Being Me.

Everyone always says that you change in college, but I didn’t realize how much I have changed as a PERSON until the last couple of weeks. 

It has been a time of immense self-reflection. 

Where do I want to be in a year?

  

Who am I?  

What do I believe in?  

Where do I want to go?

Here are some things I have learned about myself-

-I have a passion for teaching students of all ages.  I never thought I would teach kindergarten and seniors in high school all in the same day, but I’m doing it and it is changing me for the better. 

-Teaching high school ESL has taught me about my open-ness to change and to discomfort.

-I love language.  

-I love culture.

-I have also learned of the fear of the unknown of the people around me.  One of my students gave me some pretty intense henna tattoos one day and I have never gotten so many looks or questions about what illness I had before in my life from my peers.  So much for a culture of acceptance right?   I was shocked.  Maybe it’s just because I am spoiled to be in classrooms on a daily basis filled with students of all shapes, sizes, and colors, but I am beyond grateful for the opportunity and for the viewpoint I have.

-My time spent in schools has opened my eyes to a new world of experiences and culture that I now carry with me to every situation I am placed in.

-It’s better to have a few close friends than a bunch of insignificant ones.

-I am the source of my own strength.

-Cooking needs to be a part of my everyday routine.  No matter how busy I am a calming country playlist and a solid 20 minutes in the kitchen can change my entire day.

-My day is not complete without a cup of tea and a few minutes of self-reflection. My fit journal and my food log have been my lifelines lately.  There is no better feeling than my favorite pen on a piece of paper.

-I need to make time to do things that make me truly happy. 

-I am done being judged by others.  I do not care what other people think of me anymore.

-I am my own person.

-I am confident.

-I’m me and I’m done apologizing for that.

Much love, 

Catherine

Recipes on Recipes

I hate being stuck in ruts with recipes, so as part of my first week of No Excuse November I am trying some more new recipes.

Here they are:

Penne with butternut squash and goat cheese

 This was a request from Annie, definitely not the healthiest, but super yummy with some rotisserie chicken.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/penne-with-butternut-squash-and-goat-cheese-recipe.html

Chicken Ranch Tacos

http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2014/03/crock-pot-ranch-chicken-tacos.html?m=1

Crockpot Broccoli Beef with a side of quinoa

http://lecremedelacrumb.com/2015/02/slow-cooker-broccoli-beef.html

Give them a try! 

More New Recipes

Stuffed Acorn Squash

1 acorn squash (cut in half and seeded)

Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes or until fork tender and set aside

½ medium onion

3 stalks celery

3 cloves of garlic

½# ground Italian sausage

Saute until sausage is cooked; set aside to cool

1 c breadcrumbs

1 egg

½ c parmesan cheese

1 small apple diced

1tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Mix together and combine with cooled sausage mixture. 

Stuff into both halves of squash and bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

Homemade Protein Bars

**I can’t keep these in the fridge.  Annie, Seth, and our guy friends can’t resist.  They even toss them in their hunting bags!**

2 c quick oats (food processed into oat flour)

1 c peanut butter

½ c honey

2 scoops of your favorite protein (I used Vanilla G6)

1/3 c carob chips or Enjoy Life Chips.

Mix ingredients together and press onto a cookie sheet.  I let mine harden for a couple of hours in the fridge before I cut them into bars (usually 12 per pan) and wrap in foil or press and seal.

Store in the fridge.

Live with no regrets

When I looked at the calendar and realized that I have 7 weeks of school left my heart sank.  

These last couple of weeks have legitimately made me the happiest I have been in a really long time.  My friends may not be normal, but neither am I and I love every minute that I get to spend with them.  Post marathon my goal has been to enjoy every second with friends and I have really been sticking to it. 

I honestly wouldn’t change anything about my life right now and I haven’t been able to say that in a long long time.  

There are no truer words...

Stay tuned for some big posts this week, 

Catherine

Sneak Peek-

New recipes including Stuffed Acorn Squash, Homemade Protein Bars, and Spinach Pie

Healthy eating and food prep event!

Homecoming

This weekend…where to begin.  It was definitely one to go down as a weekend full of memories and amazing friends.

Saturday morning started off with a chapel walk.  On a beautifully brisk day it was amazing!

Then it was time for football and mini doughnuts.

 

-Senior goal to bring back the duckface-

A quick run to the mall to kill time and find some new outfits for the hands down best night I’ve ever had on campus keep Annie, Kenz, and I busy between events. Not many people can say they sang a Christmas song on the top of their lungs in the middle of October to an incredibly crowded bar, or danced the Nae Nae with their best friend, or danced to Somo for song after song.

Oh and the 8,000 steps I already had by 2am Sunday morning wasn’t a bad thing either.

It was such an amazing weekend, but now it is back to reality!  Stay in touch for workouts, motivation, and new recipes.

C

Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake

I made one of my favorite things, a protein shake, into any basic girl's dream.

Here’s the scoop:

1-2 scoops of your fave vanilla protein

1T sugar free syrup

1/3c pumpkin purée 

1c almond milk (unsweetened)

½ a frozen banana (cut into chunks)

Blend.

Top with Redi Whip and a sprinkle of cinnamon!

So easy and SO yummy. 

C

Twin Cities Marathon

To run a marathon is to do something inexpiable.  There are no words to describe the emotions you feel or the pain you endure, but you always push on.

This marathon was tough, but without my family and Annie I wouldn’t have been able to get through it.

My Grandma and Grandpa were there to cheer me on at mile 5 and 25 which had to have been a sight because at 5 I was on top of the world and at 25 I was a crying disaster.

A little side note: I never got to meet my biological Grandpa Ron, but I had a moment along the course where I knew that he was with me.  Mom always talks about how he would always smoke a pipe and how the smell of pipe tobacco always helped her know that he was around when she was growing up.  So yesterday I had just passed Grandma and Grandpa at about mile 5 and half a mile after I smelt pipe tobacco.  I know it is a little thing, but that definitely told me that he was on the course with me.

Last year I had a moment with a yellow butterfly and Papa Bud, so I am glad I got to have this moment with Grandpa Ron.

Now back to the run down-

My cousin Theresa and her husband Scott and their two girls were at mile 23 with signs and it seriously made my heart sing. And of course at the finish line Annie and Mom were waiting for me with smiling faces and an orange Gatorade. I was so happy and sad and overjoyed I could barely keep myself together. 

My feet hurt so bad that I was a limping disaster and when I took my shoes off…oofda…not pretty. I got some seriously gnarly blisters during this marathon and I am so grateful for the amazing medical staff and the nice security officer who helped me hobble to the doctor.  Blood blisters the sides of dollar bills on the bottom of your foot aren’t pretty.

I am seriously so thankful to have such an amazing family and Annie to come all the way to the race to support me and continue to inspire me to do what I love.

All I can say is I am incredibly grateful for my best friend and her support.

Words will never explain how much they mean to me.

Much love,

Catherine

Copycat Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Like many a basic college student I am obsessed with Starbucks, but ever since I started eating healthy I haven’t had the luxury of drinking all the new sugary seasonal drinks that they come up with L

Today, I tried a recipe for a Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte (a basic favorite) and Annie and I are both hooked.  

I am planning to make a big batch and throw it in a pitcher for an easy pour and microwave option. 

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Yield: 1 latte

A copycat version of the Starbucks favorite. You can now drink it all year round for just a fraction of the cost and the calories!

1 c skim milk

1 tbsp pumpkin purée (NOT pumpkin pie filling!)

1 + ½ tbsp sugar-free vanilla syrup (OR 2 packets Splenda + 1 tsp vanilla extract)

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

tiny pinch ground nutmeg

tiny pinch ground ginger

2 shots hot espresso OR 6 oz hot strong coffee

1.      In a small pot, combine the milk and pumpkin puree (and Splenda, if using). Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the milk begins to simmer. Whisk vigorously until frothy. Turn heat down to low, and add in the vanilla syrup (or vanilla extract), cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Whisk until fully incorporated.

2.      Pour the espresso or coffee into a mug, and pour the milk mixture on top. Sip and enjoy!

Notes: For a vegan version, use your favorite non-dairy milk. (Try unsweetened almond milk to make it really skinny; it only has 30 calories per cup!)

You can also substitute regular sugar or a different sugar-free sweetener for the Splenda.

MACROS

Serving Size: 1 latte

Calories 89

Total Fat 0.3g

Total Carbohydrate 13.6 g

Protein 8.6 g

---

--Taken from Amy’s Healthy Baking.com --

Give it a a try and tell me what you think! 

Catherine

4 days out

I’ll be straight up with you that this marathon is hanging over my head and I am ready for it to be done.

For those of you not from Minnesota there has recently been a lot of drama associated with the Twin Cities Marathon and the group Black Lives Matter.  Black Lives Matter is organizing a protest that was supposed to interfere with the finish line of the marathon. No one wants to hear that the week of the race.  Marathon running is not something you do on a whim and some people have trained their whole life for this event.  Why on earth would you want to ruin that for someone?  In a press conference this afternoon, the Governor and the St. Paul Police Department were quoted in saying that they will prosecute anyone planning to interfere with the race or its participants.

Thank goodness. This is an athletic competition, not a political forum. 

For me this race is not about a PR, but simply about finishing strong and determined. I want nothing more than to cross the finish line and see my friends and family!

Please keep Bailey, Katie, and I in your thoughts on Sunday morning.  We will need all of the positive vibes J

Keep up to date on Instagram!

Catherine

Tommie Johnnie Weekend Recap

I feel like the last three weekends have been crazy bananas up here, but it has been totally worth it.  This weekend was no exception.  It was the Tommie/Johnnie game and ESPN Sports Center broadcast-ed from campus from Friday to Saturday, so everyone was even more spirited.

Saturday

Saturday morning started with a workout with Bailey.  I think I kicked her butt a little and enhanced her new interest in Crossfit!

W/O

3 mile run (easy)

21-15-9 of each WOD

WOD #1

Back Squats (135#)

Box Jumps (20”)

WOD #2

Front Squats (75#)

Burpees

WOD #3

Overhead Squats (45#)

Single Jump Rope x 100 reps

Post workout it was over to SJU to drop a car and give Brett and Andrew their game tickets. I am so glad that they came up to visit!

Then it was back to CSB to have a family lasagna lunch with the Thole’s.  It was the first time I’ve gotten to see Joy, Christopher, Kim, and Henry since school started.  They had some big news to share.  Kim and Christopher are expecting their second child.  YAY for babies!  Can’t wait to meet the new little one in March.

 

After lunch it was back to SJU for the game.

 

Then at halftime I had to get back to CSB to get ready for the Shania Twain concert in the cities with Riley, Mark, and Dani.  I am so glad that I got to see and have dinner with everyone before the concert.  We got to talk a lot about Riley’s application to the MN State Patrol and his plans for next year.  Now it’s my job to make sure I finish his reference before the big marathon this weekend….

 

Shania was good, but Gavin DeGraw definitely took the cake in both wardrobe choices and overall experience.  I knew I liked Gavin DeGraw, but his performance was absolutely amazing.  A definite addition to anyone’s concert list.

Sunday

I got back to campus at about 1am this morning.

Then it was sleep, eat breakfast, and explore the Millstream arts festival with Mom and both Annie’s. 

All in all it was a great weekend!

 T-7 days until the marathon. :)  

Catherine

Garlic Soy Green Beans

This week has been all about being new and healthy, so tonight I tried a great adaptation to one of my favorite veggies; green beans. I love this recipe because it provided me with the perfect complement to some leftovers that needed to be eaten (rotisserie chicken and a baked potato).

Garlic Soy Green Beans

Yields 4-6 side servings

Ingredients
1 pound green beans
2 Tbsp. sesame oil
3 cloves garlic
1 shallot
2 Tbsp. tamari (or reduced sodium soy sauce/coconut aminos)
Optional: sesame seeds for topping

Directions
Trim ends off green beans. Mince garlic, and chop shallot.
Add sesame oil to a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Let heat for a couple minutes until hot.
Add shallots and garlic. Heat for 20-30 seconds.
Add green beans and stir well to coat.
Saute until just tender, about 5-6 minutes, stirring often so garlic doesn't burn.
Add tamari/soy sauce/coconut aminos. Toss to combine and cook 1-2 minutes.
When serving, don't forget the garlic/shallot pieces on the bottom of the pan - huge flavor!

http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2014/10/asian-garlic-green-beans.html

                                                                                                        

I don't know about you, but Annie's 22!

I had to keep a massive secret from Annie for the last three weeks and on Friday night it totally paid off.  She had no idea that Connie and I had 12 of our best friends and her brother Phil, who flew out from Colorado, over to their house for a barbecue. She was shocked!

I am seriously going to miss my nights out with this chick. 

I don't know what I'd do without this nut in my life.  She definitely encourages me to be the best person I can be and I can't believe we've only been in each others lives for 4 years...

Love you Annie, 

CB

A week of new recipes

I hate being stuck in ruts.  Whether the ruts come from relationships, workouts, or meals I always work to dig myself out as soon as humanly possible.  This week’s rut is food.  I am so sick of all of the “normal” things that I eat and I feel like my body is craving change, so I found a bunch of new recipes!

Here are some of the new recipes I am going to try this week.

Crock pot Apple Oatmeal

3 C. Steel-cut oats
1 1/2 C. water
1 1/2 C. unsweetened almond milk
3 Tbsp. flax seed
2 Tbsp. maple syrup 

2-3 apples, chopped
1 1/2. tsp. cinnamon

1/3c raisins

1tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients in a crock pot that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or high for 2-3.

Serves 10, about 1 cup per serving. Leftover oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen in individual portions.

from http://www.beachreadynow.com/recipes/21-day-fix-crock-pot-oatmeal/

Cashew Chicken

http://sallycooks.com/2013/06/27/crockpot-cashew-chicken/

Turkey Meatballs with Spaghetti Squash

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/11/crock-pot-italian-turkey-meatballs.html

Crock pot Chicken Pot Pie

http://www.skinnymom.com/skinny-slow-cooker-chicken-pot-pie/

In case you haven’t noticed I am addicted to the crock pot.  My days are so jam packed with work, class, workouts, and an attempt of a social life, that I often run out of time to prep or I end up eating at weird hours.  Neither of which I enjoy. So the crock pot is an awesome alternative for me.  I can prepare everything ahead of time and then all I have to do is turn it on in the morning before I head to work.  Who doesn't love coming home to an apartment that smells like something delicious?

Be sure to check back this week for my reviews of the recipes :) 

Have you tried any great new recipes lately?

Catherine