First news first.....I GOT A JOB!!!!!!! Last week, at a business consultant firm for Automotive dealerships, I was hired on as a junior training consultant. For the next 90 days, I will be training and learning the ropes at this communications-centered job. In three words....I....AM..PSYCHED!
However, with the prospect of work comes the extensive challenge in finding cheap, easy, quick, AND healthy recipes. I am going to share with you one healthy snack recipe, which is also inexpensive to recreate.
MEXICAN CORN CUP
This Mexican appetizer was featured on a recipe of a Food Network show it is the
perfect side dish for a small lunch and operates in place of more unhealthy side items such as: fries, chips, coleslaw, etc. This side item is valued at around 150 calories.
INGREDIENTS
* One cleaned, damp ear of corn
* Tsp. reduced fat butter
* Tsp. reduced fat sour cream OR mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup queso fresco, feta, OR mozzerella cheese
* Pinch of chilli powder
* One slice lime (optional)
DIRECTIONS
* Wrap damp ear in wax paper and twist ends. Microwave for two minutes.
* With sharp knife, remove corn kernels on plate.
* Transfer loose kernels to small cup
* Atop corn kernels with one tsp sour cream, one tsp butter, 1/4 cup cheese, and a pinch of chilli powder. If desired, add a drizzle of lime juice on top.
In last weeks post, I discussed my absolute resolve to live me life in the here and now. Though it sounds a wonderful ambition, the actual follow-through is a weee bit difficult. When you are a life-long stresser, taking the time to "enjoy the moment" dosnt exactly come naturally.
However, I am absolutley and totally determined to change the course of my health and happiness---and begin enjoying the everyday gifts life so often presents us with. As such, I am examining what hobbies, activities, food choices, etc make me happy and allow me to "mellow" (if only temporarily ; )
These are five great things, I have noticed this week alone, that help calm the extreme chaos that IS my stress level. I really hope others will enjoy these quick de-stress tips : )
1) Cooking. I have always sucked at cooking....and "sucked" is putting it lightly. But lately, with the extra time of unemployment on my hands, cooking has become quite the daily task. I've found that I really enjoy the time it takes to prepare different dishes---adding your own seasonings and garnishes. Lately, I've even gone so far as to branch out and create my own recipes. I've reinvinted all the fatty, yummy, salty cravings I have and fashioned them into equally satisfying, yet healthy meals. For instance, a bleu burger craving last week gave birth to my turkey and onion fat free cream cheese/bleu spread burger. And I'd be lying to you if I said it wasnt just as good. I can't wait to blog new recipes as I continue to create them!! 2)Excercise. Just 30 minutes of cardio really helps me get out of my own head. I love mixing up my everyday exercise routine by throwing in a random round of kickboxing, riding the eliptical, or going out for an evening jog. On busier days, if I dont have the time or energy to exercise, I force myself to get my heart rate up by doing such constructive tasks as dusting expediently, sweeping the floors, and doing the dishes standing up. I feel so much better about my health and my productivity if I exercise at least once every day. 3)Rental DVD's and Movie Stop Movies. What did people ever do before RedBox? Thanks to ever-changing technology, movies are so easily accessible these days! I mean, what is more economical than spending one dollar to RENT a movie, or three dollars to OWN one??!! Sometimes after a healthy dinner, there is truly nothing better than curling up on the couch and watching a new story unfurl. Getting lost in the fantasy of a fictional story can be wayyy overrated and I highly recommend it. Some extra tips for movie fanatics are as follows: a) Movie Stop often runs specials which can include $2 used movies and buy two get the third free! If you hit the store at those peek times, you can save yourself a bundle b) Research your movie choices before you rent/buy them! I know it sounds cheap, but every penny counts! Make sure your movie choice is exactly what you want. 4) Chipolte lunches with friends. Spending time with friends can sometimes be tricky, due to "hang out" options. Meeting with friends can be intimidating to those on a budget, looking to diet, or wanting something a bit different. Chipolte is the answer to all those concerns. The very filling rice bowls range from $6 to $8, while rank at a surprisingly low 700-800 calories. In addition, the bowls are always DELICIOUS and fresh---made with yummy vegetables and healthy lime rice. I love eating there with my friends and knowing that my investment is DEFINITLEY worth it. Not to mention, a visit with a friggin friend (especifically MY Chipolte friend) is ALWAYS awesome : ) Trust me....no matter how bad your day is...it cna be fixed with Chipolte. 5) A half glass of white wine with dinner. My personal reccomendation is the $3 bottle from Wal-Mart. They give you a great bang for your buck, and the wine is pretty dang good! I enjoy slowly drinking a small glass with dinner and enjoying the "cool down" from the rest of the day.
I can't wait to start blogging some pictures of the aforementioned recipes and show you guys what I"ve been up to : ) Until then, happy blogging!
I had a pretty serious epiphany one day last week.
Last Friday, at around 4 PM, I found myself sitting on the couch watching Oprah and gorging on yummy, unhealthy snacks. I realize that the aforementioned scenario, to most of my readers, probably sounds like a relaxing day off from participating in their grueling, hard-working lives. But, alas, to me it has become quite the normal, everday monotony of existence. Thus is the life of searching endlessly for a job post-college and having business slow down at your work-place.
As I was sitting on the couch, and as Oprah had spoken her final farewells, I thought to myself: "wow! when I have a job....I really won't be bored like this!" The thought cheered me up for a milisecond, then disappeared like a high-flying balloon into the air. It was at this very moment, that I began recollecting all my "if onlys" and "when that happens," and was very disappointed in the results.
When I was in high school, I thought the key to my happiness lied in going to college. When in College, I dreamed of moving and finding my independence. And when I had finally moved to Orlando, nothing sounded like it would complete me more than College graduation. So here I find myself: a high-school passee, Orlando resident, Bachelors recipient....still waiting for that "next thing" (which in this case is a job).
High School....CHECK!
Move...CHECK
GRADUATE COLLEGE...CHECK
WHICH LEAVES THE INEVITABLE QUESTION: NOW WHAT??!!
Being a "next goal" person isnt all bad. In fact, I"m pretty sure the good parts are what trap people into the mentality. Having my eye on the current prize has always helped me keep ambitious and sharp. It's what has helped me win awards at my professional positions, and maitain good grades in difficult classes. I enjoy the challenge of completing a difficult task-at-hand......if only to quickly move onto the next. But the bad side of the thing is that you truly RISK missing out on the awesome scenery between goals A and B--and sometimes that isnt worth it.
I spoke with someone on the phone the other day that made me realize the long-term affects of over-zealous "next thing" attitude. The conversation was painful, and upsetting---but it also made me come to terms with who I want to be. What I realized is: I DONT want to hurt the feelings of people who are closest to me only to get what I want, I DONT want to miss out on what's happening right now, and I certainly DONT want to "next thing" my life away.
On New Years Eve I made a resolution to slow down and really enjoy the small things in life that may only happen once--like having the time to grill outside in the fall air with my boyfriend. Yet, this particular phone conversation made me more determined than ever to follow through with enjoying MY life...no matter what "goal" I have left to finish.
So this week, instead of doing a post that's all insight(y) and poignant, I decided to go in a whole nother' direction and tell my readers about what is going on in my life. Think news channel bulletins but without the over hair-sprayed anchors and the awkward weather broadcasts.
FIRST AND FOREMOST.......I HAVE INTERNET!!!! That's right...you heard me...I....HAVE....INTERNET!! After a month of going without, my boyfriend and I finally conceeded and ordered an internet package from the service "Clear." The bill is pretty low, the service is efficient, and most importantly.....I can reclaim socializing with my interwebs peoples and interview for jobs once more!!! I had really gotten exceptionally tired of drudging my little cold butt down to our apartment office only to be even more frozen in that ice-box they call a computer center. HARUMPH!! Not to mention, some of the folks that shared the small, public computer space with me were sometimes rather...er...distracting. I almost gave Mr. Fed-Ex Delivery dude a huge peck on the cheek for delivering me sweet FREEDOM in the form of a USB : ) (I was almost as excited, upon opening my internet package, as the kid seen below. I repeat....ALMOST)
SECONDLY............my body is completley and totally defying me these days. I mean seriously! Its as if God accidentally gave me the head of a 23 year old and the body of an EIGHTY-THREE year old. They say the almighty one dosn't make mistakes.....so I'm thinking he's more of a practical jokes man. It's gotten to the point where, when incurring a minor ache, I immediatley want to warn my friends of impending dooms-day weather. THAT bad! I'm seriously not complaining here. On the contrary, its sometimes hilarious to just dictate how horrid my body luck actually is.
The first case in point to defend the aformentioned argument is that my hair....is going pretty grey. They say a woman's hair is her crown, but if that's so...my crown is pretty friggin rusted. I'm guessing my new hair-dont has something to do with my completley INSANE stress levels seeing as I've been greying since the tender age of 18. In only one, eensie years time, I'm going to have to start dying my "crown" frequently. Hellooooo salon costs! Luckily, I'm already on a first name basis with my stylist, Cheryl, at Hair Cuttery and she hooks me up everytime. If only the toll collectors here in Orlando were as friendly as my local cosmetologist...I could save myself the big bucks ; )
Also, I get these odd and mysterious illnesses that WILL NOT die! I don't know why my body betrays me so, but alas its true. First, last month, there was the annoying and ridiculous throaty cough which tickled the back of my throat CONSISTENTLY when speaking. Then, later on, I attained terrible heart pains. And lastly, operating as the cherry on my bacteria-covered sunday, this past month I've been having stomach issues.
Third of all, the job search is going. I would not say its going great....or that its going bad....its mostly just going. So far, I've had four interview offers....all of which are slightly off-base for me in some strange reason, i.e. commissions based jobs or weekend hours (eliminating ever visiting my family...in Tallahassee). I basically keep sending out resumes online, and physically. It gets tiring....but I know there are lots of people who have things FAR......FAR worse for them than I do, and I definitley count my blessings at having such a supportive family and boyfriend to help me when the chips are down.
Lastly, my anniversary with Jono is on Saturday. I can't believe we've already hit the four year mark. I am very proud ,regarding how far we have come ,within both ourselves, and our relationship over the past, few years.
Oh yeah..and I've also decided to do this thing wherein I share a song that I'm digging during the week on my blogsite. This week it's Keri Hilson "Pretty Girl Rock" Say what you want...but I'm exhausted about hearing negative messages regarding being a woman.
So that's it......expect plenty more blogs from me now that I have the interwebs again : )
I feel like it's almost a right of passage that Christmas becomes less life-altering every year. I mean...not to be all "bah humbug" or anything but it really seems like the holidays bring about entirely different feelings from me with each passing year.
Remember when you were a little person, and Christmas was basically the highlight of your life? You didn't know how to tell time, find your address, or write your name...but by-golly you knew exactly how many miliseconds would expire until Santa would surely shoot down your chimney and deliver your toys and goodys. And forget sleep on Christmas Eve. No, no...as a young child you are WAY more preoccupied with hearing the "clatter" of Santa's reindeer and sled and wondering if your home-made burnt cookies were to the big guy's satisfaction.
Then, during your adolesence, you slowly begin to realize that you should probably be personally gifting your loved ones. Enter the hideous home-made tidings you make for your parents and siblings because allowance is only so limited. Some of my personal "creations" included: a half knitted scarf, popsicle ornaments, orange glitter body spray, a "windchime" made of yarn...dont ask, and a package of discounted, decaff coffee (which I was certain was perfect for my mother, and right for my piggy bank). On a side note, I also created some truly "unique" (my mothers word) pots and bowls for my parents birthdays and such in my special area classes, but for now lets just discuss my scarring CHRISTMAS gifts.
Only later in your life, upon entering the workforce, do you finally discover that you should probably purchase people gifts that they might actually use. And so the pressure begins. During your teenage years, you want so many things...that it seems only natural that you would buy nice gifts for others in return. I remember trying so hard to purchase thoughtful gifts in a timely and affordable manner. After all, highschoolers only have an hour break for lunch at MOST and (most generally) a limited choice of work-places. For me, this time of the year was when I felt the most pressured---like what I had to offer my family just wasn't good enough.
Enter my most favorite phase of life. Now, in my twenties, I find that Christmas time is the most rewarding holiday for a different reason all together. No longer do I stay awake with "visions of sugar plums" or listening for Santas sled. Instead, I stay awake catching up with my little sister and mother. No longer do I invest my time and energy slaving away at gifts that most likely will get thrown away upon sight. Instead, I purchase or create small but thoughtful gifts I know others will like. And finally, I no longer have lofty purchases I desire for Christmas. At this age, you just appreciate that your family is there to help you, love you, and nurture you all year round. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Arguably, there is no better feeling than arriving in your hometown, sleeping in your childhood bed, and being around the family that reared you from birth. There is truly something poetic about coming home from another town--and feeling like you never really left it in the first place.
I took this afternoon to relax, and enjoy my father's new home in Tallahassee---complete with all the fixtures of a grand old house (sunroom, crown molding, fireplace, etc). Perhaps the most interesting thing about this house is the overflow of books all over the place. My love of Literature was not passed down to me by osmosis, but by my own father who reads almost daily.
While enjoying the sun streaming through plantation shutters, and relaxing in a comfortable guest bed---I located an interesting read. Either my father, or stepmother own a book entitled The 2548 Best Things Anyone Ever Said. This fascinating read, filled with legendary quotes and antecodtes, is probably one of the coolest finds I have ever come across. There is something so special about seeing so many moments in time, so many epiphanies gathered together.
Here are some of my favorite lines:
"He who laughs....lasts"---Mary Pettibone Poole
"My work is done, why wait?"--suicide note left by Kodak founder George Eastman
"In Literature, as in love, we are astonished at what is chosen by others"---Andre Maurois
"Laugh, and the world laughs with you. Snore...and you sleep alone" ---Anthony Burgess
"The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well"--Joe Ancis
"Love is being stupid together"--Paul Valery
"I think the world is run by 'C' students"--Al McGuire
Yep.....I'm not moving on my ideas. Sorry pardner....
Close friends will tell you that I have always had my own ideas. Sometimes my thoughts are popular, brilliant, soaring beliefs that are creative, efficient, and helpful. Other times though, my mental wanderings are simply idiotic "flops" that should have died somewhere in the logical thought process....but instead made it ALL the way to my vocal chords (sigh). For a good example of this, here is this little mental gem I stupidly stated: "Astroturf is like sod in that you lay it in your yard in pieces....except that it dosnt grow!" Yes....my ideas are quite interesting little "soundbites" for all of those involved. But even the most ridiculous of ideas have not stopped me from having my own thoughts and ideas, and believing in them most zealously.
IDEA: "YES ELIZ! SAY THIS!!!!!"
My parents have referred to me as "stubborn," due to the aforementioned reasons, for as long as I can remember. At an early age, when most kids were playing on the playground, I read books from the Library---certain that this is what I would do for the rest of my life. I got teased, harassed, and tempted to play pretty much on a daily basis. Yet, I stuck it out in the Library day after day because I just knew reading would be so much more important to me than playing later in my life. Aside becoming BFF's with the librarian (Mrs. Wheeler...with her awesome book recommendations) I ended up teaching myself an amazing work-ethic, and a love for Literature that would never die. In fact, English Literature became my collegiate major---although the books did eventually upgrade from the likes of "The Burning Questions of Bingo Brown." Bingo's "burning" questions were less than anticipated.
From that point forward, I became so stubborn I was sometimes a force to be reckoned with. I still feel so sorry for my childhood neighbor friends, whom I continually made play dress up day after day if I was to play with them at all. As if my eight year old time was so darn valuable.... But somewhere inside me I just believed that my ideas were right for me, and would eventually lead me in the right direction.
In highschool, I avoided drugs and drinking--not so much because I was a snob. But more so because that stuff just didnt have a place in my life. "I was happy," I thought to myself, "so why do I need that?" It seemed like a legitamite, reasonable thought, so I listened to my inner ramblings. I managed to go all four years with nary a drink or drug trial--an amazing feat at that age. But my own ideas spoke much louder to me than anyone elses voice. It struck me, sometime around this age, that the person I most worried about dissapointing was myself. This has stayed the case ever since.
Finally, I provide you with a hilarious antitode about how my stubborness has aided me thoroughly. Upon working at Tropical Smoothie, purple visor and all, it became my opening professional duty to set up the patio umbrellas. However, I soon decided that this was a pointless task. You see, the umbrellas were heavy and cumbersome...and I weighed all of 146 pounds. To add, the umbrellas were tedious to bolt into their holsters, and were therefore dangerous in windy weather. Furthermore, no customers EVER sat on the patio--as I worked at Tropical Smoothie during the Fall months. Therefore, after one painful month of setting up said umbrellas, I mentally decided that this was a professional task I could safely "blow off." The owner of the operation, though, was not satisfied with my "no umbrella" policy, and came in several times to "show me" how it was done. I guess as a nice man, he wanted to give me the option to pretend I didnt know how. Ghosts were undoubtedly setting it up for the first four weeks....; ) I would watch him show me this demo time after time, thinking to myself "yah no." THIS IS HOW LOUD MY INNER VOICE SPEAKS...I RISK JOBS OVER STUPID UMBRELLAS PEOPLE!!! I left all the umbrella madness at work, for one week, to visit my boyfriend out of town. When I came back, my manager, whom I had confided about my anti-umbrella policy, was smiling from ear to ear. Aparently,upon my absence, an umbrella had flown across a busy street, and had landed in the road and caused traffic-blockages. This, of course, was DUE TO WINDY WEATHER. It was therefore considered a "danger" and we did not have to resume putting them up until Summer. My manger at the time laughed hysetrically whilst telling me this. He said his first reaction was not to panic when alerted of said-runaway-umbrella...but instead to laugh and mentally think "I've GOT to tell Elizabeth about this."
Above is how my mind envisioned umbrellas
Some people call me close-minded, and maybe I am a little. But more so than that, I believe that my ideas, the crazy ones and all, lead me to where I need to be. I believe it's my personal ideas that tell me what I want out of life, and what I dont (like umbrellas). I don't push my ideas down other peoples throats, but I know what is right for me. I wish more people would learn to drown out what other people are saying, and harness in on their own thoughts. It's so important to listen to yourself, listen to what you want, and forget the rest.
Move...CHECK
Bingo's "burning" questions were less than anticipated.
Above is how my mind envisioned umbrellas