Stuck in a Rut

Hey friends. I haven't been feeling all that well lately. Since I got back from vacation I have been seriously stuck in a rut. Not working out, not eating the best, drinking too often, sugar binges.... etc. I have started to notice my attitude, outlook, sleep habits, and eating habits starting to evolve into a way I wasn't proud of. After all it has been a whole month since I have been back from California. Well enough is enough and I need to stop making excuses & get back to business. If I can make an excuse, let me tell you this - I have been to 4 funerals in April and I believe we got a total of 5 days with sunshine (maybe less)? Needless to say it has been quite the depressing, ugly month. However I am ready to get back to the correct swing of things that worked for me.

I am back to drinking my hot lemon water in the morning before exercising on my eliptical for 40 minutes. (Today was day 2)
I am back to my clean eating ways and have cut off drinking alcohol (excessively during the week).

I made some delicious detox soup and hope I feel better in a week or so and can get back into weight lifting soon.

Don't let these cute faces decieve you. The one on the left (Kujo) thought it might be fun to chase some geese while I was walking him on Easter and pulled me down and hurt my shoulder. It's been really sore for about 3 days now and seems to be getting better. I am hoping so since I am eager to lift some weights :)

I made some really delicious tofu yesterday - all I did was let it marinate for 1-2 hours in Teriakyi and Honey - (after pressing water out + slicing) and baked at 425 degrees for 25 minutes - flipping once.

I love the leftovers on a sandwich!!!! Veganaise and mustard, tofu and spinach - yum!

Wish me luck in the next couple weeks that I can get back on track and keep my progress updated here :)

Question: What do you do to help you get out of being in a rut?

Baby Silas says "Hi" <3

Nichole

Spring Tease

Happy freaking Tuesday. The weather here is absolute crap. All day hail storm. Someone pissed off mother nature and it was not me! haha Thanks for coming early spring and teasing us here and then leaving us so abruptly.
Today was very somber for me. I had a family funeral to attend and the weather did not help the mood. At least I stayed dry in my new rain boots. Love these bad boys. I wore them out on Friday night, it was severe rain as well, not sure why I ventured out in that but at least my feet stayed dry.

What a conversation piece these turned out to be. Everyone wanted to comment on them and talk about them, touch them... strange... odd.. maybe they just haven't seen rainboots before???

Anyways, moving on I had a fun weekend with my girlfriends. We went out downtown Milwaukee and hit up some of the local establishments..

It was a very good time!

Last week I indulged on some new make up from my 2 favorite places :)

MAC pigmet in Rose

MAC shadows in Cranberry and Mythology

Bronzer by Too Faced, Eye Shadow by Too Faced, Smokey Eye Kit by Sephora (LOVE!)

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara... LOVE.

I love makeup and I definately have a collection but I always like to try new styles as well so you could say my collection is building! :)

I made some interesting vegan fare as well lately. Recipes to come soon.

Sun Dried Tomato Pasta with Pine Nuts

Vegan Sheperd's Pie

I have some Teriakyi Tofu in the oven & it smells delicious!! Have a great night :)

Nichole

It's FRIDAY!!!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!! I am excited for this weekend!!!! I get to hang out with my girlfriends all weekend since the boyfriend is out of town. I was going to go with him  but had to work and was unable to find anyone to watch my pooches.

So sweet....

I ordered a couple few pairs of shoes online from Macy's because they were having a great shoe sale. I got some rain boots...and some high heels... I wasn't thrilled with all my purchases at first so I was going to take some back but after trying them all on - I loved them all in their own unique ways... so I am keeping them all :)

I went to the mall with the intentions of returning some items but instead purchased a bunch of makeup.

Sephora just so happened to be doing free express makeup applications so I had a smokey eye done. This is really drastic for me and I never go this dark when I do my own makeup.

However I did buy the "Smokey Eye" Kit they used and hopefully I can re-create this dramatic look this weekend when I am out with friends!

I also dined at PF Changs (first time since I have been a vegetarian) and let me tell you that I was pleasantly surprised! They have lots of vegetarian options and they are so famous for their chicken lettuce wraps - they also have Tofu lettuce wraps ... they were delightful. I don't think my meat eating boyfriend would know the difference... honestly.

Looks like chicken... too bad it's NOT! hahaha

I also enjoyed some coconut curry tofu and veggies with brown rice - yum! Would love to re-create this sauce at home.

I can't wait to try more of their Tofu dishes!!! Good job PF Changs.

CHEERS to a great weekend!!!! Even though weather here is crap (40's and rain) I am going to make the most out of it and bring my OWN sunshine wherever I go! And I hope you do as well!!

Nichole



Blue Skies Ahead

I have been non-exsistent lately...... in the blogging world anyway. I have been keeping up on reading blogs just not commenting and not posting! Bad blogger :(

I have good reasonings... busy schedule, studying for insurance exam (which I passed today)! SCORE!, work, work and more work. However not that my studying is done I am hoping to get into the habit of posting a lot more and being able to have some fun!!!! We had some great weather in Milwaukee recently a couple days of 70 and 80 degrees which is really uncommon in April for WI weather. Getting ready for the summer months really bring a smile to my face!

I did finally get to try out this amazing restaurant in Milwaukee called Roots Restaurant & Cellar. This place is really great. I enjoyed every delicious bite. It has been a couple weeks since I was there so I am going to do my best and remember what these dishes were:

Parsnip "Ribs" Appetizer

Tempeh Taquitos

Coconut Oil Popcorn, Pickled Veggies and Chili flavored Chickpeas

My main course - Roasted Cauliflower over Balsamic Cream and Lentils.....Oh yes it tastes as good as it sounds :)

I love this place - so many creative and interesting options to choose from and they have a great wine selection as well. I can't wait to go back. They also have a rewards card for frequent patrons, which I think is a great idea!

They also have a nice view of downtown Milwaukee...

I made some delicious tofu that I had to use up last night for dinner.

I pressed the tofu with my wonderful tofu press.

Melted 1 TBSP of earth balance in a pan

added 1/2 yellow onion - once translucent add tofu (sprinkle with salt and pepper)

add Green pepper, mushrooms, broccoli etc

I enjoy cooking the tofu with all the ingredients so it absorbs the flavor.

I also added in a bunch of kale and spinach. Once the spinach and kale is cooked down and soft & my tofu is browned - I am ready to eat!

Added this into an Ezekiel Tortilla with Salsa & hot sauce!! Yummmmm....... flavors are so good!

I have also been busy with a few sporting events in the past 2 weeks..

Milwaukee Brewers for the WIN!

Milwaukee Bucks also for the WIN!

Kaela (my step sister) and I decided that we are lucky charms for sporting events. They always WIN when we go!!!! :)

Since I was so horrible with the 30 day Challenge I am going to try to do as many questions as I can to get this done and over with ASAP!

DAY 60 20: Nicknames: Nikki, Little Foot, Chicka, Colie

DAY 21: Favorite ALL TIME picture of myself?

This would be my most recent favorite that is easily accessible to me :)

Taken on St Patrick's Day :)

DAY 22: What's in your purse?

Not overly stuffed today but I always have my wallet, makeup bag, lip gloss, right now I have some coupons from bebe in there, a mini deoderant, bronzer, business cards, tanning goggles, mints, a camera, change, and a lighter. Random.... lol

Cheers to a great weekend and blue (summer) skies ahead!!!!

Nichole

Eats

While I was in California, I did indulge on a few things. I ate seafood again for the first time since January. I also had some cheese for the first time in a few weeks. The first night in Malibu, CA we went to a Greek restuarant called Tony's. They served an amazing bread & dip, that was endless and so incredibly hard to stop eating. I believe it was some type of caviar dip with avacado. I ordered "Vegetarian's Paradise" and out came 2 huge plates of food.

.

Hummus, Tzatziki, Melitzanosalata, Tabouli, Spanakopita, Tiropita, Feta Cheese, Horta... some of this was eaten the next day for lunch :)

Our 2nd to last night there we went to the Malibu Cafe at Calamigos Ranch. I really really loved this place. It was hidden and you can hike from here to vinyards for wine tasting. They had delicious food & tasty drinks. I had calamari in steak strips for the first time and even though they look like fish sticks they were really good. I shared all of this with my brother.

Crab Wontons

Our very last night there we had sushi and also stopped at In N' Out Burger to just to try it. I had the veggie option, which is basically just veggies on a grilled bun. In and out reminded me of Wendy's.

Super fabulous rum drink mixed with pure agave

Mojito - best I ever had

Great times!

Back to Reality

Why hello there!! It has been quite awhile since I have posted and I missed reading blogs as well!!! I was in California for a week... and I am in LOVE with California. My first time ever to the west coast and it was AHHHH-MAZZZ-ING. I soaked up the beauty of the Pacific Ocean... the night life of Hollywood and Los Angeles. Malibu unfortunately doesn't have much of a night life, but does have some decent shopping :)

Here is some pictures to show off the fun and amazing scenery that was enjoyed while I vacationed.

Hiking to Vinyards

For wine tasting

Explored the walk of fame :)

View from a Santa Monica parking garage rooftop lol

I have some more pictures to share but this is all I could do at the moment... lalalalalove CALIFORNIA. Thinking I could live here in the future ;)

Nichole