Food and Fitness Blogs

I heard about this Marie Claire article on another blog.  It is about food and fitness blogging.  It talks about some bloggers going to the extreme and not being a good influence.

I have never actually read any of the blogs that the article mentions; therefore, I can’t judge them for myself.  I have read a lot of blogs about food and fitness, and I do believe there are some disordered eaters and compulsive exercisers blogging about it.  A lot of bloggers even admit to (at one time) being disordered eaters and use their blog to try to help them from those habits.  A lot of bloggers don’t have a full time job, are able to blog constantly, cook elegant meals everyday and exercise for several hours.  A lot of bloggers are able to blog at their job.  It’s hard to judge any situation because there are so many different situations. 

I’m sure there are women and girls reading fitness and food blogs and using them the wrong way.  It’s unfortunate, but it happens.  I’m sure there are food blogs, which show a poor influence.  Again, unfortunate.  There is enough pressure being a woman without comparing ourselves constantly with someone else’s eating and exercise habits. 

I don’t really have a point to all my ramblings, but if I did, it would be we are all different.  Even though a food and fitness regimen works for one person, it most definitely does not mean it will work for you.  Plus, blogs probably shouldn’t be used as professional advice about how to exercise and eat.  A majority of them are written by normal people (like me!) and not certified trainers and nutritionists.  As the commercials always say, “Consult your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.” 

I write my blog for fun!  I’m pretty sure no one even reads my blog, but that’s okay!  I also like to read blogs for fun.  I mostly like do get new recipes or find out about new food that I have never tried.  Everyone has a different reason for writing and reading blogs… So… take them all with a grain of salt. 

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Tonight, I decided to try stuffed peppers.  This is the first time I have ever tried to make them.  They turned out pretty good.

Black Bean and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:
1 can black beans                                                                                                                                                  bell peppers
cooking spray
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 carrot, finely diced
red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste                                                                                                                                                    1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup chopped baby portabella mushrooms
2 cups cooked rice

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Clean and cut tops from peppers and remove seeds. Spray cooking oil on a 8x8 baking dish. Place peppers in dish.

3. In a large sauté pan, add oil and garlic. Sauté for a few minutes, or until garlic is fragrant. Add onion and carrot. Cook until onion is clear, approx. 10 min.

4. Add the black beans.  Add spices, broth and mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms are tender. Add in the rice, combine well.

5. Spoon the filling into the bell peppers. Cover loosely with foil and bake in oven for 30-40 minutes, or until peppers are fork tender. Allow to rest for a few minutes and serve.  I added Swiss cheese to the top and let melt.

Sugar Donut Muffins

This morning I was in the mood to bake.  It was pretty cool outside.  For some reason, cool weather = baking muffins. 

Sugar Donut Muffins

yield: 24 mini-muffins or 12 regular muffins
Recipe from Baking Bites

3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking power
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup milk (low fat is fine)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tablespoons melted butter, for dipping
1/2 cup sugar, for rolling
1 tablespoon cinnamon, for rolling

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl beat together sugar and egg until light and fluffy. In small bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Pour into sugar/egg mixture and stir until well combined.
3. Add in vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix well. Pour into muffin tins, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake for about 15 minutes until tester comes out clean.
4. Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Stir together sugar and cinnamon in another small bowl. When the muffins are done allow to cool for a few minutes, until you are able to handle them easily.
5. Dunk the tops of the muffins in the melted butter and then the cinnamon-sugar mixture.  I added extra cinnamon because it’s soo tasty!

We went to the dog park after I finished up with these.  Louis and Jack would rather play by themselves than with other dogs.  We are trying to socialize them.

My boyfriend has to work from 1-5.  So I will probably be picking up the house, doing laundry, get in a workout and getting ready for dinner.  I think I am going to fix stuffed peppers tonight!  We’ll see how those turn out!

Mmmm…. $2 Sandwich

My boyfriend and I like to drive up to the Asian District to get a $2 sandwich.  It is delish and super cheap!!  It is in a small building and still has a Braum’s milk bottle on top!  There is no place to eat inside, and we have to eat in the car. 

Ok…. even better… It’s actually 1.85 plus tax.

My boyfriend ordered the BBQ Pork Sub.

I ordered the chicken sub.  I had to take a bite before we even snapped the picture.  I love love love the cilantro on the sub. 

Don’t make fun of my small thumbies!  HAHA! 

Since we were up in Oklahoma City, we decided to go to the Akin’s Natural Food Market.  I bought some quinoa, whole wheat natural pasta with flax, a Banana Bread Larabar, a couple butter single servings and some buffalo burgers. 

It’s my first Larabar.  I’m super excited.  I had the Chocolate Almond Butter this afternoon.  It was sooo delish!  I need to buy a jar of it.  It was be soo yummy on a banana for dessert or breakfast!

A Nice Walk in the Park

This morning, my boyfriend and I got up and went to campus to walk the dogs.  It’s OU/Texas weekend, which means Norman is pretty empty especially campus. 

We found these posters covering on of the campus announcement stands.  It reminded me of X-Files.  My boyfriend heard on the news yesterday that CNN said there is 100% chance of life on another planet.  I BELIEVE!

We also saw this car on the way to the park.  It reminded my boyfriend of his dad’s old car so we got a picture to show him. 

Luckily, there was no one at the park.  We were able to let the dogs off leash, which is great because Jack always need to run around.  He has tons of energy!  

He’s really fast!

He also likes to jump in the pond to scare the fish and picks up whatever trash is in there.  Something moldy and wet is always fun to chew!

Look at that face!  Drives us crazy, but we try to love him!

  The other night, I made some Mexican pasta. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound seashell pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
• 1 can Rotel
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Cook onions and pepper in oil until lightly browned, 10 minutes.
3. Stir in corn and heat through. Stir in black beans, Rotel, salsa,  taco seasoning and salt and pepper and cook until thoroughly heated, 5 minutes.
4. Toss sauce with cooked pasta and serve.  

For dessert, I had a chocolate cupcake with RAINBOW SPRINKLES!  I love sprinkles! 

Let's Get Some Shoes! Let's Get Some Shoes!

Remember the shoes video??

Oh boy! That still makes me laugh!

Anyways, I really need some new shoes. The shoes I own are literally falling apart. So... no matter how much I love/loved them, they went in the trash last night. :(

Good news: I need new shoes!

I found these online. It's Paris Hilton brand?!?! Didn't know she had her own brand. They are super cute, but I'm not sure I want to support her empire.

I also found these Fergie shoes!

 
Obviously, they have this style of shoe in several colors, but I like them all!

I found these simple black heels at Aldo Shoes.

I also really want some low heel or flat boots.  I need something comfortable but stylish for the fall/winter.  I am going to Boston in November and want something that won’t kill my feet but looks cute.  I really need to go shopping to find some new shoes!

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