New Moon

I saw New Moon twice! and I did not leave the movie critizing it (that much) as I did with Twilight. I disliked Twilight a lot, I don't know why I even bought the DVD! But...but New Moon was pretty awesome, it went straight to the action, point, and it finally took long enough til we all saw Taylor's 6-pack. Kristen Stewart made such a big improvement on her acting from the 1st saga. I can't believe Eclipse is coming out in less than 6 months!

Haha, this was before Twilight came out, I remember it feeling more real that Twilight was close to showing, but then I got disappointed haha.

Goodnight! got to drink my sugar cookie and do more homework :o(

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Sharing

Tim and I went to Coco's because we were suuuuuuper hungry.

Tim got the angus steak (well-done) with carmalized onions, garlic bread, and mashed potato on the side.

As for me, I got the red snapper with bruschetta, steamed spinach with onions, and pilaf rice. YUM! it was delicious and and filled me up well. I was very content.


I was just testing out my new camera by this point. Sadly I returned the Nikon Coolpix s570 because it didn't live up to my expectations. What I see on the screen before I take the picture doesn't exactly turn out the way I want it. So I need to do a bit of research for a new camera, or just live with my camera phone for now.

Yesterday I hung out with my friend (ex-boyfriend) Sean. We decided we would rather be friends than enemies. He is like one of my bestfriends, but I have to admit, it confuses me a bit on how I should "act" around him. There's a tad bit of a role strain on if I am being a friend or what...I started wondering whether the sayings are true. That you shouldn't be friends with your ex? or maybe that is all made up in my head.

Anyway his mom gave me a couple boxes of tea from Celestial Seasoning! one being Gingerbread Spice and the other Sugar Cookie. YUM!

The Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride is my favorite tea thus far, it's the only tea I've ever really enjoyed. I am almost running out, and since it is a seasonal tea, that means I have to stock up on them soon!

So far I had one right after Sean gave me the tea (sooo goood), then I had one cup last night upon finishing my essay, I had one cup in my Contigo this morning in class, and I had another new flavor of Sleepytime Vanilla while doing my other essay this afternoon. Now I am sitting here typing this blog as I drink another cup of sugar cookie, it's soooo good. Need I say more? I might have to buy another box this week and also try their other seasonal flavor: Sugar Plum!

It is sooooo delicious, I love smelling my tea bag before I dispose them out after brewing it. Picture the Folgers coffee commercial in your head :o)

I add two tea bags in my contigo mug along with 2 packets of French Vanilla Stevia. mmmmm

Funny! haha and cute

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Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving yall.


It is almost time to drive up to my cousins house and see all of my family.

I am very excited because I get to hang out and gossip/talk/share/laugh with my cousins who are relatively all the same age or close. I expect to laugh at some of the things my relatives do or say to one another. The ladies talking about fashion, the men taking about ...actually I don't know what goes on. I don't quite understand Vietnamese that well. shame shame. My aunt forcing everyone to eat even though they don't want to. But you know what I dread mostly? being forced to talk about myself! especially when it comes to school or my relationship. Usually the conversation ends up with them suggesting career options and school that isn't even close to what I want to to. But I am hoping that doesn't happen to me today, I'll just end up hiding near my dad or something. Ha, well Happy Thanksgiving!


This morning I had puffed wheat cereal with dried cranberries, a little bit of shredded coconut, and chocolate chips! with almond milk! it was good! and suprising. The good thing about this cereal is that there are no preservatives or sweeteners. The ingredient is plain and simple: Puffed Wheat!

It was yummy. My mom was eyeing my cereal and was confused. "How do you eat this?"

"ummm, like how you would eat any cereal."

"How did you eat it?"

"With almond milk!"

She had never touched almond milk, so when she tried for herself she thought it was disguisting. It wasn't sweet enough. I understand because my mom is so used to eating cereal with whole milk and actually having her cereal laden with excessive amounts of sugar. She is such a horrible eater that it scares me. Of course I knew my taste buds have been adjusted to enjoy something like this. Hers on the otherhand is whacked out! I don't blame her, I used to be the same way, until I trained myself to eat clean.

I am so in love with this leather jacket! I have been wanting a leather jacket but I really need to find the right one that I would love to wear all the time. I am looking for something like this. It's such an excuse to go Christmas shopping. I might have to sacrifice buying groceries for this :o)

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This is my dinner for tonight. More carrots that are not pictured. Aaand yes! those are roasted jalapenos. I de-seeded them because I kind of over-estimated myself the last time. Let's just say I drank the entire carton of almond milk and when that didn't work, I ran to the sink and rinsed my mouth with cold water for 5 minutes. Never again! I thought I was going to die.

Squash with slow-cooked chicken in marinara sauce with onions, peas, and carrots!

When it's slow-cooked, the chicken breast literally melts in your mouth. This is the method I will use from now on.

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Baking and not doing homework.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow! I am just excited to eat real food! I need meat, and I realized I have not eaten meat at all today. Basically I've been devouring baked goods all day, just sampling here and there of what I am bringing tomorrow for the family. My eating schedule has been out of whack and hopefully that changes after Black Friday :o)

Today I attempted to bake Angela's Spelt Vegan Pumpkin Pie! http://ohsheglows.com/2009/11/17/vegan-pumpkin-pecan-pie-with-a-spelt-crust/ It turned out great, but not as pretty as hers on her website. I digress. But I made a mini pie for myself so that I wouldn't get tempted to eat the whole pie :o)

I had extra dough and pie filling, so I wanted to make my own mini-pie. I was searching for tools or little tins for me to bake my own mini-pie. With no luck, I just atempted to use my cupcake cups and wrap the surroundings with foil so that nothing burns. It was so darn good!

Results: The sweetness was just right! It was subltle and good. The great thing is, is that this mini-pie did not give me any sugar crash! I have the worst case of sugar crash, because one time I ate a carrot cake and had the worst headache that I fell asleep for one hour :o( I felt so groggy all day.

Instead of using maple syrup for the filling, I used maple butter. It was still amazing. The only reason why I opted for maple butter was because

1. I've always wanted to try it, now was the time to buy it
2. Since I don't make or eat pancakes often, this would be perfect to use as a spread
3. The good news is that it melts and does create the consistency of maple syrup!

Later on, I attempted to make cookies since I had all the right ingredients. WROOONG! my mom did not have eggs :o( and I remembered reading a post about egg replacers.

Instead of using one egg for the recipe, I substituted it for 1 TBSN cold milled Flaxed with 3 TBSN of hot water and whisked it all together til it formed an egg-y consistency.

Not only did I end up making a vegan pumpkin pie, but I also ended up making vegan cookies! What will my family think of me :o)

Chocolate Cranberry Spelt Cookies:

• 1/2 cup of Earth Balance butter (soften)
• 3/4 cup of Sucanat (or brown sugar)
• 1 Egg (or 1 TBSN flax w/ 3 TBSN water whisk and settled)
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp Baking powder
• 1 3/4 cup of Spelt Flour (found in health markets)
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup of semi-chocolate chips
• 1/4 dried cranberries
• 2 Tbsn cornstarch

It isn't necessary to add cornstarch, I did so because I needed an egg replacer and the website simply said 1 egg=2 Tbsn cornstarch

When I realized the dough wasn't holding together, I opted for the flax egg replacer. It worked. When getting ready to form the cookies onto the sheet, make sure you shape the cookies by patting it down because it will not expand like traditional doughs!

It was sooooo easy to make. 350 F in the oven for 12-15 minutes!

Look at how chunky it is!

So moments later, after a slight but not so bad sugar crash. I attempted to make different cookies. This one I liked so much better.

Spelt cookies with cranberries/coconut shreds/chocolate chips/toasted pecans

• 1/2 cup of soften butter
• 3/4 cup of Sucanat
• 1 egg replacer (3 Tbsn water whicked with 1 Tbsn flax)
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla
• 1/2 Baking powder
• 1 3/4 cup of Spelt flour
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/2 semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 sweetened coconut shreds
• 1/4 dried cranberries
• 1/4 toasted walnut (makes all the difference toasting it)
• 1/4 tsp of Pumpkin Spice ( I also added another pinch)

WOW! this one far exceeds the other cookie I made! so delicious and hearty. I think this one will run out fast (hopefully if their taste buds are like mines).

This batch made a dozen cookies.

Look at the chunks of cranberries mmm. You can also see shred of coconut sticking out from the other cookies. This one was tasty! I think the pumpkin spice I added made all the difference. It definately tasted like fall.

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

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Getting back on track.

I am officially 20! I turned 20 on Friday and that morning I woke up and thought I should countinue to eat clean and not indulge on the birth-date. It was because the previous night I did as a matterof fact indulge in chocolate. Bad idea! I felt so sick and gross, it was delicious, but I should have ate in moderation. I bought these yummy dark chocolate honey comb pieces from Henry's bulk aisle. I discovered it last week and it was the bomb! but because I made myself sick, I won't be eatting those for a while.

That morning I had my healthy breakfast and had a really good sweat from working out. I did one hour and 5 minutes on the elliptical in my hoodie, it felt like a sauna. Then I proceeded to do the rowing machine for 15 minutes. Good cardio! I felt like a new person.

I left the gym feeling joyful and happy.

I treated myself to a haircut and then I got treated to dinner at Phil's BBQ in point loma!

I told myself I'd eat clean, but after time I just thought I should be able to enjoy some good food, especially for a special occasion.

When we arrived at Phil's BBQ I couldn't decide what to get, so I imagined how each meal would make me feel. I was aiming for something that was healthy, yet worth eating. I got the BBQ Veggie Burger while my treater got the best of both which consisted of 2 Beefy Ribs, 1/4 chicken, and large friess.

I ate half of my veggie burger and nibbled on his fries and chicken.

It was bigger in person!

My veggie burger wasn't the only thing I fed my tummy. I had mallow cups! (marshmallow filled chocolate cups) and a very sugar loaded beverage. I thought that since this is the only day I get to indulge, I shouldn't feel guilty about it, because tomorrow I will get on track. And so I did. Earlier the next morning...

I ate scrambled egg whites in for breakfast at The Corner Bakery and shot it down with 2oz of wheatgrass.

I went home and for a snack I made a concoction in what is called a Green Monster, inspired my Angela from http://www.ohsheglows.com/

My green monster:

• 8 oz unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 scoop of Amazing Grass wheatgrass powder
• 1 Tablespoon of Salba
• 1 frozen whole banana
• 1 scoop chocolate whey
• 1 cup of spinach

I also followed it by another shot of wheatgrass! (trying to detox all that bad stuff I ate the night before) I felt very awake, refreshed, and energized! and was ready to work out!

I did 35 minutes of cardio and worked out my back, shoulders, biceps, and triceps, and did some sets up til failure. I felt so strong in the gym and was very focused. It was nice considering the fact that the gym was almost empty and peaceful.

Came home and devoured my salad from Whole Foods! I love that supermarket!

I have discovered my love for feta cheese. Those are beets by the way! I love how there is a subtle hint of sweetness, and the cucumber salad quinoa was extraordinary! but unfortunately I can't afford to buy from their salad bar often. But I do have a box of uncooked quinoa at home. experimentation #1, here I come!And as a treat :o)

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Random.

Hello there, I don't really have much to say today. Today has been an odd day for me thus far because it's so weird doing things outside my routine. I have a routine that I follow on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

8-9:30 a.m- I make myself breakfast/pack clothes/ and head to the gym

10:00-12:30- I am at the gym

12:30-1- afternoon snack

1:00-2:30- school

2:30- Lunch

and so on...

I haven't gone to the gym at all today and I couldn't make it to class. I had to make it to a doctors appointment and so far things are looking good with getting my surgery approved. I ran into my childhood friend Sandy! It was fun talking to her and gossiping about boys ha. I walked into Barnes and Noble this week and :o)

Do you see any similarities? Everytime I'd see book covers like these, I wonder what the point is in having book covers like this, maybe it's some form of symbolism? what are they staring off into?? And when I discovered the art cover for Carrie Prejean's new book, my intial thought was NOT YOU TOO! Later on that day I had Burger Lounge with Sean in La Jolla! I love burger lounge, it's like the gourmet version of In-N-Out, pretty pricey but boy when I have these burgers I am giddy!

My favorite burger so far has been the veggie lounge burger, it's so delicious and light. I feel like it doesn't weight me down and the ingredients are whole and healthy. Their veggie pattie consists of (I'm trying to remember from memory): Quinoa, brown rice, carrots, zuccini, mushrooms...the rest I forgot :o( I tried to find ingredients on their site http://www.burgerlounge.com/ but I couldn't find it.

Sean got the grass-fed beef burger. It really makes a difference in taste whether or not they are grass-fed. Too bad it's much more expensive, but I would say it's worth giving it a try. Otherwise, I'd just stick to in-n-out burgers. The beef tastes clean and it melts in your mouth.

We had little room to spare for Gelato. We got half of mint chocolate chip and almond mocha fudge.

Lately I've been eating like a beast. More to come.

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Tired day!

I am soooo tired right now, I think I got an average of 3-4 hours of sleep. Stupid me decided to work-out last night at 8:30 p.m and consume an energy drink prior. I ended up on the Elliptical sweating my brains out for an hour and incorporated some leg workouts. I didn't get home til almost midnight. I couldn't sleep at all so I did laundry and decided to slow cook chicken, so that I would have lunch and dinner tomorrow (I mean today).

On Sunday I went to Henry's to stash up on my Almond milk, and I finally bought the roast beef sandwich I wanted. I had to go food shopping for that day because I had spent the night at my mom's house and she had nothing to eat! I needed food and almond milk for my whey protein.

So after my shopping I immediately had my snack: 12 oz almond milk with 1.5 scoop of 100% chocolate whey. I look forward to drinking it all the time because it's so amazing. It's like drinking a creamy guilt-free chocolate shake.

I also bought a few other items.

Dark chocolate covered Goji berries. They were addicting, good thing I got one handful!

I wish I had better quality on my phone. My sandwich was amazing, and I was almost sad after knowing that my sandwich would disappear any minute. I didn't start eating my sandwich within three hours of purchasing it, so that would explain the avocado browning.

• My Roast Beef Sandwich consisted of:
• Rye bread (so soft)


• Provolone cheese


• lettuce


• tomato


• sprouts


• red onion


• mustard


• avocado

I just got finished working out. I only did 45 minutes on the elliptical because I was so tired, and I still am. I was very starved afterwards so I immediately consumed my whey protein from my cooler. It felt so refreshing. I can only describe it as feeding my muscle some love.

Here is what I packed today:

Today I packed (in my big cooler backpack):

• Banana
• spicy mustard
• 2 containers containing brown rice, slow cooked chicken, asparagus (with a sprinkle of Mrs. Dash)
• A carton of Almond Milk ( I go through it like it's nothing else)
• 2 zipbloc bags of whey protein
• A chocolate coconut Larabar (incase I crave anything bad, I go for this)

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5 weeks! still...

So it's been about an hour or so since my last post, let's just say my plans changed. I couldn't make it to Henry's because I had to wait for my little sister to come home, otherwise she'd come home to an empty house. Well, I was sooooo starved by this point! pretty cranky I should say, but I thought I should just stop whining and improvise with what was in the fridge.

I took out 5 eggs and a green bean salad my mom made last night.

I had to keep in mind that although it was a green bean salad, that it might not be as healthy as it sounds. My mom tend to use a lot of fish sauce, salt, and MSG. And boy! did I smell it when I was frying up the green beans. I also found cherry tomatoes that my mom didn't use. I whipped and fried it all together in a pan to top off my omelette.

5 eggs = 5 egg whites and one yolk in my omelette.



I've been using Coconut Oil to fry my egg whites every morning. Having the subtle smell of coconut in my eggs threw me off the first time, but now I've come to enjoy the taste and aroma. So far the only thing I've used Coconut Oil for is for frying or I use it to top my oatmeal (just for a nice change)

Benefits of Coconut Oil can be found here: http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

This is the end result. It was so fluffy and delicious! The cherry tomatoes and green beans added a nice flavor (I'm guessing due to the amount of fish sauce) my mom used. Which is why I only put in a tad bit.

I also had a whole banana (unpictured). I left it in my cooler along with my ice packs, so it became bruised and a little slimy. Still delicious though.

I ended my breakfast with Synergy. I had my first Kombucha drink yesterday at work and I learned to tolerate it quickly. I think because I've been eating so healthy, that anything that tastes healthy is good to me. It's smells vinergary-- "like making Easter eggs". I'm learning to get used to it.


KOMBUCHA: ( Pronounced Kom-BOO-cha) is a handmade Chinese tea that is delicately cultured for 30 days. During this time, essential nutrients form like: Active Enzymes, Viable Probiotics, Amino Acids, Antioxidants, and Polyphenols. All of these combine to create an elixir that immediately works with the body to restore balance and vitality.

** Due to fermentation, this product may contain a trace amount of alcohol (less than 0.5%)
Although it's healthy, don't think too much! ;o)

I must say I was happy with the end result of how things turned out. I saved money and correlated protein (eggs) along with a healthy carb (banana). The banana may not sound like much but I am full and content.

** I don't have a camera, so the only thing I had to use was my camera phone. It's all about improvising right? ;O)

So hopefully the camera situation will change soon.

Have a splendid day.

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5 weeks left, Can I handle this?

I am sitting here with my teeth unbrushed and my hair tangled. I spent the night at my moms aaaannd there is nothing to eat. So in about five minutes I am going to head to Henry's and buy a bulk of oatmeal so I can heat it up here. The only thing my mom has that I can eat are eggs, so it looks like I'll be having an egg white omelette with oats ;o) It is so hard to find a place that serves a healthy meal without having to resort everywhere.

This week has been a hard week for me. I learned that no matter what I try to do or accomplish, that I am a work in progress no matter how long I've practiced doing what I've known. This refers to my relationship, beliefs, and living a healthy lifestyle.

This is what I would consider breakfast to be 6 months ago, a piece of pastry with sugar-laiden lattes. Yes, it does look tempting, but now I understand why I'd get tired everyday. I bet if I were to get one of those sticky buns now, then I would get a horrible sugar crash along with a big bloating belly ;o)

For last half of summer and up until now, I have started my morning with a hefty bowl of oatmeal. I never get tired of it. I feel cleansed, warm, and whole when I have a bowl every morning. I don't remember the last time I had processed cereal. But I no longer crave Captain Crunch, because a bowl of oats with banana, peanut butter, and cinnamon sounds so much healthy and delicious. It used to take me 3 bowls of cereal to fill me up. Yikes!

I hope I can stay away from the candy bulk that they have. I heard it's never good to go grocery shopping while you're hungry. Knowing myself...I am horrible when it comes to temptation!

I got to head to Henry's because I am so starved! Which isn't good (lost of muscle).

Grocery List:

• Low-Cal Original Almond Milk (for oats/protein shake/ enjoyment)
  
• 1 cup of Oats


• LaraBar
  
• The Amazing Grass Whole Food Bar
  

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