It’s Okay

February 21, 2013 by

Sometimes we get a little caught up in those small things that really don’t matter at the end of the week. We have too much on our plates, completely over-think the days away.

When we get overwhelmed, things can build up and feel the need to constantly overstimulated. It’s really pointless to think this way, it doesn’t serve us in a positive direction but leads us to unnecessary anxieties. Life is much too short to focus on insignificant things.

We add useless pressure into our lives focusing on the future, when we can sit back and enjoy the journey of life, be happy in the present moment, and just let go. Sometimes it’s perfectly acceptable to sit back, simplify our minds, and say it’s okay…

banana oats

…that in typical blogger fashion, you eat oatmeal for Breakfast most mornings

…that for the past week, all you’ve done for workouts is walk

…to have dreams about your future, without knowing exactly it is you want to do

granola

…to eat Breakfast for Dinner three nights in a row

…to be grateful where I am right now

may cause miracles

…to say no to plans because you just need some “me time”

…to know all the words in the movie Clueless

…to be content with not being perfect

pumpkin bread

…to bring snacks with you at all time

almond butter

…to ignore the serving sizes on nut butter

DSC03494

…to shamelessly take selfies with your favorite drink

…to replace water with vodka (on the weekends, of course)

…to strive to not be like everyone else

starbucks

…to go to Starbucks twice in one day.

…to love yourself

quinoa pasta

…to eat Lunch at 11 because you’re freaking hungry

…to be thankful for all I have in life

candle

…to celebrate the small things

…to wear the same thing two days in a row because “nobody saw you” the day before

glitter heels

…to consider your workout for the day walking around in heels

However, it’s not okay to miss a day without coffee;)

Instead of letting insignificant moments take over your day and turn them into a bad one, get rid of that pressure you feel to be perfect. It’s not going to happen, and you’re beautiful just the way you are. With all your quirks and silly behaviors because they make you you.

 What helps you the most when you feel overwhelmed?

What’s something you do everyday that YOU truly enjoy as “me time”?

What are your “it’s okay” moments in your life?

Have a beautiful Thursday!

{48 Comments }

What I Ate Wednesday

February 6, 2013 by

Morning beauties!

I’m extremely happy it’s already Wednesday, just a few more days until the weekend. This week is flying by, which makes me very happy since last week seemed to last forever. Another reason to be happy, it’s another round of What I Ate Wednesday, hosted by the lovely Jenn from Peas and Crayons.

Per usual, spin was on the agenda this morning. I happened to wake up before my alarm this morning, so it was rather easy to get ready for class.

Breakfast -

buckwheat

[Read more...]

{44 Comments }

Breakfast All Day

September 18, 2012 by

Hello and good morning!

Hopefully everyone is having a positive day. Everything is looking beautiful in my neck of the woods. Its still feeling like summer, which is weird considering where I live. Fall usually comes early, but not this year!

It’s that time of week again, time to get the party started.

Today started out the same way it usually does.

Spin class was fantastic, I love the energy that the class creates, even if it is at 5:30 in the morning. Followed by a trip to Starbucks for an Americano, and a cup of green juice when I got home.

Breakfast was eaten after my juice was consumed.

Breakfast: 7:30 – A bowl of 2% greek yogurt, with 1/2 a sliced banana, blueberries, cinnamon, stevia, homemade granola (recipe soon!), topped with creamy almond butter.

Two percent is where its at. No more non fat, please.

I decided to make a big to do list today, since I have tons of things to get done, but without having an actual list I for some reason can never get myself to do these things. Weird. I guess I’m just a list lover.

Doing chores make time go by so. slowly. I got started on a few things, got super bored, decided to read instead. And then it was lunch time.

I haven’t been feeling too good recently, migraines are still happening, fatigue, and sore throat. Pretty much my daily life for the past 2 months. I’m hoping its just from stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep combination.

Today my appetite also decided to pull a disappearing act on me, and I was just craving comfort foods.

Lunch: 11:30 – Eggy Oat bran with the other 1/2 banana, 2 tablespoons pumpkin, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1/2 cup egg whites, cinnamon, stevia, and peanut flour paste.

With that being said, breakfast for lunch it was. I love breakfast for lunch. Or dinner. Its a winner.

Well, that was a lame rhyme.

On the side I made sure to get some greens in, with a large (un-pictured) salad, filled with spinach, romaine, cucumbers, red peppers, strawberries and a little lemon vinaigrette.

Snack: 3 – Pumpkin Spice Bar and Coconut Butter

My afternoon snack included a little pumpkin bar recipe that turned out into a success, so I will be sharing that with you all either tomorrow or Friday. Can’t decide yet;) Get excited, because these babies are good!

 

I also made sure to get my coconut butter loving on, and had a side of it to dip the bar into. I seem to really like coconut butter in shot glasses, no idea why.

Now if the Fall weather would come on by, this snack would have felt perfect for the season!

Side note: I honestly don’t understand how people can go all day without snacking and just eat 3 meals, I swear if I don’t eat every few hours I feel like I am dying. Must just be my low blood sugar levels.

Snacking is my jam.

I was at a loss on what to make for dinner. I wanted something fast and easy. Doing chores exhausts me, more than working on my feet for 7 hours does. I don’t know what it is about cleaning/laundry that leaves me wiped out. Anyone else get this too?

Dinner: 5 -

Dinner tonight was a good one…

I just defrosted a brown rice tortilla, topped it with tomato paste, nutritional yeast, spinach, and goat cheese. With an egg omelette on the side. It was slightly ruined, because I am horrible at flipping those darned omelettes, so that went unpictured. You should thank me for that.

Today was actually a bit of a struggle food wise, for instance, I ate carbs for all my meals which I rarely will do. I did it, but I was mentally exhausted by the end of the day after fighting back and forth with my mind. My body won in the end.

And I did want to stick with the theme of having breakfast for all my meals, just because I thought that would be a challenge for me. A silly one, yes. But, still a challenge nonetheless. Since, my ED says “I can’t” have breakfast for each meal, and “must” eat vegetables or fruit at each meal/snack. I wanted to disobey that voice. Next time will actually be breakfast all day:)

You better bet the night will end with another snack, yes I always end the day with a night snack. Most likely a protein muffin tonight.

With toppings of course. I can’t eat things plain.

It just doesn’t seem right to leave something lonely without any delicious toppings.

Do you like eating breakfast type meals for lunch or dinner?

What’s your favourite salad combination?

Have a fantastic Wednesday!

{63 Comments }

Fall Bucket List

September 10, 2012 by

I love Fall.

First off, its simply a gorgeous season. I’m partial to Autumn being my favourite because my birthday occurs in this beautiful season;)

I think I’ve probably mentioned this about 23 times already in the past week, but that’s fine. (only 3 weeks exactly until the big day). For you that means 3 more weeks of my over-excitement.

[Source]

The weather here, is still plenty warm which I’ll take over rain any day, so it doesn’t feel like fall quite yet.

Except for the fact that it’s September and Fall officially starts is in 12 days.

I got even more excited about the upcoming season, since at work last night I think we might have discussed this topic for about an hour.

To me, Autumn screams comfort and family time.I’m not sure if its because the season is changing, the holidays are coming closer.

[Source]

So, before the season begins, its only necessary that I complete a Fall Bucket List. That lots of my bloggy friends have made as well.

Fall to me means tons of baking, warm beverages, walking on the crunching leaves, scarves, the vibrant colours, cute boots, hot coffee, and of course pumpkin loving.

Basically anything pumpkin gets me excited. Pumpkin scented candles, pumpkin flavoured items, carving pumpkins, squash (kabocha)  as well of course.

[Source]

Such a typical blogging obsession. However, how can you not like pumpkin?

Its so freaking versatile! And even contains 300% of our Vitamin A recommendations per serving. The beta carotene in Vitamin A also makes for pretty hair and nails. Win win.

I like to really think about the new season, what it entails, and what new things I can do.

With that, here is my Fall bucket list:

  • Make at least 2 pumpkin inspired recipes (I already busted out the pumpkin for a new snack, recipe coming at you tomorrow!)

  • Make a pumpkin spice latte, and continue to not buy the Starbucks made one.
  • Make a new savoury recipe, like chilli, soup, or something equally as warming
  • Make granola

* carrot cake granola *

  • Make apple cider
  • Make a maple inspired drink. A sweet blend of fall flavours. Yum.

  • Create a recipe using pumpkin seeds
  • Try and get myself to like cooked apples, by baking with them at least once
  • Make a Halloween or Fall inspired cocktail!

[Source]

  • Go to a pumpkin patch, with a corn maze as well
  • Carve pumpkins

[Source]

  •  Celebrate my birthday in style
  • Decorate the house with fun Halloween decor!

[Source]

  • Buy new boots (yes, I’m a bit selfish)
  • Paint my nails with a cute fall inspired theme)

[Source]

  • Continue to take care of myself with daily meditations and positive talk
  • Continue to develop a healthy relationship with exercise, not an obsessive one
  • Go through my clothing and shoes and donate anything I don’t wear to charity

So to sum it up, I am pumpkin and Autumn obsessed. Classic.

What are your favourite things about the upcoming season?

Any recipe recommendations that scream fall to you?

And make sure to check out Katie’s Marvelous Monday post!

Have a beautiful Monday!

-pic of pumpkins, candy corn, ghosts, corn, fire, leaves,
{51 Comments }

Granola Pancakes

September 5, 2012 by

Wow, Wednesday already? This week is flying by. Must be that holiday Monday that happened. This week is already full of changes and hopefully future rewards, and I’m ready to get this September starting off on the right foot.

Another Wednesday, another new month, which means another day of eats.

Again, I’ve been failing miserably on my more sleep goal. Oops.

I did manage to still get up and go to spin class. I made sure to purchase a heart rate monitor, so I can be aware of my heart rate during class and make sure I don’t push it too much.

Breakfast – 7:30:

Breakfast was a granola pancake.

  • 2 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 2 tablespoons brown rice flour
  • 1/4 cup egg whites
  • 1/4 cup banana (melted, and mashed)
  • ~1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • stevia
  • 1/4 cup granola
  • handful of frozen blueberries.

Mixed it all together, minus the granola, then folded the granola in. Cooked in a big pan with about a teaspoon of coconut oil.

You can also add a little almond milk to the batter, if it’s needed to thin out.

Topped this off with some creamy almond butter. Yummy.

Anyone else find it super weird to wake up early and instead of being light it’s super dark out? Looks like fall is coming soon!

Lunch – 12:

Lunch include socca with a side of roasted zucchini and aspragus.

The socca was simply made with 1/2 cup garbanzo bean flour, 1/2 cup water, and cooked in a teaspoon of coconut oil.

After, I added a little extra coconut oil and nutritional yeast, so it made a “cheesy” like sauce.

Also a side of avocado in a shot glass.

Snack – 3:30:

For a snack I decided to try out a new recipe, it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t as good as I hoped…it also crumbled a little too much and is clearly not blog worthy yet.

I’ll have to work on this one!

And yah, I happen to think the green colour is cool;)

I had this alongside leftover greek yogurt and a few strawberries and blueberries.

Oh goodness, I just realized how excited I am for Starbucks’ red holiday cups to return!! I wonder when they get those in?

I’m pretty sure last year they started giving them out early, so hopefully the same goes for this year.

I think I’m getting a little too ahead of myself over here.

Dinner – 6:

After I did all my “housekeeping” chores for the day, I whipped up something fast…

Just a simple slice of toasted ezekiel bread with avocado an egg, and a side of kale “chips”.

Easy, but tasty.

Now I’m drinking a cup of chocolate coconut butter milk.

This was fantastic.

I simply heated up a cup of almond milk and 1 tablespoon of raw cacao bliss, for about 1 minute and 40 seconds in the microwave.

It created a warm coconut-ty, yet chocolatey beverage. One of the best combinations out there.

Off to catch up on Grimm. Enjoy your Wednesday, make it a good one!

Anyone else excited for the holiday cups at Starbucks?

What is your favourite easy dinner?

*Remember there are only a few days left to enter my coconut oil giveaway!

{75 Comments }

Carrot cake granola and winner!

May 21, 2012 by

Hello lovelies!

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekends. I still have another day of weekend bliss over here, since it’s Victoria Day for us Canadian’s!

This weekend, the weather gods blessed us with beautiful sun on Saturday, but when Sunday came around the rain came out unfortunately.

I spent a good part of the weekend with my sister, grabbing coffee and bringing home a new kitten she got. It is absolutely adorable! I will have to take some pictures next time and show you all them!

I was planning on trying out a new recipe with turkey, but instead was inspired by the chilly weather.

I have been looking for some different breakfast options, because I am usually reaching for the oat bran. Not complaining at all, overnight oat bran is still my favourite breakfast, but I definitely want to mix things up every once in a while. Enter granola.

I was browsing Julie’s site, and saw her granola roundup recipes, I clicked on over to her chocolate protein granola and got inspired to create my own granola recipe!

I have about 4 pounds of carrots hanging out in my fridge. So when life gives you carrots, make carrot cake granola. Duh. :)

Carrot Cake Granola (inspired by Julie’s chocolate protein granola)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups oats (I used gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon stevia (feel free to adjust to your taste)
  • 1 tablespoon ground coffee (I used pumpkin spice coffee)
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon egg whites
  • 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil (or other oil)
  • 1/2 cup carrot puree (I made my own, but feel free to buy already made carrot puree, carrot baby food, or use canned pumpkin for pumpkin pie granola)

To make carrot puree. Steam carrots until you can puncture a knife through them. Process into a food processor. Easy peezy. Or as I said above, just replace with pumpkin puree, it would be pumpkin pie granola, still darn tasty I’d say.

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Mix dry ingredients into a bowl, melt the coconut oil and mix together wet ingredients, add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until everything is thoroughly coated together.
  • Grab a baking sheet and line with parchment paper, spread granola evenly onto the parchment.
  • Put granola in the oven for 10 minutes. Take out and stir, putting the granola back in for another 10 minutes. Stir again, and place back into the oven for another ~5-10 minutes (will depend on oven).
  • Allow to cool for 20 minutes.

Makes four 1/2 cup servings.

This is so good. I enjoyed it the next morning over a bowl of greek yogurt. Filling breakfast, with a serving a veggies first thing in the morning. Sounds good if you ask me.

It tastes great alone, and probably with almond milk poured over top as well. I served it with a side of coffee of course.

Delicious and healthy, great combination.

I think I have found myself my new favourite granola recipe!

*******

The Winner of the SlimKicker giveaway is…

Brittany! Wahoo, congrats girl!

E-mail me your shipping address (lisa.lately@hotmail.com) and I’ll pass it on to the SlimKicker company, and get the scale off to you asap!

I’m off and ready for the week to come. It’s a short week, so I think it will be a great one.

Hope you’re all having an awesome day!!

xox,
Lisa

{29 Comments }

Holy Crap, Skinny B, and Snacks

March 26, 2012 by

Hey all, it’s Monday!

<source>

Can you tell I like this website?

Hopefully everyone enjoyed their weekend! :)
I actually do not mind Monday’s too much, it always seems like Tuesday is the longest day to get through, and I like that it is a new start to the week!

I have a few different goals for myself this week, one including getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things. Including some new ingredients, recipes, and even eating at different times. I have to learn to be able to be less restricted in this sense.

Now on to something yummy from this morning, breakfast!

Oat Bran with egg whites, chia seeds, pumpkin, peanut flour and topped with new to me granola

this breakfast cereal is made in BC

great ingredients!

I ended up trying this Holy Crap on my oats this morning and it rocked! I’d say it is more of a granola though, not “breakfast cereal”. The ingredients are top notch, no added sweetener at all, and it really tastes good! I’m impressed. They also have another line called Skinny B, which I think I’ll like, so next time I’m at the store I’ll have to pick that up.

Later in the afternoon I got a little hungry and whipped up this snack.

Coconut-Cream Mousse

  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (I used 2%)
  • 1/4 cup cottage cheese (I used 2%)
  • 1/3 banana, frozen
  • 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract (you could use vanilla if you don’t have coconut)
  • stevia
  • 1 teaspoon almond butter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon guar gum and xanthan gum (to thicken) [optional]
  • 2-4 tablespoons almond milk (to get blender moving) [if needed]

First blend greek yogurt and cottage cheese together, then add in the banana, and extracts/stevia, next blend in the coconut flour and almond butter; at this point if you need some liquid add in the almond milk, and you can add in the guar/xanthan if it is not thick enough for you at this point. I used a food processor for this.

You can freeze it for about 10 minutes, so it will get super cold.
This was really good!

And if you don’t have any coconut flour feel free to add in almond flour, protein powder, or cocoa powder to replace it. I’m sure it would taste just as good!

Since my tailbone is actually pretty sore today, I opted to skip my planned workout, instead here’s a playlist I made last week:

<source>

Has anyone seen these toe socks for pilates or yoga?! I so want them! My feet are always cold! Maybe these would get me to try yoga more often than I do right now ;)

 

Would you buy toe socks specific for yoga or pilates?
Do you like Monday’s, or are they a drag to get through for you?

That’s all for now. Enjoy the day!
xo

{6 Comments }