Since my package arrived at Dayjobland over the weekend, I woke up and had some caffeine free tea, some apple, and blueberries to tide me over.
*A note to understand this story: Dayjobland is on one floor of a large building and deliveries first come to the main building mailroom, before being sent up to our floor.
8:45am Dayjobland mailroom has not seen my delivery. I'm told that most deliveries come up around 9:30am from the main building messenger center. I'm annoyed but wait a bit and eat some cucumber slices and drink peppermint tea.
10am Mailroom STILL has not seen my delivery. I head down to the building mailroom.
10:15am Main building mailroom STILL has not sorted the WEEKEND deliveries and I am told they will get to it later.
10:16am BB30's head explodes baffled at their utter laziness and inefficiency!
10:30am BB30 pouts in her cube angry with the world.
I am so bummed and frustrated that I skipped a nice solid breakfast thinking that I would get my delivery and could start my cleanse this morning. I am lunchless other than raw veggies!
I have dinner plans with friends on Friday Jan 20, so waiting to start next Monday isn't an option. I must start it tomorrow and unfortauntely do a full weekend on it which I really wanted to avoid.
Perhaps it will be a good thing since my throat starting hurting last night and was on fire when I woke up. I suppose fruit smoothies and raw veggies wouldn't feel great on a sore throat. Hopefully a day of tea and zinc lozenges will be the key to banishing it quickly!
This has been your Cranky BB30 Broadcast. I need a sammich.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
She Done Lost Her Mind
Cleanses. They seem to be all the rage. Arguably, I have a pretty clean diet as is, but I am feeling the effects of less time to exercise, the Chicago cold finally setting in (I swear it makes your body hang on to everything to stay warm and this article kind of agrees), and some of the extra salt and processed junk I put in my system the last couple of weeks. I am interested in cleansing my system, but I refuse to only drink water, cayenne, syrup, and lemon juice for any amount of time (can we say dangerous!!!!) I want something safe and good for me.
Enter my pretend friend Alicia Silverstone. Recently on The Kind Life she did a sponsored post about the Kaeng Raeng Cleanse. At each meal you make a drink from a powder full of protein, dried fruits, and vitamins. You may also eat as many raw fruits and veggies as you want. Your daily intake of protein will be over 45 grams (awesome).
The Kaeng Raeng website states that it helps to:
There was a discount given (because cleanses aren't cheap), and after thinking about it for a day, I decided to throw caution to the wind and try it. I really think the best plan for me is to start on a Monday and go through a Saturday. Luckily, I checked the tracking and it was delivered to Dayjobland this weekend. So, I will start my day tomorrow with raw fruits and veggies to tide me over until I can get to work and make my breakfast drink. With rehearsals in full swing in the evenings I actually think it will come in handy! If I feel under nourished in anyway or off somehow, then I'll stop. If I really feel the need for hot food and want to lightly steam my veggies, then I shall. My health is really important to me. I am excited to clean up my system and get rid of all the processed sugar and salt. I made sure to stock up on different veggies at the produce store so I have some variety and am not eating the exact same things everyday.
I plan to update daily on how it goes.
Enter my pretend friend Alicia Silverstone. Recently on The Kind Life she did a sponsored post about the Kaeng Raeng Cleanse. At each meal you make a drink from a powder full of protein, dried fruits, and vitamins. You may also eat as many raw fruits and veggies as you want. Your daily intake of protein will be over 45 grams (awesome).
The Kaeng Raeng website states that it helps to:
-remove toxins and chemicals from the bodyI would enjoy all of those things.
-jumpstart weight loss
-improve overall digestive health
-improve clarity of mind
-improve mood and decrease irritability
-clear skin
-repair damaged hair
-decrease flatulence, constipation, bloating, or excess water weight
-decrease cravings for salty and sugary foods
-make you feel better!
There was a discount given (because cleanses aren't cheap), and after thinking about it for a day, I decided to throw caution to the wind and try it. I really think the best plan for me is to start on a Monday and go through a Saturday. Luckily, I checked the tracking and it was delivered to Dayjobland this weekend. So, I will start my day tomorrow with raw fruits and veggies to tide me over until I can get to work and make my breakfast drink. With rehearsals in full swing in the evenings I actually think it will come in handy! If I feel under nourished in anyway or off somehow, then I'll stop. If I really feel the need for hot food and want to lightly steam my veggies, then I shall. My health is really important to me. I am excited to clean up my system and get rid of all the processed sugar and salt. I made sure to stock up on different veggies at the produce store so I have some variety and am not eating the exact same things everyday.
I plan to update daily on how it goes.
Monday, January 2, 2012
No Spoon Required
Much to your disbelief, there are many times that my food does not require the use of a soup spoon.
Behold, things I've eaten recently that aren't soup.
I eat well around here.
To keep myself somewhat on track while I was off between Christmas and New Year's, I engaged in The Shred Level 2, and invested in Billy Blanks' Taebo Cardio Explosion. The Taebo DVD is great and scratches my kickboxing itch. It really gets your heart rate up and I noticed that the format is very tabata like and has 20-30 second bursts of moves. I am really glad that I will have it on hand for pinches and when I need to get in a workout on the weekend. I have been contemplating leaving my current fitness center, because the classes have changed and now there is only one cardio kickboxing option when there used to be three each week that worked for me. Sorry, Turbokick, you aren't the same. With rehearsals many days during the week, I need the days I have off to be good ones class-wise and I find that I am typically left with options I truly dislike. It's frustrating.
Happy New Year to everyone! I wish you all health and happiness in 2012!
Behold, things I've eaten recently that aren't soup.
 |
| Homemade seitan roast with sauteed mushrooms, garlic parsnip mash, and steamed green beans dressed with fresh lemon juice and cracked pepper |
 |
| Whole wheat rotini with portabello mushroom sauce and steamed vegetables |
 |
| Gorgeous Fresh Steamed Brussels Sprouts (kissed with Earth Balance and Garlic) |
To keep myself somewhat on track while I was off between Christmas and New Year's, I engaged in The Shred Level 2, and invested in Billy Blanks' Taebo Cardio Explosion. The Taebo DVD is great and scratches my kickboxing itch. It really gets your heart rate up and I noticed that the format is very tabata like and has 20-30 second bursts of moves. I am really glad that I will have it on hand for pinches and when I need to get in a workout on the weekend. I have been contemplating leaving my current fitness center, because the classes have changed and now there is only one cardio kickboxing option when there used to be three each week that worked for me. Sorry, Turbokick, you aren't the same. With rehearsals many days during the week, I need the days I have off to be good ones class-wise and I find that I am typically left with options I truly dislike. It's frustrating.
Happy New Year to everyone! I wish you all health and happiness in 2012!
Friday, December 30, 2011
NO-cchi
I needed something to bring for Christmas Day lunch. I found a simple recipe for sweet potato gnocchi that I thought would be great with my creamy pesto sauce.
It seemed easy-mix flour, cooked sweet potato, and salt. Roll it into a log.
Cut into nuggets and crease with a fork so the gnocci could hold optimum sauce.
Boil the gnocci until they float....Obviously I did something wrong, because they came out mushy and sad.
It was disappointing, because HOW AWESOME DOES SWEET POTATO GNOCCI SOUND??!
The end of the year overwhelms me with work craziness and hustle bustle and I was feeling frazzled, so I needed a fast plan B. I packed up some sliced red and green bell peppers, onion, and garlic, and on Christmas day I sauteed them up with sliced Tofurky Italian Sausage. I mashed up half a sweet potato with a little Earth Balance and cumin, dished up some romaine/fennel/orange salad with balsamic and called it a holiday meal. I didn't get a picture. Whoops.
I now feel like I must conquer sweet potato gnocchi. The gauntlet has been thrown.
It seemed easy-mix flour, cooked sweet potato, and salt. Roll it into a log.
Cut into nuggets and crease with a fork so the gnocci could hold optimum sauce.
Boil the gnocci until they float....Obviously I did something wrong, because they came out mushy and sad.
It was disappointing, because HOW AWESOME DOES SWEET POTATO GNOCCI SOUND??!
The end of the year overwhelms me with work craziness and hustle bustle and I was feeling frazzled, so I needed a fast plan B. I packed up some sliced red and green bell peppers, onion, and garlic, and on Christmas day I sauteed them up with sliced Tofurky Italian Sausage. I mashed up half a sweet potato with a little Earth Balance and cumin, dished up some romaine/fennel/orange salad with balsamic and called it a holiday meal. I didn't get a picture. Whoops.
I now feel like I must conquer sweet potato gnocchi. The gauntlet has been thrown.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Twas the Night Before Christmas...
...and of course I made soup.
On Christmas Eve we headed north to spend the holiday with Mr. BB30's family. I wanted to bring a dish that I could share as well as ensure that I that I had something vegan friendly and filling to eat.
I had recently created a pear/turnip/parsnip puree that turned out well and went to a cooking party for my day job where my task was to make an apple/parsnip/leek soup, so I married the two ideas and the results were savory, sweet, and oh-so-merry!
Savory Pear Soup
Ingredients:
2 Large parsnips, peeled and chopped (or several small skinny ones like I had)
2 Bosc Pears, peeled and chopped
2 (cleaned) Leeks, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1c Applesauce
1c Veggie Broth
Green Onion (for Garnish)
Directions:
This soup was a hit. I was so happy to be able to share a vegan friendly dish that pleased all palettes and warmed everyone up as they waited for Santa.
On Christmas Eve we headed north to spend the holiday with Mr. BB30's family. I wanted to bring a dish that I could share as well as ensure that I that I had something vegan friendly and filling to eat.
I had recently created a pear/turnip/parsnip puree that turned out well and went to a cooking party for my day job where my task was to make an apple/parsnip/leek soup, so I married the two ideas and the results were savory, sweet, and oh-so-merry!
Savory Pear Soup
Ingredients:
2 Large parsnips, peeled and chopped (or several small skinny ones like I had)
2 Bosc Pears, peeled and chopped
2 (cleaned) Leeks, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1c Applesauce
1c Veggie Broth
Green Onion (for Garnish)
Directions:
- Sauté your veggies in a little olive oil until very tender, adding salt and pepper to taste
- Add veggie broth and apple sauce (add in a little water if it seems dry)
- Turn to low and simmer for at least 20 minutes
- Cheat on your immersion blender and go for the food processor-you want this bad boy super silky!
- Blend the soup in batches until it is smooth, adding water or plain almond milk as needed for your desired consistency.
- Finely chop some green onion (or chives) with your kitchen scissors for garnish.
- Drink in the sweet/savory goodness!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Squash It!
I should just have a separate soup blog, shouldn't I? Maybe one day...
In the meantime, behold a most excellent way to put a AMAZING sale on yellow squash to good use. (Seriously, I got six squash for .99!!) Smoky Squash Soup
Ingredients:
Five yellow squash (two medium, three small), chopped
One medium Spanish onion, chopped
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1/4 cup Bacos (bear with me)
1 Tbsp Liquid Smoke
2 tsp Olive Oil
4 cups veggie broth
3 large cloves of garlic, grated
pinch of turmeric (optional)
pinch of curry powder (optional)
In a large pot, saute the squash and onions olive oil. (5 minutes)
Add frozen corn
Cook on medium until veggies soften
Add garlic, turmeric, and curry powder
Add veggie broth and simmer on low for 20 minutes
Add liquid smoke
Remove two cups of the soup, set aside
Add Bacos to the two cups you set aside and allow them to hydrate
Use your immersion blender to puree the remaining soup
Add the two cups back into the pot
Revel in the smoky goodness
Bacos and Liquid Smoke are vegan friendly and add such a rich country flavor to the always delicious combo of good ol' squash n' onions. The turmeric and curry powder are optional and used mainly to punch up the color. This makes about four large entree servings or eight starters. I really like taking out some of the veggies before blending because you get the best of both worlds with a smooth base and some hearty pieces. The corn kernels really pop. This would make a great little Christmas Eve dinner with a nice piece of crusty bread and a glass of your favorite wine.
I think next time I will blend in some white beans to add some protein. It should really thicken up the soup and make the texture even creamier!
Enjoy!
In the meantime, behold a most excellent way to put a AMAZING sale on yellow squash to good use. (Seriously, I got six squash for .99!!) Smoky Squash Soup
Ingredients:
Five yellow squash (two medium, three small), chopped
One medium Spanish onion, chopped
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1/4 cup Bacos (bear with me)
1 Tbsp Liquid Smoke
2 tsp Olive Oil
4 cups veggie broth
3 large cloves of garlic, grated
pinch of turmeric (optional)
pinch of curry powder (optional)
In a large pot, saute the squash and onions olive oil. (5 minutes)
Add frozen corn
Cook on medium until veggies soften
Add garlic, turmeric, and curry powder
Add veggie broth and simmer on low for 20 minutes
Add liquid smoke
Remove two cups of the soup, set aside
Add Bacos to the two cups you set aside and allow them to hydrate
Use your immersion blender to puree the remaining soup
Add the two cups back into the pot
Revel in the smoky goodness
I think next time I will blend in some white beans to add some protein. It should really thicken up the soup and make the texture even creamier!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
And for My Next Trick...
......I will magically REAPPEAR!
Hello!
Long story short, I have a lot of stuff going on. Things in Dayjobland are not good. Add in some various other life planning obstacles, my paralyzing fear of just sucking it up and taking a leap of faith, and starting rehearsals for a new play and you have a stressed out BB30 that is dizzy and tired. Thus, my absence.
On this journey, in times of stress I have turned to exercise, but I noticed that this time, as the stress thickens, sweating it out with burpees and mountain climbers isn't making me feel better. So, I've taken to little jogs and walks in the brisk air and only taking classes I enjoy like boxing.
On Friday I knew that I really needed to get a workout in and opted to try a rowing class. Rowing machines are the only machines at my gym (it's all class based), and this particular class was called Rowing Racing. You could race a partner or just challenge yourself. I was scared to go, because I'd only used the machines as a circuit of a class once, and didn't want to look dumb and make an idiot of myself. Perfect reason to make myself go, is it not? So I went. Guess what? No one else had signed up so I had the room all to myself, and they let me turn on Netflix and watch Limitless for my half hour. Awesome. See? I stood up to that little fear and it all worked out!
After rowing, I took a new class called Cardio Step Up. You use a chair as your step and go through several different exercises for a half hour. Holy burning thighs! This was a good'n! Strengthening and Balance in one! I'm glad I tried it, and it was nice to have something new to test out.
Today is strength boxing day. The normally one hour class will be longer today and will include a 15 minute pre-class technique refresher (Yay-I think this is sooo important, and I'll hopefully be able to pin point some things I must be doing wrong and causing hip pain) followed by an extra 10 minutes of class they are adding for extra calorie burn. I always feel good after kick boxing, so I'm looking forward to it.
Through the powers of Facebook, this post from http://www.marcandangel.com/ has come into my life at the most perfect time, and I simply must share it:
30 Truths I've Learned in 30 Years
Now for some Christmas music-one of my favoirte ways to stay positive!
Today in gratitude I am thankful for Mariah Carey's song All I Want For Christmas Is You. My spirits instantly lift when I hear it and I don't care who knows it!
Hello!
Long story short, I have a lot of stuff going on. Things in Dayjobland are not good. Add in some various other life planning obstacles, my paralyzing fear of just sucking it up and taking a leap of faith, and starting rehearsals for a new play and you have a stressed out BB30 that is dizzy and tired. Thus, my absence.
On this journey, in times of stress I have turned to exercise, but I noticed that this time, as the stress thickens, sweating it out with burpees and mountain climbers isn't making me feel better. So, I've taken to little jogs and walks in the brisk air and only taking classes I enjoy like boxing.
On Friday I knew that I really needed to get a workout in and opted to try a rowing class. Rowing machines are the only machines at my gym (it's all class based), and this particular class was called Rowing Racing. You could race a partner or just challenge yourself. I was scared to go, because I'd only used the machines as a circuit of a class once, and didn't want to look dumb and make an idiot of myself. Perfect reason to make myself go, is it not? So I went. Guess what? No one else had signed up so I had the room all to myself, and they let me turn on Netflix and watch Limitless for my half hour. Awesome. See? I stood up to that little fear and it all worked out!
Today is strength boxing day. The normally one hour class will be longer today and will include a 15 minute pre-class technique refresher (Yay-I think this is sooo important, and I'll hopefully be able to pin point some things I must be doing wrong and causing hip pain) followed by an extra 10 minutes of class they are adding for extra calorie burn. I always feel good after kick boxing, so I'm looking forward to it.
Through the powers of Facebook, this post from http://www.marcandangel.com/ has come into my life at the most perfect time, and I simply must share it:
30 Truths I've Learned in 30 Years
Now for some Christmas music-one of my favoirte ways to stay positive!
Today in gratitude I am thankful for Mariah Carey's song All I Want For Christmas Is You. My spirits instantly lift when I hear it and I don't care who knows it!
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