good good news

It's the weekend! I absolutely love Saturday mornings. Not for the normal reason of being able to sleep in. I think it is impossible for me to sleep in. My body wakes up between 6:30 and 7 with or without an alarm clock.

So, this morning I was able to enjoy a delicious orange, pumpkin spice coffee, and a crumpett while watching episodes of Ace of Cakes. It has been an amazing morning so far.

Yesterday was good and bad. Bad because the pain in my left side lasted ALL day instead of just a couple hours like usual. I really really hope the doctor can find what is wrong next Friday. I have lost more weight this week. Although I am scared to gain my weight back, my family says I have lost too much. They are scared for me and they hate seeing me like this. My mom thinks it is stress that is causing the stomach pains. My Dad says that I am not getting enough calories in one day. That is what Cali thinks too. He gets upset when I don't eat much. I made him happy last night. I treated myself to ice cream. (my first in a LONG while) SO yummeh!!

Anyways, lets just hope the doctor can figure out what is wrong.

Enough of the bad, on to the good!!

Yesterday was practical day (test day) at school. We had to make a Charlotte Russe. You can see a picture of it here. I made a 100%!!

AND, the last two months of our program we have to go work in a restaurant or bakery as an intern. I have been working really hard to find a paid internship. I found a resort in Colorado a couple months ago and is opening a new bakery/cafe. They serve chocolate and gelato. (yum.) I applied and talked to the Chef and I got word last night that they would love to have me!!! It is so amazing that it all fell into place so fast. The place is called Rimini Gelato. I am so excited!!

More great news =) I have been craving Larabars for forever. Well the generous people at Larabar sent me an email yesterday saying that they would be sending free samples in two weeks. I. Am. Excited. =)

Well, I need to get started on organizing my notes and recipes from school. (I am a little behind). I am going to post pictures of my wonderful little apartment later and maybe pictures of my coffee mug collection. (not very big yet...but one day it will be.) coffee mugs=<3

=)

today is a better day

Good morning!

This morning has been great so far. (unlike yesterday.)

Yesterday was a bad day.

I woke up around 6:30. I felt so drained. I had no energy for the gym, so I got back in bed and slept until 8:30. I was still kind of sleepy, but I felt better. My morning started out okay. I was able to sit outside and read and drink my coffee. It was such a beautiful morning. Around 10, Cali and I went on a short walk (to public... ha ha. It is where we walk too because we live so close to it.)

After returning, I toasted some bread and spread on some natural peanut butter and a drizzle of honey.

The bad part started before class. As I was getting ready to go to class, I suddenly felt drained again. Like I had no energy at all. During class, I kept getting nauseas, so I wasn't able to eat lunch. Thankfully, it was a light production day at school, so the work wasn't that hard. I took a long bath when I got home to try to calm down. For dinner I fixed rice with diced tomatoes and sweet peas stirred in. (quite yummy).

When Cali got home and learned that I had only had rice and toast all day, he got quite upset.

THEN, still feeling drained, I headed to bed at 9. By 10:30 I still wasn't asleep. It is SO frustrating when you can't fall asleep even though your dead tired, isn't it?! I got up, drank a cup of milk, and that seemed to knock me out.

THIS morning has so much better. I really enjoyed the gym. Also, I had oat bran for the first time this morning. O my goodness. I can't believe I've never had oat bran before. It is amazing! I cooked 1/3 cup of oat bran with 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 a cup of soymilk. I topped it with frozen mixed berries, half a banana, and chopped walnuts. SO good!

I have to start working on my production sheet for today's practical. (test). We have to make a Charlotte Russe. (A cake filled with chocolate mousse and vanilla Bavarian cream, surrounded by ladyfingers.)

Goals for this weekend-

1)Find Mom a Christmas present!

2)Organize all my notes from school in a folder. (a MUST)

Well, I'm off. Today is going to be a better day!

peaches

Here are some pictures from my day Saturday.

Cali and I visited this cute little farmer's market. They don't have a very big selection of fruits or veggies. But their collection of hot sauce is AMAZING. They seem to have almost every different type of hot sauce ever. Cali and I stopped one day and when I saw that they had pickled peaches I knew I had to come back to get some for my Dad. They are his favorite, and I have never been able to find them before now.

David's Produce and Specialties

We also went to whole foods. (Our favorite produce store...ever.)

Whole Foods and Cali =)

Dad's pickled peaches

oatmeal pancake

This morning I decided to make one of my favorite breakfasts. It is so yummy and healthy I had to share.

My mom came up with this idea a couple years ago. It is quick and it is easy to change according to likes and dislikes.

Oatmeal Pancake.

1 egg

about 1/4 cup oatmeal

a splash of milk (I use soy milk)

fruit, nuts, honey, peanut butter (any of your favorites.)

Beat the egg and oatmeal together. Add a splash of milk if it is really thick.

Put into a small skillet and spread around with fork until flat and even.

Lightly brown the pancake on both sides.

Top the pancake with your favorite goodies and enjoy!

Oatmeal pancake with frozen mixed berries and a drizzle of honey.

I usually spread mine with peanut butter. (so good!) This pancake goes great with any type of fruit. Peanut butter + banana= YUMMO. This recipe is so versatile. My mom likes to cook raisins into it. She also uses the individual packets of instant oatmeal instead of measuring out oatmeal.

I hope you have the chance to try this and have fun experimenting with different flavors, spices, and fruits!

goodnight

I am so drained. Saturday was a day of failure. I didn't accomplish anything on my list! Except for the Farmer's Market. I bought Dad pickled peaches, and I will post pictures from it tomorrow.

Laundry didn't get done until Sunday afternoon. I have not bought any Christmas presents either. Which was the main thing I wanted to do this weekend. I tried...but I just couldn't find the right gifts to buy. Christmas gift shopping can be so frustrating sometimes.

I finally bought groceries tonight, and I am all stocked up for the next two weeks. =) That is a plus.

Right now I am enjoying a small night snack of sleepy time hot tea and a Ghirardelli milk chocolate square with peanut butter filling. (amazing!!)

I will have more to post tomorrow, I just wanted to say a quick goodnight!

easy peasy lemon queezy

Good morning! It is a wonderful chilly Saturday morning here in Georgia.

I am enjoying a tasty breakfast and setting goals for today.

On the menu this morning is

Clif chocolate chip bar (my first...very yummo.), orange slices, frozen mixed berries, and a HUGE cup of coffee! (With Cali's new pumpkin spice creamer. Very delish.)

Today's Agenda:

1. Go to farmer's market. I want to buy pickled peaches for Dad. They are his favorite and it would make a great little Christmas present. I also am going to buy Amish popcorn for Mom. Popcorn is her favorite snack and it would be the perfect stocking stuffer!
2. Go to Whole Foods. I need soy milk and oat bran!
3. Laundry. yuckk.
4. Get a head start on Christmas shopping for by sibs. This is a maybe-not a need to do.
5. Find/create a header for my blog. This is a must!!
6. Enjoy my day. Easy peasy lemon queezy!

I will take pictures of my adventures around this small town and post later!

Cali and I are off =) Adios!

new love

I have found a new love. Although nothing will or can take the place of my beloved peanut butter, this new addiction is a close second.

How I have not discovered these before now astounds me. They are absolutely amazing.

nutrition bars.

Absolutely amazing! A great snack and SO many different kinds to choose from!

While I worked at a booth at Taste of Atlanta a couple weekends ago, someone brought around Cascadian Farm's new Harvest Spice Granola Bars to all the workers. I stashed a few in my bag to try later. Those little bars quickly became my new favorite snack. BUT. Being a full time college student...I am quite broke, and therefore cannot afford the expensive Cascadian Farm's brand.

Cali said he would buy me some for Christmas. JOY! =)

goes amazing with coffee!

Today was my first time to try a Luna bar. Really good...but not as good as Larabar's new pb&j. I cannot wait to try more Luna bar and Larabar flavors!

Hopefully, I will be able to buy a new flavor tomorrow! YUM. I. Am. Excited.

So, while I was at the store buying some lovely Smucker's Natural Creamy Peanut Butter, I saw that Coffee Mate Creamer has their seasonal flavors out. Remembering how Cali loves Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice lattes, I grabbed a bottle of Coffee Mate Pumpkin Spice creamer. I'll let you know how it comes out!

Cali wouldn't let me go to the gym this morning. He says I need to gain some weight. He is right, I guess. I am still working at it. I do crave exercise. I can't help it. It has become sort of a stress reliever. I guess it is a good thing I did not go. My calorie intake today was not good. Maybe some popcorn later will help fix that.

I go to the doctor in November for the stomach pains. Both Dr. J and Dr. C said that I was not getting enough calories. Dr. C said I should have a protein and carb at each meal (with the fruits and veggies I eat) along with two snacks in between. I try...but it is hard.

Tonight I had flank steak that Cali brought home yesterday. He told me Will had cooked it. It was overdone. But I ate it anyways, with my sauted zucchini and squash.

Cali brought home salmon tonight. I tried a bite. It was amazing. He is such a great cook.

Well Cali has gone to get a movie. Movie night! =) He better pick a good one...

its official

I have come to two conclusions this morning. The first hit me at about 4:30 this morning. If you have read my profile, you know that I loveexercise. Well, I don't really love doing it...I just love the feeling I get afterwards. I feel like I have accomplished something great...even though it was just a 30 minute cardio workout. Anyways, I had a hard time sleeping last night. Who knows why? I woke up around 4:30 AM. I got up to relieve myself (why do we always have to pee in the mornings?) and as I thought to myself, "Ooo, I should go to gym!" Then I thought, "No, they don't open until five." Then it hit me...

I am crazy. Who wakes up at four thirty in the morning and wants to go to the gym instead of snuggle back under the covers? So, I shake my head and lay back down. I wake up at my normal time (7:00 AM) and dress in my gym clothes, grab my peanut butter and water bottle, and head out into the cold, cold world for my morning workout.

Craving Quenched.

Oatmeal with mixed berries, fiber, and a drizzle of honey. (and of course...coffee!)

At the gym is where I came to my next conclusion. I decided to try the treadmill this morning. I usually just do the elliptical machine. I wanted to try walking for five minutes, running for five minutes, walk for five...etc., for thirty minutes. I thought it would be easy. I used to be able to run for 45 minutes straight-no breaks. Well, after ten minutes I was cramping like crazy. I felt like I was going to die...no joke. As I gave up and headed over to the elliptical machine to finish off my thirty minutes, I thought to myself,"I am such a wuss."

What happens when Cali plays with my camera

So it is official.

I am a crazy wuss. Oh my goodness, I just came to another conclusion. But that is for another post...another time. A new addiction! (a yummy one...)

Another one of Cali's photos. He was quite proud of this one.

oh, stupid oatmeal

Why is it, that I can crave something for over a week, yet when it comes time to eat it, I don't want it...?

I have been longing for a big bowl of oatmeal since Friday morning. I haven't had the chance to cook any until this morning. Last night, when I returned from Alabama, I thought, "Ooo! I can have oatmeal in the morning!" So, this morning, I wake up at 6:30 AM. (45 minutes earlier than usual, due to the fact that I had to be at school at 10.) I get dressed in my long gym pants and baggy t-shirt, grab my water bottle and a teaspoon of peanut butter, and run as fast as I can to my car. It was FREEZING. After my uneventful workout, I head home to take a shower. I finish with getting everything ready around 8:30. I find my way to my small apartment kitchen, only to figure out that oatmeal doesn't sound very appetizing. So, I boil an egg and toast a slice of bread. As I quietly sipped my coffee, I thought to myself, "Oh, well. There goes that craving."

BUT, during the day, while I am busy bustling around school, I am hit with a massive craving for a huge bowl of oatmeal. When will this madness stop?? Let us pray that I will have the appetite for hot lumpy oatmeal in the morning, so I will finally be able to quench this ongoing craving.

an apple a day keeps the doctor away?

I began my day thinking that today would be the last day that I would have to miss school for doctors appointments. I now have two more appointments. UGH. This is so frustrating. I will now have to miss a practical (not good.) and another Monday.

Cali came home in a bad mood, which is stressing me out. My stomach is hurting again.

I have to get up early in the morning, because I have to go into school early. I have to make up the hours I missed today. I think I am going to go to bed. Maybe I will have time to post in the morning.

pumpkin faces

I have so many thoughts running around in my head. I want to write so many things, probably because this is my first post on this new blog. I still am not sure what to write.

I am spending the weekend at my parents house in Alabama. I had planned on staying in Georgia this weekend, but I have a doctors appointment Monday morning.

Friday after school, I went back to my apartment to get ready for the 3 1/2 hour drive to Alabama. After packing the car, I headed to Starbucks to get drinks for me and Cali. (Pumpkin spice latte for him, caramel frappe for me. It was my day to splurge =).) I drove to the school, to pick him up. Once there, Cali informed me that he had forgotten his money and that he had to get gas. This frustrated me because I was ready to get on the road. After another hour, we finally hit the road. We drove separately so he will not be late for school on Monday. Right as we hit the awful traffic on the interstate, He rear ended a white van. That delayed us for another hour and a half. Lucky, he came out with only a dented fender. After about five more stops and a lot of nausea, we made it to my parents house.

Saturday, Cali and Lita (my 6 year old sister) carved a pumpkin after her soccer game. While they threw pumpkin at each other, I roasted the pumpkin seeds. They came out delicious! I had a hard time sharing.

the face side of the pumpkin

my brother and dad are alabama fans

My mom bought a bunch of bananas and for some reason, they have gone uneaten. They are almost rotten. I think I hear banana bread calling my name.... I'm off to the kitchen.