Two Things I Will Never Buy Again

There are two things that I will never buy pre-made from the grocery store again. Ever.

1. Croutons
2. Granola

I've already talked about how amazing homemade croutons are, but today I also made granola and It. Is. Awesome! It's so simple and easy, I can't believe that I was paying $5/bag of store-bought granola before this.

I got my crouton recipe from How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman. All it takes is some french bread, olive oil, and whatever seasonings and spices suit your fancy. Today I kept it simple and cubed a half-loaf of wheat french bread, drizzled it with olive oil and garlic salt, and threw the pan in a 300-degree oven for about 20 minutes. Stir it around a little bit while baking. Happiness is the result.

As for the granola, I bought my ingredients based on a recipe I found in a magazine but then I threw away my magazine (silly me!) and had to piece it together based on other online recipes. It worked well! You can also throw anything and everything into granola. This mix contains:

Rolled oats
Wheat germ
Sliced almonds
Shelled sunflower seeds
Pure agave

Basically, go to the Whole Foods bins and bag up anything and everything you want to bake together.

On your next Sunday afternoon, set aside some time, throw on your favorite tunes, and bake some croutons and granola for the work week ahead. So much better than the stale and bitter store-bought options! I'm never going back. Ever.

Movie Review: Fish Tank

Following the suggestion of @daniel_hautjobb, I watched a British independant film titled Fish Tank. Wow, just wow.

Toto, we're not in Hollywood anymore.

The movie was brilliant but difficult. Everything isn't tied up in a neat little bow with a love story thrown in. Instead, it was a compelling look at the result of broken families living in the welfare system. It is considered to be a "coming of age" story, but the hardest part is the realization that Mia (the 15-year-old main character) doesn't really have anywhere to go. The system and the lack of support---both emotionally and financially---is a vicious cycle.

Do I recommend it? Yes. Does it tear at your heart? Absolutely.

Movie Review: This Means War

I got free tickets to an advance screening of This Means War at a great downtown movie theatre, the AMC River East. That’s right, I went to an advance screening. I’m hot shit like that.

A quick description for the movie reads:

Two top CIA operatives wage an epic battle against one another after they discover they are dating the same woman.

I went to the movie not expecting much, but it turned out to be a lot of fun! Reese Witherspoon’s character in the movie was perfect (of course; yawn!), but it was interesting to see the differences between the two guys battling for the win---i.e. her heart. Chelsea Handler as the comedic side-kick was good for a few laughs. Think Seth Rogen in the movie 50/50 (a great, great film---see it).

Since I’m in Chicago and I actually have free time for the first time in a long time, I’m starting to watch movies again. Back in Colorado, I would maybe go to a handful of films a year. If that.

This whole Hollywood thing is fun! I’ll keep y’all updated with what other films I’m able to catch.

P.S. People-watching at a movie premier is epic. You either have socialites with glittery makeup or intense movie-goers with their Star Wars t-shirts and popcorn-stained fingers. Awesome.

Observations

1. No matter how much I prepare; no matter how many google maps I look up; no matter the fact that my iPhone is glued to my hand... I will get lost. It isn't like I don't prepare. I will spend the whole day with a map and turn-by-turn directions---but to no avail. The direction gods hate me. It's frustrating as hell. I was almost in tears this evening after I diligently got off the bus at my appointed stop... 1.5 miles away from the destination.

2. You know things are changing when:
     a.) Your feet hurt. Now that I walk everywhere and am running more, my feet hurt all the damn time.
     b.) You don't give a rat's ass what you look like, just as long as you're warm and comfortable. Tonight I had on an ear-warmer, a knitted baseball cap, and a fur-trimmed hoodie. I'm a-ok with this.

3. Not having a car is the best diet plan ever. No longer is that pint of ice cream appealing when you have to schlep it back home. Today my groceries consisted mainly of lettuce and whole-wheat bread. Lots of air in there.

Happy New Year!

image from http://www.theplatform.info/feedcontent/article/81079

Happy New Year, y'all!!

I used to think that I was above New Year's resolutions, while I still quietly declared goals to myself. But no one is above improving themselves. In fact, I make resolutions all the freakin' time! Am I successful? Not always. But I am no longer going to be afraid of admitting to myself and to others that change needs to happen---and that change is good.

I love being in Chicago---a big change---and I'm so proud of myself for making this happen! So, without further ado, here's a list of things I'd like to focus on or accomplish in 2012.

- Run a marathon
- Write---including this blog, my personal journal, and pursuing outside writing opportunities
- Eat better. Reduce the extreme servings/cravings of salt and sugar (especially chocolate)
- Cook more and continue trying new recipes
- Stick to my budget
- Spend more time mastering the things I'm interested in

Last year was not a total wash, either. Here are a few things I was able to accomplish. Woo hoo!

- Moved to Chicago
- Received two job offers within a month of moving
- Successfully transitioned into my new job and home
- Relaxed more!! I'm also very proud of myself for this. I was such a spaz ball wreck in Colorado---and I still find myself getting caught in that trap whenever I visit. In Chicago, I've been able to calm down and take one day at a time. No more guilt.
- Became a much, much better cook---though I still have a long way to go
- Fell in love

In short, I'm happy again. Finally. I'd like to continue being happy while accomplishing new things.

2012 is going to be a good year.



40 Days

 

I have often considered myself as a highly motivated person. I work hard, I exercise, and I try to take care of my family and friendships.

I was even motivated enough to pick up and move to Chicago. I needed a change in my life—and so I made it happen.

That’s how everything should work. You want something? Make it happen.

But now that I’m in Chicago and happy, I’ve kinda let go of everything else. I obsessively watched my diet back in Colorado, so I don’t need to do that here, right? I don’t need to run or lift because I’ll just naturally keep my figure through happiness, right?

Wrong.

I’ve been unhealthy since I moved. I thought I could beat the Midwest diet, but apparently I’m human. Being human sucks.

So, I’m vowing to put myself back on track. For 40 days and 40 nights, I want to make every choice a healthy choice. Snack nuts at work? No thanks. That candy bar? Nuh uh. And I for sure don’t need any more hamburgers. I also plan to work out every day. Even if it’s a short yoga video at home.

Just worry about TODAY. Make every day the best. Then smile.

My Niece

My niece Ava's birthday is coming up on October 8th! I won't be there for their Halloween extravaganza birthday party, but I did get her some cute stuff from the Disney store. Shopping for kids is waaaay more fun than shopping for adults.

I was going through my e-mail this morning and ran across this video that my sister-in-law, Amber, sent me. The title is "Video Proof that I am the Worst Mother Ever."

Amber explains:

Ava and Andrew like to slide down the stairs. I changed the way they do it. I don't think you're supposed to teach two-year-olds this stuff. Whoops.

I think this is absolutely stellar! I can't stop laughing at the video.