tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37284997935680027222024-02-07T00:31:09.874-06:00Race to the PantryEat, Run, Revel, Repeat.Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-26339432284118625252013-10-13T21:18:00.000-05:002013-10-13T21:18:11.024-05:00Clean 'til Christmas - Week 1<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, here's the thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This week was a learning experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And, by "a learning experience," I mean...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was thuper duper rough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let's dig deeper, shall we?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>3 Things I learned during Week 1 of Clean 'til Christmas:</u></span></h2>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">If you are planning on going to the Renaissance Festival, MAKE THAT YOUR CHEAT MEAL.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I don't care HOW much self-control you have: when you're faced with deep-fried turkey legs, funnel cakes, snow cones, and every other pseudo-"Renaissance"-esque food on the market... You. Will. Eat. It. And that's not just because ladies with giant boobs and corsets are practically forcing them down your throat (although, for some of you, that might actually be true).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Make your cheat meal an actual MEAL.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> I learned this one as I learn most things: the hard way. Saturday morning, when I woke up, the sun was shining a little brighter. Birds were chirping. Bells were ringing. I'm pretty sure some singing mice made me a dress for the ball. The point I'm making is, I woke up and realized IT'S CHEAT DAY! AYAYAYAYAYAYYYYYYY! Saturday night was gleaming with possibility. I had eaten clean for a week, and I was READY to dig my teeth into some nasty-nast foodie-foods. However, instead of having a "cheat dinner" as planned... I ate 4 s'mores and almost an entire bag of peanut butter Chex Mix. Yeah, it's something I'm not proud of, but hey. Because my cheat meal turned into a cheat-smorgasbord, I ended up consuming WAY more sugar than a human should in one evening. This led to a horrifying display of sugar-energy, quickly followed by a living-room-floor-sugar-crash (ask the family, it was grotesque). YIKES. Next time? Less sugar, more crap-food (sounds weird on a health blog, right?).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">When you share a kitchen and cooking responsibilities with others, your options will often be: A) Compromise and eat it without complaining, or B) Make your own food without being rude.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> This week, I did a fair share of both. Look, this is life - we don't live in a vacuum. Sometimes your sweet brother is going to cook you a meal, and you're going to eat it. Why? Why are you going to eat it? Well firstly, because it's delicious and it's not a TRUE cheat meal (sure, the fish contained a little sugar and preservatives. But in this instance, I'd rather have a helping, eat with my family, and enjoy myself than pitch a fit and turn them down). Use your judgment - if it's the option between eating it and starving, you might want to consider eating it (unless it's deep-fried Oreos. If you value your life, stay FAR away from that business).</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The most important thing to remember about this journey is, <u>you are allowed to make mistakes.</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You are <u>encouraged</u>, even.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As long as you're learning, not a day is wasted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Idea?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After your first week of eating clean, make a list of goals for your second week (these can be any type of goals!). Here's mine:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Allow myself a square or two of dark chocolate each day (dark meaning at least 80% cacao). - See how I start with something positive?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Try to control myself with the tortilla chips (I'm not kidding, they are my weakness. And, yes, they're "clean," but they're also empty carbs). No more than one serving per day!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Try to focus on protein and healthy fats for dinner (less carbs for dinner). Ideas: turkey burger with avocado, chicken spinach salad with olive oil, Greek yogurt sprinkled with chia seeds and nuts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Become more aware of snacking - allow a small snack if hungry between meals, but only if hungry! (Not bored or emotional...)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'd love to hear how this journey is going for you, if you've taken the leap along with me! Recipes? Favorite snacks? Thoughts, struggles, joys?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let's hear 'em!</span></div>
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Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-58564080033283337302013-10-06T22:09:00.000-05:002013-10-07T13:38:13.416-05:00Clean 'til Christmas<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, folks... it's about that time of year again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know, that time of year where you look in the mirror and think, "Holy shart on a shart-stick. Who is that? Where has the year gone? What have I been eating? When was the last time I worked out? What is that congregation of flub doing around my upper thighs?"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're coming up on holiday-season, and you know what my body is saying?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"Hey, Kelsie. Eat the cookie. Let's store up some fat for the winter. It'll keep you nice and warm... you can hide it under lumpy sweaters and work it off once spring comes... Eh? Eh eh eh?"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My rebuttal?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"AW, HELL NAW."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And, true to form... I have a plan.</span></span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Plan's Name</span></u></b><span style="font-size: large;">: Clean 'til Christmas</span></span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Plan's time</span></u></b><span style="font-size: large;">: 8 weeks, and/or forever.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Plan's Purpose</span></u></b><span style="font-size: large;">:</span></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">to fend off excess "girth" between now and the holidays (and hopefully during and after, to boot).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">to test something I've been curious about for a while: "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/livestrongcom/clean-eating-5-simple-ste_b_632545.html" target="_blank">Clean Eating</a>."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">to drive my family crazy (just kidding. No, but seriously).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">to have something to obsess about now that my evenings are free.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Plan's Rules</span></u></b><span style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Eat clean (nice and simple. Read about it <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/282289-clean-eating-basics/" target="_blank">here</a>).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Exercise 5x/week. More specifically? <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Michaels-Ripped-30/dp/B004CRR9IS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381171063&sr=8-1&keywords=jillian+michaels+ripped+in+30" target="_blank">Jillian Michaels "Ripped in 30"</a> 4x/week (totally worth the $10), and one day of running, to train for a 5k I'm running in December (<a href="http://theuglysweaterrun.com/" target="_blank">The Ugly Sweater Run!</a>).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have a cheat meal (with dessert) once. a. week. I'm talking burgers n' fries, fish n' chips, fat n' carbs, CHEAT. MEAL. WITH A CAPITAL C (and a capital every other letter, too).</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Simple, right? Three rules. ENDLESS opportunities for learning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">And here's how I'm going to track my progress:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Omron-Body-Composition-Monitor-Scale/dp/B001803OS6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381113128&sr=8-1&keywords=omron+body+composition+monitor+with+scale" target="_blank"><b>The Omron Body Composition Monitor</b></a>: Measures body fat percentage, body mass index, skeletal muscle, resting metabolism, visceral fat, body age, and body weight. Before and after, nothing more, nothing less.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Pictures</u></b>: Yikes, pictures. You know, because a picture is worth a thousand words. By this, I mean that I will be posting roughly two-thousand words worth of pictures (before aaaaand, you guessed it! After).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Measurements</u></b>: I know... archaic, right? What is this, the friggin' stone ages? But, hey. I have a tape measure and some free time, so... why not?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>FEELINGS</u></b>: Yeah, I know, feelings... ew. But the whole reason for this upheaval is that I have been feeling, for lack of a better phrase, like a pile of day-old dog shart. Need I say more?</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>Disclaimer</u>: I'm not perfect. I'm probably going to slip up. You know, when you're at your grandma's house and she bakes you cookies and brings you a plate and stares up at you with those sweet, crinkly eyes... what are you supposed to do?! Slap the tray away and run like the wind?! Nah. I'll have a bite or two and slip the rest to my brother (sorry 'bout it, bro).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'll be posting recipes and progress updates (while hopefully not crying in the candy aisle of Costco... no promises).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you want to join me, let me know (Shout-out to my girl Natalie! Woot woot!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Friends, colleagues, arch enemies, acquaintances... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">LET'S DO THIS THING.</span></div>
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Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-74713799459759638342013-08-23T21:19:00.000-05:002013-08-23T21:20:33.309-05:00Chocolate Chip Breakfast Biscuits<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Once upon a time, Kelsie came across a really <u>grotesque</u> recipe for chocolate chip cookies. This recipe, in all its artery-clogging glory, contained gads of sugar, oodles of oils, and just a freaking ton of other horrifying ingredients that should never come near the human body.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Kelsie, being a total wizard (Gryffindor) in the kitchen, decided to wave her magic wand (11 inches, dragon heartstring, firm yet yielding) and give this recipe a <u>complete makeover</u>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In other words, Kelsie replaced almost every single ingredient with a healthier ingredient, and, violá!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> These </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>Chocolate Chip Breakfast Biscuits</u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> were born.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sure beats Cocoa Puffs... (Please don't sue me, General Mills).</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Ingredients:</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">DRY</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 cup <a href="http://www.bobsredmill.com/organic-soy-flour.html" target="_blank">soy flour</a> ($3 @ HyVee)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 cup oats, food processed/blended to flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 cup oats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 cup raw almonds, finely chopped/food processed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 tsp. baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/2 tsp. salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 tsp. cinnamon (or more, if you like)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1 cup chocolate chips (I used <a href="http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/chocolate-for-baking/mega-chunks/" target="_blank">dairy-free</a>: keep in mind, dark chocolate is healthier than regular!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>WET</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/3 cup coconut oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/3 cup peanut butter (no added sugar/salt/oil, if you can!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/3 cup applesauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 tsp. vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/4-1/3 cup agave nectar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2 eggs</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Method:</u></span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 325 degrees.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mix dry ingredients together (except for chocolate chips), in a bowl.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Use mixer to combine wet ingredients until well blended (may be some chunks of coconut oil).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup at a time, add dry ingredients to wet ingredients while mixing on a low speed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Once fully combined, mix in chocolate chips. I used my hands rather than the mixer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Drop onto lightly greased baking sheet in spoonfuls/handfuls.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Bake for 10-11 minutes, until slightly browned along edges.</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nutty, crunchy, chewy, chocolatey goodness...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Baker's Notes:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* This batter is very sticky! If mixing becomes too difficult, knead it with your hands (clean hands... preferably).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* Biscuits don't rise or melt in oven, so the shape you make them into will be their shape coming out (mine are haphazard-looking and I like it!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* These are FILLING! Depending on the size, 2-3 would make a wonderful breakfast or snack.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">* If you are dairy-free like me, say hello to <a href="http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/chocolate-for-baking/mega-chunks/" target="_blank">your new best friend</a>:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZEveatSJZo9P1L2XAguSozFL4X1p8dy0ytHCaoJ9aTJFmsEMdNpioiBCJDLOsNhpxmA66EDmXfP5Bf41mzxrper5_rP8Q2gH2Z_EZkb7Z7hWSgqJVi59SzhKcqRaA5RqbnXSR8Rm4AQ/s1600/megachunks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZEveatSJZo9P1L2XAguSozFL4X1p8dy0ytHCaoJ9aTJFmsEMdNpioiBCJDLOsNhpxmA66EDmXfP5Bf41mzxrper5_rP8Q2gH2Z_EZkb7Z7hWSgqJVi59SzhKcqRaA5RqbnXSR8Rm4AQ/s320/megachunks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I find them at HyVee or Hen House, usually in the health food aisles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Happy baking!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh, and... sorry for all the Harry Potter references.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">SORRY I'M NOT SORRY.</span><br />
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Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-22384155347788813562013-08-23T14:56:00.002-05:002013-08-23T14:57:41.379-05:00MyPlate<span style="font-size: large;">You know how they used to have the Food Pyramid?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then they changed it to MyPyramid, which was a little dude walking up some stairs on the side of a pyramid that was multicolored and made no sense?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, now they have <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="_blank">MyPlate</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here she is, in all her glory:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcbzR58l5m8z65T2yZxtAuhxKozl3J1Tqdk1v027jM0DcVjIYW3bSlgnkK91NzX3D9gfmjzODehYvUqASCx6-QYZ2qwhghkbnFgsrO86u0jsK_1GLc7Qw_zS3shoU2tNi_g8rhlHZM-E/s1600/myplate.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcbzR58l5m8z65T2yZxtAuhxKozl3J1Tqdk1v027jM0DcVjIYW3bSlgnkK91NzX3D9gfmjzODehYvUqASCx6-QYZ2qwhghkbnFgsrO86u0jsK_1GLc7Qw_zS3shoU2tNi_g8rhlHZM-E/s320/myplate.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ain't she just a beaut?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Simple, personalized, and color-blind friendly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With this in mind, I wanted to make a post featuring some of my typical plates. Some are snacks, some are meals (what's the difference, really?), and all are deliciously varied. Here we go!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujS8ZFkIwlZOf4aPaYH20EyriLj1vK-D4iOrmiHtUOeLdOgPpsDalmJUCdQj7OmjYh00atuZhuB78ccUJ4XZUWvWe2nbkqAWUYEluFyIeDleUAtzLYH2-_F8hwI5mB4ylqrF77s5eC34/s1600/chickenlegs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujS8ZFkIwlZOf4aPaYH20EyriLj1vK-D4iOrmiHtUOeLdOgPpsDalmJUCdQj7OmjYh00atuZhuB78ccUJ4XZUWvWe2nbkqAWUYEluFyIeDleUAtzLYH2-_F8hwI5mB4ylqrF77s5eC34/s400/chickenlegs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken, brown rice, potato, and veggies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CtqIDfbzaRr8hZNhzhI_d8S0cP_hyphenhyphenpH19OM_uIq4tzlmFhAEgoMk1VCp30NoeZgFveB4IpLJZ3H3bKpghY6lzDNcHiQGGTcvRelo3ljs-Yhe0rjUI5ssNeMIKb5BqlKvB0OuH9yrKrI/s1600/eggrolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CtqIDfbzaRr8hZNhzhI_d8S0cP_hyphenhyphenpH19OM_uIq4tzlmFhAEgoMk1VCp30NoeZgFveB4IpLJZ3H3bKpghY6lzDNcHiQGGTcvRelo3ljs-Yhe0rjUI5ssNeMIKb5BqlKvB0OuH9yrKrI/s400/eggrolls.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandmom's eggrolls, with carrots and fruit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ns3U995BQg2Aup8Awu3QK3DpgDPdeTk5GngbrS0kZfs0Tv1h9hIzVpYBDPe3lisUXz2UeC7xoFRJDfe0FbomcSRGqxqOfY16tagP7o3xbg7VqyrbZYp8Ow5Z2LBOPCx3j-ueE7SDjsM/s1600/fruitsveggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ns3U995BQg2Aup8Awu3QK3DpgDPdeTk5GngbrS0kZfs0Tv1h9hIzVpYBDPe3lisUXz2UeC7xoFRJDfe0FbomcSRGqxqOfY16tagP7o3xbg7VqyrbZYp8Ow5Z2LBOPCx3j-ueE7SDjsM/s400/fruitsveggies.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple snack! Ants on a log, kiwi, clementine, and prunes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIbXKlsN-FC1uRvc5_HNDYhc3NnDnU5dO_Lp4CwiTX73blyC87oZHkw3FplsSXwHTtKYdSuGImw-KZKajQoNR5G7WqBCq-JR2VDqkjSQ1qu0sAp75YIDBmtuVeFB-j2CT3XxjTfXY3J4/s1600/omelette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIbXKlsN-FC1uRvc5_HNDYhc3NnDnU5dO_Lp4CwiTX73blyC87oZHkw3FplsSXwHTtKYdSuGImw-KZKajQoNR5G7WqBCq-JR2VDqkjSQ1qu0sAp75YIDBmtuVeFB-j2CT3XxjTfXY3J4/s400/omelette.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale Omelette w/ turkey & avocado, and a berry smoothie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQbiDYUUcpJ7_R7xEsFMKzcV51kYePvKeT48RAQpkG8V_wkGA5yTDu5bS9Gh3i-LyZyBMTt6OTxbqWF6aAdLUu82QCW13IxwwFVdBIJFgTH5hEwTCOzkwTJsz9gK9IbCGvJMlyx2U-kw/s1600/Panera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQbiDYUUcpJ7_R7xEsFMKzcV51kYePvKeT48RAQpkG8V_wkGA5yTDu5bS9Gh3i-LyZyBMTt6OTxbqWF6aAdLUu82QCW13IxwwFVdBIJFgTH5hEwTCOzkwTJsz9gK9IbCGvJMlyx2U-kw/s400/Panera.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panera - Strawberry Poppyseed & Chicken salad, apple, and Superfruit Smoothie (SO GOOD).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCugH6crNQUbaiB18ePq0q-rIUrrhy_WET-M78QRuoB4ki6Rjsfv85rW0ZWdVqZwc7sHEA3z1m8US9ql-0tk0NpGmlRZ-UY0FAPLP1hFVskqg4bCwauNp1eFqSIANwiCBd3Z0YVxlvYo0/s1600/pestoturkeyburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCugH6crNQUbaiB18ePq0q-rIUrrhy_WET-M78QRuoB4ki6Rjsfv85rW0ZWdVqZwc7sHEA3z1m8US9ql-0tk0NpGmlRZ-UY0FAPLP1hFVskqg4bCwauNp1eFqSIANwiCBd3Z0YVxlvYo0/s400/pestoturkeyburg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey burger w/ pesto, salad w/ avocado & vinaigrette.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERX2LW_1sBBothQhApxlXjNZ-2pVnwQ8_br7gy71HHZP7cNDilTIkuAyad2HNz7VUnBiQajdQ618WzdpQZMah5XWW_DvCRxaXtvuqVEMwaYuaAkdQqW_gnpyhpUGB6s8ap6OQxa9Kwrk/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERX2LW_1sBBothQhApxlXjNZ-2pVnwQ8_br7gy71HHZP7cNDilTIkuAyad2HNz7VUnBiQajdQ618WzdpQZMah5XWW_DvCRxaXtvuqVEMwaYuaAkdQqW_gnpyhpUGB6s8ap6OQxa9Kwrk/s400/pizza.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade pizza, sweet potato, & salad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSYLpse5J61TAuN2WSqX8dT5xlhJfvf2qA1LY_ZVE0RJ9qcyPLXyHQP4kklyfZ-ghsGZaXT2dzwI_xs5XHpwFj1DtE4V31YoN1b5UAfxTlV3n9dOmdTzBG5UGdyOAnTlHT9UKgvxkxEI/s1600/subway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSYLpse5J61TAuN2WSqX8dT5xlhJfvf2qA1LY_ZVE0RJ9qcyPLXyHQP4kklyfZ-ghsGZaXT2dzwI_xs5XHpwFj1DtE4V31YoN1b5UAfxTlV3n9dOmdTzBG5UGdyOAnTlHT9UKgvxkxEI/s400/subway.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Subway - 6" flatbread with turkey, spinach, tomato, & cucumber.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DoXBeIGG0qQ2M-96u4SfZ2lfXvFxRwmcaDkB84gH8plHXe8KqwC4tjaIy9NM1c4DgQF3_Z7a97EZy48IJbJntzvvxt1Ht1xXkxG0rNC49mUGSuCaSqhcXJqyt7Q2PZPe1tTa2Z8RMnY/s1600/taquito.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DoXBeIGG0qQ2M-96u4SfZ2lfXvFxRwmcaDkB84gH8plHXe8KqwC4tjaIy9NM1c4DgQF3_Z7a97EZy48IJbJntzvvxt1Ht1xXkxG0rNC49mUGSuCaSqhcXJqyt7Q2PZPe1tTa2Z8RMnY/s400/taquito.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TJ's Turkey Taquitos w/ guacamole & steamed broccoli.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13Uy4hLzYq4Cgql80NB_AghxJi9g9tBbk6TEVDenkqvSdcchq2RrLbvAano2tIzBFywOeCJrlYF9Udi2sMV1kkUMjgm9-7S_eS9tS_Cw5vVKjQehesnc9ZMnGDwinQsBELOrKDWdjmTA/s1600/turkeymeatball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13Uy4hLzYq4Cgql80NB_AghxJi9g9tBbk6TEVDenkqvSdcchq2RrLbvAano2tIzBFywOeCJrlYF9Udi2sMV1kkUMjgm9-7S_eS9tS_Cw5vVKjQehesnc9ZMnGDwinQsBELOrKDWdjmTA/s400/turkeymeatball.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinoa w/ turkey & turkey meatballs, greek yogurt w/ Stevia, cinnamon & raisins.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicm48PL0waW1uFrFnlBjDJBPI_fGJmCuYDDgVZloNgHji5MXo1be2KDG4HHmPdK8yuxtNVyHEh7SAiwSsXPFLF4RzYIJroMKGf-j8buxKqRqyQj5iKnr78ggA4C-gM2ChCmZ5lci1aKxA/s1600/waffle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicm48PL0waW1uFrFnlBjDJBPI_fGJmCuYDDgVZloNgHji5MXo1be2KDG4HHmPdK8yuxtNVyHEh7SAiwSsXPFLF4RzYIJroMKGf-j8buxKqRqyQj5iKnr78ggA4C-gM2ChCmZ5lci1aKxA/s400/waffle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recipe soon to come: healthy soy waffles w/ almond butter & blueberries!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low-carb wrap w/ hummus, turkey, avocado & iceberg lettuce.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can tell which ones are from my <a href="http://instagram.com/kschuman549" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, can't you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, the artsy ones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The thing is, none of these plates are exactly like MyPlate. For one thing, I'm allergic to dairy, so that's off the plate (quite literally). For another, I'm most likely never going to separate my food into the four food groups and OCD-banish them into their respective corners. You know what I mean?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think the idea is that each plate contains a little of each of the macronutrients - protein, carbohydrates, and fat - from healthy sources, for the most part (fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Keep your plates colorful and varied, and you'll be just fine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do some of your best plates look like?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to see!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-9635389985890953462013-04-06T20:41:00.000-05:002013-04-06T20:41:11.608-05:00March Madness: the Epic Conclusion<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm going to let you in on a little secret.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No, seriously, I am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You might want to sit down for this. It's a pretty big deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Are you ready? Are you sitting? Have you cleared the area of hot liquids and breakable antiques?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Because here it is:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I am really, really bad at posting on time.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let me lay it down for you...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>My brain before March Madness</u>: <i>I'm going to post all the things! I'm going to do daily posts! I'm going to take so many pictures and eat and breathe this blog! I'm going to live tweet! I'm going to do weekly posts! Okay, I'm going to make funny lists and draw comics! I'm going to win every award ever!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>My brain during March Madness</u>: <i>Just get me through this day. Just don't eat the ribs. I know it's day one of no meat, Kelsie. I know your mom made ribs. Just don't look at them. And don't breathe. Okay, just leave the house. Let's drink some water. When was the last time I worked out? Oh yeah, an hour ago. What day is it? Why have I not posted anything? I should probably take a picture of this meal, but it's too late because I already ate it. There it went. Oops.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The moral of the story is: this blog, like everything else in my (and your) life, is a learning process. So, thanks for being patient with me and stuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, with no further ado... After a month of weeklong nutrition challenges, I am proud to say that 1) I am still alive! and 2) My family didn't disown me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now, to make a month-long story into a post that will NOT take you a month to read (and if it does... you might want to have that looked at):</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"Sugar-free" on the label is NOT synonymous with "healthy."</span></b> More accurate labeling would be: "Extra fat!" "Sketchy sweeteners!" "Tastes like saltine crackers, but without all the flavor!" To satisfy your sweet tooth, go for foods that are naturally sweet without the sugar, like ripe fruits, dates, and raisins.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Do your research and swap your sweeteners.</span></b> You CAN sweeten your coffee, tea, and desserts without using sugar. You can also do it while avoiding <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/aspartame.html" target="_blank">aspartame</a> and other artificial sweeteners. Try Stevia, a natural plant extract - but make sure you find the kind without added Maltodextrin or Dextrose. The only ingredient on the label should be <i>Stevia</i>. I find mine for about $10 at Trader Joe's. For more info, click <a href="http://www.stevia.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Spice things up!</span></b> The funny thing about going sugar free is that you start tasting so many other flavors that aren't just... well, SWEET. Spicy, tangy, sour, bitter... these tastes are so often overlooked in a sugary diet. Use herbs and spices to add flavor and dimension to dishes. My favorites: cinnamon and raisins in oatmeal, coconut oil on sweet potatoes, and pure honey on whole wheat toast.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Sugar-free gave me energy... without the crash.</b> </span>One of the first things I noticed about being sugar-free was that I had a LOT more energy. Sure, eating sugar gives you energy... for about half an hour. I normally take afternoon naps (alongside 7-8 hours of sleep a night), but during this week I found no need. I just trucked through my day and slept like a rock at night. Try it for just a few days, and you will most definitely feel the difference.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Sugar. Is in. Everything.</span></b> My parents (my lovely, wonderful, supportive parents) trucked along with me on this sugar free journey. On day 1, we spent a solid two hours in Hy-Vee searching for sugarless substitutes to our favorite vices. They are out there, people! It takes a little bit of research and determination on your part, but you can find sugarless foods! Here are some otherwise-healthy foods that often contain unnecessary sugars: pre-packaged oatmeal, peanut butter, marinara sauce, prepackaged lunch meats, and even some frozen fruits (I mean... really, people? It's FRUIT).</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Gluten is not just in wheat.</span></b> Gluten is a protein found in certain grains. Gluten-ful grains: wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten-free grains: corn, rice, amaranth, millet, quinoa, sorghum, and buckwheat (which is actually a fruit... I know, right?!).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Even some oats contain gluten.</span></b> Inherently, oats should be gluten-free. However, because of cross-contamination in crop rotations and processing plants, most widely sold oats aren't gluten-free. An easy place to find truly <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=251" target="_blank">gluten-free oats</a>: Trader Joe's. Big surprise coming from me, huh?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Gluten is one of those words that doesn't seem like a real word if you look at it for too long.</span></b> Irrelevant, but true. Gluten. Gluten. Gluten? GLUTEN. Gluten!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Gluten is in most processed foods.</span></b> Sorry, people with celiac disease. Your lives are, as we say in the industry, DIFFICULT AS FRICK. Does it come in a box? It probably has gluten. Does it come in a bag? It probably has gluten. Does it have an ingredients list of more than 5 things? It probably has gluten. So, if you REALLY want to go gluten-free, put in the research and CHECK THOSE LABELS, PEOPLE!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Again, <b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"gluten-free" is not synonymous with "healthy."</span></b> In processed foods, gluten is usually used as an emulsifier - to thicken or stabilize foods. In other words, it's sticky and it keeps your food in one piece. Processed foods that boast "gluten-free!" usually have another added emulsifier that's just as unnecessary to your body as gluten. Gluten-free foods also have a tendency to be higher in sugar, to distract you from the fact that what you're eating is probably the consistency of cardboard.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">My body needs probiotics.</span> </b>Normally, I eat about a cup of Greek yogurt per day. It's high in protein, it's the only dairy my body can digest without a stomach ache, and it's PACKED with probiotics (which basically maintain digestive health). After a few days without my yogurt, my tummy was, for lack of a better description, driving the struggle bus. If you're seeking to go truly dairy-free, I'd opt in for some probiotic pills to maintain that digestive flora.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Acne feeds off of dairy.</span></b> Despite the fact that my diet is naturally low in dairy, cutting it out completely (even for just a week) drastically reduced the inflammation of my acne (I know, I know... voms ahoy). Regardless, my skin was smoother and my skin tone was much more even. <a href="http://www.clearskinforever.net/blog/milk-and-acne-the-unfortunate-link-between-dairy-and-acne/" target="_blank">Here's</a> a link to a great blog post about dairy and acne from Clear Skin Forever.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">It's not that hard. No, seriously.</span></b> Despite the fact that I was hard-core craving chocolate during this entire week, going dairy free was probably the easiest of my 4 diet-experiments. Because dairy is a common allergen, prepackaged foods are pretty straightforward about whether or not they contain dairy. Added bonus: you'll sound suuuuper pretentious and snobby when you order soymilk in your latte. Baristas are totally into that.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">There are lots of alternatives to milk.</span></b> Soymilk, almond milk, coconut milk, you name it... people can pretty much milk anything these days. I still can't figure out where those almonds are hiding their udders, though. One thing to watch out for: some dairy-free milks are pumped with added sugar. Look for unsweetened milks, and check the ingredients list just to be sure. My favorite? Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Most desserts contain milk.</b> </span>This week was difficult for me because I was in New Mexico visiting family & friends (Shameless shout-out! Hey, y'all!). You know how it is on vacations... you go out to eat, you wine, you dine, you order dessert... you cry silently while everyone else digs into their Tirimasu and double chocolate mocha surprise cheesecakes... But hey. Skipping dessert (most of the time, at least) is an easy way to cut calories, sugar, dairy, and fat all at once. Instead, head home and snack on raisins, or mix some sugar-free peanut butter with Stevia and cinnamon and eat it with a spoon. Have I done this? Am I doing it right now? You'll never know.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Alternatives to meat take a little more preparation.</span></b> I'm going to be real with this one, guys... tofu is hard to mess with. Because meat-free proteins are plant-based, they tend to have less... well... taste. I hate to admit that, but it's just the truth. Try soaking your meat alternatives in soy sauce, crushed ginger, garlic, or lime/lemon juice before cooking them. Remember: spices!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Meat alternatives: hard to pronounce, easy to find.</span></b> Some classics: tofu (bean curd), tempeh (fermented soy), and seitan (gluten. Yes, straight gluten).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>You CAN go meat-free without eating crazy Asian-based fermented foods.</b> </span>Other easy protein sources? Cheese. Beans. Quinoa. Whole grains. Nuts. Yogurt. Veggie burgers (read those labels, though... sometimes they're packed with sugar and/or sodium).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Protein powder will save your vegetarian butt.</b> </span>Find a good protein powder without added sugar or artificial sweeteners, and stick to it. Drink a shake after working out, or as a meal replacement for weight loss. My faves? Chocolate protein powder with peanut butter and almond milk, or chocolate protein powder with frozen berries and almond milk.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Most foods contain some amount of protein.</span></b> <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/394772-protein-rich-fruits-vegetables/" target="_blank">Here</a> is an article from Livestrong.com containing fruits and vegetables with surprising amounts of protein. Leafy greens are an especially easy way to meet your protein needs - not to mention the fact that they're PACKED with phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And finally, here is a picture of the house from Breaking Bad that I saw while I was in New Mexico:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I know. This is like... a pretty big deal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, please let me know if you have questions or thoughts about my experience! I'd love nothing more than to hear from you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Best,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">K</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-7263035896780216712013-03-08T17:38:00.000-06:002013-03-08T17:38:03.120-06:00March Madness Update: The Detox<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fact: I went three days without eating solid food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fact: I only felt hungry twice during this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fact: I didn't die! <insert sigh of relief here></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There seems to be a stigma attached to detoxes and cleanses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I mean, I get that I sounded a little pretentious turning down food offers saying, "Sorry, I'm on a cleanse" (i.e. "I'm waaaaaaaaaaaaay better than you...").</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...Not to mention the fact that I was forcibly taken to Applebee's (I'm looking at you, parents and boyfriend's parents), where the waitress had to choke back tears when I told her I wasn't ordering anything. It's okay, waitress lady, it really is. And if you're reading this, I'm sorry I don't know your real name. Also, I did go straight home and drink a smoothie like I promised.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But really, it wasn't bad! I'm telling you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Most of this is probably due to the fact that it was a <u>good</u>, well-researched cleanse. There are some (for lack of a better term) JANK cleanses out there, people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Examples of jank cleanses:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>"The Slim-Down"</u></span></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Drink nothing but water for 3 days - you'll feel like death, but BOY will you look good!</span></i><br />
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<b><u>"The Why-Is-This-Even-A-Thing?"</u></b></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 1: Eat only potatoes, raw. Day 2: Eat only filet mignon (cooked, preferably). Day 3: Eat nothing but beet juice and kale. Day 4: Exercise for five hours straight while drinking lemon and cayenne pepper water.</span></i><br />
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<b><u>"The Devil Wears Prada"</u></b></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eat nothing, and when you feel like you're going to faint, eat a cheese cube.</span></i><br />
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Are you picking up what I'm putting down?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some cleanses are jank, have always been jank, and will always be jank. Avoid them. You'll probably end up hungry and/or you'll get sick and your trip to Paris for Fashion Week will be given to Anne Hathaway (are you still with me? Just Google it).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Dr. Oz 3-day cleanse was <i>great</i>. I was hardly hungry, truly. The biggest issue was watching other people eat solid food. I felt like an infant/unfortunate accident survivor who was forced to drink all my food through a straw. Filling? Yes. Satisfying? Not even close.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's a picture outlining the cleanse I did:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G2Y9nD9rqSmtsdd3OaDCzX6k2llrYQmvHH_9c82NZL6XH6SrFBidLSYXrKdFQuGtcruAU0PLqEf8no_qN5pB0yNXjwPGfZprRjJK1s2ItCIMLStCkAvCn5WAS9GcKec2EAcpINMExm0/s1600/drozcleanse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G2Y9nD9rqSmtsdd3OaDCzX6k2llrYQmvHH_9c82NZL6XH6SrFBidLSYXrKdFQuGtcruAU0PLqEf8no_qN5pB0yNXjwPGfZprRjJK1s2ItCIMLStCkAvCn5WAS9GcKec2EAcpINMExm0/s1600/drozcleanse.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF0EkS8SCZ6-5_hsOwY9JvgUuxAd5_5EmJHdqs5r_1BKiVXEYmAV6oULGphuEjX48rAQI8F1Epg-4ypuHAvg76JAy-HDWEZ-jk01-8U4N1yciRgcQgZdIvvAztNj4QNossgZ2rjUI-do/s1600/receipts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF0EkS8SCZ6-5_hsOwY9JvgUuxAd5_5EmJHdqs5r_1BKiVXEYmAV6oULGphuEjX48rAQI8F1Epg-4ypuHAvg76JAy-HDWEZ-jk01-8U4N1yciRgcQgZdIvvAztNj4QNossgZ2rjUI-do/s640/receipts.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Money Breakdown:</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trader Joe's................................$68.74</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whole Foods..............................$12.58</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CVS pharmacy...........................$5.43</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Grand Total................................$86.75</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Spending tips</i>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Start at Trader Joe's, NOT Whole Foods!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Buy Epsom salt at CVS - five bucks for about a gallon of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your biggest expense will be Lavender Oil for the baths ($12 at Whole Foods for the cheapest kind), so if you want to save money, skip the nightly baths entirely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And here's a breakdown of the smoothies...</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Smoothie #1: The Breakfast Smoothie</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSjlh9_yULC7YpzhOHsJBivoe_Ir8fNwZ-O-d_Bq2C-lhzfOv0mjjm-o3JbpYQxZS8jqoVN1mwAgyh01HBoFORptSXiDnCdtSKmFcJF9gz6rVK0y3JP5M6U_LEhqUqFO5-qr45r7Ba9o/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSjlh9_yULC7YpzhOHsJBivoe_Ir8fNwZ-O-d_Bq2C-lhzfOv0mjjm-o3JbpYQxZS8jqoVN1mwAgyh01HBoFORptSXiDnCdtSKmFcJF9gz6rVK0y3JP5M6U_LEhqUqFO5-qr45r7Ba9o/s640/breakfast.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This smoothie was GOOD. Ask anyone. Ask my boyfriend, specifically, who kept stealing sips of my sweet, precious, limited sustenance (I forgive you - or do I?). I will continue drinking this smoothie straight into my old age, I tell you. It's a little liquidy though, so try adding less water, or use almond milk as a base.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Smoothie #2: The Lunch Smoothie</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhxsw2xE6d-5YLL8NfJT9w-i3F7cjK7-kpg99gfrFVSigt_NmGTSJSrmlqZb-5dmyrx_TbynYdDBaedsbgT-62M_4LkB9yg-vTBYATyULJu8cLspIxiNaAMWKlJgjkDiqXaG2pA3ZH5M/s1600/lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhxsw2xE6d-5YLL8NfJT9w-i3F7cjK7-kpg99gfrFVSigt_NmGTSJSrmlqZb-5dmyrx_TbynYdDBaedsbgT-62M_4LkB9yg-vTBYATyULJu8cLspIxiNaAMWKlJgjkDiqXaG2pA3ZH5M/s640/lunch.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Looks like pesto, tastes like ...pesto. Let me be frank: this smoothie made me want to cry. I think it did make me cry one time, but that was just because it gave me a funny look. In all seriousness, by the end of this cleanse I was adding way less celery and way more pineapple, and I was STILL forced to chew it. Rule number one about smoothies: you shouldn't have to chew them. Gack.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Smoothie #3: The Dinner Smoothie</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzljOnHMMRp-Fa-6_JEb5Q-lGwETnIMiGL5iYdGdDp_sKxufeU8GezSYWgWSUh-3q8ktbeoUFFhrPVwVQNkHwmWuu0pRRHg3JbZBvGNgVjFQ_uebjDjdoOycAH6hyphenhyphenyTl09IRhQyF2Mq9w/s1600/dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzljOnHMMRp-Fa-6_JEb5Q-lGwETnIMiGL5iYdGdDp_sKxufeU8GezSYWgWSUh-3q8ktbeoUFFhrPVwVQNkHwmWuu0pRRHg3JbZBvGNgVjFQ_uebjDjdoOycAH6hyphenhyphenyTl09IRhQyF2Mq9w/s640/dinner.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Though less gag-inducing than the lunch smoothie, this one still gave me feelings that I can only describe using the term "Voms Ahoy!" There's cayenne pepper in it, so with every gulp came a little burn in the back of my throat. As you get through the smoothie, you'll start to notice your insides burning, and your limbs will grow cold because all of your circulation rushes straight to your intestines to digest this spicy son of a smoothie. Was it disgusting? No. Was it weird? Yes. Will I drink it for leisure? ...that depends entirely on how masochistic I'm feeling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me close by saying that this is not something I will do again any time soon. It was a good experience and I'm sure it taught me a little self-control, but I like my food crunchy and textured and not sucked through a straw! (Most of it, at least).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And finally, as if you didn't already think I was a crazy health freak, here's the thing I was craving most during these three days (and the first thing I ate on Monday morning...):</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxErmhd2Wv7ywDpmT_syk1dcUDKACfqzJDDIJ6558wvgLbhUPmEqPC9vXXJiX3fTglhyqPM7rV_7VlH-xmbAYgP53e_PQ9jkWrbe5IlDHfsNYHq2FNnwddrjzy1Bvl4qG8HndXwCJlPQ/s1600/firstmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxErmhd2Wv7ywDpmT_syk1dcUDKACfqzJDDIJ6558wvgLbhUPmEqPC9vXXJiX3fTglhyqPM7rV_7VlH-xmbAYgP53e_PQ9jkWrbe5IlDHfsNYHq2FNnwddrjzy1Bvl4qG8HndXwCJlPQ/s640/firstmeal.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You guessed it... Ants on a freakin' log, ladies and gents. The snap of that celery, the crunch of that almond butter, the sweet softness of those raisins...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah. Food is way better when it's not in liquid form.</span>Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-22044144533947436672013-03-01T01:33:00.000-06:002013-03-01T01:38:23.532-06:00March Madness: The Prequel<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I must be crazy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No, seriously, I have to be crazy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, whilst babysitting, I checked Twitter (for those of you I babysit for... pretend you didn't just read that).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I saw a tweet regarding "March Madness Fitness Health Food blah blah blah" - the exact wording escapes me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The point is this: I have decided to design my very own, month-long, diet-and-fitness-oriented, insane March Madness experiment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Commence guinea-pig mode... NOW.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, at one in the morning on this, the first day of March, I am crafting a month's worth of dietary and fitness guidelines. I am going to lay them out here as best I can, and I urge you to chime in with helpful recommendations and/or warnings as you so please! Let the games begin!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Food Part:</span></h3>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>March 1-3</u>: Dr. Oz's 3-Day Detox Cleanse</b>... Because what better way to start a month of grueling dietary upheaval than by completely liquidizing my diet? For real, though - after hours of "3-day cleanse" research, I chose this one for three reasons: 1) It costs only $16 a day, which I can actually afford. 2) It doesn't require a big, loud, messy juicer (which is all I have) - just a blender. And, 3) It looks the least like something that will make me shrivel up into a raisin-like version of myself.</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">View it by clicking <a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-3-day-detox-cleanse-one-sheet" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>March 4-9 (a.k.a. Week One)</u>: Sugar-Free Me</b>... No processed sugar or artificial sweeteners! And yes, this includes alcohol sugars. Those suckers will get you! And by you, I mean me. And by me, I mean someone who is obviously of the legal drinking age.</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Replacements</i>: honey, Stevia, agave nectar.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>March 10-16 (a.k.a. Week Two)</u>: Gluten-Free Me</b>... No wheat products, ladies and gents! This means bread, cereal, and the occasional stalk of wheat I chew on. I am from Kansas, after all.</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Replacements</i>: carbs will come from good old-fashioned fruits and vegetables!</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>March 17-23 (a.k.a. Week Three)</u>: Dairy-Free Me</b>... This one won't be too difficult, considering the fact that I'm mildly lactose intolerant. This week it'll be time to cut out any and every milk product, including that creamy, delicious, protein-rich Greek yogurt which I have grown to love. Don't worry, though... absence will make the heart grow fonder.</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Replacements</i>: almond milk, soymilk, soy protein powder (Whey is a milk byproduct), vegan cheese? I've always wanted to try that stuff.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>March 24-30 (a.k.a. Week Four, a.k.a. IS THIS OVER YET?)</u>: Meat-Free Me</b>... And for the grand finale, I will be taking a hiatus from all meats! This may surprise some of you who think I'm still a vegetarian. Well the joke's on you, because I gave up on that dream the moment I tasted my mom's ground turkey chili (What's that I hear? You begging for a recipe?).</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Replacements</i>: tofu, seitan, tempeh, beans, nuts.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>March 31 (a.k.a. The Final Stretch)</u>: Three Words</b>... Treat. Yo. Self. I'm eating whatever I want, and there's nothing you can do about it.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Fitness Part:</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Disclaimer: I want this month-long challenge to be more diet- than exercise-focused, so this section is going to be very general.</i></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>March 1-3 (Detox)</u></b>: No exercise. Great start, right? It's important to rest if you're doing any type of cleanse or detox - your body isn't used to the decrease in calorie intake and there's danger of exhaustion or dehydration. If you feel you absolutely MUST exercise, light yoga or Pilates would be ideal.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Sundays</u>: Rest. God rested on Sunday, right? I could take a page out of his book (a.k.a. THE BIBLE).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><b>The Rest of the Time</b></u>: Exercise 4-5 times per week, as dietary change and schedule allows. Truth be told, I'll probably keep doing what I'm doing, which is a solid mixture of cardio, yoga, Pilates, and zumba. Maybe throw some more weight training in there?</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, here's the deal.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not looking for some crazy, life-changing, lose-5-pounds-a-day regimen. It's not possible, and if it is, it's not sustainable.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm just looking to shake things up a little bit, and to remind myself what self-control feels like.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why does self-control matter? Check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amsqeYOk--w" target="_blank">this video</a> about delaying gratification and how it predicts success levels.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that's pretty much where I'm at!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you're interested in joining me, let me know - I'd be more than happy to have an accountability partner or two (or fifty).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look out for weekly updates!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Best,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-30313223120912146852012-12-06T12:17:00.000-06:002013-03-01T00:47:12.299-06:00The Freshman Fifteen: CONQUERED<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me just say, I'm fascinated by the "freshman 15." FASCINATED BY IT.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Why, why, WHY, does everyone gain weight in college? WHY?! And I mean <u>everyone</u>. Even the skinniest of bi#$@es can't avoid it. Even I can't avoid it, speaking experientially.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Is it because of the drinking?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it because of the stress of classes and extracurriculars?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it because we're suddenly surrounded by people with different eating habits?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it because our schedules are unpredictable, so we just eat all day instead of having actual meals?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it because there are no "family dinners," which have been proven to aid in weight loss and healthy eating habits?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it because we're suddenly on our own and don't know how to cook and what to eat?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it because the only way colleges can get students to attend events is if there's "free food!"?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it a lack of education?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it a lack of motivation?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it a lack of money?</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<br />
WHAT IS IT?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Well, let's be real. The reasons are probably different for everyone, and it's most likely a combination rather than just one thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
I've deduced that (<i>thesis alert</i>) the reason everyone gains weight in college is because a wide variety of health-negative factors are concentrated in college life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
And this, my friends, is why I have this blog, as I am in college and have found myself repeatedly barraged with pressure to do unhealthy things. Let's figure out <u><b>some simple ways to stay healthy in college:</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Carry healthy snacks with you at all times</b>. Huh, what? What's that you say? But my backback is already full of hidden six-packs and laptops and textbooks! Well CLEAR OUT SOME SPACE because this is important, folks. When you go to those events (don't avoid the events just because there will be tables of junk food...), pull out an apple or a Kind bar and munch away. Just distracting your mouth will be enough, and focus on talking to people away from the snack tables instead of just gorging yourself. Some of my favorite snacks to carry: Kind bars (delicious), apples, clementines, Trail Mix, carrots, or Mary's Gone crackers (just made of nuts and seeds. Also delicious).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Eat meals</b>. Real meals. Three a day, or whatever works for you. I usually eat four a day, but that's because the time between lunch and dinner is really long (I mean, seriously? 6 hours?). Breakfast is super important, guys. It'll kickstart your metabolism and give you energy for the rest of the day. And no, coffee doesn't count as breakfast. Try to get some healthy fats, whole grains, and fruits/veggies at every meal. It doesn't have to be gourmet, people. A peanut butter sandwich and an apple will pretty much do it for you, and it'll keep you full for HOURS.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Ignore everyone else.</b> Seriously, this is the best tip for most things in life. When your roommate pulls out a bar of chocolate-covered bacon (true story)... turn the other cheek. When your best friend orders a full pizza at 2 a.m., go to bed. Leave the room. When your (definitely sober) friends are all, "DUDE LET'S HIT UP JIMMY JOHN'S. LET'S DO IT" at 4 in the morning, suggest an alternative or GTFO of there. This is the one time when it's okay (in my opinion) to be rude. Just. Leave. Because you know if you're sitting there obsessing, you'll end up having a slice (or ten) and lose all confidence in your ability to remain health-conscious. But if you leave, you can listen to music or meditate or journal, and MAN will you feel better in the morning.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Drink... in moderation</b>. Okay, let's just get it out in the open: college kids like to drink. What?! You don't say! Good grief, all my beliefs have just been shattered! No. It's true. It's very, very true. But here's the thing: the most fun part of drinking (Mom and Dad... this is NOT from experience...) is not the actual "being drunk" part. It's the "pretending to be drunk and laughing at everyone else stumbling around" part. No, seriously. So I'm not saying you have to sit alone in your room and avoid parties because OH NO, ALCOHOL WILL BE THERE! ALCOHOL HAS CALORIES! No, no, no. Live your lives, people. But try this next time you go to a party... Have a drink. One drink. Sip it. Nurse it. TASTE it, for goodness' sake. You can still dance around like an idiot. You can still hug and kiss all your acquaintances like you're best friends. You can still have bathroom heart-to-hearts with your best friends. But the difference is... you'll remember it all, and you won't feel like you're exiting a coma when you wake up the next morning.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Get off your tush.</b> I know, this is really general and slightly cliche, but hear me out: you don't absolutely have to "work out" every day (or even at all) to be "healthy." Health is a grand sum of all the activity you do and all the foods you put into your body. So, if you take the stairs (even a floor or two before getting on the elevator), walk instead of riding the bus, stand at the counter instead of sitting with your laptop, tap your feet during class... I'm serious, guys. These things add up. You could avoid that horrible "wake up at 6 a.m. to run" thing by just remaining a little more active throughout the day. You'll feel better, too.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, hear me out: I'm not a professional. I'm not perfect (oh lawd, I'm not). These are things I have to think about all the time, and to be honest, I fail almost daily (mostly because of dark chocolate. Thanks a lot, dark chocolate).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just be mindful, okay? College is a great time to be all "YOLO! Let's do whatever we want with no consequences! Let's throw caution to the wind and just LIVE!" but do keep in mind, you'll have to face the effects of those decisions at some point.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So the word of the day is... moderation, moderation, moderation.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Live your lives, people, but do it with a little bit of mindfulness.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Best!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-2175138808361395272012-09-20T22:06:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:50:23.690-05:00Chocolate Berry Pie for one<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, I found myself quite sick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As in, I feel like someone stuffed a basketball into my head and poured acid down my throat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So what did I do?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, first I slept for three hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, I watched Harry Potter. Lots of Harry Potter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THEN...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I decided to make a pie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A tiny pie.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A pie for only me, a pie that would make me feel better, and pie that would be easy to make.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SO.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Without any ado whatsoever, here is that pie...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Microwave Chocolate Berry Pie (for one)</span></u></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...because sometimes, life hands you lemons and you say, "Screw you, life."</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZtBpsdqd6RW2VWCzF599i9Yoq1yUXnVQqWyxUn2giL3yfwuiEplR57vZVcPTuJT_jU_Sf6p1cVUw39BFC1YrN0fyUx44XXGNgoHKvJR3vASZBZrx2jMDV360Qpfk9vkrvWjd1N7pLEM/s1600/chocberrypie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZtBpsdqd6RW2VWCzF599i9Yoq1yUXnVQqWyxUn2giL3yfwuiEplR57vZVcPTuJT_jU_Sf6p1cVUw39BFC1YrN0fyUx44XXGNgoHKvJR3vASZBZrx2jMDV360Qpfk9vkrvWjd1N7pLEM/s640/chocberrypie.jpeg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Crust:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Tbsp. rolled oats (not Steel Cut)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Tsp. toasted flax seeds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Tbsp. unsweetened, organic coconut flakes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1-2 Medjool dates or 1-2 Tbsp. raisins</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Filling:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup mixed berries (any of your choice), frozen or fresh</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Tbsp dark chocolate chips</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Method:</span></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In a small bowl, using your hands, mash together all the ingredients for the crust. If using raisins, you'll have to do quite a bit of work to make it stick together. If it's too dry, add more dates or raisins - if it's too sticky, add more oats, coconut, or flax seeds. Mash this crust into the bottom/sides of the bowl.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If using frozen berries, microwave the berries for 20-30 seconds. Mash the berries with a fork, and then mix in chocolate chips.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pour the filling over the crust, and top with whatever you want - coconut, toasted flax seeds, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Microwave for about 30 seconds.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">EAT!</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoVZRXcfeDslZSmn2PAhmQST5wfjKXCwpjfFlJoDhOaQQt38Scc8ylCX-KKnbAqH0kugV0x27RgS5ZwYrBStZkYXDg3ofsh5dpWshkBrqopcvVgEz0tNO4YKhshEqvYuEDj-fvWPZhv0/s1600/chocberrypie1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoVZRXcfeDslZSmn2PAhmQST5wfjKXCwpjfFlJoDhOaQQt38Scc8ylCX-KKnbAqH0kugV0x27RgS5ZwYrBStZkYXDg3ofsh5dpWshkBrqopcvVgEz0tNO4YKhshEqvYuEDj-fvWPZhv0/s640/chocberrypie1.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Basically, this is going to be my life.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm never eating anything else, ever again.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The end.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And on that note...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peace!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
<br />
<i><br /></i>Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-24937733647596185742012-09-15T20:40:00.001-05:002012-10-10T09:50:45.710-05:00Ginger Lime Chicken (for one)<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You guys.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You guys.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">YOU GUYS.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This recipe rocks so hard, I'm pretty sure my taste buds will automatically reject anything else I try to eat...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Which is a huge bummer, considering how much I love food.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I literally took one bite of this and stopped to type this post, because you guys deserve to know how awesome this dish is.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also, I've made the decision to make most of my meals "for one," then if you make it for more, you can just use your fancy multiplication tables and double/triple/quadruple the recipe (I know... math. Vooooooooomit...).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And with no further ado (because I really want to eat the rest of mine), here you have it:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Easy Ginger Lime Chicken:</span></u></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For those nights when you don't want to do much work but really want some effing flavorful chicken.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Skinless, boneless chicken breast (organic, preferably)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One small lime, juiced</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 tablespoons ginger, ground or chopped finely</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2-3 garlic cloves, chopped/crushed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">one tablespoon olive oil</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Method:</span></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Put chicken breast into a sandwich bag (plastic bag) and pound until it's flat.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In a bowl, mix lime juice, ginger, crushed garlic, and olive oil - pour this into the plastic bag with the chicken and seal tightly.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shake the bag, making sure the marinade covers the chicken.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spray a skillet with olive oil spray and turn on medium or medium-high.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Add the chicken, cooking for roughly 5 minutes on each side - the first side without a lid, the second side with a lid (this is to trap the heat inside the skillet, cooking the chicken through). For easier cooking, chop the chicken breast in half so that you can see when it has cooked all the way through. Make sure you cut through the chicken to make sure there's no more pink before taking it out!</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's so simple, so easy, and SO flavorful.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fair warning: if you don't like lime, you probably won't like this chicken...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Much love!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-25523485619959309252012-09-13T14:25:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:50:56.872-05:00Quinoa Mac 'n Cheese<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This recipe is one of the many ways I celebrated my 20th birthday, and let me tell you, it's the gift that keeps on giving...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mostly because I made a full recipe and, well, there's only one of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I mean, a girl can only eat so much cheese in a day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SO.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This recipe rocks for many reasons:</span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It reinvents the classic "Om nom nom mac n' cheese with tons of butter!"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is relatively healthy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It tastes like my childhood.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's preeeeeetty easy to make.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It will fool your friends and children. Guaranteed.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I came upon this recipe on a great blog, <a href="http://aroundthetableri.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Around the Table</a>.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The link to the recipe is <a href="http://aroundthetableri.blogspot.com/2012/02/cheesy-quinoa-mac-cheese.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I made mine with sauteed yellow onion, and I went heavy on the garlic. I even added a little bit of reduced sodium Soy Sauce to the sauteed vegetables instead of adding salt. Check this puppy out...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiig28QEZA1zuW2Ykuovb-k9si14pYyGI8EwXrloP-57rZPk8B0Ylt5eEBfRSL4En8Gq6j5pgDdxE99cBlWG8qVPbZ-hWTnd8FMxfah_FCzuF39sir1uECcoN46lkleZErQ4kpSpF_s8eg/s1600/quinoamacncheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiig28QEZA1zuW2Ykuovb-k9si14pYyGI8EwXrloP-57rZPk8B0Ylt5eEBfRSL4En8Gq6j5pgDdxE99cBlWG8qVPbZ-hWTnd8FMxfah_FCzuF39sir1uECcoN46lkleZErQ4kpSpF_s8eg/s400/quinoamacncheese.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">GET IN MY BELLY. NOW.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are tons of ways to mix up this recipe:</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before baking, sprinkle your mac n' cheese with flax seeds, chia seeds, or sesame seeds... or mix them into the batter!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For an added punch, season it with ground mustard.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Serve it with leafy greens on the side - the enzymes in the greens will help you digest the cheese (especially if you're lactose intolerant or lactose sensitive!).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mix in tons of veggies - onion is a must, but try spinach or kale (chopped finely).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Try a different kind of cheese, or do half of one type and half of another.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Add red pepper for a bite! I sprinkled some on top of mine and it completely changed the flavor (in an awesome, south-of-the-border kind of way).</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me know what you try and how it tasted!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Best,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-64641672169168815592012-09-12T21:26:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:51:16.938-05:00Tropical Homemade Ice Cream<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's just discuss for a moment how stellar this looks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDEYgv7_ZdpTmZ67fnbIXTi-O12A99XgAzuQRNOtzv-cS_DE58x-aAwvwUOv36yc0g5QR5XKBQzAxckG3GxCSSxpiLzcjKYg6MmgDNWyup7RPtrAyJZBncqYvf9cQf_uBUZWjdAC1q38/s1600/tropicalicecream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDEYgv7_ZdpTmZ67fnbIXTi-O12A99XgAzuQRNOtzv-cS_DE58x-aAwvwUOv36yc0g5QR5XKBQzAxckG3GxCSSxpiLzcjKYg6MmgDNWyup7RPtrAyJZBncqYvf9cQf_uBUZWjdAC1q38/s400/tropicalicecream.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also, this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8J9HJUp_NLgxke07YrDnmel8WCGGfmvY2kVdBbDbTSEzh1drHuA_4flRsuUrBs9VSQODAageFJsh6_KXVMEe77pK63YjKENyXvxyAq7XrxwkB_3iWb4sWDsKT-XnHjHlfcVEU8f7fSEA/s1600/tropicalicecream1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8J9HJUp_NLgxke07YrDnmel8WCGGfmvY2kVdBbDbTSEzh1drHuA_4flRsuUrBs9VSQODAageFJsh6_KXVMEe77pK63YjKENyXvxyAq7XrxwkB_3iWb4sWDsKT-XnHjHlfcVEU8f7fSEA/s640/tropicalicecream1.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Right?! I mean... Right?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This recipe, as many do, came from a high demand of hunger and a low supply of food.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I got creative.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In other words, I GO TO AN ARTS SCHOOL. I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, I can't?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...Scratch that, then.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just check this out:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<u><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tropical Homemade Ice Cream</span></b></u><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For those hot summer evenings... (serves 2. Make a friend, QUICK!)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two bananas, chopped into chunks and frozen</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Frozen mango and pineapple chunks</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But, let's be honest. You can put whatever fruits you want in this. The banana is the most important because it provides the creamy base for this ice cream - beyond that, GO WILD.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unsweetened, shredded coconut</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/3 cup of any type of milk (I used vanilla almond for a sweet, nutty flavor)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few dashes of cinnamon (my new obsession)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vanilla (optional)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate chips for sprinkling (also optional)</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Method:</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Put it all in a food processor (except for the sprinkling things)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...Process it until it's creamy, creamy, creamy (this might take a while... if it's really not working, add more milk!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Top with whatever your heart desires. Sprinkles? Yes. Crumbled graham crackers? Yes. Your great-grandma's ashes? ...No. Don't do that. Don't even think about it. For the love of all that is holy, put the urn down and get yourself a social life.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SO.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now that your mouth is watering, GO! GO FORTH AND MAKE THIS DISH!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And hey, here's something cool:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the past week, I've been doing a one-minute plank before my nightly shower.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And, not to toot my own horn or anything, but there is definitely some ab-action happening.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Might start doing it twice a day.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know. I'm crazy. TRY to stop me.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't, actually... I'll just beat you up with my abs.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And on that note...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy hump day!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Kels</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-89843764600232636442012-08-27T23:44:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:51:34.724-05:00Green Tropical Smoothie<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two days ago, I moved to Chicago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday, I explored the city.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, I invented a smoothie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The smoothie changed my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other two were cool as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><u><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Green Tropical Smoothie</span></b></u><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(with ingredients solely from Trader Joe's - now about 7 blocks away from me - HOLLER)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i>
</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">handful of frozen pineapple chunks</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">handful of frozen mixed berries</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup applesauce</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">one ice cube</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup coconut water (YUM)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup orange juice</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 scoop vanilla protein powder (Whey this time instead of soy... actually really delicious!)</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and finally...</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">one heaping handful of spinach leaves!</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For this smoothie, I have to use a full-sized blender instead of my Magic Bullet because of how many DELICIOUS, WONDERFUL things are packed in there.</span></i></div>
</div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is going to replace breakfast for the rest of forever. It's okay, though, because I can always have waffles and eggs and french toast for lunch... right?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Right.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It tastes sort-of like a Piña Colada, and looks sort-of like a pink thing with green flecks in it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People will wonder what on earth you're drinking, and they'll ask you, and you'll tell them, and they'll be amazed at your health and glowing skin/personality. And then you'll get married and tell everyone the story of how you met, and it will be all because of me.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But seriously though, it could happen.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The moral of the story is: drink this smoothie, and you will be married immediately.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey, this is cool:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5mJVBaio1hSIyftlsWzUPHucZxUPrZl5L3XVbPTHer8EbzfUYgMLIeL9KZrdJUYDzrujvkSAiWqj1fvpxyPA8m2XkSy-3Hh5CislIZHULRpf6R6v_xR1yuBumVg55cZ1ca0ur8YXsQM/s1600/livingquote.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5mJVBaio1hSIyftlsWzUPHucZxUPrZl5L3XVbPTHer8EbzfUYgMLIeL9KZrdJUYDzrujvkSAiWqj1fvpxyPA8m2XkSy-3Hh5CislIZHULRpf6R6v_xR1yuBumVg55cZ1ca0ur8YXsQM/s320/livingquote.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have the best of weeks, you dashingly handsome people!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-89580938063616945642012-08-15T09:13:00.001-05:002012-10-10T09:46:39.076-05:00Substitutions<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is something I came across, and I thought you would like to see it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I use these baking substitutions all the time - that way, you can still use regular old recipes and mix and match to your liking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWKXqpwY-m3-z6LR8DFheJOPAk4U7UCEK2AaHpKl-yA4PUPlMhfmMtBO1js_mtXo8ah-4PxdLVPgBkN7OgBAJpvyS42q58FEHpmgAub5qEvU824zOT3zh6UtRA6pqc36CLt5Y_J909EE/s1600/substitutions.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWKXqpwY-m3-z6LR8DFheJOPAk4U7UCEK2AaHpKl-yA4PUPlMhfmMtBO1js_mtXo8ah-4PxdLVPgBkN7OgBAJpvyS42q58FEHpmgAub5qEvU824zOT3zh6UtRA6pqc36CLt5Y_J909EE/s1600/substitutions.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's really it for now!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy baking. =]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kelsie</span>Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-71772719286212408032012-08-07T21:44:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:51:43.518-05:00Invisible Veggie Muffins<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not going to beat around the bush on this one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>These are the best muffins... period.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I don't just mean "the best" as in "Mmm, they're really good" or "Yay, it's a muffin."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I mean "the best" as in "This muffin has EVERYTHING," "I could literally eat this muffin for every meal and be satisfied," and "Holy fireballs, there are VEGETABLES in this muffin?!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes. All that, and more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you convinced?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, good. Let's move on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These magical little guys were born of an extreme need to do something with the half-gallon of </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">fruit/vegetable pulp</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> left over from my mother/daughter juicing day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...I know what you're thinking:</span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mother/daughter juicing day?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...I'm jealous.</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyway, I took an old zucchini muffin recipe (the recipe is old... not the zucchini. Just so we're clear) and spiced it up to make these fiber-packed, delicious, moist muffins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are we ready?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought so!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Invisible Veggie Muffins</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">[makes ~12 muffins]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Ingredients:</i></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 2/3 cups <b>100% Whole Wheat flour</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 cup <b>brown sugar</b>, packed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 teaspoon <b>ground cinnamon</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/4 teaspoon <b>baking powder</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 teaspoon <b>baking soda</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/4 teaspoon <b>salt</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 1/2 cups <b>shredded fruits/veggies</b> - <i>emphasis on the veggies</i> (this is going into a food processor, so you could just chop them up really small)</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I used Fuji apple (for sweetness), kale, carrots, and beets</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Would also be good with zucchini</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 cup <b>milk</b> (skim, soy, almond, coconut... your pick!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 tablespoons <b>oil</b> (canola, coconut, olive... you know the drill)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2 tablespoons <b>honey</b> (could possibly be replaced with Agave Nectar or real Maple Syrup)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 <b>egg</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1/3-1/2 cup<b> unsweetened applesauce</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>sugar</b> and <b>cinnamon</b> for sprinkling (yes... REAL SUGAR!)</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Method</i>:</span></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Preheat oven to <b>400 degrees</b> (Fahrenheit... just in case)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Those first 6 ingredients? The dry ones? Throw them in a bowl and <b>whisk</b> it thoroughly. Or, if you're like me, use a fork.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ingredients 7-12 (through the applesauce)? Throw them in a food processor or <a href="http://www.buythebullet.com/index.php">Magic Bullet</a> and <b>pulse, pulse, pulse</b>, until you reach your desired consistency. If you don't mind biting into a muffin and seeing a carrot chunk, pulse less. If you don't want anyone to know there are veggies inside (children, ahem), pulse more.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Make a little hole in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients in.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Using a spatula, <b>fold</b> the dry and wet ingredients together until they mix thoroughly, forming a dough-like consistency.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Grease or line a muffin tin</b> (makes 12) and put about 1/4 cup of dough in each muffin... slot. Muffin slot? Is that a thing?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sprinkle</b> the muffin tops with sugar and cinnamon for that crisp, shiny finish</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bake for <b>13-15 minutes</b>, or until the top looks darker brown</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Random Tips:</i></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Store these in an airtight plastic container, lined with paper towels to collect the moisture</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cut them in half and serve them with honey... or as I like to call it, the Sweet Nectar of the Gods</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you don't have one of these ingredients, DO NOT FRET. Are you fretting? Stop. Stop fretting. Do a little yoga, then come back and read this:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can replace oil with more applesauce, or even canned pumpkin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can replace brown sugar with more applesauce or maple syrup</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When in doubt, replace things with applesauce. Seriously.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not going to lie to you, I ate a thousand of these muffins today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay I lied. I am going to lie to you. I mean... I did lie to you. Whatever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I did eat three, and while I'm writing this, I'm craving another one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What's to stop me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know... you're right. That <b>1/48 cup of brown sugar</b> per muffin MIGHT kill me. Or the <b>1/16 teaspoon of white sugar </b>on top. Or maybe the<b> 1/6 teaspoon of oil</b> in each one... yep, I can feel my arteries clogging as we speak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">LIES. It's all lies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eat your hearts out, darling ones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Olympics!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kelsie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">**UPDATE: keep these muffins refrigerated or they'll go bad after a couple of days!**</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-88373548093406336652012-08-06T18:48:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:51:53.478-05:00TWO recipes?!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That little thing after my title?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know, this thing: ?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's called an <b>interrobang</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But enough of that, this ain't no words blog, shewt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, after a too-long hiatus from blogging for which I have no excuse (something I also like to call "<i>Extreme Boredom Mixed with an Extreme Lack of Motivation</i>"), I have TWO (yes, count them: <b>one... and-a-two</b>) recipes to share with you. They are for:</span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Granola!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Everything Bite</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you curious yet? Well don't scroll down, you impatient goob. Just give me a moment to set the stage for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This past week has, how you say, ravaged me. Heart and soul. Mind and body. Literally and figuratively. Are you still with me? Good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Basically, I had the week off work. Now, before most of you jump out of your seats and start punching your screens in anger/jealousy/general frustration, understand this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I do not do well with free time.</span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What's that, you say? You didn't hear me? Okay.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><u>I, Kelsie Esther Schuman, do NOT do well with free time.</u></i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you get it yet? Good grief, you people clearly did not eat your Frosted Shredded Wheats this morning. Let me lay it down for you with this <u>list of reasons why Kelsie doesn't handle free time well</u>:</span></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Kelsie likes routines.</b> I could eat and do the same thing every day, and probably be happy. To highlight this with an example: I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich <i>every single day</i> for lunch in high school. Seriously, ask my best friend. Why? Because we sat together every single day (ROUTINE), at the same exact table (ROUTINE), with the same exact people (ROUTINE).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Kelsie likes being busy.</b> I know, I need to slow down and enjoy life and blah blah blah OKAY ALREADY. But truly, there's a fine line between slowing down to enjoy life and pulling over to the side of the road to watch everyone else speed by. I mean, please. That's just ridiculous.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Kelsie can't be alone with her inner monologue for too long, for fear of going insane.</b> I'm serious about this one... Have you ever stopped to listen to your inner monologue? Sometimes, that girl is a BITCH (sorry, inner monologue. I hope she doesn't read this). She's all "But Kelsie, shouldn't you watch eight more episodes of How I Met Your Mother?" "Come on, Kelsie. You weren't going to do anything today in the first place... What's a third nap?" "Forget grocery shopping, there's a whole jar of peanut butter right there!" DAMMIT, INNER MONOLOGUE. I AM TRYING TO RUN A LIFE HERE, COULD YOU GIVE ME SOME SPACE?</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...I apologize.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Back on track.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Long story short, after a week of doing NOTHING (and when I say nothing, I abso-freaking-lutely mean it), my body rebelled by getting <b>sick</b> and thus making my life miserable. ...Well, for a couple of days, at least.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, today being the first day that I felt somewhat normal again (that inner monologue is a BEAST on painkillers), I decided to be proactive and do something with my day.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This post is the lovechild of me and my productivity, so you. are. welcome.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For those of you who were scrolling (remember, patience is a virtue...) here are the RECIPES:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<u><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DIY Granola</span></b></u></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(man, this recipe is stellar)</span></div>
<div>
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A big bowl of solids. Literally, whatever you want. Ideas:</span></b></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Old-Fashioned Oats</b> (recommended... you are making granola, after all)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Your Favorite Cereal, crushed</b> (if you even <i>think</i> about desecrating this beautiful recipe by adding Lucky Charms, I will come to your house and beat you with an oversized box of Muesli)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Dried Fruit</b> (my all-time favorite: dates. They add TONS of sweetness. Also, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Navitas-Naturals-Berries-16-Ounce-Pouches/dp/B000FFLHSY/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1344294777&sr=1-1&keywords=goji+berries">Goji Berries</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Crushed Nuts</b> (don't add the ones you're allergic to... duh)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Protein Powder</b> (you know me, always trying to bulk up)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Cocoa Powder </b>(for those of you who can't eat anything that doesn't taste like chocolate...)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Maca Powder</b> (you can buy it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Navitas-Naturals-Powder-16-Ounce-Pouches/dp/B000FFLHU2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344294717&sr=8-1&keywords=maca+powder">here</a> or at Whole Foods... tastes almost like butterscotch and is FULL of nutrients)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Navitas-Naturals-Cacao-8-Ounce-Pouches/dp/B000OQ4A3S/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1344294843&sr=1-1&keywords=cacao+nibs"><b>Cacao Nibs</b></a> (It's chocolate without the sweetness! Have I sold you yet? Well, it was worth a shot)</span></li>
</ul>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A smaller bowl of liquids to sweeten the mixture. Again, literally, whatever you want. Ideas:</span></b></li>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Applesauce</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Apple juice frozen from concentrate</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Honey</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Agave Nectar</span></b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Maple Syrup </b>(the REAL stuff)</span></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Molasses</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stevia or Truvia</span></b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Date Paste</b> (basically just pitted dates put through a food processor)</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Make sure your solids are mixed thoroughly.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pour some of the liquids over the solids and mix, using your hands (don't be prissy about this one), until all of the solids are coated.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pour the mixture onto a pan that's been coated with non-stick cooking spray (but not the Garlic/Olive Oil flavored kind, because I accidentally did that once and it was JANK).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bake at 300-325 degrees (depending on your oven) for 10-15 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take it out, let it cool, then chunk it/mix it up.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Put it back in the over for another 5-10 minutes (that's called <b>double crisping</b> and that, my friends, is how the professionals do it). Totally lying, I just made that up. But it does work!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Store it in an airtight container, and...</span></li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ME2124v40pskwheJ8ZXPW32RLH01U1ehp-NbiOuNT_MXPrBDGPuaIp04PFA-BzrV0zTtqvnWV-gla2Y-9UK_UmrxPOrkfi1QPj9KH9nAf9vtzEifLpxjKr35cbVQD8ZY7sWZDZClKR4/s1600/100_0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ME2124v40pskwheJ8ZXPW32RLH01U1ehp-NbiOuNT_MXPrBDGPuaIp04PFA-BzrV0zTtqvnWV-gla2Y-9UK_UmrxPOrkfi1QPj9KH9nAf9vtzEifLpxjKr35cbVQD8ZY7sWZDZClKR4/s320/100_0592.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">GET IN MY BELLEH.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BAM. Delicious, healthy, perfect, crispy, succulent... hold on a sec.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...yeah, I just had to go try some. Where was I?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Right. ...good-smelling, granola.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And now for the other recipe, as promised...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<u><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Everything Bite:</span></b></u></div>
<div>
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>the solids</b> - any combination of anything you want to try, or anything you might have in your pantry (don't even worry about measurements):</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nuts (unsalted, preferably)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Protein Powder</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Navitas-Naturals-Seeds-16-Ounce-Pouches/dp/B001CGTN1I/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1344295733&sr=1-1&keywords=chia+seeds">Chia Seeds</a> (man, I love those little suckers)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Flax seeds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shredded Coconut</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Goji Berries (are you seeing a trend here?)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cacao Nibs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oats (any kind, really. Who's counting?)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Navitas-Naturals-Powder-16-Ounce-Pouches/dp/B000FFLHU2/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1344295833&sr=1-1&keywords=maca+powder">Maca Powder</a> (I'm telling you, this stuff is crazy)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cocoa Powder</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cinnamon</span></li>
</ul>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the "glue"</span></b></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">pitted dates</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and that's it, actually.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Put the solids in a food processor and pulse, pulse, pulse your little heart away until there are only small chunks.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Add dates, a few at a time, pulsing until the mixture will stick together.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Roll the mixture into balls, and store in an airtight container.</span></li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ga3O_2_b6Ki797TDqiU75gITyipJX-HnO6tl9JegbeMY_PVJiTKiXP53zsE6v4lpluvt0ZjlQULdoUZtkCprEKxEIBeQ2el8CXTuv2YjY31aPA4gnX-ou4-pOD_3YPXqshyphenhyphenFiFX0Rb4/s1600/100_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ga3O_2_b6Ki797TDqiU75gITyipJX-HnO6tl9JegbeMY_PVJiTKiXP53zsE6v4lpluvt0ZjlQULdoUZtkCprEKxEIBeQ2el8CXTuv2YjY31aPA4gnX-ou4-pOD_3YPXqshyphenhyphenFiFX0Rb4/s320/100_0597.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look at them, so unaware of their deliciousness.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsl6GDp54JE2UC5cwRANF60S9oMkbrjzu7zmmXlGuLkFlu8OnhxRkRlges3GShhsqjVzZYg8nuO9GGhciGufc0OhmGpwl-kV7vAsLDIhxYr8XJ5uKY6yhHCVwQPRDQl9XI5IsxG4Saok/s1600/100_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsl6GDp54JE2UC5cwRANF60S9oMkbrjzu7zmmXlGuLkFlu8OnhxRkRlges3GShhsqjVzZYg8nuO9GGhciGufc0OhmGpwl-kV7vAsLDIhxYr8XJ5uKY6yhHCVwQPRDQl9XI5IsxG4Saok/s320/100_0599.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just minding their own business, waiting to be eaten... </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I know what some of you are thinking:</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"But, that looks like poop."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"People will make fun of me if I eat that in public."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"That literally looks like bird feed rolled in mud."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know what I have to say to you?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Think of it as pre-poop."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You know what they won't make fun of you for? Having a stellar, sexy bod."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yeah, well, your mom literally looks like bird feed rolled in mud."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...I had a hard time with that last one.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Regardless, I'm aware that it doesn't look amazing. If you need to, why don't you roll it in coconut? Then, for all they know, you could be eating a macaroon.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just think of all the wonderful things in every single one of those bits: healthy fats and oils, protein, fiber, energy-boosting superfoods... it's the perfect afternoon snack, really.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And on that note, I'm hungry.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peace out!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-75693085038194802882012-07-25T21:05:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:52:05.371-05:00Metabolism: Then vs. Now<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Metabolism</b>
affects a lot of things about a person – weight management, hunger levels, nutrient absorption… just to name a few.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But what if I told you that,
<i>biologically</i> speaking, a slow metabolism is actually <i>preferred</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Think of it
this way: people used to have to <b>work</b> for their food. We would run miles and
miles to catch a buffalo, followed by a long evening of dragging that carcass
back home to share with the family. Naturally, our bodies have a tendency to
want to <i>store</i> the food it gets,
because it has no idea when the next meal is coming. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">A fast metabolism in the
prehistoric days would have meant constant hunger and weakness, distracting us
from our daily activities of spearing bison and inventing the wheel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Now,
however, food is a pantry, restaurant, or grocery store away – no work
required. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Instant</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> gratification. Put
simply, we get </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">what</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> we want, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">when</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> we want it (keep in mind I’m
preaching to the middle and upper-class masses when I say that).</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">So even though
our intake has, as a whole, increased, our output is down by a long shot, and
our metabolisms have yet to “catch up.” So whether you can eat a feast and be
hungry an hour later, or eat an apple and stay full for days, feed your body
what it </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">needs</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">, when it </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">needs</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> it. If you’re hungry, EAT! If you’re
thirsty, DRINK! (Let’s stick to water, okay?) But if you’re not… well, don’t! </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">And remember that if you have a slow metabolism and it drives you crazy, here
are <u>a few tips to speed up your metabolism</u>:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Drink tea and coffee</b> (I’m talking about the </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">real</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> stuff here, not Snapple and
Starbucks) - Have a couple cups of green tea a day, or freshly brewed coffee
with vanilla soymilk and Stevia sweetener – you’ll be amazed at the difference!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Perform small workouts throughout the day</b> – even
if you set aside an hour or so to exercise, it’s important to keep your body
moving as the day goes on. Quick tip? FIDGETING. Fidgeting can burn up to 300
calories in a day. When you’re sitting at your desk, snoring through meetings,
or watching TV, FIDGET! Also try setting an alarm for every hour, and when it
goes off, take a walk to the water cooler or turn on some music and dance
around (if you’re not in public, I mean. Or even if you are... who really
cares?). This will keep your blood flowing, your muscles warm, and your brain
awake.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Eat lots of fruits and vegetables</b> (I know: blah,
blah, blah) – but seriously. Every time I sit down for a meal, HALF of my plate
is fruits or veggies. The other half of the plate is split into protein and
whole grains. This is also a stellar weight-loss tip, because fruits and
veggies tend to be pretty low calorie and high fiber, and let’s just say
(without getting too graphic), that fiber keeps things moving. You get my
drift? You picking up what I’m laying down? Okay, good. Because I really didn’t
want to go there.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Run</b> - Run like you’re running from the zombie
apocalypse. Run like you are running from that kid who pulled your chair our
from under you in the first grade. Run like… well, you get the idea. I’m not
kidding, when I go for even the lightest morning jog, my metabolism SPEEDS for
the rest of the day (as it would with any exercise that gets your heart pumping). It’s actually pretty annoying because I’m constantly
sacrificing food to satiate the growling beast that is my stomach.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Bulk up</b> – don’t freak out, ladies. Adding some
strength-building exercises to your workout routine will produce amazing
results for your metabolism. Why? Because muscles burn more calories at rest
than fat does. So just </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">having</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> muscles
burns calories, and burning calories pumps up that metabolism. It’s like the
gift that keeps on giving!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Eat <u>frequently</u></b> – I’m not giving you a free pass
to snack all day (DANGEROUS), but it actually works really well for me to eat 5
or 6 small meals a day. My eating times look something like this: 6 a.m., 9
a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., bedtime snack. Seriously, I eat that often. BUT,
here’s what’s important about this rule: make half of every meal/snack fruits
or veggies. This will keep you from eating too many calories! Shoot for about
300 calories per meal if you’re going to eat this often, or maybe 400-calorie
meals with 200-calorie snacks. What I’m really saying is, find what works for
you! And if you’re going to drastically change your diet, count calories for
the first week or so to make sure you’re consuming what your body needs – not
too much, and not too little. Here are some metabolism-boosting foods:</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gDHwZepXUfhrm_yxH0RM2Whtzb2PNaRTQCXU7gk8rBTVPVcIyomJu-xO9zK0hP8QXH0eyJXvb2-nMMDAWlaZOXnNTHTMR0cujfcjFqXcAbxHvAu8y3ynvd7Sxsbzq6MPbV4rUI4W8nQ/s1600/metabolism.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gDHwZepXUfhrm_yxH0RM2Whtzb2PNaRTQCXU7gk8rBTVPVcIyomJu-xO9zK0hP8QXH0eyJXvb2-nMMDAWlaZOXnNTHTMR0cujfcjFqXcAbxHvAu8y3ynvd7Sxsbzq6MPbV4rUI4W8nQ/s400/metabolism.jpeg" width="390" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left; text-indent: -24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Here’s
<b>the moral of the story: </b>we’re all built differently. <i>Listen</i> to your body, figure
out what it’s asking for, and give it what it </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>needs</i>.</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Happy hump day! Hah, I can't even </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">type</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> that without laughing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Kelsie</span></div>
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Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-13811897169697722212012-07-23T06:30:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:52:16.191-05:00The Wonders of Interval Training<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh man, interval training. I write of it with fondness. Also, with <b>soreness</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My treadmill runs used to look something like this:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">30 minutes at 6 miles per hour</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...and that's it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I used to get bored SO easily, and my 30-minute runs felt like they lasted hours. All I could think about was how the sweat was running into my eyes, and how my lungs felt like they were exploding, and how my legs felt like they were giving out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But then I read a blog post (</span><a href="http://greatist.com/fitness/interval-training-for-newbies/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this one</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, to be specific) about </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">interval training</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and my cardio routines will never be the same.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So after much research and testing (a.k.a. after running on the treadmill a lot), here is my famous (someday) <u>20-minute Interval Treadmill Workout:</u></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mins 1-2: 4.5 mph (warm-up)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">min 3: 6.5 mph</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">min 4: 5 mph</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">min 5: 7 mph</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">min 6: 5.5 mph</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">min 7: 7.5 mph</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">min 8: 6 mph</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">min 9: 8 mph</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">min 10: 6 mph</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">aaaaand repeat.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Basically you're starting at a comfortable jogging pace, then moving up 2 miles per hour for a minute, then down 1.5 miles per hour for a minute, then back up 2 miles per hour for a minute, et cetera. That way you're jumping your pace up and down while gradually increasing the intensity.</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With interval training, I never get bored because I constantly have to be watching the timer. I can push myself to my maximum output (8 mph) for a minute, then rest at a comfortable pace for another minute. It's great!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Everyone on the treadmills around me are probably thinking, "Who is this bipolar girl?" but whatever. They just don't understand <b>the wonders of interval training</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Time for breakfast!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This week I'm eating these delicious, flavorful, HEALTHY <a href="http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal">refrigerator oatmeals</a>. They are (how do I put this?) ...perfect in every way. They have to sit in the refrigerator overnight, but they're good for about a week, so you can just prepare them all on Sunday night and BOOM: healthy, quick breakfasts all week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stellar, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know. So fetch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today's flavor? <a href="http://www.theyummylife.com/recipes/259/Cherry+Chocolate+Chunk+Refrigerator+Oatmeal">Cherry Chocolate Chunk</a>. Are you drooling yet?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Love,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-13537109697592191092012-07-02T06:54:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:52:25.461-05:00My mom's breakfast casserole<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, so this breakfast casserole is, how they say, <i>le bomb.</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's full of <b>complex carbs</b> which makes it a great source of energy in the morning - just go easy on the cheese!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A very loose "recipe" because my mom basically wings it:</span></u><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take some<b> frozen shredded hash browns</b> and line the bottom of a pie pan (or some other type of pan...)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bake this at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While that's baking, get out the <b>cheese</b>(s), <b>meat</b>(s), and/or <b>vegetable</b>(s) that you want in your casserole and chop it all into little pieces</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I recommend Morningstar Sausage patties (especially for vegetarians) and some kind of cheese with a little spice, as well as chopped onions & red/green peppers</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take the pan out of the oven and sprinkle the toppers over the hash browns</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the entire thing, pour a mixture of about 6 <b>eggs</b> whipped together</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can mix your eggs with some type of milk, but it's not required. I like to add <b>spices</b> to the liquid mixture so that it will permeate the whole recipe.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bake the whole thing for another 20-30 minutes, watching for the edges to turn brownish.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sorry for the vagueness... But this way you can mix it up and try different things!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let me know some of the ingredient combinations you try, and how they worked out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By the way, I heard something that I LOVE:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"I don't <i>have</i> a soul. I <i>am</i> a soul: I <i>have</i> a body."</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Much love on this Monday,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-53652948115813706682012-07-01T13:34:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:52:35.034-05:00A three-headed approach to fitness... or something.<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You know that three-headed dog in the Harry Potter series? Fluffy?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fluffy is terrifying. Come on, admit it... but what is it about him that makes so many children wet their beds? Why does even The Boy Who Lived turn and run like a little girl?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll tell you why: it's because he has THREE HEADS. When one of them is trying to kill you from the front, you have to worry about the other two attacking you from the sides. I mean, jeez. Even if you cut off ONE of his heads, you'd still have a serious problem to worry about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's where I'm going with this - <b>your fitness should be three-headed</b>. Three-pronged. A Trifecta of Fitness. A tricycle of health and happiness that you can ride daily. Okay, okay, I'll stop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is how you can actually apply this idea to your life. I always try to have three "types" of workouts in my back pocket, for various reasons:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So that I don't get bored doing the same thing every day.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So that I can tailor my workout to fit the needs of that particular day.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So that I can work lots of different muscle groups!</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are <u>my three main types of workouts</u>:</span></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The "classic" workout </b>- also called the "basic," the "standard," or the "I'm-not-feeling-too-daring-today" workout. This workout should be designed to make you feel <b>good</b> and <b>strong</b>. For me, it's running a few miles and following up with crunches, pushups, and deep stretches. This particular workout should work major muscle groups and energize you.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The "exciting" workout</b> - a.k.a. the "look-mom-I'm-outside-the-box!" workout. This one should be totally challenging and new to you, almost every time. If you have a gym membership, this would be the perfect time to take one of those classes you've never tried. Water aerobics? Totally. Hip-hop Hustle? Hells yeah. A two hour cycle class? ...We'll see. And finally...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The "relaxing" workout </b>- fondly nicknamed the "it's sunday, fools!" or the "I'm effing tired, no way am I going for a run!" workout. Do something that relaxes and recharges you. For me, this is yoga and/or pilates, or even swimming.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Which workout should I do, and when?</span></u></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Generally, I do my "classic" workout for about two or three days straight - enough time to challenge myself (running further, running faster, doing more crunches, etc.) but not so much time that I feel like I'm running myself into a rut. The next day, I pick an "exciting" workout like Zumba, cycle, or even a dance class (modern is GREAT). That usually gives me a great little break from my everyday routine! After going back to my "classic" workout for a couple more days, my body is usually begging me for a break - violá! I whip out my "relaxing" workout for that day, and I'm recharged and ready to repeat the cycle.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In chart form:</span></u></div>
<div>
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Days 1-3</b>: the "classic" workout</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Day 4</b>: the "exciting" workout</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Days 5-6</b>: the "classic" workout</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Day 7</b>: the "relaxing" workout ("...and on the seventh day, he rested..." Okay, you get it).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, of course, you'll need to <b>find a routine that works for you. </b>Some people can wake up every day and do the same thing - props to you - I just need to mix things up every once in a while for the sake of my sanity!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As far as working out in the morning vs. working out at night, the MOST important thing is that you <b>make time to be active</b>. Don't <b>find</b> time, <b>make</b> it. If you know for a fact that you <i>tell</i> yourself you'll work out in the evening, but it normally doesn't end up happening (<i>cough, me, cough</i>), work out in the morning! Waking up and running out the door may make you feel insanely groggy at first, but by the end of that workout, you will be ALIVE and READY to tackle your day. On the other hand, if you work really early and just can't get out of that bed, attach your workout to the end of an evening activity. Some people like to go right after work (keep workout clothes in your trunk to save time), while others like to sweat it out right before bed (hah, don't think too hard about that one).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The point is, <b>find your schedule and stick to it</b>. This is about <i>improving</i> your life, not creating another inconvenience. And I promise, once you make fitness a part of your daily life, you will look and feel a <i>thousand</i> times more alive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today's inspiration:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i22QAFUrzn-8P8UYwpshvYKcS5eZ65xZ1zC7u0YApBJh4ozSOD1Z10ShVMq8Xe_gkjwRNBT0JISM1RNqS9WfarDibW7dSUCHJrV8f9GQR6J6kn3r6yS217Sr6CQhPh9TAKjJQ4y6uSQ/s1600/noexcusesworkout.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i22QAFUrzn-8P8UYwpshvYKcS5eZ65xZ1zC7u0YApBJh4ozSOD1Z10ShVMq8Xe_gkjwRNBT0JISM1RNqS9WfarDibW7dSUCHJrV8f9GQR6J6kn3r6yS217Sr6CQhPh9TAKjJQ4y6uSQ/s320/noexcusesworkout.gif" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now get out there and attack your life like a rabid, angry three-headed dog!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...Yikes, that metaphor. I should have put some more thought into that one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Peace & love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-53245312725179622472012-06-29T08:31:00.002-05:002012-10-10T09:52:44.414-05:00Peanut Butter Cup Protein Shake?!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">YES!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You're not dreaming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seriously, pinch yourself. Go ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, not that hard... jeez. Masochist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">BUT LOOK!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A delicious, wonderful, chocolatey, smooth, cold, sweet treat for after your hard-core bad-ass workout.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXfaeWkCTKHMXO6cTBgW4EVGBSH3v_3oJkBJ0V-yCkIGeAk2-_OwUph_S1FTR9jn5GkeQPzfZ02OIHuDJSDTi2xqD6l67b27pLIG-ylK7SdVZZ9etIjVITTSXMlzpUmqK5pAH8Sd6h1g/s1600/Photo+on+2012-06-29+at+08.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXfaeWkCTKHMXO6cTBgW4EVGBSH3v_3oJkBJ0V-yCkIGeAk2-_OwUph_S1FTR9jn5GkeQPzfZ02OIHuDJSDTi2xqD6l67b27pLIG-ylK7SdVZZ9etIjVITTSXMlzpUmqK5pAH8Sd6h1g/s320/Photo+on+2012-06-29+at+08.19.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: xx-small;">ahhhh, sweet bliss.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What's in it:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a cup or so of <b>vanilla soymilk</b> (but it tastes good with <b>water</b>, too)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a scoop or two of vanilla or chocolate <b>protein powder</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a squirt of <b>chocolate syrup</b> (without High Fructose Corn Syrup!) - or just use cocoa powder!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a scoop of your favorite <b>peanut butter</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 or 3 <b>ice cubes</b></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the record, I would like to say that if you don't already have a <b>Magic Bullet</b> (or an off-brand), GET ONE. This little sucker changed my life. Well, my eating habits, at least. Throw your ingredients in, screw on the blade, stick it onto the base, and BLAM - you have yourself a killer smoothie to keep all to yourself.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will only say this once (hah, totally false) - I LOVE SMOOTHIES. Smoothies, if made with the right ingredients, are giant cups of sweetness PACKED with nutrients.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A smoothie a day keeps the doctor away, after all.</span></div>
<div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, bollucks. I'm going to have to get that tattoo removed...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Much love on this fantastic Friday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**Today, call someone you haven't talked to in a while. You won't regret it!**</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728499793568002722.post-42021888902294276532012-06-27T11:48:00.000-05:002012-10-10T09:52:53.076-05:00First post nerves!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Am I getting married? Because I'm getting cold feet about this whole blog thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hah, just kidding. I would never leave you at the altar like that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, here I am... Almost twenty years old, and I am jumping on the bandwagon that is <b>BLOGGING</b>. Why, you ask? Well, here's a list of reasons...</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10 reasons that Kelsie is going to spend (or waste, as some would say) lots of time blogging:</span></u><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because she has a lot of <b>thoughts</b> and some of them need to come out, gosh darnit!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because she loves sharing <b>ideas</b> with people and seeing what they think... EVEN if the feedback is negative. Hey, nobody's perfect, as Miley Cyrus (or was it Hannah Montana?) taught me.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because she has like a thousand journals and diaries, and she always writes as if she's writing to other people, but nobody responds... obviously (and luckily).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because <b>blogging</b> <b>is hip</b> and she is down with the sickness, or something to that effect.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because, not to brag, but she has a lot of good ideas about things, and she wants to <b>share</b> them with you.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because she sometimes talks in third person, which is okay on a blog, right?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because <b>communication</b> is what's going to develop us into a world of thoughtful, insightful people!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because she loves people and wants to hear what YOU have to say.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because she wants to provide <b>inspiration</b> for people who may need it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And finally, because the internet is a place where she can express her thoughts in a coherent, creative, picture-and-video-supported manner.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Are you picking up what I'm putting down?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Are <b>you</b> down with the sickness?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, cool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So here's an <u>overview of what you'll find in the coming months (years? decades?):</u></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><b>My Journey</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">: That tab up there that says "my journey?" Click on it if you want to read a not-terribly-exciting story about how I grew up and where my life is taking me. Just keep in mind that inspiration can be found anywhere!</span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Workout and food logs</b>: I'll be logging my meals and workouts, so you can follow along and see what things you might want to try!</span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Fitness<span style="font-weight: normal;">: My thoughts on various health and fitness-related topics.</span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Recipes</b>: I am, as they say, a HEALTH-FREAKING-FREAK (yes, they actually say that). I log all of the food that I eat, and I love, love, I repeat, LOVE, to cook and bake. I experiment with healthy recipes, so be prepared for lots of "just replace the butter with Greek yogurt!" type of things.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Random thoughts</b>: Let's be honest, a lot of my posts will be random ramblings. I'll try to keep it coherent, though, by sticking to a theme each time.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Beautiful things</b>: Sometimes, you're just going to need to plop down and click the "beautiful things" tab to keep you from punching a small child in the face. You know what I mean? No? ...yeah, me either.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Funny things</b>: There are just so many funny things on the internet and if I didn't put some of them on here, it would be a crime.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, lovely readers, that's it for today. Save this little blog under your extremely-organized bookmark folder titled "Awesome stuff!" or "The coolest blog!" or "The worst blog ever... on opposite day!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And have yourself a wonderful afternoon and evening.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">** Remember, a little kindness can seriously start a chain reaction. Buy somebody a latte or a low-fat muffin today! Or, if you're poor like me, make them a card that says "I'm not buying you anything ever, but it doesn't change the fact that you're pretty and I like you!" **</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Keep it real,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kelsie</span></div>
Kelsie Schumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781174512871407274noreply@blogger.com0