A Pony Tail is Not Just a Hairdo

My latest obsession is the show "Police Women of Broward County" on TLC. This show is seriously addicting, evident in my tuning in for new episodes every Thursday night (I don't know if this marks me as a loserish kind of girl but oh well, the secret is out). One day I will take a vacation/road trip to Broward county, because I am convinced that I will be on the show as some sort of extra (not as a criminal, just as a background cool chick). It's a great show, definitely worth watching.

My Mom used to hate me wearing a pony tail. She would always tell me how I looked so much better without the pony, but I was never convinced. My pony tail was a security blanket, you know? I was a middle school student and a sort of a tom boy. Not only was my pony tail a hair style, it was also a part of my identity. No matter how important my swishy tail was my Mom was convinced it was holding me back. That is, until one day I read an article in the newspaper about powerful women who wore their hair in a pony tail, quite like mine. These women included Jane Gooddall, Lisa Leslie, among others like the police women of Broward county. I distinctly remember showing my Mom the article, confidently standing there in my kitchen (proudly sporting my pony tail). I hung up the article clipping in my bedroom as a reminder that these women were powerful, wore their hair in pony tails, and most importantly were changing the world.

So, as I watch silly cop shows about police women, shows that are packed full of drama and theatrics, it is a reminder of my article (an article that was ruined by a nasty hurricane a couple of years ago). These women risk their lives every day to keep the streets a little safer and are truly wonderful role models. With a world full of reality television shows about careless women in tight clothes who whine about their petty problems, it's nice to see butt kicking women getting their share of the spotlight. I know that some little girl out there, wearing her brother's hand me down t-shirts, in a pony tail, and no make up will find inspiration like I did with that pony tail article. Sometimes life is just kind of funny like that.

Enough sentimental gobbledygook for one night and remember to rock the pony!

Peanut Butter

When faced with an empty peanut butter jar, what does a girl do? Well, what does anyone do really? The only sane conclusion that I came up with was overnight oats! So delicious!

Peter pan peanut butter screams childhood for me. I was convinced when I was little that I could fly like Peter Pan, I just had to wait for the day my special talents would develop. Unfortunately, they did not.

Peanut buttery Overnight Oats

1 semi empty peanut butter jar

1/3 cup rolled oats 

2/3 cups milk

1/2 mashed bananas 

1. Mash the banana.
2. Add the banana, oats, and milk to the peanut butter jar.
3. Stir!

Easy, right? Then just pop it into the fridge overnight. I topped mine with homemade peanut butter granola, for an especially nutty morning. 

Mmmm, love me some breakfast.

I am still looking for a new laptop which has been a blech experience so far. I just can't wrap my head around the technical jargon. That's why I have asked my Dad for help. My Dad loves all of that technological stuff and has found the best deals for all of the family's laptops. I don't know how he does it. He looks online and finds all these great deals and cool computers. I find computers, but they all look the same until I just can't tell the difference between any of them. 

Anyway, Dad and I spent the afternoon browsing computer stores where I got to do one of my favorite things ever...touch stuff. I'm telling you half the fun of shopping is touching whatever you want to buy. I do it with everything, fruit, clothes, bras (causing much embarrassment to my sister on outings to Victoria's Secret, just my duty as the older sister), and I especially love touching technology. After looking at the affordable laptops we played with the Macs, which is the best thing ever. I even got to play with an Ipad, which I was horrible at working. I guess I just don't have that magic touch.

Today was also my lil bro and sis' last day of school, woo! School's out for summer (for all of us)! In more good news, I have gotten an invitation to work at a summer gymnastics camp. I have been holding out for a good job for the longest time, well, longer than I have ever waited before. For the past two summers I have worked at horrible jobs, both of which were retail. The first job was especially torturous because my boss liked to inform me of what a "crappy" job that I had done on the monotonous tasks she asked me to do. Needless to say, I did not return. The other job was icky because I worked every single Saturday, sometimes until 2am. So I am taking a chance on this one and waiting it out. After all, it is one of my last summer vacations and I deserve to have a little fun.

Off to find some inspiration for a fitness article to write, hopefully I will find something!

Have a great day!

P.S. tomorrow is pesto pizza day! Hoo haa!

A-Z like a Champ

This is a little food survey that has been buzzing around food bloggers so I decided to jump on the band wagon :)


A: is for Apple, what’s your favorite variety?
I love MacIntosh apples when they are in season. I eat them with everything, peanut butter, yogurt, on top of oatmeal, and sometimes in a pie. 


B: is for Bread, regardless of nutrition, calories, or whole grains what is your favorite type to have a nice big piece of?
This is easy, bagels! I love bagels of any kind, this girl does not discriminate against carbs. Self proclaimed carbivore right here.


C: is for Cereal what is your favorite kind currently (just one!)
I have been hooked on frosted shredded wheat for the past month. Why? Who knows? :)

D: is for Doughnuts, you might not currently be eating them but what kind do you fancy?
I'm not a big doughnut fan. I have trouble with my blood sugar if I eat sugary things at breakfast. But, (there is always a but) I am half Polish and we have a tradition on fat Tuesday called "Packzi day". Packzis are the Polish equivalent of a doughnut, and so so so amazing! Since we get to eat them only once a year I treat myself to one, usually a raspberry jam filled one topped with powdered sugar, hey it's not called "fat" Tuesday for nothing.

E: is for Eggs, how would you like yours prepared?

Scrambled por favor.

F: is for Fat Free, what is your favorite fat free product?

Yogurt, any variety. Although, I am loving Greek Yogurt at the moment. It has twice the protein and is super rich and creamy!

G: is for Groceries, where do you purchase yours at?

Wherever my Mom takes me which is usually Walmart. We are big eaters and need to save a couple of bucks.

H: is for Hot Beverages, what is your favorite hot drink?

Chai tea of course! I am only mildly obsessed (hence the chocolate chai scones today!)

I: is for Ice Cream, pick a favorite flavor and add a fun topping.

Chocolate is my favorite favorite favorite flavor. For a topping I would have to go with...more chocolate. My motto is, if it's not chocolate, then it's not dessert.

J: is for Jams or Jellies, do you eat them, and if so what kind and flavor?

If I am making PB&J then there is no other option but grape jelly. If I'm just eating toast, then any flavor. I did make my own strawberry jam which was super delicious. 

K: is for Kashi, name your favorite Kashi product?

Kashi crackers, holla! 

L: is for Lunch, what was yours today?

A spinach tortilla with hummus and spring mix greens and a side of prunes.

M: is for microwave, what is your favorite microwave meal/snack?

Instant oatmeal.

N: is for nutrients, do you likes carbs, fats, or proteins best?

I love carbs but I try to not let them dominate my plate. I am a big supporter of protein and try to make sure I get a great serving at every meal.

O: is for oil, what kind do you like to use?

I have no idea. Whatever the recipe calls for I guess!

P: is for protein, how do you get yours?

Greek yogurt, almonds, milk, nut butters, and lots of beans (my favesies).

Q: is for Quaker, how do you like your oats?

I like my oats in my belly. Jokes aside, I like them any way really. Warm, cold, transformed into granola, I am up for anything really!

R: is for roasting, what is your favorite thing to roast?

I don't know how to roast anything but I am sure that my Mom has a killer recipe somewhere, adventure anyone?

S: is for sandwich, what’s your favorite kind?

I love sandwiches! When I am at school I eat one everyday. I usually go with rye bread, turkey, honey mustard, lots of lettuce and tomato, and sometimes a slice of swiss cheese if I am feeling adventurous. In the dining hall there is actually a sandwich bar where you can get your sandwiches made right in front of you. I was such a constant visitor that many of the dining hall workers knew my order by heart! Yeah, I am pretty cool like that.

T: is for travel, how do you handle eating while traveling?

I haven't really traveled that much, but I am usually up for anything. Remember the octopus extravaganza? Yep, ate that sucker with only a slight freak out.

U: is for unique, what is one of your weirdest food combos?

A weird combo, hmm. I have no idea, but I do love eating frozen peas (and have since I was a wee lass). Not a weird combo, but kind of weird on its own!

V: is for vitamins, what kind do you take?

I take a Walmart brand of a "One a Day Women's" multivitamin and Calcium citrate. My parents have always pushed calcium on me. In middle school, my Dad made me bring milk in a thermos every day. All of my friends got to drink juice boxes while I was stuck with the icky milk container that loved to leak. I am thankful for it now though and continue to take calcium at every opportunity.

W: is for wasabi, yay or nay?

Nay, I am not a spicy food girl whatsoever.

X: is for XC Foodie, why is she so awesome?

I do not know who this is (this survey has gone through many a food blogger and is now far from its beginnings). I, however, am pretty awesome because I am the author of Eat, Bake, Love, went running without music this morning, and made meatballs all by myself last night. I'm on fire!

Y: is for youth, what food reminds you of your childhood?

Rice crispy treats. I remember making these with my Mama on a rainy day. The smell of melting butter and marshmallows take me right back to that day,  it's funny how much scent and memory are connected.

Z: is for zucchini, how do you prepare it?

I love grilled zucchini! But I also love it in my frittatas and zucchini bread

.

The Case of the Missing Blogger

It's June! Can you believe that?

Isn't a new month exciting? You get to flip over a new picture on your calendar, which I absolutely love, especially because of my Audrey Hepburn calendar.

Before getting into a new post I must apologize for my absence the last two days, I've been busy busy busy! But I am back, so it's time to celebrate. Since it is the beginning of a new month, celebration is definitely in order. Plus, my bro and sis only have one more day of school! I am so proud of them! This weekend my little bro will be embarking on one of many recruiting trips. He is a phenomenal football player, standing 6'3", broad shouldered, and is often described as "lumbering". My brother plays on the offensive line as a center, if you do not know what this means this position basically includes him handing the football to the quarterback (again, this is the most simple definition!). He also has been on the varsity team since he was a baby freshman. So now, as he is entering his senior year of high school, many universities have been contacting him in regards to him playing football for their team. This weekend he and my Pa are heading up to Pennsylvania to visit Youngstown State, which is kind of impressive if you ask me. He is also heading to a recruitment camp at the University of Miami in a couple of months. I am going to miss him this weekend, who else am I going to watch Spongebob with?

I should whip him up something special in the baking department for Thursday, suggestions? I'm sure that I'll find something!

After an early morning run, making sure the bro and sis got to school on time, walked the dogs, and what not, I decided to do a little baking (I know that you can't see me right now, trust me your eyes are better off, but I have a crooked halo, teehee). I still have that list of things that I want to make over the summer that I shared with you all, it looks a little like this now:

1. Chai Tea Scones

http://www.savvyeat.com/two-kinds-of-scones/

2. Taco Chili

http://ohsheglows.com/2011/04/19/taco-chili-with-nacho-cheeze-sauce/

3. Pesto Pizza

http://ohsheglows.com/2010/10/17/project-food-blog-challenge-5-a-pizza-complex/

4. Overnight Oats

http://ohsheglows.com/2010/04/08/easy-vegan-overnight-oats/

5. Green Monster

http://ohsheglows.com/2011/01/13/classic-green-monster/

Making progress! All that is left is the pesto pizza!

This morning I made chai scones, which smell heavenly. I popped in "Must Love Dogs" and went on my merry way bouncing about the kitchen gathering ingredients, all of which were very simple. Romantic comedy and baking, can you say good morning!

Recipe


2.5 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup milk
3 bags of chai tea

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients.
With your hands mix in the oil until well combined. Add in the milk in three parts with your hands.
Separate dough into two balls and place on a well greased cookie sheet.
Flatten balls into a 1/2inch thick circle and cut into 6 wedges.
Place evenly on cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Original recipe: savvyeat.com

I drizzled melted chocolate on these scones for a little surprise :)

Yum!

Since both of the men of the house will be gone this weekend (and will be very much missed) I am thinking that I will tackle the pesto pizza for a girls dinner with my Mom, Sister, and two dogs. Yes, our house is run by estrogen. 

On to look for new laptops, since mine is slowly dying. First the DVD player died, then the battery died, there's a crack in the screen, and it sounds like a goose flew into the turbo engine on an airplane when it is up and running. It will be an adventure that's for sure!

Have a wonderful todayistheday!