WIAW Spring Break!

It's that time again, folks! Everyone's favorite blog party!

Thanks again to Jenn for hosting! I don't know what my Wednesdays would be like without her!

Last week, I was in Hilton Head with my besties. Although they did mostly communal meals, I decided to pack/take care of my own food so that they wouldn't have to make any alterations or special efforts for me. As I explained, it was harder than I expected. Still, I managed to get in some pretty good, veggie-filled, micro-cooked meals. Here's what I managed to document.

 Breakfasts look like this. Obviously, I toted my entire stash of oats withe me. Enjoyed in the morning sun on the back deck.

 Beach snacks/lunches look mostly like this: fruit, carrots, luna bars (they got all gooey and melty on the beach. even better). And tons of peanut butter sandwiches. Too many. I may be PB'ed out. Yea, right.

 Dinners were of the steamed veggie variety. With a frozen veggie burger. Mixed into black bean soup. On top of a sweet potato (it's under there, I promise).

 We had to hit up the classic Salty Dog, and it was here that I had the absolute best meal of the trip. Their homemade black bean burger (smothered in hot sauce and mustard, obviously) with a side of fruit and extra pickles. So satisfying. MMmmmm.

 The one coffee I had over the whole week. It was heaven.

And, of course, afternoon cocktails from the Frosty Frog shared with my roomie-love Allie.

Quick post, but I'm exhausted. I had my first day of Student Teaching today! Recap to come later.

Here's to getting in those greens!
~ Rach

Busy Day Ahead

This morning I woke up a full hour and fifteen minutes before my alarm.

I had been dreaming about the Abstract Algebra project that I have been working on all week. It's haunting me- in real life and in my dreams! The same one that, last night, I realized I had done backwards. D@mn you, non-commutative multiplication!

Some of my work. Yea, those are letters. Remember when math actually included numbers? Yea, me either. 

It's been on my mind since then. I waiver between being confident I did it right this time and second guessing myself again. If I did it wrong the first time, who's to say I didn't do it wrong again?

So, I have decided to skip my workout (again, oh the horror!) to go to my professor's office hours and have him look at it. He likes that I participate in class, and he's a native Spanish-speaker, so we bond over that too. I think he will be happy to check over my work... At least, that's what I'm hoping.

Along with a skipped trip to the gym, this means that I am jam-packed busy from 10am-9pm. From class to meetings to clubs, I have a lot on my metaphorical plate today. I really want to make sure that my actual plate is full also. I need to make sure that I am eating enough at the right times to get me through everything today without a growling stomach. I'm not going to restrict just because I'm not working out today. It's also a goal to eat right throughout the day so that the insatiable nighttime snacking that has been occurring lately doesn't hit me when I finally do make it home tonight. I guess I'm turning today into a little nutritional experiment. I'll report on my findings. Should be fun!

Starting the day of right with some breakfast:

Oats and coffee (and water) on top of some more of those Group Theory notes. I think a little food spillage would add a nice quality to my work, don't you?

Here's to making decisions and giving my body what it needs!
- Rach

Switching It Up

I had a bit of a revelation this week. Well, I had a few, but one that is really worth sharing.

After a weekend of too much fun and busy productiveness, I was at the gym around 7:15 on Monday morning. I had forced my body to peel itself out of bed and make the trek to the rec center and climb up on the elliptical. I practically dragged myself through my entire not-very-satisfying workout.

Thinking more about this lethargic, weak feeling I was experiencing, I realized that I had felt like that almost every morning that I had managed to get my butt to the gym during the week before.

And, it dawned on me.

Duh, Rach. 

You are forcing yourself out of bed after several straight nights of around 6 hours of sleep, making your body exert itself, sweat even, all with no fuel to get it through.

At the beginning of this quarter, this felt awesome. I loved starting my day sweating because it started me off on a healthy and productive note. But, as time has passed, I have gotten better at the workout exercise thing, and I have wanted to go harder and push myself further. My body needs more sleep and some sustenance before it will perform the way I want it to.

Again, this is a hug "duh" moment, but to someone trying to pull themselves out of disordered eating behaviors, it's one of those "light-bulb" moments when you realize that your body actually needs more than you thought in order to power you through whatever comes your way that day.

So, after patting myself on the back for acknowledging and accepting this revelation, I decided to listen to what my body was telling me and switch up my schedule. Starting Tuesday afternoon, I have been trying to get to the gym during the day/afternoon instead of the morning. Confirming my suspicions, I feel so a million times better during these workouts. I have more energy, I sweat more, I can push myself further. I get to sleep in a couple extra hours and feed myself a meal or two before I hit the gym, and my body is thanking me for it.

Although, it does mean more showers during the day and some better planning (like packing gym clothes to change into after class), it is making enough of a difference that I want to continue this schedule. This is one of the occasions that proves to me that listening to my body is really going to get me better. And I can't let it pass me by without recognizing it and responding in a way that I know will benefit me.

I'm throwing myself a little "Yay me!" party in my head for this one.

On another note, the 2 best food moments of the week happened yesterday, so I just have to share.

First, breakfast. My almost empty peanut butter jar became some scrumptious OIAJ. I think I have finally figured out how to cook and layer these so that no microwave disasters happen

The combo this time was blackberries, apples and cinnamon all in my near-empty PB jar.

Served along side a giant mug (that my roomie got me. she knows me so well) of café solo. Perfect breakfast, if you ask me.

 And then, dinner. After my afternoon workout and a hot shower, I was ready to get down on some dinner. I'm talking some serious hunger here. I needed heft, and I found it in a delicious bowl of savory oats topped with some sauteed veggies and tofu and the always-necessary srirach/tomato sauce combo.

Holy awesomely-satisfying-filling-nutritious-delicious-ness, Batman!

I was literally "oohing" and "ahhhing" over this bowl, but none of my roommates were home to share my excitement with, so I probably looked pretty ridiculous praising myself for this creation. But wow, beyond good. I still don't know why I don't do this more often, but it will definitely be making a return soon.

Here's to listening to what your body truly needs, and celebrating your ability to give it just that!

- Rach

Single-girl Style

Happy Wednesday, everyone! We can all move on now from the maudlin overkill of yesterday. Let's call it "Single Awareness Day".

During the past four months or so, I feel like I have been dedicating all of my time and emotional energy picking myself from the awful breakup that I went through in September. I surprised myself, actually, with how well I handled the reminder that Valentine's Day threw in my face that I am no longer in that relationship. More than anything, I was maybe a little overly-cynical and easily-annoyed today, but I didn't get emotional or upset, or sad. And for that, I give myself a pat on the back! Yay me! Maybe Definitely a sign that I am really getting over this. I really do feel like I am. Gosh, it takes a long time!

But, onto some fun stuff...

It's WIAW over at Peas and Crayons!! Luckily for me, it always falls on my mini-weekend in the middle of the week.

This is Tuesday's eats, and a look into how I celebrated V's Day, Single-girl Style! I actually did a really good job recording everything I ate today, which looks like a lot. Because it is. I told you, I'm a grazer.


Breakfast (8:30)

The usze (like short for usual): oats-in-a-mug with black berries, chopped apple and cinnamon, topped with peanut butter.

 Off to the library to study, study, study for my Abstract Algebra midterm at 2:00.

My Valentine for the day.

 Lunch (veg wrap, carrots, a couple clementines) went unpictured because I was studying with a group and didn't want to come off weird.

But, after hopefully kicking some Abstract Algebra a$$, I cam home to the best Vday present ever... from myself!

My iHerb package arrived! Some snacky essentials.

 Naturally, some more grazing ensued:

I apologize for the blurry picture that looks like barf. But, this was delicious! Chopped apple, PB2, a little bit of oats. Yep, second time today I had oats.

Carrots and spicy brown mustard has become one of my fave, random combos.

 A real meal! Dinner

A bunch of roasties: cabbage, sweet potatoes, tofu, broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus. Obviously, with sriracha-spiked ketchup.

 And some necessary Vday Chocolate.

Cocoa oats topped with PB. Third time today having oats. Third time having PB. Food rut maybe?  Sorry, I'm not sorry.

 And, the remnants of a late night snack

Cheerios + TJ's fiber cereal + Abreezy + cinnamon = perfection.

Yep, it was a lot today.
Much served in mugs (because everything is better that way).

Oats x 3. 

PB x 3.

Happy belly.

Here's to revelling in the freedom that being single provides, and doing what I need to love myself everyday!
~ Rach

I regressed a little this week. In age, I mean. I am generally a pretty youthful person, and I often get mistaken for a high-school student... even though I am 22 and almost done with college? Whatever.

But this week, I had a true "little kid" moment on Monday when I had this random desire for some quality Mom-time. I hadn't seen my mom since New Year's and, frankly, I just missed her. So, I called her up and we made plans to meet today in Columbus for some shopping time. Dad decided to tag along, too! It was a great day with the 'rents. Sometimes, you just need to see family and let them baby you a little.

Breakfast was a mug of oats with blackberries, topped with peanut butter... and some saltines to try and cure the too-much-fun feeling from last night.

More remedies for that feeling?

Happy Valentine's Day from Starbucks.

 The mission for the shopping trip: teacher clothes. I start student teaching in about a month, and I had a grand total of one pair of nice pants. That won't fly. Luckily, "teacher professional" is a little more laid back that business professional, so I have a little more freedom with my wardrobe. But, like I said, I hear often that I look like a high school-er, so I have to dress professionally enough to separate myself from my students and maintain authority. The most exciting purchase of the day:

Ohhhh yea, that is a hot pink blazer!

The last stop of the day was a quick run through TJ's for some goodies I can't find at school. And, after the 1.5 hour drive back to school, those goodies made my dinner.

TJ's minestrone soup, and mini pita's with the hummus quartet. Followed by several PB spoons.

 I started out this morning feeling physically awful. It's my fault, but sorry, I'm not sorry. Last night was a blast. After seeing my parents, I feel so refreshed! Leave it to family to give me just the boost I need to power through the last half of the quarter.

Here's to staying connected with those that matter most.
~ Rach

Daddy's Little Girl

After a busy week, an icy night, and a gray morning, I had the best pick me up on Saturday. This weekend was Dad's Weekend at my college, and my amazing Dad came to spend the day and night with me.

My university won the ranking of #1 Party School in the country this year (Google it. We are simultaneously proud and embarrassed by the ranking here), and the various parents' weekends throughout the year are no different. People go crazy, and there are wasted middle aged men wandering around all weekend.

Don't get me wrong, it's great fun, and it's really heartwarming to see everyone with their families. But, my family does things a little differently. My dad doesn't drink. At all. And my mom is far too small to drink more than one glass of wine before she is ready for bed. Bar-hopping isn't their scene, and I love when they visit because I get to do things around the town that I normally wouldn't. Plus, we get some great time in together after not seeing each other for a few weeks.

So, on Saturday, my dad got into town around noon. We had talked about driving bout an hour out of town to go hiking in the Hocking Hills, but Friday night we had a huge ice storm, and the whole area was coated in about half an inch of solid ice.

You think I'm kidding? No literally ice on everything!

For most people, this would have game-changing. Hiking in an ice storm? Understandably not for most people. Well, not for this girl and her dad. We bundled up and headed out for some slippery hiking at Old Man's Cave. The ice only made it more beautiful.

The falls behind me and Dad. You know you're jealous of my hat.

My Dad even decided it would be a good idea to take an extra mile of trails that were roped off due to "danger caused by falling ice". Yea that is my family. But it was awesome!

We got back into town and relaxed before heading to dinner at one of my favorite local spots, Lui Lui. It was totally packed! So, we were lucky that I called ahead and made reservations. Naturally, I forgot to take a picture of the food, but everything was lip-smacking. I had Hunan Tofu and Veggies with extra hot sauce on the side. Mmmmm.

Later, my friend, Chris did stand-up at open mic night at a local coffee shop. It was a blast, but there is something a little too uncomfortable about listening to raunchy college-guy jokes while sitting next to your father. Only more to laugh about, I guess!

The funny-man, himself. You can't tell, but his tshirt has sea turtles all over it. He was great!

Breaking from the OU parents' weekend traditions again, we didn't sleep in late, nursing hangovers. My dad and I were up at 7 to hit up some grocery shopping. He shares my love for food, and one of our favorite weekly activities when I am home is grocery shopping on Sunday mornings. We made sure to get that in while he was here for the weekend. Thanks, Dad, for feeding me for the next week!

We ended his visit with breakfast at his favorite local place. My treat.

Village Bakery and Café. I love their whole philosophy and their food is beyond delicious.

Again, I forgot to get a pic of the food, but I did manage to remember to snap a shot of our damage. Dad: smoked trout frittata with Parmesan polenta. Me: wheat toast and a side of fruit.

This Dad's weekend couldn't have been more perfect. I am definitely a Daddy's girl, and he is one of the few people in my life that I can say really gets me. It's so sad to think that this will be the last real Dad's weekend before I graduate! But, I guess once I am settled, we can have our own Dad's weekend any time we want.

Wishing you all a Happy Sunday, and a great start to the week!
Rach

How I: Eat My Oatmeal

Admit it. When you read the title of my post, you said, "Why do I care?". Honestly, why would you?

I have this theory that the way you know you truly understand and know someone really well is when you notice and recognize the little eccentricities about their everyday life. The way they do certain things. Their quirks. My ex always called me quirky. It was a nicer way to say that I can be a bit unique sometimes. And, you know what? I am totally ok with that. I think quirky is probably one of the most appropriate descriptions I have ever received.

I am thinking that this post may be the first of a series about things that I do in particular ways. It's entertaining to me to reflect on how downright silly I can be about certain things, and maybe take a step in to releasing some of the self-induced rituals.

One of the things that I am particular about is my morning routine. It is important to me to start the day off on the right foot so I can spend the rest of the day following that trend and just feeling altogether good.

Ideally, my morning starts at the a$$ crack of dawn, going to the gym for a good sweat sesh. I love working out in the morning. It gets it out of the way, and wakes me up so that I am ready for the day.

The quirkiest part of my morning, though, is definitely how I eat my oatmeal. Breakfast is always oatmeal. It is delicious, full of nutrients, and fills me up so that I stay satisfied through my morning classes. I have experimented with other breakfasts, and while there are many scrumptious options, nothing does it for me like my oatmeal.

So, let's take a look:

First off, what's in the mix. Technically, I don't know that you can even call this oatmeal, because the only oats in it are actually oat bran. This morning's bowl was pretty typical: 1/3 c oat bran, about 1/4c blueberries, half of a chopped apple, cinnamon and water. Zapped in the micro for 2 min. I know, I know, stove top is better, but what college student has 45 min to cook oats?

The whole thing then gets topped with a drizzle of nut butter. Anywhere from 1/2 to a whole tablespoon (today it was 1 tbs almond butter). Then, I use the back of my (mini) spoon to spread it out so that there is an even layer all over the top.

 After judging my nut butter spreading for the area with the most nutty bite, I start digging in from the opposite side, working towards the more heavily buttered side. I eat it across in rows, actually digging away underneath the nut butter so that I always end a row with a bite of the good stuff.

 The last row is always the trickiest because I really do want to keep the nuttiest bite for last. I keep the top layer stuck to the sides of the mug and scrape away below it. I end on a high note of mostly nut butter with (hopefully) a blueberry right below it. Mmmmm

That's how I do it. That's how I like it. Now you know. I am sure that you are thankful for all the info. But, think about it. What are somethings that you always do the same way? Any funny eating habits?