Snow Morning

There is yet another snow storm in Portland, but this one is nothing like the previous ones we have had. Thankfully I left work last night just when the rain/sleet started to turn into snow, but once I was closer to getting home, it was a complete white out. Last night we were averaging an inch of snowfall per hour, which is insane to have happen in this area. Plus most people here do not know how to drive in the snow (few people are trained for it), so what's scarier than driving on possible ice is driving on the road with everyone else. But I do enjoy snow days where I know that I have no responsibilities to take care of or work to worry about. Therefore, I am sitting here writing this post while eating some Joe's O's (Trader Joe's version of Cheerios which happen to be extremely addicting for me and still are healthy, plus gluten free). On snow days we tend to take full advantage of the weather while we still have it. There is a lot of cooking/baking, movies and sledding. Since my family is all getting older (but I am still the early riser), I thought I would make brunch since in my opinion it is the best meal and there really is no wrong way to do brunch. The first item on the menu was a frittata, which is odd for me to want because I don't really like the taste of eggs, but will eat them if there is a bunch of other stuff mixed in with it. My mom recently went back on the Whole30, so the recipe needed to be diet approved, but not bland because my dad and brother would not eat it. After skimming through the cookbook, along with a couple of my own cookbooks, which included Pinterest, I found an acceptable recipe to try out. My mom also bought a cast iron skillet set, which happened to be one of my dreams to own, so I knew I would be using one of those to cook the frittata in. Now onto the actual recipe: below is the recipe all nice and neat for you to follow. Ingredients: 6 large eggs 1 cup diced tomatoes + a few slices to top frittata with 3/4 cup chopped white mushrooms 2 handfuls of roughly chopped spinach 1/2 diced onion 2 TBSP cooking fat (I used olive oil) 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper zest and juice of 1/4 lemon Preheat oven to 500 degrees Heat skillet on the stove with cooking fat Add in onion, tomatoes and mushrooms until onions are translucent: about 2-3 minutes In a separate medium bowl, whisk eggs along with the salt and pepper Toss in spinach to skillet and cook until wilted Slowly fold in eggs into the skillet until veggies are mixed evenly Let mixture cook without stirring until the eggs are still wet, but firm Once firm, add the sliced tomatoes on top along with zest and juice from the lemon Transfer to oven and cook until the top is golden brown: about 6-8 minutes

On my piece I added grated cheddar cheese and hot sauce also. To go with the frittata I just cooked some diced potatoes in olive oil, and had some mixed berries to go on the side. The berries add a fresh and lightness to the meal so it's not a bunch of heavy dishes. This was a great brunch option because it didn't feel like it was just sitting at the bottom of my stomach when I was done eating, and even now. It is filled with protein from the eggs, as well as nutrients from the veggies that were added to it. But now it is time to enjoy the snow!

Finding Your Own Self

As usual, there has been so much going on in the past month, but also just the past year in general. Most of you already know that I live just outside of Portland, Oregon where it has been insane weather recently. It has been a balance between amazing sunny yet cold weather, and a mixture of snow and ice. That is the worst weather in my opinion because it leaves everyone in a bind, plus people in this area are just never ready for that kind of weather. Along with some extreme weather, work has also been insane. I work in retail, so the holidays is always a very busy time for me, but I love it regardless. The coworkers I have could not be better people, I always look forward to working with the, because we make work fun. In past posts about it being a new season of life, or a new year with lots of changes, those were just small changes that have been made. Honestly looking back at the past year, I still am amazed at the amount of positive changes that have happened and where they have lead me to today. To start with, school has always been a somewhat difficult area for me. From being in the right learning environment, to having the motivation to finish, it has not come easy to me. But recently I have transferred to a university who is more willing to help me finish, but also it is just a much more positive environment for me personally. The learning style is right on track with how I learn best (small discussion based classes), but I have also decided to follow through with this passion of mine, which has always been writing. I cannot count the amount of journals that I have gone through over the years, and somewhat wish I had kept some of those said journals. That is a huge reason why I am getting back into blogging because it fills that creative space in my brain that I adore so much. This year I already know that there will be so much to share in my life, from traveling to recipes and everything in between. Another major change that I made this year was ending a serious relationship that was very toxic in my life. This person was very controlling and manipulative, which I was blinded from for a long time. When I realized I was not able to be my true self with him, and saw how much he was negatively influencing my life, I knew that this was not the relationship I wanted to be in. After I broke up with him, further events proved to me that I had made the right decision in my life by ending things with him. Once I ended the relationship I went through a period where I was not really sure who I was or wanted to be in life because I was so heavily influenced by my ex. This could really not come at a better time in my life, because it allowed me to decide an entirely new direction that I wanted to go. That was the time when I decided what school I really wanted to go to, what my religious belief is (I was recently baptized), and what really made me happy in my life. This sparked me to make this new year about doing what makes me happy, and not just following what another person thinks is best because I want to please them. Knowing this has also greatly helped my anxiety, which I have always had since I was 5 years old. But now I know what triggers me and if it is something negative that triggers me, I know that it is something that I don't need in my life. If there is anything in your life that causes you negative stress or that you are not excited about, then they could potentially be something that should not be in your life. With relationships, you should be excited to see the other person, instead of dreading it or having to come up with made up excuses to not see them. That's when you know for a fact you should not be with that person, and is something that I have learned. The last major change of the past year has been my health. It has not changed drastically but I have learned more about it, like the fact that I am gluten sensitive, so the gluten free lifestyle has been introduced to me. I still occasionally eat gluten if I really feel like it is worth the stomach ache afterwards, but I have learned that I cannot do that too often. This has actually been enjoyable to find new recipes that are gluten free or alter current recipes that I have to make them gluten free. Any of you who have dietary restrictions will hopefully be satisfied with future recipe posts that will be on here. Some have considered this almost a quarter life crisis, which call it what you want, it was something that helped me in my life and I am glad I went through. Everything I have gone through has been a for a reason and has made me stronger. As cliche as that sounds, it is really the case for me. This is the best point in my 20's so far, and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for me!

Life's Changes

As I go through all of my pictures of the leaves changing colors, it got me thinking about how much my life has changed over the seasons. Most people take New Years as a time to think back to what has happened over the past year, but for some odd reason, I have always looked back at my year towards the end of fall. It must be something to do with the leaves changing, that gets me thinking about everything that has changed for me as well. This is also the time I usually make changes with my hair (chopping it off or tweaking the color), but that will not be happening this year. Over the past year, I have matured, ended toxic relationships (both friendships and a relationship), and found a new pathway to go down. I have never been one to really talk about religion, it just kind of scared me if I am being completely honest. Throughout the years I have been pulled every way, when it comes to religion, some of my friends are quite devoted in their faith, and then I was in a relationship where he was completely against organized religion. After ending that relationship, a few months later I was thinking, and came to the conclusion that I needed to accept God into my life and that was what was the missing puzzle piece was in my life. The first time going to church, I expected to be intimidating, but once I entered, I could feel this weight lifted off of my shoulders. My entire life I have had major anxiety that goes from extreme to minor, but it is always there. What was amazing to me was when I went to church, all of my anxiety was gone. That is when I knew I was where I belonged. If you are looking for a new church to go to, or even just to start going to church, that is the feeling you should feel when you are at the right one. Feeling comfortable and at home, is the best feeling in the world, especially for someone with anxiety. After going to church, I have made friends with some amazing people who are just as excited as I am to see where God is taking us in life and have accepted Jesus in their hearts. It has also allowed me to deepen friendships with people I have known for years. Having this major change in my life has also lead me to look at other aspects in my life, but it is slowly all coming together. Different changes are being made, that are healthier for me in my life. I am a person who has focused on other people, which is great, but it has been hard because I then never think about myself and what is best for me. This is the start to a new year for me, even though New Years is still a little over a month away. But I am beyond excited to see what else is to come in my life!

Field Trip to the Tree Farm

About a week ago, one of my dear friends asked me if I wanted to take a little road trip. Of course I said yes because I am always up for road trips, and once I looked at the pictures of where we were going, I knew I could not miss out on going. The tree farm we went to is called GreenWood Tree Farms, and it is about two and a half hours from Portland. What is unfortunate is that soon the beautiful trees at this farm are going to all be cut down, and we will lose this picture perfect place. I had to dress according to the season because I knew that we were going to be taking plenty of pictures while we were at the farm. My go-to jeans at the moment are the Wedgie Levi's, which happen to be the best fitting jean I have worn in a long time. If you try these, I recommend sizing up since these are very fitted jeans, and mine did not stretch out very much. A turtleneck is very appropriate for the season, and black is my color that I always wear. This is definitely a staple to have in any wardrobe. Pairing the turtleneck with a scarf, is something that is easy to complete the outfit and tie it all together. I was not sure what I wanted to do with my hair that day (per usual), so I threw on a floppy hat and called it good. Since it was going to be a little muddy at the farm, motorcycle boots were an easy choice. If anyone has the chance to road trip out to this tree farm, I HIGHLY recommend it, especially before they cut down all of the trees.

Xtend Barre

On a Sunday morning in Oregon, when it is grey outside and raining, there is nothing better than staying snuggled in my blankets watching Netflix with a cup of tea. But I have found something that is equally great, if not better than that! this is something that I will recommend to everyone I know because it has seriously changed the way I look at working out. Xtend Barre is different from other Barre classes because it incorporates more dance-like movements that include faster pace movements. This works particularly well for me because I do better with a faster pace workout, as opposed to something slower like yoga. There is a studio down the street from where I live, so it was perfect for me to try out. Below I will have a link to their website.

Having done a little bit of ballet when I was little, some of the key formations were familiar to me, but if someone was completely new to the class, it would not be difficult to jump right on in. At the beginning of the class, there was written on the mirror what things we needed to grab for that class. For the class I was taking, all that was needed was; weights, ball, and a resistance band, which are all provided by the studio. What I found interesting was that the weights they had were one one pound and two pound weights, since you are mostly using your own strength during the workout instead of relying on weights to help your workout. The first about 10-15 minutes of the class were warmup, which definitely warmed me up. I was already sweating after just the warmup, which was a good sign since that's my indication that I am getting a good workout. The music that accompanied the class was upbeat, and honestly not the music I would have expected to hear during a barre class, which is not a bad thing at all. It was a great mix of classic Lady Gaga and Ke$ha throughout the class. After the warmup, it was time to jump right into the class, and start learning what this workout was all about. As the class continues on, the instructor would make sure everyone knew the ballet moves that were incorporated, and that everyone's formation was correct, so that they would not injury themselves. I personally find this very helpful and a benefit of taking a class, because at the gym, there really is not anyone there to tell you if you are doing something wrong, which is why it is not uncommon to hear of people injuring themselves at the gym or tweaking something. I have been to workout class before, where if I was doing the movements wrong, the teacher made me feel like the odd man out, but this instructor was very caring about it and made sure you did not feel like you were an outsider. Halfway through the class, I already felt where I was going to be sore the next day, but I love feeling sore after a workout. By the end of the class, I knew for a fact that a good majority of my body would be sore, since you are using muscles that you didn't even realize you had. This is also coming from someone that works out about 5 times a week. I would highly recommend this workout class and studio to anyone looking to tone up their body, but have fun while doing it. My workout goal is to tone up everything, instead of gaining lots of muscle or focus on losing weight. i used to focus on the number a lot, but realized that for me that is not healthy because I become obsessed with the numbers. That is also why I cannot get caught up in counting calories. This studio promotes a positive body image and is all about empowerment of women. For anyone able to find a studio near them to take a class at, I would suggest to try it. It is also the most adorable little studio, so just being there makes you feel great!

Peanut Butter, Caramel and Chocolate Drizzle Popcorn

If that title does not make your mouth water, then ignore this post. I was watching one of my favorite cooking shows a few days ago, Dinner at Tiffani's, when I saw she was making this great concoction. Since my little cousin spent to the night a few nights ago, I showed her the recipe and she immediately wanted to make it. This was no surprise because this little girl has the biggest sweet tooth. It was also a great way to teach her how to read the measurements since she is now in first grade. The recipe is really simple and does not require a ton of ingredients. I will have the step by step instructions below! I just took the recipe from the actual website! To see it entirely, here is the link! Ingredients: 1/2 cup corn syrup 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup peanut butter 1/4 cup honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (The recipe calls for cashews also to be added, but I opted out of using them) I have a hot air popcorn maker, so I used one scoop of kernels for this recipe. Spread out the popcorn out on a baking sheets. In a saucepan, combine the corn syrup and sugar. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes; remove from heat. Carefully, add the peanut butter and honey. Stir until the peanut butter is melted, then add the vanilla. Working quickly, pour the mixture over the popcorn, and use two rubber spatulas to evenly coat the popcorn. Set aside to cool completely. Fill a saucepot halfway up with water; set over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Add the chocolate to a glass bowl and place the bowl over the pot of simmering water. Melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally. Using a spoon or spatula, drizzle the popcorn with the chocolate. This mixture, when left out, will harden like a caramel corn, so make sure it doesn't clump up too much! Your teeth will thank you!

Pumpkin Patch Take 1

Every year, I take my little cousins to the pumpkin patch to experience all it has to offer. We try to go to a different pumpkin patch every year, so this year I decided to take them to The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvies Island. I am not sure how I have lived here my entire life and not been to Sauvies Island, but even after going there, I don't feel like I was missing out on too much. If you are taking little ones here, make sure to pack them a snack and something to do if you are driving over 30 minutes. I made sure to pack a water bottle, but forgot granola bars, which was a mistake. We played the license plate game in the car and jammed out to music to help the time pass by. It was raining the entire drive there, so it was a regular Sunday in Oregon. Once we parked, we headed over to the main area to see where to go for our hay ride to the field. In the main area, there is a market with produce from the fields, an animal barn where you can see a variety of farm animals, and gift shop. If you are looking for food to eat there, they have the typical kettle corn, hot dogs and caramel corn, carnival kind of food. Since I have dietary restrictions, there was not anything that I could eat or that looked appealing to me at the time. Both girls had a hot dog, which was a sufficient snack while there. After looking at the animal barn (we have chickens and live semi close to the country, the girls were not too impressed with the selection of animals), we got in line for the hay ride. The hay ride was only a couple of minutes long, but takes you through the field of huge leafed lettuce. Out in the field of pumpkins, it was completely covered in mud. We all had thick layers on mud on our shoes, and both girls slipped in the mud. Eventually I had one on each side and held their hands to try and help them from falling in the mud again. The rule since I was little, was you can only choose a pumpkin that you can carry yourself. So once we were out looking for pumpkins, the girls could not find any smaller ones that they could carry. Back on the hay ride we went to head back to the main marketplace to find smaller pumpkins that the girls could carry. All in all, this was a great first trip of the pumpkin patch season! I am going again Saturday morning with my best friend to then get my own pumpkin finally.