I feel compelled to post for one reason only - the dinner I made last night. I must document it so I can make it again.
It was a vegetable soup that I ended up thinking was so awesome I want to make it for dinner again tonight.
Ingredients
- half a small yellow onion
- sweet bell pepper (I used a large orange one)
- roma tomato
- can of Campbell's tomato soup
- kale
- cumin
- hot chili powder
- chili powder
- coriander
- onion powder
- red pepper flakes
1. Cube all veggies
2. In a medium/large pot simmer the onion, pepper, and tomato. No oil needed.
3. Once they are steaming, begin adding spices - to taste. I 100% did not measure the spices. I just shook, stirred, and tasted.
4. Add tomato soup, do not add water.
5. continue adding spices, stirring, and tasting until you are happy.
6. Stir in kale
BOOM
Dinner is done.
It was like a veggie chili/stew. It was so good.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Monday, June 10, 2019
Post #40 Mini Rant on Speed Shaming, plus some other stuff
Fitness
Today is the 2 year anniversary of when I started using a FitBit. The FitBit company sent me a Happy Anniversary E-card. I kind of wish they had also included some statistics on how the past two years have gone; how maybe days I hit my step count, how many miles I have logged, or at least my average daily step count. Regardless, two years of tracking my fitness with the FitBit.In August, I will mark three years since I started running. I started the ZenLab's Couch to 5k app in mid August 2016. I don't use the ZenLab apps anymore, but they were very helpful for the first two years of my running journey.
I did a ten mile run on Saturday, and then Michael and I went to breakfast at a DC institution - Jimmy T's. I love it, they only take cash, but I love it, and I hope Michael and I can start going there regularly, maybe once a month or so. While we were there, there was some guy sitting behind me talking down about someone who did a 5k at 13+ min/mile pace. I was about to attack him!
I would never speed shame another runner, even if it is only a 5k. I do a little passive distance shaming, but speed shaming is something I cannot stand for. I finished my first marathon with at 17+ min/mile average pace. Sure I have come a LONG way since that March finish in Little Rock, but I am still a run/walker, and I truly believe if I can do it anyone can.
When it comes to running, I like to believe the only person I am competing against is myself. I am getting faster, and I can't compare myself to anyone else. I also need to keep in mind that my progress can be gradual. I am not going to wake up one morning and pound out a sub 30 minute 5k, that isn't me.
For me, my run:walk 1:1 pace is exactly what works. You know what else works for me, chicken and beer as my meal the night before a long run. Two weeks ago my 10 miler was only 5 miles long, this past week I had chicken and 4 beers the night before and my 10 miler left me feeling really good. I have another 10 miler this weekend.
My monthly 18 miler will be on the 22nd. I need to make sure I get out early for that one. I am flying to Santa Fe, NM the night of the 22nd - my flight leaves at 8 pm. I am looking forward to running in Santa Fe again, it will be interesting to see how I do in comparison to last year.
As of yesterday I weighed in at 144 pounds, I ate a bunch of candy today so I am not particularly happy with myself; old habits die hard.
Makeup
As of today I have used up $710.68 worth of product, that is 143 items. I have only purchased $220.41 worth of beauty products, this includes three shampoos and 3 conditioners that I will have purchased before the end of the year (I did "subscribe & save" on Amazon).Friday, May 24, 2019
Post #39: Another long hiatus
Today is May 24, 2019, my last post was on June 1, 2018. It has been almost a year.
At one point I was pretty good about blogging fairly regularly. There is a part of me that wants to get back to that. Not for any useful reason, but I think blogging about my running, my makeup, and my career can be interesting to random people, or my future self.
Updates since my last post, using the last post as an outline:
I said I would try to be more consistent at blogging. Since it has been 8 days short of one year since I last posted I am gonna say that I failed miserably at that. Maybe I will do better this year.
I am still trudging through the life that is Graduate School. More on that as information becomes available.
 |
| Erie Canal Half (5/19/19) |
Updates since my last post, using the last post as an outline:
I said I would try to be more consistent at blogging. Since it has been 8 days short of one year since I last posted I am gonna say that I failed miserably at that. Maybe I will do better this year.
Step Count
I did not make it to 100 days in a row with hitting my 10,000 steps per day. I made it over 50 days, but then failed. For the year of 2019, I have hit my 10,000 steps per day everyday except for (pause for counting) 16 days. That is 16 days out of 143 days I did NOT hit 10,000+ steps. I am pretty proud of myself for that. |
| Houston Half (1/20/19) |
Running
I have also been running a lot more. I ran the Boilermaker 15k last July. I did the Houston Half Marathon in January. I did the Marine Corps 17.75k in March. Just this past Sunday I ran the Erie Canal Half Marathon. I run daily and actually feel pretty terrible when I don't run. I am training for the Marine Corp Marathon (Oct 27). I expect the majority of posts over the next 5 months will be about my marathon training.Fitness/Health
I am also 40 pounds lighter than I was when I last posted. My last weigh in was at 147 pounds. For those of you doing the math, I am officially a healthy BMI. I am loving it, and I have lost enough weight where I have actually had to do a wardrobe refresh. I have spent over $200 in the past month or so on new clothes. |
| Wardrobe Refresh |
Makeup
I stopped tracking my makeup use up and purchases last year, but I have been doing it this year. As of today I have used up (pause to check spreadsheet) $623.98 worth of product, that is 124 items. I have only purchased $137.65 worth of beauty products (44 items - 18 of which are eyeshadows in a palette), this includes face wash and hair care items too. I was able to resist the temptation of the Sephora VIB sale.Work/Career
 |
| The Boyfriend and Me at a baseball game |
Other
Now for something completely different: I have a boyfriend, he is wonderful!Well, back to writing and working on a presentation for my next conference.
Friday, June 1, 2018
Post #38: Oh, how it's been so long, We're so sorry we've been gone, We were busy writing songs for you
So, no, I am not a song writer, but the Panic! At the Disco lyrics seemed a fitting title after my very long hiatus. I define myself as an inconsistent blogger for a reason.
I am going to try to get more consistent though. I am trying to get more organized in my life.
For the entire month of May I hit my 10,000 steps per day goal, and I am hoping to continue that trend. I have a goal of doing it 100 days in a row, which brings me to August 8th. So I will keep you updated on that.
This fitness goal has helped me keep my other fitness goals to. I am going to the gym in the morning fairly regularly (24 out of 31 days in May), plus getting in roughly 4 runs per week (3 short ones [2.5 miles] and 1 long one on the weekends [6-10 miles]). I am training for the Boilermaker, a 15k road race that happens in July.
I have been good about my makeup rehab too. Since the start of the year I have used up $534 worth of makeup and beauty products. I have spent $454 on makeup and beauty products in the past 5 months. It is still a lot of money to spend, but I am trying to reduce.
I am also trying to work harder on getting through this PhD. I have been dragging my feet, but that needs to stop. I have a thesis title now, which is a new development since my last post: THE IMPACT OF LOW-ENERGY ION POPULATIONS ON THE DYNAMICS AND LIFE CYCLE OF FLUX TRANSFER EVENTS AT THE EARTH'S DAYSIDE MAGNETOPAUSE UNDER VARYING SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC CONDITIONS
Just take a moment to let that sink in.
Well this has to be just a quick update; back to writing and working on a poster for my next conference.
I am going to try to get more consistent though. I am trying to get more organized in my life.
For the entire month of May I hit my 10,000 steps per day goal, and I am hoping to continue that trend. I have a goal of doing it 100 days in a row, which brings me to August 8th. So I will keep you updated on that.
This fitness goal has helped me keep my other fitness goals to. I am going to the gym in the morning fairly regularly (24 out of 31 days in May), plus getting in roughly 4 runs per week (3 short ones [2.5 miles] and 1 long one on the weekends [6-10 miles]). I am training for the Boilermaker, a 15k road race that happens in July.
I have been good about my makeup rehab too. Since the start of the year I have used up $534 worth of makeup and beauty products. I have spent $454 on makeup and beauty products in the past 5 months. It is still a lot of money to spend, but I am trying to reduce.
I am also trying to work harder on getting through this PhD. I have been dragging my feet, but that needs to stop. I have a thesis title now, which is a new development since my last post: THE IMPACT OF LOW-ENERGY ION POPULATIONS ON THE DYNAMICS AND LIFE CYCLE OF FLUX TRANSFER EVENTS AT THE EARTH'S DAYSIDE MAGNETOPAUSE UNDER VARYING SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC CONDITIONS
Just take a moment to let that sink in.
Well this has to be just a quick update; back to writing and working on a poster for my next conference.
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Post #37: February Empties - Makeup Rehab no. 2
02/01/18: Happy February! For the second year in a row, I am participating in #28shades, an instagram lipstick challenge started by my friend, Dorothy. We did it last year where we selected a different shade of lipstick everyday in the month of February. This year I am doing the same, but specifically, 28 shades of liquid lipstick. This reason is 2 fold. 1) I am not a huge fan of liquid lipstick, I prefer bullet lipsticks 2) liquid lipsticks go bad faster than bullets, so if I really enjoy any of my liquid lipsticks, I want to use them up before they go bad. This month will have me trying ALL of my liquid lipsticks, and I will choose to keep or declutter them.
My hope for 2018 is to use more than I spend. Each month I will post a blog with makeup purchases versus makeup empties.
Writing utensil empties: none
My hope for 2018 is to use more than I spend. Each month I will post a blog with makeup purchases versus makeup empties.
Writing utensil empties: none
February Purchases
1. Nyx primer $14.00
2. Maybelline primer $8.49
3. Make Up For Ever eyeshadow palette $19.05
2. Maybelline primer $8.49
3. Make Up For Ever eyeshadow palette $19.05
February Empties
1. Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant mascara $24.00
2. Japonesque Brush Cleaner SAMPLE $2.00
3. John Frieda Go Blonder spray $7.99
4. Pantene dry shampoo $4.99
5. Elizabeth Mott highlighter SAMPLE $2.00
2. Japonesque Brush Cleaner SAMPLE $2.00
3. John Frieda Go Blonder spray $7.99
4. Pantene dry shampoo $4.99
5. Elizabeth Mott highlighter SAMPLE $2.00
February Declutters
1. Elf face primer $6.00
2. Nyx Lip Lingerie - Ruffle Trim $7.00 (shade no. 1 of #28shades)
3. Sephora - wonderful red $8.00 (shade no. 4 of #28shades)
4. Caked - Low Key $16.00 (shade no. 9 of #28shades)
5. MDM Flow - Retro $23.37 (shade no. 16 of #28shades)
2. Nyx Lip Lingerie - Ruffle Trim $7.00 (shade no. 1 of #28shades)
3. Sephora - wonderful red $8.00 (shade no. 4 of #28shades)
4. Caked - Low Key $16.00 (shade no. 9 of #28shades)
5. MDM Flow - Retro $23.37 (shade no. 16 of #28shades)
Summary
Amount spent: $41.54
Amount used: $40.89
Values were a little closer this month. Here's to a low/no buy March.
Values were a little closer this month. Here's to a low/no buy March.
Year to Date (01/01/2018 - present)
Amount spent: $194.76
Amount used: $71.36
Friday, February 9, 2018
Post #36: Billy Joel inspired Project Pan, Update #2
February 9, 2018
1. Cold Spring Harbor - Rimmel lipstick #10 (value from Wegman's = $4.49)
2. Piano Man - Benefit highlighter Watt's Up (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2)
6. 52nd Street - Sephora eyeliner silver (value from Sephora = $12.00)
7. Glass Houses - Hikari liquid eyeliner iris (value from Hikari's website = $15.00)
8. The Nylon Curtain - Urban Decay highlighter Sin (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2) DONE 01/20/2018 I really liked this highlighter, enough to buy the full size during the Nov. 2017 Sephora VIB sale.
11. Storm Front - Revlon lipstick Stormy Pink (value from Wegman's = $5.49) <- patchy, I need to try a different lip liner, as of 1/9 I have been using Nabi's pink glitter lip liner.
See video here.
Had better progress this last month. Finished two things and decluttered the white cream eyeshadow. I have been using the Watt's Up, and I am not sure I like cream highlighter, but once I am done with it, I am going to keep using the other cream highlighters I have. I will be making no progress on the bullet lipsticks in the month of February, because I am working on my #28shades challenge, which is made up of all liquid lipsticks.
Duration: December 9, 2017 - (est) December 9, 2018
Update #2 - February 9, 2018
Products used: 3 of 13
Value used: $28.00 of $134.41
(albums in chronological order)
 |
| #1 Rimmel #10 |
 |
| #2 Benefit Watt's Up |
3. Streetlife Serenade - Dior lipstick samples (4 of them) (true sample, no value)
4. Turnstiles - Rimmel eyeliner noir (value from Walmart = $4.44)
5. The Stranger - white cream eyeshadow (value ~$2.00) DECLUTTERED 01/31/2018
 |
| #6 Sephora eyeliner |
 |
| #4 Rimmel eyeliner |
7. Glass Houses - Hikari liquid eyeliner iris (value from Hikari's website = $15.00)
8. The Nylon Curtain - Urban Decay highlighter Sin (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2) DONE 01/20/2018 I really liked this highlighter, enough to buy the full size during the Nov. 2017 Sephora VIB sale.
9. An Innocent Man - Victoria Secret perfume Heavenly (value from Victoria's Secret = $55.00)
10. The Bridge - Make Up For Ever mascara (value from Sephora = $24.00) DONE 02/01/2018 I really like this mascara, it is my favorite high end mascara. I would repurchase, but I have a whole bunch of deluxe sample sizes to use up first.
 |
| #11 Revlon Stormy Pink |
12. River of Dreams - John Frieda Go Blonder Spray (value from Amazon = $7.99)
13. Fantasies & Delusions - Tarte liquid lipstick Birthday Suit (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2)
 |
| lip liner paired with #11 |
See video here.
Had better progress this last month. Finished two things and decluttered the white cream eyeshadow. I have been using the Watt's Up, and I am not sure I like cream highlighter, but once I am done with it, I am going to keep using the other cream highlighters I have. I will be making no progress on the bullet lipsticks in the month of February, because I am working on my #28shades challenge, which is made up of all liquid lipsticks.
Summary
Project: Billy Joel Inspired Project PanDuration: December 9, 2017 - (est) December 9, 2018
Update #2 - February 9, 2018
Products used: 3 of 13
Value used: $28.00 of $134.41
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Post #35: January Empties - Makeup Rehab no. 1
So, as can be seen in my Project Pan updates, I have started to be more conscience of how much I am spending on my makeup hobby. I don't need to buy more than I use. My hope for 2018 is to use more than I spend. Each month I will post a blog with makeup purchases versus makeup empties.
01/22/18: Hit pan on Snow Day in Too Faced Boss Lady Beauty Agenda palette.
01/24/18, 4 hours after buying the Urban Decay Heavy Metals palette, I am going on a 'No Buy' until further notice. I will not buy any more eyeshadow.
01/29/18: My resolve has been challenged. There is an indie brand selling Tim Burton inspired eyeshadows. I love me some Tim Burton, but at $8 a pop, I have talked myself out of the impulse buy.
Writing utensil empties: finished Bic Round Stic M - blue (01/06/2018)
01/22/18: Hit pan on Snow Day in Too Faced Boss Lady Beauty Agenda palette.
01/24/18, 4 hours after buying the Urban Decay Heavy Metals palette, I am going on a 'No Buy' until further notice. I will not buy any more eyeshadow.
01/29/18: My resolve has been challenged. There is an indie brand selling Tim Burton inspired eyeshadows. I love me some Tim Burton, but at $8 a pop, I have talked myself out of the impulse buy.
Writing utensil empties: finished Bic Round Stic M - blue (01/06/2018)
January Purchases
1. Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit face wash (01/10/18) $8.49
2. Adam Levine perfume (01/13/18) $12.99
3. Urban Decay Distortion palette (01/14/18) $48.00
4. Nars foundation (01/14/18) $49.00
5. Nyx liquid eyeliner x2 (01/21/18) $5.50
6. Sally Hansen nail polish (01/21/18) $2.24
7. Urban Decay Heavy Metals palette (01/24/18) $27.00
2. Adam Levine perfume (01/13/18) $12.99
3. Urban Decay Distortion palette (01/14/18) $48.00
4. Nars foundation (01/14/18) $49.00
5. Nyx liquid eyeliner x2 (01/21/18) $5.50
6. Sally Hansen nail polish (01/21/18) $2.24
7. Urban Decay Heavy Metals palette (01/24/18) $27.00
January Empties
1. Secret Clinical Strength deodorant (01/12/18) $7.99
2. Elf redness reducing face primer (01/19/18) $6.00
3. Urban Decay highlighter sample (01/20/18) $2.00
4. Make Up For Ever foundation (01/21/18) $43.00
5. Smashbox insta-matte lip topper SAMPLE (01/21/18)
6. Nars foundation SAMPLE (01/23/18)
7. Maybelline makeup remover (01/23/18) $3.94
8. Maybelline mineral powder (01/24/18) $7.99
2. Elf redness reducing face primer (01/19/18) $6.00
3. Urban Decay highlighter sample (01/20/18) $2.00
4. Make Up For Ever foundation (01/21/18) $43.00
5. Smashbox insta-matte lip topper SAMPLE (01/21/18)
6. Nars foundation SAMPLE (01/23/18)
7. Maybelline makeup remover (01/23/18) $3.94
8. Maybelline mineral powder (01/24/18) $7.99
January Declutters
1. Pink Cream eyeshadow (01/21/18) $2.00
2. White Cream eyeshadow (01/31/18) $2.00
Summary
Amount spent: $153.22
Amount used: $70.47
So I didn't do so well this month, but, here's to next month.
So I didn't do so well this month, but, here's to next month.
Year to Date (01/01/2018 - present)
Amount spent: $153.22
Amount used: $70.47
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