Morning Quinoa

If you're a regular reader, you know that I am always trying to get fit. I'll do good for a little while, lose a couple pounds, and then something will happen and I'll get out of my routine and gain those pounds right back. Something happened in the past couple days that has inspired me to get fit (once again) and this time, I'm determined to stick to a plan. Part of my plan is to be vegan before dinner. (This was also one of my 25 before 26 goals that I have failed to keep up with.) This morning I made breakfast quinoa, which is a fantastic vegan breakfast option.

Ingredients
1 part uncooked quinoa, rinsed
2 parts non-dairy milk alternative (I like unsweetened almond milk)

Optional Add-ins
1 Tbsp chia seeds (if you use these add an extra liquid, as chia seeds absorb liquids)
Dried fruit
Nuts
Blueberries
1/2 banana, mashed
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Honey, agave nectar, or other sweetener

Method
Combine quinoa and "milk" in small saucepan (and other optional ingredients). Bring to a boil, turn heat down and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed.

If you're using fresh blueberries, add in when almost all of the liquid has been absorbed. I like to add the nuts at the very end. All other ingredients can be thrown in at the beginning.

2013

Every year I make resolutions that I don't necessarily stick with. One of my more frequent ones has been to stop biting my nails (that's never really happened). This year, I'm going to make a better effort to stick to my goals. I guess that's a goal in itself - to follow through with plans and stick to my goals!

2013 Resolutions

• To have an adventure every month. This will encourage me to try new things and hopefully include a few things off of my 25 before 26 list.
• To live a healthier life. This includes working out (at least) three times a week, meatless Mondays/no meat before dinner, and only drinking (in moderation) on the weekends.

Another thing on my list is to take a picture every day of 2013, starting with this challenge. Doing anything for 365 days in a row is a challenge, but I'm going to stick to it this year!

Do you have any resolutions this year?

25 before 26

I can't believe I'm 25! Here's the list I came up with of goals for the next year of my life.

1. Get a writing/reading related job
2. Plan trip with Brittany
3. Lose 20 pounds
4. Cook a lobster
5. Join a gym or sign up for a fitness class
6. Learn how to sew better and try lots of sewing projects
7. Make cute jewelry
8. Watch 10 classic films
9. Have a mother/daughter day
10. Take a picture every day of 2013
11. Get zia symbol tattoo
12. Read 10 books from the Rory Gilmore book challenge
13. Write every day
14. Drink in moderation
15. Go semi-vegetarian (no meat before 5/meatless Mondays)
16. Write a blog post at least once a week
17. Shop with intention
18. Learn how to grill
19. Use these words more often
20. Visit a city I've never been to
21. Take a creative class/workshop
22. Build up my relationships with my aunts
23. Figure out career goals and write an artist statement
24. Own a statement coat
25. Keep a plant alive

Some of these goals aren't concrete things that I can accomplish and cross off (#17, #19, #22), but that's ok. I'm going to print this out this year and tack it to my bulletin board. I'll keep you updated!

xoxo