hello, Monday!

This weekend was a blur of fitness and cooking; the cx30 launch was really successful (it was the biggest class I have ever taught and it was challenging, in an awesome way) and I taught a special chocolate class.

Also, the weather has been beautiful in Dallas for the last couple of days, but we had a crazy hailstorm on Thursday night; I faced the hail to drive my Jetta to shelter and it felt like such an adventure to run out in the rain/hail!  That is pretty sad and I need to go on a real adventure...

But before I can, the culmination of the semester has begun; I can see the light at the end of the Chem 2 tunnel, but I still have a few hurdles before I can reach the sun.

mmm yogurt

I used to be a pre-sweetened yogurt kind of girl; I liked plain yogurt as a healthy snack, but I always craved flavored yogurt (like stonyfield farms).

I recently found out that I just wasn't putting enough stuff in my plain yogurt.  I now really prefer good plain yogurt (organic greek is my favorite) with lots of good stuff mixed in:

local honey

north dallas honey co.

lots of sliced fruit (I sliced up a whole pineapple on Monday; pineapple is awesome in yogurt!), ground flaxseeds, cocoa, walnuts, and/or coconut

yum...now I just need to start making my own yogurt!

on work and challenges

My first job out of college was a desk job at a small awesome company, who is doing extremely well because they have the best customer service ever.  This job was a really great first job (and I appreciate/miss my fair and awesome manager and co-workers a lot), but it was a shock for me to sit at a desk all day. 

During that time, I was really lost.  I had no idea what I wanted to do or what the first step to getting there would even be.

Everyday after work, I would head to the gym to take Body Step or Body Combat or Body Pump classes; they made me feel alive after work.

Looking back, I am so thankful for my first job; I was respected and treated well, it just wasn't in the right industry for me. 

Currently, I am facing different challenges.  I am out and about, which I am so thankful for, but I struggle on a daily basis to find my voice.  Lately, I have been feeling like I run around in circles.  I am cooking and working out and decorating and studying.  But, I don't feel as confident because I am trying things that are completely uncomfortable; I am putting myslef out there.  I always thought finding the path was the hard part.

I really just had to get that out.  I enjoy a challenge, but when everything is hard all at once, it kind of knocks the wind out of you.

cocoa rocks

This week has been a quite a week; the lesson that I have learned is to have a good attitude, you never know when things are going to get better.  I am loving the inspirational lists here.  I am in a smoothie mode, it is getting warm here already, and the shake below is one of my favorites.  Happy Friday!

I love cocoa, especially the good* stuff.  This shake can also be used as starting point for lots of variations:

Chocolate Shake

recipe for 1, can easily be adapted for more

1 ripe banana

handful of frozen blueberries

a few slices of frozen peach

small handful of raw cashews

1-2 T of good cocoa powder

 1 cup milk (1% or higher, or milk alternative)

Start with just enough milk to cover fruit, adding more if desired; shake should be thick.  Blend together, and enjoy in a tall glass with a straw.

*Callebaut has a really rich chocolate flavor and I can get it in bulk at Central Market for a great price.  If you can't find it, I also like Hersey's special extra dark.

best quote ever

"But, like every woman with a spastic relationship to her hips and, in turn their relationship the butter, sugar and 70 percent chocolate that makes our taste buds go round, I paused. And paused. How could I adjust my Very Strong Need for a bite of chewy, dense, bitter-laced homage to cocoa mass with my need for my favorite skirt to fit it my favorite way?"

Deb from Smitten Kitchen, on eating brownies

chem 2, test 3...

done.  I have done 8 chem tests since September; 2 to go, then I'm on to Organic, wooohooo!

In other news, my wardrobe is at a point where it needs to be updated.  I have gotten:

A silk patterned skirt from Anthropologie. I love the ikat look and the deep pockets are very flattering. I had a gift certificate that helped make it affordable. I am now looking for a chartreuse top!

The skirt, girl on the right

These shorts disappeared online for a while and I regretted not getting them. When they came back, I bought them (Joey bought them for me!!) right away, something that I really never do full price!

gingham shorts

Oh, and I have recently had great success at Gap for great tshirts with fun details in the $10-15 range.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!  I am now in Bodystep and C30x cramming mode, as launch is next week!

rabbit rabbit

Dance Tonight- the perfect way to start a new month.



Happy Friday!