Things I’m Loving Lately #34 (#LinkUp)
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Good morning and happy Friday eve!
With the semester coming to an end and the grades being submitted to the registrar, things have calmed down a lot at work. I don’t actually get a “summer vacation” because veterinary staff members are expected to work throughout the year. So I’m having to adjust to that non-teacher life. But, still, I’m sure the summer will be a lot more laid back than the school year.
Warmer days, dresses, sunshine. Oh, summer. I love you.
In addition to summer approaching, here are a few other things I’ve been loving this week. As always, share a few things you’re loving in the comments below! Or, if you’re a blogger, leave your post in the link-up at the bottom of this post.
My Polar Heart Rate Monitor
I talked about my heart rate monitor in depth yesterday so, if you read the post, you know how much I love this thing. There are a ton of different companies that sell them and the newer Fitbits also keep track of your heart rate. But, if you’re looking for something affordable – yet still functional – I highly recommend the Polar FT4. I’ve had mine for over four years now and it’s still kickin’. (And I’ve only had to change the battery once!)
My New Dress
Last Sunday, I drove an hour to Morristown to get my eyebrows done because #RuralTownProblems. I didn’t realize that the threading place didn’t open until 1PM so I had an hour or so to kill in the teeny-tiny mall. I stumbled across a store called Maurices that was having a “Buy One, Get 50% off” sale. Dangerous. I found this dress with HORIZONTAL stripes and decided to give it a try and ended up loving it. The only thing that would make it better would be if it came with pockets.
MyFitnessPal
I’m trying really hard not to be a crazy, anal, food documenter. But, I also think that having a record of my food has been so helpful. Not only does it discourage me from snacking mindlessly, but my food diary also serves as a reference that I can return to when I want to look at a particular day or week that I was most successful (e.g. what foods gave me more energy, what foods sustained me so I stayed within my caloric limit, etc.)
My Grandma Shoes
A few weeks ago when we spent the weekend in Lexington, we took a tour of Mary Todd Lincoln’s childhood home. While we waited for the tour to start, the docent pointed at my shoes and at the shoes of a lady standing next to me and said, “Hey! You guys are shoe twins!” I looked over and, yes, the 75-year old lady and I were, in fact, shoe twins. I have no shame. These are the most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever owned. So call me a grandma all you want. I’ll be over here wearing my Skechers. And ordering more. (I have two pairs and I’m THIS close to ordering a third).
Baked Yams
Oh. My. Gosh. Guys. I’ve been doing this wrong for SO LONG. I typically slice my sweet potatoes and then roast them for 40 minutes at 375 degrees. But, the other day, while at Cracker Barrel for lunch (<—do I sound country or what?!), I ordered a baked sweet potato that just MELTED in my mouth. I asked my co-workers why my sweet potatoes never turn out this delicious. And they told me that I have to leave it in the oven for an hour and a half. So, naturally, after I got home from work, I tried it out for myself. AND THEY WERE RIGHT. 450 degrees in the oven for an hour and a half. Then, I turned the oven off but left the sweet potatoes in there until the oven cooled. I felt like a professional. I’m pretty sure I should quit my teaching career altogether and become a sweet potato chef.
Quick Easy Quinoa Recipes
I made a Quinoa Enchilada Bake for dinner last night. It’s very similar to the Enchilada Casserole that I make. But, instead of using layers of tortillas, I used layers of quinoa. I just really like to dump things in a pan and call it dinner.
Questions of the Day:
*What are your favorite pair of shoes?
*How do you eat sweet potatoes – if at all?
*What did you have for dinner last night?
*What’s one thing you’re loving this week?
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I’ve been a MyFitnessPal user for years and it’s so helpful. Yay for grandma shoes. They are so comfortable! That enchilada bake looks so good!
One pan meals are always a hit for me. Less of a mess.
We have so so so much in common! My new favorite recipe to make is Mediterranean Quinoa Salad and Sweet Potatoes! And I love my fitness pal. That is what I used when I was trying to loose weight and it totally helped!! Have a wonderful summer 🙂
The dress is gorgeous and I am loving quinoa at the moment, too!! ❤️
I love cooking my sweet potatoes in the oven. I just wrap in tin foil with a few drops of water and it basically steams them up, so good!
LOL at your grandma shoes – they look comfy though and I am all about comfy! Your new dress is very cute! And I use My Fitness Pal to try to track calories too.
I don’t think I’ve ever had yams but they are supposedly great. Sounds like I need to try your new way. The enchilada bake looks so yummy. And I love myfitnesspal. It’s an amazing app.
Great list. Love my fitness pal! It’s really been a lifesaver in loosing the post baby weight!
I normally roast my sweet potatoes, too, but that baked one looks so good! (And oh my goodness, the Cracker Barrell!! I haven’t been there in AGES. So good!)
Love this list! I used that exact same pink monitor for years and LOVED IT! Mine finally kicked the bucket though and I need a new one. I used MFP for years. It changed my life. I lost over a hundred pounds and met my husband on there from 3,000 miles away. I had to take a step back from it though for now. Wanted to stop logging for a bit and just try picking out healthier foods. It is so tough! I wish you lots of luck and success!
Ooh cute dress. I’m so with you on dresses with pockets though. Those are the best!
And I’m pretty sure I have those same shoes, or something really like them. They are comfy! No shame. haha
-Lauren
This is why we’d be such good friends! Kentucky hangout ASAP!
Yes, I’m so down for that!
I love the horizontal striped dress! Rock it, girl! I am going to try to roast my next sweet potato for an hour and a half. I am kind of obsessed with them. In fact, I just had some that I chopped up and roasted with some butternut squash, onions, garlic, and chick peas that I tossed with quinoa and topped with olive oil and called it dinner!
Good to know about the sweet potatoes…LOVE them…will be trying that recipe tweak soon
I love your dress. Your curly hair looks cool.
Fav pair of shoes…… Skechers from Costco.
Wash and Cut my sweet potatoes and throw them in my Air Fryer. Yumm and healthy. no butter no oils.
I had home made lentils last night.
Loving this week…… my sister visiting from NY.
Good Nighty Night. :):)
I am a big fan of one pan meals. They are quick to make and clean up is easy. No compromise on the taste and healthy ingredients too! I love your Quinoa Enchilada Bake!
I was in love with MyFitnessPal until I got a Fitbit – their app does pretty much the same but links with my Fitbit directly which is great. Being able to track your input and output helps so much.
Dani x
Haha “grandma shoes” they look so comfy though, I need a pair! Love your list of things you are loving, what a fun linkup!
I found some work shoes by Anne Kline Sports. They are stylish but comfortable. I changed jobs from working in a university library to a school library and had to ditch my heels….
You look adorable in your new dress! This week, I’m loving my bed. Can I send my bed a blessing? It’s been a very long week so snuggling in at night has been wonderful.
I love flats and trainers but tonight I am attending a wedding so I have to wear high heels. It will be difficult 🙂
Omg what a cute dress!!! So chic!!! And My Fitness Pal has been an obsession of mine for awhile now!! Such a great app
Baked yams? I’m in. I’ve been obsessed this year with brussel sprouts and cauliflower, but yams would be a great third for my veggies of 2017.
I love baked sweet potatoes – and sweet potato fries and mashed sweet potatoes and sweet potato pancakes. I pretty much love sweet potatoes!
Maurices is a small-town midwestern store. It’s where everybody shops when you don’t live near a big store with a big mall 🙂 But they do have some awesome sales (check out their clearance!) and cute work clothes!
baked yams are so good. i love that dress, looks great on you