directions

its weird, but i think i must seem like i know where im going or know how to get somewhere that people want to go...because time and time again people are asking me for directions and clearly, most of those times...i have no idea what to tell them! my sister and i were once taking a walk by my house and someone pulled over to the side of the rode to ask for directions. being from the area, i stepped up to the plate and gave my best attempt at directions. once they pulled away my sister was like, whoa, im impressed! and i was like...yeahh...nooo idea where that is! haha, whoops! shes like, what?? why didnt you just say so?? i was like, i dont know..i like to try to help people!! i have also had ppl roll down their windows and ask me for directions while we are stopped at a stoplight and i often give them some shoddy help there too...i know, i know..i should just say i dont know...but the thing is, when i try that, they still look at me all lost and scared (wait, are they deer or people??) and so then im like, ok fine...guess i could give it a try! haha! well today two ppl asked me for directions where i work...but this time, their senses led them to the right person. if you want to know road directions-no. if you want to know how to get to a specific room or department-no again. buuut if you want to get to coffee---im your gal! TWO people asked me today where they could get coffee...one time i was holding a coffee, so that was a clear indicator that i know things (fine, that i know one thing), but the other time, they just must have felt my coffee vibe! i had someone on campus ask me where the coffee place was the other day too...i swear to god, no matter where i am...new city, new country, new job, new school...whatever...i will always be able to tell ppl where to get the nearest latte. and that my friends, is one amazing talent. hahah..fine, i have a problem!

off to class/off to get a latte! have a gooood one!!

xoxo

Carrot Cake Oats :)

as i mentioned before, i am a little oatmeal obsessed since i started reading food blogs! one blog in particular has a whole oats section with tons of different variations and toppings and i had always been meaning to give one a try. well people, i finally did it! it was tough to pick which one to try, so i took another recent obsession...carrot cake...and decided to combine the two for my oatmeal adventure. YUM...i am soo happy i tried it! SO GOOD!!! it was the most fancy oatmeal breakfast i have ever had and i cant wait to make it again! if you are looking for a fun way to eat some saturday or sunday morning...try this!! if you like carrot cake and oats..you will not be disappointed!! i used the basic recipe from kath, with a few minor adjustments...here ya gooo:

Carrot Cake Oatmeal
serves 1

-Ingredients-
1/2 c oats
1 c water
1/4 c shredded carrot (i used a microplane...so they were very thin...it would be sick with thick shredded carrot)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbls vanilla soy yogurt (can use any kind of yogurt obvi)
1 tsp maple syrup
3-5 chopped pecans (toasted=better!)
sprinkle shredded coconut
*optional: agave nectar if added sweetness is necessary

-Directions-
1. combine in saucepan: oats, water, and carrots (remember-shredded thin or it wont be right). cook on medium heat until its bubbling and most of the water is gone (5-7 mins). stir occasionally.
2. while you are waiting for your oats, make the "frosting" for your carrot cake. mix in a bowl: vanilla soy yogurt and maple syrup. also, toast (can do in a pan or in the microwave) and chop your pecans.
3. once the oats are ready, remove from heat and add the vanilla extract and perhaps some agave nectar (this is optional...but mine could have been a tad sweeter, so i could have added a little here to help with that...if you dont have agave, a little brown sugar can also be used).
4. next pour oats into the bowl, drizzle icing over the top, sprinkle on the coconut, and finally the toasted pecans...and ENJOY!!

YUM!! this totally worked for a carrot cake fix and was a wonderful and filling way to start the day!! def give it a tryyyyy!

one more :)

i dont get it

as i have recently become a driver in a place where i have lived for like 6 years yet through those years i have been metro bound or on foot...both of which i actually miss and were more simpler times (well, most of the time...grocery shopping was weird...) anywayy, its a different world for me now that im a driver! i am trying to learn how things work here, but clearly i am having some issues. first and foremost, finding my way around...if you know me, you know that i have little to no sense of direction! i still get lost in my hometown for goodness sake...so finding my way around here is no easy task. even now that i have a gps...i STILL get lost! what?? sometimes that little british lady inside there just isnt clear!! haha times havent changed much...different location, same serious issues! hah! anyway, the other thing thats different here are the red light cameras...we dont have those where im from, so we like to speed up and rush through the yellow/red lights...well, nooooooot here...not with those pesky little cameras all over the place! i also learned what the HOV lane is today...was riding in that baby for about 15 minutes and when i finally realized i shouldnt be there, i like could not figure out how to exit for some reason! haha suuuchh issues, i swear!! but lately there is something else thats been on my mind and i just really dont get it: the speed radars. now, i am a citizen of the law and i mind the rules (well, within reason...i have been known to speed a little in my day and do forget to turn my lights on at times...yeahhh...), so when i see the sign "speed limit X, radar enforced" i get SCARED and i feel like, omg big brother is watching and i need to follow the rules! so naturally i slow down...but the problem is...no one else does! seriously there is one zone that i keep going through that is 35mph radar enforced...yet literally everyone is going at least 50mph. im like..wait..what the?? are you all not reading the sign?? RADAR ENFORCED, PEOPLE!! THEY'RE WATCHING US!! so i get all panicky and try to slow down, but then everyones whipping past me and giving me dirty looks for driving like a grandma, so then i speed up...but then the panic starts up again bc i think the radars are going to catch me so i slow back down!! ahh its a vicious cycle! so i guess basically what i dont get is, when they say that the speed is "radar enforced", yet everyone is speeding...what do they do?? are they giving all of us tickets or what?? is it written just to scare us?? i seriously dont get it. if anyone can shed some light on this, it would be much appreciated! otherwise...i will continue the panic-slow-speed-panic-slow cycle that i am currently working and hope for the best! wish me luck!!

**amazing item alert**

theyreeeee baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack....HONEYCRISP APPLES!!!!!!! if you dont know what these are...you need to get in a car or on a bike or in your running shoes or on a bus or on a metro or on a horse...whoa, sorry, got a little carried away...some form of transportation and get yourself to a grocery store and gear up for the most amazing apple of your life!! if you already know what these are...then you understand why im so excited its the honeycrisp season!!! just had my first one and it was SO AMAZINGGGGG!!!! OMG...i just google-imaged a honeycrisp apple for your viewing pleasure...and i found out that its MINNESOTAS official state fruit!! OMG...now i like it even more!!! ok, go and get one...what are you waiting for??

ps if you think i am a freak after reading this post, go try a honeycrisp and everything will become clear.

xoxo

Kale Salad!!

who loves kale?!? ew, i know...me either! but, that was BEFORE i tried this amazing salad!! now im a total kale salad fan and since kale is soo amazing for you...you probably should be too!! even if you arent big into salad, like me, this is delicious and filling and really nutritious! so dont get scared off if you dont love big leafy greens that happen to look more like garnish than salad! haha what?? i was scared! and if you already love salads or eat kale every day (whoa, go you!)....then this is a new way to eat it that you are going to love! anyway, i got this recipe from a friend back home and i seriously cannot stop eating it! there are like no ingredients and it takes five seconds to put together AND because kale is a pretty strong beastly leafy green, it holds up all day dressed or even over night (so if you make too much, keep the leftovers, its good!)...so great, right?? ok ok, ill stop with the hard sell (can you tell im obsessed?!)...try it and see for yourself!

Kale Salad

-Ingredients-
kale (organic is best, comes in a big bunch...just normal green kale, no dino kale or anything)
handful of dried cranberries
handful of pine nuts
raspberry vinaigrette (i use annies light...yum!)
*optional, could top with tofu or chicken to get some added protein

-Directions-
1. wash and pat dry kale leaves (amount obvi depends on how much salad you want...i use about 3-5 leaves for a biggish salad)
2. tear the leaves off the stem into salad-sized pieces and throw into a bowl
3. add handful of cranberries, handful of pine nuts (amount depends on you..im a freak, so i pretty much follow the serving size on the package...)
4. dress (to taste) with some delish raspberry vinaigrette--i usually do about 1 1/2 tbls (if you dont like rasp vin, you can try another dressing, but with the crans, i think it goes best with a sweeter/berry dressing personally)

AND THATS THAT, easy right?? i put it in a tupperware in the AM and then just shake it around when im ready to eat it for lunch! soooooo good!! if you try it, let me know what you think!!

one more pic for the road...xoxo

oatmeal

ever since i got into food blogs and healthy eating...i have started eating oatmeal! YUM! no no, not the oatmeal in packets...i make the reaaal oatmeal on the stove. i usually try to buy organic oats (normal oats, not steel cut..dont have thaaat much time people!), but sometimes i just buy quaker, which is fine too! anyway, i thought i would share my oats with you in case you are not currently an oatmeal eater and in case you are looking for an amazing and nutritious way to start your morning! i have introduced my sister, my parents, and a few friends to this and they have all approved, so try it! trust me, youll like it!!! here is a pic of my everyday oats and the picture that comes later is of oats that i made in the end of a barney butter (almond butter...buy this brand, its amazing) container...once there was about a tbsp left, i just poured my oats right in..yum!

Nicole's Delightful Oatmeal

serves 1

-Ingredients-

1/2 cup oats

1 cup water

1/2 ripe banana

1 tbsp ground flax seeds

1 tbls barney butter (or any other almond butter)

1 tsp agave nectar (+/- to taste--can use brown sugar too, but why when agave is SO GOOD!)

optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract--adds a little something special, i dont always do it, but its nice!

optional: raisins or nuts--dont normally do it, but if i dont have banana, raisins are a good sub!

-Directions-

1. in a pot combine oats, water, and 1/2 banana (cut into 1/2 inch slices) and put over medium heat...cook for about 5-7 mins. you MUST add the bananas before cooking...they puff up like big banana marshmallows this way and its really yuuuum! once the oatmeal starts bubbling, give it a few really good stirs...this helps with the marshmallow effect!

2. when its the consistency you like best, take off heat, add the tbsp of flax seeds and the vanilla extract, and stir (dont be afraid of flax seeds...they are delicious, good for you, and even if you dont love them, you wont even really notice them stirred in with everything else!!)

3. pour into a bowl and top with agave nectar and the tbls of barney butter (and any other toppings you like!). note: i dont stir in the almond butter--i leave it in a blob on top and then dip each bite into it to maximize the flavor!! much better this way...trust me :)

and thats that! how easy, right?? ok ok so it maaaay sound a bit complex, but im telling you...once you start, you wont stop!! its THAT good!! it really doesnt take too long and its the best way to start the day!! TRY IT and then let me know what you think....

xoxo

MIA

AHH OMG SORRY! i just realized that i havent blogged in TEN DAYS. thats just totally inappropriate!! my life is absolutely INSANE right now but im slowly getting myself together...and after some intense studying this weekend hopefully the weekly, fine daily, ok you caught me, hourly...panic attacks will cease ;) i got a little confused about my life and thought that i could have a social life AND do school and work...how wrong i was! haha so now i am vowing to get myself together, starting this weekend!! other than the constant feelings of anxiety, life has been pretty good. classes are going well...hard, but interesting! oh UPDATE: i wore my lab coat and goggles for the FIRST time yesterday and wooow did i look COOL! ahaha...but one awkward thing (obvi, its me) my goggles steamed up at one point and i didnt know what to do...if you take them off during an experiment, you will get points docked and be asked to leave (so ridiculously strict, right?? and the lab instructor is sooo funny...she is from russia and sort of sounds like miss piggy meets julia child and is super rule lady and not kidding around, so i def dont want to test her with removing the goggs at any point!!)...so anyway, i was blindly trying to read my measurements through the fog....hahah so awkward...and i didnt want to say anything to anyone because a) i dont really know anyone yet so really who would i say something to?? and b) bc the guy next to me had a paper towel sticking out of his goggles and when i asked him why he told me it was because he was sweating...and i laughed at him...soo then i couldnt admit to being all steamy, right?? anyway, i made it through the rest of the lab ok...im gonna need to get my goggle-wearing technique straightened out so that doesnt happen again! haha! ok, thats about it for now...more later!! xoxo