books and music

looking for new books and music daily is something i love to do. there is nothing better than being so self absorbed into a book that you just cannot put it down, or listening to a song that literally just helps you escape and feel free from everything.

some new books that i am currently reading:

steve jobs autobiography

- read and be engaged by the story of an extraordinary man who has forever changed the world we live in through his creative and innovative drive

the lost girls

- if you are looking to embark on a journey around the world to find "one's self" and don't know how to go about it, read this book and visit this site!! the story of these girls is incredible.

new music that i have found:

-similar to my personal favorites of mumford and sons, the avett brothers, and florence and the machines, check out this folk band i just found called angus and julia stone. they are an australian brother-sister duet and are my new obsession!! 

peanut butter lovers

this is a recipe i got from a friend that makes a healthy yet satisfying dessert! it contains bananas, peanut butter, and the special touch of spinach. what is great about adding the spinach is that you can't taste it at all yet it adds a ton of nutrition to the dessert!

what you need:
2 ripe bananas
2 tablespoons of peanut or almond butter
about 2 cups of spinach

to make the ice cream:

after peeling the ripe bananas, simply put them in a plastic bag and freeze them over night.
when frozen, put the 2 bananas in a blender as well as the leaves of spinach. after blending together the two ingredients, simply put the mixture in a bowl. in a separate small bowl, melt the 3 tablespoons of peanut butter. (you can also melt chocolate if you want!) next, pour the warm peanut butter on top of the cold ice cream and enjoy!

to make the smoothie:

after peeling the ripe bananas, simply put them in a plastic bag and freeze them over night.

when frozen, put the 2 bananas in a blender, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, as well as the leaves of spinach. after blending together to your preferred texture, pour and serve!

obsessions

i have an obsession with fall. from the perfect weather, to the changing colors of leaves, and of course to the fashion, it is without a doubt my favorite season! here are some of my favorite trends of the fall:

essie's fall collection

wrapped scarves

jean flannels

combat wedges

layering of shorts and tights

parachute pants

oversized sweater dresses

vegan dish

a new thing i have been trying to do is to learn to cook. im a huge quinoa fan so while looking around for different recipes and some healthy vegetarian dishes, i found this dish online and made it for my family. it was amazing and is a perfect taste for the fall!


red and black butternut squash quinoa salad

1 butternut squash (about a pound) peeled, seeded, and cut into 3/4 inch cubes

2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil

salt and freshly ground pepper

1 cup quinoa

2 tablespoons of raisins (i like to use more!)

2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon of honey dijon mustard

1 tablespoon of honey

2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch dice

1/4 yellow pepper, cut into 1/2 inch dice

2 tablespoons of mint

2 tablespoons of chopped parsley

1. preheat the oven to 350°F. toss squash with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. place the squash on a baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes, or until tender.

2. meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring 2 cups of lightly salted water to a boil. add the quinoa, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. stir in the raisins and simmer, covered, until the water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. transfer the quinoa to a large bowl and let cool.

4. in a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, honey, and dijon with the remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

5. add the dressing to the quinoa along with the carrot, yellow pepper, mint, and parsley and toss well. taste and adjust the seasonings how you want! i use these as a baseline then add more depending on the amount of quinoa i use. 

the quinoa can be refrigerated overnight and serve the next day!

enjoy:)

bikram yoga

i have just begun taking bikram yoga classes and it is way different than what i expected... but in a good way! with playing soccer since the age of 5 and just ending my career after an amazing summer playing in canada, i figured i would be fine and in shape. so i show up, no yoga mat, no bottle of water, and no towel. i figured i could just wing it first time around. well this was just dumb by me. to begin, i was so extremely dehydrated, i almost passed out a half hour into the 90 minute class. besides the 95 degree, i just didn't understand how people (and alot older people at that) got into the positions we had to be in. it was completely discouraging and i wanted to leave the class. however, i went back the next day way more prepared mentally and physically. after a few classes under my belt, bikram yoga is just about my favorite thing ever. not only is it a great workout, but it gives me a new challenge every class. there is always room for improvement whether it is in the positioning, breathing, or postures, which is why this type of yoga fascinates me so much! each class you always want to be better than the class before and i always come out  feeling like i accomplished something new. so get out and try it! it really is life changing. namaste!

i attend the class in a small place in berwyn, pennsylvania and they really give a great class. be prepared to be exhilarated both mentally and physically!!
www.bikramyogamainline.com

welcome

as a recent college graduate, i am sort of stuck in a rut of not knowing what i want to do with my life and what i want to get out if it. i'm sure many of you are in the same boat and yes, it sucks. you sort of feel like there is nothing out there for you, your not good enough for a certain job, or what you want to do is unreachable. after graduating in may and spending a summer away in canada for travel and playing soccer, i am now ready to find what my calling in life is. thru this blog, i hope to express my way of living and the journey i embark on in hopes of finding a true passion in life and hopefully something i love and can be successful at.