Smooth and Nourishing and Good for the Soul

So the Mr. and I are on a bit of a health kick lately.  We've upped our veggie intake. Decreased our carbohydrates. And increased our fruits. We have both also been exercising more. I love spring because I start feeling like I should eat lighter, get moving, and the combination of those always makes my clothes fit better. 
Its quite fabulous really. 
And this year.... we have this wonderful new machine in our home. It chops, dices, liquifys, and best of all: it SMOOTHS!
Its called a smoothie maker!! (OR some people might call it a blender).
I mentioned the other day that we bought bananas and frozen fruit the other night at the grocery store.
And we have so much frozen fruit in our freezer now that you won't find anything else in there. Just kidding, but we have frozen: mixed berries, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and pineapple. We also have fresh peaches, fresh bananas, fresh strawberries and fresh apples. 
Some combination of these with some sort of liquid has revolutionized my fruit intake. Because I typically have in the past had the best of intentions about eating more fruit... but what happens is that I buy it, bring it home, eat it when it isn't ripe, get grossed out, wait a few days for it to ripen, forget about it, and then find it mushy or squishy or moldy a week or two later when I'm scavenging for a healthy snack and end up having to throw it out (which sort of drives Handsome bonkers: you know something about wasting money on food that gets thrown out and starving malnourished children in other parts of the world).
And then I repeat the same process or you know, sacrifice my body's nutritional needs for the sake of getting along with my man.
But this: 

photo credit: Oster's website.

.... has completely changed our LIVES!

Its pretty wild how many machines have been revolutionizing my world lately! 

I have been making smoothies like a machine. Well, actually, that machine has been making the smoothies like a machine, but I've been combining cold berries and soy milk and pomegranate juice and peanut butter and yogurt and chocolate soy milk and have been sucking in the nutrients.  Oh, and I haven't so much been putting all of those together at the same time, but some combinations of different ingredients. 

These are a few of my favorite recipes so far:

Berry Berry Delicious Smoothie:

1/2 c. soy milk

1/2 c. pomegranate juice

1/2 c.ish of frozen blueberries. 

1 handfull-ish of frozen strawberries.

1 whole banana. 

De-thaw in the fridge overnight. Smooth away in the morning. (Oh and put the liquid in the bottom first. Then the chunkier stuff in second).

CBPB Smoothie (that would be the Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie)

1 c. of Chocolate Soy Milk

1 whole banana

1/4 c.ish of creamy PB

A few spoon-fulls of yogurt (or vanilla yogurt) or whatever you want. 

Smooth. And put it back in the fridge so it gets really cold. And plan on eating a light lunch, because this little smoothie is some kind of filling.

These aren't really my own recipes. But they aren't really anyone elses either. They are sort of me trying different things and seeing what I like after reading others smoothie recipes. And of course, compromising based on what we have. Unless of course its Saturday night and we need to get bananas on the way to the Red Box. 

Enjoy!

The Movie You Must See.

Saturday evening Handsome and I were brainstorming ideas about what we could do for the evening. 
Here is our conversation: 
Handsome: "Dinner with friends?"
Me: "No so and so is out of town, him and her moved, and someone else would have to get a baby sittter."
Handsome: "Bowling? Maybe we could get a big group of friends that don't know each other for bowling..."
Me: "Handsome, I am too tired for bowling. And its kind of late notice."
(See how I shoot down ideas? I'm working on not.)  Me: "Can't we just watch a movie and get some bananas to make a smoothie?"
Handsome: "Sure, that sounds great and banana's are on the way to RedBox."
So we headed out. And stopped at the grocery store and got some frozen peaches, bananas and chocolate soy milk. mmm. And then we headed innocently to Redbox. 
There on the second screen we saw this: 

My Milly (my name for my Mother-in-Law) had recommended it to us, so we quickly agreed on it. We got the movie. And headed home. I made a smoothie and grabbed a blanket. Handsome popped popcorn. And we proceeded to watch the cutest puppy I have ever seen. 
And then we cried and cried. Or at least I did. 
Hachi is an absolutely wonderful movie. Seriously, its excellent. And I say that you should definitely see it.  But this is a fair warning that it will tear on your heartstrings. If you have any heart at all. 
So the next time you are at the Redbox looking for a movie, get this one. Especially if you aren't in the mood for some chick-flick or high drama or crazy action. Because this movie tells one of the best stories I have ever heard.


I'm here. And I'm still writing, 

A Post From No Ideas. But With Two Great Pictures. (In My Opinion).

So I suppose its time for another post, but to be completely forthcoming, I'm out of ideas. And guess what? I'm tired too. So those things have been limiting my blogging brain power, but yet, I'm laying on the bed, laptop propped up on my legs, typing a nice little note to you about nothing other than my lack of posting.


I'm brilliant, right? And totally going to get a lovely blogging award for my intermittent more frequent than I would like to admit "random thought" posts. Oh, wait, I'm not going to get an award for it? Really? Come. On. That is why I post! For the awards. And the acclaim. And...


Ok. Enough. I don't post for the awards. I post because I like to write what I'm thinking or doing or you know, planning to cook.


But here I already told you I'm not thinking well, and yet I'm posting about doing nothing, because as much as I would like to enjoy a super delicious dinner tonight, I haven't MEAL PLANNED in a few weeks (fail!) and therefore, we don't have a ton of super delicious ingredients ready to go.


Even though chicken spaghetti really does sound good again. In that cozy-its-still-sort-of-winter-out, but spring-is-trying-to-force-its-way-through and chicken is kind of light couple with the spaghetti which is oh so comforting.


But I digress, because this wasn't going to be a post about food. Or anything really for that matter, in which case there really isn't a need for a digression.


In which case, I should probably just get my shoes on and make a little trip to the grocery store to meal plan my way into dinner for tonight and for tomorrow, too.


Which would be good since we have evening-ish obligations for a while tomorrow night. And would probably be good for me to do tonight too so I'm not buying any more M&M speckled Easter eggs at my absolute favorite store when I go there later with Handsome to acquire a curling iron.

These are seriously delicious. Get some and your self will be thankful. 

Which I need for our evening-ish obligations tomorrow. And why I need to relax and rest and eat good dinner tonight, so I'll be pleasant tomorrow and maybe even have more ideas about what to post.


Hows that for forcing the post full-circle?
I'm here. And I'm still (regretfully for you perhaps?) writing,











Oh and because I'm feeling generous  guilty, I'm probably going to make PW's Chicken Spaghetti. I posted about wanting to make it a while ago, and I did, and it did NOT disappoint. Here is even one picture I took in the process:

This is the step where you mix the spaghetti with the pimentos and bell pepper and cheese and cream of mushroom sauce right before you throw it into a casserole for baking. Mmm. 

To Do Before Spring Break is Over...

1. Wash Hair
2. Get Coffee
3. Go to the grocery store 
4. One Load of Laundry and Maybe Some of Handsome's
5. Start a paper that is due on Wednesday
6. Clean the house?  
7. Drop off clothes at the dry cleaners 
8. Take some pants to the tailor 
9. Get a cashier's check 
10. Submit some necessary paperwork 
11. Review some emails and papers that were sent over the weekend 
12. Read for Tuesday's class 
13. Finish unpacking from the weekend trip
14. Start reading for Wednesday? 
15. Write this post! 

See! The winter is past; 
the rains are over and gone. 
Flowers appear on the earth; 
the season of singing has come. 
Song of Songs 2:11, 12

Happy Spring! (even if the break is almost over...) 

My Competitive Button Has Been Pushed.

My man and I compete with one another at very few things. It's quite pleasant, really, to have a relationship with another human and feel no competition between the two of you. With me and Mr. Ruggedly Handsome, we just generally accept that we are good at different things and that we complement each other in many ways. I think marriage is supposed to be freeing in that sort of way.
But there is this one area of our relationship that we compete in. Kinda funny that this is what we have chosen, since neither one of us is incredibly fond of tennis shoes squeaking on a floor while an orange rubbery ball is tossed and dribbled all about. Maybe its because we have gone mad... Or maybe its just something else.
Something like:  He is not one to pass up a good game, competition, match, tournament, and I am not invested enough to be upset  stay in bed for weeks on end barely eating anything if he beats me, so it seems like its the perfect thing for us to compete against one another. Or at least I tell myself I will be okay if I lose, though we haven't truly figured out if I will survive and feel sweet towards the Mr., as we have only played once before and I WON that round.  Speaking of which, Handsome, I need to cash in on my prize. A full day of doing whatever I please, yes? Sounds like a day trip out of town with shopping and wandering and coffee-shop sitting and good food, of course. 
Or maybe you would like to go double or nothing this year? Hmm. No thanks. This is  not a valid offer.
So... my question is: do you and anyone in your life choose winners and compete in your own NCAA Tournament?   

  
We are also playing in individual matches with our fathers. He with his, me with mine. Should be a fun few weeks.  And the real upside: it makes watching sports on television that much more appealing to me. ;)
Happy Squeaking. 
I'm here. And I'll be watching,

Traditional Green Food.

I don't believe I have ever had the traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage dish that is so popular on St. Patrick's Day. I know a few places in my town that make it, but I'm not sure I'd like it. But then again, I probably would, because I like most foods.  So have you ever had corned beef and cabbage? On Saint Patrick's Day or even on any other day? 
Maybe you have made the dish and care to share a recommendation about whether I should try it, and maybe you even have a recipe.
There is a specialty foods store in town that has been advertising its corned beef so I might really only have to learn how to make the cabbage. This is all assuming that Mr. Ruggedly Handsome would consider eating it and assuming that I have time to whip it together tomorrow.
Anyhow share your recipes and if I make something I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

I Lost My Mind.

I keep forgetting things. Deadlines, mostly. Non-academic, but still school-related deadlines.


And I think I just missed a BIG one. Ugh.


:(


I'm not sure what the problem is. But I need to get myself together. And hopefully quickly.


Prayers and kind words appreciated.


Way to start a Monday!


I'm here. Trying to correct my messes.

My Favorite Recipe of The Moment.

The perfect recipe for the first night of a much-anticipated break from school. 
Ingredients:
Husbands Favorite Old Sweatshirt.Some Cups of Freshly Popped Popcorn.Two Iced Teas.Trusty Fleece Blanket.Made of Honor.Chinese Take Out from the Local Favorite.An Already Cleaned House.Absolutely No Homework That Needs Tending.A Tired Girl.Some Parts Understanding Husband.Brand New Netflix Envelope.No where else to be. 
Instructions: Combine all of the above ingredients in any fashion, sit back and wait for your life to return to normalcy. 
I'm not really here, but I'll be back writing soon...

Undeserving.

Dear Mr. Rh, 
 I was tired, exhausted actually, and had a challenging time getting myself moving. 
 So I got into the shower a little late. 
I was feeling the stress of the day, before it even started. 
And I let it touch my attitude. 
I had to-do lists running and let defeat push me down. 
By the time I was getting dressed and packing up my bag, I was already feeling discouraged and irritated and late. 
I was not happy with myself.
But someone else was loving me.
You had woken up earlier than you needed to.
 You made muffins and timed it so that they came out of the oven at the very minute I was ready to eat breakfast. 
Hot. Fresh. Blueberry. Muffins.
You set me up to print my homework on your computer and printer, so I wouldn't have to hurry to print it at school.
You let me have half of the coffee that was already in the coffee pot. 
You even pulled the freshness tab off of the new creamer for me, because for some reason I could not get my nail under it, nor could I grab ahold of it well enough to pull it off.
In the midst of my irritation, and impatience, you served me. 
You were calm and sweet and loving and helpful. And you were so very thoughtful. 
All on a morning when I was so undeserving.
Thanks, honey, for loving me when I'm unlovable. 
You were a portrait of Christ to me today. 
"...I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..." Ephesians 3:17, 18
With love,

The One Thing I Needed to Get Through The Winter In My Apartment

I have talked on many occasion about being cold. I must have poor circulation or something because my fingers and toes and nose are all usually chilly. I sleep under about four blankets as well as the normal sheet and comforter, wear two pair of socks and frequently sport a beanie to bed. It is slightly ridiculous. I have learned to deal with my temperature issue by always wearing layers and making certain to have a coat with me all winter long. And by coat I really mean parka.

And I don't even live in Minnesota. Or AntarCtica for that matter. (I emphasized the "c" because I misspelled it recently on the blog and my delightful husband made me aware of the fact that the Earth's southernmost continent is not Antartica as I believed and spelled, but Antarctica with a "c". Good times. Thankfully someone is proofreading and content monitoring the old blog, because frankly I don't even know when I am wrong. And I apparently ignore Blogger which led on that I had spelled a word incorrectly by placing a line of red dots underneath the word. But who really wants to be corrected by a machine when they can be corrected by their life partner?)

I digress.

I think I was talking about being cold and the layers I ordinarily wear. I may have already clearly made my point, but for the one person who might not have gotten it yet, I continue a little longer. I carry light wool, long-sleeved sweaters and cardigans with me all summer long, to protect me from the Arctic sixty degree temperatures I face every time I set foot in a restaurant or bank or ...  Oh, what is that you say? A bank? Well its a somewhat archaic institution where people used to store their money and people would set foot in them to either put money in or take it out. You may have a piece of plastic and a computer that function similarly today, but I could be wrong. You too may have frozen in the icy tundra that is known as the Teller line.

So you got it? I'm always cold! Sorry for rambling on and on.

The entire true point of my post was to say that this little sweetheart has revolutionized my life.

I'm not even kidding you. The Holmes electric space heater has been warming my heart and toes since December and I have never been happier to make a machines acquaintance. And I'm sharing and promoting out of the goodness of my heart, not because Holmes heard I was cold, sent me the heater, and asked me write nice things about them.

So while Spring is elluding me (and maybe you), I will continue to use the little champion and my husband and grades will be all the happier for it. (Yes, Mr. RH and I have had our share of thermostat wars and I really have a much easier time studying when I am not worried that my nose might fall off, even though you might not know it from the midterm I took this morning.).

Oh, and for those of you that might worry about the safety of a heater, it shuts itself off at certain temperatures and I unplug it when I'm not at the house. Thanks for the concern though.

I'm here. And I'm still writing,

A Thoughts Post, on the Topic of Our Weekend.

I find that when I haven't blogged in a while, it can be hard to know what to say.

So this is me, Katie, just saying hi, because I was an incapacitated blogger last week. And now I feel like a debilitated one with a mental block to some degree.

We had a decent weekend, and I say decent because it was school-packed and didn't feel like a weekend. I studied (whoo hoo) basically all day Friday (like literally from noon until 10-ish, minus an hour and a half of couch sitting and HGTV watching with the man) for a Saturday morning test. Got up before the sun rose early on Saturday and drove with a friend to the city where the test was. The test took each of us longer than we had expected, so by the time we both finished, we were completely starving. We drove back into that town to have lunch, then drove home. 

I watched the King and I for a recovery. Mr. Ruggedly Handsome was so relieved too, because that dvd has been sitting at our house for a solid week and we only get one Netflix movie at a time, so this was quite disturbing to him. 

I then proceeded to watched a little of this show on MTV called My Life as Liz. I think it is kind of cute, mindless, fairly innocent television. 

And then the most exciting part of our weekend happened. We have had this gift certificate from Handsome's parentals to go to a fancy schmancy steakhouse. It was a Christmas present and we haven't gone yet, because the right opportunity hasn't presented itself I hate getting dressed nicely when its colder than Antartica outside, so I've been delaying our use of it.

We tried to call and make reservations, but no one would answer which we determined meant one of two things. 1. They are negligent phone answer-ers and thus probably not a great dinner place, or 2. They are so busy that they can't answer the phone and won't be taking any more reservations for the evening. We talked it out and thought maybe we could risk not getting in or not having fabulous service and dinner at the posh restaurant, but decided to proceed as if we might.

I showered and bejeweled mysellf and put make-up on, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera (The King and I reference),  and we set out on our fancy schmancy date night. As we were nearing the resturaunt area, we noticed one stoplight was not functioning correctly, but its on a not-so-busy street so neither of us thought to much about it. Then we noticed about four different police vehicles with flashing lights as we approached the next major intersection, whose light was working correctly. (Whose? Not sure what word to use there instead. Anyhow.). It was at this point we could see that it was COMPLETELY dark in the area where the restaurant was located. Funny. Not one light was on. 

We later determined  found out from people working in the area that the electricity had gone out and almost all of the businesses had sent their employees home because the power company wasn't sure when power would be restored. Pretty funny considering that it happened the night Handsome finally convinced me to go. 

We happily made our way home in our fancy clothes and my make-upped face, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, and Handsome cooked us a lovely dinner of the Surf variety. He watched a movie and I read a magazine and totally crashed very early as a result of the previous evenings studying and early morning awakening. 

We went to church Sunday. I sat my tush at a Starbuckles to study for several hours Sunday afternoon. Then we made a quick trip to the grocery store for the essentials, you know, Crispix, Chicken, Iced Tea, M&M's, just kidding, but a few different items. 

Came home, made enough dinner to last a week. And then I Shredded. Like Jillian Michaels 30-day Shred style. 

I'm officially on the getting-(re)-Fit wagon. As soon as I work up a little endurance, I'll do a review of the Burn Fat Boost Metabolism dvd that I purchased! 

And I'm going to try and post more this week! I have a midterm and a paper, but hopefully no other life stuff weighing me down.

Missed you guys.

I'm here. And I'm still writing,

So Maybe I'm Behind The 𝄐 (Fermata).

I heard about the show Glee before it came out from various television trailers.  I still don't watch the show, but I have recently listened to some of the music on iTunes, and man! That stuff is fantastic.   If you haven't heard any of it yet, I recommend:  Don't Stop Believin' Take a Bow Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore Imagine
Sweet Caroline
and
Defying Gravity.
I'm here. And I'm listening,