warning: disappointment ahead

Disappointments are at large right now. First and foremost, I won't be able to attend Healthy Living Summit as originally planned this weekend. It's an error on my part, actually. I was under the impression the Jimmy Buffet concert I go to every year with my parents was on August 28, not on August 14. Needless to say, I bought these tickets a year ago and my parents and the husband would be disappointed if I backed out. Alas, I will visit with my parrot head friends waving my fins to the left and right and perhaps befriending a son of a sailor. I will miss everyone who I was so excited about meeting though. There are a few of you who live in the area, so... meet up sometime soon? I would thoroughly enjoy that!

Breakfast started out this morning with a very pretty bowl of overnight oats. If you're new to the world of overnight oats, visit this girl or you can just follow my way without the chia seeds (because I just haven't dished out the dough for them yet).

In the bowl goes:

• 1/3 cup gluten free oats
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup h2o
• 1/2 smashed banana
• 1 tbsp. flax meal
• splash of vanilla

Let those ingredients mingle overnight. In the morning, add your favorite toppings!

Today, I went with blueberries, a strawberry star, coconut, cinnamon, and peanut butter. It was delicious!

I'm kind of like good ole George Washington, however, and I cannot tell a lie.

I pick the strawberries off and eat them on the side. I just can't do them in the oatmeal. It freaks me out. Are there any fruits you HAVE to eat plain?

After breakfast, I hit the gym for a sweaty strength training session. I was a little nervous today as I checked out my half marathon training schedule. It kind of fell to the wayside while the wedding was front and center. Apparently, I'm supposed to run ten, yes TEN, miles on Saturday morning. Words of encouragement are appreciated.. thanks.

After I got home from the gym, I was already hungry (seriously?) and snacked on an organic Turkish fig from Whole Foods - these are the best figs in the world.

I got ready really quick and headed to a place I have thought of not once this summer: school! Yes, if you are new around here, I am a teacher. Do I sometimes wish my job was to run, exercise, play housewife with my cooking and cleaning, and blog? Of course, but I digress.

I moved to a new school this year (same district, new school, different grade) and I had been feeling kind of bummed about it because all of my really good running friends teach at my old school. I also didn't know what the room situation would be like and if I would be able to organize all my materials for a new grade before the begining of the school year.

My fears were quickly pushed aside when I opened the filing cabinets and all the materials for the fifth graders were already organized and ready for my use! The teacher who retired had been teaching for 30 years, was very meticulous, and left EVERYTHING for me! I almost shed a happy tear. I will be there every day until the school year starts to continue setting up my classroom. I should just put up some caution tap before anyone tries to come in. It's that bad. I'm bringing in my niece and nephew tomorrow - what's the law on child labor laws? :)

While I was attempting to set up my classroom, I snacked on an apple and some almonds.

Around noon, I felt it was time to go to the teacher store to get some things and go home to eat lunch. I finally got home about 1:15 and whipped myself up a quick lunch. Leftovers are very necessary when I don't feel like cooking!

Up first: crackers, carrots, and hummus.

i'm kind of in love with this picture.

 Also on the menu was leftover mexican stoup from the other night. It may not look pretty, but it sure was delicious!

When I decided I was still hungry, I ate the rest of my chickpea dish from last night. Then some more crackers were consumed. Then some crackers were dipped in this bad boy.

so fresh and so clean

 These strawberry preserves are from the farm I am looking into getting a CSA from! They were so delicious. They will go fast!

I decided to make my own nut butter this afternoon on a whim. Cashmond butter to be exact. Anyone want to guess what nuts were in it?

Cashews and almonds!

If you have never made your own nut butter before and you own a processor, please take advantage of it. It is seriously the easiest thing ever! Throw some nuts in, grind for about 5 minutes, and you're done!

this one's a keeper

Another disappointment is up next.

Blogger won't let me upload two of my pictures! They keep telling me the "server rejected" them and to only use photos I have the liscence to use. Ummm... excuuuse me blogger! Those are liscense of Mrs. Chelsey!

Anyways, one was a very artsy pictures (which I was oh so proud of) of all the thank you cards I finished writing today and was about to send out.

Another was of the gluten free pizza I consumed for dinner. The husband and I went out for pizza with my parents this evening to a place that has gluten free pizza (obviously). I was skeptical yesterday when she asked I wanted to go because most gluten free pizza crusts have corn in them. However, I called the restaurant to see if they had corn in the crust and it didn't! It was thin crust with tons of veggies: spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and broccoli. They held the cheese though. Have you ever had cheeseless pizza? I didn't even miss the cheese!

It was delicous.. and now my belly is too full for a snack. Well, maybe.

I'm off for some R&R with the husband.

I asked tons of questions in the post - answer whatever one sparks you the most!

environmentalist in action

I groggily awoke this morning at 6:45 - it does not matter what time I go to sleep at night, my body just wants to get up that early! I had a lovely bowl of oats waiting for me in the fridge - nothing beats overnight oats somedays. I love rolling out of bed and having my breakfast waiting there for me.

a smiley face in your oatmeal is a great way to make sure you start your day out joyously!
not pictured: my massive peanut butter spoon - i tried to make it into the "nose", but that just was not working.

tinkerbell coffee accompanied these oats.

After breakfast, I decided to make a 'to do' list for the day. I have a lot to accomplish and I did not want to forget about anything!

If you look close enough, you will notice my first two items on my list are pretty ridiculous.

"make to do list", "straighten up room" - okay, so these were done (the first one obviously).

Sometimes I like to write things on my to do lists that have already been done. There is nothing better than crossing things off of a list! Does anyone else write things on their list that have already been done?

Now for the title today, I decided to forego all of my errands/running around via my bike today! I suppose that would make me an environmentalist (on some level) for saving our Earth by not creating any pollution. Go me!

hello bags under eyes - thank you for never leaving my side.

There are two mental notes I made while riding my bike to my first location: 1) Get a backpack because the reusable grocery bag does not make for a friendly companion while traveling on bike. 2) Don't be so quick to give things away to goodwill anymore - I just got rid of my backpack last week.

The hardest part of my journey? Crossing this street:

I had to sit and wait for about 3 minutes, but then it was all clear!



As you can see from my half marathon training schedule, all Tuesdays are "stretch and strengthen" days!

So I mosied to Body Tech - one of the two places I go to workout (yes, that seems silly. I have one account with FH and one account with the 'rents which I am being deleted from ::tear::)

I will miss you when I'm married Body Tech. Good riddance.

My other stops included the grocery store for a much needed lunch ingredient (don't worry, it's coming!), a birthday card for little brother (a post on him to come), and the library (where I had two overdue books - however, the nice library lady waived my 90 cent free - THANKS LIBRARY LADY!)

Front of little brother's birthday card

inside of little brother's birthday card

back of little brother's bithday card - I'm such a trickster.

The "hippie" concert I speak of in that picture is some 3 day concert my brother is going to this weekend in West Virginia - it reminds me of Woodstock, therefore, I call him a Hippie.

I'm that dorky sister you wish you didn't have. Balloon boy there is saying "It's my birthday" and yes, there are twenty "20's" on the envelope. Guess how old he is turning!

After creating the card of his dreams, I went where no clean eater has gone before....

You want me to make you what? Boxed cake? (notice the fear in my eyes)

Since I just so happen to be the BEST sister in the entire world (sorry Kirstin - aka big sister), I pushed past my anxiety to make the boxed cake into 20 amazing cupcakes. Sometimes, my family does not appreciate my vegan, gluten free recipes - I'm sure my brother would not have appreciated an avocado cake for his birthday (although I was very tempted to do so). My family enjoys a good 'ole boxed cake. ::sigh:: I know they're delicious - it's just not my thang.

cake batter bowl which was delivered to said birthday boy with a silver spoon

ready to be baked!
pictures of the finished product to come later!

While those bad boys were baking, it was time for the star of the show to appear in my life for lunch. This ingredient made me make a special trip to the grocery store today. (Okay, I won't lie to you. I'm basically at the grocery store every day.)

The avocado - laden with healthy fats and a bright green color. This guy was going to make my lunch stellar!

Enter in: mexican tofu scramble.

sorry for the shade - scramble with avocado on the side. a pink lady apple was also enjoyed.

Yes, I am willing to come cook for you.

This was absolutely delicious! Healthy fats - CHECK! Protein - CHECK! Fiber - CHECK! Total lunch domination - CHECK!

I have quite a busy afternoon - I have to go to the house to complete my "honey do" list from FH, pick up some supplements from my doctor, ice those cupcakes, and get ready to go out for dinner for little brother's bithday!

Big post on him later - he's quite the brother!