southwestern quinoa stuffed tomatoes

Today was jam packed and I know the rest of the week will be just like that. It's wedding crunch time, people! I'm feeling the pressure...

I slept really well again last night. I think I just really have a peace of mind knowing I am in my new house and pretty settled before the wedding. I woke up promptly at 7 a.m. ready to start my day!

I wasn't really that hungry this morning, but I decided overnight oats needed to make an appearance in my life - okay, let's be honest: when don't overnight oats make an appearance in my life?

do you like my pretty place mats? i got them from pottery barn - FH calls them "grandma placemats".

If you're wondering, or in case you have never made overnight oats, it's really simple! At night I combine:

- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup almond milk
- 1/2 smashed banana
- 1 tbsp flax
- splash of vanilla

Stick it in the fridge to absorb the liquid over night. In the morning, add your favorite toppings!

my favs are blueberries, cinnamon, coconut, and peanut butter!

I did a six miler after breakfast this morning - it was absolutely perfect. The humidity was almost nonexistent this morning and it was a cool 72 degrees when I set out. Six miles in 55 minutes? I'll take it!

Today was one of those days where I was going to be gone all day and needed to prepare. I had my makeup trial, errands to run, a facial, more errands... and more errands!

On my way to my makeup trial I had this larabar:

On my way to my facial I had this:

Then when I was done with my facial, I stopped by the 'rents and gobbled down a bowl of leftover veggies from last night. I realized when I had one piece of sweet potato left that I hadn't snapped a picture. Whoops.

I also had an unpictured ice coffee from Starbuck's because they help me feel better when I am a crazy mess! :)

When I got home, I had one thing on my mind: FOOD! And a lot of it!

I created Southwestern Quinoa Stuffed Tomatoes

You'll need:

• 1 cup dry quinoa
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1/2 zucchini, chopped
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1/4 white onion, diced
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 2 cups liquid (veggie stock or water will do)
• mexican spices of your choice (black pepper, red pepper, chili powder,  cumin, sea salt)
• 4 slicing tomatoes, hollowed

How to do it:

1. Cook your quinoa according to the package instructions. One cup of quinoa plus 2 cups of liquid on the stovetop for approximtely 15-20 minutes.
2. While that is brewing up a storm, chop up your veggies and sautee them with cooking spray or EVOO in a saute pan.
3. During the time in which your veggies are sauteing, hollow out four slicing tomatoes using a steak knife and spoon.
4. Once the quinoa has cooked (they should look like little fish eggs) and the veggies are tender, combine the two and add your black beans. Mix until evenly combined.
5. Add mexican spices to taste.
6. Spoon quinoa mixture into hollowed out tomatoes.
7. Served warm or chilled.

this baby not only looked delicious, it tasted delish too!

i won't lie... i had to have mine sans black beans because i don't have a can opener!

On the side, I had half of an avocado.

And a side salad! This was the perfect summer meal. All of the flavors went together very well!

Tonight, FH and I practiced a few things such as our first kiss and dance - do you think that's dorky? If you do... I don't really care. I found it to be fun. If you're married, did you practice this too?

I'm off to go snack - those blueberry muffins are calling my name!

Question: What is your idea of the perfect summer meal?

a quickie

Get your mind out of the gutter, will ya? Sheesh - y'all are sick tickets!

Anyways, this post is going to be short and sweet, mainly because my reader is piling up with many many posts of yours which I have yet to read. I have been getting behind. I swear I am going to read and comment on them all! :)

Today I dropped the Rugrats off at a VBS in the next town over (they need to socialize with other kids besides themselves!). I had previously mapped out a 3.65 mile run on a trail nearby. My legs felt good today - must have been those blueberry pancakes...::drool::

oh yeah 8:30 pace - what what!

I then ran around like a crazy person getting in as many errands as I could before noon when I had to go back to get the kiddos. When we got home, I whipped up some lunch for us all.

blurry plate - sorry. massive grilled zucchini slices, carrots, peapods, radishes with loads of hummus.

I was feeling really snacky for lunch today - I also had some unpictured crackers. This afternoon I made zucchini bread - I'll post the recipe tomorrow. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the bread today. Forgive me, please?

This evening I had the opportunity to meet a lot of my family on my mom's side - her cousins live in Maine and if I met any of them before I must have been really small. Her aunt (my great aunt) was also in from Florida. I just love love love one of mommasita's cousin's. She was a riot. Unfortunately, the circumstances which our family was getting together for was not the best. There was an unexpected and tragic death in our family last weekend, and the family flew out for the memorial this evening. There are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding this particular situation, so please pray for peace of mind for the family. Pray they are surrounded by others who lift them up in this time of need.

After the memorial, mommasita, my aunt, uncle, and I went to Sweet Tomatoes!!! This could possibly be one of my favorite places in the world. Buffet? a SALAD buffet? Sign me up!

my salad can probably beat your salad up.

Nope, you've got it right. I ate four plates of food. I was a hungry girl! I only had an (unpictured) apple for a snack... plus a couple of pieces of that zucchini bread shmeared with sunbutter :)

Off to go catch up with you lovely ladies!

Question: What is your favorite foodie friendly restaurant?

Tutorial: How to Have an Epic Fail of a Run

Let's face it - running failures happen to us all. However, if you want to have a reaaaallly successful failure of a run, you can just follow the morning that I had.



Step 1: Whether you are planning (or thinking you will have - like me!) to have the run of your life, your morning just has to start out with a good hearty brekkie (okay, I tried to be British, and totally failed there haha!).

The heart is because I love you.

overnight oats: 1/3 cup oats, 1/2 naner, 1/3 c. water, 1/3 c. almond milk, 1 tbsp flax - topped with cinnamon, coconut, bloobs and an unpictured peanut butter spoon.

paired with minnie mouse coffee

One would think this breakfast is the breakfast of champions, and I agree. Despite my efforts to plan on having a great 6 miler, it was bound to be a disaster.

Step 2: To have an epic fail of a run, one must forget to charge his/her iPod the night before, resulting in a music'less run.

I just wanted to get down with my bad self...

I don't mind running without the Pod most days - 3 or 4 miles without it is a piece of cake. I kind of like not running with it on those kinds of days. However, when I am planning on running any more than that, I need music to get my run on. Horrible.

Step 3: Set the tone for the run by taking walking breaks - MANY walking breaks. This killed me today. I have no idea what happened, but it was just so hard to breathe. It may have been the heat, but when I ran it was only around 75 degrees. I really think I am getting faster due to my speedwork, but my lungs do not want to work as fast as my legs want to move. My breathing was horrible! That is really what killed me today. I hang my head in shame when I tell you it took me 1 hour to complete 6 miles. EPIC FAIL!!!!

So, I did what any sad and disappointed foodie would do: I made a smoothie! A chocolate raspberry smoothie to be exact.

you were delicious.

1/2 naner, 1/2 cup almond milk, raspberries, 2 tbsp cocoa protein powder, lots of ice

When I was done, Mommasita called to see if I wanted to go to a rummage sale and the farmer's market. I DID!! So, I changed and went on my happy little way.

I look clean, don't I?

shhhh - don't tell anyone, but I didn't have time to shower yet. (as if they couldn't tell by the stench)

I came back from the farmer's market with a bunch of beautiful produce. The pictures speak for themselves...

FH and I then went to go pick up our new living room furniture (yay!) and I just made a killer salad. I'll post it later - I have to go get ready for my cousin's wedding tonight!!

Question: How have you "beaten" the heat this summer while exercising?

love affair with my breakfast.

Have you ever had a dream about your oatmeal? If you said yes, we should be best friends.

Is it sad I went to bed thinking about what I get to eat in the morning? The answer to that would be absolutely not, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

My morning started nice and late, at about 5:45 am (whaaaaat!) - I couldn't sleep, I had to get up at 6:30 anyways, so I just decided to get a move on. I was okay with it because I had something stewing in my fridge overnight.

overnight oats with a peanut butter and peach sun :)

don't let the peaches fool you - they (like strawberries) freak me out in oatmeal. They went on the side.


I felt bad for the little guys, so I decided to give them a try - I actually liked it!!!

I had to be at my house early this morning to unlock the door so the tile guy could finish our tile this morning. I left him a nice little post it with a "job well done" note on it - it looks so beautiful. I can't believe it is actually starting to look like a house! After I groggily did that, I had to go to the store to stock up for my road trip today! I had to use the bathroom, so I decided to leave a few notes on the mirror.

Please don't judge my outfit or my bedhead hair - it was 7 AM for goodness sake!

When I got home, it was time to go for my run, which was actually scheduled for tomorrow, but I probably won't have a chance to get one in while I am gone. I'm bringing one workout outfit just in case, but it most likely will not happen.

I wear this shirt with my head held high!

I love this shirt - FH's aunt is in remission with breast cancer, so I fully support all efforts in research to find a cure! Have you ever been affected by cancer? I held my head high until I saw an old lady power walking, and then I felt bad for not being conservative. I then made my running arms a little higher while I said "good morning" to try and distract her from my shirt. Ridiculous? Yes. Hilarious? Oh yeah.

I ran about 4.5 miles (I was supposed to go 5, but I didn't map it out) and went about 40 minutes. Don't pay any attention to my watch. Those extra minutes were spent stretching. It was about a 9:00 pace, not too bad!

glad I got this in since I will be sitting in a car for the rest of the day!!

I had to run a few errands and had a doctor's appointment, and while I was gone I saw the liscence plate below.

"just blessed"

I love this liscence plate! I think a lot of the time we are so caught up in day to day stress and activities, we forget to take the time to realize how blessed we actually are in life. I know I am. How has your life been blessed?

When I got home, it was time to pack all my food! Kelsey left me some good tips on what to bring for a road trip. There are a couple of reasons why I love Kelsey: 1) Her name rhymes with mine (kelsey, chelsey); 2) She laughs at my jokes; 3) She has a wheat allergy just like me! If you've never made it over by Kelsey yet, I really think you should re-evaluate your life.

Moving on....

beverages - coke zero for mom, water for me

lots of magazines

looooots of food

You are not allowed to think I am crazy for bringning enough food to last me for 5 days. I do this because I never know what I will find on the road or when I am in a different city staying in a hotel. It makes my life a lot easier knowing that I have enough food to maintain my clean eating lifestyle and keep my intolerances at bay.

yes, I am bringing a bowl and a spoon... get over it.

Then I made a quick lunch to hold me over until my snack attack hits me in the car!

spinach salad, carrots, and a lettuce wrap

my black bean burger was hiding :)

Who's ready for 16 hours in a car? I am, I am, I am!!!!

I will be back on Monday (hopefully) - until then, I will miss you all!! I will take a lot of pictures of Savannah and the road trip in general.

Have a great fourth of July weekend! What are you doing for the 4th?

stopping when you're full is for quitters

One of my old friends used to say: If you stop when you're full, that just means you're a quitter.

I'll explain why that is relevant in just a second...

I must be getting the hang of this whole "summer" thing - I slept until 7:15 today! You may think this is pathetic - I consider it an accomplishment! I made some whipped banana oats courtesy of Kath this morning topped with raisins and peanut butter. I usually don't do raisins in my oats, but this was seriously delicious. Once I mixed it all up and the peanut butter started to melt, holy god of oats.. I could have died.

you were delicious... let's meet again, say tomorrow at 7:00?
Call me.

You need to know something about me. I usually eat breakfast in my bedroom on a tv tray so I can go on my computer and watch the Today Show - my oatmeal must be in the center of the tray. My coffee must be in the upper left corner. My ginormous glass of water must be in the upper right corner. This is just how I roll in the morning. I really don't realized I do it anymore, but I notice if I forget. Do you have any strange ritualistic habits as well?

After my breakfast, I did some cleaning up around here, then went out for my workout. I had to run and strength train today, so I ran to my gym, lifted, then ran back. I am still sore from lifting on Tuesday, but it felt good to lift again. They say you have to work through the pain to "stretch out" sore muscles - I guess it worked! It was a hot, sweaty workout though and definitely needed to make sure I fueled myself throughout the course of the day after I was done.

So, I ate.... I seriously ate all day. Was I hungry? I can't remember a time I was hungry at all today. But I knew my body needed it even though I didn't want it. Insert after workout snack:

blurry watermelon, grapes, and cookie dough balls

I did some chores around the house (laundry, cleaned the kitchen) and took a shower before I realized it was past my lunch time! Hungry? No. Delicious? Yes.

leftover tofu, sauteed veggies (spinach, pepper, onion, zucchini, garlic), and carrots/hummus

When I went back to the kitchen to wash my dishes, I saw something out the window that was a little out of the ordinary: My father was using a jackhammer.

RIP Pool - I will miss you

Padre has always been a pool hater - he enjoyed this.

I loved my pool - every summer I could be found floating around all day listening to music or snoozing. However, our pool began to get sick last year. It was old and on it's last leg. I, needless to say, was a wreck. I was losing my summertime best friend! Unfortunately, this past winter, our pool was no more. It took a turn for the worst when it had an "America's Funniest Home Video" moment and exploded all over our yard.

Before I left to go run some errands, I grabbed an apple and some Ends n Pieces for my journey.

I felt so drained during my errands. It was around 2:00 when I finally went, and that is my worst time of day. I am sooo tired and just want a nap. I rushed home to do so.

But, before I took a nap, I enjoyed one of my new favorite addictions: GREEN MONSTER TIME!

getting ready to enjoy the monster

mmmmmmm

When I was making this, my sister came home and was in the kitchen while I was making it. I was honestly waiting for her to say, "You're putting spinach in a smoothie?" But, low and behold, NOTHING!! i think my family is finally starting to accept my interesting food choices. I'm down with that.

Then, I was still feeling snacky (hungry? no. snacky? yes.) so I grabbed some cashews to enjoy.

Then I finally laid down in my bed to start reading this book, and actually fell asleep for a good half hour. It was all I needed! I felt so refreshed when I woke up!

really good book - about a teenage girl living in England. she's awkward and her mom is crazy. whatever, i'm not good at explaining things sometimes, but I swear it's good!

When I woke up, I tried looking for something in my purse, but then decided you should all be filled in on a little secret....

My purse is always a mess!!!! No matter what I do, my purse is always messy by the end of the day. I also always have at least one headband in my purse at all times... and three packs of post its. Why? I don't know.


Dinner was amazing! My dad was making brats for him, so I decided to whip up something for myself as well. Insert the best potato wedges you will ever eat....

cut potato into 8 wedges, coat with olive oil, sprinkle with pepper, garlic, and basil, cook on grill for 5 minutes on each side. (I also had a salad and grilled zucchini)

I wanted to eat all of these. Unfortunately, I had to leave some for my mom. I also STILL wasn't hungry. I guess I followed my friend's rule pretty well. I never stopped even when I was full. Oh well, some days you just have to force yourself.

After dinner, I headed over to the house so I could take new pictures for you! Actually, we were meeting FH's mom there and my parents wanted to check out the progress.

tile in shower

tile on floor in bathroom

trim around windows

I am off to go pack! I am leaving tomorrow at noon to head off to Savannah Georgia! I'll post in the morning before I leave you all weekend! I will go through withdrawals.

Question: Any last minute advice for packing for a road trip? Keep in mind I am gluten, corn, and lactose intolerant!!! :)