About that salad....

A few weeks ago, I promised to post the recipe for my favourite ever salad.


So, here it is:

Quinoa, Pumpkin & Pine Nut Salad

Cook 1 cup of Quinoa as per the instructions and put it aside to cool

Dice half a Pumpkin

Pop it in a baking tray with these guys:

 and let them have a party in the oven until they look like this:

 put that aside to cool and toast some Pine Nuts

until they look like this:

if you leave them in the pan, they will keep cooking for a while, so turn the heat off when they are only a little bit golden or they might end up burnt

 finely dice some Spring Onions

 like this

 shred 2 big handfuls of Baby Spinach

 like this

 and stick it all in a big salad bowl

 mix together these two best friends

pour it then over the top, mix it up, devour!

Or in my case, put it in the fridge while you make a Greek Salad, whip up some Lemony Yoghurt, and roast some Meat and Spuds, then get it out when it's time for the dinner party :)

Scared of 'Straya Day

I really love Australia Day! It can be a bit controversial for several reasons, but I love being Australian and I celebrate that.


Every year my Sister and Brother in Law host a Hottest 100 party. 
For non-Aussies, a nationwide radio station - Triple J - play a countdown of the best 100 songs of the previous year as voted by their listeners,every Australia Day, a great excuse to have a party!
Emma and Charlie put on a big barbecue, we listen to some great music, there is a prize for the person who picks the highest rated songs (everyone picks 5), the weather is usually awesome, the boys get a bit drunk, and sometimes there is a kids paddling pool involved.


Sounds like an awesome thing right? 
So why am I scared?
Well maybe I'm not scared, just a bit anxious. The reason? Two years ago, when I was at my ED worst, I went to the party for about an hour or two then had to go home. I binged so badly in that time (the worst binge I ever had) that I had to go home and lay down for the rest of the day, I couldn't stand up straight because my stomach was so full. It was horrible, there was no off button. I think I even ate more when I got home. I was so out of control. It was so weird that I was doing it in front of people (although I'm sure nobody noticed), because normally I hid myself away in the pantry where nobody could see me. I hated not being in control.


Whilst I am mostly in control now, every now and then I do eat too much, and I hate that too full feeling.
I'm going to have to be really mindful today. 


On an unrelated matter..... today's Smoothie Breakfast:

Spinach

L-Glutamine Powder

Vanilla Pea Protein Powder

Stewed Apricots (from my tree!)

Vanilla Coconut Milk

This week I have been putting topping on my smoothies, something I used to do all the time but haven't done for ages. I found Chocolate Chia Crumble Topping over at Choosing Raw last week, and thought it was an awesome idea. Being someone who hardly ever follows a recipe, and because I have had some sunflower seeds sitting round for quite a while, I changed it up a bit. My topping was made from sunflower seeds, dates, shredded coconut and cacao nibs. I have had it every day this week, it's delicious :)

And in the best news for a while, I am still off the fizzy crap! Just lots of water for me, and a little bit of juice to mix with my herbal supplement (the one that tastes like death). I think my stomach is getting better.

Time for a walk before heading to the party.

Do you have big plans for 'Straya Day?

Shopping Day

It has been too long since I planned out our meals for the week and did a big grocery shop. So long, I really could not tell you when the last time was. 
This week I got really fed up with having to go to the supermarket pretty much every day, spending a bucket load of money each time. I also got sick of the whole post work 'what do you want for tea', 'I don't know, what do you want for tea' dilemma.


So today I shopped, like, mega shopped.


First however, I had breakfast:

A Choc Cherry Protein Smoothie, with a Cherry on Top.

A Big Handful of Spinach

2 tablespoons of Nature's Way Chocolate Protein Powder

About 1 cup of Frozen Cherries 

and

I have been using these little single serve milks in everything lately, I love the mild coconut-y vanilla-y flavour it adds to my overnight oats or smoothies. It probably isn't very cost effective but there is no wastage, unlike when I open a carton of other non-dairy milk, only to tip it down the sink a week later because I haven't used it in the recommended time frame. It probably is safe to drink after a week, but with my stomach, I'm not risking it.

After breakfast it was time for some exercise. I have been laying off running the last few days out of fear that I will crap myself (TMI?), but I was reminded yesterday that last week I had promised someone I would run with them today. It was an awesome 1km in 9mins 31secs...........

With Georgia!

She is so cute. We got smiles from strangers on the bike track.

When we got back to her house she wouldn't come inside and just sat on the steps frowning. She wanted to run some more :)

After I had gone home and showered, Mum picked me up for our massive shopping date.

First stop was Eumarrah.

I haven't been there for so long it's ridiculous. We were walking around the shop and almost at once I recognised another shopper - famous Aussie Chef Kylie Kwong! Mum didn't believe me at first, not until one of her companions said her name. Pretty cool to see a TV Chef in your favourite local health food shop.

Here's what I got:

Sorry for the blur.

Mary's Cookies!!! I sampled them and they are deeelish

Corn Pasta

Salsa Verde - a new thing for me

Almond Milk - giving it another try

Coconut Milk

Amy's Refried Black Beans - can't have mexican without them <3

Our next stop was a shoe repairer.

Where we lined up behind Boonie - Australian Cricket and Beer Drinking Legend! Perhaps not so surprising since he is Tasmanian, but still, we were wondering who would be next. (nobody actually!)

I have had two pairs of shoes in the boot of my car, waiting for me to take them to get fixed for over a year. Slack!

Note to self - remember to pick them up next week.

Next was Target for some new undies. Butt cheek covering undies for wearing with jeans that go dangerously low when I sit down. I don't like to show crackage. For some reason all of the butt cheek covering undies in my drawer have massive holes at the sides where I pull them up. Perhaps I need to file my nails more often.

Then it was time for the delicious aromas of Spiceworld! Love that shop.

Hot Smoked Paprika

Tagine Spice(or Tajine as they have called it)

Harissa Powder

Pine Nuts

Then onwards to Gould's to see a Naturopath about my stomach issues. The girl I spoke to was so helpful and really seemed to understand my problem - maybe because she wasn't on a 15mins per client timeframe like doctors generally are. She took the time to explain to me what she believes is happening in my stomach, gave me some L-Glutamine powder to add to my smoothies, some Zinc tablets to take, then mixed me up some liquid herbs. I am hoping if I stay off the fizzy crap and take all of these things as directed, my stomach lining will heal and maybe I will be able to eat Greek Yoghurt again. I really miss that stuff.

Another Health Food Shop Stop came afterwards - City Organics for some more supplies.

Vanilla Coconut Milk

Passata

Bread - with Dates and Walnuts

Steel Cut Oats - can't wait to try them

Then we grabbed some lunch for me and some to take to Ben who was working at our land. I got a delicious Salad of Salad Leaves, Chickpeas, Tomato, Mushroom, Green Capsicum, Kalamata Olives, Carrot and Tandoori Chicken. Well, it was mostly delicious, except for the second bite, that had a bit of salmon in it. Total Gag! 

Speaking of gagging, I had some of my herbal liquid prior to lunch. I was told to mix it with some water and have something very close by to chase it with because it tastes very bad. Holy Shit! She wasn't kidding. I hope none of our future neighbours aren't religious or easily offended because as soon as I had swallowed, I let rip with a very loud 'FUCK'. I have to take it three times a day.....

It had better be worth it.

After lunch I had a mostly successful trip to the Fruit Market. They can be a bit hit and miss sometimes, but I got most of the things left on my list.

Spring Onions

Snow Peas

Zuccini

Salad Leaves

Pumpkin

Mushrooms

Potatoes

Red Capsicum

Bananas

Carrots

Tomatoes

Cucumber

Sweet Potato

And finally, I went to the supermarket.

Pizza Bases - obviously for Ben

Lemons

Chilli Garlic Olives

Up n Go - for Ben

Bacon

Salami - Ben

Feta - Ben

Mozzarella - Ben

Red Onion

Brown Onions

Pizza Sauce

Smoked Salmon - Ben

Spinach

Rolls - Ben

Lamb

Beef

Toothpaste

Mouthwash

Phew!

And after all that, I finally got around to tidying my pantry - it's been on the to do list for about 4 months, gave my sister a PT session, and baked some Pumpkin - that turned to smoosh :(

Dinner time!

What was in your trolley/basket today?

Seriously x5

Happy Thursday night everyone :)
It's not Friday, but it's oh so close.


We have had some seriously crazy weather this week, two 32 degree days in a row, electrical storms, and some very loud, very heavy rain.


I seriously got recognised by a blog reader on the weekend.(Hi Bek!) 
Probably not so unusual considering I know her sister and was at a farewell party for the both of them at their parent's house - Phil is returning to England after getting in some Christmas and Summer at home, and Bek was also home during the holidays before moving to a new state. However, it was still very exciting! It's fun to meet new people and to know that somebody reads my various ramblings. I should have taken a picture with Bek, but instead, here is one of Phil and I.

I am seriously having tummy troubles this week. I won't gross you out with all the details. But it is so bad that I have gone cold turkey on all fizzy diet beverages in an attempt to calm my stomach down. 


I seriously had the best massage ever yesterday, and I had very few knots - just a little one in my right shoulder! Last time I had a massage, my body was a total mess of knots. Yay me :)


And, I just want to be taken seriously...
I forever feel, no, I know that people don't take me seriously. 
My best guesses on the reasons why, would be:

• because I have issues with depression
• because I don't have a uni degree
• because I have been big
• because I have been too skinny
• because I'm a bit indecisive, but hey, who isn't?

I'm not book smart, I know that and I don't claim to be a genius, but I do have common sense and I put 100% in to everything I do.
I just want a bit of respect that's all!


That last one was a bit heavy, but it has been playing on my mind all week.


Do you have a 'seriously' from this week?

7 years

Seven years ago today, I married my best friend and soul mate <3

Today, to celebrate, we went out in matching Wayfarers.

That is all.

Saturday, snapped.

Running for Chocolate?

Today I ran in my first race for 2012, the Cadbury/Running Edge 5km.
It was part of a carnival, that included a Marathon, Half Marathon, 5km and a 1km for kids.


As usual, I wore a Lorna Jane Inspirational Singlet <3

The last race I ran only had about 340 competitors, this one had heaps. I was number 1095, there were people everywhere.

The course took us from the Cadbury Factory, around the Claremont Golf Club, then back to the Factory.

It was hard! I would go so far as to say it was the hardest run I have ever done, and that is counting the ones I did back in 2010 when I was fit.

Running on grass was a lot more difficult than I thought and the ground was mostly uneven.

The sun was SCORCHING, and there was no shade.

My body wanted to walk about halfway in, but I stayed strong and refused, and eventually I was back on the bitumen.

 I'm coming!

 Thumbs Up.

 Nearly there.

 Done.

I finished in 33.03mins. Charlie came in about 2 minutes ahead of me.

I really can't wait to get my fitness back. I want to be able to easily run 5km and sprint across the finish line again.

Hopefully with enough training, I will be able to do that in my next race - in early March.

The 'Run the Bridge' is on 12th of Feb, but I have other plans, that involve my other love. Food!

Today I was running for fitness, fun and the lovely endorphin high.

But it turns out I was also running for chocolate.

I'm sure Ben will enjoy it :)