Clothes were expensive, must fit into them.

I recently discovered that I could find out what google search terms led people to my blog. One big one was - "detox." If you've been reading this blog you know I don't often blog about dieting or juice cleanses. However, now that the bar, and post-bar vacation (post soon) are over, the "detox" googlers of the world may find something relevant on this blog. It wont involve counting calories or crash dieting, but it will involve a whole-hearted attempt at a healthy lifestyle. 

A couple months ago I was pulling on a pair of jeans when - SNAP - the belt loop came off. I thought "wow these jeans must be old," and sewed the loop back on. I didn't start to really worry until this happened with another pair of jeans, then another. It was then I accepted that mayyyybe I had gained a bit of weight. I resolved to do something about it. I ate well for about three days and then the weekend - and the DC bars - beckoned. "Come have fun...." they said. My resolve failed. My jeans still didn't fit well, so I resolved again. Once more the bars beckoned....and again my resolve failed. Are you getting the picture? 

This is not the first time this has happened. There are two elements in my life I have identified as weight-gain-causing culprits: 

1. Living in a city 

2. Being in a happy relationship

I know this because when one or the other of these elements occurs - I gain weight. 

Cities: I am a city girl at heart. I want to be in the middle of it all, meet all the people, and yes - eat all the food. As soon as I hear about a great new restaurant, I want to eat there. That place that makes great cocktails? Make me something with bourbon please! Happy hour? Okay! Add together all this and it's surprising I can still fit into ANY of my clothes. 

Happy Relationships: I have to admit it - I'm really happy in my relationship. We both like to eat. It's also hard that he could consume the entire contents of the Crispy Creme store down the street and fail to gain an ounce. Le Sigh. Seriously though...I know you all have experienced the - we'll just watch a movie on a Thursday night....oh holy hell how did we finish two bottles of wine - phenomenon. 

I have further proof these elements are the cause of weight gain. The beginning of my 3L year, about exactly a year ago, I moved back to Bloomington after spending the summer in DC. Boyfriend, a year above me, had graduated and stayed in DC. Living in Bloomington alone until December, I easily got back to my ideal weight. I didn't diet. I just ate like single Brittany and didn't go out generally more than once a week. I'd been to every bar in Bloomington about 90 times before, so I didn't feel the need to go again. I would still order Indian food on a weekly basis, I was actually running less than usual - I simply wasn't drinking much. I also tend to eat a lot of veggie- based dinners by myself. 

Side note: I love squash. I ate it at least twice a week for dinner. 

Boyfriend thinks stuffed squash is a side-dish you serve with a london broil. 

So that has led me to now - where I am just not happy with the way my clothes are fitting. Let me tell you - I have invested way too much money in my clothes to buy an entirely new wardrobe. So there has to be a lifestyle change. like I said...I have made half-hearted attempts at this about ten times before. So let me chronicle a few things that don't work for me. 

1. Weight Watchers: I think this works for other people. The fact that it didn't work for me? That probably had a lot to do with the fact that I stockpiled all my points so that I could drink 4 whiskey bourbons on Friday nights. I don't think that is the intended product usage? I also don't think its a great program for serious runners. Although again, maybe it would have been if I hadn't stockpiled all my points for dinner/ drinks. Attempting to subsist on grapes and greek yogurt until 8pm so you can have vodka pasta and red wine for dinner is likely to put a damper on any metabolism. 

2. Attempting to out-exercise a bad diet.  This worked for me until I turned 25. It's sad that it doesn't anymore. As long as I was running 20 or more miles a week, I could eat what I wanted. No more. The summer before my 3L year I tried running over 35 miles a week to out-do my happy hour diet. I ended up gaining weight AND shinsplints. This winter I gained weight while training for and running a marathon. My friend, at some point, 

You cannot out-exercise a bad diet.

3. My Fitness Pal. Again, I think this works for other people. My issue is the way it calculates calories. When you exercise, it lets you eat all the calories you worked off to hit some goal of calorie balance every day. This is fine, unless you exercise a lot. A 10 mile run would earn me a crazy amount of extra calories, which I then felt free to stuff my face with in the form of chipotle and IPAs. Even if you are burning a lot with exercise, your body probably will gain weight in the face of that delicious onslaught. Also, I cheat at My Fitness Pal. I know it doesn't make any sense, but I absolutely lie to it. So that makes it useless. I think for me, counting calories stresses me out and puts my focus on weight instead of health. The only times I've been able to lose weight are the times when I don't focus on it too much. 

Here is what does work, and its SHOCKING: Eating well and cutting out alcohol most of the week. This breaks my heart a little because I like red wine. I like white wine. I also like steak. I loooove cheese. But if I couple a reasonable amount of exercise with a good diet, I immediately start to feel slimmer, I feel healthier, and I am a nicer person. 

Lately, I have felt sluggish. I don't feel that great about myself, and I feel irritable quite a bit. I know that it's going to be hard. However, this time I have to make a wholehearted effort to do something about the situation.

Let me also say this is NOT ABOUT LOSING WIEGHT, although I do want all my skinny  jeans to fit well again. It is about feeling better, healthier, and happier. In all honestly the point where I feel at my best probably isn't more than a couple pounds difference from where I am now. However, the point at where I feel the most energized and fulfilled is pretty far away from my eating habits as of late. So with all that said - here is my plan - which I am sharing with you as a way to keep myself accountable, and perhaps to encourage others who may not need to lose a great deal of weight, but simply want to be healthier. 

So, I'm going to try my common sense rules: 

1. Limit alcohol. 

2. Healthy food. One or two fun meals a week. By healthy I mean this: cook it yourself, eat lots of veggies, don't dump the whole container of goat cheese in the salad (Yes, I do this). 

3. Moderate exercise. For me, this means 4- 5 runs a week coupled with some yoga and strength training. 

That's it.  I know it will be immensely harder than it looks. But I know from experience that once I start feeling better, its easier to keep on track. 

I wont: count calories, eat fried foods, or attempt to balance a trip to Pitango (their hazelnut gelato drowned in espresso = life-changing) with a six mile run. 

So we'll see how this goes! 

Foodie Detox: Heirloom Tomato Pizza

The bar exam took a serious toll on my eating habits. There was one day when I ate the following: french toast, cheese and crackers, a mix of smores goldfish and sourpatch kids, and movie theater popcorn. I felt pretty disgusting after subsisting on junk food for two months (although clearly I relished the excuse to eat like a second grader).  

I told myself that after the bar I'd change some of my eating habits. I blog a lot about spending less money on clothing and shopping consumption, but I don't always consider the eating habits we engage in as a culture. I don't want to launch myself into the debate about paleo-vegan-vegitarian eating. I tried the vegetarian thing for six months, and it turned out it wasn't for me. 

However, I think one thing we can ALL agree on is that our culture is one of mass food consumption. It's really pretty gross how much we consume. I'm not here to judge anyone else's eating habits, but I am going to try to change mine. By change I mean that I'm going to try and eat less preservatives, get rid of fast food generally (but not chipotle - I just can't), and try and eat as many fresh veggies and fruits as I can get my hands on. 

Things I will not be giving up? Cheese, whole grains, healthy fats (oils, avocados, etc), wine, beer, and the every-once-in-a-while medium rare steak. 

This recipe is a good example of my idea of healthy eating. Fresh delicious tomatoes, cheese, lots of yummy basil, olive oil, and whole grain garlic crust. 

You can find the recipe and instructions here. The only changes I made: I used a whole grain crust and added garlic and herbs to the dough. 

How To: Iced Coffee at Home

Iced coffee is my life support this summer. Usually when summertime hits I switch from coffee to strong-brewed unsweetened black tea - which I generally make at home. This summer, the bar exam means that I need more caffeine than iced tea can offer, and the D.C. weather means that hot coffee is off the table. I've been popping over to the little market across the street two or three times a day to get my iced coffee fix, but that means I'm spending too much. Two dollars a glass x 3 x 7 = 42 x however many weeks of this hell I have left = WAY too much money to spend on iced coffee when you aren't bringing in any income. (Sorry, I'm not actually going to work out how much it is. If I was good at math I'd be an engineer or something and I wouldn't have gone to law school or be studying for the bar . . . Life would be better if I was good at math.)

Yum. The problem is that you can't just brew coffee and stick ice in it. It's too watery. Same goes for putting it in the fridge or freezer and then putting ice in it. You've got to make a concentrate. It's actually insanely easy, and the finished product will last you a week or more (unless you, like me, drink three glasses a day). 

Pour a half cup of good dark coffee into a pitcher. Add two quarts of water. Use a spoon to make sure all the coffee grounds are getting good and saturated. 

Store overnight 

8 hours later, using cheesecloth in a mesh strainer, slowly pour the liquid into another container. 

When you're done pouring, press on the grounds to push the last of the liquid through. 

Now you have the coffee concentrate (which I should really just start injecting directly into my veins). 

Charlotte thinks this process is fascinating. (No. She isn't supposed to be on the counter.) 

Pour the coffee back into a pitcher, and gather your other necessities. 

You'll want your glass full of ice. 

Pour in coffee concentrate. 

Doctor to your liking. I prefer half & half and a teaspoon of sugar. 

Okay, maybe it's more like a tablespoon. 

Enjoy. It's the perfect studying companion. 

It's going to be a long and exhausting day. 

For most of us . . . 

Foodie Detox: Quinoa with Steamed Purple Cauliflower, Green Beans, and Almonds

This week, in repentance for all the weekend birthday festivities, I really wanted to treat my body to some healthy and nutritious foods. I was also (ever so slightly) hungover on Sunday and wanted something easy. Quinoa embodies all things nutrition: the tiny little grain is delicious, versatile, and a perfect protein. I had some cauliflower and green beans I'd picked up from the famer's market on hand, and I thought together they'd make a pretty delicious meal. They did! 

I bought this cauliflower mainly because it was purple, and pretty. Yes, purple is my favorite color. 

So purple! 

This thing is awesome. It cooks rice or quinoa in its bottom while steaming veggies on top (here is one for $25). To cook Quinoa in a rice cooker, rinse it, and then use water and quinoa in a 2:1 ratio. 

Throw your veggies in the steamer and let em' cook. You can also do this by simply placing veggies in a colander over a boiling pot of water and plopping a lid on top of the colander.

When everybody is done cooking (when the rice cooker clicks done or about 20 minutes in a pot), throw them all in a bowl, add some sliced almonds, and mix with some balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. 

Eat. 

Boyfriend says this dish looks weird ("why is it purple?"). Apparently men can't handle purple in their foods. It didn't taste weird. It tasted delicious - and nutritious! It was also incredibly easy and simple. 

My mantra is generally that the more natural colors are in a meal, the more nutritious it is. Eat colorfully! 

This dish was easy, filling, and inexpensive to make.  

Foodie Detox: Taco Thursday

Last night was gorgeous here in the District. It was breezy -jeans and long sleeve t-shirt weather. I had to have dinner outside. Since our apartment doesn't boast a patio, we headed over to Pizzeria Paradiso (best pizza in D.C. in IMHO) for brews, antipasto, and Paradiso pizza. It was delicious, and even though we had to wait twice as long for the patio, it was worth it. However, beautiful al fresco dining does not help to reinforce my determination to spend less on dinners out.  In order to renew that determination, I'm on a mission: discover the best summer taco recipe. One night a week for the next four weeks I'm going to cook up a taco recipe and rate it. (I really like tacos). 

Here are your contenders: 

1. These "the best you'll ever have" fish tacos from A Cup of Jo . . . I've tried recipes from this series before and they've all been delicious. This spaghetti sauce really is the best I've ever had. 

2. These delicious looking shrimp taco's from theKitchn . . . 

3. These shrimp tacos with chipotle cream . . . 

4. These shrimp tacos from the Pioneer Woman Cooks . . . 

These are all seafood because I like seafood. In the summer it just feels lighter somehow. I'm excited to cook up the first batch tonight! Possibly with margaritas. Studying for the bar necessitates margaritas. 

Foodie Detox: Impromptu Strawberry Quinoa Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I've been ogling these lettuce wraps on Pinterest for over a month. They look so fresh and healthy. I wanted them today, but realized I was missing half the ingredients (namely the apples/ grapes/ almond butter/ romaine lettuce - so all the ingredients). 

Normally when this happens, I skip over to the market and pick up everything I need for whatever recipe is tickling my fancy. This would be okay if I used the rest of the ingredients before they went bad, but oftentimes I simply find another recipe I want to make while good food goes bad in my refrigerator. This time I decided to be more economical. I didn't have apples or grapes, but I did have strawberries. I also had quinoa and iceberg lettuce. Thus my variation on this was born: 

Impromptu Strawberry Quinoa Chicken Lettuce Wraps: 

1/2 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 cup (or more) sliced strawberries
1/2 cup quinoa (cold) 
2 or 3 ounces chopped chicken 
apple cider vinaigrette (you can use whatever dressing floats your boat) 
salt/ pepper to taste 
Lettuce leaves for wraps 

Step 1: chop up some strawberries and cucumbers, throw them into a bowl with about 1/2 cup of quinoa. 

If you don't know how to cook quinoa, here are convenient instructions on whipping it up in a rice cooker. I like to cook a big batch and then refrigerate it to use as needed. 

2. cook up a chicken tenderloin or breast (you really only need a couple ounces) and throw it, chopped, into the bowl. Mix with salad dressing. I used apple cider vinaigrette, but you could use any dressing you like.  Salt/ pepper to taste. 

3. Put onto lettuce. 

4. Roll up. Eat. 

These were, honestly, pretty damn good, and really easy/quick. Make 'em. You don't need the exact ingredients -use what you have in your fridge. That's the point! If you're a herbivore, I think it would also taste great sans chicken. 

Foodie Detox: Farmer's Markets

I've been traveling every weekend for the last month. It's been a great time visiting with friends and celebrating new marriages, but I'm so relieved to be able to just stay home this weekend. I'll be spending most of the time studying for the bar, but I'm also going to take some time to relax, maybe catch a Nat's game, and (the activity I'm most excited about) head to the farmer's market. 

Farmer's markets are a veritable paradise of fresh food, flowers, specialty goods, and meats. You get quality produce, and you know you're investing in local business. Added to this, you'll oftentimes spend less than at the grocery store. 

Eastern Market is one of my favorite places to spend a weekend morning/afternoon. Its also a great place to grab brunch (although economical me suggests making brunch with your farmer's market treasures). If you are planning to grill, it's a great place to pick up chicken (so good and astonishingly inexpensive). You'll also find less common fare -  if you're feeling adventurous, try cooking something new! 

Yes, that IS a pufferfish in the middle. I'm not brave enough to try and cook him - but maybe you are! 

FRESHFARM markets are all over the city, and generally run from 8:30 to 1:00. Make sure to check the schedule, because they are only open on Saturday or Sunday. 

Farmer's markets are a great way to support your local community, local farmers (and a good motivator to get out of bed before 10:00 on a Saturday morning) - find the one in your hometown!

Foodie Detox: Trader Joe's Espiral Vinho Verde

I like wine. Cooking a leisurely dinner with a glass of good vino = my happy place. Wine can be pricey. 

Solution: Trader Joe's. 

I don't need wine to be expensive, and I generally don't understand winespeak jargon. Wine tasting is a favorite activity of mine, but I always find myself slightly annoyed at vineyard patrons who ooh and aah over the "dry palate" or "floral nose" of a wine. I know what I like...no fuss about it. I'll buy what my wallet likes, because I'm not getting paid to study for the bar. 

Epitome of yummy affordablity? Trader Joe's Espiral Vinho Verde. Mostly dry and slightly sparkling, it's really good. It costs 3.99.

3.99!

I have to give credit for this discovery to my friend, who stocked our fridge with Vinho Verde while we were broke ass unpaid interns. Thank You. 

Tonight, after several hours of studying, I'll be opening a bottle to keep me company while I de-stress and cook risotto. Risotto = my other happy place. 

Another good deal: adorable flower wine charms (also seen above): 

Available here ($9.13 for 12). 

Foodie Detox: Herbs at Home

I have a love affair with fresh herbs. I buy them for pasta, omelets, salads, cocktails - anything really...and then I forget I bought them and they rot in my refrigerator until I discover I haven't used them in time.

2.99 is not much, but it is too much to spend on something you'll only use 1/3 of before it goes bad (2.99 is 3/4 a happy hour glass of wine!- thinking in these terms is what I call responsiblish!).

Solution:

Grow Herbs! I thought my black thumb would make this impossible, but they have survived two weeks now, more...they are growing! If I can do this, you can do this. Plants hate me generally. I cannot tell you how many Orchid homicides I have committed. 

Plus, the herbs are planted in a recycled bourbon container! Green all around! 

Peppermint: great for tea, watermelon salad, corn salad, deserts etc.  
Basil: good in pastas, omelets, risotto, quinoa, salads, also great in cocktails 
Rosemary: a great way to flavor chicken, steak, and so good on potatoes 

I've used the basil in several dishes, and made tea with the peppermint. I haven't yet used the rosemary - I tend to veer away from meat and potatoes in the summer, simply because it's too hot...but I'm sure I'll come up with something.  I'm thinking maybe this rosemary gin fizz? 

Looks so refreshing for the summer!