Ten Layer Oats

Every morning I receive a daily quote via email. I always look forward to them. Some are inspirational, others motivational, but my favorites are ones that makes me say, "Exactly! That's what I think!" These are some recent favorites.

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." -Anais Nin

"It's not the tragedies that kill us, its the messes." -Dorothy Parker

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." -Virginia Woolf

"No one has ever become poor by giving."-Anne Frank

"Ah Coffee. The Sweet Balm by which we shall accomplish today's tasks." -Holly Black

"Be yourself. Who else is better qualified?" -Frank J. Giblin II

Today I.... Changed a lightbulb, made a Dr. appointment for my shins, made a dentist appointment for a cleaning, cleaned out my email in box, washed dishes, wrote cards to friends, went paperless on all my bills, haggled my way into saving $36 a month on my comcast bill, paid those bills, dusted, and hung a photo all before lunch (all the calling took up a chunk of time!) I felt very accomplished! There is definitely an upside to having a day off in the middle of the week, I can get so much done! After Lunch was all about running errands... I wish I could have actually run them! Instead I decided to get my exercise in the form of walking. Killing two birds with one stone.... Overall I walked about 3.5 miles and the weather held out the entire way! Ten Layer Oats looking out on the gloomy day! This was the most amazing mix I've ever made for oatmeal! It was really more of a dessert than breakfast, but all the sugary stuff was in moderation so I don't feel too bad about it! Have you ever had a seven layer bar? Sometimes they call it a magic bar. This reminded me of one of those... without the chocolate! I can't wait to make 11 layer oats after easter! ;) The Layers: 1/3 C Oats 1/3C Milk 1/3 C H20 Chia Banana Topped with: 4 butterscotch chips 1 chopped walnut 1/4 a meringue Coconut spinkles 8 grams almond butter Have I mentioned I don't have microwave anymore? This is how I heated up my lunch! I love my toaster oven! Pinto bean burger made a nice topping to a spinach salad! It started sprinkling right after I took this photo.... It was the beginning of my walk! I've been living in tennis shoes for the past few days (so unlike me!) Trying to make my shins happy. I've never been a fan of the white shoes/jeans combo... More signs of spring! This was right after I went to the rec center to sign up for Spanish! I'm taking a beginning Spanish class beginning April 14th. I took Spanish is HS but don't remember anything! I look so happy because I saved $5 on the class fee because I live in the city limits! Next stop.... The library! Today was all about saving money! I didn't have any books in mind, but somehow ended up with all of these! You may remember my library rant from a year ago... Well the truth is, I can't really fit anymore books into my little house And if I am going to save money for my Spain/Italy trip I better count those pennies! Dinner Time! My meal plan came in handy today, I came home from the library famished! I looked on my sheet and found that I was making Rosemary Spaghetti from myBook Club Cookbook This recipe is based on the Da Vinci Code... Lots of herbs (rosemary, oregano, basil, bay leaves). But the best part was the touch of chili powder and tobasco that gave it a kick! Comfort food! 1/4 C Five ingredient ice cream with a bunch of berries! Today proved that sunshine doesn't have to be involved to have a truly fantabulous day (but it helps so much)!!!

Carb Loading.

I'm sad to say that the storm that is coming means that we had to cancel our trip up to the mountains. We all decided that skiing in the rain is no fun (and not worth the $60 lift ticket!) So I could lie and say that all the carb loading I did today was in prep for a day of skiing, but its just not true. I was actually pretty nervous about how my legs would do in ski boots all day. The last time we went up it was pretty painful for the first half of the day. I'm thinking tomorrow I might try out swimming?! I've never really been into it, but I hear it is such a great workout and easy on the body. We'll see what time I get up....

Garden update:

The beds are in place and full of nutritious soil!

Before...

After!

The cute sign my Mom bought for Carly from a local artist!
It should be said that all the credit for these amazing garden beds goes to Joe!
He worked really hard to make sure they were perfect! Thanks brother!

Still growing strong! Just about time to plant some peas!
Carly put together a garden plan today and it looks like we are going to have a ton of extra starts to trade!

Today was all about cleaning/organizing and cooking. My house is almost completely organized and cleaned. I'm taking full advantage of the fact that I live by myself and know that it wont always be possible to have everything have a place or for everything to be in its place! I even spread my cleaning extravaganza to my work! We had a slow morning so my boss and I completely cleaned out the back room! It looks great. It never ceases to amaze how much clutter can effect me! I feel so much better when things are picked up. 

Caribbean Oats! (coconut, banana, and blueberry)
I need to work on my French Pressing technique....
The water was too hot and I didn't brew it for long enough.
I think when I have to be at work at 6am I'll let my coffeemaker
do the work and save the french press for my Saturdays!

All that cleaning built up my appetite!
Tuna, cherry tomato, and basil sandwich.
Apple w/ almond butter for dessert!

Dinner at Joe and Carly's!
I'm so lucky to have such an amazing family. I'm truly blessed :)
Pinto bean burgers! With Havarti Dill cheese, spinach salad, french fries and green beans!
Then we ended the night with one of Carly's blueberry muffins topped with my new favorite
Ice cream-Haagan Dazs-Five Vanilla (only 5 ingredients! All real!)
Such a feast!

 I created a meal plan for the rest of the week! Here goes nothing! I better eat healthy since I can't run!

Abusive Relationship.

I'm talking about running. Remember when I told you we were in a relationship? Well it has really been beating up on me lately. I can't ignore the shin splints/lower leg pain anymore (sad face). I haven't ran since Thursday and standing is sometimes painful. I am starting to feel restless and anxious. I've decided to not run in my next planned practice-race on April 9th. I'm trying to take it easy.... I need to reach my bigger goal of running in the half marathon (69 days away). This is a pretty big setback for me. It makes me nervous and incredibly frustrated. I found some stretches online that I'm going to try out and I'm considering talking to my Dr. to get a referral to a physical therapist. If nothing else maybe they can tell me what I'm doing wrong (Too many miles too soon? Wrong shoes? Weak muscles?). 


I know I said I was going to take a break from food shots, but I changed my mind. I did decide to just shoot breakfast, lunch and dinner. My snacks are pretty boring really.... Carrots, kind bar, Graham crackers and a banana..... 

While at Ikea I bought a fancysmancy french press! Its kinda crazy to say, but I've never used a french press before! It was super easy and really interesting how different the coffee beans I drink everyday can taste so much different just by using a different method to brew. I need to practice on my timing and grinding, but overall it was a success! My coffee was the perfect match with some whipped banana oats. Have I really never shared  the recipe for this?! Here ya go...

 Whipped Banana Oatmeal

1/3 C Old fashioned Rolled Oats

1/3 C NF Milk

1/3 C H20

1 sliced banana

Cook on the stove over medium until you see little bubbles (about 5 min) 

Then Mix like crazy! 

I recommend a spoonula. One of those spatulas that has a bit of a spoon on the end that you have probably never used for anything else!

When most of the water is gone I cut the heat and serve.

This is the base, after that you get to be as creative as you please!

I stir in 1/2 tbs of Chia seeds at the beginning and usually some other fruit or berry. Cinnamon and brown sugar is always a good choice, but the toppings are what I get really excited about! Almonds, peanuts, granola, raisins, coconut, and butterscotch chips are all tasty additions.

You may have noticed that I always have Almond or Peanut Butter on my spoon (for a bit with every bite!)

Enjoy! 

Spinach, broccoli, baby bell peppers (new favorite Costco find!), carrots, and zucchini salad topped with an egg with almond butter topped toast on the side! Mint green tea was very refreshing to go with! 

I'm attempting to get rid of all the food that I can't say no to! Hence the chips! If they are in my house I will snack my life away until the bag is empty! These may be my new favorite, they are Trader Joe's flax seed chips flavored with beets, spinach, garlic, carrot goodness! Topped with pepper jack peppers, tomatoes, and onions! Have I mentioned I don't have a microwave anymore?

I spent all afternoon with my Dad putting together my Ikea bookcase! I love it, but was hoping I'd get more errands done and try out a yoga class. Busy day getting my to-do list checked off planned for tomorrow... then skiing on Wednesday... then hopefully a relaxing day off on thursday!

A Letter to Spring.

Dearest Spring,
Please stop playing games with my heart. In the past I feel like you have been really good to me, but your recent actions have led me to question my love of you. One day your all sunshine and lollypops and then a dreary day like today comes along. I know those flowers I am going to plant need lots of watering, but once again I want to point out that there needs to be a balance! In spite of the most recent weather you've shown me, I still managed to enjoy the outdoors today.... But get your act together!
Always, Elisa

Green and so cute!

I'm real sick of this weather. I can honestly feel so much of a difference in my mood when the weather heats up and the sun shines. I'm ready to work in my garden!! Speaking of my garden, a few words on composting! I recommend doing it! If for no other reason than to just cut down on how much garbage you toss into your bin. I was so surprised by how much food waste I was throwing into a trash bag that was just going to end up in a landfill. This stuff is free food for our garden! Even if you don't have a garden its still a good thing to do! I read somewhere that things inside of plastic bags don't break down as quickly as they do in a compost bin... and if they do break down, they are still in a plastic bag. My composting process is really easy, all I do is put the scraps and peels into that metal container I keep under the sink. When that is full I move it outside to my super cute green bin. When I'm filled to the brim I bring it on over to Carly and Joe's house where they have a spinning compost bin. I could skip the last two steps and just throw it into my city provided yard waste can, but like I said, free plant food!!!

More signs of spring! I love this Magnolia that
blooms right outside my kitchen window!

Today was a dreary day. Rain clouds filled my eyes and puddles. It was a day to be spent sipping tea or at the movies, but like I said I was crazy enough to venture outside today. But I really did enjoy it!

My friend Nicole and I ventured out on our monthly hike! The past two we were blessed by the weather gods with simply amazing days! Today not so much! Still a good time in the woods with a good friend!

It was far from clean fun though!

The second week of my food photo diary has ended. I think I'm going to give you a break from seeing what I'm consuming for a bit. This week I'm going to focus on sticking to my food plan.... and most importantly.... READING! You can expect to see food shots more regularly though. I like cooking and sharing recipes and ideas!

New Springtime Mug!

Vegfest 2011.

 Today was all about food... Pictures say 1000 words.... so with my captions you should get a pretty good picture....

Skipped oats this morning...

Delivery of scones for my work. I highly recommend you check out the Poulsbo Gluten Free Bakery

Reading is important! So are fruits and veggies.

I love me some kale chips and my favorite Swedish rye cracker! So good w/ Almond butter on top!

Follow the signs....

To Vegfest!!! This was my first experience at the all vegetarian exhibition. I didn't get off work until 2:30 and it closed at 6 so we only had about an hour to adventure around! It turned out to be the perfect amount of time to taste a ton of samples! There were a lot of products there that I had seen in the stores but was hesitant to try, so it was great to taste test before purchasing! I also discovered a few new products! And I couldn't pass up samples of some of my favorites!

Might have turned Katy into a Vegetarian for a day!

It was so great to go somewhere and not worry about some secret meat ingredient! I knew the Bruschetta wouldn't have ham on it and the jello was gelatin free. So nice not to have to ask the, "are there any meat products in here?" question. BUT! I did have to constantly ask one question! "Is there chocolate in here?" Grrrr! I had a chance for freedom and it was taken away! Darn it! Oh well! Next year I'll be back.
Speaking of chocolate, I had a scare earlier in the day! When lent started I put all the chocolate in the house up on a top shelf so I wouldn't be tempted or accidently eat some without thinking. When I got home today I went to grab a granola bar thingy that I had bought at Trader Joe's earlier in the week. It was a peanut butter one, I specifically didn't buy the chocolate one. I took a bite without looking and tasted chocolate! I spit it out and threw it away! That was a close one! I'm staying strong! 

After VegFest we were inspired to eat some veggies, so we went to Sushi in Belltown. 

We were pretty stuffed from our snacking so we shared...

Off to bed to read! Big day tomorrow!

Taste Tested, Elisa approved.

Overnight oats 

Bakery sample day at work... I held back from consuming more than a bite. 

Apple snack

Lunch time: spinach salad, half a flat wrap with tofu and spinach. 

My Dad came to visit me! I love surprises!
(He definitely didn't want to pose for this shot... "Don't put me on the internet!" Sorry Dad, you eat with me you get put on here!) 

Pre-Costco snack. this is probably the best snack bar I've ever tried. So peanut buttery and delicious. They have a lot of fat, even for a lite version.
Have I told you how much I love me some Costco?! If I had to pick only one store to shop at for the rest of my life it would probably be Costco. They have everything! And their produce is good and cheap!

Taste tested one of these. Lately I've tried a lot of gluten free products, testing things out for my madre! 

Yummy grapes!

Met my friend Sharlene for dinner! We both love Pho, Vietnamese noodle soup. My tofu soup was delicious as always (probably the msg?) And we split the order of spring rolls! She leaves soon for Brazil for 18 months. I'm gonna miss my pho buddy!  

Sometimes fortune cookies are disappointing... Where is my fortune where I miraculously win a billion dollars?

mmmm costco fruit medly with some panda puffs.

After the last few days I'm considering joining over-eaters anonymous...


I also ran a mile in barefoot shoes....