The Most Delicious Carrot Soup You Could Ever Imagine

I know that title may not have brought a lot of people any excitement. I know how most people feel about vegetables. Not huge fans....Will eat some, but only in certain ways. I used to be one of those people. I used to loathe vegetables. There were multiple, FANCY family dinners that I spit tons of vegetables into my napkin, only for it to be found later when my mom did the laundry because they were clothe napkins---like I said, FANCY. Since becoming a vegetarian, or maybe just an adult, I have found that I actually love vegetables. And not just in the plain green beans next to my mashed potatoes way, but I could make entire meals out of yummy vegetables---DUHH, I'm a veg!

Anyways, I have been trying to make sure that we eat all of our perishable food before Sunday (we are going to Bulgaria for 2 weeks, so food will go bad) and I had a bag of carrots that needed to be eaten, so I came up with this simple recipe. Honestly, I am no genius. This is a recipe that could be altered to so many different vegetables and other add-ins. But even though it is simple, it packs a lot of flavor.

And no, it does not have a huge carrot taste for everyone wondering. It doesn't taste like carrot juice, because if it did, I probably wouldn't like it. It tastes like deliciousness that you can prepare in 30 minutes and feed to your whole family, baby included, and know that they are getting great nutrients =)

Carrot and Pepper Soup
Ingredients:
1 pound of carrots, peeled and chopped
1 red pepper, seeds removed and chopped
1 onion, chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, chopped (this really just depends on your liking for garlic)
3 cups vegetable broth
1 tbsp. fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/4-1/2 cup low fat plain Greek yogurt
a dash of curry powder (or if you're like me, a couple dashes)
a dash of ground mustard
salt and pepper to taste

^Carrots, red pepper and ginger root!! Ginger is so good.
If you have never tried to cook with it, I urge you to. I
was once afraid of it, but now I try to throw it in everything =)

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, sautee onion and garlic in olive oil. Add carrots, pepper, curry and mustard and cook only for a minute or two, just to get the flavors going. Add vegetable broth and ginger, and bring it all to a boil. Simmer and cover for about 15 minutes. Check to see that the carrots and peppers are soft by sticking a couple pieces with a fork.

^^Big ole' pot of veggies. Just what I like to see!

2. Let it cool slightly, then blend in batches, being sure not to fill blender the whole way. I recommend about half way, just to make sure it all gets blended well and doesn't over flow hot soup on you. OUCH!! <<I've done that.

3. Once everything is blended, add the yogurt. The amount you add is up to you, just depends on how creamy you would want it, but I like to add at least the 1/4 cup because it's protein!! Then taste, and add salt and pepper if you would like.

^^^Finished product, paired with roasted garlic potatoes and a tall glass of
water, because what else would I be drinking. Always hydrating! 

See how easy that is!!! Honestly, everyone could do that. It takes NO time (well, maybe a little) and it's easy on the bank too. A pound of carrots was 79 cents at my grocery store. I cannot complain with that!


** On a side note, I ran 6 miles while pushing Mila at a 8:10 pace. That really isn't that fast, but if I could hold that for 26.2 miles, I could qualify for Boston!! Let's hope the next 6 months of training make that happen!

Running on the Brain....

I sat here for a few minutes trying to think of a poetic way to start this post but my mind was just completely blank.

You see, when I try to describe running to someone who isn't a runner, it just sounds like I am a crazy person. I LOVE running. I do not run to lose weight, nor do I consider it exercise. If I ran for either of those reasons, I am sure that I would hate it. I run because I feel awesome whilst doing it. Even on days when I am exhausted from a sleepless night with Mila, I know that running will make me feel better..... and it does. Very rarely do I go out for a run and hate it so much that I have to turn around and come home. Sure, this used to happen a lot in the beginning for me, but that was before I fell in love with the sport. That was when I was running to lose weight. That was when I didn't know how amazing running could make me feel.

While I was pregnant, I made the decision to not run at all and just to stick with walking. I thought it would be nice for my body to have a break, and I was really tired during my pregnancy (anyone else??? I was the nap queen) so it seemed like a good thing to do. About 6 months into my pregnancy I was feeling such urges to run but I knew by that point that my body was so out of shape that it would just be upsetting, so I held off. Honestly, never again will I quit running. As good as the idea sounded, running is something that keeps me sane and grounded through my day to day life. It is my therapy, and I need it. <<Now I really sound crazy!!

My whole reason for writing this love note to running and posting it here, is that I have decided to really train. I never considered myself a runner because I was just running at whatever pace my body allowed and for however long I wanted. I never tracked anything, and the first time I even knew my pace was the first half marathon I ran. Since having Mila, I have become a bit more dedicated, but still come up with lots of excuses as to why I don't actually push myself most of the time. My excuse is always that I am pushing Mila and it is hard. But that's exactly what I need. If I can keep a fast pace for long runs with Mila, then I can certainly pull out some fast times when I am running without her. So this is basically me promising myself to work harder. Train harder. Be a better runner. Make it to Boston. Maybe it won't happen the first year, but it WILL happen. And just knowing that I am putting it out there for any of you to know will push me, because I hate to come up short.

<<Waiting to start my first half marathon in January 2011. This is how I prepared....by sitting on the stairs. Meanwhile, 20,000 other runners were stretching and warming up like crazy people. I honestly had NO idea what I was getting myself into. I had never run a race before, let alone a race with so many runners.

















<After I finished in 2:00 hours flat. Not the best time, but for my first half, I was pretty pleased with my time. Also, the fact that I did not walk at all.






<<Don't I look like such a baby???? Crazy what a few years can do to you.

After my second half marathon in December 2012, less than 8 months after having Mila. Even though I was running regularly before this, I was definitely not in shape for 13.1 miles. The last 5 miles I wanted to just quit, but I didn't. Finished in 2:20 minutes, and at that moment, I started running harder and logging more miles. 

After an 8 mile run recently. Got to run without Mila, and I paced 7:40 for 8 miles which is pretty good for me. And the best part about it was that it felt easy. I didn't feel like my lungs were on fire or that my legs were going to break off.....it just felt good. So maybe there are some faster race times that this body can run.....

And, just a cute picture of Mila before a run, because what's a post without Mila in it???? 

Homemade New York-Style Bagels

.........And then I became the person who makes their own bagels. I was NOT this kind of person before. I never cooked, let alone baked, and now here I am hand kneading dough for bagels. WHAT HAPPENED?!!?!

Nik (husband) is semi picky when it comes to his breakfasts. He is not a huge breakfast person, and does not believe that cereal is an actual food. I however, insist that he eats breakfast. Everyone should eat breakfast, it's so important. Anyways, one thing that he will eat is a bagel. The bagels from the grocery store are mehhhh and they cost way too much to taste like mehhh, so I got the bright idea to just make them myself. I found a super simple recipe here and was pleasantly surprised with how they turned out. Nik has now declared that we never buy bagels again......looks like I will be kneading dough once a week. What a great arm workout though!!

This dough, as simple as it may look, took a while to get it that way. My arms were definitely burning afterwards. 

                            

Sectioning off the dough to form into individual bagels. I did not weigh them to be precise, although maybe I should have since I ended up with some pretty interestingly sized bagels. Oh well, small ones for Mila and the big ones for Nik. 

                            

One lonely bagel......

                            

A silly looking bagel and a silly looking me, but hey....I'm proud of that silly looking bagel!! 

****Excuse my poor photography. I guess if I am going to be taking pictures of my food, maybe I should actually learn how to use my camera....I've only had it since I was 17. It may be time to read the manual....

Good Eats for Vegetarians and Everyone In Between

For some time now I have really been into cooking---anyone else with me??? I am a vegetarian (well, really, more like a "pescatarian" but I eat fish so rarely that my diet is mostly veg), so I really cook a lot to make sure my diet consists of more than salad and bread or cereal, because apparently that is not a balanced diet. <<But if it was, I would be SO happy to live off cereal>>

This cookbook has changed my life. It came at just the right time when I was really getting creative and comfortable with trying a lot of new recipes. For a while there, I fell into that rut of always cooking the same few things. Nik and I haven't been able to eat lentil soup since.....I really ran that one into the ground. Oops.


Anyways, this book by Martha Stewart is great. Not too fancy, but full of flavor. I have a one year old, so anything that has more than 4 steps, you can basically count me out of. I have made at least 20 (maybe 30) of the dishes from it, and every single one of them has been yummy. I made this one on the cover the other night--golden tomatoes, kale and whole wheat fettuccine-- A-MAZ-ING.


And I totally understand that most people are not vegetarians, but I think that everyone should have some really good vegetarian recipes in their mix of meals they cook. Sometimes it is good to take a break from all that processed food and just eat a simple, clean and delicious meal.

Here are some other things I have made recently (not all from the book):

This double portobello mushroom burger hit the spot after 90 minutes of Bikram Yoga. Paired with cauliflower cheese sticks from here and homemade buns--I mean, how could you go wrong??? 

Tilapia, avocado, fresh homemade mango salsa and corn tortillas I baked to make chips--YUMMO. These mangoes were so fresh-----like from a tree outside fresh-----and that's just how I like it! Picked just a few hours prior to eating, and not to mention FREE =) Who knew I was such a savvy saver?? 

Polenta with roasted tomatoes and garlic, and a spinach salad. If you are from the south, then you have probably had polenta (or grits, which is very similar). It's a really great alternative to pasta, and can be prepared many different ways. Sadly, I did not get to eat all of that. Mila ate half of it---- that baby can eat I tell you!!! (Not complaining though) 

**What is also so great about me cooking so many things, and not buying a lot of store-made food (such as breads, sauces, etc.) is that I know Mila is getting really good nutrients. I have no idea if this will be able to last forever, especially when I start working full-time, but for now, I am more than happy to spend lots of time cooking for my family. 

Running & Biking with Baby!!

By far the two best things I have purchased since having Mila are the jogging stroller, which I bought when she was 4 months old, and the more recent bike seat purchase. When I had Mila and we decided as a family that I would stay home with her, I had no idea just how stir crazy I would go. After just 3 weeks I was itching to get out in the sunshine and fresh air and feel my body move. As soon as the doctor said Mila was good to go with the running stroller, I bought one and we have been running almost daily since then. Honestly, it has helped me so much to feel like a normal person. Running is something that I loved long before Mila came into the picture, and I am so glad that she now gets to be a part of that.

More recently, we got a bike seat as a gift from Mila's grandparents in Bulgaria, and this too has changed my life. I knew Mila would love "biking" since she has been "running" for quite some time. She just relaxes back there, puts her feet up and babbles on and on (about something important, I'm sure). We have only had it for about a week, but we have been using it quite a bit. There was even one day that I biked to Mila's doctor and to the store, so I did not use my car at all. Pretty green, huh?!!?

^^I searched soooo many stores before I found a helmet
small enough for Miss Mila's tiny head. Safety First!!

^So sexy when a man has a sippy cup on his bike.... 

Seriously though---if you have the chance to purchase either of these, I really recommend it. There is nothing better than sunshine, fresh air, and that HUGE smile on your babes face when they are having fun. Plus, exercising while hauling all that extra weight around will really make you have some nice legs =)

Mila's 1st Birthday!!

Oh man. I am REALLY bad at updating things when they happen hahah.


Mila turned 1 on April 15th!! I really cannot believe that one year of her life has already passed us by. It is honestly kind of a big blur...probably due to the lack of extreme exhaustion I have been experiencing for the past year. But, that's okay because when she is older and no longer waking me up all through the night, I will probably be wishing she would cuddle up next to me again. So, I am savoring all these moments....or at least trying to.

Nik and I made the decision that we would not be having a birthday party for Mila this year,  but instead, we would just have a quiet family dinner and I would make some sort of dessert. However, my dear friend Dawn surprised us, and threw a little birthday soiree for Mila anyways. Most of my friends were able to come, and it was a really special time catching up with them and playing with the birthday girl. She did not care one bit about anything pertaining to the fact that it was her birthday, and spent the whole time trying to eat mulch. Whatever rocks your boat Mila.

For her actual day of birth, I made a simple dinner and delicious vegan cupcakes. I planned to have a picnic, and in true fashion, there was a HUGE thunderstorm right as we were leaving. Boo. But we made it work, and all together it was a great first birthday =)

^We have a 1 year old..... SAY WHAAAAAT?!?!?!

Just holding it up to make sure it'll fit^^

LOVE these girls right here^

^^^^Mila's crew ----swag 

^YAYY for healthy baby cupcakes =)

^Always trying to escape my hugs....

Gumbo Limbo 10k

I did a 10k a couple of weeks ago to support a local turtle rehabilitation center called Gumbo Limbo. They do a lot of work in regards to rehabilitating turtles that have been injured and they also help with turtle hatchings.

There is nothing I love more than being surrounded by a bunch of people who love running as much as I do. There is always great energy at these races that it just seems so FUN. I love a little competition, and at a small race, I can really pick people off. And of course, I really love the free breakfast afterward....or maybe Nik loves it more since he is the only one who ever eats it. But who's keeping track?? =)

^^^I will forever take ugly finishing photos, so I'm learning
to embrace that and like this picture

< My support crew >

^^^Oh, and did I mention I got 2nd place in my age group??? Got myself
a new glass for that =) 

~~Also, I have been doing Bikram Yoga lately. Anyone else tried it?? It's amazing if you haven't and if you're thinking about trying it, JUST DO IT. It is super intense, but your body will feel amazing afterwards. My knees have been feeling so much better since I started doing it, so YAYY for no more achy knees.