Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake

Pumpkin Spice is everything. I am totally in the mood for celebrating the fall, so I tried a new fall recipe I found.This pumpkin spice shake was delicious and healthy! Here's the recipe, I found it on Pinterest!

1/2 banana, frozen (mine wasn't frozen)
1 pinch ginger (I didn't have this, so I left it out)
1/2 c pumpkin, canned or freshly cooked
3/4 c almond milk
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (I didn't have this either, so I left it out)

Put all of this in a blender, blend until smooth, enjoy!!

As you can tell, I left a few things out, and it was still awesome! I added about 4 ice cubes.

Like I said, it's really easy and cheap, so give it a try! :)

What I Love About Sundays

I have always loved Sundays, a lot. I think they are the perfect time to relax and do what you love. I work on some Sundays, but I still have time to start the day off with things that make me happy. Sometimes this is sleeping in, church, working out, cooking, or a combination of those.

This Sunday I dropped my mom off at the airport, which was bittersweet. It will be two months until I see her again, but it was great to have her here. After that I got a chance to go on a run. It was perfect running weather, so I couldn't pass it up. If the weather was like this all the time, I would think I was in heaven. There is something so different from running outside compared to running on a treadmill. It's much more freeing and really clears my mind. I ran 5 miles today, which isn't my best, but I felt really great after.

I also made an amazing Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake. I will post the recipe later, I am in a rush to head to work. But, I loved it, and it was healthy! And I promised to leave you all with more recipes!

One last thing I must tell you all about is my new little book! I spent some time talking with my roommate and reading through a fun little book entitled, 1001 Things Every Graduate Should Know, by Harry H. Harrison Jr. (what a great name.) My mom and I saw this book on clearance at Bed Bath and Beyond yesterday and after reading through it a little bit, I just couldn't resist getting it. There are a lot of funny things, as well as some serious ones, but it's a great quick read for a Sunday. I am going to try to read one tip a day and focus on that tip for the day, please don't be offended if they're not awesome, maybe I'll post one or two every now and then. So since yesterday was day 1, I'll give you tip #2, which is one of my favorites, so far.


"You need to know you're not entitled to a college degree. In fact, you're no longer entitled to anything."


I think many times we all think we are entitled to so much, so this is a great tip to ponder for your Sunday.

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

So, I said in the beginning this blog would be more than just an update about my life. I think I promise recipes and pictures and lots of goodies, but have been slacking. Obviously food is a big part of my life, I have been cooking like crazy out here, and trying to stay healthy! Lots of meal prepping and recipe finding! Here is a great recipe for homemade peanut butter protein bars. They are so easy, and may be the best thing I have ever eaten.

Ingredients:
16 oz peanut butter (any kind you like!)
2 C Whey Protein Powder (again, any kind. I used Jay Robb Vanilla)
1 1/4 C Honey
3 C Old Fashioned Oats
1/4 C Chia Seeds
1/4 C Hemp Seeds
(The seeds are optional, in mine I only used Chia because I didn't have Hemp, but both would be awesome!)

Directions:
Heat peanut butter in microwave for 90 seconds.
Stir in honey
Stir in seeds if you are using them
Stir in protein powder
Stir in oats

Mixture should be really thick, if it's too thick you can always add more peanut butter and/or honey.
Press into 9x13 pan.
Chill for at least two hours, then cut into small pieces.

Sometimes I'm not the best at making things. I literally mixed all the ingredients with my hands and flattened in the pan and stuck it in the fridge and they still turned out amazing. I think I'm addicted to them. I eat them a lot and the pan has lasted me almost a week. Also, they're a great substitute for when you're craving something sweet! Obviously, I am very proud of these, so you must try them!

If you have any questions, feel free to comment! Hope you guys enjoy, more to come!

It's Been Too Long

Gosh, I'm sorry to anyone who reads this, I have been a real slacker. However, I did take some time off from writing on this so you all wouldn't have to hear my rants and raves about wanting to go home, that can get depressing..and well, I want this to be light hearted.

I think I am started to like it here..which is a good and bad thing. I wasn't happy when I didn't like it here, that's for sure. But now that I am starting to like it here I worry I won't want to go back home. (but who am I kidding, of course I will.) The main reason I haven't been writing is because I am so busy. Honestly, what else is new. I currently have two jobs, one at a gym and one at my school and I work a lot of hours with those combined. I also have school. Which is going really well, stressful and hard, but if it wasn't could it really be considered graduate school? I also am volunteering doing some things for the basketball team at my school (so excited) and trying to have a social life and simultaneously trying to get some homework done. For those who know some things about psychology or graduate school, this might make sense.. I have started doing practice assessments and practice therapy. It is a great experience and I am just getting so excited for next year when I have practicum and real clients. I also have made friends!! I know everyone at home is excited. Lol. But what I mean is that I have met some amazing people here who have made my transition here a lot easier and I am so thankful for them. I also signed up for a tough mudder (Oct. 20) so stay tuned for that news.

My mama was in town this weekend! Whooo hooo. So it has been a crazy busy weekend of sight seeing and showing her around, getting lost and trying bourbon. It was good to have some family time. I miss them more than anything. It's weird to think this is like my home now. I can't call it home yet, it doesn't feel right. But it was great to see her and show her the city of Louisville and what my life is like out here. I know this seems rushed, but I'm off to take my mama back to the airport :( I promise, to anyone who reads this, I will be better at updating it with lots of great things.Thank you to everyone who reads this and supports me.

I'll leave you guys with a quote that's been on my mind:
"Life takes you unexpected places, Love brings you home."