Hello all! Just wanted to pop in after a small hiatus to say that the lovely Ksenija from With An Open Mind featured me on her new series, “Healthy Living in a Nutshell”!
I talk a little about what healthy means to me and go on a small rant on the topic of discovering your own version of healthy. Feel free to check it out :)!
In other news, I’ll hopefully have a tasty new recipe up later today or tomorrow! Prepare yourself hah!
“Pin me, I’m tasty!”- Hash
Most mornings, I’m lazy when it comes to breakfast. My go-to meal to start my day lately has been microwavable brown sugar banana oatmeal, which takes all of 30 seconds to throw together and another two minutes in the microwave. While it’s delicious, easy, and fast, there are days (especially the day after lifting weights) where I find myself hungry an hour later and know that I need more in the protein department of things.
Enter: Healthy Edamame Sweet Potato Hash!
Not only is it absolutely delicious and bursting with all the good things in life (read: bacon), it packs in a ton of different nutrients, flavors, textures, and, of course, protein!
Let’s break down the cast of characters:
Sweet Potato: the sweet potato brings in that mouthwatering sweet and salty combination, as well as the vitamins B6, C, and D, which help in preventing heart attacks, warding off the cold and flu, and maintaining energy levels, moods, and building healthy bones. Not only that, but they also contain fiber, which helps to keep you full and your poop happy! (Did I really just type that…)
Edamame: not only does it have a vibrant coloring (I want my next Kitchenaid Mixer to come in the shade “edamame”), but it’s also rich in protein, vitamin C, manganese, and copper! Manganese helps your metabolism, regulates your blood sugar levels, and helps keep your nervous system alive and kickin’. Hooray, manganese! Copper plays an important role in managing energy, boosting your immune system, and strengthening your bones. You go, Glen Copper!
Bacon: well, it’s delicious and makes everything better.
Make a big batch and have a tasty and filling breakfast for the rest of the week!
I’m linking up to WIAW to help share this tasty dish! Thanks, Jenn for hosting!
Hey all you party people! Hope your weekend is starting off swimingly and that you don’t have too many errands/chores/studying to do and that you have free time to relax!
Here’s a quick roundup of some of my January favorites!
Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain
This stuff is fantastic. I’m a huge fan of red lipstick and it’s a staple in my makeup bag. It lasts forever (seriously, sometimes I wake up in the morning with it still on), is easy to apply, and you don’t feel like you have anything on!
Hautelook Workout Top
Super cute, flattering, and made with a comfy dry-fit material! I love how breathable the back is and how it was on sale for 60% off. Nothing gets me more excited than a good deal ;).
Panini Press
If you read Kyle’s Birthday Recap, you might remember that I got him a panini press as part of his present. We both are in love with it and it makes me so happy to see Kyle using it so much! While we were eating homemade burgers with caramelized onions and grilled pineapples (all made on the press!) for lunch today, he mentioned that, “I love this panini press so much that if I don’t use it for a meal, I get antsy and start planning out what sandwich I’ll make next” and that he “couldn’t think of a present he’d rather have gotten”. Makes me feel pretty fantastic… and also worried that I won’t be able to keep on thinking of gifts that he’ll like as much haha!
The Following
Oh Netflix, you’ve done it again. How am I supposed to function at all when I have a new series tempting me? As a short overview, the series is about a former FBI agent who is attempting to recapture a poetic serial killer that idolized Edgar Allan Poe and members of his cult following (which he amassed on prison computers). It’s extremely complicated and absolutely addicting!
Also, you should follow me on Twitter so you can receive life-changing updates like the one above straight to your mobile phone! Woohoo!
Running
Because it’s one of the most satisfying workouts you could possibly do! While I’m not getting in as many miles as I’d like, a few is better than nothing. I’m hoping to pick it up more as my schedule dies down!
Brown Sugar Banana Oats
I usually don’t use “delicious” as a word to describe oatmeal, but there’s something about this combo that has me swooning. My friend Ryan lent me some of his oats, and I’m not sure what’s different about them, but they have a perfect texture and with melty banana pieces and pools of brown sugar…. ohhh lordy lord I want some right now! Not to mention they take a total of 3 minutes to make. I usually just take around a half cup of dried oats, water, half a sliced banana, and splash of vanilla extract and microwave everything for 2 minutes. Then you top it with brown sugar and beautiful things happen, my friends.
Anyways, that’s all for now!
What are some things you are currently crushing on?
There are some things I’ll just never be able to grasp. Like math. Or how the trashcan fills up so fast. Or where all my socks go. Or the difference between a sweet potato and a yam. Honestly, I think I’ve looked it up on Google at least 5 times in the past and 3 times today. That makes like a million different times and I still just don’t understand. Did I mention I can’t do math?
I do this for you guys.
To try to be political correct about potatoes (read: PCAP- it’s a thing) and not hurt you with my incorrect words on the internet machine. Some things, though, just don’t resonate with me and I can never, ever remember. And each time I go to the grocery store, I get even more mixed up. I used to think that sweet potatoes were orange (which I could have swore I read online), but then I went to my local Albertsons and they were listed as yams. There must be some sort of government conspiracy to try to confuse me. That must be where all of our tax dollars are going (!).
ANYWAYS. All I know for certain is that these taste good. Reeaaaal good. Like, pick one up with your hands and walk around your apartment eating them kinda good. They even come in their own little serving potato boat.
I mean, I don’t think you really could go wrong with the combination of flavors and ingredients that are going on in these ‘taters. You’ve got, of course, the sweet and vibrant sweet potatoes, creamy goat cheese, and a brown sugar pecan streusel that straddles the whole thing (did I really just use those two words together again?). Think a sweet potato casserole, but upped a notch by the flavor of the cheese and in their own adorable serving portion. It’s a sweet and salty combination made in heaven!
“Pin me, please!”- friendly potato infograph
With a name like Twice Baked Goat Cheese Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Streusel, how could you go wrong? Did I mention they’re also a relatively healthy and nutritious side dish?
What are you waiting for?! Stuff yo’ face!
Linking up with WIAW to help share these gems! 
So, if you haven’t noticed yet, Apple of My Eye got a huge facelift!
I’m completely in love with the design and couldn’t be happier with the fantastic work that Tasha at My Cute Lobster did! She’s a great designer and worked patiently with me to get every detail down the way I wanted. I highly, highly recommend her if you’re looking for a talented and reasonably priced graphic artist/web designer!
It might take me a while to learn to navigate my new sight, so please excuse any discrepancies in posts/the layout/things in general for the next few days.
Hope you love it as much as I do :)!
-Christine