Rando

The term "rando" generally refers to a random person.  Like "Some rando tried to buy me a green smoothie at the bar last night".  I wish, sorta...but that's totally besides the point.  Today "rando" describes my morning.

For instance, Shane's schedule.  "Totally rando babe, I don't have to go into work until 11 but I won't be home until late."  

So rando (and fantastic!) that we actually got to enjoy b-fast together.  Today I halved my oatmeal/granola so I could enjoy a fabulous whole grain bagel from the Farmer's Market, as well as some Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Shane's sister-in-law made!  Twas quite delicious.

After Shane left I got down to the tedious task of applying for jobs.

 How rando is my makeshift "workstation"?  We've got a kitchen table with the mac, hooked up to a TV and my baby laptop.  Well, it gets the job done!

Today has been a roller coaster of emotions.  After Shane left I got so discouraged about the job hunt.  Sometimes it seems like all I do is apply and never hear back.  I know eventually my hard work will pay off, but in the moment sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming.  Plus I know each school must have hundred's of applicants for one position, so they can't respond to everyone.

I ended up finding a couple of job postings that I'm really excited about, so my frown was turned upside down!  And now my attitude has once again turned into hopefulness!

Job hunting is hard work, so of course I needed a snack.  And since I woke up with a slightly scratchy throat (so rando for mid-June!), my body was craving greens.

Swiss chard seemed like the perfect option since it's packed with anti-oxidants, Vitamins A, K, and C, Iron and a whole bunch of other good stuff.

Seems normal, right?  Well my snack took a turn for rando-ville when I was simultaneously craving potassium rich nanners and some healthy fats via nut butter.

Just roll it up wrap style!  I'll be the first to admit this snack doesn't sound very good.  And it's not very photogenic. But the ooey gooey mushy banana and PB are contrasted so nicely by the crisp crunch of the chard leaf!

Now what in the world do I do with all the stems?  Right now they're rinsed and packed in the fridge, but if I don't figure something out they will be trash.  And I strongly dislike wasting my veggies!

Rando fact of the day!  Isn't this cutting board just lovely?  My very talented boyfriend made it!  He builds/repairs guitars and as you can see is quite crafty in other areas as well.  Maybe I'll see if I can get a giveaway going since the plan is to start selling these bad boys on Etsy!

It's now 2 pm, I'm done applying for the day, I'm still wearing my PJ's and slippers, and I have some books on my summer reading list to get to.  I also have the feeling a green monster will be making an appearance and then disappearing into my belly shortly thereafter!

Enjoy the rest of your Thursday!

Any rando recipes for swiss chard stems?  

Tell me one rando thing that's happened to you today.

oh hi, remember me?

Seriously, I feel like every other post lately has been a lame excuse about why I've been MIA!  

Well, I have been busy!  And Shane and I are about to make another life changing move.

But more on that later gators (promise).  I gotta get to work!  But I just wanted to say 'ello bloggy boos I am alive and well!  

Ohhh and I just joined Twitter and have nooo idea how it works!  Follow me/ be my friend @healthy_cupcake!!!  Seriously, I have no idea how it works...I need to do my homework.

And finally, since I'm planning a long run tomorrow morning...a work morning...because I have fun plans Saturday morning...here is a thought from I <3 running (LIKE them on Facebook, they are super motivating /funny):

Tsunami Scare

Beep, beep.

What is that? Oh, what east coaster forgot it's 3 hours earlier here and has decided to text me. What time is it?

4:38 a.m.

From: Dad   Tidal wave may be coming.  How close are you to the ocean?

WHAT?!  I text him back. When is it coming?

From: Dad  Next half hour.  Call me when you wake up.

Now I'm awake.  My mind is racing with worst case scenerios.  I'll spare you the details.

I jump out of bed to turn on my laptop and turn on the TV. Racking my brain, I vaguely remember watching something about tidal waves on The History Channel.  Is 20 minutes from the beach far enough away??

Thankfully, San Diego only has a warning.  No evacuations, just advising people to stay off the beaches due to the strong currents.

Although La Jolla, about a 30 minute drive from me, is expected to get hit with 2-3 foot surgers around 8:40 this morning.

The earthquake in Japan is 7th strongest on record in the world and the footage they're showing on the news is scary.  So far there have been hundreds of lives lost in Japan.  It's so sad to hear about.

I'm sure we'll hear more about it as the day goes on.  So sad.  Everyone on the west coast and in the Pacific, stay safe!

Edit: You can donate directly to the Japan relief fund on the Red Cross website.
You can also donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

Life Lesson

Always take a looksie in your

pantry before food shopping.

Life lesson learned.

p.s. ...

Have a blog? Want to win a $100? Check out the Swanson Health Blog.

 

Now I Know my ABC's...

next time won't you sing with me?

I've seen some bloggies post  this fun little survey and I thought I'd give it a try.  I haven't filled out one of these since Myspace surveys were cool.

A. Age: 25

B. Bed size: Full, and it is too small. FYI, Shane is 6'4.  And he says I take up too much room...

C. Chore you dislike: Laundry, since we don't have a washer/dryer in our apartment. I strongly dislike walking up and down 3 flights of stairs with an overflowing basket of clothes.

D. Dogs: None.  But we have 2 cats!  Eventually we'll get a puppy to add to the mix :)

E. Essential start to your day: Work out and big breakfast.

F. Favorite color:Green and yellow.

G. Gold or silver: Mainly silver, but I have some trendy gold costume jewelry.

H. Height: 5’6 + a little

I. Instruments you play(ed): Cello and piano through middle school.   I was a very sensitive child and when we moved to a new town, my new cello teacher reprimanded me for not taking my cello home to practice.  Mind you I was in 7th grade and it kind of uncool to take a big cello on the bus.  So I cried and quit.  

J. Job title: Teacher.

K. Kids:None right now!

L. Live: San Diego, California.  I never dreamed I'd one day live in America's Finest City!

M. Mom’s name: Denise

N. Nicknames:Mel, Meleelee, Melis, Lissa.  I also recall being called Bertha Big Butt during some heated arguments.  Thank you wonderful sister Alli ;)

O. Overnight hospital stays: 8th grade graduation I had to get my appendix out and miss the dance!!  Oh the tragedy.

P. Pet peeves: loud chewing/breathing, knuckle cracking.  I know there are more, but I can't think of them!

Q. Quote from a movie: I'm not even going to attempt this.  I can't even quote a movie 5 minutes after watching it.  I always seem to mix up the words.  Shane is the best quoter ever...ask him!

R. Righty or lefty: Righty

S. Siblings: Alli (24), Nicholas (18), Matthew (8)

T. Time you wake up:Weekdays between 4:45-6, depending on my workout plans.  Weekends until I wake up, always before 8.

U. Underwear: I'm not sure where this question is going...yes??

V. Vegetables you dont’ like:  Pearled onions freak me out, although I've never actually ate one.

W. What makes you run late:I always underestimate the amount of time something will take.  Sure I have time to paint my nails before I leave the house...

X. X-rays you’ve had:  I guess just teeth.  Although I had an ultra sound for my appendix.

Y. Yummy food you make: Cupcakes!

Z. Zoo animal favorites: I've always loved the polar bears

Thank You Very Much

Thank you.  ThankYouVeryMuch.

One of the many Elvis impersonators I saw at the San Diego Rock'n'Roll Marathon

Can I show you something so silly?  

I Googled Elvis, and there is an eHow.com article on how to impersonate him.

"Drop your voice and say the phrase "thank you very much" until you nail it perfectly."

 I can't make this up.

But seriously, thankyouverymuch to Allie over at The Nutty FlexitALLIEan for giving me The Stylish Blogger Award!

Now that I've been tagged, I get to share 7 random things about myself.  Here it goes!


1.  I am the oldest of 4 siblings.  Alli is 19 months younger than me.  Nick is 18 and our little Matthew is only 8!  I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful sister and 2 awesome brothers.  I love how close Alli and I are in age, although in high school we fought daily over important things, like clothes.  But after I went away to college, we became closer.  Eventually she joined me at Rowan and then the sorority I was in! 


2.  I'm an equestrian.  Well, for 6 years I took lessons riding horses and competing in horse shows.  It's an expensive sport, and I can't wait for the day when I can begin riding again.

3. I graduated from a college in May 2008 with 2 degrees in Early Childhood Education and American Studies.  I taught Pre-Kindergarten at a daycare for one year 08-09 and then began substitute teaching in the NJ public school system for another year 09-10.  Right now I am an assistant at a private school in CA.  I hope to someday soon be in my own classroom again.


4. I am very proud of my Italian heritage.  My dad literally came over to America on a boat when he was in first grade.  My Nonna, his mom. is your typical tiny Italian woman with a thick accent who loves to cook for everyone who walk in her door.  I love my big Italian family.  When we get together it's loud and there are lots of hand movements; and I love every minute of it.  Two of my life goals are to learn to speak Italian and get my dual citizenship in Italy.  I can do that since my Dad is still an Italian citizen, woot!


5. I once peed my pants from laughing so hard.  There may have been alcohol involved. 

6. Growing up I wanted to be an archeologist, focusing on Egypt and a paleontologist.  In elementary school I read countless books on both these subjects.  For Christmas, along with more 'normal' presents, my Mom and Dad would buy me fossils from museum stores to add to my very own fossil collection, which took up shelves above my dresser.  NERD ALERT.


7. I am a total cat person.  Although dogs can be cute, I'd take a cat over a dog any day.  I have 2 cats, Princess and Daisy who I adore.  I just can't do dog kisses, it grosses me out!  And they always want to give them!

Quarter Century

I'm officially 25 years old.

It's strange how when your in your teens 25 seems so distant.  And you think by 25 you'll surely have life figured out. 

Wrong.

Not that I don't love where I am in life.  I just moved to Southern California.  I have a great  job, and I have room to grow in my profession.  I'm blessed with wonderful family and friends.  I love my sweet, handsome, amazing, boyfriend and we have a cute little place with our 2 little cats.  

Life is pretty sweet.
 

But I don't have it all figured out and maybe I never will. 

Maybe I need to chill out, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Don't worry so much.

Be thankful for what I have.

Be present in each moment and don't take things for granted.

just be happy.

I want to continue to try and be the best me.  I want to nourish my body with healthy, delicious food.  I want to stay active and push my body physically.  I want to take care of myself so that I can be happy and healthy during my next quarter century and beyond.

ME-day

I love my Saturdays.  Since Shane's weekend is Sunday/Monday, Saturday is a total me day.  

Saturdays are my day to blast Katy Perry and Taylor Swift while I cook, bake, and clean to my hearts delight.  Don't judge.  


Let me give you a guide for a totally glorious Saturday:

Wake up at 7 and feel wonderful that the sun is already up.  

Tip toe to the kitchen so as not to wake your slumbering boyfriend.

Make coffee, read blogs, and contemplate what to bake.

Chocolate Glazed Doughnut coffee is divine

Next on the agenda, go to Henry's in your PJ's so you can buy bananas.  Because you MUST bake banana walnut bread today.  Really, you must.  And while your there pick up a couple extra goodies :)

When you get home, lollygaggle (I like silly words) around your apartment with 30 Rock on the TV while your boyfriend gets ready for work. Make sure to interfere with his getting ready routine as much as possible ;)

After he leaves, put on some tunes and get baking!

While your bread is in the oven, get out your yoga mat and put on Exercise TV.

Because who needs a crowded gym on the weekend?

Now your bread is ready!

 After you savor a slice, okay 2 slices, of banana walnut bread, go clean the kitchen.  Then put away your Christmas decorations...finally!

Next, realize that you have a bunch of random stuff in your fridge that needs to be used ASAP!  Throw it in the slow cooker and hope for the best.

Lentils, cracked wheat, pinto beans, and various veggies.

 Go crazy cleaning and organizing.  After you have a spic'n'span apartment, hop in bed with a good book.  When you've read enough, stay in bed and make your grocery list.

Have a kitty keep you company.

It's 5:30, time to shower and get ready for a surprise party for one of Shane's co-workers.

 Banana Walnut Bread 

adapted from Eat, Live, Run's Cinnamon Walnut Bread

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 TBSP flaxseed meal

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1 cup almond milk

1 1/2 bananas, mashed
sprinkle turbinado sugar

Pre-heat over to 350.  Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Mix in milk and mashed banana.  I find it easiest to first squeeze the banana while it's in the peel, then use a fork to finish mashing after I peel it.  Fold in walnuts and pour into greased baking dish. Sprinkle turbinado sugar on the top for yummy crust.

Put loaf in oven for 50 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.

I love the simpleness of this bread.  And you can add or take away ingredients in a pinch, it's very versatile!

Question: Do you like surprise parties or do you prefer to know and have a hand in the planning and prepping?
 

I like the idea of a surprise party, but whoever was throwing it would need to make sure I was wearing a cute outfit so I didn't show up after the gym or something ridiculous like that!

Tell me, what makes a perfect Saturday?