Set Up In My Hibernation Station

Happy Monday, folks!

Since I’ve been a bit of a busy bee these past couple of weekends what with the Montauk trippin’, social cavorting, and various other activities- I decided to devote this weekend to doing absolutely nothing. I haven’t had a nihilistic weekend in a long time, and I’m happy to report that this one turned out to be absolutely blissful.

Saturday morning’s breakfast involved a yogurt bowl that was even better than Fridays. (I promise, I will start incorporating some new breakfasts soon for varieties sake…but when I find a meal that works and is delicious, I milk it for all it’s worth.)

Chocolate Chip Vita Top, 1 Tbs. Cinnamon Raisin Swirl PB, 1 Teas. Strawberry Preserves, Sprinkle of Golden Raisins, Cranberry Pecan Granola, 1 Cup OIKOS Vanilla Yogurt

There are no words. Here’s a nice blizzardly shot of the yogurt mess ingredients after they became close friends:

I enjoyed a couple cups of black coffee, half of this week’s TIME (there was a crazy interesting article about epigenetics and the role we play in shaping our future offspring’s DNA), a nice long chat with my Mom, and then it was time to show my cardiovascular system who’s boss. I had a piece of Ezekiel Sprouted Grain toast w a generous dose of Blue Diamond Honey Almond Butter for a pre-run snack:

I then proceeded to hammer out 4 miles in 40 min. on the treadmill. I’d like to thank “Girl Talk” for giving my legs the inspiration to accomplish that. After my run, I did some strength training, including:

*3 sets, 10 reps of squats, lunges, bicep curls, overhead chest presses, and tricep extensions (Using two 10-lb. dumb bells)

After a full body stretch and shower, I made a delicious repeat of Friday’s lunch (I’m telling you, I milk my favorite meals):

Dr.Praeger's Curry Veggie Burger, Hot Sauce, Garlic and Chive Hummus Over Bed of Spring Mix Greens

Plus a little Eve-inspired sweetness on the side:

Honeycrisp Apple Slices, Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss Wedge

I then wandered around the great outdoors lackadaisically for a few hours and picked up a few more groceries and a great new book from the mega-sized Barnes and Noble located on my street (how expensively convenient):

Already Made a Significant Dent In This Psychological Stunner, It's Facsinating.

Sweet Potatoes, Navel Oranges, Green Apples, Baby Spinach (All Organic), Seitan Stir-Fry Strips, Frozen Sitr-Fry Vegetables, Simply Bars

I also sipped on a Tall, Skim Awake Tea Latte to keep myself warm:

Upon returning home, I had an awesome care package from my Mama awaiting me:

It's Loaded With Goodness!

Some items included were:

Tortellini and Tortilla Soup

Eaten Promptly. LOVE Black Licorice.

More Persimmon Cookies (Not Gonna Lie, At The Entire Batch Later That Night, Which Consisted of About 10 Cookies)

When I'm Feeling Snappish, This Snappish Tea Should Help Cheer Me Up

Hawt Dress and Adorable Lace Apron (The Dress Was A Size Small and Actually Fit Me Perfectly, Shazzam!)

There was an unpictured Bon Apetit Cookbook featuring the greatest recipes of the 90′s (I can’t WAIT to make homemade ZIMA and Poached Hootie and the Blowfish!)

And last, but certainly not least, liquer filled chocolates that are very special:So, yeah, about those chocolates. What I’m about to say is something I never intended on revealing here, but so it goes. My mom has struggled with alcoholism her entire adult life. She has had a few dry spells here and there (namely, when she was pregnant and nursing), but her disease has wreaked havoc in ways you couldn’t imagine on her personal relationships and family. After 40+ years of addiction, my mom is seriously trying to quit drinking. She’s been getting active in AA, staying dry for up to a month at a time (this is a big accomplishment, trust me), and is gathering her coherence again.

It’s no big mystery that my wanting to become a substance and alcohol abuse counselor is directly tied to the rampant alcoholism on my mom’s side of the family. I fortunately, do not crave alcohol and drink minimally. Even though I don’t have a problem with excessive alcoholic intake, I’ve officially decided to cut booze completely out of my life because :

*It does nothing good for my mind, emotions, or body.

*I’ve seen the devastating effects it’s had people I care about and love the very most.

*I have a lot of mixed feelings and painful emotions revolving around alcohol, due to its symbolism in my family history. Each time I take a sip, I’m filled with guilt and ambivalence.

*I don’t like feeling drunk or dealing with hangovers.

*It’s a total waste of calories and annihilates brain cells.

Those are just a few reasons why I’m saying sayanora to booze. There are plenty of others, but WordPress just doesn’t have the GB space for me to explain them all.

Anyway, my Mom sent me the chocolates sort of as a joke in honor of her quitting drinking. I don’t really get how liquer filled chocolates support one’s decision to quit drinking…but that’s my mom for you, and it was a sweet gesture none the less.

Whew! Sorry if that was too heavy for a Monday morning!

Anywho, on a much lighter note, I made a delicious vegan stir fry dinner that night:

Chelsea’s Vegan Stir Fry

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons Szechaun Sauce

1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce

1/2 Cup Chopped Onion

2 Garlic Cloves, Minced

1 Package Vegetarian Stir Fry Strips (Sliced Seitan, Basically)

1 Package Frozen Stir-Fry Vegetable Mix (I Like Cascadian Farm’s Chinese Stir-Fry Blend)

Directions:

1. Heat EVOO in a wok or large saute pan, when oil is hot, add onions and garlic. Saute until onions are tender and garlic becomes aromatic.

2. Add entire package of frozen stir-fry veggies, saute/stir-fry for 4-5 minutes or until veggies are tender. Stir in Sezchaun Sauce and Soy Sauce.

3. Add pre-cooked seitan strips, cook until thoroughly heated.

I ate it by itself Saturday night, but the dish would be delish over some brown rice, soba noodles, or even mixed greens as well (that last one was a preview of Sunday night’s leftover dinner.)

I then curled up, slipped “Dog Day Afternoon” in the ole’ DVD player and ate an entire batch of persimmon cookies…murph.

Sunday morning I slept in until 10:00AM (it felt terrific), and made an exact repeat of Saturday morning’s breakfast because it was so darn tasty:

Only Difference Between This Yogurt Mess and Saturdays: Blue Diamond Honey AB and Agave Nectar

It was grand. P.e.r.i.o.d.

I decided to stay inside my apartment and live in my pj’s all day. I can’t remember the last time I hibernated all day, so I was overdue for some serious lowdown home-body time. I meandered, read old journals, talked to my Dad for an hour or so, watched the special features disc of “Dog Day Afternoon,” made a clean, healthy lunch:

Green Monster and Navel Orange

Yesterday’s Green Monster involved:

1 Frozen Banana

1 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk

2 Cups Baby Spinach Leaves

1 Tablespoon Blue Diamond Honey AB, Rice Protein Powder (Vanilla), Ground Flax Seed

Drizzle of Agave Nectar

It turned out to be quite creamy and delish. Love it when that happens.

Dinner was the remains of my vegan stir-fry leftovers, this time on a bed of Spring Mix salad (I spritzed the leaves with Bragg’s Liquid Aminos):Plus, a Granny Smith apple with Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss Spread on each slice:

Followed by Peanut Butter Smores for dessert:

Followed by a necessary YTTP podcast, followed by reading more of my fantastic new book and a cup of Kava tea, followed by a full seven hours of sleep. Boo-yah!

How do you like to kill time and enjoy yourself on a lazy, indoor day?

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