Tag Archives: Puerto Rico

Feta Cheese and Starbucks

By Posted in Food, Personal Tagged , , , , , 30 Comments

Fun Fact of Friday: I actually am not a fan of American Eagle jeans at all. They don’t fit me right-that or Hollister brand either.  So I went against the grain of most of ya.  Let me tell you about the Hollister pair, I have sitting at home-they are a “ripped skinny jeans” style I have are literally too loose in the waist, perfect in my thighs and then so tight in my calves it takes about 10 minutes to put them on.  So strange and AE jeans are just not cut for me.

I don’t want to get your hopes or anything but I was a real girl two days in a row. The last time I wore two pairs of DIFFERENT jeans two days in a row…um maybe last summer but I’m not entirely sure.  Maybe in high school.   I like to live my life in leggings and one day I will have to grow out of that but I still have another year of college at least.

(def Real Girl-noun-wearing clothing other than leggings or yoga pants and also taking a shower.  Looking presentable to society.)

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To go along with more Factual Friday things, which if you want to submit something please email me [lolzthatswim@gmail.com].  If you have no clue what I’m talking about click here.  To clarify-anything you find inspiring or important in your life qualifies, and I would love for each and every one of you to be featured because I love reading about ya.  I would like to get the ball rolling next Friday so the sooner the better!  :)

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Today Kelsey and I went to a lovely restaurant in my town, First Crush, that I had never actually been too.  Can you seriously believe that there is a restaurant in my tiny town that I haven’t been too?  It’s similar to a coffee shop and they have a lot of vegan options along with a multitude of fish and salads.

I actually got a salad today because I have been having a strange craving for salads (bleu cheese).  We split a chocolate fondue but sadly my camera died for that portion.  Never fear-we are going to become regulars here too and go back on Wednesday.

I love me some feta cheese with cranberries and spinach

Plus I just found out they serve Starbucks coffee. That is the closest place within 60 miles of me.  Right near campus-how lucky and how could I not have known in the last three years I have gone to school here.

I may have gotten another cup to go...

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I may or may not have mentioned but Kelsey is a member of my swim team and we have swam distance together for two lovely years now. You could say we were kind of the core of the distance squad.  Of course during grueling practices, you are going to become close with someone.  I have been the closest with Kelsey for the longest out of anyone at school so it’s nice to just hang out.  She is kind of like my twinnie and doesn’t feel it necessary to go out all day every day.  Or actually really at all.

Here are some random photos:

We love the mile at championships (last year)

I clearily take attractive photos underwater in Puerto Rico

We are seat buddies to the max on bus rides.

& 99% of the time we only go out to parties with each other.

So that is how Kelsey and I roll.

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Questions for you:
1.       Starbucks YAY or NAY?
I like plain coffee from starbucks, I’m actually not a big latte, cappuccino, or all that jazz fan but I do love the intense flavor of starbucks.
2.       Talk to me about your BFFS.

No More Comments From the Peanut Gallery

By Posted in Food, Recipe, Swimming Tagged , , , , , , , , 19 Comments

So remember how I was rambling off about doing the 30 days about me challenge?  Well my friends as you can see (by my last post at um day 6, that was a failure.)  But Allie has been successfully doing it for the last 30 days so I decided to steal (Day 25).  Your day in photos.  So today, I’ll only add snide comments in the caption area.  I’ll give you (and me cognitively) a break from all that jazz…

You knew I couldn’t do a blog without rambling off so I’ll just add my eats and swimming workout without snide comments.  I didn’t blog yesterday so I have a lot to say (but really nothing happened yesterday because I’m in a college town before everyone else has come back…)

But first Sunshine and Spice is having a giveaway.  Did you know I’m a bar whore?  Well now you do and she is giving away the perfect Bar.  So go enter (as me of course).

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Anyways like my title implies-no more comments from the peanut gallery, here is a combination of yesterday and today in photos.

At least when it snows it's warmer.

These babies were close to 3 feet long.

To do...yesterday...

I wish I was the practice group leader today. Either way this was an aweful double dose of practice.

Smoked Salmon Bagel nom nom nom

Peanut butter chip pancakes with pumpkin butter

Hot cocoa is what I live off of.

For our swim team party, I was asked to make cornbread.  UM…yeah I’m from the south but that doesn’t mean I specialize in that… (Or have ever even made it.)  I was pretty peeved because I wanted to make something decent but I mean who doesn’t love cornbread?  I love spicy things so I found one with a kick.

Ingredients

2/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 1/3 cups milk

Optional ingredient
1/2 cup chopped Jalapeno

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

Lightly grease an 8 inch iron skillet.
In a large bowl, beat together sugar, salt, butter and vanilla until creamy. Stir in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and cornmeal. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture alternately with the milk. Beat well until\ blended.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Number of Servings: 12

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would.  I was being a negative Nancy because I wanted to make something better.

Julie made Buffalo Chicken Dip

& Jen's Rice Kripie treats didn't make it past the house...

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Anywho my last point is actually about my blog. When I first started blogging, I didn’t really share my blog with too many people (besides ladies in the aerobics class.)  Throughout first semester, I shared my blog with some of my closer friends but I didn’t feel comfortable sharing with people I hardly knew or sharing a link on Facebook.  As this break has continued I have shared my blog with almost all my swim team and have been more and more comfortable sharing it.

Questions for you:

Do you share your blog with “the real world?”

Do you indulge in “bars”? Or have them for snacks?

 

On a side note-Have I mentioned it’s hell week in swimming and can’t wait to run again. More photos from Puerto Rico…

This photo shows my candid love of swimming and cold pools...

Junior Class (We are the smallest booo.)

Because ridding an airplane is like a rollar coaster

Living the Dream

By Posted in Food, Resturants, Swimming Tagged , , , , , 20 Comments

Practice today was once again immensely difficult. I forgot why this week was called Hell Week…but now I remember.

600 freestyle
100 backstroke-100kick-50 breast-50 fly-100 kick
7X200 Freestyle interval
400 backstroke cooldown
4X200 Freestyle interval
200 backstroke
400 kick
400 pull
4X50 off the blocks timed
3X300 IM

After practice, I made delicious savory spinach and cheese waffles again. This time I added mushrooms too which was fabulous. Topped with hummus this is one of my favorite types by far. So if you are in the mood for waffles but not sweet waffles, these babies are for you.

The rest of the day was spent laying in bed and reading blogs. My body is physically exhausted and that’s all I really have energy for. That and cleaning my room since my parents are coming to visit on Friday to watch me swim.

For dinner, my upstairs family (in my house) went to Eben’s Grill in our downtown. I failed to mention the school gives us 300 dollars for food over this two week period we are stuck at school without a meal plan. Needless to say I’m burning 2000 calories on most days so I’m going to indulge in delicious foods.

Today was a yummy seafood platter with broiled scallops, shrimp, salmon and haddock. No of course I’m addicted to seafood.

I wish I was more exciting today but I have just been cleaning and getting ready for the parental to come. I will, however, leave you with some photos from Puerto Rico. :)

Hot tubs...meant for 30 people?

 

New Years with my ladies

I prefer to say I don't associate with too many strange people...

Question for you:
What did you do today? Were you productive? Are you going to (have you) watched Biggest Loser at 8?

Nom Noms of the Cold…Bacon Burgers!

By Posted in Food, Personal, Recipe Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , 19 Comments

I’m not one to double post a lot because I think it takes away from one post. Since Puerto rico, I have been eating though I promise. I thought I would just add a few photos daily from Puerto Rico for a while because that captures more of the moment then my rambling.

On a side note, I haven’t said anything on my blog that I wouldn’t say to people in the “real world.” I just found out (which makes sense of why my full name has over 100 hits to find my blog) that some of my fellow teammates read my blog on the regular. So here is a shoutout to you guys. Comment if you would like. :)

Before I begin my blog-I have to share this photo of the Baltimore Ravens airplane at my airport.  I actually watched the Ravens game today, so Holly would be so proud. I wish my plane hadn’t been leaving so I could have seen them come out. I feel since I’m such a superstar famous people and I don’t really ever see each other. Bahaha.

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I was also tagged in one those baby girls and since my last Factual Friday blog about my shoulders was a week ago, I’ll tie that lose end by rambling on about myself now.
Four TV Shows I Watch:
• Americas Next Top Model
• Say Yes to the Dress
• The Great Baker
• Random bits of Trashy TV (Jersey Shore YES)
Four Things I’m Passionate About:
• My friends and family
• Math
• Education
• Painting. I have to do something with my life since I have no classes or work to do between practices.


Four Words/Phrases I Use Too Much:
• Babycakes. That is my nickname for everyone.
• “Where is my _________? (nalgene, student ID, wallet, camera…)
• It’s too cold.
• This is a waste of my life. (I don’t like to be wasteful.)

Four Things I’ve Learned From The Past:
• Everyone can have a good relationship with food.
• Female drama is never worth it.
• I cannot retire into the cold.
• I can live for a week without pancakes.

Four Things I’m Looking Forward To:
• More people in my college town.
• Running a half marathon and beginning my running season again.
• Getting married and settling down.
• Meeting Tyra Banks (because that is my life mission). You can take your noble goals elsewhere.

Four Things I Love About Winter:
• Warm coffee
• Holidays. I love all Holidays and being festive.
• New Year and wiping the slate clean.
• The first snow (and then the first snow melt).

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Nom noms!
I like to pretend I have been productive without school and work. I did come out with a new way to indulge in pancakes. So there.
Dark Chocolate peanut flour banana pancakes
Now isn’t that a mouthful? It was only a matter of time before I found a recipe to combine the three to make something so delicious. I love peanut flour, banana, and cocoa powder so it was destiny.
1/3 cup peanut flour
1 small mashed nanner
¼ cup dark chocolate cocoa powder (I like Hershey’s special dark)
1 tsp baking powder
Water or milk to constancy

Sweetener to your taste (I used 2 truvia packets) but I like tart chocolate the best.
Mix and cook on griddle.

Dark brown pancakes, how can you not be appealed?

For dinner on Friday night, I made mashed taters, steak and steamed veggies. This was actually the best steak I have ever made by myself so daddy would be proud.

Kelsey and I made raspberry pancakes after our first practice on Saturday.

Then I got pancakes at Foxy Roxy’s this morning. The cute ladies all said they missed me and I met some new friends wondering where I pack these cakes down. I am convinced when I get out of college, all my friends will be 60+. I’m okay with it.

nom nom nom. I wish I could eat these every meal.

My signature classy face for snow.

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Two recipes in one post. I must be overzealous I suppose but I made bacon burgers for dinner. I’m not sure if I have mentioned 1000 times but I’m not normally a burger fan. In fact, I can’t even remember the last time I have had one. Something about them just doesn’t appeal to me. Grill me some hot dogs and steak. But anywho-I got the recipe from a book I was given.

Bacon Burger: (makes 1 serving)
Ingredients:
2 strips bacon
1 tablespoon egg substitute
1 tablespoon breadcrumbs
¼ pound ground turkey
1 tablespoon parsley leaves
1 teaspoon Worcestershire cause
1 teaspoon minced chili pepper
1 slice American cheese
1 hamburger bun
Toppings:
I like spinach and tomato personally with a bit of ketchup.

Directions:
1. Place a medium pan over medium-high heat. Cook bacon for 3-4 minutes until crisp.
2. While the bacon is cooking, combine egg substitute and bread crumbs. Add the turkey, parsley, Worcestershire sauce and chili pepper. Shape the patty.
3. Cook patty for roughly 2 minutes per side in pan. Wrap the bacon around the patty. Add cheese and bun and waaalaaa.

For me having a burger was a big deal, because I haven’t had one in probably five years. So my trying new things led me to success again. NOM NOM NOM.

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As promised here are some more photos from Puerto Rico:

Julie and I on New Years

My asst. coach Josh and I

airplane time. Straight hair is amazing for flight. God knows people do not want my afro in their face.

Um yes, I needed Puerto Rican Cut Out Wedges.

Question for you:
1. What is something you haven’t had in a long time that you would like to give a second chance?
2. Heels, Wedges or flats?
I love heels and wedges. I have always walked on toes (I couldn’t tell you why) so they are actually a lot more comfortable. I rocks heels or wedges whenever I’m not wearing boots ha.

Swimming in Puerto Rico

By Posted in Swimming Tagged , 18 Comments

I try not and double post but I wrote this one as well in Puerto rico.  So if you haven’t read my eats post go do that first.  :)

The whole point of my training trip for swim team was to do a lot of intense practices so I thought I would ramble on about the swimming aspect.  The pool itself was a 10 lane-50 meter pool located about 20 minutes from the resort.   ‘It was rather chilly but what can you expect from an outdoor pool.  Most people think outdoor pools are warm but really unless it’s been 100 degrees for a solid two months the outdoor pools are going to be just as cold as indoor if not colder.

The first practice of adjusting is always the worse.  It doesn’t help that since my flight was delayed, I missed a few days worth of practices.  I made them up with my club team but it’s not really the same.  We do the same amount of yards but they don’t have a focus on distance for me and more of a focus on high school and USA meets.  I have one focus and that is the mile.  Sometimes the 500 if I’m feeling overzealous.

Anywho-I know a few people asked if I could post my workouts online for ideas.  So here you go.  They aren’t too exciting but if anyone wants to do them for me they can.  I still have two weeks of doubles in New York to fulfill, needless to say I’m okay with pawning a few off.

Day 1:5100 meters

4X200 Free-IM-Free-IM

3X (4X100 kick, free, kick, Breastroke)

7X200 IM

12X100 Freestyle

6X50 Freestyle

200 back cooldown

Day 2:

Eight am: 5500 meters

500 free warmup

7X200 Freestyle

2X300 Pull

4X100 backstroke

15X100 freestyle

20X50 odds backstroke, evens freestyle

Four pm: 4800 meters

100 Freestyle

100 backstroke-50 kick-100 breastroke-50 fly

7X200 (odds freestyle, evens Breastroke).  I still have no idea why we did a breastroke hard set.  I am probably the farthest from a breastroker as you can get.

2X (100-200-300-400) Odds pull, evens im

14X50 Midpool 50s

3X100 backstroke cooldown

Day 3:

6am

6am was one of our rougher practices.  First of all, we had to be at the bus at five am.  We didn’t get back the later practice yesterday until around 6:45.

Dryland

1 mile jog

4X50 crunches

20 minutes stretchcords

I wouldn’t have minded the 1 mile jog if it wasn’t barefoot.  I have big blisters and bruises on my foot (that I won’t post online because they aren’t too flattering for your eyes.  Let’s just say I have Black blisters on the forefront on my feet)

400 warmup

2X(100 breastroke-50 free kick-100 backstroke-50 fly)

4X250s Free Pull

12X150 free (This was the hardest set mentally of the practice)

8X50 backstroke

2 pm:

500 warmup

2X(100 breastroke-50 kick-100 breastroke-50 fly)

3X300 Pull

30X50 Freestyle

5X100 backstroke

5X50 Off blocks (Always a good idea while wearing a 2 piece)

4X150 backstroke cooldown

Day 4:

8 am

600 freestyle

2X(100 breastroke-50 kick-100 breastroke-50 fly)

5X200 interval

3X300 freestyle Pull

8X50 kick

4X200 IM

4pm:

600 freestyle

2X(100 breastroke-50 kick-100 breastroke-50 fly)

900 freestyle

15X100 freestyle

6X150 backstroke

Day 5:

8am

600 freestyle

2X(100 breastroke-50 kick-100 breastroke-50 fly)

300 backstroke-100 Breastroke

4X150 Freestyle Pull

30X50 Freestyle

3X300 IM

200 back-200 free

4pm

600 warmup

Relays against George Washington University (in DC)

My relay

3X(100 freestyle-50 free kick-100 breastroke-50 back)

12X50 butterfly

3X300 freestyle

1X150 kick on back

3 minutes vertical kicking

Something I will never be is good at vertical kicking.  I can’t keep myself up to save my life.  Needless to say passing a ten pound medicine ball is not my forte.

6X200 IM

12X100 freestyle

200 backstroke

Then there was lots of cheering because it was our last practice in Puerto rico.  We had an entire day off (travel day) and no practice until the afternoon.  All I did was eat protein for my muscles to recover.

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Ladies team

 

Question for you:

Are you a beach layer outer or do you have to be moving?

For me I tan really easily, but I hate laying out in the sun unless I’m sleeping.  These practices took a lot out of me and so I could lay out for an hour and sleep.  I can’t just lay and listen to music though-I get way to bored.

Have you ever jogged barefoot?