Yesterday... Time went buy, so slowly...

Yesterday... All my troubles seemed so far away....

Well, perhaps not. But I certainly had time on my mind.

I did however have a lovely day that I would like to share with my wonderful readers :)

It all started out with a wonderful breakfast. For the first time in a very, very long time, I had steel cut oats! I was planning on having these (1/4 c. steel cut oats, 1c water, pumpkin) two days ago before my driving lesson at 7am, but they took too long to cook so I had to abandon them mid-way in favor of some puffins. Thus, I left them in the fridge for two days, half-cooked, and pulled them out this morning, totally plump and hydrated! I warmed them up and topped them with cinnamon, jam, and pb. So Yummy! I may just be a convert. 

In the garden, reading The Bronte Project.

Somehow I whiled away the morning doing mindless things, and suddenly it was time to head to therapy! I drove the half-hour it took to get there with my mom (which is the freakiest thing ever, by the way! She would say the most frustrating things to me while I was driving, like "So, you have a tendency to drive way over on the right side of the road... And I don't know why that is..." Actually, mom, I had a traumatic experience in my childhood where I saw a chicken in the middle of the road and have since avoided that center divide like the plague. Joking!)

Therapy was good. We talked about replacing the eating disorder with other things in my life (art, studying, socializing, living...), my fears of weight gain (I have to gain a little weight to be safely in the mid-range of my set-point), and my plans for the rest of the summer. I love my therapist Diana, because she's so smart, eloquent, yet kind and empathetic. I feel so relaxed and reassured after I see her. In control of my life and inspired.

Afterwards, my mom and I headed over to this cute organic vegan restaurant near my therapist's office. I've been there once before with my dad, and I was so excited to go again! I love restaurants that boast healthy, natural, veggie foods. It warms my heart and makes me feel so light and happy!

Gotta love their slogan! Being vegetarian or vegan helps the environment so much! We reduce food miles, and require less investment into our foods for high yields!

They have the coolest stuff inside! It's like, if all the healthy living food bloggers came together and created a restaurant, this is what it would be like!

I mean, almond butter on your vegan Cranberry Walnut Bread? Yes please!

Kombucha outside of Whole Foods? Kombucha at a restaurant?

Loads of delicious vegan and raw cakes! They had mocha, chocolate, raw strawberry pie, key lime pie, vegan cheesecake... Gosh, it was like being on Katie's recipe page, but without the work!

So what on earth to order?

I finally decided on a tempeh wrap with avocado, lettuce, and tomatoes on an organic whole wheat tortilla. The tempeh seemed to be blended till smooth with something divinely creamy - hummus perhaps? The wrap was paninied into warm, gooey perfection. So yummy! I also had a small cup of salad made of grated carrot, plump raisins, and chopped pineapple drizzled in a creamy sauce. My mom essentially got the same thing as me, except it was called a "Tempeh avocado BLT." Basically, tempeh with veg and avocado in a sourdough sandwich. We both loved our lunches! We split a green tea jasmine bubble tea, which was delish! And of course, no meal is complete without dessert...

Shared chocolate cake, minus a few bites ;)

I really wanted to get the raw strawberry cake, but it turned out to have cashews in the crust (darn allergies!) so I went with the chocolate cake, which was good, but too dry for my taste. I like really rich, creamy, mushy desserts. Next time I'm getting the cheesecake :)

At the end of our meal, we went into creative mode. I started taking photos of stuff, and my mom did what she does best: drawing furniture and architecture. She drew this quick sketch upside down of my bed-side table that is in the process of being created. It was part of my old desk, which we chopped it into thirds, this being one third. I cleaned it, sanded it, and spray painted it silver, but now it needs a counter - I'm thinking glass or metal to go with my silver and turquoise color scheme.

Dessert! And teas...

After lunch, it was time to drop more money! Okay, I hate spending money, but I love shopping. It is quite a dilemma.

First we went to Anthropologie. I love that store. They not only have cute, unique clothes, they have the best home ware section ever! And boy did I take advantage of it. 

I must have spent hours perusing their knobs (clock knobs! What??), hangers, bowls, plates, mugs, cook books... Oh, there is such pleasure in seeing and appreciating beauty.

Plate (On sale for $3.50 down from $12!!), mug, bowl (only $5!), and two metal brackets for supporting a shelf.

Such beautiful dishes... It will be a joy to eat out of these :)

I'll be using these two brackets in my room to support a large (8' by 17'') piece of glass that will be resting on two chests of drawers as my desk. Apparently the glass will need support in the mid section between the two chests, so these brackets fit the bill nicely while also looking slightly antique and pretty!

Anthropologie done, we popped into a little antique shop across the street.

They had all kinds of great knick-knacks. 

 

I found these bowls of cheap thrills - watch faces, jewelry bits, bracelets, old keys, and was immediately drawn in. I realized I could use them to cover up some of the holes in the side of my bed-side table (above).

First, I started considering the variety of silver jewelry - squares, trapezoids, circles. Then my eyes were drawn to the square analog watch faces, and I remembered the time-themed knobs at anthropologie. I dug through the bowl, and started sorting them into little piles of similar brands of appearance, each match sending a quick thrill through me, and inspiring me to continue the hunt.

I eventually went for these round watch-faces. I found four small, identical Elgin brand pieces that had an old, weathered look to them. I was so pleased at my findings, and can't wait to put them to use!

I loved taking photos in this store. These bowls of, well, stuff, didn't seem like much to look at at first, but after spending way too much time browsing the clock faces and jewelry findings, I acquired an warm appreciation for the unassuming beauty these treasures, and their arrangement, had to offer.

Do you like shopping for antiques, home ware, or bargain treasures?

Points if you can identify the two songs in my title!

What I ate Wednesday and shopping! :)

Ello ello!

How are you today? I've had a mighty fine day. This morning I went for a run/ walk with my dad up in the hills for 4.5 miles. It was amazing! I absolutely loved it. It was hot, but I felt so strong and exalted throughout. I've realize that I can go as long as I want, I just need to take walking breaks. By the end of the run I was pretty beat though.

When I got home, it was 10:20, and I had 40 minutes to get ready to catch the train for my therapist and nutrition meeting! Cue major rushing around.

I showered, dressed, prepped my lunch, and was outta there. I had a good sesh with my Therapist and nutritionist, but more on that tomorrow. I came back on the train, and my mom and I did a little shopping in a used bookstore (<- love those!) and I got two books:

"The Complete Book of Running for Women" but Claire Kowalchick 

and "Married to the Job" by Ilene Philipson.

I'm so excited to read the running book! I browsed through it in the book store and it looked awesome. Lot's of good tips :)

Married to the Job is a little deeper. It was written by a psychologist who believes that Americans are such workaholics not because they want to earn money for their families, buy nice cars, or send their kids to college. They work till midnight then wake up at 6am because work is their life. Their jobs are responsible for their sense of accomplishment, they live for their bosses' recognition, and life outside work is... vacuous.

This is something I have dealt with as a self-admitted workaholic. I actually talked to my therapist about this today. Many people (my mom, dad, therapists) have been encouraging me to take three classes next semester rather than four, so that I could take care of myself. I've been very hesitant to take that course of action as I want to take full advantage of my college education and take as many courses as possible. AKA, don't take it 'easy.' My therapist told me: Recovery, a happy life, is so worthwhile. So much more valuable than not taking a class or two. Well it's still a thought in process.

And check out these amazing prices!

Gotta love second hand stuff.

Speaking of shopping - these are the tops I got yesterday:

I love the detailing on these tops. 

I mean, just look at the thought that went into them:

Love this detailing in particular. The lace, the stitching, cross hatching? Gorgeous

 

Anywho.

In true food blogger fashion, I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and do What I ... Wednesday.




Worked:
Run/walking - 4.5 miles
Gentle Yoga for 1 hour with a former yoga instructor/nutritionist at my treatment place. She's super nice and upbeat. She offers a body-image yoga class, which I try to attend regularly.

Ate:



Pre-run snack:

Peanut Butter Puffins with almond milk. 

Plus another handful afterward.

After reading on Emma's blog that she ate a meal without fats before exercise because it made it easier to digest, I decided to do it. It worked beautifully. No GI problems whatsoever. I was so pleased! :)

Mid-morning breakfast/snack eaten on the train:

Lunch in the park (eaten down in less than 30 minutes to go to my 12:30 appointment):

Salad: spinach, 1/2 apple, broccoli, edamame, 

vidalia onion salad dressing (<- best dressing EVER!!)

With two pieces of TJ's Pound Plus dark chocolate after.

And my view:

Afternoon Snack:

Soy hot chocolate. 

Free with a coupon.

Second half of my afternoon snack after yoga:

Chocolate vitamuffin top. 

Preceded by some carrot sticks and a few slurps of my mom's mango smoothie.

Dinner: (unpictured) flax tempeh, sautéed carrots and ginger bits, mashed potatoes and parsnips, hummus. Dessert was one of Amanda's no-bake chocolate cheesecake bites. 

Evening snack:

Greek Yogurt, pumpkin butter, dried figs, peanut butter. Mmmmmm. So good.

Ok, now it's off to bed with me! Night night :)

Feeling beautiful

I feel beautiful today.




New clothes, new makeup. It will make you feel divine. I bought a gorgeous navy crew neck cable-knit sweater from Ralph Lauren yesterday. On sale. For $40. I also got some really awesome oxford shoes. Also only $40.

My mom and I went to Benefit the other day while shopping on Fillmore street in San Francisco. She got her lashes dyed for the first time, and a makeup artist gave me a makeover. I felt so beautiful afterward. I bought the Yourebel tinted moisturizer and the concealer he used. Simple. Basics.

Today I put everything together, cable-knit, oxfords, tinted moisturizer, concealer, and some blush of my own before going out to the Asian Art museum to see the Shanghai exhibit. I had my hair in a preppy ponytail. I felt wonderful. No shame about my figure, only pride. I encourage you to go out and do some sartorial upgrades! A few superficial items to enhance your appearance will make you feel great, I promise.