books
Hunger Games
0I know, I know. I’m on the bandwagon. I was initially a little resistant due to the rapidly rising popularity, but these things get that way for a reason, right? [except twilight. i refuse to ever read/watch/go within 30 feet of anything twilight]
I devoured these books in record time. One of my favorite books in high school was Brave New World, and I had forgotten how much I enjoy dystopia novels. The Hunger Games is a three part series revolving around a post-apocolyptic society. Each year, a young boy and girl from each of the twelve districts are chosen to compete in the hunger games, where they must fight to the death until only one remains. I found the first book most interesting, the second was alright and I actually debated not finishing the last one; it got a little boring for me. Most of the concepts introduced in the books fascinated me, especially the social dynamics. Maybe it’s just the inner sociologist in me that likes to examine different types of societies. One part discusses how the people in the affluent Capitol would gorge themselves then take a pill to make them throw up so they could continue eating. This disgusted the main characters, Katniss and Peeta, who came from less privileged parts.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the first movie came out a few days ago. Since I had just started finished the books, of course I had to go see it. I also got to cross of one of my 101 in the process! #doublewin
I heard mixed reviews on the movie, but I really enjoyed it. Obviously there were some discrepancies between the book and the movie, but I found they didn’t hurt the storyline at all. Highly recommended!
Imagine my surprise when I found this floating around the internet.
Apparently I have been channeling my inner Prim before I even knew of her. Doesn’t hurt that goat cheese and basil is an absolutely winning combination too!
Before Blogging
5What did anyone do before blogs?
How did people keep track of workouts, recipes, articles, nutrition & fitness advice?
Well, I don’t know about you, but I had a binder.
A huge binder where I would shove random food and workout notes. Most of the bits and pieces came from magazines, but I also found some hand written notes from a nutrition textbook. Nerd!
I’ve always been interested in food and nutrition. For as long as I can remember. I think it’s so fascinating, the way people eat.
My binder was packed full of nutrition-related articles and recipes…
workout tips and tricks…
and articles from all different sources. This particular one came from Furman’s fitness center!
Who all remembers this outdated thing!?
At the back of the binder was this section I labeled “skinny bitches.” They were intended to inspire me to stop eating and be skinny. My college roommate can attest to the fact that I had a whole bunch of them up on my closet door at one point.
Looking back, this appears so ridiculous. I don’t have a model body. Putting up these pictures ultimately only made me feel bad about myself and did not help in the long run. I know nothing about these women! I have no idea what they’ve done to look the way they do. Who knows if they eat breakfast? Who knows if they’re able to run long distances? Are they happy with their lives? Who knows?
I am thankful that my values have shifted from becoming thin to becoming healthy. It’s interesting to compare my inspiration then (magazines) to my inspiration now (blogs) and find that now, I’m the most healthy, active and fit I’ve ever been in my life. I read real posts from real people about real food every day. Not fake, contrived models spotted in magazines. The inspiration on my wall today is an article about the Disney marathon. Real goals.
While it was fun/interesting to reminisce and leaf through my paper-packed binder, I think I’ll leave it on my shelf, where it has been for several years.
I don’t need the skinny bitches. I have real inspiration.
Weekend Happenings
2Weekends always go by way too fast. Why is that? I need a(nother) vacation.
This weekend was a busy one too. There was a used book sale on Saturday and I was all over that. I got there a bit before noon, shopped a bit and went back in the afternoon. After 3PM, they give you a paper bag and you can shove as many books as you want in there and pay $10 per bag. I ended up with 36 books for a total of $20. Not bad! Now I’m just waiting for my mom and BFF to come knocking on my door, telling me I’m going to be on the next episode of Hoarders.
Books rule!
This book was included in my loot, as it looked intriguing. Non-runner? Check. Training for a marathon? Check. Woman? Check.
I broke my detox this weekend by re-introducing gluten and beans. The Pita House is a local Greenville restaurant/grocery store where they serve authentic Middle Eastern food. It is absolutely to.die.for and the book sale was just a hop, skip and a jump away from this tasty lunch.
I seriously need to learn how to make falafel like this at home. With tabbouli and creamy hummus stuffed inside a homemade pita? I kind of want it for lunch tomorrow too. I need a Pita House intervention.
In running news, I ran nine miles today! Personal distance record! Woohoo! I kept a slow and steady pace and I finished the whole thing. It gave me a lot of time to think and relax, oddly enough. I’ve never considered running relaxing, but when I tell fear and doubt to shove it and get into a groove, it’s actually most enjoyable.
Who am I!?! But how could I not enjoy this beautiful, shaded trail? It runs right behind my alma mater so I was able to sneak a peek at my old stomping ground. Sigh. I miss college sometimes.
The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 13 mile trail through gorgeous upstate South Carolina. There were tons of bikers, runners, joggers and walkers out this morning, even at 7:30am! Luckilly the trail isn’t too hilly, and there are water fountains along the way. I parked and ran 4.5 miles out and back. When I got to 4.5 miles, there was a cute little shack labeled “watering hole.” It wasn’t open but it piqued my curiosity!
The trail is spray painted with mile markers every tenth of a mile, and I just so happened to pass the 26.2 mile marker! The trail actually starts at mile 23, because eventually they want to extend it all the way to the North Carolina border, where it will begin at zero.
I spotted my little mickey pin on my camera bag last night and decided to pin it to my shorts for inspiration. It worked! I ran almost the entire way, and ended up walking about 1.5 miles total. Not bad for 9 freaking miles!
Do I really have to go to work tomorrow?
I’ll leave you with this hilariousness:
You a wanta a spicy meatball?!
Detox. Day 4
0We’re in day four of my little detox experiment and it’s still going well.
I’m going strong avoiding caffeine (wah!), dairy, soy, beans and gluten. I have to admit, I am getting a bit bored with my food variety. I miss coffee, crunchy bread, froyo, a good goat cheese and veggie burgers. If nothing else, this detox has truly made me appreciate the foods that I “can’t” eat right now.
Lunch today was a huge quinoa salad, topped with cauliflower (love!), cherry tomatoes, green beans and carrots. I whisked up a quick dressing of olive oil, balsamic and grainy dijon to pour over it. It was delicious.
I slipped up yesterday and had some sunflower butter, which has some added sugar and salt (which I’m also trying to avoid), but I didn’t beat myself up about it. Some salt is essential and sunflower butter is freaking good.
In terms of how I feel, I feel most excellent! On Tuesday I ran a slow but steady three miles nonstop! I know walking doesn’t make me any less of a runner, but I always feel accomplished when I can go the distance without walking. I also feel more focused at work, which is always a plus.
I also started reading 50/50 this week (I have a slight Dean Karnazes obsession), and the back of the book has a beginner’s marathon training guide, which I’m going to incorporate into my training.
I knew back when I started my first plan it was unrealistic for me to run up to ten miles on a weekday. I just don’t have time! I think I’m also going to bump up running to four days a week, instead of the planned three, with one day of biking, one day of swimming and one rest day. However as anyone who took high school english knows, the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry.
Anyway, I can’t believe tomorrow is Friday! This week has absolutely flown by. Time for me to snuggle up in bed with my nerdy book of the week.
Confessions of a Food Blogger
2I had Mama Pea’s doughballs for dinner last night. Yes, I did. And I enjoyed every second of it.
I already forgot to water my basil plant. Twice. Don’t worry, it’s still alive. Just a little droopy.
I go to Starbucks every day. Giving it up has nearly become impossible. I’ve been to Jimmy John’s twice in the past two weeks. And now I have both of their apps on my phone.
I have a super obsession with food related books. (But you already knew that.) Food + Photography related books? I’m done for.
This website is the greatest thing in the entire world.
Few things are better than winning a whole bunch of free Sabra products.
Hummus + basil party at Starbucks anyone?
Funk
0Incase you haven’t noticed, things around here have been a little.. quiet.
I’ve been in bit of a funk since I got back from vacation last week. The time change combined with returning to work, a lingering sunburn and trying to fit back into a routine had left me feeling a little down. Let’s face it. I’ve had the post-vacation blues.
I fought hard to get back into a routine, but my body just wasn’t having it. I couldn’t run or really work out properly because the backs of my legs were sunburned so.bad. I wasn’t eating like I should because I hadn’t planned out my meals or gone food shopping.
Enough. This week is going to be an excellent, productive week because I am going to make it so. It’s perfectly fine to be in a funk sometimes. It’s okay to be a little sad after vacation and whine about how it would be nice to be on vacation forever. However, that’s not reality.
So to snap out of my funk, I took a few little steps. I ordered the New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women and The New Rules of Lifting for Abs. I went food shopping. I registered for a 5k in two weeks. I had a nice, restful weekend that included an impromptu road trip and time with good friends.
Don’t think I’ve forgotten about the food holidays, though. 
I am still trying to find out who made up these ridiculous holidays, because 1. they are all sweet things (hello? can I get some savory up in here??) and 2. gingerbread? In June!?!
I hope you all have a wonderful week. I’ll see you later, hopefully feeling a little less funky.
A Good Day
4Some days are just good days.
Nothing amazing happened. No significant event captured the day and declared it to be wonderful. It was the culmination of a few simple things that added up to equal a great day.
And really, this summarizes life. How often do we have grand events that completely revolutionize life? The birth of a child. A new relationship. A graduation. A career change. Not many.
But the simple, little things? They’re numerous.
Today was a great day at work. I played Batman with the most adorable little boy. I visited with a family of three kids that are healing. I change children’s lives. For that, I am thankful. I am thankful I get to experience my life through the eyes of children every day.
I laughed so hard it hurt today. Absolutely essential sometimes.
I bought two new books. Because I am obsessed. And because they look delightful.
I drank orange juice. Because I could. And because for me, every day is a holiday and worthy of celebration.
By the way, Whole Foods totally read yesterday’s post and invited me to move in with them. Here’s the new setup:
All artistic credit goes to Sam.
I hope they have enough room for my stockpile of books!
Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
0Used. Book. Sale.
That’s all I needed to hear. I was there. I think my book addiction is going to warrant another bookshelf. I’m running out of places to store all these books.
That whole box was thirteen dollars. Score! I may or may not be going back tomorrow, when everything is half price. 
In between buying books and hot yoga, I made delectable oatmeal raisin cookies. You didn’t think they’d be vegan? Well, they are.
Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (adapted from Smitten Kitchen)
makes 12 cookies
Need:
1/4 c Earth Balance, softened
1/3 c brown sugar, packed
1/2 tbsp ground flax + 2 tbsp water, mixed to create a flax “egg”
1 tsp agave nectar
1/3 c whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 c uncooked rolled oats
1/3 c golden raisins
Do:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together the Earth Balance and brown sugar. Slowly incorporate the flax egg and agave nectar.
- Mix together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and oats.
- Mix the dry and wet ingredients together to form the dough. If the dough is too wet, add a bit of flour. If the dough is too dry, add a bit of water.
- Gently fold the raisins into the dough.
- Scoop out heaping tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Flatten the balls slightly on a greased cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, until edges look crisp. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
Due to all the recent food holidays, I have six metric tons of baked goods laying around. Anyone want an oatmeal cookie, a zucchini muffin, a sunflower cookie or a pineapple upside down cupcake?
Pesto Risotto
0So this dish is basically a vehicle to get pesto into my mouth.
But really, what isn’t a vehicle to get another food to my mouth? It used to be ranch, I’m still somewhat on a hummus kick, now pesto.
Pesto Risotto
Need:
Homemade pesto, minus the olive oil, plus more parmesan to taste
1 c risotto, a.k.a. arborio rice
1.5 c vegetable broth
dash of red pepper flakes
salt and pepper, to taste
Do:
- Pour the rice and broth into a pot. Cook on medium heat, just until almost all the liquid is absorbed.
- Add the pesto, a bit at a time, until the risotto starts to become creamy. Add extra cheese for a thicker (read: wonderful) texture.
- Stir in the salt, pepper and flakes.
That’s it. So easy, quick and delicious. Mm, pesto.
PS: Yes, I did get some new dishes/bowls and yes, I am very much in love with them. A kitchen full of mismatched plates, overflowing with cookbooks and delicious food? LOVE.
In between shoveling pesto into my face, I booked airfare to California this summer. SO exciting! I went to the library today to check out some books on San Diego/Los Angeles and while I was there I stumbled upon these gems.
Um, hello? Food Culture from all different countries? Sold? I pretty much had an Andy Samberg reaction. I want to buy them all. I restrained myself from checking them all out and just snagged the Italy version.
If you don’t see me for a week or five, I’m reading my way through this set.
Send pesto.
