you can't do everything

Hi there! It's been a while, hasn't it?

Honestly, I have had nothing to contribute food or health wise.

I also have had zero time to even log into blogger! 

It's crazy actually having a life and things to do.

This month has been a lesson for me.

Between marathon training, Girls on the Run, trying to get awesome grades and also a social life...I am being stretched to the limits. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving break in a month!

Hopefully I will be back here soon!

late to the party

Call me crazy, but it took me twenty years to discover that I love peanut butter!

I never hated it but it wasn't something I would crave.

Now I need a little every day in order to ensure happiness :)

Why is peanut butter good for us?

1. Monounsaturated fat: the good kind!

2. Vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and vitamin B6.

3. Packed with fiber & protein to keep us feeling full.

I'm not saying you should eat a whole jar of PB, but a little each day is perfectly acceptable. My favorite way to eat it is on banana slices with some dark chocolate chips and coconut. YUM!

October in Massachusetts

This weekend I went to visit my twin sister in Massachusetts.

Each time I visit I want to move up there! 

Friday night we had dinner in the city 

On Saturday we ran the Women's Health RUN 10 FEED 10 race.

I loved running in Boston! I want to move here one day just to run. It was glorious!

Later we went apple picking and a relaxing rest of the weekend. 

One of the (un-pictured) highlights of my weekend was giving Rachel some cooking lessons. We may be twins, but we are very different! Cooking is my passion and it's....not hers. She has been known to start frequent microwave fires while trying to melt chocolate chips.

It was a fun weekend and even better-I still have two days off from school.

I am excited to get back into blogging and spend time with the rest of my family!

stress-eating

Have you ever been so stressed that you wake up in the middle of the night and eat half a box of crackers with peanut butter?

Yeah....neither have I. 

Want to know what I have discovered over the past few days?

I am a major stress-eater.

I know I can't be the only one!

The worst part about it is never feeling full. 

I did some research and here are five filling options for when you are feeling stressed.

1. Asparagus: contains folic acid, a mood stabilizer.

2. Almonds: Vitamin E, which helps to fight free radicals (BAD!) that come along with stress.

3.Salmon: contains Omega-3 fatty acids that boost brain function, helping you cope effectively.

4. Dark Chocolate: aids endorphin production

5. Drink water & go for a walk: fresh air and a cool drink can get your blood moving and kick your endorphins into high gear.

Tyra knows what's up!

I don't know about you...but I think I am going to reach for a piece of dark chocolate next time I am stressed. 

October 1

For the past few years, this month has been particularly rough for me. 

I am determined to make this one great and enjoy it with friends and family.

I am welcoming October this year!

finding a balance

This past week has left me feeling stressed to the max.

Over what?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I am doing fine in all of my classes, getting my running in, volunteering, hanging out with friends and family...yet I feel so on edge about everything.

Yesterday I didn't have time to complete my long run and I was beside myself.

"if I don't get in three more miles I won't be able to finish the marathon"

Bologna.

I am realizing now more than ever that I have such a desire for perfection.

I know I can't be the only one who feels that way!

I am trying to force myself to take a few moments this week for myself-drink an extra cup of coffee, take a nap, decompress. We all need to learn how to reward ourselves for our successes, and not to dwell on our failures.

At the end of this crazy week, I will be rewarded with a trip to Boston to visit my sister!

Gotta keep the end line in mind.

--

I wish I could document more meals on here, but lately my meals have been all about quick and easy! I am a huge fan of throw-it-in-one-pot meals that don't photograph well (maybe they would if I was a food photographer but I am not!).

Tonight I made a stew of sweet potato, black beans, corn, spinach and onion.

It was delicious and filling.

My goal in the next few weeks is to spend more time in this space because I really do love it.

Hope you are all off to a good start for the week!!

P.S. This post was written by a hormonal, PMSing woman. Keep that in mind when I sound like I am on the edge!

apple picking

This weekend was a good one.

Girls on the Run.

Panera Bread.

Apple Picking with new friends that feel like life-long friends.

Harvest America.

A long, scenic run.

Birthday celebration!

We picked Jonagold apples and lemme tell ya-they are the BEST!

I made a pie with them today for my friend's birthday and they baked so well.

I also realized something...

my love language is pie-baking.

And I'm okay with it.