goals and basil

Warning: My day was completely random.  This post will follow suit. 

I love new months!!  Who cares if it’s August 4th, and I’m just now getting to this topic?  Not me!  I don’t think it’s ever too late to reflect on past goals, while also making new ones. 

July’s Goals

• no tv for the month
• incorporate strength training into my daily routine and learn to love it!

Results???

 

(source)

It was hard.  Really, really hard.  For the first week, I experienced serious withdrawals from not watching tv (sad, but true.)  But then it became easier.  And then—gasp—I actually enjoyed it.

Not watching tv felt almost liberating.  Freeing.  Satisfying.  Rejuvinating, even.  I felt alive, like it didn’t matter if I was back by 8 o’clock on Tuesday night to watch Jillian Michaels.  It didn’t matter.  I said yes to going out at night, even if it meant simply taking a walk or hitting the mall.  The night seemed longer and way more fulfilling.

And, I read.  A lot.  Seven books in one month is unheard of for me, but it was completely possible when I wasn’t being entertained by the tube.

 

That’s not to say I won’t ever watch tv again.  I like flipping it on during the weekends, and I love watching a great movie now and then.  But this was such an eye opener for me! 

The strength training goal?  Well…urm.  That could use some work.  I think I need to be more specific with my goals, which is what I plan on doing for the month of August.  I’ll reveal the official goals tomorrow. 😉

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If a guy ever brings me a boquet of flowers, let it be basil.

 

Roses smell pretty, daisies make me smile, but basil makes me swoon. 

I was sent home with a ton—an absolute TON—of red and green basil today.  Jessica, a fellow nutrition major and foodie, told me that I could have as much of it as I liked since it was rapidly flowering and she had to compost a lot of it before it went to seed.  I was more then happy to take it off her hands. 😉

Basil.  So.  Much.  Basil.

Tonight, I quickly transformed a large bunch of it into my homemade basil hummus.  It was the perfect accompaniment to my salad and kashi crackers.

 And cheese.

I’m obsessied with this Drunken Goat’s Cheese from Whole Foods.  The rind is soaked in red wine, which gives it the outer red color.  None of the flavor is absorbed though.  You’re left with a clean, mild goat cheese flavor, which melts at the touch of a finger.  It’s delicious. 

Goals.  Basil.  Cheese.

Sorry for such a random post.  My day felt random, and it seems that my post turned out that way too.  Sometimes you just have to roll with it. 😉 

Question: What is your favorite way to use basil?  I’m excited to have a ton of basil because it’s my favorite herb.  But since I have so much, I need some serious inspiration! 😀

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Goal Setting

Is it weird that I enjoy painting?

I spent my entire morning painting my Pepere’s deck and found that I was actually having fun.  Nothing but the chit-chatter between the cardinals, one shaggy coon cat and my own thoughts for company.  Pepere is already asking me to come back next week to paint the garage and I honestly couldn’t be happier.  I’m sure I’d grow tired of it if I absolutely had to paint all of the time, but I’d like to think that this is one chore that I actually find pleasure in doing.

Breakfast isn’t anything you haven’t seen before except for the fact that it was chock full of juicy strawberries today.  At least a cups worth.  Mmm…so happy that berry season is in full swing!

Morning Snack: orange and a handful of almonds

Lunch was eaten over my Pepere’s house and after a morning of painting, I was absolutely starving.  My mom had made us a shrimp pasta salad, which was chock full of veggies, whole wheat pasta and shrimp.  I do believe this is epitome of the perfect summer lunch. 

Cold.  Crunchy.  Fresh.  Delicious.

As perfect as lunch was, I was still starving when I came home and made a quick salad for some extra produce and filling fiber.

+ an iced coffee (1 c. chilled coffee, 1/2 c. milk + 1 tsp sugar)

I like to make new goals for myself at the beginning of each new month.  I don’t always mention them on the blog, but there is always—always, always—a goal.  June, for example, was a month of positive thinking.  I tried my hardest to see the cup half full in every situation.  This is how it works:

Life Scenario: Dinner becomes a flop.     The “cup half full response”:  Something to blog about!

Life Scenario: Having to mow the entire lawn.     The “cup half full response”: A productive workout!

These are some very simple life scenario’s obviously, but I tried to apply it to everything (even the tough stuff!)  I quickly realized that (a) I could use some work on this and (b) I need to extend this goal beyond just the month of June. 😉  But I also have a new goal for July as well: develop a strength training routine and learn to love it!  This one will be hard for me since I’ve always been a cardio girl at heart (just give me a pair of running sneaks and I’m happy!)  I’m really excited about shaking up my workout routine though. 😀

Afternoon Snack: 6-oz. plain yogurt + 2 T. crushed flax + about 1/2 c. worth of chopped strawberries

I started with a large side salad before dinner, complete with carrots, tomatoes, bean sprouts, celery and peas!

Pizza night!

Tonight’s dinner was quick to throw together, thanks to the convenience of frozen pizza dough.  It’s one of my favorite things about making this pizza dough recipe.  It makes enough for two pizzas, and I always throw one into the freezer for the following week.  Letting the dough thaw overnight and also giving it a chance to chill out on the kitchen counter for an hour (+ 1/2 hr. of resting on the baking sheet after you spread it out) is what really plumps up the crust and makes it light and airy. 

Onions, black olives and goat cheese graced the pizza.  The toppings were pretty simple because we’re nearing Wednesday. 😉 

I went back for a second delicious slice and then headed out for a fun after-dinner walk.

Jillian Michaels is on tonight!!  I’ve got some stuff to finish before I can relax for the night.  See ya tomorrow!

Question: Do you make weekly or monthly goals for yourself?

Question: Painting….yay or nay?