new yum yums.

It was time for me to try a new recipe! There are so many awesome vegan recipes on Pinterest I never know which ones to try first. I got a crock pot on black Friday three years ago and have never used it (what is wrong with me!). I was determined to pull it out and use it for my first ever vegan crock pot meal.

Since I used to eat meat, I love meals that are hearty. I miss meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I miss my moms shepards pie. So when I came across this meal, I definitely wanted to try it because it looked like it would give me that "full" feeling that I used to get from meatier meals.

Hopefully you all will try it and love it just as much as I did!

Mushroom Stroganoff (Original recipe can be found here!)

1 32 Oz. Box of Mushroom Soup

1 Cup Chopped Onions
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Cup Vegetable Broth
8 oz. Sliced Button Mushrooms
Salt and Pepper to Taste
4 oz. Tofutti Cream Cheese

1 lb. Pasta (Any kind will do!)

1. Mix everything except the cream cheese and pasta into crock pot
2. Cook mixture on low for 5-6 hours
3. Add cream cheese and cook for another 30 minutes
4. At this point I had to add a little sprinkle of cornstarch to thicken the sauce
5. Slowly add pasta and stir carefully
6. EAT!

Before

After

One of the main reasons I loved this recipe so much was because it is so easy! It is one of those set it and forget type meals which I absolutely love! The only downside to this recipe was that it made WAY too much food, might have to cut it in half next time. I will definitely be on the look out for more vegan crock pot recipes. If anyone out there has one they would like to share I want to try it!

My New Post Workout Shake

Everybody need to go out and buy this stuff right now.
Seriously, why aren't you in your car yet?

I was so happy that I could finally find something that helped me meet my daily protein intake AND taste awesome. I mix it with vanilla almond milk and it is like a healthy milkshake (it has kale and chia seeds!). Delicious and creamy.

Thank you Whole Foods for making me find my new favorite product!

Do any of you out there have your own post workout shake that you drink? Let me know!

Happy Friday!

25 before 25

This past Saturday was my 24th birthday. I can't believe I am 24. Sometimes I really don't feel my age. Ever. Probably because I hang out with kids all day and love watching Disney movies and dance in my car to N'Sync.

Since I have a whole year until I turn 25 I figured I would make myself a list. A to-do list.

Here goes nothing.

1. Meet a stranger and turn them into a friend
2. Get a new tattoo
3. Find a kick ass EMT job
4. This.
5. Run a half marathon
6. See a broadway show
7. Buy a bathing suit that I feel confident in
8. Cut and dye my hair
9. Be financially aware
10. Start to learn a new language
11. Have dinner with myself, no distractions
12. Buy a present for somebody "just because"
13. Visit a family member I haven't seen in a long time
14. Be with my best friend when she turns 25
15. Make a meat lover fall in love with a vegan meal
16. Donate to a charity
17. Take a road trip
18. Have a day of pampering for myself
19. Volunteer
20. Pay for someones lunch
21. Say "I love you" even if it scares me
22. Go to the beach and watch the sunrise
23. Learn a new hobby
24. Read The Hunger Games series
25. Go to a Panthers game with Sarika

Well, there you have it. Time to print out my list and hang it in my room.

Happy Snow Day! (For all of us out there that get them)

This Might End Badly

I just don't have the time. And it kills me to have to think that crossfit won't be in my life for the next couple months. I had to take a break.

I love crossfit. I might dread walking to the box in the snow or rain but once I get there I get a whole new attitude. One that makes me want to jump over boxes, lift heavy weights, and attempt as many dubs as I can during an AMRAP. But damn, I just have too much going on.

You might not think that nannying two little boys Monday through Friday is tough work, but it is tiring. Especially when I'm getting up at 6:00am to head to work and start driving back home at 4:30pm. I love my job but by the time I get home I just want to rest.

I just chased a three year old and a 15 month old around the house and the playhouse. I just spun them around until they were dizzy. I picked up and put them down at least ten times. It's a constant workout, might not be as intense as crossfit but it is exhausting which means my crossfit days are getting less and less.
Then there is my EMT class. My Monday and Wednesdays are dedicated to a three hour class at night. If I'm not in class I am reading chapters, taking quizzes, or doing ride alongs with the ambulance company to get experience. I haven't had a free weekend in awhile to get a good workout in.

The only downside to crossfit is the scheduled times. There are seven one hour workout times that my box runs. It sounds like a lot, but three of them are while I am at work and then depending on the day, I can't even make it to the other four due to class related nonsense.

I know that it might not be the best idea, but I can't seem to logically think that paying for crossfit when I can't make the time is a financially smart choice.

Once my class is over and I take (and hopefully pass) my state exam, then I will get right back into it.
I will still dedicate some time during the week to go to the normal gym (ugh) so I don't start to slack but I know that it won't be the same. The only plus about the gym is that it is open 24/7 so I can go at the most unusual times and still get a workout in. I know that I will never feel that accomplishment that I do when I finish a WOD but I have to do what I think is right for me right now.

Guess I gotta start coming up with some sweet new posts sans crossfit! Maybe some posts about all the people watching that I do while I run on the treadmill!

C Money Learns To Grout

Are you friends with any of your exes?

It always seems to be a difficult topic for most people. Why would you want to stay friends with someone who broke your heart? Or who's you broke? I can tell you why, because they once held a special place in your heart and they always will, at least for me. I think a lot of people think that I am crazy but it is very hard for me to hate someone so much to just let go of everything we once had. I liked that person enough to date them so why would I want to give up that relationship completely.

One of those guys is Brandon.

Brandon is my go to guy when it comes to just about anything (of course, that's not totally why I keep him around!). Rear view mirror got whacked off by a car (totally my fault), he puts a new one on. Can't paint my bedroom wall, looks like a professional did it. Need new locks on a metal door, he brings over a saw and BAM new locks. 

Not only does he fix things, but he has always made me try new things and learn stuff that I never thought that I would ever be interested in. 

Me? Want to read about stocks? HA! Learn about real estate? No way!

Wrong.

Even if I really didn't want to hear about it, I listened. And learned. That I am definitely thankful for.

This weekend I got to learn something else from him, how to grout tile! I know it probably doesn't sound too exciting but I was definitely excited because come on, who doesn't want to learn how to grou... oh wait, probably no one. But hey! Now if I ever need to redo my kitchen tile I won't have to pay someone an outrageous amount of money to do something I perfectly know how to do on my own! My knees and back might hurt today (I feel like I did three hours of crossfit!) but it was totally worth it. It was also my first time in Wildwood, which is probably a big shocker for everyone who lives around me because everyone goes to Wildwood in the summer. However, I think I liked it better this weekend. Complete ghost town. No hot sun beaming down on me, no drunk people bumping into me, and no over priced lunch. And especially no sun burn! I know, I'm that girl who just doesn't like the beach. Sue me.

I hope that everyone else had a great weekend like I did and enjoyed the gorgeous weather on Sunday (boo rain on Saturday).

Now it's time for me to give a shout out to Brandon who can take some pretty darn nice pictures if you ask me! I might just be saying that because they are of me and the little munchkins that I nanny.

First Day Back!

FINALLY!

Who in the world is ever excited about going back to work?! Well, I will tell you who.

This girl.

Technically, this past Thursday was my first day back but it was a lazy day that consisted of the kids staying in pajamas all day. Friday was a snow day (the perks of working for teachers) so last week was kind of a dud. 

Everybody else out there was dreading waking up and dragging themselves to work today. Not me. I woke up at 6am and was ready to go! Today was actually one of the first times that I went to work and didn't want to automatically pass out on the couch until the boys woke up. Luckily for me, Max decided to wake up at 7:45 so we got to cuddle on the couch and watch videos on the iPad until Owen woke up at 10. Then it was off to the mall with my roommate and the girls that she nannys. It was a great first day back with only one potty accident! Its hard to remember that you gotta take off the underwear before sitting on the potty. Baby steps, guys.

Some quotes for your entertainment tonight:

As we are getting in the car to head to the mall.

"Hannah's hot!" -Max

"Max what are you doing?" -Me on our way back from the mall

"I'm picking my boogies!!" -Max

"Well that's cute" -Me

"Hi mom!" -Max

"I'm not your mom" -Me

"Okay, hi grandma!" -Max

"What?! How old do you think I am?" -Me

"Seven." -Max

... and my all time favorite question to ask.

"Max, who cuts your hair?"

"Farmer John!" -Max (he means barber, but its so darn cute!)