Pancake Breakfast!!

Spelt Pancake Recipe

1/2 cup spelt flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

sea salt - just a pinch!

1 tsp baking powder

2 tbs flax seed

1/2 cup organic skim milk

1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and slap it on the griddle! It made about 5 silver dollar pancakes. 

I didn't have any syrup so instead I just used some strawberry jelly and some almond butter. On the side I had a banana w/ almond butter and raisins (seriously an unbeatable combo). Such a delightful sunday breakfast!

The Po' Girls Drink

I have tried to fight the addiction numerous times, but my love of coffee keeps coming back in full vengence. Unfortunately, my coffee machine broke a few months ago and the coffee at work, while free, is not.good.

Enter Christmas, where I asked Santa for some Starbucks gift cards. Seriously, what more could a bonafide coffee addict who passes 3, count 'em 3, Starbucks on her way to work want (and that's when I take the subway, forget about walking)! However, as much as I love it, Starbucks is expensive $$$ Here are some tips and tricks I've learned so that I can indulge as often as possible!

Poor Man's Latte

An iced doppio. Add milk.

Poor Man's Chai Latte

A chai tea misto with extra foam, two tea bags and a half pump of cinnamon syrup and half pump of vanilla syrup.

Refills

This happens to be something that I am definitley guilty of. Refills are only 50 cents! ($.54 with tax). If you buy a coffee in the morning and save the cup, then you can refill it whenever for cheaper than the carts on the street (for those non-NewYorkers, this is unheard of)! One downfall, the policy is actually for 50 cent refills if you are sitting in the 'buck only. However, I dont think that alot of baristas keep to this policy strictly; hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones.

Starbucks Cards

One kind gentleman informed me yesterday that if I registered my Starbucks card then the refill would be free. Um whaaaat? I could have hugged the man. Be sure to register any gift card you get for some super sweet rewards!

**Just as a disclaimer, while I do use some of these cheapskate/genius tactics occassionally, I do also support the company by purchasing my $5 grande soy vanilla mistos pretty regularly :)

Ta ta for now - I think my coffee definitley kicked in this morning

Stonyfields and Greens

I'm really not entirely sure where this week has gone. I cannot believe that it is already Wednesday. I feel like once Wednesday is over with, the rest is just a breeze :) Don't you?? 

Nothing too exciting today but I did have a few of my favorite things pop into the picture..

First, I started off with another great workout - this time working my arms :)

• Lateral cable raises (3 sets of 12)
• Stability Ball Pushups (these were super hard and I only got out 3 sets of 10 -- and they were pathetic looking :/ )
• Tricep dips (my favorite!! 3 sets of 15)
• Treadmill for 15 minutes (CLIMB: warm up 5 min, increase the incline 1 level every minute for 10 minutes, decrease by 1 level for 5 min)
• Dumbbell Tricep Extention (3 sets of 15)
• Stability ball chest press (3 sets of 12)
• Dumbell shoulder press (3 sets of 12)
• Treadmill [again] (SPRINT: vary speed each minute - sprinting 1, jog 1, etc. for 15 minutes)
• I followed this up with a nice and sweaty 30 minute "power walk on an incline" bc I had some time to kill :)

I came back to the apt and created one of these:

Oh yes, yes a green monsterrrr. Alas, I had no fruit :( so this was kind of more of a protein shake + a few handfuls of spinach. It wasn't bad actually because I added a secret ingredient. (a few drops of vanilla extract cures anything) 

Midday I had one of my favorite snacks that I have recently discovered. A Stonyfield Organic Yogurt! I usually will add some almonds, granola, or fruit to these, unless it's the Key Lime Pie flavor. So strange I hate actual Key Lime Pie, but the Stonyfield yogurt is unreal!! I love it so much I just entered this Stonyfield give away: Check it out!

I started eating Organic Dairy a few months ago, after my dermatologist recommended it for my skin. She related it to all of the hormones, etc. that can go into typical dairy that you might by at the store. I had never really considered eating organic but at the time, my skin was in such disarray that I would try ANYTHING. I have found that there are a ton of benefits to eating organic foods. For example, by switching to organic dairy alone you are:

1. Avoiding hormones and antibiotics
2. Supporting sustainable agriculture
3. Creating less waste and pollution
4. Helping to reduce global warming
5. Making yourself pretty from the inside out ;)

While I think that eating organic dairy has helped my skin and overall feeling, that doesn't mean I stay away from cheese and cracker platters at parties, or skimp on my usual ice cream fix topped with chocolate. But as an general shopping/stocking my refrigerator move, I try to follow this plan. Give it a try, see how you feel!

Up and [Atom/Adam]?

I started writing the title to this post and realized that I have no actual clue as to how this saying is spelled, or what it is saying at all. Turns out, after a little research, that the saying is Up and At 'Em! I guess I could have figured this out if I had used my brain a little, but it's early...and this guy hasn't kicked in yet...

Oh and just for reference, we got the saying from Duke Wellington's command orders at Waterloo, "Up Guards and At 'Em!" in case this ever shows up on Trivia night ;)

I woke up early this morning and hit the gym with a new killer workout that I read about on Meg's Blog.

PART 1:
Warm up for 3 minutes at 6.5
3-5 minutes at speed 6.8
3 intervals (1 minute each) at speed of 8.0,6.8,8.0
3 minutes at 6.8
2 minutes recovery at speed 6.5
PART 2:
5 minutes at speed 7.0
5 intervals (1 minute each) at speed of 8.0, 7.0, 8.0,7.0, 8.0
5 minutes at speed 7.0
5 minutes recovery at speed 6.8
PART 3:
3 minutes at speed 7.5
3 intervals (1 minute each) at speed of 8.6,7.2, 8.6
3 minutes at speed 7.5
5 minute COOLDOWN @ 6.5
1 minute walking at 3.5

Followed by an additional killer leg workout from Gina's blog:

• Forward and reverse lunges (3 sets of 12 on each side)
• Squat Jumps (25)
• Sumo squat and leg raise (3 sets of 10 on each side)
• Burpees (15 - these killed me!)
• Stability Ball Hamstring Curl (3 sets of 10)
• Pulsing Plie Squat (60 seconds/pulses)
• Bosu Calf Raise (3 sets of 15)

It was a great way to start off the morning, along with a green monster and one of Angela's Be Fit Bars. Clearly i was very impacted by the blogosphere this morning :) Have a great day!

Eat for Good Luck!

I feel like I am doing all of my new years/twenty-ten posts a little late, but better late than never right!?? As a partial food slash better living blog, what could be more appropriate than a posting on food that will bring better luck in the new year ... nothing were my thoughts exactly :)

For as long as I can remember my family would make sausage and sauerkraut on New Years Day for dinner (a polish tradition). Sound appetizing? It's really not actually...but all in the spirit of having a happier and healthier year ahead. Here's the theory:

• Cabbage (or greens in general) can be associated with money and will bring good fortune and wealth. 
• Sauerkraut, in particular, has long strands which symbolize long life.  
• Pork has a rich fat content, again standing for wealth and prosperity, as well as progress since pigs dig with their snout in a forward motion. 
  

Cabbage is not necessary the best tasting thing, but it is super good for you! It's rich in fiber and has TONS of Vitamin C. Most importantly/interestingly, cabbage has a naturally occuring compound called indoles. Some research has shown that indoles can actually lower the risk of certain types of cancers (hello long life).

In keeping up with tradition, I made my New Years Day dinner tonight! Only about 4 meals late oops..

I had sauerkraut and [chicken] sausage, with asparagus and a sweet potato on the side. I had no idea how to cook sauerkraut so I just threw it in the pain with the sausage and a little soy sauce? We had slim pickins in the freezer/pantry today and clearly I couldn't even buy any actual pork. Ahh the joys of living on your own :) 

Here's to wealth, progress, and a long and healthy life!

[Someone Elses] Words of Wisdom

A friend forwarded me this 2010 Handbook right before the New Year and I thought that it had some pretty interesting things to get me thinking about what twentyten will have in store...I threw in whatever popped into my head when I read them.

Health:
1.       Drink plenty of water. 
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants...
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

5.       Pray more often.
6.       Play more games.
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009.
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. 
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.
10.    Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13.    Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake.
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24..    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.....

Society:
25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything.
28.    Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.
29..    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up..
37.    The best is yet to come.
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, be thankful for it.

39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40.     Appreciate all that is in your life, and tell everyone that you should, that you love them.

[My] Words of Wisdom addition:

Health:

I'm going to try and stick with a healthy appetite of veggies and fruits and oatmeal and whole grains. I think that the amount I have learned about diet and nutrition this year surpasses anything that I have known the past 10! I'm going to keep reading and learning about what I am putting into my body and get to know my body better so that I can better serve it!  Oh, and I definitely want to play more games :)

Personality:

My favorite point was to make peace with the past so it won't spoil the present. Alot of things have happened in 2009 that I may not be happiest with, but I definitely learn from my mistakes and 2010 is a clean slate!  And I like to day dream so that's gonna continue - everyone has to have their own fantasy world to live in!

Society:

Forgive forgive forgive. Life is too short to hold grudges. However, don't keep people around who don't benefit you in a positive way. It's okay to be a little selfish ;) And call your family!! At least they'll always forgive you too..

Life: the best is definitely yet to come ;)

Happy 2010 everyone! Cheers!

Tartine, New York style

Happy 2010!! I'm waiting to get my hands on some New Years Eve photos, since my camera battery didn't make it :( so once those make it to my computer, there will be a full recap of NYE in NYC. Of course, at the start of the new year, everyone makes their new years resolutions, or revelations, as we have started referring to them. One of my "revelations", along with the whole big picture theme of this blog, is to start seeing New York for all that it has to offer, while I am still young and able to enjoy it! The roomie and I talked about making a list of restaurants that we want to try out and make an active effort to go out and try these places. New York is the stomping ground for fabulous food and someone's gotta taste test it all, right!? 

I have been a follower of Jenna's blog for some time and recently have been reading about her new found addiction to Tartine. I've never been there myself, but it just so happens that there is one in NY as well - go figures! Figuring I would start out the new year right, me and my two cousins headed out to Tartine in the West Village for brunch this morning. It's a 15.95 prix fix, with a complimentary coffee/tea and oj. Not to shabby if I do say so myself [for new york that is ;)]. In past experiences of brunch with girlfriends, I would always order an omelette or eggs benedict and finish off the meal saying, probably verbatim, "Wow that was good, but I wish I had gotten something sweet." Now, I have shot myself in the foot one too many times, and my friends won't let me order eggs for bfast. Good thing, because I opted for the Apple Pancake from the Tartine menu, thinking about these paste brunch experiences, and it was sooooo good. The menu literally said "Apple Pancake", no extras, not even plural pancakes. I asked the waiter if it came with anything else and he said no, just an apple pancake. When it came out, I understood why. Ladies and gentleman, this is no ordinary pancake (hence the photo up top). I think it is more of a Dutch apple pancake/turnoveresque concoction. Needless to say, it was [I repeat], sooooo good. 

Are there any other fabulous brunches/meals that you have had recently?? I'm up for suggestions and will be adding to the fridge list consistently ;)

In keeping with NYE revelations, the roomie and I are headed out to dinner at The Bowery Hotel with a girlfriend of ours from college. Not sure if its kosher to snap photos in there, but I'll try to be discreet. Tata for now..