BSI Winner!

Warning:  Oscar Spoiler below.

 

Yay!  Colin won!    I am such a happy girl.

 

There is really no wonderful way to transition from Colin to the BSI contest, is there?

 

I had SO many delicious and enticing recipes for the BSI contest! 

 

Sara’s Slow Cooker Pulled Pork:

 

Erica’s Fast Sloppy Lentils:

Debbi’s Southwestern Butternut Squash:

 

Rach’s Red Beans and Rice

 

Erica’s Spiced Sweet Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

The Taste Space’s Apple, Lentil and Wild Rice Salad

Lee’s Veggie Chili:

 

Stephanie’s Green Chile Chicken Casserole:

 

Biz’s Three Bean Chicken Chili:

 

Julie’s White Chili:

 

Veronica’s Hummus and Baked Flour Tortilla Chips:

 

Joy’s Lemon Cumin Pretzels:

(Joy, your post made me laugh – not at you – but I can completely relate!  A cook, I am definitely not!)

 

 

So I’ve mentioned a time or hundred, but I am HORRIBLY indecisive. 

I would seriously try all of these recipes….in fact, I am making one tomorrow.  But in the end I chose Debbi for her Southwestern Butternut Squash! 

Congrats, Debbi!  Please email me your address at balancebroad@yahoo.com and I will shoot off your prize to you.  

And a BIG thank you to all of you who participated this week.  My mouth is just watering thinking about all of these lovely cumin recipes.

 

And with that…..G’night!

Oscar Buzz

Happy Sunday!

How is your weekend going so far?

Mine is great – and I’m so excited to have tomorrow off, too, before I start my new job Tuesday!

Yesterday was a jam packed day: I went to the gym and stupidly took 2 spin classes, and crashed hard during the 2nd.  Note to self: bring Gu or Sports Beans next time if doing a double. 

Then I showered up and headed out to my friend’s brother’s recovery party.  My friend, Chris, and I have known each other since college.  We even ran our first marathon together in 2004!

Unfortunately, Chris’s 29 year old brother suffered a severe stroke at Thanksgiving.  He is in recovery and doing as well as can be expected, but it’s still heartbreaking to see someone so young go through this.  In any event, it was great to catch up with Chris and see lots of my college friends.

Then I went to church unfortunately for the first time since Christmas with my sister and her family.  They took me out to dinner to Cheeseburger in Paradise to celebrate my new job!

Have you ever eaten at Cheeseburger in Paradise?  It’s one of those places that I love for the atmosphere, and the drinks food is pretty good, too.  Makes you feel like you’re on a tropical vacay even though piles of snow await you outside the door.

P.S.  How cute is Reid’s jacket????!

The best presents of all were the sweet cards I received from Reese and Ryan:

From Ryan:

Don’t you love my red dress?  But I’m wondering why I have gray hair. 

From Reese:

Isn’t that the sweetest message she wrote?  What a smart 6 year old! 

Now I’m not one of those who gets all into the Oscars – I don’t have enough patience to watch them, but I do always get excited about the winners!  Especially this year, because I’ve seen “The King’s Speech” and LOVED it.  Okay, so I really love Colin Firth….

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….but, still.  He’d better win. 

Do you watch the Oscars?  Anyone you’re rooting for tonight?

 

And I will annouce the BSI winner later tonight! 

Oh, Henry!

I did it!

 

I am done with my job….adios, sayonara, au revoir, SEE YA. 

Some tears were shed, especially when I said good-bye to one of the lawyers who is like my second dad, but thank goodness for Facebook. It at least makes keeping in touch so much easier.

And check out one of my going away presents…..

Have you ever had an “Oh Henry” candy bar?  Apparently they aren’t sold in stores anymore (at least, not around here!) and my co-workers know I like them.  Since I worked at the corporate headquarters for a grocery store, they had a vendor get a box.  I am keeping them at my sister’s house for now so I don’t do too much damage. 

Day 21 – 30 Day Blog Challenge

(A photo of something that makes you happy)

 

Well, obviously I’m tempted to pick some kind of food.  Would you expect anything less?  But instead I will go with the “thing” that keeps this girl happy all year long:

 

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That would be heated seats. 

Yes, I am easy to please.  But seriously…..I plan to drive my car into the ground, yet if the heated seats ever stopped working, I would be at the nearest Honda dealership quicker than you could say “warm buns.”  They are a GODSEND.

 

What is something that makes you happy?

P.S.  I woke up bright and early at 5 a.m. this lovely Saturday morning and could not fall back asleep….what is with my internal alarm on Saturdays??

Today is…

….my last day of work.

I blogged about being unhappy in my job way back in June of 2009.  Actually, I’ve never really loved my job.

I also made it my New Year’s Resolution (for 2010) to quit my job….but better late than never, right?

But it was comfortable.  It was easy.  And I don’t deal with change well.

I will say, though, I’m proud of myself for taking this risk.  Even though it’s scary.  Even though it will mean less money for the next year. 

So here is my PSA for the day:

If you hate your job – get out!  I know it’s easier said than done, but you just have to do it.  Life is far too short to be doing something you hate are not passionate about.

About 4 months ago, I determined that on March 4th I would quit my current job, regardless of whether or not I’d found a new one (note the blue “X” on the 4th):

So, I’m cutting it close…..but I did it!

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all of your sweet words, emails, comments and notes.  Y’all are truly the best. 

What are you proud of yourself for today?  Brag – brag away!!!

What’s In a Name?

 

Reading through your comments on my last post made me feel SO much better.    I’m glad to know I’m not alone in dealing with change, and also struggling to “put myself out there” when admitting my faults and struggles.

I just keep telling myself that a week from today, I’ll be at my new job and the “worst” part (anticipation….that is always the worst for me) will be over with!

I started off yesterday with an awesome workout, which put my day off to a great start.  My co-workers took me out to lunch to our favorite local restaurant (and even got me a gift card as a going away present!) and made cookies.

Peanut Butter Goodnesss

Unfortunately I don’t really like PB cookies.    I’m more of a soft, moist (yuck) cookie girl myself.  But it was a sweet gesture!

 

Day 20 – 30 Day Blog Challenge

(The meaning behind your blog name)

You can read more about why I chose “Balance Broad” as my blog name here, but basically I didn’t want my blog to only focus on one thing.  I LOVE reading running blogs, and food blogs, and my sisters’ blogs about their kiddos, but I was afraid to really limit myself to one thing.  Because….well….I’m random like that.  I love to run, workout, cook bake, eat good food, and just try to enjoy life.  So I wanted my blog name to reflect how I always try to find a healthy balance.

If you have a blog, what is the meaning behind your blog name?

Keep sending those BSI recipes, too - I’m going to have a hard time choosing. 

Let Me Be Honest Here

 

One of the reasons I love bloggers like Tina, Lisa, and Lee (to name a few!) are that they are incredibly honest in their posts. 

I have been, too, but I always feel like I could be more so about certain things as they are happening.  I am always perfectly upfront about having an eating disorder, struggling with depression, seeing a therapist, and getting arrested – but I always talk about these things after they are over.  It’s like I want to tell people, “Yeah…I went through (blank), but I am totally fine and over it now!”  I guess it’s that whole issue of really being vulnerable when you admit your faults (NOT that I think I’m perfect….obviously!  Wearing an orange jumpsuit put me in my place).  

Well, let me start by being honest.

On Monday, for example, this is what my lunch looked like:

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I won’t even begin to tell you how many Dairy Queen receipts I have in my car from the past week, or how much chocolate I’ve consumed.

Now, I’m not saying Skittles, M&M’s OR Dairy Queen are bad – but eating them all day long?  And eating only out of emotions?  Bad!

It’s no wonder my favorite pair of jeans are tight!

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Anyway.  I’m just putting this out there, more so to hold myself accountable.  The tight jeans thing doesn’t really bother me as much as knowing that I shouldn’t be using food to cope with stress. 

I know my new job will be fine.  I know my current co-workers won’t talk smackhate me if I don’t get every single loose end tied up before I leave.  I know I will get through this next change (I am HORRIBLE with change!) and come out okay – maybe (hopefully!) better.

Are you good with change?  What is something honest about yourself you’d like to share?  (It doesn’t have to be bad)! 

 

And THANK YOU for all of your BSI submissions so far - keep ‘em coming!  (P.S. And thanks for sayin’ I looked cute – that totally made my day!) 

What I Wore Today….and BSI!

So today is going much, much better than yesterday.  It’s a new day!  I’m glad I’m not alone in feeling funky every once in awhile.  It happens, ya know?

 

Day 19 – 30 Day Blog Challenge

 (Another picture of yourself)

Obviously this is my favorite sweater right now.  And I love my leggings…what can I say?

Do you tend to wear your favorite _____ of the moment a lot?  I’m definitely guilty of that once I find something I love.

Classy Bathroom Shot

 But most of all I love how my new Target headband covers up the fact that I didn’t wash my hair today. 

 

Unwashed hair looks better with a headband

 

In other news, Biz asked me to host the BSI this week!  I’ve hosted before, back in November of 2009 (Yowsa! Time flies), but this time around I thought I’d pick my favorite spice as the ingredient:

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I heart my Ground Cumin.

SO for those of you who are not familiar with the rules, you can find them here.  Basically, make up a recipe of your own (or add a twist to an existing recipe) that uses Ground Cumin.  On Sunday night I will pick a winner and send you a little prize!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Fighting the Funk

Do you ever have days when you’re in a funk, for no reason in particular?

Sure, there were some little things that happened that kind of set me off…

Like my doctor calling me today to tell me my pap smear results were “funky” – um….who wants to hear that word when you’re talking to your OB/GYN?   He said basically my “cells are abnormal.”  I’ve been through this before and have to get another colposcopy, but it’s still scary.

Then there was my co-worker who was interviewing people all day long to replace me, and wearing the biggest smile on her face all day long.  Can’tcha just pretend you’re sad I’m leaving?

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Finally a friend of mine was giving me grief over something silly, and it really made me feel bad (I know I’m being vague…more to come on this later).  Sensitive much?  I know….

Plus, it being a Monday didn’t help matters.

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The good thing about having a funky day is that the next day is always better.  (Well, 99.6% of the time). 

What is something good that happened to you today?  (Or, um, yesterday?) 

What I Crave.

I am so behind in the 30 Day Blog Challenge….y’all forgive me, though – right??!!

 

Day 18 – 30 Day Blog Challenge

(Something you crave a lot)

Please refer to my celebrity crush post.

Oh, wait….you meant food?

Hmmm.  Well, I crave the most RANDOM things.  I find myself craving healthy things, like:

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I crave cucumbers a LOT, which is weird because I didn’t know I liked them until recently?  But since I am thirsty all the time, I think that has something to do with it…

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The FIRST time I had plain Fage, I almost spit it out.  GROSS!

But now?  I crave it.  I love the plain, although I always eat it with either Kashi, a banana, and/or PB. 

And of course…

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I have mentioned it before, but I am thirsty ALL.THE.TIME.  I even had my doctor test me for diabetes!  It is definitely my favorite beverage.

Now, with that said, of COURSE I crave the “not as healthy” stuff, too…

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I could eat ice cream EVERY DAY.  For this reason, I don’t keep it in my house. 

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Now, I DO crave milk chocolate, but my favorite will always be white. 

And of course…..

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Diet Coke from McDonald’s….you had me at hello.

I used to get one every.single.morning!  Now I probably have one a week (sometimes, not even that), but I STILL crave those bubbles!  <3

What do you crave?  Or who?

Unwinding in the Windy City

What a fun weekend in Chicago! 

 

We left Friday late afternoon and enjoyed our drive through the endless fields of corn farmlands of Indiana.  Has anyone ever seen these new age Windmill things?

This was my first time seeing them in person.  It’s a wind farm that went on for almost 20 miles along the highway!  In all honesty it kind of freaked me out.  They are HUGE and really new age-ish.  However, I know they are good for the environment, yada yada, so as long as there aren’t any close to me I am okay with them.    Here is a video of some.

Moving on….

By the time we got there Friday night it was pretty late.  My sisters and I tried to walk around outside, but everything closed at 9. —> I thought everything stayed open so late there?? 

On Saturday as you know, I had trouble sleeping and finally decided to start my day at 5 a.m. (well, 6 a.m. Indy time.  That makes me feel slightly less crazy).  At around 6:30 a.m. I headed out for a run along the lake front.

 

Um…..I think I was too excited about our spring-like days back home this week, because I definitely underdressed!  It was about 30 degrees which isn’t too cold, but it was SO WINDY along the lake.  However, getting to see this totally made up for it.

 

I made it about 3.5 miles and then headed to the hotel gym for some light biking and the elliptical.

Saturday morning we had one mission:  SHOPPING.  Now, I’m not really a huge fan of shopping, but it’s SO much more fun when you’re with friends/family….right?

My sister has a fancy fundraising event for her school and picked up this dress – how gorgeous does she look?!  Hopefully she’ll let me borrow it?

 

After about 5 hours of shopping cardio, we headed to the hotel room to freshen up, then cabbed it to Millennium Park. 

We saw “the Bean”:

and briskly  walked the 1.5 miles back to our hotel.

 

Finally we got ready to head out to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner.

 

 

We had a slice of Tuxedo Cheesecake – have any of you ever had this HEAVEN?

It was AMAZING.  New favorite!

 

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We ended the night at Royal George Theatre where we saw “Late Night Catechism.”

SO funny, especially if you grew up Catholic and went to Catholic School (like we did).

 

What a fun, fun weekend!  It was so nice to get away and spend some time with the girls. 

 

Are you ready for the week ahead?  I normally get pretty bummed on Sunday nights, BUT it’s not so bad this week since it’s the last week at my job!