Taking Some Time
It could be the chilly weather, or the end of year hustle and bustle, or months of juggling too much stuff, but I have decided that I need to stop and do a little bit of the below…
End of Week
All week I have been feeling way, way under the weather: there has been little working out, way too much dirtying of plates (re: eating), and more napping and robe-wearing than I care to admit. I know we all have bummy days – in my case, three long ones – but I’m determined to get back into the swing of things starting today. I have already make a detailed to-do list, and read my journal in high school for some laughs and motivation. See you back here Monday!
* And proof that leaves do change colors out here.
Gym Vs. Diet
I stumbled upon this and from my experience…I couldn’t agree more.
Bags of Secret
I have been casually looking for a new laptop case and found some available on Victoria’s Secret, and quickly realized they had more bag options for a hike or the gym.
Cheese Danish
Danish + cheese have probably never been in the same sentence with “low calories,” unless there were words like “heck” and “no” in there as well. Attempting to make a tasty guilt-free cheese Danish is like trying to incorporate bacon fat into a skinny diet. So I’m not even going to pretend that these semi-homemade buttery treats are healthy for you, but they are an easy and satisfying Sunday splurge.
This past Sunday I had some friends over. They insisted they would have already eaten before arriving, but it was at that in-between time when pastries would be perfect in case hunger strikes, or if they just felt like something delicious. There were still tubes of reduced fat crescent rolls sitting in the fridge, never used from Thanksgiving, along with some fat-free cream cheese and sugar-free strawberry preserves. I worked off of this embarrassingly simple recipe. To portion control, I measured out half tablespoons of cream cheese per Danish and sprinkled sugar on top. These were truly fantastic, and for 200 calories…that is like celery compared to the ones at a popular coffeehouse chain.
Unique Shopping
I have been in need for a bit of creative inspiration. This weekend I attended UNIQUE LA, a show that features local designers that make things from t-shirts to jewelry and tampon case holders. It is like….real-life Etsy. The show was a bit overwhelming, but I left with a couple of Christmas presents and a list of DIY project ideas (“This is cute…wait, it is $75?! I can so make this on my own.”). After yesterday’s trip, I have completely rearranged my bedroom furniture and realized how necessary it is to never throw out an ugly sweater, as it can be transformed into a pair of lederhosen.
End Of Week
The Santa Ana winds have hit Los Angeles in a pretty horrible way! The area where I live was not as badly affected as others (I still have electricity)…there was a fallen stop sign and the streets are spotted with fronds. I attempted to go for a jog this morning, but after continuously getting dust in my eye and seeing the swaying trees, I opted for an indoor workout instead. This week I have been determined to get back on track. Admittedly, I had a pretty indulgent November full of “thankful” meals and snacks, and now that the leftovers are gone…it is time. Here are a couple of things from this week helping me out with the process:
…After the turkey and before the winds, an incline hike with a beautiful city view…
…High flavors and low calories. Browning celery, carrots and onions as the start of healthy dishes like this one…
…Outdoor ice skating by the beach…
See you back here Monday!
