SOTD: Pumpkin Pie

It's time for Smoothie of the Day! Do I even need to explain this one to you? It's fall. Obviously I'm hitting the pumpkin pretty hard already. Here's some proof:

First attempt at a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie.

That's the one I made yesterday. It was pretty good, but not quite good enough. So I made some changes this morning, and that's the recipe we're going to run with. Freezing the banana is always better, and the canned coconut milk adds some nice texture too. I'm not going to say it tastes just like pumpkin pie, because I don't generally drink pie. But it's pretty good and if you're like me and fall = PUMPKIN ALL THE THINGS, then it's probably worth your time. Obviously it's not as sweet since we're trying to be all healthy and crap, but you could always add some honey if you like. Or adding vanilla ice cream would probably turn this into a pretty great milkshake.

Take two, now with more ingredients!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (paleo, vegan)
(I didn't do much measuring other than the spices, so the amounts are -ish.)

1/2 c. pumpkin purée
2 T. canned coconut milk
1 T. almond butter (mine is maple/almond)
1 frozen banana
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. vanilla extract
1/8 t. ground ginger
1/8 t. ground nutmeg
1/2 - 1 c. of your smoothie-thinner of choice (I used boxed coconut milk.)

Put everything into your blending device. The amount of smoothie-thinner is up to you. I maybe ended up using 1/2-3/4 of a cup. You can always add more if needed. All the other ingredients are pretty thick though, so might use more, especially if you prefer you smoothies thinner than I do. Blend away, captain. I also added a couple big chunks of ice to mine afterwards to keep it cold on my way to work. And I am slurping it as we speak.

Let me know in the comments if you try it! I'm also considering adding espresso powder or using cold coffee as thinner next time to PSL this business. I don't know how that will work with the banana, but we'll find out. Happy fall to you!

Food: Paleo Zuppa Toscana

I made soup for dinner last night. I spent the long, holiday weekend helping my parents move my baby brother across a few states for his new big-kid job. By the time I got home Monday afternoon, I was ready to crash, but knew I'd wake up at 3am and not be able to sleep anymore. So, I made soup. I have several easy soup recipes in my brain-storage because most soup is easy and also I love it. Here's one of my favorites, inspired by The Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana with some changes from yours truly. It's paleo if you're alright with dairy, but you could probably sub in coconut milk if you prefer. As long as you make it, because it's delicious. Warm, creamy, savory, a little spicy and a little sweet. So good.

Some soup I made. And Instagram'd.

Paleo Zuppa Toscana
1 lb Italian sausage
1 onion (Mine was white, but any onion will work.)
3 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp of thyme
2 cups diced butternut squash (I got the pre-cut kind in the bag. [Lazy.])
1 bunch of kale
6 cups of broth (I used one carton chicken and one can of beef. It's what I had, don't judge.)
1/2 cup half-and-half (This is a guess; I didn't measure it. I also I usually use heavy cream instead.)

Put your soup pan on the stove. Turn heat to medium. Add your sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. I leave mine in larger pieces that seem like they'll fit on a spoon with some of their friends. (Or you could cook then dice links of sausage if that's what you like. I'm not the boss of you.) While your sausage is cooking, open a beer. (That's just for you, not the recipe.) Also, chop your onion in to similar friendly pieces and mince your garlic. Wash your hands if that smell bothers you, vampire. Check on the sausage. If the sausage is browned, add the onions and garlic. (If not, drink some more beer.) After the aromatics are in, add your seasonings. I guessed at those measurements, but obviously use as much or little as you like, especially of the red pepper flakes. When the onion starts getting transparent, add the squash. Let it cook for a few minutes while you remove the stems from your kale, chop it, wash it thoroughly, and let it drain (I use my salad spinner). When the squash starts to get soft, add the broth. Season it some more if it seems like it needs it. Add the kale. Bring it to a boil, then turn it down and let it cook until you like the texture of the kale. I like mine kind of crunchy still, so I pretty much turned it off after the boil. Stir in your half-and-half and nom away!

ReFashion I: Vintage Wool Coat

You all know I love thrift stores, but part of their nature is that you might find something you like but it doesn't fit you. Or you would like it more if it was slightly different. Well, a while ago, I discovered ReFashionista.net and was majorly inspired. Since I don't own a sewing machine or dress form, I have been slow to start refashioning things (although I do have a small to-do pile in my closet).

Fast forward to one of the many thrift store trolling days I have with my sister, and me finding a lovely red, vintage wool coat that fits me perfectly! However, I am kind of a shorty and this coat was almost floor-length. TOO MUCH RED! Also, shoulder pads = ew. But it was half-price day and I loved it, so $2.50 coat came home with me.

The alterations were pretty easy. The coat has visible stitches anyway, so that made it pretty easy for me to hand-sew, since I just had to keep mine looking about the same, and now having to worry about the thread being seen.

My room was messy and my cell phone was old!

So long story short: I made a long coat short! And ripped out the shoulder pads, obviously. With the length hacked down, it is much more flattering on my short frame. I would call ReFashion I a success! Apologies for the crap pictures; I'll have to remember to haul out the tripod next time!

Makeover May: Days 26-30!

Sunday, May 26
Hours of sleep: 10

B - Bacon, Smoothie (pineapple, banana, orange juice)
L - Snap peas, Blackberries
D - Pulled pork, salad (romaine, bacon, avocado, apple, walnuts)


Activity: Party at Hannah and BJs
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.

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Monday, May 27
Hours of sleep: 7

L - Grilled chicken salad
D - Spaghetti squash with meat sauce
S - Snap peas, Iced tea


Activity: Memorial Day parade and lunch with Andrea and Steph
Non-essential money spent on: Coffee shop.

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Tuesday, May 28
Hours of sleep: 7

B - Smoothie (strawberry, banana, coconut milk)
L - Grilled chicken and veggies, Snap peas, Blackberries
D - HBE, Carrot


Activity: Memorial Day parade and lunch with Andrea and Steph
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.

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Wednesday, May 29
Hours of sleep: 7

B - Smoothie (apple, banana, coconut milk, almond butter, cinnamon), Iced tea
L - Grilled chicken and veggies, Snap peas, Blackberries
D - Steak w/ mushrooms and onions, Carrots


Activity: Laundry at Mom and Dad's
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.

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Thursday, May 30
Hours of sleep: 7

B - Iced tea, Almonds [forgot my smoothie at home :(]
L - Grilled chicken and veggies, Snap peas, 1/2 Orange, Iced green tea
D - Hamburger w. onions and mushrooms, Sweet potato homefries


Activity: Dinner/meeting at Mom and Dad's
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.

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THE END! WHEW!

Makeover May: Days 21-25

Tuesday, May 21
Hours of sleep: 4

B - Banana, Almonds, Iced tea
L - Hamburger with mushrooms and onions, Snap peas, Blackberries
D - Chicken, zucchini, Iced green tea
S - HBE

Activity: Laundry, Played with my nephews
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.

My new snacking BFFs.

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Wednesday, May 22
Hours of sleep: 7

B - Bacon, Iced green tea
L - Hamburger with mushrooms and onions, Snap peas, Carrots, Blackberries
D - Chicken with zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and red peppers
S - Smoothie (coconut butter, banana, pineapple, orange juice)

Activity: Played with my nephews
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.
Wednesday Weigh-In: 146.0 (down 3.5 pounds from last week)

Mmm, pineapple smoothie.

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Thursday, May 23
Hours of sleep: 8

B - Smoothie (apple, banana, coconut milk, almond butter, cinnamon)
L - Hamburger with mushrooms and onions, Snap peas, Kiwi
D - Sausage, Roasted broccoli, Iced green tea
S - Almonds

Activity: Cleaning the house
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.

Roasted broccoli is the best vegetable.

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Friday, May 24
Hours of sleep: 6

B - Smoothie (coconut butter, banana, pineapple, orange juice)
L - Sausage, Asparagus, HBE, Carrots, Blackberries
D - Steak w. onions and mushrooms, Mixed veggies
S - Iced green tea, Almonds

Activity: Birthday party for my parents' friend
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.

This was one of the best steaks I've ever had!

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Saturday, May 25
Hours of sleep: 7
B - Smoothie (pineapple, raspberry, banana, orange juice)
L - Sausage, Asparagus, Blackberries
D - Cedar plank salmon, Veggie kabobs, Grilled pineapple
S - Sweet potato chips, Coconut milk ice cream

Activity: First grilling out of the season! And it was awesome!
Non-essential money spent on: Some grill accessories I didn't have.

So pretty and SO good!

Makeover May: Days 16-20

Thursday, May 16
Hours of sleep: 6

B - Bacon, Banana
L - Taco salad, Snap peas, Blackberries
D - HBE, Bacon
S - Sweet potato chips

Activity: Drove to Columbus
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing

Here is something I refrained from buying!

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Friday, May 17
Hours of sleep: 7

B - Smoothie (blueberry nectar, banana, almonds, flax seeds)
L - Salad (lettuce, carnitas, salsa, guacamole)
D - Salad (lettuce, cabbage, bacon, apples, avocado, almonds), Iced tea
S - Sweet potato chips, Dried blueberries

Activity: Saw Fall Out Boy in concert!
Non-essential money spent on: Eating out (Chipotle/North Star), Baby shower supplies

This concert was awesome!

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Saturday, May 18
Hours of sleep: 10

L - Taco meat, Roasted broccoli, Raspberries
D - Hamburger with mushrooms and onions, Iced tea
S - Sweet potato chips, Coconut milk ice cream

Activity: Saw Star Trek 2 and went for a bike ride with Justin
Non-essential money spent on: Starbucks, Movie tickets

I wore my VFFs on my first bike ride on my new-to-me bike!

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Sunday, May 19
Hours of sleep: 10

B - Banana, Dried blueberries, Almonds
L - Sausage, Eggs, Iced green tea
D - HBE, Bacon, 1/2 hamburger
S - Iced tea, Coconut milk ice cream

Activity:Worked out with Justin
Non-essential money spent on: Starbucks

I didn't take any pictures of my food, but here's a pretty cloud.

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Monday, May 20
Hours of sleep: 6

B - Smoothie (1/2 banana, peaches, raspberries, iced green tea), Iced tea
L - Salad (lettuce, carnitas, salsa, guacamole)
D - HBE, Bacon, Snap peas
S - Popsicle (banana, coconut milk, cocoa powder)

Activity: Baking for the coffee shop
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.

My new favorite iced tea: Market Spice Black.

Makeover May: Days 11-15

Saturday, May 11
Hours of sleep: 8

B - Sausage, Egg, Asparagus
L - HBE, Pork rinds, Iced green tea
D - Spaghetti squash w/ meat sauce, Chicken
S - Carrots, Snap peas

Activity: Worked in the flower shop
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.

Making Mother's Day corsages!

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Sunday, May 12
Hours of sleep: 9

B - Eggs, Sausage, Sweet potato homefries
D - Burger w/ mushrooms and onions, Green beans, Applesauce, Iced tea*
S - Popsicle (banana, coconut milk, cocoa powder)

Activity: Shopping with Justin
Non-essential money spent on: *Texas Roadhouse

I have solved the needing-chocolate problem. You're welcome.

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Monday, May 13
Hours of sleep: 5

B - Smoothie (blueberries, raspberries, 1/2 pear, blueberry nectar, lemon juice)
L - Chicken, Asparagus, Carrots, Snap peas, Blackberries
D - Grilled zucchini w/ meat sauce
S - HBE, Coconut ice cream, Pineapple

Activity: Baking for the coffee shop
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing.

My first smoothie in the Magic Bullet!

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Tuesday, May 14
Hours of sleep: 7

B - Smoothie (apple, 1/2 banana, almond butter, coconut milk, cinnamon)
L - Chicken, Grilled zucchini w/ meat sauce, Snap peas, Pineapple, Iced tea*
D - Tacos! (taco-spiced beef and salsa wrapped in lettuce)
S - HBE, Blackberries

Activity: Played tennis with Andrea!
Non-essential money spent on: *Relax It's Just Coffee, Tennis balls

I don't know who decided "Taco Tuesday" was a thing, but I like it.

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Wednesday, May 15
Hours of sleep: 6

B - Bacon, Banana, Iced green tea
L - Tacos, Snap peas, Blackberries
D - Zucchini with meat sauce, HBE
S - Juice, Almonds

Activity: Lunch in the park, Laundry
Non-essential money spent on: Nothing
Wednesday Weigh-In: 149.5 (down 0.5 pounds from last week)

Tasty lunch AND squirrel-watching.