutions. Which helped. And by writing down, I mean typed them on my iPhone. Where, on any given day, I can instantly read what I would like to improve upon, change, alter, or continue doing. Some days (many days) I do love technology.

Last year, I included items to continue doing as well as add, quite like a to-do list. (At one time I tried to give up lists, thinking they weren't necessary, I have since retracted that statement.) Resolutions I did accomplish included giving my prom dresses to Ever After Gowns - as I didn't want to simply give them to Goodwill because I couldn't dare think of someone buying them simply to 'trash' via zombie crawls, Halloween costumes, or specific photo shoots. I had such a feel-good-feeling after this donation, and as a bonus, I completed a resolution. (See, I really do like checking things off a list, I shouldn't ever deny that.) Other successful resolutions included eating healthy, exercising more, breathing deeply, drinking more tea, taking vitamins, and volunteering more. My resolutions aren't anything like, "win the lottery" or "own an island," but more so habits, daily life changes, and a betterment to life. Because we all can change for the better, there will always be something that can be done to improve oneself.

After reviewing 2012's resolutions, I started drafting 2013's resolutions oh, back in October, I would say. Slowly adding to the list of what to continue and what to add. Drum roll, please.

Continue taking vitamins.

Continue running. At least twice a week!

Continue eating healthy.

Add yoga more often. Once per week!

Read classic books. And more in general.

Travel one place every month.

Be very frugal.

Pick up one trip per month.

Always appreciate family.

Volunteer.

Make gifts. Only create.

Save money.  

Waa-lah! My resolutions. Not too small, nor too large. These resolutions are #perfect. Not only are they presently perfect, they define me. They shape me, and I love reading over and over again what I had on my mind for the new year. With nine days into this new year, may you too have happy resolutions that are kept, improve yourself, and define you. Happy New Year!

01 02 18

Blogger Night at The Ordway: "Elf the Musical"

With two tickets to see Elf at The Ordway, I spent my Friday night downtown Saint Paul. After dodging what seemed like billions of children headed to Disney on Ice at The Xcel Center, I swam up stream through the River Centre to Rice Park. The park glittered with lights, snowflakes danced their way to the ground, and searchlights welcomed all who came for opening night.

Enjoy my review, see the musical, and hopefully, if I'm lucky, I'll have more reviews in the future.

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Snow, searchlights, and sparkle lead to success for Elf the Musical

Friday, December 7, 2012
Saint Paul, MN - Opening night for Elf the Musical at The Ordway in downtown Saint Paul proved to be quite the fabulous and fancy gathering. Greeted with the first ground-clinging snowfall of the winter months, the downtown area sparkled. Searchlights picked up the glimmer of snowflakes and beamed as far as the eye could see, creating a Red Carpet atmosphere right here in our own cozy city. Not daring to pass the eager Elves without taking a picture first, our jackets were off and The Ordway awe had struck. A towering Christmas tree, compliments of Bachman’s Floral, Home & Garden Centers, climbed each level while garland elves accompanied our steps to the Mezzanine.  

Story time with Santa introduces this bright musical to the nearly sold-out audience. Capturing the audience with a gravelly yet refined Mr. Clause voice creates a childhood Santa’s lap flashback as well as that bowl full of Jell-O deep laugh which accompanies every “ho-ho-ho” we hear. Gordon Gray is outstanding, a role very well suited. Plus, who could ever dislike Santa. One of my favorite performances of the night included the song “Nobody Cares About Santa.” While bonding over Chinese food on Christmas Eve these seven dancing Santas bring added life to Act Two.  

Now to mention Buddy: he enjoys spaghetti with syrup, sings loudly for all to hear, and smiles because well, that is his favorite thing to do. Matt Kopec takes on a large role, filled by shoes of Will Ferrell in Elf the movie (2003), with enthusiasm, frolics, and a noticeable bounce in every step. The clear, concise voice of this tight-clad Elf radiate throughout the entire performance. Being an Elf is not easy in the big city of New York; finding love, making special hugs – added for the adults, eh – and causing the city to believe is a task only Kopec could concur.

Although Kopec is the lead character, do not overlook Kate Hennies. Hennies character, Jovie – a hint of Scrooge in an Elf costume with a fabulous voice, captures the female audience with her charm, hope for love, and down-to-earth attitude. Learning this is her national tour debut holds promising for this young blonde. Keep your eye on Hennies, as she is no more than one step behind a role such as Amy Adams in Enchanted.  

While movie scenes pop in and out of remembrance, the audience is swept away into a further tale of the personalities and stories the performance offers. Adding personalization, modernization – Santa owns an iPad now, folks – and comedy one truly is able to focus on the show right then and there. The warm, fuzzy feelings from Elf the Musical touch all. The holidays really are about being surrounded by friends and family, singing loudly, and those that are lucky will get that special hug. 

Elf the Musical runs now through Sunday, December 30, 2012. Visit www.theordway.org to purchase tickets online or call the box office at 651.224.4222 to purchase tickets over the phone. Tickets start at just $35 plus fees.

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If the review wasn't enough to convince you to get your own tickets (don't forget student friends - there are rush tickets available night of based on availability) here are pictures capturing the ambiance The Ordway offered.

  01 02 18

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread.

Well. Happy December! Despite what my Pinterest creations are telling me to bake this month, I am still using up my cans of pumpkin. And this morning I found the perfect recipe combining pumpkin spices with the sweetness of cream cheese. The best part of all? I did not need to buy any additional ingredients, nor did I run out of anything. I love having a kitchen full of goodies.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread

Cream Cheese Topping:

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1 egg, room temperature

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract
(side note: I always use real extract, yes it's a bit more expensive, but necessary)

Pumpkin Bread:

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

2 tbsp vegetable oil (or canola oil)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

1/8 cloves

(I love pumpkin spices so I used a pinch more than what's called for)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one large loaf pan (or use mini loafs and reduce baking time -

I prefer large slices of bread you can enjoy with a cup of tea)

2. Beat all ingredients of the cream cheese topping together until smooth and creamy

3. Mix brown sugar and eggs together then add remaining wet ingredients (pumpkin, oil, vanilla)

4. Whisk dry ingredients together and add gradually to wet ingredients

5. Pour pumpkin bread batter into loaf pan, level with a spatula

6. Pour cream cheese batter on top, level and smooth with a spatula

7. Bake for 35 minutes or until edges are golden brown and cream cheese topping has cracked to perfection! (Bake less if using mini loaves)

8. Enjoy the bread while warm with a cup of tea.

#perfect

01 02 18