Hi there, friends! I hope life has been treating you well. I feel a bit like a bad blogger for being so inconsistent with my posts, but sometimes life gets in the way! My classes haven’t started yet, so I’ve been soaking up the last week or so of summer with all my friends here in Santa Barbara- it’s been marvelous! Here’s where I am at things:
Fitness: My fitness lately has been awesome! I’ve started to get back into running since I’m away from my hometown and the ridiculous (and I mean ridiculous) amounts of hills we have. I’ve gone running for around 3 miles a couple of times this week and have been happy to find that my average pace is around a 9:20/mile. While that may not be fast to some, it’s a starting point, and I’m really enjoying cooler morning runs right next to the beach!
Other than running, Kyle and I have been having plenty of gym dates. Having two gyms available to us, both within walking distance, is incredibly convenient.
Food: I’ve been pretty good about doing a good amount of home cookin’ while moved in to my new apartment. It’s beyond tempting to just reach for some of my roommates’ chips ahoy cookies 24/7, but I’ve used fresh ingredients and baked/cooked almost every day so far!
Also, my new Kitchenaid mixer came just in time before I moved in… all I can say is that I’m OBSESSED.
On the topic of food, let’s jump right into my WIAW post!
Breakfast: Today’s breakfast was quick and easy. My mandatory coffee, an apple, and the last slice of healthier banana bread. I consider myself lucky to have gotten any at all- it was gone in a day!
Lunch: Lunch consisted of leftover Garlic Lemon Shrimp Orzo and roasted kabocha. Man, that stuff is like CRACK. If you haven’t tried it yet, you definitely need to jump on the bandwagon. I basically forced everyone within a 100 foot vicinity of me to try a piece, and all of them were surprised at how tasty it was!
Snack: freshly cut pineapple with a side of “I’m sorry you’re on your period” flowers from Kyle. That boy knows how to play his cards right, I tell you.
Dinner was just a repeat of leftover kabocha and orzo and some nibbling on the huge steak Kyle and our friend Ryan cooked up. They’re both big guys over six feet tall and all muscle and managed to eat a full 1lb steak, rice, and veggies. Anyone else jealous on how much food guys can eat? So not fair!
I’m going to do my best to get back to posting daily! I always miss you guys when I take a brief hiatus! Can’t wait to read about your eats!
Hahahaha, you get flowers for when you have your period??? That is so hilarious! You definitely found yourself a keeper there
And your kitchen aid is super beautiful. I love the retro-blue coloring. This would be exactly the color I would choose!
Happy that you enjoyed your holidays, but I am also pretty happy that you are back to regular blogging. Have a beautiful Wednesday, lovely!
Hahaha it’s not a normal thing- I think he felt bad for me ;). Isn’t it gorgeous? I’m obsessed with that robin egg blue color :D.
Thank you love <3
I’m so jealous of your Kitchenaid mixer, the colour is fab too!
Have a lovely day!
Love it as well! Thanks Jemma!
Don’t apologise for being MIA- you’re living life and having a blast so soak it up- Hopefully your semester won’t be like mine- full of hot dates with textbooks and no sun.
Love the savory style kabocha- its the only way to eat it 😉
Hahah I’m sure it’ll be pretty similar to your life once the school ball gets rolling ;). Being a pre-med major demands tons of hot dates with textbooks and going albino 😉
Kyle is definitely a keeper!! I would love to live within walking distance to a gym and Kitchenaids rule!!
It’s so convenient! But it also gives me less excuses about being too lazy to drive over to the gym haha 😉
My mom just got a standing mixer too and she is obsessed. I went from the kid who never had fun treats baked for them to never having a house that’s not full of baked goods. Not complaining!! Also, those views on your runs are gorgeous. I’d never be able to stop!
It’s probably the thing I love most in my life. Sorry Kyle ;). Hahah that’s not that bad of a problem to have!
hahaha you have a keeper! My BF probably won’t buy me flowers during that time of the month. He is too scared. After all, I’m quite hormonal AND, if he gets the wrong type of flowers…I may just cry
Good for you for sticking to healthy foods, and I LOVE that mixer. LOVE.
Hahahah that made me actually laugh out loud! I think I scare Kyle too sometimes when I’m all bleedy and hormonal. Poor guys ;).
Thanks girlie! <3
Aw, the flowers. If it wasn’t apparent yet [it obviously was :)] it would definitely be by now: Kyle really is a keeper. I’m happy for you, girl – and maaaaybe just slightly jealous. Kyle doesn’t happen to have any brother/cousins/… living in Germany ;)?!
Get back into blogging once you feel ready. Never miss spending time with friends for it. That’s not to say I hadn’t missed your post but as long as you don’t go missing forever …
Happy Wednesday!
Hahaha he has a younger brother (15 years old- maybe a little young ;)), but he lives in the US! Bummer! I should send him up to Germany someday so we can both marry Reece boys and be related! Sounds like a good plan to me ;).
The banana bread looks fab
I should suggest that to my husband!
What an amazing reason to get flowers
It was delicious! I love when healthier recipes turn out exactly like the real deal :D. Haha you definitely should ;)!
Gorgeous mixer! Just got mine in red and it’s actually my baby. But you know that feeling when you’ve wanted something for years and then you finally get it and you don’t know what your ultimate gift/present to yourself is anymore? I feel like I may be the only person who thinks this lol!
Hahah I’m irrationally obsessed with mine as well! I TOTALLY know the feeling! I don’t even know what I want in life anymore ;). I already have it now haha!
The color of that kitchen-aid is insane and i am super jealous. It’s like one of the prettiest things I’ve ever laid eyes on… 😉
I’m super jealous at how much guys can eat too. Both my brother and my dad are over six feet (my brother is actually taller than my 6’3″ dad right now and still growing! Haha). They can both eat a ton it seems, especially my brother and his chocolate chip cookie habit. As in, he puts two sheets of tollhouse cookies in the oven and they are gone withing hours. Yet he is still a green bean…
Haha I definitely consider the mixer to be one of the most beautiful things on Earth ;).
IT’S SO UNFAIR! Boys suck 😉
Aww, Kyle is so sweet – I love that he got you period flowers. Haha!
THAT MIXER. LOVE THE COLOR!!!
He’s a keeper haha! He’s a pretty smart boy ;).
I almost considered getting a mint green (that would be perfect for you!), but at the last moment switched to the robin egg’s blue color. You should treat yourself to one so we can be twins!
Your kitchenaid mixer is beautiful! It also looks like a great day of eats! What a sweet boy to bring over beautiful flowers.
He’s the best! Have a wonderful day!
Too cute! Have a blast in SB
And I absolutely adore your mixer! That’s the one I have my eye on one day. Just need to settle down a bit. I tried kabocha last year but need to bring it back into the mix. Good luck in school!
Thanks Kaitlin!
Ok, equally as obsessed with the Kitchen Aid! So fun!! I’m dying for a lime green one! Those eats all look DELICIOUS!!!!
I was debating about whether or not to go with the blue or lime green! Probably the toughest decision of my life ;).
Oh wow your running route looks beautiful!!! Cooler morning runs are always so refreshing – it’s been ages since I’ve been on one!
So jealous of your Kitchen Aid mixer, it looks amazing, love the colour of it too!!!
Kyle is so sweet buying you flowers! No one has ever bought me flowers! *Violins* haha.
It’s so nice to have an ocean breeze! Im obsessed with my new mixer haha! OBSESSED ;).
Lawlz at the “I’m sorry you’re on your period” flowers. That boy definitely knows what he’s doing! And I’m so happy that other people are jumping on the kabocha bandwagon. Unfortunately the only times I’ve had it has been when it’s been out of season, so I’m hoping to have some when I go home over Thanksgiving and get actual, GOOD kabocha.
He’s probably the smartest guy I’ve ever met… definitely playing his cards right ;).
Haha! What a great reason to buy flowers. Tell him chocolate is much better for this monthly situation, though. 😉 I think it’s the cooler weather but I’ve baked banana bread 2 times in the past week. LOL Comfort food, maybe?
I definitely agree! The best of reasons haha!! I think I’ll recommend flowers, massages, and chocolates to him next time ;). Hahah no shame in that!
Obsessed with your mix-master color. And period flowers are the best kind of flowers! hah
Could Kyle’s smile get any broader and tooth-paste commercial perfect? Honestly!
It leaves me jealous 😛
Now, on the subject of the noms: seriously, you Wednesday is more exciting than my week put together 😛 That kitchenaid is the stuff kitchen dreams are made of haha
Isn’t everything (and therefore life) just better with roast kabocha? The answer is yes. Yes, it is 😀
Hahah he’s such a cutie! I know he’s going to love reading this comment ;).
I swear the only reason I’ve had so much going on is because I’m just getting back to school! My life usually revolves around textbooks ;). I totally agree with your kitchenaid statement haha! There’s truth to that ;).
I can’t believe you guys haven’t started yet! I thought WE started late! Not going to lie, I really like the 3 mile run distance. I can’t wait to go back to that when my half training ends. I like that distance, and I like long runs (when my foot cooperate). Good luck with you first week coming up!
I know, right? I was itching to come back to school! I love 3 miles too. It leaves me feeling accomplished, yet still worked out. Thanks 😀
Keep him forever!! I haven’t been posting like at all lately. Sometimes life gets in the way! Just remember: “Blogging should be a hobby, not a habit.”
I completely agree with that! Thanks for the words of wisdom 😀
I roasted kabocha this week and it just turned out really dry.. how’d you get yours so moist?? That looks like it’s so much better.
Do you coat yours in some olive oil :)?
Yeah!! I think I might have just gotten a bad squash, because I’ve made it before a long time ago and I remember it being way better
OMG those flowers are gorgeous!!! And I’m seriously cracking up… “sorry you’re on your period flowers” Does he have a twin? Can you please duplicate him and send him to Florida please?! Glad you’re having such a great time! Don’t feel guilty about being inconsistent… I’ve been up to my ears in school work this past week so enjoy the time you have left with your friends before all the craziness starts
LIVING life is more important than blogging about it. Plus, doing fun stuff gives you blog topics for later 😉 xoxo
Hahaha he’s a smart boy!! He has a brother, but he’s only 15. You could definitely pull a cougar move though hahaha ;). I’ll work on getting him duplicated and send him over using express shipping! Woo! Totally agree with living life up! I already spend way too much time behind a computer screen 😉
Dangit! That’s a little too illegal for me hahaha. Same, girl. It’s addicting! I’ve been catching up on blogs for like 3 hours now (after I said I was going to bed early… lol ya. never.)
Isn’t it SO unfair how much those stinky boys can eat?! Makes me SO very jealous!! Glad you are loving your mixer!
Isn’t it SO unfair how much those stinky boys can eat?! Makes me SO very jealous!! Glad you are loving your mixer!
You’re going to love the mixer! Have you used it yet?
Pineapple is my favorite – looks like you’ve got a good one there!
Isn’t the mixer the best thing ever! I got mine last year for christmas and I adore it. Mine is silver :).
You get flowers when you’re on your period?!?! Lucky girl. My boyfriend gives me dirty looks…but I’m sure most of the time they’re warranted, haha. I get pretty cranky around that time of the month!
Btw, I’ve got major mixer envy right now.
Fabulous mixer!!
And what a lucky girl getting flowers for being on your period…my boyfriend just gives me dirty looks, haha! Although they may be warranted considering how grouchy I get during that time of the month.
That kitchen aid looks amazing, love the colour!