So one of the things that I loved the most about breakfast were the overnight oats that I would make for quick morning grabs. They were super simple - a single serving of Greek yogurt (any flavor), 1/4 cup of oats, throw in some chia seeds and fruit and let refrigerate overnight. Voila! Super easy and good!
When I gave up dairy, my mind went first to pizza (seriously. how was I going to survive??), and then to overnight oats. I quickly did some pinterest hunting and found this recipe. It seriously is amazing!!
1 banana, mashed up
1 cup almond milk (I personally prefer the silk protein/fiber one)
1 cup oats
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tsp honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
mix all together and separate into two containers. I see a lot of people use mason jars. I'm not that into appearances, so I just use Tupperware.
I may have made part of that up, because I can never remember recipes. Add anything else you may want to have included... I bet if some sort of jam went into it, it would be delicious too - PB, Jelly, and banana?? Mmm mmm mmm..
Happy breakfasting!
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Sometimes you're in the right place at the worst possible time..
2 years ago, well 2 1/2 years ago now, I gave notice to my company of 10 years that I was moving to Portland, OR. I had spent 2 weeks in Ohio as an already planned trip, and was able to wrap up a lot of loose ends while there.
On my last night in town, my work friends and I decided to go out to our favorite hangout and celebrate my pending resignation. B and I had talked through a social app, but I never really give those conversations much thought because I was in and out so often.. nothing ever stuck. The first week I was in town, I think we started talking literally my first night there, and I was in a hotel. I was so jet lagged, no plans worked out. He talked me through the impending doom that was telling my family about the job, and was my ear when I needed one. ANYWAY, he came out my last night in town after he got off of work.
When he walked in the bar, my heart did the pidder padder thing that I hadn't felt in years. He grabbed a beer, and came up to my friends and just fit in with everyone. One by one everyone started to drop out, as everyone else had to get up the next day.. i just had to catch a flight, so I stuck around. B and I ended up staying out until at least 3 AM. We may have made out in the parking lot until that time (the bar closed down), and then we both made our separate ways home.
I got back to Rachel's, and packed my suitcase so I wouldn't have to worry about it in the morning and crawled into bed. My flight was at 9 AM or so, and I overslept. Rachel had to wake me up, and while I rushed around and gave her the short story (IMETSOMEONEANDITWASMYLASTNIGHTINTOWN is probably how it sounded to her.. lol), and then made my way to the airport.
As I typically had a layover in Atlanta, I started feeling crappy in between flights. Obviously, I had been up super late the night before.. and it was January in Ohio. It was probably 20 degrees outside. Maybe 30. When I got back to Jacksonville, I texted B to let him know I made it and commented that I didn't feel well and hoped he didn't have anything come around because of it.. to which he said he didn't feel the greatest either. It became an inside joke.. and then I eventually learned that he was already sick. Thanks, dude. :) I guess it was worth it!
At any rate, I got to work packing up my Florida apartment (that I had lived in for 3 months.. Fortunately, I traveled a lot, so not much was unpacked other than my kitchen). The day my movers came, I was a wreck. He talked about driving down to hang out with me until it was "go" time, but we decided that the money he would spend on that trip, he could put it to the side for a trip to Portland, OR.
We talked off and on over the next year.. both of us entering and exiting dating others.. and then he started talking about flying out to Portland again. At first it was going to be for New Years, but he could only stay for 2-3 days.. and flying across the country wouldn't be worth that. So he kept watching flights and it was finally established (ironically on our year "anniversary" of when we first met), that he was coming to visit me the week after valentines day.
The week before he came, I moved into my new apartment. It was sidelined for 3 days because of a snow storm that shut down the city of Portland, and I got super ancy that the weather wouldn't be good while he was here. I had my work's gala the weekend before and it was rainy, and yeah.. I was panicking!
He showed up on a Wednesday and we hugged for what seemed like forever at the airport. We left there and explored for much of the rest of the day and passed out by 8 PM.. maybe 9. Both awake super early the next day, we were off to Seattle for the day, since it was going to be rainy in Portland, and sunny and nice there. We met up with one of his college friends and explored the city.. getting back to Portland at 4 AM. The next day, we stuck around Portland, taking the Max around, and went to the coast the following day. Our last day together.. we were working on a puzzle (ha - i know. we're old) at my table, and my kitten comes disney cat leaping out of the bathroom with pellets of water springing off of her. I had thrown a load of laundry in and thought maybe I kept the lid up and she fell in... nope. Something broke and my bathroom was flooded. My other cat was in the furthest corner on my counter trying to hide and I grabbed her and brought her out... while I called maintenance, he worked on cleaning up the water.
When I dropped him off at the airport that night, I couldn't even watch him go through security.. I started crying the minute that he gave them his ticket and ID.. and I lost it all the way back to the car.
Since that time, I've made two trips back home to see him. The last trip was weird and felt off... like we weren't as connected as we have been. I have a sneaking suspicion that he may be seeing someone else. I can't complain nor say much. We aren't together. We are separated by 2000+ miles currently and it's not realistic to think that we can make this work.. though I would certainly try.
I don't trust people very often. When I date guys, I have walls upon walls built up, which often pushes them away. B has managed to burst through all walls.. which scares the hell out of me.
Sigh.
On my last night in town, my work friends and I decided to go out to our favorite hangout and celebrate my pending resignation. B and I had talked through a social app, but I never really give those conversations much thought because I was in and out so often.. nothing ever stuck. The first week I was in town, I think we started talking literally my first night there, and I was in a hotel. I was so jet lagged, no plans worked out. He talked me through the impending doom that was telling my family about the job, and was my ear when I needed one. ANYWAY, he came out my last night in town after he got off of work.
When he walked in the bar, my heart did the pidder padder thing that I hadn't felt in years. He grabbed a beer, and came up to my friends and just fit in with everyone. One by one everyone started to drop out, as everyone else had to get up the next day.. i just had to catch a flight, so I stuck around. B and I ended up staying out until at least 3 AM. We may have made out in the parking lot until that time (the bar closed down), and then we both made our separate ways home.
I got back to Rachel's, and packed my suitcase so I wouldn't have to worry about it in the morning and crawled into bed. My flight was at 9 AM or so, and I overslept. Rachel had to wake me up, and while I rushed around and gave her the short story (IMETSOMEONEANDITWASMYLASTNIGHTINTOWN is probably how it sounded to her.. lol), and then made my way to the airport.
As I typically had a layover in Atlanta, I started feeling crappy in between flights. Obviously, I had been up super late the night before.. and it was January in Ohio. It was probably 20 degrees outside. Maybe 30. When I got back to Jacksonville, I texted B to let him know I made it and commented that I didn't feel well and hoped he didn't have anything come around because of it.. to which he said he didn't feel the greatest either. It became an inside joke.. and then I eventually learned that he was already sick. Thanks, dude. :) I guess it was worth it!
At any rate, I got to work packing up my Florida apartment (that I had lived in for 3 months.. Fortunately, I traveled a lot, so not much was unpacked other than my kitchen). The day my movers came, I was a wreck. He talked about driving down to hang out with me until it was "go" time, but we decided that the money he would spend on that trip, he could put it to the side for a trip to Portland, OR.
We talked off and on over the next year.. both of us entering and exiting dating others.. and then he started talking about flying out to Portland again. At first it was going to be for New Years, but he could only stay for 2-3 days.. and flying across the country wouldn't be worth that. So he kept watching flights and it was finally established (ironically on our year "anniversary" of when we first met), that he was coming to visit me the week after valentines day.
The week before he came, I moved into my new apartment. It was sidelined for 3 days because of a snow storm that shut down the city of Portland, and I got super ancy that the weather wouldn't be good while he was here. I had my work's gala the weekend before and it was rainy, and yeah.. I was panicking!
He showed up on a Wednesday and we hugged for what seemed like forever at the airport. We left there and explored for much of the rest of the day and passed out by 8 PM.. maybe 9. Both awake super early the next day, we were off to Seattle for the day, since it was going to be rainy in Portland, and sunny and nice there. We met up with one of his college friends and explored the city.. getting back to Portland at 4 AM. The next day, we stuck around Portland, taking the Max around, and went to the coast the following day. Our last day together.. we were working on a puzzle (ha - i know. we're old) at my table, and my kitten comes disney cat leaping out of the bathroom with pellets of water springing off of her. I had thrown a load of laundry in and thought maybe I kept the lid up and she fell in... nope. Something broke and my bathroom was flooded. My other cat was in the furthest corner on my counter trying to hide and I grabbed her and brought her out... while I called maintenance, he worked on cleaning up the water.
When I dropped him off at the airport that night, I couldn't even watch him go through security.. I started crying the minute that he gave them his ticket and ID.. and I lost it all the way back to the car.
Since that time, I've made two trips back home to see him. The last trip was weird and felt off... like we weren't as connected as we have been. I have a sneaking suspicion that he may be seeing someone else. I can't complain nor say much. We aren't together. We are separated by 2000+ miles currently and it's not realistic to think that we can make this work.. though I would certainly try.
I don't trust people very often. When I date guys, I have walls upon walls built up, which often pushes them away. B has managed to burst through all walls.. which scares the hell out of me.
Sigh.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Life Decisions
Over the last few months, I've made a few changes in my life. They make my happy, and I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of it. :) They include:
- Train for a 1/2 and full marathon (1/2 is completed, but I have to get my time better before I even consider doing a full)
- Became a beachbody coach
- Get my eating under order
When I decided to train for a 1/2.. I went all out. I registered for 3. The first one was in May.. and I crossed the finish line sobbing at 3:40. SOBBING. Not happy tears, either. Around mile 6 my left knee popped.. and it went downhill from there. By the end of the race, my right hip (complete opposite side of my body) hurt so badly that it took me everything I had to even keep going. I was bound determined to get the medal though. My mindset kept saying "3 more miles.. 2 more miles.. 1 more" and so on (starting from the halfway point.. lol). It got me through! My next one is in July. I don't have much more hope for that one, BUT, I started running today with the Running Chicks, and that will be on Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings. Provided I get one more run in during the week, I think I can definitely beat my previous time. Hell.. so long as my knee doesn't give out again, I should be able to be closer to 3 hours.
It's no secret that I love Beachbody. LOVE IT. I think they are a fantastic company and provide exceptional products... even though I love to swear at Shaun T constantly. I feel better afterwards at least! After a lot of thinking, I decided to become a coach. Granted, it was primarily for the discount, but I wanted to motivate people. I've been pushing the motivating a little more lately (push a little and be pushed in return, right?), and I noticed that someone had defriended me. When I asked them about it, I was told "Well, I liked the old Kelli better. Now all you post about is fitness and being happy." Ehmm.. okay? So you liked the Kelli that was depressed, overweight (granted, I'm still that girl), and unhappy about being dealt the short stick for most things? OKAY THEN. And I accepted their opinion and moved on.
Getting my eating under order is a fun topic. I'm a funny girl when it comes to eating. I don't really eat red meat unless my iron is low.. and I really only eat during the week. I forget on the weekends. Seriously. I can go all day and then around dinnertime (normally when I'm out doing something), I am FAMISHED. So when I would eat, I would gorge on anything around me. I was tired constantly, and just blah all around. My boss approached me about it and told me that I should watch Forks over Knives.. so I did last weekend. Which then led me to Netflix's recommendation of "Vegucated". After the first one, I was just thinking "Okay, I can see the point.." but after the second one? I got out of bed and CLEANED OUT MY FRIDGE AND FREEZER. I have now been animal protein free (for the most part) for 7 days. Today is day 8. And let me tell you - I feel FANTASTIC! I'm super alert, I'm not tired at all, and I have no idea how this fits into this whole saga - but I've been wearing contacts since 7 AM, and they aren't bothering me one bit.
I've been slowly telling people about all of the above - and I have to say. I'm amazed with all of the negativity I'm getting in return. For running, it's usually "You run 13.1 miles? For fun? You know that's bad for you, right?" It's healthier than being on the couch! For Beachbody, it's "It's just a fad. It doesn't actually do anything for you.. pyramid scheme.. they just want your money." Tell that to the 15 pounds I've lost in the last year. And that was on a part-time whenever I felt like it basis (so probably 1/4 time). For the vegan part? That's where I get the most negativity. "That's so LAME. Why would you do something like that?" Seriously. I've heard it from at least 3 people. I'm not saying it's going to stick forever, or that I won't "splurge" from time to time.. but I feel better. And it's just food. Everyone lives differently!
I've made it my goal to wipe the negativity out. Have them see me, have them see the changes, and THEN change their opinion about it all. I thoroughly enjoy everything that I'm doing, and I'm hoping that as I move forward, more people will jump on board and not only see, but join me in my healthy endeavors.
My PiYo order was shipped Friday. To say that I'm excited is an understatement. I've made it my goal to stick to the 60 day plan, and to document my progress. People may think now that it's a "fad thing", but I'm going to prove to them that it's not.
Let's do this! :)
A new direction!
My life goals are continuously changing. Here's a huge update on what's been going on:
I moved to Portland, OR back in February 2013. It has proven continuously to be the best decision I have ever made.
Anyway, I already knew a few people when I moved here (much easier transition than when I moved to FL), and soon found myself in a relationship. Come May 2013, I realized that my running had changed. I was short breathed, tired all of the time, and only wanted to eat sweets. I was never "regular" so I took a test, thinking that I was just stressed out and not really worried about it.. until it came back positive.
I called my best friend sobbing. I had deadlines, I was going to be a single mom, I didn't want kids, etc. She explained to me that I say I don't want kids because of what happened to me previously, that my mind is protecting myself and that I would be a great mother - because she sees how I am with Lexie (my niece, her daughter).
At any rate, I wasn't thinking about keeping the kid (The first thing I said to the doctor was "that due date doesn't work for me.. I have a deadline 2 days before)... but I didn't know what I wanted. Over the span of 3 days, I think I went through every emotion and every possible decision in my head, and while "K" and I made a decision on what was going to happen, my mind was continuously making overturns.
Two or three days after finding out I was 6 weeks pregnant, I was at the casino with my best friend in Portland and I didn't feel right. I was experiencing cramps and general wooziness (which I hadn't really ate much that day, so I didn't think much of it, other than grabbing a granola bar and a sweet drink at the gas station). On the way home, I felt worse and worse.. and when I got home, I realized that nothing was right about how I was feeling. I was paralyzed on my couch, with my doctor saying that because I was at 6 weeks, there was nothing they could do and that I should "ride it out" and told me what to watch for.. and if I wasn't feeling better in 48 hours to come in and they would do what they do.
Happy Memorial Day to me, right?
I felt so much guilt, so much sadness.. and so much relief. And, I think this is the first time I've told anyone but a few select people.. on a blog. But it works into my story, so I am fine with sharing.
At any rate, I felt myself spiraling down to the point of where my depression was back and rearing its ugly head. I had made negotiations with one of my doctors that I would work out in exchange for not being on meds anymore, as they made me feel not like myself. I knew that I needed to get back into that in order to return to me.
This blog is changing directions for the most part. Originally, it was designed to help me understand and figure out where things were going wrong in my life, and to detail the hilarious encounters I was experiencing as a single girl. But now, in addition to all that, I'm going to be documenting my life. From fitness to work to having fun. Enjoy! :)
I moved to Portland, OR back in February 2013. It has proven continuously to be the best decision I have ever made.
Anyway, I already knew a few people when I moved here (much easier transition than when I moved to FL), and soon found myself in a relationship. Come May 2013, I realized that my running had changed. I was short breathed, tired all of the time, and only wanted to eat sweets. I was never "regular" so I took a test, thinking that I was just stressed out and not really worried about it.. until it came back positive.
I called my best friend sobbing. I had deadlines, I was going to be a single mom, I didn't want kids, etc. She explained to me that I say I don't want kids because of what happened to me previously, that my mind is protecting myself and that I would be a great mother - because she sees how I am with Lexie (my niece, her daughter).
At any rate, I wasn't thinking about keeping the kid (The first thing I said to the doctor was "that due date doesn't work for me.. I have a deadline 2 days before)... but I didn't know what I wanted. Over the span of 3 days, I think I went through every emotion and every possible decision in my head, and while "K" and I made a decision on what was going to happen, my mind was continuously making overturns.
Two or three days after finding out I was 6 weeks pregnant, I was at the casino with my best friend in Portland and I didn't feel right. I was experiencing cramps and general wooziness (which I hadn't really ate much that day, so I didn't think much of it, other than grabbing a granola bar and a sweet drink at the gas station). On the way home, I felt worse and worse.. and when I got home, I realized that nothing was right about how I was feeling. I was paralyzed on my couch, with my doctor saying that because I was at 6 weeks, there was nothing they could do and that I should "ride it out" and told me what to watch for.. and if I wasn't feeling better in 48 hours to come in and they would do what they do.
Happy Memorial Day to me, right?
I felt so much guilt, so much sadness.. and so much relief. And, I think this is the first time I've told anyone but a few select people.. on a blog. But it works into my story, so I am fine with sharing.
At any rate, I felt myself spiraling down to the point of where my depression was back and rearing its ugly head. I had made negotiations with one of my doctors that I would work out in exchange for not being on meds anymore, as they made me feel not like myself. I knew that I needed to get back into that in order to return to me.
This blog is changing directions for the most part. Originally, it was designed to help me understand and figure out where things were going wrong in my life, and to detail the hilarious encounters I was experiencing as a single girl. But now, in addition to all that, I'm going to be documenting my life. From fitness to work to having fun. Enjoy! :)
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