Fixins for the Sniffles.

Yep, lucky me, I got a cold.

But also, thank goodness, I got a cold. I'm one of those people with an incredible immune system and only gets sick once every four years (and I mean throwing up sick). Colds also rarely happen for me, but it does mean that when I get them, I'm probably not going to get anything worse that year. I'm also thankful that I just got the sniffles because usually I am unbelievably prone to sore throats. And when I say sore throats, what I mean is: indescribably irritable, sharp, burning, raw, painful-to-swallow, miserable sore throat. It's everything in your power to keep from carrying around a jar with you, just to spit in, so you don't have to endure the dreaded swallow.

Now, since I've been sniffling so much, of course people have asked me if I am sick. When I tell them "yes", all of a sudden a parade of "I have..." whatever to make me feel better comes up. One that always pops up is lemon tea. I'm a huge fan of tea, but why lemon?

Well, not only is lemon high in Vitamin C, but also has lots of phytochemicals. This is a chemical compound that is found naturally in plants that helps boost your immune system. Ginger and honey are also found in many cold teas because when they are mixed together, they are a great expectorant. This means they clear the air passages. So, combine that awesome power with hot liquid, and you are all flushed out. 

I can say I tried the tea this morning, and praise the Lord, I can breathe again. Awesome what home remedies can do.

Gluten Free Banana Bread!

Gluten free, GF, here, there, everywhere! 

Especially now that I live in Portland, every restaurant menu you read has a clear label that they have GF items. Which for me, that's great! Yes! Those are the best two combined letters in the world when it comes to food. See, I come from a line of celiacs and gluten intolerance. Luckily I'm just gluten intolerant. However, I've also stepped back from wheat for the fact that it is highly overused and when you pack your body full of so much of one substance (not to mention the GMO's of wheat), you grow an intolerance for it.

With that though, I've never really ventured into the realm of trying to use substitutes for it when I cook/bake. I usually just eat my goodies on a rotation schedule (once every four days). So, gosh darn it, this was the weekend to try it out!

And....

Here is my scrumptious Gluten-free Banana Bread!

Literally, it was so good, that I single-handily ate an entire loaf in two days. So, this is round two, and you can obviously see that it was just best devoured. 

For this recipe, I used soy flour. Cool thing, soy flour has 35% protein, and so it's a great extra punch for us vegetarians. Though CAUTION! when making the batter, resist urge to lick spoon! Soy flour is mealy and super nutty tasting, so it makes the unbaked batter disgusting! However, I found out that after putting it in the magic baker, it gets transformed into mouth-watering deliciousness.

Here's the yumminess:

• 1 3/4c Soy Flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 1 t baking soda
• pinch salt
• 1/3c coconut butter; melted
• 2 eggs
• 3-4 mushy brown bananas
• 1c sugar
• 1 t vanilla
• Spices of choice: nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamon, poppy seeds

Enjoy!

New shoes!

Finally! I got my shoes. I have been getting down on the wire on shoes that are still safe to wear. And by that I mean, they all have significant holes shredded through the bottom. So I am now on my second pair of shoes. besides boots (goodness). And so far, feet are dry!

Tattoo number three

Woo hoo! First solely black tattoo and I love it! My design, too (as always). Thought it would be weird to stare at my handwriting all the time, but do far so good. Hehe.

Guy Trouble

Stuck. Don't know what to do. Lost.

I love you, but I want to love someone else.....
      It's kind of like that.

I love my boyfriend. He is utterly sweet. We've discussed moving in, getting married, kids—star crossed lovers, I would put it. However, lately, I've been having these underlying feelings that I don't really know what to do with. Certain things don't just set me off or are something I don't like, but fucking send me over the edge. The horrible thing is that they are more tendencies that he can't really help. It's just a part of his character. So it's not like how: my dad exaggerates a lot, my mom is an insane animal lover (worries too much), my friend smacks her lips. Ya know, little things like that. It's how he ACTS, that drives me up the wall. I'm not sure what to do with that.

So, I've been thinking about taking a break, but don't know what that would do to him. I think it'd be fine to "relearn" each other. Take the pressure off in a sense. However, I don't want to lose anything, but I also don't want to miss anything. (Please say you know what I'm talking about!) I want to experience dating other people. He's the only nice guy I've dated, so I feel like I'm being bias about that fact. But I catch myself all the time daydreaming about other guys, possibilities and what if's that I could be with.

The thing is that I want a MAN, and being the same height is kind of awkward sometimes. Plus, I like for guys to express their feelings, but he cries over everything! It's weird sometimes. I don't mean to be sexist, but sometimes, I want to be the girl in the relationship.

Ugh, so confused.

I'm Back! and with Determination!

So this goes out to a comment I got on my last article. It really was a wake up call that I need to start writing again (so thank you). I was hiding in the beginning of the year due to my weight gain, but now!

I am more determined than ever!

I was doing quite well this past winter term. By the end of February, my jeans were slipping on a lot easier (meaning, I was back where I was before I gained all this weight). Then, of course, finals, spring break and all that jazz happened (and I was a bit bad about my gluten-free), so I gained some back. UGH!!! Totally frustrating! It's even more pull-my-hair-out-aggravating since I used to have two cousins who were quite chubby, while I was stick thin, and now they got SUPER skinny, and I did the opposite! I could go on and on about how this is also my prime time to shine and show off my figure and there are all these adorable boys, and I just feel like I'm too big for them. 

So now! I am more determined than ever to finally get this weight off. I plan on an intense 10 week diet in which I want to lose a pound a week. I still not be as thin as I was when I lost the weight the first time, but I will have so much more confidence and that's really my ideal comfort weight. I would love to hear some motivating stories! Any motivation tips? Wish me luck!

So far this week, I've been so good! Lots of eggs for protein and NO GLUTEN! Not even tempted! Any awesome recipe ideas? (Keep in mind I'm a vegetarian). 

When You're Not Looking, It Comes

          This is me...                                                                                     Shy.

Note 1: I have been awesome at my diet eating healthy this week! Woo-hoo! and exercising!
It's already making me feel great! and super focused. Even just a bit more confident- like proud of myself. I have resisted such tempting treats by instead sipping on some water, and if I still felt tempted even after the fact, I would eat a petit little clementine! Mmm-mmm! (Lots of explanation marks, but I'm so stoked!)

Now, you're asking where the heck this shyness is coming from? Well, I'm not flauntingly confident as I used to be. I don't even want to take off my jacket in class, so people can't see my creases. I know it's not horrendous, but it's still a complete wreck on someone's self-esteem to gain 20 pounds just like that! Hopefully, this non-gluten thing will make some of the weight drop in an instant.

In addition, I chose this picture because I want to hide and bury myself until I feel ready and comfortable enough with myself to come out and show off my hot body. Really, though, I have to keep telling myself, guys still think I'm attractive, and especially on the inside. I am beautiful. They still see those sexy legs of mine. They still see this cute girl who has such an eclectic sense of style. For a FACT!!!!!
          This guy I just met in one of my classes (goes from 6-9pm) walked me to my dorm- which literally has to be the farthest possible combination of buildings on campus. Seriously? Obviously he likes you, Kadie. Gesh! I can't complain either because finally there is a guy who likes me that is my age, super attractive, and likes me when I'm at my worst (and he doesn't even know that, so it can only get better, right?)