Finally Accepting Winter

There was a huge development in Portland, Oregon this week and it deserves a mention. 

This season I felt the weather take a sharper turn than I ever remember from the past and it impacted me in a big way. I also think there was a part of me that has become a wuss amongst the elements over the past year since I stopped running. I used to be out stomping pavement no matter what weather. 10 degrees colder, add another layer. 20 degrees colder, wear gloves (or socks on your hands. Don't make fun, it works). 

Because of whatever excuses I want to make, I've become quite sensitive to the rain, the cold and the sudden change of the seasons. 

Therefore I bought a jacket, and it's everything I need. 

It's long, it's waterproof, it's warm, it has multiple pockets, waist defining details, zippers, buttons, a hood, and even the most ridiculous fur detail and obviously aggressive eskimo hood. 

I didn't find this jacket, this jacket found me. 

It was spotted at Costco after an afternoon of work beers on my usual quest for steak strips, gum and those delightful sample booths. Somehow I even managed to pass up the 5-pack of EOS lip balms, something I can't usually accomplish even in the Target check-out lane. 

My purchase makes me happy and might also make me feel a little ridiculous. 

Okay a lot ridiculous. #WinterIsComing

Something Good

Literally everyone in Portland lost their shit yesterday over the fact that it started snowing, even though they've been saying it for a week. When you can't walk outside without your teeth chattering you know it's cold. And when we've had an uncharacteristically dry winter you have to expect some stormy goodness brewing up. 

I kept all my snap friends well informed of the flurries that were accumulating and the fact that I got out of work before everyone because I live across town. I'm pretty certain that I won the day because it took me 50 minutes to get home going 15 miles across town, and other people who got on the road not more than 20 minutes after me were stuck in gridlocked traffic, cold and hungry. They were also probably pissed because their phone batteries were dying from all the baby's-first, puppy's-first, boyfriend's-first snow day videos they saw while scrolling their facebook feeds in traffic.

I didn't go out in the winter wonderland in my Hunter boots or my warm gloves though, because even the walk from my car to the coffee shop wasn't worth it for the reward. Instead I finished up my work day and mostly procrastinated by making new spotify playlists, drinking ALL the water and indulging in this amazingness.

Those things you see are peppermint pretzel thins and they are to die for. I snagged up four bags back in mid-December when you had to have the friendly Trader Joe's lady call around to other Portland stores to see who had them in stock and "if they thought they'd still be there in an hour". So, these precious four bags were now down to two, and what better occasion to indulge than a snow day with some tea! Thanks for the mug, Brooke!

I'm preeeetty sure that today's another work from home day and I'm massively thrilled about that. Staying in pajamas and listening to music at full blast is a thing that I can't get enough of. I also can't get enough of soup and want to try this paleo recipe that I pinned a year ago (literally).

My biggest wish for the weekend is that the snow lets up in the evening and I can catch the bus up to Seattle to visit my girl Amanda for a zero-f*cks-given weekend of wine and girl talks.

Happy weekend! See you Monday!

"Something good tonight made me forget about you for now"

Cringe at the Thought

Boo - hiss - scratch. Meah.  What a buzzkill to a snowy Friday.

Today at noon I am scheduled for a long overdue dentist appointment.

It's not that I hate the dentist that much. I just have a strange feeling that they're going to keep me around to numb up my face and stick a saliva vacuum in my mouth while they're hard at work. If I didn't have this appointment I would have stayed home from work today as the snow accumulates in Portland - super buzzkill. 

You see, with all of the cold weather lately I've noticed a problem tooth that about a year ago was almost a candidate for a root canal. It's been so sensitive to the cold that I've even taken a pause from running (in the 19 to 32 degree weather) because the wind sends shooting pains through my skull. It's also not a good friend to me when I go for midnight ice cream hunts but that was another day's story.

I sadly have to cram this appointment in today because I go off of my parents insurance plan in 10 short days and need that premium coverage while I can get it!

I wish I could say that I'm overreacting, but this isn't the first of my tooth problems. My mouth is literally full of metal from all of the fillings I've had over the years. You could probably get a tan from the sun's reflection off my shiny metal mouth. I blame my tooth troubles on my self-inflicted malnourished adolescence.

If I could go back 10 years I'd tell myself that my body will take care of me if I take care of it. Even the best brush and floss job in the world won't save me now. 

Hey, so who's in on a $10 bet that I'll drive home and Snapchat everyone my chipmunk cheeks? That is - if I can drive home. Hey Brooke, can I crash at your place if it snows too hard? kidding, kind of. 

Wish me all the luck! And please come over and make me a protein shake this weekend? 

Gifs 1 & 2

Tomato Basil Soup

Something you should know about me is that I have a bookmark named 'Tomato Basil Soup?' which links me to the Cafeteria menu at work. I check every Monday and literally put a plan on the calendar if Tomato Basil is an option on any day of the week.

I follow a few foodie blogs and Kelly from Eat Yourself Skinny does it right. I like that she shares recipes that are easy to follow and in-line with my taste... and my diet!

When Tomato Basil showed up from her on my Bloglovin' feed I pinned it, printed it and even checked out the Greek Yogurt Conversion Chart for Cream Cheese to cut back even more on the original recipe.

First off - I'm not against chopping onions, but doesn't this look so much more convenient at only about 20 cents more for the same amount?

Let's begin! In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and saute the onion for 3 minutes until it looks like this:

Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Add tomatoes (Thanks, Trader Joe's) and chopped basil leaves, bringing to a boil.

Stir in your plain greek yogurt...

...and watch the color change.

Pour all saucepan contents into a blender and blend until smooth.

Return to saucepan and stir in milk and pepper.

Return to medium-high heat and cook for 2 minutes.

Serve with grilled cheese or a slice of bread, your choice here!

What You'll Need (revised to show what I used - original recipe here)

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

3 garlic cloves, chopped

3/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

28 oz canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

1/2 cup (4 oz) Greek Yogurt

1 1/2 cups fat-free milk

2 tsp. pepper

<3 JE