Monday, August 27, 2012

on banana and date muffins

A little bit burnt, but none-the-less yummy!
The whole30 would not approve this muffin as it is a substitute for a junk-y, treat-y style food. However, it is technically whole30 friendly and, as I searched my soul questioning my deep intentions for eating it, I decided it was cool to eat, because I didn't want it because it was a muffin, I wanted another quick and easy breakfast alternative. I usually eat breakfast at my work desk and a straight up banana just wasn't cutting it. As a bonus, these muffins are de-lish-us! Oh dates, you are the chocolate of nature!


Enough talk, here's the recipe:

Banana and Date Muffins 

(Gluten, sugar, and dairy free, brosefs! Adapted from this recipe. Makes 6 muffins.)

You'll need:
  • 2 cups of almond (or hazelnut) meal
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 large over-ripe bananas (or 4 small)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped dates (or more if that's your taste)
  • Coconut oil or ghee to grease your pan
Preheat your oven to 170*C (fan-forced).
Mix together almond meal, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
Puree bananas.
Add banana puree, egg, vanilla, and dates to the dry mixture and mix to combine.
Spoon into a greased half dozen muffin tin and bake for 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the centre comes out mostly clean.
Enjoy (n.b. they are better on day two, but warm out of the oven is good too)!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

on this busy season.


The last two weeks have been pretty busy times here at our house. With work and a multitude of projects and extra commitments going on between the two of us, we've felt a bit under the pump and stressed out around here. But finally today we've got a little bit of time this weekend to have a break clean the house blog.

Things are hectic, you guys! But fortunately, they are moving forward quite smoothly and on queue. I just finished week two of c25k, I'm 10 days into my second round of the whole30, and I just got invited this week to a great work event in Sydney in two weeks. Despite the crazy, as I said to Marsh the other day, I am trying to savour and enjoy all of these things as they happen, because I know that when they are over, I'll wish there was some fun stuff going down! And I really have had/got some great opportunities coming up.

In fact, by the end of 2012:
  • I will have been to Melbourne (twice), Sydney, Canberra, Singapore, Vietnam, and Margaret River for various friendly gatherings, work events, and adventures;
  • I will have completed my Graduate Diploma (or will I have turned it into a Masters? ugh, no thanks);
  • We will have taken our show to the Melbourne Fringe (!!!);
  • I will be able to run 5km (fingers crossed);
  • We will have moved offices at work to a much closer and down right better place; and
  • My bike will be put together (more on that later).
We've even started talking about our plans for 2013, which are very exciting, but mostly I think our goals are just to have fun (with friends, family, and each other), stay healthy, and save money. As much as I'm enjoying this busy season, I'm looking forward to things winding down in the summer time and spending time with the people I love.

It's hard for me to keep my head out of the future and out of the clouds, but I am working on it, and today is a day to be present, so I'll catch you later, dudes.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

on running


 Want to know a secret?
 On Monday I started the C25K and I am terrified that I will fail, which is why it's a **secret**. Let's talk about running.

My line on running has previously been that I am not a runner, never have been, and never will be. I much prefer team sports, aerobics, dancing, fitness classes... Anything form of exercise I can do that distracts me from the fact that I am exercising and gets me around people. I love to exercise in a group. When I have made little forays into running in the past, I am quick to give up. I find running hard! Physically I find it tedious, mentally I find it even more difficult, when I start to hurt and there's no real reason to keep going besides "just because" - no ball to chase, no high kicks to do, no instructor watching that's going to pound me - I just stop. Ho hum, oh well, running's not for me.

Images from TheColorRun.com
Then I read about The Colour Run on a couple of the blogs I read. Basically, it's a 5K run where, along the way, punters pelt you with coloured corn starch, and knock me down with a feather if that wasn't one of the most funtastic things I've ever seen. Even better was, a few weeks ago I found out that The Colour Run was making its way to Australia and to Perth, next February. Getting my colour on in the raddest way ever? Um, yes please! The only downside is: it's a five kilometre run and, as we know, I am not a runner. Never have been and never will be.

I thought long and hard about this and I made a decision. A decision, I must note, that is a much more determined decision than I have ever made before when it comes to running. Sure, I've made half-hearted wishful goals to run certain races but I've never seen it through, which is why I'm so scared now. But why shouldn't this be the time? Why can't I face this goal like a grown up, with a bit of grit and determination? Why shouldn't I do this now? No good reasons, etcetera, etcetera.


 This is the plan and my promise to you, Internet: With my trusty C25K app and a hand-selected playlist of optimum tracks to run to, I have begun the process and in eight weeks (around the time we leave for Melbourne Fringe), I should be running 5K. You guys, that is five kilometres and that will be a miracle. Then next February 17, two days after I turn 26 (eek, eek! bite nails!) I should be running through giant powder puffs of colour like a Smurf on acid. After all, as J-Biebs says:


Saturday, August 11, 2012

on being 25.

 
I had a long awaited get together with five of my oldest girlfriends last night, which was wonderful. One was freshly engaged, two others back from overseas adventures, and we were catching up. With the sharing of stories (as we snacked and sipped) came the talking of plans for the future and we all marveled at how we were now at this place: in our mid-twenties - some of us married, others getting married, others wondering how far off that will be, talking about children (one of my dearest friends confided in me yesterday, after years of being an adamant non-breeder, that kids will probably be on the cards for her), moving abroad, buying houses... Mostly this chapter is a wonderful celebration, but it comes with a bit of trepidation. Last night I said, "I don't really feel old enough to be 25."

Here are my ladies are doing shots like the classy broads they are.


Upon reflection, this is both true and not true. On one hand, does anyone ever live up to those expectations you set for yourself when you're 16? Married by 21, and a successful career/house/kids/dog by 23? I surely didn't, and I'm not sure I'm ready for marriage/kids/dog for at least a couple of years. When five couples of your friends get engaged in the past six months, this is something you need to be clear on. There's something in the air, 2012, and it's confetti-filled.


On the other hand, I feel perfectly poised on the crest of the 25 hill. When I look back at my life as it's gone, it's been awesome full! By 25, I have travelled, I have finished my bachelor's degree (and started a postgrad), I have begun a career, I have grown with my friends, learned new things, participated creatively and socially, seen the world, seen my world grow! On the other side of the hill (is that an upward or downward slope? I'm not sure) there is still a whole lot of excitement, milestones, adventure. At 25, I'm viewing it with a set of eyes that are more mature and (dare I say) ready for all of that wherever it may come.

Here's to 25, and living life at your own pace.

Friday, August 10, 2012

on blogging


Blogging. It's an idea that's been floating around in my mind for a while. I read a lot of blogs, they're the modern sitcom stories of our day, in a way. Mostly, I want to record this life I'm living. Take more photos, focus more on the positives, make my story a little bit more significant and real (to myself only) by documenting it.

What will that look like? I don't know! Hopefully it will be full of experiences, friends, family, and love. Sunshine, sparkles, and adventures. Probably some hard stuff too, but that's a part of life that has to come. Just a story about what it means to be 25 and living life in Australia, eating snacks, taking on too many projects, traveling the world, and lovin' on my boyf.

So I'm giving this a shot. Let's see how it goes!