Busy Weekend

Why is it that the weekends go so quickly?  I vote to have the weekends last just one more day.  It seems that as soon as I have started relaxing, it is Sunday & I have to begin thinking about the work week.  No fun.

Over the weekend, I tried some new recipes (some of my own & some from others)..  As always, I enjoyed Angela's Banana Soft Serve Vegan Overnight Oats  However, this time, I made some peanut butter because when life hands you raw peanuts, YOU MAKE PB!!

So, I took my 1.12 lb of peanuts and threw them in the processor...

and let 'er rip!!

The key is: PATIENCE!!  Patience is something I have been working on lately... more to come on that.

Voila!

This PB only cost two and a half bucks & it has no added oils, salt, or sugar.

So, I took my PB and processed it up with my banana soft serve & added a dollop on top.  YUM!

As you know, work has been crazy... A while ago, I signed up for a managing stress class at the local co-op.  Well, on Thursday night I had the pleasure of attending the class and meeting two wonderful ladies who lit a fire in me.  

The class focused on the connection between your mind, body, and spirit.  We learned to use meditation, art, and guided imagery to refocus our thoughts.  There was also some discussion regarding aromatherapy. 

When I went home that evening, I felt much lighter.  The stress that had been clouding my thoughts and causing tension in my body was wading away.  I have realized that I need to calm myself and focus on my breath.  My body can only take so much stress and I was reaching my limit.  Being able to relax and clear my mind is something I will be focusing on... The two women were from the Renew Integrative Health Center.

I also spent the weekend relieving stress by...

MELON BALLING

Oh summer fruit... how I love thee.

I found out Sunday that one of the The Boy's coworkers got engaged (CONGRATS Blair & Jeff), so what else to do but bake!  I dove into Lorie's Snickerdoodle Blondies.

Seriously, the smell in the apartment was out of this world!

Wet & Dry.. then....

heaven....

...a cinnamon-sugary heaven, that is.

FINALLY... I made a homecooked meal for The Boy on Sunday evening... It consisted of:

tilapia, basil, orange juice, orange zest, salt, pepper, mushrooms.

They were all foiled up in a pack & baked at 375 for 20 mins.

YUM!!

So, here's to another work week.  I hope you focus on yourself, thank your body for the wonderful things it provides for you, and don't forget to smile.

Love, Haley

blah

I pray for strength to get through the next few days.

The past 2 days at work have been crazy... I don't even know what to say or where to start.  Therefore, I will leave you with some pictures of food, my dog, and my love.  These things make me smile...

Banana, cup strawberries, cup of spinach, cup of almond milk, scoop of vanilla protein, 1 T chia seeds...

Topped with blueberries... mmm mmm

Just have...

FIGS: newest obsession

Cheesy Veggie Stacks: egg plant, zucchini, ricotta cheese, spinach, onion, tomato sauce, mushrooms...

My puppers

He keeps me sane..

World View

Yesterday I was asked what my world view was.  I went home last night and really thought about this.  I don't think I know what my view of the world is.  I am 25 years old and still discovering who I am.  I don't think I will ever fully know the purpose I have in this world because I am constantly learning.

When I went to answer the question, I thought about who I am and who I have come to be.  I think my "sense of place" in this world comes from being the oldest out of 3 children.  Growing up I took on the "mother" role a little too well.  My dad was always working out of town and I think I stepped into his shoes (even though my mom was there).  I tended to tell my brother and sister what to do and what was best for them.  To this day, I find myself worrying more about my little brother and little sister than myself. I believe this is how my ED started... I don't care for myself.  I try to control others (and my eating)...

Once I began this thought process again... I ran with it to think about my world view.

The way I view the world is with a sense of anxiety.  I am a Type-A person all the way and I like to have control and be able to schedule and plan.  I easily take on leadership roles.  My thoughts are that if you want something a certain way, then you should get involved and give your opinion.

I feel as if I am rambling on and on... but the questions posed yesterday were:
WHO am I?
WHAT is my responsibility?
HOW do I carry myself
HOW do I see the world?

These are deep questions...  things to think about...

going loca...

today has been a crazy day so far & it is 4pm.

we are doing this workshop at my school for the staff that focuses on the hawaiian culture..

a little background regarding my school:  we are based on the pacific american values of love, respect, etc.. so, our admin thought it would be a good idea to bring in a group from Hawaii to enlighten us.  back to my story...

the group of 3 women (while all very nice & i appreciate them coming out this week) came into the room and started speaking eng-ian... (my sorry word for english and hawaiian).  i swear the words coming out of their mouths were gibberish.  i am writing now because i am extremely frustrated.  we have a staff of 8 teachers & only 2 have lived in hawaii.  therefore, the remaining 6 of us don't know a lick of hawaiian.  maybe these women have never had any formal teacher training.  i would have appreciated a little intro to the hawaiian alphabet or maybe some numbers...   JUST BREATHE, HALEY!

enough complaining!!  it is monday & i have a 4 day work week this week because we were given Friday off.  to make things even better, we have next monday off as well!  yippeeee!  once again, i live for the weekend!

breakfast this morning was french toast.  it was so good & filling!  pics to come.....

<3, haley

so fresh & so clean, clean

once again, it has been a while...

things have been crazy around here in san diego.  i started work up again on august 2.  therefore, tons of staff development & getting the classroom/school ready.  i am teaching first grade at a new school in SD.  the building is an old headstart (preschool) building; there is tons of painting and fixing up that is being done.  i am super excited for the year to start on sept 7 though..

i have also been busy with our charger season tickets!  so far there have been 2 preseason games & the boy and i are living it up.  my dad sent us a chargers ez-up for tailgating.  it is pretty sexy...

anywho... i really wish i made more time for my blog.  i think i spend entirely too much of my day on the internet looking up random things & reading through others blogs.  i want to blog more because it is an outlet.  blogging is a way to talk about your day, your life (crazy-sad-happy-exciting-busy-etc.) and send it out to the world.  who knows if it will be read?  but really, for me, that is not what it is about! 

enough about that.. for dinner tonight we stayed FRESH & CLEAN (thanks outkast)..  the boy said he wanted a sunomono salad (cucumbers--like at sushi).  so, i whisked up some rice vinegar, splenda, soy sauce, & ground ginger... mmm

pic is a tad blurry... sorry.  the boy was rushing me!  we also made up some kabobs.. with bell peppers, onions, monster mushrooms, and shrimpys! 

well, it is sunday night.  tomorrow starts another work week.. we will see how thing blogging keeps up.  i hope it does =)  night all...

<3, haley

Dairy-Free Polenta Lasagna

Happy Wednesday!

Yesterday was a great day... started off with the pancakes, then lunch was a HUGE salad..

Romaine, broccoli, carrots, corn, black beans, 2 slices of turkey, red pepper flakes, italian dressing, and a dusting of nutritional yeast... yum yum yum

Once The Boy got home from work, we took Stanley to the park to release some of that crazy dog energy!

I spent the better part of the day creating a recipe (will follow)... Dairy-Free Polenta Lasagna

I started off with making the Polenta

As it was thickening up, I added in some dried basil and garlic powder... stir, stir, stir

Once the polenta is THICK (~15 min), pour & spread in an oiled dish to firm up (~10 min)..

As the polenta is firming, caramelize some chopped onions & brown ground turkey (or meat substitute). Add in a little garlic salt.. & then combine the onions & turkey

The polenta should be firm by now... turn the dish upside down on to a plate to continue the cooldown.

Julienne (or cut up) some veggies that are in the fridge & saute.  I used zucchini, carrots & cabbage...

Cut the polenta in half, lengthwise, in order to begin the layering process...

(pic won't turn... hmmm...)

You get the idea.

I cut the polenta, spread some tomato sauce on top, added tomato sauce to the meat & onion mixture (simmer)... then LAYERRR

I layered polenta, veggies, meat, polenta, veggies meat....

Then cook at 350 for 20 mins (covered)... then uncover & cook an additional 10. Voila!

(I added some nutritional yeast for the cheesy taste...)

ENJOY!!

Polenta Lasagna

.5c of Polenta

1.5c water

.5t basil

.5t garlic

.5 tsp salt

10 oz. turkey

.5 onion

1 zucchini

1 carrot

cabbage

tomato sauce

red pepper flakes (to taste)

1. Cook polenta, add in basil, garlic, salt (stir, shape, cool)

2. Brown turkey

3. Caramelize onions

4. Combine turkey and onions

5. Julienne zucchini, carrots & chop cabbage

6. Cook veggies

7. Heat tomato sauce & add in turkey mixture, red pepper flakes, dash basil

8. Cut polenta in half to layer...

9. Layer polenta, veggies, meat, repeat

10. Cook 350 for 20 mins covered then 10 mins uncovered..

11. Dust with nutritional yeast!

12. ENJOY!

I am off to purchase an ice cream maker... recipes to come for sure!

Love, Haley

Protein Pancake Palooza

Yes, you heard me right... or is it read me right?

I made Gina's Protein Pancakes this morning... successfully!

A little background regarding my breakfasts....

• Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.
• I have a breakfast "routine" that got me into trouble back during my ED days...
• I read the paper, drink coffee, and tend to fall into a ritual of eating the SAME THING everyday...

Therefore, I have set a goal for myself to try a new breakfast everyday.  I am only allowed to repeat a breakfast every 3 days.  So, I started with a smoothie (my recent ritual), then I had May's french toast oats, then french toast, repeat smoothie... and now Protein Pancakes!!

I followed the recipe almost exactly... except I only used 1 scoop of protein & I didn't have nutmeg...

Mix the dry...

Add the wet...

Then cook 'em up!

The finished product came out a little strange........

I attempted to organize the cakes into a smiley face because they were shaped very awkwardly!  I topped them with syrup & a dash of salt (I love me some sweet-n-salty)..

Mmmm mmm good!

Now on to yoga...

I did CorePower Hot Fusion Yoga this morning... Again, this is day 2 of my hot yoga venture.. Again, I thought it was SOOO detoxifying.  I left the studio even more drenched than yesterday.  There were not a dry spot on my clothes.  Nasty, I know... However, it felt so wonderful.  I think of the sweat as negativity leaving my body.  I focus on the fact that when I breathe in, I am allowing positive thoughts in...

Although I have done this now for only 2 days, I feel more aware of my body & my mind.  I need this in my life.  I struggle with my ED and negative thoughts daily; yoga is bringing me back to center.  I thank my body for being able to stretch, bend, and for allowing me to do the practice of yoga.  

I know I am rambling, but I thoroughly enjoyed the session this morning.  I went in with an intention of releasing stress and I accomplished this.

Namaste,

Haley

wannabe "chopped" contestant

I tend to make random posts here on this blog... I spend more time reading others' & enjoy trying new recipes & workouts... However, today I had to make a post.  Yes, I HAD to... according to the Boy.

Before my boyfriend left for work this morning, I asked him, "What should we have for dinner?"  He reply was chicken & broccoli.  I thought, "Hmm.. Okay. BORING!"  I took this as a challenge....

After my first heated yoga experience at CorePower Yoga (which I loved more than the gym.. but shhh, don't let 24hour know that), I returned home to a Yum-O Chia StrawBanana Smoothie.  Then, I took to the kitchen to snoop around.

Whilst my search was going on, I stumbled upon some Laughing Cow.. I thought to myself (like the guy in the Windows 7 shower commercial), "I could stuff some chicken with a broccoli/cheese mixture."

I immediately steamed some broc, took out my food processor, chopped up the broccoli, cheese (I used 3), salt, peppa, & red pepper flakes.  Let me just tell you, it smelled delish.

Once the chicken breasts were thawed, I pounded them out to ~1/3 inch & dusted salt, peppa, and cumin on top.  I flipped the puppies over & spread some of the broc/queso mixture, rolled the chix, and toothpicked 'em up.

I made 4 small chix in a square Pyrex, poured some chicken broth in the dish, and cooked them (covered) for 30 min at 350... uncover and cook another 10.

I made the dish as a surprise for the boy.  He came home & inhaled his pieces.  He immediately said, "You need to publish this on the internet.  Ya know, the recipe place."  I knew he meant my blog/in the blog world...

Needless to say, here I am... posting the recipe.  I recommend you make it.. it was YUM-O!

Love, Haley

Terrific Thursday

Don't you just love waking up and smiling?  That is how I started my day... I am not sure why, but I woke up feeling great!  I guess I won't think too much into it & just accept it.

I went to the gym this morning and did my regular routine of 30 minutes of cardio (chose the elliptical and the rotating stepper from you know where this morning).  Then, I made my way upstairs to do some upper body work.

At the gym near my house, there are hardly ever any women at the free weight area.  Why is it that girls (most of the time) are so shy or intimidated by the free weights?  I know there are men working out nearby, but why waste time on the machines?  To me, free weights provide a much better workout.  According to active.com, a combination is best.  I can understand this.  I guess I just enjoy doing squats, lunges, and other types of exercise for my lower body.

ANYWAYS... I then came home and had a delicious smoothie (pics to come).  My Staple Smoothie consists of:

1. Slightly less than 1 cup almond milk
2. 1.5 cups frozen berries
3. 1 T chia
4. 1 scoop of Pure Protein powder
5. Small banana
6. Half-cup of Fiber One

First I mix the milk, chia, and protein so the chia can do their thang.. Then, I blend it up in my Kitchen Aid blender (that is, of course, pink).. Then, I ENJOY!

Well, I have a long day ahead of me.  My mom and I are beginning my move to SAN DIEGO!  I am thrilled to see the BF because it has been THREE WEEKS... 

Have a fabulous day... 

<3, Haley

"clean out the fridge" din-din

Good evening!  I hope you all had a terrific hump-day.  Does anyone else find it weird to say that?  Maybe I am just immature....

I am off to San Diego tomorrow because I have an interview on Friday (fingers crossed!!!) morning.  Since I will be gone Thurs-Sunday, it was time to rid my fridge of all of the veggies.  Therefore, I came up with Scrambled Tofu & Chick Pea Stuffed Peppers.  They were fab!

Along with the peppers (there were 2), I had some roasted veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions & a crunchy salad (only iceberg left) with some broccoli, onions, cukes, nutritional yeast, and red pepper flakes,

Delish... Now my belly is full and I am looking forward to Modern Family tonight.  The show is simply genius.  If you have not seen it yet, I highly suggest you do...

On the list for tomorrow::: gym, work, and then 200 miles to San Diego.  My bf is there waiting for me <3 in our new apartment.  Lucky for him, I am bringing a couch.  Let's hope it will not look like a bachelor pad.  If it does, it will not for long because I will be down there in a month!

Sweet dreams...

Dear Body

Inspired by Melissa, I wrote some choice words to my body...

Dear Body,

I have spent years in agony because of the many things Ed has told me.  Ed tells me on a daily basis that I should not love you, that I should not accept you, that I need to change you.  Ed says that if I change you, I will be happy.  If I change you, I will be loved and accepted by all.

Ed is wrong.  I know he is.  I wake up each morning and worry about what I will eat..or will not eat.  I am sorry for putting you through the pain the past few years.  I have failed to give you the minerals and vitamins you need; I have not listened to you when you try to tell me you are exhausted; I often ignore the sounds of starvation or feelings of soreness.

You deserve better than the life I am giving you.  You deserve nourishment, happiness, love... It is each day you allow me to laugh with my friends, hug my boyfriend, call my family, and do all of the wonderful things I choose to do.  Food is not our enemy.  Food is for life.  Body, I am writing to you to promise to try my best to accept you for who you are.  You and I only have one life here.. It is too short to be unhappy with you.

Please forgive me.  Please know that I love you and appreciate you for giving me life.  I am blessed to be able to wake up each day, laugh, smile, walk, talk... I have many people that love me.  They do not love me for you (my body).  The people who love me--love me for ME.

So, hang in there.. I am trying my best to realize just how fabulous you and I are...

Love, Haley

i'm baaaaaaaaaack!

So, it has been 4 months-ish since I have posted.  I started out on here all excited, then I lost focus...

During my hiatus (if you can even call it that because I never really started), I have kept up with the food blog world.  It is interesting to read up on the lives of other fabulous women each day... It makes you feel like you actually know them... You know about their goals, what happens during their day, what they eat, etc.  I don't even know what my boyfriend eats everyday!

I am currently preparing to move to San Diego, CA.  I live in Ventura (hour north of Los Angeles) but I am making the move to where my boyfriend was transferred a year ago.  We got our own apartment and I can't wait to move in with him.  I am stuck in Ventura until mid-June.  This is when the school year is over... By the way, I am a teacher =)

It will take me a little bit to get this whole site organized, but I look forward to updating as regular as possible.. I feel it will give me an "out" when I need one (or not)!

Stay tuned..........

Super-Duper Spaghetti Pie

Hungry-Girl does it for me AGAIN!  I made the spaghetti pie with Shirataki Noodles, tomato sauce, egg substitute, and cut up mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and green peppers.  mmmm.... delish.  I did not add the turkey pepperoni because I did not have any on hand, but I am thinking the 1/2 cup of egg sub. was enough protein.

I tend to add quite a bit of spices to mine... Dave always says, "The spice is nice."  Tonight I added dried basil, oregano, garlic, and red pepper flakes.

As I was eating it, I came up with the idea to cook this or Dave.  However, I am going to use it as a side dish and do a faux-fry chicken breast with some mozzarella.  His favorite dinner is chicken parmesan.  So, I am going to do a healthier version of it for him.  We will see how it turns out...

Love, 
Haley


"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." ~Virginia Woolf

Hungry Girl

So, Lisa Lillien is my hero. She is the genius behind "Hungry Girl." If you have not already subscribed to the daily email, YOU SHOULD! go to www.hungry-girl.com and do it, NOW!

The pic on the left may look like mush, but let me just tell you how delicious it was!! The picture is of my dinner from tonight. I made a recipe from Hungry Girl's 200 under 200 cookbook. The recipe was called Ooey-Gooey Cheesy Veggie Stacks. Ah-May-Zing... It consisted of eggplant, zucchini, onions, mushrooms layered with a ricotta, spinach, and garlic mixture. Mmm mmm good!!

Love, 
Haley


"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." ~Virginia Woolf

best GF ever...

Sorry it has taken me so long to post again... the New Year's Eve holiday got the best of me. Yikes. The cookie on the left is one of the Chocolate Chip Walnut cookies I made for Dave (& his coworkers). I actually used the Safeway chocolate chips and followed that recipe. They were the best cookies...ever. So chewy & delicious. Way to go, Safeway.

Love, 
Haley


"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." ~Virginia Woolf