Category Archives: school

April Showers & May Flowers

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April was so busy, yet fun. And now, May is flying by too!

In April…

I turned 18:

It’s a Whole Foods birthday gift card! Get it? I think its beyond creative.

Spent my birthday weekend in the amazing state of Colorado with my favorite outdoor guide:

I also ate some yummy food on the trip, including a roasted veggie pizza that was to die for. Naturally, I remembered to take a picture after I finished my fourth piece…

I did manage to snap some pictures of my airport snacks (how exciting) and my last breakfast in Colorado at a local cafe.

Veggie omelet, hash browns, home-made biscuits, giant chocolate chip pancake, and coffee.

 This weekend, I attended a church conference with my mom which was AWESOME. Not to mention we got chocolate bars the first night, spa gift cards the second night, and had a make your own smores bar the third night! (Plus cupcakes, popcorn, lemonade, and chocolate, chocolate, chocolate.) A foodies’ kind of conference right? ;)

So basically, April came and went within 2.5 seconds. Plus, I am thinking May is going to be pretty busy also with classes finishing up, relatives and friends coming in, graduation shenanigans, and making summer plans. At least it is all things to look forward too! (And with graduation in two weeks, maybe after I will finally have time to blog!)

Happy May Day,

Nicole

Lately

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Eating Lately:

I won a two pound bag of chia seeds from a Facebook giveaway from Chelsey and could not wait for them to come in  the mail.

The first thing I put them on was an oatmeal pancake topped with greek yogurt, strawberries, chia seeds, and maple syrup (put on after photo).  Yum Yum….my body was very thankful for all the nutrients.

Ok so I actually havent had fro-yo for about two weeks but this was the first time I photographed my addiction so I wanted to put the picture on here.

I actually ate this right after I had a doctor appointment about IBS/stomach problems and was told to eliminate dairy for a week and see how I felt. I tried not to think about the fact that dairy is my main protein source and I have at least 3 servings a day (milk, yogurt, cheese, fro-yo). And the fact that I put cheese on pretty much everything. But, if my stomach will act normally with no dairy, I will oblige. Personally I think its more than just dairy (although I would be SO happy if it was just that) because I have problems for years but we will just have to see.

Doing Lately:

School.

Counting down to graduation (29 days!)

Homework.

Stress.

Papers.

Projects.

Stress.

Minimal exercise.

School.

Basically, every week is spent doing homework and work during the week and weekends are spent preparing graduation stuff, (more homework,) finalizing college preparations and trying to catch up on some sleep.

Oh and while I am mindlessly getting through the next month, I’ve got a very great singer who will keep me company:

Oh Pandora,  how I love thee.

Loving Lately:

I just found Chasing Big Dreams blog today and am already in love! Carrie is such an encourager and dream chaser…so inspiring.

I would love, love to work at this bakery. :)

I might just need to get this app. My sleeping has been anything but restful lately!

To say I love peanut butter is a huge understatement. But Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Peanut Butter? Just give me spoon!

What have you been up to lately?

Anyone else struggle with a dairy/lactose intolerance?

Sweet Tooth Therapy

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If you haven’t noticed from my post’s lately, I have been consuming a lot of sugar. I have gone from one dessert a day to multiple desserts every day.

From my daily dose of dark chocolate chips, to late night bowls ice cream after work, to Valentines Day goodies…I’ve been eating it all.

And unfortunately, I have been feeling the negative side effects too. Workouts have been put on hold, the only way homework gets done is with some candy by my side, late nights result in sugary snacking, and sleeping has been anything but relaxing and rejuvenating. I have been tired and lethargic for the better part of the past weeks.

The past few days I have been thinking about what I have been doing that has encouraged this sugar struggle…

1. Not managing my time as well

2. Getting to bed  late

3. Not scheduling workouts

4. Waking up to late to make a large breakfast

5. Eating to distract me from doing what I should be getting done (read: homework)

6. Stressing about my next dentist appointment because heaven only knows how many cavities I have…

After reading this article I knew it was time to get back on track.

My Plan of Attack:

Breakfast: Normally, I always make sure I have a good 10-15 minutes on weekdays to make/consume a good breakfast. However, for some reason the closer we get to the end of the school year, the later I wake up and less prepared I am. While I don’t ever skip breakfast, I haven’t been taking time to make something filling and wholesome. And eating ceral in the car is just a really bad idea.

1) Schedule 10-15 minutes for breakfast

2) Add more protein and health fats (I will try oatmeal this week and find a way to like it!)

3) Try to eat around 500 calories to ensure I am fueled for the day and incase I miss my morning snack

Lunch:

1) Prepare bagged items on Sunday (veggies, carrots, cheese sticks) and keep in a container in fridge for easy grabbing in the morning

2) Make sandwich the night before

3) Aim for higher protein

4) Try, try, try to make something other than peanut butter and jelly for 5 days in a row.

Dinner:

1) Eat more of the lean meat prepared

2) Load up on veggies

3) Drink a glass of milk for extra protein

Other:

1) Make meals larger so I don’t eat so much at my snacks (I typically eat three 200ish calorie snacks a day but lately they have been the size of meals)

2) Focus on getting more healthy fats and proteins

3) Indulge in dessert every night :)

4) Blog more about my meals to help keep accountable

Any suggestions for helping my slightly out of control sweet tooth?

What nutrient dense foods help fill you up?

In Need of Energy.

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Somedays, you just need a little extra something to get your day started. This week, the only motivating force that got me out of bed every morning was the thought of an energizing breakfast (okay and that it was one day closer to graduation).

3 egg whites, 1 egg yolk with sautéed mushrooms, squash, and zucchini + an apple 

Yum. Nevermind the fact that this yummy breakfast almost made me late to first period. The bell rang just as I was sitting my frazzled self down.

I have not much else to say other than I’m not looking forward to the weekend at all, which stinks. Working + 8 page Philosophy paper + 3 page English essay + Anatomy lab report + Government reading & notes = a very sad, annoyed Nicole. I think a trip to Starbucks for some energy and comfy study chairs is in order. Or I might just procrastinate and clean my room. Or eat.

What are you doing this weekend? Anything fun? Betcha can’t beat my weekend full of fun. ;)

A Day of Eats

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Today I am going to show you my usual “day of eats.” I have been working on this post for a while, so I hope you like it!

I have wanted to jump on the “What I Ate Wednesday” train, but unfortunately, never capture everything I eat on camera. So, I decided I would just collaborate some of my pictures and show you what I typically eat.

6:30- Breakfast

9:30- Morning snack

11:30- Lunch

3:00- Afternoon snack

6:00ish- Dinner

8:00- Dessert

Weekends are a little different since I wake up later. Usually I have a bigger breakfast on weekends and no morning snack.

Breakfast: Breakfast is slowly becoming one of my favorite meals. I can often be found cooking an egg, pouring milk on a cereal concoction, slathering my pancakes in syrup, or crunching on a granola and fruit yogurt mix. I also think breakfast is the most photographic meal. :)

Lunch: Is probably my least favorite meal of the day because Monday-Friday I pack it and bring it to school. Usually a sandwich, cheese stick, fruit, and veggie are found in my brown paper sack. On weekends however, it’s often a veggie quesadilla, egg sandwich, or pasta!

Snacks: My morning snack usually consists of something small; a handful of nuts, a granola bar, or some trail mix. My afternoon snack is much larger (as that seems to be when I am most hungry during the day!) and consists of yogurt and granola, sweet potato fries, cheese and crackers, or a higher calorie granola bar (I usually have a piece of fruit in the afternoon also). Sometimes a caramel latte is a necessity to get over that “afternoon slump.” :)

Dinner: Is almost always cooked by my mom, hence I do not have many photos of it. Most nights will consist of a meat, carb, veggie, and a glass of milk. She makes the best Cesare salad in the world and we often have that at least twice a week. Stir-fry is a family favorite as is pizza, king-ranch chicken, tacos and really anything spicy! I consider my family pretty special that we all appreciate and love spicy food.

Dessert: There is only one thing I have to say on the subject- Is any day complete without dessert?

What does your food schedule look like? What is your favorite meal of the day?

Hope y’all enjoyed the post! I think this has been my most detailed-thought out one yet :) Lets say it’s in celebration of now owning my  blog domain!

Check out my Recipe page to find some of the recipes to the meals I mentioned!

Wednesday Wonderings….

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Why is it that we make time to exercise daily, but complain we don’t have enough time to spend with God and helping others?

Why is it that we wake up early to exercise or go to that morning yoga class, but sigh when we have to wake up early Sunday morning for church?

What are we worshipping?

Ourselves and our body?

Or our Creator and Savior?

I haven’t worked out at all this week, but I have….

Volunteered at a homeless shelter and soup kitchen

Reached out to a girl in class with not many friends

Decided to respect a teacher I had lost most respect for…because it was eating away at me more than it was at him.

Taught a nursery class full of one and two-year olds about Christ’s love for us

Got accepted to college with the scholarship I was hoping for

Researched and finally decided what I am going to be majoring in this fall

And finally, chose to have a positive attitude this next 183 days till I graduate. I need to graduate, I have to graduate, I will graduate, so I’m just going to do it and get through!

And if you ask me, I think its been quite an accomplished week. (Even if I have consumed copious amounts of puppy chow and disappeared from the gym!)

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place  and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  ~Philippians 2:9

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ~Dueteronomy 6:5

The Gift of Friendship

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Yesterday was one of those days.

Today however, was not.

After having a pretty rough day yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised to find a Caramel Latte from Starbucks (the best kind of drug ever!!) and a note in my locker from my very best friend.

source

We have both been holding each other accountable for different  things this year and one is to always try to look at the positives in the day (which I failed miserably at yesterday).

So, in her note she put….

Today is going to be so much better than yesterday because, 

1. There is no college English class today

2. You don’t have to work again until Saturday

3. When girls act bratty, you always have me :)  

4. There’s chapel and worship today

5. Jesus (since Jesus is the answer to everything—-> inside joke alert!)

It’s also just going to be a good day because we will make it a greeeeeat day! :)

Needless to say, thanks to the espresso in my latte, my sweet note, and most importantly, my amazing best friend, today was a good day.

(Not to mention I finally made it to the gym…and I’m making cookies tonight!)

I love and thank you, best friend.

What is something spontaneous and nice has someone done for you lately?

How to Make a Salad

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Homework is consuming my life these days so instead of more yummy treats for you to drool over, I am sharing my “perspective essay” for english class with you because it is “How to Make a Salad.” (Now I’m off to write my explaining and descriptive essays…)

Happy Sunday.

     The word “salads” to many people is equivalent or equal to the words boring and bland. However, salads can be some of the most delectable dishes if prepared properly. First in preparing a salad, start with the vegetables, particularly lettuce. Some choices include romaine, ice berg, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, and kale. Once the greens are washed and chopped, other preferred vegetables can be added such as: carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, onions, and corn. Fruit is also great on a salad as it adds a tangy, sweet taste. The most common fruits used on salads are tomatoes, apples, strawberries, mandarin oranges, and grapes. Next, and one of the most important parts of a salad, is the choice of protein to top it with. Some great sources of protein for your salad is chicken, steak, fish, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and cheese. Without a source of protein in a salad, the person enjoying the salad will go home hungry and dissatisfied. Protein on a salad is always a must unless it is a side salad complementing the main meal. Nuts and seeds are a great addition for people who like extra crunch in their meals, plus they provide many healthy Omega 3′s.  The last step in making a salad is picking the correct dressing to top it with. Some people after adding all the various toppings do not need a salad dressing however, most prefer one. Homemade dressings are usually the most flavorful and healthy, however some of the most common store bought are Ranch, Honey Mustard, Caesar, Balsamic Vinegar, and Italian. Once your salad is prepared and tossed, grab a fork and enjoy the wonderful blend of flavors and textures.

Busy, Busy, Busy.

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Fall is getting closer! Fall is my favorite season (weather wise) but also one of the busiest. Not just for me but for my family also….both my parents jobs seem to get busier than they already are. Not to mention I have been spending hours planning, organizing, and shopping for retreat (starts on Sunday!!) With all this craziness, my nutrition consumption has been lacking. The past 4 dinner have been fast food or frozen dinners…see for yourself….

Saturday

Chick-fil-a (unpictured) Chargrilled fruit salad and medium fries

Sunday

I know. Hopefully you already ate dinner….

This actually was real [frozen dinner] food, believe it or not. A shout out to who can guess what it is!!!

Monday

Sprouts has a great gluten free frozen pizza that I love for a quick dinner. (Usually I load it with veggies but were fresh out)

This was ok except for the fact that I wasn’t in the mood for pizza. And I burnt it (yet still ate the whole thing). And it was my 3rd night of unhealthy-ness.

Tuesday

So I really wanted a salad since I was eating so healthy (ha!) and decided to go to Wendys because I love their new Berry Almond Salad. However, they forgot to send out the memo that they no longer have that salad, and that their “healthy” fries taste like cardboard. (Why then did I still eat them all?) So out of desperation and pressure from the rude drive through worker, I ordered a [fried] spicy caesar salad. So much for healthy. Don’t’ worry, I washed it all down with a couple starbursts.

And to top things off, I have consumed hundreds of handfuls of this….

Dang boy scouts. I don’t even like caramel corn that much.

I guess through this whole week, I have realized how much of  a stress-eater I am. Every night I have hopes of making something filling and healthy but just don’t have the time/energy. Plus, it’s hard when you don’t buy the groceries yourself. We are a pretty healthy family but don’t get much fruit other than apples and bananas and lettuce, carrots, and onions for veggies. When we do have more of a selection, I find I eat much healthier. But isn’t that how it usually works? Oh well, guess this is when the creative part of my brain is supposed to kick in, however, I think that part of my brain is too stressed with everything else. I’m hoping once retreat is over I will have some time to get my life back in order. :)

Question: In what way does stress affect your lifestyle?

Digestive System

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Why yes, that would be the digestive system on a cookie cake. Try not to be too grossed out.

I am taking Anatomy and Physiology this year and every group was assigned a system and well, my friend and I got the digestive system (which I secretly wanted!)

All though I am still not an expert on the digestive system, I can tell you one thing. Consuming all the candy on this cake is not good for your digestive system. Please don’t ask how I know. Why do you think we had a shortage of reeses for the liver even though we bought the family pack?

What was/ is your favorite subject in school??

I have always enjoyed health (but not any other sciences) and economics!