New Year's Resolutions 2014

Hi!!! I know what you're thinking. Who is this stranger?? Sorry! I'm blaming this unforeseen lack of blogging on the fact that I'm in my final year of graduate school and my time is dedicated to the thesis. It's not glamorous, I promise you. But after June, lookout! I'm coming back with a vengeance. That, you could say, is one of my New Year's Resolutions for 2014. What are some of my other resolutions?? Check below to find out.

Fitness: Keep building muscle, tighter core, stronger upper body. During 2013 I realized just how weak my upper body is. I mean, it's pathetic and really unbalanced with the rest of my body. 2014 seems like the perfect time to change that! 

Professional: Finish thesis, graduate, acquire a full-time job. These are THE plans for 2014 and hopefully, fingers crossed, accomplished by July 2014. If you know anyone looking to hire in the fields of communication, event planning, or program coordination, let a girl know! ...seriously though.

Life: Move out of Oregon, be more social. Do you ever move somewhere and over time realize, this is NOT the place for me? That's how I feel about Oregon. It's rainy & overcast 80% of the time, the speed limits are mind-boggling low, and people are super into things I'm super uninterested in. As a California transplant, this is not the scene for me. Great learning experience, but now it's time to skit, skat, skedaddle! And post-skedaddling I definitely need to try harder to, you know, be friendlier and outgoing. I've become such a reclusive curmudgeon over this past year and a half!

So, those are my goals! I think they're achievable and I'm super pumped for 2014. What are your goals? Is anyone other than me making goals?? Salud!

Clean Blackberry Cobbler

I've had a craving for pie for many...weeks at this point. But I'm trying to stay dedicated to the clean eating cause, mostly because I'm scheduled to run a 5k next week. (I'm not where I should be in training for it.) Despite the dedication, last night my friend ordered a slice marionberry pie and I wanted to offer my first born for a slice. I didn't. But I did look up clean recipes for a berry cobbler. These are the best two I found:
Almond Butter Peach Cobbler for Two and Berry Crisp Recipe for One.

It may not look exactly like this. It will be equally delicious!

I did this thing where I combined the two recipes a little. Really botched it. Tasted like I was eating warmed peanut butter. I did eat it all though and I highly recommend it. Especially if you're hard-up for sweets. Also this recipe is possibly paleo and definitely vegan if you take out that honey! The next time I make this, this is what my recipe will look like:


Ingredients:

1 small peach, cored and sliced cup of frozen blackberries (you can also mix blackberries and peaches, but  let the peaches thaw.)
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted I didn't see the point of this addition
1/4 cup almond flour oat flour. It's what I had on hand. Though almond flour is more granular, so you may like it better for the topping.
2 tbsp almond butter (or other nut butter) 1-1/2 tbsp natural peanut butter
1/2 tbsp honey (I probably used a full tbsp. Shoot me.)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt Forgot it. Oops.

Put the fruit in the bottom of an oven safe dish (I used a ramkin), mix everything else together until it's crumbly (add more flour if it's not crumbly enough) and pop it in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 and you have a cobbler! And you'll still be able to run in the morning!! I think. Salud!

Clean Peppermint Mocha

At this point, I know what you're thinking. Wow. This girl is FLAKY! But it's not my fault! Just as I was gearing up to get into the swing of things again, my computer broke. So then I had to go through an extended process of figuring out what was wrong/ buying a new computer. But now that that is all fixed and I've caught up on my papers...I'M HERE for real! As a token of my sincerity, I've also brought along a CLEAN Peppermint Mocha recipe. You're welcome in advanced.

Now, as I'm sure you all know by now, I like to keep a clean diet as much as possible. But as a mid-twenties graduate student, coffee and coffee shops are simply a fact of life. So to help alleviate how much time I spend at Starbucks, I bring you an equally enjoyable and much more diet friendly The recipe can be found here: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/peppermint-mocha/

I've included the recipe below. Of course, I made a few substitutions according to my tastes:

 

I'm using my Princeton mug in support of the football team's spectacular win this weekend. Go tigers!

Ingredients

1 1/2 Tablespoons cocao powder

1 1/2 Tablespoons organic whole cane sugar, sucanat, or honey

6 ounces whole milk
 unsweetened original almond milk (I prefer Almond Breeze)
2 ounces strong brewed herbal coffee *Safeway brand, 1/2 caffeinated coffee to taste. I just poured it in there until my mug was filled. Like a real caffeine addict.
a splash of peppermint extract

2 Tablespoons whipped cream No whipped cream. :/

Instructions

Whisk together milk, cocao powder and whole cane sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. When milk begins to steam take off of heat and pour into a mug. Add the herbal coffee and splash of peppermint extract. Top with a large dollop of whipped cream.

I don't know if you can tell, but this recipe is super simple to assemble. And it's mighty tasty. As always, don't be afraid to make modifications according to your diet and don't forget to check out the Deliciously Organic website; you won't be disappointed. Salud!!

Loving It Monday

Quick post. I know, I know. It's been AGES! And I can't promise I'm fully going to get back into the swing of things. But I do miss this space. And so, I thought I would bring you a real gem and a peace offering, perhaps? I introduce to you, The Audrey Brooke Pierre Flat:

Talk about a ballet flat! How authentic is this shoe!? Also, how perf(ect) is it for fall, with some skinny jeans, running around the city, oversized scarf and perhaps and fluff or two of snow!? THE CUTENESS! 

I don't know about you, but I think I have some adorable feet and they would look BEYOND adorable in these shoes. Pre-Christmas present??? (I'm way too excited) Salud!

Where can you get this? DSW!:  http://bit.ly/HhzgGF