Hi friends! Happy April Fools Day! No pranks over here, but I always love reading April fools blog pranks. My friend Caitlin always does the best ones! 🙂 Also, HOORAY for April! I feel like it’s seriously spring now, and the weather agrees. Such a gorgeous day already!
Anyway! I have all sorts of random stuff to share today, so let’s get to it!
1) I came up with an awesome and super quick but healthy dinner last night using only freezer and pantry items.
I was in the mood for something really fast and easy, so I dug three things out of the freezer: a frozen quinoa and vegetables mix (for carbs/veg – it’s plain, with nothing added to it but the quinoa and veggies), frozen peas (to amp up the veggie action), and frozen shrimp (for protein). I cooked the frozen shrimp in a pan with some oil until they were cooked, then added about half the package of frozen peas, sautéed them quickly until soft, and then dumped in the entire (already microwave steamed for 3 minutes) quinoa/veggie mix.
I added some soy sauce and a little chili garlic sauce, stirred, and dinner was ready. From freezer to plate in less than 10 minutes. Boom! Now that’s my kind of cooking. 😉
This was so surprisingly delicious, too. I love having easy meal ideas like this that don’t involve having a ton of fresh food around or following a real recipe. Great for empty fridge days when you haven’t been to the store in awhile, or when you don’t feel like cooking but still want something healthy, hot, and satisfying. I’m definitely going to buy more of the quinoa/veggie mix (I picked it up at Whole Foods) to have this again in the future!
Pretty close up pic:
And actual realistic how I really ate it pic. 😉
Matt was working super late so I ate in front of the TV – I’ve gotten completely addicted to “Hart of Dixie” on Netflix – it’s pretty silly but cute and really addictive. 😉 Guilty pleasure!
2) I reactivated my ClassPass membership now that I’m actually in town again for awhile! I’m in the mood to mix it up in terms of workouts, and my buddy Chelsea has been approved for low impact exercise (she had foot surgery a few months ago), so we decided to hit up a 6:30 a.m. barre class this morning at Barre3 in Georgetown via ClassPass. Love how easy ClassPass makes it to do friend workout dates!
Barre isn’t my favorite form of studio workout (you guys know I love high energy boot camps the most), but it’s always good to mix it up, and I actually enjoyed this morning’s class more than I have barre in the past – maybe because I went in knowing there would be strength/burn but not to expect cardio? The studio was beautiful, too, and everyone was really friendly and welcoming but low key – not intimidating at all. Def recommend checking out Barre3 if you’re a barre fan!
I want to start doing barre more because it’s so good for strengthening muscles that help with running. In barre classes I always realize, oh, hi, apparently I never use ___ muscles because I’m dying right now. Burns so good!! Thanks for getting me out there this morning, Chelsea! 🙂
Now that Chelsea is able to work out again (in a month she should be back to high impact stuff, too), we have all sorts of ideas for classes we’re going to try together – it will be good motivation for me to really mix it up! Happy to have my workout buddy back. 🙂 Any recommendations for DC or Arlington studios/workouts we should absolutely try that are on ClassPass? (Also, FYI, if you’re in DC and want to try ClassPass, here is my affiliate link to get a $10 trial for your first week (be sure to use this link, not the link above). Insane deal, and a nice low risk way to give it a shot! Just be sure to email them to cancel if you don’t want to automatically continue the membership.)
3) Don’t feel bad about leaving food on your plate – I always tell my AnneTheRD clients that food is only wasted if you eat it and don’t want it/enjoy it. Clean Plate Club no longer!
The above picture is what I left on my plate this morning – just two bites, basically, and I know a lot of my clients struggle with just leaving a tiny bit on the plate – it’s so tempting to just finish it even if you’re full/done/don’t want any more. Again – just remind yourself that the only way it’s being wasted is if you eat it and don’t want it! Save it for later, even if it’s just a bite – it will make a good snack! Or, if you’re out/can’t save it, toss it with no regrets. (This was my fave Flour Free High Protein Breakfast Pancake, btw. Yum!)
4) One simple change I made lately that has improved my health/sanity: I no longer charge my cell phone right by the bed/on the nightstand.
I was getting into the bad habit of always checking my emails right before I went to bed, and right after I woke up. This did absolutely nothing but a) make it harder for me to fall asleep, and b) stress me out immediately after waking up. So, I finally took action and moved my cell phone into the hallway, so I can still hear the alarm, but can’t look at it while in bed. I’ve also been making a big effort to read books before bed again – such a nice way to wind down. Right now I’m reading “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)” by comedian Mindy Kaling (of The Office fame). So far it’s funny and a nice light read!
Another cell phone-related sanity tip that I implemented years ago: turn off ALL your pop up notifications. It drove me INSANE to constantly get notified when I had a new email, or Instagram like, or whatever. Turning all of them off (the only ones I still get are obviously if I have an incoming phone call, or if I get a text message) was the best idea ever, and so helpful for not feeling like I always needed to be doing something/responding immediately/chained to my phone. It will be there when you get to it. It’s okay. Don’t allow your phone to constantly interrupt your life!
What’s one simple change you’ve made lately to improve your health/sanity?
