Tuesday Tidbits: Twins Game

Bet you can't guess by that photo how I spent this past Tuesday? Just kidding, you're all smart. I went to a baseball game! GO TWINS! The night consisted of perfect fall weather to watch some baseball. It also happened to be the last night home game of the Twin's season. What made it even more special of a night, was the company I shared the night, some mini-donuts, and good conversation with. But first, let's rewind to the start of the day.

I grabbed a free 12oz coffee at Holiday for their Tuesday promotion and hit the road with my boyfriend, Zach. Minus the glasses, my professional look was on account of spending the afternoon at a sport's career and internship fair with Zach. As a sport's management major, he wanted to see what the fair had to offer in terms of job opportunities and I went along as support and mostly because we were planning to stick around for the game after.  

After the career fair, we headed back to my car to switch out of our professional wardrobes and into some team spirit wear for the game. Also, Zach and I were hungry. He might argue that I was even a little hangry (definition: to be so hungry, you become angry). So we used my awful navigation skills and the help of Siri to locate a Chipolte tucked away near the city center in Minneapolis. 

 

We had some time before they'd let us in the gates for the game, so naturally I wanted some pictures in the giant golden glove. When we were allowed in, we walked around the field for a while. I was on the hunt for those delicious looking Bloody Mary's with the hamburger sliders in them, but ultimately decided to pass on account of not wanting to part with 18 dollars for a drink. Instead, I settled on the hotdog and diet pepsi included as a value pack with our game tickets. I bought mini-donuts to share later in the game because it was too windy and breezy for ice cream.

Here's a view from our seats. Later in the night, we found my mom and sister in their lower level section and sat by them. For the first few innings though, we sat out in the left field three levels up. The best part of these seats were the beautiful pictures I was able to snap as the sun was going down. 

 

See? How phenomenal is this view?

So, like I said - it was a great, fall night for some baseball. However, I really enjoyed the company the most. 

This guy is my best friend. He's a sports fanatic and made the night so special just by being there with me. I have so much to say about what a genuine, wonderful man he is, but I'll save that for a later post! :) 

 

Zach and I met up with my mom and little sister, Alissa, later in the game. I was incredibly grateful to nab a few seats next to them for a while and be reunited. I don't get to see either of them nearly enough these days. It was a happy moment. Even better was that at the end of the night, the Twin's WON!!!! What a Tuesday! Now, I just have to wait to see Zach again until next Wednesday for a much needed weekend getaway.

 

I must throw in one curve-ball to this post too (oh hello, baseball puns...). Wednesday afternoon I had the privilege to grab lunch with my college roommate and close friend, Hannah. She lives a good three hours away from me, and so when I heard she was in the cities, I jumped at the chance to get some lunch and catch up. We ate at Lucky's pub. It was my first time there, and it was delicious food. You definitely got your money's worth. I had grilled cheese with four cheeses, tomatoes, and guacamole and paired it with some sweet potato fries. I can't explain how happy even lunch sessions catching up with college friends makes me feel. I'm so excited to head back to my prairie home next weekend! I'm counting down the days! 

What was great about your Tuesday?

Food Feature: Chicken Fajita Salad

Alright, before you read this post... do me a favor if you're at your computer. Open a new tab and go to pandora.com. Add the Mumford & Sons station. If you don't have a pandora account, you should sign up. This station was my muse while cooking dinner tonight; and, it was always my go to station for homework in college whenever I needed to be productive. Are you listening yet? Good. Now, feast your eyes on this sight:

 

That my readers, is what I like to call a chicken fajita lettuce bowl. It was one of those nights where I was running around Target to see what other than what I actually came for I could leave with, and it was then that my stomach grumbled. I found out that boneless skinless chicken breasts were on sale for a dollar less than normal and you better believe I dove right in to get myself a prize package of that special. With a little help from the back of a fajita seasoning mix packet, I collected the rest of the ingredients and left the store excited to head home and cook myself some dinner. 

While I tease your taste-buds with the first image of this post, let me interrupt and show you my cute outfit for the day. I am so in a fall mood right now. I know what you're thinking...and it's right. I am one of those pumpkin spice latte type of girls. I treated myself to a small latte while shopping for dinner. Anyways, let's just sweep that addiction...I mean...confession under the rug. I am no fashionista by any means and unfortunately working retail has not made me too much trendier, but I still try. 

I thought I did alright putting together this outfit. I am currently a fan of finding creative ways for patterns to work together. I am also longing for a mustard yellow cardigan and have been for a while. I even went as far as to purchase one, but chose the wrong size... silly me. That's another reason I was at Target tonight; but, good news is that I'll have the correct size in my possession tomorrow and be ready to parade around for the rest of fall in warm autumn tones. Now, back to the good stuff...that's right. FOOD!

I have learned to love vegetables with a passion over the past few years. These peppers though...do they not look delectable? Again, there is definitely some warm, fall colors on this cutting board. Yum. Yum. Yum. I also chopped up half a huge onion. 

I followed the package directions on the fajita seasoning and cooked the chicken until it was no longer pink, then removed it from the pan and sauteed the peppers and onions in some olive oil and water. I cut up my head of lettuce, but left a piece for my lettuce bowl for my salad.

Finally, I added a sprinkle of cheese and some delicious homemade salsa that my boyfriend's mom, Wendy, made from scratch and gifted to me. (Thanks Wendy!!) There is something about homemade salsa that makes dinner all the more special. 

One more confession for you all. You know how the lettuce bowl is supposed to be a substitute for the tortillas which can add unnecessary calories, fat, and carbs to your meal? Yeah...Well, normally I avoid the tortillas and take only the salad route, but tonight I was craving carbs. Therefore, I took one tortilla and shredded it up into little squares and sprinkled it onto my fajita salad like little raw croutons. I know, I'm weird; but, you should try it sometime. It's wonderful.

Still listening to Mumford & Son's Pandora Station? It's soothing and empowering, right? What's your favorite Pandora station?

Tuesday Tidbits: A College Visit & Sisterly Love

 

Graduating college left a huge hole in my heart leaving behind my home for four years, friends that I made, and projects I completed. So, when I had the chance to visit my younger sister, Alissa, at her college, my soul jumped and bounded with joy. Even better is that she is just beginning her college experience this year. Another chance to step back into the college experience, even for only a day. I should first mention that Alissa is an aspiring blogger as well with immense talent, and you can read her blog and follow her along her life's journeys HERE!

The above picture of me was taken by Alissa's favorite study spot on her college campus, and who wouldn't love to study here? I was instantly overcome with a sense of awe and tranquility with this location. She continued to take me on a tour of her campus and I found beauty in even more places. Unfortunately, my iPhone is running on empty when it comes to storage, so pictures were limited. (All the more reason to save up for a nice DSLR camera, huh? Christmas present, anyone? Just kidding...But if money is on my wish lists this holiday season, you'll now know why!) 

How lovely is this chapel? A definite work of art! Alissa told me a less than glamorous story about the removal of the body of a woman who apparently dedicated the chapel to the campus, but it is in the process of being restored, so it has potential. At least for now, it is phenomenal to just look at. 

The campus grounds were beautiful as the seasons battle against each other and fall begins to settle in. The green of the trees shows that summer has some energy left, but I did find a perfectly orange leaf on the tar during our walk, which excited me for the upcoming warm tones of fall. 

There are old buildings on campus that intrigued my sense of wonder and interest in historical beginnings. I very much enjoyed our campus walk and can not wait until another day when I can spend time with Alissa again and perhaps explore more of her beautiful college campus. 

After our walk, I let the deprived Lissa drive my car to Chipolte with me as a passenger. She does not have her car with her and walks everywhere, so I think she enjoyed going for a small joyride in a vehicle again. I understand the feeling. One thing to know about Alissa is that she lives, eats, breathes, and craves Chipolte. It was easy to please her by agreeing on burrito bowls for our lunch. We went shopping at a few stores, and finally parted ways. I am amazed at how college has already began to shape my beautiful sister into an even more mature and wisdom filled woman. 

My Tuesday didn't stop there though, I stayed the night with my mother and we went on a mother-daughter dinner date to a very fancy steakhouse restaurant. She had a gift card to use up, and so we eagerly settled into our dinner reservations. I didn't manage to get a picture of us unfortunately. However, I was all dolled up in a new dress and my mom looked beautiful as always too. We each ordered the queen's cut of prime rib. Now for confession time... I ate it all. I know...I know... I was surprised myself. 

We also ordered pan seared mushrooms and loaded mashed potatoes. They even served fresh buttery bread for dinner. Needless to say, it wasn't a dinner that I would have every single night. It was expensive and I do not want to even estimate the calorie consumption that occurred. All that matters is that it was great, quality time with my mom! 

And now, if you'll excuse me...I have some New Girl to watch on Netflix. Am I the only one excited for October to arrive for Gilmore Girls to come to Netflix? 

How is everyone's mid-week going for them? It's hump-day at least! *cue the camel commercial* 

Mental Monday Challenge Week 2: Organize

It's another week...another Monday... That means it's time for another Mental Monday Challenge. If you missed the first blog post, you can read it HERE and get the printable! 

How did everyone do with the first week's challenge? Did you master looking at situations with the mind over matter philosophy? I'd love to hear if you had a minor or major accomplishment this week! Leave a comment if you want to share! If not, I completely understand. It's time to add in another step in our cleansing of our minds to achieve our healthiest mindset. 

The O in Motivate stands for Organize as the printable shows. Organization in your life is so important to help keep your goals obtainable and in reach. Today, I want to share some of how I organized my life to fit a healthier framework. 

 

In order to motivate myself, I apparently need to first chug a chai tea latte from my keurig and then procrastinate a bit...and; oh wait, that's just on motivating me to write this blog post! It's been a long Monday, that's all I can say. Anyways... I suggest buying or finding an old cork board from a store or around the house and putting it somewhere that you will see everyday. I have mine beside my bed. On this board I keep the following: 

• Pictures of my supporters (ie. family, friends, other noteworthy people) and me 
• Pictures of a time when I looked my healthiest and want to continue to fit that image
• Goals - Either measurements, pounds to lose, miles to run, things to do...etc. It's important to keep goals in sight. 
• Motivational Quotes and Images from Pinterest or Tumblr or the internet in general to reflect on when I need a small push to keep me going. 
• A clothing item in a size smaller than I currently am or a new swimsuit, even an item that I want to buy in the future (it's great to have something to work towards)
• Reminders or a To-Do List to keep me on track.

You can decorate your board as fancy as you would like and turn it into a weekend DIY project, or you can leave it plain and tack up some of the above suggestions. If you have no way of finding a cork board to pin up these ideas be innovative. Perhaps use your fridge and magnets or post-it notes on your bathroom mirror? You could even create a digital board on a website or your desktop too! 

 

My challenge for you this week is to create a board where you organize your goals and priorities for your own road to a healthier you. Feel free to share pictures or comments of how you succeed in this challenge this week. 

Until next time,

Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe

If accidentally spending $6 dollars out of a poor post-graduate pocket on three huge apples just because they looked delicious doesn't scream fall to you, maybe the current 45 degree weather does? No? Then, I've got something to put you right into fall mode. Nothing pairs better with autumn then the scent of pumpkin spice. So on this chilly Friday morning, I'm bringing you a recipe that could just be one of the easiest you've ever made. It will leave your kitchen smelling like pumpkin spice for hours. I'm all for researching and experimenting with healthier ingredients and recipes; and, this recipe is no exception.

All you need to purchase from the store is a box of spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin. My go to cake mix brand for these muffins is Duncan Hines.  Libby's Pure Pumpkin is a great choice for the canned pumpkin, but I went generic to save a few pennies (Hey, when you're fresh out of college - you save anyway you can!). Before you leave the grocery store, make sure that your can of pumpkin says, "Pure Pumpkin", not "Pumpkin Pie"... the recipe won't turn out otherwise.

When you're ready to make these sweet treats, it doesn't hurt to light a fall candle to bring out the aroma of the spices. Set your oven to 350 degrees. Pour the cake mix in a bowl and scoop out the pumpkin. DO NOT ADD ANY OF THE INGREDIENTS ON THE BACK OF THE CAKE BOX. The pumpkin is the healthy substitute for the oil and eggs of this recipe! Pretty neat, huh? You end up saving quite a few calories. 

Stir up the two ingredients thoroughly. The first time I made this recipe, I was flabbergasted at how the pumpkin absorbed the cake mix. Trust me, you'll be amazed. Keep mixing with a spoon until all the clumps of cake mix are gone. As you can see from my picture, I enjoyed a cup of pumpkin spice coffee from my Keurig with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice while I was baking.

Grease a muffin pan and spoon the dough into the pan. I don't use muffin liners, but you're welcome to if you want. Just make sure those are greased nicely. Pop the muffins in the oven and follow the directions for baking time on the back of the cake mix box. Stick a toothpick in them to check if they're done. If the toothpick is clear, the muffins are done! 

 Let them cool. Then enjoy! They are perfect with a glass of milk. You can store them in an air tight container for a few days, but they taste better within a few days of making them.

What's your favorite scent of fall?

What's In a Selfie?

What other title could an English major use for this post? That's right - none. Shakespeare references are just too good to be ignored. In this new digital era, the newest fad to express ourselves seems to have evolved from self-portraits. However, we now call them 'selfies'. How many of you are guilty of taking at least one selfie in your life? I know I'm guilty as charged. Lately, there seems to be a variety of different view points on selfies and whether taking them makes one vain or if its completely normal. 

I believe that selfies are a healthy part of  our emotional well-being. They allow us to show the world or at least our friends what we're feeling without using words. Posting them on social media sites can gain us "likes" and comments full of compliments, ultimately boosting our self-confidence and self-esteem.

The above picture is probably my favorite selfie. The story it tells people is one about myself on my 21st birthday and feeling beyond ready to conquer the world. Some commented on the photo saying "fierce!" after I posted it, and they're right. This was at a point in my life when I was the most physically fit and healthy in all aspects of my life; and, I wanted to share with the world the happiness and strength that particular balance brought to me.

Now, this one was taken a few days ago. I added the black and white filter to represent this post-graduation funk that I've been feeling the past few months. It hasn't been an easy transition for me by any means, yet here I am still smiling. I wanted to portray how life is a WONDERFUL gift even through the ups and downs. 

Selfies to me are a work of art. They are a form of expression just as poetry is. At least to a certain extent  (I will always value the written word more than photography or other art forms as a loyal English major).  I draw the line though at posting and taking selfies every single day. Once every few weeks is just fine...anymore in my opinion and that aura of vanity starts to appear and I begin to understand how some can believe that selfies are just a way to fish for compliments. So, don't abuse the power of posting selfies as I'm sure my post comes off that way with all the selfie examples. Oops! I promise, I'm not a hypocrite.

What is your favorite selfie that you have taken? Examine one again and ask yourself what it says about you. Selfies can boost self-esteem and help you re-evaluate where you are emotionally in your every day life.

Mental Monday Challenge - Week 1 + Free Printable

Over the past few years, I've received a lot of messages from friends telling me how I have inspired them to live a healthier lifestyle. There is nothing that makes me happier then each and every one of those people taking time out of their busy schedules to write to me. It motivates me to continue battling my own struggles every day, and makes me excited for them and what a healthier lifestyle can change in their own lives.

So for the next two months, I'm dedicating Mondays to a challenge for us all known as "Mental Monday". It's one thing to say you want to change, but another entirely to actually follow through. Keeping one's mentality sharp is key to achieving our ultimate lifestyle goals.  

mentalmondaychallenge



Above is a free printable that I hope you will print out or save to your desktop to follow along with each week. I made an anagram out of the word motivate, with each letter standing for something significant that I have found to be a success in maintaining my healthy lifestyle the past few years. Each week I'll highlight one of the letters on the printable and challenge us all to put that week's philosophy to practice in our lives. So without further ado, let's get started with the letter M.  

The first step to being able to self-motivate ourselves or stay determined and on track in our healthy lifestyles is to learn to use our mind to our advantage instead of letting excuses get in our ways. It's time to reprogram our brains. 

Example 1:  I tell myself I'm going for a three mile run. Around mile two, my body is tired and my lungs are screaming, perhaps my feet are even aching. I want to walk, but I told myself before I laced up my shoes I would run the three miles without stopping. 

Option A (Without applying the mind over matter technique): I stop. Except I regret that I didn't prove myself to be stronger then yesterday, and I feel bad that I didn't live up to my full potential for the rest of the day. 

Option B (Applying the mind over matter technique): I quietly remind myself that I have one more mile to go, reassure myself that I can do this and finish strong. I picture myself at my goal whether that be fitness related or weight related, and it propels me to the finish line. I learn that the majority of exercising is conditioning the mind to order the body what to do. I keep my pace and focus on the finish line, happy to accomplish my goal for the day.

What Option sounds better to you? I don't know about you, but I'm choosing Option B.  

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However, this concept does not have to just pertain to our fitness goals though. Another example that I'll condense for you is food related. Say someone brought in donuts and dessert bars to work or a get together with friends, but you know that you have already met your calorie allowance for the day. You can either eat several bars and feel like you let yourself down, or you can sharpen your own willpower by reaching in your bag for a piece of fruit or veggies, string cheese, or even a granola bar, that you packed that morning. Your stomach will be thankful and you won't have strayed far from your commitment to eating healthier. 

This week our challenge is to approach all of our decisions from a mind over matter aspect. We need to take a moment and analyze the outcomes of our actions and choose wisely to gain the result that will be the most worth while for us in the long run. Once you learn to stop acting on impulses and learn to find strength from within, you are well on your way to learning to stay self-motivated and reach your goals. Pick one aspect of your life to apply this concept to and feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you plan to dedicate your week to using this philosophy on. Then check back next week to move on to the next step in self-motivating yourself and staying on track to a healthier you!

My Relationship with Running

 

10 Things To Know About Me

I promised to fill you all in on a little about me before jumping into more blog posts, so what better way to speed things up then by enlightening you all on ten facts about myself? 

 

1. I'm obsessed with names. It's always the first question I ask when someone has a baby or gets a pet. I'm not sure why, but it might have something to do with fact number two. 

2. My mother wanted to name my twin sister and me Allison and Abigail, but my dad won the name war with his crazy obsession with the letter I and desire to be unique and that's how my name was born. 

3. I'm addicted to Crystal Light wild strawberry drink mix. It's got a touch of caffeine in it; and, I swear it doesn't affect me, but some will disagree because my mood turns sour if I go long periods without it.

 

4. I was the youngest one to attend weight watcher meetings the summer of my 8th grade year. Slightly embarrassing? Yes. However, I don't regret the 61 pounds I lost and the kick in the pants that led me to where I am today with my healthy lifestyle. The picture above is me pre-Watch Watchers. 

 5. I cannot wait to pick up the pieces of my post college life and settle down in a place that allows me to have my own dog. Dogs are a human's true best friend and my heart is so full for them. And yes, I've already got names for my future dog's lined up... But, for now... I'll enjoy my adopted pup child's young years - the above photo is of him and I just a few short weeks ago - His name is Cash.

6. I still have an irrational fear of thunderstorms that sends me into hyperventilation mode and running around my house in an anxious frenzy. Though, I am starting to tolerate the smaller rumbles of thunder and rainy days. 

7. I wrote my first story when I was 13 years old. It was 86 pages on Microsoft Word and utterly terrible, but I was proud. I've been a writer ever since. 

8. I love to find healthy alternatives to any recipe. I'm always cooking up concoctions in my kitchen that can shave calories off of my day. 

9. Reading has always been my strongest passion, so I'm thankful for my Kindle fire and random pockets of freedom to devour novel upon novel. 

10. My life would not be complete without fried pickles. I have tasted many, but my taste buds have never found ones that are as crispy and mouthwatering as the kind from my home's State Fair. 

 

Your turn! What's 1 thing I don't know about you?