Decisions, decisions

Posted on April 22, 2013 by hlymre

After much consideration, I have come to a difficult decision. This decision is one I did not want to have to make, but unfortunately it is for the best.

Constructing a post for the blog takes an hour or more… If I put that time and energy into my school work, I would be able to graduate early. It seems I need to step away from the food blog world and focus more on my professional life.

I will still be creeping the foodie world & cooking up a storm. I’m sure I will stop in from time to time to share a new recipe, but for now regular posts are a no-go.

Thank you to my regular readers and know I will still be around 🙂

I’m off to read and write about motivation in the workforce… Sounds fun, eh?

xoxo,
Haley

Strange but Good: Cumin & Cayenne Fluff

Posted on April 19, 2013 by hlymre

I am not sure why I have not done this earlier than today. I have made Blueberry Fluff, Strawberry Fluff, even Chili-Mango Fluff…

Why not a SAVORY FLUFF? p.s… I am sure there are more flavors to come. Stay tuned.

For today’s STRANGEbutGOOD, I bring you a spicy blend of cumin and cayenne flavors. The spiciness is calmed by the dairy in the cottage cheese. You are left with a versatile dip or topper for a rice cake (my fave), bread, etc…

Cumin & Cayenne Fluff
-1/2 cup cottage cheese
-drop of milk (if needed)
-1/2t cayenne
-1/2t cumin

*Blend everything on high power until smooth.

Easy peasy–I know.

My favorite way to eat this is as a dip.

I tried it with carrots. Yum. Celery. Yum. Cucumbers. Yum.

You get the idea…

What flavors should I combine next?? I would love your ideas!

xoxo, Haley

Head over to Laura’s site Sprint2theTable to see other STRANGE but GOOD concoctions!

Spring Break Recap!

Posted on April 18, 2013 by hlymre

It has been WAY too long since I finished Spring Break. However, I went back to work and life just got CRAY-CRAY. I swear, work is nothing but IN THE WAY! Can’t I just stay home with Stanley, cook, watch TV, and create recipes? Is that too much to ask?

Anywho… Here are the goals I set for myself and how I did…

1. Finish the last paper of my first year of my Masters degree–one year left!!! DONE!!! and I passed 🙂

2. 6am CrossFit–call me crazy but I am a morning person 110% DONE!! I kept at my 4-5 times a week as seen HERE and HERE

3. See the lady doc–sorry guys Did it! – Ladies:: did you know we only have to go once every THREE years now? It was news to me!

4. Make an appointment to get acupuncture–I will try anything once Sadly, I didn’t make the appointment. I was on hold one day, lost my patience, and made an appointment for a massage–which turned out to be EXACTLY what I needed.

5. Try recipes that I have marked “to try”
–Paleo Strawberry Shortcake Once word: delicious.

–Microwave Protein Carrot Cake Yummy (subbed pumpkin for apple sauce). I topped mine with a mixture of cottage cheese and SF syrup.

–Brownie Pancakes Still on the to-do list.. I need to buy apple sauce
–Sweet Potato Banana Bites Good– especially topped with peanut flour!

–Paleo Girl Scout Tagalongs To die for. The recipe made 9–The BF ate 7.

6. Take Stanley to Fiesta Island–a huge off-leash dog park on the beach I never made it to Fiesta Island (FAIL)–but we did go to the dog park 3x a week. Does that count?

7. Reach my CrossFit goal–one strict pull-up HECK YES I DID!! 🙂

8. Create 5 new recipes
–Nutty-cocoa-nana Protein Shake
–Ground Chicken Taco Salad
–Apple Chips
– Wasabi Peanut Spread
–Ground Chicken Breast Patties

9. Replace the battery in my watch–it’s been forever! Yup–as evidenced in the pic.

10. Catch up on Grey’s Anatomy–I am behind FIVE episodes.. whoops! I caught up–but then got behind. I just can’t win!!

All I know if I cannot wait for SUMMER BREAK… and I think this little guy agrees with me!

xoxo, Haley

I must say that I am pretty proud of myself for keeping to these goals. I guess making them public held me accountable… hmm.. What to do next??

Question: do you find that telling someone your goals keeps you accountable??

WIAW: lazy bones (chicken & veggie soup)

Posted on April 17, 2013 by hlymre

I am going to be honest with ya. I am exhausted. I am tired of work. I am tired of cleaning. I am just plain tired. So tired that my eyes are itching. (No, it’s not pink eye.)

When I am tired, I am lazy. All I want to do it sit on the couch and watch Ellen. She can turn any frown upside down. I just love her and wish I had her confidence and humorous bone.

Speaking of LAZY.. here are my foods recently for this week’s WIAW (thanks to Jenn). I haven’t been putting in any sort of effort.. but there is a yummy soup recipe 🙂

Breakfast:

the ultimate bite…

Lunch:

Dinner:

Snack: a bowl of peanut flour.. just like the one from breakfast.

I told you, I am BORING!

BUT…. this recipe is EASY and delicious. I make it at least twice a week in the winter time…

Homemade Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:
-1 onion, diced
-1T garlic
-4 celery sticks
-4 carrots
-2 chicken breasts, diced
-6-10 cups chicken stock
-2 bay leaves
-black pepper (optional)

Directions:
1. In a large stock pot, sautee onion and garlic until onion is translucent.
2. While onion is cooking, chop celery and carrots.
3. Stir in veggies.
4. After veggies are starting to smell yummy (and become warm), stir in chicken.
5. Add in chicken stock. Stir.
6. Throw in bay leaves and sprinkle pepper. Let soup sit until it comes to a boil.
7. Turn heat down to low. Let sit 10 minutes (or until veggies are tender to your liking).

I promise you will like this recipe. Don’t forget to take out the bay leaves!

I hope you have been more active and upbeat than I have been…

Oh well. Tomorrow is another day.

xoxo, Haley

Question: What pulls you out of a rut??

Lovin’ These Links

Posted on April 16, 2013 by hlymre

There have been some great links that I have been into lately.. I thought I would share them with you! There’s a mish-mash of recipes, workouts, tips, and health ideas 🙂 Enjoy!

Keeping those stinkin’ allergens away! All About Allergens

Why didn’t I think of this recipe? Hummus Stuffed Chicken

Yes, please! Peanut Protein Cookies

Shoulders buggin’ ya? Shoulder Savers

Junk Food Cravings? Kick ’em to the curb!

Really?? Celine Dion??! Best Baby Makin’ Songs

I can say yes to quite a few (9, 10, 28, 29, 37, 39, 50) … whoops! Signs You’re Obsessed with CrossFit

Need to follow this Pull-Up Power Program

Not the number on the scale What is Your Health Marker?

Gotta try these Raw Banana Nut Bars

What is exercise NOT good for? Exercise Reduces Breast Cancer Risk

Trying the Protein Crepe ASAP Five Competition Prep Breakfasts

xoxo, Haley

Question: Any new links you’re loving lately?? Do share!

Pray for Boston

Image

Pray for Boston

I am deeply saddened by what has occurred today. I am thankful the two friends I have that ran the race are safe. I send out my positive thoughts to everyone affected by today’s tragedy.

xoxo, Haley

MIMM: jam packed weekend

Posted on April 15, 2013 by hlymre

What a great weekend—what a busy weekend!?

I am happy to say that I am exhausted from tons of fun with my mom, Dave, and CrossFit friends. My Monday is MARVELOUS because I am feeling very blessed. San Diego is a beautiful city with tons to do.. I am lucky to live here!

Here’s to another Marvelous Monday and a great week! Thanks to Katie for the link-up!

This pic cracked me up! .. I have been teaching about atoms and their protons, neutrons, and electrons to my 5th graders, so I had to share!

New favorite drink! It was made by a wonderful bartender, Robyn, at Bridges. She muddled oranges and limes with Silver Milagro tequila, and added fresh lime juice..

After Bridges, I obviously ended up at a fine establishment with this coin machine in the ladies’ restroom….

Saturday WOD was a partner workout. I had the best partner there is.. and he did his first muscle-up on the rings! Way to go 🙂 I am a proud girlfriend!

Saturday night was a 6am CrossFit East Village happy hour meet-up at La Puerta! I had a great time getting drinks (mainly margaritas with fresh lime juice–paleo!!!) with these ladies. The guys were there too, but we wanted a ladies only pic 🙂 p.s… don’t mind the spilled water on my shirt.

The BF and I went out for one more after the group went their separate ways.. We always have a great time.

And then we ended up getting hungry.. These carne asada tacos were ridiculously good! Maybe it was the tequila talking.. but I wasn’t mad at it 😉

These babies were born on Sunday.. recipe coming soon

Our wood floors were redone. So nice and purdy!

Who knew the windows flipped down like this?? We have owned our house for 2 years and I discovered this on Sunday! Definitely made for easy cleaning.

Stanley, the best copilot ever while in the car!

xoxo, Haley

Why is your Monday marvelous? Any exciting plans this week? How was the weekend?

Work it (4/7-4/13)

Posted on April 14, 2013 by hlymre

Work it, girrrrrl!

Sunday: Rest Day

Monday:
-Snatch 7 sets of a snatch pull and 2 hang squat snatches – 60 lb.
-WOD: 3 rounds of 10kb thrusters & 50m farmers carry (I used 25 lb kbs and finished in 4:15)

Tuesday:
-WOD: 3x (2 min rest in between)
-300 yard shuttle run (50 yard mark) – 1:07 <<—slow! It was tough.

Wednesday:
-Clean 7 sets of a clean pull and 2 hang squat cleans – 85 lb. NEW PR! (and a shoutout to Charlotte with her PR!!)–we rock 🙂
-WOD: cash-in with 50 DUs
-then… 5-4-3-2-1 hang power clean, T2B 200m sprint (finished in 10:52 with 75 lb.)

Thursday: Rest Day – did some xBox Kinect Dance Central

Friday:
-Back Squat 5 rep max : 125 lb..
-WOD: 9-6-3 Push Jerk & Strict Pull-ups I used 75 lbs. and a blue band

-I stayed after and did a mini-WOD on my own of:
5 rounds
-5 KB swings (35#)
-5 goblet squats (35#)
-100m sprint

-Then 100 DUs …enjoy!

Saturday: Partner WOD! 15min AMRAP
While one partner is running 300m, the other partner is working through stations (overhead lunge, sumo dead lift high pull, wall balls, burpees, and air squats) with 10 reps at each.
I must say that my partner was really cute 🙂
Afterwards, he did his first ring muscle-up! I was so proud of him. It was his goal for April.

Strange but Good: Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia

Posted on April 12, 2013 by hlymre

Growing up, I remember the commercials. I remember the tone in the woman’s voice as she sang the “Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!” It has stuck with me.. for years.

As the years went on, it seemed to be getting weirder…

And even weirder..

Or is it #strangebutgood? Hmmm… As the pets got stranger, chia seeds were not only being used as pets in my kitchen. Chia seeds became FOOD!

So, here’s to another STRANGEbutGOOD Friday in the foodie world–(Thanks to Laura)!

I have put chia in cottage cheese, yogurt, smoothies… but this recipe is a new one for me. Honestly I was scared at first. I didn’t know what was to come from these little guys. From experience, I knew they became gel-like, but a bunch of them in my mouth??

I have seen recipes like this in many places, so I am not reinventing the wheel. However, I threw some ingredients in a bowl, let it sit, and liked it!

Of course, the main ingredient:::