New
Posted: February 24, 2012 Filed under: stress/anxiety, work | Tags: busy, chaos, job, physical therapy, work Leave a comment »Ok, so you might have noticed that I’ve been “away” from my blog for about a week. I’ve been meaning to post the reason behind this absence but it has to do with why I haven’t been posting in general – I’VE BEEN CRAZY BUSY!
I started a new, full-time job a few weeks ago! I started working just the mornings for about a week while I finished up with the kiddos at the afterschool program that I’d been working at part-time. So juggling both was quite chaotic to say the least. I have been solely full-time at my new job (as a physical therapy tech) for a bout a week and a half now. It’s been quite an adjustment physically, mentally, etc. but I do enjoy it much more that what I’d been doing. Working with the kids was nice at times but overall it was too draining. I had lost desire to keep up with their energy. I was constantly looking at the clock, only thinking of myself. My patience was non-existent and I felt like I was not being a strong role-model for them. The outside planning that I’d been doing (without additional pay) took away my free time to relax and made me resent my job and co-workers.
My new job is more physically demanding. I’m working on my feet ALL day, but I enjoy what I do which makes a difference. I have been overwhelmed learning all that I need to know. I feel like I am catching on, but have so much more to learn (over time). I’m still trying to adjust my old routine to fit my new schedule. I think I’m working things out well, but most days my mind is going a million miles an hour and I don’t feel like I’m accomplishing anything. With all that’s going on my OCD has been off the charts!!! I’m hoping that once I get settled in to my “new normal” things will calm down!
I’m in the final months of my graphic design project and will be so thankful when it’s over! Graphic design is really interesting, but way too technical for me and nothing that I want to pursue professionally… I couldn’t get any money back since I paid in full for the program before I started (bad idea). I have my sketches and what not, but I don’t have the fancy software to really make it look how I want it to. My project is just for “fun” so I’m not too worried about it. I just want the project/presentation to be over with!
Recipes
Posted: February 17, 2012 Filed under: food | Tags: dinner, food, recipe, slow cooker, tex mex Leave a comment »Tex-Mex Lasagna
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup zucchini
Fiesta blend cheese
2 corn tortillas
Homemade Pizza
Boboli whole wheat crust
1 can Hunt’s tomato sauce (Basil, Garlic, & Oregano)
1.5 cups shredded Italian-style cheese
A few handfuls of spinach
Santa Fe Chicken
[NO PICTURE]
Slow Cooker
1 – 1.5 lbs frozen chicken breasts
1 can black beans
1 can Southwest-style diced tomatoes
.5 cup water
Slow Cooker
3 large carrots (about 1.5 cups)
3 celery stalks (about 1 cup)
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz. can dark red kidney beans
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup Barilla whole wheat medium shells
3 cups spinach
spices – onion powder, garlic powder, 1/4 t pepper, 1 t Italian seasonings
Things that make me smile
Posted: February 16, 2012 Filed under: I love..., inspiration | Tags: books, frank sinatra, happiness, Matthew Gray Gubler, reading 1 Comment »
Words
Posted: February 15, 2012 Filed under: words | Tags: absent-minded, definitions, denial, felicity, inexorable, opportunity, Words Leave a comment »ab·sent-mind·ed (adjective)
so lost in thought that one does not realize what one is doing,what is happening, etc.; preoccupied to the extent of being unaware of one’s immediate surroundings.
de·ni·al (noun)
1. an assertion that something said, believed, alleged, etc., is false
2. refusal to believe a doctrine, theory, or the like.
3. disbelief in the existence or reality of a thing.
4. the refusal to satisfy a claim, request, desire, etc., or the refusal of a person making it.
5. refusal to recognize or acknowledge; a disowning or disavowal
6. Law. refusal to acknowledge the validity of a claim, suit, or the like; a plea that denies allegations of fact in an adversary’s plea
7. sacrifice of one’s own wants or needs; self-denial.
8. Psychology . an unconscious defense mechanism used to reduce anxiety by denying thoughts, feelings, or facts that are consciously intolerable.
in·ex·o·ra·ble (adjective)
1.unyielding; unalterable
2. not to be persuaded, moved, or affected by prayers or entreaties
fe·lic·i·ty (noun, plural -ties.)
1. the state of being happy, especially in a high degree; bliss
2. an instance of this.
3. a source of happiness.
4. a skillful faculty: felicity of expression.
5. an instance or display of this
6. Archaic . good fortune.
op·por·tu·ni·ty (noun, plural -ties.)
1. an appropriate or favorable time or occasion
2. a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal.
3. a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success.
A Day of Love
Posted: February 14, 2012 Filed under: I love..., projects, verses | Tags: gifts, love, Rice Krispie Treats, Valentine's Day Leave a comment »
” ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22: 37-40
Treats that I made for special friends/co-workers
A special Valentine treat for me from my momma! These are so yummy! I got the dark chocolate ones last year, but she was having problems hunting them down this year (I had made a special request).
Projects
Posted: February 12, 2012 Filed under: projects | Tags: birthday, crochet, etsy, gifts, homemade, sewing, Valentine's Leave a comment »Things I’ve been working on…
Crocheted Red and Pink Hanging Hearts
Valentine’s Table Runner that I sewed
Valentine Cards
Treat bags for Mom & Dad
Tootsie Roll “Sundae” I made for my mom for her birthday this week!
Click here to check out more of my projects!
“Sense and Sensibility”
Posted: February 11, 2012 Filed under: books, I love..., inspiration, quotes | Tags: books, reading, sense and sensibility, Words Leave a comment »- Sense – natural understanding and intelligence (Oxford English Dictionary) - Elinor
- Sensibility – The quality of being easily and strongly affected by emotional influences (Oxford English Dictionary) – Marianne
Quotes that I enjoyed from the book:
“The more I know of the world the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!” – Marianne
“… and yet there is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions.” – Colonel Brandon
“At my time of life opinions are tolerably fixed. It is not likely that I should now see or hear anything to change them.”
“‘She know her own worth too well for false shame,” replied Edward. ‘Shyness is only the effect of a sense of inferiority in some way or another. If I could persuade myself that my manners were not perfectly easy and graceful, I should not be shy.’” – Edward
“My illness, I well knew, had been entirely brought on by myself by such negligence of my own health, as I had felt, even at the time, to be wrong. Had I died, it would have been self-destructionn. I did not know my danger till the danger was removed; but with such feelings as these reflections gave me, I wonder at my recovery, – wonder that the eagerness of my desire to live, to have time for atonement to my God,a nd to you all, did not kill me at once. ” – Marianne
Before reading the book I thought myself more like Elinor, the “sensibility”, but after reviewing quotes that were memorable to me it looks like I’m more of a “Marianne!” I feel like I “think” more like Marianne. However, where she is more outwardly dramatic and vocal I tend to hold in my emotions and keep my thoughts to myself like Elinor. By superficial behaviors are quite contradictory to who I feel like I truly am (how people view me as being patient and calm when my mind is actually going a mile-a-minute!). It’s no wonder that I get frustrated when I feel like people don’t understand me! lol So my outward demeanor = Elinor, inner workings = Marianne.
January in Review
Posted: February 4, 2012 Filed under: books, food, I love..., inspiration, movie, projects, running, work | Tags: books, goals, January, movies, pictures, progress 1 Comment »I wanted to post a “highlights from 2011″ post about a month ago but was having problems remembering what I did. I am going to post a monthly recap at the end of each month noting to highs, lows, trips, pictures, etc. It’ll be a good reminder of progress and change! I’ve been planning on posting this sooner and I realize that this is a few days late, but this week has been hectic. My big aim for the year is to ”simplify my life” - re-set my priorities, cut back on my possessions, spending, cut out wasted time on electronics , etc.
This was my January:
- I completely sorted and organized my closet – this was huge feat! I donated what I no longer use/need to a local charity. It feels good to start simplifying my possessions and give to others who are in need
- Completed volunteer orientation at the hospital
- Tried out new recipes! One of my goals has been to reduce the amount of pre-packaged and processed foods I consume. Although meal planning requires more effort, I have been feeling better about what is going into my body
- I completed week one of a “couch to 5K’ program
- I taught myself how to crochet hearts and then make them into a garland/chain – see here
- Began the capstone course/project for my graphic design certification class
Favorite Movies and Books This Month:
Foodie Friday
Posted: February 3, 2012 Filed under: food | Tags: blueberry muffins, burrito, cracker chips, dinner, fish, ground chicken, lunch, pizza, recipe, Ruby Tuesday, soup, taco, tortilla soup Leave a comment »Wrap Pizza
This is so simple! I placed a sheet of aluminum foil over a cooking sheet and heated the over to 400°F. Then heated up a wrap (I used Flat Out Light Italian) for 7 minutes. After 7 minutes I flipped the wrap and added the toppings of my choice – tomato sauce, Italian spices, Spinach, and Italian-style cheese. I wasn’t feeling too creative with my toppings, but you could really go crazy!
One of My Favorite Quick Meal Options:
I just tried the cheddar gluten-free option (I’m not allergic to gluten but wanted to try these out since I’m a fan of the orignal burritos). I approve!
Leftover Rotisserie Turkey, Baked Potato, Spinach, & Cottage Cheese
Homemade Blueberry Muffins
I designed this recipe after several ones I had found:
1.25 cups whole wheat flour
1.5 cups quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 t baking soda
1t cinnamon
.5 t nutmeg
.25 t salt
3/4 cup water
.25 cup milk
.25 cup natural applesauce
1 egg
1 cup fresh blueberries
Mix dry ingredients together in one bowl and wet ingredients in another. Add wet to dry and mix to they are “just” combined, then add the blueberries. Spoon (an ice cream scoop works great!) into muffin pans. I used baking liners, but might use spray next time (the muffins are “moist” due to the applesauce and I’m afraid they’ll get soggy). Pop into the oven (400°F) for 15-20 minutes.
Chicken Nachos
I based the meat part of the recipe off of PBFinger’s recipe for Crock Pot Tacos. I set my crock pot on high vs low before I left for work because I busy this morning and didn’t get everything ready to cook as soon as I would have liked. I think I over cooked it a tad but the salsa helped add in some moisture. It also was a bit “taco season-y” for my taste but that could be because it was a little dry. But by and by its still a simply and yummy meal. I saved half of the chicken to use in soup for later in the week (yay for meal planning)!
Chicken Tortilla Stew
OMG! This recipe turned out SO well! It was based on of this recipe.
1/2 pound 85% lean ground beef or turkey –> ground chicken (leftover from last night)
1 medium onion, chopped –> onion powder
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped –> garlic powder
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (gluten-free) –> chicken was already seasoned from when I made the tacos
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth –> 2 cup water
1 large zucchini or summer squash, cut into small cubes
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans –> pinto beans
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes –> Market Pantry (Targer) southwest style diced tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 cup medium salsa –> no salsa
I threw everything into the crock pot and cooked on low for about 6 hours. I added slices of corn tortillas at the very end. It would also be really good topped with cheese and/or sour cream. SOOOO tasty, healthy, and filling. I WILL be making this again soon!
Creole Catch from Ruby Tuesday – White Fish, Spaghetti Squash, & Zucchini
My mom and I went out for a celebratory lunch (details regarding the celebration soon)! I made a good choice for my meal. I am suddenly obsessed with spaghetti squash. I feel like hundreds of vitamins and goodness are flowing into my body when I eat it! It’s just so nummy!
New Snack 
I bought these on sale from the grocery store. I was almost out of my other “cheesy” work snack (Whole Grain Goldfish) and these seemed relatively healthy. I was impressed. They remind me a bit of Sun Chips but not as cheesy or “grainy” tasting.
I hope you enjoyed viewing my “food adventures” of the week. I’m trying to broaden my horizons. I’ve noticed that I’ had been eating a lot of repetitive meals. I apologize if you’re hungry now… 
Check out some gifts made with love!
