Foodie

Today I made these awesome chocolate pumpkin brownies from scratch.  I'm kinda rad in the kitchen. Here's the recipe I made (I found the original online and tweaked it a bit).

3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I used a white/whole wheat flour blend I made)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cup white sugar/splenda blend (I have my own blend I've perfected, just use white sugar if you haven't perfected the baking with splenda)
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 eggs (I used organic duck eggs from my mom's duckies)
1/4 c cocoa powder
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (I used fresh pumpkin that I baked and smashed)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (I used my own blend of these spices...and some others)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan.
-Stir the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
-In another bowl, stir together the melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract; beat in the eggs one at a time with spoon. Gradually add the flour mixture, and stir the batter until it's evenly moistened. Divide in half in two separate bowls.
-Into one bowl of batter, blend the cocoa powder and chocolate chips.  In the other bowl, stir in pumpkin puree, walnuts, spices.
-Spread 1/2 the chocolate batter in the bottom of the prepared pan, and follow with 1/2 the pumpkin. Repeat layers ending with pumpkin layer.  Drag spatula gently through layers in a swirling motion to create a marbled appearance.
-Bake in preheated over until the brownies begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick comes out clean - 40 - 45 minutes. Cool in pan. Cut into squares and serve.

Weekend Update

This weekend I saw my first Early Steps kiddo.  I had to drive through the 9th Ward to get there, but it was nice section of town. The tyke was shy at first, but by the end of the session I was covered in toddler drool and mac n cheese. Next session we're trying different fruits!

There was a recent Living Social deal for a Diamond Elite Ultrasonic toothbrush and I totally bought it.  I had been searching for an electric toothbrush and this one appeared legit. I've been using it for a few days now and I can honestly say my teeth feel less furry.  Not that my teeth were disgusting - I brushed at least 3 times a day with a standard toothbrush - but they actually feel cleaner now. Also, the OCD side of me is ecstatic that I have the UV light to sanitize the brush head after each use.

Saturday after my kiddo, I drove to Hattiesburg for a lil R&R and catch up with some friends. Enjoyed an early dinner on the patio of the Keg & Barrel.  Did a little bar hopping that evening before eventually catching the Ingram Hill show at Bennie's Boom Boom Room. I don't go crazy on the promotion of bands for fear of seeming like a groupie, but if you're ever able to catch an IH show, you definitely should.  They play in more intimate settings, great crowd interaction and good tunes.  Plus the guys are all fantastic people, so buy them a beer! And if you can get Zach to dance, I owe you a beer! For my NOLA locals, they play at Gretna Fest next weekend so come join me dancing in the crowd.

Sunday was a rest day - for the most part.  Watched the Saints whoop up on the Jags from the comfort of my bed, took a nap, and then headed to the pool for a swim. I did an easy mile and then came home.  I pushed myself on a few laps and then eased on some others.  As long as I keep my heart rate up, I'm doing great! I also realized I'm getting a superb tan from swimming in the outdoor pool.

Hodgepodge.

Yesterday was Day 2 of swimming.  I got a full hour in the pool, only resting for a few seconds here and there.  I swam 30 laps (almost a full mile) and I did some sprints and side lunges to see how my leg felt in the pool.  Not too shabby. After that I changed and went to the awesome weight room.  I did a lot of upper body work and I can see SUCH a big difference in my muscle tone since about 6 months ago.

Next trip was a run to Sports Authority for a second swim suit. I realized if I'm swimming 5 days a week, I want my suit to dry out in between pool time...and I'm not wearing the same thing every day dangit. In wandering around I found that the JOBY GorillaPods were on sale, so I picked on up since I had JUST mentioned needing one yesterday. I also wandered around and found these amazing all natural protein brownies from Lenny & Larry's.  They are hands down the best protein bar type thing I have ever put in my mouth! I ate a Cookies & Cream brownie for my dinner. The package is TWO servings at 170kcals and 10gm protein per serving.  I naturally ate the whole package around 6pm yesterday and I was full the rest of the night. I also ordered a case as these will make a good on the road dinner for my heavy MWF nights in the pool/gym.

My most recent big purchase was a Canon EOS 60D. I found a SLAMMIN deal on the body, lens, battery, charger, neck strap, and cleaning kit. It's like it was made for me and calling to me, so I felt it was the right time to get it. Since I've already sold three of my photos and made some good money at the yard sale last week, I was financially able to afford it.  Besides, it's totally a tax write off for my small business, since I'm a professional photographer now, booya!

Lastly, I finally got some kiddos for Early Steps. Calling my first family tomorrow to set up an appointment.  I have to see him once a week for the next 6 weeks.  I have another kiddo that I'm just waiting on the paperwork to get started.  Lots of good things are in motion!

And We're Swimming....

Yesterday I joined Elmwood Fitness which is part of the Big O. I'm currently rockin the 2 week free pass. Once that is over, I'll only be paying $28/month for a pretty amazing fitness center.  Now, I say this...but it's only the actual center that is amazing. The front desk staff and the people who sign you up can take a leap off a mountain. If a gym is going to act like they're some elite badass gym, then you better staff it that way.  When I was all signed up and ready to swim the girl POINTED at the direction of the outdoor pool.  Not "let me walk you out there and show you the lockers" or "let me find someone who can give you a quick tour".  Instead I got just a "see those glass doors way at the end of the walk way? The pool is out there". RUDE. When I worked in the gym I would spend so much extra time in there helping out my clients, showing them exercises, guiding them around, talking to them. It's just the right thing to do.

So, by about 4:15  yesterday I finally got in the pool - found an open lap in one of the outdoor pools. Around 5pm I got kicked out by the youngsters attempting to learn to swim. Realizing you suck at something is a pretty humbling experience.  Instead of pitching a fit and giving up, I kept at it - I just didn't do the breast stroke again the rest of that session.  I opted for holding a boogie board thing to my chest and just working my lower body.  Back and forth, back and forth.  I did about 10 laps without stopping before my legs were on fire. I considered that a good first try and went home to do my land leg exercises.

With this first session of cardio since my running ban, I walked away with a clearer head. I have a lot going for me right now and this silly little snag shouldn't and won't hold me back. Sucking at swimming means I have focus.  I have something to improve. I will come out of this a better, well-rounded athlete. This was the forceful shove off the cliff to become better.

Rawr.

Banned

I haven't posted much lately because I've been pretty depressed.  Not in that "woe is me, the world is going to end" way, but in the way that only athletes seem to understand. I was told last Monday by my trainer and my doc that I'm banned from running - indefinitely. Now, while I'm not a Kenyan that's going to win a race or qualify for the Olympics any time soon, I do enjoy pushing myself on a run. I've been playing sports for as long as I can remember and being told I can't do something just isn't an option. So here I sit, confined to quad sets, straight leg raises and other BS exercises instead of out running the street in the amazing weather.  Why can't I ever get injured in the summer when it's hot as crap out??

Artsy Fartsy.

Art
So I got 15 photos printed, matted, framed, wired, priced and delivered in the past week. Whew. I'm hoping every single piece sells. It took me forever to select the photos I wanted to use, but once they started going in the frames everything came together.  I really fell more in love with some of the pieces. I need to get out and take more pics, I haven't gone on a photography adventure in a while.

Work
I think I finally got everything submitted correctly for Early Steps, I now have online access.  Hopefully this means I can block off times that I am available and the region I want to cover and they can start giving me kiddos! My goal is 8 kiddos a month, but at this point I'd take any at all. This enrollment process has take over a month to complete, I really thought I'd be working by now. 

Finances
Still chugging along - reducing debt, saving, yada yada. I'm ready to start getting Early Steps money to make bigger dents in my debts, but all in due time.  I can't imagine what selling all my photos would do for me. I'd definitely put some towards debt, some towards savings, and some towards buying myself a new camera for Christmas. I've been doing well selling off old text books and such on Amazon - usually about one a week sells.  I'm glad my hospital has a post office in it, it's super convenient to mail stuff now. Just wish it had my bank in it...

Exercise
So I've been running about 2 miles every day for the past week or so, my knee is finally making me aware of that today. I'm giving it a break from treadmill pounding and going swimming all weekend instead. I'm pretty consistent with the weights Monday through Friday and I'm finally starting to see some definition. I like the gradual change, so I know it's something that's going to stick.

Southern Miss...

...To The Top!!

Last night I attended what was apparently the largest Southern Miss NOLA Alumni Assoc. function to date.  There was about 60 - 65 people in attendance.  I have to say, it got me pumped up about my college again.  I didn't attend a single Southern Miss sporting event at all last year which is a shame. I really do love my university and I'm proud to call myself an alum.  Now I just need to pimp it!

I've spent the morning working on the Southern Miss Nutrition Alumni Group page on Facebook.  It's kind of annoying trying to set it up and get everyone motivated to participate. I hope we can get some great ideas and participation. Soon we will have the website up and running and then hopefully it explodes! I'm looking forward to homecoming, networking and being back in the Southern Miss atmosphere.

I was privy to a bit of griping this morning about universities and how they just consider students a number attached to tuition. This made me wonder what these people were expecting to get out of their college years.  I remember participating in the freshman social gatherings, which seemed silly at the time but some of my closest friends were met at those functions. I tailgated, mingled, networked and cheered at every football game. I had greek friends, honors college friends, stoner friends, run of the mill average kid friends.  I took the time to talk to my professors.  I spoke with some of the student/admin liaisons. I made my college years the experience I wanted them to be. The only way to make things better is to get involved!

I am a proud lifetime member of my Alumni Association. I recommend anyone who isn't a member of their respective alumni association to join, it's great for networking and seeing where your university is going in the future. Go Gold!

Holy Crap.

Today I got a call from the Diane Anderson while I was in the middle of a very dull meeting. She was calling to inform me that I was accepted into the Baylor College of Medicine's One-week Neonatal Nutrition Update Practicum.  What was my response, you ask? "Holy crap!!" Yes, I said holy crap to Diane Anderson...she laughed. And then I had to sit through the rest of my meeting excited as a kid on Christmas. I'm one of 12 dietitians selected to attend the program - BTW, that's out of the RDs in the nation (that applied), folks.

I'm getting to that point in my life where things are falling in place and I'm starting to make a name for myself. I NEVER thought actually making a name for myself would be scary, but it is. It is exciting though.  My 29th year is definitely turning out to be a fantastic one!

Diet and Fitness-ish.

A back story. 
 In May I signed up for the St. Jude Half Marathon in December in Memphis, TN. Since I got into running half marathons, I decided to always sign up for that one in particular because A) it is usually my ideal running weather and B) it is benefiting an amazing cause. Then, for our 30th birthdays, a friend and I decided to also sign up for the New Orleans Marathon here in New Orleans in March - a WEEK before my 30th birthday. *headdesk* I always said I wanted to run at least one full before I hang up my running shoes, so I decided to take on a flat, fast course close to home (in case I attempt to die) and for a milestone birthday.

Since that decision, wrote out my training plane from May 2011 until March 2012. I've been hitting the gym at least 4 days a week.  Mainly working on building some lean muscle, hitting up the stairmaster for some cross training, and some yogaX for some flexibility.  Mid-July I started my maintenance running of running low mileage daily - I destroyed my knee. Running 5 miles in Nike throwbacks isn't the smartest thing to do, lesson learned. So I focused on weights and yoga for the next 2 weeks and now we're up to date.

Present Time - Fitness.
Yesterday, I weighed myself and took all of my measurements.  I noticed that I lost about 17 pounds since September 2010, but I never see a difference. So now, I'm going by numbers.  If anyone reading this wants to know how to take your own measurements, read this. Make sure to do your right and left, depending on your dominance, you might have a slight difference. So I made my target marathon weight and to get there I have to lose roughly 2 - 4 pounds a month.  Not bad at all.  I know it will take a while since I will be decreasing fat and increasing muscle - hence why I took my numbers.

Present Time - Diet.
Being a registered dietitian, one would think I have my diet on lock-down - and if you ask some of my friends, I totally do. But those of you fitness minded people know that I do not.  I eat my calorie range and I might only go about 400kcals above it on my cheat days, but my calories are taken up by crap.  I have a major sweet tooth. Like today, I was a beast in the gym and at home. I came home and ate cookies for dinner. I needed to get them out of the house and I ate them at 6pm and that's all I'm eating. I'm working on eating more protein, less sugary carbs and eating most of my calories before I leave work/gym.

Since I was off yesterday, I made all my meals for the week - protein shakes, snacks, lunches, dinners...did it all! So I'll be good for a week at least. My hard work will have a better outcome if I actually stick to my diet.  This means cutting back on my alcohol consumption, which isn't much mind you.  I just can't do the 2 for 1 Margs, I need to learn to share. On that note, I'm off to make diet plans and grocery notes for the next month or so.

I'm Just a Girl in a Tutu...

I took an extended four day weekend for my mental health and I loved it.  Today I've finally listed old text books and other randomness to Amazon Marketplace and took pics for things to list on ebay (once I do some pricing research). So far I've already sold $150 worth of stuff in a day.  It's a great time to list textbooks for sale as all the smart college kids are ordering their books online before classes begin in August/September.

We (Alissa and I) finally got the eighteen billion learning modules sent to us so that we can begin training to be Early Steps Consulting Dietitians. We decided to take on these roles to provide more follow up on our kids (most Early Steps kids are discharged from our NICU/PICU or Peds Floors) and we wanted some extra cash.  Basically we can choose the hours and areas we're willing to travel to and we can choose our caseload.  I'm aiming to see 2 kids a week - possibly more if I can. That alone should bring in an extra $400 a month to put towards my debt. BTW, That's not actual pay, it's what I'd allow myself to spend. Since we're independent contractors with Early Steps, we have to do all our own taxes.  A good chunk of my pay will be put in a savings account for tax purposes. Bleh.  If I begin full swing by September I could potentially have an extra $1600 of debt gone by the end of the year! That would actually make one of my student loads down to a balance of about $200.

In other professional news, I was elected as President of the Southern Miss Nutrition Alumni Group. I had to build a group page and everything on facebook today. I have a lot of great ideas for it, so hopefully I get all those accomplished in the next 1.5 years I get to run the show =)  I'm excited that I get to pioneer the group and *fingers crossed* build a good foundation for years to come. 



I was just having a talk with an old pal, and telling her all these things going on in my life made me realize that my life is FINALLY on a decent path. Granted there is no "main man" or whatever, but I'm doing well for myself and going the direction I should be. The breaking of emotional ties between me and material goods today has also been nice.  I sold a camera today that I liked, but I didn't have time to do what needed to be done with it.  If someone else could put it to good use, then they totally deserve to have it. I'm ok with letting go.

Settling Into the Humidity

I have returned from the very amazing experience that was the ADA's Leadership Institute. I was surrounded by motivated dietitians and part of me felt somewhat inadequate.  I went to the Institute not because my state or city sent me, but because I applied, got accepted and then told my job they were paying for me to go.  I bullied my way into leadership and frankly, it feels good.

I immediately came home with wheels turning.  I wrote my boss' boss to tell him I'd like to meet and I have a lot of great ideas for our department. I also found out that the article I lent my nutritional expertise was published. I finally joined the New Orleans Dietetic Association so I can plot the take over, ha. I have to write the press release for my attendance at the Institute tomorrow.  I've done the surface research on how to submit a proposal for a session at FNCE in Philly 2012 since it was highly suggested I do a talk on NICU assessments. So next step is start working on it. I will be facilitating the NICU RD Journal Club in August which will include a NICU crash course for all the area dietitians interested in learned NICU assessments. So I'll see what worked there and what didn't and tweak my presentation.  I believe I have to talk for 60 minutes at a session, but I definitely know I can do that.

I have been anxiously awaiting the ADA's second edition of the Infant Feeding Guidelines so I can update our policies and recipe cards - which are all sitting in my office just waiting to be reviewed.  I seriously hope my book is in so I can begin that process.  More to write later, but off to bed for me!

Arizona Bound

I've decided to be proactive today and start packing for my 4 day Leadership Conference.  I'm only bringing a carry on back, so light layers and wrinkle-free clothing is a must.  I learned from the best with regards to packing so this shouldn't be too complicated.

Work has gotten a little different with the edition of morning rounds that take anywhere from 1-3 hours of my day.  At least I get there early enough to screen my kids and figure out issues I want to address in rounds before rounds actually start. The good thing is that I have an intern who's been charting on my kids so I can get other things wrapped up before I'm off for 4 days and the world comes to an end in the NI.


Workouts have been going well.  Numbers on the scale aren't moving as fast, but I can definitely tell a change in body composition.  I attempted to run outside in the rain Sunday, I wanted to die.  Too frickin humid, but I did manage to crank out 2 miles at a somewhat decent pace.

Alright, I have got to get some work done before the Heat/Mavs game.

The year of 29.

I was in deep thought sometime last week on one of my usual treadmill runs - thank goodness I stayed on the treadmill - but I was thinking about my 29th year so far. I started my final year of my 20s surrounded by some of my most amazing friends.  I have a fantastic roommate who has become a big sister to me - to cry with, to share boy stories with, to work and to live with she has been there through it all. I haven't found the love of my life and I'm not sure I ever have but I have some great things for me anyway.


I recently wrote about international nutrition and tropical health.  I actually spoke with a woman at Tulane about the diploma program, but she wasn't sure if I could break it up into multiple semesters. She told me to apply none the less and that she's looking forward to working with me. But I know I need to work full time and I definitely don't have 12K to drop on 16 hours of classes. It's still on the burner if I can break up the semesters. I did have a conversation with a friend of mine and I told him of my idea.  He kind of turned his nose down at it, telling me that I would miss everyone and I wouldn't want to do it once I got there.  Which, I suppose I would miss everyone, but I don't need to see my family all the time.  As long as I can talk to them and write letters and they come visit every now and then, I should be good. Right?

My running has been going well.  I still struggle to run long distances at a time without walking a minute.  I can't decide if my knee or my lungs or my mind giving up.  I'm 80% sure it's mental.  As much as I try to convince myself that I AM a runner I still feel like I'm just an generic athlete. I am good at every athletic thing I do, and that's not to toot my own horn it's just a gift I have.  I can learn a sport or game and be aces at it by the end of the day, it's just something I've always been able to do.  If you were to ask me to go run a half marathon tomorrow, I could get it done in 3 hours or less.  I just have a natural ability to maintain a level of fitness.  With that said, I just can't see myself as a runner.  Yes, by the end of my 29th year I will have run 7 half marathons and 1 full marathon in my life, but I still don't see it.  It might just be due to the fact that I'm not the best at it, so I feel like I'd be lying if I called myself one?

I do have races scheduled for the next 8 months.  Apparently I got roped in to the tough mudder in October, I always sign up to run the St. Jude Half Marathon in December, and then I signed up to run my 1st full marathon in March 2012 a week before my 30th birthday here in New Orleans. We'll see if I can make it through all those injury free. I do have a finish time in mind for my 1st marathon, but I'm keeping that to myself for the next few months =)

I leave for Scottsdale, Arizona on Thursday.  I was selected for the American Dietetic Association's 2011 Leadership Institute.  Only 300 RDs in the nation get selected every year so it's kind of a big deal.  It took forever to convince my job that they should at least pay for my registration for it.  Ugh. I'm excited to go though.  I get 15 CEUs and a certification in Leadership - whatever that entails. For some reason the job doesn't care about a pay raise for my Masters degree, but they give us raises for certifications we receive - this better count for one. I have all my camera batteries charged for the trip, its absolutely beautiful there. Everyone has been telling me places to go sightseeing, but I'll be relaxing at my badass resort. I need the RnR.

Lastly, I have asked my diddie if we could return to my birthplace for my 30th birthday.  I haven't been back to Alaska since we left and I feel drawn to it.  I got my birthday tattoo this year and I feel closer to my birthplace, but I am compelled to visit.  I want to see the places my parents saw.  I want to take a bottle of water from the creek named after me.  I want to hunt and fish like my daddie did when I was small. I want to stand in places I did when I was a toddler.  I want to make an amazing photography documentary of my trip. I want to share my journey.

Life feels pretty good right now.  I feel like I'm on pace to where ever I'm headed.  I'm a little scared, but I know I have a AMAZING support system to complete my journey for my 29th year.

I want to save the world, dammit.

I've been perusing Tulane's website because I know they have a badass tropical medicine program and well, it's in NOLA. I don't feel as if I want to put full forth effort into a PhD because I don't really have the patience to teach at the university level. So I cam across this Program which can be completed in a single Fall semester AND if I choose to pursue a Masters in Public Health & Tropical Medicine, these classes could go towards that degree. But I'm not planning on quitting my job at the big O so I would have to do it in 2 at least. I'm making some calls tomorrow to see when the classes are actually offered.  I could probably take on more weekends to get more off days during the week to take classes. (Did I really just say that?!? Who am I?) Also, I think the big O pays for X amount of classes if you choose to go to school while working - I just don't know how they would take me taking classes to potentially leave them in a few years. We shall see....

Ta Da!

So here it is, the first post! Exciting??? Not so much.

Some background.  I've had a private LiveJournal account for the past 12-ish years.  I'm no way in hell about to make that public.  Plus I wanted to have a space where I didn't talk about boys and crappy people - frankly, I just wanted a space to talk about glorious me! Ha. 

I want a space to talk about the hellacious half marathon and marathon training I'm about to endure. I want to talk about my never ending climb of the career ladder and then possibly chucking all that out the window to follow a life of international nutrition and tropical health. 

Sometimes I'm scared shitless, others I'm racing off with blind confidence.  I'm pretty much going to use this blog to talk about it. Ya heard?