tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71363187872756243512024-02-20T17:17:55.965-08:00Because I'm TwentySomethingHealth & Fitness, Lifestyle, Travel, and FashionJess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-16905909202653409442012-06-11T22:57:00.001-07:002012-06-11T22:57:20.527-07:00Easy Tikka MasalaI love Indian food. Well, I love all food. But I've always been a bit intimidated about trying to replicate some of my favorite Indian dishes at home. Enter Trader Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce. This served as the main ingredient for a super fast and easy weeknight meal. Throw the sauce in a pan, add diced raw chicken, potatoes, carrots, chickpeas, zucchini, and whatever else you like in your Tikka Masala, and let it simmer to perfection! I threw in a lot of fresh garlic, paprika, and cayenne since I like spicy, but the sauce was pretty good without any help too. Serve over basmati rice and enjoy! <br />
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<br />Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-4496153723115092562012-06-08T00:31:00.000-07:002012-06-08T00:31:57.450-07:00Juice CleanseHave you tried a juice cleanse? I just completed my second 3 day juice cleanse of 2012 and it went really well! It wasn't about trying to lose weight or anything, but moreso to give my digestive system a break and detach from my (constant) thoughts of food/eating/cooking/grocery shopping. My first time I tried the <a href="http://www.kaengraeng.com/" target="_blank">Kaeng Raeng </a>cleanse, and this last time I tried the <a href="http://www.pressedjuicery.com/products-cleanses" target="_blank">Pressed Juicery </a> cleanse. While I appreciated that the Kaeng Raeng cleanse was cost effective, vegan, and they outline that you can enjoy unlimited raw fruits and veggies while detoxing, I had a better experience with the Pressed Juicery cleanse. The Pressed 3 day detox is more expensive than Kaeng Raeng's, but I happen to LOVE their juices, and since they are made with a hydraulic press, the vitamins and minerals from the produce are transferred right from the pulp to the bottle. <br />
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Pre-cleanse I was feeling regularly bloated, a little low on energy, and I was dealing with breakouts here and there. While cleansing, I naturally experienced some cravings, but I reminded myself that this one only 3 days of my life and I would survive. Day 1 was hard (more mentally than physically), but during days 2 and 3 I wasn't experiencing hunger pains, my yoga classes felt amazing as my senses were heightened and I became more aware of the movement in my body, I was getting amazing sleep, and feeling like a had a lot of increased creative energy. To be quite honest- I wanted to keep going for 5 days, but at about $50/day I decided it was best to stop at 3. Post cleanse I felt light, my stomach was flat, I wasn't in any rush to eat my favorite comfort foods, and my skin was glowing. I will definitely be doing another cleanse before the end of the year. Have you tried a cleanse? Would you? Share your thoughts! :) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLe4fSUQj7U67HDnVhFnRsUa9WT6xwuG0T3d1io5sMYUlX9aWDUQMwKzkCTKb6IBTwMzbDqNC2nO7JC7UFXRyu59qIyZIc7KVaKE7V4aiIQYvsb4KZXJk9fE_iqX8mqTjhOCqbxlbwT6Y/s1600/pressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLe4fSUQj7U67HDnVhFnRsUa9WT6xwuG0T3d1io5sMYUlX9aWDUQMwKzkCTKb6IBTwMzbDqNC2nO7JC7UFXRyu59qIyZIc7KVaKE7V4aiIQYvsb4KZXJk9fE_iqX8mqTjhOCqbxlbwT6Y/s400/pressed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-76261870715706487742012-06-05T21:14:00.001-07:002012-06-05T21:14:46.989-07:00Avocado Hair MaskIt's safe to say that here in California we are spoiled with the abundance of delicious avocados we have available Spring through Fall. I have a bag full of this wonderful little fruit ripening on my counter as we speak, so I decided to get creative with an easy moisturizing hair mask. My hair gets especially dry during the summer months when you add the sun, chlorine, and salt water to my poor color treated and regularly heat treated hair. The 3 simple ingredients are essentially just a mix of good fats. Mash them all together and apply to your hair to soak in for 30-60 minutes. After rinsing the result is soft, shiny, and moisturized hair. Give it a shot with these common kitchen staples: <br />
<ul>
<li>1/2-1 avocado ( I used a whole one since my hair is pretty long) </li>
<li>1 egg yolk </li>
<li>1 tsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I'm going to try coconut oil next time) </li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-jiK0l2beAEuWVYGufZkmjZtTD2FtxsyRv9teMU8wm9GL__HxkSWwOXEnzWJe_Rn-Sj39_mXHcpuEFV7MsFw1IEAEjRI35JbHBQ2LBkCEqkB4SAhT74yZHyx8vyTepdxm-TD1fbcUmc/s1600/photo+(33).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-jiK0l2beAEuWVYGufZkmjZtTD2FtxsyRv9teMU8wm9GL__HxkSWwOXEnzWJe_Rn-Sj39_mXHcpuEFV7MsFw1IEAEjRI35JbHBQ2LBkCEqkB4SAhT74yZHyx8vyTepdxm-TD1fbcUmc/s400/photo+(33).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-9093222557846591752012-05-24T11:16:00.000-07:002012-05-24T11:19:01.694-07:00Overnight OatsAs much as I love my <a href="http://becauseimtwentysomething.blogspot.com/2012/04/mini-crustless-quiches.html" target="_blank">eggs</a> for breakfast, I decided to switch it up this week and try these <a href="http://www.theyummylife.com/blog/2012/03/293/Overnight,+No-Cook+Refrigerator+Oatmeal+--+A+healthy+breakfast+made+in+mason+jars+in+six+different+flavors!" target="_blank">overnight oats</a>. I thought this recipe sounded great for summer since you eat the resulting 'breakfast porridge' chilled, and right up my alley with super healthy ingredients like old fashioned oats, greek yogurt, chia seeds, soy milk, and fruit. I loved that I could just throw everything together at night and then have a really tasty, balanced breakfast ready for me in the morning. I've already tried the blueberry maple and apple cinnamon variations, and next I'll probably get creative with dried cranberries and walnuts. I think this is a great option for breakfast on the go or even for a Sunday brunch. The image below is the recipe doubled in 1 larger jar since I didn't have smaller jars. I imagine this would work fine in tupperware or pyrex containers as well. Enjoy! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGWyHZ86-wrGjf2fcHG9vhiX3kM5BUNtX9MNgz6aT802kgzdceOZXLz8KMazyUd03rpVrxvULB-wk1fIgLCFcAkrDRgt_gwp4AbqSVH15nPhFTnpJj10HdOaLY1ic3NBTOjLBE_EcJ04/s1600/photo+2+(27).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGWyHZ86-wrGjf2fcHG9vhiX3kM5BUNtX9MNgz6aT802kgzdceOZXLz8KMazyUd03rpVrxvULB-wk1fIgLCFcAkrDRgt_gwp4AbqSVH15nPhFTnpJj10HdOaLY1ic3NBTOjLBE_EcJ04/s400/photo+2+(27).JPG" width="298px" /></a></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-43370061209010026442012-05-22T19:14:00.000-07:002012-05-23T15:15:40.485-07:00Summer ChecklistWith one of my favorite seasons kicking off this weekend, I thought it would be a perfect time to compile a summer to-do list. Here are some of the activities I can't wait to dive into in the coming months. <br />
<ul>
<li>Road trip through Big Sur with my sister </li>
<li>Try out all the awesome Yoga studios in my backyard in Santa Monica (Bhakti Yoga Shala, Bryan Kest's Power Yoga, The Yoga Collective, Hot 8, and Yogis Anonymous to name a few) </li>
<li>See a spooky movie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Ok so I got a head start and actually accomplished this one this past weekend. It was awesome! Silence of the Lambs at a creepy cemetery with a picnic and wine?!? I'll be going back again before summers end) </li>
<li>Frequent the farmers market and cook with seasonal produce</li>
<li>Go beach camping (and try surfing or stand-up paddle boarding) </li>
<li>Hike. A lot</li>
<li>Wine tasting in Malibu </li>
<li>Visit my friends in San Diego for a weekend </li>
<li>Host a Sunday Brunch complete with Mimosas</li>
<li>Check out the Rose Bowl Flea Market</li>
<li>Go to concerts in the park at one of <a href="http://discoverlosangeles.com/play/arts-music-and-entertainment/concerts/free-outdoor-summer-concerts-in-los-angeles.html" target="_blank">these </a>awesome venues</li>
<li>Visit MOCA, the Getty, LACMA, and the Griffith Observatory</li>
<li>Expand my herb garden to include some veggies and fruit</li>
</ul>
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images <a href="http://pinterest.com/jessicaleanne/soak-it-up/" target="_blank">via</a></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-78837908304448006992012-05-14T23:24:00.000-07:002012-05-14T23:24:33.326-07:00Quinoa PilafI've made quinoa a couple times in the past and was never really crazy about it, but I wanted to give it another shot since it gets so much attention for its health benefits. Quinoa is a gluten free grain (technically a seed but we cook it and eat it as we would a grain) and it is a complete protein. It doesn't have much flavor so it can be easily sweetened up for breakfast porridges or desserts, or turned into a savory side dish or salad. I decided to make a batch by cooking the quinoa in a can of vegetable soup instead of water. Instant pilaf and awesome flavor! Naturally I added a ton of spinach, English peas (since they are in season and so tasty right now), chopped green onion, garlic, and crushed red pepper. I had it first for breakfast with a fried egg on top, and later as a side dish with some crumbled feta and ground turkey. I'm officially converted and I plan to keep this healthy alternative to rice in my pantry moving forward. (Thinking I'll probably give <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/314453/breakfast-quinoa" target="_blank">this </a> variation a go next week) See below for my recipe, but don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with veggies and herbs that you like! <br />
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<u>Quinoa Pilaf</u> <br />
<ul>
<li>1 14.5 oz can of vegetable soup</li>
<li>A little less than 1 cup of dry, rinsed quinoa </li>
<ul>
<li>(the ratio to cook should be 2 parts liquid/1 part grain) </li>
</ul>
<li>1 cup of peas</li>
<li>3 handfuls of spinach</li>
<li>1/2 cup of chopped green onion</li>
<li>Salt and pepper to taste </li>
<li>Crushed red pepper or any other herbs you like to taste </li>
</ul>
<br />
Bring soup and quinoa to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes covered. Add in peas, spinach, and green onion or any other veggies you want in the last 3-5 minutes to steam and add flavor. Enjoy!Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-80840975032987876642012-05-04T08:38:00.002-07:002012-05-04T08:38:38.070-07:00PlaylistingI've been thoroughly enjoying making playlists for my yoga classes. Some days it's actually hard to tell which I'm more excited about; sharing a carefully crafted sequence with my students, or revealing a purposefully designed playlist full of songs that speak to me, and will hopefully be well received by my fellow yogis. Either way, here's a glimpse of part of one of my playlists on <a href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">Spotify</a>. If you are a fitness instructor, or even just an enthusiastic playlister, I'd love to know some of your favorite songs that speak to you on a fitness level! <br />
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<br />Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-14221962859610701042012-05-02T22:22:00.000-07:002012-05-03T08:21:15.410-07:00What's in My BagI don't think it's uncommon to be intrigued by what other women carry in their bags everyday, so I thought why not share mine? I'm always on the go so its safe to say that the items I keep with me can get me through work at the office, taking/teaching yoga, running errands, meeting with friends, etc. Here's a look...<br />
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<ol>
<li>Snacks: I almost always have a little something with me. Its not pretty when I get really hungry and don't have time to stop for a meal. I'm fairly active so its important to keep my energy levels up with healthy snacks when I need them. Oh and Cinnamon gum. I feel like people either love it or hate it. I love it. </li>
<li>Sunglasses and my regular glasses. Self explanatory.</li>
<li>My beloved iphone that I use to catch up on news, blog surf, make playlists for yoga, instagram, note my grocery list, and of course keep in touch with my friends and fam :) </li>
<li>Card case with my ID, a couple credit cards, and a little cash. Bulky wallets just dont work for me. </li>
<li>LuLu Lemon Gift card case that I use to store my vitamins. I keep the bottles in my desk at work and usually take my daily dose with lunch, but this little trinket comes with me on the weekends. </li>
<li>Misc: Eye drops (when my contacts get dry), hand sanitizer, and GABA Calm: an all natural supplement that really eases anxiety on stressful days. </li>
<li>Makeup Favs: Nars concealer, Nars Multiple (cheeks, lips, and eyes) in G-spot, BareMinerals pressed Touch-Up Veil, Mac lipstick in Angel, Brenda Christian brow pencil, Covergirl LashBlastVolume Mascara, Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom, my favorite Michael Kors perfume rollerball, The Body Shop Wild Rose hand cream, and some bad hair day savers. </li>
</ol>
Naturally there's always the occasional candy wrapper or receipt that makes it's way into my purse.. but I left those out for the sake of a decent photo. What are your daily essentials?Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-60869930335984321242012-04-29T20:38:00.000-07:002012-04-29T20:38:08.658-07:00Mini Crustless QuichesEggs. I love them. And I usually only take the time to cook them on Saturdays and Sundays. Last week I tried something new. I made mini crustless quiches on Monday that were easy to grab and go for breakfast during the week. I was skeptical about re-heating eggs, but they were actually quite delicious and possibly even tastier after the flavors had a chance to soak in (and tapatio was added.) I went with a Greek theme to utilize my basil plant, and was really happy with the outcome. You can try this recipe with anything you normally like in your eggs. Bacon + cheddar, kale + parmesan, sausage + peppers, etc. I think these mini quiches would also be a great h'orderve for a party, or eaten for dinner with a salad. Enjoy! <br />
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Mini Greek Crustless Quiches<br />
<ol>
<li>4 whole eggs and 6 whites</li>
<li>1 tomato chopped (sundried might be better for less liquid) </li>
<li>1/2 an onion chopped and sauteed with 3 big handfuls of spinach</li>
<li>8 chopped leaves of fresh basil </li>
<li>1/2 cup of feta </li>
<li>crushed red pepper to taste</li>
<li>salt and pepper to taste </li>
</ol>
Mix the eggs really well in bowl, and stir in all the rest of the ingredients. Scoop evenly into greased muffin tins, top with a few black olives, and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350. This recipe yeilded 10 for me.Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-10900125107140376512012-04-26T23:51:00.002-07:002012-04-27T10:01:44.528-07:00Life Lately.. According to my iPhoneLife's been awesomely busy ... here are some pictures to show for it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LB_uQbxvGm6u7_6g0vI_7Uk5aL1NZ9KCfduqNlncF7lA8npokWJZ70K35xkzLUh3yZgXaYyyqIjc381qTAhzDawa9qtYyYojvfvN4A-UGe7j0Byq-D0LOJrFk5TteemGbUQ1MuzRBIY/s1600/photo+2+(25).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LB_uQbxvGm6u7_6g0vI_7Uk5aL1NZ9KCfduqNlncF7lA8npokWJZ70K35xkzLUh3yZgXaYyyqIjc381qTAhzDawa9qtYyYojvfvN4A-UGe7j0Byq-D0LOJrFk5TteemGbUQ1MuzRBIY/s640/photo+2+(25).JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>
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"Chakra" jello shots from our yoga teacher training potluck</div>
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Im a certified yoga instructor now!!! </div>
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Thats me .. happy.. at Coachella </div>
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I've been reading outside on my lunchbreaks..</div>
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and making friends with critters like this guy and a praying mantis or two</div>
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My Easter Sunday was spent right here. It was perfect </div>
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I've been eating pretty clean and feeling amazing as a result. </div>
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I enjoy putting energy into preparing good fuel for my body. </div>
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This was home made tuna salad in butter leaf letuce wraps </div>
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Greek yogurt, flaxseeds, granola, and a little honey. </div>
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I'm addicted to these little treasures from Trader Joes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRGX6wxZCXfEgSPDJ70eauryusiMX09Yf1BOr1JQdM1GrOkvYaNjTZK-IZ3LqxqqHp77duclOTlAye97ff-nVq_haadaJdtTRaraMmARgQfX_lDFmXeGI6upB1WQ0L4xlthvK3wx2VKk/s1600/photo+4+(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRGX6wxZCXfEgSPDJ70eauryusiMX09Yf1BOr1JQdM1GrOkvYaNjTZK-IZ3LqxqqHp77duclOTlAye97ff-nVq_haadaJdtTRaraMmARgQfX_lDFmXeGI6upB1WQ0L4xlthvK3wx2VKk/s640/photo+4+(15).JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>
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I bought a mint plant (and rosemary and thyme). </div>
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And now I have extra refreshing ice cubes for cocktails. </div>
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Mojito anyone? </div>
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Radiohead at Coachella. I love them. I love Thom Yorke. They were so good live</div>
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<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/almost-stuffed-peppers/" target="_blank">"Almost Stuffed" Bell Peppers </a> </div>
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Ground turkey, onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, brown rice, and a lot more Italian seasoning than the recipe calls for. </div>
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I'll make this one again for sure </div>
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</div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-2863393170166740692012-04-09T23:10:00.000-07:002012-04-09T23:10:20.099-07:00Green Chile Chicken and Sauteed Peppers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For a super lean and easy dinner tonight, I made green chile chicken and sauteed peppers with spinach (truth is I add spinach to almost everything I cook.) I had the chicken cooking in the crock pot while I was at work, and while it may have tasted like I slaved in the kitchen all day, the recipe is beyond simple. You ready for this folks?..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1) 1 Jar of green chile salsa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2) 2-4 Chicken breasts (I like organic, free-range) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Cook on low for 6-7 hours, shred the chicken one hour before serving to mix in the flavor, and enjoy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the veggies I just sauteed a few garlic cloves in coconut oil, added 1 red, yellow, and green bell pepper chopped and a few handfuls of spinach and some cilantro and voila! Nutritious dinner that required about 10 minutes of prep. The best part is the leftovers.... which are highly likely to end up in soup, tacos, nachos, a salad, an omelet, etc.. Give it a shot and let me know what you think! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfp_YY0YLrZkXdeyr50CcfVpghUz3b7yK7W0Z6S0EA4myRyOXZ16icnteiM1_KWxCg7TldN-m9IworhjhKbLddCKWUPbbEKNhasLEKfuCeibFttA7dUsb1jhzwtCsHqUDyWCEskqcfCU/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfp_YY0YLrZkXdeyr50CcfVpghUz3b7yK7W0Z6S0EA4myRyOXZ16icnteiM1_KWxCg7TldN-m9IworhjhKbLddCKWUPbbEKNhasLEKfuCeibFttA7dUsb1jhzwtCsHqUDyWCEskqcfCU/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-5343078903192596752012-04-04T09:17:00.000-07:002012-04-04T09:17:02.714-07:00Curried Tofu with Tomatoes and SpinachIn my efforts to eat less meat, last night I cooked tofu for the first time. I'm sold. It was way cheaper than cooking with poultry, fish or beef, super versatile because tofu takes on the flavor of whatever you decide to cook with, and no animals were harmed to feed me :) This was also my first time cooking with curry and I was pleasantly surprised by the flavorful result. Do you have any favorite tofu recipes? If so, please share! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuYFT-ZhAq2skX4gosULIzLdjxLy9Vz5TSrqnJo1DdGQ8GAsLQ-RQQ6LzHREze2xfgKqM3cXT-Gjguyl_p4AOLFPMLQu8Ej0zr890tMYBGTfDDg7qE2yRtzaGvLthwWwnSOCw_x2IkJ4/s1600/photo_1_%252825%2529%255B3%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuYFT-ZhAq2skX4gosULIzLdjxLy9Vz5TSrqnJo1DdGQ8GAsLQ-RQQ6LzHREze2xfgKqM3cXT-Gjguyl_p4AOLFPMLQu8Ej0zr890tMYBGTfDDg7qE2yRtzaGvLthwWwnSOCw_x2IkJ4/s400/photo_1_%252825%2529%255B3%255D.JPG" width="298px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Organic Ingredients from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD1j07F4gAdkP9S_jCkvEYax_m_9UrekOPqA7r3WfdXGPHzSGHcCyyusdLLFfVp_O3oJZJAmvpVFClFvncXwvKZ76tXrT9qKI37fftH26aM1cYXJ4NLN9IgLmCSxyn10e05ZRqoUnvPc/s1600/photo_2_%252823%2529%255B2%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD1j07F4gAdkP9S_jCkvEYax_m_9UrekOPqA7r3WfdXGPHzSGHcCyyusdLLFfVp_O3oJZJAmvpVFClFvncXwvKZ76tXrT9qKI37fftH26aM1cYXJ4NLN9IgLmCSxyn10e05ZRqoUnvPc/s400/photo_2_%252823%2529%255B2%255D.JPG" width="298px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finished Product! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ingredients: </div>1 Tbs. Coconut Oil <br />
1 tsp. Curry Powder <br />
1/2 tsp. Cumin<br />
1/2 tsp. Turmeric<br />
1 package of extra firm tofu crumbled or diced into small pieces<br />
Salt and Pepper to taste <br />
Approximately 1 onion and 3 garlic cloves<br />
Approximately 3 large handfuls of spinach <br />
3 Roma Tomatoes<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Preparation: </div>Saute the onions, garlic, and coconut oil in a large skillet for 3-5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients except the spinach and allow to cook for about 5 minutes, until the tofu is hot and cooked. Add the spinach and cook for a few more minutes, just until wilted, stirring often. Eat alone or serve over rice. Enjoy!Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-38197404501281386612012-03-29T19:25:00.002-07:002012-03-30T08:29:02.530-07:00Yoga Teacher TrainingHello Blogland!! I've missed you! I've thrown myself into all things yoga the last couple months as I'm going through my teacher training program and I'm so enjoying it. I've been feeling more introspective lately as I've been experimenting with changes in my lifestyle, so my appologies for my silence. As of late I've tried a juice cleanse (I plan to share more about this), dabbled in vegetarianism, enjoyed nightly reading, occasional meditation, and of course lots of studying on my lunch breaks. It's been so fulfilling to feel really inspired and passionate about what I'm doing and I feel like I'm on the path to making yoga more of a lifestyle and potential career and not just a hobby or a way to stay fit. I've found a lot of peace in the yogi concept of non-attachment; to our expectations, material wants, habits, false identities, and essentially anything that doesn't serve us. I can't wait to share more, but for now I need to study, so I'll leave you with some images I've saved from the one and only <a href="http://pinterest.com/jessicaleanne/" target="_blank">Pinterest </a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHa6b3mxf-R6dXyYhOtED-LxaiejK3rXQzXMcNe4gjeWCBBTWwpT4Z6OIrq_-BQp9agnYsnJlO-vzCNWZxmMz036bTOZmlBRRw0dtv_bPTXwc8uNW-EvtRUO-S0wVYsl_arY4JZFZIqM/s1600/yoga2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHa6b3mxf-R6dXyYhOtED-LxaiejK3rXQzXMcNe4gjeWCBBTWwpT4Z6OIrq_-BQp9agnYsnJlO-vzCNWZxmMz036bTOZmlBRRw0dtv_bPTXwc8uNW-EvtRUO-S0wVYsl_arY4JZFZIqM/s400/yoga2.jpg" width="263px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2QoDLuozKW5vxHRK90owwgPo-cbfwWt-hyyFrvqSG50ge2xfVAITNcABIWrE4AsthmkCge_dc3j2lAPcyswAfYkddjV-CSAqVgM92Up48aQMvDr4D05h5If0SyQLm8ZzG_vnr-LST2s/s1600/yoga3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2QoDLuozKW5vxHRK90owwgPo-cbfwWt-hyyFrvqSG50ge2xfVAITNcABIWrE4AsthmkCge_dc3j2lAPcyswAfYkddjV-CSAqVgM92Up48aQMvDr4D05h5If0SyQLm8ZzG_vnr-LST2s/s400/yoga3.jpg" width="217px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziPDHS9LXKwFEveVhrK5TkGtdVHn_emD8SXojI1_wr7xnDJ5L0SoCWTmVEn13i1AEfuA5yhOjGuL2MmqPByxag9hyphenhyphen2mBg1e66kTw16E0_PWwJP2pf1L11y0DfdmnXqYdxE8z6dT4mcOQ/s1600/yoga4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziPDHS9LXKwFEveVhrK5TkGtdVHn_emD8SXojI1_wr7xnDJ5L0SoCWTmVEn13i1AEfuA5yhOjGuL2MmqPByxag9hyphenhyphen2mBg1e66kTw16E0_PWwJP2pf1L11y0DfdmnXqYdxE8z6dT4mcOQ/s400/yoga4.jpg" width="267px" /></a></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-3758416476903724542012-01-30T21:46:00.000-08:002012-01-30T21:46:22.556-08:00Cajun Sauteed ShrimpLast night I made <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/cajun-sauteed-shrimp-41701#ixzz1iR4DUecj" target="_blank">this </a>awesome recipe and served it over basmati rice. It has already earned a spot in my arsenal of favorites due to the easy prep, loads of flavor, and low fat content (you've probably noticed by now that these factors apply to most of the recipes I share on my blog.) Next time I might consider adding a little more garlic powder, and possibly a little white wine or tomato sauce while sauteing to add some more liquid to the dish. I used coconut oil to saute since I didn't have vegetable oil. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMrtTRaoqR07jBoZxjucIFFxT0vfTqWurN9Y6Jo2zyOsJ63dmZZWfqWnHDVswbm9KwOb7OHEAMfKIfqmyzz578K_GVjiD3Ifnp4BcTtf_6lTEdyVATnylZ9a_ykEEGkQjP2_SrVgyCvk/s1600/photo_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMrtTRaoqR07jBoZxjucIFFxT0vfTqWurN9Y6Jo2zyOsJ63dmZZWfqWnHDVswbm9KwOb7OHEAMfKIfqmyzz578K_GVjiD3Ifnp4BcTtf_6lTEdyVATnylZ9a_ykEEGkQjP2_SrVgyCvk/s400/photo_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I was especially excited to make this shrimp because it called for almost half of the spices in my awesome new spice rack! My sweet sister and her boyfriend made me a magnetic one for Christmas since they know I don't have a whole lot of counter space in my apartment. It's so cool! My sister picked out "Tiffany blue" magnetic <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4052913" target="_blank">containers</a> from Cost Plus, and had them filled with organic spices at a local shop where she <a href="http://becauseimtwentysomething.blogspot.com/2011/04/weekend-snapshots.html" target="_blank">lives</a>. Her boyfriend hammered the edges of a piece of sheet metal that now hangs happily in my kitchen. I think it's genius.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_URKqbdHVvW2OOeq4ez2zu1R8axRVfehjAvSDnzj-t5UUQOIelJhQqmQjtFyObIulQ0u4n16p9kj7_E4MNB83J875YLfLXnkocP84FUxlKAms_ci9RmWTSxvHOIQYamwwGYqYiBCJmHU/s1600/photo+1+(24).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_URKqbdHVvW2OOeq4ez2zu1R8axRVfehjAvSDnzj-t5UUQOIelJhQqmQjtFyObIulQ0u4n16p9kj7_E4MNB83J875YLfLXnkocP84FUxlKAms_ci9RmWTSxvHOIQYamwwGYqYiBCJmHU/s400/photo+1+(24).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-45998978148527150172012-01-12T09:55:00.000-08:002012-01-12T09:58:51.065-08:00New York, New York!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDPNq_t3SUkzEs0b_DaVbR6UpUoM5RkiEaJF6HD0pYFMmp2W_L_VpU_3RswsN0sjvPApHVFyNuj-mE6rWjC1Lq4iTn9vJjqNjAWNTatFAedKd6yaCeiporKNUCjpwdxTNH6Nxg1yR8EE/s1600/NYC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDPNq_t3SUkzEs0b_DaVbR6UpUoM5RkiEaJF6HD0pYFMmp2W_L_VpU_3RswsN0sjvPApHVFyNuj-mE6rWjC1Lq4iTn9vJjqNjAWNTatFAedKd6yaCeiporKNUCjpwdxTNH6Nxg1yR8EE/s400/NYC2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/119838040054164248/" target="_blank">photo credit</a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left">Tonight I'm taking a red-eye to this magical city. Its been a little over 3 years since my last visit to NYC, and browsing pictures on <a href="http://pinterest.com/jessicaleanne/">pinterest </a>just got me extra excited. I can't wait for the sights, the food, the people, the energy, and even the cold weather. Hope you all have an awesome weekend! Follow me on instagram @hi_im_jess for the weekend pictures! </div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-82251324631766774452012-01-11T08:53:00.000-08:002012-01-11T08:53:37.351-08:00Coachella 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeNdiIixb6ojZ27-eNoat-O3_A25XNlSjyGDNrXTQ-GPyP_icO7lWZocKzSG31BThDJGs9_gmbHLh-zuTANohExbNM3NhnzPSog_hmhPo7TAzPzctp3Reaw6EWXdDlXXSBaLjKArW_fA/s1600/coachella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeNdiIixb6ojZ27-eNoat-O3_A25XNlSjyGDNrXTQ-GPyP_icO7lWZocKzSG31BThDJGs9_gmbHLh-zuTANohExbNM3NhnzPSog_hmhPo7TAzPzctp3Reaw6EWXdDlXXSBaLjKArW_fA/s640/coachella.jpg" width="480px" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left">Sooooo... the Coachella 2012 Lineup was announced on Monday and I don't think I can resist. With some of my favorite bands like Radiohead, Florence, Fitz and the Tantrums, Bon Iver, The Black Keys, Mazzy Star, Santigold, Miike Snow, Kaskade, Feist, and more, I think I'm going to have to justify the splurge. </div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-2015299051628356372012-01-11T08:31:00.000-08:002012-01-11T08:31:47.320-08:00Thank You 2011/Hello 2012!!The holidays came and went in a festive blaze, as they always do, and here we are at the beginning of 2012. I like to think that I'm always working on growing and figuring out ways to be the best version of myself, but I always love the energy and momentum that presents itself on January 1st with new years resolutions. I have several intentions for the new year that I'm excited to share and hold myself accountable for, but first it seems appropriate to acknowledge what a great year 2011 was. For starters- I feel like I'm the healthiest and fittest I've been possibly ever and I owe that largely to my newly discovered regular yoga practice and (mostly) healthy eating habits. Secondly, my life is filled with people I love and adore and they reciprocate that and have supported me in many ways. Third, my job has been going really well and after over 2 years with the company I feel very content and appreciated in my position and there is talk of a promotion in the near future. Last year I was also finally able to move to an area that I love with a roommate who's been awesome! To top it all off, I was able to do so much traveling last year which is always so fulfilling and exciting for me. I've been so grateful for the wonderful gentleman in my life who appreciates me and misses me when he's away for work and always makes time for me to come and visit. So basically, I'm super excited about 2012 because I know it will be as good or better than 2011 and I can't wait to see what's in store! Here's a little 2011 recap of some of my favorite snapshots from January through December. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtM23wBVgVsxQ3FEZdvntB0_stdxmB7zzw17iyExHAQKyk41dJq-Fq1jO2qbvpF4yPSqpzBUF3-_hjqKIi-aX1dnhiwa908d5vuC1IIQ80HUE_slvGsDc6NDgsL7kTZCcrH2yQ-IhJw_c/s1600/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtM23wBVgVsxQ3FEZdvntB0_stdxmB7zzw17iyExHAQKyk41dJq-Fq1jO2qbvpF4yPSqpzBUF3-_hjqKIi-aX1dnhiwa908d5vuC1IIQ80HUE_slvGsDc6NDgsL7kTZCcrH2yQ-IhJw_c/s400/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">January: Beach hiking in San Luis </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13HNV2Pmf_8-a2OvLF73sGIuMWBNqPZgtASFI1ChE79-ms7M8hBMHjP7tyhADAi-1vGbF9ausT-vF1L3wuyX9KVpEwY1cQlBAQmEQ4PK1Sj_3k37WBKo2gXetZFiFXr1LvBw94jgcchI/s1600/photo+3+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13HNV2Pmf_8-a2OvLF73sGIuMWBNqPZgtASFI1ChE79-ms7M8hBMHjP7tyhADAi-1vGbF9ausT-vF1L3wuyX9KVpEwY1cQlBAQmEQ4PK1Sj_3k37WBKo2gXetZFiFXr1LvBw94jgcchI/s400/photo+3+%252822%2529.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">February: Random shot of my sweet kitty <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdh10b_ueJibQ09YXyFhbGrCSbzrRkz8YDsiprLF7LGAWRjoXw7TrjFzM-Jy1AcaU2KvIWwOqU3bjMDifzKKCZeR1pLYojkM4DzG64bwRBSn6nDl5DcIG0_v1gJDm_zE4CQNCXiWc2U4/s1600/photo+5+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdh10b_ueJibQ09YXyFhbGrCSbzrRkz8YDsiprLF7LGAWRjoXw7TrjFzM-Jy1AcaU2KvIWwOqU3bjMDifzKKCZeR1pLYojkM4DzG64bwRBSn6nDl5DcIG0_v1gJDm_zE4CQNCXiWc2U4/s400/photo+5+%25285%2529.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">March: Sipping cocktails at a friend's gorgeous wedding <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize_2P9f_aIyE3te36JOzcxN7KApvtvoxpChV8QQJ9Qd5wrn3La5iSlvDt37ushKw6Eh8CXWwMvrZIh24hfJ-A5NO8cc5RHCPW4yLqYNGROEOPk6jRlC7V5sXZ3-v_V0sBognKbEWVmNo/s1600/photo+5+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize_2P9f_aIyE3te36JOzcxN7KApvtvoxpChV8QQJ9Qd5wrn3La5iSlvDt37ushKw6Eh8CXWwMvrZIh24hfJ-A5NO8cc5RHCPW4yLqYNGROEOPk6jRlC7V5sXZ3-v_V0sBognKbEWVmNo/s400/photo+5+%25284%2529.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">April: Scenic snapshot from the drive up to Paso Robles for work</div><div style="text-align: center;">(a trip that was made many times in 2011) <br />
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<img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j9muAWMUg28IggmcCnJDjBux9jdGhUgRbyXvm7WNowSe-xBDwfVGTPAnrMgFED5qAS5zCmY8Mu8Eo8n9gfyasTZaRdAmgrzPwvHYHb4B57HSw7YtO-kQD_6F6H-q55Al3Z5ahs703NA/s400/photo+3+%252819%2529.JPG" width="400px" /><br />
May: Red Rocks in Denver, CO (bucket list check) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYLisauKYjJ3yPB99MV-fyCbQHOgQHoCpa8liuzT3R2i8KJzpNPLLa5Phmpz1BN8t4ULI7tlPRPi_6gxZexj2gBV8bJZeNMJX1BS-QRt0iCoaBhm_o0FGsD1IahqPVUuqi15uCDOViE0/s1600/photo+4+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYLisauKYjJ3yPB99MV-fyCbQHOgQHoCpa8liuzT3R2i8KJzpNPLLa5Phmpz1BN8t4ULI7tlPRPi_6gxZexj2gBV8bJZeNMJX1BS-QRt0iCoaBhm_o0FGsD1IahqPVUuqi15uCDOViE0/s400/photo+4+%25289%2529.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">June: Fun with mustaches at another awesome wedding </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmZi7jr69-MJGj5kxsU1GMMsHKEblJ6op2iGHmlcBGOCDr-gx3y6VnPHmHFkTELXY6mGm2bjpvr8UV3vzIuEYw_w4TKT9OJP5kDh9ozmvc8Wpk9VC-yqaY_24-FA3JKFOpGy-mxjVfBM/s1600/photo+2+%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmZi7jr69-MJGj5kxsU1GMMsHKEblJ6op2iGHmlcBGOCDr-gx3y6VnPHmHFkTELXY6mGm2bjpvr8UV3vzIuEYw_w4TKT9OJP5kDh9ozmvc8Wpk9VC-yqaY_24-FA3JKFOpGy-mxjVfBM/s400/photo+2+%252821%2529.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">July: A very patriotic Independence day weekend spent in Texas<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkI_mri9T8p5GkcTHe_dII90dnAhOZINOSdFBZsHawWOBzyNYaZ7pFaYElXMHJb4kK9t_Zx5XiAdWHVWNmAL22VJwnuOV0IWVPLtL37afRwmWKMTyeo-RINt7291-BEGGCF614QvFCfU/s1600/photo+5+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkI_mri9T8p5GkcTHe_dII90dnAhOZINOSdFBZsHawWOBzyNYaZ7pFaYElXMHJb4kK9t_Zx5XiAdWHVWNmAL22VJwnuOV0IWVPLtL37afRwmWKMTyeo-RINt7291-BEGGCF614QvFCfU/s400/photo+5+%25286%2529.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">August: Moving fun and apartment decorating </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CAxtk-jA2_khgoBIAuC9a-zAS5gcZzGBvk0oS9UGpIu8PnnuUA1JBeeANKMwJvq5Ttqdv38yBpmuO1_TJy6W6Y3I7wP_UxTs31Kbvixt2jruKHSyVFrXw4W-ZVYjiznQeObWCqr5fG8/s1600/miami.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257px" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CAxtk-jA2_khgoBIAuC9a-zAS5gcZzGBvk0oS9UGpIu8PnnuUA1JBeeANKMwJvq5Ttqdv38yBpmuO1_TJy6W6Y3I7wP_UxTs31Kbvixt2jruKHSyVFrXw4W-ZVYjiznQeObWCqr5fG8/s320/miami.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">September: A fabulous Labor Day Weekend in South Beach</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEp_cUd9I7HSPUTNX2Zo7jOYfHwxMWSqxQruJC8RhszhCqibYNIWlNh45tk5G9GgtnQ2-mjQvIsFpUhgMWoGfAssNDysJXwlT6eAnS1cWxWit57ltbjUkGjjve5fcu1F3hDFFnPO5Sm4/s1600/photo+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEp_cUd9I7HSPUTNX2Zo7jOYfHwxMWSqxQruJC8RhszhCqibYNIWlNh45tk5G9GgtnQ2-mjQvIsFpUhgMWoGfAssNDysJXwlT6eAnS1cWxWit57ltbjUkGjjve5fcu1F3hDFFnPO5Sm4/s400/photo+2.PNG" width="266px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">October: Some of the girls and I in Newport Beach </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZ0E1oVYXSRvel5MlGekFHF4lizEtiLF6VWDs1mbR6ATv92q4Kf3_mOWi93uLg6tip-XoMIWz9p7TRVZ0RTGPbZ0-acrpiMyQE8NVswb8a-52YLo7S5Pwu2lx6079laDxDmo776e4T7Y/s1600/photo_1_%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZ0E1oVYXSRvel5MlGekFHF4lizEtiLF6VWDs1mbR6ATv92q4Kf3_mOWi93uLg6tip-XoMIWz9p7TRVZ0RTGPbZ0-acrpiMyQE8NVswb8a-52YLo7S5Pwu2lx6079laDxDmo776e4T7Y/s400/photo_1_%252823%2529.JPG" width="298px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">November: My first authentic cheesesteak in Philly </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiz6cpHFopG6FOyh4NgMHy3wIg4hX8Js5D8oYDI67mOMTDB_ylyzOnt78FE8ZOXw3RW9K3FsfooSC8y-k9wtIEd5QwJSURuZgxr7WGZxRApoGfkKsPYAeyRo3FOx2RXreag-JabtqMTM/s1600/photo+4+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiz6cpHFopG6FOyh4NgMHy3wIg4hX8Js5D8oYDI67mOMTDB_ylyzOnt78FE8ZOXw3RW9K3FsfooSC8y-k9wtIEd5QwJSURuZgxr7WGZxRApoGfkKsPYAeyRo3FOx2RXreag-JabtqMTM/s400/photo+4+%252814%2529.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">December: My Sister, Mom, and I on Christmas </div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-75370105429717707942011-12-21T10:27:00.000-08:002011-12-21T10:27:41.088-08:00Christmas CookiesGrowing up, my Mom would always make batch after batch of her famed "Killer Cookie" recipe around the holidays. They were always quick to disappear, and in high demand at family gatherings. It wasn't until years later, when I proudly brought them to a party, that I learned they are actually a pretty common and popular recipe, found on the side of the Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk can. I'm on to you Mom. Nevertheless, <a href="http://www.eaglebrand.com/recipes/details/?RecipeId=3934">Magic Cookie Bars </a>have remained one of my all time favorite treats to indulge in and share at Christmas time. If you haven't tried them, be warned: they are highly addictive and it's near impossible to stop at just one cookie. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKv4kI5zuUC0pGROCBQs-2DOfuaTX-eRi1gXLGiL8jcTVosmiWJl8yu_1d9Sfwm_N8DPLkQSuNcYvWx5KH9tpv30BG1_kzTHvd4Uqp2_EfXUdCtQ99xY5o52QzUi27cIlQiPt2MbruSc/s1600/cookie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKv4kI5zuUC0pGROCBQs-2DOfuaTX-eRi1gXLGiL8jcTVosmiWJl8yu_1d9Sfwm_N8DPLkQSuNcYvWx5KH9tpv30BG1_kzTHvd4Uqp2_EfXUdCtQ99xY5o52QzUi27cIlQiPt2MbruSc/s640/cookie.JPG" width="478px" /></a></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-58433697474499888342011-12-15T08:50:00.000-08:002011-12-15T08:50:55.026-08:00Roasted Tomatoes with Shrimp and FetaThis weekend I had some friends over and made this delicious one-dish meal to enjoy for dinner. I served it with crusty french bread for dipping in the sauce as the recipe suggests, but the leftovers were equally as good served over rice the next day. This was really easy to make and my guests all said they loved it! <br />
<br />
<strong>Ingredients</strong><br />
<div class="recipeIngred" sizcache="17" sizset="98"><ul sizcache="17" sizset="98"><li sizcache="17" sizset="98"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" sizcache="17" sizset="98"><span itemprop="amount"><span style="color: black;">5 </span></span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/tomatoes-00000000039381/index.html"><span itemprop="name"><span style="color: black;">large tomatoes, cut into eighths</span></span></a></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></li>
<li sizcache="17" sizset="98"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" sizcache="17" sizset="99"><span itemprop="amount"><span style="color: black;">3 tablespoons </span></span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/oils-00000000039335/index.html"><span itemprop="name"><span style="color: black;">olive oil</span></span></a></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></li>
<li sizcache="17" sizset="100"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" sizcache="17" sizset="100"><span itemprop="amount"><span style="color: black;">2 tablespoons </span></span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/garlic-00000000039310/index.html"><span itemprop="name"><span style="color: black;">minced garlic</span></span></a></span><span style="color: black;"> *</span> </li>
<li><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount"></span><span itemprop="name"><span style="color: black;">kosher salt and black pepper</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"> **</span> </li>
<li sizcache="17" sizset="101"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" sizcache="17" sizset="101"><span itemprop="amount"><span style="color: black;">1 1/2 pounds </span></span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/shrimp-00000000039364/index.html"><span itemprop="name"><span style="color: black;">medium shrimp, peeled and deveined</span></span></a></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></li>
<li sizcache="17" sizset="102"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" sizcache="17" sizset="102"><span itemprop="amount"><span style="color: black;">1/2 cup </span></span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/parsley-00000000039341/index.html"><span itemprop="name"><span style="color: black;">chopped fresh parsley</span></span></a></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></li>
<li sizcache="17" sizset="103"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient" sizcache="17" sizset="103"><span itemprop="amount"><span style="color: black;">2 tablespoons </span></span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/ingredients-guide/lemons-00000000039324/index.html"><span itemprop="name"><span style="color: black;">lemon juice</span></span></a></span> </li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount">1 cup </span><span itemprop="name">Feta, crumbled</span></span> </span></li>
<li><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount"></span><span itemprop="name"><span style="color: black;">crusty bread, for serving</span></span></span> </li>
</ul></div>* I went a little bit heavier on the garlic, lemon, and parsley and was pleased with my executive decision to do so<br />
** I used white truffle salt from the farmers market <br />
<br />
<strong>Directions</strong><br />
<ol><li>Heat oven to 450° F. Place the tomatoes in a large baking dish and spoon the olive oil and garlic over them. </li>
<li>Sprinkle with ¾ teaspoon each salt and pepper and toss. Roast on top rack of oven for 20 minutes. </li>
<li>Remove baking dish from oven and stir in the shrimp, parsley, and lemon juice. Sprinkle with the Feta. </li>
<li>Return the dish to oven until the shrimp are cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm with the bread. </li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5azOH0etpommVxXq8F3b6g_Mefk-wcNmm2vujURE8ORvYuhtuOqqD9kfDOOw3LIjaGpzFcoa-BQyfc7GSNGXZeUXoMPEkqGD49j9ibguUu1UVWA0PMO47uHngxysfnCQq0c7VoppGKSY/s1600/tomatoes-shrimp-feta_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5azOH0etpommVxXq8F3b6g_Mefk-wcNmm2vujURE8ORvYuhtuOqqD9kfDOOw3LIjaGpzFcoa-BQyfc7GSNGXZeUXoMPEkqGD49j9ibguUu1UVWA0PMO47uHngxysfnCQq0c7VoppGKSY/s400/tomatoes-shrimp-feta_300.jpg" width="335px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/roasted-tomatoes-shrimp-feta-10000000780294/index.html">credit </a></div></ol><div class="recipeDirections"><br />
</div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-88640636633619178812011-12-14T23:18:00.000-08:002011-12-14T23:21:50.569-08:00Seeing Red<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div style="height: 500px; position: relative; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/reds/set?.embedder=2351012&.svc=blogger&id=40795478"><img alt="reds" border="0" force="1" height="500" src="http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/40795478/id/LuTHyegm4RGfXnCurDWPQg/size/x.jpg" title="reds" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div><small><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the most part, I'm drawn to red clothing and accessories year round, but I like to take full advantage of the fact that the holidays give me a special reason to incorporate the fun eye-catching color into my wardrobe and make-up daily for the sake of feeling festive. Here are some old and new favorites that have been making regular appearances the last few weeks. Click on the set for more details.</span> </span></small></div></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-47142326569555302212011-11-15T20:09:00.000-08:002011-11-15T20:45:29.723-08:00Lately......I've been traveling a lot. Dallas, Philadelphia, and Austin. They were all awesome<br />
...I can't get enough of Trader Joe's turkey meatballs<br />
...Work has been going really well, and I'm thrilled to say I've been enjoying my job <br />
...I've been trying to crack down on studying the real estate stuff (my apologies for my absence on here) <br />
...Sausage, egg, and cheese hotpockets are my guilty pleasure<br />
...I've been grateful for my roommate and our long chats<br />
...The combination of yoga and kickboxing has me feeling like a million bucks<br />
...Bon Iver and Naked and Famous are on frequent rotation on my Pandora<br />
...I drink a lot of hot tea... green, white, rooibos, herbal... I'm an equal opportunist really<br />
...TV doesn't appeal to me much<br />
...My favorite alcoholic beverage is Jameson + Ginger<br />
...Mastin's <a href="http://www.thedailylove.com/">The Daily Love </a>is always a treat that I really look forward to reading everyday<br />
...I try not to spend too much time on facebook. It gives me anxiety<br />
...I've been frequenting the Brentwood Farmers Market on Sundays<br />
...My bucket list and 2012 resolutions have been under construction<br />
...I eat spinach everyday. And I love it. And I think I have my Dad to thank for that (still addicted to <a href="http://becauseimtwentysomething.blogspot.com/2011/07/current-obsession.html">this </a> of course) <br />
...I've missed my blog, and plan to write on here more<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvyXs8UIjEBWdK24F6NMDPiqBmG3MBXnRXY8jfokSw3IMpmu8T_rZPEHORmEpmjZfF67d-PocaWchQ4f7lfn9KcuN2bPp_LonfPo1A-Qx2hV_EUyntTlY6fHdf5kZee0Up4YU2XQphgM/s1600/photo+2+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvyXs8UIjEBWdK24F6NMDPiqBmG3MBXnRXY8jfokSw3IMpmu8T_rZPEHORmEpmjZfF67d-PocaWchQ4f7lfn9KcuN2bPp_LonfPo1A-Qx2hV_EUyntTlY6fHdf5kZee0Up4YU2XQphgM/s640/photo+2+%252817%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> What a treat it was to get a glimpse of fall on the east coast </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWunnubhaGWGpGuX1IQVCrX1SuzmUT2kV8jUwjJJ0IHd1tep_OHnqQdtSK9E1zlFSfkuSHVTn3yccvg_s4lQHsU8KhmeoKFfUN84bzjOj-aFSKR34GzirImA4hFetEjyrt2i3rMv32HAM/s1600/photo+3+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWunnubhaGWGpGuX1IQVCrX1SuzmUT2kV8jUwjJJ0IHd1tep_OHnqQdtSK9E1zlFSfkuSHVTn3yccvg_s4lQHsU8KhmeoKFfUN84bzjOj-aFSKR34GzirImA4hFetEjyrt2i3rMv32HAM/s640/photo+3+%252818%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A very relaxing sunset over Lake Austin before heading to the airport to come home</div><ul></ul><br />
<div> </div><ul></ul>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-67397808479131445702011-10-25T16:51:00.000-07:002011-10-25T16:51:38.261-07:00New GlassesI've been wanting new glasses for a couple years now, but since my insurance only covers either contacts or glasses once a year, I've just been opting for contacts. I've considered splurging on glasses but of course I lust over all the expensive designer frames, so after you add prescription lenses I'm easily looking at a $300+ dent in my pocket. Enter <a href="http://spexclub.com/">SpexClub.com</a>. They have tons of super cute options to choose from, a virtual mirror that allows you to try out your choices, and each pair is only $88 including your prescription! My glasses were on my doorstep in about 2 weeks and I'm really happy with them! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpnz2bN8jy5PtC9H7QZWgkADDH9hSXCC23lkqh8vXuaCMb47EmXOdeX-QJUZz5T1eqRfSTUJKUFAPexNNqjykFqyFhbUZd3aHsmJ8QoJFXa0CIygPqUmrc504trAV_51APSNfA4EUBC8/s1600/glasses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpnz2bN8jy5PtC9H7QZWgkADDH9hSXCC23lkqh8vXuaCMb47EmXOdeX-QJUZz5T1eqRfSTUJKUFAPexNNqjykFqyFhbUZd3aHsmJ8QoJFXa0CIygPqUmrc504trAV_51APSNfA4EUBC8/s640/glasses.JPG" width="478px" /></a>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-1649125367599395262011-10-12T09:20:00.000-07:002011-10-12T09:20:46.036-07:00Pumpkin Spice MuffinsLast night it occurred to me that we are almost halfway through October and I haven't consumed anything with pumpkin yet! I wanted to feel festive with a yummy smelling apartment and treats to share with co-workers but I didn't want to spend hours in a hot kitchen since the fall weather hasn't exactly found it's way to LA yet. Enter the easiest muffin recipe ever: <br />
<ul><li>1 box spice cake mix</li>
<li>1 15oz can of pumpkin</li>
<ul><li>Mix well, drop in lined muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 (yields 12) </li>
</ul></ul>That's it! They were a hit at work and I was impressed with how moist they were, but next time I definitely think I'll experiment with adding chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, or even a bit of a crumb topping. The best part is that these are pretty healthy since there is no need to add oil, butter, or eggs. I'll definitely be making these again before the season is over. What are your favorite sweets for Fall? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJSRCCDJx4L4A08hF9CNEa5KjEiQYaXuCqMb5g5jNtqjGSh6KEhXvalIFu7cHB3GhKYeMhs69MAjhvnEgEXrU-U2qykc-2MIbcQVNnPcJ49uXgDALiZusoAYGIGvMWtmcdeY5smqF9oE/s1600/PUMPKIN.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJSRCCDJx4L4A08hF9CNEa5KjEiQYaXuCqMb5g5jNtqjGSh6KEhXvalIFu7cHB3GhKYeMhs69MAjhvnEgEXrU-U2qykc-2MIbcQVNnPcJ49uXgDALiZusoAYGIGvMWtmcdeY5smqF9oE/s640/PUMPKIN.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-75029527510868451572011-10-11T08:58:00.000-07:002011-10-11T09:09:50.268-07:00TX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yiYBuDRyQ2tWd6QkxzEWQpmEX4OXlM-U3Zl5SVh8T40Jn_rA2E7oebUhSnIkikXyo8zxGc9GEWsaMPm2StncReJw1mKx63Hje0UuUt9Kb3tCdCKc-G_tE8X2OW7kxnW4PRWqPq1fMIo/s1600/boots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yiYBuDRyQ2tWd6QkxzEWQpmEX4OXlM-U3Zl5SVh8T40Jn_rA2E7oebUhSnIkikXyo8zxGc9GEWsaMPm2StncReJw1mKx63Hje0UuUt9Kb3tCdCKc-G_tE8X2OW7kxnW4PRWqPq1fMIo/s640/boots.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>I'm heading to Texas again this weekend and I guess my Mom figured it would be a good time to hand down these babies. She had the red and turquoise pairs made years ago and they fit like a glove! The middle pair are extra special to me because my Grandma (who was a feisty Texan herself) wanted me to have them when she passed away. I'm not exactly sure why, but I have a feeling it's because she always said I was the 'sassiest' of the 3 grand daughters, and she knew I'd make her proud in her boots. <br />
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I'm really looking forward to a quick weekend away and the Texas State Fair which of course means tons of yummy food, beer, and live music.Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7136318787275624351.post-70872876716692746862011-10-10T23:49:00.000-07:002011-10-10T23:49:33.729-07:00FitnessIt occurred to me recently that here on my blog I rarely ever discuss something that I consider a significant element of my lifestyle. Fitness. I've been pretty active since I ran track in high school, but after college I found that I had a lot more time to make exercise more of a priority. The last few months I've been doing a combination of kickboxing and yoga 4-5 times a week and I've been feeling amazing. The intensity of the kickboxing has also motivated me to clean up my diet a bit because I notice a huge difference in my energy level and ability to keep up with the fast paced, high impact classes when I have better fuel in my system. <br />
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The yoga is of course a slower paced routine that provides flexibility, strength, and a number of other physical benefits, but it also gives me mental clarity. At the beginning of every class we set an intention; either something we want to work to improve and motivate us through the class, or something we want to let go of that is effecting our lives. Another huge benefit of the classes is the fact that they are heated 95-105 degrees so we sweat out all kinds of toxins that do damage to our bodies over time. <br />
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I'm going to try to incorporate fitness and exercise into more of my posts because most people who know me well know that when I have free time, exercising is something I <span style="background-color: white;">really enjoy. What are your favorite/most beneficial forms of exercise? </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKX44kSsbk2w1AbHs8QLkVdn5wUmSi8q7wF5I8ruVQSGcmMywoQMGa7wdE7oHuOCUFRVpyoFyVAQ_pb48rzgsocQvFBzSLWVGA47w0YPrfHcQwEi9oyeuEzfkU3N5vZk2XCGPvEx8Y6A/s1600/exercise1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKX44kSsbk2w1AbHs8QLkVdn5wUmSi8q7wF5I8ruVQSGcmMywoQMGa7wdE7oHuOCUFRVpyoFyVAQ_pb48rzgsocQvFBzSLWVGA47w0YPrfHcQwEi9oyeuEzfkU3N5vZk2XCGPvEx8Y6A/s640/exercise1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK58oglojBaljLSOkNhzNipBYtwUs5pTkpmElDgaye8OYICL9Oax5oCcdwCmTGZvIM6gM_a75G1FAWNrNVYhI1k2bJc4kmunuCd8nIO48Jm4xYmL03wUau5qXfhpNidxzBODIWIFRAm_w/s1600/exercise3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK58oglojBaljLSOkNhzNipBYtwUs5pTkpmElDgaye8OYICL9Oax5oCcdwCmTGZvIM6gM_a75G1FAWNrNVYhI1k2bJc4kmunuCd8nIO48Jm4xYmL03wUau5qXfhpNidxzBODIWIFRAm_w/s640/exercise3.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvVzhlfe1uA3oKcVtbTeGJQ00UO4-G7J36ExDZL_LV0HWQCEADe7euLcGeBeGc5AS4HvkdVNwxQz8DBJtD9DLKROzSmlPjhMQ3K2WWB3f9jdiwqdZY7QMFkZAh8q7ctIeUKMs2LmVX8s/s1600/exercise2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvVzhlfe1uA3oKcVtbTeGJQ00UO4-G7J36ExDZL_LV0HWQCEADe7euLcGeBeGc5AS4HvkdVNwxQz8DBJtD9DLKROzSmlPjhMQ3K2WWB3f9jdiwqdZY7QMFkZAh8q7ctIeUKMs2LmVX8s/s640/exercise2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center">photos <a href="http://pinterest.com/jessicaleanne/">via</a></div>Jess{BecauseImTwentySomething}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01156711255262588130noreply@blogger.com0