An egg in cake’s clothing
Hey everyone! How was your Monday??
Sorry I’m late posting today- it was a crazy day at the gym.
The Monday insanity started with 1/2 a banana with peanut butter(!), mesquite and cinnamon
(Plates = 4 suckas)
And an hour chest workout with Jeni and Ashley. My. Poor. Pecs. They’re sometimes neglected –I think a lot of girls don’t work their chest as much as the rest of their body, but it really helps gravity from eventually taking its toll if ya know what I mean- and man, I’m feeling it already. Someone is going to be a little sore tomorrow 😀
When I got back to the casa, I decided to treat myself to something I don’t usually make.
Pancakes!
I usually stray from making pancakes –the pilot has them all the time- because they don’t satisfy me the way a bfast cookie, smoothie or bowl of chia pudding would. I usually feel like I could eat 100 without getting full, and then I’m hungry about 10 minutes later.
This recipe, which I had seen floating around the blog world, has much higher protein (with eggs as the base) and some healthy fat (yolk + coconut flour), so I thought they might be a new favorite.
The batter even looked like real batter!
Ehhh… they didn’t um, suit my fancy if ya know what I mean.
They looked fabulous:
But the texture threw me a curve ball. They were very soufflé-like… I prefer my ‘cakes more cake-like. I had to force myself to finish them :/
This is why I didn’t link to the recipe.. I feel badly saying that they weren’t my thang.
I had a doc’s appointment (another one for my KNEE tomorrow!!! *crosses fingers*) and some training appointments, and made a quick sludge for lunch in between.
-1.5 C almond milk
-1/2 banana (left over from this morning)
-1 scoop vanilla Sun Warrior
-1 T chia seeds
-1 t spirulina
-handful spinach
-1/2 t coconut oil
-1 c frozen mango
-foodgasms
It was perfection 😀
A few more training appointments later, here I am back at the casa, ready to shower my stinky face, kick back and watch DWTS 😀
Have a great night!
G$
Something to talk about: I feel like a goofer telling ya’ll about this, but I had a dream the other night that I keep thinking about. I was back in school, still training/teaching/blogging/cooking/shenanigan-ing and doing the same things I am now, but getting my Master’s in Finance (which is what I have my BSBA in). I had a teacher (who kinda looked like Jennifer Hudson) who was talking to me about my career. I told her that I felt like I needed to do something different and start my path in Finance, like I’d planned to this entire time. She looked at me and said “Listen. Many people have careers, but very few find their calling”.
I think what sparked the dream was that I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to be when I grow up. I don’t see myself being a trainer and aerobics teacher forever but with how much we move (and not having a clue where the military is going to send us), it makes things a little more challenging. The thing is, I’m lucky to be doing things I love.
So I’m wondering: what’s your career?? Is it the same thing as your “calling”? If you could do anything, what would it be???
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I’m a stay at home mom and for now, this is my calling, even though the pay leaves a little to be desired. I like being able to provide stability and consistency to our daughter’s life because my husband is in the Army and, as you know, with deployments, TDY assignments, etc… he’s not always available. I’m 33 and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. I like to get my hands dirty and think that baking is some capacity is my “dream” job.
I’m studying in the health care field and although it eats up so much of my time I love it and really feel its my calling! Do you find the chia seeds and Sun Warrior make your smoothies more filling? I usually make mine with fruit, veg, and almond milk only and find they aren’t filling.
I am one of the luckiest people in the world! My career is my calling: I teach, and I love it! Being with 24 5th graders is simply inspiring each and every day!
A hint about dreams: Forget the content. It’s how you feel during your dream that matters. What you feel in a dream is more indicative of what you are feeling in general. Just some food for thought I learned from a college professor!
very interesting- thank you!
I am an aspiring photographer. I graduate on May 7!! 🙂 My ultimate goal is to be a successful photographer for advertising agencies and such. Have my photos in magazines and on billboards 😉 Be Nike’s personal photographer? We’ll see!!!!
Would love to be right there with you Sammi! I honeslty believe I have 2 callings in life; working with youth and art! I majored in Social and Political Systems and Minored in Digital Media. I love working with youth (counseling in particular), but really have a lot for the arts; photography and music!
Hopefully I can continue school in the art field and see if that’s where I really wanna be. Already took care of the working with youth part in all of my work experience.
I totally need to make those super egg charged pancakes… So soooo good..
Cute site,
latteashley.blogspot.com
My career is doing sponsorship sales… I actually really like it, but I think working for a health/fitness centered company and selling their sponsorships would be a little more up my alley. I also love to write and that’s why I started blogging, plus that helps me be in the field I’m passionate about…. hmm not sure what my calling is exactly. I think I’m still trying to figure it out! 😛
I agree that for some of us the calling is ‘live life’. I personally have career ADD. I waitressed/bartended for a lifetime to get through college. Took my BS in finance and got a good finl. analysts job in software. Did all kinds of crazy jobs for the same company over a decade or so. Got a CFA designation. Took a couple years off and did real estate appraisal. Went back to the software co. but at the same time got a masters in library science. This week I start being a part time librarian at the local community college, in addition to my software/finance job. Best thing about my FT job is working entirely from home.
Reading about everyone’s careers is really interesting!
For those of you dying to go to college but thinking you can’t afford it (especially you teacher wanna-bes!), look into all the finl aid and loan forgiveness options! Education is THE BEST investment you can make in yourself, and borrowing to get the career you want is ok. My student loans were the best money I ever spent, and I never resented a payment. Think ‘in state’ tuition, and keep costs as low as possible, though. For teachers, you can take a job at tough, urban schools for 2 years and get a lot of your loans forgiven, I think.
I am currently on maternity leave from a district manager position with a large coffee chain. This time away has given me alot of time to think about what I would really like to be doing – as I’ve been doing the retail mgmt thing for 11yrs while always having an interest in nutrition, yoga & wellness. I’m contemplating a taking the plunge and getting certified as a PT and pursuing my degree in holistic nutrition. I have to make a decision in the next month so this is weighing heavily on me right now!
We only have one life right!!
I have a degree in PR/Corporate Communication and I’m the Director of Communications for a nonprofit. Like you, I’ve been thinking A LOT lately about my next job )we’re moving cross country – to Sacramento, CA- in 4 months). I’d love to do something in event planning but I’m also really interested in health/wellness/fitness…I’m just going to keep praying about it and trust God to provide me with a job that I will excel at + enjoy!
Your question really speaks of the way I feel too! Please don’t flame me, but my degree is in a large animal related field…I’d rather not say what since some people might lash out at me. I had a career for several years in that field and was happy. But being married to the Navy made it an impossible job to travel with. I own my own graphics/marketing business, closed it last year and only took referrals but have recently started back up. It’s not my “passion” however. What I feel my “calling” is right now activity…but not in a training sense. I’d love to get my Yoga Alliance 200, and as an unrelated thing, do outdoors guiding. (water, hike, etc)
Oh wow Samantha! I read your blog, it was Boats, Drinks and ??…right!!??
It made such an impact on my life. I stumbled on your blog a few years ago while I was working in Government Contracting, raising 2 boys and following my husband and his Naval career around. 🙂 It was your blog that motivated me to get off my a$$ and start doing what I love (RUNNING!!) I decided I would have to MAKE time for myself…because of YOUR blog! Seriously! I don’t think I ever commented or even let you know I was reading but suddenly you disappeared! 🙁
I’m taking this opportunity to say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
I’m still raising those 2 great boys and following my cute husband and his Naval career, but the Government Contracting thing, well, running and my sanity squished that! 🙂
(sorry for stealing a comment post but I had to let her know! 😉 )
Great dream! I’m going through this crisis today, actually! I have an English degree and currently work as a magazine editor, but know that in 2-3 years when we start having kids I’ll be a stay at home mommy until our youngest goes to school. Wondering if there’s a point to pursuing a “career” since I’ll be leaving it all behind in a couple years and then starting all over once our kids are grown. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on your career path!
Oh, and I’m getting certified in yoga as a backup plan!
about to finish my degree in nutrition and dietetics with a focus on prenatal and infant nutrition. im getting my RD in about a year(after my internship) and my lactation consultant specialist lisence this summer. it is MOST CERTAINLY what i am called to do i could not imagine my life ANY other way then helping mothers and babies be healthy, THE NATURAL way….i just have to fight thru school and it will be TOTALLY worth it 😉
do what you feel is right, dont let moving be an inhibitor, set standards for yourself.
you are a beautiful, smart(from what we can tell) and gracious woman, enjoy your life!
Toying with/considering getting an RD/Masters 🙂 I would love to help children and families especially in neighborhoods in the city which are impoverished learn how to eat well and cook when money and time are scarce…
Sara
Hey Gina! Question about chia seeds: Do you just throw them into the smoothie with the other ingredients or do you add them in at the end in your glass?
To answer your question, I have my BS in Accounting and I am now in grad school about to finish up my MS in Accounting. I wouldn’t exactly consider it my calling as I other passions but I do like it and I think that any kind of business degree is such as asset to every day life (esp. Finance and Accounting!) in terms of personal budgets, etc.
My current career is teaching Group Fitness and working Member Services at the YMCA. I just graduated in December with my degree in K-6 Education, but I am struggling hardcore right now with that, and even the thought of being a teacher next year and giving up my classes at the gym makes my heart hurt big time.
I can’t keep making a living off of classes and front desk work..so I either need to:
A) Get my Personal Training cert
B) Get a full time fitness job, ie Group Fitness Director or Program Director
or
C) Get a job teaching kids full time (yuck.)
Sorry for the rant, but I am particularly torn on this topic…and it was odd that you asked about it!
I am working toward my Master’s in Occupational Therapy and honestly can’t imagine ever doing anything else! The school part hasn’t been easy, but it’s definitely worth it when you see the difference you can make in a person’s life. It’s definitely a calling!
I’m a nurse in the emergency room and it is for sure my calling! I feel like it is what I was meant to do in life! I feel very lucky that I have found a career that I LOVE. Not many people can say that.
I received my BA in art history and education, and am currently working towards my MA in elementary education. Right now I am student teaching in a 5/6 combo class and I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!! I never update my blog, I get about three hours of sleep a night, I am gaining weight like crazy because my eating is totally out of whack, and I cry ALL THE TIME but holy cow, I love my job! Everyday is a new challenge! Plus, summer off (no pay but eh!)? Not too shabby…
I think my ‘calling’ will constantly evolve. I have a BA in journalism, and have been working in marketing for the past eight months. I graduated this past May, and if you would have asked me then about my love for food, I would have told you I read a few food/nutrition blogs and think it’s interesting. Now with my blog, I’m living it – so fun!
I’m a clinical health psychologist in training, and though I often work 80+ hours a week, I love what I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life.
Hi Kate! That’s exactly what I want to do too! I start my doctorate in clinical psych (with a specialization in health psychology) in the fall. I have my masters in clinical psych now and work with a specialized police unit doing mobile crisis work. It’s intense, rewarding, and dangerous. I absolutely love 911 psychiatric crisis work, but am really excited to start school to become a health psychologist. I’ll definitely be checking out your blog!
Hey chica,
Great post and question! I love career talk 🙂
I’m working on my PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology (in my 3rd year of 5). My thesis is the design of anti-leukemia drugs. When I graduate I’ll do post-doctoral research (similar to a residency, there is where you specialize in a particular area) in stem cell engineering (well that’s the plan so far, haha). In the long term I want to be a research scientist and run my own lab conducting researcheither in an academic setting or within a biotech company.
When I graduated college I was so confused as what to do for my career. Unfortunately med school or PhD’s take a while so I didn’t really have time to “figure it out” in the working world. After debating back and fourth over whether I wanted to be an MD or PhD, etc. I finally came to the conclusion of a PhD. I’d say two questions primarily guided my choice:
1) If I had to wake up every day and go to work doing something for no money at all (or similar pay for all jobs) what would I want to do?
2) What job can I do to make the greatest difference in the world for the greatest number of people?
I’m not sure those questions apply to all job decision making, but they helped me 🙂
I am the Volunteer Coordinator at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona. I love meeting awesome volunteers who selflessly give their time to grant the wishes to our amazing Wish Kids! I hope someday your dream career finds you, but for now you are rocking it with this blog! 🙂
Full time Fitness Professional in SF…. and yes it is my calling! Growing up in a gym… with a fitness instructor for a mother does that I guess. Knew I wanted to teach since age 14…. still following the dream! Hoping to present at fitness conferences, consult for major fitness companies, and create a few more fitness videos 🙂 I feel so lucky that I get to share exercise, energy, and endorphins with others. Hopefully I help others find more strength and energy to enjoy life! 🙂
Good luck with the knee tomorrow sweetie!
I’m a neurologist, working more specifically with multiple sclerosis patients. I believe I have truly found my calling and even though my work days can be long and exhausting, I don’t see myself in any other field.
I also have a masters in Neurosciences and will be soon starting my PhD. I work on developing new imaging techniques in MS and I find my research activity very complementary to my clinical activity. I am constantly thinking about what kind of career I’d like to have in the long run and I came to the conclusion that I would love to devote a big portion of my time to research. But I’d never want to stop seeing patients. They are my inspiration.
What an amazing question. My calling now is to be a mother, but trust, me, it wasn’t always! I never thought I’d have a baby…never. I was a total free spirit and that’s changed some with a child 🙂 I still haven’t found my role in life and this is something that I struggle with…I have many degrees, BA and Masters in Psych, to my real estate lic, to being a certified lactation educator as I am passionate bout nursing, to my 500 Hr yoga certification, but i am always searching. I am the perpetual student. And have had more jobs and roles than you can shake a stick at. I wonder if i will ever be satisfied or truly fulfilled. what a great question!
I posted tonite about veganism and how my take on it has undergone a shift from that of health to compassion. I would love to hear your take on it if you have time.
Have a lovely day, Gina!
xoxo 🙂
Hi Gina! Wow – I could have written this post 10 years ago..I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life! I was working in health and fitness which I though was my dream job but my boss was a workaholic and thought we should all be like her…ugh. I had other life stuff going on as well that made me unhappy too..BUT one of my coworkers suggested career testing and you know what? IT HELPED! I am now a Marriage and Family Therapist and I LOVE MY WORK. Actually, I just started working with military families! I love health and wellness, just as a hobby for me. I love connecting, building relationships and I am honored to hear people’s stories and the fact they trust me to tell me their pain, joy, confusion, fear, etc…totally humbling. I would suggest the “Strong-Interest Inventory” test if you have access to career testing…
And feel free to contact me if you have questions about the field of counseling/MFT or career testing.
OH! ANd I also agree with the earlier poster on how you feel about your dreams..not the content! If you were my client, I’d spend some time with you on your feelings around this issue…I think you are already processing it well though!! Best of luck!! lisa
As cheesy as it sounds, because I feel like all teachers say this, teaching is my career AND my calling. I honestly can’t see myself doing something other than working in the field of education and, for now, I truly believe that teaching English to 125 eighth graders is the most rewarding thing I could be doing with my life. I definitely have my “off” days, where I also wonder what I’m going to be when I grow up or if this was the right path for me to follow, but then one of my students will come up to me and tell me that they’ve never enjoyed an English class before mine, or that they never would have been able to understanding Shakespeare without my help, and I remember how much I love what I do : )
Hey Gina!
This is a GREAT question and I’m so glad you asked it.
While I’m studying nutrition/journalism at Framingham State College, I’m ALSO working on making my dreams a reality.
My dream is to become a successful fulltime singer/songwriter. My demo is half done. I’d love to send it to you so that you can take a listen!
Just e-mail me if you’d like to hear it. You’ll get an exclusive sneak peak. [;
Love,
Heather
send it to me!!! fitnessista at gmail dot com
i’d LOVE to hear it 🙂
My career is mom first. Work-wise, I am self-employed doing medical transcription. I got my college degree in nutrition and worked in that field for a while, but once kids came into the picture I wanted a less demanding job so I started doing transcription. I like it because I work from home and make my own hours. I’m here for my kids whenever they need me, but still bringing in money.
My calling? I honestly would have to say that working at WIC and/or drug and alcohol rehab feel the most authentic to me. I’ve done both and they were where I felt the most fulfilled, career-wise. Once the kids are grown I will probably go back and do one of those again.
I don’t have a career right now, as I am still in culinary school. However, I took a break from getting my undergrad in nutrition, because I didn’t feel it was my “calling”. I still want my degree, just for the credibility, but I knew I wanted to take a more natural, food-based approach to nutrition, and that is exactly what I plan on doing!
xo
K
I knew all of my life that I wanted to pursue a career in public service – and here I am. I’m the Legislative Director for a Senator, and I’ve been here since I graduated (approx. 2 years ago). It’s really funny how things turn out, because I never actually thought I’d ever be here – it was just kind of this far-away dream that I had. It’s definitely a challenging career, though – government jobs of this kind do NOT pay much at all, and my soon-to-be-hubby (2 months!) is a public school teacher. Needless to say, we’re not bringing in loads of cash-monay — but we’re both really devoted to government service, so it all weighs out.
But, I’m young – only 24. Who knows what can happen 5 years down the line. You’re proof alone that LOTS can change (for the good) if you really want it to. I’d love to someday pursue my passion for fitness and nutrition. There’s no politics in healthy living 😉
Hey Claire,
Do you live in DC???
Lauren – No, I don’t (wish I did!). I live in Columbus, OH 🙂
haha small world, I’m originally from Marysville! Currently living in the Philly ‘burbs
Have you ever tried almond flour pancakes? I blogged about them a few days ago here http://wecookwhenwecan.wordpress.com/2010/03/28/saturday-breakfast/
I got a masters in health communication and work as a communication specialist. Basically, I translate complicated medical information in a way that is easy to understand and actionable. I like my career quite a bit, but I think my calling is to do something where I work more directly with people.
A few things to add–
I second the Strong Interest Inventory. Excellent tool for me!
In my career ADD list I forgot to mention raising my 10 year old daughter, kind of a biggie!
Sparkpeople has an article on this very topic today, for anyone interested in reading more. http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=how_i_found_my_passion
I am currently in the process of quitting my job to persue my calling…I hope. I have been a Realtor for a couple of years and I can’t stand it. As I’ve told you before, last year I found your blog and you encouraged me to straighten my life up and put my health on the top of my to-do list. I lost a chunk of weight, learned how to treat my body with care, and got a better over all sense of worth. Its because of these changes, and because of this blog, that I realized my career path needed a re-vamping too. I’ve recently decided to leave the world of real estate and, instead, open my own resale clothing boutique. Yep, I’m leaving a high paying, fast paced job…to own a thrift shop. And I couldn’t be happier. (Not to say that I’m not also terrified!!!) Cheers to you finding whatever makes you happy!!!
Also…coming from a girl who’s spent her entire life shuffling from state to state and country to country courtesy of the US Army…don’t let the military moves put a damper on your career. Find what you love, and then find a way to make it mobile. One day you guys will settle down somewhere, but until then, make your dreams and goals work for your current situation. You are super creative and you have big dreams…you will find a way to make the best out of this!! 🙂
Funny, I have a Finance BSBA too, and finance is NOT my calling, haha. I’m a CPA now and trying to save money so I can go to grad school for something I’m more passionate about: speech pathology. I can’t wait to work with kids instead of calculators 🙂 It’s funny where life takes us!
My dream career would just be anything where I get to work with people and help them. Whether it be with a non-profit, or training and helping others with lifestyle changes would be amazing. I would LOVE to be a trainer on the Biggest Loser as crazy as that may sound but There is so much more to Health than the physical elements (spiritual, environmental etc.) and I think they touch on all of those aspects in the show. There is more to weight gain than just eating a lot….there are so many different life events that distract a person from concentrating on themselves and I would love to just be someone for them to talk to and help.
Well, I’m 48, and I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
If you’d asked me when I was your age, I’d have told you an artist. And I had my own graphic design business for 13 years . . . til I totally burned out on that.
So you don’t necessarily have to have just one career, is what I’m trying to say.
I’ve only moved a few times in my life, but those have always been due to my husband’s job, and yes, that does make having your own career challenging. I’m not very driven in the career department, tho, so that helps. In fact, at the moment I’m not working at all. Which would actually suit me fine, except for the lack of disposable income!
I’m in school to be an RD and I hate it! I hate science and it’ll require 8 more chemistry and biology courses to graduate. I’m thinking of changing my major to Food & Nutrition and dropping the Dietetics part. the most recent dietetics project I worked on was pretty similar to what I’d be doing as an RD and I hated it 🙁 I thought I’d found my future in becoming an RD but now I’m back at “what do I want to do with my life?!” I’m interested in sports nutrition because it combines my love of sports + nutrition but I don’t see much of a career in that field. I’m really not sure what to do but I need to make decisions quickly with the Fall semester coming and my age going up (I still live at home) and my $ not existing.
I think sometimes your passions and career choices change over time. Like right now, I enjoy part time work in order to be home with my kids in the afternoon. Probably not my dream job, but I enjoy the people I work with and it’s flexible.
I am an instructional designer and NO it is not my calling. I am good at it, but I don’t love it. Unfortunately, I can’t off-hand name something that I would love to quite my job to do. Unless reading books and watching TV can be a career. 😉
I relatively recently, and accidentally, discovered my calling, but haven’t been able to transition to it yet. Right now I work as a social science researcher, the result of a well-crafted, deftly executed life plan. And it bores me to tears.
For an 18 month period when I moved to a new town, I stumbled into working as a children’s therapist, thinking I wouldn’t like it, but that it would do while I searched for the perfect post-grad research job.
Instead, I fell totally, head over heels in love with therapy from the very first session I ever did. The work demands match my personality so perfectly, it doesn’t feel like work. But besides this one temporary job, it is not possible to be a therapist without MORE grad school. So, I am back to research and figuring out my transition plan.
Degree is in Human Relations. At the time, I wanted to be in politics and thought an HR background would help. I decided that I didn’t like politics so I became a caseworker for the state. Dumb idea. How backwards was that. So now I’m in the process of getting my teaching certificate. It is my calling and I’m excited to finally do it.