Archive for ‘aspiration{inspiration}’

June 19, 2012

Aspiration {Inspiration} :: Worth It?

by Stephanie

Yesterday I attempted to make quinoa flour.

Score on finding this huge bag at Costco – Quinoa for everyone!

The directions I found online were simple enough.

Take 2 C quinoa…

Toast it for 5 minutes on medium heat…

Stop after you hear popping for about 2 minutes.  Remove and process until flour consistency.

This looks pretty flour-y, wouldn’t you say?


Gossip Girl reference, anyone?

First of all, my quinoa never really made a popping sound, and I had the damn thing cooking for over 15 minutes!

Second, my baby food processor, could not get the quinoa chopped small enough.   I read later if you sift the flour, while processing you can get the good stuff out, and focus on the stubborn pieces.

Worth it?

Next time I want to make pizza, I will spend the absolutely ridiculous price for pre-made quinoa flour, because now I see it’s totally worth it.

So where am I going with all of this?

With my recent realization that I can actually make {and not ruin} my own homemade oat flour and cashew butter, I’ve also discovered, how easy and quick they are create. Plus, I feel better about eating them.  SO, I think I’m going to give the whole DIY thing a bit of a go this summer.

I eat a ton of whole foods, but I’d like to try my hand at making homemade versions of the processed foods I frequently consume:

  • Yogurt
  • Bread
  • Jam
  • Cream cheese
  • Hummus
  • Salsa
  • Pasta
  • Dried Fruit
  • Salad dressings

_____

Some things ABC News recommends you consider passing up in the grocery, for your own homemade version based on their own cost-benefit analysis.

  • Hummus: homemade (1 C), $0.85 // store-bought, $3.10
  • Guacamole: homemade (1 C), $1.50 // store-bought, $4.50
  • Potato chips: homemade, $0.80 // store-bought, $1.30
  • Loaf of bread: homemade, $1.00 // store-bought, $4.39

_____

I’m curious to see ‘is it worth it?’  based on ease of preparation and the cost to do so.

Obviously, quinoa flour did not make the worth it list.

So keep an eye out.

I feel a new series coming on!

Over and Out.

 

 

April 10, 2012

Aspiration {Inspiration} :: Train HARD

by Stephanie

Today I am heading in to Week 4 of Half Marathon Training!

I am feeling better and faster and stronger than I ever have while training for a race.

Here is the breakdown of all my training activities (including cross-training).

Keep at it.

My pace is much more steady, not to mention, quicker than in the past.

My GI troubles seem to be waning thanks to my new Low FODMAP Diet.

It’s all coming together.

I am incredibly motivated to get out there a kick butt!

And to end…

Bring. it. out.

February 23, 2012

Aspirations {Inspiration} :: Let It Be

by Stephanie

I have an overactive imagination.

I dream up these elaborate scenarios of how my life is going to play out.

[Life List, much?]

Usually these daydreams are so fantastically wonderful and I get terribly excited.

What can I say? I romanticize and fantasize and dramatize various situations.  I go through life wearing some crazy-awesome rose-colored glasses.

Come on now, I did go to theater school.   :)

And then when things don’t go as I planned, I get off balance. I lose my footing. The seams start to unravel a bit.

I wish I could just chill out and take life as it comes at me, but I’m afraid that I can be a bit of a control freak at times.

Yesterday was one of those days. Such.a.mess.

Nothing went my way. Morning to night.

And I ended the day feeling defeated, disappointed, and a bit ashamed of myself for sulking and being such a grouch.

I need to get a handle on the fact that I’m not the one in the driver seat all the time.  And that is so hard for me.

I’m usually pretty good about getting over things – I’m certainly not one to let things fester.  Get on with your life.  Everything turns out in the end.

So how can I avoid [or at least deal with] these situations where my path takes an unexpected turn?

My plan?  Breathe. Get my mind off what’s eating me up.  And not take things so personally.

It’s out of my hands.

And remember, things always look better in the morning.

And they definitely do today.

Okay and GO!

Have a wonderful, easy Thursday!

January 31, 2012

Aspiration {Inspiration} :: The Life List

by Stephanie

Life list. Bucket list. The BIG to-do list.

As I was walking from class to the gym this afternoon, I passed a poster on the quarter mile with the following:

“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”  -Robert Byrne

What a nice pick-me up.  A little bit of inspiration for a tired Tuesday afternoon was just what I needed.  It got me thinking about all the things I want to do in life.  Silly, insignificant things, but also the really big, momentous stuff -  the points in time that define your life.

I’m sure you’ve seen the bucket lists people create on Pinterest and tumblr, and I thought it would be nice to have an ongoing list of my own.

The following are just a few things I am determined to complete before I die:

Stephanie’s Life List

  • Graduate College
  • Obtain a Dietetic Internship
  • Pass the RD exam
  • Get my Master’s
  • Become a CDE
  • Learn Spanish
  • Start my own business
  • Write for a magazine
  • Spend a summer on the beach
  • Learn to cook without a recipe
  • Buy a DSLR and learn how to use it
  • Make homemade wine
  • Become financially independent
  • Buy a house
  • Give back to my parents
  • Tour around Europe
  • Complete a triathalon
  • Get married
  • Start a family
  • Visit the Pyramids
  • Go to India
  • Get hypnotized
  • Be a part of a flash mob
  • Move to L.A.
  • Go on a cruise
  • Visit Disney World
  • Make homemade sushi
  • Kiss under the misteltoe
  • Be a bridesmaid
  • Live in Philadelphia
  • Have a crazy night in Vegas

I’ve added a page for this because I think it’s important to be reminded of your goals.  Keep checking back for additions + watch me conquer items one by one!

What’s on your list?

January 29, 2012

Aspiration {Inspiration} :: Run

by Stephanie

I can’t get enough of this quote.

There are as many reasons for running as there are days in the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your own self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be. ~George Sheehan

 

At the half-way point in Lake Placid.

Ever since I found where I’m going to run next race, hitting the pavement is all I can think about!

It’s prompted me to finally get my running page up.  Check it out, yo!

Oh! And don’t forget to take my survey on social media use!

Peace Out!