Archive for August, 2011

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August 15, 2011

Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

*Mini rant*  Feel free to skip to actual post below: Maybe it’s my migraine or maybe I’m a b*tch but I’m tired of rude people.  At a store earlier today, I was trying to pick out a new headache medication.  There’s a bazillion different medications and I decided to read through all the different meds to make this migraine go away ASAP.  This lady comes into the aisle and hits me with her cart and didn’t say anything.  My mind screamed obscenities but I decided to just to move her cart to the side to keep from hitting me.  Yet she kept moving it and hitting me nonstop for the next five minutes.  I finally had enough and said “Ma’m your cart keeps hitting me.  Could  you please move it?”  She gave me a dirty look, harumphed (you know that old lady noise that translates to you uppity young lady need to let me do what I want), and walked away.  I decided that I won because she left and I was able to find a new medication.  But still, what’s the deal with rude people!?!?

Back to regularly scheduled post: Last evening one of my friends came over for an afternoon/evening of scrapbooking.  So I decided for dinner, I need something that would delicious, summery (because it’s like a bajillion degrees in DC), and would cook itself.  So on the search for summer slow cooker recipes, I discovered a Slow Cooker Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole via WebMD (who knew they had recipes).   I had all the ingredients so I decided it would be the perfect recipe plus if it sucked, I live near tons of restaurants so we could always order takeout.

I have a thing for layers in dressing (always prepared for any weather) so I love recipes with layers.

1st layer: browned tortilla wedges

2nd layer: Soy crumbles with enchilada sauce (kinda looks like my cat’s food)

3rd layer: Cheddar cheese and black olives

I didn’t snap a pic of the final product but it tasted delicious.  Plus I have enough leftovers for the rest of the week.  My friend, K., went back for seconds so I’m guessing she liked it too!!  Perfect Sunday=delicious food+good friend+scrapbooking!

Make any yummy food this weekend?  How do you feel about rude people?

Posted in recipe review | 3 Comments »

August 11, 2011

Is It Really Only Thursday?

I knew today would be one of those days from the minute my alarm started going off around 7:30am.  And you might wonder “How are you always late Sarah?  You don’t have to be at work till 2pm.  You have all the time in the world.”

Maybe it’s my ADD or blondness but I’m very prone to distraction especially when I have a bajillion craft projects, pictures to hang, and Netflix.  But I believe that my tardiness began earlier this morning when I finally got off work.  Let’s recap:

12am: Finally get off work.  Thank god, now I can go home and sleep.

12:30am: Too wound up to fall asleep.  Decide to make lunch and dinner for work tomorrow.

12:45am: Still wide awake.  Hmm, let’s see what’s on Netflix.

Source

12:46am: Oooh, Numb3rs, David Krumholtz is nerdy hott.   

2:15am: I should really go to bed.

2:16pm: Fall asleep with makeup on and contacts in, still in dress from work.

7:30am: Alarm starts ringing.  I should really get up.

8:30am: Ugh why won’t my cat stop licking my face.  Damn, now he’s smacking me.  Devil cat.

9:30am: Finally drag myself out of bed.  Look in the mirror and resolve to always remove that day’s makeup before bed as to not look like:

 

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My roots do not look that bad…just kidding, I need to get to the salon ASAP!

9:35am: Feed cat.  Now that I’m no use to him, he chooses to ignore me while I proceed to make egg white oats for breakfast.

9:45am: Scald tongue trying to eat too hot oats.  Run to the kitchen for a diet coke and remember I promised Bob Greene I wouldn’t drink any Diet Coke or booze for a month.  I should drink water.

Source

9:45am: Water’s lame. Make coffee instead.  Hmm, wonder what’s going on in Tweet world.

10:15am: I should really workout.  Or take a nap.  No, Sarah, go to the damn gym.  You only have to walk down to the basement (Yes I do talk to myself.  You’re only crazy if you answer yourself).

10:20pm: My stupid ipod shuffle is dead.  And my ipod is broken.  Thank god I brought a magazine or else I’d be justified in taking a nap.  Start 35 min. HITT workout on elliptical (resistance 6 for 2 min., resistance 20 for 1 min.  repeat 10 times, 5 min. cooldown).

10:55am: Finish workout.  Almost fall off the elliptical because legs are sore from too much Jillian Michaels (from the previous days).

11:00am: Showertime.

11:05am: To shave or not to shave….hmmm….I’m blonde and lazy.  Not to shave!

11:06am: This stupid loofah takes forever to rinse out.

11:10am: I still have makeup on my face.  Break out the extra strength makeup remove, wash face again, and moisturize.

11:15am: I should try to fix my ipod.

11:18pm: I should take a picture of my empty bottle of Vitamin Water Zero for the blog.

11:30: Ipod restore #300000000000.  Maybe I should do some laundry.  Who cares if will be finish at the same time I need to leave for work.

11:40: Stupid ipod is still being restored.  Do not accidently click Chinese for language….DAMN.  Restore ipod again: select English this time.

11:50pm: There has to be a better way to fix this problem.  Google.  Download three different softwares promising to fix ipod.

12:00pm: ooh House Hunters!

12:23pm: Pick [House] 3 my lord!!

12:28pm: They picked that house!?!?  Idiots.

12:29pm: I should really clean my apartment.  Or hang up those pictures that have been on my coffee table for two weeks. 

12:30pm: Another episode of House Hunters!

12:31pm: I’ll hang pictures on commercial breaks. 

12:38pm: Where is my toolbox?  I need my hammer and some nails.

12:39pm: Why do the nails keep getting bent?

12:40pm: House Hunters is back on.

12:48: Give up on nails.  Will buy better nails tomorrow.

12:50: That house is ugly and expensive.  Why is my cat in my blinds?

12:57pm: They bought the ugly and expensive house!?!?  What is wrong with these people?  Obviously they need to consult me before spending $600K.

1:00pm: Why is my stupid ipod still NOT working?

1:07pm: Maybe I should put on some  makeup for work (note to self: take off tonight before bed).

1:10pm: Why can I not find chapstick anywhere?  Okay, stop at Walgreens before going to work. 

1:12pm: I really hope I haven’t worn this dress already this week.

1:14pm: Accessories: my favorite part.

1:15pm: Where is that silver bangle from my dad?  Why can’t I ever find anything in my apartment?

1:20pm:  Stupid ipod still isn’t working. 

1:25pm: Grab laundry, dump into basket, put on couch to be folder sometime in the next week.

1:27pm: Grab lunch, purse, and keys.  Run to car.

1:28pm: Black leather is super hot in the freaking summer.  Oooops, my seat warmer is on.

1:30pm: Run into Walgreens.  Head straight towards drinks.  No VitaWater Zero?!?  Decide chemicals in Sugar Free Redbull don’t count (take that Bob Greene).  Walk over to cosmetics.

Source

I might look like that after too much Red Bull…

1:31pm: DO NOT get distracted by nail polish.

1:32pm: Oooh neon yellow nail polish.  Damn Sarah FOCUS!

1:33pm: Grab first tube of Burt’s Bees chap stick.  Run to cashier.  Pay for chapstick, Red Bull, and nail polish.

1:34pm: Get back in car.  Start drive to work.

1:42pm: If I have to pass you on the right, you’re going too slow in the left lane!!

1:43pm: God, please don’t let there be any cops.  I don’t want another ticket.

1:50pm: Why does badging in at the gate take forever? 

1:51pm: Stupid 15 mph speed limit with cops everywhere.

1:58pm: Park!  Run into building. 

2:00pm: Plop into chair.  Betcha thought I wouldn’t make it!

See how easy it is for me to be late for work.  What would you have done?

 

Posted in Musing | 13 Comments »

August 10, 2011

Words of Wisdom Wednesday: Broadway

“Forget regret: Or life is yours to miss
No other road, No other way
No day but today”

“Something has changed within me 
Something is not the same
I’m through with playing by the rules
Of someone else’s game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It’s time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!”

“And I wake from my bed
With the urge to depart
And to follow the dreams of my heart”

“Here I go
And there’s no turning back
My great adventure has begun
I may be small
But I’ve got giant plans
To shine as greatly as the sun”

“Nothing is an accident 
We are free to have it all 
We are what we want to be 
It’s in ourselves to rise or fall “

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

August 9, 2011

Quick Dinner!

I’ve mentioned before that I pack both my lunch and dinner for work.  Plus I have the wonderful talent of oversleeping till 10am on the days I need to workout (thank you Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism for never failing to kick my butt), shower (Pssst dry shampoo is amazing and you can find it at Target, Wal-Mart, and most drug stores), return books to the library, buy new sheets/towels, cat supplies (liter, food, etc), and pack my lunch before my shift starts at 2pm.  So I needed to pack food ASAP to get everything done!

Mediterranean Zucchini Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. whole wheat spaghetti noodles (dry)
  • 1 large zucchini
  • 1 oz. fat free feta
  • 1 large heirloom tomato
  • 1/2 cup chick peas
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • 1/8-1/4 tsp garlic powder

Directions:

  1. Cook 1 oz. whole wheat spaghetti noodles according to directions on box.  When finished cooking, drain pasta from water and allow to cool in strainer.
  2. Using spiralizer (You can use a vegetable peeler but I recommend purchasing a spiralizer), spiralize your zucchini into zucchini noodles.  Add zucchini noodles to large plastic container.
  3. Dice the large heirloom tomato and add to container.
  4. Add 1 oz. fat free feta to container. 
  5. Add cooled/cooked whole wheat spaghetti noodles to container.
  6. In a smaller plastic container mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, and spices.  Place lid on container and shake to prepare dressing. 
  7. Pack both containers in lunch bag with a side of fruit.
  8. Drive like a maniac to finish all your errands before work starts.
  9. Give into temptation and break your rules of purchasing lunch.  Go to Panera, order “You Pick Two” selecting the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich, classic salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and apple. 
  10. Get to work by 2pm.  Cry a little inside when you realize you have to work till midnight but then smile when you remember that there’s a 24 hr. Starbucks in the building.

Very quick and easy dinner or lunch for work.  Feel free to skip steps 8-10 if you don’t work a crazy night shift or have a Starbucks in your office.  I highly recommend working for the federal government (except during debt crisis or potential furloughs). 

Do you have a spiralizer?  What’s your weirdest kitchen tool?

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

August 8, 2011

Living With An Eating Disorder Survival Guide (Pt. 1)

Living with an eating disorder sucks!  Often when battling an ED (eating disorder) the sufferer also battles anxiety and depression which only triggers ED behavoirs.  Over the past couple of years I’ve suffered from both anorexia and binge eater disorders.  Throughout my struggles, I’ve learned different tips how to live with an eating disorder. Now, you may ask, why aren’t you sharing tips on how to beat an ED?  Mainly because I haven’t beaten either of my EDs but I’m on the path to recovery.  And these tips will help motivate sufferers to start the long recovery process.  Beating an eating disorder doesn’t happen overnight and by making small adjustments to behavoirs can help the recovery process without overwhelming the sufferer.  Too much change at once can cause anxiety which can trigger ED behavoir.  So I recommend taking baby steps.  These tips will force an individual to step outside her (or his) ED comfort zone (there is an ED comfort zone) but not enough for an individual to completely shut down and abandon recovery. My first tip is:

DO NOT ISOLATE YOURSELF!

Eating disorders are very isolating diseases.  Many behavoirs enganged by eating disorder sufferers are “embarassing”.  For example, binge eaters prefer to binge in private often hiding food and waiting till he/she is alone.  Nobody wants to purge in front of witnesses.  As anorexic, you never want people to know that you are actually hungry.   Because of these behavoirs, many people will isolate themselves from family and friends.  Often withdrawing into her/his own world where individuals can indulge ED behavoirs and thoughts without judgement. 

I mentioned before the ED comfort zone.  To an individual who has not suffered from an ED it is difficult to understand how starving your body or throwing up or eating till your sick can be comforting.  But these actions are attempts to stifle those feelings of unhappiness, depression, and inadequcy.  Behaving in such a manner is often more comforting than dealing with those feelings.  Instead of using ED behavoirs as a distraction: use your friends and families to distract yourself.  You are less likely to behave in an unhealthy behavoirs around other people.  Plus families and friends can help provide support for future steps towards recovery.

Now I know that it’s hard to reach out to people especially if you want to be indepedent and not share your burden.  But guess what: your friends and family already know that something is wrong even if they don’t know the extent.  Also, your friends and family LOVE you and want the best for you.  Just spending time with them can help you step outside your ED world for a few hours even if you just watch a movie, play a game, or go shopping.  If you’re not ready to discuss your ED (and consequent thoughts and behavoirs) do not feel pressured to share.  Along the recovery process, there will be a time and place to delve deeper into the reasons behind your ED.

Source

Make it a goal to socailize (and talking to coworkers at work doesn’t count) with friends or family at least once a week (or more).  Each week increase the time you spend with family and friends.  Start building the foundation for recovery.

Please remember that if you struggle from an eating disorder, you do not have to suffer alone.  If you don’t have friends or family near you, please email me or check out various ED websites.  Something Fishy is a great website that has a bunch of recovery tools plus online options that lists different online resources for connecting with other people.  Make yourself a priority and just take one tiny baby step towards recovery.

Posted in ED survival guide | 4 Comments »

August 2, 2011

Busy Little Bee

I’ve been a busy little bee this morning before work.  I’ve cleaned my apartment, made Emily‘s spaghetti squash & vegan mushroom cream sauce, made chocolate cupcakes with chocolate and vanilla frosting for work (Note: I reduced the powdered sugar for the vanilla frosting and it was still ridiculously sweet), and worked on some beading.

Since I pack my lunch and dinner for work I packed the sauce and spaghetti squash in separate containers.

I added some baked tofu and broccoli to the spaghetti squash.

Trust me this sauce tastes better than it looks!  I can’t wait till dinner.

I also decided that the night shift needed some sugar to enjoy this August afternoon.  For some reasons Tuesdays always seem longer than Monday.  Maybe because I’m no longer riding on the high of the previous weekend and the next weekend seems sooooooooo far away…

And because I like to appeal to all taste buds I made a vanilla and chocolate frosting.

Hmmm, I can’t decide which flavor I like best.   Oh the difficult decisions in life.

Check out my awesome cupcake/cake carrier.  It’s pretty badass!

Tell me: chocolate or vanilla??

Posted in recipe review | 2 Comments »

August 1, 2011

Breaking Free

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments on my last blog post.  I try hard not to allow myself to feel bad that I’m no longer a size zero but it’s a journey!  Y’all definitely help me feel better :)

I’ve decided that Geneen Roth is the emotional eating guru.  I’ve read several of her books (I reviewed “Women, Food, and God here and here).  I have a much better appreciation for “Women, Food, and God” because I’m no longer in denial about the extent of my emotional struggles with food and my body.  So I picked up a copy at Borders along with

“Breaking Free From Emotional Eating”

I’ve started reading the first couple of chapters but I’ve decided I need to restart the book and journal while I’m reading the book.  Roth provides lots of exercises to help figure out your struggle with emotional eating and how to stop.  When I finish the book, I plan on doing another book review. 

Roth has also written a new book called “Lost and Found” which is all about the suprising similarities of our relationships with food and money.  I listened to a Blog Talk Radio interview with Roth on Namaste radio. (Click on Roth for the link to the interview).  As usual, Roth is informative and entertaining as she shares her story about losing her life savings during the Bernie Madoff scandal.  I’d recommend listening to the interview when you have a moment. 

Have you read any Geneen Roth books?  Or have any good emotional eating books you’d like to share?

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

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