Protein Pancakes

I am a HUGE pancake girl.  LOVE!  In fact, I don’t think I’ve met a pancake I didn’t like.

I found a recipe for Protein Pancakes – with cottage cheese.  Yes, you read that correctly!  I can’t remember whose blog it is from (I’m sorry!), but here is the recipe.

Now, I love cottage cheese.  And I love pancakes!  But….these were just okay.  I could really taste the CC – which, okay – you might expect.  But I don’t like that in pancakes, ya know?  I’m not sure if it’s because I like mine slightly underdone or not – yes, I like pretty much all things “underbaked!”  Weird?

Anywho, does anyone have a favorite pancake recipe?  I LOVE this recipe from Erica’s blog for Oat Bran Banana Pancakes.  They never disappoint!

ThreeTwo Things About Me:

- I used to have straight hair

- I have been arrested

- I was in a dance contest in 8th grade and used the song “Baby Got Back”

Which is false?

Happy Friday!!!  I’m off to St. Louis for the weekend.  I’m SO excited to dress up – it’s my favorite part of Halloween!  And yes, I will have pictures to share, for sure.    I want to see your costumes (if you’re dressing up), too!

My Old Stompin’ Grounds

On Sunday it was an absolutely gorgeous day here!  Sunny and 65…can’t beat that.  I was over at my parent’s and decided to go for a walk on the nature trail in their neighborhood.  Their neighborhood is very large - 23  neighborhoods within one large neighborhood.  But within it is over 100 acres of untouched “wetlands” - it almost feels like you’re in a state park!  And it’s all situated around a beautiful golf course, which one day I hope to play on.  It is absolutely amazing – these pictures don’t do it justice! 

 

This is a boardwalk along the trail that is about .4 miles long?  A little scary to run on in the winter.  I remember one particular spill that I took one time…I’m surprised I didn’t fall more than that one time!

 

 

The golf course

 

 

 

 I love to look at all of the beautiful homes….a girl can dream!

 

 

 

 The pond

 

 

 

 

Like a bridge over troubled water…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is probably my favorite place to go when I need to think about things.  I miss living with my parents just for this trail alone!

Do you have any trails/parks nearby that you like to frequent?  Unfortunately I haven’t found a good one really close to my house….it’s great when you find a place that is literally steps from your front door!

Baked Banana Donuts

This weekend I wanted to bake up something yummy, and I’ve been eyeing these baked banana donuts from Oh She Glows for a long, long time!

With powdered sugar

With white sugar

These were soooo tasty!  It reminded me a lot of banana bread, but everything’s so much more fun to eat in a donut shape, no?  The hardest part was molding them into an “O” shape…I’m kind of a perfectionist when I bake, but I just let it go and they tasted yummy just the same!

Oh!  I forgot to tell you….so remember that midterm that I got a B+ on?  Well, I was looking over my test questions and two were counted wrong that were actually correct.  So I e-mailed my professor and she changed my grade….I actually got an A-!!  Booyah!  So, so exciting. 

Happy Wednesday, Bloggies!

 

Check out Missy’s Progresso Panko Giveaway!

Special Delivery!

 So this is turning into quite the random blog…sorry about that!  But I did get a special delivery this weekend.  I realized how old I feel that I’m so excited about new furniture LOL.  Whatever – I’ll roll with it!

I got this chair and couch from World Market – I know I’m not the only one who is obsessed with that store!    I got them on super duper sale – both were $850 together!  Seriously?  Yes.

 

 While we’re touring mi casa…I wanted to show ya’ll the wonder that is Craigslist! 

I really wanted a dining room table that would sit 6 people.  The problem?  They are $$$!  So I found an ugly table off Craigslist and sanded it, primed it, and painted it black.  Then I reupholstered the seats, and tada!!  All for under $200!

 

My artsy sister also had the great idea of getting four canvases and “blowing up” pieces of the fabric I’d chosen.  Genius!

Anyway. 

Answer to Friday’s Three Things:

Sorry, Star Wars fans!  I’ve never seen a Star Wars movie.  I know, I am deprived.  And yes, I’ve done the Heimlich maneuver on a student when I was teaching.  Her peanut butter bar literally shot across the table!  But no, I do not eat pickles and ice cream.  I like both – but definitely not together!

(Emily, you’re continuing your streak!) 

Happy Monday!!  Any fun Halloween weekend plans?  I’m SO Excited for Halloween!!  I seriously love it – it’s my mom’s birthday, I love to dress up, and I love candy.    I’m going to St. Louis with my cousins….we’re all going to dress up as Superheroes!

Three Things

Hey, friends!

Happy Friday!!!!!  Whew, the week back to work/school after taking vacation days is always the longest, isn’t it?!

I finally bit the bullet and made a doctor’s appointment for my knee today, and I go in on November 6th.  My last doctor’s next step was possibly surgery – I obviously want to avoid that route if I can!  I am hoping and PRAYING that this doctor will have good news for me.

Kim had a great post last week on what defines us.  It really made me think about why not running is bothering me so much.

It’s not about achieving new distances, losing weight, or having a hobby.  When I thought of myself from ages 16 to 28, I was a runner.  That’s what I did – it’s who I was.  Never before had I found something that I was a. good at, b. enjoyed, and c. could use to challenge myself.  Not to mention, I run just as much for the mental benefits than the physical. 

So I think that is why I’m struggling so much.  If I have to give up running…okay.  Well, not okay, but I want to at least know I’ve done everything I can first. 

/RANT.

Thanks for bearing with me, friends.  I know I probably sound like a broken record sometimes!!

What defines you as a person?  Or do you try to not let one thing alone define you?

Okay…onto today’s three things about me!

- I love to eat pickles and ice cream.

- I have never seen a Star Wars movie.

- I’ve done the heimlich maneuver on someone.

 Which is false?

New Goals and Pumpkin Muffins

Amidst my studying frenzy last week, I had to take a break on Friday.  And what better way to take a break than baking?!

I made these pumpkin muffins – so good, and SO easy!!

 

 

 

 

Ya know what I love about allrecipes.com?  Well, I love a LOT of things – but I just recently found out that you can type in how many servings you want, and it will automatically calculate how much of each ingredient you need!  Genius, I say.  Yes, yes…I know I could do the calculations in my head.  But sometimes I’m just too lazytired to think about it.

New Goals

With taking a couple classes + work, I really feel like it’s thrown my world around a little. I’m sleeping less, I have less time to cook/make meals, almost no time to watch TV (!!!!), and less time to spend with friends and family.

 So I figured it would be good for me to write down some goals that I have .

Short-term Goals

 - Swim once a week - Swimming is sooooo good for you – but I just don’t naturally like it! I feel a-maz-ing when I’m done, though – I feel strong and lean ALL over. So, I’m going to swim a minimum of one night a week. I know that’s not a lot, but it IS for someone who hates getting cold (and wet!) and who doesn’t really like to swim.

- Eat more veggies - I eat toooons of fruit. I have one apple + one banana a day, and snack on grapes, melons and berries. Now veggies??? I have a harder time snacking on these. But I do LOVE carrots and cucumbers…and of course, avocados. So my goal is to bring carrots and cucs to snack on while at work.

 - Get more sleep! I feel like this is a goal for a lot of people. I think we all know why sleep is good (I, for one, am much happier when I’m rested!), but here are a few important reasons:

•  It can help reduce stress
• It helps control body weight (hormone imbalances cause your appetite to increase)  
• It can make you look younger (!)
• Did I mention I’m happier when I’m rested?

- Make at least one new recipe a week – I tend to do most of my cooking on the weekends and then eat leftovers for lunch/dinner during the week.  I’ve found a few good recipes that I keep falling back on - which is okay, but I miss trying new things!  I’m a definite creature of habit and it’s easy for me to fall into ruts with my eating (understatement). So my goal is to attempt one new recipe a week.

What about you?  Do you have any short-term goals for yourself right now? 

I’ll report back as to how I’m doing with these goals – wish me luck!

Check out Missy’s Michael Season’s 100 calorie pack giveaway!

And Kelly’s EZ Rider Scooter Giveaway!

Chilly Chili Monday

*Answer’s to Friday’s Three Things:

I do not have a birth mark. Good job, Emily and Erica!

The job thing is true. Long and complicated, which one day I’m sure I’ll get into, but it’s true. Just another reason to never, ever burn bridges, people!

And….the night light. Okay – let me explain. First of all, I get up to pee (sorry, TMI) at least once a night. I’m a water machine during the day – it catches up to me at about, oh, 2 a.m. Add this to being a clutz, and a night light is strictly a preventative measure.

But also I blame it all on the movie “The Descent.” SCARIEST movie I’ve ever, ever seen! I have never had a movie give me nightmares like this one. And I like scary movies! So basically, if you’re a scary movie lover – GO see this.

So last week I made some of this vegetarian slow cooker chili. I mean, with “Grandma’s” in the title, it had to be good. Right?

Oh. My. Goodness. Best chili ever!

Per some of the recommendations in the reviews, I subbed chili powder and ground cumin (still giggle when I say that in my head) for the Italian spices. HOLY HELL this was good! Plus, it made enough to feed me all week.

I LOVE slow cooker recipes. Or crockpot recipes. Whatever! What’s your fave slow cooker recipe??

Now about my midterm….I studied my heart out all last week and was hoping to get at least a B. After almost 20 hours of studying last week + TONS of caffeine + ephedrine (runny nose but it serves another purpose!), I finally just went to do the damn thang on Saturday morning. And….I got an 89%! One point from an A! I cannot tell you how relieved I am. I celebrated with some ice cream last night. I can’t/don’t keep it in my house, but a trip out to get some was warranted!

Thanks to all of your wishes about my test – ya’ll are the best! Hope you have a great Monday.

Blogging, Books and Balls

Happy Friday!!!

I’ve been hittin‘ the books hard! I have my mid-term tomorrow -eeeek. It’s worth 20% of our grade, so I’m really nervous about it. If I want to get into the nursing program, I have to get an A in this class. And the next level Anatomy class that I’ll take next semester. It’s just a little nerve wracking. But, what’s meant to be will be! I feel like I’m to the point where I’ve soaked up all of the information my brain can hold, ya know?

Earlier this week I was feelin‘ frisky and wanted some balls (TWSS), and I remembered seeing Caitlin’s Flax-Encrusted Sweet Potato Balls awhile back.

Yum, yum!!!

These were so good…I liked the crunch the Flax added. I had them with mustard and a little Non-Fat TJ’s Greek Yogurt – LOVE it with the yogurt! I will most definitely make these babies again.

Now, onto our little Friday game!

Three Things About Myself – which one is false?

- I have a birth mark in a place covered by my bathing suit.

- I quit my current job and asked for it back two weeks after.

- I sleep with a night light.

Wish me luck on my test!!

Lentils: A Second Chance

Dear Lentil Bean,

I had you before and my experience was not so pleasant. Okay, I lie. You tasted like ass.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I might be giving up on you too soon. Maybe I caught you on a bad day, maybe you didn’t mix well with the other flavahs and spices….so I wanted to give you another chance.

I found a pretty tasty recipe for Sloppy Joes – who doesn’t like those? When I mixed you all up and had another bite, I realized perhaps I judged you too quickly the first time. You’re not so bad, after all.

You’re not as amazing as your brothers, Garbanzo, Black, and Kidney – but you’re not bad. Perhaps we’ll meet again.

Please forgive me,

Holly

What is your favorite legume/bean? Mine is black, by a landslide. But I’m a bean lover pretty much all around.

Oh! And any Bachelor watchers out there? Jake is the next Bachelor. WTH?!! He’s sweet and all, but something about him totally bugs. I was rooting for Kiptyn.

Check out Missy’s Halls Refresh and Silk Milk Giveaway!

And They Called it Pumpkin Love

Happy Monday!

This week is a 3-day work week for me – wahoooo!! No exciting trips for me – it’ll be a “StayStudyCation.” I have a big mid-term on Friday and had some vacay days to use up, so Thursday and Friday I’m hittin’ the books big time.

*Answer to Friday’s Three Questions? I did not trip down the aisle and fall at my sister’s wedding. Isn’t that every girl’s worst fear?

Yes, my cousin dropped a weight on my head when I was 4. I had stitches and still have the scar to prove it!

And, yes, I did run up to Jermaine O’Neal one night outside of a bar in Indianapolis (this is when he played for the Pacers – pre-brawl). I asked if he would sign an autograph for me (hey, I didn’t have any paper!) and when he asked where my pen was, I shrugged my shoulders and walked/skipped away! You can guess how many alcoholic drinks were involved in this scenario.

Moving on.

Thanks to Stephanie‘s recommendation, I picked up this stuff at TJ’s this week – oh my, oh my!

I decided to play matchmaker with my very first Honeycrisp apple (which, BTW, blew my mind! Totally worth the extra $$).

They hit it off right away – instant chemistry. Rumor has it, there is already a second date in the works.

I got a hankering for something else pumpkin this weekend…and guess what I found!

Not even the pumpkin pie mix!

Did you know there is a shortage of canned pumpkin this year? Stock up, kids – this could jeopardize our Thanksgiving Dinners.

So what am I going to make with this pumpkin, you ask?

Why, muffins of course!

I wanted to get around to it, but alas, couch shopping, studying and mowing the lawn took precedent.

I did, however, get to enjoy a YUMMY pumpkin cupcake, given to me by my sister. It’s a Weight Watcher recipe that I HAVE to get – this thing was phenomenal! I believe she used crushed pineapple, so it was UNbelievably moist.

I also got my very first Pumpkin Spice Latte to celebrate my studies and, well, the weekend.

And I ended my weekend by watching my favorite Pumpkin do his thang.

Question: Has anyone made the switch from blogger to WordPress? Blogger has just caused me a lot of issues lately, so I started a WordPress blog but am not sure about how to transfer it over. It is possible to transfer over all postings, right?

Check out Inside I am Dancing’s CHOBANI Giveaway!