Candy and Quinoa

Hmmmm....new blog name?  These two words pretty much describe my diet to a T.  Half of me wants healthy goodness and the other half is like OMG GIVE ME ALL THE CHOCOLATE!

Anyway, I had to share this little story with y'all.  It's one of those classic stories that makes you laugh a leeeetle too hard and might not be funny if you weren't there, but I'll give it a try anyway.

So yesterday, after another full day of IEP writing, I went home and decided to get some cooking done before heading to the gym for spinning and weights.  Deb made daaaaalish Morocan chicken and I decided to make a quinoa tomato and corn salad as a side.  **Note to self: You actually have to have corn to make the quinoa tomato corn salad**  So it became a tomato and quinoa salad instead.

So I go to the cabinet where I usually keep the quinoa and since it's on a higher shelf I began reaching around for it and what did I find?

Plus the 4 that I ate...

My pre-Lent candy stash!  I started laughing right away.  I was searching for quinoa...trying to be healthy and all and I found some Ghiradelli's carmel and dark chocolate sea salt caramels!  Needless to say I ate 2 of the squares immediately.  This whole no sugar until the race is over thing is going seamlessly if you were wondering :)


I instantly remembered when Amanda and I bought them in Target after Valentine's Day.  The entire box (she took half and I took half) cost us $1!!  What a deal!

One of my friends told me they were Manna from God.  I couldn't agree more!  Doesn't this have sweet serindipity written all over it?


I ate two more today after my run and now they're coming to work with me.  I cannot have them here or I'll eat them all up.

I felt that it was okay to snack on them because I knew that spin was going to be a crazy event as it always is.  Thank you Carrie for kicking my chocolate loving butt.  It was a mix of 10 sprints (!) and some mountains.  She calls them hills, but they're Mt. Everest mountains.


I hope you enjoyed that little tidbit of random fun!

Happy Thursday!  One more day until the weekend!  We can do it :)

Also, shout out to my lovely friend Jaclyn!  It's her birthday today!  Welcome to 25!  Can't wait to celebrate with you tonight Princess!

This picture is us in a nutshell.  Pink, pearls, and big sunnies!

Love you girl!

xoxo,

e

Wednesday Weekend Recap

Hey All,

So Weekend Recap on a Wednesday?  Can we make that a thing?  It's been rough trying to get back in the swing of a regular work week after 11 days off.

Let's just say when given the option, I'll always pick waking up at 9:30 over 5 any day.

Well, let's just reminisce about the last weekend of spring break shall we?

Friday was definitely a FriYAY!  I went running and got my lift on before venturing out for more super secret errands.  I was successful, if you were wondering ;)

After scoring a shopping win, I drove up to Princeton (dodged the storm) and met Cara for dinner in Princeton.  Our old stomping grounds, D'Angelo's served as our fabulous din din.  D'Angelo's (35 Spring St. Princeton) has been one of our regular spots for 5 years.  We feel old saying that.

Chicken meatballs with marinara and roasted tomatoes!

After dinner (we shut the place down) we wandered the beautiful campus and just caught up and chatted. Talking with Cara is one of my favorite things because it's so much fun to discuss big issues, ideas, reminisce, and discuss dreams.  Girl chatter at it's best!  We don't get to see each other as much as we'd like to, but every time we hang out we pick up right where we left off.

After walking for hours, we ended up at the old faithful, House of Cupcakes on Witherspoon.  You need to get yourself there!  They've been featured on Cupcake Wars (and won!) and have expanded form just cupcakes to all kinds of desserts and sweets. I'm talking fudge, rice krispies, brownies, candy, ice cream, truffles, cookies, and they do specialty ones, too!  They even have vegan treats and puppy treats!  Cara got an ice cream and I went balls to the walls with this brownie!

Brownie, dipped in chocolate, with chocolate icing, with crushed up chocolate covered pretzels complete with chocolate drizzle.  

We shut down this place, too!  I guess it's becoming a trend for us :)


Saturday morning started like all Saturdays...gym time play time!  I wasn't feeling my usual Saturday routine so I decided to do some kettlebell and TRX fun.

Schwing, batter batter, schwing!

It hit the soul...and the arms...and the legs...and the abs...and the shoulders.

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Saturday afternoon my dad and I headed to the Phillies Futures Game.

Thank you Phillies 5k for the awesome seats<3

This game features the stars of tomorrow aka the next generation of Phillies and they play the current Phillies team.  It was a great game.  Both teams played hard.  The Futures look awesome (maybe 2020 will be our year?) and they almost won the game!  It's not good to lose to your minor league team, right?  

Decked out in our (warmest) Phillies Phinest!

It was awkward to see people who were younger than me on the board!  One was born in 1994!!!??? What is up with that?  He's a baby...

Oh hey big guy!

Saturday night, I ventured out for more secret errands and again was successful!  Only a few more days of secrecy I promise!

Sunday was a relaxing run day.  It was my first 10 mile run as race prep for Broad Street and it was a blustery one.  I felt like I was in the middle of the running devil and the running angel.  When the wind was blowing in my favor, it was so easy and fun...the running angel.  The I love running!  This is the best run ever! What a great idea!  

However...

when the wind was beating me in the face and pushing me in the opposite direction,  I felt like I had a parachute attached to my back the whole time.  It was a struggle...to say the least!  This is the running devil.  The you know you have chocolate at home, right?  The I hate running.  It's cold and windy and why are you doing this?  THAT is the running devil side of my shoulder.  

Sunday night was spent getting mentally prepped for work.  I also watched the ACM's.  Kate sent me this text and I couldn't agree more!  

Why we're best friends <3

He rocked it.  Plus Carrie killed it.  Miranda was amazing!  I like Blake's new song, too.  He looked super emotional while he was singing it and I wish wish wish the cameraman panned over to who he was staring at while he was singing.  Did anyone else notice that?  He seemed very preoccupied.  I loved the show, but I always wonder why they don't do more awards.  Kelsea Ballerini, Dan+Shay, and others won best new female artist and best new duo respectively and they didn't get stage time.  Those are big deal awards!  Did anyone else think Kelsea killed her performance? She rocked it.  Holy girl crush on her legs, too!  

I have to give a big shout out to my students for being rock stars this week!  I was expecting to have to pull them down from the rafters and it has been the complete opposite.  Kudos kiddos!

I hope you are all having a great week so far!

XOXO,

E

Friday Favorites

Happy FriYAY!

I'm not exactly celebrating because it means the end of Spring Break.  Spring Break has been such a good 10 day break.  It was filled with friends, fitness, and relaxation.  All the things that I love most.

In typical Friday Fashion, I'll be posting some of my favorite things from around the web, the world, and other little places.

First, funny gym story .

I grabbed a resistance band to do some curls, and just as I started to curl, one handle ripped right off!   It made a huge loud snapping sound.  To make matters worse, it ripped off right in front of the gym's owner.  That was awkward.  He was like, "That's broken."  Then he put it in the trash and said to the guy working the desk, "The women in this gym are too strong."  #truestory It's so awkward and my face went beet red.

Then, about 10 minutes later, a random gym goer started talking to the owner about this natural supplement he's been taking that not only helps boost athletic performance, but it doubles as a natural aphrodisiac.  #awkward

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He then said this magical aphrodisiac/pre-workout/testosterone booster was from, "some plant in Africa."  

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Also, a fellow gym goer told me he saw me running yesterday.  I wanted to ask if he saw me dancing...

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But I guess some things are better left unsaid...and unknown :)

This actually brings me to this week's first Friday Favorite!

THIS!  Taylor Vs. Treadmill!

This is pretty much what I look like running/rapping/dancing.  

These Running Fashion Faux Pas!  http://www.runnersworld.com/running-apparel/10-running-fashion-faux-pas

I LOVE the comments about the Triathlon suit guy and the race course.  Does this guy know something about the course that we don't?  HILARIOUS! 

My new Phillies Pluency Pholders.  I'm super excited about baseball season starting (obviously).  So I made file folder fluency readers with pictures of the Phillies players inside so they can practice reading fluency while "Reading To The Phillies!"  Hello insta-centers!

Lunching with friends this week.  Nothing beats enjoying some girl talk and yummy food.  

One of my favorite co-workers got engaged!  Congrats to you two!  You are both wonderful people and I'm so lucky to know you!  Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness and love!

Parini Prosecco!  I was at Wegman's today (because it's a day ending in y) and they had a wine sample (Cheers to 12-3 wine sampling on Fridays!  They also had samples of veggies, bourbon chicken skewers, and cookie cake and regular cake!)  This new to me proseco was delishhhhhh!  Bubbly, sweet (but not overly sweet), and fruity.  A perfect light summery dessert wine.

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THIS BARBECUE SAUCE!

I first saw this mentioned on Angie Asche's instagram account and knew I had to pick it up the next time I was at Whole Foods.  It's a great product without artificial sweeteners.  It's sweetened with dates!  I love products that use whole food to create new food.  

There's only 2 grams of sugar in one tsp (the serving size).  I'm a huge BBQ fan and there's really nothing better in the summer than a good cook out.  I will be using this stuff all summer long.  I already made a batch of BBQ marinated chicken.  I obviously took a quick lick of the marinade before I put it on the chicken and my mind was blown!  I seriously contemplated getting food poisoning because I was *this* close to licking the Tessemae covered spoon after coating the chicken in this goodness.  

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Apparently, you can also buy this on Amazon.com.  It's about $5.50, but it's worth it.  The flavor is really concentrated so you don't need a lot to get that wow flavor.  It's thick and tangy, not overly sweet.  Just the way I like it.  I dare you not to lick your fingers.  

Dark chocolate peanut butter Smidgens from Gertrude Hawk!  OMG these little bunnies are actually devils.  They are so good!  So good in fact that I'm going to have to put off the refined sugar free race prep until I finish them off in a few days.  

I am being good and only having the serving size.

Anyway, today I'm off to visit Cara in Princeton to relive our college glory days of dining at D'Angelo's! 

Also, I'm on a full on shoe odyssey.  Not a quest...oh no...this has gone beyond a quest and into a full on Odyssey.  I'll keep you posted how that goes.  

Before I say bye, I'm going to leave you with this little gem.  

This was from an ill fated girls trip to AC...4 YEARS AGO!  We were babies!  I can't believe that in 4 months Amanda will be a married woman!  Please don't judge my hair.  21 year old Erin thought this was a good look.  Oy vey!  

XOXO,

E

Abstainers/Moderators

Happy Thursday!



What is everyone up to today?  Today is a pretty hodgepodge kinda day over here.  Last night my beloved spin class was cancelled so I decided to call it a night and curl up with a glass of wine and some DVRed Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.  Guess who I found?!

Haley and Emily!  

Ben's TWINS!  How crazy?! Also, fun fact, Melissa Rycroft also started her reality tv fame on this show!

Also, Sean Lowe appeared on this show because he was Brooke Sorenson's boyfriend in season 2.  ALSO, Brooke went on to marry Laynce Nix a Philadelphia Philly for 2.5 seasons.  Cacacacrazy!

The title of the post is something that I found inspiration on Julie's blog.  The post is based on the Happiness podcast and it deals with 2 kinds of people:  moderators and abstainers.  Moderators can have one little nibble of a treat and be fine.  Abstainers have to have it all or nothing.  

I'm definitely an abstainer.  I can't have just one piece of chocolate.  I want it all.  I can't have candy, cookies, or cake in the house because I know that in 24 hours it will be gone.  I'm the same way with grapes.  I could live on grapes.  I've always been this way.  I could NEVER be one of those girls who can just *share* dessert.  No thanks!  I need my own piece.  For example, when I prep for races, I cut all refined sugar out of the house.  I can't have any of it or I'll eat all of it.  For short races, I cut refined sugar out for a week.  For longer races, it takes a solid month.  I just find this interesting.  Everyone has different vices and it's interesting how people engage and tackle their vices.  

Yesterday I ended up running around trying to accomplish some top secret errands.  I'll post them in a few weeks when the secret is no longer under wraps.  But until then, my lips are sealed.  

I went (unsuccessfully) shoe shopping for the upcoming weddings.  I didn't find any shoes, but I did find Jaclyn's birthday presents!  

Last night I was exhausted so I called it a night at 9:30.  I did not set an alarm since the only thing on the agenda was Pilates, Barred, lifting, and a run.  I woke up at 9 today!  9!  I never sleep that late!  I kinda enjoyed it ;)

 I went on a quick 5 mile run this morning.  It was a speedy, schweaty run...just the way I like them :) I usually like running at 5 am, but when the opportunity to sleep in presents itself, THIS GIRL will take it.  There's a few differences between running at 5 am and running at 9 am.  

• PEOPLE will see you rundance.  Rundancing is something that I invented to keep me motivated to run at 5 am.  Rundancing is kind of a mix or dancing, running, and sign language. I kinda sign the lyrics while I dance a little bit and obviously run.  It's also great for the endurance!  It's totally dorky, but it's really really really fun! The cars I pass while rundancing at 5 am, I feel like we have a special bond  (who really wants to be up at 5 am?) so they don't care about what I do.  The 9 am-ers have all been up and had their coffee and they know that you are crazy.  
• It's freaking bright!  I don't wear sunglasses when I run because I usually run before the sun comes up.  Plus I hate when they slip down your face.  I ended up with a squinty face.  Mix that with the rundancing and you've got one sexayyy runner...jk.

While I was running today I was thinking, wow, it would be great finances wise to get a babysitting job this weekend.  Well, when I came home and got out of the shower I got a text asking if I could babysit this afternoon.  I then immediately said wow, it would be great if Chris Evans showed up in my life!   Still waiting on that one ;)

Tonight is going to be a great workout, then some Scandal!  So excited!  This season is really picking up and I can't wait to see where all of the story lines go.  Also, it's my last day for wine for a whole month...gotta kick it into high gear for Broad Street! 

I hope everyone has a great Thursday!  

xoxo,

E

Why Is Everyone Younger Than Me?

Happy Hump Day!

So yesterday was interesting.  It's always interesting when you go back to your alma mater for a visit...on a Tuesday...that isn't homecoming.

I spent 5 years at TCNJ and LOVED my time there.  I learned a lot, made great friends, and it definitely helped me find my job.  I loved undergrad and grad school at TCNJ and highly recommend it.  If after reading this post you decide to go there, tell them I sent you and maybe they'll give me a little kick back for me loan?  No?  That's not how it works?

Since I'm on spring break, Jaclyn and I decided to meet up for a mid week lunch.  We decided to grab lunch at our usual post-class spot, Panera.  Isn't that every college kids favorite place?  Hello, carby goodness.

Jaclyn and I used to go after Wednesday night class.  Every.  Week.   Broc Cheddar Soup+Bread Bowl+Bread+Cookie+Soda.  It was amazing. We regret nothing.  I only miss my 20 year old metabolism.

Since I graduated form TCNJ, they have build a College Town.  There are basically 4 restaurants and a bunch of college apartment buildings.  Oh, and a Barnes and Noble.  I'm kind of surprised that this Town came to fruition.  Since I went on my first TCNJ College Tour 10 years ago (insert OMG I'm OLD mini-panic attack here), they've been talking about getting a Town.  Honestly, we need it.  There's not a lot going on around Ewing, NJ.  This will definitely help attract more students.  The Town is beautiful.  Anyway, they have a drive through Panera.  DRIVE THRU!  Jaclyn and I would have been so broke if this was in existence while we were there.

When I walked into Panera, it was like walking into a high school.  Everyone was young!  It was literally run by children.  I graduated 2 years ago and it never really sunk in until now.  All of the kids looked like kids.  I have a firm belief that when you are in your twenties and thirties, no one knows how old anyone else is.  Think about it.  You compare everyone else to you and your age by looks.  You just do a comparison based on looks.  I never know how old anyone else is.  Well, I KNEW everyone here was younger than me.  It was weird.  It was like finally realizing that you are no longer welcome at the children's table and you have to join the dull adult table full of mortgage talk and other boring topics.

After the culture shock of realizing we were surrounded by youths.  Youths everywhere.  We faced a new culture shock.  This Panera brings your food!  They deliver it to your table.  WHHHAAATTT?  It was so weird to sit and wait for your food.  Plus, it kinda took a long time because the restaurant was super crowded so the servers had to wander in and around a sea of backpacks, laptop cords, and jackets.

We chatted and caught up for a few hours.  It was great to see Jaclyn again.  We haven't seen each other in months and we jumped right in where we left off.

Reunited Partners In Crime <3

Also, Dylan's friend did in fact take this picture of us old ladies alums.

The weird factor of youngsters running the world only escalated when I saw one of Dylan's friends lunching at Panera.  We both looked at each other like What are you doing here?  It took me a second to realize that I was in fact the one who was peculiarly sitting at Panera on a Tuesday afternoon.  Why?  Because I'm an old person.  I'm a grown up.  I'm not in college anymore.

It's a weird feeling being older than everyone else in the room.  Yes, I'm even older than Jaclyn if you were wondering. 

The rest of the day was spent trying to wrap my head around being 25.  

I started the day off with a 9 mile run to make up for Sundays No Runday.  

After lunch I came home and got ready for a weight sesh, Pilates, and Barre.  

Dinner was roasted turkey with butternut squash and spinach.  Does anyone else think of the Friends episode where Joey tells the unfunny story about Ross saying Nutterbut Squash?  No?  Just me?  Okay, moving on.  

The familia and I then watched The Big Short.   It was really good!  It's more of a thinking movie.  You have to pay attention to the whole thing or you will miss it.  It's good if you have a lot of time and stay off your phone or lap top.  Steve Carrel is awesome and a total 180 from his Michael Scott persona.  Talented guy.  Also, one of the actors looks like Cole Hamels.  Makes my Phillies loving heart happy.

IEP Day

Happy Tuesday!

Is everyone recovering from the sugar coma that is Easter?  After 40 days of peanut butter/chocolate/junk free I realized some things:

• I am not a peanut butter monster anymore!  I had it mixed into my oats this am and I was like, meh I prefer actual nuts in my oats.  
• I miss chocolate and sweets, but not candy.  I'd rather have cake, cookies, or a banana bread.
• Peanut Butter Overload Smidgens are just that:  an overload.  WAYYYY too sweet for me.  I mean I still ate 4, but no more.

After 5 hours of IEP writing, I went to the gym to shake it all out in Zumba and do some weights.  It was schweaty and perfect.  Exactly what I needed.

It was great to be back on a normal schedule.  Healthy, whole foods, gym sessions, and no processed junk.  Plus tons of water.  It's amazing how normal I feel after eating real foods.  

I also made my favorite banana bread.  Technically this is zuke bread, but I replace the zuke with bananas.  I also add organic chocolate chips ;)

Twas delish!

Since yesterday was a rainy, blah day I figured I would write IEPs for work.  I had my leggins, banana bread, and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reruns to keep me company and occupied.  

Today I'm off to meet Jaclyn for lunch at my old stomping grounds!  Ole, ole, ole, ole, TCNJ!  This is my second time visiting TCNJ's new college town.  We're going to meet up at Panera which used to be our go to spot after Wednesday Night Women and Gender's class.  It will bring back memories for sure.  Love my, Jac!

xoxo,

e

Easter in Virginia

Hoppy Eater!

Let us all take a moment to remember why we celebrate Easter.  Jesus is Risen and has saved us all.


Eater has always been kind of nomadic for our family.  When we were little, we'd pack up and visit my Grandma outside Scranton, Pennsylvania.  After she passed, we stayed home for about 2 Easters, went on a cruise once (and the time change caused us all to miss Easter Mass), and now we visit Dylan at JMU.  I love the crazy Easter traditions we have developed over the years.  Gertrude Hawk Chocolate Company has become a staple in our house because the factory was near my Grandma's house.  Every year we get a box of Smidgens (I'm looking at your Dark Chocolate PB Smidgens and I can feel you staring back at me) and a summer "toy".  Since Dylan and my birthdays are both in December, the parentals decided that we needed summer toys at this juncture in the year long ago.  We used to get bikes/scooters/helmets/water guns, etc, but now we get concert tickets (Oh hey, MegaTicket!) and things like that.

This year was no different.  We made the 5 hour drive to Harrisonburg yesterday.  It was long and sprinkled with multiple naps and reruns of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 2.  Does anyone else turn into a narcoleptic when they get in the car?  For some reason I can never keep my eyes open.  When we arrived we picked up the brother.

How cute is he?

I may or may not have tried to clepto his sunglasses muahahaha.

We ran some errands for him and then chilled at the hotel before dinner.  We went to Corgan's Publick House in Harrisonburg.  We went here last year and were very impressed so we returned this year with our mouths watering.  

It did not disappoint.  Corgan's is an Irish Pub/restaurant.  It's pretty small inside, but has an impressive menu and a cozy atmosphere.  The bar side of the restaurant was packed, but the dining room side, while still small (only about 8 tables) was relatively quiet and enjoyable.  

I ordered the blackened tilapia with asparagus, broccoli, quinoa, and veggie side.  I also ordered my new fave cocktail-tequila shot with seltzer and lime.  70 calories and tastes like a margarita!  I took some pix with the iPhone, but it was way too dark.  

We split a piece of decadent chocolate cake.  To say I'm excited Lent is over is an understatement.  I almost licked the plate...sorrynotsorry.

After dinner we headed out to Kline's Dairy Bar for some ice cream.  Kline's is a custard stand that always has chocolate and vanilla ice cream and then a flavor of the week.  If you are not singing American Hi-Fi's Flavor of the Week right now, I don't know if we can be friends.  The flavor of the week you ask?  CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER!  Ahhhhhmayyyyzing!   

Chocolate PB with cookie dough topping

I died!  I could have probably done without the cookie dough topping, but you live and learn.  It was  a little grainy.  It kinda tasted like the Easy Bake Oven cookie dough before you add the water and wait 100 years for the lightbulb to cook your food.

After dessert, we dropped Dylan off at his house and went back to the hotel.  We watched the Nova Kansas game, what a nail biter, then headed to sleep.  

Our hotel had breakfast so I mosied downstairs and picked up some fruit and a biscuit.  Gotta love the south and their biscuits.

Trying to be a Healthy Hannah

 I also may or may not have polished off 3 Smidgens.

...Plus one more...#NoRAGRETSNOTEVENONELETTER

We're heading to church and then it's Easter Lunch at the always classy Texas Roadhouse!  Guilty Pleasure admittance #253252 I am obsessed with TEXAS ROADHOUSE!  First of all the biscuits-OMG!

I only had 1 biscuit...now that's self-control

Then the peanut bucket?  Swoon!  They also give you a trash bucket for the shells!  Genius!

Peanuts have protein, right?

Finally, the grilled chicken, sweet potato, and broc is out of this world.  The funny part is that we have a few near us, but we still never go unless we're visiting Dylan or in Grammaland.  It kinda makes it special, no?

My favorite din din

After lunch, we'll head back to NJ.  It's always sad to say good bye to Dylan, but we pack a lot of fun and mischief into these 24 hours.  Raise your hand if you love hanging out with your sibling for the sole purpose of having someone else for your mom to pick on?!  

Dylan hates when I dress Southern for trips to visit him

I'm going to go on a 9 mile run when I get home because Broad Street is in 5 short weeks!  EEK!  Can't wait!  *Edited to say the run did not happen, but Chinese food did...soooooo*

This is a Mobile Car Wash and Barber Shop...only in Virginia

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter and enjoyed their family time...and chocolate :)

Here's hoping I don't repeat many an Easter and end up in a sugar coma!  I tried to take precaution and only packed 4 Smidgens (however, one went missing...I'm on the hunt for the Bunny Culprit).

To all of my teacher friends, enjoy your Spring Break!  

XOXO,

Erin