slow and steady

It’s a new year. Again. Does anyone else feel like they should stay the same age this year’s birthday? Can I turn 26 again in 2021? 2020 was a limbo year. When 2021 hit, like most others, I set some new year intentions. Also like most others, one of those intentions is to lose some weight and gain some strength. Ground-breaking, right? This time felt and is different though. I didn’t set a date that revolved around me being in a swim suit. I didn’t start January off with a Whole30 or cut out sugar, although I almost started a Whole30. So what’s changed? Why is this time different? Why is this year, really the year I get healthier again?

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start those resolutions, now!

You call them resolutions, I call them my “New Year’s Intentions.”

Potâto, potāto. Let’s call the whole thing off–wait no, don’t do that.  I want to keep with my intentions, and I know you want to keep with your resolutions this year too.  Unfortunately, the majority of people drop off from their new year resolutions, even as soon as January.

I say, let’s be in the rough 8% that carry out their intentions/resolutions/goals this year.  We can do it! And here’s how, start NOW!

cinco de mayo shrimp tacos

In case you missed it last night on my snapchat (@emvalerioti), I made my first video recipe: Shrimp Tacos for Cinco de Mayo!  It’s definitely janky being my first video, and it was recorded on my snap and not a high end camera… BUT it was über fun to make!  I enjoyed it and I got fabulous feedback from everyone, so thanks y’all!  Here are the snips compiled together with the recipe below!  

paleo carrot cake

Hey there!  Like carrot cake?  I hope that’s why you’re here, because I love carrot cake!  Want to know my new carrot cake secret??  Whelp, you better keep reading then.  I have to say, I am craving these now, but then again, I am craving everything and anything sweet… someone say sugar?  I just completed day four of a sugar detox.  It was much needed.  Trust me.  I may eat healthier than some people, but when it comes to dessert, seriously look out. 

dark chocolate rum cupcakes

I know I never did my Whole30 wrap up… it’s in the works y’all.  Actually that’s kind of a lie… It’s in my drafts folder, but not much progress has been made writing wise.  My apologies, but this recipe must be shared ASAP! *Note: these are NOT Whole30 approved ;)*  Alright, enough beating around the bush, I made these babies for my friend’s birthday.  Of course I made some healthy-ish improvements, but there’s also booze in them so… there’s that… and here’s the recipe!

a year can change you

A lot can happen in a year.  2015 has been my year that is without a doubt. I have grown in so many ways and really nailed down what I stand for and who I want to strive to become.  Of course, I am going to give you all a run down of how exactly how I have changed for the better this year, and you will get to see fun pics of some highlights of this year’s adventures with my friends, but to leave it at that would just be unfair.  Unfair because I am not the only one on this planet that has changed this year.  Every one of us has had an adventurous year for certain.

gingerbread brownie bars

Nothing says the holiday season to me, quite like some good ol’ baking.  Okay.  You got me.  I bake for every occasion, holiday, celebration, gift, etc.  Baking just makes me happy and those receiving my baked treats happy as well.  This bake session happened to be for my nutrition club’s holiday secret santa recipe exchange!  My secret santa recipient was gluten free, loved gingerbread and anything gooey and chocolatey-hence, the Gluten Free Gingerbread Brownie Bar.

pumpkin protein donuts

I know the “pumpkin season” has come to a close (Happy December!), but I could not not share these Pumpkin Protein Donuts.  They are healthier than normal donuts, think baked not fried and packed with protein and real pumpkin puree.  Yum!  So go ahead and indulge in another pumpkin treat before the ‘nog flavors take over (I will take eggnog over pumpkin any day to be honest…but the ‘nog can wait a bit more).  

dear jessi

dear Jessi,

Some days, it just hits me. It hit me again this morning as I was sipping coffee out of the mug I got you one Christmas.

It is an overcast morning. I am checking the weather to learn that snow is forecasted for next Thursday. Late I know.

I can’t help but be reminiscent today. It’s been a while since tears fell from these eyes of mine. I’ve been doing really well as of late. I wish you were here so I could tell you all about it. No matter how busy you were you always found time to lend an ear.

This morning, I’m thinking back to the time we carved pumpkins together in your dorm room and made more of a mess than we should have. We carved and talked for hours, then despite have a calculus exam later that week, we went down to the community kitchens to roast our pumpkin seeds. I miss that. I miss you.

xoxo,

Em

skinny mini pumpkin muffins

I have recently moved and although packing has never been a favorite of mine, this move was much easier than expected.  The packing, the transporting, the carrying, the unpacking, all were not quite as gruesome as I recall.  Maybe it is because I am use to moving every year and I have learned to make things easier (maybe I’ll do a moving tips post later).  I am not quite settled in yet…well, that’s an understatement.  If I am gauging this off of the level of groceries in my pantry and refrigerator, then I am dogging it.  One of the things I have learned from moving is this: it is a pain to transport food (in my opinion)–having to keep it all cold/frozen, worrying about spills and glass breaking etc.  That is why this time, I hadn’t been grocery shopping the two weeks prior to moving–and confession…I still have yet to go.  Needless to say, my food intake has been all over the place and it’s killing me and my workouts, but it has given me plenty of opportunities to use what I have and get creative.  Exhibit A: Skinny Mini Pumpkin Muffins.