Little Moments

Do you ever have those moments where you think to yourself, 'Gee self, this moment is pretty nice.  I'd like to make a mental note of this and remember it for a little while.' 

I had two of those over this hectic weekend.

The first came bright and early Saturday morning as I was driving to this track meet.

It was one of those moment's where I was racing the sun to Salem and there were hardly any cars on the road. I felt content.  Happy with my early morning, happy that I get to be involved with an activity like track that still brings me joy, and appreciating the early morning sun in March.

I'm not sure if it was the chapter of The Happiness Project I had read the day before that had an effect on my mood or just having the opportunity to enjoy the moment of free time, but there was this feeling that I didn't want to take that moment, or everything good I have going on in my life, for granted.  Cheesy I know, but I don't care.

This quote from the author of The Happiness Project really stuck out to me.  It's short and sweet, but conveys a lot:

"Work harder to appreciate your ordinary day.” ― Gretchen Rubin

The second came as Bradley and I sat down for dinner together Sunday evening after the busy weekend.  We decided to turn off the tv and decompress. Just enjoy the music in the background and each other's company.  Plus, I made this soup. All too often we are multitasking or watching tv while we eat, but last night was needed.  Last night was simple.  Yummy food and nice conversation. This moment, too, made me happy and although it was nothing out of the ordinary, it was one I felt like keeping track of.

happy

Now, this morning on the other hand, is one that I can probably go without remembering.  I could use that extra hour of sleep, on top of the fact that I got to work only to notice that both Brad's keys and wallet were in my purse. So, that was a fun trip back home, in traffic.....

But I am choosing not to dwell on that. Instead, I am choosing to focus on my own happiness project. I think my favorite thing about this book so far, is the fact that the author, Gretchen Rubin, was not unhappy to begin with and nor am I.  She just wanted to get the most out of her happiness and that is never a bad thing. Profit Happiness Maximization!

"It's about living in the moment and appreciating the smallest things. Surrounding yourself with the things that inspire you and letting go of the obsessions that want to take over your mind. It is a daily struggle sometimes and hard work but happiness begins with your own attitude and how you look at the world.” ― Gretchen Rubin

What kind of things would you focus on for your own happiness project?! 

Cheers! 

<3 BB 

Hitting the Links :: 3.8.13

Guys (or probably mostly Gals),

I am feeling pretty good about my life this fine Friday.  Maybe it's the fact that it's International Women's Day...Orrrrr maybe it's because the sun is out. I'm going to go and give points to the sun on this one.  I treated myself to a Uptown Market coffee (I think the barista and I are slowly becoming besties, she was playing my favorite Black Keys song when I walked in and she calls me hun).

yummers. 

I plan on meeting Brad at the Nike campus for a good workout this afternoon! #toughmuddertraining

I can't stop listening to this song. No joke - 6 times this morning and going strong. ..... Make that 7, just re-started it.

Our track meet down in Eugene tomorrow is calling for funshine (even if it won't get over 60 degrees). heyyyyo! Trying to use this positive energy to counteract the fact that I have to be down in Salem by 7:45 in the AM. Too early for a Saturday.

Fingers crossed I get back from the meet in time to catch the Timbers game, since we're season ticket holders and all nbd. Between track and Timbers my weekends are quite full, I am quickly realizing.



But enough about me.... let's enjoy some links....


::I want to be Mrs. Coach Taylor when I grow up and 16 other reason why Connie Britton is the best, ya'll.

::Embrace the Ramen Noodle hair, Justin.

::Will this little dude come tell me that I look very beautiful today, too?!

::Does anyone else love the artist formerly known as Prince as much as I do?!

::Must have in closet now.

::Let's widen our vocabulary, please. A workout you hate is not so gay. Your homework is not so gay. Don't be lazy and demeaning.

::I am a big promoter of being healthy and fit, but our society walks a fine line when dealing with body image - especially when the person with the negative body image is 7 years old.

::Lastly, some words of wisdom to carry you into the weekend...


Happy Friday, ya'll!

<3 BB


PS. By the time I finished this post, the play count on the No Diggity cover was up to 13... #SorryImNotSorry

Crispy Quinoa Bake

I have nothing fun or exciting to report today. Unless you count my dream last night about making homemade gnocchi exciting? ... which I do.... I think it was probably because I read this blog post the other day. And really what fat kid at heart doesn't dream about food at night?! Just me?! Ok, cool. 

Think I might have to make it soon.  Although I am wondering if you can make it with sweet potatoes instead!?!

{insert quick google search....}

Nailed it.  Might be making this or this soon.  Maybe even play around and find ways to healthy them up a bit.

In other food news, because food is really what my life revolves around - last night, after spin class (side note: spin is quickly becoming my new favorite workout, more on that in a future post, though) Brad and I went to the grocery store to get the goods for this dinner:  Crispy Quinoa Bake

The Bake, Pre-Bake

{What you Need}

::1 cup quinoa, uncooked
::1 tablespoon + another 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
::2 cups chicken stock
::1 cup onion, diced
::1//2 green pepper, chopped
::2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
::1 cup zucchini, cubed
::1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
::1 4 ounce can diced green chilies
::1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained  *don't forget to drain!*
::1 cup frozen corn
::1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
::1 teaspoon oregano
::1 teaspoon chili powder
::1/2 lime, juiced
::Salt / Pepper
::2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese

Notes:  

-Added celery and previously cooked chicken to my bake. 

-Used minced garlic instead of cloves, still got the job done. 

-Used a can of corn instead of wasting half a bag of frozen corn, did not ruin everything.


{What You Do}

::Preheat your oven to 375ºF. 

::Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.

::Place the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly with cool water for at least two minutes. Drain.  

(This is probably the most annoying part of the meal prep.  Does anyone else struggle with the qunioa getting everywhere?! Is there some secret trick that I don't know about?!) 

::In a medium saucepan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil on medium-high heat. 

::Add quinoa  - stir for about one minute. The quinoa should begin to dry out and pop a bit. 

::Add the chicken stock. Stir and bring to a boil. 

::Turn the heat down to low and cook, covered, for 15 minutes. 

::Remove the pan from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

::While the quinoa is chillin, in a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. 

::Add onions and peppers, stirring occasionally until soft, about 7 minutes. 

::Add garlic and zucchini (and celery, if you're into that kind of thing) and cook 3 more minutes.

::Fluff the quinoa with a fork and place it in a large bowl. 

::Mix everything in with the quinoa 

::(NOTE - MAKE SURE YOU DRAIN THE DICED TOMATOES.  I forgot to and my bake was a little runnier than I would have liked.)

::Mix together and transfer to the baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes 

::Top with cheese and bake for 10 minutes more or until the cheese has melted and is just beginning to brown.

::This makes a good amount of food, so now I have left overs for days! Which I am definitely not complaining about it, makes my lunches so much easier to plan. 

::Last note - since there is a little bit of prep work on top of the baking time and if you're a grandma like me and have a bed time of 9:15pm, I would suggest starting this meal before 7:30pm.  Rookie mistake on my part. 

Cheers to Quinoa! 

<3 BB 

Why Brad And I Almost Broke Up Last Night

It was over a very serious matter, too....

So, here's the deal,  right before bed last night Bradley and I were having our usual before bedtime chit chat... nothing out of the ordinary.  Sometime during the conversation Brad used the term 'bamboozled'. I, of course, referenced Friends:

Because really, who doesn't reference Friends at any opportunity that presents itself?! Arguably the best show ever.  Now here is the MAJOR problem that Bradley and I have in our relationship: he has not watched many episodes of the show. So, anytime I reference it (which is quite often) he usually doesn't pick up on it and then I proceed to get mad at him for not taking an interest in the things that make me happy. (Shit, I watch his soccer ALL THE TIME! Is it so hard to watch 10 seasons of the greatest sitcom ever enough times that you can then quote and reference it at a moment's notice.... I think not?!)

Anyways, him not catching my reference is not what lead to the fight and almost break up (although it didn't help).  What escalated things so quickly is the fact that Brad proceeded to call the show 'dated' (He said Seinfeld was dated, too - but that argument will have to wait for another post) .....

WHOA.

WHOA.

WHOA.

Hold the phone......

Dated?! Are you kidding me?! FRIENDS IS TIMELESS!

via

Their pain in my pain.  Their success is my success. Their humor is classic. I refer to Chandler, Pheebs, and the rest of the gang like I am one of the besties.  That I sit at the coffee shop everyday with them. If Bradley cannot accept my Friends and share my love for them, then I don't know if he and I can continue this thing we call a relationship for much longer. end.of.story.

Besides, I share some of the same OCD traits as Monica and I have always had an extra special love for Chandler - maybe I'll date him instead.  At least he is actually funny cough, cough, Brad.


I mean how is this dated?!

Or this:

Answer: THEY'RE NOT!


Bradley, if you're reading this... you have some making up to do.  Starting with Season 1 - Episode 1.


Cheers!

<3 BB

Tuesday Tunesday + The Giveaway Winner

First off - We have a winner from my very first giveaway!!!!!!

I used this Random Number Creator to pick the winner. See guys, I don't play favorites! 

Which means the lovely, sleep deprived, new mommy (aka Anne) has a Starbucks gift card coming her way :)  Once I actually get around to buying and sending it. Feel free to send me mean text messages if you don't see it by the end of next week, Annie.


Secondly - of course the day I pack lunchtime run clothes it rains, while yesterday was nice and sunny.  Thanks a lot, Oregon.

Even with the rain and cold today, I got excited when I saw hints of spring.

 I spy with my little eye, Spring. 

And this is my excited to see cherry blossoms even though it's raining and I am running face. 

And now in music news, since it's Tunesday and all: I wanna go to SXSW...one might debate it is the best music and film festival around! Since actually attending the event this year is a no-go, I decided to feature some artists that will be there. Enjoy! Also if you want even more SXSW music, check out this playlist or this list of artists to watch out for.

Wildcat wildcat :: Mr. Quiche
Yeah, he is wearing a cat mask.  Don't ask questions, just enjoy the song.  Maybe dance a bit.

Social Studies :: Terracur 
This video is a little weird, but give it a chance, the song is worth it.  Plus, it definitely covers the whole 'strip away everything to start another life' thing.

Dan Croll :: Compliment Your Soul
Feel free to compliment me and my soul daily, Dan Croll.

James Blake :: Retrograde
This is JB's latest single.  It is definitely token James Blake, but it seems like he has grown up a little since his first album, which is not a bad thing. These lyrics are my fave:
I'll wait/ 
So show me why you're strong/ 
Ignore everybody else/
We're alone now

Bastille :: Pompeil 
This song is quite catchy.  Here is also the Mahogany Session if you're into that acoustic sort of thing. His voice is super lovely.

Kitten :: Cut It Out 
The lead singer of this band is young, like 17 young.  That's impressive.

HAIM :: Forever 
In case you were wondering: it's pronounced /haɪm/ to rhyme with "rhyme".  Three sisters help make up the majority of the band.  I don't know if I could work that closely with my sibs, but then again we would make horribly sounding music. None of us can sing....

alt-J :: Tessellate
Who knew that the name alt-J was from the delta symbol that is made when you hit alt and j on your keyboard: ∆ . #nerds the more you know. 

ZZ Ward :: Charlie Ain't Home
My fellow Glide, Oregon gal, ZZ Ward, just keeps getting bigger and bigger!

The Lone Bellow :: Tiny Desk Concert
I have blogged about this band a few times, about how they are one of the top bands to watch for 2013 and this TDC shows why!!!!

I could add so many more, but I will stop there. Now just close your eyes and let's pretend we are in Austin together  :) I hear it's sunny there this time of year...


Cheers!

<3 BB

Where Did My Weekend Go?!

But no really, now that track is in full swing, my free time will be quite limited on the weekends.  Pretty much every Saturday until May is full of track - good news is being out on the track is still one of my favorite places, even if it does make me miss competing! (I will just have to live vicariously through the athletes now).  Add in a high school State Playoff game and a Sunday full of Timber's Soccer and my weekend was gone.  Fun, but gone.

On Saturday Bradley was a trooper and found out how much work it takes for a Willamette Track meet to be successful. I might have signed him up to help out at the meet. He even got to catch chase down javelins.  I am slowly teaching Brad all there is to know when it comes to track and field, which is a nice trade off, since I have the pleasure of learning all there is to know about soccer from him. After we were done in Salem we rushed back to Beaverton to watch my sister's team is their second State Playoff game.  They ended up losing to Westview, but overall had a good season. I know this year has been hard for my sister who tore her ACL right before the start of the season, but I am super proud of her for still being so involved.  Now Brad and I get to be her trainers during the off season and will have her in great shape for her senior year.

She even got to go through warm-ups with them this game. #Progress! 

Sunday started out kind of early. It's almost comical what a person will do for a good seat at the Timbers games when your season tickets are in the Timbers Army - General Admission section.  We knew it would be a packed stadium with it being the season opener, so we wandered down to the stadium around 10:45 and waited in line for a bit to get early entry wristbands.  Wristbands are given out to the first 1,200 people that show up game day morning and gives you a set number in line to get into the stadium later in the day. Plus, they open a gate for people with a wristband a half an hour earlier than the rest of the crowd, so you get first choice in seating. Overall, it was definitely worth showing up early for this game since it was packed, but I am not sure we will be getting wristbands for every game.  

We did get a quick workout in between wristband pickup and the start of the game, which I needed.  Plus, we tried out the downtown LA Fitness which was nice to have a change of scenery for our workout.

{15 rounds}
::5 pull-ups
::10 push-ups
::15 leg exercise (I split mine up between: squats, lunges, box jumps, and spit jumps)

Took me just under 30 mins to finish the 15 rounds and then cooled down with a little cardio after. Quick shower and we were back to the stadium.


Here is the MLS recap of the game last night.  It was goals on goals on goals. The Timbers struggled a bit in the first half, but then came back to end the game in a 3-3 tie.  I am still learning a lot when it comes to soccer since it was never a sport I played - but from what I have taken away from the Timbers in the two games I have watched so far this season is, they are going to score a lot of fun, exciting goals.  We just need to play better defense.  Shoot.. I could even coach soccer at this rate. 

Team Selfie why we wait?! obvi

The sun wanted to be out! 

I want to look bad ass with an axe. 

We also got to sit right behind Alexi Lalas, who used to play professional soccer and now is a ginger broadcaster for ESPN and ABC Sports. 

I stole these last three pictures from the Timbers Facebook page, but they were too awesome not to include. 

This tifo was pretty legit and interactive!  It played off of rainy Portland.  There was a sign that said 'Rain or Shine since 1975' and then there were umbrellas in the first section and our section played the vital role of the rain and we got to throw blue streamers.

Timber Joey is such a boss.  I also think he has lost a little weight since last year. Have you been working out, Joey?! 

Bird's eye view of the crowd that was rocking until long after the match was over.

So yeah, now it's Monday and I am trying to figure out where my weekend went, but won't really have time to find it since this week and weekend are just as busy...


Cheers!

<3 BB

Hitting the Links :: Happy March

So.many.good.things.happening. I almost can't contain myself:

::FIRST OFF, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY! I am announcing the winner on Monday....and don't worry, I am using a random number generator to pick the winner, so it won't be biased - Plus, the more people that enter the giveaway - the less chance Brad has of winning and that is always a good thing ;)

:: It's Friday

:: It's March (which means it's almost Spring time!)

::It's supposed to be over 60 degrees here in PDX today - so warm.

::MARCH MA-MA-MA-MADNESS is almost here!!! ermahgerd cannot wait for March Madness, it may be better than Christmas. 

::Last night I watched the Season Finale of Top Chef - and although I thought it was a really stupid finale (not who they chose for winner, but how they set up the finale itself) I was very happy to see my favorite past winner Michael Voltaggio.  I have missed that smug a-hole.

::I woke up early and got some cardio in.  -- Seriously though, why don't I do this more often?!  I always feel  so much better about my life when I do.

::Rewarded myself with a coffee from Uptown Market.  - It was payday yesterday, so I splurged, ok?!

::Tomorrow is Willamette's first track meet of the season!! Aka my coaching debut for the season! Bearcats, rawr. 

::Sunday Brad and I are headed to the Timbers first official MLS game of the season as season ticket holders.  holla at your gurl

::Lastly, thanks for supporting my Chipotle habit, Ryry.  Might of had it twice this week.

And now for some linksssssss.


What cheap eats in pdx do you want to try?

Anne nailed this one on the head.  Let's put away the electronics. After you finish reading this post of course.

I would break up with Bradley in a heartbeat if he did this to me.

The shelf life of food.

And this is what 200 calories looks like.

Hooray for sports fans.

In this week's My Strange Addiction, if you're lonely, love a stuffed lamb.  Totally not a weird thing at all.

Just in case you weren't in love already, here are 10 more reasons to love Jennifer Lawrence. 

Happy Friday!!!!


Duces drops mic, walks away

<3 BB