Source: http://weheartit.com/entry/11650210
Wow, can’t believe I haven’t posted since April.
Over the last few months I have questioned what it is that I want this blog to be – should it be a place where I share my workouts, a place where I share recipes I have made or can it be a blog where I can share the photos of recent travels? I have felt that I needed to pick a lane and stay in it. That I get to write about one thing and that is it. I don’t know if other bloggers feel like this?
Over the past week, though, I have been thinking a lot about why I started this blog in the first place. This blog is a place where I get to be me and to write the way I want – spelling and grammatical errors included (sorry Mom! I promise that I will try to read things over before I hit publish – most of the time). I get to share and talk about the things in my life that make me happy.
So, all of this to say – I’m back. No more restrictions on myself, though. I get to write about what I want. Recipes, restaurant reviews, workouts I have tried, travels and random life updates.
So, what have I been up to since April? It was a pretty busy summer, but here are some of the highlights (and future blog posts!):
- I almost realized my sub-2 hour half marathon dreams. Running a 2:01 and 45 second half marathon almost counts right? I will get there one day!
- I did a 3 month outdoor bootcamp through Energia Athletics. Was the best money I spent all summer. I am so sad that it is over and can’t wait to do it again next year.
- I got to spend a long weekend in Charleston, South Carolina. This trip definitely deserves its own post.
- A good friend moved back to Toronto after spending many years abroad.
- I finally got into a swimming class at my local community centre – I feel like a mini-triathlon may be on the horizon next summer.
- I became a homeowner! Pretty exciting and kind of scary at the same time
Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their Sunday night. Talk soon!
While in Costa Rica I picked up some delicious spices from Villa Vanilla. Over the Easter weekend I decided to put some of them to use (along with a much wanted and not very used ice cream maker!).
The result a not too sweet treat! Perfect for a post-dinner dessert.
Cinnamon-Vanilla ice cream
- 1/3 cream
- 2 cups of milk
- 2/3 cup of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
Mix all of the ingredients together. Transfer to ice cream maker. Let the ice cream maker do its magic.
Weekday breakfasts haven’t always been something I look forward to. For many years I thought my only “approved” weekday breakfast options were cereals, toast, muffins – none of which appeal to me. Rather than eat these items I would just grab a coffee and wait til lunch.
Then I met with a nutritionist who asked me why I didn’t often eat breakfast Monday to Friday. The reason? I thought I wasn’t allowed to eat savoury/non-sweet foods at breakfast. A pretty pathetic reason to avoid a meal that would kick-start my metabolism for the day. To cut a long story short the nutritionist worked with me to come up with some breakfast options that I looked forward to eating.
All of these are super easy to make and are a delicious way to start the day. All spreads are on top of sprouted grain bread.
Hummus and tomatoes spread on toast is one of my staples. I can often be seen eating this at the start of my workday.
A breakfast bruschetta of sorts – basil, tomato and goat cheese.
Who doesn’t love avocado? As you can see I love tomatoes!
The sweetest of all the options (sometimes I do need a twinge of sweet!) – blueberries and goat cheese.
What’s your favourite breakfast mixtures? Do you prefer a sweeter or savoury start to the day?
On my recent vacation to Costa Rica I had the opportunity to go on the ‘Spice Tour’ at Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation. Located just outside of Manuel Antonio, Villa Vanilla is a certified organic spice farm. They grow a number of really interesting spices and essential oil plants, including vanilla, cocoa, turmeric and ceylon cinnamon. The tour I went on was fascinating and if anyone is ever in this part of Costa Rica I highly recommend a visit.
Learning about vanilla was a big focus of the tour as they are predominantly a vanilla plantation. As I am a vanilla lover it was really neat to see how vanilla is processed from start to finish.
No more fake vanilla extract for me! Only real vanilla products from now on.
Other tour highlights included:
Tasting cinnamon bark and cinnamon tea – if you have never had this before and have access to real cinnamon definitely make some. It is spicy and delicious!
Eating a fresh peppercorn. If you know me well you know that every meal I eat has to have some spice to it. Getting to eat something spicy from the source was a real treat!
The tour ended with a trip to their tasting room and this had to be one of the most beautiful views. It also didn’t hurt that we got to sample a variety of tasty treats – all made with their spices.
The vanilla cheesecake was to die for. I want this recipe!
This morning I went on a glorious 16km run with my running group. It was one of those runs where the sun was shining and you finally felt that winter was coming to an end. Fingers crossed! Winter is really not my best season, so I am definitely looking forward to it being over. I was recently away in Costa Rica and it was so nice to feel the warm sunshine again!
This month is my birthday month and each year I like to try and take some time to document my goals for the coming year. Hopefully by sharing them with all of you I will be able to make them come true. Some goals are pretty concrete while others are more vague. But each individual goal means something to me.
Goals for this coming year:
- Run a sub 2 hour half marathon.
- Register for a Try-a-Tri this summer.
- To walk out of a yoga class and be proud of what I have accomplished – easier said than done for me!
- Buy a place.
- Be happy with who I am. I have a lot to be thankful for and it is time I start truly realizing this.
- Constantly set new goals/challenges for myself.
- Spend more time with the people I care about.
- Take some time each week to turn dreams I have into realities.
- Invite friends over more often for dinner.
- To take a cooking class at Culinarium.
- To stop using the word ‘just’ so much – this one is for you B.
