Adventures in Cooking and Radical Self Love

Well, my dear followers, I have been experimenting a bit in the world of cooking and have really been making an effort to fix fresh meals. Over the past month or so, I have really become aware of what I put into my body and how that affects me.

I have also really been trying to focus on living in the moment and really eenjoying what life has to offer us. I now spend much more of my time looking at recipes online, doing arts and crafts, grocery shopping, cooking, reading, etc. I hate wasting my time in front of the television and find my days so much more fulfilled when I fill them with things that fill my soul with joy. (Not to mention I also have school and final exams to keep me busy!)

I can't wait to continue on these new cooking adventures and develop my skills. I cannot wait to one day be able to cook for someone else, cook for a family. For now though, I don't mind taking on the burden of eating this yummy food.

I stayed home from work today because of this stupid allergic reaction I have been having so I had a lot of time on my hands.

So without further ado, my day went a little something like this.....

I spent the morning with Mr. Bagira, did some yoga while listening to Pandora radio online (Madeleine Peyroux station) and did week 3 of my 100 push ups challenge. Check it out here (I am determined to develop some guns by the end of this program)

I then made myself some breakfast while listening to music. On today's menu was french toast topped with cooked apples and nonfat french vanilla yogurt with blueberries and cooked apples. I used egg beaters egg whites for the french toast because they are so much lower in cholesterol and in calories yet taste the same! To make the cooked apples I peeled a granny smith apple and chopped it up, put it in a pot and covered it slightly with water and brought it to a boil. I added some stevia and cinnamon. The breakfast was delicious....

I then decided to peruse the internet for yummy, healthy meals. I saved a ton of tabs in my bookmark menu. I think I will be doing a post very soon with some of my favorite saved recipes.

My next adventure involved grocery shopping. I am ashamed to admit it, but I have never bought meat/fish at the grocery. You see I am pescetarian (I eat fish but no other types of meat). I was kind of intimidated but eventually got over it and went up to the seafood counter and ordered some shrimp and some white cod fillets. Next was to the organic veggies department to pick up some essentials. I could spend hours in the grocery store. I spent nearly an hour there, roaming the isles for random necessities like lemon juice, turmeric, broth and more. Once home, I embarked on making shrimp paella. The website said that it would take a total of 35 minutes to prepare. That time is evidently for experienced cooks, because it took me about double that time. I didn't mind though, it was fun figuring it all out while listening to a little mood music (the Gypsy Kings). You can check them out below:

Press here for some music to accompany the pictures!

So good! and only 180 calories for 1 cup. click here for the recipe! I made so much and I even cut the recipe in half. I have tons of leftovers to last me.

Anyways, I hope you lovelies had a great weekend and a great start to the week. Remember to practice some radical self love and do things that make you happy. They can help to make the most mundane days seem rather extraordinary :)

XXXX