Trip to Memphis

Hey guys!! First off I just wanted to thank all you guys so much for your comments on my last post.  You’re all so supportive about my goals for the new year, so thanks so much!!!!!!!

Yesterday morning got off to a great start, when my mom told me I had a package waiting for me on the front step.  As soon as she told me, I literally jumped off the treadmill and sprinted up the stairs (idk how I managed that, when I had just run 8 miles and was already super tired.  must have been the adrenaline ), hoping it was what I thought it was.  And when I read the mailing address on the front of the package, my heart started racing in anticipation.  

I wonder what it is....

Could it be...?

It is!!!!!!!!!

Peanuts!

Peanut Brittle!!

Peanut Butter!

Portable Peanut Butter!

You can tell, I got a little camera happy as I was opening it, because I was all too excited.  I’ve been waiting a week for this!

It’s my Peanut Butter and Co gift package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I won a recipe contest and was awarded with more peanut butter than I could ever imagine! 

So, of course I had to open basically everything and try it all!!!!! I can’t eat any of the peanut brittle, since it has sugar, but my dad was more than willing to take it off my hands.  And take it off my hands he did.  In fact, I don’t think it’s left his hands since yesterday morning.  He assures me it’s that good!

I decided to have the cinnamon raisin peanut butter for breakfast this morning, and it was absolutely FANTASTIC!!!! It was like eating cinnamon raisin bread with peanut butter on it.  So tasty.  I haven’t tried the Heat is On peanut butter yet, and I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little scared for that one, since I’m not huge on spicy foods! But I will be sure to report back on my findings when I break into that one!

After that great start to the day, I hopped on the train with my friend Nicole to go the city to see the Broadway show Memphis!

The ball was still up in Times Square!

I love the city!

 

Memphis!

Such an incredible cast

It was soooooo good! But then again, it’s a Broadway play, how can it not be good? I’ve never seen one that hasn’t exceeded my expectations.  It reminded me a lot of Hairspray, with the whole racial theme.  The actors were incredible, and the dancing was insane!  I remember when I was little I wrote a paper about how I wanted to be in the Lion King on Broadway when I grew up (after I saw the show on Broadway).  And now I’m majoring in math… Who would’ve guessed?

Have you seen any Broadway plays? If so, what’s your favorite?  I’ve seen a few plays, but I think my favorite would still be the Lion King.  Maybe that’s just because it was the first I’ve ever seen, but it was seriously incredible! I would definitely recommend it!

Operation 2012

It’s that time of year again, when people take advantage of new gym membership deals, clean out their pantries and refrigerators of ‘bad for you’ foods, buy a new pair of running sneakers, find a new hobby,………….. and the list goes on and on.  I admit, I used to  make New Years resolutions every year.  In fact, at the end of every year, I would write down all my new years resolutions on a piece of paper, fold it up and seal it in an envelope to be opened 12 months later.  This year, when reading my previous years resolutions, i realized how frivolous and petty the whole process is.  I mean, let’s face it- New Years resolutions are made to be broken.  Everyone makes a new years resolutions with the precedent being that after a month, those resolutions don’t mean anything.  If our resolution was to go to the gym everyday, when January is over, we’re not obligated to go to the gym anymore.

 

And it’s not like we make the resolutions because we necessarily want to make them, we feel obligated to make them.  It’s more of a fad, if you ask me.  Everyone makes new years resolutions, and people always ask around this time of year what ours are.  And if we don’t have any, we feel left out.  So we make them, knowing that it’s not necessarily something we want to do, but something we feel like we have to do.  The idea of new years resolutions has lost its meaning.

I was watching ‘The Chew’ the other day on ABC and it was a special all about New Years.  And of course, the first thing Clinton Kelly asks his fellow co hosts is what their New Years resolutions are.  When he came to Carla Hall, she stated she wasn’t making any New Years resolutions, because of the fact that the idea has lost its meaning, but is instead doing what she calls Operation 2012.  Her and her husband make year long goals, which is essentially what a resolution is, but she says that by calling it Operation 2012, it forces them to think about it as a year long event that will ultimately develop into a new lifestyle.

Taking this idea from Carla, I decided to do my own Operation 2012 this year:

1. Complete my first half marathon. My sisters and I have officially signed up for a half marathon that is taking place at the end of April.  My sister, a Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology grad student has made each of us a training plan, which I will be starting this week.

2. Try new, healthy foods! I used to be a very picky eater, but recently I have become more open-minded to trying new foods and new food combinations (sorry Martin, I still refuse to try a hamburger with guacamole AND peanut butter), so I hope to continue to grow in my love of foods, especially by trying new recipes!

3. Continue to well in school.   No explanation needed there, I’m assuming!

So there you have it.  It’s a short list of operation 2012 goals, but I think the longer the list is, the less likely you are to stick to it! So here’s to a new happy and healthy year!

How do you feel about New Years Resolutions?

Do you have any goals for 2012?

Hunger Games

Has anyone else read these books?? I just got the trilogy a couple days ago and literally cannot put them down!! I just started book three, after reading the other 2 books in 3 days, and i’m so hooked.  Last night, I even dreamt a was part of the Hunger Games.  I cannot wait until the movie comes out!!!  This kindle has turned out to be the best invention ever.  I bring it everywhere with me! Even yesterday, when I went to go visit my boyfriend, I took it with me to read on the bus, and it fit perfectly in my cute little purse with my wallet and camera.  Love it!

This cast looks amazing!!! Not to mention the major crush I have on Liam Hemsworth

Gorgeous!

However, the fact that he’s dating Miley Cyrus is kinda a big turn off…

Anyways, speaking of visiting Martin, and the Hunger Games, I am definitely never hungry when I visit his family!! His sisters own a pastry shop in New York called Chantilly and their  pastries are to DIE for! Especially the french macaroons! But seeing as I can’t eat sugar anymore, I can’t eat their amazing sweets, which is super upsetting, but I don’t have the heart to tell them.  Especially when they send me home with a HUGE box of leftover pastries that they didn’t sell that day!! But my family loves them too, so I just graciously thank them and take them home for my parents and sisters to enjoy!

How stunning is this cake they made???? So talented!

Has anyone ever heard of Cheeburger Cheeburger? No, I didn’t make a spelling mistake, it is in fact called Cheeburger Cheeburger, not Cheeseburger Cheeseburger! It’s this cute little fifties themed burger joint where you can get literally any kind of topping you want on a burger (or veggie burger or grilled chicken!).  And I mean anything!!! Martin likes to experiment with his food sometimes (he hopes to one day stumble upon the next biggest food craze and make millions of dollars- good luck with that babe!).  Yesterday he ordered a burger loaded with tons of toppings I can’t remember, but did include a combination of guacamole and peanut butter… I mean I like peanut butter as much as the next girl, but on a burger?? With guacamole?????????? I think I’ll pass.  I stuck to a good old veggie burger on a plate of mixed greens.  That’s more my style.

And speaking of peanut butter, I’m so excited to say I won a Peanut Butter and Co gift basket from a giveaway from Kwanzaa Culinarians!! I can’t wait to try all the different flavors of peanut butter they have!!!!! I think I’ll have enough peanut butter to last me for…… well at least a couple weeks. A girl has gotta have her peanut butter!!!!!

PEANUT BUTTER

As you can tell, yesterday was an awesome day. I went to the city, got to see Martin and his family, hung out with some of our friends, ate awesome food, and won my first giveaway!!!! But the excitement doesn’t end there! I got a gift certificate to Best Buy for Christmas, so I was shopping around online last night to see what kinds of things I could buy, when I discovered they carried Garmin running watches!!!!!!!!! I’ve been wanting one for soo long, so after doing some online shopping, I went into Best Buy today with my parents, and since the watches get a little expensive, they agreed to chip in as an early birthday present! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!! I can’t even explain my excitement! Of course, they didn’t have the one I wanted in store, but it is ordered and should be delivered within the week!

And now, my neighbors have begun the fireworks and as much as I’d love to keep writing (because let’s be real, I always have more to say), I can’t ignore the sounds of fireworks blasting off and sparkling to life in the sky when they’re right outside my window causing my room to spring into life in an array of colors.  Happy New Year!!!

Do you have any New Years Resolutions? Check back tomorrow for mine!

What is the best book you read lately? Mine is definitely the Hunger Games, but I need ideas for new books to read so get at me!

Do you have a Garmin running watch? If so, which one and do you like it??

My New Frenemy

If you knew me at all, you would know I am in love with chocolate. Especially chocolate covered foods, hence why the name of my blog is chocolate covered sneakers.  Also, I loveeeee ice cream.  My sister and I will go through a gallon of ice cream in a couple days.  Its an addiction, but I need to have a little sugar each day.  And my one of my other favorite foods? Apples.  Especially pink lady apples.  They’re so sweet and delicious.  And when you add peanut butter on top. OMG! So good!!!

Mmmmm Godiva truffles

Edy's Peppermint ice cream... my holiday fav

You’re probably wondering why I’m telling you this.  Let me explain.

I eat apples everyday. At least one, sometimes two.  But recently they started making me feel sick and bloated after eating them.  I soon started to realize it wasn’t just after eating apples… it was after eating anything sugary, ice cream and chocolate included.  Recently it started getting really bad, so I went to see a doctor to get food allergy tests to see what was up.

And this is where my life came crashing down: the doctor told me I have fructose malabsorption!!! Basically, it means I can’t eat sugar… at all! Kind of a bummer for a girl who loves sugar.

But, in the past few days without sugar, I have realized that I have so much more energy! I feel better and I sleep better and I’m an overall happier person! It’s not that I even ate that much sugar before, maybe once a day? But it’s crazy what a small diet change can do for you. It hasn’t been easy, because I still have major sugar cravings, especially when everyone else in my family is eating it (and especially around the holidays), but I’m working on it!

Also, thanks to my new kindle, I’ve been reading the book ‘Thrive Fitness’.  It’s written by Brendon Brazier and its basically a vegan based fitness and diet program.  All of the information in it is really interesting and eye opening and has made me really reconsider my food choices.  I’ve tried some of the vegan recipes in it, and they are absolutely delicious.  Eating more natural, raw and vegan foods have made me feel so much healthier and happier!

So where am I going with all this?  I’ve decided to I want to try going mostly vegan!  And by mostly vegan, I mean eating vegan the majority of my meals each week.  I still love eating meat, but I know that moving towards a more plant based diet will be better for my overall health.  But I still love fish and eggs and chicken, so I don’t want to cut it out completely.  I just want a better balance, and not to have meat as the main ingredient in most of my meals!

I think this decision will be better for my health in the long run, and will help me be the healthiest and happiest me!

Are you vegan or vegetarian? Why?

Have you made any diet changes recently that made you feel better and healthier? Or any new years diet resolutions you plan on making?

Do you have any good vegan recipes? Please share!!!

 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas ya’ll! I thought I posted this yesterday, and came to find out I never hit the publish button! Oops! Better late than never!

Sorry I haven’t been around for awhile, but I couldn’t get myself to take even a few minutes away from the time spent with my family these last couple of days to post! I hope everyone had as wonderful as a Christmas as I did! It just can’t get any better than spending hours upon end surrounded by the people you love!

Every Christmas my family goes through the same traditions, and it never seems to disappoint! My entire extended family lives on the opposite coast as we do, so Christmas is just celebrated between my parents, sisters and I, but I couldn’t ask for anything better! This year, however was the first year my oldest sister wasn’t able to come spend the holiday with the rest of us! Being the low man on the totem pole at her new job, she was forced to take the Christmas day shift.  She was greatly missed, but she did get to spend the holidays with some of her friends from work, so she wasn’t alone and she enjoyed herself!

Christmas Eve, we had some friends from church over for dinner before heading to church at 9pm for Christmas Eve service.  This is my absolute favorite church service of the year, because I love the sound of so many people singing ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Joy to the World’ in a room filled by candlelight.  It’s so beautiful to see and hear!

Don't you just love getting dressed up for Christmas?????

After Christmas Eve service we always drive around our neighborhood and look at all the beautifully decorated houses.  One year I’m going to go to the tacky christmas light show in Richmond Virginia.  How cool are these houses?????

And of course we spotted Santa and his reindeer in the sky (aka a plane with a blinking red light that looks like rudolph’s nose).  He never fails to disappoint!

Christmas morning we woke up early, at 6:30am (it was much easier to wake up this early when I was young and mystified by the magic of Santa Claus) to open presents.  My favorite Christmas presents, you ask??

A KINDLE!!! the perfect present for a reading obsessed girl like me

new running clothes! the top is fleece on the inside, so it's sooooo warm!

Following opening presents, was our usual Christmas breakfast of pecan rolls! This, however, was a Christmas tradition that I had to break, which I’ll explain in my post tomorrow! After, of course, my sister and I watched the Disney Christmas day parade.  I wasn’t all that thrilled with the performances this year, although Christina Aguilera can sing!

My sister and I made Christmas dinner- minus the turkey, which was left up to my mom.  We have the same dinner for Christmas as we do for Thanksgiving, but its just so good I could eat it EVERYDAY!  But, then I guess, it wouldn’t be as special!  My dad invited some of his coworkers over for Christmas dinner, which was a nice change to having just the fam.  One of them even brought over this horseradish hummus as an appetizer, and let me tell you, it was DELICIOUS! That will definitely be a staple on my Trader Joe’s shopping list this coming semester.

the beautiful cake we made for dessert! i think it's pretty good at least!

I hope you all had a great Christmas with friends and family!

Still rockin' the Christmas sweatshirt today

Who do you spend your Christmas with? Just Family, or friends, or a combo of both?

What was your favorite Christmas present?   Mine was definitely my Kindle! I don’t think it has left my sight since I got it!

The beginning!

It’s finally here!

It’s hard to believe those words are actually coming out of my mouth! I’ve been waiting for this day forever, but it’s finally here.

IT’S CHRISTMAS BREAK!   Wahoooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My dad picked me up last night at the train station, and when we got home, I was greeted at the door by my mom and sister, Niki, with a plate of veggie lasagna (courtesy of Emeril) and a tin full of homemade Christmas cookies! My favorites are the peanut butter buckeyes:

Peanut Butter + Chocolate + Rice Krispies = DELICIOUSNESS

Ah yes, home sweet home!

And after a wonderful nights sleep in my big, comfy bed, I woke up at 6:30 am with the most energy I have ever had that early in the morning, probably because I knew my day would be amazing, since there was no studying, homework or tests involved! Can you say stress free??

I started my day off with a great workout session with Billy, followed by the sweetest pink lady apple (can’t get those from the school’s dining hall!) dipped in some lovely natural peanut butter, one of my fav combos.

With both my parents at work, it was a fun-filled day of baking for my Niki and me, including holly, candy cane cookies, chocolate covered cherries and chocolate covered pretzels!!!  My sister and I have always dreamed about opening a bakery, with gourmet chocolate covered pretzels as our specialty! We even picked out the name and logo and everything: ‘Peace, Love and Pretzels’!  Over the summer, we made new flavors of pretzels almost every week, and would give them to our parents to bring to work, or to our friends, or even church to find out what people thought about our new creations! They were always a hit.  We had all different kinds, from s’mores to banana split to peanut butter and jelly flavored!

Don't you just love the combo of sweet and salty??!

Anyways, after we baked our brains out, I decided to relax a little and finish my book that I’ve been reading! Has anyone else read the Janet Evanovich series?? I’m on number 7 and they’re just so good! Once I start one, it’s so hard to put down! I’m hooked!

I'm addicted!

It was raining all morning, so I wasn’t able to get my run in when I woke up, like I usually do, but in the afternoon I saw a break in the rain, so I decided to to use the break to get my run in. But about 2 minutes after I got outside, it started raining again, but I was already out, so I just kept going, and it was a lot of fun, I actually enjoyed it! It took me back o the days when I did track in high school, and they would make us run outside, even if it was absolutely pouring and hard to see! O the good ol’ days!  It’s just a good thing it wasn’t cold outside, because cold and wet is not a good combination.  That would have been colder than a tin toilet seat in the antarctic!

My mom made a delicious stew, and we had a lovely family dinner! I love sitting around the table with all the people I love, and chatting about all the joys and wonders of the day!

I hope you all had a lovely day! Now, I think I’ll go catch up with all of the happenings in the blogosphere!

 Read any good books lately?

I seriously have sooo many books I want to read.  I have a list on my computer, but I’m always adding new books to it! Right now, I really want to read the hunger games plus the rest of the books in the Janet Evanovich series.

Do you still have family dinner at your house?

We have a nice sit down dinner every nice at my house.  It’s important to have some quality family time!

Did you ever dream of opening your own business?

Mine was always the bakery my sister. Maybe one day!

College Girl Eats

3 finals down… 2 to go!

I can’t believe Christmas vacay is just around the corner!!

This is how I feel

Because I’m only at school for a couple more days, I don’t want to go out and buy food, so I’m forced to resort to coming up with new recipes with the things I have lying around!

For breakfast, I had made some Green Overnight Oats, that I had made the night before.  I figured it’d be a super quick and easy breakfast that wouldn’t take away too much studying time.  I had a big jar of oats and almond milk so why not??? Plus I had a bag of spinach that needed to be used, hence the ‘green’ part on the overnight oats.  They were quite tasty!

 

Then, for lunch I made some of this:

Simple, yet tasty

Over-easy eggs on a pita stuffed with spinach.  Maybe not the most exciting meal, but it was easy and delicious! I’m a poor college student, there’s only so much I can do!

By mid afternoon, once my long and grueling Computer Science test was over, I was in need of a quick pick me up.  Usually, I would eat a piece of fruit or a granola bar, but I had neither…

But I did have oats and tahini, so I decided to make my own granola bars!!!

They were pretty good!  However, I want to try and make them a couple more times, to perfect the recipe before I put it up here! But here’s a sneak peak:

Good, but would be even better with chocolate chips and dates!

When it came time for dinner, I was scrounging through my fridge/freezer with no idea what to make.  I had a bunch of different things, so what better way to do a mixed up meal than make a casserole??!

And hence came my new creation:

it's a fiesta in a pan!

Mexican Chicken Casserole

-3/4 lb chicken

-1 can black beans

-1 can corn

- 1.5 cups salsa

- 1 tsp cumin

- 2 oz. reduced fat or fat free cream cheese

- 1 green pepper, chopped

- 1 tomato, diced

- 1 sweet onion, chopped

- cheddar cheese

optional: avocado

Directions: Cook chicken on medium high in a skillet.  Season with cumin.  Once cooked, add the pepper and onion.  Cook for about 5 minutes.  Next, add black beans, corn and salsa.  Cook for another 2 minutes.  Stir in cream cheese until melted.  Pour into a 9×13 in. baking pan put in oven at 375 for 20 minutes.  When done, add cheddar cheese to top and bake until the cheese is melted.  Serve hot, topped with avocado!!

It was delicious, if I do say so myself! A great way to use up some extra veggies and frozen chicken! Plus, it’s a pretty cheap, healthy meal!

Now, it’s back to my last couple hours of studying before my final midterm of the semester tomorrow! I can’t even believe I’m saying that!! Hope you all had a great day!!

Did you ever make a recipe from things you had lying around the house?

Any fun plans before the holiday weekend?

 

A Day of Firsts

Between my yesterday, and this morning, the last day has been filled with a lot of firsts for me! So, I figured why not share them all with you?

1. First time making oatmeal

Yuck!!

2. … And first time burning it.

3. First time running 8 miles without stopping!

4. First time making these:

Don't these look AMAZING? I forgot to take a picture, because they were so good I just couldn't wait to eat them!! This is Tara's picture. yum!

Courtesy of Tara.  Vote for her recipe on Facebook! Just go to the Love Grown recipe page and like the picture of her cookie!

5. First time making overnight oats

It may not look super appetizing, but I swear it's really good!

6. …And first time eating them!

They were pretty good!! This is the recipe I used:

Green Overnight Oats:

1/2 cup oats

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 ripe banana

1 tsp vanilla

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder

+ a handful of spinach, to add some veggies to the mix

Directions:

Put the spinach and banana in a blender and blend.  Add milk, oats and vanilla and mix well.  Put in a container and let sit overnight.  Enjoy in the morning!!!

7. First time going for a run before the sun came up!

8. …And first time standing in a hot shower for an hour to try and warm up

It was only 20 degrees outside!!!

9. First time my heater started blowing cold air…

This can’t be a good thing. I think I should get someone to look at it before it’s the same temperature inside my room as it is outside.

 

Did you have any firsts today??

Baby It’s Cold Outside

“I’ve got to go home – Oh, baby, you’ll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat – It’s up to your knees out there
You’ve really been grand – I thrill when you touch my hand
But don’t you see – How can you do this thing to me?
There’s bound to be talk tomorrow – Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied – If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can’t stay – Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it’s cold outside”

I woke up this morning singing this song, after watching ‘Elf’ again last night (my sister wanted to watch it, but it just never gets old!), and boy did this ring true today! I had to walk my sister to the train station this morning, since she had to go home today so I could get some more studying in and blow my finals out of the water this week, but I seriously almost froze to death just walking there (it’s about a mile away).  I had planned on going for a run this afternoon, but I don’t know if that’ll happen since it’s so cold! I did get in a 2 mile walk this morning, so maybe I’ll just do some weight lifting/ workout dvd today instead!!

this is what i felt like doing when I got back!!

Of course I needed something warm to eat for breakfast to warm my insides.  I had a bunch of oats (that i had bought to make this recipe) and decided to make oatmeal for the first time ever!

I know what you’re thinking. But I can honestly say I have never had oatmeal before (unless you count oatmeal cookies).  However, I don’t have a saucepan (I just moved into an apartment recently, and haven’t bought one yet!) so I figured I’d make it in the microwave.  Easy enough right?

hard as a rock. it turned into something like a really hard, burnt rice cake

Wrong.  It bubbled over in the microwave, getting water EVERYWHERE.  Plus, I burnt the oatmeal!! I didn’t even know this was possible! I followed the directions on the box, but apparently I did something wrong.  I’d really appreciate some tips! I need to go buy a saucepan ASAP!

Instead I ate an apple and peanut butter for breakfast (always a great choice).

Onto other things…

I’ve seen this Christmas survey on numerous other blogs, so I figured I’d jump on the bandwagon and fill it out too!

25 Questions: Holiday Style

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?

I’ve never tried eggnog! So definitely the hot chocolate, although I’d choose peppermint tea over both!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Wraps them of course!!! And he fills our stockings with cute little (unwrapped) gifts as well!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

White icicle lights on the house, and colored ones on the tree.

4.Do you hang mistletoe?

No, but I would love to! I’ve never seen mistletoe hanging anywhere, but I think it’s a cute tradition.

5. When do you hang your decorations up?

The Saturday after Thanksgiving.  We buy our Christmas tree in the morning, and then spend the whole day hanging up lights and decorating for Christmas.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Definitely pumpkin rolls.  Its like a regular dinner roll, but pumpkin with pumpkin in it! I look forward to them all year long.

Yummy in my tummy!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Waking up Christmas morning and seeing a ‘big girl bike’ sitting under the tree for me!

8. What is on your Christmas wish list?

A kindle, and a new winter jacket.

9. Do you open any gifts on Christmas Eve?

We open one gift Christmas Eve, and it’s usually new Christmas PJ’s! The rest of the presents we open early Christmas morning.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

With colored Christmas lights, silver garland, and an assortment of eclectic ornaments we have collected over the years.

the finished product

11. Snow? Love it or dread it?

Love the snow, but hate the cold!  But if it’s going to be cold, I opt for snow.

12. Real tree or fake tree?

Real of course! I love the smell! My parents have been trying to get us agree to a fake Christmas tree, but it’s just not the same! We’ve told them they’re only allowed to get a Christmas tree when they’re too old to decorate it themselves, but even then, my sisters and I agreed we would come and set up a real Christmas tree for them!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

My bike

14. What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?

Celebrating the birth of Jesus!  Plus, I love sharing it with my family, because they are the best and mean everything to me

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Holly (marshmallow covered corn flakes with green food coloring and red hots on top to look like the actual plant!)

And chocolate covered cherries!

16. What is your favorite tradition?

Going to church Christmas Eve.  I absolutely love Christmas Eve service.  It’s so beautiful, and the songs are so pretty.  Plus I love getting dressed up and seeing everyone else wearing their Christmas best

17. What tops your tree?

An angel!

18. Do you prefer giving or receiving?

I love seeing the faces on others when I give them gifts, but who doesn’t like receiving gifts as well?

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Baby it’s Cold Outside! Plus anything sung by Michael Buble.  He has the most amazing voice

20. Candy canes, yuck or yum?

Yuck by themselves, but I love peppermint bark.

21. Favorite Christmas movie?

Tie between Elf and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

22. What do you leave for Santa?

Cookies and milk of course! Plus carrots and celery for the reindeer.  And we sprinkle the lawn with reindeer food (oatmeal & sparkles –  the sparkles help the reindeer see our house from wayyy up there in the sky)

Reindeer food

23. Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

My sisters and I wait at the top of the stairs while my parents go downstairs and set up the camera and turn on the Christmas music.  And after opening presents, we eat pecan rolls for breakfast and then watch the Christmas day parade.

24. Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?

I love the rush of going and personally picking out each gift at the mall, but this year I was too busy with school, so I had to resort to buying all my presents online.

25. Christmas letter or Christmas card?

Christmas letter! My dad writes it every year, to update family and friends on the big events that have happened in the past year. I have a scrapbook of every Christmas letter made since I was born.  It’s kinda like a timeline of my life!

What is your favorite Christmas song and favorite Christmas tradition?

Best way to make oatmeal? I need help!

Awesome Day #2!!!

I never thought it would happen, after having such a great day yesterday, but today was also a TOTALLY AWESOME DAY!!

To start, I had my first exam, the one I was most nervous for, but I am absolutely positive I ACED IT!!!

Anyways, after that I picked my lovely sister up from the train station!  She came to visit me for a much needed study free weekend. We went out to my favorite soup place for lunch (we both had lentil soup) and then made our way back to my room to relax and catch up.

A little bit later we went for a run (well I ran while she walked, because she has an injury) and when we got back, all sweaty and gross, I got to see Martin, his dad and his cousin before they left! I’m sure they weren’t too thrilled about giving us hugs, but they did anyways.  And, not to mention, they surprised us with this:

Still red from my run

Licorice for me, and chocolate for my sister!!! Does anyone else like black licorice except me??  I swear everyone I have ever met hates it! But its so good!!! I don’t understand!

And later, for dinner, I promised my sister I would make her some AMAZING PEANUT BUTTER AND BANANA FRENCH TOAST!!!

Mmmmmm mmmm mmm

I told ya’ll I would be posting this recipe soon, and after a few tweeks, I think it’s finally perfect!

Peanut Butter Banana French Toast

Ingredients:

2 T peanut butter (or any nut butter you like)

1 egg (or substitute egg beaters or egg whites)

1 tsp vanilla

cinnamon and nutmeg to taste (i used pumpkin pie spice because that’s all i had, and it worked perfectly!)

2 slices wheat or whole grain bread or 1 whole wheat english muffin, sliced

1 banana, sliced

1/4 cup non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)

optional: sugar free maple syrup for topping

Directions:

Beat egg in a shallow bowl with vanilla, milk and spices. On the stove top, caramelize the sliced bananas. Meanwhile, spread 1 Tablespoon of peanut butter on each slice of bread.  When the bananas are caramelized, remove from the pan and place half of the slices on one slice of bread.  Put the other slices to the side.  Place the other slice of bread on top of the first, to make a peanut butter and banana sandwich.  Next, dip the sandwich into the egg mixture and place on a heated skillet.  Cook until brown on both sides, and serve hot with left over caramelized banana slices as a garnish.  Enjoy!

*I didn’t have any on hand, but next time, I would use Peanut Butter and Co’s Mighty Maple peanut butter, to get that added maple flavor!

And then we snuggled and watched Christmas movies all night!!! I love my sista!!!

How many brothers and sisters do you have? 

I have 2 sisters.  I’m the baby of the bunch!

Favorite Candy?

Mine would be dark chocolate covered almonds and black licorice!!! They’re soooooo good!

 

Let me know if you try the PB&B french toast recipe!!