Goals for 2011

So as promised I wanted to share some of my goals/plans for 2011. We all know resolutions always fail so lets just call them goals.

First I should catch you all up on where I am healthy wise since my blogging break. Overall, things were ok but there was quite a bit indulging over the holidays. Now that they are over and done with it’s time to make a fresh start.

Here are some of my goals/plans for 2011:

• Track my food. I’ve decided that although I know I’m eating sort of well I’ve decided to keep track of my food. I downloaded the My Fitness Pal App on my phone and I’ve been using it for the past two days to track my food and fitness.
• Workout 5 times per week. Simple, right?
• Run/Lift Weights 3 times per week. Again, simple. Part of this is going in with a plan. As well, I want to work on pushing myself more during my weight sessions.
• Swim 2 times a week. Swim you say? That’s right, the husband and I cancelled our Goodlife membership and tonight we are going to get a membership at a fitness facility that has a gym. I’m super excited about this.
• Drink Water. At least 2L a day.
• Yoga 1-2 times per week. I think this is all I’m going to have time for right now. This I am going to start at the beginning of February. Things are pretty hectic right now so I’m adding one thing at a time.

So those are my health/fitness goals for 2011. I have a very positive feeling about 2011. I think it’s going to be a big year. Some things I’m already looking forward to are: taking a trip back to Nova Scotia, my best friend having twins, continuing to sub to work towards getting a full time position here in Calgary, taking a trip to New York with the husband and a few others that I’m going to keep secret for now :)

Well I’m off to pick up the husband from work and go sign up for our new membership. I’ll be back tomorrow with a food/gym recap from today.

Also, thanks to everyone for their nice messages of welcoming me back to the blogging world. Very much appreciated.

~ Katie :)

Blogging: Why I Left and Why I’m Back

First and for most I want to wish everyone a (late) Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Why I Left

As many of you may have noticed I haven’t been blogging lately. This hasn’t just been because it was the holiday season and I was too busy to blog but instead I made a conscious decision to take a break from blogging for a while.

As much as I love blogging and the blogging community I felt that I had become too wrapped up in the the blogging world. I think it all started with the Marie Claire Article. I actually had nothing to do with specific bloggers but it just got me thinking about blogging and how obsessive I had become with food. I was constantly worrying about taking pictures of my food before I ate, wondering if that was exciting enough to post on the blog, comparing my eating habits with others in the blogging community and just over all constantly worrying about my food/what my next meal would be.

I had to take a break.

Why I’m Back

To be honest I didn’t think I wanted to come back to blogging. When the husband mentioned it about two weeks ago I told him I just didn’t want to obsess about food any more. He said that I should just enjoy blogging with out worrying about what others thought of me and he also though it was a great way for me to identify with a community and help me stay of track.

After thinking about it for a while I decided the new year was a great time to come back. It will help me get a fresh start while getting back into the swing of things. I’m now excited to be blogging again. The husband and I have made some great healthy changes (look out for my post later on today with my goals for 2011) that I can’t wait to share with everyone and I’m excited about getting involved with the community again.

I have decided to make some changes to my blog/the way I blog. They are

1. I’ve made a decision not to be overly obsessed with reading every healthy living blog out there. I have a few favourites that I’ve still been reading over the last few months even if I haven’t been blogging myself. I will continue to read healthy living blogs (and a few of my other favourites) but I’m not going to feel guilty if I don’t read every post.

2. I’m going to try to work on commenting more on other blogs. Although I know I can’t read every blog I’m not good at commenting on the ones I do read. I usually read in my google reader and never comment. I’m going to work on quality not quantity and to comment whenever possible.

3. This is my blog and I’m going to post what I want to post. I think I was so worried about posting new and interesting things that I lost sight of why I started this blog to begin with.

Finally…

4. I’m not setting any expectations for myself, like: I will post twice a day. I think I should be able to post at least once a day (my new schedule seems to lend itself to that) but if I miss a day I’m not going to feel guilty and feel that I need to make that up. This blog is going to be for me and as much as I love my readers I need to do what is best for me.

I’m hoping with these changes I should be able to get back into a regular blogging routine and get back on track with a healthy lifestyle.

I do have some great goals for 2011 and I’m looking forward to sharing them later on today but first I must head out and pick up some kitty food for my fur baby and a quick trip to the grocery store for some almond milk.

~ Katie :)

Tis the Season…

 

 

 

  

Happy December 1st Everyone!

~ Katie :)

Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower

So I sent this to publish this morning but for some reason it didn’t so here it is (just a little late).

I figured since I’m off teaching middle school this morning I’d leaving you with a post I promised a few days ago.

On Wednesday night I made Tina’s Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower.

Since I didn’t have all the ingredients on hand I adapted it a little. You can check out her recipe here.

• 1 box of whole wheat macaroni
• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1 cup of breadcrumbs
• 3 tbsp of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of parsley
• 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups of ricotta
• 1/2 cup of skim milk
• Salt and pepper

Heat oven to 400.

Cook pasta according to directions and add chopped cauliflower for the last few mins.

Mix together bread crumbs, 2 tbsp of olive oil, parsley (and salt and pepper)

After pasta is drained mix together pasta, cauliflower, ricotta, cheddar and milk. Pour into casserole dish and top with bread crumb mixture.

Cook in oven for 15 mins (or until golden brown).

I served it with a slice of whole wheat bread with earth balance.

Tina says it made 6 servings for her but I got at least 7 or 8 out of mine.  It was huge and I ate it all week (and on the weekend for lunch).

**A few notes:

• Next time I would like to try it with the sour cream – I didn’t have any on hand so I just used the ricotta I had in my fridge
• Also next time I would take Tina’s suggestion and use extra sharp cheddar. I just used regular cheddar cheese and it really wasn’t as cheesy as I would have liked.
• I’m not a big onion fan so I just skipped on those I don’t really think it made a difference.
• Loved the addition of cauliflower. It was awesome to know your getting some veggies even in this delicious comfort food.
• Finally, I used really finely cut up bread crumbs that I had. I would next time either follow the recipe and cut up bread in the food processor or use a little thicker ones next time. It was very bready and a little messy. Bread crumbs everywhere isn’t all that fun.

I’ll be back later today with the rest of my baking from the weekend and a recap of my day.

~ Katie :)

Baking Queen

So this is my second post on a weekend. Pretty good, right?

When I left you yesterday I was heading to do some baking and as the post’s title might indicate I became a baking queen.

Here’s my baking so far:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

(adapted from allrecipes.com)

This is my husbands favourite treats. I always end up baking a few batches of this throughout the holidays. They are definitely high in calories but because they are so dense you really only need one to enjoy.

This is also a super simple recipe that is bake-free.

• 2 cups of peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 cups of icing sugar
• 2 cups of Rice Krispies Cereal
• 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a bowl mix together icing sugar and rice krispies.

Then melt together peanut butter and butter and a sauce pan.

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the icing sugar mixture and combine.

Once combined roll into balls about 1 inch in size and place on baking sheet.

Put baking sheet in fridge for a few hours (or if your like me and trying to please the husband as quickly as possible – freezer for about an hour).

Once firm melt chocolate and and dip balls in chocolate. Place back in fridge (or freezer) and another couple of hours and serve.

This delicious little beasts are always a hit around the holidays. I took them to a Christmas party last year and everyone raved about them. They are super easy and they last forever. Just make sure to store them in the fridge (or you can freeze them) as they melt very quickly.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I took this recipe from Kelly at browniesandzucchini.com

I followed the recipe exactly but I’m just going to repost it here for convenience.

• 3/4 cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 organic sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 375.

In a small bowl mix dry ingredients minus the chocolate chips (flour, baking soda and salt).

Mix together butter, brown sugar, vanilla and sugar until light and fluffy.

Then add eggs and beat.

Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ones then add in chocolate chips.

Add cookies in baking sheet and bake for 8-14 mins depending on size of cookies. My smaller ones took about 8-10 where my larger cookies took about 12-14 mins.

This recipe made so many cookies. I think in total it made about 20 large cookies and 20 smaller cookies.

They seemed to go on forever. I’ve already put most of them in the freezer for the holidays but not first without a taste test. They turned out perfect.

I’m now in the process of making a loaf of Chocolate Banana Gingerbread and then a batch of pumpkin granola bars.

I’ll give you a preview picture…

~ Katie :)

Finding a Routine

Hey bloggies!

I know I’ve been absent the past few days but for a good reason. I finally started working again. Just subbing but it’s a start. Remember when I posted a few days ago that my first day was on Friday – grade 5. Well just after that I got a job working Thursday as well so I’m two for two in the (can work:did work ratio).

But getting back into a routine as not been quite so easy. Before working I was cooking every night – new and exciting new recipes. Since working those two days I haven’t cooked either night.

Thursday – we had leftovers. Wednesday I made Tina’s recipe for mac and cheese with cauliflower – with a few minor changes (recipe to come soon so check back) so we had that with leftovers.  I also had it for lunch Thursday as well.

Friday – we ordered pizza. I gave into the husband and let him order a meat pizza. This is the first time I’ve eaten meat in about 3 /12 weeks. Honestly, I really don’t miss it and the pizza last night wasn’t really that great. Definitely going to stick to veggies from now on.

This morning I woke up and had one of the best days I’ve had in a while.

It started with a little cleaning and laundry. Once that was done I enjoyed breakfast with the hubby (scrambled eggs) and then spend the rest of the morning relaxing with a cup of tea, listening to Christmas music, catching up on my favourite blogs and enjoying the sunshine.

After lunch (more leftover mac and cheese) I headed to the grocery store to pick up a few things to do some baking later on (will share tomorrow).

Then came home and when for my first run in months.

I ran only about 2km but it really felt great. I miss exercising and am really looking forward to getting back into it. I feel that now that I’m working again it time to really create a routine for myself which will include exercising, eating right, blogging, having some me time and of course hanging out with the hubby.

Post run I was starving so I toasted 1/2 a whole wheat English muffin with pb and a few chocolate chips (the sugar is good for after a run – right? hehe).

Well I’m now off to do some baking (I’m getting a head start for the holidays – I plan on freezing most of it) and then cook some dinner. The husband wanted steak tonight so I’m making black bean and sweet potato burgers. I’ll let you know how they turned out.

~ Katie :)

And My First Day of Work Is…

Friday!

I finally got all my paper work done and I can officially start subbing

So excited. Teaching grade 5.

That is all.

~ Katie :)