Success!

First and foremost, can I just say ya’ll are awesome? I absolutely adored reading about what YOU learned in 2010. I think that even in the bad times we can learn something, so that makes them a success, no?

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Other successes of yesterday were solely confined to my kitchen. Packing is the biggest headache. I’ll pack for 15 minutes, and it seems like there is still just as much stuff in front of me. Progress is being made, it’s just hard to see through all of the bedding, books, and dishware.

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So yes, success was found in the kitchen, and only the kitchen, yesterday. I’ll take it.

1. Starbucks run at 6:30 am. Actually this was kind of a fail but I’ll list it as a success so I can feel better about myself. Muahaha. I woke up to no coffee grounds. None. This is what happens when you’re coming off of a crazy holiday weekend. You forget to do important things like buy coffee. I considered calling my friend who lives across the street but that would have been cruel, so I just got dressed and went. One sip and my morning was redeemed.

2. Hummus made a comeback. As you know, I haven’t really been feeling the hummus love lately. Yesterday I actually wanted a hummus sandwich. Without an egg. Craziness.

Sandwich with red pepper hummus and apple slices.

3. I made my own coconut butter. I killed two birds with one stone here. I used up half a bag of unsweetened coconut that had been aging in the pantry, plus I dodged the steep price tag of Artisana’s tempting jar.

Sweet potato with coconut butter.

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I’ll be honest here and say I probably won’t make it to midnight tonight. I’m cool with that. Part of me is just grateful that I’m no longer a waitress ringing in the New Year in the back of a kitchen covered in mayonnaise. And while I love a good “balls” joke, New Year’s Eve tends to overdo it.

Have a loverly night, whatever your plans!

Jam of the day: Ben Harper “Burn To Shine”

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Things I learned in 2010

Totally stole this idea from Eden. I’m awful, I know.

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What I learned in 2010:

1. Listen to my body. It’s funny how much I didn’t do this until I was forced to. Chronic pain has taught me that if I listen to my body and give it what it wants, be it rest or chocolate, I will feel a whole lot better physically and mentally.
2. I don’t look good in yellow. I’ve tried to fight this for years, especially since my best friend looks amazing in yellow. I’ve finally accepted it.
3. I do look beautiful when I smile. I believe this to be true about every single person. Even if they don’t have teeth.
4. Everyone’s journey is different. We all take our own time, pave our own paths, and make different decisions. That doesn’t make us better or worse people.
5. If you are happy with what you have, then anything extra feels like a gift. This was perhaps the most freeing thing I realized this year.
6. Everything will happen exactly when it is supposed to. School, lunchtime, finding a job: it all has it’s own special time in our lives and we shouldn’t try to force it. Live in the moment, not for the future.
7. Let your freak flag fly. That means sharing what makes you unique, whether it’s an unusual interest in bones or a fear of horses. It also means letting yourself be vulnerable now and again. Oddly enough, it’s blogging that has really allowed me to do this in my real life.
8. Country music doesn’t suck. Thank you Ryan Bingham.
9. The hardest things in life teach us the most. The last two years of my life have been incredibly challenging and I wouldn’t want to live them over, but I’ve learned so much that I never would have learned otherwise. This list doesn’t even cover it! Living with chronic pain has taught me patience, self-acceptance, and given me new appreciation for my body and life in general.
10. Never give up hope. “Chronic” is synonymous with “never-ending”, but I do believe there will be a day when I no longer feel pain. I will never stop believing that.

 

This year I learned so much. This list covers just a bit of the more important points, but I’ve taken in so much more than what you see here. I’m so grateful for all of my experiences, good and bad, because each one taught me something (the bad experiences probably taught me a bit more!).

Seeing all of the growth I’ve had this year makes me kind of really excited to see what 2011 will bring.

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What was something you learned this past year?

Jam of the day: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals “Happy Birthday”

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Lentil lovin’

Hi hi!

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What is today? Wednesday? I’m all thrown off by two holiday weekends in a row. This is not good since I have about 549,703 things to do before I head back to school. Just this morning I have PT followed by two doc’s appointments!

This probably means that for the next two weeks my writing will be much like my brain state – rambling, energetic, and a wee nervous. The blog could become a hodgepodge or a place of genius work. I’m praying for the latter, but you should anticipate the former. I kid, I kid. Sort of.

 

So yesterday I decided to finally document a meal that rarely makes it onto the blog because it’s a lot less colorful than a leafy salad. However, I eat it at least once a week so I figured it was time to let it shine in the sun with the carrots, apples, and pumpkin.

Quinoa and lentils are the jam.

What makes them the jam?

• They’re easy to make. You can cook both on the stove at the same time.
• They are warm and comforting to eat.
• It’s hard to screw them up.
• They taste amazing with a heap-ton of curry powder.

I always start out like this…

I always mix in curry powder, cumin, and sometimes some raisins or nuts for fun!

Then I usually add a veg. Zucchini and broccoli make occasional appearances, but my favorite addition is roasted squash. Big surprise.

Like I said, it’s easy and very hearty. Perfect for winter, though I’ve eaten it cold in the summer.

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Other foodzies from Tewsday:

End of the Puffins (!) with almond milk.

Oat bran with nutritional yeast, curry powder, and Baker’s chocolate.

 

Today’s jam goes out to my good friend who’s feeling some stress right now. Yesterday we talked and decided that Cake is the perfect band to listen to when you are pissed off but would rather laugh than throw a chair.

Jam of the day: Cake “Sick of You”

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