Easy Peasy...Sometimes Cheesy

Ohm...nom...nom...nom...nom.

True Story - my mom made me breakfast and packed my lunch until I graduated high school. I offered to pack my own, but each time she would shake her head and tell me it was easier to just pack them all at once. I don't know that I truly appreciated it back then. There were days when I subbed that hand packed lunch for the baked potato topped with cheese from the cafeteria. That's cheese from a can in case you're wondering (gag). All these years later, I now realize how lucky I am to have a mom that was able to stay home and make sure I got to school with a good lunch. Although, with all that special treatment, it is a wonder I ever made it in the real world ;).

Nowadays, I pack my lunch for work. My office doesn't have a cafeteria and I try to only eat out on occasion. I am always looking for new, easy, nutritious ideas to cook for the work week. Lately, I have been making 'mixes' on Sunday nights that I can use for lunch during the week. This has worked really well since I don't want to spend a bunch of time in the mornings preparing my lunch.

I have been using quinoa as a base lately. Fun fact: Quinoa is not a true grain (even though it looks like one), and is most closely related to leafy greens like spinach. It is a good source of amino acids (protein), magnesium, and folate. In addition to the quinoa, I mix up some type of protein and vegetables. This week I used steamed lentils, tomatoes, spinach, peppers, and onion. The 'mix' possibilities are really endless.

I made eight servings for just under 10 dollars. That averages out to around $1.25 per serving. How does the nutrition stack up? Well, I am glad you asked :)

Serving = 1c. cooked Quinoa + 1/2 c. Mix (lentils, tomatoes, peppers, onion, spinach)
Calories:  280
Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 9g
Sodium: 195mg
Protein: 13g

I also like to top mine with plain greek yogurt or a little cheese (extra fat and protein). Add a small salad and/or a piece of fruit on the side and you have an easy, cheap, nutritious, delicious lunch! One that would even make your mom proud.

-M

***Note that serving size will depend on an individual's nutritional needs. The serving I chose was to be used as a frame of reference. Thanks!***

Wedspiration

A few wedding inspiration pictures for your oogling pleasure. I can neither confirm nor deny whether I am incorporating these into my own wedding. For that, you'll just have to wait until after the main event. ;-)

 

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Hope your week has started with a BANG!
-M

Be Mine

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." -Charles M. Schultz

I've been crafty this weekend - I know - scary. It doesn't happen that often and I have learned to embrace it when it does. Most times it just turns into a hot mess, but sometimes it works out.

I was searching for a treat to take to my coworkers for Valentine's Day next week, and I ran across this Salted Caramel recipe. Ooey, gooey, sweet and salty - Yes Please! I had most of the ingredients already but I did have to make a stop at Sur La Table for a candy thermometer. I made toffee over Christmas using a meat thermometer. Yes, I know they aren't the same, but I thought I could wing it by judging how far the dial passed 0 (like I told you before - hot mess). This time I thought I would at least start out with the right tools, and I can always use an excuse to shop at Sur La Table.

Good idea to gather up all the ingredients before you get started.

Somebody give me a spoon ;)

All ready for wrapping!

I also practiced my garland making skills. I want to make garland for our wedding this summer, and thought Valentine's Day might be a good excuse to practice and hang it on the wall. Who doesn't LOVE paper hearts?!

OK, enough about crafts and Valentine's Day. Anyone see Safe House this weekend? Scott and I saw it and it is SO GOOD! How can you go wrong with Denzel - ever?

-M

It's Gettin' Hot in Here...

It seems yoga has been getting a bad rap lately (see here), and I feel the need to put in my two-cents. I have been practicing yoga on and off for several years now. In the last year, I have come to practice regularly several forms including Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Bikram. I love each and every one of them for different reasons. 

(source)

As the temperatures continue to get cooler in the Midwest, I have gravitated more towards Bikram or Hot Yoga. The cold temps have made it much easier to talk myself into spending 90 minutes in 105 degrees. The first Bikram class I took, I remember thinking “So, this must be what hell feels like” after about the first 5 minutes. Somehow, I made it through the entire class and, after several more, began to fall in love.

For those of you not familiar with Bikram, it is a sequence of 26 postures that work systematically through the body. The series consists of doing each pose twice. The first set, you work to reach your edge (the point at which you think you can go no further). The second set, you begin at the edge and hold for a shorter period of time. One of the things I love most about Bikram or Hot Yoga, is how the sequence of poses counteract one another. For instance, you spend time in Camel pose (Ustrasana), a kneeling backbend of sorts, and then follow it with Rabbit pose (Sasangasana), a kneeling forward fold of sorts.  

For me personally, yoga provides both mental and physical benefits, and I have never used it as my only source of exercise. However, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others as a compliment to their weekly routine. Just like any exercise, there is always risk for injury, but there are ways to mitigate those risks as well. Below are my top 5 items to consider if you are thinking of incorporating yoga into your life.

1. Go to a studio
If you are just getting started and doing a more meditative practice, then a studio may not be necessary, but a good class experience is important to ensure you have proper alignment in poses.

2. Try different studios to find the one that best fits your style and needs

Do not feel bad about shopping around to find a studio and a teacher that is right for you.  I attended a class once where the teacher played Tibetan Vibration Bowls on our stomachs. I attended another class that included lots of chanting. For some of you, this may be right up your alley and that is awesome. For me, I prefer quieter periods of meditation. Rest assured, there is an option out there for everyone. Oh, and be open - the Tibetan Bowls were pretty cool. ;)

 
3. Be wary of the teacher that is using the class as his or her own time to workout or the teacher that pushes you further into a pose without your permission.
This may be more of a pet peeve of mine, but I feel like good teachers make sure you are getting the most out of the class.  The best teachers I have had are able to balance showing you the pose in the series to keep the class flowing and making sure everyone has proper positioning. In addition, a gentle push to deepen a pose is often welcomed. However, I know of people who have been injured when they weren't prepared for the teacher assist. 

4 . Realize that yoga is an evolving journey 
I will have an awesome class one day and struggle the next. It is in the difficult classes that I learn the most about my body and myself. Learn to accept the good with the bad...such is life.
 
5. Yoga is more than just the physical workout
Let's be honest, when else do I get 90 minutes to myself! Yoga is wonderful in that it quiets your mind and allows you to focus on one intention.  Best activity for mental health in my opinion. :)
   
Overall, have fun, listen to your body, and respect your limits! Yoga is never about competition with others. It wasn't created to be a sport. No one is staring at your bum or laughing at the fact that you spent the last five minutes in child's pose. To me, it has always been about each individual's personal journey.  My personal journey. 


Disclaimer: I am NOT a certified trainer or yoga instructor. The above are just my personal observations and opinions from my experience. 


Hope you all are having a great week!
-M



Have you tried yoga? Are there any other items you would add to my list?

Confessions

Confession - I spent the entire morning in my pajamas. I did muster up enough strength to brush my teeth and fix myself some hot chai tea, but other than that I spent hours babysitting my couch. It was wonderful. The last couple of weeks have been filled with company, wedding planning, and concerts on top of my normal schedule. All fun times but I think it finally caught up with me a bit. 

I spent my couch time watching Superhumans on the history channel. Yes, I watched 3 or 4 uninterrupted hours of it. Amazing. Has anyone watched this show? How did I not know about it?!  I've always had this silly notion that I have some undiscovered talent. Ridiculous I know... or is it? Hmm. I think this is the reason I love to try new things. From parachuting out of planes to taking my turn at the pottery wheel (I still have PTSD from this experience, but that is a story for another day), I am always up for trying something new.

Superhumans takes this concept to a whole new level by finding people with unbelievable capabilities. I'm beginning to think I've been aiming too small. The fastest human calculator, the strongest man in the world, a man who can withstand electricity, a guy who can scale walls like monkeys...the list goes on. They even had a guy that harnesses his energy to make people pass out without even touching them! I tried this on Chewy and thought I had failed at first. However less than 5 minutes later, I found her like this....

Delayed reaction or just a coincidence - I'll let you be the judge. 

Around noon, I decided it was time to get up and make something of myself. The afternoon has been spent doing fun things like grocery shopping, cleaning and laundry (I die of excitement). The evening, however, has picked up with epic pizza making at our house. Scott's "Man Meat" pizza and my "G-free Veggie Explosion" look delicious.  My secret ingredient is almonds. Slivered almonds on pizza - try it. It will change your life... or maybe just the way you order pizza.

Have a stupendous rest of your Saturday. I'm off to stuff my face (per usual) and watch Missouri beat Kansas (fingers crossed). 

-M