Hello all!
Can you believe it, June is over? It seems like it FLEW to me! It was a good month, over all. I didn't do perfect, but I am far from perfect, so that is alright. Anyhow, here's how I did on my goals.
#1. Play outside everyday, for a minimum of 15 minutes. I did ok on this. It helped immensely that I had rehearsal outside the second half of the month! I'm giving myself an 80% here.
#2. Create 3 beautiful things. I fell short on this one too, sadly! I did make a case for my kindle (post on its way), and I was well on my way to making a case for my laptop case and an armband for my phone when I run. BUT THEN MY POWER WENT OUT. So that meant no cutting of fabric, no sewing, nothing. So there went that. So, sadly... 33%
#3. Read 3 books. I made this one!! I read Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Game of Thrones and Clash of Kings, both by George RR Martin. Good Omens was hilarious, and the beginning two books of A Song of Ice and Fire were very exciting and full of intrigue. Those two are definitely not kid friendly, however. Many adult themes. But I get to give myself a 100% on this one!
#4. Continue to do the 30 day shred everyday. I gave up on this one, I must admit. I got bored, and tired of it, and so I tried to move onto other workouts, like running. I still suck at running, but I'm getting there, inch by inch, step by step. Unfortunately, I can really only give it like, a 20%.
#5. Start clearing out my clutter. I also failed on this one. Cleaning stuff out is HARD! MUST do better this month!! 0%
#6. Go to 3 new places. This one I did great on! In fact, I went to at least FIVE new places. One new restaurant, and four new parks, and they were all great! 100%!
#7. Try 5 new recipes. I also did great on this one! I posted two of my new recipes, but I also tried a Black Bean salad/salsa, a new cookie, and Yellow squash boats with veggies, chicken and cheese with breadcrumbs. They were all FABULOUS. Great decisions, all. 100%
wow, overall, I earned a 62%. That's not great, at all. Have to try to do better next month! I'll post July's goals tomorrow!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Recipe: leftover Quinoa salad
Gosh I love cooking!
Today for lunch, I had leftover veggies to eat up, as well as leftover Quinoa from last night's dinner. Quinoa, if you don't know, is a grain, kind of like rice- but it is SUPER healthy for you, very filling, and just as easy to make as rice! So! Here's what I had for lunch:
Leftover Quinoa salad:
1 cooked corn on the cobb, cooked
9-10 leftover green beans, cooked
1 cup quinoa
1/2 avocado
1 egg
1/2 cup spinach
1. Cut the corn off the cob, add to bowl of quinoa
2. Chop up green beans, add to quinoa
3. dice avocado and add egg to small skillet. Gently whisk the two together as it cooks. Make sure it doesn't become one big massive piece- keep it in bite size chunks.
4. add avo and egg to quinoa and mix all together.
5. fill a bowl with spinach and top with quinoa mixture.
Done!
I had mine with some whole wheat toast- delicious!!
Today for lunch, I had leftover veggies to eat up, as well as leftover Quinoa from last night's dinner. Quinoa, if you don't know, is a grain, kind of like rice- but it is SUPER healthy for you, very filling, and just as easy to make as rice! So! Here's what I had for lunch:
Leftover Quinoa salad:
1 cooked corn on the cobb, cooked
9-10 leftover green beans, cooked
1 cup quinoa
1/2 avocado
1 egg
1/2 cup spinach
1. Cut the corn off the cob, add to bowl of quinoa
2. Chop up green beans, add to quinoa
3. dice avocado and add egg to small skillet. Gently whisk the two together as it cooks. Make sure it doesn't become one big massive piece- keep it in bite size chunks.
4. add avo and egg to quinoa and mix all together.
5. fill a bowl with spinach and top with quinoa mixture.
Done!
I had mine with some whole wheat toast- delicious!!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Recipe: Black Raspberry & Mushroom Chutney
Hi everyone!
I made. The most. AMAZING dinner tonight. I'll get the picture edited in soon, buuuuuuut here's the recipe. For the record, I had a grilled chicken breast, fresh sauteed green beans, organic quinoa AND my own recipe: Black Raspberry and mushroom chutney. I'm sharing the recipe below:
Charis's Black Raspberry & Mushroom Chutney
Ingredients:
4 medium sized button mushrooms
2-3 handfuls fresh black raspberries
some red onion- I used about a quarter of the amount of mushrooms
3 fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 capfuls lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1. Chop mushrooms and onion finely, place in skillet. Add raspberries, whole, to skillet.
2. Chop basil and add to skillet
3. add the rest of the ingredients to the skillet
4. put the skillet on high heat. Stir ingredients together, mashing the raspberries with your spoon or spatula, while waiting on the liquid to come to a boil.
5. Once liquid is boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Continue to cook until all liquid is cooked away.
That's it! Suuuuuuper easy! And SO delicious- sweet and savory and great on chicken!
If you try it, please let me know!
I made. The most. AMAZING dinner tonight. I'll get the picture edited in soon, buuuuuuut here's the recipe. For the record, I had a grilled chicken breast, fresh sauteed green beans, organic quinoa AND my own recipe: Black Raspberry and mushroom chutney. I'm sharing the recipe below:
Charis's Black Raspberry & Mushroom Chutney
Ingredients:
4 medium sized button mushrooms
2-3 handfuls fresh black raspberries
some red onion- I used about a quarter of the amount of mushrooms
3 fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 capfuls lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1. Chop mushrooms and onion finely, place in skillet. Add raspberries, whole, to skillet.
2. Chop basil and add to skillet
3. add the rest of the ingredients to the skillet
4. put the skillet on high heat. Stir ingredients together, mashing the raspberries with your spoon or spatula, while waiting on the liquid to come to a boil.
5. Once liquid is boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Continue to cook until all liquid is cooked away.
That's it! Suuuuuuper easy! And SO delicious- sweet and savory and great on chicken!
If you try it, please let me know!
Monday, June 11, 2012
June goal check in!
hello, hello again!
It's been just over a week, but my memory is not so good, so here's an update on my June Goals!
#1- active play! I'm giving this a 95%. I've been to parks, I went to a street fair, I even went for a RUN. I've been on bike rides, and I played with my dog this afternoon.
#2 Creating 3 beautiful things! 0% right now. I haven't started this one yet... I better get on it, huh.
#3 Read 3 books! 40% so far. I just finished Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It was very cute- a comedy about the apocalypse. Definitely a good read. AND I started Game of Thrones, which I am enjoying very much. AND my daddy bought me a kindle for my graduation, so I can read many many books! YAAAAAY!!
#4 30 Day Shred! 60% I'm doing ok... I'm TRYING to do it everyday, but sometimes I just can't get motivated to do it. So far I've at least managed it every other day, today, marks the second day in a row... lol.
#5 Clutter! 0% I haven't started this either... well, I did put one item of clothing in a good will bag. I NEED to get on this one.
#6 Go to Three New Places! 70% I've been to two new parks! The first one was GREAT. New favorite place! The second one, not so much, but it's ok, that's what going new places is for!
#7 5 new recipes! 40%. I've made two: a delicious fruit salsa, and avocado fries. I'll post the recipes soon!
Things have been silly amounts of busy. I graduated from college on Saturday morning, so this week was a LOT of that. It actually really stressed me out to have that to worry about. My next worry is finding a bill-paying job...anyone?
I start rehearsals for the play I'm stage managing next week, so we've been busy with that too. It's going well, but it is a LOT to do! Update on that once rehearsals start!
As for the never ending fitness trek, I am working on it still, of course. The scale has been very stubborn of late, but I think I am still seeing improvements in the mirror, and that's all I can really ask for, right? Right!
Finally, just for you all, a few pictures of graduation day!
Hope you all have beautiful days!
Until next time~
It's been just over a week, but my memory is not so good, so here's an update on my June Goals!
#1- active play! I'm giving this a 95%. I've been to parks, I went to a street fair, I even went for a RUN. I've been on bike rides, and I played with my dog this afternoon.
#2 Creating 3 beautiful things! 0% right now. I haven't started this one yet... I better get on it, huh.
#3 Read 3 books! 40% so far. I just finished Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It was very cute- a comedy about the apocalypse. Definitely a good read. AND I started Game of Thrones, which I am enjoying very much. AND my daddy bought me a kindle for my graduation, so I can read many many books! YAAAAAY!!
#4 30 Day Shred! 60% I'm doing ok... I'm TRYING to do it everyday, but sometimes I just can't get motivated to do it. So far I've at least managed it every other day, today, marks the second day in a row... lol.
#5 Clutter! 0% I haven't started this either... well, I did put one item of clothing in a good will bag. I NEED to get on this one.
#6 Go to Three New Places! 70% I've been to two new parks! The first one was GREAT. New favorite place! The second one, not so much, but it's ok, that's what going new places is for!
#7 5 new recipes! 40%. I've made two: a delicious fruit salsa, and avocado fries. I'll post the recipes soon!
Things have been silly amounts of busy. I graduated from college on Saturday morning, so this week was a LOT of that. It actually really stressed me out to have that to worry about. My next worry is finding a bill-paying job...anyone?
I start rehearsals for the play I'm stage managing next week, so we've been busy with that too. It's going well, but it is a LOT to do! Update on that once rehearsals start!
As for the never ending fitness trek, I am working on it still, of course. The scale has been very stubborn of late, but I think I am still seeing improvements in the mirror, and that's all I can really ask for, right? Right!
Finally, just for you all, a few pictures of graduation day!
Hope you all have beautiful days!
Until next time~
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Sweet, Sweet Summer
Hello again, from my corner of the world!
It is JUNE already! Can you believe it? I hardly can. Seems like Spring FLEW by, doesn't it? I know I've been really lax in updating here, and I will try to do better- ought to be able to, without school in my face. Anyway, I'll try. For now, here's a quick update!
#1. Play outside everyday, for a minimum of 15 minutes. This could be going for a walk, going to the pool, riding my bike, doing some yoga, or going to swing on a swing set. But this is active play, so it doesn't include things like picnics, reading outside, sitting next to the pool, or taking naps while turning into a lobster.
#2. Create 3 beautiful things. It is time to flex my crafting muscles again. I have plenty of ideas, so it is time to use them again! Some ideas that I still haven't acted on: silverware wind chime, lots of stuff with wine bottles, cork boards, some kind of wine cork jewelry holder?
#3. Read 3 books. My goal for the Summer is to read the series A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin. That's the books the TV series Game of Thrones was based on. I'd also like to watch the series. But I have a whole list of things I want to read this summer. I'm a (very) quick reader, so this shouldn't be difficult. I'll post a full Summer reading list later this week, and we can discuss my choices!
#4. Continue to do the 30 day shred everyday. The 30 day shred is a dvd workout program by Jillian Michaels. I started it this weekend, and it REALLY worked me. I've been impressed with other's results, so I figure, why not! Want to try it with me? Leave me a comment and I'd be happy to tell you more about how it works.
#5. Start clearing out my clutter. My lease is up in just under 2 months. I'm planning on having a garage sale sometime around then to get RID of a lot of my stuff, but I'll need for it to go regardless. The time has come for some SERIOUS deep cleaning, and I mean to give it a run for it's money.
#6. Go to 3 new places. These could be stores, restaurants, parks, whatever. But three places I have never been to before.
#7. Try 5 new recipes. I love to make new things, but I often get in a rut with what I know how to cook! I'm hoping this will push me to try some new delicious and healthy recipes this month!
Ok, that seems like enough, right? Right! I'll try to do a new post as we hit each of these goals, then we'll do a wrap up and July goals post at the end of the month!
Alright, then, that's what you have to look forward to if you're vicariously living through my life by reading my blog! And now, I'm off to ride my bike on this glorious June Sunday. Have a beautiful day!
Until next time~
xoxox
It is JUNE already! Can you believe it? I hardly can. Seems like Spring FLEW by, doesn't it? I know I've been really lax in updating here, and I will try to do better- ought to be able to, without school in my face. Anyway, I'll try. For now, here's a quick update!
- I finished school, including running on the Costume Crew for The Phantom of the Opera.
- I graduate from College next weekend.
- I now need a job...like every other college graduate in America
- I've been completely creatively burnt out, but I'm hoping that ends now, because I have so many ideas!
- I'm officially down 25 pounds since I started my most recent fitness stint after Christmas. Two more pounds and I will have hit 50 pounds since my highest weight, which was in high school.
#1. Play outside everyday, for a minimum of 15 minutes. This could be going for a walk, going to the pool, riding my bike, doing some yoga, or going to swing on a swing set. But this is active play, so it doesn't include things like picnics, reading outside, sitting next to the pool, or taking naps while turning into a lobster.
#2. Create 3 beautiful things. It is time to flex my crafting muscles again. I have plenty of ideas, so it is time to use them again! Some ideas that I still haven't acted on: silverware wind chime, lots of stuff with wine bottles, cork boards, some kind of wine cork jewelry holder?
#3. Read 3 books. My goal for the Summer is to read the series A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin. That's the books the TV series Game of Thrones was based on. I'd also like to watch the series. But I have a whole list of things I want to read this summer. I'm a (very) quick reader, so this shouldn't be difficult. I'll post a full Summer reading list later this week, and we can discuss my choices!
#4. Continue to do the 30 day shred everyday. The 30 day shred is a dvd workout program by Jillian Michaels. I started it this weekend, and it REALLY worked me. I've been impressed with other's results, so I figure, why not! Want to try it with me? Leave me a comment and I'd be happy to tell you more about how it works.
#5. Start clearing out my clutter. My lease is up in just under 2 months. I'm planning on having a garage sale sometime around then to get RID of a lot of my stuff, but I'll need for it to go regardless. The time has come for some SERIOUS deep cleaning, and I mean to give it a run for it's money.
#6. Go to 3 new places. These could be stores, restaurants, parks, whatever. But three places I have never been to before.
#7. Try 5 new recipes. I love to make new things, but I often get in a rut with what I know how to cook! I'm hoping this will push me to try some new delicious and healthy recipes this month!
Ok, that seems like enough, right? Right! I'll try to do a new post as we hit each of these goals, then we'll do a wrap up and July goals post at the end of the month!
Alright, then, that's what you have to look forward to if you're vicariously living through my life by reading my blog! And now, I'm off to ride my bike on this glorious June Sunday. Have a beautiful day!
Until next time~
xoxox
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Hello, again!
And I am so sorry I have been absent for so long! I keep thinking to myself, it is WAY past time to update my blog, and then time gets away from me, and I don't do it, and then, before you know it, it's been far too long.
But just because my blog has been idle does not mean that I have been! Oh, no, far from it, in fact! (Actually, I wonder if it isn't some sort of reverse ratio: the busier I am, the less I post... hmmm...)
So here's to catch up a little bit! Some of these will get more lengthy posts in the days to come- I even have a craft tutorial, just in time for prom season! I know you'd forgotten I do those, right? So anyway, here we go:
I went to Washington DC, and had a LOVEY time with my choir. We saw some pretty fun things, including the holocaust museum, which I highly recommend to anyone visiting. Such a moving experience. We went to Colonial Williamsburg, which was adorable, and where my mother is now convinced I should live and work for the rest of my life. It would be fun.
Unfortunately, I gained five pounds that week.
On the other hand, I ran an ENTIRE mile in one go twice that week. So I'm calling it a draw.
Then, we came home and I started Spring Quarter! I'm taking four exercise classes this quarter:
But it got better. It has taken another four weeks to really appreciate the changes that have happened. My arms have a little bit of muscle definition to them now, I can turn again almost with ease. My passe, at least on the right feels strong and steady, and my deltoids make it through my 80 minute class without a problem.
The one thing I'm still struggling with is finding the time and energy to add in more cardio. All of my classes are more strength based than cardio, and although that's great, I need to pair it with cardio to maximize the effort.
And then we can tackle the real problem which continues to be my intake. I have found often in the last four weeks that I MUST eat more. I get to the end of the day, having eaten till I'm full every meal, and I find I have only taken in 800 or so calories. As active as I am, that needs to be about double. It is frustrating, I know it is restricting my weight loss, and I am trying to up it, but it is slow going.
Then, I made a RAD pair of sparkle pumps, which I'll post the tutorial for soon- it was easy, and they held up MUCH better than I was expecting, honestly.
I also made and sold 12 of my wine cork key chains, which was exciting, made a cloak for a friend of mine, and was asked about making another.
And I think that's about all the news that's fit to print! Look soon for a tutorial about shoes, some pics of DC, and a more in depth fitness post!
Til next time-
But just because my blog has been idle does not mean that I have been! Oh, no, far from it, in fact! (Actually, I wonder if it isn't some sort of reverse ratio: the busier I am, the less I post... hmmm...)
So here's to catch up a little bit! Some of these will get more lengthy posts in the days to come- I even have a craft tutorial, just in time for prom season! I know you'd forgotten I do those, right? So anyway, here we go:
I went to Washington DC, and had a LOVEY time with my choir. We saw some pretty fun things, including the holocaust museum, which I highly recommend to anyone visiting. Such a moving experience. We went to Colonial Williamsburg, which was adorable, and where my mother is now convinced I should live and work for the rest of my life. It would be fun.
Unfortunately, I gained five pounds that week.
On the other hand, I ran an ENTIRE mile in one go twice that week. So I'm calling it a draw.
Then, we came home and I started Spring Quarter! I'm taking four exercise classes this quarter:
- ballet
- fencing
- Yoga
- Weight Training for women
But it got better. It has taken another four weeks to really appreciate the changes that have happened. My arms have a little bit of muscle definition to them now, I can turn again almost with ease. My passe, at least on the right feels strong and steady, and my deltoids make it through my 80 minute class without a problem.
The one thing I'm still struggling with is finding the time and energy to add in more cardio. All of my classes are more strength based than cardio, and although that's great, I need to pair it with cardio to maximize the effort.
And then we can tackle the real problem which continues to be my intake. I have found often in the last four weeks that I MUST eat more. I get to the end of the day, having eaten till I'm full every meal, and I find I have only taken in 800 or so calories. As active as I am, that needs to be about double. It is frustrating, I know it is restricting my weight loss, and I am trying to up it, but it is slow going.
Then, I made a RAD pair of sparkle pumps, which I'll post the tutorial for soon- it was easy, and they held up MUCH better than I was expecting, honestly.
I also made and sold 12 of my wine cork key chains, which was exciting, made a cloak for a friend of mine, and was asked about making another.
And I think that's about all the news that's fit to print! Look soon for a tutorial about shoes, some pics of DC, and a more in depth fitness post!
Til next time-
Sunday, March 11, 2012
The end of winter quarter
This is a combo post. I'll post a couple fitness things, but I want to touch on other things too!
First: My final pounds lost number for Winter Quarter, the first ten weeks of my journey, was 20 pounds down. I'm pleased, although I think February could have gone better. Still, that's an average of two pounds a week, which means I am training hard and eating clean, so I can't complain!
I'm still trying to up my calorie intake a bit, and I think that will help. Unfortunately, my body simply doesn't run on 1200 calories very well. This month I'd like to really try to get my BMR done for me and I'd looove to get a body fat scan done that tells me what my percentage of body fat is. We'll see!
I know it seems like an odd time for new goals, but because it is the end of the quarter, I have some now, even though it is the middle of the month!
Goals for Spring:
-Get out of bed. On time. Everyday.
-continue on my fast food, caffeine & red meat free style of living
-make a silverware windchime
-up my blogging to at LEAST two posts per week, and only one of them about fitness
-MORE yoga. I've done four days in a row- let's see if I can keep it up for a while- I am in love with it.
- start some SERIOUS decluttering. I'm graduating from college. I need to get rid of my crap. It has to go. Interested in something I own? Please ask. Lol.
It was an odd quarter. I have become so dedicated to fitness-and clothing- that sometimes I scarcely recognize myself! And so many days where I felt a thousand years old. But then, so many days where I knew I was right where I was supposed to be in that instant, and I was so so happy. I know that my mood was better because of the yoga. I look at things a little differently now. I see people differently. I plan my days differently. But one of the biggest differences was in my no caffeine or fast food game. I've been caffeine free for almost 9 weeks. When you consider that I was a 24 or more ounce a day girl at one point, that's a big deal. It feels good. Still strange- I still crave the way I felt emotionally after caffeine, or with a cup of coffee, or even worse, with a can of diet pepsi in my hand. But I know that that won't stabilize me emotionally anymore. And so, I drink water, and milk, and the occasional smoothie or random other beverage. I keep trying tea, but so far I haven't forced myself to drink it.
I also only had one fast food meal this quarter. And THAT was weird. Last Spring, when I was really struggling with my ED, the ONLY thing I could make myself eat was fast food. It was awful- bad for me, expensive, kind of gross, but at least I was eating. Then, this Fall, when I was so busy with Hairspray, I was in the same boat- no. time. for. anything. I ate fast food for at least one meal a day for three weeks. Talk about gross and expensive!!
So this quarter, I only had fast food once. And I'm defining fast food as: has a drive thru. Anything else I was ok with this quarter. But I only hit one drive thru, and I felt SO sick afterwards that I think I have learned my lesson. I hope. It didn't even really taste that good, in the end.
Next quarter is going to be SO great. My last quarter of college, three exercise classes plus Yoga and Yoga Sculpt- I'm so excited. It's going to take planning, but that's ok. I'm excited for that too.
As usual, I'll keep you posted. All my love tonight!
Till next time-
<3
First: My final pounds lost number for Winter Quarter, the first ten weeks of my journey, was 20 pounds down. I'm pleased, although I think February could have gone better. Still, that's an average of two pounds a week, which means I am training hard and eating clean, so I can't complain!
I'm still trying to up my calorie intake a bit, and I think that will help. Unfortunately, my body simply doesn't run on 1200 calories very well. This month I'd like to really try to get my BMR done for me and I'd looove to get a body fat scan done that tells me what my percentage of body fat is. We'll see!
I know it seems like an odd time for new goals, but because it is the end of the quarter, I have some now, even though it is the middle of the month!
Goals for Spring:
-Get out of bed. On time. Everyday.
-continue on my fast food, caffeine & red meat free style of living
-make a silverware windchime
-up my blogging to at LEAST two posts per week, and only one of them about fitness
-MORE yoga. I've done four days in a row- let's see if I can keep it up for a while- I am in love with it.
- start some SERIOUS decluttering. I'm graduating from college. I need to get rid of my crap. It has to go. Interested in something I own? Please ask. Lol.
It was an odd quarter. I have become so dedicated to fitness-and clothing- that sometimes I scarcely recognize myself! And so many days where I felt a thousand years old. But then, so many days where I knew I was right where I was supposed to be in that instant, and I was so so happy. I know that my mood was better because of the yoga. I look at things a little differently now. I see people differently. I plan my days differently. But one of the biggest differences was in my no caffeine or fast food game. I've been caffeine free for almost 9 weeks. When you consider that I was a 24 or more ounce a day girl at one point, that's a big deal. It feels good. Still strange- I still crave the way I felt emotionally after caffeine, or with a cup of coffee, or even worse, with a can of diet pepsi in my hand. But I know that that won't stabilize me emotionally anymore. And so, I drink water, and milk, and the occasional smoothie or random other beverage. I keep trying tea, but so far I haven't forced myself to drink it.
I also only had one fast food meal this quarter. And THAT was weird. Last Spring, when I was really struggling with my ED, the ONLY thing I could make myself eat was fast food. It was awful- bad for me, expensive, kind of gross, but at least I was eating. Then, this Fall, when I was so busy with Hairspray, I was in the same boat- no. time. for. anything. I ate fast food for at least one meal a day for three weeks. Talk about gross and expensive!!
So this quarter, I only had fast food once. And I'm defining fast food as: has a drive thru. Anything else I was ok with this quarter. But I only hit one drive thru, and I felt SO sick afterwards that I think I have learned my lesson. I hope. It didn't even really taste that good, in the end.
Next quarter is going to be SO great. My last quarter of college, three exercise classes plus Yoga and Yoga Sculpt- I'm so excited. It's going to take planning, but that's ok. I'm excited for that too.
As usual, I'll keep you posted. All my love tonight!
Till next time-
<3
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