Mumble Jumble
Hey hey hey 😀 Hope you’re having a fabulous almost-Friday! I LOVE reading all of your name suggestions for the cafe!! I knew you would be an amazing resource and I can’t wait to meet with the owners and pick one out. We’ll let you know tomorrow 🙂
The rest of yesterday started out mellow, then turned into a frantic scatterbrained frenzy.
Lunch was glorious:
I made a Thai-style salad beast, by putting greens, bell pepper, shredded carrot, cucumber, fresh pineapple and 1/2 diced avocado into a bowl
Then topped it off with a dressing made of raw almond butter, rice wine vinegar, cayenne and Nama shoyu and fresh cilantro
Face was rocked 😀
Next time I think I’ll skip out on the avocado, though. The salad had plenty of healthy fat from the almond butter and didn’t technically need more, but the taste didn’t match as well as I thought it would. Mung bean sprouts would be great in this, too 😉
I had a training appointment, came back to the casa to walk the puppers and make dinner to pack up and take to the gym.
Tonight was the Jumble-aya from Eat, Drink and Be Vegan (I’ve made this before, and knew it would be perfect to have after work).
I packed it up into containers to take to the gym, and one for the pilot:
When the batch was finished (using sticky brown rice.. one of my favorite carby delights), I was really, really hankering for some sweets.I didn’t think it would hit me so soon (Lent started THAT DAY) but I think it was the fact that I was subconsciously telling myself to stay away from them. This my friends is why diets are painful and often unsuccessful. What makes you want something more than anything in the world? Telling yourself you can’t have it.
Lent obviously isn’t a *diet* but staying away from sweets has that same forbidden attitude, which should make these 40 days very interesting (and very rewarding when I stuff my face with a Liz Lovely cookie, or three, on Easter).
To fill the *sweets void* I had some brown rice cereal:
After leaving the casa and getting to base for pilates, I realized that I left my base ID at home. I did this last week, too, and they will NOT let you on base without an ID. It doesn’t matter how much you beg, tell them you work there, or bribe with raw macaroons… they just won’t go for it. Last week, I drove the half hour home to get the ID then back to base (and missed pilates) but tonight I just wasn’t going to do it. Thank goodness Ashley met me on base to get a visitor’s pass for me (thank you, friend).
Zumba was glorious, and then I came to the squadron to wait for the pilot who is debriefing right now after his flight.
I wrote this post from the squadron bar (yes, they have a bar at their place of employment) and munched my jumble-aya.
Usually don’t mind hanging out at the squadron but I couldn’t wait to get home, take a shower and put some jammies on 😉
The pilot and I came back to the casa and CRASHED!
I’m off to make some green juice, meet Ashley at the gym and then go for a run. I *will not* let the cold get in my way….
See ya this afternoon <3
xoxo,
Gina
Q & A (from the Ask Me Anything page)
You have a huge amount of people that follow your blog, which is awesome! How did you get people to notice it in the beginning?
In the beginning, I just wrote my little heart out about things I know and care about. I also made sure to read and leave quality comments on other blogs (more than “looks good!” but tried to think of something fun and different to say) with hopes that other blog readers and bloggies would visit my blog. I kept on trucking on, and am very fortunate to have the amazing readership I have today.
What exactly is in the Indian dish that you always get? Any other suggestions for healthy, low-cal Indian food?
I LOVE baigan bhartha (pureed eggplant with tomatoes, peas and spices) and dal bukara (which has lentils and spices), with some tandoori roti (whole wheat naan) to scoop everything up 😀 Other low-cal and healthy options are veg jalfreezi (mixed veggies, I ask for no potatoes), channa masala (chickpeas with tomatoes and spices) and (assuming you eat meat) anything from the tandoori menu, which is grilled meat with peppers and onions.
I’m training for a half marathon & trying to lose about 7 lbs. Online I’ve found that I should eat 1395 calories/day to lose, yet I see so many bloggers who eat WAY more than that and maintain a low weight. Any thoughts on this??
I think that during training isn’t a very good time to focus on weight loss goals, as you can inefficiently fuel yourself and result in injury. Some bloggers have super metabolisms, which I wasn’t blessed with, and I know for me, I wouldn’t be able to eat as many calories as they do (or the types of food they do) on a regular basis and maintain my weight. Every body is different and it really is an art to find what works for you. I’d say focus on your half marathon training and goals (making sure to fuel your body with the best nutrients and not worry too much about calories), and if the additional training doesn’t get you where you want to be, tweak your eats once the half is over.
When I’ve seen you have goat cheese on your salads at restaurants, is that on the menu or are you asking for it? Do most restaurants have goat cheese as a substitute in their kitchens?
Many restaurants carry goat cheese, and if they do, I’ll ask for some on my salad instead of whatever cheese is offered. Usually I’ll scope out the menu to see if “goat cheese” is a component of any of the meal options and if it is, you can bet your booty I’m asking for some 😀
if/when you have babies…how many do you and pilot want? Will you raise them vegetarian/pescatarian or no? and will you continue to make menus and be head chef for the cafe even when you move? ps I think you rock 🙂
I want 2, and the pilot wants 100 (haha), so maybe we’ll compromise and have 3? We’ll have to see how all of that goes 😀 We want to raise our kids eating white meat only (organic), with red meat on occasion (kind of how the pilot eats), but if they decide they don’t want to eat meat later on, that’s fine too.
I’d love to continue to make menus for the cafe after I move- I hope it works out that way!
how much do you weigh? you talk about weight being just a number but how do you know if you’re gaining ‘weight” or muscle??
I don’t like to talk about weight on the blog for obvious reasons. That information wouldn’t help anyone and would just make readers compare themselves to me, which is just silly because the chances are very low that they would have the same height, weight, activity level, body fat, and age as I do. Every so often, I pinch myself with the calipers (or have a friend do it) to check my body fat but usually I’ll just go by how my clothes fit. If my jeans are comfy, things are bueno. If they start to get tight, it’s time to evaluate my workout routine and eats (by going through my planner).
what nationality is "the pilot?"
A mix of seksi, hawt, Irish and German 🙂
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I can’t wait to hear what you name the cafe! I was trying to think up something cute and creative…but was just at a loss. Great salad- I’m totally having veggies with a peanut sauce later- can’t wait! Great answers to the questions- I especially like how you addressed the weight question. 100 babies? hahah
I appreciate the fact that you aren’t discussing your weight in terms of actual numbers on the blog. I agree that that just isn’t helpful because it leads to unnecessary and unproductive comparisons. Your emphasis on the fact that every person and every body is unique is inspirational! 🙂
You have such a talent creating your salad beasts! I luv luv luv salads but often feel less than creative with my ingredients. I think I’m going to have to just start chopping, throwing more things in there and GO! 🙂
I’m so excited to hear what you decide on! Great Q&A– and thanks for refraining from posting your “numbers.” The only thing that matters is your health!
Great answers to the Q & A!
I can’t eat sugar for a while due to health reasons and brown rice cereal has become my thing when I really feel like I “need” something. I also enjoy sweet potatoes, carrots and squash. It is amazing how sweet those things taste when you are going without sugar. I’ve been at it for about four weeks and I am really starting to get into the swing of things.
Love reading the Q&A too! I decided to give up all white flour for Lent. I am usually good about not eating it, but one the weekends when we go out to dinner or when I am with my family or my hubby’s I’ll give into it. I’m a little nervous doing it because I know I’ll get some comments from people at work (because they always have comments on me not eating pizza with them) but I’m going to do it!
That salad you had looks really good, I have to try out that dressing!
I really liked your answers to the Q & A! I’m sure I have some questions for you floating around somewhere, I will think of them and then ask!
Oh yeah…I do have a question! I know you use the flipcam to make your videos (you should make more btw ;)). Do you like it? I am looking into getting an inexpensive cam to do some bloggy vids. Would you recommend it?
i LOVE the flip 🙂
Thank you so much for this wonderful blog. I have learned so much from you! I’m new to eating healthy and processed free foods. Just a quick question – what brand of millet and nutrtional yeast to you buy? I’ve never had either and would like to try them. Thank you!!
Haha love the Q&A!
I can’t wait to hear what you decide on for the cafe. You got so many great suggestions. I love your answer to “What nationality is the Pilot?”. haha.
I just love reading your blog everyday. You really inspire me to exercise and eat right! Esp. love your salad beasts.
Salad looks so good! And I have been wanting to try Indian (hopefully I can talk hubby into trying it out too) and wondering what to order so your Q & A on that helped big time. Thanks!
Hehe I love that last Q&A!
Your salad beast looks awesome. Mine alway look like a huge mess but yours turn out SO pretty and colorful! I need plating tips.
Ooh, I haven’t tried that ED&BV recipe yet. I’ll have to check it out 🙂 “Looks good” 😉 hahaha
I love baigan bhartha thanks to you now!
I love how you describe the pilot – you clearly have so much affection for him and I hope that I am lucky enough to have that one day!!
I love the way you described the nationality of the Pilot. You both are too dang adorable.
I am loving hearing you talk about the pilot. I have a feeling he won’t want 100 babies after he experiences life with a newborn, my hubby went from wanting 3-6 to 1-2 pretty quickly:)
I have seen so many fitness magazines say to eat an apple when you want sweets. I don’t know about you but honestly an apple sounds very unappealing when I want something sweet!
I think we’re all excited to here about your name choice for the cafe! Also your dinner looks yumm-o!
-emily http://www.emilyeatsclean.wordpress.com
That salad looks awesome (minus the cilantro; it always tastes like soap to me). A huge salad is my favorite meal. I love reading all your Q&A answers. Thanks for sharing!
Haven’t eaten pineapple since I got back from Thailand. This salad makes me want some, BADLY.
I’m so excited for you about the cafe! I really can’t wait to follow you in the process. My family is in the exploratory planning stages of a cafe/sandwich shop and I love to hear about other’s experiences.
Ooh, your taste buds must have read my mind… I’m craving a Thai-like salad today! 😉
I love all the cafe name ideas from yesterday! I already have a favorite name from the suggestions, so I’m excited to hear what you pick!!
Hey girl 🙂
The salad looks fab! One ques, what is Nama shoyu and where do you get it?? Thanks!!!
xx
Lauren
you’re really the cutest blogger ever…i love how sassy you are! i don’t know if there’s been a post i haven’t smiled all the way through…except the one when Viesa was sick, that kinda made me tear up!
thanks for answering those questions for us!
My ‘favorite salad dressing ever’ is very similar to the dressing that you made yesterday, so I thought that I would share my recipe: 2 T peanut butter, 2 T soy sauce, 2 tsp hot sauce (Frank’s Red Hot or Tabasco), and 2 tsp rice wine vinegar. Heavenly! Also, I try to eat a variety of greens, and I have never heard of or tried rainbow chard. Thank you for mentioning it. I can’t wait to pick some up.
I really appreciate that you don’t obsess about #s on the scale (at least not w/us). It’s a very healthy habit!
your a wonderful person Gina! i didn’t know seksi and hawt were a nationality, lol your last answer made me crack up =)
have a marvelous day!
I think sweets would be a very hard thing to give up. I don’t each much of them, but I sure love coming home to half a glass of wine or a square of dark chocolate!!
me, too girl 🙂
Thanks for posting the Q&A, I love reading other people’s questions and how you respond. I was especially happy to see one on how to gain a bigger following on your blog. I started mine up a year or so ago, butt hen right at my peak reader-ship I had to stop because of crazy events in my outer-blogger life. Now I feel like I’m starting from scratch!
I have another idea for a name although it’s kind of just funny… “Hal-Baked” since you’ll be using a dehydrator on lots of things 😉
I love reading your q&a! Good job steering clear of your sweet tooth. It’s funny how when you can’t have something you want it so bad!
I always admire your salad monsters. Tonight I’m making the salad for our weekly roommate Thursday night feast. What are your favorite ingredients to use? Also, the Goddess dressing has soy sauce in it (which includes wheat) so I can’t have it. What other dressings do you like to use on those beasts?
hey jess!
i love topping it with bell pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms, avocado (squirt some lemon juice on it so it doesnt brown) and raw crackers (or mary’s crack) instead of croutons. organicville makes an amazing balsamic (Sweetened with agave)
I love your blog and I think it’s great that you don’t post your height or weight up- that’s so important- three cheers for Gina!
sexy, hawt irish and german – haha love it!!! you both are gorgeous 🙂
i too love goat cheese. i get all nervous though when i ask for substitutions at restaurants, but i have to just suck it up i guess. thanks for the tips on indian food! your indian meals always make me want to try more indian!
I LOVE Thai food. It’s amazing that you’re answering all these questions!! cheers for the amazing food pics!! xx
thanks for the great indian recommendations! i love indian but can get intimidated by the menus and stick to my tried and true favorites! and thank you for that little part about weight-there’s so much more to a person than that pesky number on the scale!
Thank you for answering the q&a’s so honestly. I really appreciate the answer to the question regarding training for a half marathon. I am currently training for my first half and have been reading a book (Racing Weight by Matt Fitzgerald) that focuses on reaching a healthy weight by eating to fuel your workouts. I love the idea of eating to fuel your body, not depriving it of calories to be skinny.
Hi Gina! I love your description of the pilot’s nationality- too cute 🙂 You’ve talked about him being on deployment before. I was wondering if you have any tips on how to cope? My guy may be deploying shortly after we return from our honeymoon 🙁
i’m sorry to hear he may be deploying soon 🙁
my best advice is to focus on you (eat well, exercise– it’s great motivation while they’re away) and stay busy! i found myself getting the most sad and lonely when i was bored.
Your mardi gras food looks yum. I enjoy your Q&A; funny.
It is so strange. This is the third food blog this week that has featured a jambalaya. There must be something in the water or something, haha.
By the way, I am loving the questions at the end of the posts! It’s a nice way to get to know you a little better 🙂 Good luck on choosing a name for your cafe tomorrow! Can’t wait to hear the verdict!!
The salad looks amazing!!! I love fruit in salads but I’ve never used pineapple… silly me! 😀
Thanks for the answer on the half marathon.. I didn’t ask it but it was exactly what I needed to hear.. I am training for a half and getting frustrated because I am not losing weight.
I really like your answer re: training for a race & focusing on weight after. And I’m really glad someone asked about Indian food bc I’m going to my first Indian restaurant tonight! Now I have some ideas!
Stopping by again to say this salad inspired me…I’m gonna recreate something similar to feed my boyfriend (he loooooves cilantro and pineapple, I bet he’s never had them together).
Your salads always look so yummy! I try to replicate them, but I think I put in too many ingredients…I was gaining weight from my salads! LOL! I will have to try the jambalaya recipe, I have that cookbook too 🙂
Love that jumbleaya, I need to make it again! ED&BV is genius.
You are an inspiration, all your answers are so thoughtful!
xo
K
all your pictures rock my face! haha
I love reading up on your Q&A, learning a lot about you!
I’m craving Indian food now! Those dishes sound great. Do you ever attempt to make Indian dishes at home?
Your Jumble-aya looks interesting! I haven’t made that for such a long time (not the vegetarian version, but the regular stuff).
Thanks for your comment on the half marathon and weight loss. I didn’t ask it, but I’m also training for a half marathon and am looking to lose weight as well. I’ve started with 3 runs in a week – one long run, one easy run, and one interval run. I find that my eating is going well so far, but I’m sure once I start to up my running schedule, I’ll need fuel. Since I’m just in the beginning stages, I’m hoping to lose weight as I go along.
K
omg I had the exact feelings yesterday! I gave up sweets for lent, and while i’m not viewing it as a diet(at all!!) it def made it hit home why dieting and cutting otu big groups of food doesn’t work!!
I do the same thing when I tell myself I’m not going to have chocolate, I woke up this morning craving chocolate hardcore!