Sunday, September 25, 2011

blogging break... for real.

hi my friends-

life is busy. really busy.  so i'm going to have to say goodbye for now.

I really hope to be back once things slow down a little bit.  how can I resist telling you about hawaii?! thank you all for reading- I appreciate all the comments that you have given me over the past year(almost!). I really enjoy blogging but lately it has become more of a hassle.  I want to spend my extra time doing the things I love including baking, yoga and enjoying this beautiful island but I simply don't have the time to document them right now.

if you need some lovely blogs to read- check out my favourites.  some other ones I read on a regular basis are
*from the aisle to aloha
*a bicycle built for two
*a cup of joe
*oh happy day
*betcha can't eat just one

there. that should keep you busy for a while! hope to be back soon.
lots of love.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

a wonderful weekend.

this weekend was BUSY! but so, so awesome.  since I didn't have my car on friday, and I had the day off school, I had a chance to catch up on stuff that needed to get done around the house.  I went to yoga, attempted to make homemade granola and made cupcakes for brooke's birthday(gluten and dairy free!).  after a day at work on saturday we drove up island to celebrate brooke's birthday.  and did we ever celebrate.  it was such a great time! the only bummer was that I had to work the next morning.




we all contributed to a pot luck for dinner before we went out- we had halibut, quinoa salad, asparagus and a goat cheese and beet salad.

this week has been off to a good start- yesterday I had a great yoga class that left my abs and legs in the state of jello and this morning I went for a morning run with the girls.  tonight I am off to a vinyasa flow yoga class and then I am making cheesy sweet potato crisps and oven fried fish for dinner.  hope everything turns out!

hope to be back for a post later this week.
happy tuesday!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

blogging break.

so this week has been busy- really busy.  and stressful for several reasons.  unfortunately, blogging has to take a back seat because I just don't seem to have the time or energy lately.

thought I would share with you these few recipes I tried this week.

banana bread muffins + chocolate chips of course.  made these for D's lunches this week.

falafel pitas- the JAM!! seriously, so easy and throw them in a pita with lettuce, cucumber, hot sauce and tahini= heaven in my mouth!

cajun dirty rice (vegetarian style)

roasted cauliflower


and a thursday thought for you: * life is partly what we make it, and partly what is made by the friends we choose.

my friends are my life.  everyday I feel so fortunate to have the amazing friends that I do (and family).  I can't wait to spend time with some of my girlfriends this weekend.  should be fantastic!

now, I'm going to sleep. good night.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

back to reality.

this weekend I was back to work and back to homework.  these past few days just flew by.. and went undocumented.  I haven't been overly interested in taking photos lately but I did snap a couple on friday...



aren't these flowers GORGEOUS? my mom and I each got a bouquet like this at the farmers market. so beautiful.  I just stare at them whenever I am home.

I also picked up zucchini, red peppers and cherry tomatoes at the farmers market to make veggie kabobs for our friends friday night.  I also made prawn kabobs with a simple lemon garlic marinade.  delicious!  all this time spent in the kitchen went undocumented as I mentioned.  we had a great time catching up with friends though and celebrating ash's birthday.

on friday I also received this adorable package in the mail..


I ordered a watch on etsy and she wrapped it up in a super cute box.  I love getting parcels in the mail :)

other weekend highlights included:
*dads birthday dinner- I love mexican food! and a nice walk on the waterfront with the fam
*a couple episodes of joy the baker podcast while I peeled shrimp, chopped veggies and folded laundry.
*banana pancakes for dinner
*a movie night with D- we watched love actually.  obviously, it was my turn to pick the movie :)

this heat lately has also been getting to me.  I hope it cools off this week so my house no longer feels like a sauna and I can actually exercise outside without having to get up really early.  that being said, I have been enjoying my morning runs with the girls.

hope everyone had a lovely weekend.
--m

Thursday, September 8, 2011

delicious-ness.

I'm back to overnight oats! this has been my favourite bowl this week-


into the bowl went:
1/2 cup oats
3/4 cup vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup frozen berries

in the morning I added:
1 tsp. brown sugar
2(ish) tbs. holy crap

mix 'er up and enjoy!  I think I'm going to try some oats with pumpkin one of these days.

I also came up with this basic dish earlier in the week-




I made some rice, beans and sauteed veggies and layered them all into a baking dish and sprinkled with salsa and cheese.  I baked the dish for about 15 minutes and then served it with lettuce.  it hit the spot!

other variations I might try next time:
*adding a layer of avocado/guacamole (wouldn't bake it with the avocado in)
*serving with tortilla chips
*using this combo as filling in a wrap or enchilada

I can't wait to start baking! I have been trying to avoid using the oven as much as possible since it has been so warm out.  once it cools off I will definitely be busy in the kitchen.

--m

thursday thought.

keeha- summer 2011

*an attitude of gratitude brings opportunities

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

book review.

so I'm back to bookclub this month and I read the book for september while I was away in bamfield.

a complicated kindness...




I wasn't overly thrilled by this read- I couldn't get into it but I wanted to finish it for the sake of discussion at book club.  I think I was distracted with things going on at school so I found myself distracted by my to-do list while I was attempting to focus on this book.  I have heard so many amazing reviews but maybe it just isn't my kinda book? I tried, what can I say! onto the next read.. perhaps the help? or water for elephants? or sarahs key? I want to read them all but can't decide!

I wish I had more time and energy to read.  I find it so relaxing and it always takes my mind off real life. I'm thinking I should make scheduled time during the week for reading!

I'm off to bed- early, I know.  I had a long day at school and I think the heat is getting to me.  after zumba I just wanted to collapse I was so tired.  BUT my first zumba class after being back was definitely fantastic.  I missed it! I think I missed pretty much everything about home.. it feels great to be back.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

first day back at school.

I love september- something about the structure of getting back to routine puts me totally at ease.

today was a fabulous first day back- I only had one class which was an added bonus, got up early for a run/walk with the girls(we missed you brooke!), then went to my first yoga class since I have been back.  all in all a fantastic day.  in the one class I had today, we were assigned a project that will take me back to bamfield for a couple days! I absolutely can't wait- we are working on the official community development plan for the bamfield area and I am ecstatic about it! bonus! I will get to see a couple of my biology friends when we stay at the marine station for a night.  yay for more fall adventures!

I have also been thoroughly enjoying making all my own meals at home. no more cafeteria food! thank goodness. it is so nice to not have scheduled meal times and being able to eat what I want, when I want! I was back to overnight oats this morning and then little snacks throughout the day, which I much prefer over a big lunch.  I also got a wonderful gift from a fab friend...


holy crap! I can't wait to mix this in with my oats tomorrow morning! I have the best friends ever :)

--m

Monday, September 5, 2011

home sweet home.

well that 6 weeks flew by but I am SO thankful to be home.  these past few days have been absolutely perfect. 

all my favourite things including:
*thai food!!!
*seeing all my amazing friends and family
*staying in bed until late morning- in my OWN bed.
*my favourite starbucks drink and a walk on the waterfront
*a sweaty run without a bazillion hills like there was on the westcoast
*lazying around at home
*the gorgeous sunshine

back to school tomorrow, I can't believe how fast this summer went.  I had so many amazing experiences and was really fortunate to have all the opportunities that I did in the last few months.  even though summer is over I have several amazing things to look forward to this fall.  including, HAWAII and a yoga and surf retreat in tofino.  I think it is going to be a good semester :)

I have to say I am going to miss this view while studying..



happy september!
--m