Emily's Eats: October 6, 2014.
Aaaand we're back! To keep the weekly tradition going, here's what I ate last Monday. (I know, I know, I'm running behind... Might have to turn this into a bi-weekly thing.)
Breakfast || Vega One protein smoothie with spinach, banana, strawberries, puréed pumpkin, & unsweetened almond milk. Coffee with coconut milk creamer (not pictured). If you've not yet tried Vega One's nutritional shake, I highly recommend that you do. It's packed full of good nutrients (think super greens, probiotics, and omega-3s), but I honestly just love it because of the delicious taste! My favorite flavors are Vanilla Chai and Berry, but my dad prefers old-fashioned Chocolate. Add frozen fruit and your choice of milk/milk substitute, blend all together, and you've got yourself a protein-packed milkshake, perfect for a post-workout snack or meal.
Lunch || Chipotle salad with barbacoa, grilled veggies, black beans, corn, spicy salsa, lettuce, & guacamole. I was never a huge fan of Chipotle in college (even though there was one right across the street from campus and another located near my office building), but nowadays, I find myself craving the Mexican fast food at least once a week. What's funny is that I've never even ordered a burrito! I'm afraid if I do, I'll never go back.
Snack(s) || chai tea latte (tea bag steeped in hot soy milk) + 85% dark chocolate. My sweet tooth's idea of an afternoon pick-me-up.
Dinner || bacon-wrapped chicken kabob + steamed veggies + small sweet potato. Hard pumpkin cider to wash it down. Monday nights are usually when family comes together, and last week we had quite the crowd. My talented mom whipped up a big, healthy meal for seven of us (cousins, siblings, and significant others included) in no time. She also surprised me with this fun seasonal beverage to sip on while everyone else enjoyed a cold beer before dinner. Living at home definitely has its perks.
Dessert || a slice of grain-free, dairy-free chocolate pudding pie. At first taste, I wasn't a fan of this recipe, mostly because the pudding had this weird, goopy consistency (which I now realize was because of the arrowroot flour—omit it if you plan to make!). After sitting in the freezer for a few hours, though, the texture was much more appealing. It kind of reminded me of one of those frozen ice cream pies we used to buy at the store. Not bad, but not the best paleo dessert I've ever made. (However, this didn't keep me from finishing it off over the course of the next week. I just can't say no to dessert.) You win some, you lose some, I guess.
Any new recipes you've tried recently? I'm always up for recommendations!
Life as we know it.
First time New Yorker who recently landed an editorial job with Oxford University Press. Making her dreams come true, one history book at a time. Perfectionist. Feeling the nauseating effects of being a romantic idealist in a world of unrequited love. Caught up in real-life scenarios that can only be described as a dizzying mix of "Sex and the City," "Seinfeld," and "Miranda."
University of Texas grad with a B.A. in English. Former straight-A student, future bestselling author. Moved back home to work for her family's small business, currently transitioning into the world of advertising. Unintentionally breaking her parents' hearts as she mends her own. Newly single and making the most of her twenties. Ready to take on the world.
Aspiring journalist who somehow ended up in the oil industry. Relentless daydreamer. Getting her own place, preparing for so-called "adult life." In love for the first time and traveling every chance she gets. Figuring out what makes her happy, constantly questioning her calling. Learning to be okay with the fact that she can't please everyone.
Baylor graduate and PA school applicant. Anxiously awaiting a decision that will determine her future career. The busiest of bees, working alongside an esteemed and somewhat eccentric cardiologist. Keeping a long-distance relationship (of four years) alive while sharing a home with her parents and little brother. Saving money now, saving lives later.
◊ ◊ ◊
Four girls, all twenty-two. Different situations, similar challenges. As we've come to find out, life after college is a huge adjustment. In the past 6 months, I've seen the struggles that my three best friends face on a daily basis, most of which I have experienced myself. Insecurity, heartbreak, rejection, family drama, confusion, societal pressure, and self-doubt have reared their ugly heads in an attempt to test our strength during such an unstable time in our lives. It just comes with the territory, I guess. The good news, though, is that we have each other—and so many others who constantly support and inspire us. We recognize how fortunate we are, and we're taking each life lesson with a grain of salt. I don't expect it to get easier from here on out; in fact, things are sure to only get more complicated as we turn that sharp corner into adulthood. But I'd like to think we're not completely unprepared.
Without further ado, the most important lessons we've learned from our first year as post-grads:
At 22, you're only starting out. You're not expected to have all of your shit together. In fact, it'd be a little strange if you did. Take one day at a time.
Wear a dress that's too short. Have a beer after work. When someone invites you to go anywhere, say yes. And go. You'll never be this young again. Stay out too late. Kiss too much. Laugh too loudly. Dance like an idiot. Trust your friends. Listen to your parents, but don't make decisions because of them.
Learn how to cook immediately and make it a habit. Eating out for every meal is no longer acceptable.
Don't be afraid to text your friends in the middle of the day with your woes. Just don't do it every day. There are only so many times you can say, "This Monday. I can't even," or "Why is he SUCH an idiot?"
Be humble. You don't know everything.
It's okay to live with your parents while you're transitioning. There's no shame in it, as long as you're being proactive. Just make sure to help Mom out with the dishes and laundry every now and again.
Chances are, you will not snag your dream job right out of college. Heck, you'll be lucky to be working in your industry of choice! If your first job is hardly what you wanted or expected, it's not the end of the world. You have the rest of your life to get where you want to be, career-wise. Build up your experience now, be picky later.
The key to happiness is girlfriends and good wine. Put them together and you have all you'll ever need to keep you sane.
Work hard and pay your dues. Don't lose sight of your dreams and surround yourself with people who inspire you to make them a reality. Plan for the future, but do your best to live in the moment. Don't let college friendships fall to the wayside. Savor the moments of uncertainty because one day your life will be predictable and boring. ;)
Date nice boys. Assholes will only bring you down.
Don't stop learning just because you're out of school. Take the chance to read that author you haven't yet read. Spend time in an area of a museum with which you are completely unfamiliar. Watch documentaries. Talk to new people. If you do all of this, you'll be able to balance your life and actually have an answer when someone asks, "So what are your hobbies?"
Nobody can dictate the course of your life but you. Ask for advice when you need it, but always go with your gut.
At 22, you'll probably have to face a lot of the insecurities, fears, and flaws you hid from throughout school. So face them, but use them as aids in maturing, not as hobbles. Sometimes, when battling these little menaces, you'll have to throw a good old-fashioned tantrum. Embrace it. You'll feel better afterwards. But do it and move on because no one likes a dwelling pessimist. And if you really get into a rut, remember what interests and ambitions brought you to where you are now. It's easy to forget those initial passions when you're bogged down by the difficulties and stresses of everyday life, but the big picture really is most important, and it'll save you from despair and bitterness.
There you have it, friends: just a few words of wisdom from a group of girls currently living miserable and magical lives. Thanks to my amazing pals (whose names will be kept anonymous despite their obvious identities) for their contributions to this post!
Rainy day in Kemah.
I was uploading the photos from my grandparents' 60th anniversary party last night when I happened upon these special gems taken at the beginning of the summer. One weekend back in June, Scott surprised me with a little last-minute road-trip to Kemah—such a romantic, that one—but it wasn't until we arrived that we realized what kind of weather we were in for. Sadly, it rained the entire afternoon, and we were forced to take cover in the retail stores near the boardwalk. We spent an unnecessary amount of time in the candy shop (because why not?) waiting for the clouds to clear and stocking up on a variety of gummy bears (Scott's favorite). When the sun finally started to come out again, we braved the lingering storm to walk along the waterfront hand-in-hand. As one might expect on such a day, the park was pretty secluded. And there we were, just the two of us, laughing and reminiscing under an umbrella, happy in love and grateful for our newfound time with one another. Even though we didn't have the best luck with the weather, it was still one of those sweet occasions that I'll always remember when I think back to our first summer together in Houston.
Emily's Eats: September 29, 2014.
Looking over what I ate Monday, I'm somewhat astounded to see how much I've been cooking lately! Preparing my own meals and baking my own treats has always been a priority for me—as it truly is the best (and sometimes only) way to eat healthfully—but I could never seem to pave out enough time in college to make the habit stick. Now that I'm working a full-time job instead, I'm finding it much easier to incorporate some form of cooking into my daily schedule.
Breakfast || sweet potato crusted spinach quiche + orange juice + coffee with coconut milk creamer. The best part about cooking your own food? Leftovers! I made this quiche for brunch last weekend after Kristen and Marissa spent the night, and lucky for me, there was one piece left in the fridge when Monday rolled around. I, for one, am a huge fan of traditional quiche (buttery crust and all), but this sweet potato crusted version is just as yummy. Plus, it's super simple to make! Totally beats a Larabar.
Lunch || drunken pumpkin chili topped with nutritional yeast. It's pumpkin season, y'all. Be prepared for pumpkin everything from now on, because I'm kind of addicted to the fall fruit. And as far as this hearty chili goes, I'd say I'm starting the season off right. It's all sorts of delicious. (Scott even said this was his favorite meal of mine he's ever tried!) I'll definitely be cooking this dish again.
Snack(s) || almond milk latte + banana with almond butter. In honor National Coffee Day, I splurged on an iced latte from my new favorite coffee shop, Amille's Coffee Bar. They serve fresh handmade pastries (instead of frozen) and use milk that comes only from a local family-run farm, making this place a little more appealing than my neighborhood Starbucks.
Dinner || turkey meatloaf + mashed sweet potatoes + green beans. A well balanced meal for family night! (The meatloaf may look like a pile of mush, but it was actually really tasty. I'm still working on my presentation skills, obviously.)
Dessert || red wine + a square or two of 88% dark chocolate (not pictured). Woo antioxidants!
I still consider myself a complete novice in the kitchen (especially when it comes to baking), and I'm quite possibly the slowest cook ever (chopping vegetables should not take twenty minutes), but at least I'm learning and having fun in the meantime. Right?
Touring Europe: Berlin.
As it turns out, most of the preconceived notions I had about Germany proved to be true within the first hour or so of my visit: For one, Berlin was definitely one of the cleanest cities I toured in Europe; two, the locals have no shame in speaking candidly (or even rudely) to tourists; and three, everyone sure does love their beer. Beyond these rather meaningless stereotypes, however, I found a place heavily seeped in history, burdened by its troubled past and haunted by previous generations' stories of tragedy, fear, bravery, and love.
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