Friday reflections – my 2014 goals and how I’m doing

Hey there, hi there, ho there!!

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It’s Friday!!

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So, um, did you realize that it’s October already?

I mean, I knew it was October but I didn’t really comprehend that it’s OCTOBER already.

There are only 82 days until Christmas, which also means that there are only 89 days until it’s 2015.

What?!

In the middle of my mild panic attack, I remembered that I had set some goals for this year.

Let’s see how I’m doing.

1. Get a BQ at the Flying Pig Marathon

Well, that didn’t happen.  And, way back on January 16, I KNEW it wasn’t going to happen which is why I reevaluated my goal and edited it to breaking 4 hours.

Which didn’t happen either.

But, that’s okay. I had FUN and sometimes, that’s the most important part. 🙂

2. Run a 50k

Hmmm.  The 50k is in 8 days and you know I’m not running it. 😦

BUT, I’m not letting it get me down and I’ve already started thinking about next year now that I’m out of that stupid boot!

The time IN the boot, as much as I hated it, was really good for me to evaluate who I am, as well as helping to heal my injury.

I’ll be back to running soon and I CAN. NOT. WAIT. #patiencegrasshopper

3. Upgrading my pantry, cutting out processed foods, and recipe development

Well, I think I’ve done pretty well with upgrading my pantry and cutting out processed foods.

I didn’t really eat too many to begin with but I’ve definitely been more conscious about what I buy at the grocery store.

As for recipe development, I think I’ve been doing pretty well!

I’ve made

Triple Chocolate Avocado Brownies

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Brownie Cookies

Bacon Bourbon Blue Cheese Bison Burgers

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Salmon Fillets

Crockpot Tomatillo Salsa Chicken

Quick and Easy Crockpot Roast

Wow! I’ve been busy!!

And, there’s still 89 days left this year for me to come up with some more new stuff!

4. Have fun

I think I’ve aced this goal so far. 🙂

I went to my first FitBloggin‘ conference, got to hang out with my blogging buddy Lena, and met a whole bunch of  awesome new people – including Arian Foster!!

lemme take a selfie

We went to Colonial Williamsburg, I took Thing 2 to Busch Gardens, went to our first Navy Dining Out, my sailor got promoted to Master Chief!, we went hiking, I saw a bear, we went antiquing, got gussied up and rode a water taxi to the Navy Khaki Ball, etc, etc, etc.

Yeah, definitely hit the nail on the head with this goal. 🙂

So now, it’s time for me to start evaluating and thinking about goals for next year.

And, some short term goals for the rest of this year.

Like, finally trying my hand at some homemade barbecue sauce.

Or, power cleaning more than 95#.

Or improving my overhead squat.

And definitely – MOST definitely – having more fun. 🙂

Talk to me: Did you set goals for this year? How are you doing on them? Do you reevaluate your goals regularly or do you forget about them until faced with a new year?

Tasty Tuesday – Quinoa Tabbouleh

Hello, hello!

Happy Tuesday!

Have you recovered from the long weekend?

Oh my, I could use another day off just to recupe!

Three day weekends AND birthdays have the tendency to be a bit much, as far as my tummy is concerned. But, you only turn 21 my age once so…..sometimes, you’ve just got to overindulge.

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As much fun as I had, I’m really glad to get back to my regular eating habits. 🙂

I’m so stoked about this salad I made during my Sunday food prep!

And, I’m stoked that’s it’s Tasty Tuesday and I get to share it with you!

(Make sure you head over to visit Lena – she’s got an amazing sweet potato-squash soup recipe today! Can you believe Fall is just around the corner?!)

Tabbouleh is a Middle Eastern dish usually made with tomatoes, parsley or mint, onion, and seasoned with olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

I’ve made couscous tabbouleh before and have had tabbouleh made with bulgur. This time, I found a recipe that uses quinoa!

For those not in the know, quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is basically a superfood that’s jam-packed with protein.

It is also gluten-free and high in calcium and fiber, which makes it perfect for vegetarians and vegans, those who are lactose intolerant, and those who have a gluten sensitivity.

Plus, it’s delicious and works well with so many different flavors! #winning

I found the recipe in an old Cooking Light magazine (October 1999, to be precise) and knew I had to have it.

Garden fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet raisins, fresh lemon juice……can’t you hear it calling your name?

Quinoa Tabbouleh
serves 5 (1 cup servings)
adapted from Cooking Light magazine

1 3/4 cups water (or as dictated by package directions)
1 cup uncooked quinoa
1/2 cup coarsely chopped seeded tomato
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley or mint or a combination, if you prefer
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped seedless cucumber (you can use seeded, I prefer the seedless)
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 1 decent sized lemon)
2 tablespoons(ish) chopped red onion
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Remove from heat; fluff with a fork. Let cool slightly.

2. Stir in tomato and remaining ingredients. Cover, let stand 1 hour (this allows the flavors to really come together). Serve chilled or at room temperature.

3. Fork, nom, dance!

Talk to me: Do you love Middle Eastern food? What’s your favorite quinoa recipe?

– jennifer

Random Tuesday Ramblings

Hello, hello!

It’s fence day at my house!! Whoop!!

I’ll be honest. When they scheduled it for today, I was a wee bit afraid it was going to turn out to be an April Fool’s prank.  PHEW! 🙂

I CAN.NOT.WAIT. to let my dogs out into the yard OFF LEASH and not have to worry about whether or not they will take themselves for a walk.

So, while I’m being honest, I think you should know that I just ate 5 Milk Duds. I even ate one of them BEFORE my lunch.

I know, I know. So bad.

Hey, at least it was only 5! This way, I’m guaranteed to not lose a tooth.

Okay, so anyway, this is me hemming and hawing my way into a complete blog post.

Believe it or not, I don’t always have that much stuff to say.

I know, shocker, right?

Stop laughing.

I’m trying to be serious here.

I’m really a quiet and kind of shy person!

Fine.

Look at what I did earlier!

Isn’t that cool?!

I used an app on my phone called paper picture.

Yes, it is a slow day at the office. And the sun is shining. And I want to be outside.

So, I made a loaf of each of these breads this past weekend.

Vegan Banana Blueberry Bread

Apple Cinnamon Bread

So. Stinkin. Good.

You should try them. Furreals.

Talk to me: Are you having a random day today too? I blame winter.

– jennifer