Bitchin' in the kitchen

I've had a few successes (among messes) in the kitchen lately. 

The Pioneer Woman's Simple Sesame Noodles

I made this on a day when my afternoon headache was extra brutal. So brutal, in fact, that it manifested itself into an awful stomachache. I don't know what made me think it was a good idea to mess around in the kitchen, but I'm so glad I did. These noodles were divine, and provided several leftovers meals. I've always loved similar dishes to this. This, to me, is chick food at its finest - right alongside cheese and crackers. 

A note. This recipe should be followed to a tee. If you're smart, you'll add in each ingredient in the same exact order as she does. If you're Teddi, you'll toss it together haphazardly, taste it, and realize it's off. Dump and repeat. I got it right on the second try! Regardless. Lesson learned and I can't wait to make this again.

Veggie "Fried" Brown Rice

There's no real recipe here. I make it up as I go along. Kitchen guru BHB taught me that exact measurements are for baking, not for cooking, and I've really taken that lesson to heart.

The first thing I do is make the brown rice. If I'm feeling very lazy, it's the 90 second microwave kind. If I'm feeling slightly lazy, it's the 10 minute boil-a-bag kind. And if I'm feeling less lazy then that, even bordering on ambitious, I make a different meal altogether. Because this meal is not for those in search of a challenge. I'm going to reserve it as a "no-brainier".

I set the rice aside, put on my ski goggles, and chop an onion. About halfway in I get disgruntled and lose my patience for chopping neatly and I just hack at that thing. I throw about half of the onion into a large pan and heat it up. The other half of the onion is on the floor, the counter, and in the trash can. C'est la vie. Take ski goggles off. Toss some soy sauce in the pan. Add mushrooms. Add more soy sauce. Add brown rice. Throw baby carrots in the food processor, chop them up, and add them in. Heat up frozen peas in the microwave and throw those in. Lastly, I scramble up an egg or two in a separate pan and throw that on top. More soy for good measure, sesame seeds if I remember, and some teriyaki glaze to add a little sweetness.

I know what you're thinking. "This girl should be a recipe blogger!"

Hey, I'm no Benihana but this is a good meal in my book for three reasons: a) it's yummy; b) it's a great way for me to get a hefty serving of veggies; and c) it's meatless. I am always searching for meatless recipes in an effort to do it one day a week. (But it's never Monday. I always end up eating a turkey sandwich for lunch on Monday and then thinking "damn!". Someday, girl. Keep on truckin'.)

Try it. Let me know what you think.

Iowa Girl Eats Parmesan-Garlic Chicken

Good God, I'm so tired that I actually typed "Iowa Eats Girl" on my first attempt. Now there's a scary sight! I was excited to make this and so pleased with the results. It couldn't have been easier. Next time I'll serve it with more exciting side, but what can I say? My boy and I love a classic caesar. Delicious, simple, and low-calorie... This was a winner. (...winner, chicken dinner...)


Okay, your favorite recent experiments in the kitchen. Go!

The little things

Sometimes it really is the little things. Times like this, it's all about the little things.

Like orange tulips in my new vase.

Drinking water out of red wine goblets with dinner. (Because we rarely drink wine at home, but why not enjoy the glassware?)

Burt's Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion + soft socks. Right before slipping into bed.

Glasses of ice cold milk + Crunch NestEggs. 

A short skim cinnamon dolce latte in the morning.

Wearing my big rhinestone necklace with my Crewcuts boy's button down shirt.

Hitting my goal on Nike+ and watching the little Nike man do the goal dance on my iPhone.

My new favorite juice bar.

What are your little things lately?

Cupid's Chase 5K

This past weekend, I ran in the Cupid's Chase 5K. It's a race put on by Community Options, Inc., a nonprofit organization that supports people with disabilities. I start my half marathon training this week, and I wanted to fit in a little extra running beforehand.

I'll definitely share my training journey here over the next few months. My race goal is to be able to run the half marathon in its entirety. No slowing down or power-walking. Right now the only number I've got in mind is "13.1". I did a test mile on Friday and my pace was 9'53". I was hoping to be able to keep that up the following day at the Cupid's Chase, but for whatever reason, I was much slower at an 11'45" pace. Despite the circumstances - it was raining, I was freezing and wet, and my ankle was bothering me - I was definitely disappointed in myself.

The good news is that the only place to go is up! And with some hard work, I am hoping to rock my next 5K. Here are some photos from the day...

I'd love to hear your suggestions for pre-race and pre-run meals. I had a cut up banana with honey and granola, and half a cup of coffee with a little vanilla creamer. (I made a whole cup but spilled half of it on my hand while tidying up the kitchen. Wah.)

Gearing up to run! AEG got us these amazing matching Nike tops. Sooooo warm. AEG is a speed demon. Total runspiration to me! I'm so proud of her. My hat has a ponytail hole in the back, but in this photo it's giving me little mouse ears. Teehee!

We celebrated afterward with brunch at one of our favorite places and these stunning cactus pear margaritas. After a delicious meal, I headed home to shower and get back into bed. I took a long, indulgent nap and it was fantastic. I never let myself sleep during the day so it felt like a real treat.

Post race treats I bought for myself. SHAPE magazine, SweeTarts jelly beans, and Crunch NestEggs. But you know what I really wanted? Nerds Bumpy Jelly Beans. Does anyone else like these? They're impossible to find in NYC. If you happen to see 'em on a store shelf, pretty please let me know where.

Post race treats I came home to. Oh yea! Great minds. Clodhoppers, white chocolate covered pretzels, and a chocolate bunny. Yay Easter!

Run any 5Ks lately? Got any coming up?

Friday smiles

Kind of an icky few days so as a momentary diversion, I'd like to focus on a few things that did make me smile this week.

A delicious date at Crave Fishbar.

Spotting SoulCycle in my new issue of Health Magazine!

One last lululemon gift card. Thinking I'll treat myself this weekend!

Old faithful.

Happy weekend, friends!

If it were just us chickens...

There was a time that this blog felt like my safe haven, my hideaway from the rest of the world. Oh how foolish I was!

So much has been going on in my life and the thing is, I want to tell you about all of it. I want to talk to all of my kind-hearted readers and friends and give you the DL. So many of you have been here from the beginning, rooting for me and sending words of encouragement when I needed it the most. You will never, ever know what your well wishes meant and mean to me.

And the part of me that wears my heart on my sleeve wants to spill it all... tell you how I've never lived life like this, how wonderful some things have been, and how tough some other things have been. But there's a part of me that knows better than that. Because it's not just us chickens, and as much as I pride myself on being candid, I know that sometimes I have to draw lines instead of cross them. Bummer.

BUT...

If it were just us...

I'd tell you that I am freaking terrified at the prospect of running 13.1 miles this summer.

I'd tell you that I am really having trouble finding inspiration lately.

I'd tell you that I'm fairly certain I'm suffering from a mild case of SAD this year.

I'd tell you that I stayed home by myself on Saturday night because I wasn't in the mood to drink or face the cold, and that I watched Beyonce's documentary live and cried several times during it.

I'd tell you that I've finally come to love and accept my body for exactly what it is, but it often still frustrates the hell out of me.

I'd tell you that I haven't been sleeping nearly enough and that I should really be sleeping instead of writing.

I'd tell you that I am incredibly anxious and panic-y about getting fitted for contacts this week, but that my headaches have gotten so severe that I don't know what else to do.

I'd tell you that I literally cannot believe how much in love I am. It fascinates me and mystifies me every single day.

I'd tell you that I love you, that I appreciate you, and that it'll never be "just us"... but I'll do my best to keep writing as though it were.

Little confessions

I have been curling my hair at the ends not just because I like the way it looks, but also to help mask my atrocious split ends.

I haven't had my hair cut since September.

When I'm desperate for a veggie serving with dinner but feeling incredibly lazy, I'll throw a cup of peas into the pasta pot at the last minute (or into the microwave, as a side dish). It's like a little green bandaid for my meal and makes me feel a little bit better.

I still haven't "cooked" much partially because of time constraints, but also because I'm intimidated by many of the recipes I've clipped. I'm trying to get over it.

I weigh myself every Wednesday morning even though I am convinced that the number is wrong and the scale is broken.

The thought of getting weighed at the doctor's office still terrifies me.

I'm listening to Justin Bieber as I write this. I think he killed it on SNL.

Happy Valentines Day!

This year is my favorite Valentines Day ever, because the love in my life has never been sweeter. 

I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating all the love in yours!

xoxo

Things I'm excited about this week

Kate Spade Saturday. Oh, it almost pains me to admit it! I am so interested to see this new, more accessible line from the team over at KS that I've been hearing about for months. I outfitted much of my new apartment in the home collection but have taken a step back from buying anything accessory- or apparel-related. I have just been so incredibly disappointed in their severe lack of customer service. Yes, I realize this paragraph is completely hypocritical and I'm fine with it. I am a curious little monkey and can't wait to finally see what's behind the curtain, even if I don't end up buying any of it.

Spring. For all of the obvious reasons, of course, but notably for the light. My half-marathon training starts next month, which I'm really looking forward to as well. Right now I haven't been running much because I refuse to do it in the dark. Even early in the morning or in the evening... I just don't feel comfortable. Because the sun is out for such a limited time, the weekdays are out. It's all treadmills and weekends for me. I'm hoping that the weather this weekend will be mild enough for me to throw on my Brooks and take a spin. And yes, I also want spring to arrive so that I can wear the above dress from Madewell.

Lithe Method. I learned about this from a recent article about SoulCycle in NYTimes.com. It's a Cardio-Cheer-Sculpting workout that is big in Philadelphia and coming soon to NYC. I want to point out that Cardio-Cheer-Sculpting is a registered trademark, but I can't find the little R in the circle to put next to it. I always wanted to do cheer in high school, but I went to high school in Texas, where cheerleading is literally life or death. You had to try out in front of the entire school and then they voted for their top choices on a test Scantron. Needless to say, I was not a cheerleader. And I cannot WAIT to try this.



What are you excited about?

Move Your Booty

This month, I signed up for Move Your Booty. Southern gal turned New Yorker (my favorite kind of girl!) Emily Newman started MYB on a mission: transform sad, lonely workouts into social, inspiring challenges. When you sign up, you're invited to a shared Google Doc to record your workouts. The challenge? Complete 22 (non-consecutive) workouts each month.

February is an especially challenging month because it's only 28 days, but I'm up to it. Signing up and committing to this has actually really made me think about my fitness routine. I spin a few days a week, but what else do I do?

I've talked the talk - it's time to walk the walk. Now that I really have to count my workouts, I've been working the elliptical and yoga into my routine. I wake up every day and think to myself, "What will my workout be today?" I'm not a competitive person by nature, but when I really want something I will put on blinders and charge forward until I get it. I was signed up for MYB last month and fell off the bandwagon when I got sick. I am determined to complete 22 workouts in February.

I have to say that feel so much better overall having taken on this new mindset. Of course, a gal needs motivation and I have two great big sources of it: sweet workout duds and indulging my foodie self.

I love to indulge a LOT - probably more than most people would consider "healthy". But I don't really feel guilty about it because I know if I haven't done a great workout before a big bowl of pasta or a rich dessert, I'll do one soon after. And of course, a trip to lululemon is always a treat. My new favorite workout pants are the run inspire crop ii. I just used my last birthday gift cards to buy another pair in the new sherbet color.

What gets you to the gym? Would you sign up for Move Your Booty? If you own these pants are you as obsessed with them as I am?

#teddieight Playlist

The playlist from #teddieight was too fun NOT to share!

(right before the ride - photo credit to JG!)

Boyce Avenue - We Are Young cover (Fun.)

Katy Perry feat. Kanye West - E.T. (remix)

Rihanna - Where Have You Been

Beyonce - Get Me Bodied

Eminem - Cinderella Man

Glee Cast - I Wanna Dance With Somebody cover (Whitney Houston)

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Fun. - Some Nights

Lady Gaga - Marry The Night

I picked many of the songs, but my amazing instructor Emily strung them together so perfectly - and threw in a few surprises for me! Hope this inspires your workout playlists for the weekend! If you're in the Northeast, stay safe. If you're elsewhere, I wish I were with you.

Kitchen heroes

The truth is, I've always enjoyed going to the market. Many of my childhood memories include weekly (sometimes more) trips to Publix with my dad, riding around in the cart or pushing a miniature cart around before they all got stolen (thanks, Miami). I loved looking at all of the food and getting the free Kids Club cookie at the bakery counter. Something about Publix is so quintessentially Florida to me (much like the now defunct Burdines, R.I.P.) and leaving it behind when we moved to Texas made me a little bit sad. I eventually settled into Tom Thumb, eatZi's, and Central Market, but never forgot about my beloved Publix. When I decided to go to college in Florida, I was irrationally excited about the chance to shop there again. Mostly because I was living in New York by then, and in my opinion there are truly no grocery stores here that compare to those of the South.

But I still like going. And I've discovered some products there lately that I'm really enjoying and want to share with you all!

Ola No Nut Vanilla Granola. If you're like me and prefer your granola on the plain side and nut-free, look no further. I have searched high and low for a good, simple granola and I have fallen so in love with this that I now buy it two bags at a time. My favorite way to eat it is sprinkled atop a bowl of berries, bananas, and honey, but it's good enough to eat in handfuls, straight outta the bag. (I haven't seen this anywhere other than my local gourmet market, but I'm told that Whole Foods carries this brand.)

Alexia Spicy Sweet Potato Fries. I am not at all ashamed to say that I ate these two nights in a row this week. They're such a good sidekick to my beloved Applegate Farms Turkey Dogs. I love them with ketchup, and they require no additional seasoning (for my taste, at least). Plus, the nutrition stats aren't horrifying!

Ben & Jerry's Blueberry Vanilla Graham Greek Frozen Yogurt. Oh, how I have been waiting to wax poetic on you my little friend! I was unsure about this because I am far from Greek Yogurt's biggest fan, but this is so delicious I can't believe that it's not actual ice cream. There are three other flavors, but the only other one I really want to try - Strawberry Shortcake - is the one flavor my market doesn't carry. So for now, I'm sticking with this. At 200 calories for a quarter of the carton, this is an indulgence I never feel guilty about.



Tell me what you've loved at the market lately? Especially if your market is a Publix.

Wisdom on a Wednesday

My mantras for this week...

{ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 }

TWOS-DAY Valentines Day Giveaway!

Single or taken, Valentines Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. Growing up in my house, February 14 had nothing to do with romance. It was all about love and treats and sweets. My mom always got us great candy and adorable presents - still does! What's not to adore about a day centered around red, pink, and hearts?

I have been lucky enough to get my hands on two of these adorable Coach coin purses. Each will be shipped to you in a Coach box and ribbon, making them the perfect present for yourself or someone you love!

The first two people to donate $20 or more to my half marathon will each win one. Be sure to say that you're a JGIWC reader in the "leave a note" option.

Donate now to get this goodie with plenty of time to spare before the holiday!

Many thanks and much love!

A little sweat ain't never hurt nobody...

Teddi-eight was worth the wait!

No rhyme intended, but as sad as I was to miss the regularly scheduled programming due to my double attack of the flu and stomach virus, the party two weeks later was every bit as good as I imagined it'd be.

Yesterday myself and 13 of my favorite people pedaled our little hearts out in my Sunday morning Soul class. I sent the wonderful instructor, Emily, a bunch of songs a really long time ago, saying I'd love to hear any of them make it onto the playlist. She played EVERY SINGLE ONE.

I think the crowd was elated to hear THRILLER during the weight segments. I don't know that they were as thrilled (Thriller-ed...) when Beyonce's "Get Me Bodied" came on. It was at this moment that Emily invited me to hop up on the instructor bike. "Get Me Bodied" makes me... well, want to have a nice body, so I listen to it pretty much every day. It's six minutes long and when you're on a bike doing quick choreography in a very hot room, it kind of feels like it's never going to end. 

CORRECTION, when you're on the INSTRUCTOR PODIUM with a light as bright as the sun shining on you, sweat pouring out of your body like rain, a room full of riders all facing YOU... Oh my God. I thought I was going to die up there. I sucked. And to think that I entertained the idea of doing the ENTIRE ride up there? Oh boy. I gave instructors a lot of credit before, but I give them a thousand times more now. THAT AIN'T EASY. But I did it, and I lived to tell the tale. And I clipped out of that bike and catapulted back to mine faster than you can say BLUE IVY.

It was a perfect ride, with glow sticks and a banner and a miniature cake with a candle for me to blow out while the room sang "Happy Birthday" to me.

A few years ago, I remember going out to family dinner and my cousin said that she couldn't drink or stay out late because one of her friends was having a birthday ride at SoulCycle the next morning.

And I made a face like this.

And I thought to myself, WHO in their right mind would want to have a birthday party at a gym? Or spend a precious hour of their birthday WORKING OUT? And SWEATING?

My oh my, how the tables have turned. I could not think of a place I would have RATHER celebrated my 28th year.

Life is funny. And sweet. And so damn good.

I wish we took more pictures but it's kinda tough when you're a) in a dark bike studio, operative word being dark and b) when the hallway/vestibule/lobby is very compact and filled with sweaty, rushed riders. Not exactly a photographer's dream. But we got a few.

A bunch of the girls right before the ride. Love my ladies!

The spread. My dad made that AMAZING monogrammed cake.

And AEG made these INCREDIBLE SoulCycle-themed lemon cake pops.

My Good Lord, I love cake pops. And a good photo bomb from BHB.

Thank you all so much for SOUL-ebrating 28 with me!

"I choose to be happy because it is good for my health." Here's to the BEST YEAR YET!!!

P.S. I was so wiped from the ride and party that I slept through the Super Bowl, awaking only to see Beyonce's performance. Get me bodied, baby. As far as I'm concerned, SHE won.

Things I learned this week

Much like making my lunch the night before, prepping my breakfast the night before is a godsend in the morning. For me, every moment before 8am counts twice as much as every moment after. Having everything ready to assemble makes AM life run so much smoother. This week that meant washing and slicing berries, tossing them in a bowl and covering with tinfoil overnight. Two minutes saved is two minutes earned at my dining table to actually sit and enjoy breakfast!

I could eat an entire carton of Ben & Jerry's Blueberry Vanilla Graham Greek Frozen Yogurt in one sitting. I haven't, but I could. And I may.

I may never be a culinary star or a great cook, but I can prepare and assemble and make tasty meals - some of which have decent nutritional value! I am having the best time playing around in my kitchen. No breakthroughs over here (yet) but it's fun and yummy in my house... isn't that what counts?

Vlogs are so much fun. I may even make one on my own soon!

When you're having a tough week, force yourself to go to your happy place. Whether it's mental or physical. I lost my way a bit these past few days, forgot that I am worthy and that I can succeed. Last night at the end of a very encouraging, praise-from-the-instructor filled ride at SoulCycle, I began to cry. Sometimes I do forget how far I've come, and I'm so thankful for the reminders.

What did you learn this week?

HAPPY WEEKEND!