Bon Voyage

My last day of work was on Monday.  I know, kinda awkward.  Long story short, our car got picked up on Tuesday to get shipped back to NJ.  So the last day I could drive into work was Monday... 

It didn't hit me until I was driving home and realizing that was the last time I'd be driving that route.  Or driving in San Diego.  I was fine the whole day, but driving home I got a little emotional.

The administration, staff, and children that I'm leaving were amazing and I feel so lucky I got the chance to know them this year!  Room 3 made me this awesome hand print painting; doesn't it look like modern art?  Thanks Juli and Pierce!

Some of my cute cards; they made me feel so loved.

And SkinnyGirl Margarita from my girl Allison, which is fitting since we spent many a lunch break watching Bethenny Ever After.

Saturday I had a little BBQ down by the pool.  It was totally Melissa-fied with veggie burgers, spinach salad, grilled corn on the cob/asparagus, cherries, and mangoes.  Nicole and Greg provided the pasta salad and amazing cake from a little known bakery, Vons ;) And  Alvin  brought awesome Claim Jumper pie!!!  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! 

And aren't my flowers purdy?  Thanks Nicole and Greg! 

After some grilling, chatting, and drinking we headed out to meet up with Ildi, Jason and Angela at Wine Steals in Hillcrest.

Wine Steals has a great atmosphere and was the perfect spot for a chill night with friends. 

Enjoying some rather large glasses of wine.

Vino and cake?  Yes please!

Before closing time we managed to snap one group picture! 

  

Leaving the bar we noticed the trees even like to party in Hillcrest!  Or maybe that was the wine talking...

And a night out isn't complete without some late night eating. (I guess the cake wasn't enough...)  We headed to Denny's, oh yes, Denny's.  Along with a bunch of high school-ers after their prom since we're classy like that.

Whole wheat pancakes were the perfect way to end the night!  

Thanks for a great send off, I'll miss you guys!!!

Homebody Weekend

How is it already Sunday night?!  This weekend really flew by, but I enjoyed every minute.  I didn't get out much, but sometimes you just need a couple days to be a complete homebody!

And staying in has it's advantages.  Like my apartment is sparkling clean.  I'm tan, yay self tanner!   I finished a book. And I'm all caught up on my shows.  

Saturday started off with an 8.5 mile run, which to be honest, I didn't think was gonna happen.  All morning I moped around, dreading the impending miles.  I was a complete slacker this week and only got in one 4-miler.  It also doesn't help that since the mud run, I find dirt in between my toes after wearing my sneakers.  

But that's no problem, because being a homebody also allows you to online shop.  So my new kicks arrive in 4-5 days, I can't wait to try them on!

After my run I tried coconut water for the first time.  I wasn't that thrilled by it, maybe because I was expecting something sweeter, perhaps more fruity.  Next time I'll have to try a flavored kind, since the nutrition stats rock and I want to like it!

Part of what got me through my run was the thought of pancakes.  Isn't that why everyone runs?  I had 8.5 miles to think of a way to incorporate sweet potatoes into pancakes.  I came up with 3! 

Each pancake mix started with the same base: whole wheat flour, baking powder, flax meal, and vanilla.

#1 sweet potato, molasses, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger

#2  sweet potato, cinnamon, brown sugar

#3  sweet potato, cinnamon, maple syrup

Looking good so far...

These could work...

Nope.  I didn't get the ratios correct, so no matter how long the pancakes were on the pan, the insides would not cook!  I will get these ratios correct because these have the potential to be sooo good!  I have some ideas for other add-ins as well. 

The rest of the day I chilled out ...a m a z i n g.

After din, leftover Pho, Shane and I had a little banana soft serve topped with chocolate chips

[process frozen banana in processor until smooth]

and watched some Demetri Martin.

Sunday I revisited my sweet potato pancakes after yoga.  And they were super yum after a night in the fridge.  Topped with PB, chia seeds, unsweetened coconut shreds, and maple syrup.

so good.

Good night bloggies! Sleep tight!

 

Just Another Manic Monday...Oh Wait

Today was c r a z y.  Some might even suggest it as manic.  I just felt like my stress level was up for most of the day and it was all go, go, go. And is it just me, or this week dragging?  Womp womp...sorry to be a Debbie Downer. 

Ok, now that I've vented and realized that I'm sounding like a complainer, I guess it's not so bad. 

Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency.

Natalie Goldberg

Tomorrow I'm going to make an effort to take a deep breath whenever I feel a bit frazzled.  Sometimes it's hard to think outside your little bubble of stresses, but not everything is a big deal, and you just gotta roll with it.  *Easier said than done*


When I got home I did The Shred: Level 2.  I'm on Day 7!  Today I listened to my shuffle and muted Jillian.  Girl annoys me sometimes!  The only problem with that, was I had to keep looking up to see if the moves were finally done! So many planks in Level 2!


To get me out of my manic "Monday" funk, I made myself pancakes for dinner!

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 + some cups rice milk

topped with sunflower butter + blueberry jelly

I wanted something quick, simple, and sweet but not enough sugar to keep me awake.  This made 4 pancakes.  The first 2 were plain, the second two I added frozen blueberries to the batter.

Sweet.  I have pancakes for breakfast now!

Do you like sunflower butter? By itself, not really.  With jelly it's pretty good, although I don't think I'll be buying it again.

Comparing TJ;s Sunflower seed butter to TJ's Organic Crunchy PB

 Same calories for 2 TBSP

16 g fat vs 15 g fat

120 mg vs 45 mg sodium

4 g vs 2 g fiber 

3 g vs 2 g sugar

7 g vs 9 g protein

Overall, I declare PB the winner!  I think I need to try almond butter next!